Page 17 - BOSS Today Issue 2

the highest priority at the time. some have succeeded and remain award. At the risk of sounding like
I operate across the whole XPD part of XPD, and others, as was the Oscars, though, many people
Group. We are fortunate to have kindly pointed out as I collected have contributed to the success of
an experienced, committed and my award, have failed and sunk XPD. The award is also a recognition
capable management team, which without trace! But that’s all part of of the management team and of
means that I’m there for guidance being an entrepreneur: the ability to course David and James, my co-
and monitoring mostly, leaving the dust yourself down, learn from the founders of XPD, without whom Left to right:
team to run the businesses. I focus experience and have another go. the business would not be what it David Langdown,
on the group’s strategy: potential It was a great honour to get the is today. n Andrew Ingram
partnerships, new marketing and
IT solutions, trading agreements,
new business opportunities and so
on. There’s lots of variety in my role,
always something to keep me on
my toes – which after 17 years with
XPD is a good thing!
Normally I leave the office
around 5.30 and get home half an
hour later, have dinner with my
wife and catch up with my kids. I
generally have a game of cricket or
play on the Wii with James, give him
his bath and story, then he’s in bed
for 8.30. At that point, I can wind
down, or more likely, start my other
job as my daughter’s chauffeur!

How did your Entrepreneur of
the Year award come about?
I was encouraged to enter by a
couple of people in the industry
(who I won’t name in order to
protect them!). I didn’t really expect
anything to come of it, so was
surprised when I made the initial
shortlist. I then had to do a twenty
minute presentation and panel
interview with the judges. A couple
of weeks later I made the final
shortlist of three, and only found
out I’d won it at the awards night
when Andrew Ingram of Talk Paper
called out my name.
Why do you think you won?
You would need to ask the judging
panel, but I think I have a track
record over a long period. During
my career I’ve been involved in
product development, international
expansion, creation of marketing
and new business programmes.
Since the formation of XPD, I’ve
helped build around a dozen
businesses. Some have been sold,

November/December 2009 | BOSS TODAY 17

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