For six years I held office (similar in many ways to a grumpy politician I was told by my haters) with an event hire business I started called Northern Hospitality. I loved it to the point of it consuming my every working hour for a few of those six years so my decision to step back in July 2011 (subsequently selling 49% of my shareholding and resigning as a director in October of that year) was not only a bold move but the correct one. It allowed me to re-focus, understand the mistakes I’d made – there were plenty of those for sure - learn from them and prepare for a new career move whilst Northern Hospitality embarked on it’s own development plan under the guidance of a new team whose only worry was – and remains to be for the next few years - paying my pension contributions.

You see the hire industry is littered with waifs, strays and fraudsters; people who are able to shy away from budgets, targets and spend per heads as the intense seasonal nature of the business – with its literal bi-annual flood of cash – allows hiding places for these lazy, complacent and inept ‘professionals’ who claim to be an integral part of it’s ongoing success. They’ve been about for years, have grand titles, are often dysfunctional insecure people and the only thing you can be absolutely sure off is that they are always shit at their jobs. Identifying these people was my achilles heel – of that there can be no question. If I could go back this is one area I would focus on. However I can’t - don’t actually want to – and shouldn’t do even if I could as hindsight is not so much a wonderful thing but a powerful one. Personally I see it as the single most powerful tool in developing yourself and the decisions you make going forward in business.

That’s why I’ve gone and bottled my personal collection of this hindsight stuff – supported by a shed-load of new kit for hire - across the Irish Sea and dumped it smack bang in the middle of Northern Ireland. Northern Hire Ltd was born January 2012 – I’m original with company names if nothing else - and so if anyone knows of anyone who fancies a proper job heading up a hire unit in Norn-Iron please point them in my direction. I’m looking for someone who has real experience in balancing costs against being popular, has a natural flair for business development and isn’t a waste of precious air.

Remuneration you ask? I’m not fussed – whoever applies can tell me what they think the position is worth based on what they’re going to bring to the party. I’ve heard and seen it all before so, sincerely, don’t be afraid to ask – just be prepared for my honest and frank reply. Jokers, dreamers and blatant bull-shitters need not apply. Experience in the hire and rental industry is certainly NOT needed however people who REALLY understand the workings and pressures of a professional hospitality environment – and are confident to communicate with people at all levels employed within it - is. Thick skin, a good sense of dry humour and the ability to think on their feet are handy skills to bring to the table as well. So hindsight tells me anyway…

Andy