Harvard gives Fuller's boss 'fresh perspective'

Fuller's new managing director Simon Emeny said his three-month sabbatical to Harvard Business School has given him a "fresh perspective" on the business.

Emeny, who took over as MD on 1 November, said mixing with 160 other students from 40 different countries from many different industries had helped broaden his horizons. It was his longest break from the company in 14 years.

"When you have been working here as long as I have you tend to think on narrow lines," he said. "But mixing with other students — I learnt a huge amount from them.

"I feel really re-energised and the batteries are recharged."

He added: "Coming in to a new role, it was an excellent opportunity to look at the business with fresh eyes.

"You are not going to see a radical shift in the Fullers philosophy but hopefully I will bring a new dynamism to it."

Fuller's stated aim is "to be the benchmark in retailing and brewing, delivering quality, service and pride in everything we do". Emeny said: "We are not changing that approach but our execution will change."

He said he believed that there was room for both the pub and brewing side to adapt to meet the challenges of a changing market.

Emeny had been completely "uncontactable" during the period to ensure he had a complete break from the business with no access to emails. "I didn't speak to anyone in Chiswick," he said.

"The business performed very well in my absence. The team really rose to the challenge.

"I am never sure whether that is a good thing," he joked.