Q & A with... Steve Hitchen
6 November 2020
In the hot seat today is Steve Hitchen who is managing director of Chorley-based One Stop Hire. The business currently has 14 depots stretching from Cumbria to the West Midlands, as well as a Training operation. The company celebrated its tenth anniversary last year.
How’s business?
Since July we have been back to pretty much pre-Covid levels, so we are very happy.
What is your standout Covid-19 related memory or experience?
Putting in place our Economic Crisis plan after the lockdown on 23 March and having our own daily ‘COBRA’ meetings via Zoom. It was a very scary time but the fact that we have come through well so far gives us great reassurance for the future.
What legal or regulatory change would help your business or industry generally?
Planning reforms.
If I gave you £5,000 to invest in your business, how would you spend it?
Buy my staff a drink.
What about £50,000?
Buy my staff a lot of drinks.
Who or what inspires you?
Watching young people develop in the business and in their personal lives. Our first batch of apprentices are all now married with kids, mortgages and so on, and it’s very rewarding to see.
What annoys/frustrates you?
Politics.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t be late and if you say you are going to do something – do it!
What new skill would you like to learn?
I wish I could swim as I’d love to get in the pool when we go on holiday.
How do you relax after a hard day?
Watching sport and history documentaries, cooking and going out with friends for dinner.
What was your favourite school subject?
History.
If things had been different, what other career might you have chosen?
A job linked to history, or becoming a chef.
Do you follow a particular sport and/or team?
Football - Manchester United.
What is the biggest challenge facing your business or the wider industry?
Economic uncertainty.
And what’s the biggest opportunity?
Economic uncertainty! Who knows what opportunities might develop?
What’s the secret of success?
Hard work, setting a good example and being fair with people - as well as a bit of luck now and then.
Finally, is there anything you would like to add about the business, the current trading outlook or future plans?
Our current model and strategy has worked well so far and we will be monitoring the market very closely for opportunities which these harder times may bring.
There'll be another Q & A with an industry professional here next Friday morning. Don't miss it.
