The Interview: Nicholas Rodda, Rodda’s

There’s a responsibility within a family business to make sure that it is kept safe for future generations. Within my role in the business, I’m not thinking about a three or a five-year horizon, I’m thinking about a 20-year horizon. I’m always planning well ahead of what we need day to day – I think that’s a distinct difference between a family business and a non-family business. There’s a sense of stewardship; I’m the fifth generation of the family to be in this role after the company was created by Eliza-Jane in 1890, so it’s very much a privilege to work within the business, to improve it, and to pass it onto the next generation in an even better state than when I received it.

Each generation evolves what they were given by the previous generation, and builds on those foundations. Since I’ve been here, we’ve redeveloped the site to meet our customers’ needs in the future, we’ve rebranded our packaging to communicate our values and make sure that we identify and communicate with our customers, and then we signed up a direct supply group to supply our milk. We now work with local farmers within a 25-mile radius who supply rich, creamy milk into the creamery. In doing this, we’re helping them to work towards building a strong future for their business, too. It’s important that our customers know exactly what we’re all about. None of this is possible without great people, and the skill and commitment of the team here are vital ingredients in the business.

There are many elements to running a business, and the most important one of all is staff. You have to do what’s best for them even when it’s difficult. You have to be aware also that you’re representing a community, both within the company and the local area. It’s a case of taking personal ownership, and never accepting second best. Our product has to be perfect; it’s got my name on it!