My Grandfather started our family business – Bennie – 90 years ago, and I have worked in it for over 40 years, having joined straight from school.
In the early 1980s, Bennie operated at the heavy end of the construction industry — quarrying, earthmoving, large construction plant hire and international heavy haulage — all deeply male dominated sectors. I began on the logistics side and, when I was put in charge of a fleet of tippers in my early twenties, I decided I could only manage the people well if I truly understood how they did their job. So, I earned my HGV licence and learned the industry from the ground up.
After 20 years in various roles within Bennie, in 2006 I took over as Group Managing Director, and in 2020 became Group Chairman.
Today, Bennie is a fourth generation family business whose core activities now include MHE with a growing national footprint, and topsoil and loam supply for landscaping, horticulture and sports sectors. We have deliberately derisked away from heavy construction while maintaining our heritage in plant hire and quarrying, and we also operate a small bespoke handmade shoe manufacturing business.
I’ve worked with and supported the charity Ride High for the last 14 years. Nowadays it’s as a volunteer with disadvantaged and vulnerable children. It’s a great leveller, and I see first-hand the power of animals in an increasingly dysfunctional world.
I’m married to Simon, who runs his own family business in the motor factor aftersales market. Together we have two adult children, who represent the fourth generation in both of our family businesses.
