Meet the Expert: Julie Fisher Regional Sales Manager

Julie Fisher is a Regional Sales Manager and industry specialist within our Scotland team. Here she shares her journey to Close Brothers and the favourite part of her role.

Tell us about your role and your current responsibilities…

My current role with Close Brothers predominantly involves helping Showmen all over the UK by providing bespoke packages that suit their needs to purchase their fairgrounds rides, kiosks and transport. The Showmen community prefer a personalised relationship where long-term trust is built, which is something Close Brothers can provide. Many customers are part of family operations which have been established for many decades and in which several different generations are still involved in running the business.

In this role I have learnt a lot about the close knit and supportive Showmen community and gained knowledge about their business, opportunities and growth. I have been able to assist with the difficult times which lockdowns have brought to the industry and have also been able to learn about the history of the Showmen’s Guild which was founded in 1889.

What was your journey to Close Brothers?

Before I joined Close Brothers, I was in the Royal Air Force for 12 years, an incredibly significant period of my life which I thoroughly enjoyed and enabled me to travel to and live in Cyprus and the Ascension Islands. In the RAF I formed lifelong friendships and gained skills and confidence which have helped me take on new challenges ever since.

When I left the RAF, I did some temporary work which led me to Close Brothers. I had never worked in finance before and started at the Glasgow Office in an administrative role, I then transferred to Business Development, then to Area Sales Manager and now I am a Regional Sales Manager.

Since joining Close Brothers, I have never looked back and have been grateful for the opportunities to enhance my career and for being part of such an excellent, friendly team in Glasgow.

What is it about working for Close Brothers that is different?

I think working for Close Brothers gives you lots of experience in many different sectors. Prior to dealing with the Showmen community, I dealt with various large and small businesses including hauliers, coach companies, taxi companies and manufacturing firms which widened my knowledge of the finance sector. The diversity and challenges always make the job more interesting.

What’s your favourite part of your role?

The favourite part of my role is going out to meet customers and ensuring the finance package suits their requirements. The Showmen’s business can be very seasonal, so it is important to get the structure of their finance packages right from the start.

Give us an example of how you’ve helped a customer…

During the pandemic one, particular customer would have lost their business if we hadn’t managed to restructure their deals with a suitable payment profile until they were operating again. Business was effectively wiped out due to COVID-19 with cancelled fairs and events. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the only family business put in this position, but others did manage to secure other jobs to bring in some income. I am pleased to say that all of my customers’ businesses survived those unprecedented times.

Tell us one thing people may not know about you…

In my teens I was Majorette Champion of Great Britain in various individual and team events but my proudest achievement was the double baton solo.