PATRICK DAVIES - OUR NEW FISH HOUSE MANAGER
Another addition to the J&K Team is our new Fish House Manager, Pat!
Hi! Who are you and what is your role at J&K?
Hello, I'm Patrick Davies. I am the new Fish House Manager at J&K Aquatics.
What previous experience do you have in fishkeeping/management?
Well, before J&K I spent 16 years as an aquatics retail Manager for Parkers Aquatics, where I was responsible for all aspects of running a retailer, looking after livestock, and managing a team. Also, I spent 7 years as project manager for an Internet educational content company, where I ensured that projects ran smoothly and delivered on quality and value for money.
Hi! Who are you and what is your role at J&K?
Hello, I'm Patrick Davies. I am the new Fish House Manager at J&K Aquatics.
What previous experience do you have in fishkeeping/management?
Well, before J&K I spent 16 years as an aquatics retail Manager for Parkers Aquatics, where I was responsible for all aspects of running a retailer, looking after livestock, and managing a team. Also, I spent 7 years as project manager for an Internet educational content company, where I ensured that projects ran smoothly and delivered on quality and value for money.
What is your day to day like?
I'm responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of the fish house. Including managing the team that will ensure delivery of fit and healthy livestock to you, as well as all the legal compliance in the workplace including Defra and Cefas, and overseeing Disease prevention, diagnoses and treatment in the livestock. I'll also be looking at Importing and conditioning a range of livestock from both wild and farmed sources. Both bread and butter species as well as more interesting, exciting species that may be difficult for a retailer to import themselves. I'll be making sure I maintain relationships with our existing quality suppliers as well as developing new supplier relationships, actively seeking out the best sources of quality fish.
What are you most looking forward to?
I'm excited to develop and expand the quality and range of livestock and working closely with our suppliers to achieve this aim. I'm also looking forward to engaging with customers, finding out their requirements and delivering healthy quarantined livestock.
What pets do you have?
I currently maintain 12 aquariums containing mainly endangered livebearers and cichlids and four ponds. I have been a hobbyist for 40 years, having kept and bred many species over that time, I now mainly specialise in keeping endangered species, an area where I feel hobbyists can really help with fish conservation. There is also a very demanding 6kg tabby cat named Willow.
What’s something you do in your spare time?
I love to travel. I have been fortunate to travel to Mexico several times to help with fish surveys to help monitor populations of endangered livebearers and asses their conservation requirements. I also enjoy seeing as much live music as possible, and I enjoy cooking when I am not doing water changes.
I'm responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of the fish house. Including managing the team that will ensure delivery of fit and healthy livestock to you, as well as all the legal compliance in the workplace including Defra and Cefas, and overseeing Disease prevention, diagnoses and treatment in the livestock. I'll also be looking at Importing and conditioning a range of livestock from both wild and farmed sources. Both bread and butter species as well as more interesting, exciting species that may be difficult for a retailer to import themselves. I'll be making sure I maintain relationships with our existing quality suppliers as well as developing new supplier relationships, actively seeking out the best sources of quality fish.
What are you most looking forward to?
I'm excited to develop and expand the quality and range of livestock and working closely with our suppliers to achieve this aim. I'm also looking forward to engaging with customers, finding out their requirements and delivering healthy quarantined livestock.
What pets do you have?
I currently maintain 12 aquariums containing mainly endangered livebearers and cichlids and four ponds. I have been a hobbyist for 40 years, having kept and bred many species over that time, I now mainly specialise in keeping endangered species, an area where I feel hobbyists can really help with fish conservation. There is also a very demanding 6kg tabby cat named Willow.
What’s something you do in your spare time?
I love to travel. I have been fortunate to travel to Mexico several times to help with fish surveys to help monitor populations of endangered livebearers and asses their conservation requirements. I also enjoy seeing as much live music as possible, and I enjoy cooking when I am not doing water changes.
BEN WINDEATT - THE NEW SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
The last big addition to the J&K Team is our new Sales and Marketing Director.
Please, can you introduce yourself and your role at J&K Aquatics?
I'm Ben Windeatt, the new Sales & Marketing Director at J&K Aquatics.
What previous experience do you have in similar roles?
I’ve been in the Aquatics & Pet Industry for over 25 years. Over the years I have worked in various sectors of the industry initially starting in the retail sector, before moving into the B2B sector and holding various commercial roles in wholesale, branded and manufacturing businesses. I have built up experience in many areas including specialist pet and aquatic retail, grocery, eCommerce, and international business development.
What is your day to day like?
During the next few weeks my primary focus is to learn as much about the business as possible, enabling the development of our sales and marketing strategy, which will assist our growth plans for the future. Beyond that, the focus will be to work closely with Emma and the rest of the team to continue lead the way in aquatic wholesaling and provide our retail customer base with industry leading service, delivering great products and brands.
What are you most looking forward to?
Aquatics has always been my passion, so being back working with the team at J&K is very exciting. In the few weeks I’ve been here, I’ve been really impressed with the energy and dedication from all the teams across the business.
What pets do you have?
Of course, I love aquatics, however with my recent roles involving a large amount of international travel, it made it really challenging to maintain an aquarium. I’m also incredibly enthusiastic about tortoises. I think that they are fascinating creatures, particularly how they have evolved in a completely different direction to most other reptiles and mammals. So, you won’t be surprised to learn that we have 4 pet tortoises!
What’s something you do in your spare time?
Day to day I like to keep active, with hiking and mountain biking being regular activities. I’m also a keen Formula 1 and Rugby fan. I’m also hugely passionate about wildlife and love combining international travel to visit new places, taking in different cultures while also viewing wildlife in their natural environment.
During the next few weeks my primary focus is to learn as much about the business as possible, enabling the development of our sales and marketing strategy, which will assist our growth plans for the future. Beyond that, the focus will be to work closely with Emma and the rest of the team to continue lead the way in aquatic wholesaling and provide our retail customer base with industry leading service, delivering great products and brands.
What are you most looking forward to?
Aquatics has always been my passion, so being back working with the team at J&K is very exciting. In the few weeks I’ve been here, I’ve been really impressed with the energy and dedication from all the teams across the business.
What pets do you have?
Of course, I love aquatics, however with my recent roles involving a large amount of international travel, it made it really challenging to maintain an aquarium. I’m also incredibly enthusiastic about tortoises. I think that they are fascinating creatures, particularly how they have evolved in a completely different direction to most other reptiles and mammals. So, you won’t be surprised to learn that we have 4 pet tortoises!
What’s something you do in your spare time?
Day to day I like to keep active, with hiking and mountain biking being regular activities. I’m also a keen Formula 1 and Rugby fan. I’m also hugely passionate about wildlife and love combining international travel to visit new places, taking in different cultures while also viewing wildlife in their natural environment.