How Hugh Bishop Got Ahead

Name: Hugh Bishop

Company: Meteorite

Job title: Chairman

What made you want to get into marketing?

 The thrill of selling – supported by thought.

How did you get into the industry (including relevant qualifications and professional training)?

One of my first jobs was at Bally Shoes, introducing me to every aspect of a vertically integrated business. Marketing was the area that I found most interesting as it allowed freedom of thought. I was then lucky enough to land a marketing role at Levis.       

What was good and bad about your first job?

My first ever job was as a turkey catcher. Bad?  Being covered in turkey turd and being fired for not catching a single turkey. Good? There was absolutely nothing good about that job!

 List your jobs to date:

–        Turkey catcher, Bernard Matthews

–        Sailing instructor, Mark Warner

–        Progress controller, Bally Shoes

–        Marketing manager, Levis

–        Merchandise controller, Topshop

–        Marketing director, Adidas

–        Group account director, Y&R Wunderman

–        Chairman, Meteorite  

What were the best and worst, and why?

Apart from being covered in turkey turd, every job I have had has taught me something. At Bally I got on a plane to India without the patterns for the new range (it took two weeks for them to get couriered); this taught me the value of attention to detail. At Topshop I learnt how to spot hot lines, move stock to increase sales, get rid of things that didn’t sell, and get behind winners.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

If I had to come back as anyone it would be Steve Jobs due to his ability to develop innovative ideas.  

 Who in the industry do you most admire?

I admire all self-starting ‘done good’ people. People who do it by taking others with them and who can retain humility and humour.  

What is your biggest achievement to date?

Seven years of continued growth for Meteorite. On the back of this, providing employment for sixty plus people which in turn has helped over twenty families.  

On what do you base your success so far?

On the true talent of the people I work with.

What are your ambitions?

To accelerate the growth of Meteorite by broadening its range of offerings. To continue to encourage people within it to be entrepreneurial and innovative. Oh, and to keep winning races on the Meteorite boat.   

Change one thing about your job:

To stop having to nag staff to replace finished toilet roll!

Change one thing about your industry:

To stop having to give away so much in pitches. 

Change one thing about the world:

Make religion inclusive not the ‘refuge’ for extremism.

What is your favourite brand?

Wally Yachts.

What is the next big brand in your view?

Self actualising brands (for example branding your own trainers – creating your own stamp). 

List your “media diet”:

–        All the marketing titles

–        The Economist

–        Business Books (well the first half anyway)

–        Yachting International

–        Sky Sports