Getting to know Denis Taylor
Having recently been promoted to team leader in the casting and refining department, Midland Lead’s Denis Taylor has worked his way up the ranks since joining the company in 2004. We caught up with Denis to ask him more about his role in the manufacturing plant, as well as delve into his favourite hobby – fishing. Read on to discover his dream fishing destination, as well as his ambitions to catch one of the ocean’s most elusive and powerful fish…
What role were you doing before joining Midland Lead?
“Before Midland Lead, I worked as a ganger, which is basically a road works team supervisor. I was responsible for drainage infrastructure works on the motorway.”
Why did you decide to join the team at Midland Lead?
“I’d actually worked at Midland Lead 30 years ago for around five years. I really enjoyed it, so when the motorway project was complete, I decided to enquire about roles at Midland Lead. They welcomed me back with open arms – and that was 13 years ago now!”
What does your role involve?
“I’m in charge of the kettles, casting and cutting areas, so it’s quite a big job. In April this year, I also started the Team Leader programme. The new role sees me head up a team of 20, ensuring they have everything they need to do their job. I’m also in charge of relaying any team concerns back to management.”
How would your colleagues describe you?
“I get on well with everyone, so I think they’d say I’m easy going, fair and a good listener.”
What advice would you give to someone interested in a career in the manufacturing industry?
“My advice would be to go for it. It’s a great industry to work in, with really friendly people. I’ve found it’s also very stable work, with lots of opportunity for progression. Midland Lead in particular is known for being very loyal and offering longstanding jobs.”
What do you like doing out of work?
“I’m very much into my fishing. I also play darts, squash and badminton, and am a Derby County fan, for my sins!”
What’s the number one thing on your bucket list?
“I’d love to go deep sea fishing one day. I mostly catch cod here in the UK, but it’d be great to have the opportunity to catch something bigger like marlin, which are very hard to fish due to their size, power and relative rareness.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
“Definitely Canada. I have friends that moved there when I was 19, and I’ve always wanted to visit them! I also think the fishing would be fantastic there.”
If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, what would it be?
“I’d love to be part of one of Dan Brown’s stories. The mystery-detective novel The Da Vinci Code is one of my favourites, and I also love the book’s film adaptation, directed by Ron Howard.”
Tell us something not many people know about you.
“If I had millions of pounds, I’d work on a farm for free. Either arable or cattle, it wouldn’t matter, I just love the idea of working outside all day.”
