Voices of TBAuctions: Big ideas from unexpected places  

Welcome to Voices of TBAuctions, an interview series spotlighting the people behind Europe’s leading multi-brand B2B digital auction platform. Through candid conversations with our leaders and team members, we explore who they are, their experiences, insights, and the passion that drives our success. 

We are excited to highlight Annelie Ryan, Marketing Manager of British Medical Auctions, a brand part of TBAuctions since 2022. You can watch the video above or, if you prefer, read the full interview below! 

What inspired you to join BMA, and what keeps you motivated?  

I was inspired to join BMA because of their business model. They take life-saving medical equipment that would otherwise, shockingly, end up in landfill or just wasted and give it a second chance all over the world. I think what is also really inspiring is the fact that they turn it around so quickly. The production here is just unbelievable.  

And I guess what keeps me motivated is the fact that these machines, these incredible machines, can continue to do great things in countries that might not otherwise have access to this technology. So that means a lot to me. 

Which teams do you work with most, and how does collaboration shape your role?  

Anyone who works in marketing, or has worked with marketers, will know that sometimes we make it our business to be busybodies. And that’s because we’re connectors. I have to work very closely with the warehouse team, my colleague Lauren is constantly catching up with sales. 

You know, we have to make it our business to make sure that operations, finance, everybody knows what we’re up to, so that obviously we’re not disrupting anything, but also that we’re achieving our business objectives together, because everybody knows that marketing doesn’t work in isolation. It’s all very well for us to do what we do, but at the end of the day we have to have an impact and we have to make sure that everybody is working in synergy. 

What does a typical day or week look like in your role as Marketing Manager? 

I think the best thing about marketing is that no two days are the same. One day I could be up to my neck in data, which requires total concentration and privacy. The next minute we could be brainstorming a new creative campaign. And I think that is honestly what I love most about our job. 

I always say that sometimes our best ideas come from the most surprising places. So that’s why I kind of make it my job to go down to the warehouse and ask, “What’s going on down there?” It’s really funny where… how some of the best ideas can come from all corners of the business. 

What happens outside BMA? What are your main hobbies or interests? 

So for me personally, when you start talking to me about your travel plans, your holidays this summer, be prepared to buckle up and have a nice long chat. Because, to be perfectly honest, there’s nothing I like better. My husband and I have been taking it in turns for the past 12 years to decide where we’re going on our big adventure. 

And that means that we’ve gone to some places that might have pushed us out of our comfort zones and maybe places that we wouldn’t choose for ourselves. But I think that, honestly, the most important thing in this life is to discover new cultures, to experience new things that, yeah, okay, maybe they weren’t on your bucket list, but to go with somebody who means a lot to you and to experience those things, honestly, I think that’s what life is all about. 

If BMA were a brand personality, how would you describe it in three words? 

Three words to describe BMA. I would say productive, reliable and impactful. 

What are you most excited about in the future of your role or the marketing team? 

Having only been at BMA for two months, I am really excited about the future. I think since my first shift I could see the potential here. The marketing world is moving extremely fast. We recently had a town hall that was all about AI. The wheels are spinning in my head about how we can make it work harder for us. 

And I think, you know, there will be some quick wins over the next few months, but there will also be some longer term strategic things that we can look to develop. And I can’t wait to be part of it all. Exciting times ahead.