This month we chat with Geoff Henderson, wholesale business manager at Phillips 66.
“When you make mistakes, make sure you learn from them.”
GEOFF HENDERSON
Please give your career history in 25 words or fewer.
22 years with the company. In this time, I have worked in Supply, Retail, Transport and Unbranded Sales. Promoted to Wholesale Business Manager in 2021.
Describe yourself in 3 words
Open. Purposeful. Good-listener.
What were your childhood / early ambitions?
I wanted to be a Sainsbury’s lorry driver.
Describe your dream job (if you weren’t doing this?)
Travel journalist (does lottery winner count?).
What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t put important tasks off until tomorrow and when you make mistakes, make sure you learn from them.
Share your top tips for business success.
I like to empower everyone to make their own decisions and encourage collaboration. I’m also a great believer in constructive, real-time feedback and having clarity around goals and objectives. A clear sense of purpose is also vital in leading a successful team.
What’s your most recent business achievement of note?
Leading a successful team through a crazy 2022 due to global events. And it’s a challenge that remains – finding solutions whilst navigating a customer-focused path through change.
Tell us your greatest fear
Snakes – I think it comes from watching Indiana Jones when I was a kid!
Which is most important – ambition or talent?
Ambition.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Working with great people and the buzz from winning new business.
Which is the quality that you most admire?
Trust.
What are you most likely to say?
Thank you.
What are you least likely to say?
Leave me alone, I’m not interested.
Describe your perfect day
Summer holiday on the beach or skiing with family and friends. Then socialising in the evening with great company, food and wine.
Do you have a favourite sports team?
Aston Villa – very excited about this upcoming season’s prospects and being back in Europe.
What’s the biggest challenge of our time?
Climate change and ensuring technology/AI is used for good.
Cheese or chocolate?
Both – but not at the same time.
Share your greatest personal achievement
My wonderful family – my wife Liz and our two girls Victoria and Charlotte.
What’s your pet hate or biggest irritant?
Laziness.
If you were on ‘Mastermind’ what would your specialist subject be?
Cars 1990 onwards.
If your 20-year-old self saw you now what would they think?
I would like to think they would be proud of what I have achieved personally and professionally.
What is number 1 on your bucket list?
When I was younger it was always to parachute jump and go travelling in Australia. I have been very lucky to have achieved both of these and would now like to share these experiences with my daughters.
What 3 things would you take to a desert island?
An endless supply of beer as drinking water is essential for survival… Swiss army knife and magnifying glass to start a fire.
Tell us something about you that people would be very surprised by
In May this year I cycled to the Alps with 2 of my mates – We did 500 miles over 5 days.
Who would you most like to ask these questions of?
Shakespeare.
