John Collins

Nov 28 2006 By Evening Gazette

Managing director of Reflex Vehicle Solutions.

What did you want to be when you were young?
From three to ten I wanted to be, an astronaut, obviously, after that I would have liked to have been a teacher.

How much was your first pay packet and what did you spend it on?
It was £2.30 per week as a Saturday boy at the age of 13 and it on paying the money back I had loaned in lieu of getting my wages!

What's the best piece of business advice you have received?
This was given to me by my last chairman - Alan Noble, of Darlington-based Northgate plc: "surround myself with people better than me" which is something I have done.

And the worst?
"Sack the bottom 10% of your workforce each year, that way you will always employ the best, and keep those with you motivated."

What is your philosophy when it comes to business?
Every company should have its true values at the heart. Every member of staff should buy into those values or not work for that company.

What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are, sadly, my business and not so sadly my family. For pure torture, I am a season ticket holder at Newcastle United.

What's your top business or financial tip?
Never, ever, run out of cash. I have seen many businesses, some of them incredibly successful with full order books, be forced out of business because they haven't managed their cash correctly.

Does anything scare you and if so what?
Like most people in business I fear failure, not for me, but for the people who have taken a risk in supporting me through suppliers, funders, customers and more importantly staff.

What would you choose as your epitaph?
"I told you I was ill." I think most people would just say "He was a lucky git!"