Meet The Directors
Get To Know The People Behind MSM/DRH Limited
Alan Barnes (Managing Director)
From Workshop Apprentice to Managing Director – 41 Years and Counting!
Alan’s journey with MSM Limited began 41 years ago as a workshop apprentice. Having worked his way through most jobs in the business before becoming Managing Director, it’s fair to say he knows the business inside out!
Read Alan's full profile
Known for being direct, brutally honest and having very little patience for stupidity or a lack of common sense, Alan isn’t someone who believes in beating around the bush. His colleagues might even suggest his most annoying habit is always being right!
Despite the challenges of running a busy business, Alan takes enormous pride in seeing MSM continue to thrive after more than 50 years. He describes life at MSM in three words: intense, rewarding and complicated. Anyone who’s worked in the industry will probably understand exactly what he means.
Of course, 41 years in the business means there have been a few memorable moments along the way. One he’d probably rather forget dates back to his younger engineering days, when, following a night out, he managed to fall out of the van in front of an audience the following morning. Not quite the grand entrance he’d intended!
Away from the office, Alan enjoys a round of golf, although in another life he reckons he’d have been a rally driver or rally mechanic. His hidden talent? Apparently, he’s somewhere between a psychologist and a psychic. But if he could choose one superpower, it would be teleportation. The ability to be anywhere in the world in an instant, without wasting time travelling, sounds like Alan’s idea of perfection. No traffic, no delays, no hanging around – just straight to where he wants to be. Although his colleagues might appreciate a little advance warning before he suddenly appears!
And while Alan might have the title of Managing Director, he’s quite clear about who’s really in charge at MSM… The dogs!
Quick Questions
Tea or coffee?
Tea, milk, no sugar. Just the one a day.
Most overused phrase at work?
“You’re Missing the Point.”
One job you’d never want to do again?
Steam cleaning. Hated it as an apprentice, still hate it now.
Strangest customer question?
“Do you sell forklifts?” Yes, really!
Stranded on a desert island – which colleague would you take?
His son, Jack Barnes.
Your act at the MSM talent show?
“The Ringmaster.” Somehow, that seems rather appropriate!
Christine Waring (Finance Director)
26 Years, Countless Spreadsheets and the Occasional Flying Shoe!
Christine joined MSM Limited 26 years ago to handle the management accounts. More than a quarter-century later, she’s still here as Finance Director! What began as an accounting role has grown into a key position helping to keep MSM running.
Read Christine's full profile
Known for her sharp eye for detail and her ability to spot things others might prefer she hadn’t. Christine is known for paying attention to the finer points and her colleagues know that when she appears at their desk clutching a piece of paper – or, even worse, several – there’s a good chance something needs explaining!
Despite the occasional cry of “She’s on one!”, Christine loves the people she works with and describes MSM as challenging, rewarding and, above all, a family.
Away from the spreadsheets, Christine enjoys playing golf, walking her dog Daisy and cooking, especially baking, although, according to some colleagues, the cakes don’t make an appearance nearly often enough!
In another life, Christine would have liked to have been good forensic accountant, which, given her attention to detail would have been an excellent choice!
While Alan might suggest the dogs are running the business, Christine is quick to give him credit for his passion and drive in helping make MSM what it is today.
Just don’t make her cross enough to throw a shoe at you! Don’t worry, that only happened once, a long time ago and by all accounts it was well deserved.
Quick Questions
Tea or coffee?
Decaf coffee, milk, no sugar.
Most overused phrase at work?
“I’m just taking the dogs for a walk!”
Who’s your desert island companion from MSM?
Daisy, her dog. And yes, she absolutely counts as an employee – she’s been coming to work almost every day since she was a puppy!
One job you’d be hopeless at?
Delivering gas bottles. They’re heavy, and the truck is far too high!
Strangest customer question?
“Can I speak to Robert? He always cuts my hair!” There’s just one problem – MSM doesn’t have a Robert, and we’re definitely not a hairdresser’s!
If you could have any superpower?
The ability to play better golf. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life!
Your act at the MSM talent show?
Ballroom or Latin dancing, or perhaps a bit of group singing. Apparently, she was quite the dancer back in the day!
Dean Tandy (Service Director)
25 Years, Endless Paperwork and Still Trying to Read Minds
Dean joined MSM Limited in 2001 as a Senior Engineer. Fast forward 25 years and he’s now the Service Director, but still can’t resist getting stuck into challenging engineering tasks, making him invaluable to both the service team and customers.
Read Dean's full profile
Having spent much of his working life keeping customers and their equipment moving, Dean enjoys the variety of work that MSM takes on and, more importantly, the good people he gets to work alongside. Known for being dedicated to the cause, he’s also known for starting in-depth conversations at 5pm, just when everyone else is thinking about going home!
His most overused phrase? “I need to get my paperwork done.” Whether that paperwork ever gets finished is another matter entirely. (it always does)
Dean simply describes MSM as a “hardworking, fun, place”
Outside of work, Dean enjoys spending time relaxing with family and friends and is apparently rather good at cooking a traditional Sunday roast. In another life, however, he fancies himself as a television travel journalist – think Judith Chalmers, but with a Brummie accent. We’re not entirely sure ITV is ready for that!
If he could have one superpower, it would be the ability to read people’s minds. Although, having a wife and three daughters, he admits he’s had plenty of practice and still hasn’t mastered it.
And as for who’s really running MSM? Dean reckons it’s neither the directors nor the dogs…
It’s the customers and the taxman!
Quick Questions
Tea or coffee?
Coffee with oat milk. A relatively recent discovery, apparently!
Most overused phrase at work?
“I need to get my paperwork done.” Usually just before another conversation starts!
Who’s your desert island companion from MSM?
Bob, one of the engineers. Apparently, his ability to make Dean laugh would make island life a little more bearable.
One job you’d be hopeless at?
Reversing the lorry. Probably best to leave that one to someone else!
Most embarrassing moment at work?
As a young engineer, Dean tripped over a charging cable and ended up on the floor alongside all the tools he was carrying, right in front of the customer. Not quite the professional demonstration he’d planned!
Strangest customer comment?
“I never thought you sold forklifts.” You’d be surprised how often that sort of thing comes up!
Your act at the MSM talent show?
Singing something by Oasis. Badly, by his own admission. Perhaps best to keep him in the Service Department!
What’s your biggest pet hate?
People being deceitful. Dean much prefers people to be straightforward and honest.