Weeeknder: Golfing glory ambition for Derby BD manager

Russell Knox with James Williams

A Derby business development manager is taking an extended break from his job to continue to help with the rise of one of the UK’s rising stars of golf.

James Williams, who works for ValueLicensing is set to extend his summer holiday to caddy for Russell Knox, a Scottish golfer who is currently fifth on the PGA European Tour.

Before a career in corporate sales, James was a professional golf caddy for many high-ranking professionals. So when the call came from Russell Knox to assist him at the 2018 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Champion, James arranged the extra leave with ValueLicensing managing director Jonathan Horley.

ValueLicensing are a pre-owned Microsoft software specialist that buys and sells software throughout Europe in large volumes.

The company’s flexible approach has been rewarded, with Russell Knox winning the tournament, ably assisted by James, and at 5th on the European Tour Race to Dubai rankings, he is now in with a shot at making the European Ryder Cup team, when the players are selected in early September.

Of course, if he does, he will be speaking to Jonathan again about flexing his diary commitments and annual leave allowance, to be able to attend this prestigious event.

Jonathan said: “When James initially came to me I was more than happy to help as golf is his absolute passion. He’s an excellent player, a top-class caddie and of course a major asset to our business development team. To some less innovative businesses, that might have meant a flat ‘no’ to the extended leave but we are in the era of flexible working, and we work within an industry that embraces innovation and finding solutions to complex problems.

“We’ve been able to find a way of working that means James has been free to pursue this fantastic opportunity, whilst still keeping his eye on the ball for us. The technology available for the modern business is now fantastic for remote working, reporting and management, and we knew we’d find a way to make this a win/win for James, for us and of course for our clients. I’m delighted for him and Russell.”

James is currently in Scotland at the Gullane Golf Club, for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.

He said: “I am massively thankful to Jonathan and the team for finding a way to make this work. We work in a very complex world with technology at the heart of it, and that has meant we could find a solution for the old work/life balance conundrum. The win was fantastic and there is a real chance that Russell will do very well at these next two tournaments here in Scotland too. If he does, I will be having a quiet word with Jonathan again I am sure. Fingers crossed on both counts!”

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