When did you join ( or start ) the company ?

I started in 2001 , in the warehouse and worked my way to the trade counter , to field sales and eventually to where I am now as director at Guardian Building Systems .

Describe your working day ...

Pre-Covid , I was always up early , catching red eye flights between Ireland and the UK . I was going wherever needed , e . g . visiting fabricators , suppliers , and accredited installers . They were long varied days involving a range of different meetings and it was worth it to maintain the great relationships with our clients in a hands-on way .

Not being able to travel since February 2020 , proved tough trying to manage everything from Ireland . A positive is that I ’ ve had time to focus on product innovation , managing the development of the Guardian Building Systems house offering . One thing that has remained consistent is that I ’ m always reachable . I have been the first point of contact for our fabricators since 2007 and I like all our partners and my team to know that they can call anytime .

‘ we work together to deliver the best homeowner solutions ’

What is your workspace like ?

My desk is organised chaos , with a scattering of 3D printed prototypes , CAD drawings and Extrusions we have for product development . Fuelling our understanding of what will work within our systems and overall gives us great confidence when we are submitting to the different test houses we use for approval of products .

First thing you do when you get to your desk ?

When I get into the office , I have a coffee , and check in with my team . As an ex-professional footballer , I have learned how important your team is , and Guardian Building Systems would not be where it is , without our team and the wider Guardian family .

What websites help you ? I find that LinkedIn is a great tool for researching prospects and brilliant at becoming more visible in the industry .

Most useful business tool ? Pre-covid I was always using airline apps and booking . com . They were invaluable when travelling between clients , things can change so quickly when on the road , and I could easily end up in a totally different place in the country before needing to fly out again .

Now I use Microsoft Teams and Zoom a lot more to keep in touch with colleagues , industry partners and especially our suppliers .

Best business decision in your current role ?

The best decision , made by Joe Kearney - the founding director of Guardian Warm Roof - and myself was progressing Guardian Warm Roof to the Guardian Building Systems house model . Remaining loyal to our fabricators and not competing against any of our customers , we have created a framework where we work together to deliver the best homeowner solutions . It allows us to openly welcome feedback from our customers and work on making the systems offering even better . Within this we launched the nationwide Guardian Certified Installer network for installers , that also benefits our fabricators and their homeowners , providing support along every step of the process .

Favourite role models and why ?

Joe has always been a role model to me as he started the whole thing with Guardian Warm Roof , he taught me how to manage from a supplier , customer and design point of view - he ’ s also a role model for the industry .

At aged 15 , going over to the UK in my football career was daunting , but Chris Houghton ( then Tottenham Hotspurs Coach ) took me under his wing . Chris instilled a character of discipline and leadership within me which I believe helps me to this day , in many aspects of my role and in life .

How do you unwind ?

I try to balance my work and family life well . To unwind I ’ ll either be watching sports with a pint of Guinness or down the golf course when I can , though I ’ ve got nothing on our Niall Kearney who just played the DDF Irish Open at the start of July . I also love to travel , and I ’ m looking forward to when it ’ s safe to travel again ; I ’ d take a wine tour in Mendoza in a heartbeat .

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