GSA is delighted to welcome Jonathan McKinley to the team, as our new Operations Director for Ireland. Read on to find out what Jonny’s first job was – and perhaps more importantly, what his first impressions of GSA were!
First impressions of GSA?
A great company and a ‘sleeping giant’! Everyone has heard of our clients, but not us! We have a great bunch of dedicated people across the UK and Ireland!
What do you see as the biggest challenge(s) of your remit at GSA?
All businesses are dependent on their people. At GSA we genuinely have no business without the staff who provide our services every day. My biggest challenge is to support, mentor and develop my colleagues to deliver the best service they can.
What was your first job?
Whilst at College, I got a summer job in a textile factory working as a process operative and forklift driver. When I finished college I was asked to take a full-time role as a Quality Manager, implementing systems to improve the production and quality monitoring process. As a first job, it gave me experience of all aspects of the business which really helped me to develop.
What led you to this career?
I have worked in business improvement, FM and in particular soft services (cleaning, security etc), since leaving my first employer. I was initially impressed at the scale of the business and the opportunities in this industry and that has continued ever since.
What energises you at work?
Fixing and overcoming problems as well as getting things finished! A bit like cleaning, ‘I like to see the results of my work’, this helps me to push on to the next thing!
What drains you at work?
I guess we all have our bad days, but generally I like to be surrounded with positivity and solutions rather than the opposite. I should also say that I believe we need to talk more and email less!
Any work-related accomplishments you are really proud of?
It’s the very small things that make me proud, such as the effort put into turnaround a project or something that is under performing. There have also been some National Awards such as, winning a Golden Service Award in the UK and Best Cleaning Contractor in Ireland at the FM Awards…….mostly though its those small wins!
