Buckingham Pools’ Neil Hastings shared the title of Pool Technician Of The Year at the 2021 UK Pool & Spa Awards. He started his working life as a jeweller. He is surely a diamond geezer…
POOL PEOPLE CAREER PATH
I originally started life as a jeweller, then a lifeguard/personal trainer, followed by setting up a gym with Westside Leisure, then into the pool trade and been here for around 27 years.
A TYPICAL DAY
This varies a lot, from face to face with clients, servicing indoor and outdoor pools, opening and winterising, to site surveys, reports, and troubleshooting.
BESTWORK ADVICE
Keep smiling even when it’s tough, try and stay positive, treat people how you would like to be treated, and try never to take your work stress home to my fantastic wife and children.
ON THE ROAD LISTENING
Radio 2.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Will Smith, for his sense of humour, Lando Norris, talented F1 driver and Manu Tuilagi – a favourite rugby player.
OUT OF WORK TIME?
Family and rugby club, coaching and socialising at Old Leamingtonians RFC.
COVID IMPACT?
This was very strange especially working through the whole time, Seeing big cities as ghost towns. Life is too precious. Look after yourselves; I still now use anti-bac wipes and gel.
DAILY CHALLENGES?
Motorway traffic.
INDUSTRY CHALLENGES
High costs and finding good staff.
FUTURE PREDICTIONS
We need to look to the future; be more friendly to the environment, and have better efficiency with heat pumps, boilers, and pool covers.
CLAIM TO FAME?
My family’s pets were used in the film Fiddler On The Roof.
LAST WORD?
Everything I have done and everyone I have met, has helped shape me into the person I am today.
