Have you ever wondered what the industry's influential figures have on their desk? From stylish switch samples to family photos, you can tell a lot about a person by their desk. This is why Voltimum's roving reporter, Frankie Snobel, scoped out the desk of Legrand UK Chief Executive Officer, Tony Greig.
Born and raised in London, Tony is as cosmopolitan as they come. Being half French and half English, he is fluent in both languages and studied at the French Lycée in South Kensington. He then went on to complete his university studies in Birmingham and immediately entered a career in the electrical industry.
“It seems I have been in the electrical industry all my life,” said Tony. “I have developed a genuine passion for it.”
After working few years at Smith’s Industries as a graduate trainee, Tony joined Legrand over 25 years ago as Marketing Manager spearheading the product development team in the then Milton Keynes facility. After a few years, Tony was given the opportunity to work in Toronto, Canada. This is where he met his lovely wife, Christine. From here they moved to Montreal, Canada, where Tony worked as a Sales Manager for the Eastern Seaboard. More travel opportunities presented themselves and Tony then moved just outside of Paris to work as a Sales Director for PVC Cable Management Specialist, Planet Wattohm. From here he travelled “down under”, to Sydney Australia to be exact, where he ran Legrand Minitronics for eight years. Now based in Birmingham, England, Tony is Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for not only Legrand Electric Limited but the entire Legrand Group of companies in the UK. He is also the newly appointed Chairman of Voltimum UK.
“Its fair to say we’ve been through a lot of change in four years,” said Tony about Legrand Electric. “We are still actively looking to expand and reinvest in the UK.”
Tony has great plans to reposition Legrand as a commercial player whilst maintaining positions in both the industrial and residential segments. His goal is to make Legrand Electric a £100 million company in the next five years.
“Every time I read the trade press, I get the ‘Legrand the sleeping giant’ thing – it drives me crazy since it does not convey our customer focus”
And rightfully so, as it seems sleeping is the last thing on Tony and his company’s agenda.
1. Soluflex cable management floor system brochure: Soluflex consists of raised floor tiles and supports that integrate with connection points for power and data. Modern offices and commercial buildings demand flexibility and this brochure points out just some of the great solutions Soluflex has to offer.
2. Customer Promise Document: Legrand is in the midst of working on a document that will provide a new and valued service promise to its customers.
3. Electronic Key Fob: Along with the obvious function of getting Tony into the building , this proximity sensor is a Legrand Group product, manufactured by its specialist door entry systems brand, Bticino.
4. Synergy Wiring Devices – The latest “Hidden Depths” campaign
a) Product Guide featuring Legrand’s Synergy range of wiring devices
b) Samples of the latest additions to the Synergy modern range – matt black and black nickel
5. Synergy Coaster: Made from recycled tyres, these coasters were used at Think ’08, an exhibition to promote sustainable development in the built environment. Legrand was there to exhibit its Soluflex floor system.
6. Mug of Coffee: Tony takes his coffee “black, no sugar, and frequently!”
7. Bticino’s new Polyx Audio Hands Free Unit: This new internal audio unit, which uses two wire technology and features a flashing light to alert the hard of hearing and Braille embossed buttons for the visually impaired, was recently launched at IFSEC.
8. Annual Sales Conference Photo: This photo was taken in Limoges, France at the Legrand Head Office, where his UK sales team had gathered for their 2008 sales conference.
9. Family Photos: “Not the most recent photo of the missus and the kids,” laughed Tony. Tony keeps a photo of his wife, Christine, and two children, Emily and Nicholas, on his desk.
10. Voltimum Website: Legrand is a founder partner of Voltimum, with it’s entire product range published in the Product Catalogue, their latest news and technical articles published on the site, and direct links to their technical experts who answer technical questions online.
11. Blackberry: Along with keeping him in touch for business, it also keeps him up to date with his “beloved Chelsea” – Tony is a long standing supporter of the Blues.
12. Sunglasses: Legrand was a Gold Sponsor at the 2008 ECA Electrical Industry Conference in Marbella. They also sponsored a fabulous BBQ over-looking the sea at the conference. These sunglasses got a lot of use over the bank holiday weekend!
13. Electrak Catalogue: The company who pioneered the distribution of power to workstations has recently joined forces with Legrand. “We are happy to welcome such a great team into the Legrand Group,” said Tony.
14. Understanding the 17th Edition - Consumer units product guide: This helpful guide is free from Legrand and explores its consumer units and how they comply with the 17th Edition.
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