Featuring James Gregg, European Regional Director at Motive Offshore Group
Episode Overview
In this episode of Taproom Talks, host Kenny Dooley sits down with James Gregg, a co-founder and European Regional Director of Motive Offshore Group. James shares the incredible story of Motive, from its humble beginnings in a car garage to becoming a global leader in offshore equipment, now employing 380 people.
James takes listeners back to his roots in rural Cornhill, growing up around his dad’s car garage, which unknowingly laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial spirit. He recounts his 15-year career at a hydraulic company, starting as a trainee and working his way up to general manager, transitioning the business from a fishing industry focus to oil and gas.
Discover the “hardest thing” James ever did: leaving his secure role at 30 to start Motive. He reveals how a small shed at his dad’s garage became the birthplace of their first manufactured HPU, and how building strong client relationships and achieving ISO 9001 accreditation were crucial early enablers for growth.
The conversation delves into Motive’s strategic evolution, from manufacturing and rentals to their CNI (Certification & Inspection) division, and their expansion into renewables. James discusses the pivotal decision to take on private equity funding with EV in 2018 to de-risk and fuel growth, and the subsequent transition to H2 Equity Partners, along with the major acquisition of Aquatic.
James offers insights into how Motive maintains its strong “People & Planet” culture across diverse global locations, emphasizing internal promotion and hiring for mindset over just qualifications. He also shares candidly about the intense challenges faced during industry downturns, including remortgaging homes and micromanaging every payment to save the business. This episode is a testament to resilience, strategic vision, and the power of people in building a thriving global enterprise.
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