Jan 28 2025 47 mins 3
Andrew Lynas runs a family-owned food business. But it's not like many others. It began with his grandfather who had a row with his greengrocer boss so he quit and set up a fishmongers. Norman, Andrew's father, was next. He took a gamble with a big order for frozen battered fish. His problem was that he didn't have any freezers or even the fish to put in them. That was remedied by some chest freezers in the garage. Today Lynas Food Service has multiple outlets in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland; more than 700 staff; and an annual energy bill that's so large the company has just built its own electricity grid with a £4.5 million investment in wind, solar and battery, that powers its operations. Andrew may have inherited the business, but he's driven it with focus and ambition - growing turnover from £30 million when he took over to around £200 million today. In this episode he talks frankly about the challenges he's faced; the days when he faced financial ruin and cried; the hard-headed business advice his dying father imparted; his Christian faith which informs his whole approach; the life he enjoys with his young family and his deep commitment to the North Coast area in Northern Ireland where his business is headquartered. He works hard, but his commute to work from his seaside home in Portstewart is six and half minutes, "seven if there's traffic". It's a very personal story with some fascinating insights into what drives a company forward and the wider values that can underpin financial success.
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