entrepreneurs 21


Pictures by Angus Thomas


What has been your greatest achievement?


Being listed as 54th in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 league table has to be one of them. I was invited to Sir Richard Branson’s house and when I was talking to him I joked it was the second time we’d met because I’d seen him at Madame Tussauds.


Another highlight has to be putting an equity structure into Serocor Group which helps bind people into the business and also allows them to share in the rewards. Now we have managing directors running the different brands and they all have equity within them and the support of the group behind them.


Who has inspired you?


Probably Richard Branson, I like the fact that he is always himself. When you first get into business you think you need to blend in, you have to conform to corporate ways and you can’t project your own personality. When you meet people like him you realise it doesn’t have to be like that. People buy from people and you can have fun at work.


Did you take any business advice?


Only two books I ever read gave me any advice. One was a small booklet which said that you will only ever get so far if you don’t empower people; and the second was Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.


It was very much about the culture of business and it helped me to run an organisation where candidates and clients became our friends.


What does your father think of your achievements?


He is obviously very proud. He has retired now but he had a seat on the board.


It was good to have It can


be lonely at the top, especially as I had never had any management training and went from being a hands-on recruiter to suddenly managing people.


someone there who I trusted impeccably and who I could talk to; he was very much a safe pair of hands.


Future ambitions?


I’m actively involved in looking for other opportunities outside the group in terms of other recruitment businesses and I’ve just bought a stake in a new venture.


I’m a very


relaxed shareholder. I think it’s because I have done the job right through from winning the business to making the placements and I understand how difficult recruitment can be. Now I’m involved at a more strategic level, I


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – SEPTEMBER 2015


can talk to people and give them a different perspective.


The future is very much about human capital management, anything to do with people in professional jobs, managing clients and brand talent. The size and the scope of the business are only limited by the number of good people in it and I want to encourage people to join the group and take advantage of our shared support services and experienced directors.


I’m also involved in mentoring and providing advice to start-up companies, which I’m very keen on doing.


Is winning awards important to you?


I’ve never been a person who wanted to be in the limelight, that’s not my style but it’s always nice to be recognised for what you’ve achieved.


How would you describe yourself?


I am a very, very big optimist and I totally believe in everything we go for.


I’m always


happy and cheerful and I treat people how I want to be treated. Humour is the most important thing for me and I never have a down day.


Are you involved in any community projects?


I’m involved in fundraising for Jacksplace at Naomi House children and young people’s hospice. We raised £18,000 recently on a bike ride and I’m talking to a friend about supporting an anti-bullying charity for children.


And finally, what do you do on your time off?


I have several hobbies, one of which is martial arts and I love water sports, snowboarding and skiing.


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