Mark Townsend

Experience

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  Various

  Aug 1979 - Mar 1980

  Shop assistant & barman

  Straight from school, to fund important things like my first car and some rent for my parents (they'd funded my first 18 yrs, so fair enough) I took both a full time job as a sales assistant in Solihull's premier ironmongers (in the days before the DIY sheds took over, now sadly no more) and a part time job a barman at the local pub. Both were highly enjoyable, with so much customer interaction, but both so poorly paid I could never have made a career of them.

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  West Midlands Police

  Mar 1980 - Dec 1981

  Police Constable

  As a probationary constable I spent most of my time "on the beat" with just short training secondments to desk duty, central cell "lockup" and traffic positions. I dealt with the public day to day on the many aspects of a "copper's" day, from routine crime reporting, motoring infringements, arresting criminals, police chases, armed escort's (as an unarmed passenger !), public order, crowd control etc. It's a varied life but in hind-site was not for me as I'm not one for unnecessary confrontation and the risks it brings. However, I don't regret the experience one bit as it taught me so much in a very short space of time. Show less

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  Dolphin Showers

  Dec 1981 - Mar 1982

  Salesman

  I don't claim benefits when I can earn money instead ........ this was a commision only role that operated in a sales culture that would probably not be tolerated (or even be legal) today. Some of my fellow salesmen earned a fortune by embellishing the truth and pressurising the customers with and hard sell tactics, I earned a decent, but insecure, living by having happy, well informed customers.This was a stop gap while between jobs, while I was going though the Fire Service recruitment process - I almost consider myself lucky that the company went bust and made me redundant, prompting me to get on with it ! Show less

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  West Midlands Fire Service

  Mar 1982 - Apr 1987

  Qualified Firefighter

  All aspects of the modern firefighters role, covering fire and rescue services for both man and beast, protecting people and their property. The camaraderie and experiences live with me to today and form the basis of my down to earth and realistic approach. During my service I went from newbie probationer to qualified fireman, and had passed my exams for the rank of leading fireman and was part way through my tests to sub-officer. As a personal development opportunity I also took on "Duke of Edinburgh Award" training of local youngsters on a voluntary basis, which primarily helped the kids but also myself in that it boosted my confidence and largely conquered my fear of public speaking.I wish I'd never left, it was a wonderful career, but I had to go due to personal issues, including slightly deteriorating eyesight, which meant I'd have been unable to remain long term. Show less

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  I'd rather not talk about it !

  Apr 1987 - Sept 1987

  Salesman

  I don't claim benefits when I can earn money instead ........ these were commision only roles that operated in a sales culture that would probably not be tolerated (or even be legal) today. Some of my fellow salesmen earned a fortune by embellishing the truth and pressurising the customers with and hard sell tactics, I earned a decent, but insecure, living by having happy, well informed customers.This was a stop gap while looking for my next career move, as try getting a mortgage on a commission only job ! Show less

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  Homebase

  Sept 1987 - Mar 2012

  I ran the mezzanine showroom for the kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms offer, after diversifying from "straight" retail management to a more customer focussed role. My primary role was management of the team but in 2010 I embarked on additional training to embrace the CAD design and sales aspects as well, going on to become the regions top selling showroom manager three time in four years - only finishing second on the fourth year after major surgery necessitated four months away from work. nb, My stores sales targets (based on location, demographics, past performance etc) was not top of the ranking list, so my performance wasn't a forgone conclusion. Show less This role constantly evolved over my many years with Homebase, but generally involved looking after front end operations (tills, cash office, customer relations), all promotional activities (seasonal range change remerchandising, point of sale), replenishment activities and annual stocktaking. It was not straight into the role, I started as a trainee manager in 1987, working through various departmental roles before reaching deputy manager level. I also had stints as acting store manager, covering long term absence etc, and on the refit teams where I was responsible for stripping out and replenishing all stock (30,000+ lines) during store refurbishments at Colchester, Rugby, Selly Oak, and Wellingborough - a challenging demand in a very limited timeframe ! Show less

  • Showroom Manager

    Apr 2008 - Mar 2012

  • Deputy Store Manager

    Sept 1987 - Apr 2008
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  Eventz Photography

  Jun 2007 - Jun 2012

  Freelance Photographer

  Whilst I worked in retail I supplement my income, and provided a service, as a freelance photographer working in equestrian circles around the Midlands region. My wife was in the horsey scene (still is) and I was shocked by the poor quality, and high cost, of the then current crop of "professional" photographers on the circuit so I elevated my hobby to a cottage industry business, beating many of the established guys on both price and quality. Apart from regular local pony club shows and charity rides I became closely associated with the regions competitive "Trec" group and the UK's best known "Medieval Jousting" display and experience day team. As such I've photographed everything from children on their first pony right up to Royalty (yes, really) sword-fighting and trying to knock each other out of the saddle charging down the jousting tilt !Sadly, it didn't make me my fortune, despite a healthy level of website hits I had the problem shared by many of my peers - why buy the photo's when you can view on-line whenever you want ? As such, after joining JLR when I had a living wage at last, I let my photography fade into the background, partially as I didn't need the money but also because of the risk from being VERY close to the action, meaning personal injuries were not uncommon - not worth risking my (then agency) day job for ! Show less

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  Jaguar Land Rover

  Apr 2012 - Apr 2021

  Quality Group Leader

  My role is primarily the communication of quality issues identified within the trim and final build hall, paint shop and bodyshop, back to the relevent teams, often assisting with problem solving where appropriate. To do so effectively I have to exercise good communication skills, perseverance and tenacity when dealing with stakeholders at all levels, from the associates at grass roots level and up to senior management.A couple of quotes are close to my heart in my day to day activities, whether at work or play :-"Quality is not an act, it is a habit, it means doing it right when no-one is looking" - Henry Ford - learned from a handout given to us in my "Defender days"."It's not who you are inside that counts, it's what you do that defines you" - Batman - fiction maybe, not even a very good movie, but a good mantra nevertheless. Show less

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  Jaguarlandrover

  Apr 2021 - now

  Group Leader

  The Quality Group Leader role was discontinued in April 2021, I am currently assisting wherever required while awaiting a new position.