Rising star: Ben Ellis, finance and operations analyst, Mail Handling International (MHI)

Wellerman fan
Wellerman fan

Ben is 23 and found his way into the industry, and his role at MHI, via a recruitment agency in the autumn of 2019.

What did you study, and did you have a particular career in mind?

I studied financial mathematics with the idea that my future career would involve analysing data, studying patterns or trends to provide valuable forecasts that influence decision-making

How did you find your way into the industry?

After discussing my ideal career with a recruitment agency, they arranged an interview with MHI. I secured the job and have gained all my knowledge of the industry this way

Did you know anything about print beforehand?

I only knew of Royal Mail and 1st and 2nd class stamps!

What does your current role entail?

My job is focused on what happens after we print the mailing, and we’re looking at distribution. I use our data to ensure operations are running effectively, use our optimising system to provide the best possible rates for magazine publishers, find new carriers or services to find better value for money suppliers and manage destination embargoes because of Covid-19

What’s the most enjoyable or interesting thing about it?

Being able to illustrate complex data into simple graphs that assist managers and colleagues in their work

Do you have an ideal career path mapped out?

Not at all

What would be your dream job

Developing on the job that I have now so that I am analysing more data to understand trends for MHI and the print industry

Do you have a ‘side hustle’?

No, and I don’t think I will for the near future

What’s top of your playlist at the moment?

The Wellerman song is incredibly catchy!

What has surprised you most about working in the printing industry?

The dedicated and vigorous attitude of the people in the industry towards their work. This is found for those working the printing machines up to the managers at the top, and once people join the industry only a few leave

What could the printing industry be doing more of to entice millennials into print?

The nature of some industries attracts younger people. As the printing industry becomes more technology based, I think that younger people will be more likely to move into print.