Paul French reflects on his first year at the helm of Robert Horne
15th February 2011
Paul French, has been Managing Director of Robert Horne for one year and with the industry as a whole experiencing many challenges, how has Paul found his first year at the helm?
1. What have been the main challenges for you and Robert Horne in 2010?
Paul French describes the main challenges he has faced during his first year: "Everyone is aware that the industry has been going through a period of great change, with difficult times for the paper market, where there has been a decline in consumption in conjunction with price increases. One of the first things I needed to do was to re-energise the business to face such challenges, rather than bury our heads in the sand and expect adverse trading conditions to go away. I had to be bold and look at new directions for the business whilst never under estimating the importance of commercial print. Change is never easy so the platform had to be right.
2) What has been your greatest achievement since you became Managing Director of Robert Horne?
Paul comments: "I am really pleased with the spirit and team at Robert Horne. As a company it feels completely rejuvenated. It has been essential to improve morale and confidence and I am sure this has contributed to the improvement in performance across all areas of the business. People feel invigorated and ready for the challenges ahead. I have been responsible for creating the Robert Horne Leadership Team with people who can develop the business and inspire others. Our people are our most important asset. With their passion we can achieve great things."
3) How has Robert Horne changed under your leadership?
Paul says: "Robert Horne is now benefiting from a more performance-based culture. The company is developing and diversifying into new revenue streams, which have undoubtedly had an influence on the impact of our fast growth initiatives. Since I became Managing Director I have been keen to be less reliant on the core business, this in no way lessens the importance of paper to Robert Horne but we also can't be blind to other opportunities.
This has meant creating a different ethos in the company as a whole. The new Leadership Team is highly motivated and optimistic about an exciting future for Robert Horne. There has been a change of pace and perspective as a result. Robert Horne is no longer afraid of change, in fact everyone embraces it. The next twelve months will see us exploring new ways to source innovative materials for core markets and look at new arenas that could suit our business model, to help us serve our customer base better. I will continue to forge the new identity and culture for the Group with a vision that will help us grow and sustain our business well into the future."
Robert Horne Group is the UK's leading supplier of a vast array of materials, from paper and board to plastics. A unique combination of high quality, cost effective products is supported by added value services and in-depth industry knowledge. From advice to procurement, from paper to plastics, from packaging to point of sale, Robert Horne Group has the expertise to help you get the right materials to make a difference.
Robert Horne Group - Your materials expert
1. What have been the main challenges for you and Robert Horne in 2010?
Paul French describes the main challenges he has faced during his first year: "Everyone is aware that the industry has been going through a period of great change, with difficult times for the paper market, where there has been a decline in consumption in conjunction with price increases. One of the first things I needed to do was to re-energise the business to face such challenges, rather than bury our heads in the sand and expect adverse trading conditions to go away. I had to be bold and look at new directions for the business whilst never under estimating the importance of commercial print. Change is never easy so the platform had to be right.
2) What has been your greatest achievement since you became Managing Director of Robert Horne?
Paul comments: "I am really pleased with the spirit and team at Robert Horne. As a company it feels completely rejuvenated. It has been essential to improve morale and confidence and I am sure this has contributed to the improvement in performance across all areas of the business. People feel invigorated and ready for the challenges ahead. I have been responsible for creating the Robert Horne Leadership Team with people who can develop the business and inspire others. Our people are our most important asset. With their passion we can achieve great things."
3) How has Robert Horne changed under your leadership?
Paul says: "Robert Horne is now benefiting from a more performance-based culture. The company is developing and diversifying into new revenue streams, which have undoubtedly had an influence on the impact of our fast growth initiatives. Since I became Managing Director I have been keen to be less reliant on the core business, this in no way lessens the importance of paper to Robert Horne but we also can't be blind to other opportunities.
This has meant creating a different ethos in the company as a whole. The new Leadership Team is highly motivated and optimistic about an exciting future for Robert Horne. There has been a change of pace and perspective as a result. Robert Horne is no longer afraid of change, in fact everyone embraces it. The next twelve months will see us exploring new ways to source innovative materials for core markets and look at new arenas that could suit our business model, to help us serve our customer base better. I will continue to forge the new identity and culture for the Group with a vision that will help us grow and sustain our business well into the future."
Robert Horne Group is the UK's leading supplier of a vast array of materials, from paper and board to plastics. A unique combination of high quality, cost effective products is supported by added value services and in-depth industry knowledge. From advice to procurement, from paper to plastics, from packaging to point of sale, Robert Horne Group has the expertise to help you get the right materials to make a difference.
Robert Horne Group - Your materials expert
