LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
SPONSORED BY UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH WINNER: TONY BARNETT
LOOKING after people and doing business the right way has seen Tony Barnett’s manufacturing firm last through the decades.
Now his ethos has also seen him honoured with the most prestigious award of the night – the Lifetime Achievement award.
Tony was secretly put forward for the accolade by his staff, who wanted to give him the recognition he deserves for his many years at the helm of Fareham manufacturer Barnbrook Systems Ltd.
As well as running his firm, which makes parts for the aviation, aerospace, defence, security and rail industry, he has held a voluntary role as a director of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium.
During the pandemic he not only kept his business going, he also committed his business to making PPE.
Tony’s firm had been shortlisted for Large
Business of the Year and also
International Business of the Year — and he thought he was at the awards evening just to see if they had been successful.
Unbeknown to him, he was actually there to be given the ultimate recognition. A surprised Tony gave an emotional acceptance speech where he thanked his staff and his family for their work and support.
Tony said: ‘It’s a privilege and amazing to win. It’s very humbling.
‘I’ve had a lot of dedicated staff over the 45 years and had my wife’s support for 58 years. I couldn’t have won it without her. She was there at the start driving vans and doing packing.
‘The key to business is to look after people. You must show empathy.
‘I started with nothing and now the business is in trust, has no debt and has money in the bank.’
Tony set up his firm more than four decades ago, amid a recession, and today the business employs 45 people and has more than 200 customers worldwide.
Tony’s creation of a ‘family’ workplace is one of his greatest achievements.
His company has provided secure, well-paid and skilled employment for generations of people in the Fareham and Hampshire area.
He is a stalwart of the Farnborough International Air Show, holds a voluntary role as a director of the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium and is also a longstanding member of the aerospace and defence trade body ADS.
During the coronavirus pandemic, he rose to the challenge and kept his business running, producing essential components for customers in the UK safety sector.
Staff remained working and suppliers retained, furthermore, he committed his business to a consortium of local businesses making PPE on a not-for-profit basis.