Name: Steve Fairhurst
Company: The Branded Items Group
Position: Company Director
What do you actually do day-to-day? Gym and meditation first thing. Then in work, a mix of things really. Sales & Marketing (which I like, but don’t do enough of) and operational tasks, negotiation with suppliers, dealing with larger quotes and some elements of finance. Pretty much a bit of everything.
Have you ever had a mentor? If so, who? I wouldn’t say I have had an official mentor, but I have been on a number of management programmes where individuals have worked with me in the past. Andrea Edwards and a chap called Roy Shelton were probably the most influential people I’ve worked with in that respect, as I made big decisions on the basis of their counsel.
Does money motivate you?
Absolutely, but more as a vehicle to achieve other personal goals and give my family a better quality of life.
What has been the most important event in your working life? I’d say that was in 2001. The firm I worked for grew from virtually nothing to a multi-million-pound business in the space of a few years, but everyone was placed under horrendous pressure in the process. It was an invaluable three years though when I worked a few days a week in London and met some interesting people working in high profile companies. The event itself was when the company crashed unexpectedly in 2001, when it appeared to be doing well and went into administration. I was still a young man, but the whole experience made me vow that I wouldn’t work as an employee for anyone else again. Six weeks after the liquidation of my former employer, I set up my first business and my first order was from the United States Military…you will have to ask me about that one.
Who do you most admire? Too many to mention…I admire anyone who starts a small business in truth.
But in terms of actual names I admire– I have to draw this from the sporting world.
Jurgen Klopp as a charismatic motivator.
Rob Burrow for his incredible mental strength battling MND and Kevin Sinfield his former teammate who is the very epitome of mental toughness, compassion and leadership.
What does leadership mean to you? To me having Integrity and being trustworthy is essential. Good leaders have empathy, are approachable and create an environment where every single person can speak up, be creative and own their own actions. In other words ,good leaders attractive positivity and empower people. Leadership also means having a vision, being adaptable and having the resilience and determination to carry through that vision.
What’s your favourite TV programme? Tricky…..Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Peaky Blinders, Ted Lasso among others.
How do you relax? Not sure these qualify as relaxing, but I coach my sons under 9’s rugby team which is good fun…except when it’s chucking it down in St Helens on a Wednesday night! I’m also an early morning gym man, so I’m in there four mornings a week at 6am. Other than that, my priority is spending time with my family, with my wife louise, and my 11-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son. I also love sport, in particular watching Liverpool FC and St Helens RLFC.
Finally, when I get the chance, I write fictional books, which is something I’d love to do full time, when I’m finished with the business.
Fry up or healthy smoothie? Heart says Fry up ……. head says smoothie.
Pub or club? Unfortunately, I spent far too much of my time in places like Ibiza, before children, so I’m still 25 in my head. I’m probably more pub than club nowadays, although on occasion and invite, I won’t turn a club down.
Gym or countryside walk? I spend more time at the Gym, but probably enjoy the countryside more…. sitting on the fence on that one.
Favourite piece of music? Oh dear…that’s tricky, too many… Memories – David Guetta, Fire – Kasabian, Pjanno – Eric Prdyz…..for different reasons.
Flannels or Florence & Fred? Depends if I’ve had a good month lol…. Closer to F & F, than Flannels….everyone in the city needs buy more merch from us, so I can help Flannels profit and loss account.
Birkdale or Birkenhead? Trick question for a lad born in Liverpool City Centre but lived in St Helens all his life….