In this episode of Confessions of an Entrepreneur, Carl sits down with Kiran Fothergill, a North East entrepreneur whose work spans a seventh-generation family business, cybersecurity and public service.

Kiran reflects on the history of Pickerings Lifts and what it means to help lead a company that has been part of his family for generations. He describes the responsibility he feels towards its employees and the opportunities to develop new ideas within an established business.

The conversation also explores Kiran’s first experience of starting a company: a luxury yacht charter venture that was severely disrupted by COVID. He speaks openly about the pressure of refunding customers, the lessons he learned about cash flow and his decision to step away when he realised his enthusiasm for the business had gone.

Carl and Kiran discuss the transition into the family group and why he chose to return to Oxford for an MBA. He explains that the experience helped him build the confidence to contribute in the boardroom, while much of what he needed to know about running a business could only be learned by doing it.

Turning to Sapphire, the group’s cybersecurity business, Kiran shares a costly lesson from hiring too quickly during a period of change. The experience set the business back and altered how he approaches senior appointments and plans for growth.

Beyond business, Kiran talks about his work with The Jobs Foundation, his concern about barriers to employment and his ambition to enter Parliament. He explains why he believes practical business experience could help shape decisions that affect employers and the people seeking work.

Throughout the episode, Kiran returns to the idea of stewardship: making the most of the time he has and leaving the businesses and communities he cares about in a better position.

Asked how he would like to be remembered, his answer is simple: “I tried my best. I gave it absolutely everything.”

Connect with Kiran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-fothergill-0555b4124/

Website: https://kiranfothergill.com/

Connect with Carl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-swansbury-fca-33b21923/?originalSubdomain=uk Website: https://ryecroftglenton.com/team/carl-swansbury/

This podcast is brought to you by Recognition PR.