International Men’s Day Impact

International Men's Day AT Impact

Meet some of our team

On International Men's Day we're sitting down with some of the guys of Team Impact to talk about and share what is important to them, both inside and outside of work.

Mark Smith
(Project & Production Developer)

How long have you been with Impact?

Just a month now!

What sparked your interest in retail?

I like the vast range of projects you get to work on.

What’s your passion outside of work?

Spending time exploring the country with my family in our campervan. I’m also a huge geek! I love reading comics & playing tabletop games and RPG’s like Dungeons & Dragons. 🐉

What’s your greatest achievement?

My kids, they always make me proud, and amaze me with new things they learn on a daily basis.

What’s a fun fact many people might not know about you?

I have a small business selling wooden game accessories that I make myself.

In your opinion, what’s something everyone should know/learn?

Always grab any opportunity to learn something new, it might not be useful now but it will be one day. I always regret not learning more languages.

What have you learnt over the past year during the pandemic?

To make time to go out and make memories as they will be with you forever.

What’s your favourite book/film/song? Why?

Any book by Terry Pratchett, especially ‘Going Postal’.

What quote do you live by?

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw.

Dave Turner
(Development Designer)

How long have you been with Impact?

Just gone two years.

What sparked your interest in retail?

I’m interested in furniture design and manufacture, so I get my fix in retail.

What’s your passion outside of work?

Cycling and biscuits! That said, I cycle to work and eat biscuits in the office. #Winning.

What’s your greatest achievement?

Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. ⛰️

What’s a fun fact many people might not know about you?

Louie Spence complemented me on my thighs.

Who inspires you most?

My younger brother. He beat testicular cancer like a boss and he’s got two kids now too.

What have you learnt over the past year during the pandemic?

How to screed concrete, hang plasterboard and lay floor tiles.

What’s your favourite book/film/song? Why?

Any book by Terry Pratchett, especially ‘Going Postal’.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?

To go on bigger adventures, build more things and make as many people laugh as possible. I’m also training to hopefully do triathlon before my knees give in.

Jason Towers
(Development Designer)

How long have you been with Impact?

Just over 15 years, I can’t get enough! It is very different to when I joined in 2006, so much has changed and over that time I’ve met some great people. I’m very grateful and wouldn’t change my career path, as it has led me to where I am today, especially in my personal life.

What’s your passion outside of work?

Football is a massive love of mine. Unfortunately, I’m not playing these days due to my brittle body but I have my coaching badges and manage my eldest son’s team. It is hard work (like a second job in fact) as people don’t realise how much goes into it but I never see it as a chore, more a privilege when the boys express themselves and are running around with smiles on their faces. Oh and I support Manchester United – hard work that right now!

What’s a fun fact many people might not know about you?

Does high fiving Beyonce at the MTV awards in Las Vegas count?! I’ve done that. 🙏

Who inspires you most?

My dad inspired(s) me in so many ways… one of the main reasons was his attitude to never give in and keep fighting even with all his health issues – I admire that quality (in anybody really), a lot!

What have you learnt over the past year during the pandemic?

Covid-19 has made me realise what is important in life. It made me sit back and think because it gave me the time to. Because of Covid-19, many families have suffered in different ways and I have felt that with the loss of my dad recently. Family and health are the most important things to me, it has taught me to spend more time with your loved ones, go out your way and make that call to see if they are ok, take time to check in with your brothers/sisters who live miles away – because one day you won’t have that choice.

What quote do you live by?

Do it now. Sometimes ‘later’ becomes ‘never’.

Mark Sharman (Managing Director)

How long have you been with Impact?

26 years.

What’s your passion outside of work?

Cooking and champagne 🍾

What’s your greatest achievement?

Getting to 57 years old!

What’s a fun fact many people might not know about you?

I am actually quite a nice person but don’t tell anyone 😊

Who inspires you most?

Dean Richards and David Gower.

Do you support any charities in particular?

Crisis.

What’s your favourite film? Why?

Favourite film is ‘The Matrix’ as it’s such an amazing concept.

What quote do you live by?

Treat people how you expect to be treated.

Stephen Lyon (Promotional POS Design Manager)

How long have you been with Impact?

Nearly 12 years.

Why did you choose your current role?

I had kept an eye on Impact for many years while working in the POS industry. Then when the opportunity arose to join, I took the leap.

What sparked your interest in retail?

I studied Industrial Design at university and when looking for the industry to become part of I was drawn to retail. It enabled me to be part of the whole design and manufacturing process, not just a small part like other industries.

What’s your passion outside of work?

Walking in the great outdoors and cycling. I get a great enjoyment exploring the peaceful countryside on foot or two wheels. 🚲

What’s your greatest achievement?

Walking up two of Britain’s highest mountains: Snowden and Scafell Pike. Hopefully Ben Nevis someday too.

Who inspires you most?

Explorers, like Mark Beaumont who cycled the world.

What have you learnt over the past year during the pandemic?

Time is precious, do not let opportunities be missed.

What’s your favourite book/film/song? Why?.

There are quite a few songs, but Queen has always been a long-standing favourite. So probably ‘Ride The Wild Wind’ from their Innuendo album. It’s one that reminds me of great past adventures out on my bikes. Films, again a long list, but ones I tend to return to are based on true stories that make me ask questions, one of these being ‘Into the Wild’.

Scott Marshall (CNC Programmer and Operator)

How long have you been with Impact?

A year.

Why did you choose your current role?

I had kept an eye on Impact for many years while working in the POS industry. Then when the opportunity arose to join, I took the leap.

What sparked your interest in retail?

Programming CNC Machines. For those who don’t know, a CNC is a Computer Numerical Control machine in manufacturing – so we can work on materials by coding instructions and the machine does the rest! Pretty cool.

What’s your passion outside of work?

Motor bikes. I love getting out on the road and also spending time working on my CBR 600. 🏍

What’s your greatest achievement?

My daughter.

Who inspires you most?

Tyson Fury is a massive inspiration for people who struggle with mental health and how you can come back from the depths of depression to achieving anything you want in life. Great autobiography.

What have you learnt over the past year during the pandemic?

That you can adapt to any situation, no matter how mental.

What’s your favourite book/film/song? Why?.

‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. Some people see it as a self-help book but it was written as a story about destiny: ‘when you really want something to happen, the whole universe will conspire so that wish is true’.

What do you hope to achieve in the future?

I want to learn more about 3D printing and would love to get some skills in this area.

Simon Underwood (Client Director)

How long have you been with Impact?

22 years, a fair while!

What sparked your interest in retail?

It brings together my interests in design, innovation and fashion.

What’s your passion outside of work?

When I can I love to go cycling, walking and travelling, generally getting outdoors and active!

What’s your greatest achievement?

In my career it would be winning a Global Gold award in 2011. When it comes to family, my greatest achievement is becoming a father.

What’s a fun fact many people might not know about you?

I love cooking when I have the time.

Who inspires you most?

My grandchildren.

Do you support any charities in particular?

Adoption UK, this is where we met our now daughter Lexi.

What’s your favourite book/film/song? Why?

Book would be ‘Humble Pie’ by Gordon Ramsey, it shows that hard work pays off. Film is ‘Lords of Dog Town’ as I wish I could skateboard and surf like these guys! My favourite song is Oasis, ‘Wonderwall’, I love to sing along.