OCTOBER 2020 60 SECONDS
60
seconds
with...
MIKE JOHN
managing director, The Sempre Group
QAs a child, what did you want
to be when you grew up?
A I was a practical child – I remember
building go-karts, dens and boats with
my friends. I knew I wanted a practical job
and to use my hands, but I didn’t have a
specific career in mind.
QHow did you get into the industry?
A By complete accident! I started
with an engineering apprenticeship
and then found a job as an applications
engineer. An opportunity came up in
metrology as a sales engineer, I took it and
now here I am, running my own company
in the manufacturing industry.
QWhat do you like most about
working in UK manufacturing?
A I enjoy how diverse UK manufacturing
is and the range of problems we get
to solve. In the morning I can be talking
to a client about plastic bottles and in
the afternoon, we can be discussing heart
stents or components for a car. Every day
is different and every day is fascinating.
QHow do you think UK
manufacturing is perceived by
people outside the industry?
A People outside the industry think of
someone working in manufacturing
and picture a person in a boiler suit with
a spanner in their
hand, but that is not
the case. Engineers
have a creative,
diverse and challenging job. They
need to be highly skilled with qualifications
and knowledge about electronics,
mechanics and maths. I strongly believe
that UK manufacturing is an interesting
and exciting area for young people to
develop their careers.
QWhat has been your biggest
accomplishment, either inside or
outside of work?
A Outside of work my biggest
accomplishment is my family. I
met my wife Elaine when I was 16 and,
four days later, I told her that we would
be married in the future. We are now
celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary
and have four fantastic kids and six lovely
grandchildren.
At work, my biggest accomplishment
is having the guts to start a business after
being made redundant. It was the right
call – The Sempre Group is flourishing 20
years later.
QHow do you spend your spare time?
AI love playing tennis and going to
watch Gloucester Rugby – even if they
aren’t winning much at the moment! I
spend a lot of time with my grandchildren
and enjoy gardening with my wife.
CV:
2000-present: Managing Director, The Sempre Group
(previously Metrology Direct)
Freelancer writing business plans for metrology
companies
1986-2000: Sales Manager, Tesa
Education
1986: Diploma in Management Studies, University of
Wolverhampton
My favourite food:
Fish fingers, mashed potatoes and
beans. Simple, understated and delicious.
www.manufacturingmanagement.co.uk 11
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My favourite
film:
Saving Private
Ryan
The only film that
gets me blubbing
every time.
A few of my
favourite
things...
My favourite book:
D-Day, by Anthony Beevor
I have never read
a book twice…
except this
one.
My favourite
holiday destination:
Keyonna beach in Antigua
Paradise with sun, sea,
sand and amazing food.
The sunsets are truly
unbelievable.
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