Martin Beaney

Southdowns Technician

Interviewed in Spring 2015

Martin joined Southdowns in August 2014, having been made redundant when the Portsmouth Dockyard closed earlier in 2014. A car and campervan enthusiast, he is enjoying working as part of the workshop team.

Q What made you want to work for Southdowns?
A I have plenty of experience as a fabricator in the Portsmouth docks and also as a coachbuilder so the job appealed to me straight away. I live locally and also love tinkering with cars and campervans so I really like the idea of being paid to do what I enjoy most.

Q What are your key responsibilities?
A At the moment I work on all the aspects of the motorhomes that don't require a specific qualification. So, for example, I don't get involved in doing gas checks but I'm about to go on a gas course so I will be able to add that to my CV. I do electrics and all the other internal work that's required when customers bring their vehicles in for servicing. I'm a bit of a perfectionist so I like to get things just right and really like working on what I'd describe as “the pleasing stuff” that makes the motorhomes look good inside as well as out.

Q What is the best thing about working for the company?
A Having worked in the docks, where there were so many fabricators that we were known by a number rather than our names, it's good to be working as part of a small, friendly team where people call me 'Martin'. After years of always being inside the bowels of a ship. I'm also really pleased to be working somewhere where I can get out in the fresh air. I don't care if it's cold - I just put on more layers!

Q Do you have a personal interest in motorhomes?
A Until recently I had a VW campervan and hope to buy another one in the future so I was really interested in the idea of working on motorhomes - I'm really enjoying learning more about them.

Q If you could take a motorhome anywhere in the world where would you go?
A So far, I've only ever travelled around the West Country in a campervan and have been to lots of VW shows and owners' events. It was great to meet lots of different people and get a chance to check out their campers, so I'd like to do more of that.

Q Finally, if you could fulfil one ambition what would it be?
A I've got a few but getting to the Grand Canyon would be one of them - it just looks epic!

Martin lives in Southsea and spends his weekends in his garage. His current project is turning a VW Beetle into a hot rod, so if you find yourself at Santa Pod in the near future, keep your eye out for Martin!