This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with our Sales Director – Paul Nicholls to gain insight into his role at QST and discover what he enjoys doing in his free time.
You’ve been with QST for 3 years now, why are you still here?
“3 years. Why am I here? What I do here at QST is of immense importance to me from a personal point of view. We play a huge role in improving the quality of the homes people live in. The whole team are laser focused to deliver better outcomes for our customers and in the communities in which we serve. All of us are passionate about what we do and take great pride in our role in improving ‘Homes, Health & Lives’”
What’s the best part of your job?
“My colleagues are amazing and are a tight knit cohesive bunch. We all challenge each other each day to make a difference to drive the business forward. The industry is always evolving and moving forward at a fast pace. It’s exciting to be part of that environment developing the business to meet and exceed the client’s expectations. No 2 days are the same and I love that. I can safely say that the 52 weeks in the calendar year fly by.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
“Well, I’m 55 now. My partner has discussed retirement, but I don’t see it. It’s not how I’m wired. I’ll still be wanting to push this company forward within social housing and into other markets. I am the type of person that needs to continually challenge myself and others around me. So hopefully still at QST with my colleagues watching the business go from strength watching colleagues develop and progress within the business.”
What makes your team run so smoothly?
“Open and honest discussions. Everybody has a voice. Communication is my biggest mantra as it’s the shortest distance between 2 people. It solves a lot of problems if you nail lines of communication. Ultimately, you must have the right people in the right positions, something we have worked very hard on in the last 24 months at QST.”
What’s the best thing about coming into the office?
“Seeing a busy, thriving office with people working with a smile on their face. We have also taken a unit next door, testimony to the upwards trajectory of the business and to the hard work of all team members. That puts a smile on my face as it shows how everybody shares the company values and vision to push the company forward.”
What do you do in your spare time?
“Gym, Gym & more Gym. That’s pretty much my life and has been since a teenager. I’ve always been into physical exercise from boxing to football and now due to injures the gym. I also love the countryside. Having been brought up on the doorstep of the Lakes I like to walk. Now living in Holland Moor I am surround by some stunning countryside. I have Formby beach on my doorstep, without doubt one of the best beaches in the world, and believe me, I have travelled quite a bit. But needing a new knee has curtailed a lot of that.”
If you could move to any other country, which would you move to?
“It’s a good question that. I have been to Kalkan in Turkey the last 10 holidays and people always ask me if I would consider moving abroad. But the bottom line is, I spend 3 weeks in Kalkan and at the end of the holiday I can’t wait to come home. The country has many issues but it’s home. But if I did ever move to another country it would have to have a similar climate.”
What’s your favourite way to spend down time?
“Music, I’m a big Indy fan listening to such bands as Foals, Radiohead, The War on Drugs, Public Service Broadcasting, Slowdive etc. And I like reading books, not so much fiction but factual. I’ve just finished Liberal Privilege, A state of fear: How the government weaponised fear during Covid 19, Moneyland: why thieves and crooks rule the world and how to take it back. Safe to say that I have a deep mistrust in government.”
What advice would you give a new hire at the company?
“Don’t be shy, ask questions and above all, enjoy your work.”
You find a lottery ticket to win £10 million. What would you do?
“Hardly ever play it but if I did and won, I would secure the future of immediate family and then probably donate a lot of it to Kaspa (Local animal charity in Kalkan)”
If you had a talk show, what 3 guests would you invite on dead/or alive?
“George Best (Good or bad, he led a very full life) Mohammed Ali (Greatest ever sportsman in and out of the ring) and Sir Alex Ferguson (Man U legend who started at the very bottom and made it to the top).”