Q&A with Paul Gillard
Role
Please describe your role.
Customer service, account management, technical advice, installations, designer, counsellor, agony aunt and of course plenty of selling in between – no day is ever the same.
How long have you been part of the Waterline team?
I have just had my 20 year anniversary.
Share a memorable moment from your career that has shaped who you are today?
I think it was 17 years ago when I was asked to move to another part of the business to help resolve / improve logistics and warehousing of our German brand we imported at the time. I presented to a number of our top retailers all the improvements and investments we had made which in turn would give our retailers better customer service from us – a few weeks after this I was moved to another department with the aim to get into sales. The next 2 years I pretty much worked in every department within Waterline. All the time I spent and skills I developed across these areas of the business helped give me all the tools I needed to become an Area Sales manager…. Which I have now been doing for 15 years.
Interests
What's your favourite hobby or pastime outside of work?
It has to be Golf …. and travel.
What's one thing on your bucket list you hope to achieve this year?
To compete in and complete a HYROX fitness event.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
Easy – Dubai. The weather, the restaurants and the lifestyle.
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
100% it would have to be king prawn jalfrezi, washed down with a cobra lager.
Impressions
Share a fun fact about yourself that most people don't know.
I have a miniature dachshund called Stanley that rules my life!
What's the last book you read or movie you watched that left a lasting impression on you?
I have lost count of how many times I have watched it. Its Shawshank Redemption and how patient Andy Duphrane was to achieve his goal (before you ask no I do not want to escape from Waterline). Made me realise the importance of patience and dedication, you won’t always have the motivation. It can take time to get what you want …. Hopefully not 19 years though.
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
Henry VIII – I would love to know how he managed to cope with 6 wives when I cant cope with 1.
What's your favourite quote or mantra that inspires you?
To have something you have never had you must be willing to do something you have never done.
