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December's North East spotlight series welcomes: John Savage

With Christmas fast approaching and the region’s business people looking forward to a well deserved rest, we’re bringing you a December interview series with a holiday twist.

Here at Bdaily we love to bring our readers closer to the stories we write. So this month, we’re asking the questions we don’t usually get a chance to ask - giving you the chance to learn more about the business people you so often read about.

Next up is John Savage, MD of Flame Heating Spares.

Enjoy!

Your Business

What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

It has been an exciting year for Flame as we moved to larger premises in Gateshead – doubling our head office space – as well as opening a branch in Sunderland, with our first branch in the Tees Valley opening later this month.

We have also invested further in our workforce, to support our growth, and taken on our first apprentices, which is great news for the company and putting young people into work.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

2015 has undoubtedly been the most challenging year in business since I established Flame Heating Spares. In the space of the last three months, we’ve invested in a new office and two outlets, as well as centralised our new internal systems, which has put the company in good stead for the future. So, truthfully, I don’t think I would have changed much as our growth plans have progressed nicely.

Is there anything we should watch out for your company doing next year?

More growth. We are looking to open further branches in the New Year and increase our presence in the region, which will also create more jobs.

Your favourites

Have any other North East companies impressed you this year, if so - why?

I recently attended the Entrepreneurs’ Forum conference and was really impressed by The Lakes Distillery, particularly its The One whisky brand. It’s a great story and the concept of the company was impressive, as well as the way it markets its products.

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to destress?

I am a big sports fan, so a competitive game of football with colleagues and friends helps take your mind off things. Watching a good film is another great way to unwind.

Have any social media accounts caught your eye this year, any favourite pages or people to follow? (*cough* Bdaily *cough* *cough*)

Truth be told, I don’t really use social media on a personal level as much as I should. I only use social media for business use when either my colleagues or I are operating our company’s accounts.

The what ifs

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

Definitely a footballer, as a central midfielder pulling the strings and running the show – as I do in my role as MD!

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Never hold back and don’t be indecisive. I still feel, to this day, that I could have taken the plunge into business earlier, which is my only regret.

What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

A nice family trip away to Disneyland.

Thanks John, happy holidays from the Bdaily team.

To feature in our North East December spotlight series, contact Jamie at jamie.hardesty@bdaily.co.uk.