Colleague Spotlight: Tog Isaacs, BFC Sales Director

This week, we celebrate the incredible 40th anniversary of Tog’s career within the fastener industry. Read below for Tog’s in-depth reflection on his outstanding professional journey and wider hobbies.

What is your role at The Tibbetts Group?

“As the Sales Director of the BFC division at The Tibbetts Group, I focus on keeping sales operations moving forward to ensure our sustainable growth and first-class support for our valued customers around the world.”

How long have you worked at The Tibbetts Group?

“I’ve enjoyed nearly two-and-a-half years at BFC, since joining in January 2023.”

What is your favourite aspect of your role?

“I thrive on maintaining lasting relationships with our customers. Those interactions, especially face-to-face conversations, are the moments which make my role so rewarding.

“My career has been deeply rooted in the automotive sector, although many major European car manufacturers are no longer based in the UK. I frequently travel – particularly to Germany – to engage with our tier-one automotive supply base. With many of these companies having satellite divisions across Europe, I greatly enjoy the opportunity to visit different locations and strengthen those business connections.”

Are there any significant projects which you are currently working on?

“Yes, one of our larger tier-one automotive customers is currently embarking on a supplier base rationalisation programme, so we’re helping them to reduce their number of suppliers by offering competitive pricing on a variety of parts. As a result, we’re looking forward to providing them with additional support to achieve their goals.”

What are your future projects or goals?

“We’re going to expand our approach to supply base rationalisation by bringing that same customer support strategy to more of our automotive and industrial partners.

“With the recent arrival of our new Internal Sales Manager, I’ll have more freedom to focus on this as my primary day-to-day responsibility.”

Forty years ago, what encouraged you to enter the fastener industry as a career?

“Back in 1985, after I finished my A Levels, a family friend owned a business called Holbruck Fasteners and was recruiting a van driver. I landed the role, which was meant to be short-term before university, and I enjoyed my first taste of the working world under the guidance of my first-ever line manager, Paul Caswell.

“Back then, I had the pleasure of working alongside Nigel Danks, who now plays a key role in our Redditch warehouse today. I also really enjoyed working with Simon Chase and Gary Wadkin, who are now part of our BFC sales team. It’s been a pleasure to see how our paths have evolved over the years.

“When the summer holidays finished, I enjoyed earning money more than the idea of going to university, so I continued driving the van for another 18 months. Eventually, they saw potential in me as a salesperson. Fast forward 15 years, and I worked my way up to Sales Director.

“I subsequently held senior roles at several companies, such as Global Managing Director at PSM International.

“I joined The Tibbetts Group from my previous role as Jon Bramham – our Group Commercial Director and my biggest customer at the time – headhunted me to come aboard at BFC. That was a real testament to how he saw me as a salesperson. Safe to say, the fastener industry has been my home throughout my entire career.”

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

“I’m a very keen numismatist; a coin collector. I have a passion for coins – collecting new coins issued by the royal mint in collectors’ sleeves. I also enjoy hunting out specific older, English coins.”

Do you follow a sports team?

“I’m very much a rugby person; I’m a very keen follower of the England national team. My family has some involvement with Northampton Saints rugby too, so I go there quite often.

“If I had to choose a football team to support, it would be Chesterfield, which is where my family comes from.”

What is your favourite film or television genre?

“I don’t watch much television, but on the occasions when I watch films, I like classics such as Forrest Gump. I really enjoy comedy films.”

What’s your favourite holiday destination?

“My career has taken me across 60 to 70 countries, and out of them all, Hong Kong remains my favourite destination – not necessarily for a holiday, but for the energy and vibrancy of life there.

“When it comes to getaways, I love visiting France at the end of May, especially rural areas rich in history, scenery, and incredible food. Last summer, my family and I also took a three-week road trip across America, which was a fantastic adventure.

“I’m definitely more of an explorer than a beachgoer; there’s nothing quite like discovering new places and cultures.”