QUALKEM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- SALES & MARKETING MANAGER
I am a highly qualified sales and marketing manager, with over 30 years of experience dealing with the retail sector. I am a specialist in dealing with small independent companies or large multi-national chains. Over this time, I have been responsible for key accounts, brand development and company and product profiles.
Since joining the company in 2015 I have been instrumental in the development of some 75 new products and brands. Focusing on the relaunch and updated look of some of the company's existing brands. People tell me I am a relationship builder with an eye for detail and a philosophy of if a job is worth doing it is worth doing right first time.
In my spare time I am a brass musician playing for over 40 years. I have played at all levels of the brass band movement, but now enjoying playing for my local village band with my family. Other hobbies include Motor Caravanning, which I have been doing almost since birth. I was a Board Director of the Motor Caravanners' Club of Great Britain for 9 years and a local group Chair for 3 years.
A former Chartered Minerals Surveyor specialising in quarry, landfill, rail and recycling developments, with a 100% planning approval success over 15 years. I left the industry to join the family chemical manufacturing business in 2005.
Embracing my interest in environmental management, I have encouraged the development of innovative and sustainably packaged, highly concentrated, products. This contributes to the reduction in vehicle movements and use of majority water-based cleaning products.
In recent years I have been responsible for guiding the business through a period of change and growth. Steering product development towards own label Qualkem product ranges and dual branded products with market leading wholesalers or distributors.
Continuing the embedded family culture, I am personally keen to promote local youth employment. Drawing on the establish wealth of experience in the company to develop and nurture a future highly trained workforce to grow alongside business expansion.
As the founder and CEO of CIRCLE Leadership, I provide business mentoring, executive coaching, and leadership development and training to leaders, teams, and businesses across various industries and disciplines. With over 30 years of business experience, from engineering apprentice to managing director, I have a wealth of knowledge and insight to share and support others in their leadership journey.
I am passionate about enabling leaders to overcome the difficulties, challenges, frustrations, and isolation that often come with leading diverse and complex businesses. I also serve as a chair, non-executive director, and board adviser for several organisations, where I contribute to their strategic direction, governance, and performance. My mission is to help leaders and businesses succeed and grow, by empowering them with the skills, tools, and mindset they need to thrive in today's dynamic and competitive environment.
Initially I spent many years in various sales roles, firstly on telesales in insurance through to running a busy sales team of 15 people at Hepworth Minerals & Chemicals. This is where I met Ivan and 5 years later we were married, 2 years after that I left the work environment to have our first child.
Job Titles:
- PURCHASING & QMS ADMINISTRATOR
I joined Repclif in 2019 as cover on the production line at busy periods. Since then, I have become a permanent member of the team and assumed the main responsibility for purchasing operations of the company as part of the role of Quality Management System Administrator. Other responsibilities include reviewing and improving back-office functions and processes, and ensuring the company adheres to the ISO9001:2015 Standard. I am also a qualified internal auditor.
For over 10 years I have worked as a freelance brass musician, tutor to around 20 students and Musical Director of Lions Junior Brass and Audley Brass. Under my leadership, Lions Juniors achieved 2nd Place in the National Youth Brass Band Championships 2019 and Audley Brass have gained two promotions with numerous competition successes along the way including qualifying for the National Championships in 2018.
I have a BA (Hons) degree in Modern and International History from Staffordshire University, and a MA in Modern British History from the University of Manchester. My theses focused on the changing nature of brass bands, working-class culture, and its relationship with the manufacturing industry.
When not at work I can be found in and around brass bands or on the terraces of my beloved Port Vale Football Club.