Alasdair Gibson
UK Project Director
+44 7831 82-9457
1. How long have you been working for Mohn Media and what attracted you to your role?
After my early years of learning about all aspects of print and then out on the road selling business forms I was ready for a new challenge. In 1980 I joined Mohndruck, as it was called then. The Bertelsmann Group opened up many new channels and opportunities. I was given responsibility of selling for our gravure plants in Nurnberg and Stuttgart as well as the web offset plants in Stuttgart and Guetersloh. So many new opportunities in print but that did not stop me digging deeper into the Bertelsmann ‘toy box’. I managed the production of the first Interactive Video discs for Jaguar Cars, for instance.
2. How would you describe your ‘normal’ work day?
I have always enjoyed helping my customers benefit from cutting edge technology. That area has taken on a larger part of my working day as I step away from direct sales. I spend my time now on developing projects with my super talented colleagues.
3. What do you enjoy most about your job?
Resolving issues and pulling together a wide range of departments and skill sets to deliver simple looking but world class solutions.
4. Did you experience something on your job that you will never forget?
Getting colleagues to believe that we could deliver one of the most successful contracts in the company’s history.
5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I enjoy running. I think I am a little competitive and it is a great way to stay healthy. Track and field athletics has taken me to the British and World age group championships and achieving decent world rankings. I am slowing up now and maybe my golfing is a little more age appropriate.
6. What is one thing people would not expect to find out about you?
I left school with one GCSE ‘O’ level and started work at the local printer as I turn sixteen. My name is Thomas. My parents wanted me to have the same initials as my grandfather but preferred the name Alasdair.
7. If you could go anywhere you wanted, which destination would you choose?
Home. I have been lucky enough to travel to many exotic destinations with my family. Travelling on business almost every week to Germany for 30+ years is exciting but there is no place like home….
8. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Ingenuous, Resilient and Competitive.
9. What’s one thing you couldn’t survive without?
My wife.
10. If your ‘future-you’ ten years from now could give any advice to your ‘present-you’, what would that be?
Listen and never stop learning. Be generous with your time but take more time for your family.
Sebastian Kwiatkowski
International Sales Director
+49 171 2264-486
Kevin Sarney
UK Sales Director
+44 797 11-29055
1. How long have you been working for Mohn Media and what attracted you to your role?
I’ve been with Mohn for over 3 years, Its capability and reputation was important but the people I met prior to joining was the deciding factor.
2. How would you describe your ‘normal’ work day?
I don’t think there is ever a normal day, my travel to and from the plants and customers both new and existing makes my day very varied. I use a lot of remote communication tools to stay in touch. Travel takes up a lot of my time but its always good to meeting with customers and colleagues face to face.
3. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love print, I enjoy the fact we create fantastic pieces of work that you can show physically, they show clearly all our hard work and how they make a difference to our clients businesses.
4. Did you experience something on your job that you will never forget?
I was invited to meet with Queen Elizabeth II, this was in thanks for printing the books that celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. It was a very proud moment and showed that print is still recognized at the highest level.
5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Spending time with my wife and two children, if I get a chance playing some golf or taking a ride on one of my motorcycles with friends of course!
6. What is one thing people would not expect to find out about you?
..I’m a true cockney by birth, born in Charring Cross, London when the bells where ringing! My west country accent doesn’t suggest this.
7. If you could go anywhere you wanted, which destination would you choose?
Cornwall in the UK, a beautiful rustic Atlantic coastline in the South West of the UK.
8. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Social, Positive, Loyal (I hope)
9. What’s one thing you couldn’t survive without?
My family of course, and music I have a wide taste.
10. If your ‘future-you’ ten years from now could give any advice to your ‘present-you’, what would that be?
Have a good work life balance, and never look back.
Jonas Schneider
International Business Development
+49 151 5417-1330
Kelly Ward
UK Sales Manager
+44 7432 35-0457
1. How long have you been working for Mohn Media and what attracted you to your role?
I’ve been working for Mohn Media for over three years now.
Mohn Media’s financial stability and continual investment back into the company was extremely attractive; no other printing company that I am aware of installs a new printing press every 6 – 12 months! I was particularly drawn to their broad range of products and services and how each product has its own division within the company. I love a good process map and was convinced by Mohn Media’s structured approach.
2. How would you describe your ‘normal’ work day?
I don’t have one, but that’s the fun of working in Export. I am wherever am I needed and I always have an overnight bag to hand
3. What do you enjoy most about your job?
The people! Working with colleagues and customers to achieve what feels like the impossible sometimes.
4. Did you experience something on your job that you will never forget?
Due to the new GDPR regulations I’m not at liberty to say sorry.
5. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Despite traveling a lot with work I like to travel and going away at the weekends; I get antsy if I’m in one place too long.
Living in Yorkshire I can easily enjoy scenic walks in ‘Gods Own Country’ but I do have a tendency to end up in a country pub with a glass of wine and some pub grub undoing all my efforts.
6. What is one thing people would not expect to find out about you?
Sometimes there is nothing better than sitting down with a nice of tea and enjoying a bit of peace and quiet but you’d have to know me to fully appreciate how surprising that is
7. If you could go anywhere you wanted, which destination would you choose?
I’m a firm believer ‘it’s not where you go; it’s the people you’re with’ so I’m more interested in with whom than where.
8. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Loyal, trustworthy and determined (I asked)!
9. What’s one thing you couldn’t survive without?
Diet Coke especially when I’m traveling or after an early press pass.
10. If your ‘future-you’ ten years from now could give any advice to your ‘present-you’, what would that be?
Invest in a good moisturizer
© Mohn Media a part of Bertelsmann Printing Group