Meet Raj Patel - our new Managing Director

Raj has had an impressive journey to RS UK & Ireland , spanning 35 years and five countries. We sat down with him to chat about his recent transition into our company, his career highlights and how he plans to steer our company toward new heights. Let's dive in!

Sum up your career path in one paragraph – any stand out moments or highlights?

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I have 35 years of Executive level private sector and public sector experience working in the UK, USA, Europe, Russia and South Africa across multiple sectors: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale, Manufacturing, Financial Services, Healthcare and within the UK Government. Previous roles have included Chief Executive, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Transformation Director.

Describe your journey into the MD role here at RS.

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I was acquired along with the furniture when RS Group plc bought Distrelec last year in June. I was the MD of Distrelec since 2020, operating across 19 markets in Europe and globally exporting to 90 countries worldwide.

Like RS, Distrelec is also a high-service, digital-led distributor of industrial and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products and is a trusted, long-standing partner for many of Europe′s largest electronic and technical providers. Over the last 4 years Distrelec has first stabilised and then significantly expanded its market position and successfully positioned itself as a well-established, independent participant in the European field of B2B electricals distribution, while preserving its unique Swiss heritage.

Distrelec is a complementary business to RS with a comparable product mix and customer-centric focus, plus industry-leading product availability.

?Since June last year I have been busy integrating the Distrelec business into RS and then was delighted to see an opportunity which would allow me to apply myself leading the UK & Ireland market within the RS EMEA region, drawing not just from the Distrelec repositioned business but also my extensive M&A experience across different industries on a global scale.

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Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your leadership style?

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Being named as one of the Top 50 Global Leaders in the book industry during my first 6 months as CEO at Bertram Group and then facing into the global COVID pandemic. Keeping hold of a customer first approach in operating the business, and being flexible and adaptable during a time of imperfect information and clarity, was crucial. But true leadership is a test of resilience during periods of adversity.

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What do you believe are the three most important qualities of an effective leader, and how do you strive to embody them in your role?

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To me, it's vital that I create a practical vision with suitable, data-driven, achievable targets. Simplicity is important, so that teams stay engaged with the business strategy.

I believe that taking ownership of positive and negative outcomes is key to effective leadership. I take responsibility for my team's work. I love developing new ideas that solve business problems and provide competitive edge. I am a big advocate of brainstorming and prototyping taking a first-to-market, customer first approach. Growth in sales and market share conducted in a sustainable and profitable way is a catalyst for prosperity for all of our stakeholders.

Aside from innovation, problem solving and a growth mindset I'd say empathy and patience are two of the most important leadership qualities you can have. It is vital to me that I listen to my team. So many ideas for business improvement can often be found from within. I believe in collaboration to drive maximum engagement (while also retaining the right of veto) to ensure we remain on track to hit the business goals and outcomes. Empathy for my team members means that I can identify their struggles and show understanding toward them. This helps develop stronger professional relationships.

And finally, I believe sustained motivation can only be achieved by demonstrating personal pride and passion in my work. It helps to create unity amongst the team - they have to see those qualities from us as leaders.

What are you most excited about regarding your role at RS?

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There is a brilliant team at RS and I am excited about taking them on the next chapter of growth. I would like to cultivate their ideas and expertise and help take us to new heights.

From my perspective there's a lot of untapped opportunity which I am keen to embrace. I think we've sometimes tried to execute too many things too quickly and without a deep shared understanding of the end state. Simplicity is key for me in driving the business forward.

Despite impressive growth in recent years I will be seeking opportunities to grow market share inorganically - an area in which I have immense experience, having spent over 7 years in private equity.

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How do you envisage RS will stay ahead of industry trends and continuously innovate in a competitive market?

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RS is built in solid business fundamentals and the UK & Ireland business benefits from multi-year investments made on a global scale which can be leveraged further.

We offer a distinctive and compelling set of customer propositions which are unmatched by our competitors. Our customers can avail a full range of value-added solutions and services which make their lives easier while also continuing to receive brilliant technical product advice and speediest routes to market for our ‘need it now’ customers. RS Group is the critical link in the value chain solving complexity for its customers and channel partners.

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In your opinion, what role does company culture play in achieving business success, and what steps will you take to foster a positive and inclusive work environment?

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Culture is the glue that holds companies together. It defines our sense of shared purpose, values and what matters to us most. There is extensive research and empirical evidence which shows a positive culture creates a vibrant environment of success for all stakeholders:? customers, colleagues, suppliers, shareholders and the communities in which we operate.

I have volunteered with charities to promote inclusivity and combat social poverty, helping people from diverse backgrounds overcome various barriers in Western society.? I take zero tolerance approach to any form of discrimination, prejudice and practices that don't conform with our values.

It's really important to me that our people feel able to bring their full selves to work, and that begins with celebrating our individuality. It's how the best work gets done.