It was 20 years ago today...

So sang The Beatles - I was six when Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released on June 1^st, 1967 and 45 when I started 3Kites on June 1^st, 2006.  As we approach our 20^th anniversary, the Kites asked if I could write about how the journey started, so here we go! 

My career in IT followed seven years in various jobs before a TOPS (Training Opportunity Scheme) course in computer programming.  Securicor gave me my first role and I moved from there to BT and British Gas in quick succession before taking a systems programming role at Allen & Overy which led to me running Production Services with a team of 20 – we had responsibility for the firm’s servers and network across the globe.  Finding the legal sector to be a happy home, I moved to Herbert Smith as Development Manager and latterly created a Business Integration team which was essentially tasked with internal consulting.  I enjoyed the variety of projects and pursued this in roles at two legal-sector suppliers, although the second of these was challenging in many ways and led me to a path I had long considered. 

At this point, May 2006, I had four kids under the age of five and a strong desire to watch them grow up rather than meeting them at the far end of their education journey as a distant father.  I also had a strong commitment to providing a relationship clients could depend on, having witnessed too many situations where product functionality was over promised and under delivered.  These were the main drivers in deciding to step away from working for others and trying to build something of my own.   

My first client was Abby Ewen at Simmons & Simmons – she guided me on pricing as a one-man-band and gave me the space to develop a nascent service that resonated with one of the firm’s Partners, Melanie Farquharson.  Seven months after starting the business, Mel came onboard and helped to formalise the values which we still provide to every new Kite who joins us.  We added and lost one or two consultants in the first few years and then hit our annus horribilis as the banking crisis struck in 2009.  Work evaporated overnight and we had no new engagements from that February until the start of the next year. 

Mel’s support was crucial in keeping the business going but I still had a family to feed and a mortgage to pay.  If the boot had been on the other foot, I might well have bailed out but my wife Tracy stood firm and never put me under any pressure, regardless of how perilous the situation felt to her.  2010 saw our fortunes change and we were soon joined by the likes of Jon Howells (now one of my fellow directors and shareholders), Bob Hadingham (former owner of Axxia which provided PMS and case software) and Duncan Ogilvy (who, as Managing Partner at Mills & Reeve, had been a vocal advocate of Mel’s KM services).  I should also note the contribution Ali Battley has made to our success – she came onboard to assist with billing, admin and the occasional client engagement.  She is still there today, as loyal as ever and someone in whom I have complete trust! 

In the intervening years, we have been joined by many more Kites and, today, have approaching 20 people in the company with others lined up to join when the right opportunity presents itself.  Many, like me, enjoy the flexibility to have a sensible balance between interesting work with great clients and looking after a family... be that kids or pets! 

This last Christmas saw Mel retire and, I must admit, I wondered how we would survive as she has been key to our growth and success.  However, Rachel Edmondson joined Jon and me as a director and shareholder a couple of years back and I find that the three of us work really well together.   

Alongside the directors, we have Jenni running our KM practice often assisted by our BA Anthony, Dani and Matt providing project management, Michele and Chris working on various IT projects, Ben looking after risk and compliance, Viv and Malcolm using their experience as Managing Partners to assist firms with business and growth strategy, Bob continuing to provide sage advice on PMS and case for the lucky few, and Giles ready to work with in-house teams once his interim GC role ends.  We also have Jon’s wife Laura working on the growing admin side including events planning and marketing whilst Tracy has been helping with comms, insurance and the like. 

As I reflect on the last 20 years, I can honestly say that this is the best job I have ever had.  Our clients have been great (I have genuinely had prospects comment on how lovely they are after one of our parties), as have suppliers who work closely with us whilst respecting our fiercely protected independence.  It is this, allied to the fact that I have the privilege to work with the most amazing and dedicated team, that keeps me doing this day after day as we head into our third decade... with a little help from my friends!