British Design | Performance Loudspeakers | Experts Since 1972
Joined: 2015
Department: Export Sales
Job Title: Export Sales Director
I had been in the audio industry for 8 years when I joined in 2015. I was looking for a company with the right balance of existing structure, healthy ambition, and potential for growth. This is exactly what I found at Monitor Audio, which became the Monitor Audio Group in the meantime. MAG is a very different company now, as the different departments have done a stunning job at becoming more structured, more modern, and more efficient, especially in the last few years. What keeps me here is our ability to bring these structural changes while keeping our core values and principles intact as we remain proudly independent.
The development of our business in Asia Pacific. By appointing excellent distribution partners in most Asian territories in my first years at Monitor Audio, sales doubled within 6 years. With most of these territories still growing now despite market conditions. APAC is now 25% of the Group’s global turnover. We’ve seen similar growth in many other markets over the years, yet Asia has a special place in my journey, as it has been my focus for a decade (at MA and in my previous role) with monthly trips. I can now look back at these trips as both successful business ventures and fascinating personal experiences.
It did evolve with a promotion to Export Sales Director two years ago. I now manage a brilliant team of three International Account Managers on a journey to structure and professionalise our department and improve our support to international partners. The role also includes overseeing our global distribution network, improving internal processes, and working with the Senior Management team on building and deploying our strategy and vision.
No market is the same. Whilst our mission is to build a global brand with consistency in all regions, we always have to adapt to the specific challenges of each region and territory. Which is where the distributor system shines, as we could never replace the expertise of local partners. Balancing the Group’s global vision and local specificities counts among the key challenges of the Export team.
Enjoy every business trip! Even the toughest ones, tired and jetlagged, are what make the job unique. As a father of three, my travel schedule has changed, and so have my priorities. I am grateful I got to see the world, act as a brand ambassador, and be a bridge between great partners and the company at the right time in my life and career.
Rewarding.
Even when the market is difficult, we always have markets or ranges showing spectacular progress. Efforts pay off; we’re moving forwards and upwards, and I believe this is only the beginning.
