Q&A: Jim Field
30 July 2021
Jim Field recently joined Point of Rental Software as business development manager for the EMEA region, having previously been commercial director with Boels Rental UK and Supply UK Hire Shops, which Boels acquired in 2017. In addition Jim has worked in the construction industry including spells with Mowlem, Kier and AMEC, handling internal asset management. He also worked with Speedy before Supply UK.
You’ve recently joined the supplier Point of Rental after a long time in hire. Why? And what are you looking forward to most?
Much of my career has either been directly in rental or the equipment management side of construction contractors. This has always involved using, integrating and evolving the operating systems. It’s an area of the business that I’ve always enjoyed and been fascinated by, so when the opportunity arose to be directly involved, I jumped at the chance.
How did you get into the world of hire?
As a youngster, my father had a small building and construction business. I’d help him load and unload the van with equipment, and service the Kangos and generators. My first paid job was as a sound engineer for an audio hire company when I was 18 in Covent Garden. The equipment was made by a sister business and we hired it to TV and radio broadcast companies. We set up and operated it. You’d see me on outside broadcasts holding a microphone on a pole and with a reel-to-reel tape recorder strapped to my back, following Z-list celebrities. It was a great business.
What happened next?
I got engaged and moved to Manchester. I started working for an audio hire company there but it got into difficulties and it was the usual case of last in, first out. I tried to find work as an electrician and one day I walked onto a construction site to ask if they had any jobs. I was wearing a suit and tie, and someone pointed to a computer and asked me if I could operate it. I said yes and they gave me the job as an office manager. I got married the next Monday - and started with them the following day! Eventually I joined Mowlem and I’ve never been out of civil engineering, construction and related industries since.
What is the biggest challenge facing the industry?
I feel the hire industry has many challenges, but not least of which is attracting and retaining the best talent from the UK workforce, and making the sector attractive to school leavers and graduates. Add to that the environmental compliance requirements of major contractors and the ever-increasing pressure on material prices, and we could be headed for a perfect storm.
And what’s the biggest opportunity?
Right now, the greatest potential looks to be with energy and environmental concerns. Everything from energy efficient designs of new buildings, to the equipment required to build them and manage their emissions. Responding to these opportunities in an agile manner will determine which providers endure in the long term. Sustainability, particularly in the water space, whether that is leak detection, pipe lining or processing, will provide forward-thinking entrepreneurs with a long-term opportunity.
What’s the most unusual or challenging customer request you ever received?
There have been a few comedy ones concerning water beds and Portaloos, but one of the most interesting was creating a safe wash-down area for cows and vehicles on farms during the foot and mouth disease outbreak in 2001, when I was a depot manager with Speedy.
What did you do?
This was long before the days of wash bays but we made something portable out of cattle grids, bunds, pressure washers and disinfectants, with a way of capturing and recycling the water. We ended up supplying it to many other farms and safari parks. It’s just another example of the ingenuity that hirers have to demonstrate, and I’ll bet every other hire professional has a similar story to tell.
Who or what inspires you?
I’ve had the privilege and pleasure of working alongside some top-quality people in our industry and in construction generally. It’s always those who face immense personal challenges and yet still seem to overcome them and become inspirational leaders that inspire me.
What annoys/frustrates you?
People who don’t do what they say they’re going to do. And laziness. I was brought up with a very strict work ethic and I struggle with people who will sit back and do nothing, rather than get involved and get the problem sorted.
What was your favourite school subject?
Music.
To what level?
My family were very musical: my mother played the piano and my grandfather was a concert violinist who performed with Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt. I started learning the piano when I was four and guitar at ten. I passed my LRAM (Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music diploma) when I was 15 and that enables you to teach. I became a part-time peripatetic music teacher when I was still at school.
So why didn’t you pursue a career in music?
I did! In fact, it’s only in the last five years or so that I haven’t been involved at least part-time. I started playing in bands very early – one of the first serious ones was called Amateur Gardening when I was 13, on guitar. I also did occasional spells as a session musician in London studios.
That’s fascinating. Who have you played with?
I could mention some well-known groups and artists but I’m not really into name-dropping.
Have you kept playing the piano, too?
Not as much as I’d like. I bought a new upright just before the first lockdown and I play it when I have the time.
What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given, or that you would pass on to others?
Always be prepared. And know where the exits are...
Tell me a surprising fact about yourself or your business.
I used to be in a club/pub band called Kentish Fire who were the warm-up act for the infamous comedian Bernard Manning. Another unusual fact is that Point of Rental has a scripted HR policy on the use of Nerf blaster guns in the office. Who’d have thought?!
Do you follow a particular sport and/or team?
Coming from North London I’ve always supported Spurs in football. I’m also mad on Formula 1 and touring car racing. It’s my second passion after music. I built my own car when I was 15 from the wreck of a Ford Escort Mk1 and I’ve been modifying cars on and off ever since. I find the latest technological advances for better performance absolutely fascinating.
What are your tastes in music?
Quite eclectic, but rock, blues, jazz fusion and anything guitar driven or baroque. I’m a huge fan of The Who and the biggest influence on my own playing is Pete Townshend along with Gary Moore, Peter Green and Carlos Santana. I also learned all J.S. Bach’s 48 Preludes and Fugues for piano for my LRAM and that sort of music never leaves you.
What new skill would you like to learn?
I’d really like to learn to weld - so I could repair my car.
On what topic could you give a 30-minute presentation with no preparation?
The benefits of asset management to the rental and construction sectors. Or the top to bottom of the BMW E30, E34 and Porsche 986: I can tell you anything about them down to the engine compression ratios.
What’s the secret of success?
Consistency, self-belief and hard work.
Finally, is there anything you would like to add about the business, the current trading outlook or future plans?
Point of Rental has some very specific growth plans for the medium and long terms. All will be revealed in due course!
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