I commend Richard Bamber for his frank and heartfelt interview [routeone/Mental health/28 November]. I think it will have hit a cord with a lot of operators and resonate through the industry at various levels.
I did 50 years as an operator that started with one vehicle and expanded to finish with 150 and MD of the Impact Group Plc.
Richard is not on his own with the pressures of keeping a profitable expanding business going.
I used to say to people that you are like a hamster – once you’re on that wheel, you can’t get off for fear that it will all fall apart.
I always remember Ron Whittle of Go Whittle saying that you should always have an exit strategy.
That can be like me and sell or, like some that have family members or business partners that will succeed you, you need to plan when that will happen. You don’t have to wait until retirement age or ill health makes that decision for you.
My advice is look around you, keep an open mind on suitability of staff and their capabilities when given a challenge.
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how people rise to the challenge to prove their worth to you.
Tony Hill
Impact of London
