Commercial Director Sam Savage talks about his first 3 weeks

Last month we announced Sam Savage had joined Acorn Analytical Services as our Commercial Director, working out of the Northampton office and covering the South of England.

Sam joins the business from an another asbestos consultancy where he worked for more than 20 years, working his way up from a trainee right through to contracts director and then commercial director.

In his new role as commercial director with Acorn Analytical Services, Sam looks after the sales function of the business as well as managing the day-to-day client care.

We caught up with Sam to see how he has found his first few weeks and to get to know him a little better…

How have you found your first 3 weeks at Acorn?

Absolutely fantastic. Everyone has been so helpful and supportive and it is such a fun environment to work in. The systems are easy to use and not over complicated, and everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities and they all pull in the same direction.

There is no ‘micro managing’ and everyone is trusted to get on with their tasks, meaning the work just gets completed with no issues.

Why did you want to join Acorn?

I have known Neil, Ian and Paul for many years and we share the same core values. I know how they operate and how much they value their staff so there was no other option for me. Alongside this, there is a huge amount of potential here for significant growth and I hope to be able to impart some of my experience and knowledge to the team, and the business in general, to help them release that potential.

What are you enjoying most about your new role?

Looking at new clients, new opportunities and getting to know the team and how they operate. I am also enjoying the freedom to do what I do best and to be trusted to get on with the job.

How did you get into asbestos?

I completed a degree in Environmental Management and, after leaving University, I was looking for a job in this sector. I saw an advert for a Trainee Asbestos Consultant. Although the salary was extremely low and not what I thought I would get having come out of University, one of the perks was that you got a company vehicle so I thought, ‘why not?’.

I worked my way up from a trainee to a full consultant, undertaking surveys and managing removal works.

I also got my P401 qualification which meant I could analyse samples in the laboratory. Back in those days we did a bit of everything, so I learned all facets of the business and the industry.

I found my niche was in arranging the diary and planning work for others. I then became Operations Manager, mainly working in the office, and then became Operations Director a few years later.

As the business grew, I started to manage clients and contracts rather than people.  I became Contracts Director and soon ran a team of 15 account managers who looked after all our clients.

I have a very good rapport with clients and also have the technical knowledge to back it up so the Commercial Director role, which is what I am now doing at Acorn too, is a really good fit for me.

What does the future hold for you at Acorn?

I am really looking forward to creating a team of Account Managers that will look after all our clients and implementing various sales strategies to help grow the business.

The thing that I am looking forward to the most is helping people grow and develop and inspiring them to be successful.

Acorn is a professional asbestos consultancy helping organisations deal with asbestos compliance using asbestos surveys, asbestos air testing, and asbestos removal management. 

Please call one of the team, or use the online form to obtain your free quotation. 

If you would like further information or advice on asbestos and asbestos training, contact the team on 0844 818 0895 or Contact Us