We are very pleased to welcome a brand-new member of staff to the Simpsons family. Martin Inglis has joined the team as our content marketing specialist.
We shared a beer with Martin and chatted all about his new role at Simpsons Malt, what he makes of the industry so far, and what his favourite beer is.
Here’s what he had to say…
What do you do for Simpsons Malt?
“I joined in late March 2019 as their Content Marketing Specialist, which was a new role created at the company.”
What do you hope to bring to your role at Simpsons Malt?
“I hope to be able to communicate our customers’ love for our malts effectively. One of the very first things I did when I joined Simpsons Malt was to fly over to Denver with Richard Simpson for the Craft Brewers Conference, where we received so many positive comments about our malts. I hope to communicate our brewing customers’ passion for Simpsons Malt through various mediums, including blogs on the Simpsons website and through our social media channels.
“On social media and through attending events, I also hope to be able to build relationships with current customers, as well as potential new ones.
“Having lived in Berwick-upon-Tweed all of my life, outside of the company’s employees and their families, I don’t think people in the area have a full understanding of the scale of what goes on here – from how many customers and distributors we have across the globe to the day-to-day operations – so I hope to be able to share more about that.
“Finally, Simpsons Malt, MSP and the Simpson McCreath Trust support a lot of local projects – from sports, to arts, to education – and I look forward to showing how money donated has benefited each of these projects.”
Tell us about your family connection to Simpsons Malt
“There are quite a few connections! My dad, Peter, is celebrating 40 years’ service at Simpsons Malt this year and he is currently part of the Malt Sales team as Customer & Sales Support Representative.
“My mum, Alison, is the Stock & Barley Procurement Coordinator and has worked at the company for over 30 years.
“The family connection also spans into a third generation as my grandfather, Raymond, worked in the Grain Trading team at MSP for seven years during the 1990s before his retirement, which followed 40 years working for Scottish Agricultural Industries (SAI) in the Grain Department.
“My late grandmother, Anne, also worked at Simpsons Malt for more than ten years as a Receptionist/Telephonist.”
What’s been your best experience at Simpsons Malt so far?
“Spending ten days in Denver for the Craft Brewers Conference in April was just amazing. In the first two days, we visited 11 breweries and Simpsons Malt customers in the Denver area, which gave me an initial insight into how highly regarded our products are.
“Then, over the three days of the show, we were inundated with so many positive comments from some of our current US customers, as well as others who were sampling our malts that were on display. One brewer came up to me, shook my hand and said, ‘I just wanted to come over and say we use your product, we love it, keep up the good work’. That was all he had to say before he turned around and walked away. That was pretty special.
“On the stand, I picked up so much from our UK Technical Sales Manager Jamie Ramshaw about each malt type and its specifications, what style of beers they are used in and why. It was just a terrific learning experience and I’m already looking forward to the next exhibition I’m fortunate enough to attend.”
You recently met with Ivan and Kathleen who retired from Simpsons Malt after 80 years’ combined service – why do you think so many people choose to stay so long at Simpsons?
“It was great to speak to both Ivan and Kathleen as they reflected on their careers at both Simpsons Malt and MSP and, although I have only been at Simpsons Malt a matter of months, it’s clear that Ivan was spot on when he summed up why, in his 43 years, he didn’t once consider leaving. Simply, he said: “It’s just a fantastic company to work for.”
“Add that to the fact that Simpsons Malt is one of the area’s most successful businesses based in a beautiful part of the UK and it’s easy to see why a large percentage of employees choose to work here for a significant chunk of their careers.”
What events are planned for 2019?
“There are so many events on the agenda for the rest of this year, and I can’t wait to head along to them and meet up with some of our customers for the first time. There’s Beer Central in Birmingham (July 5-6), the Great British Beer Festival (August 6-10), Thornbridge Peakender (August 16-18), Independent Manchester Beer Convention (October 3-6), Craft Beer Calling (October 24-26) and last, but by no means least, Brau Beviale in Nuremburg (November 12-14). I’m sure a few more will crop up between now and the end of the year, too!”
If you could only drink one beer style for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
“I love Pilsners, so I’d probably have to say that. Although when I was down in London recently, I had my first pint of Camden Hells – which they describe as a lovechild of Helles and Pilsner – and I’ve been trying to get my hands on some bottles of it up here in Berwick ever since.”
Cheers, Martin!
If you’re a customer and want to share some news or ideas with Martin, send him an email at martininglis@simpsonsmalt.co.uk.
If you’re not yet a customer but are thinking about becoming one, find out more about our awesome malts, or get in touch with our helpful order team.