In our second staff interview, we speak to Richard Andrews - Operations Manager at Roeville.
You’ve been with the company for 9 years – what has changed in that time?
An awful lot: we've tripled our staff level, moved to new premises and become innovative market leaders within the coach industry - not to mention the staff's hair colour...although not John Roe's strangely...
Last year you became Operations Manager; what responsibilities does that include?
What doesn't it include! Basically less of the technical element and more of the managerial and company direction/decision making. Taking more slack from the directors comes as part of the job too.
You are also heavily involved in the direction of WebRes development; can you tell us about any interesting things in there that we might see over the next few months?
If I did I’d have to kill you! Let's just say that our customers have some weird and wonderful ideas and as most of WebRes' new features come from our customers you'll be seeing a lot more flexibility in the design and concept of the product.
What do you think makes WebRes the market-leading product for online coach tour reservations?
The fact that no other competitor can provide such a tailored and individual website to meet the customers' requirements with the performance and stability that allows us to sell over £50m+ worth of holidays and trips through it every year.
Tell us something about yourself that we might not know.
Whether the chicken or the egg came first, but I'm keeping that to myself! Seriously though, a recent new hobby of mine is looking after koi and sturgeon. I built a new pond when I moved last year and as my wife will tell you, I spend more time with them than my own kids, who are aged 4 & 7 (going on 13 years ) – oops!
What do you do to relax away from the business?
6 pints, a few shots and a bottle of wine normally does it!
What is your favourite holiday destination?
Honest answer is I'm not really sure just yet, I enjoy anywhere abroad really and I've always wanted to visit Iceland (not the frozen foods outlet obviously). I suppose if I could rent a holiday home in the Kop at Anfield then that would be my number 1 destination – does that count?
And finally, the most important question – Marmite: yes or no?
It’s a yes – just. Only lightly spread and only on 1 side - picky I know.