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| Mindful of why we’re here,and who we serve
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When a new chief executive arrives in a company, they quite often find themselves confronted with a number of problems that need to be dealt with straight away. But this wasn’t the case for CORGI’s new Chief Executive Mike Thompson “On my first day at CORGI headquarters, I was impressed with how calm and professional everything was,” said Mike Thompson. “There was a very positive feeling, and I’ve since discovered that this extends out into the field with our inspectors.”
Mike replaced Bob Henry as CORGI’s Chief Executive at the beginning of this year. He has a track record in engineering and the management of developing businesses. Mike began his career as a mechanical engineering apprentice, working for a boiler maker and fitter in the oil and gas industry.
Since then, his working life has taken a number of routes. He comes to CORGI from the Bank of England, where he was Managing Director of Security Printing. And prior to this, his roles include Divisional Chairman for engineering specialists B Elliot, Executive Director for Haden Maclellan plc, and Plant Director for Ford of Europe.
Rapid growth
Mike acknowledges that CORGI has undergone many changes over the past few years. Growth, particularly within the organisation’s commercial activities, has been rapid but he is adamant that
CORGI should never lose sight of the fact that it is here to promote gas safety, and to serve and support the nation’s gas installers.
That’s not to say that CORGI’s business will not develop into other areas. “Any successful business has to keep looking at itself and redefining what it is and where it’s going,” said Mike. “For example, we’re looking at expanding our expertise into a Building Regulations programme. This would broaden our remit from a gas registration body to include other
trades - many of which would benefit from the support and experience that an organisation such as CORGI could bring to their business. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of joining CORGI at the beginning of this period of diversification,” said Mike. “CORGI is already a highly recognised safety brand, and the achievements gained in the gas industry provide us with a platform from which to further develop our expertise in other areas.”
Mike said there were a whole raft of initiatives that CORGI could undertake using its current business model, but it must be done in a way that does not hinder its core business. “Installers and those working in the gas industry are our main stakeholders, and by continuing to work together, we can create an even stronger, more professional industry.”
Core business
Internally, Mike wants CORGI to focus its efforts on its core business. By introducing
commercial activities into the business model, Mike is conscious of the fact that there could be a danger of trying to be a money-making organisation, while at the same time acting as a public service provider. “I think these things are certainly compatible in CORGI’s case, but only if our installers and stakeholders can experience the benefit,” said Mike.
“If – as has been the case in the past – we can offset the cost of registration by using the profits generated from our commercial activities, then I think that’s something everyone would support.”
CORGI has gone through a process of realising its potential over the past few years. Registered installers look to the organisation to provide technical guidance and leadership, as well as to establish gas installing as a wellrespected and regulated profession. “CORGI started its journey long before I arrived,” said Mike. “It has grown a successful business out of a regulatory environment, and the possibilities for the future are very encouraging.” Mike is also keen to attract more people into the gas industry, and to take a leading role in dealing with the skills shortage that threatens the industry. “I think that career opportunities within the trades need to be pushed to the forefront, so that young people realise that there’s a very good living to be made working as a gas installer, or a plumber, or an electrician,” said Mike.
There’s no doubt that the future holds some very exciting prospects, and CORGI, under the stewardship of Mike Thompson, will continue to play a vital role in shaping the industry. Mike has pledged to remain focused on the needs of installers, and welcomes their input. The future is not pre-determined– it grows and thrives through effective partnerships between organisations such as CORGI, its installers, and the gas industry as a whole.
“Installers and those working in the gas industry are our main stakeholders, and by continuing to work together, we can create an even stronger, more professional industry”
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