20
BIG INTERVIEW
By Ged Henderson
PUTTING ON A SHOW
“If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Colin Mustoe is sharing his thoughts on business life as he pores over the brightly coloured maps scattered on his desk.
It is a mantra that he brings to his current task, working on the layout of this summer’s Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show.
The 78-year-old entrepreneur is fully committed to making the show, which can trace its history back to 1767, a success. He has been since taking over as its chairman some seven years ago, at a time when its very future was in doubt.
The organisation that runs it was beset with troubles. With the view that it was too important to the county’s rural communities to die, he threw himself into the task or reviving it along with a small team of dedicated volunteers.
Today he describes the show’s condition as “stable” with money in the bank. This year’s event is set to attract more than 25,000 people
over three days in July and once again will take place at the showground on Colin’s rolling Salesbury Hall estate near Ribchester.
The show’s HQ and nerve centre is also about to move into new offices at the swish Manor Court business park that Colin has created by converting old farm buildings in the grounds of the estate.
Returning to the show theme he adds: “Seven years ago the farming community had lost interest, we had to build it up again, go out and talk to them; engage. Last year we had 1,300 animals plus horses on the show field, it is becoming one of the most prominent agricultural shows around.
“I’m a southerner by birth but I’ve lived a lot longer here than down there so this is my way of putting something back. It’s the history and the heritage.”
He adds: “You have to do it properly and it has
to be professional. Also, like any business, you have to drive it.”
Driving business forward and doing things properly is something Colin has been doing all his professional life. A native of south London he began his career in insurance before switching to a role with an office furniture business.
He relocated to its office in Darwen before deciding he wanted to be his own boss and setting up the company that is today known as The Senator Group in 1976, initially working from his bedroom.
In the early days of the company’s existence, he would build and deliver the products to customers himself. Today Senator remains one of Lancashire’s best-known businesses, with its headquarters at Altham Business Park in Accrington.
Family-owned, Senator designs and
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