Many of our colleagues have enjoyed long and successful careers with Omega Red in a variety of exciting roles.
Alex, Paula and James will each be celebrating different lengths of service with the business this year and have their own experiences to share of their time with us.
Alex Beresford, Repairs Coordinator
Alex has worked in sales at Omega for the last 21 years. Alex was previously involved in testing, installation and repairs of lightning protection systems, but for the last ten years he has been on the repairs side and is currently a repairs coordinator.
Alex, 48, commented: “When I think back to my first day, it’s the people that I remember. My first impression was that of a friendly, welcoming working environment and I still work with one person that was there that day.”
Alex has had his share of challenges over the years, the biggest one being the introduction of IFS, Omega’s internal IT system. This was a massive change from the previous system and went live after Alex completed only a couple of training sessions.
A challenge also presented itself recently, which quickly turned into an achievement. “A big achievement recently has been helping to train a new starter on my team. I am very shy, so this has taken me miles away from my comfort zone. However, the new starter is coming on leaps and bounds, and I would like to think I’ve played a part.”
The last 21 years has seen Alex change and grow as a person, both personally and professionally. He says: “I’ve matured as a person over the years, changing from a single man living in a house share to building a home and life with my long-term partner, Kelly. We’re about to celebrate our 18-year anniversary.
“I try as much as possible to live in the now. It’s easy to lose track of the present dwelling on the past or the future. I have a job that I enjoy and that intellectually challenges me, but the biggest positive by far is the people I work with. Right at this moment my aspiration is hitting the target for this month, then the quarter, then the year. However, putting that aside, I’m always up for the next challenge.”
Paula Cunningham, Account Manager
Paula joined the Test & Inspection side of Omega Red Group in 2011 as an account manager, looking after Scotland and North England. When she started, her role involved generating new business and account retentions for lightning protection PPMs.
The mum-of-one from Glasgow, commented: “I had come from a finance background and didn’t understand what lightning protection was. It felt very daunting and overwhelming. There was no customer base in Scotland, and I had to start from scratch. I reckon I have done very well to stick with it for 13 years!”
At 40, Paula gave birth to her daughter, Thea, 10, and her job has accommodated her needs as a single parent. “When my maternity leave ended, I went back on a part-time basis working 3.5 days instead of 5, so the job worked around me and my family life.”
Over the years, Paula’s role as an account manager has evolved. “We now have a height safety division with the PPM’s falling under my remit for my area along with LP. There are legislation changes which are challenging to learn and digest for both us and the client.”
Although Paula has the addition of height safety, she is no longer manages accounts and is responsible for generating new business only. “I enjoy building relationships with clients, and I keep in touch with potential clients so I can follow up with them. The satisfaction of winning a large contract is great but I find the job challenging on occasions when new opportunities appear limited, or a contract is awarded to another for fixed term”
Outside of work Paula has trained hard to earn black belt in karate, after taking it up as interest in 2017.
James Prior, Account Manager
James joined Omega in May 2023 and his role has changed from service to sales within a year. James was recruited as a test engineer, however, in December he took advantage of a secondment opportunity and became account manager for Omega’s southwest and northwest regions.
With a background working alongside clients in the motor industry, James felt that some of his skills were transferable to the account manager role. He now generates new business for height safety and lightning protection by meeting clients, answering questions and gathering information for accurate quotes.
James, 30, said: “It was a new industry for me, I had a lot to learn fast. I did a lot of reading and some of my colleagues’ experience has been invaluable. I have taken their knowledge and run with it. If I’m not sure I try and go and see sites for myself. The more I have gotten out the faster I have learned.”
James has juggled his new career with a house move and the arrival of a new baby. The dad-of-two from Frome commented: “Although it’s been challenging, my new role has taught me a lot. I’m learning how to sell and how to market myself and the company. I must be able to confidently sell the product and had to learn the product to sell it. I’ve also gone from being out at 5-6am every morning to working from home. Although it’s odd not being onsite or in an office, it’s quite nice and it works around family life.”
James’ secondment finishes in September, and he is looking into taking up the role permanently. He volunteered to be part of the marketing committee to further develop his marketing and selling skills and establish himself as part of the sales team. He said: “I’m versatile and can learn quickly. I aspire to constantly move up. If I can make this work, then I can work towards moving up and looking after a team. I also want to get more involved in the marketing committee and see how that shapes my role as sales and marketing go hand in hand.”
To learn more about our careers, click here.
