A high-tech innovation centre is to take centre stage in the digital transformation of one of Hull’s oldest family companies.
JR Rix & Sons Ltd has revealed plans for its new marina headquarters - and it will involve attracting some of the brightest talent in a range of new roles.
The transformation process is being driven by Harry Rix, son of chairman Tim Rix CBE and the sixth-generation family member to join the group.
He came into the business last year to create fintech start-up Expensemate, and with that firmly under his belt, he’s now turning his attention to modernising the rest of the 150-year-old business.
And he’s looking for help from Hull’s burgeoning digital community.
Harry, who worked as an innovation design consultant at Accenture before joining the family firm, said: “The Innovation Centre is a physical space between the marketing and IT departments in our new headquarters where businesses across the group can collaborate and explore ideas that they wouldn’t get the opportunity to do in their day-to-day roles.
“Its creation marks the start of a process that will see all 17 companies in the Rix Group progress from traditional ways of working to more efficient digital processes utilising automation and state-of-the-art software.
“But this doesn’t stop at physical spaces, processes, and software, it is very much centred on people.
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“We’re actively looking to recruit and work with digital natives with an entrepreneurial approach to problem solving, such as software developers, digital marketers and business analysts, to help take the business on this journey.
“In that respect, we’re very fortunate to be in Hull – a city we’re proud to call our home – which has one of the strongest digital offerings in the north, if not the whole of the 海角视频.”
The Innovation Centre is being built as part of a refurbishment of JR Rix’s new headquarters – Two Humber Quays – an iconic part of the city’s marina.
Acquired in February, Rix will move its entire operations there from its current base on Spyvee Street in October.
Harry said the digital transformation and the new head office combined will give a vision of the future direction of the group.
“Throughout its history, the business has evolved along with Hull, and this is an extension of that.
“From ship building in the 1800s to supplying marine fuel and stevedoring, through to providing farmers and rural households with fuel, to the renewables revolution, we have developed along with Hull and East Yorkshire’s changing economic landscape.
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“The creation of Expensemate – the group’s first fully digital company – and the digital transformation reflects the fantastic tech-based sector that has emerged in the city and is another example of how Group is adapting to the prevailing times.”
Harry has been joined in the group by brother Robbie, a 3D CAD designer at Victory Leisure Homes.
Their proud father said: “It’s great to see both of them bring new ideas and approaches to the way we do things. Harry’s experience at Accenture has really accelerated our thinking around digital, which we realise has growing importance in the modern world.”
Group managing director, Rory Clarke, added: “It is great to see the sixth generation of the family coming into the business and leading innovation. Understanding and making the best use of technology, in all aspects of our organisation, is what will shape our future and keep us competitive and relevant to our customers.”