In the fourth of our “5 Questions with..” series, we sit down with Ben Powell, Business Development Manager at Gill Instruments to discover what excites him most about his role, where he sees the industry heading to, and the long lasting impression his mentor had on him.
Q.1 – What excites you most about Gill and your role here?
From the moment I joined Gill, I felt a strong sense of togetherness. The company is driven by its people and the pride they take in their roles. What impressed me most is that every sensor is hand-assembled at our Lymington facility, ensuring exceptional quality and demonstrating our commitment to delivering the best anemometers.
For me, the most rewarding part of sales is guiding new customers from concept to final application on new projects such as Anemoi and DC21, while also securing key tenders.
Q.2 – You’ve been in this industry for many years – what keeps it interesting for you?
The constant evolution of the industry keeps me interested. I’ve always been drawn to electronics, driven by a nerdy curiosity to understand how things work. I also have a deep admiration for the brilliant minds behind the machines and ideas that shape our everyday lives.
Q.3 – How do you see the industry changing in the next five years?
I believe AI will play an increasingly significant role in our industry as well as many others. Its rapid progression suggests that, within just a few years I see more processes becoming automated. I also see continuous innovation as essential part of staying ahead of the competition.
Q.4 – Who has inspired you the most in your career, and what did you learn from them?
At the age of 20, I made the leap from working as a warehouse operative to becoming a trainee aircraft systems tester. It was a daunting step, but I was fortunate to be mentored by John, an ex-RAF engineer. He was highly intelligent yet patient, and he never believed in cutting corners. His mantra was that every job should be done to the very best of your abilities. John was also unafraid to challenge ideas and share his honest opinions. Under his guidance, I not only learned the fundamentals of Radio Frequency electronics but also absorbed the strong work ethic that continues to guide me today.
Q.5 – Tell us something about yourself that might surprise us.
Although I usually wear a suit for work, outside the office I’m a big fan of heavy metal and will always seize an excuse to wear my Iron Maiden t-shirt. I stay active through weight training twice a week, as well as kayaking and mountain biking whenever I can. The outdoors is where I find relaxation, and despite having travelled extensively over the years, the Jurassic coast is my special place, full of great memories with friends and family.
