Following his Director of the Year Award in 2015, 2M’s chairman and CEO was profiled in the IoD’s Director Magazine in January 2016.
Today we meet Mottie Kessler, chairman, founder and CEO, of 2M Holdings, who won the Mid-Market Director award…
Mottie Kessler, chairman, founder and CEO, 2M Holdings
Providing chemical distribution and related chemical services, 2M Holdings prides itself on supporting sustainable growth for other companies. Ten years ago, it faced closure; since then it has tripled sales and acquired a raft of other businesses. So what informs Mottie Kessler’s highly successful approach?
What inspires you as a businessman? Stories of leadership and determination were plentiful when I was growing up – Mandela, JFK, Martin Luther King.
What’s been the most pivotal moment in your business journey? Buying my first company, Banner Chemicals, a business of 150 years’ history and then being told I had to close or relocate it, seven months after the purchase, to make way for the London Olympics. Rather than take the ‘quick cash’ out, I decided to relocate to the north of England.
Best business advice? My parents told me that educating yourself, and persistence, can lead you anywhere you want.
What’s the secret of your success? Continuous learning of the business environment, sharing knowledge with the team, persistence and delegating. And having a great partner – my wife – for both life and business.
Who is your most inspirational business person? Warren Buffet – he just keeps on growing his businesses and the sky is the limit for him.
How and where do you network? In both local and global business circles. For example, I’m a member of the IoD and YPO-WPO, a global organisation [of business leaders]. ‘Glocalization’ is an increasing reality, so sharing ideas with people locally and from all over the world is natural and crucial.
What should government do for business in 2016? Reduce red tape and support science-based businesses.
What’s the best business book you have read? Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.
2M Holdings vital stats
Business – 2M Holdings is a provider of chemical distribution and related services for purposes including emissions reduction and water purification.
HQ – Runcorn, Cheshire Staff 230.
Growth – The company has made 10 acquisitions in 10 years.
History – Founded by Kessler in 2004, 2M Holdings’ long-term aim is to grow an international chemicals distribution and services portfolio. Its HQ is in the UK and it has a presence in China, Benelux, Ireland, Poland, Scandinavia and Brazil.
Financial highlights – Turnover has risen 300 per cent in the past decade to around £110m.
Mottie Kessler is a fellow of the IoD and member of IoD Central London
What the sponsor said…
The UK mid-market is the powerhouse of the UK economy, providing over one-third of GDP, revenues and employment despite making up less than two per cent of all businesses*. Their contribution is crucial to the ongoing growth of the UK economy. The GE Capital Mid-Market Director of the Year award recognises the leaders of this incredibly important business segment.
Here at GE Capital, we were impressed by the passion, commitment and leadership shown by all of the entrants to this award. Equally notable was their commitment to staff, local communities and the towns and cities they operate in. Congratulations to our winner Mottie Kessler
