Q&A: Kevin Minton

9 June 2023

Kevin Minton has the unique distinction of having headed up both of the hire industry’s main trade associations, namely CPA and HAE. He retires from his position as CPA Chief Executive at the end of June. 

What was your first job after leaving school? 

My first permanent job was in the mid-1970s as an assistant in the parts department of Hesston, an agricultural machinery importer now owned by AGCO, who also own Massey Ferguson. The best part of the job for me was driving hundreds of miles in the middle of the night into the middle of a field where a forage harvester would be waiting for parts. 

How did you get into the trade association world?

An advert in the local paper (remember them?) said a local company wanted a Technical Writer – it turned out to be Hire Association Europe. I had some experience and ability, so I applied and joined in 1989. 

How did things develop from there? 

At HAE, I spent a lot of time with the safety committee and the safety assessment scheme as it was then, clarifying regulations and supporting members. I broadened out into constructing the membership database, helping with membership communications etc. In 2003, I became MD. In 2007, I moved to CPA to develop safety and technical activity, but soon found the opportunity to take on other responsibilities as well, becoming Chief Executive in 2018.  

You are obviously fascinated by trade associations. Why?

Trade associations are a complete business and regulatory world in miniature – you can be involved in a very diverse range of subjects throughout a single day – and yet they all connect together. Trade associations have an important role to play, in between the regulators (government) and the regulated (businesses), and can be a real force for good, not just for their members, but for the economy and society as a whole.

Do you have any particular career memories or highlights?

I try not to look back, unless there’s something useful to bring forward. But recent times have been the highlights for me – working with the great team at CPA, and helping initiatives like Stars of the Future grow from nothing to become a feature of the sector. Things like these really can help the world become a better place (one tiny piece at a time) and have the capability of becoming self-sustaining. 

I understand you did a law degree as a mature student. How hard was that and has it proved helpful?

I completed it part-time in five years at what is now Birmingham City University, with evening classes and a lot of work at home. If you want something, you’ve just got to put the work in to get it. Notably, as I progressed, my interest moved from concentrating on the black-letter process of law, to seeing how law is really crystallised politics, and law’s function in a self-motivated and maturing society.

What was your favourite school subject? 

Maths. I’m still a dilettante and I’m always ready to bore people talking about numbers that have interesting properties. 

If things had been different, what other career might you have considered?

Ha ha. The winds of fate and taking opportunities when they arise have been stronger influences than long term goal-centred career considerations for me.

What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given, or that you would pass on to others?

My make-up means I’m not good on the ‘taking advice’ element. On giving advice, I’d say: Live Your Life – it ain’t going to happen unless you make it happen.

What new skill would you like to learn?

When I was 60, my family bought me a set of Uilleann [Irish] pipes. These would be more of a parlour instrument than the highland bagpipe, which I used to play. Also, because they have an elbow-driven bellows instead of being mouth-blown, they are more tolerant of intermittent players. But I realised that I was too young to learn a new instrument – I didn’t have time. Maybe I will soon.

Finally, what future plans do you have?

I’ve put my name down for an allotment, although there’s a long waiting list here in the suburbs. I’ll probably have expired before I get to the top of the list. But I expect that sailing the winds of fate and taking opportunities when they arise will keep me busy. 

Photo: Alan Guthrie