Serving the Teesside Business Community | 9
THERE IS A CLOSE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. EVERYONE
ROOTS FOR EACH OTHER, WHICH I THINK IS GREAT.
My business mantra is…give it a go. At
Mandale, we often sit down and have very
open discussions about how things can be
improved. We’re never afraid to trial a new
idea. Businesses don’t develop by standing
still and just doing what they’ve always done.
It’s important to try something new and
different.
My greatest achievement is…climbing
Kilimanjaro earlier this year. It was something
I always wanted to do and I got the
opportunity to do it. I wanted to raise what
it had cost me to go - I thought that was a
good target to aim for. Through the incredible
generosity of others, I managed to raise
more than £6,000 for the Middlesbrough and
Teesside Philanthropic Foundation, which
was amazing. The summit night was the
longest and hardest experience of my life. I
felt no sense of achievement at the top – I
was too tired and ill through altitude sickness
– but it was immense getting down.
The advice I’d give to business start-ups
is…work hard and go for it. I’m not in the
best position to give the advice considering
I’ve never started one up, but with the
attitude that anything is possible then no one
can knock you for trying. People only regret
the things they didn’t do.
The biggest character on the Tees
business scene is…got to be Steve Gibson.
Bulkhaul is a massive international company
but what they’ve done for Middlesbrough
and Teesside with the football club I just think
brings all the community together. Without
it, I don’t think Middlesbrough would be
the same place. I’ve never met him but I do
admire what he has achieved. When I’m not working, I like to spend my
time…keeping fit, seeing friends and family,
and taking our dog Rosie – a Norfolk Terrier
– on days out. I love exploring new places.
When it’s the season, most of my weekends
are taken up playing hockey for Stockton
Ladies and watching the Boro.
Teesside’s a great place for business
because…everyone helps each other out. At
Mandale, we try to source our suppliers from
the local area wherever possible. That’s what
Teesside businesses do – they stick together.
There is a close business community.
Everyone roots for each other, which I think
is great. My guilty pleasures are…I’m a massive
Harry Potter fan - I’m a bit of a geek in that
way and I love reading. I grew up with Harry
Potter and I remember the launch of the
books. They were part of my childhood and I’ve
never grown out of them!
My biggest frustration about Teesside is…
the way people put it down. People really do
downplay Teesside – on a personal level and
on a business level. And yet it’s a great place.
If we had a bit more confidence in ourselves
we’d be able to go further. Negativity breeds
negativity. If we could get people spreading
a more positive vibe I’m sure we would be
able to attract more investment into the area.
My favourite local charity is…I know, as
a trustee and patron, I’m biased but it’s got
to be Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.
I was honoured this year to be asked to
be a trustee and I have seen first hand
the difference they make within the local
community. When Andy Preston set it up,
it was a brilliant idea and it’s going from
strength to strength. It’s having a real impact
on local people’s lives, so you can’t fault it.
The best holiday I ever had was…I’ve been
very lucky so I’ve been on some incredible
holidays but if i had to pick one it would be our
honeymoon. We went to China and then Fiji.
We couldn’t have gone to two more amazing
and different places. China is mental, while Fiji
is super relaxing.
Not many people know this about me
but…I’m a bit of of an adrenaline junkie. I
enjoy doing daft things without thinking them
through, and giving myself a challenge. I’ve
sky-dived, bungee jumped and I signed up to
climbing Mount Kilimanjaro without looking up
any details.
In retirement, I’ll spend my time…travelling
and really getting to know places. I love going
on holiday – who doesn’t? – what I love is
to get into the heart and soul of a place.
Retirement will give me that chance, as long
as my pension’s big enough!