PEOPLE
10 MINUTES WITH: KEVIN WALLIS
Category Manager, Eaves Solutions at Marley Alutec
What is your current role and how long have you been doing it?
I am a Category Manager for Eaves Solutions at Marley Alutec. I have spent eight years in this role, but 25 years overall working within the business.
What does your role entail?
I work closely with the area managers on sales and business development, I have presented more than 200 CPD seminars and I look after some key clients. I also enjoy my involvement in marketing and strategy as Evoke has such a unique value proposition, creating many exciting angles and opportunities.
How did you get started in this industry? I began my career in a builders’ merchant as a Trainee Manager. This involved learning about all the departments before deciding that sanitaryware and drainage would be where I could develop my knowledge and expertise. I still enjoy learning about how new products work and fit together, and this appetite provides the perfect grounding for a role primarily concerned with the design and application of eaves systems.
What roles were you doing before and how did they prepare you for this one? Previously, I have worked in telesales as an Area Manager and also as a Contract Co-ordinator for a heating firm. These sales roles allowed me to develop interpersonal skills, whilst working in contracting gave me a valuable insight into the mechanics of the construction industry.
What would you like to achieve in your role? My aim is to and encourage and inspire, and to bring about increased growth and adoption of aluminium eaves systems in the market. I will continue to engage with clients to consider the revolutionary benefits of cost-effective and durable aluminium roofline products and their positive impact on the environment. Ultimately, I aim to play my part in establishing aluminium as the material of choice in the UK eaves market.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
A key highlight has been to work closely with a passionate, creative group of people who have pioneered most of the notable developments in our industry.
However, I look back proudly at a time as an 10
Area Manager. I saw my area sales double, gained a management qualification, as well as my black belt in martial arts. That was a busy period, but a great personal achievement for me.
What do you see as the main issues for builders’ merchants at the moment? I think we all recognise that there are fewer young people joining our industry, and we are all aware of the skills gap. Previously, I have spoken at school events about joining the construction industry, and found it was difficult to appeal to the students in comparison to the other career paths. However, in 2012, education policy changed and this has opened the door to some more vocational options for students. Younger people should see the construction industry as an appealing long-term choice and should be encouraged to think ahead about the prospect of managing their own businesses.
If you could go back to the start of your career, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
“Don’t back away from trying something for fear of getting it wrong.” This is how you gain experience and drive innovation. No one starting out should ever be scared to ask questions.
Football, rugby, cycling, golf or gardening – what keeps you busy at the weekends? I’m happiest spending weekend time with my family. We have just moved to the coast, and there is nothing better than long Sunday walks on the beach with our dog, Chester.
If you’re at the bar – what are you drinking? It has to be orange juice and coke (yes together) – some say it is an acquired taste, but I recommend you try it!
What’s your favourite book? Favourite film? My favourite book is Freakonomics by Stephen J. Levitt, an excellent read that feeds my inquisitive nature. My favourite film is The Last Samurai, which I think stems from my affinity with martial arts…
If you could be a superhero, what super- power would you choose?
That is easy, it has to be teleportation. Anything to avoid traffic delays! There are so many opportunities out there, and I could get so much more done each day. BMJ
ON THE MOVE
• Travis Perkins has appointed Angela Rushforth as new Managing Director for BSS, the Group’s distributor of
pipeline and heating solutions.
• Jonathan Fletcher has been brought on board as Business Development
Manager to bolster the experienced management team at Made for Trade.
•Scott Parnell has appointed Steve Holroyd to the new role of Northern Regional Director at the company.
• W. Howard has appointed Phil Tissington as its new Group Operations Director (UK). He joined the company in March, taking responsibility
for UK operations covering health and safety, quality, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics.
• Keyline has
promoted Caroline Bowler to Business Development Manager for Affordable Housing across the whole of the
UK to be responsible for sourcing new opportunities for Keyline Civils Specialists and developing them.
• Kohler Mira, parent company of Mira Showers, has appointed Craig Baker as managing director – taking over from Liz Hazeldene. His career began at Mira Showers
as a design engineer; other roles have been senior project manager mixer showers, new product development director and marketing director.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net May 2019
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