01732 759725 INTERVIEW 20 In 2023, PrintIT Reseller is celebrating ten years in print. In a series of exclusive interviews over the next year, we’re inviting industry veterans to share their experiences over the past decade, what they’ve learned, and the highs and the lows of our unique and challenging industry. Here, Lesley Howe, Channel Development Manager at Brother UK, shares her thoughts A decade in print PITR: And the low point? LH: I’m sure many would agree that COVID was a low point. But the business moved quickly to ensure we all had the support we needed and still felt connected, even while working remotely. That was so important to keep morale high and keep us productive while at home, and it’s stood us in good stead since we returned to the office. Like many businesses, we moved to a hybrid working model post-COVID, taking advantage of being able to work remotely but also boost collaboration when we’re in the office. It’s why we redesigned our Greater Manchester HQ, and the coworking and breakout spaces that were introduced are really popular and ensure people can make the most of their time and being together in the office. PITR: What (or who) has had the greatest impact in the sector in the last 10 years? LH: We’ve seen significant advances in digitisation and working for a tech company during that time has been thrilling. Tech has always been about creating new ways of working that deliver new efficiencies and boost productivity. Businesses are scrambling to keep up and retain a competitive edge, and we’ve been right at the side of resellers supporting customers on that journey. I’m lucky that I’ve been able to see this evolution unfold in real-time. PITR: If you could change one thing about the last decade, what would it be? LH: Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges we all face today. There's been huge progress over the last few years with people and businesses making more responsible decisions in the interest of boosting their green credentials, such as sending used cartridges back to us to be remanufactured. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but so much more could have been achieved if the UK had the same drive towards sustainability in 2013 as it has today. PITR: What has been your proudest moment of the past 10 years? LH: My son Bradley will soon qualify as a solicitor, and I’m so proud of his achievements. It reminds me of one of my own proudest moments, qualifying with the Chartered Institute of Marketing, which Brother sponsored. That’s just one of many opportunities the business has offered me that I would never have otherwise had. From our Greater Manchester base, I’ve been to Japan, the Arctic Circle and Paris, all while developing more skills and building amazing relationships. I’m proud to work here. PITR: Sum up the decade in three words. LH: Fast. Changing. Exciting. www.brother.co.uk PrintIT Reseller (PITR): You’ve been working in the print and IT industry for more than ten years. What led you to enter the sector? Lesley Howe (LH): I started in tech almost by accident. In the eighties, I'd been to secretarial college and taken an accountancy course. But it was the Youth Training Scheme available at the time that led me to land my first job – with Brother. It's 40 years since and I've never looked back! PITR: What was your first job? LH: My first role with Brother was as an office junior in the advertising team, where I mainly helped filter and process all the sales leads. We'd place adverts with resellers in newspapers and magazines, and I'd manage all the responses posted back to us – helping resellers to convert new sales. Plenty has changed and gone are the typewriters. But the same goal remains in my role today – to help our partners secure and convert new business and grow their revenues. PITR: What has been the high point of the decade? LH: Brother really lives its “At your side” ethos for its partners, the people who work there and the wider community. That’s created countless high points for me over the last ten years, but two really standout. I kayaked the Thames in 2016 and cycled from London to Paris in 2017 with my Brother colleagues to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a charity very close to my heart. Together we raised over £38,000 and I don’t think it’s something I’d ever have achieved if it wasn’t for the team pushing me on. I’ll remember the moment I delivered the cheque for the rest of my life. Lesley Howe
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