At BCL Power, our team is the heart of what we do, and we believe that building genuine relationships is the key to our success. To give you a closer look at the people who make our company special, we’re excited to introduce James Ives, one of our dedicated Account Managers. Read on to learn more about James, his journey to BCL Power, and what makes him passionate about his work.
Tell us about your background and what led you to join BCL Power
Before I worked for BCL Power, I was an Account Manager at an agency that specialised in supporting large automotive manufacturers with their fleet and business customers. I loved working with teams around the world, but I really wanted to work directly with customers and help them with any issues they might be facing. I take pride in delivering excellent customer service and ensuring that clients are satisfied with the service they receive.
What inspired you to work in the industry?
I’ve always been fascinated by engineering and how different systems work together to keep things running smoothly. I studied engineering at college and while I wasn’t specifically looking for a role in the UPS industry, when this job opportunity came up, it grabbed my attention right away. It gave me the chance to talk directly with customers and manage relationships, all while satisfying my engineering interests.
What do you enjoy most about working at BCL Power?
BCL Power is a company that truly encourages you to be yourself. There are no corporate barriers, no hidden agendas – just a group of genuine, honest people who trust their employees to get the job done in their own way. I feel like I can manage my customers in a style that suits me without worrying about putting on a certain corporate façade. I think that’s something that our clients appreciate about us too!
How has the company contributed to your professional growth?
Working at BCL Power has given me valuable hands-on experience in managing customers and building personal relationships. It’s also given me an opportunity to really understand the sales process – it’s not just about sending quotes and receiving orders, it’s about fostering trust and maintaining regular communication without overwhelming customers. Personally, I find the hard-sell approach off-putting, and it’s definitely not how I work with my clients.
In your opinion, what sets BCL Power apart from its competitors?
For me, it’s our more personal and less corporate approach. Especially during faults or emergencies, customers appreciate speaking with real people instead of dealing with automated messages. At BCL Power, every account has a dedicated Account Manager, like me, who supports projects from start to finish. Alongside our scheduling, finance, and engineering teams, we keep customers informed throughout every step of the process.
Where do you see BCL Power in five years’ time?
BCL Power has been growing consistently, and even during the couple of years I’ve worked here, I’ve seen tremendous development. We’ve hired more staff, taken on larger projects, and made big plans for the future. I see BCL continuing this path and becoming a bigger player in the UPS industry – deservedly so!
Tell us some fun facts about yourself
I’m the lead guitarist in an original Southern Rock band called Ramblin’ Preachers. We’re lucky enough to be touring across the UK, and we’ve got a two-week tour in the Czech Republic planned for March 2025. My most interesting fact is that I was nearly set to tour with Neil Young as a guitarist on one of his American tours a couple of years ago, but alas, it didn’t happen!
Stay tuned for more profiles in our “Meet the Team” series, where we introduce the people behind the scenes who make BCL Power a great place to work. You can connect with James on LinkedIn here.