A Message From Our Founder
Jo Dobson • November 8, 2020
Andy provides the context behind his decision to move to a new ownership model
Throughout my career I never once thought there would come a time for me to contribute such a message as this, nor that I would be doing it from beyond retirement age. But time moves on and here I am.
How it all started
For me, it all began as a non-academic secondary school kid with parents who insisted an engineering apprenticeship was my way forward. I stumbled into HVAC as this option was within walking distance of home.
A five-year indentured apprenticeship later, I knew how to build an air handling unit, but wanted more of a challenge. A job in HVAC controls sounded right and I found myself as the first sales support engineer at Staefa UK. Little did I know Staefa was the up 'n coming UK controls business that everyone wanted to be part of. This was a great time for me, I met a lot of good people and learnt a massive amount.
Fate also played a part as the day after accepting a job at Staefa I met my wife Molly, which meant quite a bit of long-distance courting between Middlesex and Kent.
At thirty, married with a 4-year old son, I stumbled into my first independent control system business. For three years it was tough. I worked round the clock, had a huge mortgage while all around me was a recession, boom 'n bust, and interest rates at 18%. Then to cap it all, I couldn't get on with my new business partner. But in these three years, I learnt a hard lesson: how to run a business.
So, Molly and I moved on and began Total Control in October 1987. We're immensely proud of and massively thankful to all those who have helped us to get where we are today. Many a milestone has been achieved, from exciting projects, to satisfied clients, and careers fulfilled. The broad family which is Total Control is both surprisingly broad and in very good health.
For over thirty years our loyal and trusted employees had supported the growth of Total Control and it was time to give something back.
A better future
I first came across the idea of employee ownership (EO) in 2017. I went to the Employee Ownership Association (the EOA) National Conference at the NEC, and I left with my head spinning but hugely impressed.
Never wanting particularly to cut 'n run and damn the consequences, Molly and I both saw employee ownership as a way to ensure continuity of the business in the form it was. Run by those who have done such a fine job so far and providing them with the reward that comes from ongoing success.
There followed a year of more research before the idea fully gelled, and even longer to do other preparation that would ensure the readiness of Total Control for employee ownership.
Luckily, to assist with the transition of Total Control we chose an extremely capable and very supportive employee ownership advisor in Ewan Hall of Baxendale, who I first met at the NEC Conference in Birmingham.
But our eventual timing could have been better. We started to work in earnest on our transition to EO one month before the first Covid-19 lockdown. So, we were faced with how to manage and deliver the process in such extreme condition, along with exactly how the business would fare in such new and strange times.
As it transpired, any such concerns were groundless. Through the hard work of all, Total Control continued to thrive and make progress. Plus, the EO transition process lent itself well to being done by a mixture of Zoom and MS Teams.
With one notable exception in September 2020, when we took advantage of the gap between lockdowns #1 and #2 and delivered an all-staff exceptional meeting. It was held in a farmer's field and under cover of a huge marquee without sides to act as a giant umbrella. Just under a hundred seats were arranged with two-meter distancing, front and back and sides, plus all the necessary PPE. We then formally announced to everyone that they would soon become the new owners of Total Control and the deed was officially complete in November 2020.
Andy Bowshell
National Apprentice Week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, business and the wider community.
This week, Total Control hosted our annual, company buffet event at the Salomon's Estate and it was great to get an in-depth update on our business performance over the past 12 months, and that we maintain a robustly positive and stable position in response to the unprecedented challenges our industry has experienced over the past year. Martin Millins highlighted plans for growth and insights on how our business can potentially tackle some of the industry-specific challenges that lie ahead. A much-need get-together and a fantastic opportunity to catch up with colleagues and connect with more recent members of the Total Control team. #team #bettertogether #employeeownership