Sheena Markham, Director of Stanair Industrial Door Services limited, celebrates 30 years of her central role in the business.
Born in Yorkshire Sheena came south in 1976 answering an advertisement by Moreen Hill a founder member of Stanair. Stanair was run from Moreen’s home in Tyringham, and at that time had a turn over of just £53,000 per annum.
Sheena was soon taking a significant role in Stanair’s business. At 21 Sheena moved to Kettering working full time during the day with the Company, and renovating a derelict house in the evenings and at weekends.
Sheena was appointed Director in 1982, overcame the difficulties of the 3-day week in 1980’s, 3 recessions and has steered strong growth - Stanair now turns over £3.5 million and employs 75 people. Sheena’s careful financial management ensures that Stanair stays in a strong financial position. All growth is carefully planned with internally generated capital. She is careful of cash flows, not afraid to turn away bad business, and ensures the financial status of all potential customers. Good internal practices ensure that the cost of delivery of Stanair’s service is carefully calculated.
Asked what she enjoys about the Company, Sheena says that she loves the people, and does all she can to make business good fun. She also says she likes adverse weather conditions - strong winds create good demand for door repairs!
Asked what the greatest strength of Stanair is, Sheena said “it is the engineers, the staff and fellow Directors who give Stanair its quality - they are wonderful - without them there wouldn’t be anything to run would there?” Asked what she considers her skill to be, she said, “I think I know how to bring out the best in people, and I am not afraid to run the business both in good times and in bad. I also try to treat every customer as my only customer”.
Sheena also enjoys international travel, and has travelled frequently to Africa, where she enjoys scuba diving. She says her principal unfulfilled wish is to enjoy Space travel!
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