Blueprint Operations is investing in the development of young industry talent with the appointment of three executives to customer-facing roles. Internal promotions joining Iain Graham’s Business Development team are 27-year old Alex Jones and 25-year old Harry Hulse with 30-year old James Fergusson becoming Corporate Account Manager reporting to Neil McCartney.
Heralding the appointments and underlining the commitment to develop and progress young talent, Nicola Wallbank, Director Sales and Account Management, said: “As a major employer in the industry the Merkur UK group recognises that it has a responsibility to invest in young people, bring them through our brands and in the process create the industry leaders of the future.
“All three of our appointments at Blueprint Operations have great skill-sets that we are helping to nurture and develop. They have a real passion for the industry, a commitment to problem-solving and a desire to be the best. I am delighted to have them as part of Blueprint’s customer-facing team and I am confident that they will make important contributions as we partner our customers to maximise the income they generate from their investment in market-leading Blueprint products.”
Alex Jones, Business Development Executive
“Having grown up with a close affiliation to the company through family I had only ever seen and heard positive things about Blueprint and I wanted to be a part of the journey with a company that has a clear pathway for recognising success. I have big aspirations to progress as far as I possibly can, and I feel I have all the tools and the right people around me to do so. Before I joined BPO I spent eight years as a professional footballer and had little experience within the industry. It’s testament to all of my colleagues at how straightforward the transition has been. One of the most invaluable experiences has been the two-weeks I spent on the road which enabled me to see how every part of the company operates. From the sales team to our service centre in Droitwich to being out with engineers and collectors, it gave me great insight into the different parts of the business.”
Harry Hulse, Business Development Executive
“I initially joined Blueprint via the online gaming side, as a games tester. I then moved across to the land based side to join the technical customer support team, where I grew within the team and business for four-years. I swiftly realised that this industry was the one for me and I haven’t looked back since. My main objectives are to progress through the ranks of the commercial team at Blueprint and establish myself within the industry, building excellent relationships with customers along the way. I have completed both team and individual training with external companies on developing relationships with customers and understanding how to communicate in certain situations. This coupled with hands-on customer experience has certainly been helpful on my career path so far.”
James Fergusson, Corporate Account Manager
“As an Area Manager I was always passionate about the product and wanted to be more involved in the machine side of the business. The Blueprint brand has a really strong reputation in the market and it was a business where I thought I could progress my career within this industry. In terms of core objectives, I want to continue to learn and develop, I want to make a difference and I want to be part of the team that consolidates Blueprint’s status as the very best manufacturer and provider of games to UK operators.”