The New Managing Director of Precision UK
We’re delighted to formally announce the appointment of Rob Sawyer as Managing Director of Precision UK.
Rob brings extensive leadership experience and a track record of growing businesses on an international scale.
Officially joining the team in October, we recently sat down with him to discuss his career, his first few months at Precision UK, and what the future holds.
Continue reading to see the full interview…
Rob Sawyer Q&A
1. Tell us about your professional journey and how you arrived at CPX?
“After undertaking a university degree in Environmental Sciences, I started my career in a B2B engineering sales role immediately after graduating.
Despite starting with no knowledge of engineering or the products, I found the industry and customers interesting.
I’m a quick learner and before long, was selling pumps, mechanical seals, hydraulic/pneumatic sealing products and filters, and, as most people tend to do, stayed in my chosen industry for three decades.
During this time and across three companies, I progressed my career through various UK sales roles, product specialist roles, European Business Development, International Sales Management, before landing the top job as Director/General Manager.
I have spent the last 21 years at one company, where for the last 12 years I was fortunate to have full responsibility for the business and all that entailed.
For many, longevity in a role might be considered a positive… At the age of 52, I felt a need for personal change and a new challenge, where I could utilise the skills I had learnt, but also where I would have to continue to learn, adapt, and change – and CPX offered me that opportunity.“
I felt a need for personal change and a new challenge.
2. How have you found your first few months at CPX?
“It has been a really nice landing for me.
I have been afforded the opportunity to take time to review the business in detail during these first three months, and as a result, have been able to understand the people, culture, and past business.
What I have seen is a great company, with a really capable and positive team who want to do their best to make sure the company maintains its position as the best supplier of MGPS.”
I have seen a really capable and positive team…
3. What is it about CPX that resonates with you most, and why?
“CPX is still a small UK business, but with a desire to become bigger, better, then finally best across an international footprint.
As MD, I like the responsibility that working in a small business provides and the knowledge that if you do your job well, you can really have an impact that would be otherwise impossible in a large corporation.”
a desire to become bigger, better, then best…
4. What’s something you’re excited to learn from the people here?
“The medical industry, products, and different ways of working – I have been at various organisations, and everyone had something special about them that made them successful – I want to see what that is at CPX, what that USP for the business is, and be a part of making sure that continues.“
everyone had something special about them…
5. Describe your leadership style in 3 words…
“Collaborative, Empowering, Macro.”
6. What’s one moment in your career that shapes the way you lead today?
“When I look back, I think of a time when I took a regional sales role in a company quite early in my career.
I think everyone involved was positive about the possibilities, but very quickly it was clear that it wasn’t going to work out because the structure of how a salesperson worked was very rigid – the manager had gained his success working one particular way, and so that was how I had to work; there was no real flexibility.
It was clear to me, that despite hiring me, he didn’t trust me to do the job my way.
Whilst I really liked the manager, I knew this wasn’t going to work out for me.
As I progressed through my career, I have tried to have a lighter touch, trusting my team to do their jobs, as in most cases they are better able and more qualified to do so!”
7. What cultural qualities do you hope to amplify within the organisation?
“CPX is very much a ‘can-do’ team, and this is what sets us apart from competitors, and I think we need to ensure this is at the centre of what we do.”
CPX is very much a ‘can-do’ team…
8. What’s one thing you believe great teams do differently?
“Trust every member to work to the same goal and accept that their part and everyone else’s part in that process are essential for success.”
9. What’s one small ritual that starts or ends your day on the right note?
“These days, I like to take a walk around, say ‘good morning’ and ‘good night’ to the rest of the team… especially ‘good morning’. It connects me to the team.
It connects me to the team.
10. What excites you about the future of the Medical Gas Pipeline Systems industry?
“Healthcare is absolutely essential, and it is constantly evolving; Medical Gas Pipeline Systems play a critical role in supporting this progress. CPX can be at the forefront in shaping medical/healthcare developments in emerging markets.”
11. How do you define success for the organisation over the next 12 months?
“Growth – not just sales growth, but growth of our capabilities as a business and as people; growth of our knowledge, growth of the brand, growth of our markets.“
