Doing The Right Thing

Until his death at the age of 73, Bill Ives was still very much the man behind Rainham Steel. This hugely successful businessman built his company and his reputation on a mantra of ‘doing the right thing’ and before he died, he become a founder of a new multi-million-pound hospice with a hefty investment. Kelly Clark spoke to him in one of his last interviews before he passed away in September

- Kelly Clark

 DURING more than 40 years in business, Essex businessman Bill Ives is most proud of the fact he has never had to make anyone redundant. In fact, Rainham Steel still employs a number of people who were there right at the start in 1973, when the steel stockholder and distributor was formed.

‘There have been ups and downs in the economy, of course, but we have always done well,’ says the man estimated to be worth £368m. ‘I am very proud of the young people we have worked with; who we have trained up and watched become very successful businessmen. Many of them still work with us today. I think that is because they have always been treated fairly; they are looked after and we are looked after. There is no satisfaction in doing people over. I’m not soft, obviously, but you have to do the right thing by people, especially people who work for you. Together, we do the business.’

Rainham Steel has grown and diversified over the years into a large and highly profitable industry, making Bill one of the country’s most successful businessmen. While most would be kicking back and enjoying the fruits of their labour into their retirement years, Bill – still chairman of Rainham Steel – is in constant touch with his managers and is kept abreast of the daily dealings within his business. To him, it’s more about family than just a day job.