Our staff profile this month features Ryan Blackburn, a Purchaser / Store man who joined Board24, Preston, in June 2017.

Ryan’s role is varied and involves numerous duties such as monitoring inventory to ensure the factory is fully stocked with raw materials and machine parts. He particularly enjoys the responsibility of his role and the comradery of the department.

Ryan is keen to learn all aspects of the business and the corrugated industry, with great ambitions to progress in his career within Board24. His line manager, Peter Fenwick; Continuous Improvement & Health & Safety Manager, added, “Ryan is a great character to have in the department and is very passionate about his job”.

Not only is Ryan an asset to the business but has played a great role within Health and Safety.  Sadly, Ryan was involved in a forklift truck accident, resulting in the loss of his hand. The accident has affected him in many ways, physical aspect, mental aspects and his friends and family. Ryan added, “I would say I am a very mentally strong character, and I was not going to let the accident change my positive outlook on life. I am definitely a glass half full kind of guy and even with the physical aspects being a struggle I was never going to be defeated”.

Ryan went on to say, “Life’s too short to worry about these little things. Just smile! Be happy! And live your life to the fullest!”

Ryan’s willingness to share his experience so openly has had a significant positive impact on improving safety for FLT operators across the Group. As a result, a workshop was rolled out to all FLT operators across Logson which has raised awareness how easily and quickly an accident with life changing consequences could happen.

Outside of work, Ryan spends a lot of his spare time coaching Ribbleton FC Juniors u16’, which he has done so for the past 8 years. When he is not busy managing stock or coaching football, he is the guy getting the bacon butties ordered on a Friday for the team. Every department needs someone like that!