To conclude (for now) our ‘60 seconds with..’ series we spoke with Darren Howard, ClearSpace’s Commercial Director and one of its founders. Darren has had a very successful career in Consultancy and Sales, building a solid reputation over many years that has led to him to working with recognisable brands in Insurance, Retail and Financial Services. If we were to assign a motto to Darren it would be ‘work-hard, play-hard’! Learn more about Darren’s role at ClearSpace below.
Tell us about your role on a day-to day basis? As Commercial Director I’m responsible for all negotiations with clients and suppliers. A typical day would involve speaking to existing and potential new customers and any other connections that might find what we do interesting. I also regularly check-in with our supply chain to keep myself up-to-date on what’s new/trending in their world that could be of interest to our client base.
What was your first job? I didn’t go to Uni and straight out of school I went to work for Lloyds Bank in Ilford. I worked in the back office as a Waste and Clearance Clerk. I worked in two other branches before venturing into the City where I worked for a company called MIM Britannia, a Unit Trust Company.
How did you get into sales? It was after working in the City for 8 years that there was a market crash. I decided to change careers and got into Recruitment. I found it really rewarding and enjoyed that the more effort I put in, the more I got out of it! Recruitment is a great introduction to sales as you have to sell to both sides – the candidate and the company.
What do you love about being in Sales? I think it is one job where your effort is rewarded. If you work hard, you’ll benefit. I’d recommend a career in Sales to anyone willing to work hard and wanting to have fun and meet lots of different people.
Do you think remote working is a good or bad thing? From a personal perspective I like working in an office environment – but that’s personal preference. I think people should have the choice to decide where they work so long as it doesn’t impact on the individual or the company they work for. Productivity is key and the company must be achieving its goals. If you are part of a bigger team or process, it may not be possible to work productively at home.
What advice would you give to your 20 year old self? Save money and be aware beer has calories!
Describe ClearSpace in 3 words. Energetic. Agile. Passionate.
What do you like to do outside of work? I’m Vice-Chairman of Hutton Cricket Club where I still play. Also, I like to play golf and spend time with my two daughters.
What career milestone are you most proud of? Setting up ClearSpace and making a new business successful during the Pandemic.
What is your favourite song of all time? My karaoke song is Teenage Kicks by the Undertones and One Day like This by Elbow is on my playlist.
Darren is one member of the ClearSpace Group Management Team. If you’d like to learn more about our wider team of Workplace Consultants, visit our About Us page or access more team interviews on our blog.
Fostering a love for travel in younger generations cairo’s tours are increasingly focusing on accessibility, making the city cairo tickets more welcoming for travelers with different needs. Many tour operators are now offering wheelchair friendly options and itineraries.
The city's unique blend of historic architecture, picturesque canals, and vibrant street life offers countless opportunities for breathtaking photographs. One best amsterdam tickets of the major benefits of visiting Amsterdam is the chance to capture its beauty during different times of the day.