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Nick Rudd reflects on the power of the family unit, the importance of the ‘never be outworked’ mantra, his pride at sustainably growing the family business and why he wishes we spent more time celebrating how thriving, vibrant and enjoyable the industry really is.

What was your first career job and wage?

I started out as a Van Assist, earning £50 a week for about 50 hours’ work. That was the expectation in a family business—you muck in, you do what needs doing. Looking back, it was less about the money and more about learning the ropes from the ground up. I got to see every part of the job first-hand, from loading machines to meeting publicans, and it taught me the value of hard work early on. At the time it felt like graft, but it gave me an understanding of the business you just don’t get if you skip those stages.

What was your greatest accomplishment and what are you most proud of? 

For me, it has to be sustainably growing the family business alongside my sister and my wife since our MBO in 2014. We took on a big challenge, and it’s been hugely rewarding to see our diversification strategies not only work, but take the company into some of the most successful years in its history.

I’m also proud of how we bounced back from Covid. Like everyone in hospitality, it was a tough time, but we came out stronger and more focused. That resilience showed the strength of our team and the trust our customers put in us.

Right now, what excites me most is building market-leading data and AI strategies. The goal is simple: maximise profits for our customers while making our own operations more efficient. It feels like we’re shaping the future of the business, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of.

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?  

Naturally, my dad had the biggest influence on me. From the early days on the vans to eventually stepping into the MD role, he was always there as a mentor. He taught me the importance of running a business sustainably, while also showing that you should never shy away from embracing new technology. That balance of tradition and innovation has stuck with me.

Of course, it’s not just been my dad. My wife, my sister, and my mam have all played huge roles too. Family businesses aren’t always easy, but I can honestly say we’ve always got on and shared the same vision for where we want to go.

I also have to give a big shout out to some of our long-standing team members. They’ve been instrumental in growing the company to where it is today and have been brilliant at embracing our different strategies along the way. I’d go as far as to say we have one of the best senior leadership teams in the industry.

What are you looking forward to most from January’s EAG? 

For me, it’s always about the buzz of seeing what’s new. I love walking the floor, spotting fresh products or clever extensions to existing ones, and thinking about how we can take them to market in a way that really works for our customers. It’s a chance to get ideas flowing, test the waters, and see what might give us that next edge.

I also enjoy catching up with familiar faces in the industry. EAG is as much about the conversations as it is about the machines. You pick up insights, swap stories, and often come away with opportunities you didn’t expect. That mix of innovation and connection is what makes it such a key date in the calendar.

Which industry figure do you admire most? 

For me, it’s the licensees and managers who run pubs day in and day out. They’re the real backbone of this industry. The trading environment has been incredibly tough in recent years, yet they keep showing up, keeping their doors open, and creating spaces where communities can come together. What I admire most is their attitude. Despite the challenges, they’re always willing to listen to new ideas and give our initiatives a try if it might help them.

What role have you enjoyed most?  

I’d probably say my time as Marketing Manager. We had just expanded the business into new geographical areas, and the challenge was to grow our presence and build relationships in places where we weren’t yet known. It was tough, but it was also great fun.

Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?  

It might sound like a cliché, but I’d have to say my family. We’re a very tight unit, and the success of the company simply wouldn’t have been possible without each of us playing a significant and equal part. My dad gave me the grounding and the values to run the business the right way, my sister and wife have been right there with me driving growth and diversification, and my mam has always been a steady source of support.

How do you define success?  

For me, success is quite simple. It’s about improving the company year after year. Sustainable growth has always been a key strategy for our family business, and I measure success by how well we balance looking after today with preparing for tomorrow.

That doesn’t just mean growth on a spreadsheet, it means building something solid that will last, creating opportunities for our people, and making sure our customers see real value in what we do. At the same time, I think success should be enjoyable. We work hard, of course, but it’s important to have fun along the way and take pride in some of the big projects we’ve embarked on. 

How do you manage stress? 

For me, it’s all about balance. Running is a big outlet—I clear my head, get some perspective, and usually come back with a better idea of how to tackle whatever’s been on my mind. It’s my way of pressing reset.

Holidays with the family are just as important. Stepping away from the day-to-day, spending proper time together, and seeing the kids enjoy themselves makes all the hard work worthwhile. Those breaks remind me why we do what we do, and I always come back recharged and ready for the next challenge.

What are your career regrets? 

I wouldn’t say I have big regrets, but if I had the chance again, I probably would have taken a year in the City or maybe even New York while I was at university. It would have been interesting to experience that pace of life and see things from a completely different perspective.

What inspires or motivates you? 

Again, it might sound like a cliché, but it really is my family. They’re the reason I work as hard as I do, and the thing that keeps me grounded at the same time. More than anything, it’s my two young children. Watching them grow-up, seeing the world through their eyes, and knowing I’m building something they can be proud of—that rivals anything else.

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? 

I’d probably say, don’t try to take on too many projects at once. At 16, I thought the answer was to do everything, all at the same time.

Something about yourself that’s not on your CV? 

I’m a huge boxing fanatic. I’ve followed the sport for years and I love everything about it—the discipline, the atmosphere, the stories behind the fighters. It’s probably the only thing that can get me up at silly o’clock in the morning (apart from the kids!) if there’s a big fight on in Vegas.

In a sentence what would you change about the industry? 

If I could change one thing about the industry, it would be shifting the focus away from the ‘poor me’ narrative and putting more energy into celebrating how thriving, vibrant and enjoyable the industry really is.

One piece of advice or insight that has changed your life and from whom? 

I’ll be honest, I can’t even remember where I first read it, but the line was simple: ‘never be outworked.’ That stuck with me. I truly believe hard work is the one gift that’s available to all of us. You might not always be the smartest person in the room, or have the biggest resources, but you can always give more effort.

What’s your Desert Island Disc? 

It would have to be Oasis – Be Here Now. I was lucky enough to see them at Wembley earlier this year which was incredible.