Name: Philip Jones
Job title: A&D Specification Manager – UK & Global Projects
Tell us a bit about yourself
Married for 33 years, she deserves a medal. Three grown up children – Alex (29) and twins Olivia and Callum (26). No grandchildren yet but we do have two fur grandchildren, Maple, a black Lab aged 18 months old, and Jota, a brown Dobermann aged three months old (yes, the boys and I are southern Scousers). We get to a couple of games a year as my nephew lives in Liverpool and is a season ticket holder. There is only one colour in Liverpool and it is red.
I come from a relatively big family as I am the oldest of five, with a sister and three brothers. My two youngest brothers are twins. My sister has twins (boy and girl now 24) as well as another daughter and son. Middle brother (just turned 50) has two boys under three – he started late, the bloody idiot! My twin brothers have two children each (boy and girl each). One of my twin brothers has married a twin. So, it is safe to say we are a family of twins and if my children or my nieces and nephews avoid having twins, I will be very surprised.
Describe your job to a five-year-old.
I meet with people who decide if they want our toilets, taps or wash basins for buildings all over the world and sometimes I get to have lunch, dinner or drinks with those people and they then become friends.
What do you like most about your job?
The diversity of each day or week. Meeting new and existing clients and friends to discuss their requirements in a consultative way. That exciting tingling sensation you get when an opportunity appears from a new or existing client and the bigger joy of getting it specified and ultimately winning the project. There’s no better feeling in sales.
How did you get here?
I have been working within the commercial specification market in flooring for the past 25 years. My previous company decided to close the commercial division only after two years of setting it up so both my boss and I were made redundant and many others throughout the residential side of the business also lost their jobs due to the company struggling to navigate the current climate. A good friend of mine in recruitment put me forward to Jason Cadman and I now find myself working for one of the best companies I have ever worked for.
What motivates you?
Recognition, support and when someone says you won’t get anywhere with that, them or it. I love a challenge and can be extremely competitive as my wife and children will confirm.
If you could swap jobs with anyone, who would it be?
Back in the day, it would have been my hero Barry Sheene, no longer with us unfortunately, but I did get to meet him twice. The first time I was star struck and couldn’t talk but second time around I made sure I spoke with him. I love motorbikes and would have given anything to ride like he did and how others have done after him.
I am a huge speed freak and would love another bike, but after getting knocked off my three-month-old Kawasaki Ninja 1000SE on the M11 and spending six days in Addenbrookes Hospital three-and-a-half years ago, my family are asking me not to. Never say never though.
Your favourite song lyric or line from a film
At my age there are so many:
Line from a film: “It’s been emotional” – Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Big Chris (Vinny Jones). I love all Guy Ritchie films, but my favourite film of all time is Pulp Fiction.
Song lyric: “Oh, you’re my best friend. Ooh, you make me live” – Queen. Still got the single on vinyl and cheesy I know, but I play it to my wife as it is her that is my best friend.
Your favourite app?
Shazam – identify a great song and add it to my Spotify play list. I discovered Greta Van Fleet (the next Led Zeppelin apparently) and Blind Melon (No Rain, great song) thanks to Shazam.
Biggest facepalm moment at work?
I’ve had a few, but the one that really takes the crown was when I accidentally hit “Reply All” on an email. I thought I was responding privately to one colleague, agreeing with their complaint about another person. To make matters worse, I added my own opinion about that individual, without realising they were included in the thread.
I only discovered my mistake when the person replied directly, saying they hadn’t realised I felt that way about them. Mortifying doesn’t even begin to cover it.
It was a huge lesson learned, and thankfully not something I’ve ever repeated. Amazingly, I managed to recover the situation: I explained honestly why I felt that way, they understood and we actually ended up on better terms. Believe it or not, we’re still friends today.