Cerelie Doyle speaks to Jason Barnard, operations manager for Hyperama, about films, mentors and his 12-year-old target-shooting daughter
What is a typical day of work at Hyperama?
I wish there was a typical day – it would be a little bit easier to plan for! That’s one of the exciting things about working at Hyperama: you pretty much take on anything, from dealing with customer enquiries through to health and safety issues in the depot.
Do you enjoy such a varied role?
Yes, it is certainly what makes it interesting. There is no mundane routine. You take each day as it comes and deal with that day. But don’t get me wrong – there is a lot of planning involved, too.
What’s the secret of your success?
When I first started a few years ago, I had some really, really good training and mentoring from people who knew the business and took time out to train me. They were all directors at Booker, where I spent 18 years working before joining Hyperama.
What do you think makes Hyperama so successful?
It’s totally about the people – managing director Marcus Singh has a lot of vision and is very forward thinking. He has a very strong team behind him, who are very dedicated to the business.
What was your first job?
When I was a student, I worked at Booker in its little Mansfield branch. I used to go there every night and sweep the floors. Nothing glamorous, I’m afraid!
How would your colleagues describe you?
I’m quite modest and like to be in the background. I’m firm but fair.
Which star do you think would play you in the film of your life?
Jason Statham, because he is just the same as me: modest and in the background. I was working in Nottingham a few weeks back and one of the ladies said to me: “Everybody thinks you look extremely scary, but when they talk to you, you’re actually quite nice!”
What do you get up to in your free time?
What free time?I do target shooting and I enjoy country sports. My children enjoy going, too – both my son and daughter shoot. My daughter is only 12, but she is the best shot of all three of us. I try not to take her too often because she shows us up! I also watch my son play rugby for the Derbyshire Chargers (an under 15s team). You have to travel quite a way for each game, but it is worth it.
Who is your role model?
In life, it would be my father, which I know everybody probably says, but he was very hardworking and honest. He came across as very understanding of other people’s opinions.
At work, it would be some of the people at Booker – someone like Brian Digby, who is forthright and honest and found simple ways to make the business succeed. He is very uncomplicated and that is the type of person I would like to be at work.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I can see Hyperama as a business being much larger and more streamlined, so I really want to stay a part of that and move on to do more within the business – onwards and upwards!
