Rishi Sunak is battling to try and restore confidence in the economy, while at the same time some of his backbench Tory colleagues seem to be losing confidence in him. Meanwhile, in news that might prove inspirational for business leaders facing up to our current economic difficulties, we look at how Steve Jones (pictured) and his firm EAP recovered from the recession in 2008.
Leadership in Focus
Steve Jones founded EAP (European Active Projects) in 2005 and enjoyed three years of pretty rapid growth and success. Initially set up as a joint venture with a major ship repair company, the firm works closely with ship repair contractors to introduce skilled eastern European labour into the yards.
The global financial crash of 2008/9 inevitably brought huge challenges and EAP suffered an unavoidable downturn. Not one to shy away from a fight, however, it was during this period that Jones became the company’s sole shareholder. He also purchased a ship repair company in Chatham, Kent and moved the head office there.
From 2010, the company began to grow again and, despite another downturn in 2013/14, it has since experienced a near-decade of uninterrupted success. EAP now operates from six locations across the UK, as well as two sites in mainland Europe.
In terms of pinpointing the crucial component to EAP’s success in growing and improving despite economic setbacks, Jones has a number of potential candidates.
‘It’s our exceptional service, high operational safety standards and the quality protection for our people,’ he says, ‘which have allowed us to grow both profitably and responsibly.
‘We ensure that there are ample progression opportunities for all directly employed staff members at EAP, and this service and employee-centred attitude has facilitated the significant growth we have seen.
‘Our desire for the time being is to not overstretch ourselves. We want to grow stably and organically, and develop our work in the marine and industrial sectors. Above all else, it’s about providing customers with continued value – delivery is still essential to that – and making sure that everyone throughout EAP focuses on what the customer wants.
‘I also personally think that we should focus on the long-term future of the organisation. Developing a younger and more inclusive mindset by bringing through more 18 to 28-year-olds would go a long way towards achieving this, and ensure that we would remain well rounded and able to serve clients for decades to come.’
Companies across the country are likely to face severe economic challenges over the coming months and years. EAP are proof that such challenges can be overcome.
Leadership Today
The Times leads with the news that Rishi Sunak is facing a backlash from Tory MPs over plans to raise taxes.
The newspaper also reports that cabinet minister Therese Coffey has directly challenged the chancellor by claiming that cutting taxes may be a more effective way of raising money.
‘In the past, when we have actually cut tax rates, we have seen taxes increase,’ she said. ‘Tax rates are a very dynamic situation, and we need to make sure the chancellor has the best opportunities when he announces to the country.
‘In the past, when some people might assume the only way to get tax up is to increase tax rates. Actually, we have shown in our economic history the opposite.’
The chancellor and the prime minister are expected to meet new MPs this week to discuss the unrest.
The Times also claims that new civil service chief Simon Case was ‘effectively forced out’ of Whitehall in 2018 after falling out with Olly Robbins, Theresa May’s chief Brexit negotiator.
‘It was quite a tense relationship,’ a source told the newspaper. ‘I think Olly resented how plugged in he was to Brussels and the EU. They also clashed over Ireland. I think Simon was sceptical about the Irish backstop that had been agreed by Olly, and was basically pushed out.’
Meanwhile, The Telegraph focuses on the news that a record number of young people are now on benefits. And columnist Alison Pearson writes an open letter to Tim Davie the BBC’s new director general.
Leadership in History
On this day in 1945, The Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu. This agreement formalized the unconditional surrender of the Empire of Japan, which marked the end of World War II.
