At Grosvenor House, we take pride in supporting businesses that make a difference. One of our valued clients, the One Thousand Trades Group, exemplifies innovation, resilience, and community spirit. Led by Professor Paul Cadman, this group represents the culmination of decades of experience across industries and a commitment to driving positive change.
In this Q&A, we delve into Paul’s extraordinary journey, the ethos of his company, and his experience partnering with Grosvenor House.
Meet Professor Paul Cadman
Paul’s career has spanned a wide array of industries and roles.
“I’ve worked in various different companies, spanning all kinds of environments and opportunities – from 20 years in the fire service to corporate bodies, automotive design, consultancies, supporting charities in numerous ways, and other roles.”
Despite these accomplishments, Paul hasn’t lost touch with his roots. He shares a fun anecdote from his past: “I’ll never forget I was hook-a-duck world champion in 1974 and the dual crabbing champion in 1974 in Barmouth.”
Paul’s expertise is undeniable, with two professorships, a double doctorate, and at least five directorship roles. Yet his focus remains on making a difference.
From Gnome Industries to a Business Powerhouse
When asked to describe his company, Paul takes us back to where it all began.
“My very first company was Gnome Industries! I was painting gnomes for neighbours when I was 11-12 years old. My second company was in the video industry at 14: We found a Beta Max Video, and I invited people round to play the video and sold toast – either 10p or 20p a slice. Occasionally, I’d offer cheese on toast, but mostly just toast and coffee.”
From these entrepreneurial beginnings, Paul’s business acumen has grown into the One Thousand Trades Group. “My company now is an expanse of companies: The main Group is One Thousand Trades Group, and that includes different entities that mean we can support businesses in myriad ways.”
This evolution highlights Paul’s natural ability to identify opportunities and develop solutions that benefit others.
A Mission to Change the World
When asked about his biggest goals, Paul’s answer is both ambitious and inspiring. “To change the world into a positive place. The plan before I die is to plant at least 200,000 trees.”
This vision speaks to his commitment to sustainability and leaving a lasting legacy. However, achieving such goals comes with challenges. Paul reflects,
“My commitment to championing causes and striving for what’s right often comes with its own set of challenges. I’ve learned that my passion, while driving positive change, can sometimes be overwhelming for people. It’s a delicate balance to maintain, ensuring that my enthusiasm fosters progress without overwhelming others.”
On a personal level, Paul overcame significant hurdles early in life. “One of the most significant challenges I faced early on was overcoming dyslexia. Leaving school without the ability to read and write was daunting, but over the years, I’ve come to view my dyslexia as a unique advantage that has allowed me to think outside the box and adapt in ways I never expected.”
Advice and Lessons Learned
Paul’s success is underpinned by the advice he’s received and the lessons he’s learned along the way.“You’ll find this on my LinkedIn and X profiles: Connect enthusiastically, give relentlessly, lead bravely. Do that, and the future is yours.”
Reflecting on the past five years, Paul shares an inspiring story about Art4Charity, an initiative he championed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
“Five years ago, we decided to raise the profile of Art4Charity. We raised circa £150,000 when we got 250 dignitaries (including the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition) to sign a piece of art. We sold some paint on the wall – a massive mural painted by world-renowned graffiti artist Gent48 – for £150,000 to support four charities. It put Birmingham on the map because it went to the Indian Times, New York Times, and all across the world, talking about what we were doing and coined it as Birmingham’s answer to COVID.”
Looking back, Paul adds, “If I could go back five years, I’d want to do it bigger, louder, sooner.”
A Day in the Life
Paul’s routine is a testament to his discipline and dedication.
“I wake up at about 2:30 every morning, consider my position, and write a gratitude list of who’s supported me. Then I look at my emails and thought piece of the day, and consider where the day is going to take us – ‘a positive outcome of today would look like’ is what I’m sitting reflecting at 3:00 am.
“I always have a shower, shave if I’m not sporting a seasonal beard, and go into my study with shirt, trousers, and tie on most days, as success is born from positive habits and processes. I have a fair few meetings a day, and I like to have meetings over food and drink because you’ve got to get to know people. People buy from people – it’s about understanding people and how you can help them, not about how they can help you.”
When it comes to tools, Paul credits ChatGPT for helping him with his dyslexia, saving him hours each day. “My phone is also pretty much glued to my hand throughout the day!”
A Partnership with Grosvenor House
Paul’s connection to Grosvenor House is rooted in the rich history of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
“Everybody in Birmingham knows the Jewellery Quarter was the epicentre of commerce and business in Birmingham back in the day. Grosvenor House follows on from that, which helped inspire One Thousand Trades being born from Grosvenor House, the Jewellery Quarter, the city, and the region.”
Paul highlights the practical benefits of Grosvenor House’s services.
“Bar 11 at Grosvenor House is a great opportunity to host meetings and events, and we’ve taken advantage of that more times than I can recall! But it’s just a great location to run a business – having a call answering service, a mail forwarding service, meeting room space, and meeting other businesses.”
Celebrating Collaboration
At Grosvenor House, we’re proud to support Professor Paul Cadman and the One Thousand Trades Group. His dedication to making a positive impact resonates deeply with our mission to empower businesses in Birmingham and beyond.
If you’d like to learn more about how Grosvenor House can support your business, contact us today via the form below – we’d love to show you how we can elevate your business in the new year!