Business Hour
For this issue of Business Hour, Helen Sanderson talks to Rob Binns, the man who is keen to take Preston to Westminster and ensure that we get our share of the pie
In April this year the local business world celebrated the appointment of Rob Binns as chair of the Lancashire division of Downtown Business.
Rob is a Preston-based entrepreneur who currently holds various roles in the county, ranging from founder and owner to non-executive director of several businesses. He is a member of Preston’s Towns Fund Board and a leader in residence at the University of Central Lancashire
Rob said: “I have been a member of Downtown in Business for many years. It’s a great organisation that brings together business owners and enables connections to be made between senior decision makers and business leaders. It looks to address the needs of amazing Lancashire businesses that need access to policy makers and politicians, those that want to extend their reach into their regions and do more business in the capital.
I am looking forward to contributing to the work of Downtown in Business over the coming months. DIB has exciting plans for the future and have become an influential business voice not just in the Northwest, but across the country.”
He explained that for him being the Chair of Downtown Lancashire is not just about getting the best deal for the region from Westminster, its about exporting the talent, skills and businesses that we have here in the heart of the Red Rose county to other parts of the country and the world.
Rob said: “I want to lead Downtown Lancashire really to get stuck into the issues that impact on Lancashire businesses – and do what we can to promote the massive potential and opportunity the county has in the post-pandemic economy.”
Frank McKenna, chief executive of Downtown in Business, said: “Rob is an entrepreneur in the truest sense of the word. He has been involved as a member and sponsor of Downtown for many years now, so it is great that we have been able to persuade him to take on a more active position within the organisation.
“Rob is a visionary leader, fusing corporate experience with entrepreneurial passion. He has worked for key global players in technology services across aerospace, defence, manufacturing, finance, education, health and the third sector. He is a highly driven entrepreneur with a proven track record in the technology, energy, cosmetics, and property sectors. I know he will make a valuable contribution to the work of DIB.”
When asked about the title ‘entrepreneur’ Rob said: “I’ve always enjoyed working hard and creating opportunities. Does that make me an entrepreneur? Maybe. I see my role at Downtown as being in a fortunate position where I can debate the issues that really matter to Lancashire businesses, understand the challenges and take them to Westminster and a national platform to ensure that we get true a share of the funding available.
Asking Rob if he had plans to move his own life to London and the Westminster platform he said: “I’ve been asked that a number of times. But its not on my agenda. I’m from Preston and I’m in a fortunate position where I can now give something back to the town that I call home.
“When I finished school I went to work for BAE and began an apprenticeship. I went on to become an IT consultant turning my hand to property. I now hold a number of positions in the City.
“Preston truly is a great city and I’m proud to call it my home and the place that I raise my daughter. On our doorstep we have beautiful parks, the seaside, the Lake District and we can be in the centre of London in just over two hours.
“And before the pandemic we were experiencing a once in a lifetime regeneration with hundreds of millions of pounds being invested in housing and infrastructure around the city centre. It really looks like many of those projects are back on track. Who wouldn’t want live here!”
Rob is CEO of Cotton Court Business Centre, off Church Street, a thriving business community which provides office workspaces. With a reception team, flexible scalable solutions, and access to business support it’s the ideal place for your business to grow! There are conference and training facilities which are flooded with natural daylight, exposed brickwork and air conditioning all offering an inspiring and comfortable environment for any event. In the heart of the city with plenty of parking it’s the ideal office or conference facility.
Rob may be a mover and shaker in our city but its his role of daddy to four-year-old Lydia that he’s most proud of. It’s in this role that saw him launch a shampoo and hair styling products business just over a year ago.
Rob saw a gap in market after struggling to find shampoos and conditioners that suited his daughter’s curls. So he decided to create his own products that are vegan-friendly along with business partners Bradley Lincoln and Mike Peters.
The FYC (For Your Curls) product range is specially designed for mixed race and curly hair and is looking to take a slice of a hair care market worth £1.72bn in the UK alone.
Rob said: “I’ve got a little girl with frizzy, curly hair and we couldn’t find any products that worked for her that didn’t contain harsh chemicals. We wanted to develop a product range to help all kinds of ‘curlies’ to live with and love their hair. Lydia certainly loves it!”
