UOE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Technical Director, ISNT Limited
With The Hub being the perfect place for small businesses to work and grow, and The Business Allotment's strategy and training designed to do the same, by joining forces we can really help the local business community go from strength to strength
Job Titles:
- Managing Director & Postmaster
The man behind UOE and the one most likely to be in front of a journalist's microphone is Elliot Jacobs. He found his entrepreneurial passion early in life when he got a Saturday job at a local stationery shop called Universal Office Equipment (later to be known as UOE). Later in his career, he re-joined UOE and has guided it to become one of the UK's leading independent business supplies and services companies serving over 1.5 million customers. He sold the B2B division of UOE to Quills in 2019 in order to concentrate on the retail side of the business.
Under his leadership, UOE has gone from strength to strength. Then, in 2014, he negotiated a multiple franchise agreement with the Post Office and combined it with UOE's retail operation to create a unique and highly successful business model - there are now 7 Post Office/Stores and 2 coworking business Hub. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the company has plans to continue its expansion in 2022 with a desire to grow to around 20 locations by 2022/23.
In June 2021, Elliot was elected (by fellow postmasters across the UK) as the first Non-Executive Director at Post Office in its 360-year history.
Jaryd has risen repeatedly through the ranks and holds responsibility for staff training and development (on both Post Office and Retail channels) as well as in-store customer experience across our UOE Store brand. His energy and positivity have been invaluable in helping to recruit, develop and maintain the engaged, high-performing teams that serve at each of our retail stores.
With a strong passion for travel, live music and theatre, you'll either find Jaryd at a gig or a show in town if not exploring abroad (when he's allowed time off!).
Job Titles:
- Helpful Service, Very Fast
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Prior to joining UOE in 2015, Louise spent 23 years in the corporate world of office products. She had known Elliot for many years and had worked with Simon at a previous company, so it was a pleasure to be asked to join the UOE team. In her first 4 years, until UOE divested its B2B division (https://www.uoe.co.uk/news/interview-with-elliot-jacobs-flying-the-retail-flag), she developed and enhanced UOE's relationship with its corporate client base. Following the ‘retail strategy' being defined, Louise transitioned to her current, multi-faceted position as a member of UOE's Group Operations Team. With a role that covers supply chain, finance and customer service for UOE's growing Hub division.
When Louise isn't doing her day job, she enjoys playing netball, walking in the hills and along coastal paths, visiting the Greek Islands, and having a nice meal out and walking her dog, Dolli.
Unusual talents I'm great at doing accents! Pets Dolli the Miniature Schnauzer (with an I not a Y!) Last holiday Fowey, Cornwall ‘If money was no object' holiday Montana in the USA for a riding holiday across the wide open valleys Ideal weekend With the family for a good walk and a pub lunch Next item on the bucket list New York Favourite singer George Michael Favourite comedian Peter Kay Favourite superhero Wonder Woman Last film Dirty Dancing… I had the time of my life!
Job Titles:
- Group Operations Director
Simon, our Group Operations Director [a.k.a. GOD ;-)] has over 21 years of corporate experience, predominantly in senior-level roles. Seeking to redress the work/life balance in 2009 he took time out to relax, reflect and plan what to do next. During this period he worked with a local start-up digital marketing agency to develop their business plans, and it was from this that he came to understand the challenges and fun that could be had within the small business environment.
Convinced that a combination of the best elements of the big corporates mixed with the entrepreneurial spirit and drive of an SME would deliver great results, Simon arranged a long lunch with Elliot after which it became clear that their combination of skills and talent would be an irresistible team, and he joined the UOE family in 2010.
When he is not working, he is to be found with his family, training the new family dog Alfie, enjoying music, or just chilling with a glass of Prosecco.
Stoke Newington is a bustling, inner London suburb packed full of quirky, cool and lively shops, bars and cafés. The UOE Store is open for the full range of Post Office services, our award-winning retail range of design-led stationery items, greeting cards and gifts, as well as Passport/ID photo service, internet access and a full document print and binding service too.