John Stevenson's Linkedin Analytics

When you start a business, it’s pretty obvious that the founders are going to throw everything they’ve got into making it work. The long nights. The early mornings. The hedspace it takes up even when you’re pretending to relax. What’s less obvious (but equally as important) is the group of people behind the scenes who help make it all possible. Not always with money. Not always with advice. Sometimes, just by simply listening. These are the people who let you vent when things go wrong. They tell you when you’re being completely unreasonable. And they quietly support you through every high, low, and curveball. They don’t ask for thanks. They’re not in the headlines. But they’re a huge part of the story. From the very start of Zero Procure, we’ve had people in our corner who’ve made more of a difference than they probably realise. We’d need a scroll longer than my arm to name everyone, but you know who you are. To those who backed us, challenged us, listened to us, and believed in what we were building… Thank you. The last few months have been truly incredible since Foodbuy Group UK & I acquired us. And we truly couldn’t have done it without every single one of you.

I’m a terrible manager, and it’s probably been my biggest advantage. I’ve never been one for performance reviews, spreadsheets, or checking up on people to make sure they’ve done their job. But I do like to think that I lead by example. I’ve always believed people learn more from what you do than from what you say. It’s the same with your kids - you don’t remember the lectures, you remember the way your mum or dad actually showed up in the world. Actions speak louder than words. Always. So no, I’m not a textbook manager. But I’ve worked hard to show people what’s possible if you keep going. When I came out of my last business during a pandemic (no plan, pension, or shiny office) with just a laptop in my son’s bedroom, I had two choices: 1️⃣ Wallow in what was lost. 2️⃣ Or get my act together and build something again. I chose the second… which was the start of Zero Procure. And 4 years later, we’ve not only grown something we’re proud of, but we've also sold it. It wasn’t done with titles, hierarchy, or management theory. It was done with momentum, belief, and a bit of grit. So if you’re not a “great manager” either, don’t panic. You don’t have to be. But you do have to show up, work hard, and lead from the front. Whether it’s your team or your kids watching… People follow what you do, not what you tell them. And that, in my view, is the kind of leadership that really lasts.

My son is about to start his GCSEs, and I’ll be honest, it brings back memories…. Mostly because I didn’t exactly give it my all at that stage in my life. But here I am, a few decades down the line, having built and sold businesses, learned a lot (sometimes the hard way), and found a bit of luck through consistency, resilience, and a lot of graft. So here’s something for parents to remember as exam season kicks in: GCSEs are important. They can open doors and set a really solid foundation. But they don’t define your child’s entire future. What matters even more? How they approach the years after school. How they pick themselves up from setbacks. How willing they are to keep learning, keep working, and keep showing up, day in, day out. We can set great examples of how to do that as parents. Obviously, I’m not trying to say “don’t try.” But if the results aren’t what you all hoped for, it’s not the end of the world. Far from it, in fact. In the long run, a good attitude and a bit of curiosity will take them much further than a single set of grades ever could. It’s our job to support them, lift them up, and remind them that this is just one small chapter. The rest is still completely unwritten. Thinking of everyone with a house full of revision and exam nerves this month… good luck to all the students, and strength to you all as parents!

This will be a superb event and with the number of key decision makers present, it’s a great business development opportunity for suppliers in all categories. I hope to see you there.

This month, hospitality businesses are facing one of their biggest challenges yet. This time in the form of increased National Insurance contributions and rising minimum wage. What it essentially means: 1. Employer NI is rising from 13.8% to 15% 2. And from April 2025, you’ll pay NI on salaries above £5,000 instead of £9,100 This could hit the sector with a £3.4 billion blow. For a sector already pushed to the edge, this isn’t just a huge hit to margins. It’s a hit to jobs, growth, investment, and recovery. And let’s be clear, this will result in: • Cancelled recruitment • Frozen expansion plans • Shortened trading hours • And in some cases – businesses closing for good So what can we do? While there’s no magic wand here, there are some things within your control: 1️⃣ Focus on efficiency Now more than ever, every pound counts. Review your energy use, upgrade kitchen kit where possible, and use tech to streamline payroll, rotas, and stock. 2️⃣ Get on the front foot with suppliers Renegotiate contracts. Talk about volumes. Look at group buying options. These small changes can compound quickly. 3️⃣ Be honest with your team Costs are going up, but morale doesn’t have to go down. Talk to your staff, explain the situation, and let them know what you’re doing to protect the business. Hospitality has always been one of the most resilient sectors in the UK - even after all the nightmares we’ve had to face. But we bounce back, especially when the odds are stacked. This time, we’ll need to get smarter, tighter, and more united than ever.