As October draws to a close, managing director of Rencraft John Stephens shares some musings on the KBB industry…
The thing people might not know about me is…
I left school at 16, having spent the first 18 years of my life in Cornwall. I moved to Kent and started working for Nick Pile [Rencraft’s founder], 37 years ago. I certainly attribute my character to the freedom and trust my parents gave me whilst growing up.
When people outside the industry ask what I do I say…
My time is split between some design work and project management along with the overseeing of day-to-day management and future planning. I’m very focused on the Rencraft brand and continuing to build on our achievements over the last 40 years and planning for the next 40. I’m hands on and ultimately will pick up what no-one else has time to do.
The industry person I most admire is…
Nick Pile – he gave me an incredible chance at a young age by making me a director at Rencraft when I was just 19 years old. Nick was a forward thinker, always working out how to take Rencraft to the next challenge and inventing engineering solutions for the workshop.
If I was in charge of this industry I would…
Abolish the word “bespoke”! It is the most mis-used word in our industry.
If I could go back to the day I started in this industry, I would tell myself…
Don’t ever get an email address! Too much time is spent answering emails rather than communicating direct.
I’d abolish the word ‘bespoke’! It’s the most misused word in our industry!
John Stephens, managing director, RencraftWhat I love most about my job is…
I’d say it would have to be working with the Rencraft team and our clients. We have a fantastic and dedicated team and we’re very lucky with the clients we work with. Seeing a design go from its initial inception and watching it being crafted in the workshop, before working out the finer details and then seeing the finished project coming to fruition – that always gives me such a buzz.
I wish this industry would talk more about…
New house building and sustainability. Builders of new-builds need to fit the right spec of kitchen to match the value and feel of a house or apartment so it’s of a standard and style that the new owners will want to keep for the next 10+ years and not replace within the first two years – which creates waste at all levels.
My proudest professional achievement is….
Navigating Rencraft through the economic ups and downs from the late 1980s to grow into the business and the brand it is today. This included the recession of 1990-92, the financial crisis of 2008-9, Brexit and the current cost of living crisis. I’m proud of continuing Nick’s legacy by steering the business into new areas, so that Rencraft is now regularly involved in whole-house projects. We never accept the status quo and are always moving forward.
In ten years time I will be…
On a beach in Cornwall probably emailing the directors of Rencraft!
I dance in my kitchen to…
Nothing! I only save it for special occasions and holidays – due to my two left feet. A ‘rule’ my three children wholeheartedly reinforce!
The song I always sing in the shower is…
Being tone deaf and dyslexic, I never sing since I can’t remember song lyrics and if I could it wouldn’t be the best – but I can remember every kitchen design I’ve ever done. I remember the things that excite me.