Amazing starts with: James

Name: James

Role: Head of Field Sales

Location: Field based

Time at Camelot: 18 months

Meet James. After spending an AMAZING 18 months with Camelot, James has just been promoted as our new Head of Field Sales heading up the biggest team in Camelot. Find out why AMAZING starts with him here...

What’s your Camelot story?

Just over 18 months ago I was contacted by a former colleague and then Camelot about the then recreated Northern Divisional Sales Manager role. I was intrigued by the business and career growth opportunities and knowing some of the Retail team was convinced to apply. 18 months has now flown by and I am just about to embark on my new role as Head of Field Sales!

What does your current role entail?

As you can imagine we all have a lot to do but you can distill my role into three key elements. Firstly to lead the execution of the retail strategy and our commercial KPI’s. Secondly - Ensuring advocacy is at the forefront of our operation and we grow this for both our players and 44,000 retailers. Lastly and most importantly - Lead and develop a best in class sales team and deliver the first two through our team of 135 retail sales professionals.

What skills help you succeed in this role?

Everyday is vastly different in retail sales with both the pace of our business and reactive nature to our roll series so it’s critical to be calm, adaptable and collaborative. We have the largest team in Camelot so having a vested interest in people, their development and success is paramount.

The team is out on the road day in, day out and closest to the detail and challenges we face into. A keen ear for listening, seeking to understand, challenging the status quo and delivering improvement initiatives is vital to succeed.

What’s the best part of your job?

It has to be the pride in leading a team that is making a difference!

Not only for the unique and amazing £30 million (on average) per week donated to good causes distributors but also for our players, retailers & trade partners.

No other FMCG organisation has the direct reach we do and the team makes a difference in every interaction to ensure good causes are maximised, our retailers are happy and our players are safe and have a great experience!

What has been your Camelot highlight?

We have come so far as a Retail Sales team over the last few years and that culminated in the recent HIM award we won as ‘favourite supplier salesforce’ of the year as voted by our customers. It was a testament to all the hard work across all of retail!

We have also been shortlisted for two RIA’s which are the ‘Oscars’ of the retail industry!

Whatever happens we haven't come this far, to just come this far so watch this space as there is far more to come...

If you didn’t work at Camelot, what would be your dream job?

This sounds cliche but this is my dream job. Ever since I picked the bag up as a rep a little over 13 years ago - this was the role that I have always wanted to do! However 13 years ago a career in sales at that point was not something I really planned on - I grew up wanting to join the military as a Royal Marine Officer and tried, but sadly due to health that didn't work out for me, a story you can ask me about at the bar...

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I have two young children - Aidan, 10 and Jack 7. All of my time outside of work is spent either at the side of a rugby field with them or playings dad’s taxi for their incredible social life - at the expense of mine!! Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love a holiday and am always planning the next adventure!