entrepreneurs 21


Pictures by Angus Thomas


station redevelopment. We are within walking distance of the station and that’s a huge advantage. We have a great number of clients in the Greater London area. We find our customers are very loyal, some 80% of it is corporate work; they know they can rely on us to give them a good service and to find the right vehicle for them. Graham has now retired, but his son Steve, who’s my godson, works in the business. He’s learned a lot over the past three years which is very good. The intention is that one day he will take over which will continue the Rapson-Dore partnership.


As a businessman though, I do have one concern and that’s how, as we come out of the recession, the average man in the street will cope when


interest rates rise and their disposable income drops. I think we’ll see a lot of people affected and have to take measures such as cutting back on holidays or meals out and gym membership.


What does your typical day look like?


I’d describe myself as a generalist, so whatever issues arise, whether it’s to do with staff, customers or vehicles, I will be involved. I often deliver vehicles myself or take one out for testing because I enjoy it. I’ve always been lucky to have a good admin person and a good team behind me though.


What’s the best piece of advice you would give?


You have to have commitment and believe in what you are going to do. Business always takes precedence; it is your baby and you have to put it first. You can’t approach it half-heartedly and still want to become a millionaire. I’m always fighting for precious time.


Do you have any heroes?


I admire people who have their own business, they always seem to have a good social standing. Years ago when the pub was the centre of the community, it was the publican who was at the heart of it and that’s fascinated me. I was curious, I wanted to know how people had got started in business. On a non-business front, Rod Stewart and Winston Churchill are my heroes.


What’s your biggest achievement?


It would have to be still being in business after 25 years. It’s a very competitive and demanding industry, we’ve always gone out and got the business in, and that’s down to the team I have around me.


I’m really proud when I am out and see a Rabbits THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JULY/AUGUST 2014


vehicle with our logo on the side. I still get a kick out of it.


I also enjoy “giving back” to the community. We’ve always been good at supporting different charities and Graham was president of Reading Lions Club, so we have been heavily involved with them. In 2015, I want to move to adopting one charity for a year at a time so we can achieve great things with them, rather than lots of smaller donations.


As a company, we have been very supportive of Reading Football Club over the past 25 years and supply the club with vehicles to help move their kit around.


Do you ever take any time off?


With so many places to visit, I make a rule never to go anywhere twice. I travel around Europe quite a bit following Chelsea and this October I’m off to New York for the first time, which has been on my ‘to do’ list. I’m looking forward to that.


Given the chance, what would have been an alternative career?


Apart from the military, I would love to have been a landscape gardener. I did a home-based course on horticulture in the evenings and I love gardening. I have a mini orchard with about 30 different varieties of fruit. This year I’m growing 200 sunflowers in the garden, so I’m waiting to see what that will look like.


And finally…you’re surrounded by cars all day, what’s your dream drive?


I actually live less than two miles from the office, so I tend to walk or cycle! If I had to name a favourite, I’d say a Mercedes E-Class or a Jaguar XKR but the truth is because I rent cars out as a living, I never get too attached to them.


Details: www.rabbitsvehiclehire.co.uk www.businessmag.co.uk


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