X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) had the pleasure of spending a full working day with Sir John Timpson MBE, Chairman, Timpson on Wednesday 6th June 2018.

Sir John is known for his dynamic business model which he calls ‘Upside-down Management’. He is also extremely passionate about his campaign to inspire schools in building awareness of the importance for the issue of attachment with the younger generation who have been in foster or social care. In 2004 Sir John Timpson was awarded a CBE in the Birthday Honours List for Services to the Retail Sector and was knighted for his services to business and fostering in 2017.

Timpson is the UK’s leading retail service provider who employ over 5,000 employees with 2,000 branches across the UK. Timpson was established in 1865 and is a private business family owned business run by John Timpson and his son James Timpson OBE, Chief Executive. The business has evolved over the decades, having sold the original chain of shoe shops, focusing now on Timpson shoe repairs and diversifying into dry cleaning (Johnsons) and digital photocopy (Max Spielman and Snappy Snaps).

Kings Road Snappy Snaps branch with the store manager on the left, Ren Kapur MBE, Founder and CEO, X-Forces Enterprise and Sir John Timpson MBE, Chairman, Timpson.

Timpson’s strapline “Great Service by Great People” is certainly true through and through. On the afternoon of Wednesday 6th June Sir John, Ren Kapur MBE, Founder and CEO, X-Forces Enterprise and Martin Wing, Chairman, X-Forces Enterprise surprised a few of his employees across some of the Timpson London branches, “Before his employees had realised he was present in the store they were delivering an impeccable service” said Ren Kapur.

Timpson pod in Tesco carpark, Sudbury with Sir John Timpson MBE, Chairman, Timpson, the store manager and Martin Wing, Chairman, X-Forces Enterprise

During a short interview Sir John Timpson shared his extraordinary business insight and knowledge providing ample tips on his success. Five top tips Sir John shared were:

• The first person you bring in to the business can make it or break it

• You can’t create a great business without a great team

• The most important part of business is making sure your team are happy

• As long as you look after your customers and money is coming in what more can you ask for?

• Be the very best you can be

View highlights from the interview below:

Sir John Timpson MBE, Chairman, Timpson being welcomed by Martin Wing, Chairman, X-Forces Enterprise

A huge thank you to Sir John Timpson for his time, valuable insight and knowledge shared.

For more information about Timpson visit:

Website: timpson.co.uk

X-Forces Enterprise (XFE) is an award-winning Community Interest Company that nurtures entrepreneurial ambition in the UK military community and are the official delivery partner to the governments Start Up loans scheme and the Careers Transition Partnership (MOD). XFE have supported over 1,300 entrepreneurs to start their own businesses and has helped thousands more through training, events, mentoring provisions and inspiring women from the armed forces. X-Forces.com

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