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Discover the remarkable journey of Sir John Timpson, who transformed both his family's historic business and countless lives through revolutionary management practices and profound personal commitment to fostering children.
From the humble beginnings of a shoe shop in 1865, Sir John shares how Timpson evolved into a service empire built on a radical premise: trust your people completely. "There are only two rules," he explains. "Look the part and put the money in the till." This "upside-down management" approach has not only driven business success but created a platform for extraordinary social impact.
The heart of our conversation explores the parallel between Sir John's business philosophy and the fostering journey he shared with his late wife Alex. Together they fostered 90 children, an experience that profoundly shaped their approach to business. "Alex worked on instinct," Sir John reflects. "She trusted people to give them a lift in life." This instinct-led compassion became the foundation for Timpson's revolutionary approach to employment, including hiring ex-prisoners (now over 10% of their workforce) and creating programs like "Dreams Come True" that fulfill employee wishes ranging from family reunions to medical treatments.
We delve into the challenges facing foster care today, with Sir John advocating for less bureaucracy and more trust in foster carers' judgment. His passionate belief that children benefit most when carers are trusted to include them fully as family members offers valuable insight for anyone considering fostering or working within the care system.
What emerges is a powerful testament to how compassion can drive both business success and meaningful social change. As Alex Timpson simply put it: "You can be nice and make lots of money." Join us for this inspiring conversation that challenges conventional wisdom about business, family, and what it means to truly care for others.

For those interested in what Palliative care looks like at home there is "The Last Kiss" (Not a Romance)
Available on Amazon now
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Kiss-Romance-Carers-Stories/dp/1919635289/ref=sr_1_1?crid=13D6YWONKR5YH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._59mNNFoc-rROuWZnAQfsG0l3iseuQuK_gx-VxO_fe6DLJR8M0Az039lJk_HxFcW2o2HMhIH3r3PuD7Dj-D6KTwIHDMl2Q51FGLK8UFYOBwbRmrLMbpYoqOL6I5ruLukF1vq7umXueIASDS2pO91JktkZriJDJzgLfPv1ft5UtkdQxs9isRDmzAYzc5MKKztINcNGBq-GRWKxgvc_OV5iKKvpw0I5d7ZQMWuvGZODlY.fqQgWV-yBiNB5186RxkkWvQYBoEsDbyq-Hai3rU1cwg&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+kiss+not+a+romance&qid=1713902566&s=books&sprefix=The+Last+kiss+n%2Cstripbooks%2C107&sr=1-1