In an eclectic edition of ‘A Quick chat with’ Mike Clokie reflects on the profound influence of his milkman grandfather, his Mum’s wise words on marriage and parenthood, his love of punk poet John Cooper Clarke and hints at what might have been had he grasped the opportunity presented by a spell living in Budapest nearly 35-years ago!
Coinslot: What was your first career job and wage?
Mike Clokie: Electronics Engineer, £46.00 per week.
Coinslot: What was your greatest accomplishment and what are you most proud of?
Mike Clokie: Starting E-Service in 2004 and building a successful brand
Coinslot: Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
Mike Clokie: Nick Veitch, the most financially astute individual I’ve ever met. A great sounding board, mentor and sometimes tormentor!
Coinslot: What are you looking forward to most from January’s EAG?
Mike Clokie: Meeting customers, presenting the E-Service range for ’26 and of course catching up with my mates in the industry!
CCoinslot: Which industry figure do you admire most?
Mike Clokie: Ian Shreeve (but don’t tell him!) we have both been in the industry a similar length of time and seeing how Ian has progressed within the industry has always been impressive.
Coinslot: What role have you enjoyed most?
Mike Clokie: Field Service engineer, late 80’s. Birmingham to Aberdeen was my patch. No mobile phones no Sat Nav, just a pager and a Harper Collins road atlas.
Coinslot: Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
Mike Clokie: My Grandfather, he was a milkman in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, worked (and at times froze) his ‘Bottle Tops’ off to provide.
Coinslot: How do you define success?
Mike Clokie: Getting up and looking forward to what you do each day.
Coinslot: How do you manage stress?
Mike Clokie: I switch off from everything and switch everything off when I play Golf.
Coinslot: What are your career regrets?
Mike Clokie: Being too young to realise the opportunity I had when I went to live in Budapest 1991.
Coinslot: What inspires or motivates you?
Mike Clokie: Bringing people along on the journey.
Coinslot: What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Mike Clokie: People taking pictures of their dinner and sharing it will be a thing! Yes really.
Coinslot: Something about yourself that’s not on your CV?
Mike Clokie: I quite like Yoga it helps my golf.
Coinslot: In a sentence what would you change about the industry?
Mike Clokie: The banding about of inaccurate figures and egregious soundbites that negatively impact our industry.
Coinslot: One piece of advice or insight that has changed your life and from whom?
Mike Clokie: “Don’t get married till you’re at least 35 and don’t have kids unless you are 100 percent certain” – my Mum!
Coinslot: What’s your Desert Island Disc?
Mike Clokie: Evidently Chickentown – John Cooper Clarke
To be part of the big industry conversations taking place at EAG Expo 2026, 13-15 January, ExCeL London visit:
