The Joe Pearce Interview

We chat with Joe Pearce of Beauport Holiday Park, part of Park Holidays UK, to discuss the park industry, his role, and what he likes to do when not working.

Hi Joe, thank you for taking part in the interview. Can you tell us a bit about your journey into the park industry – what led you to where you are now?

I first started on holiday parks over 22 years ago, as a holiday salesperson at Camber Sands, when it was owned by Great British Holiday Parks. We worked in a little centre lounge Cosalt out the back of the main office and would be making calls all day, selling holidays.  

I used to hear people talking about “Owners” and assumed they meant the owners of Great British Holiday Parks.  I had no clue that the general public would buy and ‘own’ the caravans on the park.  18 months later, I was looking for a new challenge and was due to leave the park for pastures new.  The Sales Manager asked if I would like to try caravan sales, so I said yes and haven’t looked back since. 

Going into my second season as a caravan salesperson, Great British Holiday Parks and Park Resorts were merged, and overnight we all became Park Resorts employees. At the end of my second season, I wanted to try sales management and left to join what was then called Cinque Ports Leisure… now known as Park Holidays UK.  Fast Forward almost 20 years and here I am as Sales Manager at Beauport with Park Holidays UK.

Tell me about your role at Beauport Holiday Park?

I am the Holiday Home Sales Manager at Beauport Holiday Park in Hastings with Park Holidays UK.  In a nutshell, my role is to provide the sales team with as many high-quality sales opportunities as possible. This will be both daily and weekly. I try to make it as easy as possible for the sales team to convert the highest portion of these opportunities into completed sales.  I do this by ensuring the marketing is spot on, the caravans & lodges for sale look their absolute best and cover a suitable range. I also make sure that every member of the team has what they need to be free to be consistently at their best.

Where do you like to holiday?

Greece is a big favourite for foreign holidays. Cornwall or Scotland if staying closer to home.

What do you find the most rewarding aspect of your role?

I enjoy helping and encouraging people to be the best version of themselves that they can be.  

I like to compare sales management with football management. I think a sales team is like a sports team.  If everyone plays for the greater good, supports one another and gives it their all, we always get more out of it than if we operate as a group of individuals. That being said, I love seeing salespeople implement actions that I have shown them. I also like seeing them repeating the actions, to get the same rewards  That’s when you know you’ve been listened to, believed in and justified in your teachings. 

I also enjoy, seeing that same salesperson imparting that same knowledge to another, newer salesperson This is like the holy grail to me!  You know you have encouraged one person to enrich themselves by following your advice, and then that same person is encouraging the next… paying it forward.  That, to me, is what success looks like.

Do you have any advice for those starting in the industry?

Ask questions, but don’t ask for the sake of it, or to be seen to be interested. ACTUALLY, be interested and listen to the answers. This industry can provide a lifetime of money and fun if they are prepared to stay humble, listen, learn and work hard. Respect your elders, and by that, I don’t mean necessarily older than you in age terms, but more those who are older in the game… Those that have been around a long time.  Seek these people out and ask them the questions.  

What has been your favourite professional moment?

I have watched team members win awards over the years, which always makes me very proud. 

I have won Sales Manager of the Year twice with Park Holidays UK, both of which were happy and proud moments.  I would of course like to make that a 3rd time – who knows what the future holds. 

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?

What I would like to have been doing was playing football at a professional level, and by this age hopefully managing at a high level.  That never happened, of course, so I suppose if I wasn’t doing the job I do now, erm…. Is there such a thing as a professional watcher of football?  If so, then that.

Outside of work, what are some of your interests or hobbies?

I like spending time with my family and watching the pride of north London Tottenham Hotspur.

Looking ahead do you have any personal and professional goals for the next year?

To maintain a consistent, successful approach and have as much fun as possible.

Who else would you like to be seen interviewed in this series and why?

There are so many interesting people, it’s difficult to narrow it down, but…

James Tyler – General Manager with Park Holidays UK.  James has been around for as long as I have and has been very successful, is extremely well respected by his peers and anyone would benefit from listening to what he has to say.

ClassActDecking – Mike Prior. Mike has been running ClassAct for more years than I can remember and is hugely popular with his clients in the Kent / Essex region. Mike is a fountain of knowledge, and well worth listening to.

Hardings – Joe and/or John. Hardings are a Hastings-based company that does all manner of Gasworks, panel repairs, and general Caravan repair work. Hardings have been around for over 20 years I believe, and have maintained a very loyal client base.  Both Joe Briggs and John Harding know their stuff and then some.

All4Image – Charlie Langton. Charlie used to work for Park Holidays UK as a salesperson and was top-level too.  He left to start his own caravan refurbishment business 6 or 7 years ago and has proved hugely successful.  Charlie is a true entrepreneur and so interesting to talk to.