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 pick up the phone or call a meeting anytime they need me and I ’ ll be there .

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 . Whether for testing new ideas or creating prototypes , these elements are integral to our research and development . Fuelling our

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

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 . With our growing systems house offering , building a strong team has never been more important .

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 my colleagues in the UK & Ireland , 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 .

Being a footballer I learned a lot about teamwork . At aged 15 , going over to the UK in my football career , it 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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