Jim Gandon Interview

Justin Allitt sits down with one of the most recognisable figures in the industry to discuss what drives him, what the future holds and offers advice for those coming into the Park Industry.

Hi Jim, so you’re probably the most entrepreneurial person I know in the industry, what gives you the drive?

Mainly as I’m easily bored. I set up my first business at the age of 18 with a friend, it was a newspaper called the ‘Bexhill Trader’ my friend wrote it and I cold-called businesses selling advertising. Then I discovered holiday parks and worked for Haven for 15 years before setting up a sales concession business in the South West called the ‘Caravan and Lodge Advisory Service – ‘CLAS1’. We looked after 12 parks and became very successful very quickly, however the 2009 crash hit us hard and I had to go back to work. That experience of business getting into trouble taught me a lot and when I decided to go back into business for myself in 2014 I used those lessons to ensure success. So to answer your question, my drive comes from a number of things. I love what I do and I am also very open to risk. So where some will only go as far as thinking about it, I will jump in and try it out. This does involve getting used to failing but it’s how you deal with failure that helps you succeed. That ability to remain positive and take risks also helps others around you. Being able to give my clients the confidence to drive their businesses is one of the most satisfying aspects of what I do. I have now built up a very wide network of trusted clients and partners which means I constantly encounter new opportunities.

Of all the things in the industry, what is your favourite thing you like to do?

My favourite thing is working on the strategic direction of holiday parks. There is so much that can be achieved by really thinking outside the box. So many take the safe route when developing parks, so they end up with a successful business built on tried and tested models, but sometimes it leads to what I see as missed opportunities. In some cases, using a little imagination would have created something different and unique. So facilitating this really does excite me, and we have helped create some of the most special developments in the UK.

We’ve just had a turbulent 24 months – What’s going to happen in the next 24 months?

Hasn’t it just! What do they say? What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It’s been tough for so many people, even though our industry has enjoyed a huge surge in demand it has been very difficult to navigate through the lockdowns, restrictions, supply issues and staffing. We shouldn’t underestimate the pressure this has put on people trying to manage these businesses. It’s a little like when you hear of very successful people committing suicide, Robin Williams, Heath Ledger and so many others, people think ‘why’ when they are so successful. Mental health is going to become a bigger issue in the coming years, especially for those who have worked so hard to take advantage of the good times. Some people have been successful but haven’t had a handle on their mental health. Employers should be very mindful of this and offer support in the workplace.

There are very uncertain times ahead, people should be planning for difficult times. Businesses can and will flourish even in the hardest economic times but it requires some forethought, we can’t just wait for it to happen or we will be caught short. Innovate, speculate and consolidate now to protect against what might happen in the future.

If you weren’t in the park industry, what would you do?

I would have to rewind to my education but I would love to be in architecture. One of my ancestors and namesake was a great architect James Annesley Gandon. Anyone that has been to Dublin would have seen his work, he designed the Customs House and many other iconic buildings in the late 18th Century.

What do you like to do when not working? I’m guessing it’s running – when’s the next race?

Mostly spend time with my three teenage kids, although they get a bit bored of my company now. We try and take lots of trips together, we go to London a lot and try and take as many holidays as possible. I do love my fitness, I train most days and I am now preparing for a 20-mile obstacle run called the Rat Race Dirty Weekend. I also have the Chicago marathon to look forward to in October.

You’ve been in the industry now a long time, any words of advice to those starting out?

Don’t try and do it all at once. I speak to so many young people who are in such a rush to get a big promotion at the age of 25. Nothing beats experience and if you lose sight of why you do it then you’ll make bad choices. Trying to jump at the bigger job in a new company will often lead to failure and then a series of other forced choices. Always try and climb the ladder in the company you’re in, it can take time but with perseverance and dedication, it will happen. If you love it as much as I do, there is a long career ahead, so don’t rush it.

Which clients would you love to help?

We are working with several international clients. I want to extend that and work with parks in Australia in particular. I really admire the work of Europarcs in Holland, they have some incredible accommodation innovations. I would also love to do more with my friends at Landal Greenparks as they are really going places.

Who in our series would you like to be see interviewed?

It would be great to hear from Gary Molloy or Miles Dewhurst of Leisure Resorts. They have been leaders in the industry for so many years, always innovating and setting the standard for others to follow.

Read our interview with Jennefer Bruce from TLJ Accees Control by clicking here.