Mark Simpson Email & Phone Number

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Currently in a developmental role within GQA Qualifications.Current focus is developing a new training centre as part of the 'Building Our Skills' initiative.Building Our Skills aims to develop young people and encourage them to choose fenestration as a career.

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Until redundancy in July 2019 I was employed as The Lead Surveyor/Technical Estimator for Euramax Solutions Ltd who manufacture windows, doors, conservatories and showers for the DIY (Wickes, Screwfix, Selco etc), New Build, Modular Building, Caravan and Domestic markets. This involves working from architects or surveyors’ drawings to establish the detailed specification of product required, using AutoCAD to draw and clarify dimensions where necessary, calculating the costs using the dedicated industry specific software (Window Maker) and sending the quotations to the customers. I am also the lead surveyor where I survey domestic properties for customers who are purchasing windows/doors/conservatories from our retail website happierwindows.com. I am working towards NVQ level 3 in surveying. Once an order is received it is my responsibility to liaise with the customer and do a ‘quote cleanse’ to ensure we meet the customers exact requirements. I then create the material requirements reports for the purchasing department, create the manufacturing instructions and liaise with all departments to ensure that the products are manufactured and delivered complete and on time. Part of my role is also to manage the batching of products through the software which drives the CNC machining centres therefore, preparing the material in the most efficient and cost effective manner. I have responsibility for the contract management of several New Build sites, liaising with site Managers to ensure deliveries and installations are timed to meet the build programme. I create the fitting plan for the in house installation teams and ensure that the quality of their work meets the required standard at all times.

Northern Region

Until redundancy in August 2012 I was employed in a field based role as a renewable energy surveyor for The Energy Conservation Group. The company specialises in many forms of renewable energy but particularly in Solar PV Panels and Solar Thermal Heating systems. My role involved travelling anywhere in the country and meeting with customers. Once on site I carried out a full survey of the property and designed a system which best suited the property/location to ensure that the customer received the best possible return on their investment. Where possible and appropriate I would also up sell to a larger system or additional product. Once installed I carried out a post install inspection to check the workmanship of the tradesmen and to ensure that the customer was happy with the service which the company had provided.As part of the role development I was undergoing training to become a DEA (Domestic Energy Assessor) which will allow me to assess all domestic properties and issue an energy rating certificate for the property. This certificate will also inform the customer how the energy efficiency of their home can be improved. This certificate is required by anyone selling or letting their property and is now required to qualify for feed in tariffs for renewable energy. This training is almost complete with just a final examination to pass and the assessment of my portfolio to be completed.

Barnsley

 Following redundancy in February 2009 my colleague and I decided to use our vast experience in the conservatory industry to establish a company selling DIY conservatories through our website. (www.swiftconservatories.co.uk) This involved generating leads through advertising via the internet, the local press & through leaflet drops. Once a lead was generated we contacted the customer to establish their exact requirements before giving them a quotation. Once sold we generated drawings to allow the customer to accurately survey their own property before placing the order with the supplier and arranging deliveries. We then provided a full after sales service giving the customers advice on the construction of their conservatories. As well as selling conservatories I also undertook a freelance surveying role for a renewable energy company called A Shade Greener. This field based position which involved doing a complete survey of potential properties to establish if they were suitable and could qualify for the free installation of solar panels. I used the supplied software to calculate the yield of the panels on a specific roof and in a specific location. I used AutoCAD to draw any roofs which required a bespoke arrangement of solar panels. I then answered any queries which the customer may have had with regards to the installation & system.During this period I was responsible for training all new surveyors. I also suggested and implemented new and better ways of working to help this relatively new company operate successfully.Swift Conservatory Solutions operated successfully until the down turn in the market dictated that we seek full time secure employment.

Barnsley

Cestrum Conservatories supplied conservatories to the DIY market through the large retail sheds such as B&Q, Wickes, Argos, Homebase, Focus, Screwfix etc. I was employed within this company for 23 years in various positions the latest of which was Technical Services Manager.In this role I managed a team of up to 15 people working across three departments, Sales Orders, Customer Services & Quotation/Design. All three departments were customer facing so I had to monitor, motivate and develop all staff to ensure that the companies philosophy of ‘customer is king’ was maintained at all times and that the customers received the best possible service from the initial placing of the order through to the after sales service and completion of the conservatory.