in Profiles by Kate Bassett. Permalink.
John Timpson, chairman of the eponymous chain of cobblers, on branching into the pub industry.
Age: 68!
Company: Timpson
Company turnover: £160m
First job: Shoe shop assistant
Dream job: I do it now
Car: BMW 4X4
Economy, business or first class: Second class rail. First class plane.
Most extravagant purchase: The White Eagle – the pub on Anglesey which my wife Alex wanted so she could have somewhere decent to eat near our holiday cottage (she doesn't cook).
Most-played song on your iPod: "Avalon" by Bryan Ferry.
Best business book: The Nordstrom Way
Worst business moment: Telling my colleagues that I had sold the Timpson shoe shops.
Proudest business moment: Buying back the family business in 1983.
Your business mentor: My wife Alex
Next big thing: Wait and see...