IN CONVERSATION WITH:
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, SHANE DEVLIN_
IN CONVERSATION WITH June 2021
Leading Accouter Group of Companies’ fleet of CHAS accredited Logistics team is our Associate Director, Shane Devlin. The team sat down with Shane to discuss AGC’s new Specialist Window Atelier service, SWAG, and how his role has adapted since the pandemic.
Describe a typical day as an Associate Director for A.LONDON.
Over the last year, my working day has changed slightly with the ability to work remotely with A.LONDON and the wider Accouter Group of Companies team. In addition, I have moved from London to the South coast, so the start to a typical day has improved somewhat! Instead of dodging London traffic on my bike or cramming onto the tube, my day now starts with a run along the coast or a weekly walk with my mum and sister every Tuesday.
Throughout my working day, I will be replying to emails as well as checking in with our Logistics team to ensure everything is going as planned for that day. I am very fortunate to be able to work with various departments across the business, from finance to the designers. I also have daily communication with our suppliers and warehouse team to ensure we are delivering a Best-in-Class service when installing.
“SWAG offers a wide range of fabrics and products, and we have built key unique service offerings which set us apart from the competition.”
– Shane Devlin
Associate Director.
How are A.LONDON becoming a more sustainable company?
As a member of our ‘AGC Eco-Warriors’ group, I am active in creating green initiatives for the business. We are currently trialling new eco-friendly packaging materials to use when we collect our luxury rental furniture. In addition to this, AGC are also enrolled on the TerraCycle programme, which allows our installers to recycle their PPE.
Can you tell us more about SWAG?
At AGC, we are given the opportunity to undertake a personal development programme where we set out career and personal goals which we want to achieve. For example, setting up a window treatment company was something our C.E.O, Alec and I had been very eager to start, and in 2020 our ‘Specialist Window Atelier Guaranteed’ service, SWAG, was created.
Last year, I dedicated even more time to learning everything there is to know about window treatments and speaking to as many people in the industry as I could. Finally, after many Zoom meetings with various suppliers and finalising our business plan, we carried out our first install in June last year. Since then, we have gone on to install 108 projects in our first year.
SWAG offers a wide range of fabrics and products, and we have built key unique service offerings which set us apart from the competition. As we advance, we are looking to build on our first year’s success!
What does your team do differently now than it did a year ago?
With the ever-changing landscape due to COVID-19, our Logistics team have been able to adapt easily around the restrictions of the Interior Design and Property industry. The team worked through each lockdown as the rules changed, it was a difficult time, but the team stepped up put on their PPE and kept installing. We have mitigated the risk to the team as much as possible. We changed how the teams work and travel to work. They are now inset teams to avoid the risk of spreading COVID-19, and installers expense taxis to work to avoid public transport. They also wear full PPE at all times, and we ask clients to ensure properties we are installing in are clear of any other people.
When you’re not busy installing our award-winning schemes, what can we find you doing?
I am very lucky to live in Lymington; I’m spoilt for choice having both the New Forest and the sea so close by. I get out on the road bike once a week and try to spend as much time out on the water as possible – weather permitting. I’ve recently got into paddle boarding and fishing, I’m still yet to catch anything, but it’s a good excuse for a drink!
