Case study: Mark Harrington, Kitchen Designer

When Mark isn’t helping our customers design their dream kitchen he keeps himself busy with his young son. This will normally involve watching Peppa Pig or listening to "Let It Go" from Frozen. And, when the time allows, you can find him fixing motorbikes or even doing a spot of fishing.

Tell us about your previous experience

Mark started his career as a Space Planner where he was responsible for planning office relocations for a major insurance firm. He hasn’t always been a Kitchen Designer. 

At Travis Perkins, we offer the support and training you need to get to your career destination so even if you don’t tick every box on the checklist, don’t hesitate to apply. If you are eager to learn and passionate about what you do, there’s a place for you. 

His design career took off from here and he moved into the kitchen and bathroom industry where he gained 22 years of experience before an opportunity came up at Benchmarx. 

What attracted you to work at Benchmarx? 

“I knew when I walked into Benchmarx for my interview that it was the place I wanted to build my new career.”

There was no doubt in Mark’s mind when he stepped into Benchmarx and met the team that it was the right working environment for him. 

We pride ourselves on having a supportive and inclusive culture here at the Travis Perkins Group. Whether it is supporting you professionally or supporting your well-being, we will be there for you. 

What do you enjoy most about working at Benchmarx? 

“I know how competitive the market has become over time and that’s why closing the sale still provides a great feeling, even after all these years.”

Mark is confident that when our customers come to us they are getting an exceptional, all-around package, including the design, price and most importantly the service. And this belief in our company is just one of the reasons that Mark has excelled at Benchmarx. 

In fact, just within six months of working with us and building strong relationships with our customers, he was given the opportunity to progress to an Assistant Branch Manager.

What makes Benchmarx different from other companies? 

“One major benefit of working at Benchmarx is progression is encouraged.”

Mark has experienced first-hand how we encourage our colleagues to take on more responsibility so we can progress to the next level. He also credits his “fantastic team” who have been instrumental in helping throughout his journey. 

A great work-life balance is how our employees are able to come into work every day feeling refreshed and engaged. 

What does a typical day look like?

I usually go through my emails, respond to customer queries about changes to plans, and confirm appointments for the day. I’ll then visit customers’ homes and then return to the branch and plan their designs. 

When he has a spare minute, Mark supports his colleagues with counter sales, taking phone calls and lending a hand in the warehouse.

Any advice for someone considering a career at Benchmarx? 

“You must show a willingness to learn and develop your skills.”

These are some wise words of advice to anyone thinking of joining Benchmarx as a Kitchen Designer. 

Mark’s final words are that anyone can carve out a really rewarding job for themselves at Benchmarx, with a lot of perks, provided they are willing to put the effort in.

Come and be a part of something great at Benchmarx

Are you interested in knowing what it’s like to work at an industry-leading company? With over 180 branches in the UK, we can offer you a wide array of opportunities across our branches and showrooms and we’re always looking for people with different skill sets and backgrounds.

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