In our latest ‘Meet The Team’ blog we’re talking to Darren Saunders who has been with the company for 22 years and has just taken on a new role which encompasses working on the integration of Holchem with Kersia.
Darren, what’s your current role at Holchem?
I’m the newly appointed Technical Services Director. I’ve been in the role for just four weeks having worked in previous roles across the company including Hygiene Technologist, Technical Sales Consultant, Technical Service Manager, Head of Support.
How did you get started in the sector and what sparked your interest in working in the hygiene industry?
I started working in the sector in 1988 and I spent 10 years working in the food industry, predominantly in a hygiene supervisory and management role. I joined Holchem in 1998 as a Hygiene Technologist, which involved creating Cleaning Instruction Card Systems for our customers. I then moved on to become Technical Sales Consultant for South Yorkshire and East Midlands which encompassed direct customer support. In 2002 I was promoted into a Technical Service Manager role which included conducting audits of customer’s hygiene operations, developing/delivering training courses and other hygiene related projects. During 2014 I was promoted to Head of Support which covered the organisation and development of our Engineering, Hygiene Technologist, Graphic Design and Customer Support Services Teams. In late 2020 I was promoted again to Technical Services Director.
What does your role include?
I am now responsible for the technical services and support we offer to Holchem’s customers. It currently encompasses the Engineering, Technical Service Manager, Hygiene Technologist, Graphic Design and Customer Support Service functions. This wide breadth of services covers amongst other areas equipment installation/repair, hygiene audits, signage, technical documentation, brochures, equipment proposals/sales, training courses, videos and Gateway System, etc.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
It’s got to be working with my colleagues in supporting our customers and driving our business forward. I am extremely fortunate to work with such a talented, hard-working and dedicated group of people who make my life so much easier.
How does a typical day look?
The beauty of my role is that it’s varied! I ensure that I always deal with any Holchem personnel issues or customer requests in the first instance and then each day I put aside enough time to focus on project work and the integration of Holchem and Kersia which is very interesting for me and is going really well.
Finally, what would you dream job be?
From a very young age all I wanted to be was a professional footballer, but I think my time may have passed! My dream job now would be following, watching and writing about the England cricket team as they play around the UK and the world. I would get to go to many of the places on my bucket list as well as enjoy watching the sport I love.
