Fireside chat with Jamie Kirk

This month we speak to our Commercial Director, Jamie Kirk, a proud native of bonnie Scotland with bag(pipe)s of experience in the industry.

 

Let’s find out what makes Jamie tick and why he’s so excited about the future of Victory.

 

What brought you to Victory?

 

I’ve been around the houses to get here but I’m glad I’m here! I started my holiday home life as a maintenance guy at 15 on an Argyll Holidays park in the west of Scotland. From cutting grass to siting homes, it was a great place to learn my craft. I enjoyed being outdoors so much that I went to the Scottish Agricultural College to study horticulture and landscape design for three years. On the weekends I continued to sell holiday homes on a park and after college I worked on a holiday park in Southerness in every department trying to learn as much as I could. I went on to run several holiday parks along the east coast of Scotland and then moved into the corporate world of finance to help park owners fund their parks.

 

I finally found my way to Victory where I stayed for six years as their sales manager for Scotland and Ireland and then moved on to another manufacturer.

 

Fast forward three years and I’ve returned home to Victory for the foreseeable future and can’t wait to see what the next few years hold.

 

What are the best things about the industry?

 

There’s no better feeling than knowing you’re helping someone realise their dream of owning a holiday home. I love meeting Victory customers, old and new, and hearing all about the memories they’ve made in their homes.

 

I’m also very lucky that I can call a lot of our park customers my friends because I’ve known them for so long and have experienced their growth from the very start.

 

Finally, it still takes my breath away when I visit parks around the UK. The outstanding landscapes and untouched scenery is unrivalled and I would wholeheartedly recommend that everyone enjoys a Great British staycation at some point…you’ll love it.

 

What is your biggest challenge in your new role?

 

Like manufacturers across the UK, the ongoing supply chain challenges are definitely one of the biggest hills we need to climb every day.

 

At Victory we have such an agile spirit – we challenge the norm and look for new and different ways to do things. So when a challenge does arise, we tackle it head on together.

 

Of course we can’t predict the future, but what I do know is that with the energy and positivity of the Victory team, we’ll rise to the occasion no matter what and our customers will benefit from that mentality.

 

Where do you see Victory this time next year?

 

The staycation “boom” is set to continue well into 2022/23 and we need to be ready to meet this demand. We’re looking at new innovations all the time to streamline the build process and bring the best products to our customers. At the same time, it’s likely we will look to expand our already growing production capacity across our two sites.

 

We’ve just begun the launch of our new 2022 Lodge Range – I honestly believe the three new lodges are some of the best in the industry so keep your eyes peeled.

 

I’m also really keen to speak to new parks to give home owners and holidaymakers the best possible choice when choosing where to experience a Victory home.

 

What do you do in your spare time?

 

I absolutely love golf and, I may be biased, Scotland has some of the best golf courses in the world so I’m very lucky to have them on my doorstep. I’m also a proud supporter of the mighty Glasgow Rangers and go to a match whenever I can. I also love to belt out a tune or two (sometimes on the bagpipes) and never shy away from a karaoke booth.

 

Where do you think the best staycation spots are in the UK?

 

The list is truly endless and I can’t possibly pick a favourite. The pandemic has allowed people to explore the unexplored and discover places in the UK that give the Mediterranean a run for its money. There’s something for everyone – whether you like the peace and quiet of the Lake District or the hustle and bustle of Blackpool, you’ll find your home away from home somewhere… hopefully in a Victory!

 

What are you looking forward to most about 2022?

 

As well as seeing the response to our beautiful new lodges, I’m also really excited about the expansion of our Novus manufacturing technique – which is unique to Victory. Designed in-house by our Innovation team, Novus provides Victory home owners with unrivalled quality, strength and reliability. The whole Novus ethos is built on innovation, which lends itself to a true home-from-home feeling when you’re inside a Victory holiday home.

 

I’m also looking forward to a bit of normality – as things settle down and the world gets back into the swing of things, this will be Victory’s chance to shine and flourish. I’m excited to get back out to seeing more customers, hear about their plans for the future and how we can support them in this continued growth our industry is experiencing.

 

Which is your favourite Victory home?

 

The Lakewood is a fantastic home – it really showcases what Victory is about and how we do things. It’s contemporary yet cosy and I would happily stay in one on my next staycation. Going back to our new lodges, the Parkview is stunning and has to be seen to be believed. It’s had a complete revamp for 2022 and really stands out from other lodges out there. Our design and interiors team are always outdoing themselves so I’ll probably have a new favourite next year.

 

Can you give us any sneak peaks of new products next year?

 

Without giving too much away we want to make sure there is a home to suit everyone’s budget that still has the Victory mark of quality so keep an eye out for that.

 

Finally, what are your plans for Christmas?

 

Aside from eating, drinking, and being merry? I’ll be spending it with my family in the peace and quiet of Scotland. By January I’ll be itching to get back but for now, a bit of rest and relaxation is all I wish for under my Christmas tree.

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