Partner Article

Getting to know... Laurence Beck

In the latest instalment of Bdaily's Getting to know feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Laurence Beck, managing director of Newcastle-based Parkers Chauffeurs, talks about US expansion, building relationships with famous clients and why he loves the North East...

We know you as the managing director of Parkers Chauffeurs and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…
Behind the title and the polished vehicles is someone who’s driven by resilience, purpose and a genuine desire to make the North East proud.

I’ve always wanted to build something and create a business that delivers excellence but also has heart.

It’s never just been about luxury transport for me; it’s about doing things properly and with integrity.

Did you always want to work in the chauffeur industry?
No, it wasn’t part of some childhood dream. 

But I always had the desire to build something meaningful, something that stood out for doing things differently.

What started with one vehicle and a lot of determination has now become a multi-regional operation, and we recently expanded into the US.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?
The best part, without a doubt, are the relationships. 

I meet incredible clients every day: chief executives, world-renowned artists, even royalty, and hearing their stories is something I never take for granted.

The toughest part is the pressure.

The standards in this industry are non-negotiable.

One bad experience can undo years of trust, so there’s no room to slip.

That pressure is tough, but it also keeps us sharp.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Building a business with integrity and one that’s respected not just for what we deliver, but how we deliver it, for how we treat our clients and our team. 

Seeing Parkers grow beyond the North East and into the US is something I’m hugely proud of. It still feels a bit surreal.

How do you relax outside of work?
Well, currently I’m training for the Great North Run, supporting Sunday for Sammy.

I recently pulled together a Parkers team to run the Blaydon Race, which even included local entrepreneur Sara Davies.

That said, I always laugh when I agree to run races as I don’t actually enjoy running!

I much prefer lifting weights in the gym, but supporting local causes matters to me.

What makes the North East such a great place to live and work?
The people.

There’s a warmth and loyalty in the North East that you don’t find everywhere.

We’ve got incredible talent, stunning landscapes and a business community that truly wants to see each other win. That’s rare and special.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…
I used to sell commercial bins.

It’s a far cry from the chauffeur world, but I’ve always enjoyed being in control of client satisfaction, whatever the industry.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Entrepreneurs' Forum .