How did you first get involved with the amusements industry?

I was first drawn to the sector by cash-counting equipment from Tellermate in 1987. I was working on products to enable clients to reliably count the cash collected in local sites and at central locations.

My present involvement in the sector is as the managing director of Heber, which supplies the largest range of control and peripheral products, powering gaming products throughout the world.

What attracted you to this sector?

The fascinating people: I am lucky to be part of a great team at Heber. What makes work fun and satisfying are the relationships and characters you meet, and the gaming industry is full of interesting and friendly people.

How has it changed since then?

There have been many changes, and Heber plays its part with direct involvement in the process of introducing new technologies into gaming. Globalisation means ideas can quickly spread, and as a supplier to the market we must constantly look for capabilities and advantages – from gaming and from other industries – which can be adapted to give our gaming clients a competitive edge.

What are the biggest positive factors for the sector right now – the drivers of growth and development?

There is a great resilience in the industry and good companies have continued to invest in the future, their people and their technologies to enable them to prosper as the situation improves.

The growth drivers for the future will be local differentiation within a global context. Providing technology which enables regional differences of presentation and supports local tastes within a global technology framework is vital.

It is clear to me that the initiative will be seized by companies who can be both agile and adaptive. These companies will understand where their core competence is and collaborate with others, including external partners such as Heber, to bring in skills and technology.

And what are the negative ones – the obstacles to growth?

The challenge of change, in which some companies struggle to adapt to the new environment.

There will be two competing factors. Firstly, globalisation: ideas and advantages can quickly sweep across the gaming world and companies must embrace new thinking.

Secondly, companies must remain at all times close to their customers and give them a distinct and personal service, which will build loyalty and trust. Many companies will struggle to do this and this will be the major obstacle to their growth and ultimately their survival.

Looking at your whole career, what do you reckon was your smartest move, large or small?

My best move was going into electronic engineering. From an early time in my studies, I have enjoyed working in technology and solving problems. I still today get real job satisfaction from working with people, helping them to solve problems and seeing these solutions being successful in the market.

And your dumbest one?

A difficult question to answer, but I continue to enjoy learning – and often I have learned more from the more challenging situations.

Where do you hope you’ll be, professionally, in ten years’ time?

Running an even more successful Heber, which continues to introduce and make available exciting new technology, and building successful relationships with people throughout the international gaming industry.

And finally...if you’d never embarked on this career, what other line(s) of work would you have liked to pursue?

I enjoy technology and working with people who are passionate about its application in new environments, so an engineering role in undersea or space exploration – failing that, being a champion footballer.

Curriculum vitae

Born: 18 May 1960

Education:

1982 BSc Hons in electronic engineering from the University of Essex

1985 MSc in robotics and industrial automation from Imperial College, London

2001 MBA from The Open University

A Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (FIET), and a chartered engineer

Career:

1982-1987 production engineer at Solartron Instruments, a designer and manufacturer of precision electronic instrumentation such as voltmeters and spectrum analysers

1987-1989 manufacturing manager at Percell, a designer and manufacturer of cash-counting equipment

1989-1997 operations director at Siebe Gorman, a designer and manufacturer of safety and respiratory protection equipment for the military and fire services

1997-2006 managing director of Surface Inspection, which designs and builds automatic inspection equipment

2006-2008 managing director of Corporate Answers, a company providing strategic advice and coaching for chief executives

Since 2008 managing director of Heber, a designer and builder of real-time secure gaming controllers

Personal interests: photography, music and travelling

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