All change

Published:

MANY people associate business success with maximising their potential through progressing as far as possible within a sole, specific industry.

Most people leaving school, college or university plan to land a job within a sector and spend their working life equipping themselves with as much industry-specific knowledge as possible to continually climb the career ladder. However, an increasing number of businessmen and women are switching between diverse sectors.

North-east businessman Alan Carr is a prime example of an entrepreneur shifting between industries throughout his career.

The managing director of north-east fireplace supplier Cinders Aberdeen and renovation company House Doctors began his career in the “sparky” trade.

He served his marine electrician apprenticeship on trawler boats in Peterhead harbour with shipbuilding firm Wood and Davidson, going on to work in senior positions with Wood Group Fire Protection and Blick International in Glasgow before part-owning his first businesses, Watson Brothers Fire Protection Engineering and Watson Brothers Alarms.

While still based in the central belt, Mr Carr went on to buy security company Vigilex before moving to Aberdeen due to family issues.

He entered a different industry, joining his brother and mother in business helping to run JJ Castings, which later became Cinders Aberdeen.

Mr Carr said: “It was tough shifting sectors and coming from having extensive knowledge in one to entering another which I had little experience in.”

He worked hard in an effort to acquire as much of an understanding of the industry as possible – even enrolling at college to acquire his full gas certification.

Cinders Aberdeen is reported to be flourishing – recording a 27% increase in turnover last year, to £825,000. Mr Carr said that, even if he had the chance, he wouldn’t change his career path, and would encourage others to enjoy a similar, diverse journey in business.

“There’s no doubt it can be daunting entering a whole new industry again after leaving one you have extensive knowledge in and have forged a successful career,” he said.

“Many people can feel they are stuck in a rut, but I would encourage others, if the opportunity presents itself, to make that leap – it’s exciting and extremely satisfying and rewarding transferring from one sector to another and enjoying fresh success.”