“Anyone can be successful if they work hard enough”
Describe yourself in three words.
Ambitious, driven, challenging.
What’s your biggest professional achievement?
Growing the company from zero to the largest independent thermoforming business in the UK.
How did you get to where you are today?
Hard work and determination.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I don’t class any day as typical, there are always new challenges to be explored. I could be meeting existing or potential new customers at our Innovation Centre in Washington, Tyne & Wear, UK, where we can design and deliver prototype packaging solutions – often within 24 hours – discussing production and logistics with the teams either in Washington or at our head office in Keighley, UK, or visiting customers at their own offices. I also make a point of visiting the major packaging shows either in the UK or overseas, to help keep tabs on future trends for our industry.
What have been the highlights of your company’s history, in your opinion?
Becoming the largest independent thermoforming business in the UK.
What is your pet hate?
Lack of common sense.
Give us a positive prediction for the food industry over the next 12 months.
Hopefully there will be more focus on innovation from the retailers downwards and not just value engineering of products.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?
Ambition and the ability to listen.
Who do you most admire?
My father, who taught me the value of hard work.
Which people/organisations or companies are the ones to watch right now?
I believe the ones to watch will be owner managed companies as they are the ones that are able to react more quickly and more flexibly to customers’ needs.
Which words do you most overuse?
Leave it with me.
If you weren’t in your current position, what else might you be doing?
I can’t imagine doing anything else – I’m lucky in that I truly love my job and have never wondered, what if?
Tell us something about yourself that few people know.
I used to be a mechanic and hold a HGV licence.
Any vices?
Cars – old, new, fast, slow – as long as they go.
What single thing would most improve the quality of your life?
More family time.
How do you relax?
I don’t really have much time to relax, but when I do, I enjoy time with the family, good food and my cars.
How would you like to be remembered?
To prove that anyone can be successful if they work hard enough.
