Name: Steven Wilkinson
Job title: Residential Specification Manager
Tell us a bit about yourself
Family comes first, very closely followed by my dog and my car! Between me and my partner, Beverley, we are a blended family of five. Zach (almost seven), my daughter Olivia (five) and Isla (four) keep our household constantly alive with the sound of general sibling laughter/playing and occasional murder. I’m born and bred in Sheffield, with Derbyshire on our doorstep and we are very much an outdoor family, doing a lot of exploring with our Fox Red Labrador, Otis.
Away from being a parent, I am a huge petrol head and race competitively in the Time Attack series across the UK in my Clio RS. Fastest lap wins, although I’m a long way behind those with big budgets so my main competition is myself. Being slightly competitive (slightly meaning very!!), this means me and the car get pushed to, and past, our limits!
Describe your job to a five-year-old
I sell bathrooms to people who build new houses.
What do you like most about your job?
I’m a people person so it’s definitely the relationships you build with customers. Every day has a fresh challenge and being able to support those who rely on you for help and advice is very rewarding.
How did you get here?
After university, I spent 10 years working for an international car hire company, working 70/80 hours a week, then my daughter came along and priorities changed! I moved on to working for a bespoke cubicle and locker specialist, where I progressed from sales rep to marketing manager and began work on the specification of major leisure projects and managing the internal sales team. My focus on specification led me to Ideal Standard two years ago and here I am now!
What motivates you?
I’m my own biggest critic, so proving to myself that I’m capable of achieving what I set out to is my biggest motivation.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Lando Norris – As a huge motorsport fan not only does he have the best job in the world, he also has the best attitude towards doing it and a whole lot of fun!
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film?
“You may not like him Minister, but you can’t deny….Dumbledore’s got style!” Kingsley Shacklebolt in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Your favourite app?
I’d be lying if I didn’t say Pokemon Go… obviously for the kids not me.
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
Having set my phones to silent during the first day of my first Christmas Channel Sales Conference at the LDSC, I forgot to turn them back on again and arrived a little late for the second day, for which I was made to sit at the front in shame! Something I think is going to stay with me for a few conferences to come!