Steve Spinks was born in London, where he lived until the age of 13 before temporarily moving to New Zealand. Aged 17, he moved back to the UK and has lived in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, ever since.
2019 marks his 30th year working for F. Ball, but what did Steve do before?
“My first job was actually working in a bank in New Zealand once I left school aged 15 – they have different age laws over there! I worked there for about 18 months before our family returned to the UK, where I joined a local independent tile and builders’ merchants as a driver and storeman before graduating to work in their flooring/contract division. Over the seven or eight years I worked there, we used to have technical representatives drop in and their job really appealed to me, so when I saw the F. Ball advertisement in 1989, I successfully applied and I’ve been there ever since.
“As well as the daily variety of the job, I enjoy the problem-solving aspect of being a technical representative. It’s as much about building relationships with customers as it is recommending optimum products, to the point where we feel like friends. My longevity with F. Ball is a real testament to the sort of company it is; they’re a great bunch to work for.”
That’s what we like to hear! With over 30 years in the business, we wonder whether there’s anything that Steve finds difficult about the job.
“I think with the rise of the Internet, the demand for immediacy in our work has increased dramatically, whether that be answering emails or showing up on site. When I started with F. Ball, we didn’t even have mobile phones, let alone tablets or anything with internet access, so everything moves a lot quicker these days. It’s good to be busy, but within limits!”
So what does Steve like to get up to in his free time? (If he has any!)
“I’m a typical bloke: watching football and other sports is a great hobby of mine. I’m also a big fan of going to the races, which is always a great day out. Aside from that, I enjoy going on holiday in Ireland, different parts of the UK, or somewhere where there’s a bit more sun.”
Lovely. And what would Steve say is his biggest achievement in my life?
“My kids of course! I’m very lucky to have two great children, Sarah and Garry, who are all grown up with kids of their own now, making me the granddad of four lovely grandchildren. I’m very proud of them.”