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“I am a firm believer in leading by example,” says Alan Reynolds FInstSMM, and CEO of buying group Fegime UK, who has studied and passed all 12 EDA Product Knowledge Modules, achieving 10 top Distinction grades in the process.
Alan, whose Fegime UK buying group represents 32 wholesaler businesses with 120 branches operating across the UK, volunteers as one of the EDA's Education and Training Ambassadors, is trained in lighting design and is a City & Guilds approved electrician. This solid sector experience made him the ideal choice to chair the group of experts responsible for the development of the two lighting modules in the EDA Programme: Introduction to Lighting and Lighting Systems and Controls.
Investing in business performance
“It’s important for senior leaders to demonstrate the importance of developing professional knowledge. To show that putting time and effort in developing your skills is an investment in your career and professional performance. But it’s more than that, essentially it is about managers investing in the performance of their business. Wholesalers are not here just to sell electro-technical kit, we are in the business of knowledge and information sharing and our electrical contractor customers depend on it. This training will inspire confidence in product features and benefits, to help our teams better understand the needs of their customers, and to create up-selling opportunities.
With the advent of the Internet and companies such as Amazon we need to show our suppliers and customers we “Add Value”. Fortunately, we are in a technical industry where new opportunities continually become available predominantly driven by legislation and technology. This is where I feel we as an industry have a distinct advantage as we are able to talk with the customers face to face. Therefore, with educated staff who understand the products and the applications we CAN add value. One of my favourite phrases I use as an ambassador is “You cannot have an intelligent conversation with a web-site” and that is why I encourage EDA members to invest in their people to ensure we always have that added value proposition.
Ready to go
“Working my way through 12 training modules was not easy, but it was valuable. There is always something new to learn no matter how long you’ve worked in this sector.
“The beauty of this Programme for EDA members and affiliates is how accessible it is. A professional training programme that’s been developed just for our sector, so we don’t have to spend valuable time researching and sourcing it. It’s ready to go and all we have to do is reap the benefits. That’s hard to argue against.
“My only problem is that I need a bigger shelf for my 12 certificates!”
Picture credit: Alan Reynolds (left) receives an EDA Investor in Training Award 2019 from EDA President, Rexel UK Ltd’s Chris Gibson.
Alan Reynolds admitted into The Freedom Of The City Of London
Thursday 18th August 2016
Alan Reynolds the Chief Executive Officer of Fegime UK has been awarded The Freedom Of The City of London. Alan, who was accepted as a 'Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Lightmongers' back in May, attended the ceremony at the Guildhall in the City of London.
The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers focuses on three main criteria for its members.
1. Helping towards education in particular in the area of Lighting and Electrical.
2. Charitable activities to raise funds for designated charities.
3. Promotion of the Electrical Industry in particular the lighting sector.
Alan was able to demonstrate experience in all sectors. Having worked in the electrical industry for 37 years, an EDA Ambassador for the Training Modules and Apprenticeship schemes, being qualified in Lighting Design under the LIF, Secretary for the charitable organisation The Twelve Electirc in Kent, which Alan has belonged to for over 20 years. This all shows great values the Lightmongers look for in their members.
The ceremony was attended by work colleagues, family and friends.
Alan commented after saying, "This is a great honour for me, I have spent all of my life in this industry and this is a great reward. I am also pleased that this also promotes the Fegime Group, where I am really working hard with Suppliers and Members to promote training of staff to benefit from new Technology and Legalisation opportunities".
The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers
May 11th 2016
I am proud and very honoured to have been accepted as a Freeman for The Worshipful Company of Lightmongers, one of the Livery Companies within the City of London.
The Lightmongers principal charitable efforts are directed towards those with sensory impairments.
The Lightmongers also have an active programme of awards and bursaries that covers all areas of training activity relating to the Company objectives.
Alan Reynolds to become Fegime UK CEO on 1st June 2015
New appointments at Newey & Eyre (Rexel)
01/02/2006
One of the UK's leading electrical distributors Newey & Eyre, has made a number of new key appointments.
Alan Reynolds (43) has joined Newey and Eyre as the company's Operations Director. Alan has more than 25 years experience in the electrical business having worked on all sides of the trade. Previous positions include eight years in contracting as a fully qualified approved electrician. Alan spent more than 16 years with Rexel Senate where he started as a sales representative. From there he went on to become a Branch Manager, Sales Director and Regional Director before finally working as the UKSales and Marketing Director…..
Live Wires. Summer Issue 2004
Alan Reynolds was appointed
as Sales, Marketing and
Purchasing Director and to
the Management Committee
on 1st July. We put a
number of questions to Alan
on the day he took up his
appointment.
How do you think that your previous
experience in Rexel Senate will help you
in your new role?
Having started with Rexel Senate as a
Salesperson, and progressed through
Branch Manager, Area Manager, and
Regional Director into a Head Office role, I
feel I have the experience to know what
works within the commercial environment. It
is important that we look at the impact at
branch level before making decisions at the
centre. I can make sure that commercial
policy makes sense for our branch network.
What are your main challenges?
I see my main challenge as growing the
major suppliers business with Rexel faster
than they are growing their own business.
This will ensure good supplier support. It is
important not to lose our own brand business,
but we must also grow our preferred supplier’s
business.
What plans do you have for meeting these
challenges?
First, by helping branches promote suppliers
they want to work with locally. I am a firm
believer that our business is a people business,
built on local relationships. Secondly, by working
in partnership with major suppliers. By that I
mean making them aware of our aims and
ambitions and finding out how these fit with
their plans. It is about more than demanding
better pricing and service. To do this we need
to work closely with our suppliers at both senior
and local levels.
Alan is supported in his new role by a team
with many years experience within Rexel Senate
Paul Humphrey, Head of Marketing Operations,
is responsible for wiring accessories, tools and
fixings and developing our own brand Sector
range, producing the Senate Extra Catalogue
and coordinating marketing communications.
There are 4 product based Marketing
Managers, Peter Shields (lighting, luminaries,
test equipment and heating), Bob Long (cables,
cable management and circuit protection), John
Walker (security, water heating and ventilation)
and Brian Watts (Citadel and datacom
products). Ian Martin, Price
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