Issue 6 2019

72 Acquisition International - Issue 6 2019 Dec18343 Family-run for nearly two centuries, John Good is not only still going strong, but moving from strength-to- strength. We spoke to Sales Director, Paul Ferguson, about the firm’s deep-rooted family values and its refreshing team culture. ohn Good was formed by the Good family in 1833 and remains family owned more than 180 years later. Now the UK’s leading family-owned shipping and logistics provider, the organisation provides high-performance logistics and supply chain management solutions to customers from a diverse range of industries throughout the world. Beginning life in Hull as a shipping business, John Good has evolved and along the way it has earned itself an enviable reputation throughout the UK and abroad as a result of its vast experience, quality service and highly dedicated team of employees. Over the past few years, the company has grown even further, thanks to organic growth across each of its companies and strategic acquisitions in similar areas of trade with similar values to those of the business and family. John Good now includes ten different subsidiaries, each operating independently, but working together wherever possible, with its sister companies and other group subsidiaries including shipping, logistics, warehousing and travel companies. Despite its rapid growth, providing an excellent customer service lies deep at the heart of John Good and everything it does, as Sales Director, Paul Ferguson, explains. “We’ve built our business on delivering an exceptional service to everyone we work with whether they’re customers, colleagues, business partners or suppliers,” he begins. “We aim to make every interaction with our business a positive and rewarding experience by providing service excellence and treating people the way we like to be treated ourselves.” Paul leads the firm’s sales, account management and marketing teams, joining John Good in 2003 and having worked in a number of roles which provided him with an in-depth understanding of operations and how solutions help solve the problems faced by customers. Teamwork is readily encouraged at John Good, with all staff being committed to the long-term, profitable future of the business with the aim to achieve sustained growth that provides enhanced value to customers and industry partners alike. There lies within the company’s walls a culture which readily encourages innovation, with Paul himself being passionate about the latest technology available. “Teamwork makes us all better at what we do and makes every day more fun too,” he states. “Respecting and supporting each other is part of our great culture that we all love being part of. We have an open and enjoyable working environment where talent and hard The Greater Good J work are rewarded, and people have the opportunity to achieve their personal goals. “We ask our teams to challenge the status quo and welcome new ideas. It ensures we’re always improving and gives employees the opportunity to help drive our business forward.” By creating a sustainable and responsible business, John Good creates long-term careers for people, however, its reach goes much further than that thanks to its foundation. “We support our employees in their contribution to local charities and causes as well as national charities, give a percentage of our profits to the foundation and discount our services for charitable organisations.” Once such charity that John Good supports unreservedly is the Matthew Good Foundation, which was established by the company in 2011. The Matthew Good Foundation was named after Matthew Good following his sudden death while taking part in a charity run. Matthew was a Director of the John Good group of companies and was dedicated to the family business and everyone within it. The Foundation’s concept embodied his principles, values and commitment to the employees. “The Good family and company directors decided that the company had more to offer society than its core commercial activities,” Paul embellishes. “It would allow employees working within the John Good Group of companies, both the time and financial resources, to support charitable causes they are passionate about.” “It ensures we’re always improving and gives employees the opportunity to help drive our business forward.”