Employee Profile : David Eggleston

David, Key Account Manager. Joining Date: September 2014.

Q: How long have you worked for Cherwell and tell us about your professional background?

It is hard to believe that I joined Cherwell as long ago as 2014. The time has simply flown by! Before Cherwell, I spent many years with Initial Cleaning Services where I learnt about the cleaning industry and gained my passion for it. My experience working in the industry now stretches to almost 30 years!

Q: So, what does a typical day now look like?

One of the things I love about my role is that every day is different. So, a typical day is hard to describe. Generally, though, it will entail talking with my customers and dealing with any requests, reviewing new product innovations, meeting with prospective customers and working closely with colleagues in support of our customers.

Q: How has the pandemic impacted on you and your role during the last 12 months?

The pandemic had a dramatic impact on my role as it has for very many people. A number of my customers have either had to close or significantly reduce their activity. This has meant that I am currently furloughed for a day or two each week.

The way I interact with customers has also changed as a result of the pandemic. Contact is now almost exclusively by telephone and video conference rather than by site visit. I am very interested to see how the sales landscape will have changed once we return to some kind of normality. I have no doubt this will be significant, but whatever the exact way we in which we relate to customers, always being there to help and support them will remain my top priority.

Q: What is the biggest challenge you see facing the cleaning and hygiene industry in 2021?

The pandemic exposed the fragility of the supply chain in some parts of our industry. The huge demand for PPE, system soaps, sanitisers and even trigger spray bottles when the pandemic started has created longer term shortages, some of which are only now just starting to unwind. As an industry, we need to learn from this experience and build up long-term resilience in our supply capability.

Q: On a lighter note, what do you for relaxation?

Outside of work, although sometimes far from relaxing, I love to spend time with my wife (Paula) and two daughters Madelyn (aged 11) and Phoebe (9). Living with three females certainly keeps me active and is probably the reason I now look rather older than my current profile photo on the Cherwell website!

My real ‘get away from it all’ diversion and passion, however, is fly fishing, particularly for trout on fast flowing rivers. Sadly, due to the pandemic, this is something I am unable to enjoy at the moment. As alternatives, I also enjoy mountain biking, camping, and spending as much time as I can walking in the countryside.