Two PiGs in a Pod

Two PiGs in a Pod - Katie Wilson

In this episode of Two PiGs in a Pod, host George is joined by CiiLOCK Engineering's Katie Wilson.
Katie describes her career in the glazing sector, having spent 18 years in the industry, firstly at Profine and most recently with CiiLOCK after taking a couple of years away from the industry.
She explains how it has changed over her time in the industry, her favourite and least favourite parts of the job, and why she jumps at the chance to go to networking events like PiGs (once she has figured out how to get there that is!).
She also details a local charity she and CiiLOCK works closely with in The Gingerbread Centre in Stoke-on-Trent.
And in the second part of our podcast, Katie takes part in our quick fire question round, explaining her love for scary movies, favourite sports and favourite room in her house.

Two PiGs in a Pod - Craig Barker

In this episode, we speak to Craig Barker, Founder and Director of Koobr, who have recently joined forces with well-known marketing agency for the glazing sector, Balls2 Marketing.
Craig discusses his excitement at creating a combined 'super agency', his first impressions of the glazing sector after attending the PiGs event in Bristol in June, and whether they've changed since completing the merger.
Craig also explains the future plans for the companies, his roles outside of the 9-5 aiming to make a ‘positive difference’ in Derby and the East Midlands, and one key marketing tip for those within the sector to take into 2025.
And Craig of course plays our quick fire question round, answering his favourite thing to do outside of work, top film and movie of all time, and which actor he would want to would play himself in a movie biopic.

Two PiGs in a Pod - Kelly McPhilbin

In this episode, we speak to Kelly McPhilbin, Founder and MD of mini crane hire company, NXGEN Lifting.
Kelly gives us the details on how she ended up in this sector, Googling highest paid jobs after spending 'all her money on horses and ending up eating beans on toast'.
She also discusses her 'overwhelming emotion' at recently winning the Best New Business at the Businesswomen Awards, and how important ceremonies like these are for women in business.
Kelly also explains what it means to be a women within glazing and the wider construction sector, whether she would like to be a role model for other women, and how important it is to have women in senior positions.
Plus, in our quick fire question round, Kelly gives us her go-to breakfast, favourite places to visit, and how she thinks the sector will look in a year's time.

Two PiGs in a Pod - Mark Handley

In this episode, we are joined by Building Our Skills' (BOS) Partnerships Manager, Mark Handley.
Mark describes his route into the glazing sector, which wasn't his preferred route, starting as young as 11 in his dad's factory.
He explains how his career took him from the factory floor, to the office and into a sales and marketing role, before eventually settling in his role at BOS.
In his current role, Mark discusses how BOS is playing a major part in trying to address the skills gap seen in the sector, and how vital it is to speak to school and college kids, alongside teachers and parents, to promote the glazing sector.
He also provides details on the two BOS Careers Festivals that have taken place in 2024, and how that will increase to five in 2025, and how companies from the sector can support them.
Plus, Mark gives his answers to our quick fire question round, answering his favourite TV and movie, favourite place to visit and where he sees BOS heading in five years time. 

Two PiGs in a Pod - Nat Weaver

In this episode, we speak to Ashfen Window and Doors' Director, and soon-to-be Mount Kilimanjaro climber, Nat Weaver.
Nat discusses finding her way into our sector after a 20+ year career within social care, how excited she is to be one of the team climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in a couple of weeks time, and the admiration for both Kelly’s Heroes, and to every person who has donated to her so far.
Plus, in our quick fire question round, Nat tells us about her love for music, including her first and most recent gigs she has attended, and the all important question…her favourite smell.

Two PiGs in a Pod - Nigel Headford

In this episode, we speak to Council for Aluminium in Building (CAB) CEO Nigel Headford.
Nigel discusses how he found his way into the glazing sector, when life could have sent him in a completely different direction and into motorsport!
Plus, Nigel explains his plans as CEO of CAB, how important it is to bring members together, and why the organisation is positioning itself at the forefront when talking about sustainability and a closed loop system for aluminium.
Nigel also takes part in our quick fire question round, including letting us know his favourite car and favourite sport amongst other things

Two PiGs in a Pod - Yasmine Hooson

In this episode, we speak to Yasmine Hooson, who is the Talent Acquisition Partner for systems house, VEKA.
Yasmine discusses what made VEKA stand out as a potential career option, how she promotes the company to people of all ages to get people into the glazing sector, from school children to future employees from other industries, and what transferable skills would be needed to apply for a role at VEKA.
Plus, outside of the '9-5', Yasmine explains how VEKA and its employees play a huge role in the local area of Burnley, working alongside Burnley FC in the Community to connect with locals, such as in its Dementia Cafe.
Yasmine also takes part in our quickfire question round, telling us the last thing she Googled, her hero (sort of!), and her go-to karaoke song.

Two PiGs in a Pod - Andrew & Hayley Charlesworth

In this episode, we speak to Profine Group's Andrew Charlesworth and his wife, and Founder of charity Harry's Pals, Hayley Charlesworth.
We discuss Andrew's career, from being kicked out of the Navy to ending up in the glazing sector and why Hayley decided to set up the charity after finding our their son Harry was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, a a severe form condition that affects all four limbs, the trunk, and the face.
Andrew also explains why he is part of the 16-strong team climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this September, what the funds raised will help do, and what he is most (and least!) looking forward to.
Plus in our quickfire question round, we also find out both our guests' first ever gigs, best places to visit and favourite things to do outside of work..

Two PiGs in a Pod - Nickie West

In this episode, host George Lewis speaks to Montgomery Group MD and FIT Show Director, Nickie West.
Nickie discusses how she first got involved with exhibitions within the glazing sector, how the FIT Show has grown over the years and how she feels the industry looks from her perspective.
Plus, with tickets about to go on sale and the first batch of keynote speakers announced for the GLASS Conference at the FIT Show's spiritual home in Telford, Nickie explains why the 16-17 October should be firmly in the diary of the whole supply chain.

Two PiGs in a Pod - Guy Hobson

In this episode, we speak to Guy Hobson of recruitment company Chase Taylor, who specialise in recruiting into the glazing sector.
Guy discusses how he ended up in the window and door industry after a first taste of it working for Homebase of all places, how he ‘sells’ the sector to potential new entrants and how important the socialising aspect of events like PiGs is for him and the Chase Taylor team.
Plus, outside of work, Guy explains how he is ‘ruled’ by his two daughters, his first ever gig and where in the world he would take PiGs if he could.