The John Knowles Company is a full service marketing and public relations agency with particular strengths in B2B, industrial and technological markets. We have many years of experience in the materials handling industry and count such distinguished organisations as Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks and the Fork Lift Truck Association among our clients.

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The John Knowles Company specialise in helping innovative companies to communicate their expertise in a way that gives them a commercial edge, using a diversity of approaches. Those include everything from advertising, PR and literature to online, database, direct mail and telemarketing work, as well as staging of events.

Warehouse & Logistics News – What brought you to this industry?

Fate. My first career was in nature conservation. I became more and more involved in wildlife publicity work and wondered if I could apply that experience to a better paid field of employment. By chance, in 2002 John Knowles was seeking a new copywriter… and the rest is history.

WLN – What’s the most exciting thing about your job?

Learning about something totally new every day.

WLN – Who inspired you most in your career?

Career part 1: David Attenborough.

Career part 2: John Knowles.

WLN – If you were an item in a warehouse, what would you be?

A cushion-tyred electric counterbalance – compact, quiet and effective.

WLN – If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different?

Learn to speak another language fluently. I’m sure that would be very useful, given the international nature of our business.

WLN – What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at work?

I once fell into a silted-up pond while surveying for newts. I had to walk home, through town, covered in black, stinking mud.

WLN – Who or what makes you laugh?

Homer Simpson. I base much of my philosophy of life on his teachings.

WLN – Do you have any hidden talents?

I think I can sing – but I rarely do it in public.

WLN – Who would be your favourite party guest?

Paul McCartney

WLN – What is the greatest luxury in your life?

My MG

WLN – What is your favourite guilty pleasure?

Doner kebabs

WLN – Do you have any secret ambitions?

Not a huge one, but I’d like to own a mobile home one day.

WLN – What’s your dream holiday destination?

I’d like to spend some time in an African jungle.

WLN – What are your three favourite movies of all time?

Spaceballs (Mel Brooks). Robin and the Seven Hoods (Frank Sinatra). The Sound of Music (Julie Andrews).

WLN – What is your favourite book of all time?

The Life of Pi (Yann Martel)

WLN – What’s your favourite pastime?

For active recreation, cycling. For relaxation, shopping.

WLN – If you won the Lottery, what would you do?

Retire. Much as I like my job, there are so many other things I want to do with my life – and weekends are too short.

WLN – What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into the industry (apart from “don’t do it”)?

Go for it. Become an expert. People will always need to buy goods, so there will always be warehouses and there will always be a high demand for your services.

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