Group Managing Director - Keenpac UK
The MD of Bunzl UK asked me to join Keenpac back in 2009 when they were looking to strengthen the senior team and it turned out to be my best career move yet!
My inspiration definitely came from my dad who also ran a successful international business until he retired some years ago.
Thinking about Keenpac and my young son!
No one day is the same at Keenpac so it is really hard to describe…My office hours are 8.00am until the job is done! Time definitely flies at Keenpac when we are busy supporting our retail customers.
Live life to the full and make the most of sport whilst you can!
I have learnt that our son comes first in everything!
Sociable, fun and loves a curry!
My addiction to Indian Food
Apart from my Dad and current boss……… Henrik Stenson to help with my golf game!
General Manager UK - Keenpac UK
I joined Keenpac in July 2012.
I come from a background managing sales teams within non-food businesses that have always sold into the retail sector – previous roles
The people are great and genuinely the nicest bunch that I have ever worked with in my 20 years at work.
Work hard and listen well but make sure you keep the balance right to ensure you enjoy life to the full before you have greater commitments.
Not just this year but something that I have picked up from working closely with Craig for 4 years…. “Just keep doing the right things” and good performance will follow.
Hard working, amusing and short
Balancing work and family life for 20 years with my hard working wife (with 3 kids and a mad dog it can be pretty tough sometimes but we work well as a team).
My youngest showed me how to dab!
I have been very lucky to have had the best mentors in my career so far here at Keenpac. The combination of Craig & Helen, who are both top sales people and also are great at building positive business cultures that allow people to deliver strong results.
Group Finance Director - Keenpac UK
February 2015.
Always thought a career in numbers / maths would be useful. I trained with Ernst & Young (Big 4) in the audit department and did my ICAS chartered accountancy qualification. I got access to some large FTSE 100 PLC’s and from there on I knew I wanted to get to a role within an industry that allowed me to make a difference and lead the finance strategy.
Variety and commercialism.
That’s tough! I’m not sure I can name just one, but a few would include:
Keep plugging away and back yourself. Have more confidence and don’t panic what people think of you.
No pleasure should be guilty, if you enjoy it or like it – who cares?! Guilt is only implied by others who don’t understand the beauty of what you like.
Michael Johnson. He was my idol growing up competing in athletics. He wrote a great book called slaying the dragon and turned himself into the best athlete on the planet through hard work, grit and determination and not giving up when things didn’t go to plan. I think he’d provide great insight in mental toughness, agility and focus that would be useful.
Plus I’d finally be able to get him to sign the picture I have of him after his 400m world record in my study!
General Manager of Hong Kong & China - Keenpac Hong Kong
February 2001.
My family because I always feel that I do not spend enough time with them.
Non-stop!
Work hard, but enjoy life.
Sleep, fishing, scuba diving
South Africa, because i would love to go on safari.
Funny. Positive. Food lover.
Setting up the Keenpac office in China.
Instant noodles.
General Manager of Hong Kong & China - Keenpac Hong Kong
Passionate about Scuba Diving
read moreGeneral Manager of Continental Europe - Keenpac Italia & Keenpac Switzerland
1999.
My MD before Keenpac.
Working for a global company and being able to use my language skills.
I need to choose two: Giorgio Panariello, to make me laugh, and César Manrique, to inspire me culturally.
Like a whirlwind, I never stop all day long multi-tasking.
Spending time socialising with friends.
Importance of work life balance.
Reliable, positive, meticulous.
Moving to Italy and becoming a General Manager at the age of 24.
Being an interior designer
General Manager of Continental Europe - Keenpac Italia & Keenpac Switzerland
Passionate about Travelling
read moreDistribution & Warehouse Manager - Keenpac UK
August 2007.
I wanted to run it my way.
Just remembered would be good.
05:30ish up breakfast feed the family, check email, check in with the warehouse, walk the dog,
07:30 ish leave for work. Time is divided by the Warehouse and OMT looking at rates / volumes dealing with people.
Most days away by 17:00, may be a run if in the summer out on the bike.
Don’t stand still!!
Antarctica, it would be amazing.
Don’t make a judgment until you have the facts.
Stubborn. Loyal. Not on Facbook.
Our children.
Not being famous.
Sandy Woodward.
Sales Director - Keenpac UK
July 2007. I originally started at Walsh & Jenkins, Sidcup, but within 6 months I had been seconded to Keenpac!
I had the opportunity to become part of the sales management team about 7 years ago, I liked the idea of developing my team building and management skills whilst also remaining involved with our customers and products.
Really? There is never one day the same… typically I will have an agenda for a day which I rarely stick to. I think being a manager means you should be there for your team so this can change your plans at the drop of a hat. However, I always start with a coffee and end on a tea, the rest of the day can be a bit of a blur as we are always so busy!
Don’t be complacent, there are always other options if you explore them (both inside and outside of work).
Clumsy. Funny. Genuine
Food challenges – I don’t do them anymore, but have eaten some odd stuff for a bet before. A whole cabbage, 5 angel delights and 7 big macs, but not all at the same time!
Creative & Marketing Director - Keenpac UK
February 2015
Love of design, typography and packaging! Always had a thing for ‘art’ but even at school wanted a commercial profession that linked to art, found out about Graphic Design and aimed for that.
Creating something that previously never existed, making a difference and helping in some way to continue building our customer brands. Working with a great team.
Steve Coogan – been a fan since his Spitting Image days, he makes me laugh, always – but I’d be interested in how he goes about creating characters and the nuances of peoples personalities.
Big on being fair and kind, small on stature .
Caring, funny & weird
Watching Muriels Wedding
Always expect the unexpected and Powerpoint should be banned.
The Edge
Hunter and the Hunted – Simple Minds
Creative & Marketing Director - Keenpac UK
Passionate about Electric Guitars
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