I left school in the early 1980’s with 5 GCSE’s and joined the RAF as a radar and missile technician. I gained a lot of self-discipline and learnt team ethics, and after 8 years I decided to leave for a new challenge. I joined a small IT distributor in Norfolk and started a process of successfully working my way up the company ladder, eventually becoming a director and owner of the newly created Midwich group of companies. For over 20 years at Midwich I was the face, figurehead and creative driving force behind the company’s business evolution.
MY STORY
I was promoted to Audio Visual director and shareholder and I signed up Samsung who had no presence in the Audio Visual market. Ten years later and they became the biggest name in large screen displays and televisions and represented nearly 20 percent of Midwich’s turnover. Midwich and Samsung would play a major part in each others evolution. Identifying that a new opportunity existed to sell flat panel televisions into the business channel or in the newly named C2B (Consumer 2 Business) market as we called it was a major contributory factor.
I was promoted to Audio Visual director and shareholder and I signed up Samsung who had no presence in the Audio Visual market. Ten years later and they became the biggest name in large screen displays and televisions and represented nearly 20 percent of Midwich’s turnover. Midwich and Samsung would play a major part in each others evolution. Identifying that a new opportunity existed to sell flat panel televisions into the business channel or in the newly named C2B (Consumer 2 Business) market as we called it was a major contributory factor.
MY STORY
I left school in the early 1980’s with 5 GCSE’s and joined the RAF as a radar and missile technician. I gained a lot of self-discipline and learnt team ethics, and after 8 years I decided to leave for a new challenge. I joined a small IT distributor in Norfolk and started a process of successfully working my way up the company ladder, eventually becoming a director and owner of the newly created Midwich group of companies. For over 20 years at Midwich I was the face, figurehead and creative driving force behind the company’s business evolution.
When I joined Midwich in 1991 it was a £10 million business that was treading water and after a few successful years in sales I was given my new challenge to evolve the company. The next 20 years saw an evolution process that would turn Midwich into the world’s largest specialist Audio Visual distribution Group, acquiring 13 companies and operating in seven countries. With the turnover approaching £400 million and the company still climbing its mountain, I decided to sell my stake in the Midwich Group to became free to focus on new opportunities and my next challenge in life. I wanted to give back, mentor others and volunteer my time to inspire tomorrows generation.
I am a likeable, thoughtful and imaginative businessman who has a unique eye for profitable growth finding new ways to make money and be more efficient. I strongly believe that the glass is never less than half full and profitable growth can be made through investment, praise, reward and being many steps ahead of the competition.
When I joined Midwich in 1991 it was a £10 million business that was treading water and after a few successful years in sales I was given my new challenge to evolve the company. The next 20 years saw an evolution process that would turn Midwich into the world’s largest specialist Audio Visual distribution Group, acquiring 13 companies and operating in seven countries. With the turnover approaching £400 million and the company still climbing its mountain, I decided to sell my stake in the Midwich Group to became free to focus on new opportunities and my next challenge in life. I wanted to give back, mentor others and volunteer my time to inspire tomorrows generation.
I am a likeable, thoughtful and imaginative businessman who has a unique eye for profitable growth finding new ways to make money and be more efficient. I strongly believe that the glass is never less than half full and profitable growth can be made through investment, praise, reward and being many steps ahead of the competition.
AWARDS
In 2003 after just 7 years of operating in the Audio Visual distribution channel, Midwich won its first award and the biggest of them all, the prestigious Audio Visual Distributor of the year. This wasn’t just a milestone for Midwich it was a milestone for the industry. Not only did Midwich become the first IT distributor to win an AV award, Midwich remained the only distributor with an IT background to ever win the award when I left the company some 12 years later.
Midwich would go on to win over 20 awards in my time and would be recognised on many occasions by The Sunday Times featuring in both the Top Track 250 growth list of companies and as high as 24th in the International 200 Growth list.
AWARDS
In 2003 after just 7 years of operating in the Audio Visual distribution channel, Midwich won its first award and the biggest of them all, the prestigious Audio Visual Distributor of the year. This wasn’t just a milestone for Midwich it was a milestone for the industry. Not only did Midwich become the first IT distributor to win an AV award, Midwich remained the only distributor with an IT background to ever win the award when I left the company some 12 years later.
Midwich would go on to win over 20 awards in my time and would be recognised on many occasions by The Sunday Times featuring in both the Top Track 250 growth list of companies and as high as 24th in the International 200 Growth list.
THE MIDWICH EVOLUTION
When I was told to evolve the business I set about a process that involved visualising the future and identifying new technologies that would become successful. In 1994 I spotted a gap in the IT channel and introduced facsimile and multi-function products to the market. This soon became a multi-million business for Midwich. In 1995 I spotted a product in a shopping mall in Florida – a Casio digital camera. As well as Midwich becoming the first distributor of the product, I remain adamant that I took the UK’s first modern selfie with the camera.
In 1996
In 1997
In 1999
In 2002
I convinced Fujitsu to work with Midwich and in no time Midwich became the UK’s leading distributor of plasma displays.
In 2003
As previously mentioned, Midwich became the first IT distributor to win the AV industry awards scooping the prestigious ‘AudioVisual Distributor of the Year’ award. This achievement helped me gain momentum and strengthen my case to convince three key new partners, Panasonic, NEC and Epson to come on board.
In 2004
As previously mentioned, Midwich became the first IT distributor to win the AV industry awards scooping the prestigious ‘AudioVisual Distributor of the Year’ award. This achievement helped me gain momentum and strengthen my case to convince three key new partners, Panasonic, NEC and Epson to come on board.
I was promoted to Audio Visual director and shareholder and I signed up Samsung who had no presence in the Audio Visual market. Ten years later and they became the biggest name in large screen displays and televisions and represented nearly 20 percent of Midwich’s turnover. Midwich and Samsung would play a major part in each others evolution. Identifying that a new opportunity existed to sell flat panel televisions into the business channel or in the newly named C2B (Consumer 2 Business) market as we called it was a major contributory factor.
In 2005
I identified and recommended the group’s first acquisition, a technical specialist called True Colours. This provided an array of new solutions and a new direction for the company and was the first of thirteen acquisitions for the newly formed Group.
In 2008
A dedicated lamp accessory business was set up which quickly became the UK’s largest projector lamp replacement business turning over many millions a year.
Between 2008 & 2013
As part of a five year European strategy I would talk to many European companies and recommend a number that were right for group acquisition. This included SquareOne in Ireland, Sidev in France and Kern and Stelly in Germany. Today these companies represent sales of well over €100 million a year.
Over the years I also pioneered a number of new technologies and in 2010 successfully convinced Casio to appoint Midwich as its lead distribution partner for the introduction of laser projectors to the UK channel.
By the end of 2013
With the company continually climbing the mountain I decided that the time was right to hand the baton over to the two guys I had mentored for over 10 years and decided to sell my stake in the Midwich group. With sales rapidly approaching £400 million it had been quite a journey lasting over 23 years. My last recommendation was the acquisition of PSCo, which was finally completed in 2015.
THE MIDWICH EVOLUTION
When I was told to evolve the business I set about a process that involved visualising the future and identifying new technologies that would become successful. In 1994 I spotted a gap in the IT channel and introduced facsimile and multi-function products to the market. This soon became a multi-million business for Midwich. In 1995 I spotted a product in a shopping mall in Florida – a Casio digital camera. As well as Midwich becoming the first distributor of the product, I remain adamant that I took the UK’s first modern selfie with the camera.
In 1996
In 1997
In 1999
In 2002
I convinced Fujitsu to work with Midwich and in no time Midwich became the UK’s leading distributor of plasma displays.
In 2003
As previously mentioned, Midwich became the first IT distributor to win the AV industry awards scooping the prestigious ‘AudioVisual Distributor of the Year’ award. This achievement helped me gain momentum and strengthen my case to convince three key new partners, Panasonic, NEC and Epson to come on board.
In 2004
As previously mentioned, Midwich became the first IT distributor to win the AV industry awards scooping the prestigious ‘AudioVisual Distributor of the Year’ award. This achievement helped me gain momentum and strengthen my case to convince three key new partners, Panasonic, NEC and Epson to come on board.
I was promoted to Audio Visual director and shareholder and I signed up Samsung who had no presence in the Audio Visual market. Ten years later and they became the biggest name in large screen displays and televisions and represented nearly 20 percent of Midwich’s turnover. Midwich and Samsung would play a major part in each others evolution. Identifying that a new opportunity existed to sell flat panel televisions into the business channel or in the newly named C2B (Consumer 2 Business) market as we called it was a major contributory factor.
In 2005
I identified and recommended the group’s first acquisition, a technical specialist called True Colours. This provided an array of new solutions and a new direction for the company and was the first of thirteen acquisitions for the newly formed Group.
In 2008
A dedicated lamp accessory business was set up which quickly became the UK’s largest projector lamp replacement business turning over many millions a year.
Between 2008 & 2013
As part of a five year European strategy I would talk to many European companies and recommend a number that were right for group acquisition. This included SquareOne in Ireland, Sidev in France and Kern and Stelly in Germany. Today these companies represent sales of well over €100 million a year.
Over the years I also pioneered a number of new technologies and in 2010 successfully convinced Casio to appoint Midwich as its lead distribution partner for the introduction of laser projectors to the UK channel.
By the end of 2013
With the company continually climbing the mountain I decided that the time was right to hand the baton over to the two guys I had mentored for over 10 years and decided to sell my stake in the Midwich group. With sales rapidly approaching £400 million it had been quite a journey lasting over 23 years. My last recommendation was the acquisition of PSCo, which was finally completed in 2015.
OUTSIDE INTERESTS
I have a great interest in golf, travel, supercars and my family life. I love to travel and I am fortunate enough to have visited many countries all over the world. I have been married to my amazing wife Ann for over 30 years and we love all our animals.
OUTSIDE INTERESTS
I have a great interest in golf, travel, supercars and my family life. I love to travel and I am fortunate enough to have visited many countries all over the world. I have been married to my amazing wife Ann for over 30 years and we love all our animals.