Meet the Meroes – Alex Hinchcliffe

Meet the Meroes – Alex

Alex is a 46-year-old man residing in Leeds, located in the northeast of England, with his wife Caroline whom he has been with for nearly 20 years. Together, they have two boys aged eight and 10. Although Alex holds a degree in PR from the University of Leeds, it comes as no surprise (to those who know Alex personally) that he also possesses several fitness coaching certificates.

When Alex and Caroline first met, they were in a long-distance relationship, requiring a three to four-hour commute each way. Due to their mutual desire to travel and their weariness of living so far apart, they made the decision to embark on an adventure in Australia.

“Upon our arrival in Sydney, I initially worked as a recruiter. However, given the downturn in the job market due to the financial crisis, I opted to take a sabbatical and obtain certifications as a personal trainer and coach. This eventually led to a 10-year career as a trainer in Australia,” says Alex.

From personal training to the charging industry

After returning to the UK, Alex briefly worked at a sports company before he had an interesting conversation with a colleague who told him that he was interested in starting his own charging company.

“The company was called Alfa Power, and despite having no prior experience in the industry, I played a key role in its establishment. I spent nearly two years at Alfa Power, initially as a Business Development Director and later as the Managing Director,” he explains.

Following his time at Alfa Power, Alex joined Fulcrum Group, a prominent multi-utility infrastructure and services provider in the UK, as the Head of EV Business Development. This position allowed him to forge strong connections within the industry. After a few years, he was approached by Mer UK, who headhunted him for the role of Sales Director.

“Prior to being approached, I was already familiar with Mer as the company had a stellar reputation. Interestingly, the CEO of one of Mer’s competitors actually encouraged me to meet with Mer. I took his advice, attended the meeting, and was genuinely impressed by the company’s values and ethos—from their history with Statkraft to the integrity of their employees,” he shares.

Powering up for the future

Alex initially joined Mer as a Sales Director but quickly transitioned into the role of Director of Public Charging within a year. He now leads a team of 20 individuals and is primarily responsible for overseeing sales and operations in the public sector of the charging industry.

“My time is divided between strategizing and exploring new opportunities. Every day, we ask ourselves the same question: How can we accelerate the deployment of chargers on the ground?” Alex explains.

He frequently travels throughout the UK and typically spends one night in London each week. Describing the industry as unpredictable, he finds the job exhilarating due to the constant need to expect the unexpected.

“The industry is evolving at such a rapid pace. What you believed to be true two weeks ago may no longer hold true today. Embracing change is essential to truly enjoy this industry,” he remarks.

Having made multiple career transitions himself, Alex has valuable advice for young individuals aspiring to enter the industry.

“Just get started. Begin now. The industry is thriving!” he enthusiastically states.

He encourages aspiring professionals to reach out to companies they find appealing and engage in direct communication. Drawing from his experience as a former headhunter, he emphasizes that he always sought out individuals who demonstrated the right values and showed initiative.

Active lifestyle and hobby chef

When he’s not busy leading his team and making an impact as a Director at Mer, Alex values his time with his active and adventurous family.

“I absolutely love family holidays. Our most recent trip was a perfect blend of relaxation and exciting activities. We visited Scotland, where we enjoyed mountain biking, long walks, and exploring beautiful parks,” he shares.

During their leisure time, Alex and his family often engage themselves in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes and exploring diverse cuisines from around the world.

“When my wife and I lived in Australia, we frequently dined out at various restaurants, delving into the flavors of different countries and cultures. Our culinary explorations have continued, and now our sons also appreciate and enjoy a wide range of foods. It’s amazing to see their palates develop,” he says.

When they’re not busy in the kitchen or on adventurous holidays, Alex and his sons can often be found on the tennis court or engaging in mixed martial arts. It’s evident that Alex has maintained his active lifestyle even after his 10-year stint as a trainer in Australia, from which he also has some fun stories to tell.

“During my time as a personal trainer in Sydney, I had the opportunity to work with several celebrities. I actually trained many cast members from the popular TV show ‘Home and Away,’ which was quite exciting as it had a significant following in the UK, and it still does,” he recalls.

“In addition, I had the privilege of training Hugh Jackman’s wife for a period of time. It happened through a friend of mine who originally trained her. He played a stuntman and was spending his time battling against Wolverine,” he concludes with a hint of nostalgia.