STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS
TAB Derby helps Duncan retire ahead of schedule
A Derby business owner has sold the company which had been in his family since 1954. And Duncan Parker has praised
the help of members of The Alternative Board Derby for “winning back three years of my life.”
Maurice Parker Ltd was founded
by Duncan’s father as a tile fitting company. Over the years it has evolved to be one of the biggest regional names in bathroom, kitchen and bedroom designs. Now it has been sold to Alan
Jones of AJ Floorcraft and Coatings Ltd. Duncan, aged 62, said that he
had planned to retire at 65 but added: “A little while ago I was starting to feel the pressure and I thought about ways of exiting the business. “I spoke at length to fellow TAB
peer board members whose ideas have helped make it possible to leave sooner than later.”
‘Anyone ought to give themselves a morning out of their hectic schedules to try TAB’
“I believe that the deal with
Alan Jones will be a really good one for the business. “AJ Floorcraft has established
complementary expertise in painting and high-quality flooring. Meanwhile, my wife has stayed on and manages the bathroom and kitchen side. “For the first time in many
years, I am able to relax. I am still going in occasionally to help with the transfer but am spending plenty of time in the garden and walking.” Duncan joined TAB Derby four
years ago and has hit it off with other business leaders who are on his peer board. He said: “The TAB members
were an enormous help in helping me process decisions before the sale and during it.
“They are an intelligent, eclectic
bunch of people who helped with getting to the nitty-gritty of a complex scenario.” TAB Derby’s peer boards meet
once a month and the members, who are all business owners, challenge each other to complete real-life targets that they set each other. Confidentiality is key, enabling each member to open up about issues concerning the workplace and beyond. Duncan added: “The support in
group meetings has been absolutely invaluable. Running a business on your own is very, very difficult with lots of problems on a daily basis, so getting these problems into the open on a confidential basis relieves much of the pressure.” TAB Derby is running taster
sessions for business people to see if TAB would be right for them. Duncan said: “Anyone ought to
give themselves a morning out of their hectic schedules to try TAB. It won back three years of my life and I know it would help many others.” He also gave special praise for
TAB’s facilitators Jimi Ball and Julian Smith who have monthly one-to-one mentoring sessions with members. He said: “As mentors, they help
you on the business and emotional side of things. They are very knowledgeable and likeable people.” Meanwhile, Duncan may be
retiring from his company but not from TAB. He said: “My group have asked
Duncan Parker and Jimi Ball
me to stay on because of the knowledge I have gleaned over the years. I am delighted to pass it on to help others.”
RSM comments on East Midlands exports increase
New figures published by HMRC reveal that the value of goods exported by East Midlands companies rose by 13% in quarter one compared to the same period last year. In total, the region's exports
grew to £6.1bn in the first quarter, up from £5.4bn in the same period last year, while the number of exporters grew by four per cent to 10,798. Kevin Harris (pictured),
Office Managing Partner for RSM in Leicester, said: “Quite clearly, exporters are facing an uncertain time at the moment, but it's good to see that the region's businesses are cracking on and delivering some great results. That said, these numbers might flatter slightly as overseas buyers may have brought forward orders because of Brexit uncertainty. “Whatever happens with
respect to Brexit, exporters will need to be agile and respond quickly to any changes in the international trading environment. No market is the same, so before embarking on any international expansion, research into the local market's changing political, tax and regulatory landscape is absolutely essential.”
THE CHAMBER IS HONOURED BY THE SUPPORT OF ITS STRATEGIC PARTNERS AND PATRONS
business network July/August 2019
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