By John Crichton
Hello again – for the final time…
You know what it was? It was moment of clarity, when I suddenly realised ‘that’s it, I’m done, I’m finished’. My moment came over a year ago. It was as though I was in a rowing boat the middle of the lake in Tynemouth Park and some bloke started shouting, ‘come in number one, your time’s up.’ I knew what I had to do…
So here we are at last, with me saying ‘ta’ra’, and to be fair I couldn’t be happier. Gordon Johnston is Sales Director now and let me tell you, you’re in good hands. He’s absolutely brilliant. And Allan Walker has been installed as Managing Director, which is a no-brainer. On top of that, James Elliott has become Operations Director and Nathan Capeling is now Senior Transport Manager.
So it’s turned out great. I’m delighted.
The success that I ‘ve enjoyed in my job has been built entirely on the people around me. I’ve been very lucky, that’s for sure; but I like to think it’s not all luck. I’ve succeeded in getting good people into the business, to the extent that now, I’m surrounded by them. Only Dumbledore has a team that might give mine a decent game.
I’m leaving behind a team that’s so strong, my own departure won’t make any difference
It’s maybe the greatest achievement in my career that I’m leaving behind a team that’s so strong, my own departure won’t make any difference.
Now, I could get self-indulgent at this point by reminding you of some of the, er… ‘good times’ we enjoyed, that were discreetly filed away under ‘work’. Ahem. Fortunately for those who witnessed (or even took part) in some of the more noteworthy of shenanigans, I’m not going there! Instead, I’d like to put on record what Basil Fawlty would doubtless refer to as ‘the bleedin obvious’. My customers are my friends. We’ve been friends for Donkey’s Years. You don’t come with the job, I don’t have to hand you back like the keys to the company car, you are my personal friends.
As for what I’ll be doing with the extra time and opportunities I’ll have, now I’m not clocking 75,000 miles every year and being away from home a couple of nights every week… well, you might not know this but I love my garden. I like pottering round. Who knows, I might enter a leek growing competition…
First though, me and June are heading for a long, laid-back break in Spain. In fact, we’ll be there when you lot are at Vendex, so no doubt on that day, we’ll have some Sangria in honour of all the happy memories.
Finally on this auspicious occasion – the final edition of ‘John’s Epistle to The Spiralites’ – I’d like to thank my colleagues at ARN. You are the best. I’d like to thank the company for everything they’ve done for me, as I’ve approached retirement. (There, I’ve used the ‘r’ word). They’ve been absolutely brilliant. I’d like to thank our suppliers for their unwavering support down the years. Most of all, I’d like to thank you, our customers – my customers. Together, you’ve given me a career that most people can only dream of. As they say, I’ve been there, done it all and got the T Shirt.
Ah well. Forward, upward, onward. It’s our Gala do tonight, so I’m off to get into my best bib and tucker.
I’ll see you when I see you. Meanwhile, gan canny.
John
*John Crichton retires from the post of Chief Executive, ARN, in October. All of us at PV extend our warmest wishes for a long and happy retirement to John and June. PS: You know where we are…
John Crichton’s legendary contributions to PV will always be HERE
