Press Release Tag

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ashleigh Stables as our new Digital Marketing Assistant here at QED! This is an exciting role as we aim to strengthen and develop our marketing through creative social media campaigns, website improvement, quality in-depth articles, eMarketing and so much more.

Marketing is very much at the heart of what we do. It’s a way for us to showcase our QED brand, give you a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes, let’s us interact with you; our customers, showcase our products, and most importantly, let’s us share with you the great achievements of the fantastic team we have.

Ashleigh has over 5 years’ experience working in the Digital Marketing industry. She started her journey in 2017, as a content writer working at a fast-based digital marketing agency, before joining the marketing team at an award-winning crafting company where she extended her social media, content, and website knowledge.

Ashleigh has helped numerous businesses in and around Preston with their content and social channels, using her creativity and conducting intense research to help them build a strong brand presence and grow in their respective fields.

We’re really excited to see how her vast expertise will help our brand and company grow in the right direction.

Catherine Seddon, Marketing Manager, said:

“Ashleigh is the perfect addition to our marketing team. Her skills and knowledge of marketing are just what we are looking for to help us continue to grow and develop the fantastic relationships we have with our customers. The QED brand is all about good people and working in partnership with customers and suppliers, so we can succeed together. Her bubbly personality and driven attitude are what stood out to me, and I knew she had what we wanted to bring to the team.

Ashleigh is keen to help us succeed and is determined to showcase what QED is to a bigger audience. I have no doubts Ashleigh will help us reach our goals and continue to push us to a new level of success. I’m really excited to start working together and see her excel in the new chapter of her marketing career.’’

Ashleigh Stables, Digital Marketing Assistant, said:

“I’m really looking forward to starting this new challenge at QED. We already have so many exciting ideas and plans we can’t wait to bring to life and elevate the already amazing success this company has achieved. Even though I’ve worked in the marketing world for many years, working in the security industry is incredibly new to me, but I’m delighted to showcase my creativity in a brand-new way.

Working closely with customers and suppliers is what helps us create quality marketing campaigns, and I can’t wait to begin building the great relationships with our customers. When I saw the opportunity to join such an incredible team, I didn’t think twice. Thank you to Catherine for bringing me onboard, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2023.’’

Welcome to the QED family Ashleigh!

If you would like to find out more about QED, come and get in touch with our team today or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for daily updates.

We have a fantastic success story to share with you here at QED. We are so happy to announce the appointment of Michael Hooley in the role of Junior Account Manager! This is a role we were looking forward to fill, and we wanted to find the perfect addition to our sales team to help the company achieve its ambitions and sales growth.

For the first time, we worked with Chorley Jobcentre Plus to help us on our search. This is when they introduced us to Michael. Although Michael had never worked within sales before, we loved everything they were telling us about him, so much so we wanted to meet him to find out more and introduce him to what we do here at QED.

From the very beginning, we knew Michael had all the attributes we wanted to fulfil the role, and immediately after the interview at Jobcentre Plus, we offered him the position of Junior Account Manager!

Working with good people is important to us here at QED, and we knew we had found a great person in Michael.

On his appointment, Michael said:

‘’I couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter in my career. Coming from a background of working in retail, sales is a brand-new industry to me, but I’m looking forward to bringing my skills and knowledge to this new role and showcase what I can do.’’

‘’When learning about QED, I started to understand their vision for the future and how much they truly value their employees; I instantly wanted to find out more! I can’t thank Ian and the team at Chorley Jobcentre Plus enough for helping to make this opportunity turn into a career for me.’’

From day one, Michael has showed why we wanted him to join the QED family. His personality shines through and he’s already impressing us with how quickly he is learning everything about our customers. His determination and success are great to see – he’s a natural!

QED’s Sales Director, Ian Garden said:

“When I interviewed Michael, I was immediately impressed with his bubbly personality and the confidence he resonated. These are characteristics I look for in our sales team and I knew he would bring something special to QED. Building exceptional relationships with our customers is a core value for us, and I knew Michael had that special trait.’’

’At QED, our ethos is ‘Good People’, and I knew I had found the perfect individual to help drive the company in the direction we envision. I look forward to seeing the high level of success Michael will bring to his role.’’

‘’I would like to thank you to the team at Chorley Jobcentre Plus, especially Sue, who helped to organise our meeting and interview with Michael. You are instrumental in this wonderful hiring success story.’’

On the success of Michael’s appointment, Work Coach at Jobcentre Plus, Sue Wheeler, said:

“As a Work Coach, I recognise that each customer is unique, with their own set of skills and experiences. With this in mind, I tailor my support to reflect this and help them get the job. Once a customer starts work, the support continues, and I do all that I can to make sure that the job is sustainable in the longer term. It is always great to hear when a customer does well and thrives in their new role and Michael is no exception to this.”

The team at Jobcentre Plus went above and beyond throughout this hiring process. Not only did they help Michael secure the interview for the role (and help us fill the role), but they also ensured Michael had enough transportation funds, which is why they agreed to pay for his travel to and from the office for the first month of his employment.

This incredible gesture showcases the effort the team at Chorley Jobcentre Plus adhere to and the support they show each of their customers. This elevated Michael’s confidence and appreciation to the help he has received in his new chapter. Welcome to the QED family Michael!

If you would like to find out more about QED, come and get in touch with our team today.

We are absolutely delighted to announce the appointment of Daniel Jones in the role of Business Development Manager here at QED. This is an exciting time for Dan to join our fantastic sales team as we continue to develop and build a strong network of customers.

Daniel has over 20 years’ experience working in sales and already has a vast array of knowledge within the security industry. We’re really looking forward to what he can bring to the team.

On his appointment, Daniel, pictured above, said:

‘’I’m really looking forward to hitting the ground running at QED. When the opportunity arose, I couldn’t wait to join the team and bring my sales expertise to help the company grow in the right direction. Working in sales for over 20 years, I’ve built strong relationships with my customers, they’re at the core of everything I do, which is the ethos of QED. Working for this incredible company is the perfect fit for me, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this team.’’

QED’s Sales Director, Ian Garden said:

“This is a really exciting time for Daniel to join QED. We’re growing in the right direction and he is the perfect addition to the sales team to help us achieve our goals. I’ve worked with Daniel before in a previous sales role, so I’ve seen first-hand what he can achieve with his hard work and dedication. Daniel always goes above and beyond to help his customers, which is exactly the culture we have built here at QED. Sharing the same company values and visons is important to us, and I have no doubts Daniel will achieve nothing short of greatness within his role.’’

Our team consists of highly professional members of staff with years of technical experience in analogue CCTV, IP CCTV, audio, cabling infrastructure, fibre, networking and much more. Give us a call, we’d love to talk to you.

Contact: Catherine Seddon, Marketing and Comms Manager, QED Ltd. Contact Tel: 01772 336111 or email catherines@qedgroup.co.uk

About QED

Quality Essential Distribution was established 1997 and we have grown from strength to strength.

A security distributor that offers fast and effective solutions for the security and safety of people and property. We are approved distributors of a variety of product ranges including CCTV, access control management, network infrastructure, heat tracking and hygiene control systems, switches, cable, data cabinets and more. QED Group can be found online at www.qedgroup.co.uk

We are delighted to officially announce the internal promotion of Rhys Jones to Sales Manager and the new appointment of Lesley Tollan as Sales Account Manager.

Rhys joined QED as an Account Manager in 2018 and since then has developed a strong network of customers and built up a vast amount of product knowledge which is invaluable in this business.

After the promotion, Rhys said:

“I’m delighted to be progressing to the next stage in my career in the new era of the QED family. I am delighted the company has recognised me for my hard work and dedication and taken the opportunity to promote from within. Personally, this is something that’s important to me and my development. As a business we are going from strength to strength and our customers remain at the core of everything we do”.

One of his first priorities was to look at what the business needed and Rhys immediately hit the ground running by recruiting Lesley Tollan to the position of Sales Account Manager. Rhys said, “Lesley’s background in IT distribution is ideal for this industry and when you combine this with her proven key account management experience it is a perfect fit.”

Lesley said:

“After working for a large IT distributor for several years I was looking for a company whose values reflect my own. QED’s ethos of ‘Good People’ to me conveys the image of teamwork and caring for their customers and that was exactly the culture I wanted to be involved in. I have found QED to be exactly what I envisioned and more so! I am extremely happy to join such a great team.”

QED’s Sales Director, Ian Garden said:

“It’s so rewarding promoting people from within the QED team. Rhys has shown his quality and determination since joining and more importantly he shares the same company vision and has a natural flair with customers. Lesley has shown a real “can do” attitude and a thirst for learning. I have no doubt she will become an integral part of the team.”

New Sales Director at Quality Essential Distribution

We are delighted to announce the internal promotion of Ian Garden to Sales Director. Ian joined the company nearly three years ago now as our Sales Manager. Throughout the last year, he’s played a key role in building a strong sales team and contributing to the wider growth of the business.

Matt Philp, our Managing Director said,

“Ian is a vital member of the team and has proven to be a strategic Sales Manager. Hand in hand with his drive and enthusiasm, Ian will help us achieve the ambitious sales growth we are targeting, supported by the strong team here at QED”.

Commenting on his new position, Ian said,

“This opportunity comes at an exciting time for QED. We have an excellent product range and my strategy is to focus on putting customers first. It’s so important to listen to our customers and ensure they receive the best possible service.”

At Quality Essential Distribution, we offer a wide range of security products and pride ourselves on offering the best solution to suit any size installation. We recently announced plans to consolidate our supplier chain and fine tune our product offering to better suit the needs of the ever-changing security market.

Quality Essential Distribution announces owners’ retirement.

Today, we are communicating news regarding the restructuring of QED’s Operating Board and we wanted the security industry, including suppliers and customer to be amongst the first to hear this news.
QED is announcing the planned retirement of its owners David Arrowsmith and Ian Smith who set up the business in 1997.

Whilst the owners will retire with effect from 30 June 2021, they will retain ownership of the company. The retirement from the day-to-day operations marks the commencement of a planned succession, which will see QED’s current MD, Matt Philp taking overall operational and management responsibilities.

As part of this restructure, the new strategic team will include Ian Garden, Sales Manager, Catherine Seddon, Marketing Manager, Andrew Judge, Finance Manager, Hannah Whittle, Operations Manager and Steve Constantine, Product Development Director.

This team will allow QED to be more agile, whilst focusing on the most important areas of strategy and operational delivery.

The coming weeks and months will also see further changes to structures and positions throughout the company as QED looks to position itself as strongly as possible for the future.

A note from David Arrowsmith and Ian Smith:

“In the last 20 plus years we have seen the business grow from strength to strength, weathering some difficult times and we have never been so grateful to our team who, responding to the recent unprecedented events, transformed and changed our company in just a few months to meet the challenges we all faced. Our colleagues adapted, changed and moved mountains and we will be forever grateful.

We believe that QED’s overall strategy remains even more relevant now than ever before and will provide clear focus and direction for the years to come. We have also learned over the past 5 months that certain elements of the strategy will now need to be delivered much more rapidly than originally envisaged, including the review of our structure, along with accelerating our plans for the future running of the business. I’m delighted that we have been able to appoint Matt Philp to the role of MD, who alongside the new strategic team will lead QED into a new era.

Thank you to all of our loyal customers and suppliers for their continued help and support as we continue to secure a long-lasting and sustainable future for QED.”

Joel is promoted internally from Warehouse to Purchasing

Quality Essential Distribution is focused on providing the best customer experience by continuing to streamline business operations and invest in training and development within the team. This follows the promotion of Matt Philp to Managing Director back in October 2020.

Matt said, “we believe knowledge and sharing business experience is so important to the success of any team; it helps expand product knowledge which is ultimately of benefit to all our customers. We’re also proud to support apprenticeships and reward and promote staff who continue to learn and contribute to the success of the business”.

After joining the business in 2016 and completing an apprenticeship, Joel has been internally promoted to Purchasing and Customer Services Assistant.

Joel said, “I enjoyed my time in the warehouse and always wanted to do more. The company really encouraged me and have supported me in gaining more qualifications and office experience. I’m thrilled to take on this new role and to see where it will take me in the business.”

Supporting young workers amid the pandemic

Over 14 percent of people aged 16 to 24 were unemployed in the United Kingdom in the three months to January 2021: the highest of any age group. In the past 6 months, QED has brought in two new young recruits: Iasmina who joined in October to support sales and Brandon who will be working in the warehouse.

Brandon, took on the role of Warehouse Assistant following Joel’s promotion.

Brandon said, “I’ve always been a hands-on person who likes keeping actively busy. This role couldn’t have suited me better. The team have been really welcoming and friendly and I can’t wait to learn more from them.”

Quality Essential Distribution is also expanding the sales team, launching a new website and introducing a new online shop which will improve the online experience.

Quality Essential Distribution (QED) has always been huge advocates for earning whilst learning.

Matt Philp, Managing Director, QED, said: “We’re strong believers that young people who choose a different path to university are just as capable, and rooted deep in our business values is supporting young people to excel not only in their area of study, but in life. In fact, a lot of our young workforce began their journey with us as apprentices: each now on their own paths, thriving in their own amazing way!”

Meet Olivia for National Apprenticeship Week

As the writer of this article, I’d like to take a moment to shine light on the incredible support QED have offered me over the past 4 years. In January 2017, I started the business as a Marketing Apprentice after studying A-Levels. From the get-go, QED trusted me in my role. They gave me responsibility over the social media channels, editorial writing, the blog, video editing, digital design – they let my creativity run wild with no leash. This is the sort of trust young people need in business: the opportunity to showcase what skills and talents they can truly bring to a business, propped up by the business’s unending support and willingness to help us apprentices learn.

In August 2018, I made the decision to return to University full time to take on the challenge of self-employment. Even after my apprenticeship, QED were like my second family. They supported me, offered self-employment advice and asked if I’d like to work flexibly for them once a week alongside my studies!

Fast forward to the present day–February 2021–and the company remains a huge cheerleader for my future aspirations and goals. Makeup artist, blogger, writer, marketeer–whatever career I decide, QED are always there supporting me. I know for sure that this support is the main reason I’ve just accepted a full-time role with them for after University.

Let’s meet our other members of staff that started their journey’s as apprentices…

Meet Jack for National Apprenticeship Week

“I study BSc Digital and Technology Solutions at the University of Central Lancashire. This degree covers a variety of topics within Technology as an industry but focuses specifically on Systems Analysis and Design, Programming and Databases.

At QED, I use these skills to better develop internal systems for more efficient business processes. I design and create bespoke software solutions within QED’s ERP system and create business analysis and reports from QED’s extensive database.

QED have helped me acquire the skills I need to develop as a businessperson and supported me throughout my degree apprentice journey; offering plentiful advice from project ideas to applying academic knowledge in the real world.”

Meet Iasmina for National Apprenticeship Week

“Ever since childhood, I have always been a hands-on person, with the thought of sitting down for hours on end never appealing to me. However, I looked into apprenticeships at Preston College and knew immediately this provided everything I wanted in terms of education blended with hands-on learning.

I did try college for a year. I just knew it wasn’t for me; even though I tried really hard to endure it. What made things worse for me was lockdown, however, I do believe this helped me realise sitting for hours doing online lessons just wasn’t right for me. So, I left college and began my hunt for an apprenticeship, knowing full well that’s what I wished to do!

QED have helped me in many aspects such as adapting into adult life after education, evolving my communication skills and encouraging me to come out of my shell and meet new people. It takes me a while to get out of my shy stage but working at QED has already started to bring out the best of my bubbly personality.”

Meet Joel for National Apprenticeship Week

“University was never something that interested me; so, I started at QED as a Sales Administrator Apprentice in 2016. I wanted to work and having the opportunity to learn simultaneously alongside work was the perfect opportunity for me.

I may have started my career at QED in Sales, but their constant support and encouragement when it came to discovering what I love most allowed me to find my feet in the Warehouse team where I am now a full-time Warehouse assistant. I’m big on progression; continuing to learn about warehouse operations and logistics. I’m currently a part of updating the bar-coding system in the warehouse which will help streamline our operations, improve efficiency and benefit the customer massively.”

Contact:

Catherine Seddon, Marketing and Comms Manager, QED Ltd. Contact Tel: 01772 336111 or email catherines@qedgroup.co.uk

About QED

Quality Essential Distribution was established 1997 and we have grown from strength to strength.

QED Group can be found online at https://qedgroup.co.uk

New Digital Marketing Assistant Appointed at QED!

Our Hiring Success Story With Chorley Jobcentre Plus

New Business Development Manager Appointed at Quality Essential Distribution

New Sales Manager and Account Manager at Quality Essential Distribution

We are delighted to officially announce the internal promotion of Rhys Jones to Sales Manager and the new appointment of Lesley Tollan as Sales Account Manager.

Ian Garden Promoted to Sales Director

New Sales Director at Quality Essential Distribution

Quality Essential Distribution announces owners’ retirement.

Quality Essential Distribution announces owners’ retirement.

New starters: internal promotions and supporting young workers

Joel is promoted internally from Warehouse to Purchasing

Supporting young workers amid the pandemic

National Apprenticeship Week – hear from QED’s Apprentices

Meet Olivia for National Apprenticeship Week

Meet Jack for National Apprenticeship Week

Meet Iasmina for National Apprenticeship Week

Meet Joel for National Apprenticeship Week

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