Here’s our next instalment of our ‘Meet the Team’ series.
Meet John Kerr, our seasoned event and site manager, whose journey in the event industry has been marked by a passion for logistics and a knack for handling the unexpected. Before joining Gallowglass, John had already carved out a niche for himself in the events arena, honing his skills and expertise. His story is a testament to the dynamic nature of the industry and the crucial role he plays in ensuring seamless operations.
Let's delve into John's world as he shares insights into his career, the challenges he faces, and the unique experiences that make every day at Gallowglass an adventure.
1. What was your work experience before joining Gallowglass?
I was primarily an event manager/site manager. I had worked in the event industry since leaving university and always liked working on event logistics.
2. What led you to apply for a role with the company?
I had been impressed with the quality of the crew Gallowglass had provided at events I worked on and when a role on the team came up, I jumped at it.
3. Describe a typical day in your job.
There is no typical day but a summary would be checking the Crew Assignment Matrix for gaps, deal with client emails and assign crew to jobs. I try to keep a close eye on upcoming events where Gallowglass could possibly play a role in and do my best to get out to a couple of jobs each week to get crew and client feedback.
4. What’s the most challenging aspect of your day-to-day role?
Last minute requests. Sometimes clients come to us at 7pm on a Tuesday needing crew for an 8am start on Wednesday morning. The mad rush trying to arrange crew at that time of the day that follows can be very challenging. But at the same time, utterly rewarding when it all comes together and you can go back to a client to say we can sort it.
5. If your colleagues could describe you in three words, what would they be?
Old Scottish Git
6. Do you enjoy any hobbies outside of work?
I like hillwalking and mountain biking whenever possible in places including the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Glencoe and Bridge of Orchy. Where I live in Bearsden, I have great walks and hikes only a stone’s throw away.
7. What do you enjoy most about working for Gallowglass?
I like the fact that no two days are the same. I like the fact that the whole company has such a team approach to any challenges we’re faced with. The entire team pull together whenever needed and I get support from colleagues all over the UK almost instantly.
8. Tell us a funny story from your experiences during your time at Gallowglass?
A couple of years ago I received a text from a client I knew well saying “Can you make a meeting re: St Andrews event, Botanic Gardens, Thursday at 1pm.” I went up to St Andrews Botanic Gardens and when it got to ten past and there was no one about I gave the client a call. They were at the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow to talk about a parade on St Andrews Day.
Thankfully, we still got the job!
In his role at Gallowglass, whether he's juggling last-minute requests or enjoying the camaraderie within the company's culture, John thrives on the variety that each day brings. As an "Old Scottish Git" with a wealth of experience and a penchant for tackling challenges head-on, John Kerr is an important part of the Gallowglass team, contributing not only expertise but also a touch of humour to the Gallowglass Scotland region.
If you are interested in hiring Gallowglass event crew, or you would like to join the crew, please don’t hesitate and get in contact with us now!
