Let’s wind the clock back – can you share how you took your first steps into the industry?
I’ve been in the lift industry since 1976 when I completed a five-year apprenticeship with Keighley Lifts where I stayed for ten years, installing lifts. I was then headhunted by Sainsbury’s to run the lifts department in the south. When they moved back to outsourcing their lifts, I started contracting, and built up a successful company called Lift Specialists. After taking a sabbatical, Nancy Lycett – Managing Director here at ILE – called me up for a chat and I agreed to come on board.
Tell me about your role now – what does it entail day to day?
Every day is different, and the work is so varied. I could be surveying for quotes, making appointments to meet companies, even fitting door operators.
I’ve made so many contacts through my career and I really enjoy getting back in touch with them and opening the door to offering them ILE solutions and products. I think that’s my favourite part of the job.
“I think my business card should say, ‘Door Opener’ as my unofficial title!”
What do you love about working at ILE?
There’s such a good atmosphere at ILE, the people are friendly and incredibly helpful, I’ve really taken to the role like a duck to water! It’s so refreshing to see how much everyone is trying to collectively drive the company forward. It feels like a true team, we all want the company to succeed, and no one moans. It’s nice to see and be a part of it.
Looking to the future, are there any innovations that you’re excited about?
“Everyone is very excited about our new control system, Nimbus. It’s our most powerful lift system control module to date – very user friendly and efficient to set up.”
Nimbus allows you to log into the controller remotely, and provides self-help videos for the engineers working on it as well. You can’t fail to be impressed by it; it gives me a great reason to call our customers and I’m really looking forward to showcasing it to prospective and existing clients, allowing them to experience it in the real world. It’s part of a wider education about good quality products.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love my golf; I’d play every day if I could! I also have a lovely place in Spain where I escape to fairly often. I lost my wife in 2020; I’d been with her since I was 21, and an empty house can be very bleak, so I’m enjoying socialising and I’m in a good place now – I believe you’ve got to make the most of life – you’ve only got one!
We hope you enjoyed stepping into the life of an ILE employee! Want to find out more about us?
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