Page 9 - BOSS Today Issue 54

60 SECOND INTERVIEW
60 SECOND INTERVIEW BOSS Today #54

The Long And Winding Road

BOSS Today talks to Graeme Chapman MBE, the recently-retired Chair of the BOSS Business Supplies
Charity (BBSC) AND WINNER OF THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT THE BOSS AWARDS

BT: Please can you give us a brief BT: What plans do you have for this
summary of your career in the third attempt at retirement?
industry?:
GC: I want to finish my ‘Hitch Hiking
GC: My career began with ACCO in to the Middle East’ adventure
1967, and me ending up as MD book and try to get it published.
19 years later. Alan Hickman I’d also like to continue travelling,
took me to Kingfield (now VOW), including revisiting Masada in the
where I held numerous directorial Judean Desert where, in 1965,
positions until I retired for the I worked as an archaeologist’s
first time after 16 years. I then assistant.
took a part time 12 month role as
Chairman of Office Friendly, but BT: You’ve clearly had a lot of
retired for the second time after adventures. Is it true that you
seven years there! once also sang with the Beatles?
GC: I became a BBSC trustee 14
BT: What has been the highlight of years ago because, increasingly GC: In 1961 I used to take along
your career? concerned by the disparity three girls that I worked with to
between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have lunchtime sessions at the Cavern
GC: There are so many, but an early nots’, I wanted to see if I could Club in Liverpool. One day, the club
one lives long in my memory. As help in some small way. Many was empty apart from about eight
Export Director, I won the largest people on benefits and in low paid of us, so this local band called The
order ever received for Accodata jobs do not have enough money Silver Beatles – who were yet to
products in Saudi Arabia. It kept to survive, so the BBSC is a real make a record – just sat playing
the UK factory busy for two “safety net“. Regularly receiving with us while we all sang along. It
months! letters from beneficiaries saying was great fun talking and singing
“I genuinely do not know what with John, Paul, George and Pete
BT: How did you get into fundraising I would have done without you” Best. Whatever became of them?
and how much has been raised has been very humbling but
overall? rewarding, but we still need more BT: Tell us something else about
people in our industry to be aware yourself that few others know.
GC: In the mid 1980s my two young of who we are and how we can
sons suggested I got sponsored for help. GC: Whilst working for ACCO in the
the Ethiopian Famine relief: this Middle East, I was arrested and
led to getting involved with BBC BT: You were given a Lifetime thrown in jail as a suspected
Children in Need, plus three other Achievement Award at the British spy for taking photographs
charities, and then the creation of recent BOSS Awards. What was at an airport. I was eventually
The Climb of Life (COL) in aid of your reaction to receiving this released after my Palestinian
the Institute of Cancer Research. accolade? translator persuaded the guards
In all, COL has raised over £1.7m, that my photos showed no signs of
which is continuing now under the GC: I was surprised, thrilled and espionage. However, it was noted
leadership of Philip Lawson. delighted. An Award from my in my passport and I was never
peers is particularly special, allowed back into the country!
BT: You recently stepped down as and I would like to thank all
Chair of the BBSC. What first got those in our industry who were
you involved? responsible for it.

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