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Andy Simpson
Director Read BioAndy Simpson
DirectorCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
As a director, I manage the day-to-day operations and staff of FASTSIGNS Leeds. I’m also involved with the sales aspect of the business, dealing with the larger accounts as well as some new enquiries.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS?
Since day one in October 1995.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Typically, I would arrive at the office at 7:30am and catch up on quotes and emails. At 9am, I attend our work start meeting before a day of appointments with customers and suppliers. Most of my time is spent doing quotes for clients and helping other sales staff. I also attend a weekly business networking group.
What’s your favourite or most memorable project you’ve worked on?
It has to be the Supermundane LEEDS graphic at Leeds Train Station. It still looks great today, ten years on!
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Watching Rugby League and football, cycling (I like to try to do one or two sportives ayear of 100km+), golf, socialising with friends, eating out and craft beers.
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Calum Trouton
Production Read BioCalum Trouton
ProductionCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
Working in production at FASTSIGNS Leeds, my days consist of setting files up to print and printing using our EPSOM printers. I’m also responsible for setting up and outputting all other aspects of the signs we make.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS?
Since 2017.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My days are really varied. It can range from working on a computer all day to being more hands-on and installing or making signs.
What’s your favourite or most memorable project you’ve worked on?
My most memorable project was the boat we wrapped for The Atlantic Grappler.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I like DIY and working on cars, especially my project classic car. -
Stacey Murray
Account Manager Read BioStacey Murray
Account ManagerWhat is your favourite thing about your role at FASTSIGNS?
I like that my role is so varied. I love that I get to see a project from the start through to the finish. It’s nice seeing a happy customer.
What’s the most memorable project you’ve worked on?
I don’t have one memorable project. I just love that a customer can come to us with an idea, and that idea is then made into reality. It really is satisfying knowing you’ve helped an initial idea become a reality.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I absolutely love Crossfit, and get up at 5am to train 3-4 times a week. Most of my spare time is spent with my family. We love going out for long walks on a weekend and getting out into the great outdoors. Once upon a time I used to spend every weekend going to watch the Rhinos. Now we have to settle for Sky Sports with the little one. -
Martin Brook
Production Read BioMartin Brook
ProductionWhat’s a typical day like in production?
We offer such a wide range of custom products at FASTSIGNS that there really is no typical day! I could spend one day focused on printing hoarding graphics, then the next day I could be doing something more artistic like printing canvasses.
What’s the most memorable project you’ve worked on?
That has to be the Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre. It was a month of organised chaos! Joking aside; with hard work and planning it came together fantastically.
What do you like to do outside of work?
In my spare time I enjoy going mountain biking, hiking and stand up paddle boarding. I also love to travel and have trekked to Everest Base Camp. -
Rebecca Holiday
Senior Account Manager Read BioRebecca Holiday
Senior Account ManagerCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
I am an account manager at FASTSIGNS Leeds, so I deal mainly with regular customers. This is lovely as I have built up some great relationships with customers over the years.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS Leeds?
Since May 2000!
What does a typical day look like for you?
The day usually starts with checking emails and jobs before our morning meeting at 9am. Once that’s done there isn’t really a typical day! I could be sat in front of my computer putting together quotes and answering emails, or I could be out meeting customers and measuring up – or a combination of the two.
I enjoy the fact that no two days are the same, and sometimes even when you think you have a plan it can change quite quickly.
What’s your favourite or most memorable project you’ve worked on?
The most memorable is probably still the work we did at Trinity Leeds when it first opened back in 2013. It was a full-on few weeks with lots to juggle and a new request and challenge almost daily.
Recently, I have really enjoyed working on some projects at Leeds University, most notably a timeline we created for the University of Leeds School of Sociology and Social Policy from supplied artwork. It was another job which was a long time in the planning and had to be completed quickly, so it was a manic few weeks for everyone, but it looks brilliant and the client was really happy with the end results.
What do you like to do outside work?
I recently took up running and completed a Couch to 5k, so I am trying to keep up with three runs a week! I have two young daughters who keep me busy most of the time but when I can I enjoy catching up with family and friends and going to the cinema.
Read more about Rebecca
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Carole Ward
Account Manager Read BioCarole Ward
Account ManagerCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
I’m an Account Manager at FASTSIGNS Leeds. Day to day, that means I spend my time looking after our existing customers as well as welcoming new ones.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS Leeds?
Since 2014.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I deal with incoming calls and emails from customers, as well as looking after customers that come into the shop – and extra jobs, of course!
What’s your favourite or most memorable project?
Our work with Little London Primary School, supplying a variety of products and attending their one-year anniversary opening event.
What do you like to do outside of work?I enjoy gardening and cake decorating.
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Diane Simpson
Administration Read BioDiane Simpson
AdministrationCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
I do a bit of anything that needs doing. My job ranges from office administration to cleaning to being PA to the Director.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS Leeds?
Since around 2013.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It varies between sending invoices, helping Andy deal with some of his emails, cleaning, working through expenses, answering phones, dealing with deliveries and customers, as well as a bit of HR and health and safety!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I have another job – teaching. Outside of that, I like to do yoga and pilates and I enjoy reading. I also like to go walking with friends, so long as there is a coffee shop at the halfway point.
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Cliff Ward
Production Read BioCliff Ward
ProductionCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
I work in production, so my role involves operating a lot of our production equipment to make signs of all types, sizes and shapes. This includes using our Zund router-cutter, cut work laminator and carrying out vinyl applications.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS Leeds?
Since 2012.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Very busy and varied! I work across our different in-house production machines making a huge range of signs for our customers – and fix them when they’re faulty.
What’s your favourite or most memorable project you’ve worked on?
Any unusual ways to make one-off designs or sort out any problems.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’m interested in car mechanics, fixing engines and motorbike restoration. I’m currently working on a Kawasaki GPz750 from 1982.
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Vinny Symes
Lead Designer Read BioVinny Symes
Lead DesignerCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
My role involved creating designs and preparing artwork that we receive for production. I spend a lot of time liaising with our Customer Service and Production Teams to ensure we are effectively meeting deadlines and giving the customer the optimum experience and product.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS Leeds?
20+ years.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day begins with a work start meeting, which provides us with an overview of the day’s tasks and scheduling. Between myself and the rest of the team, we work on designs across a whole spectrum of signage – from live-feed digital signs to graphics on an Atlantic rowing boat – and anything in between!
What’s your favourite or most memorable project you’ve worked on?
It was great when the Tour De France came to Leeds. We did loads of creative stuff for a myriad of clients which helped really showcase the city. One that stands out is some oversized bike-track graphics that ran through the train station and looked amazing.
What do you like to do outside work?
I love to go out walking – we are in such a great location with the Dales, Peaks and North York Moors on our doorstep. The best walks finish off with a pint or two in the pub!
Read more about Vinny
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Jonny Taylor
Designer Read BioJonny Taylor
DesignerCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
My main duties include preparing artwork for proofing and printing, as well as maintaining the printers and stock levels.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS Leeds?
Since 2013.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day is different – I think that’s how I’ve managed to stay here as long as I have!
What’s your favourite or most memorable project you’ve worked on?
There’s been too many to single out just one. It’s always really satisfying when we go above and beyond customer’s expectations.
What do you like to do outside work?
Nothing overly exciting really! I enjoy walks around my local town, going for dinner or a few beers. I’m quite easily pleased!
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Sarah Kenny
Credit Controller Read BioSarah Kenny
Credit ControllerWhat is your favourite thing about your role at FASTSIGNS?
Working with my dad and brother!
What do you like to do outside of work?
Playing hockey, reading, watching my son Oliver play football and listening to my other sons, Luke and Harry, play the piano. -
Chris Simpson
Director -
Tom Lambert
Account Manager Read BioTom Lambert
Account ManagerCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
As an Account Manager at FASTSIGNS, I am the first port of call for our customers and any of their signage needs.
What drew you to working in the signage industry, and the role at FASTSIGNS in particular?
Having worked in similar industries before I was drawn to the vast and diverse industry of signage and working within a market-leading company at FASTSIGNS.
What are you more excited to learn about at FASTSIGNS?
Not only am I keen to learn about the ever-growing signage industry but to also learn from industry experts to refine my sales skillset further.
What skills or experience will you bring to the team?
Having grown up playing sports I’ve always had a competitive, driven edge which has translated into my work career as I strive to provide the best service possible (also, a sprinkle of youth into the office!).
What do you like to do outside of work?
Anything fitness related, whether that be going to the gym, a long hike or a 10k run. This is most likely just to offset my mass intake of food!
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Ansley Prothero
Production Read BioAnsley Prothero
ProductionCan you tell us about your role at FASTSIGNS Leeds?
I’m involved with fitting and production of signs at FASTSIGNS Leeds.
How long have you been with FASTSIGNS?
Since 2022 as an official FASTSIGNS Leeds employee, however I have been subcontracting for FASTSIGNS for almost a decade.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It involves lots of signs, either installing or making. My forte is vinyl fitting, but I’m always happy doing whatever is needed. I can also make an excellent cup of tea!
What’s your favourite or most memorable project you’ve worked on?
I struggle remembering all the jobs I’ve been involved in, but I always remember giving every job my best and working as hard as I can.
Do you have any interesting hobbies outside of work?
I have been a professional musician all my life. I’ve been to a lot of cities on tour all over the world, released loads of albums and made a ton of awesome friends.