Tell us about your background.
I left university with a degree in Politics and Sociology and began working with my Dad. He had won the British Inventors Society Invention of the Year for “Autocone” – a machine that automates the manual procedure of placing and picking cones on highways. He was looking for investors, I wrote a business plan and feasibility study,  which landed us the first investment and grant. At this point, my Uncle John Flynn who was an engineer came over from Sydney, Australia. For the next three months we spent every day working together to build this machine from scratch at the Southampton Institute of Design at Southampton University. We proved it could work! It passed the second feasibility study and Dad got his investors.  

So, did you continue to work on the invention?
No, I went travelling. When I got back, Dad had built his team who were all experienced graduate engineers to implement the build and I didn’t fit the mould in any way. I started working in a pub whilst lining up job interviews in London for Solar Energy Companies. 

What was the first job you landed?
One of Dad’s contacts asked if he knew anyone who could provide labour for a shop build. Dad said “yes, my son will do that!”. Bearing in mind I had no experience in construction, naturally I took the job (with a mate) because it paid really well, much better than the pub! I had no idea what I was doing! This guy had four or five jobs on the go but lacked any organisation, so I started to do it for him, liaising with suppliers etc. He said I should be in an office not on site. That’s where I got my fitting experience and I suppose my first stab at business management, too.

And from here you started out on your own? 
I met my wife, Sam, soon after I got back from travelling and that’s where the spark came from…..I thought, should I work for someone else and work my way up or should I just crack on with this? So I did.

That was quite a risk…..
Yes, but it was easy. I had a lot of confidence from writing the business plan and feasibility studies for Dad. If you’re the son of someone who’s had their own business, then that’s what you do. He gave me a lot of help. He gave me an accountant, a bank account, and then a free base with a desk. It allowed me to keep in touch with the project too which was most enjoyable. 

Tell us about the early days in the company, what was driving you?
I worked very hard for those first few years, getting up at 5.30am and finishing late every day for many years. To start out  I  bought a Saab 900 and a trailer from eBay. With no ability to borrow and no savings I had a limited budget. 

Someone asked me; “what’s your target for the month?” and I didn’t have a clue because I wasn’t driven by targets or money, I was driven to succeed but not by arbitrary measures. That’s not to say I wasn’t sales aware because I was, and still am, but I was just doing what I thought was the right thing – creating and selling a functional product that was useful, efficient and good value. 

Hycom is now a growing, profitable business. What do you believe has been key to its success so far?
We’re innovative – always looking for new ways to solve problems and help people. My Brother Damien and his considered views have helped make many great decisions and implemented  a fantastic website and all things digital. We’ve got loads of specialist knowledge and we’re open with it, so we let people make a choice. After all, you want people to trust you, don’t you? Business is about integrity to me. Yes, there may be higher margins available, but we aren’t the type of company who wants to take money if it’s not earned. Sure, you should make profit for the safety of your staff, your company, and your own life, but ultimately Hycom is about providing value and to us that means delivering high quality products with superior customer service.

Hycom has come a long way since you started it in 2004.
Yes, we’ve got a great team which is expanding. I didn’t realise it at the time, but Hycom has become all of the things I couldn’t do when I did those first shop fits. The hygienic floors, walls and ceilings… I couldn’t do them, I had to get people in. At our first shop fit these guys came in and cladded it and it was just so cool. Within three days it was beautiful, cleanable, wipeable and it made an impact on me how functional it was. 

What challenges have you had to overcome?
Loads! The hardest time was during the economic crash in 2009. All our jobs were cancelled. Within three months I was wondering whether to close the company down or not. My brother Damien helped and we just went back on our tools delivering Hycom work until it recovered. Nobody could persuade me away from keeping going – I didn’t want to give up. 

What’s the future for Hycom?
Right now, it’s about maintaining the right balance between product sales, contractor and end user work.  To meet our growth objectives, we need to extend to larger fit outs and projects, and we want to engage with more brands. Our goal is to become the hygienic market leader with a focus on customer service and problem solving. Longer term, I’d like to make more of an impact, so my input to the business as MD will be focussed on innovation, technology, efficiency and, most importantly, the environment.

Does the environment have a big place in your home life as well as business?
Yes it does, apart from using spray deodorant, but only because my Mum gave me it ! but yes I am increasingly aware of the environment, bio-diversity and connectivity . 

Who is Gavin when he’s at home? 
I’m a family man. I love dogs and kids….I think there is a kid inside all of us. I particularly love music, both listening to it and making electronic music. I play drums, guitar and sing in a band. I like all sports, mountain biking and camping. At present golf and tennis are winning out. 

Camping is a big thing; I love it because it slows down time. I’d have more ideas if I had more time – the classic company director who’s got a bike that’s hardly used and a guitar that’s not played enough. Oooh and I  love food!! So much so that I get most excited when we work on projects for businesses inventing food products. Generally, I get on well with people who are passionate about anything, but I particularly connect with chefs and food lovers. They seem to have the same energy as I do for my business.

What’s your tipple?
At the moment it’s a gin and tonic. And a beautiful gluten free beer called Vagabond by Brew Dog. 

Finally, just for fun, what can you tell us about yourself that’s embarrassing?
I fell over in the Dads’ race at Sports Day. Mortifying. There’s even video evidence! PM me, I’ll share it :) 

You can connect with Gavin on LinkedIn.