Welcome to another CSI+ Meet the Member Interview! This edition we are joined by Mark Henderson the CEO at Magicman Holdings Ltd & Magicman Marine Services.
What do you do at your company and in what circumstances would I come to you for something?
“Magicman for over 32 years has been the first choice contractor for onsite damage repair and rejuvenation, saving clients time, cost, and the environment.”
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
“People often feel awkward engaging with higher management because of a job title. My job is to engage with everyone because you never know where the next opportunity is going to come from.”
Has your company got any upcoming projects/events/exciting news you can talk about?
“Magicman continues to attract new cruise operators, fit out companies , newbuild and refurbishment clients, and facilitators reaching new records year on year. We do not discuss projects in detail to maintain client confidentiality. We conduct ongoing R&D and introduce new product lines, repair strategies, and techniques every year. This year we introduced natural stone protection and leather repair to our service portfolio.”
What has been your favourite project to work on?
“I am equally grateful to all of our clients whose projects big or small receive the same attention to detail. Of course, there are some leading brands we are very pleased to be associated with but Magicman is mindful that every customer deserves the same level of respect and attention as another.”
What behavior or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?
“Military Service, Integrity and Honesty.”
Could you share the most significant obstacle you have faced in your career so far, particularly in cruise work? Or, have you ever encountered any problems in cruise work that required you to learn a new skill set?
“Being a bespoke service that was not well known it took some years for clients to both understand and believe in what was possible and how our service could dramatically improve onboard maintenance.”
What inspired you to pursue this field of work? Or, what was your first taste of the cruise industry?
“15 Years in the Royal Navy as a Mechanical Engineer and latterly shipwright meant repairing items at sea has always been part of my life.”
What are the most significant changes you have seen in the Cruise Interior sector since you started, and what emerging trends do you foresee shaping its future?
“The move towards sustainability and environmental concerns across the industry. I have witnessed in other parts of my business the move towards modular and off-site construction rather similar to suite and bathroom pods now used in ship construction. I see interchanging design pieces like a puzzle which will provide differing looks and finishes.”
Do you have a fun fact or piece of advice about your company/industry that you can share?
“In todays “dog eat dog world” Honesty, Integrity, and respect will always win through.”
Do you specialise in a particular type of product? What makes it different to competitors?
“Magicman has largely been responsible for developing the onsite repair industry over the last 32 years. The term “Magicman” is a generic term used in many industries now for an onsite damage repair man. Even with registered trademarks we are often plagiarised or imitated by others who somehow try to associate themselves with Magicman.”
If you could recommend only one of your products, what would it be?
“Onsite damage repair.”
What kind of questions do you ask before beginning a project, and which piece of information is of utmost value in planning a successful project?
“Magicman requires a scope of works from either the client or our own survey, details of other works in way and timescales. Most valuable is detailed scope and sufficient time to get men and materials picked and sorted and across the globe to the project. All too often we receive “last minute” requests for assistance.”
What role does sustainability play in your company? How do you incorporate environmentally friendly practices and materials?
“Sustainability is the cornerstone of our service provision. We investigate all areas of the business for improvement and offset our travel by subscribing to the Treees4Travel program where we have planted 6389 trees and offset 1,048.39 tons of CO2.”
What goals have you met so far in 2024? Or, what goals/milestones are you working to meet this year?
“2024 has been a record year for our Marine division with 112 projects.”
What is the most valuable asset of your business?
“The people who work here.”
Thanks for a great interview Mark Henderson!
