With experience across management, sales, marketing and technical roles in the window and door industry, Martin Banks brings a broad perspective to Roto as he begins his role as Key Account Sales Adviser for the UK.
We caught up with Martin to learn a little more about him and his first impressions of Roto.
Hi Martin, welcome to Roto. Can you tell us a little about your background and previous experience?
Thank you. I’ve worked in the fenestration industry throughout my entire career. After school I completed a marketing, retailing & distribution degree, and gained some experience in window and door hardware during a gap year. Someone I worked with there offered me an opportunity straight after university.
Once you’re in this industry, it’s very difficult to leave! It’s a fantastic sector with great people and endless opportunities to learn.
Over the years I’ve worked in operations, area sales and management roles. In 2015, I fulfilled a long-held ambition to run my own business, launching a hardware retail & distribution company and a window installation company which I operated successfully for seven years.
Most recently, I was Group Technical Sales Manager at DGS Group, where I was involved in a wide range of activities including product development, marketing, social media and key account management.
What attracted you to joining Roto?
Roto has been on my radar for many years and I’ve always viewed it as a quality brand and market-leading company. When this opportunity came up, it was one that really appealed to me.
What does your new role involve?
I cover the whole UK market. My main focus is on working closely with some of our major distribution partners, helping to develop relationships and identify opportunities for growth.
What are you most looking forward to in the position?
Getting to know both the people and the products. The relationships with colleagues and customers are a big part of the role, and I’m looking forward to learning even more about the full Roto product range.
What skills and experience do you think you bring to the team?
One of my strengths is taking a strategic approach. I’ve worked with people in businesses of all sizes, from one-person operations through to board-level decision makers in large organisations. That breadth of experience helps me understand different perspectives.
How have your first few months at Roto been?
Fantastic. I’ve been with the company for around two months now and the induction process has been very well structured. I’ve completed e-learning and product training, and spent time meeting customers alongside Søren (Søren Milter Nielsen, head of sales for Scandinavia and UK). It’s been a great introduction to both the business and the market.
What has stood out to you about the company so far?
The friendliness of everyone and their willingness to help. I genuinely haven’t come across anyone here who isn’t prepared to support you. That makes a huge difference when you’re joining a new organisation. The HR programme organised by Sylvie was very thorough and helped me settle in quickly. There’s a strong sense of trust within the company, which has really stood out.
Have there been any surprises?
The biggest surprise has been how close-knit the company feels. Given that the team is spread across different countries, you might expect people to feel disconnected. In reality, everyone works together extremely well and there’s a genuine team spirit throughout the organisation.
How have you found working with the team?
Everyone has been very open, friendly and welcoming. It’s a positive environment where people are happy to share knowledge and support each other.
The values are clearly driven from the top of the organisation, but they don’t feel forced. There’s a genuine willingness to work together, which creates a very positive atmosphere.
What part of the job do you enjoy most?
I’m quite an analytical person, so I enjoy identifying gaps and opportunities. I love building relationships with customers and partners, but I also enjoy looking strategically at where growth opportunities exist and how we can unlock them.
Are there any particular products or technologies you’re especially interested in?
Roto Patio Inowa is definitely one that stands out. There’s a lot of focus on it at the moment. Even though it has existed for a few years now, it is a radically different sliding concept for the UK market. I think it offers some very good opportunities.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I’m very much a family person. My daughters are 18 and 21, and I enjoy spending time with them and the rest of the family whenever I can. I also love travelling and going on holiday.
Another passion of mine is food. I’m a big fan of curry and cooking is one of my favourite hobbies, so you’ll often find me in the kitchen when I’m not at work.
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