Paul Collins
Polegate
Summary
Customer Service Professional with extensive experience in the Print and Horticulture industries. Delivered exceptional customer relationship management, strategic insights, and effective communication throughout a diverse career. Eager to leverage transferable skills and passion for customer service in new challenges.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work History
Part time Steward
Amex football stadium
11.2025 - Current
- Maintained safety for general public and colleagues, contributing to secure event environment.
- Ensured safety and restricted access to sensitive areas, supporting overall event security.
- Provided visible point of contact for general public during events, enhancing attendee experience.
Self employed licensed SIA Operative
SafeSupport Security Ltd
Brighton
11.2025 - 01.2026
- Maintained security presence at secure halfway house in Brighton, preventing unauthorised access and ensuring resident safety.
- Monitored activities within the house, providing immediate assistance for first aid situations.
- Protected residents' privacy to foster a safe and secure environment.
- Documented and communicated operational changes to enhance staff awareness and promote safety protocols.
Horticultural Sales Advisor/Retailer
English Woodlands, Burrows Nursery
Cross in Hand, East Sussex
09.2019 - 03.2024
- Provided attentive sales service and collaborated with customers and colleagues to enhance overall customer experience.
- Sourcing tree and shrub stock to meet customers' planting plans.
- Prepared competitive estimates for supply and planting services to align with customer planting plans.
- Merchandised stock daily to ensure optimal presentation and availability for customers.
- Daily HS inspections and quality control of stock.
- End of employment due to organisational restructuring
Horticulturist/Retailer/Grower
Stone Cross Garden Centre/Nursery
Stone Cross, East Sussex
04.2017 - 09.2019
- Directed production of new stock in the nursery to ensure quality and timely availability.
- Monitored product quality to maintain company standards and customer satisfaction.
- Daily HS inspections and quality control of stock.
- Managed daily merchandising of stock to optimise product presentation and availability.
- Provided attentive sales service and collaborated with customers and colleagues to resolve complaints and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Operating potting machines and overseeing the irrigation of crops and checking for P&D.
Prepress Manager
Freestyle design and print
Wandsworth, London
07.2016 - 03.2017
- Formatted files for digital workflows, ensuring compatibility with required file types and structure.
- Coordinated production and scheduling of artwork to meet project deadlines.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
Prepress and sales
One digital
Brighton, East Sussex
04.2015 - 07.2016
- Produced and scheduled artwork from initial brief to final PDFs for various in-house workflows, both digital and litho.
- Partnered with colleagues to meet and exceed project goals.
- Handled customer complaints by providing clear solutions and effective communication.
- Upheld safety standards by maintaining a tidy and hazard-free work environment.
Pre-press/Digital manager
Elephant Print & Display
Lewes, East Sussex
06.2012 - 04.2015
- Scheduled and produced artwork, managing workflow from initial brief to final pdfs, utilising Indigo 3050 digital press, HP Designjet, and Epson Surecolour to deliver quality outputs.
- Produced high-quality social content, ensuring alignment with brand voice and messaging.
- Managed daily content creation and community engagement, enhancing online presence and fostering positive follower relationships.
- Engaged with followers by responding to queries promptly, improving customer service interactions.
Horticultural Manager
Wyevale Garden Centre
Alfold, Surrey
12.2010 - 01.2012
- led horticultural team in creating and maintaining displays to enhance visual appeal and support year-round sales growth.
- Assisted customers with plant selections, providing advice on care requirements and suitability for specific environments.
- Maintained cleanliness and organisation within the greenhouse, conducting regular maintenance of tools and equipment.
- deputised as store manager, managed day-to-day stock ordering and directed work assignments to ensure operational efficiency.
- Mowed and evenly cut lawns using lawnmowers and hand tools.
Self-employed
Leaf Garden Services
11.2008 - 12.2010
- Provided landscaping and garden maintenance services for private and commercial clients, enhancing outdoor spaces.
- Studied at Plumpton Agricultural College while developing business, achieving National Diploma Horticulture: Level 3 Distinction.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
Pre-press manager
Newman Thomson Ltd
Burgess Hill, West Sussex
04.2006 - 11.2008
- Managed account handling, trafficking, and production of artwork from initial brief to final pdfs across litho, digital (Kodak Nexpress), and large format (Epson) workflows.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
Pre-press studio manager
Image Creative Design
Brighton, East Sussex
07.1997 - 02.2006
- Established and managed pre-press studio computer network, integrating Fuji LuxImagesetters and large format output devices, troubleshooting system and software faults to ensure optimal operation.
- Coordinated scheduling of artwork, scanning, and litho film production to streamline workflow and meet project deadlines.
- Production of high quality scans/retouching for beauty/fashion magazines.
- Resolved customer and supplier queries by delivering timely and effective solutions, enhancing client satisfaction.
Production manager
Sarat RE Graphics
Hove, East Sussex
08.1996 - 07.1997
- Coordinated scheduling and trafficking of artwork and litho film/plate production to ensure timely project delivery.
- Managed daily operations in production facility, optimising workflow and enhancing efficiency.
- Implemented quality control procedures, significantly reducing waste and improving product standards.
- Developed and maintained production schedules, ensuring timely delivery of products to clients.
Production manager
RE Graphics
Hove, East Sussex
01.1995 - 12.1996
Senior production artist
Mercury Press
Crawley, West Sussex
01.1993 - 12.1995
Senior production artist
Martin Lewis Associates
Richmond, Surrey
01.1991 - 12.1993
Production artist
Index Advertising Partnership
London
01.1989 - 12.1991
Production artist/Typesetter
Oliver’s printing works
Battle, East Sussex
01.1986 - 12.1989
Education
BTEC National Diploma - Graphic design
Hastings College of Art and Technology
Hastings, ESXA Level - Art
Hastings College of Art and Technology
Hastings, ESXO Levels - Art, English language, English, History, Literature, Maths, Technical drawing
Bexhill High School
Bexhill-on-Sea, ESXNational Diploma Horticulture - Level 3 Distinction
Plumpton Agricultural College
Plumpton, ESXLevel 2 Certificate - Spectator Safety
Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton, BNHSkills
- Event safety management
- Event security management
- Security operations
- First aid response
- Effective communication
- Active listening
- Positive attitude
- Risk management
- Crowd control
- People Management
Custom
- Eclectic taste in live music
- Organic gardening
- Liverpool FC supporter
- Live Theatre and all types of music.
Timeline
Part time Steward
Amex football stadium
11.2025 - Current
Self employed licensed SIA Operative
SafeSupport Security Ltd
11.2025 - 01.2026
Horticultural Sales Advisor/Retailer
English Woodlands, Burrows Nursery
09.2019 - 03.2024
Horticulturist/Retailer/Grower
Stone Cross Garden Centre/Nursery
04.2017 - 09.2019
Prepress Manager
Freestyle design and print
07.2016 - 03.2017
Prepress and sales
One digital
04.2015 - 07.2016
Pre-press/Digital manager
Elephant Print & Display
06.2012 - 04.2015
Horticultural Manager
Wyevale Garden Centre
12.2010 - 01.2012
Self-employed
Leaf Garden Services
11.2008 - 12.2010
Pre-press manager
Newman Thomson Ltd
04.2006 - 11.2008
Pre-press studio manager
Image Creative Design
07.1997 - 02.2006
Production manager
Sarat RE Graphics
08.1996 - 07.1997
Production manager
RE Graphics
01.1995 - 12.1996
Senior production artist
Mercury Press
01.1993 - 12.1995
Senior production artist
Martin Lewis Associates
01.1991 - 12.1993
Production artist
Index Advertising Partnership
01.1989 - 12.1991
Production artist/Typesetter
Oliver’s printing works
01.1986 - 12.1989
BTEC National Diploma - Graphic design
Hastings College of Art and Technology
A Level - Art
Hastings College of Art and Technology
O Levels - Art, English language, English, History, Literature, Maths, Technical drawing
Bexhill High School
National Diploma Horticulture - Level 3 Distinction
Plumpton Agricultural College
Level 2 Certificate - Spectator Safety
Brighton and Hove Albion