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Name: James Simpson
Company: Petrel Ltd
Job Title: Key Account Manager
What does your company do? I work for Petrel Limited, a division of Chamberlin plc. We manufacture lighting for use in hazardous areas here at our factory in Birmingham.
How did it all start? Petrel was established over 30 years ago by a team of talented engineers who understood the demanding environments classified as hazardous areas and understood the specific requirements for equipment to be used in these places.
What’s your greatest achievement so far? Since joining Petrel I’ve already worked with all kinds of fascinating customers with specific needs. I’ve been fortunate enough to build some great relationships with a number of distilleries right across the UK and, as a result Petrel are now the main lighting supplier to a number of these.
What keeps you awake at night? As chairman and manager of my local ladies football team South Park rangers, my late-night ponderings usually focus on our injury worries and the upcoming transfer window.
If you could turn the clock back, what would you do differently? The truth? I would never want to go back in time and do things differently. Over the years I’ve learnt most from the things that have not necessarily gone to plan.
What has surprised you most in your job? The sheer variety of organisations, locations and sites you visit. One day I’m sat in a boardroom discussing project specifications and pricing the next day I’ll be on
site with an engineer designing a lighting scheme.
What advice would you give to someone starting out? Find an organisation that shares your values – one of the reasons I love working at Petrel is that, despite our global customer base, it has a ‘family feel’ and a brilliant team of people who work collaboratively.
Which business do you most admire? Businesses that handle change well and can adapt, embrace technology and diversify, for example, Dyson. Organisations that drive change with passion always have my admiration.
What exciting projects is your business working on? At Petrel we’re always spinning many plates, exploring projects with new and existing clients. We are working on a number of cutting-edge projects in the petrochemical industry at the moment which have tested my knowledge and been fantastic to see come together.
What made you join Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and how are you making use of your membership? Being an active member of our business community is important to us as a UK manufacturer. The support we receive from the Chamber with regard to our export activities has proved invaluable as has their advice and support while we, along with many other manufacturers, navigate the impacts Brexit will bring to bear.
Tel: 07837 161121 Visit:
www.petrel-ex.co.uk
October 2019 CHAMBERLINK 87
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