How did you get to where you are today? By tasting loads of fantastic new chocolates. I started out as a sales representative with Decca Records in Manchester. After a few years I moved into food and became Supercook's sales representative for the north east in 1984. (Supercook had acquired Beech's just before I joined them). In 2000, Renshaw Scott took over Beech's and I transferred to work for Beech's, where I was responsible for sales of Beech's Fine Chocolates throughout the country. In 2002, a management buyout took Beech's private again and I was promoted to sales director. Since Beech's became independent, the company has gone from strength to strength.
What was the best decision you have made in your career and why? Making the move to Beech's Fine Chocolates. I was nervous at first about moving from such a large company to an independent company, but it has been really good for me and for my career.
What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told? That Beech's was being taken private again and that I was being promoted to sales director; a fantastic reward for 18 years of hard work. That and also the fact that Beech's chocolate is made from 55% cocoa solids. This key fact helps me to explain to new customers why Beech's chocolate tastes better than other 'luxury' brands.
If you could change one thing in the grocery industry what would it be? Standard pricing across the whole retail trade! Ha ha. Now that would be boring.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? I enjoy the day-to-day personal contact with buyers and work colleagues and the friendships we have built up over the years - and, of course, I enjoy tasting all the new and all the traditional Beech's chocolates.
What is the one thing that you could not do your job without? My mobile phone - and a constant supply of Beech's Fine Chocolates.
If you could start your career again, what would you do differently and why? I'd be a professional footballer. No, seriously, I enjoy what I do, the team at Beech's are fantastic, I have a great rapport with my clients and quality chocolates on tap!
What do you like doing when you are not working (or eating chocolates)? Being in the garden, going for a ride on my mountain bike, watching the football and spending quality time with my wife Jacky.
Where do you hope to be in five years? I hope I will still be working for Beech's Fine Chocolates and I am confident it will be an even greater success than it is today.
What was the best decision you have made in your career and why? Making the move to Beech's Fine Chocolates. I was nervous at first about moving from such a large company to an independent company, but it has been really good for me and for my career.
What is the most important piece of information you have ever been told? That Beech's was being taken private again and that I was being promoted to sales director; a fantastic reward for 18 years of hard work. That and also the fact that Beech's chocolate is made from 55% cocoa solids. This key fact helps me to explain to new customers why Beech's chocolate tastes better than other 'luxury' brands.
If you could change one thing in the grocery industry what would it be? Standard pricing across the whole retail trade! Ha ha. Now that would be boring.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? I enjoy the day-to-day personal contact with buyers and work colleagues and the friendships we have built up over the years - and, of course, I enjoy tasting all the new and all the traditional Beech's chocolates.
What is the one thing that you could not do your job without? My mobile phone - and a constant supply of Beech's Fine Chocolates.
If you could start your career again, what would you do differently and why? I'd be a professional footballer. No, seriously, I enjoy what I do, the team at Beech's are fantastic, I have a great rapport with my clients and quality chocolates on tap!
What do you like doing when you are not working (or eating chocolates)? Being in the garden, going for a ride on my mountain bike, watching the football and spending quality time with my wife Jacky.
Where do you hope to be in five years? I hope I will still be working for Beech's Fine Chocolates and I am confident it will be an even greater success than it is today.
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