Managing Director of Keenpac UK, Europe & Asia - 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!
Managing Director of Keenpac UK, Europe & Asia - Keenpac UK
Passionate about Golf
read moreCommercial Director - 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 Financial 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 Italy
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 Italy
Passionate about Photography
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.
Retail Channel 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!
Business Development Director - Keenpac UK
3rd January 1998 (whilst still very young).
I ask myself that a lot…
I’m passionate about a lot of things but when limited to only 2… horses, dogs and fields (3 I know but they go so well together).
Product development, negotiation and honest customer & supplier relationships.
Each working day is different but usually starts early…
As business development; my day is mostly led by individual projects & prospecting and, given time served, an element of team product and commercial support. I could be in London, Paris or (the rather less glamourous sounding) Leicester where our offices and DC are based.
New client meetings, product development, tender submissions, email catch-up, copious tea and coffee drinking – all par for the course.
Usually wonder if I’ve turned the hair straighteners off.
Nothing is forever.
Bossy, Busy & Fun.
My retirement fund.
What’s guilt?
Why 110 volt exists!
Head of Creative - 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
Probably Dance Moms or watching Muriels Wedding
Always expect the unexpected and Powerpoint should be banned.
The Edge
Hunter and the Hunted – Simple Minds
Retail Channel Director - Keenpac UK
I joined in July 2010 and before that i was at our sister company Bunzl Retail Supplies for 3 years.
Working for 2 excellent and inspirational female leaders over the course of my career.
I love the variety of challenges that my job offers, everyday is different. I love the creativity of the new product development but above all i enjoy developing my team and seeing them improve.
Pretty different to the day before to after it usually!!
I wake up at any time between 5.30am-7am depending on where i’m going and eat breakfast before i can even consider speaking to anyone.
Feed the cat, shower and get ready for work.
If i’m working from home, i’ll often head out early morning for some fresh air – i value the mental shift it gives between home and work.
My day consists of any combination of meetings, conference calls, emails, team 121’s. Often this is in and around London so i can be on-and-off the tube quite a bit. If i’ve been to the office in Leicester, i’ll usually get home around 7-8pm or if i’m working from home i’ll wrap up at around 6pm and try and fit in a gym class or catch up with friends.
People come first, tasks come second. Always.
(Don’t have a baby and build an extension at the same time).
Loyal. Generous. Northern.
Making my parents proud.
Being a world class stunt woman, obviously.
Michelle Obama. She is intelligent, progressive and elegant with a great sense of humour and is a fantastic role model for young girls and women alike.