Byker-based JK Lifting has been in operation for almost four decades, having been founded by John Kesson in 1983. The business was acquired by James Bright in 2019 and following continued growth, in May 2022 the firm celebrated the launch of JK Industrial Services and the opening of its new specialist marine base at Port of Blyth.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? I have always preferred to work outdoors. Much of my youth was spent helping out on a local farm in Northumberland. I guess my first job with a contract would have been when I was 21-years-old working as a sales executive for Rickerby, an agricultural machinery dealer. My salary was £150 a week. I loved it!
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? Invest in people and surround yourself with the right people. There is a quote by a writer Maya Angelou that sums this philosophy up for me “People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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I remember and apply this way of thinking to my business everyday. People ultimately choose to do business with people they like, and everyone likes someone who appreciates them. That’s no different when it comes to team members than when it comes to customers. I recognise that it is my team who have made JK Lifting what it is today.
What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? The pandemic has led to a huge shift in how we communicate with our customers. Previously direct sales calls were our main route to market but now it's a thing of the past.
The jobs market has also shifted. There seems to be a lot of uncertainty. People are less willing to move and take up new opportunities. This hesitancy coupled with a (highly skilled) talent shortage within the lifting sector is an ongoing challenge. Add to that the rising labour and materials costs. It’s a challenging time for any business owner.
How has the pandemic changed the way you work? We pride ourselves on our approach to health and safety. If anything the pandemic highlighted our strengths in this area and provided both our team and clients peace of mind following our bolstered approach in line with guidance at the time.
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Our team’s flexible approach enabled us to quickly pivot to ensure that despite restrictions, we were still able to deliver the best possible on-site service for clients and this remains our ethos.
Who is your role model in business? Having read his books, I would have to say Sir Richard Branson. His ability to utilise his failures to create success is inspirational. He also strikes me as a different type of business entrepreneur when compared to the likes of Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk. Unlike them, he understands that it’s the employees that make a business - an ethos I have ingrained within my own business.
I’m also inspired by his belief that anything is possible which is reflected with his recent Dyslexic Thinking campaign. It is a campaign which I understand on a personal level and find truly empowering.
What would your dream job be? Owning and managing my own business is a goal I’ve been working towards my whole career. The satisfaction I get from seeing the impact of what I do on the growth of my team as individuals and the business is why I get out of bed in the morning. What keeps me moving forwards is the belief that “the answer is always yes, as I’ll always find a way, find the best solution” - I love that each day is different with its own set of challenges. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? You need to be a problem solver and a forward thinker. This job boils down to supplying solutions from designing a piece of equipment to managing an unseen issue onsite. The key is to remain calm, be flexible and adapt. No day is the same, just like no issue is the same and therefore each solution is bespoke - often outside of the box.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? Having been born and raised in Northumberland I am biased but I have to say the people and the countryside. In the North East, you can be in the depths of heavy industry and in under an hour in the rolling countryside. The northern camaraderie demonstrated by the people in the North East highlights their grit and determination which makes this such a great region to invest in.
How important is it for business to play a role in society? Business plays a crucial role in society. It’s the responsibility of businesses and their leaders to invest in communities to create skilled jobs, greater opportunities for all and foster a stable long-term economy. It is the catalyst for investment, growth and a flourishing society which enables people to build a life for themselves and their families.
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Outside of work, what are you really good at? Taking time out. I spend quality time with my family in the Northumberland countryside, whether that’s paddleboarding at the beach or enjoying a brisk walk no matter the weather. I also recognise the importance of looking after my overall well-being in order to gain perspective, clarity and share the best version of myself at both work and home. To do that I do a number of activities, my passion is clay pigeon shooting (which I’m not too bad at if I do say so myself) and I also enjoy swimming as well as heading out on my gravel bike.
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