Alex Davis
BA International Management, Bradford University - 1999
After four years at Bradford – including 15 months working for Elf Oil in Pau, South West France – I was after three things: sunshine, the chance to follow a world-class rugby team and a job at a company where I'd develop quickly.
Well two out of three is not bad. Besides, you can't do much about the weather. Leicester Tigers are doing nicely and I've had plenty of work opportunities.
At university, I hadn't learnt a lot about glass (apart from the ones filled with beer). So in my first role as an Estimator at the world's leading glass company, I had quite a bit to take on board. With my decisions making the difference between winning and losing contracts worth £600,000, I knew I had to learn fast. It turned out to be a great first job, learning the business while making a contribution to winning new business.
After 12 months, I was ready for the next challenge. Moving into marketing gave me a real step up providing dedicated marketing support to a network of businesses in the Contracting Division and, subsequently, Product Manager for a part of the Company's product range.
Working closely with the businesses provided me with invaluable commercial insight. After two years I was totally motivated to get my hands on a "real job" in one of the businesses. An opportunity arose in our Birmingham operation as a Business Development Executive where I focused on selling new products, such as our high-insulation glass, Planitherm, and a self-cleaning glass for the conservatory market. Things snowballed from there – in 2004 I was appointed Sales and Commercial Manager and in 2006 I left the Managers Development Programme and I was promoted to Business Manager for the Birmingham business and that is where I have remained to date, facing the daily trails and tribulations that business throws at you as well as enjoying the continued challenges Solaglas provides.
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