A brief summary of what I do

As MD you may think that I sit in my own little office and oversee the company activities. This probably couldn’t be further from the truth! I work closely alongside the team in Chatham in the open plan office as part of the team scheduling and specifying work, meaning I still answer the phone, make the occasional round of tea and most importantly have a great working relationship with employees and clients alike.

I started working for John Planck Ltd in the warehouse in the Summer of 1995 and gained my GAI Diploma (DipGAI) qualification before starting on the client work specifying the architectural ironmongery and learning how to run the business alongside my father, then Managing Director. My day-to-day activities include working with several high value residential and heritage restoration clients to conduct site visits, present specifications and manage the supplier and manufacturer relationships that are crucial to the company’s success.

The team and relationships we have built over the past 30 yrs of trading are a real testament to the family ethos we have here – many customers have been dealing with us since the beginning and many of our employees are long serving too. Working closely with my co-Directors Frances and Adam, and having three trading divisions that cover the country, we’re well positioned to support the industry’s projects covering all sectors.

Favourite project or client you’ve worked with and why

I have 2 (shock!)!  The Bodleian Library (aka: The Weston Library) in Oxford that we did with Swift Crafted and Wilkinson Eyre Architects … and the Great Scotland Yard Hotel with Galliard Construction … both had so many different requirements and permutations for differing products that they were very satisfying to solve and supply, but above all else the people involved were great and a pleasure to work with.

What is your favourite product/finish?

The HB102 Element lever from Frost in Brushed Gold & Brushed Copper finishes (yes, I know this is two finishes, but I like them both!).