How did you start your career with Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
I joined Spirax-Sarco Engineering in the year that the graduate scheme was first run in the UK. My father, who was an investor in Spirax-Sarco at the time, had read about it and urged me to apply, as I had finished university and was looking for my first engineering job. Following multiple placements on the scheme, including an overseas stint in Sydney, I decided to pursue the sales side of the business and took on a sales role in Melbourne. From there, I’ve taken various intermediate sales opportunities, which have led me to my current role as sales manager for the branch in Victoria. I have always done my best in each role and have never declined an opportunity. One of the great features of working at Spirax-Sarco Engineering, is that there are always opportunities available, if you are willing to pursue them.

What do you like most about your job?
I like the strategic direction and clarity of the organisation as a whole, whilst having the freedom and responsibility to pursue it.

What does a typical day look like for you?
I have two types of days. A few times a week I will be out on customer sites with my sales engineers, identifying opportunities, looking at solutions, and driving engagement with customers. The other days will be in the office, reviewing results, thinking about new opportunities and strategies the team can pursue, and dealing with the administration of running the branch. 

When did you first become interested in a role as a Sales Engineer?
My interest in the sales side of the business came from my 6-month placement in Australia. While here, I spent a considerable amount of time out with the sales engineers and I got to see how varied and independent the role was. It offered a combination of technical, commercial and organisational challenges that I felt were unique to that type of role. I saw a step into sales as allowing me to learn our business at the sharp end, which would allow me to effectively take on the management and leadership roles that could follow.

How has your role evolved since you joined?
The roles I have held since joining the sales side of the business are relatively prescriptive in their goals and aims – something that attracted me to them in the first place. However, while the objectives may be singular, one has a unique degree of freedom to pursue these goals in a way that suits your own style and thought process. So while from the titles of my roles, one may think they can guess everything about what is involved, I have been able to mould the roles to bring in my own skills and creative thought processes to achieve the goals at hand.

What would you say to anyone considering joining Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
I’d say go for it. Spirax-Sarco Engineering is a strong business with plenty of opportunities, and as long as you are willing to work hard, you will be rewarded and recognised.

What are you excited about for the future with Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
I am excited to see where the business goes. The group keeps growing, and with that, come new challenges and new opportunities that will continue to make the days working at the company interesting. 

What difference do you think you have made?
Whichever role I’ve had, I’ve always tried to look for efficiencies and make improvements to processes, making things simpler and easier to achieve. I’d like to think that I’ve been able to make those small changes, making the business more efficient overall.  

How would you describe the culture at Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
Open and value-based.

What sort of person succeeds at Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
Someone who is driven and results oriented.

How much opportunity is there for personal development at Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
There is a lot of opportunity and the business is very supportive of people wanting to develop themselves further. I believe the business recognises the value in helping its people achieve their personal goals.

How important is diversity at Spirax-Sarco Engineering?
Diversity is a big theme in the business. I think Spirax-Sarco Engineering recognises the importance of inclusivity and equality of opportunity, which is a positive, not only for the communities Spirax-Sarco Engineering operates in, but also due to its positive impact on the business.