Gareth Hughes is Business Development Manager for Geomatics at Topcon Positioning GB. About to enter his fifth year at Topcon, Gareth has helped transform a huge number of projects, making life easier on sites throughout Scotland and the north of England. Read more here:
Hi Gareth! Can we start with a little about your journey in the industry and how you arrived at Topcon?
I moved over to Topcon after 14 years as a civil engineer on a range of infrastructure projects. As I worked my way up from apprentice to senior engineer, I encountered pretty much all the challenges that contractors face on site. After taking a break from engineering to see a bit more of the world than the roads, tunnels and bridges I was used to, I heard from a friend that Topcon was looking for people with technical backgrounds like mine.
Sales wasn’t necessarily my background, but I understood the technology and how it related to our customers’ operations.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Work–life balance is really important for me, and being able to put together my own schedule means I can make sure I don’t tip too far one way or the other.
There’s also loads of variety. Previously, I would work on one project for months or even years; here, I’m out at loads of different sites meeting loads of different people. I’m really glad that face-to-face meetings are back on the cards now too, as demonstrating products and developing relationships is so much better in person.
What does working for Topcon mean to you?
I think, as much as anything, it’s believing in what you’re doing, in the power of the tech to make people’s lives easier, and being proud of the change that you’re driving.
Everyone I work with at Topcon is proud to be part of a company that’s helping to push the industry forward, and that applies to the R&D process developing the tech, but also to us in sales – getting out and putting it in the hands of people that need it.
That level of support once you’ve started working with someone is also a huge part of the Topcon Way. Action speaks louder than words in these situations, and being there when a customer needs you will do more for that relationship than anything else.
So what does that attitude of going above and beyond for customers mean in practice?
Just working hard to provide that extra level of support.
There are no shortcuts or dark arts – just keeping in touch and keeping it friendly is the answer. People buy from people, and ultimately you all want the same thing, which is for the customer to get the best out of the technology.
What does your life look like outside of work, any hobbies?
I recently had a little girl, so my spare time is at an all-time low right now, but I’m loving it. So far, she seems to be following in my footsteps, causing plenty of mischief and keeping me on my toes.
Otherwise, I’m into my sport, playing football, walking and skiing every so often. As an avid follower of Liverpool FC, I’ve been lucky enough to get to a couple of European finals to watch them, so fingers crossed for another one of those soon.
Keep up to date with everything Gareth is up to by connecting with him on LinkedIn.
