Page 17 - BOSS Today Issue 25

OUTSTANDING

ACHIEVEMENT

AWARD: NIGEL

MITCHELL

utstanding around the economic slump in
Achievement Award 2008-9: “The company had to rely
Owinner Nigel Mitchell on its suppliers to be supportive
admits to being “surprised during that time and I was right
and shocked” to have been so on the front line there with the
honoured by the Federation Finance Director.”
this year. “I had no inkling that it Proud to be leaving “a good
was me at all, even with Robert strong team” behind him at
Baldrey up there giving the VOW, Mitchell’s plans for the
citation, but then the things future have changed somewhat
he mentioned started getting over the last 12 months: “The
familiar and I finally realised that original idea was for me to take
it was me when they showed the early retirement at the end of
picture of the Mark IV Cortina, 2014, but with the Vasanta/o2o
and I suddenly thought “That’s acquisition discussions already
my car!””. underway, an opportunity was
Mitchell first entered the OP created where I could go self
industry in 1979 by joining John - employed and work two or
Dickinson as a trainee sales rep three days a week assisting the
in Keynsham, Bristol. After a of them had worked so closely when Kingfield and John Heath company with the integration, as
year he was given the keys to together for many years. Indeed, came together: Alan led the well as helping other companies
that ‘infamous’ Mark IV Cortina, of all of the previous winners subsequent MBO, and I was part who would benefit from my
along with the sales territory of this Award it is two of his of that team.” experience: in fact the phone
of South and West Wales. This former colleagues at VOW that Indeed, Mitchell very much hasn’t stopped ringing! For the
later expanded to Bristol and Mitchell is most proud to be now sees that MBO as the undoubted rest of the time I will be fishing
some of the West Country, keeping company with: “Graeme highlight of his career so far in for brown trout in the Derbyshire
which included Cotswold Office Chapman was my early days the OP industry: “It was a very rivers – at least, that’s the plan!”
Supplies, which Mitchell joined mentor after Kingfield acquired different experience for me,
in 1984, and whom Kingfield Cotswold Office Supplies, and presenting to VCs and banks, n FOR FURTHER DETAILS
acquired in 1989-90. I worked very closely with but very much a major career ON THE BOSS AWARDS
For Mitchell, having Robert him until he retired. The other development to be an owner PLEASE CONTACT
Baldrey present the Award was person is Alan Barclay, whom of part of that business.” Equally HELEN DUNN AT
“a very nice touch”, since the two I first started working with challenging was the period helen@bossfederation.co.uk.

December 2014/January 2015 | BOSS TODAY 17

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