How long have you worked at Hoppecke?
Overall, I’ve spent five and a half years at Hoppecke, although I’ve worked in the battery industry for some 23 years now so have gained wide-ranging experience in that time.
What attracted you to this industry?
After leaving the Royal Navy in 2001, I got what was intended to be a short-term job at a battery company whilst waiting to take up my chosen role as an aircraft technician. With my career path in jeopardy after 9/11, it made sense to continue within the battery industry for a while. Once I got to grips with the technology, I realised the industry was, in fact, quite demanding technically, which appealed to me. Since it also involves remote working, which means no two days are the same, I decided to stay.
How did your upbringing influence your life choices?
My parents always put in the hours, so from an early age I understood the value and benefit of hard work. Due to my father’s job, we moved around quite a few times before I reached the age of 10, and I think the fact that I was always meeting new people really helped me to build my interpersonal skills.
As a teenager keen to earn a bit of money, I had lots of little jobs, including work on a farm and building site and paper rounds. However, joining the Royal Navy at 17 was a massive step and I grew up fast.
Back in the 1980s I remember sitting for hours at my first computer typing in code just to make some stars flash for 30 seconds on the screen. I think this is why I love a good app and appreciate systems that make life easier these days.
If you had the chance to go on the road trip of a lifetime, and could only bring four people with you (living/dead, real/fictional), who would they be and where would you be going?
I’ve always wanted to travel across the USA in a campervan and experience the country’s diverse culture state by state. Live music in New Orleans is definitely on the bucket list. Of course, I’d want my family to share the experience with me, otherwise it would have to be Fred (Sirieix), Gino (D'Acampo) and Gordon (Ramsay) to ensure great quality food and drink all the way!
What single quality do you think has contributed to your success?
In the nicest sense, I don’t take no for an answer. If customers aren’t sure about the energy management solution I’m proposing, it’s down to me to make a better argument to convey the key benefits. In the end, it comes down to persistence, persistence, persistence.
What secret ambitions/talents do you have?
My party trick is being able to do the splits, although it’s becoming more of a challenge the older I get.
What keeps you getting up and doing this every morning?
I genuinely enjoy what I do, otherwise I just wouldn’t do it. The chance to make a positive impact on customer businesses, even on a small scale, is what keeps me going. I’m up with the lark, relishing the challenge each new day brings, and rarely need to use an alarm clock.
What do you do to relax or have fun?
I have three children and spending time with my family is absolutely top of the list when it comes to R&R. I do enjoy a round of golf though, and also like to travel and dine out with family and friends.
What advice do you have for others, maybe younger people, in this industry?
In today’s world everything seems to happen quickly and there are so many opportunities out there. My advice would be to have a long-term goal and, whatever route you take to achieve it, make sure you do a job you enjoy. Stay patient, stick with it when the going gets tough, and be persistent. Most importantly, learn from everyone around you and never stop learning.
