Quickfire Q&A with Amo!

It’s time for another Quickfire Q&A, and this time we’re meeting the man behind the business, Managing Director – Amo! 

If you asked Amo what he does on a day-to-day basis, he’d probably say ‘staying out of trouble’. But we know Amo as a highly motivating, encouraging, and engaging leader who’s passionate about helping us be the best we can be. 

We sat down with Amo to understand what motivates him, what led him to create one of the best promotional products companies in the UK 15 years ago, and most importantly, what words his wife would use to describe him… 

Grab a brew and take 5 as it’s time to get to know Amo… 

Hi Amo! For those who don’t know you, can you tell them a little bit about what you do here at A.D.? 

Hello! Well, as a Managing Director, my role focuses on creating the best environment possible for my team to provide exceptional services to our customers. 

I’m surrounded by a wonderful team. My operations department handles much of the day-to-day running of the business while I, along with my senior management team, focus on the strategic direction of the business and building strong partner relationships. 

What was your first job?

Packing pies into cardboard boxes at a Trafford Park bakery! I got very good at it and packed very quickly, and that’s when the dreams started… packing meat pies into boxes is not what you want to be dreaming about at age 16!

What energises you at work? 

I love to see people succeed. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing members of my team grow in confidence, knowledge, and experience. 

Thanks to our apprenticeship programme, I often see this level of personal growth. However, the apprenticeship team’s youthful exuberance and lack of knowledge about anything prior to the year 2000 constantly confounds me and makes me shake my head in disbelief — but it’s also hilarious! They keep me on my toes! 

What led you to your career?

It started with my marketing degree, which I loved. 

I secured a placement working for a company that sold clothing and souvenirs to football club shops, which was a dream gig for a football-loving 20-year-old.

I went on to complete my degree and return to that company for another three years, where I learnt more about buying from all over the world, designing, and selling products in football retail. I always had a desire to sell to corporate clients, but this wasn’t an area they wanted to move into, so in January 2004, I set up for myself, and the adventure started!

If you could have a dream job other than working at A.D., what would it be?

Something to do with cars! Test driving cars, reviewing cars, selling cars, anything to spend more time with them! 

Or I would become a Yoga teacher. I love yoga practice and do it 2 or 3 times a week, but I am not very good yet, so a lot more practice is needed. 

What’s your guilty pleasure TV? 

The Apprentice! 

Best movie? 

I have many favourites, but Hot Tub Time Machine has to be up there!

Best TV? 

Only Fools and Horses

Top book recommendations? 

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• The Wolf of Wall Street (much better than the film which was also very good)
• The last viceroy of India

Best band?

UB40 

Best gig? 

An Indian artist called Gurdass Mann – this fella is a legend in Punjabi music and film.

Top 3 acts you’d love to see live

• Michael Jackson
• The Beatles
• Bob Marley

If you could play one character in TV or Film, who would it be and why? 

Michael Palin – Around the world in 80 days. I loved watching that programme when I was young – the adventures he went on would be great to live through. 

I watched it again recently and it was amazing seeing how some countries have changed – Dubai in the ‘80s looks like a small fishing village!

Best hero?

My nan. 

She taught me so much growing up, and she looked after me while Mum and Dad worked. 

‘Approach everything with love and believe things will work out’, she told me.. I try my best to do this as much as possible, but others will tell you how successfully I do!

Best Villain? 

Johnny Lawrence from Karate Kid. 

He was actually the hero in the movie all along, there’s no way Daniel Son should have won the tournament with a kick to the face!

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Baked beans on Warburton’s toastie bread. 

Top 3 words your best friend would use to describe you? 

Annoying – I think because I still have a full head of hair and some of them don’t! Some also said ‘Driven’, so I’ll take the compliment!

And my daughter said ‘funny’, which made me very happy!

Top 3 words your partner would use to describe you? 

• Bearable
• Passionate
• Punch in the face 

The jury is still out on whether she meant my personality was like a ‘punch in the face’ or if I have a ‘punchable face’. 

We won’t pull on that thread.

Top 3 words your mum would use to describe you? 

• Helpful
• Loving
• Considerate

Best holiday destination?

Costa Adeje, Tenerife

If you won 10 million pounds what would you do?

Train to become a yoga teacher or get a job doing something with cars – part-time! 

I would like to think I would give quite a bit away, but let’s be honest, you don’t really know until it happens!

But I would like to work less and volunteer more, that’s definite!

Top 3 dinner party guests and why? 

My late grandmother – she brought me up, taught me a lot and I miss her dearly. 

My late grandfather – I hear he was an amazing man who had some real adventures and I would like to hear his stories.

Mr Tony Flynn – he was my first work mentor and taught me a lot. He was so patient putting up with a 20-year-old ‘know it all’ attitude, but stuck with me. We went on many adventures around the country in the company van and he schooled me in many aspects of work but also music! He passed away about 15 years ago at a young age and I never properly got to thank him for everything.

If you could have a superpower for one day, what would it be? 

Time travel (and I believe it already exists by the way!). I would mostly use it to go back in time to relive (or watch) the amazing moments I have had in my life. 

Also, I want to experience historic moments like United winning the treble in 1999, the Moon landing, meeting my relatives when they were younger, and maybe going to see the dinosaurs!

If I were invisible, I would… 

I would mostly prank people, but I would also try to sneak into some meetings or places to have a nosey round. Top of my list would be Area 51, Windsor Castle, and the CIA offices!

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Get shorty! I am 5ft 6.5 inches on a good day if you have never met me in person!

Tell us a fun fact that people may not know about you… 

I once appeared on a TV gameshow…how did I do? Not telling you!

Thanks Amo! We’re ready to sign up for your first yoga class! Namaste…