After accumulating more than a quarter of a century in banking, most people would be happy to rest on their laurels and watch the big bucks flow in, having made their name already.
But for Aberdonian Graham McWilliam, the opportunity to switch from banking to a local social enterprise at the age of 54 was one he couldn’t pass up.
So what was the pull factor that got Mr McWilliam through the doors at mattress and bed maker Glencraft?
Mr McWilliam’s employers included Royal Bank of Scotland and Clydesdale in the last five years, a difficult time for both lenders, so he could be forgiven for wanting a change of scenery.
But it was the chance to support the employees of a company with a quality product and loyal client base that topped Mr McWilliam’s list.
Glencraft, 80% of whose employees are either disabled or visually impaired, turns out products that grace some of the north-east’s top hotels, including the Marcliffe, with speed and precision.
“My banking career was thoroughly enjoyable, but when I look at the Glencraft situation, it’s really rewarding here through helping people at work,” said Mr McWilliam, who took up the reins as general manager in March.
“That and the end product. It’s such a high quality product. The customer base too, is really excellent. I think we really punch above our weight with some of the clients we have across all sectors.
“Not least, we’re royal warrant holders for supplying to four generations of the royal family at Balmoral.”
The fact that Glencraft is a relatively small firm also sweetened the deal for Mr McWilliam, whose banking career straddled a five-year stint at an HR company called Empire.
Father-of-two Mr McWilliam, said: “I think what I missed was seeing the difference that’s made to a business. In a smaller venture there’s no hiding place. It’s a case of being able to make a difference fairly quickly and seeing the benefit of the changes it’s made. It wasn’t always easy in bigger national organisations, so I certainly missed that.”
Furthermore, Glencraft, which was saved from liquidation by chairman Duncan Skinner five years ago, is highly ambitious.
The company served notice of its intentions in April when it moved into a new purpose-built factory on Whitemyres Avenue after more than 40 years at its old site on Wellington Road in Altens.
The company aims to increase its output from 7,500 mattresses last year to between 10,000 and 12,000, raising turnover from £1.3million to about £2million in the process over the next few years.
Glencraft appears to be on track. Mr McWilliam said the firm, which averages about 50 mattresses daily, had its best day of production last week.
The team is also working on new product lines, including fire-protected mattresses for the offshore oil and gas market, and bedbug-proof ones for the hospitality sector.
And while he is far from being complacent, Mr McWilliam is not unduly worried by the oil industry downturn, given that new hotels continue to spring up around Aberdeen.
“I’m looking at (the downturn) with a positive slant. It’s a bit of a correction. We’ve seen this previously,” he said.
At the same time, Glencraft, 70% of whose business comes from trade customers, is looking to expand its retail offering, and recently tied up a deal with Argos for the catalogue giant to sell its goods.
“Oil and gas will come and go, but people will always need mattresses,” he said.