Festive Focus: Meet NBT Group chief exec Toby Bridges

Can you introduce yourself and your business to our readers?

“I’m Toby Bridges, CEO of The NBT Group. The NBT Group is a group of collaborative businesses providing B2B services with a core focus on supply chain management.”

What was your company’s biggest achievement of the year?

“This year, we were awarded as the North East’s fastest growing company as part of the Fastest 50 awards which was mind-blowing!

“The growth hasn’t come because of what I’ve done, it’s the amazing team that sits next to me and our great Board. We’re also celebrating our 110th anniversary, so it’s been a really exciting year for us.”

How would you approach 2018 differently, given the chance?

“I would have introduced our ‘squad’ and ‘tribe’ team structures to the business earlier in the year – a system that is working well for us, driving efficiency and communication across the business.

“I’d also work harder on getting ideas out of my head quicker, being clearer in what I’m trying to achieve, communicating better with the team, so they understand the direction of the business more clearly. It’s about moving from me to us so everyone is happy, has input and the whole team is certain about our collaborative direction of travel.”

What are your company’s plans for the new year?

“We will continue to work on our ambitious growth targets and enable each team member to contribute and learn more about the business as we focus on transparency, communicating the direction of the company with our talented team.

“2019 will be all about great people doing great things together, developing from owner-led to a truly collaborative company and a defined and repeatable model for scale. On a personal level, I also want to continue helping other businesses in the North East get on to the scale path through mentoring and direct input where I can.”

What’s your favourite Christmas song?

“If I said The Pogues I’d be lying… I don’t like any Christmas songs, don’t judge me!”