Meet the Team: Alan Gormley

Alan joined Team F. Ball in 2021 as a Technical Support Representative, spending two and a half years deepening his knowledge of our products, systems, and the challenges faced by customers across the industry. Keen to take that experience into the field, he transitioned into the role of Area Technical Representative, where he now covers Ireland—bringing practical solutions and on-the-ground support to clients in the Commercial and Retail Flooring sectors.

With a varied professional background, including experience in similar roles since 2017, Alan brings a hands-on, problem-solving mindset to every visit. His wide-ranging experience and approachable manner make him an asset to customers and colleagues alike.

We caught up with Alan to hear more about his career path, what he’s learned along the way, and what motivates him in his work.

“I first got into customer service over 30 years ago, working weekends and after school in retail with Superquinn (now Supervalu),” Alan begins telling us.

He continues: “That experience taught me the importance of communication, reliability, and understanding customer needs – skills that have stayed with me throughout my career.”  

Alan certainly got off to a good start when it comes to working with people. We’re thinking he can’t have gone from shop floor to flooring installations, so we probe for what came next.  

“My professional journey in the construction industry came in bricklaying, which gave me a strong work ethic, practical problem-solving skills, and hands-on technical experience. Over the last nine years, I transitioned to more technical and customer-facing roles, combining both my field knowledge and people skills. This path eventually led me to my current role as an F. Ball area technical representative.” 

Those early morning starts on site will have prepared Alan well for the world of floor installations. We ask what daily life looks like. He continues: “In my role, no two days are the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about it. That said, there are core elements that shape my day-to-day responsibilities. A significant part of my time is spent on site with clients, providing technical support, troubleshooting issues, and advising on best practices for product use and installation.

“I also work closely with our internal and wholesale partner teams – including sales, product development, and customer service – to ensure that field feedback is communicated effectively and helps drive continuous improvement.

“On other days, I might be supporting my colleague and Technical Support Representative, Wesley Staines, in his delivery of training sessions in Ireland and product demonstrations or following up on technical queries.”

He’s certainly kept busy. We want to know more about the variety of the job and why it makes Alan happy at work.

He says: “I really value being out in the field, working closely with customers to troubleshoot issues and deliver practical solutions. It’s the direct impact I can have in solving challenges for our clients that fulfils me. No two situations are ever the same, which keeps the job engaging and constantly evolving. Ultimately, it’s rewarding to know that the support I provide helps projects run more smoothly and strengthens long-term trust with our clients.”

Lovely stuff, Alan. There must be many challenges in the job, surely?

Alan continues: “One of the challenges I encounter in my role is managing shifting priorities, especially when unexpected technical issues arise on site that require immediate attention. Balancing these urgent needs with planned activities and ensuring all clients feel supported can feel demanding. However, I see this as an opportunity to sharpen my problem-solving skills and adaptability.”

Very good. Next, we ask him if there’s a job that he’s done that brings together all his skills as an example that he’s particularly proud of.

“I identified and resolved a recurring technical issue for a key customer that was causing significant delays on their projects,” he says. “By working closely with both the client and our technical department, we helped implement a tailored solution that not only fixed the problem but also improved overall efficiency. Our customer was extremely satisfied, and it strengthened our relationship with them. It was rewarding to see how a proactive approach and collaboration made a real difference.” 

Finally, would you be able to tell us a bit about what you enjoy doing outside of work?

Alan said “Outside of work, I like to kick back by playing golf with friends —it’s a great way to stay active and clear my head. I’m also part of the coaching teams for the Gaelic football and camogie teams my daughters play on at Moorefield GAA in County Kildare, which I find really rewarding. I’m a bit of a DIY enthusiast too, so I enjoy tackling small projects around the house. And of course, spending time with my wife Carolanne and our two daughters Caoimhe and Aimee.”

To find your local technical representative across the UK and Ireland, visit our rep locator here.