Factory dreams lead to quality achievements

TEENAGE rebellion takes many forms, but there cannot be many 14-year-old girls who have harboured dreams of one day running their own factory.

It was a reaction to being surrounded by a family of artists, says Valda Goodfellow, 54, who felt drawn to more practical pursuits while her father and siblings expressed themselves via pen and paintbrush.

“Artists are terribly disorganised,” she explains. “I wanted to be in charge of a factory.

“It was about not wanting to live in chaos.

“I needed an environment where I could bring order and make things work the way that I wanted,” added the managing director of Goodfellow and Goodfellow, a supplier of fine-quality kitchen equipment and tableware to luxury hotels and celebrity chefs.

“In this region, we had a fantastic manufacturing base.

“I loved the idea of people working together to produce something tangible. I wanted to become part of that.

“I kept my objectives in mind and knew that one day I would get there.”

Mrs Goodfellow, who still lives in her home town of Bishop Auckland, began her career as a production controller in a television factory.

Her organisational skills really came to the fore when she helped pilot Mr Lazenby’s gourmet sausage business through the storm of the BSE crisis. She was quickly appointed managing director.

Two years after she oversaw Lazenby’s sale to Cranswick, she left to join forces with her husband, Paul – a former chef – in his catering supplies business.

She describes her stint as a factory boss as one of the greatest experiences of her life and she remains a fierce advocate of British manufacturing.

“It is something we all should support. Buying everything from China is not the answer.”

Wherever possible, she sources products from the UK for her business, which counts The Dorchester and The Ritz, in London, among its clients.

Goodfellow’s headquarters are in Peterlee, east Durham, and it operates a swanky showroom in Baker Street, London, among the capital’s Michelin-starred firmament.

“Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves that people want to deal with us when there is so much competition in the market,” she added.

“It helps that I have a husband who totally understands the pressures that chefs are under.

“That has earned us huge respect in the industry.

“We are heading into some really exciting times. We may have started quite small, but our ambition is not limited.”

Favourite North-East building and why?

The original buildings of King James 1st Grammar School, in Bishop Auckland. I thought the school was so grand and full of possibility when I started at the age of 11. I really enjoyed being a pupil there and always saw the buildings as an important part of my life.

What was your first job and how much did you get paid?

Trainee production controller at Rediffusion, in Bishop Auckland.

I was paid about £6,000 a year.

What is the worst job you have had?

After ducking out of university, I had a temporary job as a clerical assistant in a school. It was awful, not because of the work, but because the office manager took a dislike to me and even sent me to sort books in the library during the staff Christmas party.

What would you cook for me if I came around for dinner?

I haven’t cooked a full meal for years, as my husband is a chef, so he cooks for me. I would ask him to cook us something like twice-baked cheese souffle for starters, followed by rack of lamb with Dauphinois potatoes and roasted carrots, followed by a cheese board. If we were relying on my cooking, we would be safer with a takeaway.

What would your superpower be?

Likeability. I think life is a lot easier if your dealings with people run smoothly.

Name four people, dead or alive, who would be at your perfect dinner party.

Keith Floyd, because his TV programmes were largely responsible for my interest in food; Winston Churchill, not only because of his wartime leadership, but because of his dry wit; Oscar Wilde, because he would deliver some great one-liners, and Napoleon, to argue with Churchill as to whether the French or the English were the better army.

Most expensive thing you’ve bought – other than car or house – and how much?

The most expensive thing is art.

My dad was an artist and my brothers and sisters are all artistic, but I did not inherit any ability to draw or paint. But I really love art. For my 50th birthday, Paul was going to buy me a Cartier bracelet, but we popped into Gallerina, in Darlington, and saw an amazing picture and fell in love with it, so I ended up with art and have never regretted it, because it makes me happy every time I walk into the room and see it.

Who is the best person to follow on Twitter and why?

I don’t follow anyone on Twitter.

It can be as dangerous as it is informative. We use Twitter for the business and we have more than 2,000 followers, but we have been on the receiving end of some very nasty Twitter abuse.

Favourite book?

I can’t narrow it down to one book, so it’s got to be at least two: The Prince, by Machiavelli, because it is as relevant in business as it is in history, and Pillars of The Earth, because it is set around a totally unlikely story of the building of a cathedral, but is interwoven with some great characters.

When did you last cry?

I admit to being more sentimental the older I get, but it’s mainly only family that can make me cry seriously.

What is your greatest achievement?

I think it would be an overstatement to say any of my achievements were great, but I am very proud of being a mother. I was so not maternal and, even though it sounds like a cliche, I still look at my son and cannot believe he is mine.

What is the best piece of advice in business you have ever been given?

The person who had the most influence on me from a business perspective is Michael Maddison – he gave me the confidence to trust my instincts.

Favourite animal and why.

Our dog, Oscar. He is a labradoodle and has made a huge difference to our family.

Most famous person on your mobile phone.

We deal with quite a few of the famous chefs, but it wouldn’t be fair to name them all.

What was the last band you saw live?

We were at Hardwick Live recently, and saw Alison Moyet, Jools Holland and Texas, who were all amazing.

Describe your perfect night in.

I would have Paul cook me a lovely dinner and I would drink champagne. Then we would sit down to watch something great on TV, like Homeland.

In another life I would be...

A writer. I love literature and would love to have the talent for words that can transport people into a different place or time.

Who would play you in a film of your life?

I had no idea and asked one of the girls in the office and they suggested Nicole Kidman.

Someone once mistook me for Goldie Hawn. It was from a long distance, though.

What irritates you?

Misuse of power, such as in cases of corporate bullying.

What is your secret talent?

I am not bad with a shotgun.

Although I don’t shoot very often and only ever shoot clays, I really enjoy it.