In the tenth instalment of our “5 Questions with..” series (and the final one for 2025), we speak with Steve Storey, Business systems solutions Manager at Gill. We ask him, what still excites him about his role after 10 years at Gill, how he sees the future and about his amazing work as a fostering Cat Dad.
Q.1 – What excites you most about Gill and your role here?
Gill is a truly global business, working at the cutting edge of its market, and that’s reflected in the products we develop, the projects we take on, and the technology we invest in. I joined Gill 10 years ago and have had the opportunity to grow and evolve alongside the company.
I started out in manufacturing engineering and have since moved into the role of Business Systems Solutions Manager, where I’m responsible for our key business systems. That role allows me to support some really exciting changes across both manufacturing and customer management, and to be involved in the full end-to-end journey, from understanding customer requirements through to fulfilment.
Q.2 – You’ve been in this industry for many years – what keeps it interesting for you?
Gill is a business that’s always moving forward through change, innovation, and evolution. The global market and the electronics manufacturing industry are constantly shifting, with customer expectations and technology continuing to advance. That means there’s always a new challenge to tackle, an opportunity to improve, or an issue to resolve. Some are straightforward, while others are far more complex and really draw on my experience, knowledge, and problem-solving skills.
Q.3 – How do you see the industry changing in the next five years?
Customer demand is moving towards greater functionality, higher accuracy, and easier communication, all while expecting smaller form factors, lower costs, and simpler installation and operation. At the same time, we’re seeing expansion into new applications and environments, alongside the growing influence of AI, which will really push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of design and deployment.
Supporting that shift will be a key challenge for Gill, but as a business that’s determined to stay ahead of the competition and at the forefront of the industry, it’s one I’m very confident we’ll meet.
Q.4 – Who has inspired you the most in your career, and what did you learn from them?
In a previous company I was lucky enough to work alongside an Operations Director who had a very honest, straightforward, and direct style. He always made time for everyone, no problem or issue was too small and his advice or guidance was always designed to empower the individual and help them develop.
As a result, I always knew where I stood, came away each time far better equipped to understand and resolve problems whilst really understanding the benefits of working as a team but also never being afraid to ask for support.
Q.5 – Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.
Something that might surprise people is that, alongside my wife, I’ve become a bit of a crazy cat person. We currently have three cats of our own and also provide temporary foster care for cats and kittens through a local charity. So far, we’ve helped rehome more than 50 cats and kittens.
We’re taking a short break from fostering at the moment to focus on supporting our two teenage children through their GCSEs and A-levels. Outside of home life, I also volunteer my time running one of the sections and supporting the wider local Scout group. Both are a great way for me to switch off and decompress from work.
