This is the first in a series of staff interviews, which will give you an insight into the working environment at Roeville, as well as helping you to get to know us a bit better!
We're starting at the very top, with Roeville's Managing Director John Roe.
This year marks 15 years since Roeville Computer Systems was officially formed as a company – how far has it come in that time?
Roeville has come a long way by growing a dedicated focussed team to meet the needs of an ever changing coaching industry. As early disciples of the internet revolution, we have worked steadfastly and now supply premium e-commerce solutions to many of the UK’s leading coaching brands.
What can we expect from Roeville in its 15th year?
Further innovation and improved support to our clients to help them operate in a challenging market place. We have some aces up our sleeve too, so watch this space!
What do you feel separates Roeville from its competitors in the reservation software market?
We listen to our customers and work closely with them to craft our products and give them the tools, support and confidence to help them evolve and grow.
Your family has a history of being involved in the coach business. How did you come to move into the software field?
The Roe family has been involved in the coach and bus business for more than 100 years, however I graduated in Electronics and Software Engineering. My early years were spent designing and implementing digital control and computer systems in the steel industry before I was drawn into the family business. Having a unique background in coach travel and software engineering was the catalyst to start building software solutions for the coach tourism business. The rest is history.
2012 is going to be a unique year for UK tourism. In your opinion, what will this mean for the coach tourism industry?
On the face of it, it should be an excellent year, with the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics. However by autumn they will be long forgotten … and even a week is a long time in coach tourism...
What do you do to relax away from the business?
Gee – where do I start? I’m a school governor who likes eating out and going to the theatre and cinema, when I’m not swimming or stalking round a historic house or cathedral. In between I like photography, travel and listening to music – especially rock and classics – plus I play the piano most evenings. Oh, I work sometimes too!
What is your favourite holiday destination?
Anywhere where there’s history, culture, no real extremes of temperature and where not everything wants to bite, sting or eat you! I like Europe and the USA/Canada, but hey – there’s still so many places I want to visit in our own sceptred isle.
And finally, the most important question – Marmite: yes or no?
Ermmmmm – sorry but Marmite gets ‘Null Points’ from me.