People Spotlight: Max Borland, SDR Manager

At Bonham & Brook, our people are what set us apart, and Max's story is one of the most striking examples of what's possible here. Just over two years ago, he joined as an SDR almost by accident. Today, he's an SDR Manager, a two-time top performer, and the person behind the largest energy contract in company history.

His Journey at Bonham & Brook

Max joined Bonham & Brook around two years and three months ago, his first serious role after graduating with a degree in Mass Communications and PR. He had no prior knowledge of what an SDR role even involved when he applied, simply uploading his CV without a clear sense of where it might lead. "It really was an accidental find," he says.

What followed was a rapid rise: two promotions in under a year took him from SDR into a management position, a pace of progression built on a personal brand of hard work and growing product expertise. "I've always tried to lead with expertise, knowing the product, the market, the schemes, and the client inside out," he says.

Challenges

One of the bigger adjustments for Max has been learning to manage a team while still performing at a high level himself, something he's now done for around ten months. Balancing his own targets with developing two newer SDRs, Roy and Hayley, meant learning how to teach effectively without losing his own edge. His approach has been to focus on instilling the right habits early, since he's found bad habits are far harder to undo later, and to tailor his coaching to each person's individual working style while still holding a clear, consistent standard for everyone.

Achievements

Max has been B&B's Top Performer for two consecutive years, achieving the highest Estimated Sales Value company-wide in both. He's also personally responsible for sourcing the largest energy contract in the company's history, closed while he was still working as an SDR.

Beyond the numbers, he says the role has brought a real shift in mindset and professionalism, along with a stronger sense of self belief, and improvements in his own health and wellbeing that have come from finding real purpose and a sense of belonging in the work.

Culture

Max points to the Glasgow office's close-knit culture as central to his experience at B&B, a small, tightly aligned team where people are treated as individuals rather than numbers, built on genuine trust and respect. He's equally proud of what sets B&B apart in the market: a compliance first approach, rather than a race to the bottom on price. Strong relationships with the Department for Business and Trade and HMRC ensure energy applications are robust, and B&B only submits work it genuinely expects to pass legislative scrutiny, a track record that's built real credibility on compliance matters. "We're not the cheapest option, and we don't try to be. What we offer is work done properly," he says.

Advice for New Starters

Max's advice for anyone starting out at B&B is to listen deeply and ask plenty of questions, since that's what accelerates real understanding. He's equally clear that mistakes are simply part of the process, not something to fear. "Embarrassment is the cost of entry," he says, encouraging new starters to throw themselves in fully rather than hold back and stay passive.

Looking Ahead and Personal Reflections

Outside of work, Max is happiest outdoors, whether that's hiking, camping, fishing, or cycling, and he's just as likely to be found at a live gig or simply spending a weekend wandering without much of a plan at all. A committed Celtic supporter, he values having ways to properly switch off from the pace of working life.

Within the Glasgow team, he continues to focus on developing Roy and Hayley, both of whom have passed probation and are showing real promise, a next generation of the same hard work and expertise he's built his own career on.

Interested in Joining Bonham & Brook?

At Bonham & Brook, we are proud to foster an environment where people like Max can thrive, innovate, and lead. If you are looking to build your career in a company that values ownership, growth, and impact, we would love to hear from you.

To learn more, visit our Meet Our Team page and explore exciting opportunities on our Careers page.