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6:30 AM 30th March 2021
business

10 In 10: Paul Beaumont, Managing Partner At ConsultPB

 
Paul Beaumont
Paul Beaumont
Paul Beaumont, managing partner at ConsultPB, is the latest regional business professional in the hot seat as The Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria Times gives him just 10 minutes to answer our 10 burning questions.

What does a typical working day for you involve?

In normal times I’m up at 5:15am and on my way to the gym for 6am, which is when it opens. I’ve swum 2k every morning for about the last 20 years. I’m back home before 7:30am for breakfast – porridge or cereal, and mushrooms on toast if I’m lucky on a Sunday – while I catch up on the news on TV and online.
Every day is different for me - we are a boutique management consultancy focused on assisting SMEs, owner managers, and MDs/CEOs to develop their business, scale up revenues, or prepare for sale and exit.

In short, we help to increase stakeholder value so I might be getting involved directly in start-ups, scale ups, turnarounds, strategic planning, and sometimes to give my opinion to MDs and CEOs – which can often be very lonely roles. I sit on a number of boards, too, as an advisor or non-executive director.

It’s dinner at 6pm, an hour of work and some TV.

What makes your company special?

I have over 30 years’ experience as MD, CEO, and running everything from start-ups to blue chips all around the world. I have achieved four successful start-ups and eight profitable turnarounds during this period and have experience of dealing with every type of opportunity or challenge that a business leader is likely to come up against.

Yorkshire has an abundance of talented entrepreneurs who typically know their market and products, but need help to start their business, or deal with issues, and this is where my strengths lie. I have been working with a lot of very innovative entrepreneurs recently, who have some great ideas for new start-ups post-Covid.

Do you have any business rules that you swear by?

I passionately believe that if you don’t look after your customers, someone else will do! I also believe that you cannot teach experience, so business leaders need to seek mentors and advisors that have ‘been there and done that’ to learn from and glean advice.

Do you dress up or down for work?

I’m comfortable in chinos and a polo shirt, or a suit. It’s a long time since I wore a tie!

What piece of advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

Be brave and think big!

What’s your favourite venue for an event or team away day?

Walking across moorland, team building, and getting away from the stress of the office.

How do you prefer to travel for business?

By car … or plane! I’ve worked all over the world and owned – and sold – a business headquartered in Berkshire with group companies in Russia, the Nordics, Africa, and the Middle East. I’ve always come back to Yorkshire for weekends. Our geographical location and access to motorways, trains and airports also makes us ideally placed for business.

What’s your favourite place to relax in?
I love the Yorkshire countryside and enjoy visiting Ilkley and Skipton, in particular. At Ilkley Moor there’s so much more to explore and discover than just the Cow and Calf rocks, wonderful as they are.

Where is your favourite place to eat and what dish do you recommend?

Prashad at Drighlington, a fabulous Gujarati vegetarian restaurant. Everyone should try it – the food is so spectacular that you never miss the meat! My favourite curry there is mushroom and spinach, so earthy and wonderful.

What do you miss most about Yorkshire when you are away?

The people, both socially and for work! Yorkshire people are good to do business with. You normally know exactly where you stand with a Yorkshire man or woman, which makes life a lot easier, saves time, and allows you to get things done.