Timpson steps into the spotlight

TALKING business: Terry Flanagan (right) welcome James Timpson watched by (from left) Craig Dean, Phil Wiggett, and Hulme Grammar School students Lauren Dyer and Josh Pickup

MORE than 150 visitors attended the first business breakfast at the Mahdlo youth zone in Egerton Street.

Representatives from businesses across the borough crowded into the futuristic venue to hear Mahdlo chairman Terry Flanagan welcome guest speaker James Timpson, from the Timpson retail empire, who talked about his unique management philosophy.

The Timpson Group has 500 outlets across the country dealing predominantly in key cutting, shoe repairs and engraving — including a store in Town Square, Oldham. Mr Timpson said that the most important people in his organisation were his managers.

“They have total autonomy — they are in control and I let them get on with it,” he told the audience.

Claire Crossfield, Mahdlo’s development manager who helped organise the event, said: “James Timpson was a brilliant speaker and the whole event was exceptional. Business people enjoyed tours of the facilities — it is something we will be doing again.”

Craig Dean, of breakfast sponsors Web Applications, said: “Having James Timpson in Oldham demonstrates that we’re on the national business map and have a vibrant business community.”

Students from across the borough were also present and Mr Timpson presented each with an autographed copy of his book. Other copies were sold with all proceeds going to the youth zone project.