The Pump Centre is delighted to welcome Damian Clifford as its new Manager. Bringing over three decades of specialist expertise in technical sales, team leadership, and progressive cavity pump solutions, Damian joins the organisation at a transformative time for the UK water sector.
In this introductory Q&A, Damian reflects on his 32-year career, shares his core management philosophy, and outlines his strategic vision for driving collaboration, innovation, and skills development across the Pump Centre's extensive membership network.
Could you tell us a bit about your background and how you got to where you are today?
The main part of my career spans 32 years in technical sales for SEEPEX UK Ltd, specialising in the supply of progressive cavity pumps. I started as an internal sales engineer, progressing through external sales and sales management, before ultimately leading the business as the largest non-manufacturing subsidiary of the global organisation. In that role, I managed a £25m revenue budget and a team of 32 people.
Upon leaving SEEPEX and taking some time out, I saw this opportunity with the Pump Centre, an organisation I was already very familiar with. I felt I would be a natural fit given my years of experience working alongside the water companies, contractors, and consultants that closely mirror the Pump Centre’s member base.
What are some of the key lessons you've learned throughout your career that you believe are most valuable?
Treat everyone with respect and recognise that we are all important to a business, regardless of our role. Celebrate success, but also treat mistakes and failures as opportunities to improve. Always provide feedback to people, positive or constructive. Ensure the work-life balance is right, and actively ask for feedback yourself. Whether from a management or personal perspective, my motto is "DWO" (Don’t Wimp Out): tackle things early and head-on.
Having transitioned from pump manufacturing to a specialist membership organisation, what expertise from your manufacturing background do you now bring to Pump Centre members?
While I was employed by a manufacturer, my role focused predominantly on sales and relationship development. Additionally, I was consistently involved in creating tenders and pitching at all levels, which will help me support the commercial and strategic growth of the Pump Centre. I am deeply familiar with the industry and well connected across the sector. I bring hands-on experience in delivering technical training, consulting with customers, managing business operations, and leading organisational change.
What does the future of the Pump Centre look like to you?
We are at a pivotal and exciting point in the development of the Pump Centre. It is a well-established organisation that has grown steadily over many years. Looking ahead, I see our core services being modernised and expanded, accompanied by accelerated growth and the professional development of the people within our network.
What are the priorities for the Pump Centre team in the coming year?
Our main priorities are establishing clear strategic direction, deploying the right tasks to the right people, and driving operational efficiency. We must also effectively manage personnel transitions as new team members join and existing colleagues retire. Crucially, our overarching priority is delivering on our primary purpose: bringing the distinct entities across the water industry together.
As the water industry navigates a period of change and transition, how can companies and professionals across the sector work together to turn these shared challenges into an opportunity to build a more resilient, trusted, and sustainable UK water network?
This is the central challenge facing the sector, and it is precisely where the Pump Centre can act as a key facilitator for collaborative efforts. While it is too early to outline every tactical detail, establishing this unified network is my long-term vision. I will be consulting closely with the team to harness our collective ideas and put them into action.
How can we drive innovation within the Pump Centre to aid the water industry in finding solutions to these problems?
We need to remain closely aligned with the supply chain, inviting their active input and offering a platform for them to share innovations across the wider industry. Likewise, we must work side by side with water companies to encourage them to share innovative techniques and real-world experiences with emerging technologies.
To learn more about how Pump Centre membership can help your business drive innovation and collaboration across the UK water sector, talk to our membership team.