Meet our Board of Directors
So far we have written about the causes we support, environmental incentives and ample of industry news, but we have decided it was time that you get to know the faces behind the business that we all know and love.
We’re pleased to introduce to you, our Board of Directors…
This article will be the first of a series we like to call ‘Meet the Team’. Throughout this series we will take you across all of our departments so you can get to know the friendly faces who take you on your journey through Inscape Interiors and there is no place better to start than with our Board of Directors. Be sure to keep a look out for the bloopers on our Youtube channel!
So, who are our Board of Directors?
Our Board of Directors consists of 4 friendly faces. From left to right please meet;
Paul Mills -Strategy Director
Gary Wynne – Managing Director
Danny Hamer – Commercial Director
Paul Partington – Sales Director.
With over 100 years of industry experience, our directors have guided us through both good and difficult times, always bringing Inscape Interiors out as a stronger, more knowledgeable, more experienced team and we are all proud to have such a safe pair of hands at the head of our company.
How would you describe yourself?
PM: “Firm but fair. I like to see people push themselves and see them excel. Sometimes it can seem unfair that I don’t always give the answers people want or handle the situation the way they intended me to, but it’s all in the best interest of who I’m talking to whether that be at work or at home. Outside of work I’m a family orientated guy. We’re a very close family who love to have a laugh together and support each other and only want what’s best. Back to the firm but fair!”
PP: “I’d like to think I’m an influential person with a drive and passion to succeed. A person who is approachable and easy going with an energetic but professional personality, with a vast amount of knowledge and experience of this industry and my job role that hopefully shows to others, brings out the best in them and paves the way for success.”
GW: “I would say that I am the type of person who doesn’t take myself too seriously but understands the responsibility of my position within the company and someone who does whatever it takes to get the job done. I would also say that I am a social person, all work and no play leads to a dull day.”
DH: “A hard working, diligent person who can be stubborn at times- for all the right reasons of course. Very much a family man away from work.”
Tell me about a significant crisis you have faced?
PM: “I wouldn’t call it a crisis but there has definitely been some tough times throughout my working life and I wouldn’t know which one to pinpoint. When you start a business there’s a lot to think about. Making sure your employees are happy and have a stable job, making sure we win the projects and making sure our product and service standards are kept high so that our staff had and continue to have stable jobs. It’s a cycle. The construction industry has taken some hard hits over the years and initially myself, now the Board of Directors, have had to make some difficult decisions to make sure we protected the company and everyone who is a part of it.”
DH: “2018 was an extremely challenging year for the construction industry in general and it was no different here at Inscape Interiors. Calling it a crisis I believe is a little strong, but it was very testing all the same.
As a management team we had to make several difficult decisions and direct the company down a path which we believed would safeguard the company and employment of all of our employees, which was/is paramount to us. These decisions would also provide a firmer platform to build upon as the market upturned.”
How do you resolve conflict in the groups or teams that you are a part of?
GW: “Luckily for me, conflict doesn’t arise too often within Inscape Interiors, however when it has in the past, I always find it is best to nip it in the bud by getting all parties together to discuss their issues. It is often the case that things have been blown out of proportion and it hopefully ends with everyone back with a smile on their face.”
With so many organisations to support, why should others choose to support Inscape Interiors?
PM: “Because we care. We have a vast amount of knowledge and experience within this industry and a fantastic work force, but at the end of the day a washroom is a washroom. People choose us because of the passion we have behind everything we do. We want every project to run smoothly and we want all of our customers to be happy with the service they’ve received. If someone feels like they’ve been let down we all feel that disappointment. We care about every job we get, big or small, and we have a team of people who care about each other. Performance is so much better when you have a team who are friends as well because people communicate more effectively.”
PP: “I believe organisations support us as they see a tried and tested, long established, professional company run with professional people who care, have extensive knowledge of the industry and the skill, drive and motivation to assist them to achieve as close to perfection as possible for their own company.”
GW: “This is an easy one, it is because we genuinely care. Our overriding purpose is to do a good job and to help our customers complete on time. I mentioned earlier that we do not have frequent conflict but what we do have is passion, a passion and desire to know that we did our best.”
DH: “The team here at Inscape Interiors have a wealth of experience and are most certainly a safe pair of hands for contractors. We understand the difficulties and pressures of construction projects, particularly with us being a finishing trade, so we do everything possible to deliver our customers with a positive and reliable service and help take some of their pressures away.”
What have you learnt about yourself whilst working at Inscape Interiors?
GW: “ That I am resilient. Working in the construction industry as a sub-contractor is not easy and hard work often goes without appreciation, if you are not made of the right stuff then this industry is not for you.”
DH: “Working at Inscape Interiors has taught me that to be a success in this type of company, you have to be very flexible and agile! The skill of multitasking is an absolute must!”
Is there any particular moment or memory that stands out for you?
PM: “Starting Inscape Interiors back in 2002. I have worked in the construction industry my whole working life and that’s what led me to starting Inscape Interiors. Looking back at where we’ve started to how far we have come is incredible. There was just 2 of us in the beginning, now we have a management team of 6 and our employee base is being added to each month. It’s been hard work and there have been a lot of sacrifices made, but seeing what we have become is fantastic!”
PP: “Meeting Paul and Gary in the Chinese for the first time after all those years and being asked to come on board.”
Is there an achievement or contribution that you are most proud of?
PM: “Stepping down from being the Managing Director.”
PP: “A big achievement was becoming a company Director.”
Why?
PM: “Because it means the company is continuing to grow. I mentioned earlier that there has been some difficult times and that I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices along the way to ensure that Inscape Interiors continued to survive. We now have a team of three other directors who deal with the day to day running of the business. It’s incredible to go from being 1 of 2 employees and having to do every job role there is, to being in a position where I can step down from being the MD, and the daily running of the business, knowing that it will continue to thrive and grow because there is a great team of people behind the company.”
PP: “Being a Director is a big responsibility and to be asked to become one gives you pride, as it means you are respected and will be entrusted to make the right decisions for the success of the company.“
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
PP: “My dad. He was a taskmaster father who worked extremely hard and I saw this from an early age. He drummed it into me that you only get out what you put in and that if you’re determined enough you will succeed. If you want the best things in life, no-one hands it out, you’ve got to earn it.“
DH: “My parents have been my biggest influence, both in and out of work. Of course there have been people who have guided/mentored me as I have progressed through my career, but the principles inherited from my parents, such as being hard working, punctual, respectful and always having a will to learn have ultimately influenced my approach to work.”
What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?
PP: “Keep in mind I was early 20’s, but a big mistake in business was agreeing verbally on certain matters that ultimately put me at a disadvantage. I learned that no matter what the agreement is, no matter how trivial or basic it may be, then put it in writing, sign and date it as you never know when you’ll need it in the future.”
What energizes you at work?
DH: “Success. Both on a personal and team level. The idea of growing the company not just financially, but also to the point where our employees are proud to come to work and would recommend Inscape Interiors as a great place to work is my idea of success.“
