An Englishman Abroad
An Englishman Abroad
Steve Jordan from The Mover interviews Andy Marshall, recently back into the agent-to-agent realm of international moving, as president and COO at Asian Tigers in Thailand. Sitting down to reflect on almost four decades in the moving industry that has taken him across the globe, Andy tells the story of some huge changes in his working and personal life.
As a young man raised in Chelmsford, an area that had been the home of the Marconi factory, Andy Marshall was not an exemption. As the son of a working-class family, he took an engineering apprentice job at Marconi. That remained the case until a switch from mechanical to electronic engineering left Andy wondering about his future. An ad in a local paper, in 1984, having him hired as a clerk at Pickfords led eventually to his having his own branch, being the youngest ever branch manager in the company.
But Andy had ambitions of international experience. An unfulfilled opportunity to relocate to Australia only hardened his drive. He replied to an advert in Removals and Storage magazine, based in the UK, in 1994 and headed off to work in Thailand for Transpo. The rest, as they say, is history. He continued to build his international exposure by accepting overseas postings with Allied Pickfords in Singapore, Dubai, and again in Singapore and Dubai before joining Crown. Career returns to Thailand following each move were always on the cards. In 2019, it was no surprise that when Keith Meader retired from Asian Tigers, Andy moved back in without missing a beat, being appointed president and COO for Asian Tigers in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia.
Andy’s return fell into hard times with COVID-19 and the loss of Bill Reinsch, one of the founders of the company. Transitioning back to the more personal agent-to-agent moving model after years with a global corporation was enormous in itself. His first event attending the IAM convention in Atlanta in 2022 marked more significantly Andy’s real return to the industry’s mainstream community, catching up with colleagues of many years.
During the absence from Bangkok, many changes had taken place in Andy’s life: he had got married to a Thai lady, Sonia, who was a purser in one of his flights. They married in 2012 and now have two children. On a personal level, such progress indicates the more general changes he has observed the industry undergo. He points to the increased difficulty in making money due to higher compliance costs, the preponderance of lump sum payments, and the pressure from relocation management companies. These factors reduce the attractiveness of this industry to new entrants and, consequently, the succession issue becomes complicated.
Andy is still optimistic about the industry’s progress, especially after his time with the FIDI 39 Club. He sees a lot of promise in the junior talent that is being exposed to the industry, but at the same time arrives at the conclusion that the industry must react strongly to inequitable contract terms and payment delays.
At 57, approaching 40 years in the industry, Andy reflects positively on his career choices. He values the opportunity to have traveled and the quality of life his international moves have afforded him. It hasn’t all been champagne and roses; from fulfilling career accomplishments to the day his warehouse burnt down due to an electrical fault which is a vivid memory to show how uncertain the business is.
However, a radio career was never what he wanted to do; his desire was working in the moving business. His story is one of opportunities opening up for him and coping with change; he is using his resilience to continue on the path that he has set for himself. A move back to the UK is still an option, mainly for reasons associated with bringing up his children, but Andy does state that he is happy with his life and career in Thailand.
In conclusion, in the tale of Andy Marshall from Chelmsford and his coming up to be a main figure in the international moving industry, there are seen features of adaptability, leadership, and how great the results can be in the face of grasping with both hands global opportunities. Therefore, this is a story of the dynamic and ever-changing moving industry features—personally and professionally satisfying through an international career.
You can check the interview on The Mover.
