Oliver recently became General Manager of our brand new club in Kilmarnock, but his route into the bingo industry was not immediate. Born in Harlow, Essex, Oliver's first job was working in a gym.

Dad, Brian has been in the industry for over 40 years, where he began at Mecca Bingo as a trainee manager. Later Brian set up operator Riva in 1997, going on to sell the six club business in 2004. Brian launched Club 3000 Bingo in 2006 with the opening of a club in Coatbridge, Glasgow. The company is now the largest independent operator, with 21 clubs and one in Blackpool under development.

Oliver has pretty much grown up surrounded by bingo and his decision to join the family business was not a simple one. It meant that he left home, moved to a new city and started a new job at Club 3000 Bingo Bristol.

"Having made the decision to work for Dad I was thrown in at the deep end, sink or swim. Not so much in respect of the job itself, where I learnt every role from the bottom up, but in relation to maturing and growing up I guess. The first six months was quite tough as I wasn't used to living on my own, and despite having heard bingo talk my whole life, seeing what it really meant and putting it into practice was a new game altogether."

Oliver stayed at the Bristol club for two years, before joining the Coatbridge club.

"Having learnt so much from the team at Bristol, I joined Coatbridge as an Assistant Manager and worked up to Deputy Manager. It was tricky starting work as managing expectations was hard; some thought I would join the business fully formed, trained up and step into senior roles right from the start. When it was clear that I was there to learn I think I actually got a harder time because I was Brian's son rather than an easier one."

"Relocating from Bristol was a jolt but I loved being at Coatbridge amongst the great customers. It was Dad's first Club 3000 venue and it's a special place for both of us now."

On one of his many trips home to see his Mum and Dad, it was quality family time, but conversation would inevitably turn to shop talk. It was during one such visit earlier this year that father and son were discussing the opening of the next club, Kilmarnock, and considering who might be General Manager, bringing in fresh energy and experience to the new venue.

A few names were traded when Brian added Oliver to the mix and said "I think it should be you!"

Oliver was surprised and flattered by his Dad's faith in him and the offer of the job, but did not underestimate the task and challenges he needed to meet and master, in order to get the club and team ready for customers and build the customer base.

Brian's faith was well placed and Club 3000 Bingo Kilmarnock opened in August this year with Oliver in his first GM role and loving bingo more each day.

"Whilst I'm not a bingo player, I do play to see what the customer experience is like and I'm a huge fan of land-based bingo. Nothing beats that feeling at the end of a great night and all those happy faces, whether they won a lot, won a little or nothing. Everyone is heading home feeling they've had a good time."