Profile: Tom Farmer and Kwik-Fit
Article Abstract:
Edinburgh, Scotland-headquartered Kwik-Fit is Europe's largest independent automotive repair operation. Founder and CEO Tom Farmer believes that high employee motivation, monitoring to ensure customer satisfaction, a nine million pounds sterling advertising budget, and networked computers are major reasons for the firm's 120 million pounds sterling turnover. Kwik-Fit's 400 shops and 2,200 staff in the UK, Belgium, and Holland replace tires, exhaust systems, shock absorbers, and other components for 3.5 million customers annually. A 3.5 million pounds sterling computer system transfers daily data from each shop to headquarters. The staff at each shop share in that unit's profits, and each employee receives a block of shares annually after three years' service.
Publication Name: The Accountant's Magazine
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4761
Year: 1988
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Profile: Graeme MacLennan
Article Abstract:
Chartered Accountant and joint managing director of Edinburgh Fund Managers Graeme MacLennan discusses his career, investment fund management, and his management philosophy. MacLennan feels that a good fund manager is not swayed by the amount of attention given by company executives, and that fund managers should be skeptical about claims made by brokers. Scottish investment managers can be more objective and independent in their judgments than London investment managers, but MacLennan feels that Scottish investment firms have not yet been aggressive enough in pursuing overseas investment opportunities.
Publication Name: The Accountant's Magazine
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4761
Year: 1987
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Robert Smith of Charterhouse
Article Abstract:
Charterhouse Development Capital Ltd Managing Dir Robert Smith led the group which assembled Europe's largest management buy-out, the 715 million pounds sterling Asda-MFI deal. Smith notes that all but one member of the Charterhouse team were Scottish, and asserts that Scots are cautious, long-term investors who must be consulted when money is raised for any large flotation. Smith sees Scottish chartered accountant training as the world's best, but believes that today's younger accountants lack a needed crusading spirit.
Publication Name: The Accountant's Magazine
Subject: Business
ISSN: 0001-4761
Year: 1988
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