Describe your working day ...

On the drive to work I tend to make a few calls and outline my plan for the day , before arriving at the office at around 8:30am . I make it a priority to check-in with the various departments , including the product , maintenance and engineering teams . This is usually followed by a variety of meetings , or Zoom calls , for a large portion of the day , interspersed with time at my desk . I typically leave the office between 6 and 7pm to make the journey back home through the Northamptonshire countryside .

What is your workspace like ?

Tidy . I like a clear office space – although I must admit my inbox doesn ’ t spend its day looking the same way . I like my office to have some nods to home and keep family photos on the wall , along with a coaster on my desk showing my son at age 3 and a VW camper van pencil holder that my daughter made whilst at junior school .

First thing you do when you get to your desk ?

Priority one is always to get a cup of coffee on the go . I then unpack my laptop and finish this whilst working through a few emails .

What websites help you ?

Like most , I regularly use Google , as well as LinkedIn , WebEx , along with PlastikCity for focused plastic industry news . And of course , Zoom .

Most useful business tool ?

Predictable maybe , but my mobile phone . It ’ s a pocket laptop that makes emails , banking , video calls , etc . all possible at any time , from wherever I am .

Excel is another that is infinitely useful to me . It is key for being able to understand and report the health of the business at any given time , to any member of the VEKA Group that we belong to . With much of the VEKA Group based in Germany , the language barrier can be a challenge at times , and figures will always be able to speak more effectively than words to our German colleagues .

Best business decision in your current role ?

In my previous role , it would be buying our Wellingborough site to build the new six acre plant , which is now up and running .

As MD , it was agreeing to lead this build project , wearing the Project Manager hat whilst also running the other areas of the company . By not outsourcing this , it gave me - and the fantastic team we have built - a greater opportunity to steer the direction of the company and decide where investments were best to be made . Ultimately , this has allowed us to better shape the building blocks of what Wellingborough is destined to be for future years . With our methods differing from our German counterparts , this was especially important for our business to ensure we get the very best out of the operation we have created here in the UK .

Favourite role models and why ?

TV Chef Keith Floyd . Because he was a great cook , yes , but more for his immense sense of fun . I remember watching him on TV as a child and always got the feeling he was doing something he really loved .

And maybe John Steed too , from the old Avengers . A gentleman who was always impeccably dressed but retained that

007-style , cool , ruthless edge . And he always knew how to properly open a bottle of champagne .

How do you unwind ?

I love to cook , especially on the BBQ , and am partial to a nice glass of wine or whiskey . I also have a bit of an old car habit and recently indulged my passion by purchasing a Rover P4 .

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