McGimpseys Bangor MD Melissa Gibbons goes under the Belfast Live spotlight
Melissa talks us through her career highlights as well as family life and her favourite spots in NI to eat, drink and relax
Melissa Gibbons is Managing Director of McGimpseys, a Bangor-based business specialising in house moves, storage and white glove logistics for both consumers and corporate customers.
It has just marked 40 years in business and in recent years invested over £1.9 million into the business sustaining more than 60 jobs local jobs.
Here we delve a little deeper into Melissa's role and her life outside of work.
What do you do (in 10 words or fewer)?
Worldwide moving and storage solutions. Delivering an experience worth repeating.
Three main attributes you need for the job …
- Organisation – If you're not on top of the job, it gets on top of you.
- Integrity – In all areas, from our teams to our customers and partners.
- Resilience – Things change daily (sometimes hourly), and being able to stay calm and find solutions is key. I rarely get through my planned to-do list!
Your path to the position Opportunity here to mention takeover of business
After studying at Queen’s, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, working up to Assistant Manager. Just after my 26th birthday, the family business went up for sale and my husband and I decided to buy it from my dad and three uncles.
The deal completed eight months later, and I stepped into the MD role. I worked alongside my dad and uncles for a year as they gradually stepped back. Since then, we’ve grown from one to three depots across NI and ROI.
Today, I focus on setting business goals and delivering our growth strategy, while still keeping a close eye on our finances – that accounting background hasn’t quite left me!
What’s your dream job, present position excepted?
Travel or destination reviewer – I love exploring new places
What are you most proud of work wise? Opportunity here to mention decision making, i.e., reinvestment and growth as a result….
Our growth since taking over in 2018. We’ve invested £1.9m, increased revenue by 62%, and grown our team from 40 to 60. We’ve also created new roles and career progression opportunities – something we’re passionate about.
What are you most proud of in life?
My son, who is almost 2 years old and certainly keeps us on our toes at home!
Who is Northern Ireland’s brightest business brain?
The late Brian Conlon of First Derivatives – what he built from his mum’s spare room is incredible.
What do you wish you had invented?
A time machine!
Favourite App on your phone?
Spotify. There’s always music playing at home. From chilled tunes while cooking to dance parties with my son on a Friday night!
Apart from Belfast Live and your own, what’s your favourite website?
Amazon – I am waiting for my family to start an intervention because I think I have an addiction to ordering from here. We are on first name terms with our delivery driver at this point!
If you were spending the day in Belfast, where is your dream breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks?
Breakfast at Maggie Mays, lunch at West for one of their famous salads, dinner at Meat Locker, and drinks at The Merchant.
How would you describe Belfast to someone who’s never been?
A beautiful city with loads to offer – history, food, nightlife, and of course, friendly people and great banter.
Where’s your hidden gem in Northern Ireland?
The Jamaica Inn in Bangor. For anyone who hasn’t tried their chilli chicken pitta – you need to!
Favourite place in the world?
Hard to choose – Galgorm is special as we got married there. Orlando also holds amazing memories and is a tradition we continue with family.
In 10 years’ time I’d like to…
Continue having a happy, healthy family enjoying life.
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