People

How did you get into the paper industry?

I actually started at 15, when you could, working as an apprentice engineer for a company that had contracts with paper mills, including Smurfit Townsend Hook. so, I knew about paper from an early age. However, I got to meet Nick Gee through a friend who worked at Denmaur, and he offered me an opportunity as a Samples Assistant and I haven't looked back since.

Favorite thing about Denmaur?

Very easy - the people. It truly is a great company made by great people.

Favourite thing about your job?

The chance to be able to create and make something from nothing with my own hands.

Who would play you in the film 'Denmaur'?

Robert Downey Jnr.

What is your favourite piece of print?

A book based off a computer game called Bioshock.

Why should people continue to use paper and board?

Even in a digital world of 2024, paper is still a favourable form of media for many and I believe the younger generation will still want to have paper based media products in the future.

If you were given £1000 to donate to charity, which one would it be?

Great Ormond Street Hospital. My daughter stayed there for the first month of her life. we owe them everything.

What would be your specialised subject in Mastermind?

Bioshock

Favourite holiday destination?

Kent. Although yet to properly explore the wider world beyond the boundaries of the M25.

Why should people buy from Denmaur?

We are forward, progressive thinking company with a deep ethic in the environment and recycling. Paying it forward for the people of tomorrow.

How did you get into the industry?

Having lost the passion for racehorse work, I decided an office job was the way to go. I just moved to Leicestershire, Denmaur was one of my first interviews and straight away I think we both realised this was going to work.

Favourite thing about Denmaur?

The company has always felt close knit, like a family. No matter how much it has grown over the years, everybody knows everybody, and you are always met with a friendly face, no matter where you go in the business.

Favourite thing about your job?

I enjoy the structure. I know generally what will need to happen each day with a set routine of jobs I do each morning. No doubt curveballs are randomly thrown in during the day, however!

Who would play you in the film 'Denmaur'?

Jenna Fischer, as she plays Pam in The Office, with a bit of Angela Kinsey mixed in - and wider, more colourful range of vocabulary.

What is your favourite piece of print?

Julian Townsend sent me a copy of Rolling Stone magazine, the front cover of which featured Harry Styles (almost) topless and wearing pink shorts. Need I say more?

Why should people continue to use paper and board?

It has huge positive environmental impact. It is biodegradable, recyclable and a much friendlier option to single use plastic. I believe paper and cardboard is the way forward in the food packaging industry.

If we were to give you £1,000 to donate to charity, which one would it be?

LOROS! I have people close to me who work for LOROS and what they do is amazing, delivering free compassionate care to terminally ill patients.

What would be your specialised subject on Mastermind?

21st century pop stars

Favourite holiday destination?

Torremolinos. great atmosphere, gorgeous beach, amazing food and the promenade goes for miles.

Why should people buy from Denmaur?

Buying from Denmaur supports the amazing team of people behind it who are like a family and always give customers their best.

How did you get into the accountancy?

I stumbled into it really. The first business I worked at was going through an IT ERP system change and needed someone to help them. I was only meant to be there for 6 months but quickly found I enjoyed it and there was lots to try and improve. After that I embarked on my ACCA qualifications and took over the running of the Finance department. The truth is I have seen a lot od businesses with great people and great ideas or products fail because the non-customer facing departments weren't strong enough. I am proud to have built several finance teams across different businesses, each one better than the last, that have been very strong and added value to the business.

Favourite thing about Denmaur?

I have a great team around me which makes things so much easier. Knowing that everyone knows what they need to do and is committed to achieving that goal allows me to continue to challenge the business in its strategic goals. It is also very rewarding when we set new challenges either individually or as a group and we then see the achievement benefits.

Favourite thing about your job?

The opportunities for change. There is so much that we do right as a business but there are always new ways of working or thinking about the needs of the business and its customers.

Who would play you in the film 'Denmaur'?

A tricky one so I'm going with an actor I admire rather than necessarily a reflection of myself and that would be Christian Bale. His transformations for movies are legendary and for me the sign of his skill as an actor is that you very rarely watch him and think this is Christian Bale playing a part. He is the character.

What is your favourite piece of print?

Not necessarily a piece of print but I recently bought a new pair of shoes, and I was really impressed by the way it was packaged. The quality of the materials and design was very clever as well as being highly sustainable. Rather than it just being packaging to transport the shoes in it was an extension of the brand and the brand values.

Why should people continue to use paper and board?

For me it is what stood out in my answer above. More and more companies are seeing the benefit of their printed marketing and packaging as an extension of their brand and brand ethos. it can be very powerful and really make a brand stand out from its competition. There is also the sustainability aspect of paper and board vs plastic. It is very noticeable when companies transition away from traditional plastic to a more sustainable source. Denmaur's challenge is to remain at the forefront of this transition and look to promote emerging product developments.

If we were to give you £1,000 to donate to charity, which one would it be?

Blood Cancer UK. A few years ago my wife lost a good friend and mentor to leukaemia so we support where we can.

What would be your specialised subject on Mastermind?

It would probably be music and specifically Rock and Metal. statistics show that over the age of 33 people stop discovering new music and I make a point of seeking out new albums from emerging artists every week.

Favourite holiday destination?

Not really a holiday destination but every year I go to Download Festival and the atmosphere and people are amazing.

Why should people buy from Denmaur?

Because Denmaur has positioned itself as the leader in the UK when it comes to sustainability, the importance of which will only continue to grow through either legislation changes or cultural changes.

It is also where the opportunities of the future lie.