Jeremy Webb is our Regional Manager, responsible for supporting customers in his area, which stretches along the M4 / M5 corridors from Taunton, Bristol to Gloucester and beyond into the Heart of England, and across to Swindon and back to Cardiff.
Jeremy has been in the asbestos survey industry for many years, so we thought we’d have a chat with him to find out a little bit more about his experience.
Allium: How long have you been in the asbestos industry?
Jeremy: I first encountered the asbestos industry around 30 years ago, and have over 20 years’ experience working in various asbestos related companies.
Allium: What was it that got you interested in the field of asbestos?
Jeremy: A friend studying for the same MSc as me worked in an asbestos consultancy, whilst I was in a testing lab, and he said it was an interesting and varied job….I joined that company, McCrone’s, in London.
Allium: Is there much life left in the asbestos survey and removal business?
Jeremy: Yes. Plenty. It will take at least another generation or more as buildings come to their end of life when asbestos will be removed. Buried asbestos will continue to provide work as brownfield sites are increasingly developed.
Allium: You must have your favourite clients.Why do you think they appreciate what you do so much that they keep coming back?
Jeremy: My favourite clients are those that understand the regulations and recognise the need to safely managed their asbestos. They appreciate the added value and quality that we offer them trusting us to provide a service especially as many clients are too busy to devote suitable time dealing with asbestos management. This includes spending time with potential or existing clients, taking the time to explain the value that Allium can provide in complying with the current regulations, and building up relationships with them.
Allium: Has technology improved the way that our industry can do business over the years?
Jeremy: Yes, the ability to utilise technology – data transfer from tablet site notes to fully pre-set reports, using Tracker in our case, cuts out time consuming admin work. The ability to data transfer info on to tablets allows for continual management of client’s asbestos database. Use of the portal and showing clients its benefits, should be continually encouraged.
Allium: You’re fairly new to the Allium team. What different qualities do they bring to the table?
Jeremy: Coming into Allium recently as an ‘outsider’ has given me an opportunity to view the set-up. One immediate observation is the ‘can do‘ attitude and general positivity that emanates throughout the company from the top down. It’s an enjoyable company to work for and this shows through in our dealings with clients or potential clients (I mentioned at my initial meeting with the directors that my wife had pointed out I hadn’t been enjoying my previous role for a year or so), and they in turn are affected to use us. Quick turnaround from initial enquiry to getting quotes out is imperative; our pricing is competitive, and quality is very good.
Allium: Allium don’t just deal with asbestos, but also manage other contaminants. How does this fit-in with the company mission?
Jeremy: I like the company logo, ‘making safer spaces’, that along with the upbeat website, gives us the opportunity to branch into other environmental contaminants. My initial working experience was in contaminated water and land before coming into asbestos, and the opportunities to branch into other fields – legionella, IHM etc., all interest me, and should be taken as they are all encompassed by our company mission approach, notwithstanding the ‘joined up thinking’ approach of offerings to clients.
Allium: You are regional manager for quite a large territory.How do you ensure that everyone and everything sin the right place?
Jeremy: To ensure that a region grows sustainably, team support is paramount both on the ground – employing new surveyors living locally where work is gained – and increased admin support; initially from head office and then in regional offices as the work warrants it. At all times quality of service must be maintained – managers to liaise and best decide where new resources are required.
Thanks very much for your responses, Jeremy, and we look forward to working with you for many years to come.
