International Development - Alex's Story

When I first joined MCFT as a Trainee Engineer, I could never have imagined where the journey would take me. It all began in the UK, during my time in technical college where I was undertaking refrigeration, air con and heat pump training. I met someone from MCFT who shared a glimpse of the company culture and career opportunities. I was intrigued—and that was all it took. I decided to join.

Back then, we only had two technical teams. I worked hard and learned fast, moving from Trainee Engineer to Engineer, driven by a strong curiosity to understand not just the equipment, but the entire service model. Six years in, I had become deputy to Matt Alderton, who led the refrigeration side of our technical division. Those early years were filled with invaluable hands-on experience—technician roles across the UK, training sessions at Ascot Racecourse, and learning what excellence really looks like in both technical and office process.

That foundation prepared me for a big move. I first transitioned into a Technical Trainer role, then was deployed to the Gulf region as Regional Technical Manager under George Roberts-Smith. There, I helped grow our technical teams across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

It wasn’t easy—everything was different, from work culture to customer expectations—but pushing through those challenges was transformative. During COVID, I moved into more operational responsibilities, which added another layer of experience that would prove crucial down the line.

Then came a defining moment—MCFT needed someone to start a training academy in the Philippines. I knew it was one of those opportunities that only come if you're willing to say yes to change. I accepted the role of General Manager, moved to Manila, and got to work - developing MCFT Philippines into a full operational service for local customers. Today, I’m proud to say we have a team of 130 people across 8 locations in the Philippines—all of it built from scratch.

It took me around seven years to go from my first role to a senior international position. The key was resilience. Things will go wrong at times—different cultures, foreign environments, the fact that it's not always a 9-to-5 job—but that’s where growth happens. You adapt. You keep going.

Of course, I didn’t do it alone. MCFT provided immense support—technical training across equipment types, soft skills and management courses, and strong mentorship from Matt Alderton, George Roberts-Smith and Chris Craggs was also a constant source of guidance and motivation along the way.

My proudest moments? Seeing people I’ve trained and supported grow into leaders themselves. Walking into industry events where manufacturers now welcome us—when years before, we barely got noticed. Building something from nothing and watching it thrive.

What do I enjoy most about being part of MCFT’s global team? The adventure. The chance to travel, meet customers and industry partners, and immerse myself in different cultures. Every challenge was an expedition, and that excitement hasn’t gone away.

Would I recommend MCFT to someone considering a career with us? Without hesitation. If you're willing to make sacrifices, step outside your comfort zone, and push yourself, the opportunities are limitless. I never imagined, 13 years ago, that I’d be running MCFT’s APAC expansion from an office in Manila. But here I am.

My advice to newcomers? Speak up. Ask questions. Show a genuine interest in international business. And when the opportunity comes to step outside your comfort zone—even if it’s uncomfortable—take it. Those moments are where the real growth happens.