John Rowbotham Email & Phone Number

Poole, Dorset

As the Managing Director of JR Distribution Limited, oversaw all aspects of the company, including sales, marketing, business development, logistics, design, accounting, personnel, and manufacturing, for over 20 years. Sales and Marketing:Innovated online sales channels by being an early adopter of eBay and Amazon.Successfully launched and managed the e-commerce platform stand-store.co.uk, orchestrating the migration from osCommerce to Actinic and finally to Shopify.Expertly oversaw print advertising, SEO, and utilized pay-per-click advertising services on platforms such as Amazon, and Google. Implemented optimization strategies for maximum impact at the lowest cost.LogisticsDeveloped a versatile skill set to facilitate the smooth movement of goods and materials across the supply chain. Whether initiating local supply operations or managing the intricacies of international import and export, my expertise in logistics management has played a pivotal role in JR Distribution Limited's success.Product Design and Enhancement:Continuously tracked customer feedback and reviews for continual improvement in product design. Acquired proficiency in cardboard engineering and design, incorporating this knowledge into the enhancement process. Implemented digital cutting equipment and advanced design software to create tailored and customized products, ensuring a heightened level of personalization for our customers.Financial Management:Proficient in using Sage software for in-house financial management.Personnel Management:Managed a team of 2-6 employees, handling all aspects of HR, including hiring, performance management, and redundancy. Focused on maintaining morale and open communication, especially during challenging times.Skills and Attributes:Strong foundation in customer service and a proactive approach to adapting to industry changes and trends. A wide range of skills and experience in customer service, logistics, e-commerce and management.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

As the Business Systems Manager at the National Commercial Bank, I assumed a pivotal role, taking charge of operations at two major data centres in response to critical outages in core systems. Responsible for overseeing operations of the central mainframe systems at these data centres, managed a team of 30-40 staff, ensuring the seamless operation of mission-critical systems for the largest bank in the Middle East.Served as the service strategist for this prestigious financial organization, overseeing UNIX, NT, and Tandem systems with an operational staff of 37. Spearheaded major organizational changes, achieving significant improvements in service quality while simultaneously reducing costs and downtime. My leadership resulted in enhanced communication, teamwork, and a well-coordinated operational structure.A pivotal aspect of my role involved fostering a teamwork culture within the organization. Appointed leaders, established proper shift patterns, and implemented a regular appraisal system linked to progression planning and salary incentives. This cultural transformation led to a 20% reduction in staff requirement while maintaining and even enhancing service quality.Strategically, I advised on core hardware replacements, conducted reliability studies, and successfully negotiated a 2.5 million-piece monthly printing contract with Xerox for the production of over 100,000 dual-language statements, reports, etc. My involvement extended to critical projects such as developing a disaster recovery solution with a remote site in another city and contributing as a team member in core banking hardware replacement and Credit Card processing outsourcing projects.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

In a pivotal role as a Field Service Manager for Saudi Business Machines (SBM), I served as an essential linchpin in supporting Saudi Arabia's representation for IBM. Elevated to a key position within KSA's largest IBM/solutions provider, led a multinational service team of 15, overseeing large corporate clients across the expansive West and South regions of the country.Operated within the ISO 9000 framework, ensuring the highest standards of service quality. Despite a challenging climate marked by shrinking product costs, achieved the primary objective of maintaining service revenues through strategic initiatives. These included the introduction of innovative technical and customer service training programs, meticulous record-keeping and planning, and stringent control over time, costs, and parts, with an emphasis on recycling wherever feasible.My role extended to the identification and remediation of persistent problems, enhancing the overall efficiency of service operations. Implementation of measurement systems and a customer service feedback channel proved instrumental, fostering an effective awareness culture. This not only supported business promotion efforts but also enabled us to surpass revenue targets.As a testament to my commitment to customer service and service management, I not only navigated challenges but proactively instituted improvements that contributed to the success of Saudi Business Machines. My tenure as Field Service Manager was characterized by a dedication to excellence, innovation, and a customer-centric approach

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Part time business, conducting comprehensive scuba diving courses for beginners and advanced divers in the red sea, focusing on safety protocols, equipment usage, and underwater techniques. Provided personalized instruction to ensure each participant's understanding and confidence in diving skills. Fostered a positive and inclusive learning environment, addressing individual needs and concerns.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

In my role as a dedicated technical resource at Saudia Airlines within Saudi Business Machines, I managed dual IBM mainframes, 1000+ desktops, and global connectivity. Playing a pivotal role in transforming the relationship with Saudia Airlines, leading to increased reliance on IBM for additional mainframe capacity and peripherals.Consistently driving initiatives for enhanced service quality, improved equipment reliability, and positive customer relations, I ensured the smooth functioning of critical technological infrastructure. These efforts strengthened the partnership with Saudia Airlines.During my four years as a Field Service Engineer, I focused on continuous improvement, proactive leadership, and delivering high-quality technical services. The success of this role reflects not just technical expertise but a strategic, customer-focused mindset that positively impacted collaboration between Saudi Business Machines and Saudia Airlines.

Basingstoke, United Kingdom

A thorough technical and customer service grounding on large IBM computers during the peak of the mainframe era. Hardware installation and maintenance for large mainframe systems, specifically around the M3/M4 corridor.Self-organized, managing a designated list of accounts, which grew in significance over time. This journey included both promotion and the privilege of deputizing for my manager, showcasing my reliability and leadership capabilities.Led a program that successfully reduced parts costs by 10%, demonstrating not only technical acumen but also a strategic approach to cost management. My seven years at IBM UK Ltd. were marked by continuous growth, technical excellence, and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service.