01732 759725
50
AND FINALLY
Mark Ash, General Manager Print,
Samsung Electronics UK
60 seconds with…
What was your first job?
I’ve worked since the age of 9 without a break. However, my first job
was working as a Support Specialist for Xerox at Virgin Atlantic. I had the
pleasure of meeting my first ever manager recently and talked about how
our lives had changed over the last two years. Who knows where I would be
if he hadn’t said ‘Yes’?
What would be your dream job?
I love my current job. If I could move the entire office to Suffolk it would be
perfect (and definitely a dream!).
Money’s not an issue,
what’s your perfect
car … and where
would you like to
drive it?
I’m a real petrol head and have a passion for speed. It would have to the
Koenigsegg One:1, which redefines the art of the possible. I’d love to drive
it through Italy, taking in the Stelvio Pass – one of the great driving roads.
Fine dining and good wine, or curry and a pint?
I’m fortunate enough to experience fine dining most weeks with the job
that I do. The weekend is a chance for me to kick back and relax with a
takeaway; a Chinese and bottle of wine would be my preference.
Favourite holiday destination.
Italy. I love the culture, the language, the food/drink and the people.
How do you like to spend your spare time?
I don’t get much spare time, as I live away all week. However, I love
spending it with my two boys, cycling and being outside.
What’s currently having the greatest
impact on your business?
Our people.
We have the right people, processes
and now the new technology to grow in a
declining market.
Where do you see the next big
opportunity?
With the Connected Workplace.
Samsung
leads the field here and digital convergence/IoT
is enabling us to connect our devices and add
real value.
What would make your day job easier?
Self-driving cars.
I’m looking forward to the
day when my car can become my office and
allow me to spend more time with our customers
and my family.
What’s the best bit of business advice
you’ve been given?
‘A positive attitude is a powerful force’ and ‘If it’s
to be, it’s up to me’. Our philosophy within our
business is that you always ask yourself what you
could do differently and not look to others to fix
problems.
If you had had a crystal ball, would you
have done anything differently?
I would have believed in myself earlier and seen
Opportunity, as opposed to Risk.
Describe your most embarrassing moment.
Getting stage fright and not being able to
present early in my career. I left the venue and
drove home, with a red face for days. All good
character building stuff.
