What does your day-to-day role involve?
My role focuses on driving sales and business development across four UK sites within the Anochrome Group. A key part of this is supporting our diversification strategy. Historically, Anochrome has been heavily rooted in the automotive sector, but over the past few years we’ve been expanding into new industries.
Day-to-day, I’m identifying and developing opportunities in these new markets, understanding their requirements, including any specific accreditations and positioning Anochrome as a trusted partner. This involves attending industry events, connecting with new businesses and building relationships across different sectors.
We typically work in two ways: directly with OEMs to specify coatings at the top of the supply chain and then supporting delivery further down through component manufacturers. A big part of my role is helping customers understand the scale and capability of Anochrome, we’re the largest independent coater in the UK, with unique licences and facilities, including being the only licensed applicator of Geomet® zinc flake in the UK.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced since starting?
The biggest challenge and opportunity has been diversification. The automotive industry, while still incredibly important to us, is changing, with increasing competition from overseas and shifts in production trends.
Typically, around 85% of our business has been automotive-focused for many years. That’s now closer to 60–65%, not because automotive has declined significantly for us, but because we’ve successfully grown in other sectors. Continuing to expand into new industries reduces risk and strengthens the overall business.
Another challenge is building awareness. Many people don’t initially realise the scale of Anochrome or the breadth of our capabilities. Once they do, it becomes clear we’re well-positioned to deliver complex, high-quality solutions.
Do you have a favourite industry to work in?
Defence and Aerospace industries stand out to me. The projects are often highly specialised and sometimes confidential, which makes the work particularly interesting.
One of my first major projects at Anochrome was supporting our JOSCAR accreditation, which is key for working within the defence sector. Since then, we’ve also been progressing Cyber Essentials Plus across the group and have recently achieved AS9100 accreditation for aerospace. It’s exciting to be part of that journey into highly regulated, high-performance industries and just shows the level of quality and experience Anochrome Group is capable of offering.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
I’m very ambitious and always looking for ways to improve. My immediate goal is to become the best Business Development Manager I can be, with a strong focus on understanding customer challenges and delivering the right solutions.
As the business continues to grow and diversify, should the opportunity present itself, I’d like to move further up the commercial ladder, leading a team, continuing to develop our strategy, and helping drive continued growth across new and existing markets.
What’s your favourite thing about working at Anochrome?
The innovation and the leadership team go hand in hand. There’s a real appetite for continuous improvement and investment.
We’ve recently introduced advanced technologies like a new dip-spin line with robotics and automation, laser cleaning technology, completely new to the industry and a highly efficient zinc rack plating plant. Alongside that, we’re developing sustainability initiatives and driving real sustainable change through innovation, rather than attempting to offset our carbon footprint.
What makes this possible is the management team. It’s a relatively small group, but that allows for quick decision-making and a proactive approach to innovation.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Act more, plan less.
Earlier in my career, I spent a lot of time trying to perfect plans before taking action. While preparation is important, execution is what really drives progress. I’d tell my younger self to be more decisive, act, learn quickly and adapt.
What message would you leave for your future self?
Keep challenging yourself, stay curious and don’t lose sight of the value of relationships. Growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone, so keep pushing forward and embracing new opportunities.