60 SECONDS MARCH 2019
60
seconds
with...
QAs a child, what did you want to be
when you grew up?
A I wasn’t really clear on any specifi c job
14
that I wanted to do. However, I loved
to travel from an early age, so I was always
hoping that I would have a life fi lled with
plenty of travel and variety.
QHow did you get
into the industry?
A I had a very varied early career,
including working with my original
degree as a petroleum geologist in the
North Sea, and teaching English in Japan.
Realising I wanted to give my career a
stronger trajectory, I signed up for a fulltime
MBA at Manchester Business School.
As part of the course, I did a three-week
student consulting project at ATG, and I
have been here ever since.
QWhat do you like most about
UK manufacturing?
A It has to be the positive eff ect that
manufacturing has on the wider
community. Manufacturing businesses,
possibly more than any other sector,
rely heavily on strong supply chains
and great people. As a result, they can
provide a tremendous boost to both local
communities and the wider economy, as
they regularly support local companies
and people. Manufacturing fi rms off er far
greater community benefi ts than service
companies, for instance.
QHow do you think manufacturing
is perceived by people outside the
industry?
A I think people are defi nitely starting
to come back around to recognising
the importance of having a strong
manufacturing industry in the UK. Images
of modern and dynamic companies and
factories are helping break the stereotype
of manufacturing being a poor second to
service companies!
QWhat has been you biggest
accomplishment – either in or
out of work?
A Becoming managing director in 2018
of the company I joined as a student
in 2003 was a very proud moment for me.
Combined with the currently outstanding
success of the business, it really makes
me refl ect on how well everyone at the
company has performed. Completing a
marathon, climbing Mount Fuji, and having
a lovely family are my biggest personal
achievements.
QHow do you spend your
spare time?
A Mostly family time; we just got a puppy
as if we weren’t busy enough already!
CV:
2018-present: managing director, ATG Access
2005-2018: sales and marketing, ATG Access
2004-2005: special projects manager,
ATG Access
2002-2004: MBA, Manchester Business School
1999-2002: English teacher, NOVA Corporation
1996-1999: engineer, Halliburton
1992-1996: BSc Geology & Petroleum
Geology, University of Aberdeen
I’m always up for a few beers and some
karaoke too, though.
QWhat’s the secret to a successful
future for UK manufacturing?
A Innovation and collaboration.
We have a long, brilliant history of
innovation in the UK. For this to continue,
it’s essential that our new young talent
sees a bright future in manufacturing,
with encouragement from schools and
universities.
QOne thing you may not know about
me is…
A I have been to almost 70 countries
through travel and work. I’m not tired
of it yet; I still love getting on aeroplanes to
fl y off somewhere new.
GAVIN HEPBURN
managing director, ATG access
A few of my
favourite
things...
The Protected Art Archive / Alamy Stock Photo
My favourite food:
Korean
My wife is from Korea and
she introduced me to the
fantastic
My favourite
holiday
destination:
Japan
A fascinating country with great
food and drink, loads to see and
do and, of course, karaoke...
Jaws
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
Images: stock.adobe.com/ photosvac/ shaiith
My favourite fi lm:
Jaws
It’s just the perfect movie;
great characters, a fantastic
baddie and some cracking
dialogue, particularly from
Quint the fi sherman
My favourite book:
Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens
The book has some
of the greatest
characters ever
cooking
created
/www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk
/stock.adobe.com