Upside down management

Published on isbi School News dated Monday 11th of March 2013

TAUNTON Preparatory School was delighted to welcome John Timpson CBE to talk to an appreciative audience of parents, students, friends and colleagues about his unique business style, which he calls 'Upside-down Management.' As Chairman of Timpson Ltd, he is credited with transforming the fortunes of the company. It is a private business wholly owned by John Timpson and his family. In 2004 he was awarded the CBE in the Birthday Honours List for Services to the Retail Sector.

Mr Timpson was joined by Sue Lucas, Chairman of ASIST (Adoption Support in Society Today), who gave an inspiriting talk on spoke on Adoption and Fostering. Sue has worked with Mr Timpson's son, Edward, in his role of Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Adoption and Fostering, before he became Children's Minister.

It was clear to the audience that Mr Timpson's success was based firmly on clear values, in that he trusts his employees, rewards them for hard work and appreciates them as being the most important asset of the company. He explained his interesting attitude towards staff appraisal, the importance of the relationship between shop staff and middle management and his loathing of spread sheets�.

The audience were fascinated by Mr Timpson's his unique style of management and warmed by how his personal success has led to supporting the lives of others.