IN PERSON
that span decades, colleagues who became lifelong mates, and partners who’ve shared both the risks and the rewards – I’m proud that since we started we’ve raised over £5m in fundraising, sponsorship and donations for causes that matter in each branch community. My wife Linda has been at my side throughout, bringing her own business acumen, energy and competitiveness. In truth, she’d likely say she’s the one who really started the business! Without her, the journey would have been very different. Today, she’s pouring that same passion into transforming a historic hall we bought together into something magical — another adventure to throw ourselves into.
And of course, there’s family. My daughters and grandchildren have grown up alongside this business. To see them thrive, to share experiences with them. Only a few weeks ago I was with them on the fast rides in Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It’s something to take them on trips and spoil them a little — that’s a great reward.
Looking back, looking forward Thirty years ago, I couldn’t have imagined we’d build a business of this scale. Our ambition at the start was modest: make a
success in Hull, build the best branch we could, pay the bills, and see where it went. And yet here we are. Not because of me alone, not because of any one person, but because of the collective spirit of hundreds of people who believed in doing things differently.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that you don’t always need a master plan. Sometimes you just need courage, passion, and the right people beside you. Take those people on the journey with you and the rest has a way of following.
When I visit the new branches before they open – and I do at every one – I say a similar thing and that’s; ‘You are unique. What is it that you’re going to do when those customers come through the door on day one?’ Because that’s the kind of magic, the smile on the face, the willingness to help people, the hours of opening - that even though it says we’re open from 7 - 5, people are still there. They’re there at 6.30 in the morning.
We have a saying ‘Everyone is welcome here’ – we want everyone to be happy comping to work in the morning. The culture we’ve built is my proudest achievement by far. It’s one of passionate people doing the right thing.
Above: David Kilburn and Peter Murray
I’ve handed the day-to-day reins to Kate (Tinsley, CEO) now, but I don’t feel sadness so much as gratitude. Gratitude for the friends, the opportunities, the challenges and the memories. Gratitude for a life’s work that has touched not just balance sheets but lives. As for the future of the business, it’s in good hands. We’ll hit £1.1 billion this year and we’re aiming for 250 branches – 10 a year over the next decade. That’s a lot more people we can build opportunities for. BMJ
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October 2025
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