A raft of new opportunities has been created as we look to future-proof the sales team for the next phase of our development.
Leading the charge is Chris Essex, who steps up from his current role of Area Sales Manager for Greater Manchester to become nationwide Sales Manager. Chris will be managing HPP's six-strong area sales team in addition to overseeing the internal sales operation. He's been at HPP for 18 years, starting out in a temporary job in door production, before moving on to other departments when his job became permanent. After four years away from the business, he returned as an area sales manager in 2017, eventually covering Greater Manchester - HPP's core area.
He says: "We have a great team and I'm proud to be part of it. We've put together a 12-month plan to look at product groups and pushing sales forward with the area sales team, and internally we'll be focussing on product knowledge, competitor awareness and ensuring we are doing absolutely everything we can do - building on the great job that Michelle has done."
While Chris will be spending more time at our Oldham HQ, Michelle - currently our Sales Office Manager - who has been at HPP for 20 years in a range of roles that include PA to MD Keith Wardrope, is excited by the new challenge of working a sales territory.
She says: "I'm looking forward to getting out on the road and meeting our customers to get to know them better, and what we can do for them. I've spoken to many of them on the phone over the years but it will be nice to put a face to a name. Although I've a lot of knowledge about HPP and our products, this will be a new challenge after being office-based. I can't wait."
Deon Phoenix, meanwhile, is stepping up from Sales Administrator to Sales Office Supervisor, and Nichola Roddy is adding customer service and internal training responsibilities to her role as Sales Administrator.
Deon joined HPP 10 years ago after completing two business apprenticeships. She says: "My first priority will be to make sure it's a happy environment for everyone to work in - happy customers come from happy staff - and make sure everyone has the support they need."
Nichola has been at HPP for three years and her new responsibilities will see her developing new staff to work independently and keeping the customer service issue register updated - although her aim is that it won't be needed as much in the future!
Outside of work, Chris, who hails from Greenfield but now lives near Stoke with his wife Carrie and three children, is passionate about DIY, having just built a summer house in his garden.
Mum-of-two Michelle, from Royton, is a keen runner and completed a 50-miles-in-a-month challenge for Cancer Research, while Deon is a regular footballer, participating in mixed men's and women's friendlies in her native Oldham. Nichola, who lives in Saddleworth, meanwhile, has taken up snowboarding and is a regular at the Chill Factore indoor snow centre near the Trafford Centre.
-------------------------
Business Development and Marketing Director, Dan Mounsey, says: "This is all about laying foundations for the future development of the company. We've enjoyed a huge amount of success over the last 30 years, and now we're looking to the next generation of talent to take us into the next 30 years and build on what we've already achieved. These sales roles follow on from the recent appointments of Paul Boyes and Paul Wilson in their new management positions, as part of our drive to improve the services we provide to our trade customers."
Everyone at HPP wishes all four the very best of luck in their new roles!