Quentin Stott and Darrell Webb celebrated 40 years in the industry this week, with both having started their first jobs on the same day back in 1985. Speaking to Coinslot, the two industry stalwarts – now Reflex MD and Sega sales manager – looked back on the highs and lows of their time in the sector.

Darrell Webb and Quentin Stott marked their 40th year working in the industry this week, with both having taken their first role in amusements and gaming on the same day in 1985.

Now sales manager for Sega UK and MD of Reflex Gaming MD respectively, Webb and Stott celebrated the career milestone by enjoying dinner and a well-earned pint together with their families.

“On 2 December 1985, both Darrell Webb and I started our journeys working in the amusement and gaming industry, with Darrell starting his career at Rodstock and me with BWB,” said Stott.

“We established this fact over 20 years ago, and decided to mark our 40th work anniversary with a pie and a pint, together with our wives, Karen Webb and Surj Stott.”

With Stott and Webb boasting 80 years of combined industry experience, Coinslot asked both to share some of the highlights and disappointments from their careers.

40 years on – and arguably hardly looking any older (!!) – Coinslot probed for some of the highlights…and a few less than glorious moments for the pair.

“The highlights have been; making so many friends through working in the industry over the years, starting Reflex, being part of its growth, and seeing it still thriving today, and travelling to some amazing international markets,” said Stott.

“The disappointments are how quickly 40 years have passed by, the four year battle with HMRC over the VAT status of our lottery machines (the very name Glenda Bloxham still brings me out in cold sweats,) and that there is still a possibility for the GC to hit us with expensive and ill thought out changes to the Gaming Machine Technical Standards as we’re still in the consultation process.”

For Webb, it was about the opportunities the industry has delivered. “My highlights are quite simple really. The places I’ve visited and opportunities the trade has given me, the people who I’ve met along the way who are now lifelong friends, and the way the industry still promotes a lot of the time from within so no matter what your background with hard work you can go a long way.”

“I can’t really think of any disappointments off-hand apart from all the wonderful people who are sadly no longer with us and, the same as Quentin, how quickly the 40 years have flown by as I can still remember walking into Rodstock on my first day as a shy 17 year old.”