Member of the Week - SMC
Introducing Sarah Bradsell, Aftercare Manager at SMC
What does your company do and what makes it special?
SMC, at the heart, are custom installers. Over the past 30 years’ we’ve grown into something much more than that and now provide the design work, project management, programming and aftercare, as well as the typical installation work that we’re known for. That in itself makes SMC special, but what makes it extra special is the people. Many of my colleagues have been with SMC for more than a decade – two in some cases! Our people are the centre of gravity of SMC and it’s their energy that has driven us forward and helped us deliver, made us better and kept it fun
What led you to your current position?
From starting on the reception desk in 2015, moving into the aftercare department, then managing it 7 years later has been quite a journey. Other than having an interest in technology, I knew nothing of the industry or the technicalities of home-automation before I started, but the working environment at SMC has allowed me to learn and grow on the job. I’ve picked up skills over the years that I never imagined I would – if anyone need an RJ45 terminating, I’m your woman.
Describe a typical working day in your life…
Speaking with clients, diagnosing issues and arranging for the right person to attend is at the core of everything myself and the team do on a daily basis. Most of my work is reactive and, with the quick response times we provide our clients and the range of systems that we support, this often means that every day is different, but always busy! One minute I will be speaking with a client whose Sky box has stopped working, the next I’ll be arranging an engineer to attend to fit alarm sensors on a Picasso painting.
Are you currently working on any exciting projects?
We have several big projects completing at the moment, that will transitioning into aftercare, and quite a few more in the pipeline. We are fortunate that our industry weathered the storm of COVID-19 relatively well, and now we’re really starting to see the market boom again.
What has been your career highlight so far?
It’s honestly difficult to pick one, rather than an individual standout moment or project, I think the overall highlight is the learning curve I’ve been on. I’m so grateful for the people I’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years, some of the leaders in their fields and legends in the industry. The encouragement they’ve given me and their willingness to impart knowledge or assist with problems has made it very fulfilling and enjoyable.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to venture into your area of the luxury property industry?
If you’re driven and willing to listen and learn, then there’s a space for you. I think the industry could really benefit from some more diversity, across the board, so if you’re considering a career change, do it! Things are progressing, but there’s been many times over the years when I’ve been the only female (and queer) presence in the room, so I’d really encourage others to consider venturing into this field, as it’s been the most rewarding experience.
What do you love most about the luxury property industry?
I’ve been given access to some of the most luxurious properties in London and dealt with many of their high-profile owners. I love building relationships with our clients, and their teams, and being able to ensure that any issues they do encounter are resolved effectively and efficiently. It’s also really special to be able to see the full SMC process for the development of their properties, from point of design, to installation, and then handover aftercare.
What does “luxury” mean to you?
In terms of Aftercare, it means providing our clients with the highest possible levels of service. We deal with some of the wealthiest people in the world, so understanding their requirements and providing them with a bespoke solution is key to being able to fulfil their expectations. Our dedicated Aftercare engineering team have many years of experience, across a multitude of different disciplines (audio-visual, intruder alarm, networks and programming), this, combined with our guaranteed service level response times and out of hours support, enables us to give our clients “luxury” support whenever they encounter a problem with their technology.
Get in touch
S M Contracts Limited, Pepys Court,.84 The Chase,.London,SW4 0NF
Our main office number is +44(0) 207 819 1700. You can email us via info@smc-uk.com or use the form below and we will get back to you as quickly as we can.