Better late than never. The reason I say that is because this story should have been shared a couple of months ago when two key individuals joined our team. Life happens though, and work commitments often get in the way. While I wish I had managed to write this sooner, it turns out that waiting has given me more time to reflect and add some extra details!
Let’s start with Ashley Griffiths, our Marketing Executive. Ashley and I go way back to the early days of LES when he worked as a supplier sales contact. Over the years, I’ve seen him grow professionally—his expertise in sales, customer service, and manufacturing is truly impressive. It’s not every day you meet someone with such a diverse skill set. Ashley’s qualifications extend beyond his professional experience—he holds a respected certification from LEEA (Lifting Equipment Engineers Association) and is passionate about photography, media, and graphic design.
One chilly December evening, I ran into Ashley at a local pub near our office. He mentioned he was leaving his previous role and looking for something fresh. We ended up having a long conversation about everything from his career goals to his personal interests. His mindset and skills were exactly what we needed at LES, so we jumped at the chance to bring him aboard. Ashley has settled beautifully into his new role and is also taking a night course at Worcester College to enhance his marketing knowledge. Talk about dedication!
Then came January 5th, when I was traveling in Asia for business. While most people were enjoying the holidays, I was out in Shanghai overseeing supplier audits and meeting clients. My family thought I was crazy, but these trips are essential for our operations, and I don’t regret a single moment. As I traveled from Shanghai to Bangkok, I sifted through countless resumes. One caught my eye—it was from James Poole, who applied for the position of Warehouse & Logistics Operative. His resume was outstanding. Not only did he complete a comprehensive apprenticeship covering sales, health and safety, logistics, and inventory management, but he also holds licenses to operate forklifts and drive heavy goods vehicles up to 32 tonnes. Even though we don’t have HGVs in our fleet, his credentials were a testament to his capability and professionalism.
I immediately arranged a call with James and shared the opportunity with him. Despite being away for another two weeks, I couldn’t let this pass. Something about James clicked right away—I knew he was the right fit. When I returned to the UK, our manager Symon met James face-to-face. Symon felt the same way I did, and James officially joined the team on January 20th. James is thriving at LES and plans to take an Overhead Crane Operator course in May to continue expanding his skill set.
These two have brought so much energy and talent to our team. Here they are, the two faces that brightened our January:
Hiring is always tricky, especially in such a specialized field. Do you rely on expensive recruitment agencies or tap into your network through platforms like LinkedIn or good old-fashioned conversations over drinks? I’ve tried both approaches, and personally, I’ve found networking to be far more effective. Sure, there will come a time when we’ll need external help, but the best hires usually come from building genuine relationships over time. There’s no substitute for trust and chemistry.
-Will Dunn, CEO
Tianjin Alcoa International Trade Co., Ltd. , https://www.tjalcoa.com