Page 58 - GAP 50th Anniversary Book
P. 58
Celebrating 50 years of GAP /
GAP Chairmen
Nick Kuenssberg (1996 – 2005) Danny O’Neil (2005 to date)
In late 1996 I was invited to meet In theory, Douglas reviewed overall One of the great strengths of GAP, in Chris Parr has also been welcomed
Douglas and Iain Anderson because strategy, potential acquisitions, my experience, is the complementary with a fresh perspective and a wealth
friends believed that, following the greenfield sites, depot replacement and skills of the Board. This is testimony to of experience in his key role as Group
death of their father, they might need supplier links, while Iain was the details the personalities of Douglas and Iain. Finance Director. Chris replaced our
support and the benefit of 30 years of man who kept depot management Although both intelligent individuals previous long term Finance Director,
corporate life. We met in my study at on their toes with his forensic “take and steeped in the industry they have Andrew Stewart. Loyalty is a very much
home and, without initially having much no prisoners” approach. But to their very different work styles. Douglas is appreciated value of Douglas and Iain.
in common, seemed to gel. As a result, I eternal credit they worked seamlessly very long term and strategic, and a bit Another key strength of Iain and
was invited to join the Board. and apparently without any intra-family more ‘laissez faire’ in his management Douglas is their desire to see internal
It was already a good business in 1996 bickering. style. Iain, on the other hand, is growth and promotion. One of our
with sales of £12 million and big growth There is little doubt in my mind that forensically detailed in his approach Executive Directors, Kevin McEwan,
ambitions; over the next eight years to the GAP position - as the largest UK and very focused on continuous joined the company in 1994 and has
end 2005, GAP developed to 55 depots independent tool and plant supplier, improvement. been instrumental in the execution of
with sales revenue of £69 million or with an excellent management team They also create a ‘broad church’ culture developing our new divisions since 2011.
nearly £100K per employee - the 241 in place - by end 2005 when I handed both at the Board and throughout GAP, In a similar vein, Douglas and Iain have
employees having grown to 738 and over to Danny O’Neil, provided a solid which I believe to be one of our core been very supportive of welcoming
each generating over £10K pre-tax platform on which to build the £200 strengths. I have been on the Board family members to the business and
profit. This impressive record was based million turnover group that it will be by of GAP for over a quarter of its life giving them an opportunity. Indeed,
on the relentless drive and compulsive the time of its 50th birthday in 2019. and joined as an industry ‘outsider’. Douglas’s son Mark joined the Board in
attention to detail of the brothers Over these years, they have always 2017 and brings some more youth and
Anderson, characteristics that have encouraged an open, honest, two-way succession planning to the party. And
continued through to the present day. challenge. In more recent years, yes, the Andersons love a party!
58 / Chapter 09
