Member News
A County Durham business executive is celebrating after winning a national award. Ryan Tempest, customer journey manager for U Hold The Key at Sedgefield based Parsons Containers Group, has been named Young Storage Network (YSN) Operator Member of the Year at the Self Storage Association (SSA) UK Annual Industry Awards 2026.
Ryan Tempest, 34, has been working for the Parsons Containers Group since his student days. Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur Ean Parsons, the company has grown from a small containers sales operation into a leading name in container sales and self storage. With headquarters in Sedgefield, the group’s divisions include container sales through Parsons Containers Ltd and secure container self storage through U Hold The Key, which operates across 11 sites in the North East.
After completing a degree in design for industry at Northumbria University, Ryan formally joined the Parsons Containers Group in 2015, but had already done some casual work for the firm, painting containers. In his current role, he leads in delivering an excellent experience for customers of the group’s U Hold The Key container self-storage brand, and has overseen an 8% increase in occupancy, improved customer retention and increased lifetime value, as well as maintaining consistently high customer satisfaction and five-star reviews. Ryan is also a key contributor to other aspects of the business, such as marketing, sales, operations and community engagement.
As part of the Self Storage Association (SSA), the Young Storage Network (YSN) is shaping the future of the self storage industry by championing emerging talent, encouraging collaboration, and providing a platform for the next generation of industry leaders. The award commendation for Ryan states that the “recognition not only reflects Ryan’s dedication to the YSN, it also reflects the growing influence of the YSN” and the “prominence of the award [at the SSA UK Annual Industry Awards] highlights the increasing importance of the YSN within the sector and the vital role young professionals are playing in driving the industry forward.”
Ryan Tempest comments: “Winning the YSN Operator Member of the Year Award 2026 was a huge honour, particularly given the high standard and talent across the self storage industry. To be recognised alongside so many passionate and hardworking individuals is something about which I’m incredibly proud.
“For me, the award is not only recognition of personal effort and development, but also a reflection of the culture and support within U Hold The Key Self Storage and Parsons Containers Ltd. The trust and encouragement I’ve been given to grow my role, develop new skills, and bring creative ideas into the business have played a huge part in my journey and continue to motivate me moving forward.”
