James Cole

As General Manager, James is responsible for driving business growth for Essco Group. He specialises in our prefab utility cupboards for heat networks and HVAC Fit and Forget range of assemblies.

James has over 22 years of experience in the commercial and domestic heating market, primarily selling through distributors to contractors, merchants and end users. As well as an NVQ in Sales Management, he has various qualifications and further education in branch management and operations.

Away from work, he manages a semi-professional football team in Gloucestershire and was formerly a professional player for Yeovil Town and Plymouth Argyle. A regular at the gym, he hopes to lose another stone by the end of the year. He has a 17 year old daughter who recently achieved sixth best in the world in cheerleading via her GCA cheerleading club. He also has a 13 year old football mad son, who wants to be a professional footballer or a heating engineer when he grows up.

Here’s a little more about James..

What led you to this career?

A failed football career, following a nasty injury at Yeovil Town, led me to get back on my feet and work for a friend in BSS Plymouth. During the interview, the manager said, “When you’re up and running could you play football for our five-a-side team?”, to which I replied YES, and the rest is history (by the way the manager was Matt Trott).

I progressed through the company starting in goods inwards and getting my head down working hard, putting my hand up for every course available within the company, which led me to managing my own branch at the age of 22.

If we held an office talent show, what would you wow us with? 

Well…I think a bit of stand-up comedy with some dad jokes, stories and magic, including Magic Lights and card tricks. (I’m available weekends for £100/hr)

Read James’s favourite quote below….