Date post: | 10-Jan-2017 |
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Simon OldroydAlternative Curriculum Vitae
I was born in Webheath
(the son of a clergyman
and a teacher), but I
moved to Worcester when
I was 2 years old.
And, apparently, it
snowed a lot.
I learned to drive and row
at an early age.
I enjoyed acting in school
plays – either as a lady or a
Knight.
However, by the time I
reached adolescence, I had
thankfully found other
interests.
I still enjoyed drama, but
also spent time rowing,
fencing and training in
kung fu.
Oh yes, and messing
about on canal boats.
I went to Rolle College,
Exmouth, (the teacher
training part of Exeter
University) where I
studied drama.
But only for a year.
I didn’t really enjoy formal
teaching and so left to
help set up the Worcester
Arts Workshop.
We formed a T.I.E. group
(Theatre in Education),
teaching dance and
drama to underprivileged
kids.
And also toured with our
own productions (this
gave me another chance
to dress up as a lady in
‘Charlie’s Aunt’)!
However, I was thinking
about getting married and
needed a “proper job” –
so I joined BT as a
computer operator (when
disc drives looked like
washing machines).
After 4 years of
programming by Hollerith
card, I was bored, and so I
joined Philips (Field Force
Marketing) to launch
Compact Disc and Laser
Vision into the world (well,
the UK anyway).
About a year later, I
started my first business
with my wife, Gill.
It was the 1980s and
‘robot dancing’ was all the
rage…..(honestly)……
Three years later, we sold
the business and Gill and I
spent some time in
Morocco.
It was there that we
decided to start a family…
But only after we’d spent
some time exploring the
Atlas Mountains!
Jamie was born in ‘86.
(‘Proud father’ moment). I
started working for
Gordon Russell plc the
same year.
And attended their sales
conference the day after
Jamie was born (my wife
still hasn’t forgiven
me….).
Jamie helped with the
marketing, whilst I went
out to find orders (no
matter what the
weather).....
A few years later and I’d
joined Steelcase (the
world’s largest system
furniture manufacturer)
as a European product
manager.
Jamie was getting really
good at marketing now,
so I could spend more
time in Strasbourg
discussing our UK sales
strategy.
Then Ben came along
(another ‘proud father’
moment) but it was hard
to mix work and family
life when I was either in
London or abroad – and
lived in Gloucestershire.
So I joined a Steelcase
dealer (based in Bristol)
as sales manager.
It was closer to home and
allowed me more family
time to climb May Hill
with the kids.
And a chance to use my
Land Rover!
I taught Jamie to row – he
then went on to row at
Henley twice – first as
Captain of boats for his
school, and then as
Captain of Boats for his
University College.
(Another ‘proud parent’
moment).
And supported Ben in his
rugby matches (every
weekend!).
Oh yes - and taught him how
to draw when he was little!
Have a look at his web page
now:
www.mayhilldesigns.co.uk
(I know, I know – yet another
’proud parent’ bit).
During this time, I had been
working for Farrell (an Irish
manufacturer), setting up a
UK company and launching
their brand in England,
Scotland and Wales.
I’d appointed BBI as one of
my distributors and in 1998
there was an opportunity to
buy into the company - so I
did.
Over the 13 years that I
was a director of BBI, I
developed the brand,
launched new initiatives,
led the sales team and
opened 3 new offices.
But also had quite a lot of
fun along the way.
I had some bright ideas,
that helped take the
company from £3m to
over £17m, but found that
I needed to rest my eyes
(ahem) during some of
the more boring parts of
the job…..
My business plan for
growth was successful
(often against the
flow……).
And, I would like to think, I
always provided clients
with innovative designs
(alongside a sense of fun).
Around Christmas 2011
there was an opportunity to
sell my shares, which I did.
And, since then, I’ve been
mainly engaged in charity
work with the Leadership
Trust Foundation and Caplor
Horizons.
My focus, within these
organisations, is mainly on
leadership, strategy, marketing
and brand development.
…(with some help from Ben
on ‘graphic facilitation’)…..
But I now have more time
for walking…..
Gardening…..
And playing with my
latest Landie.
When birds aren’t nesting
in it.
In May 2013, I formed
Symon Associates – a
management consultancy
that is focused on the
organisational
development of SMEs.
And in January 2016, I
became a non executive
director of BrickFab,
helping the organisation
to develop a five-year
growth plan.
However, I still have
time to play with the
grandchildren…….
Although they tell me that I
can, at times, take myself
a bit too seriously…
Thanks for making it to the
end!
A more detailed profile can be
found at:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simonoldroyd