How did your career in the lubricants industry begin?
Working in finance, the lubrication industry wasn’t a sector that I particularly sought out. I went to university in Sheffield and worked in a couple of different roles before going travelling for months. When I returned, I worked for Agfa from their Leeds office and completed my chartered qualifications. After five years with the company, I felt it was time for a change. That’s where ROCOL came in.
How long have you worked at ROCOL and what attracted you to the company?
I knew of a few people in previous roles who had moved to ROCOL, so I knew that it’s a big company, part of the ITW group and that it is well established in its industry. When I met with Lee, Gail and the whole of the finance team who were all great and easy to get along with, I knew that it was the place I wanted to be.
Also, before I started working at ROCOL, they invited me to the Christmas party and all bought me drinks!
What are your favourite parts of your role?
Anyone at ROCOL will tell you that I love a spreadsheet, I’m a total spreadsheet geek. So, the opportunity to put together a new spreadsheet is one I cannot resist.
The other thing is the variety. After we get the month end tasks completed, it is then on with other tasks. This could be forecasting for a product or budgeting. I genuinely never know what I will get the opportunity to work on next, and that’s exciting.
How do you spend your time outside work?
I’ve been a Barnsley fan for the last 25 years and a season ticket holder for the last 10 of those. I watch them every week. Aside from football, I like to travel. My six months travelling took me to Australia – where I skydived from 18,000 feet – as well as Brazil, Argentina and South Africa. It was in South Africa that I had the opportunity to dive with great white sharks.
I’m also a film buff, with over 500 DVDs in my collection. It’s tough to pick a favourite, Blow and Wolf of Wall Street are both up there. An old favourite from my teens is Independence Day. I used to watch it obsessively and knew the dialogue better than Will Smith.
Those who have worked with me will also know that I’m a bit of a gym bunny. Before the first lockdown, I lost 29lbs in 12 weeks.
Share one fact that your colleagues wouldn’t know about you.
I appeared on the kids TV show, Jungle Run with Dominic Wood of Dick & Dom fame. The production team were looking for volunteers and asked a swimming club I was part of if we would test the format. We ended up appearing on the actual show, although it didn’t go to plan as I got locked in the first game.
