Andrew Manby of Director of Joe Manby
Monday, January 23, 2012

Andrew Manby tells us about his 32 years at Joe Manby and why he still gets a thrill from every customer engagement.

How did you get into the event contractors sector? Family connections, as my father started Joe Manby in 1974. After university and four years teaching I joined the company in 1979.
What does your job entail? My role is extremely varied. I manage various elements of the business such as accounts, sales, marketing and HR, and liaise with team members in the workshop, electrical store and graphics studio. Planning is key with my brother and fellow director Richard; we’re working with event organisers and exhibitor clients on wide-ranging current and future commissions.
Describe your average work day. There isn’t one! I split my time between being onsite at events and exhibitions and being in the office. We’re currently contracted for events at 20+ UK venues – the majority of which are outside of Harrogate and North Yorkshire. I still get a buzz out of seeing the end result of our conferences and exhibitions and particularly enjoy our team being acknowledged for a job well done by clients.	Andrew Manby
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Working as part of a dedicated team, week in week out, from trade shows to conferences and delivering each event on time and to specification. We have ongoing contracts up to 2016 and this level of customer confidence and support is extremely rewarding.
What keeps you awake at night? Nothing – I sleep like a proverbial log after returning home from the buzz and excitement of the shows.
What is your proudest moment? Richard and I fronting and growing a successful family-owned event services business, which is now in its 38th year. Integral to this has been retaining a successful, dedicated team, over 70 per cent of whom have been with us for more than 20 years.
What’s the most unusual event you’ve worked on? The most unusual was possibly involving embalming equipment.
What’s your ideal event? A potent combination of travel, motorsports and a glorious climate.
What’s the biggest issue affecting event contractors? Given that the economic downturn is here to stay, the immediate future will be even more challenging. Contractors need to be flexible, understand customers’ businesses and challenges while continually improving their experience.
What’s your best piece of advice? Nobody said it would be easy’. The prophetic words of my late father Joe who said this to me when I first joined – it’s even more applicable in today’s climate.