As DBE – Dynamics Business Excellence celebrates the opening of its sixth office in London (following on from Biel, Lyon, Geneva, Grenoble and Paris), we had the great pleasure of catching up with Andrew Mackin, our dedicated Country Manager in the UK. With a rich and varied background ranging from the textile industry to the cutting edge of technology, Andrew shares with us his vision, challenges and aspirations for DBE in the UK.

In this interview, Andrew talks about his impressive career path, his transition into the IT sector and his key role in the expansion of DBE. With his multicultural approach and international experience, he is ready to take on the challenges of the UK market and establish DBE’s unique signature of innovation and excellence.

Of course, with pleasure. Raised in small town, close to the city of Bradford, historically tied to the textile (wool & mohair) industry, in northern England with English & Italians parents, giving a great international family base.  Started working in the textile industry, in accounts & production, taking on, the role of mill/production manager and then coupling this as IT manager.

The managing director and owner of that company, still remains a close contact and I would like to say friend, gave me advice and the confidence that great ambitions could be achieved with hard work, honesty and integrity.

A marriage, a house, birth of my children, and then a “small” move to an IT company, who actually supplied services for the textile company and was then acquired by a large international textile company, put a boost into my life & my career.

Next ‘large’ step, was moving to France in the year 2000 as IT director of the computer division of the textile group.  My international projects started to grow, with projects for the subsidiaries in South Africa & Turkey.

Next step “life changing” was a move to an IT integrator deploying a Microsoft system, that I had not heard of before, called “Navision”.  Multiple international projects across the world (in every continent apart from Antartica!). Different cultures, different people – all different, all wonderful.

Budgets, training, coordination & price negotiations were, as always, to be generated, reworked, discussed, explained – to all levels of management.

Many contacts that I made over the years, I now consider friends, also provided me with a fresh incentive to push ahead with my career ambitions, at the same time assisting others when I could with advice and assistance for their lives & careers

I worked in IT direction, as well as experiencing hands-on project management/direction & technical development – giving an insight into the amazing work done by my colleagues.

During this new phase in my working career, I met many amazing people, and I had, as many others, some changes (planned & unplanned) in my personal life, pushing me to reflect on many point.  Following this and linked to personal ambitions, three years ago, it was my extreme pleasure to have been presented with an amazing opportunity to work with a new company (and help in it’s future), founded by some very close friends & colleagues.

• Opening/developing the customer base (expanding on what we have, and the DBE expertise)
• Ensure that we meet/match the values of DBE with new and existing customers, of course this is also linked to the customer needs, and fiscal & legal rules
• In the near future, taking on extra staff, in order to support & continue the London client base, but with a vision of also expanding north (my UK roots!)
• Checking & maintaining forecasts & budgets together with the other shareholders & directors
• Working together with the marketing team for campaigns, image & sales strategies (UK + DBE Group)

• Multicultural career background

• Multicultural personal life

• Ease of speaking & communicating at all levels

• Multilingual (that is a base modern requirement now in many companies)

• Existing customer base in London

• Existing friends, family and many professional contacts in London,

• A great appreciation of fish & chips, beer & all things English

• A sense of humour, and also knowing when this can be used

All of the above. The opportunity to assist DBE (group + my DBE friends/colleagues) in it’s expansion & success.

• Extremely honoured and happy

• Very excited for the challenge

• A wonderful feeling of recognition, confidence & respect from my colleagues & friends in DBE

• A great achievement

• Success and just the start

Exhilarated

• Administration : this is the same all over the world

• Location (location location)

• Handing over existing projects to colleagues to invest the correct time & input for DBE UK

• New customer

• Invoicing

• Communication (I know that’s three)

• DBE’s corporate culture matches the values that I have, and also the UK market

• Diversity, Inclusion – not just in words, but ensuing this in actions/reality (workforce, customer base)

• To provide high value personalised services to customers, whilst adhering to the DBE values
• Propose & implement connected & innovative solutions to the customers
• Local touch, but with a plethora of expertise to draw on from DBE France & DBE Switzerland

• Company (group) size = personal touch

• The majority of consultants, Project Managers & managers have 20+ years of experience in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (previously NAV, NAVISION)

• Close link to ambassadors for diversity (watch this space!)

• Me 😊

• Initial visit to see existing customers; a new customer, a potential new customer (group) and a new partner.

• Web site to be updated

• Word of mouth – customers, colleagues, family (within their professional circles), friends

• LinkedIn & Social media to update – this is a priority for our “DBE is here” message

Initially Fashion & Hotel : London

Others of course : London

Textiles in the future : Midlands/North

• Several new customers
• Invoicing group UK clients via DBE UK (then intercompany internally)
• Staffing (hire financial consultant/s)

• Have a good base in London with Fashion & Hotel
• Several people in consulting team
• New office in the Midlands / North (Leicester / Leeds/Manchester)

A prerequisite for our business and future success. It’s a constant evolution: We need to work with our customers, but at the same time we need to inspire and enthuse our customers with innovations integrated into BC products. Showcase of innovations with customers (and/or partners)

One major evolution is actually linked to existing “on prem” installations. The move to cloud is accelerating, and we can be in place to assist.

Services & innovation : how to faster & easier

Signing of a partnership with a major group for their UK deployments.

• Pledging to ensure diversity in the workforce
• Sponsor diversity programs
• Staffing

Research the market, speak to customers, project the costs and check the competition.

Project implementation with a “real” human touch. Innovative solutions together with a professional, friendly, approachable & honest business partnership.

That I’ve been able to participate in the success of the DBE group, with the help of my friends & colleagues.