The Ray Currie interview

Justin Allitt chats with Ray Currie, Regional Sales Manager at Atlas Leisure Homes Ltd, to discuss the park industry, his role in it, and what he likes to do when not working.

Hi Ray, I’ve seen you at shows for a number of years and you certainly started in the industry before I did. How long have you been in it and where did you start?

Hi Justin, good to speak with you. I started in the industry in 2003, so 19 years this year. I’d been made redundant for the first time in my life and was applying for loads of sales jobs. I had a young family with kids at primary school, and it was a stressful time. I got offered three jobs in one week! One selling garden ornaments (gnomes etc.!), one selling educational furniture & lastly offered one with Cosalt Holiday Homes selling caravan & lodges in Scotland.

Peter Nevitt, the then MD of Cosalt, is an industry legend & I’ve great respect for him. He offered me the job & the opportunity to enter the industry I’ve been in ever since. *More importantly, Peter knew I’d been out of work for three months & although he wasn’t really looking to start me until January, he started me in December so I could earn a wage before Xmas!

Of all the things in the industry, what is your favourite thing you like to do?

I like to be able to bring new customers on board & getting them to buy into & experience what Atlas has to offer. It’s an exciting growth period for the company & doing new business still gives me a buzz.

We’ve had some turbulent times over the last couple of years – What will happen in the next couple?

There are still many challenges for manufacturers to work through with their supply chains going forward, but things are improving. The demand for holidaying & the staycation market is still strong. Plus the airline industry has a long way to go to get back to “normal”, with staff shortages, delays & cancellations for many. So why wouldn’t you want to holiday in the great resorts & locations we have in the UK?  I see our order books remaining strong for a wee while yet!!

If you weren’t in the park industry, what would you do?

I would be selling something, I’m sure! I’ve been in sales for 38 years this year & I’ve worked in a variety of sectors. I’ve sold office stationery supplies, photocopiers, paper, paint, street furniture & golf driving range equipment. But I started work as a 17-year-old as a Trainee Sheriff Officer! Now that’s an eye-opener of a job and served me well in getting into Sales!

What do you like to do when not working?

I like to escape in my VW Campervan “Vernon” on weekends when possible. I love watching sport & also still get on the squash court, I’ve played for over 40 years, although I play the easier game of racketball now. But a lot of time for my wife and I now is helping with my granddaughter Amelie! And we have another 2 grandkids on the way by the end of October, so we’re going to be busy!

Is there any advice you’d like to share with those starting in the industry?

I would say be yourself, get to know your customers & your competitors, you’ll learn loads from all of them! Peter Nevitt told me back in 2003, “you need to get settled in an industry, Ray, the first year will be tough, but if you survive it, you’ll be in it for a long time” – nearly 20 years on, I still am.

Which clients would you love to help?

I’ve been lucky enough to work across both the leisure & residential markets within our sector & also worked for volume & bespoke manufacturers. There are crossovers and differences between the sectors, but I’ve always enjoyed working with clients new to the market who are keen to seek your advice and help in developing their business. Seeing them succeed is very rewarding.

Who in our series would you like to be see interviewed?

It would be very difficult to narrow that down to one Justin as there are some brilliant people within the industry, as you know; why don’t we have a discreet conversation on that one & then I’ve no chance of embarrassing myself!

To read the Rhodri Taylor, chartered tax advisor from Zeal, interview click here.