Meet the team: Gary Chaney

By JR | Blog

Each month, we’re interviewing a different member of our team. This month we spoke to Sale Manager, Gary Chaney.

 

How long have you worked for Stevenson’s?

I’ve been working for Stevenson’s Sales for 34 years. I started in 1986 as a Sales Trade Counter Assistant and became Manager within a couple of years.

 

What does your role involve?

As the Sales Manager, I serve and advise customers in our shop, online, by email and over the phone. I also process and dispatch orders and I’m in charge of purchasing all the products we sell.

Over the years, my duties have varied, including the development of Keston Boilers when they became part of Stevenson’s. I was their Spares Advisor and Dispatch Manager to merchants throughout the UK.

 

What do you want to achieve in your role?

The move to West Wickham High Street in 2017 brought us many new customers wanting different products. I love helping them find new products and we continue to evolve to meet their changing demands.

As the industry changes, so do we. The shop will continue to add new stock lines. We’re an independent retailer and there aren’t many of us left in the heating and plumbing industry. We try to offer a different experience to the national companies and there’s definitely room for us to compete with them. I’d like to encourage people to shop local and support independent retailers as much as they can.

 

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I’ve actually been working in this trade in some shape or form since I was 11 years old! And I’m still passionate about it.

 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I’m an avid Crystal Palace supporter, both home and away. OK, the team’s not made it to Europe yet but it’s still good to dream. For me, that would compare with England winning the World Cup!

 

And finally, tea or coffee?!

Definitely tea! As for sugar, I say “No thank you, Turkish, I’m sweet enough!” (which might also give you a clue to the type of films I like…!)