News

01.11.23

Get to Know… Darren Leeming, National Sales Manager

We chat to Darren Leeming to find out what makes him tick.

Where are you from originally?

I was born in a London town called Harrow. I haven’t moved far from the nest!

What was your first job?

My first paid job was working in Sainsbury’s fruit and veg section, which now seems an eternity ago. However, my first full-time job was a Trainee Quantity Surveyor position for Taylor Woodrow.

What job(s) did you have before joining DGTT?

I started out as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, but it really wasn’t for me! Too many college courses to attend, too much number crunching and full-time office-based work. So, I decided to pursue a career in sales as I felt this would suit me much better. Over time, I moved into the role of Branch Sales Rep and worked my way up to Branch Sales Manager. However, I always wanted to run my own business and was given the opportunity by my colleague at the time to subcontract in the overseas relocations industry. This was an exciting time in my career and life, but with the arrival of two children I moved back into an employed role, which was far more settled and came with better benefits.

When did you join DGTT?

I joined Dawsongroup truck and trailer as a Branch Sales Manager at our Heathrow depot in October 2013: a full decade ago!

What’s your current job and what does it involve?

I’m currently the National Sales Manager for Dawsongroup truck and trailer. This includes directly managing and mentoring a team of twelve salespeople within the DGTT team, whilst indirectly overseeing the sales activities across our twenty-four branches. My role ensures that our fleet is utilised to optimum capacity and that the company revenue and profit objectives are met. I am also responsible for managing a handful of our national, key account customers.

What’s been the highlight of your time at DGTT?

Putting my personal achievements aside, the highlight for me has been seeing the members of my team who joined us with little or no experience in our industry growing into mature, rounded sales professionals. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old(er) age, but I thoroughly enjoy this part of my role.

Who or what has been the main influence in your career?

My children – they are what drive me every day to better myself and ensure that they are given the best possible start in life.

What do you do in your spare time?

I am a FA qualified football coach and manage my local Under 10’s team, my youngest son also plays for the team! I can also be seen regularly running around to cricket, tennis, and many other sports clubs that my boys enjoy during the week and weekends.

To de-stress from all this, I love nothing more than a taking the family to the Jurassic coastline in Devon, which is filled with walks in the countryside, beaches and pubs with our four-legged friend, Teddy.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

I quite often wear odd socks but I’m not entirely sure why.

What’s on your bucket list?

To visit Mexico with the children and let them experience swimming with dolphins while they’re still young.

What’s your favourite film or film genre?

Shawshank Redemption – a true masterpiece.

What annoys you in life?

Dishonest people.

What’s your biggest regret?

Genuinely none – you can’t change the past!

 

We are always looking for fantastic employees to join our team, so if you’re interested in a job that’s more than a job, then head over to our jobs portal.

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Dawsongroup Truck and Trailer Limited.

Delaware Drive, Tongwell,

Milton Keynes MK15 8JH

Dawsongroup Truck and Trailer Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Financial Conduct Authority Register number: 725515