ASWS TACKLES MULTIPLE WINDOW TYPES IN FLEET STREET REFURBISHMENT PRIZE!

Circle three differences in the boxes below, fill in your contact details and send your competition entry to: FAO: Miss Christina Shaw, Glass News Competitions, 19 Heather Close, Tickhill, Doncaster, DN11 9UU or Email: christina@glassnews.co.uk. Entry deadline: 20/06/23.

“In the case of the timber windows all of the sashes were removed back to our workshop for a comprehensive overhaul, which included the routing in of new draught strips, re-glazing and overhaul of the opening lights. The remainder of the windows on site were serviced, prepped and redecorated, including the extensive mastic work to the perimeters and glazing fronts.”

ASWS is a member of the Steel Window Association and is experienced in working with both planning authorities and heritage bodies to ensure all conservation requirements can be met on contracts. ASWS can also carry out the forensic dismantling, cataloguing and secure storage of metal, timber and aluminium windows while major alterations are in progress, prior to restoration and reinstatement. As well as full replacement project we also specialise in full window and façade surveys.

For more information on ASWS, please visit asws.co.uk.

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU...

Where were you born and live currently?

I was born in Blackpool and lived there till I was 22. Staying within the Fylde area, I then lived on the sunny coast of Lytham St. Annes before moving abroad to Finland to pursue my career as a professional American Football player. Two years ago, I moved to the countryside of Preston with my wife, my 4 year old son and my 2 Husky dogs.

Your education and the subject or activity in which you excelled?

As a young child, I had a passion for the stage and I excelled in dance and drama. I’d always had a particular interest in business and economics, so it felt natural for me that when I finished school, to further my education studying Business Development. I have also studied Strength and Conditioning within contact sports.

Your favourite sports or interests?

I love American Football and had a great time playing in Finland for the Seinajoki Crocodiles in my 20’s. I now play for the Manchester Titans, the current national champions in the UK. Golf also takes up a lot of my time – usually early in the mornings!

Your biggest regret in life?

Having put some thought into it, I genuinely don’t have any regrets. I may have made decisions at points in my life that might not have quite turned out the way I’d have liked, but ultimately, they’ve led me to this point of my life now where I’m extremely happy, both personally and professionally.

The temptation you can’t resist...?

Coffee! I only started drinking it about 5 years ago, but I’ve definitely made up for lost time. I’d been putting off buying a coffee machine for home, but my wife bought me one for Christmas and I am making full use of it – probably a little too much, really!

Someone or something that inspires you?

I am inspired by the process of learning. I have an obsession for learning about things that mean something to me, so that I can talk about them with both passion and knowledge. Faisal Hussain, the CEO of DGCOS, is a huge inspiration in my life both personally and professionally. He has been a great mentor to be over the last 18 months and has really transformed my outlook, not just on business but also the culture of the organisation. The culture that he has instilled has really helped developed me to be a better person, professionally and personally, and he has supported my progression to the senior staff member that I am now.

YOUR CAREER...

When and how you joined the industry?

I joined DGCOS and subsequently the home improvements industry back in 2018 as a Sales Executive. A friend of a friend, Mike McGougan, was advertising for a sales role and a few of our mutual friends connected us up. As well as colleagues, Mike and I are now great friends – he was even best man at my wedding!

The job you do?

I’m the Head of Business within the 3 schemes that we operate in covering Glazing, Renewables and General Home Improvement. I’m responsible for the commercial side of our organisation and generating revenue for the business. I’ve been successful in generating multiple partnerships with key stakeholders such as Competent Person Schemes, Certification Bodies, large manufacturers and suppliers. In the close to 5 years I’ve been here, I’ve been responsible for tripling the number of members we have across the schemes and providing ongoing value to those installers.

Your greatest achievement?

In my personal life, I would say signing my professional contract in American Football in Europe would have to be number one. Being paid to play the sport you love and to live that sports athlete life was really a dream come true and something I’d worked so hard for. Professionally, I think being promoted to my current role means so much to me. Knowing I’d gained the trust and respect of not only Faisal, but also company directors and pioneers of consumer protection, Tony Pickup and Richard Christie, means a lot. They built DGCOS and the other schemes from a pipe dream and having them put me in the driver’s seat to push the revenue is something I couldn’t thank them enough for.

What is a mistake you’d like to correct?

I had the opportunity to go and sign a professional contract the year before I actually did in 2016/17. I had the best experience I could have imagined whilst I was away in Finland and looking back, I definitely should have done it when I was first made the offer.

AND YOUR FUTURE...

What would you like to do if you weren’t in this industry?

It’s very hard for me to envisage myself out of a business-type role; however, if that was the case, I’d love to open up a Husky sanctuary or have a large premises that I could train Huskies to pull sleds.

A PARTICULAR AMBITION?

My goal from day one within the Schemes was to have them ring out as a household name.

It’s hugely important to me that the consumer protection that we provide is recognised not only to consumers looking to buy home improvement products, but also for installers and companies to associate us with pushing standards and quality within the sector in which they operate.

The way you want to be remembered?

Personally, I’d like to be remembered by friends and family as someone who’d make the room warmer when I was there. Someone who could always bring a smile to people’s faces and breed positivity to a point it would have changed their lives.

Professionally, I’d always like to be known as someone that tradesmen and company directors could relate to.

There is nothing more satisfying in my role than when a client or potential client will say ‘I feel like we’ve been doing business for years’. It’s a very warming feeling for me, just knowing I can help people in need.

The time has come to