Page 17 - BOSS Today Issue 6

Boss Awards
interview

BOSS AWARDS:

Outstanding Achievement

We spoke to Alan Barclay for his thoughts on winning this award

Why do you think you vision and imagination to merge
Left to right:
Alan Barclay, received the award? with BPIF, which has proven to be
Graeme Chapman MBE Because I’ve been lucky enough to a great success. I’m very pleased to
be part of, or have led, some great have been part of the Board that
teams in my roles with Kingfield saw through the merger, and which
Heath, Vasanta and BOSS. At different successfully dealt with some very
times and in a variety of ways these difficult and challenging decisions.
teams have been successful. I view
receiving the award as recognition How did it feel to win
of the hard work of my colleagues, the award?
in particular over the past 10 years. My first reaction was one of huge
In Michael Gardner’s introduction surprise. My second was a sense
to the Awards Dinner in October he of dread when it dawned on me I
very generously paid tribute to my would have to make some sort of
10 years of work with BOSS. I guess acceptance speech! Once the shock
that is the most significant element had passed, I have to concede I was
Can you give us your UK. During this period, sales grew of my being lucky enough to be both delighted and humbled: not
career background? from £206 million to £255 million and nominated. least by the kind words from Graeme
I have worked in the office products in 2007 the company received the Chapman MBE who presented the
industry for over 20 years. From mid European Office Products Industry – Tell us more about award.
2002 I was the CEO of Kingfield Heath Wholesaler / Distributor of the Year that work.
Ltd, one of the largest suppliers award. I have tried to promote the benefits Is there anyone you’d like
of office products and computer I sat for almost five years on of BOSS to the wider industry at to thank for their help?
consumables in the UK and Ireland. the Board of interACTION, a pan- every opportunity. It is an essential As I said on the evening when I
In January 2008 I was appointed to European co-operative of computer part of the industry infrastructure received the award, “I know that I
the role of non executive Chairman consumable and office products and is too often undervalued, should personally thank a number
for Vasanta Group, formed from the distributors, with seven shareholder misunderstood or even criticised. The of people whose help and hard
merger of Kingfield Heath and ISA. members and a number of associated maintenance of product categories work have resulted in my being
The Group distributes computer members with a combined turnover and standards is not glamorous nominated for this award. However,
consumable and office products, has of nearly Euros 2.0 billion. I was work; but these make up the vital for two reasons I won’t do that. Firstly
around 1,200 employees throughout Chairman of this group from 2005 to oil that keeps the industry’s wheels there are too many and secondly
the UK and Ireland and a combined 2008. turning smoothly. When our industry I’m too much of a coward to risk
turnover approaching £400 million. I have worked with BOSS for requires its views to be represented forgetting someone and causing
As CEO of Kingfield Heath I almost 10 years, serving initially on nationally we need to speak with one embarrassment or offence!”
helped turn the company around, the Resellers and Distributors Forum voice and know that our interests
significantly increasing sales and from 2001 and becoming a Board are being strongly promoted. BOSS n FOR MORE INFORMATION,
profits. In December 2004 I led a member in 2002. The Federation has fills that role admirably, and this is PLEASE CONTACT MICHAEL
management buyout of Kingfield been through some interesting times, more important than ever in these GARDNER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Heath, which was recognised as one including the relocation to a new uncertain times. ON 01676 526 060 or EMAIL
of the most successful mid-sized head office in High Wycombe and the BOSS would not be in such robust michael@bossfederation.co.uk
privately owned companies in the successful merger with BPIF. health if the Board had not had the

December 2010 | BOSS TODAY 17

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