Staff at Window Ware did not let the coronavirus pandemic stop them going the extra mile for Sue Ryder St John ’ s Hospice in Moggerhanger last year . The Bedford-based market-leading hardware distributor managed to raise an amazing £ 1,571.64 for its nominated charity , which provides vital expert care for life-limiting conditions .

Fundraising initiatives the Window Ware team carried out included a Trade Counter Tuck Shop and collection boxes , which raised an impressive £ 340.43 before the first lockdown hit in March , and in May staff took on the 2.6 challenge from home to walk , cycle , bounce , burpee , and bench press their way to raising a further £ 412 .

Window Ware also donated much-needed PPE to the hospice , including face masks and hand sanitiser , so staff could continue their work safely .

For Sam Nuckey , the award-winning company ’ s Managing Director , said : “ It was vital that we helped to keep their doctors , nurses , carers and specialists on the frontline and I ’ d like to thank all our team who carried on giving and quietly did their bit to support the hospice when they needed help more than ever .”

Hayley Webb , Sue Ryder ’ s Community fundraising Manager , said : “ Everyone at Sue Ryder St . John ’ s Hospice would like to thank Window Ware for their fantastic support . We have faced unprecedented challenges this year , including lockdown , PPE , shielding and restrictions on visits from loved ones and it ’ s thanks to this generous support that we have been able to continue providing care throughout .”

www . windowware . co . uk

When did you join ( or start ) the company ?

17th Aug 2020

Describe your working day ...

My working day is always varied as I travel around each of the Glazerite sites ( Bolton , Peterborough , Wellingborough ) on a weekly basis . Generally , I leave the house at 7am with a coffee in hand and make a few calls from the car to check in on each division for an early morning update and general daily progress .

I arrive at the office and catch up on reports and emails before heading into our daily 9:30am performance review meeting . I then like to walk the site inside and outside , catching up with people and checking progress and the quality of our products . I find by taking the time to talk with staff you learn so much more about your business and quite often that simple chat can unveil improvement opportunities .

It ’ s then back to key meetings ensuring we work and think as a group . Towards the end of my day , I check again through our automated systems reports and any emails and then set off home ( no coffee this time !), making a few calls on the way back . I arrive home to be welcomed by my favourite dog , Max .

What is your workspace like ?

I ’ m an army child so organisation is in my blood . My workspace is always well presented .

First thing you do when you get to your desk ? Unpack my food for the day as priority as it ’ s the fuel that will keep me going . I carefully plan my food to make sure I ’ m eating well throughout the day ; it ’ s very important I don ’ t get too ‘ hangry ’.

What websites help you ?

I like to keep up to date on the latest industry news and generally do this through industry magazines and websites and social channels .

Most useful business tool

The most useful and powerful tool in any business is you . Face-to-face conversations , showing interest and enthusiasm in what people are doing , asking how I can help and not being too busy to stop and listen . I think it ’ s really important to be consistent in what you ’ re doing and have passion and energy .

Best business decision in your current role ?

Arriving in the midst of the pandemic meant many business decisions had to be made quickly . We were facing unprecedented order levels as a result of pent-up demand and - sadly - because other fabricators had been forced to cease their own operations . It was all hands on-deck to fulfil orders and deal with the situation and the disruption the entire supply chain was facing . I made the decision to cap and hold our production capacity at a level that would help us improve our lead times which had been stretched to the max .

At the same time , I also introduced a continuous improvement culture across our sites so that we could take stock of our strengths and challenges and align our capability and capacity to better meet the needs of our customers

. Returning to the service levels our customers expect while accommodating the surge in orders we ’ ve experienced is key to the future of our business . The investment programme underway for machinery and plant is a major part of this too and I ’ m excited to be at the helm of that .

Favourite role models and why ?

It may sound a little soft , but I would say my mother ; she was an incredible woman . She worked so hard to bring us up and teach us the correct manners and how to move forward in life . She was so upbeat , regardless of the situation and difficulties she had throughout her career and life and she still remained positive about the future . She never really moaned , woke up early , went to bed late and pushed through the day with a smile on her face … I miss her very much .

How do you unwind ?

I enjoy keeping fit . When I was younger and fitter it would have been boxing and martial arts . Nowadays it ’ s weights and a brisk dog walk as I need to save the knees .

www . glazeritewindows . co . uk