10 minutes with Neal Beagles, Chairman, bpma

Continuing our series of interviews with influential individuals involved in various facets of the promotions industry; this month we feature Neal Beagles. Neal has two roles in the sales promotion industry. He is both Chairman of the british promotional merchandise association (elected September 2010) and MD of Roantree. 

The bpma is one of the UK’s leading industry bodies, dedicated to promoting best practice around the sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of promotional products.

Roantree is a long-standing member of that organisation, supplying personalised business gifts as well as organising corporate events. 

Introductions over, let’s find out how Neal became involved in this sector and what he thinks is in store for the industry. 

Q. Tell me a little about your background in the industry? 

A. Since 1984 I have worked in sales and marketing roles with major brand names including Coca Cola, Inchcape and Budweiser. Part of my role involved running promotional campaigns and the procurement of promotional items, either directly or via a sales promotion agency. 

I acquired Roantree in1997. Roantree is a member of the bpma and I joined the board four years ago. 

Q. What spurred you on to take a board position with bpma? 

A. The promotions industry has had many detractors over the years, but is now fully committed to consummate professionalism, which the bpma is not only advocating, but facilitating with seminars and now our chartered status for members. I’m a great believer in getting involved if you want to achieve something, rather than just encouraging from the side lines, so I decided to join the board and give some of my time to helping to develop the professionalism of the industry further. 

Q. What do you see as the greatest challenge for the bpma? 

A. Our greatest challenge as an industry is to ensure that sales promotion is acknowledged as an integral part of the marketing industry. At the risk of sounding like a certain politician, I believe in ‘education, education, education’ and we all have to play our part in making sure the industry is correctly perceived and utilised in its current critical role as we pull ourselves out of recession. 

Q. What has changed about the industry since you joined? 

A. The change from communicating via letters and faxes and sending artwork as bromides through the post to being able to communication immediately via email has totally speeded up the whole supply chain. 

Q. What do you like most about the industry? 

A. Its sociability and its creativity.

Q. Any particular dislikes? 

A. No, but then I am a very positive person. 

Q. Promo e-News is a website devoted to promotional-merchandise, so tell us what’s the favourite piece of merchandise you have seen recently? 

A. During the recent bad weather, it was my trusty, branded ice scraper that was in favour. It’s useful, durable, economical and easily branded. I am also a big fan of wall planners, they give you an at-a-glace round-up of your meetings and commitments which I don’t think you get from a diary on a tiny telephone screen. 

Q. What’s the worst example of promotional merchandise you’ve seen? 

A. A few years ago I was told that the finger skateboard was the next great thing. I haven’t seen one since that day. 

Q. If you were to have an industry dinner party, who would you invite to chew over the facts and put the industry to rights.

A. Alistair Mylchreest (CEO Sourcing City) he has a view on everything, Gerry Thomas (bpma board member and MD at PlasTech Print Ltd) such great experience, Martin Varley (President and CEO at Trade Only Inc.) forward thinking and controversial, Gill Thorpe (President bpma and MD The Sourcing Team) a very quick mind, Sue Tugman (bpma board member and MD Brunel Holdings) a very successful business woman. 

Q. What’s your typical office day? 

A. I’m not an early riser, I do my best work later in the day, so I arrive at the office at about 9.30am. My day is a mixture of meetings and paper work. I find chatting to my Roantree team informally is most informative, we exchange ideas and inspire each other. I also keep in touch with the team at bpma HQ on a regular basis. 

Q. What do you like to do to relax? 

A. I like being out at sea on a motorboat and I also enjoy good food and wine. 

Q. If you weren’t in the SP industry, what would like to be doing? 

A. Ideally, I’d like to have a job that involved boats and the sea. Perhaps delivering boats to buyers or moving boats to marinas in Europe and beyond for those who just want to enjoy different locations without the hassle of having to travel there by boat.

Q. Tell me something about you that nobody in the industry knows? 

A. I was the subject of a feature on Seaside Rescue after sinking my boat! 

Q. I understand exhibiting at PSI was successful for the bpma. Tell me more? 

A. Attendance at PSI was a two-pronged initiative. The bpma pavilion assisted our supplier members with trading into Europe, its particularly important for smaller suppliers because it’s very cost effective and they have the support of the association during preparation and at the event. 

We (bpma) want to work closely with organisations across Europe to share best practice and we made some great contacts at the dinner at the Consulate General’s house with people from European associations and other industry heavy hitters.

Neal Beagles

MD

Roantree

 

 

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