Name: Amir Rasekh
Job title: Managing director
Company: Nectar360 – part of Sainsbury’s Group
What was your first job? A Saturday job at Sainsbury’s Potters Bar. I knew then that retail was for me – the team togetherness and the connection with customers really resonated.
What’s been your worst job interview? An interview from years ago, less about the interview itself, but instead my reaction in the weeks after finding out that I was not successful. It is fair to say that I experienced a raft of emotions! I let myself down and promised myself that I would never let a setback drag me down, and instead look to learn from it.
Very clichéd, I know, but it was a Sliding Doors moment for me and led to a role that started my Nectar360 journey.
“I really value flexible working environments, and we are lucky to have this at my workplace”
What was the first album you bought? Endtroducing by DJ Shadow, which started my fascination with electronic music. I still listen to it today – timeless.
How do you describe your job to your friends? I keep it simple - I work at Nectar. The conversation normally moves quickly to which additional Nectar partners my friends would like to see as part of the programme, and occasionally, a level of interest in my actual job.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Easy – working with the amazing team at Nectar360 and our clients to deliver brilliant customer outcomes through our loyalty, insight, and retail media capabilities.
What is the least rewarding part? I am a pleaser at heart… I hate letting customers, clients, and colleagues down. I do my best to minimise this.
What is your motto in life? You can achieve anything when you put your mind to it! A great attitude, hard work and a laser focus on self-development goes a long way.
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? I really value flexible working environments, and we are lucky to have this at my workplace. At times, I find it hard to concentrate, so being able to flex when I work (within reason) means I can be more productive.
Do you have any phobias? I am not a fan of heights.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? If I could change one thing, it would be more respect and appreciation of retail store colleagues. Such dedication and hard work, going above and beyond for customers, problem solving, finding solutions, teamwork – the list could go on and on. Even more recognition for their immense efforts every day.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A generator to power my record player/DJ set-up.
What animal most reflects your personality? A dog – I enjoy building relationships, and I am loyal.
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What’s your favourite film and why? Memento – great cast and complex narrative. Christopher Nolan is a genius.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? In my early career, I worked in a supply chain role and through my error, I sent an extraordinary amount of produce to a region of stores.
Luckily, I realised quickly, went into wild panic, and rang the relevant depot lead. Despite it being an unsociable hour, he was gracious on receiving the news and fixed it. I was hugely grateful and very embarrassed.
Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? Louis Theroux – I love the way he asks questions and is so curious.
What would your death row meal be? My favourite Persian dish – ghormeh sabzi.
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