PEOPLE 10 MINUTES WITH: Operations Director, UAP
What is your current role and how long have you been doing it?
I have been operations director at UAP for the past three years, having been with the company for 22 years, since the early days. I was promoted company secretary in 2004 then finance director in 2007, before taking on my current role in 2019.
What does your role entail?
I am responsible for the smooth running of the operations team across all our administration and warehousing functions.
Each day consists of supporting the team to hit our daily target, ensuring goods are despatched on time and errors are kept to a minimum. Part of my job is making sure everyone is working effectively together to achieve our goals and provide excellent service to our customers. Our Training Academy is another significant aspect of my role, but perhaps the most fun element of my remit is our on-site Doggy Day Care, which provides a safe and happy environment for UAP staff members’ dogs to play and interact while their humans are working.
How did you get started in this industry? I moved from Northern Ireland to England in the summer of 2000 and joined UAP to run the office. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to be part of the company’s growth and success from start-up to a £22 million business with 6000 SKUs across six brands.
What roles were you doing before and how did they prepare you for this one? Before I came to England, I worked for the NHS Trust in Londonderry in admin roles for both the finance and contracts departments. Those
roles gave me the skills I needed when I joined UAP but I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to develop them with the company as it has grown. I enjoy working with our team and supporting their career development too. I feel very proud of team around me.
What would you like to achieve in this role?
I have two quite simple goals: to continue to build on UAP’s success and to actively strengthen our team through training and development, as well as recruitment. I enjoy teaching the skills I have learned to others and, when we hit our targets, it is very rewarding to see what we have achieved and how we got there.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Passing my AAT accountancy qualification was a highlight in my personal career. I am proud to be part of the management team at UAP and to be in a position where I can influence the progress of the company and the potential of our team.
What do you see as the main issues for for the construction industry at the moment? The cost of living crisis will restrict homeowners from being able to spend money on their properties, and in times of uncertainty, both consumers and businesses are cautious about their spending. Getting the country through the pandemic was tough, so the challenges ahead are affecting a market that is still in recovery. The cost of metal and fuel is a huge problem for businesses too, but with UAP’s R&D capabilities, we can develop new products that put us a step ahead of our competitors.
Gemma Burns has joined the team at Kudos Showers as Customer Service Manager. She brings many years of customer facing experience to the position from a variety of different industries, which has helped her settle quickly into the role.
Worcester Bosch Sales & Marketing Director Steve Lister is taking early retirement. Joining Worcester Bosch as an Area Sales Manager East Scotland in 1994, he quickly moved up the ladder to Director of Sales in 2003 – a role that later evolved into Sales & Marketing Director – before being named a Board Member in 2013.
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What piece of advice would you give yourself at the start of your career? Delegate! It has always been difficult for me to trust others to do the job as conscientiously as I would do it myself. If you don’t delegate your team doesn’t learn and you don’t have chance to step back and see the bigger picture. Having a good team around you is essential and developing their skills with training makes sure you can delegate work without worrying about quality. Doing all the work yourself doesn’t help anyone
What keeps you busy at the weekends? Weekends are for downtime with my husband my kids and my two little dogs. Life is different now, because our children are grown up so don’t need so much looking after. That frees up time to go to the gym, walk, cycle and generally keep fit, which is my weekend R&R.
You’re at the bar – what are you drinking? Prosecco! You can’t beat a nice, cold glass of fizz!
What’s your favourite book and favourite film?
The most fascinating book I have ever read is An Evil Cradling by Brian Keenan - I couldn’t put it down! I like reading crime and a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. My favourite film is Dirty Dancing.
If you could be a superhero, what super-power would you choose? I’d love to be able to fly, so I could get away from the dreary Greater Manchester weather and off to sunny climates or nip back to Northern Ireland for a brew with my family whenever I felt like it.
ON THE MOVE
Highbourne Group has appointed Liz Forte as chief marketing officer.
Forte is responsible for developing and overseeing the marketing and brand strategy of Highbourne Group to support commercial performance, and raise visibility amongst new and existing customers.
Russell Roof Tiles (RRT) has celebrated two of its long-standing employees, Colin Dilks and Dave Brookes, following their retirement after a combined 41 years at RRT’s site in Burton.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net September 2022 WENDY RUSHTON
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