)
)
A quick chat with Peter Davies Managing Director, Leisure, at Inspired
In a professional career that’s included spells at Music Hire Group, Bass Leisure Machine Services, BWB/Vivid Gaming, Barcrest, Games Media, Gamestec, Playnation, Novomatic UK, and Inspired, Peter Davies is the epitome of a one industry man. He explains what he’d change about how the industry he has served is portrayed and why he owes so much to the influence of his dad.
What was your first career job and wage?
I managed the regional CD library for Music Hire Group (Gamestec) – I was paid £80 per week to select music to update Jukeboxes. It’s still the best job I’ve ever had!
What was your greatest accomplishment and what are you most proud of?
I started my career with Music Hire Group (latterly Gamestec) in Haydock in 1989. Almost 30-years later I was appointed as Managing Director of Gamestec and joined the Novomatic UK board. That’s the professional achievement that I’m most proud of – so far! My proudest personal achievement is becoming a dad, nothing else comes close.
Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
This is a difficult question to answer as I’ve had the privilege to work with and for some incredibly influential people. I like to think I’ve taken something positive from each of my colleagues and bosses. Sometimes it’s how to do things differently and more importantly it’s sometimes how 'not' to do things!! I think I have to credit my friend Dean Harding who definitely set me on a path to senior management. Dean was Sales Director at Maygay and I was a product manager for Gamestec. He saw something in me, recommending me for a senior product role at Bass Leisure Machine Services. I got the job and that career move certainly boosted my career path. Thanks Dean!
What are you looking forward to most from January’s EAG?
EAG is a really important show in the annual calendar. It sets the scene for product launches and innovation for the year ahead. It brings industry colleagues and customers together to discuss challenges and opportunities. Once again, I will be moderating the popular pub summit which I am very much looking forward to.
Which industry figure do you admire most?
Again, a difficult question to answer as there are many industry figures that I admire. I especially admire people who have founded and created Industry leading or successful companies and who have had the tenacity, energy and foresight to keep those companies relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape. On that basis it’s a family I admire greatly. The Black family who founded own and run Sound Leisure, one of the last remaining traditional jukebox manufacturers. It’s a case study in family values, innovative thinking, invention, re-invention and IP creation. At the heart of the company though is a fiercely loyal traditional value centred on looking after their staff. I had numerous conversations with Chris Black during the dark days of Covid and lockdown. Chris’s key priority was how to protect and look after the employees who are at the heart of their business. Now Sound Leisure has evolved into a very successful lifestyle brand creating fabulous hand built desirable products! They also develop amazing products promoting play for children and they still operate juke boxes in pubs. I also hear Alan is still inventing!! Awesome!!
What role have you enjoyed most?
I’m fortunate that I have enjoyed most of the roles I’ve had. Some more than others of course. If I pin it down, I think being Sales Director at BWB/Vivid Gaming during the time the team produced Pie Factory, an AWP (Cat C) game that sold thousands. That team was incredibly talented and punched well above its weight. We had a lot of fun!
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
My dad. Simply he’s been my reference point and moral compass! He’s a retired school teacher so has no links with the pay-to-play gaming and entertainment industry. I still ring him for advice. His greatest lesson to me was work hard - there is always a solution to every problem even if it’s not immediately obvious!! Takes me right back to physics homework!!
How do you define success?
I measure success by asking ‘have we made a positive difference?’ If the answer is yes - that’s success!
How do you manage stress?
Recognising stress is so important! I’m fortunate that I know when I’m stressed. Recognising it and dealing with it is key. My family is my place to de-stress! I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and son. They give me my purpose and keep things in perspective and grounded. We love watching sport (not always un stressful of course, especially as my wife is a Nottingham Forest supporter and my son and I are Liverpool supporters!) we are petrol heads and really enjoy motorsport and attending motoring meets and events. My go to though to think through problems (thanks Dad) or decompress is to put on my trainers or waking boots and get out into countryside. Wine also helps!
What are your career regrets?
I have no time for regrets!
What inspires or motivates you?
My motivation is my drive to do the best job I can and to provide for my family. It’s a simple ethos and possibly cliched but it works for me.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Be true to yourself, be kind, don't be afraid to say yes to opportunity and enjoy the ride!
Something about yourself that’s not on your CV?
I love listening to music, on vinyl, CD, radio, streaming or preferably live. Oddly though I’m actually stone deaf in one ear, which you'd think would impair my ability to appreciate stereo sound......it doesn’t!
In a sentence what would you change about the industry?
If I could change one thing it would be to improve political perception of the value and the importance of this industry in creating and maintaining the cultural fabric of the nation’s leisure time.
One piece of advice or insight that has changed your life and from whom?
'Empathy is a superpower'. You don’t know what other people are going through. Don’t be quick to judge, take the time to get to know people and find out. EQ is often more important than IQ. It was from an Inspirational leadership program I attended earlier in my career and it was delivered by the course author and tutor I can’t recall his name sadly but I certainly remember the advice.
What’s your Desert Island Disc?
We are back to music and juke boxes – it’s a recurring theme I know. So many choices but right now its Metallica, The Black Album. My son re-introduced me to Metallica and we have been lucky to see them perform live and have tickets for their 2026 UK tour.