Alan Barclay Confirms Chairmanship
New chairman, Alan Barclay has been employed in a variety of senior management roles within the manufacturing and distribution business sectors for the past 30 years holding executive director roles, primarily in large private companies. This includes a highly successful period as CEO of Sheffield-based Kingfield Heath, one of the largest suppliers of office products and computer consumables in the UK and Ireland. An experienced chairman he has served in this capacity for a number of companies and organisations including corporates, trade federations and charities.
More recently he served as chairman of the Vasanta Group, one of the largest computer consumables and business supplies distributors in the UK, turning over more than £400m. He will undertake principally an advisory role as a non-executive director to the Group. Alan has a demonstrable track record of success in building shareholder value, growing sales and designing organisations that deliver first class standards of service.
Commenting on the chairman appointment, Fred Cairns Palmer, managing director at WaterCoolersDirect said: “From our roots in selling (rather than renting) water coolers we have built the business to become a leading hydration company in concert with the growth of the instant hot drinking water taps and boilers market; high spec equipment that replaces the kettle in the kitchen, no waiting time and saving in water use and energy. This year we partnered with Phil Vickery as our brand ambassador for our hot tap solutions and are seeing a positive increase in demand.”
Innovation and technology are an important part of the firms strategy for growth and this is an exciting time for the WCD Group as it continues to expand its centre of technical excellence here in Gloucestershire, supported by an ever-growing network of service engineers nationwide. “Alan has a wealth of experience in building businesses and the skills he can bring to the table are exactly what we need to take our hydration business to the next level, we welcome him to the team,” Fred added.
Said Alan Barclay: “I have very much enjoyed working with WCD since becoming involved in 2008 and am delighted to be formally joining the team. I have been greatly impressed by the progress of the business, particularly in the past year. I am looking forward to helping the WCD team deliver further success as the company expands market share for the hot and cold product portfolio whilst further investment in our technical service division will enhance sales and improve customer service levels. I am very excited at the prospect of joining this award winning business and becoming part of an already successful team with an enviable track record of growth and high levels of customer service particularly in its own home county of Gloucestershire.”
“Our objective is to offer customers product choice backed by expert knowledge, free technical advice and service. Alan’s commercial and management experience will be a positive addition to the Board and his knowledge of our sector will help us achieve our next phase of growth,” Fred concluded.
Proudly, WaterCoolersDirect.com won Gloucestershire Media Small Business of the Year a few years ago and has since continued to grow at an impressive 15% CAGR in demanding economic times.
Alan Barclay Confirms Chairmanship
New chairman, Alan Barclay has been employed in a variety of senior management roles within the manufacturing and distribution business sectors for the past 30 years holding executive director roles, primarily in large private companies. This includes a highly successful period as CEO of Sheffield-based Kingfield Heath, one of the largest suppliers of office products and computer consumables in the UK and Ireland. An experienced chairman he has served in this capacity for a number of companies and organisations including corporates, trade federations and charities.
More recently he served as chairman of the Vasanta Group, one of the largest computer consumables and business supplies distributors in the UK, turning over more than £400m. He will undertake principally an advisory role as a non-executive director to the Group. Alan has a demonstrable track record of success in building shareholder value, growing sales and designing organisations that deliver first class standards of service.
Commenting on the chairman appointment, Fred Cairns Palmer, managing director at WaterCoolersDirect said: “From our roots in selling (rather than renting) water coolers we have built the business to become a leading hydration company in concert with the growth of the instant hot drinking water taps and boilers market; high spec equipment that replaces the kettle in the kitchen, no waiting time and saving in water use and energy. This year we partnered with Phil Vickery as our brand ambassador for our hot tap solutions and are seeing a positive increase in demand.”
Innovation and technology are an important part of the firms strategy for growth and this is an exciting time for the WCD Group as it continues to expand its centre of technical excellence here in Gloucestershire, supported by an ever-growing network of service engineers nationwide. “Alan has a wealth of experience in building businesses and the skills he can bring to the table are exactly what we need to take our hydration business to the next level, we welcome him to the team,” Fred added.
Said Alan Barclay: “I have very much enjoyed working with WCD since becoming involved in 2008 and am delighted to be formally joining the team. I have been greatly impressed by the progress of the business, particularly in the past year. I am looking forward to helping the WCD team deliver further success as the company expands market share for the hot and cold product portfolio whilst further investment in our technical service division will enhance sales and improve customer service levels. I am very excited at the prospect of joining this award winning business and becoming part of an already successful team with an enviable track record of growth and high levels of customer service particularly in its own home county of Gloucestershire.”
“Our objective is to offer customers product choice backed by expert knowledge, free technical advice and service. Alan’s commercial and management experience will be a positive addition to the Board and his knowledge of our sector will help us achieve our next phase of growth,” Fred concluded.
Proudly, WaterCoolersDirect.com won Gloucestershire Media Small Business of the Year a few years ago and has since continued to grow at an impressive 15% CAGR in demanding economic times.