Along with many other exciting business changes, one we are thrilled to share with you is the return of a fantastic staff member Jim Terry, to our UK sales team ( Jim is second from the left in the image carousel). After several years away from the business, he just couldn't resist the urge to come back. Jim has picked up where he left off with his knowledge and passion for the industry better than ever. We couldn't wait to ask Jim all about his return and how he is settling in, so please enjoy the following Q&A with him and Ellie in our Marketing team....
So Jim, lovely to speak with you, how are you finding the return to S&R?
"It’s great to be back after all this time and kind of like I’ve never been away – even though it’s been nearly 8 years which is crazy thinking about it. Everyone has been totally supportive, and I’ve had some really touching messages from colleagues here and in the US / Australia which just reinforced that my decision to rejoin was the right one. Since coming back it’s been a nice reintroduction to the business and relatively easy to get back into a routine although I’m still treating every day as a school day."
What is your role / job title here since rejoining?
"My role is Strategic Account Manager so I’m responsible for handling a pool of our key customers and partners in the UK and EMEA territory although my focus will be primarily on Europe. Outside of the account management role, I’m also tasked with analysing the business from when I left in 2016 until present day to review our key movers by market sector, product, volumes, and values. What is really encouraging to see is that some of the accounts that I on boarded, developed and grew way back when are still with us and have grown significantly since.
I’m currently arranging a busy travel schedule to meet with customers at their / our sites or trade shows but it’s a nice, manageable mix of (home) office, travel and 121 meetings to reinforce our relationships and project manage new business opportunities with new and existing customers."
Clearly, you must have missed us... but what else made you return to Sinclair & Rush?
"I stayed connected with Allan (UK Sales Manager at S&R) since leaving in 2016, and we’d often meet up on a social level. In 2022-3 it was evident that the company’s dynamic had changed dramatically following a top-down structural change and to be honest, I’d often thought about rejoining at some stage if the timing and circumstances were right. In 2023, that opportunity arose to have a conversation about a new position within the company which ticked all the right boxes for both parties and the rest as they say is history."
How long were you with the business before and what did your role entail then?
"I was with Sinclair & Rush for 13 years and had worked my way up to the position of European Sales Manager. I worked with the then Key Account Managers and headed up the EMEA business for the company. I was responsible for distributors, partners, and major global accounts which I’m pleased to say have flourished over time and continue to be successful."
Has the business changed since you were last here and if so, how?
"Yes, absolutely. It’s changed for the better in terms of staffing, structure, roles, and responsibilities which has made my commercial role a lot more fulfilling and manageable. What is particularly pleasing is that there are still some of my original colleagues working here which again, was also another reason for me to come back. I won’t name names as I wouldn’t want to embarrass them, but they know who they are!"
Without giving too much away, what are your future plans at S&R?
"Right now, I’m just focusing on the short-mid-term activities such as getting reacquainted with our customers whilst also (re-)learning the role. That might seem a little strange in saying that considering I’ve worked for the company for so long, but it’s part of the on-boarding process and as my role is now purely commercial and customer-facing, I have to prioritise relationship building, understanding the markets, trends, products, applications, competition and industries as they have also moved on over the course of time."
Just for fun…What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
"Weekends are usually full on, but I try to spend as much time with the family as permitted. Really keen on travelling, learning new languages and cooking when I get time to do so. I also love running, gym and swimming and want to get back to the 2500KM per year road running which I set myself as a goal during Covid. If I’m not running, you can’t beat live music and will go to gigs, club nights and festivals when I can – my music taste is very eclectic (ranging from Metal, Punk, Hardcore, Techno, Jungle, D&B to name but a few) but as long as it’s loud and abrasive then you’ll usually find me up the front or in the pit."
It was a real pleasure interviewing Jim and finding out more about him and his plans at S&R. We are so pleased to have him with us again, he is a real asset to our organisation, and we are excited to see his journey unfold in the coming months. Stay tuned for his progress...
