News

Jim Doherty

Age: 30

Education: BSc business Information systems, Sheffield University
Job title: Managing director, the Doherty Group
Salary: undisclosed
Work rate: 50 hour week

Relaxation: 'I jump on one of the fastest motorbikes made and give it some stick.'

Vehicles owned: Honda 1100 Blackbird motorbike, Alfa Romeo car

JIM DOHERTY joined his father's family business after a period with ICL, including completion of the company's two year graduate training program. He has a background in IT, and is now managing director of the precision turned parts manufacturer, WH Doherty, and two other related companies. He has been with the group, which has an annual turnover of £ 8-9 m, for the past seven years.

He believes consolidation in the engineering sector will help companies attract more young high flyers as they will be able to offer higher salaries.

Doherty's company was founded 66 years ago by his grandfather and he is adamant that he does not ant to see it swallowed up by a larger business. But consolidation may be unavoidable.

There are limits as to how fast the group can expand, which he finds frustrating but the plans to remain with the company. I see myself sticking with it, because we have got something we can make a lot of, and If you've got the right people around you. You can change the business to suit the market he says.

It may mean that in four or five years making armature spindles for electric motors are just one of many other businesses that we have.