Paul Connelly Moves to New Role as Connelly Group Holdings CEO
Today (2 August 2022) our family business is thirty six years old.
The photo below was taken around that time all those years ago. My late brother Jim is pictured beside my other brother Pat (retired 2017). It does actually seems like a hundred years ago when we founded CSS. We used you go out for a pint with my other brothers and our dad every Tuesday almost without fail. It was a tradition where we would put the world to rights over a few pints and a game of pool.
As the decades have rolled by the security and fire industry has changed and will continue to do so as nothing stays the same. Today, I have entered into a new role as CEO of Connelly Group Holdings. We have recognised the need to develop and promote the new guard, the people that will continue to drive our businesses in the years ahead. These people will identify and nurture those coming up the ranks.
Family Values are at the Core
It’s always been important to me that everyone is and feels valued within our family business. I think over the years of continuous growth we have delivered over decades an excellent offer with great people delivering for our customers in the market. There are lots of successful people in the security and fire industry that set out on their careers following working with us. I’m very proud when I meet them at functions etc. Some have their own businesses now and some have good jobs with industry manufacturers and are doing well.
I left school without any qualifications I was actually too nervous to sit exams. I had one thing though, a desire to get on a desire to make a good life, not by working all hours etc, but to work smart.
Building Positive Relationships
So, for anyone that seeks ambition, for what it’s worth running a business isn’t easy – if it was everyone would maybe have a go. If you have mettle, accept you don’t have all the answers, empower people, treat others how you’d want to be treated, and get up after falling down (many, many times) in the long road… success comes in many guises. In my mind it isn’t measured in pounds in the bank but by positive relationships with others.
Customers, friends, work colleagues and of course family. My two sons Callum and Declan started new roles today along with many others across the group I’m sure they will all do well in the years ahead. My youngest son Lewis will continue in his electrician apprenticeship and from the old guard to the new it’s their turn to drive the bus.
I’ll be up the back enjoying the view with a slight hand on the brake if needed. Wisdom after all is a life’s work is it not?
Paul Connelly
CEO, Connelly Group Holdings
