James Herriot recently announced his retirement after more than 40 years spent working in the kitchen industry. So who better to explain what he loves most about the world of KBB…
When people outside the industry ask what I do I say….
Having received my P45, hence now being unemployed after more than 50 years of my working life, I have a new story to tell – in that I’m now relegated to selling The Big Issue.
If I was in charge of this industry I would…
I would instigate a formal education programme teaching the many skills required of our industry. I’ve advocated the importance of education, training and expansion of knowledge within the kitchen specialist world for a great many decades. The benefits of eradicating issues in advance puts money on the bottom line for all parties – hence embracing education and training (to me) is a no brainer.
What I’ve loved most about my job is…
The amazing and eclectic array of people I’ve been lucky enough to interact with over my many years in the industry. The skill and ability to succeed in the design-led kitchen specialist world is immense and diverse. Hence engaging with so many impressive and memorable people such as my Callerton colleagues, our national network of retailers, plus our many long-term suppliers and service providers has been a privilege.
The thing people might not know about me is…
At the age of 70 I became a published author. I penned an online journal for family and friends around the world during the second Covid-19 lockdown, and by pure chance, it was picked-up by a publisher and turned into a book, ‘The Sabbatical’.
I’ve since had a second published, ‘Insights to Kitchen Design’, and have a third appearing on the bookshelves called ‘Tweed Trail Challenge’. I should point out my teachers would be amazed due to my academic career coming to a premature and ignominious end.
A work story which may make people laugh…
Almost 40 years ago, having set up our second Callerton showroom in Berwick-upon-Tweed, I went out on a measure. Having spent much time establishing the client’s requirements over an excellent lunch – along with the consumption of a couple of bottles of wine – I returned to the studio. Unfortunately, the one thing I had failed to do was to measure the kitchen…
The Industry person I most admire is…
My mantra in relation to business relates to developing a vision, subsequently a strategy and action plans – followed by the implementation of such and driving these to successful conclusions.
The industry person I most admire is someone who is the absolute master in relation to these. I’ve known David Sanders from Blum for a good many years and our meetings inevitably left me inspired and energised. David is the ultimate communicator and a true industry legend – and someone I’m honoured to have as a friend.
My proudest professional achievement is…
Looking back to 1983 when my business partner and friend (Gordon Stanger-Leathes) and I set up in an empty factory unit in Newcastle-upon-Tyne to manufacture and sell kitchens – I should add with zero knowledge or qualifications. My proudest achievement has been to see my Callerton colleagues develop and thrive and to be in a position to embark upon and write the next chapter in Callerton’s story.
I dance in my kitchen to…
‘Lady in Red’ by Chris de Burgh, with my long suffering wife, Debbie.
The song I always sing in the shower is…
If I could sing, it would be Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’.