If you’re looking to find out a little more about what life is like working for Gallowglass, our ‘Meet the Team’ series is a must-read! Over the last year, we’ve chatted to several members of our team from general crewmen right up to regional senior crew chiefs, all with the aim of providing a snapshot into what becoming a part of the Gallowglass crew is like.
This month, we interview Jon Sigsworth, our Managing Director of Crewing, to find out more about how he climbed his way up the Gallowglass career ladder as well as his obsession with bicycles and motorbikes!
What was your background before joining Gallowglass?
If I was writing my CV, it would say retail stockbroking – buying and selling shares under instruction as opposed to being trusted to make sound investments with other people’s money. It’s where I found my first and second true love. The former is the current Mrs Sigsworth, the latter being Microsoft Excel! I was there roughly three years before joining Gallowglass. Prior to that I was in full-time education and had a part-time job at Tesco.
How long have you worked with the company?
Since Moses was a boy as the saying goes over here! I still remember my first shift with Hally and Treco at the De Vere Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire. I was working at the bank when a mate asked if I fancied going along to work with him. We started on a four-hour derig at 02:00. There was something intriguing about going out to work in the middle of the night to coil cable and put boxes and set in a truck, and it was a good laugh! I carried on picking up the odd shift whilst working at the bank until I decided the corporate world wasn’t for me and the opportunity to head up the crew for Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games Ceremonies came up at exactly the right time
How has your career progressed during your time at Gallowglass?
From the very bottom to my current post as MD of Crewing. I never thought about progression at the time; it’s never been calculated or about hitting goals. I’ve just got on with work, trying to do a good job along the way and I’ve ended up here. The 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester was the springboard. I worked my **** off to make sure we delivered on the project and the back office. The next logical step after that was to take on The North as a Region, which progressed into overseeing all the UK regions, which eventually evolved into EVERYTHING!!
What do you find most challenging about your role?
All of it! Despite the cool, calm exterior it’s bloody hard work! It’s a balancing act across all aspects of the business, we don’t always get it right, and it takes a lot of effort to get somewhere near.
What would you say is the most rewarding part of your job?
I get to work with some great people – colleagues, contractors, suppliers and clients, and let’s face it, events are interesting. But above all that it’s the ethos that remains unchanged since my very first shift - team spirit, professionalism, making work fun, giving a good account of yourself and who you represent – the best of the best. I see it day-in-day-out in what we do - both on site and in the management team. On New Year’s Eve just gone (2018) the call came in for scores of crew needed for 2nd Jan to get the frost sheets down for the racing at Sandown and Wincanton. The office is closed (it’s New Year’s Eve), the entire Head Office and Management Team are on leave for Xmas, and the Duty Manager sounds the alarm. Within the hour there are nine of us working on a joint plan to get the job done and, as a result, come 2nd Jan, everyone is where they need to be. We probably take it for granted, but when I step back from time to time, and I’m reminded of what we’re about, it puts a smile on my face.
If your colleagues could describe you in three words, what would they be?
On a spectrum. 50% of me would love to know, the other 50% of me doesn’t want to. It would be an interesting exercise; most people won’t need to use all three.
Have you undertaken any training since joining the team?
Yes: primarily management and H&S although I have to say I’ve passed on many opportunities due to time constraints; having a life, young family and travelling with work doesn’t leave much spare time for study. Fortunately, I’m still learning through doing what I do.
What was the most exciting event or project that you have been part of while working at Gallowglass?
There’s more than one. I’ve got loads of fond memories that span from the actual event itself to the effort put in weeks or months out making sure we cover our end. It’s about the bond you make with colleagues and clients who you’ve lived through the 24-hr days with. But we’re working on something very interesting which we’re not allowed to talk about, but when it happens, we could write a dissertation on it - I’ll have to re-answer this question when that one’s over.
Do you enjoy any hobbies outside of work?
Haha, this reminds me of the end of a CV where people used to list shite like swimming, reading, going to the cinema, socialising with friends etc. Anyway, aside from catching up with family I have a bicycle/ motorcycle addiction. I think it’s healthy, others call it obsessive.
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Riding a bike (petrol or pedal-powered) somewhere in the Yorkshire Dales.
If you’d like to get to know more about Jon or any other of our team members, head over to our blog now. Otherwise, why not get in touch today to discover what event crew UK jobs could be awaiting you?
