Chris Hunter Email & Phone Number

Huddersfield, England, United Kingdom

As the C.E.O. at Visual Systems Healthcare , I successfully led the business's expansion into the healthcare market, establishing it as a trusted and loyal brand.In 2003, I acquired The Visual System and Sign Co. LTD from its previous owners and rebranded it as Visual Systems Healthcare.In 2005, we further expanded by purchasing and merging with Leakale Taurus, a local visual aid manufacturer. This acquisition allowed us to bring the production of whiteboards and noticeboards in-house.As the business continued to grow steadily each year, we relocated to a larger, purpose-built facility in 2010. This move enabled us to invest in new digital printing and lamination equipment, allowing us to manage the entire design, manufacturing, and distribution process internally.

Skelmanthorpe, England, United Kingdom

I began my career at Visual Systems and Signs ( now Visual Systems Healthcare ) in 1995 as a Trainee Salesperson, covering the North of England. Equipped with a white Volvo, a Garfield mascot, and a pinstriped suit hanging in the backseat, I sold a wide range of signs, visual planning systems, and visual aids like whiteboards. My clients spanned from large companies like British Gas and Reuters to local businesses like Compos Fish and Chip Shop and Huddersfield Metropolitan Council. Most of my work came through appointments, with the occasional cold call. The economy was in a recession at the time, as was our company, so selling was extremely challenging. It was a sink-or-swim situation, and only hard work and persistence helped me close deals.After two years of dedication, countless sales (including office furniture), and a single-minded drive, I was promoted to Sales Manager and expanded my territory to a national level. With consistent year-on-year growth and a knack for procurement, I was appointed General Manager in 1998, overseeing both the purchasing and sales departments, while managing manufacturing operations across two separate sites.

Bradford, United Kingdom

This was my first full-time job, which I took while studying for my A Levels and working evenings as a shelf stacker at Morrisons. What was initially intended as a one-year break before starting a sociology degree and pursuing a career in the police force turned into six years of valuable learning.I began as an office junior in the sales department, managing over 50 newsagents in the Shipley, Bingley, and Baildon areas of Bradford. My responsibilities included coordinating delivery driver schedules, handling customer returns and account details, managing newspaper vendors, and overseeing classified advertising sales.After two years, I was promoted to branch office manager, where I took on additional responsibilities such as overseeing a team of one full-time and two part-time staff members. I also launched and managed a pilot "direct delivery" service in Shipley, delivering newspapers directly to over 3,000 households, eliminating the need for newsagents to handle deliveries by employing our own delivery agents.A year later, I was promoted again to area branch manager, overseeing two more branches in Bingley and Keighley, and managing a team of 15 part-time and full-time staff members.After six years at the Telegraph and Argus, I decided it was time to advance my sales career, develop new skills, and seek better financial opportunities.