Adam Walsh (CEO), Ben Norman (CFO), Rachel Lowe (CPO), and Rich Quelch (CMO) all get around the boardroom table to discuss the highs and lows of 2024, the exciting growth we've had over the year, and what 2025 has in store for John Good Group.

'Doing the most good with every pound you've got'

Stewart Pavers from Pavers Shoes and Foundation joins Rich Quelch in episode 2 of THRIVE, our Family Business Podcast.

Born in York in 1971, Pavers was led by an ambitious mum who had a new business passion for finding the perfect footwear style for everyone's feet. Pavers Shoes is now one of the UK's leading comfort shoe retailers.

Stewart is a great leader, and they discuss the highs and lows of Paver's journey, including the launch of The Pavers Foundation in 2018 and how they deliver strong social impact.

They continue to make a meaningful difference to charities and causes close to the hearts of their employees. It's an inspirational story.

We delve into Bartlett Group, a third-generation family business based in Leeds, UK, who have been independent specialists creating financial solutions for both businesses and individuals since 1940.

Takeaways from the episode

Family values have ran through the three generations and they have understood the importance of being present and working even harder because of the family name they carry.

Bartlett Group Business Overview

Family run since 1940, Bartlett Group are leading providers of insurance, brokerage, financial advice and employee benefits. Recognised for their quality, in 2020 they were named as UK Broker of the Year, Commercial Lines Broker of the Year and in 2021 they were ranked first in the Financial Times Top 100 UK Financial Advisers.

Adam Walsh (CEO), Dave North (CIO), Ben Norman (CFO), Rachel Lowe (CPO) and Rich Quelch (CMO) all get around the boardroom table to discuss the highs, the lows, the kissing of frogs during 2024 and also a lookout top 2024 and the exciting growth plans John Good Group have in place.

Adam interviews Alicy Maltby of Little Wold Vineyard.

Starting out as a market Place Farm has been in the Wilson family for over 70 years. The farm was bought in 1947 by Robert Wilson when the ‘Cave Castle’ estate was split up. At the time Robert bought the farm, it was farmed in a traditionally mixed way. The Wolds hillsides, which comprise nearly half of the acreage, were in permanent grass supporting a beef herd of about 40 animals.

To now, a vineyard in the middle of East Yorkshire and a purpose-built venue for weddings!

It is an amazing story of grit, determination and adaptability.

Adam Walsh interviews 2nd Generation owner of Howarths.

Howarths:

We’re not a faceless corporate entity with a call centre approach. We’re a family-run business. We look after large-scale employment law and HR projects, with a personal touch and familiarity. We are utterly focused on helping SMEs, and we live and breathe our values, because they underpin how we work and deal with our clients.

We encourage and develop personality and individuality. We drink tea, go on holidays with our loved ones, play sports and keep pets – and we channel this personality into creating a standout experience for our clients.

About JW Lees

JW Lees is a family brewery company, founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees. We’re based in Middleton in the North West of Manchester and own JW Lees Brewery, JW Lees Pubs, The Alderley Edge Hotel, The Trearddur Bay Hotel and Willoughby’s Wine Merchants. We’re a sixth-generation family business which employs over 1,300 people, 140 at the brewery and site in Middleton Junction and over 1,100 in our 43 Managed pubs, inns and hotels.

We also let a further 100 pubs to our Pub Partners. We have pubs in Manchester closeby to our Greengate Brewery, stretching all the way to North Wales.

Podcast Overview

We talked to Chris Black, Managing Director of Sound Leisure.

Initially founded by inventor and electrical engineer Alan Black in 1978, the company remains owned and run by Alan and his family making it the oldest, single-ownership jukebox company anywhere in the world.

A unique business, manufacturing jukeboxes for a range of global customers and even some huge celebrities!

Let's delve into the world of asking music with Sound Leisure.

Key Takeaways

1. The strength of having a diverse business
2. Creativity in the face of challenges
3. How much Chris and the team are artists and compounded by real, true Yorkshire grit