Having spent 22 years in the environmental services sector, entering an entirely different field has been one of the most daunting things I’ve ever done.
I began my career as a management accountant after completing a degree in commerce. The pathway into accountancy was not something I chose; it sort of adopted me, but I am grateful for it, as I believe that successful business management always comes down to having a good handle on the numbers. Over the next 15 years, my journey varied from operations to commercial management, eventually leading to general management. In my previous two roles before joining Vermeer UK, I held directorships with emerging technology firms within the waste recovery and recycling sector.
While one might think the environmental services sector is a million miles away from what Vermeer does for its client base on a global scale, for me, it was closer than I imagined. Waste collection, management, reuse, and recycling are equipment-intensive sectors and can be linked to Vermeer through some of its product lines.
I started conversations with Vermeer in the summer of 2023 and underwent a thorough process that included interviews with seven separate Vermeer corporate team members. In December that year, I assumed the role of General Manager and subsequently Territory Director for its UK subsidiary. This process was less about scrutinising education and experience and more about ensuring that the individual selected was a good cultural fit for the established Vermeer UK team and its existing and future customer base.
One major challenge I faced was that I had never worked in the trenchless industry. While I could run a business and support people, I was confronted with the daunting task of learning an industry from scratch. For Vermeer, however, this was not their first rodeo. An intensive, chaperoned training investment from Vermeer meant I was engaging with Vermeer team members at the production facilities, head office, and dealerships worldwide. The engagement from every single member of the Vermeer family was incredibly productive and is now embedded in the DNA of the business.
I am now a year into my tenure with Vermeer UK, and I believe we have positively engaged the market while maintaining a strong focus on our brand awareness. Over this time, the Vermeer UK team has grown from 11 to 18 team members, and our physical re-entry into the Irish market has been met with enthusiasm and positivity. The product range has also diversified; alongside our underground utility and tree care ranges, we have taken an active approach in the recycling and forestry sectors.
My journey continues with this significant but enterprising mid-life career change. Having completed the HDD fundamentals training with the highly competent Vermeer education team, I can engage in conversations and understand what the trenchless industry delivers to the global infrastructure market. As for operational drilling, I’ll leave that to the pros!
