Peter Coleman comes across as a determined and disciplined individual. He trained for triathlons for five years and although he has less spare time to devote to the sport since having a family, he has promised himself that he will complete an Ironman before he is 50.
While the focus that you require to be able to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and run a marathon within a strict time limit of 17 hours is beyond most of us, Coleman believes he is up to the challenge. Such determination has also been a feature of his career, even though he was less positive about his abilities and strengths at the outset.
I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I drifted into the family business
‘I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I drifted into the family business,’ he says. ‘The SPD Group was a traditional engineering firm based in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester. It was a sub-contractor for the aerospace industry, with clients including BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Saab. It had 150 staff and a turnover of £7m.’
Coleman stayed for nearly seven years and learned the principles of managing a business – both commercially and professionally. ‘Watching my father gave me good insight into how to run a business,’ he says. ‘I gained a lot of focus from him. He progressed from draughtsman to running a multi-million pound business.’
Not yet a Subscriber?
This is a small extract of the full article which is available ONLY to premium content subscribers. Click below to get premium content on Manufacturing Chemist.
Subscribe now Already a subscriber? Sign in here.