Terry Calls Time After Three Decades Working with UK Ambulance Trust

After 35 years in the emergency suppliers' industry, where his expertise helped pave the way for introducing revolutionary new products into the ambulance service, Terry Jaques, Ferno's National Accounts Manager has retired.

Terry's long and flourishing career with Ferno began in 1973 when the company was known as FW Equipment Limited. He joined as an Area Sales Manager for southern England and worked and lived in Hampshire. Terry helped mould the company which was progressively expanding.

In 1985, FW Equipment was bought by Ferno Washington and Ferno UK was born. After establishing the first aid consumer side of the business, Terry was promoted to Sales and Marketing Director for Ferno UK and expanded his selling repertoire to the whole of the UK.

Moving to Yorkshire, Terry became an influential and well known sales representative for Ferno. Like many of Terry's counterparts, Tony Cowley, National Fleet and Logistics Manager for the Welsh Ambulance Service, believes Terry was integral to Ferno's success and the development of the Ambulance Service Industry. "Terry has done a lot for the Ambulance Service and we owe a lot to him. He's brought all types of equipment to the table that has reduced manual handling for our staff, making their working lives a lot safer."

Over the years Terry has witnessed Ferno being at the forefront of technology and has seen the growth and standardisation of the emergency services supplies over the years.

One of the most memorable changes that Terry has been privy to was in 1998 when lift assist range entered the market. Terry states. "Lift assist was created with an hydraulic ram positioned in the stretcher trolley. This invention was developed and pioneered by Ferno and was one of the biggest changes to the ambulance service, directly minimising staff injuries."

Going back even further, one of Terry's earliest memories of radical changes within the industry was in 1974, the amalgamation of services under the NHS. Ambulance services were standardised and moved away from the other emergency services. Ferno now supply all ambulance services in Great Britain and Ireland with main stream products.

"There are many challenges that still lie ahead" admits Terry. "Power stretchered trolleys that use rechargeable batteries are in demand. They are a fantastic new invention making life easier for the Ambulance services, the challenge we face is to deliver this technology safely. I predict that we'll see major developments in battery management over the next couple of years."

Terry is also eager to see the evolution of critical care transfers. He recognises that there are areas of excellence which cater for this need. Terry is supporting the department of anaesthetists who are working towards nationalising this service.

Working closely with Terry since the start of the year is Ferno's new Sales & Marketing Director Simon Shepherd, who is already proving intrinsic to Ferno's market domination in 2009. Simon has begun developing a new strategy and sales structure and aims to drive Ferno forward with the same passion and commitment that Terry has shown.

Simon comments, "Terry has made a considerable contribution to our company and to the ambulance industry and we will miss him greatly. We are confident that we can continue the great work that Terry has started with the new team devoted to the ambulance market. We wish Terry and his wife Eileen a long and prosperous retirement and look forward to hearing about his forthcoming travel plans in his new motor home."

"I'm really going to miss my mates," admits, Terry. "I'll miss the personal contact in the business and ultimately miss the industry; it's been my life for the last 30 odd years. However I'm keen to take my new motor home to the South of France and plunge back into windsurfing!" Terry retired from Ferno UK, two days before his 65th birthday.