Getting To Know - Damian Ransome

From developing new training services and systems to improving the delegate experience, Damian is focused on making training easier, more accessible and more effective. When he's not helping shape the future of learning at RPC, you'll likely find him out on his motorbike, tending to his vegetable garden, or enjoying time with family.

Where are you based?

I live in Derby and work from home, although I always like to spend a couple of days a week at RPC Towers as the office has such a positive vibe and I love meeting our clients.

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I grew up in Worcester, where my parents and younger brother still live. I’ve been with my wife Pam for 18 years, married for 12. I have three stepsons who are more like mates.

How has your career path brought you to RPC? 

After school I completed the Management Trainee scheme at Sainsburys, it taught me a lot about high pace, pressure and customer service. Following redundancy from there, my affinity to spanners and petrol led me to a 30-year career working with tools and equipment in Hire Center, Brandon Hire, Toolstation, Indespension and Travis Perkins. At Travis I headed up safety and compliance training for their Hire business for 12 years… Which led me to RPC.

What attracted you to RPC?

I’d risen as far as I could in L&D at TP, so had one eye open for opportunities. I’ve known John for many years and saw his LinkedIn post about recruiting for a Head of Training Services. The Job Description had my name all over it, so I sent in an application.

The Employee Ownership model was new to me. I’ve always been an advocate for empowering and rewarding the team, so this was a big factor. I saw a solid business with a strong reputation; RPC are known for leading in P6 training but there is potential to improve the offer…

What are you working on right now? 

…We’ve introduced a training management system to help us scale. Paper-based bookings are gone, and we’ve recently added a training portal to the RPC website. Customers can now search for training events online, book instantly, and pay by card or Klarna. Account customers can upload a Purchase Order directly to secure course seats, then manage their bookings, delegates and training records.

We’re adding extra features all the time, so that trainees get detailed joining instructions, booking confirmations and certificates without delay, and if they’re coming to RPC Towers, a link to our soon-to-be-famous Guiseley Good Food Guide! Keep watching.

I’m also working with Nick to make plans for developing our own team to help them work even more effectively together and with our clients through workshops and apprenticeships.

What do you like best about your job?

The people! The team are wonderful, and we have fantastic clients working on a range of exciting projects. I put as much as I can into the customer experience – it keeps me very busy. The trust placed in the team at RPC is exceptional, and I love the hybrid working – I’m typing this from the awning of my caravan in Cornwall today!

What do you do in your spare time?

I try to keep on top of the garden when I’m at home – You can’t beat fresh home-grown veg. I love anything with wheels, so spend a fair bit of time out on my motorbike enjoying the Peak District and beyond.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I had a need, a need for speed, so aimed to join the RAFas a pilot. I studied Maths and Physics at A-Level and went through initial selection, but was let down by a slight hearing loss, so couldn’t go for my alternative of the RAF Regiment either. I could either be an RAF Chaplain or Teacher but didn’t fancy either. Ironically, I’ve ended up in Learning & Development – That’s life.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Don’t worry about what you can’t control. It’s also one of the hardest to follow.

What’s on your desk?

Despite trying to go paperless, an RPC notebook. Sometimes you just need to scribble something down.

How do you like your tea?

In the afternoon. Mornings are for coffee.

Dog or cat?

Cat – far more chilled.

If your house was on fire, what 3 things would you save?

Motorbike, tool chest, wedding ring.

What would your superpower be?

Can I be Tony Stark? If not, the diplomacy to help people across the world understand and tolerate each other.