It’s all change for Guardsman UK
The Guardsman UK Team recently announced a significant milestone in their journey — the move to new, fresh, modern office premises. This isn't just a change in location; it marks the beginning of a fresh chapter filled with exciting opportunities for growth, innovation, and collaboration.
Mark Potter, Guardsman MD comments “Our new office space has been carefully considered to foster collaboration and teamwork. Open-plan workspaces, and inspirational meeting rooms all contribute to an atmosphere where ideas can flow freely, and teamwork can thrive. We believe that this move will not only enhance our working environment but also inspire our team to reach new heights in delivering excellent products and services to our customers.”
In addition to the office move, the team also explain their current warehouse operations is relocating to a larger, more advanced facility. Keith Durham, Warehouse Manager explains “the new warehouse will significantly increase our capacity, allowing us to hold more of our care products and efficiently manage the despatches of them to ensure that we continue to provide an exceptional service that our customers and partners have come to expect.” Commercial Director, Zeyn Kassam adds, “The growing demand for our Premium Kits has also contributed to our need for a larger warehouse space. We're proud to highlight the incredible success of this range, which have been enthusiastically adopted by many of our retail partners. They value not only the best-in-class quality of our products but also the ability to customise the kits with their own branding. This combination of customisation and superior quality has set us apart in the market and solidified our reputation as an industry leader. With this expanded facility, my team and I are now well-positioned to develop an entirely new range of products that we’re excited to share with you.”
Back in August, the team welcomed Chris Whelan as Head of Claims and Insurance Services. Chris brings with him a wealth of expertise in insurance, business process improvements, and building strong retail partnerships. They also welcomed Mandy Coates as Compliance Manager. Mandy brings a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape set by the FCA, and she will play a crucial role in navigating these complex regulations. Mandy's appointment reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the trust and confidence of their retail partners and customers in an increasingly regulated environment.
And the staff updates continued as the team also announced several internal promotions, recognising and nurturing talent within their organisation.
Zeyn Kassam was appointed as Commercial Director, following the retirement of Lyndon Willshire. While Richard Oloyede and Paul Jennings were both promoted to Head of Sales and Key Partnerships and Head of Sales and Development UK/Europe respectively. “These promotions reflect the exceptional skills and dedication that these individuals have shown, and we are excited to see them thrive in their new roles. By investing in our people, we ensure that we continue to grow and succeed as a company” comments Mark Potter Guardsman MD.
To support their expansion and maintain their self-set high standards of service, they have also taken on several new repair technicians who join their network over the last few months. “These skilled professionals are dedicated to putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our industry-leading repair rate, with an impressive 80% first visit fix rate. This achievement is a direct result of our better processes and the expertise of our technicians, ensuring that we consistently deliver the best possible service to our customers.” Continues Mark.
The team also comment on the recent recognition they received within the industry and how incredibly proud they are to have won three prestigious industry awards—an achievement that no other company has accomplished simultaneously. Zeyn continues “These awards underscore our position as market leaders and reflect the hard work, dedication, collaborations and expertise that our team brings to the table every day. With over 100 years of heritage, our commitment to excellence is unwavering, and these accolades serve as a testament to our enduring value in the industry.”
Mark sums up the excitement and pride felt throughout the company:
"I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of our entire team. The dedication, hard work, and innovation everyone has shown during this period of transformation have been truly remarkable. Our move to new premises, and relocation of our warehouse, the introduction of talented new team members like Chris and Mandy, and our continued industry recognition all underscore the exceptional progress we’re making. But this is just the beginning. There's so much more to come, and I’m confident that with the incredible team we have in place, the future holds even greater achievements. Together, we will continue to lead, innovate, and set new standards in our industry."
To read the article in the Big Furniture Group Magazine, click here