What are your main responsibilities as Head of Secure Destruction at Restore Technology?

I lead a small, knowledgeable team that specialises in secure media destruction across all business sectors. With our vetting and accreditations our core business is the Ministry of Defence, central government and blue light due to the nature of protectively marked data they hold. I also assist the wider sales divisions (partner and direct) with any secure destruction requests or requirements within their portfolio of clients.

What are the aims of your role?

My main aim is to encourage the growth of the secure destruction division while continuing to offer our loyal customers the high-level, security-focused service they expect from working with us.

Who is in your team and how do you work with other teams in the business to ensure seamless operations?

My immediate team consists of Claire Polkinghorne (Senior Account Manager) and Josh Thompson (Account Manager). Claire and Josh head up the day-to-day management of the Bristol SD portfolio of customers. This includes MOD, MOD supplier chain, blue light, channel partners, systems integrators, large corporations and small independents. We currently service around 170 customers a year. Martin Burke is also a key member of the team who services key secure destruction customers from our Birmingham SD portfolio.

In the wider team I have Liam Jackson and Sharon Cutler who are the operations function to our sales team. My goal has always been for sales and operations to work harmoniously as one team with a common objective. We achieve this by having regular calls each week to discuss sales, jobs, lead times, issues, vehicles, and so on. As we operate out of five different locations these regular calls keep us working as a close-knit team and enable the collaboration needed to deliver on what we set out to achieve.

The team!

Tell us a little about the challenges you overcome while doing your job.

The biggest challenge my team and I face is supply and demand for the service. Due to the specialist vehicles and vetted operatives required to deliver our service, we have a finite number of resources available to us at any one time. The challenge is to balance the workload coming in, in a steady flow, to keep the crews busy without having large lead times. This is a daily challenge we face, and both high and low volumes of work can be just as stressful. Regular sales-operations calls, along with strong customer relationships help keep the supply and demand at a manageable level.

What’s the best thing about working here?

It’s my immediate team that makes the job for me. Most of us have come from the previous company that was acquired by Restore Technology in 2020/21. We all work well together and get the most out of each other to deliver our objectives, while also having a lot of fun along the way. This includes SD sales, SD operations and the warehouse team at Bristol who are another key to our success.

When did you join Restore Technology, and in that time any promotions?

In August 2017 I joined Euro Recycling as Account Director for Quentin. When we were acquired by Restore Technology I was soon promoted to Head of Secure Destruction.

What attributes/skillset/training do you need to do your job?

Security-focused and discreet. Some of the customers we have and projects we deal with, you want to shout from the rooftops but due to the nature of the business it’s not possible. Knowledge of government standards and attention to detail are key attributes in delivering the service. Being seen as subject specialist to your customers is often more important to them than the price they pay for the service. Winning work because you are seen as a specialist is far more enjoyable than winning work because you are the cheapest.

What were you in a previous life/job?

I spent three years living in Long Island, New York, where I attended NYiT on a full lacrosse scholarship. It was here I undertook my MBA while representing the lacrosse team. On my return to England, I got my first and only other job for a commercial relocations company in Manchester called BCL. It’s here that I progressed from business development management to Regional Sales Manager for the North of England. I was at BCL for nine years before I moved to Euro Recycling to develop their offering in secure data centre migration services before transitioning into the secure destruction market.

Do you have secret hobby or past time?

I love sport and was given every opportunity by my parents to try everything.

I played field hockey for the North of England.

I played football and got trials for Liverpool FC.

I play lacrosse and have represented my club (Cheadle), county (Cheshire) and country (England) at all levels from U12s through to senior level.

I have recently got into padel and play once a week at the local padel club.

I absolutely love golf. If I’m not playing it, I’m watching it on TV or the many YouTube golf collaborators. I just wish my golf game was as good as my lacrosse game!!

I was once a member of a water-skiing team at Sale Water Park in Trafford, Manchester.

I like

Playing sport.

Spending time with my family, although my two boys (Charlie and Teddy) know how to push my buttons.

I don’t like

Watching sport (except golf). I’d rather be playing than watching.

Sitting still.