This the first in what we hope will be an on-going series in St. Austell Voice to raise the local profile of our Chamber members.
What does your company do?
We provide property maintenance, repairs and refurbishment services for businesses and private residential clients throughout Cornwall.
What do people think that your company does?
Ocean Services also provides property maintenance services for Ocean Housing. Often, in the public mind, the two companies are interchangeable and so they think we do social housing.
What’s your day-to-day job?
My job is to increase Ocean’s customer base, work opportunities, turnover and profit by developing its external business. However, I’m sure my colleagues just think I pass my time talking to people (what I call networking).
What was your very first job?
I was a Graphic Designer for a traditional print business in Northamptonshire where I learned all the basics of print and design processes.
Can you remember what was in your very first pay packet?
Too far back to remember!
What advice would you now give to your 16-year-old self?
Do what your heart says – you’ll never be 16 again.
How long have your been in your current job and what was your previous role?
Two years; previously I spent over 20 years in Italy, working on EU funded sustainable development projects and property renovation.
What does your company most pride itself for? And how does it deliver?
Ocean has consistent 99% customer satisfaction rates and is committed to the local economy. All profits are reinvested in training, recruitment and building projects.
What improvements is your company currently making?
Making sure more people know what we do and that there is a local company with a large multi-skilled workforce on its doorstep to handle all property maintenance and refurbishment needs.
What recent successes have you, or the business, had that gives you reasons to feel proud?
Ocean recently beat 80 companies from around the UK to be named National Boiler and Renewables Installer of the year.
What top three qualities do you look for in the people you employ, or work with? Integrity, enthusiasm and a ‘can do’ attitude.
Is your business currently recruiting?
We are trying to build a talent pool to fuel expansion of the business and always would like to speak to plumbers, heating engineers, electricians and general labourers.
What’s your journey to work?
I used to work in London, hated commuting and did it for too long. Now I have a 10-minute walk to work.
What would be your dream way of commuting?
Chauffeur driven.
How do you like to unwind and relax after a busy week in the job?
I like walking, socialising and music so I often combine the three by walking to the pub, meeting friends and listening to a live band.
What’s your best quality?
Never accepting second best.
What’s your worst?
Impatience.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A Rock star
If you could change one thing about your work environment, what would it be?
Open plan offices were an experiment that didn’t work and should have been abandoned years ago.
In your mind, is St Austell a great, good, or not such a good place to do business?
For Ocean, St. Austell is central for all our clients in Cornwall and so makes an ideal base. There is an ongoing debate about the future of the town from a retail perspective that, while necessary to some extent, may distract from just getting on with the job of bringing investment and employment to the area.
