Ian Gillespie, managing director at Activ Technology, has been working alongside his daughter, account manager, Emma Gillespie since 2013. Formed in 2010, the company has 30 staff and is a managed service provider for IT and telecommunications across the North of England and Scotland. At the end of 2018, the company opened its first office outside of the North East, in Dumfries. We explore the dynamics of a father/daughter relationship within the workplace
Ian Gillespie, managing director
I grew up in Northumberland and a lot of my friends went into farming and I wanted to also go down that route. However, we were not from farming stock, so my father said it would be unrealistic. I did want to make money, so I started working with him in the motor trade learning how to build customer loyalty and develop business acumen.
I worked with my father for ten years before I set up Fone Logistics in 1996. I grew the company to 150 employees and sold it 14 years later. I always knew that Emma had a good business head but it was important for her to pursue her own career and after building up good business knowledge at The Entrepreneurs’ Forum she joined the team at Activ.
I enjoy running a family business and Emma has brought with her a very strong work ethic. Naturally, work issues can rear their head at home but we always look to spend time together as a family and annually book a holiday where we purposefully leave work at home.
Working with Emma has taught me how important family time is and, very pleasingly, business has allowed an interesting outlet for us. We sponsor Newcastle Falcons and, in particular, star player Sinoti Sinoti. I love Rugby and I am delighted to say that as a result of our links with the club, Emma has also become a big fan and we frequently enjoy watching the game together. We are so engrossed in the game and the social side of the day that work very rarely gets mentioned.
As for Emma’s future, she can achieve anything that she puts her mind to. My advice to her is to keep learning and to surround yourself with positive, motivated people.
Emma Gillespie, account manager
After leaving school in 2011, I completed a business admin level 2 qualification at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. This was something I really enjoyed, as I have always had a business head and was interested to learn about the drive and motivation that characterised successful people.
I would classify dad in that bracket, as he built the phenomenally successful Fone Logistics and is now at the helm of Activ Technology. In 2013 I joined the client support team at Activ Technology.
This allowed me to build my product knowledge and to forge a solid relationship with our customers.
Having progressed to account manager, I work closely with dad. We have the same work ethic and drive and make a good team. Dad has always emphasised that you must put the customer first and that is now central to everything I do.
Working within a family business can have its challenges. Sometimes I feel like a stepping stone between my colleagues and the management team, especially if they don’t want to approach them directly. That said, we are a very happy ship and we encourage all staff to speak out and voice their opinions, as their views really do matter.
It is also important to ensure that there is a lot of family time as opposed to business time. Now that I report to my dad, there can sometimes be a fine line between him being my manager and my dad, which can be difficult.
As with all close knit family businesses, work topics can flow into time at home. Sometimes in a busy work environment it can be difficult to discuss or get everything across that you need to, so the meeting happens at home. It is important that it is kept to a minimum, as we all need down time and relaxation.
Where do I see myself in the future? It is not something that I have really thought about. I love my role as account manager as I enjoy building relationships with customers, looking after them throughout their contracts and renewals of their mobile contracts, so I am very happy being in the here and now.
