We are really pleased to have Chris on board, who colleagues describe as bringing a ‘breath of fresh air’ to the business.

The first thing you notice about him is that he has definitely got plenty of energy. Of course, the fact that he’s a mad football fan could account for this.

An avid Spurs fan he’s followed them loyally through the highs and lows. However, on further exploration we discover he basically loves any game or sport that involves a ball, and by all accounts is pretty good with whatever you throw at him, regularly playing for his local tennis club and often partaking in other sports too.

As well as being half Spanish, he’s also had a number of claims to fame. Cue, lots of name dropping. Playing football at both Wembley and Highbury stadiums. Playing cricket against and bowling out Justin Langer. Watching Andy Murray win his second Wimbledon.

So what does the sports obsessed, family focussed and generally enjoying all that life has to offer Chris, love most about his job?

He’s a self confessed ‘people person’ and says that “spending time with people and helping them get the right solution is what gives me job satisfaction every day”.

“You just learn so much from talking to people. From all walks of life, I literally learn something new every day and then go home to bore my wife with it”

“This is a great time to join Gregor. Being a part of a family business that puts its customers first is definitely what attracted me to join.

“It’s also a very exciting time in the industry right now. The next generation of heating technology means we have so many more options now available to heat people’s homes.

“Although it’s easy to get lost in all the chatter around the need to save the planet, it’s a very real issue affecting us all and I see my job as helping to meet people’s needs to heat their homes and also do our bit to help to make the world an even better place.”

There we have it. If you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet Chris, there’s a few conversation starters for you. Better get the kettle on!

The post #MeetTheTeam – your friendly boiler engineer, Chris Cox appeared first on Gregor Heating, Electrical & Renewable Energy.

“Of course people have a choice about whether to let us in, or not. But we only come into a property when we are sure the customer is well and happy and always advise them to be in another room while the work is carried out. We always assess the risk and take full precautions.

“The thing that keeps me going is knowing that most people are so grateful and it’s the little things that make a difference that really count.

“When I was on site today I managed to pop into another couple of houses to help a lady, her boiler was making noises and she needed help toping up the boiler pressure. I was also able to give a carer who didn’t have any PPE some mask and gloves. 

“Of course I am as worried as the next person. But my neighbours and mates have been so supportive, offering to pick up shopping and cooking me meals because they know I am working long hours and all of this really helps keep me going.

“It is quite heartening to see how the community is pulling together. Hopefully this won’t last long but while it does we are all just trying to do our bit while we can.”

Darren Parker, service engineer

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Outside of her day job as a customer service administrator in our Service team, Kayty Flanders has an exciting hobby that involves making gifts from feathers.

Hailing from a creative family, her Dad is a specialist oil painter and guilder, Kayty has always been artistic and when a neighbour showed her a lovely feather covered mirror she’d received as a gift, she was inspired to make creations and gifts from feathers she collects.

During hunting season, Kayty, who is a gamekeepers girlfriend, spends her time plucking the feathers from the birds that are caught on the Doddington Estate, close to where she lives. Between September and February the house is full of feathers from pheasants, partridge and some woodcock.

Kayty says: “My neighbour really inspired me to start this hobby and I really enjoy it away from the day to day job. It is so busy in the office that when I come home I can spend quiet time on my own, making something for other people, which is really therapeutic and rewarding.”

The local pub supports her venture by showing pieces on the wall, she’s sold a couple so far, but most of her orders are made to order.

She has decorated mirrors and picture frames, made wreaths and small decorations including mini hearts.

“I am happy to give anything a go”, she says. “A mirror or frame takes a couple of hours to make where as a wreath up to a couple of days, but the most rewarding thing is seeing the pleasure on people’s faces when I hand over their gift.”

You can find out more about Kayty’s venture on Instagram and Facebook @Flandersfeathers.

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Gregor has worked with Selwood for over four years on boiler upgrades and heating systems, and their contribution towards MyWorkSearch is all thanks to the Silva Social Enterprises Contract Clause. This is a new scheme introduced by Selwood Housing which encourages its suppliers to invest in our tenants and their local communities.

MyWorkSearch will help tenants access their dream job by giving them support services such as creating a CV, monitoring specific employers for vacancies and other training and advice. The system even links up with Universal Jobmatch, the system used by Jobcentre Plus to help people search and apply for work. On average users find a job in 61 days.

A spokesperson for Selwood Housing said; “MyWorkSearch is a really good idea that helps to support the local community in finding a job, and we were delighted that  Gregor’s contribution has helped make the service available to our tenants.”

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The awards have been running for seven years and have established themselves as one of the most important nights on the Bristol business community’s calendar. This year saw a record number of entries.

“This is a great achievement for the business,” said Steve. “We’ve been in business for over 25 years and through the ups and downs the Gregor customer service is our trademark that has kept us going.

“We invest a lot of time in speaking to our customers, getting feedback and working harder to make the customer experience even better. 75% of our business is repeat business or via personal recommendation, it’s the secret to our success so we are delighted to have been recognised for this.

Mayor, George Ferguson, who is involved in the judging process and is also a previous recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award said:

“These awards honour some of our most talented business men and women, from small start-up companies with big ideas to much larger, established organisations. We want to recognise these businesses for the contribution they make and support them every way we can in this difficult economic climate.”

Read more about the awards here.

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