{"id":39665,"date":"2024-09-17T12:25:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T10:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dbexcellence.online\/?p=39665"},"modified":"2026-10-20T09:29:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T07:29:08","slug":"london-conquest-meet-andrew-the-pillar-of-dbe-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dbexcellence.online\/en\/london-conquest-meet-andrew-the-pillar-of-dbe-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"London conquest: Meet Andrew, the pillar of DBE in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As DBE \u2013 Dynamics Business Excellence celebrates the opening of its sixth office in London<\/strong> (following on from Biel, Lyon, Geneva, Grenoble and Paris), we had the great pleasure of catching up with Andrew Mackin, our dedicated Country Manager in the UK. With a rich and varied background ranging from the textile industry to the cutting edge of technology, Andrew shares with us his vision<\/strong>, challenges and aspirations for DBE in the UK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this interview, Andrew talks about his impressive career path, his transition into the IT sector and his key role in the expansion of DBE. With his multicultural approach and international experience, he is ready to take on the challenges of the UK market<\/strong> and establish DBE\u2019s unique signature of innovation and excellence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your career before joining DBE?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Of course, with pleasure. Raised in small town, close to the city of Bradford, historically tied to the textile (wool & mohair) industry, in northern England with English & Italians parents, giving a great international family base.  Started working in the textile industry, in accounts & production, taking on, the role of mill\/production manager and then coupling this as IT manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The managing director and owner of that company, still remains a close contact and I would like to say friend, gave me advice and the confidence that great ambitions could be achieved with hard work, honesty and integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A marriage, a house, birth of my children, and then a \u201csmall\u201d move to an IT company, who actually supplied services for the textile company and was then acquired by a large international textile company, put a boost into my life & my career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next \u2018large\u2019 step, was moving to France in the year 2000 as IT director of the computer division of the textile group.  My international projects started to grow, with projects for the subsidiaries in South Africa & Turkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next step \u201clife changing\u201d was a move to an IT integrator deploying a Microsoft system, that I had not heard of before, called \u201cNavision\u201d.  Multiple international projects across the world (in every continent apart from Antartica!). Different cultures, different people \u2013 all different, all wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Budgets, training, coordination & price negotiations were, as always, to be generated, reworked, discussed, explained \u2013 to all levels of management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many contacts that I made over the years, I now consider friends, also provided me with a fresh incentive to push ahead with my career ambitions, at the same time assisting others when I could with advice and assistance for their lives & careers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I worked in IT direction, as well as experiencing hands-on project management\/direction & technical development \u2013 giving an insight into the amazing work done by my colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this new phase in my working career, I met many amazing people, and I had, as many others, some changes (planned & unplanned) in my personal life, pushing me to reflect on many point.  Following this and linked to personal ambitions, three years ago, it was my extreme pleasure to have been presented with an amazing opportunity to work with a new company (and help in it\u2019s future), founded by some very close friends & colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does the role of country manager involve for you?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Opening\/developing the customer base (expanding on what we have, and the DBE expertise)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Ensure that we meet\/match the values of DBE with new and existing customers, of course this is also linked to the customer needs, and fiscal & legal rules<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • In the near future, taking on extra staff, in order to support & continue the London client base, but with a vision of also expanding north (my UK roots!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Checking & maintaining forecasts & budgets together with the other shareholders & directors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Working together with the marketing team for campaigns, image & sales strategies (UK + DBE Group)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    What aspects of your experience or personality do you think would be an asset or benefit to the role of country manager in London?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Multicultural career background<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Multicultural personal life<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Ease of speaking & communicating at all levels<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Multilingual (that is a base modern requirement now in many companies)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Existing customer base in London<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Existing friends, family and many professional contacts in London,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A great appreciation of fish & chips, beer & all things English<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A sense of humour, and also knowing when this can be used<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      What are you most excited about working as a country manager for DBE in London?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      All of the above. The opportunity to assist DBE (group + my DBE friends\/colleagues) in it\u2019s expansion & success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      How do you feel about taking on this new role?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Extremely honoured and happy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Very excited for the challenge<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • A wonderful feeling of recognition, confidence & respect from my colleagues & friends in DBE<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • A great achievement<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Success and just the start<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        What word would best define how you feel about this new challenge?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Exhilarated<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How did the opening of DBE UK go? How did you go from a simple idea to reality?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        A \u201cseed\u201d was planted in the heads of the two cofounders 3 years ago, this coupled with the view\/vision of the cofounders to make an expansion into the UK at some point drove this forward.\u00a0 Then following discussions with several customers and their enquires on a DBE UK office, and some great contacts, we moved from concept to opportunity to reality.
        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What were the main challenges in opening the new offices in London?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • Administration : this is the same all over the world<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Location (location location)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Handing over existing projects to colleagues to invest the correct time & input for DBE UK<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          What was your first objective as Country Manager for DBE in the UK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • New customer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Invoicing<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Communication (I know that\u2019s three)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            How would you describe DBE\u2019s corporate culture and how do you adapt it to the UK market?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • DBE\u2019s corporate culture matches the values that I have, and also the UK market<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Diversity, Inclusion \u2013 not just in words, but ensuing this in actions\/reality (workforce, customer base)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              What exactly is DBE\u2019s role in the UK and what are its main tasks?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • To provide high value personalised services to customers, whilst adhering to the DBE values<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Propose & implement connected & innovative solutions to the customers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Local touch, but with a plethora of expertise to draw on from DBE France & DBE Switzerland<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                How does DBE differentiate itself from the competition on the UK market?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • Company (group) size = personal touch<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • The majority of consultants, Project Managers & managers have 20+ years of experience in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (previously NAV, NAVISION)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Close link to ambassadors for diversity (watch this space!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Me \ud83d\ude0a<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                  What strategies have you put in place to introduce DBE and its services to the UK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • Initial visit to see existing customers; a new customer, a potential new customer (group) and a new partner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Web site to be updated<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Word of mouth \u2013 customers, colleagues, family (within their professional circles), friends<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • LinkedIn & Social media to update \u2013 this is a priority for our \u201cDBE is here\u201d message<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                    What are the main sectors or industries that DBE is targeting in the UK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    Initially Fashion & Hotel : London<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Others of course : London<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    Textiles in the future : Midlands\/North<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    What are DBE\u2019s main objectives in the UK for the coming year?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                      \n
                    • Several new customers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Invoicing group UK clients via DBE UK (then intercompany internally)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Staffing (hire financial consultant\/s)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                      What is your vision for DBE\u2019s growth in the UK over the next 5 years?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                        \n
                      • Have a good base in London with Fashion & Hotel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • Several people in consulting team<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      • New office in the Midlands \/ North (Leicester \/ Leeds\/Manchester)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                        How important is innovation to our development strategy in the UK, and how do you see the integration of new technologies into the solutions offered by DBE?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        A prerequisite for our business and future success. It\u2019s a constant evolution: We need to work with our customers, but at the same time we need to inspire and enthuse our customers with innovations integrated into BC products. Showcase of innovations with customers (and\/or partners)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        How do you see the UK market evolving in our sector?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        One major evolution is actually linked to existing \u201con prem\u201d installations. The move to cloud is accelerating, and we can be in place to assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        Services & innovation : how to faster & easier<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        What are DBE\u2019s greatest successes since opening in London?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        Circumventing the effects of Brexit (whether you are for or against the decision) thanks to the presence of DBE in France & in Switzerland and of course with our valued partners.\u00a0 Also we will ensure that we are able to use any Government incentives to assist on this point too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        In what ways is DBE in the UK committed to corporate social responsibility?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
                          \n
                        • Pledging to ensure diversity in the workforce<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Sponsor diversity programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        • Staffing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                          What advice would you give to a company looking to expand in the UK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          Research the market, speak to customers, project the costs and check the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          What message would you like to convey to potential DBE customers and partners in the UK?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                          Project implementation with a \u201creal\u201d human touch. Innovative solutions together with a professional, friendly, approachable & honest business partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          What song would best define your mindset as a Country Manager?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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