Get to Know… Stuart Gray, our new General Manager

Where are you from originally?

I’m from Great Barr, which is a few miles north-west of Birmingham. I’ve moved on from there and now live a few miles outside Cannock in Staffordshire.

What was your first job?

When I was 13, I worked at a local greengrocer’s, Meakin’s, which was located in Great Barr. I had to get there by 6am, which meant early morning alarm calls and running down to the shop whilst half asleep.

I had to move all the fruit, veg and flowers out from the fridges and onto the shop display. It was then a rush to get showered and be at school by 9am. I was paid £15.00 a week, but at that age, I thought I was rich!

What jobs did you have before joining Dawsongroup?

I’ve worked in the transport and hire industry since finishing at the University of Wolverhampton, working at Nightfreight as a Customer Services Assistant, WCR Municipal as a Rental Assistant and most recently at Gulliver’s Truck Hire. I initially started there as a Sales Representative before becoming Rental and then Depot Manager at the Brownhills site.

When did you join Dawsongroup?

April 2018.

What was your first job at Dawsongroup?

I started with Dawsongroup as the Branch Sales Manager at truck and trailer’s Birmingham Branch. I was there for six years before moving to Dawsondirect at the beginning of April 2024.

What’s your current job and what does it involve?

I’ve recently been promoted to General Manager at Dawsondirect.

It’s a new role and my responsibilities include developing the Dawsondirect brand and business. I’m really looking forward to working with the rest of the team.

One of our priorities will be to define and set minimum standards for our customers and create a platform that aligns with wider Group initiatives. In particular, we need to ensure that Dawsondirect continues to make a significant contribution to the future success of Dawsongroup.

What’s been the highlight of your time at Dawsongroup?

There have been many highlights, but the main one so far was the growth my team and I achieved at truck and trailer’s Birmingham branch.

We put in a lot of hard work and, with support from across the wider business, we increased revenue by 75% within five years. In particular, we made significant new contract hire gains and were successful in widening our customer base.

Who or what has been the main influence in your career?

I’ve been fortunate to work for, and alongside, a lot of good people so far in my career, and I’ve taken advice from many of them for my own personal development and to progress my career.

I also believe I have a strong work ethic – something I inherited from my parents. They instilled in me that hard work goes a long way.

What significant changes have you seen in the business during your time at Dawsongroup?

A significant change has been the development of the truck and trailer brand which, in turn, has led to a growth in its customer base and an increase in contract hire business.

The business never stands still and is always looking to improve. It’s always at the forefront of new initiatives whether it’s the products and services offered to the industries we support or improving the culture and working environment of its staff. In my experience, the business has become very people-focused, and it very much values its staff.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have three wonderful young children who keep my wife and me busy. We enjoy exploring and travelling whenever we get the chance.

I’m also a big West Bromwich Albion supporter and a football fan in general. It’s been brilliant this season. We’re in the play-offs and have a good chance of promotion. As my oldest son has got the bug (with a little encouragement from me) we’ve been able to make trips to The Hawthorns together.

Hopefully, in a few years’ time, I’ll have had the same success in convincing my other two kids to become lifelong ‘Baggies’. Unfortunately, there’s no convincing my wife; she’s seen the suffering their flip-flopping between the Premier League and Championship have caused me!

I can relate to a lot of what Dean Walton describes in his book Born to be a Baggie, which follows his lifelong support of West Brom. Dean is from Great Barr and his book is a good read.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

I was once captured on Setanta Sports in the away end at Anfield scratching my nose before West Brom played Liverpool. It was many years ago now, and my manager at the time sent me a text to tell me to get my finger from up my nose whilst on national TV!

What’s on your bucket list?

Travelling and exploring in general – Australia, Canada and the Nordic countries to name a few.

The inner child in me also still wants to do Disney World and Universal Studios in Florida.

What’s your favourite film or film genre?

That’s a difficult question! There are simply too many films to pick from, but Gangs of New York and The Usual Suspects spring to mind.

I’m also a bit of a Marvel and Star Wars geek, but I also think the Back to the Future trilogy is hard to beat.

What annoys you in life?

I get annoyed by dishonesty and people who expect something for nothing. I believe in being upfront and honest, and that working hard puts you on the right track.

What’s your biggest regret?

At this point in my life, I’m pleased to say that I don’t have any. Every decision I’ve made – whether bad or good – has led me to where I am today.

I have a great wife, family and friends, and a job I really enjoy. I don’t see what can be gained by looking back on what ifs; I much prefer to look forward in life and concentrate on what can be achieved in the future.