Howard Holmes

I left Newcastle and started working as part-time lecturer at Bradford College.

Simultaneously, I started working as a typographer / graphic designer at a fledgling advertising agency. My employer discovered I could do other stuff. So, designing, pasting up, photography (including processing, developing and printing), copy writing, public relations copy and management, account handling.

In my spare time, I bought a cheap house, did it up, sold it on for a helpful profit. Rinse and repeat several times in the background of my working life. I also travelled, a few trips to Africa, Asia and USA. And I bought an unusual car.

Back to the day job. That business flourished, employing a couple of dozen, I was account director, mainly providing full service to B2B clients. I quit when the business was sold to a direct marketing agency.

Worked few months at another agency before losing my driver’s licence and my job. After living in the same house for six months with no kitchen and no bathroom, I set about some home improvement. Then I joined another agency, who lost its biggest client. I was last in, so first out. Then someone I had worked with previously contacted me and screamed, “Help”. So I did that for a few years. Did some exciting things like playing a small part in the launch of a Formula 1 team.

Got married to a graphic designer I met through work, I moved to other companies, and she subsequently worked for them.

Bought another unusual car.

The company then did a kinda pre pack. The thrill was gone, I was getting tired of the duplicity too.

We had a baby.

I went to work for another agency and brought in some business. After six months, the agency lost its biggest client. I was last in, so first out. But the MD wasn’t able to take on the clients I gained, he suggested I should set up on my own and take that business with me.

So 21 years ago, I set up Beyond. Within six months, we had a number of companies on retainer, including an industrial lubricants manufacturer, a large tool distribution network, a race track and a Formula 1 team.

We had another baby, another car and extended the office. My wife joined me as a co-director after a couple of years. We have been driven by satisfaction and enjoy working with our clients who appreciate the value they get from our work. Successful yes, but no records broken, no industry accolades sought.

Our son is now in The Army. Our daughter has high functioning autism, she is extraordinarily talented, but has not yet found her way in life. So we have just bought a small dilapidated house, which we hope will help her find independence and way in life.

Meanwhile, in addition to all of the turmoil above, my wife Gina roller skates. I mess around with old cars and a trike and I’m pursuing my motorcycle licence, in addition to the turmoil.