At Grosvenor House, we’re proud to partner with some of Birmingham’s most innovative and inspiring businesses. One such partner is Walk Through Walls, a company dedicated to helping businesses achieve growth by breaking down barriers. We recently spoke with Gary Sambrook, Managing Partner at Walk Through Walls, who shared the company’s journey, his personal story, and how Grosvenor House plays an integral role in their success.
Who Are Walk Through Walls?
Walk Through Walls is a relatively new business, launched in 2023, with a clear mission to drive growth for companies through strategic communication, marketing, and public affairs. Gary, who joined as Managing Partner in July 2024, describes their approach:
“We’re essentially a one-stop shop for all your business growth needs—whether that’s marketing, communication, inward investment, or public affairs. If you’ve got a story to tell and want to grow your business, we help you break through the barriers between you and your success.”
Their name perfectly encapsulates their ethos—helping clients tackle obstacles head-on to achieve their full potential.
For Gary, Birmingham’s rich potential is an essential part of Walk Through Walls’ mission:
“I’ve lived in Birmingham my entire life—brought up in Kingstanding and now living in Longbridge. My career has taken me from eight years on Birmingham City Council to five as a Member of Parliament. Everything I do is about making sure the place where I was born and raised is better, and it’s definitely the place to come and do business.”
A Unique Journey to Leadership
Gary’s career has been shaped by his passion for the community and his dedication to making a difference. Despite his achievements, he’s quick to downplay his personal quirks:
“I’m fundamentally quite a boring person, really! But I never watch TV, which people think is always peculiar. Well, I’ve watched two series over the last two years—Clarkson’s Farm and The Gentlemen—because I was ill and stuck at home.”
But Gary’s early ambition tells a different story. He recalls his first leadership role as a teenager:
“I was the youngest community watch chairman in the country when I was 16—told you I was boring!”
His drive to succeed has remained steadfast, though like many, he’s had to overcome moments of self-doubt. Gary spoke openly about battling imposter syndrome:
“One of the things I’ve struggled with is convincing myself I’m there for a reason. Imposter syndrome is a self-imposed barrier that you’ve just got to get headstrong about and overcome.”
One piece of advice has guided him through these challenges:
“A friend once said, ‘The only difference between my school and your school is that my school taught me to walk into a room and know I belong there.’ That’s always stuck with me. Whatever I do, I behave like I know I deserve to be in the room and that I’m there to deliver what I want to do.”
Life at Walk Through Walls
A typical day for Gary is anything but routine:
“I don’t have a daily routine. I get up in the morning, I go to bed, and all sorts of weird stuff happens in between! The first thing I hear in the morning is the radio. I love to listen to the radio with a bit of music and news coming through. Then, I’ll end up on my phone reading news roundups to set the tone for the day.”
This flexible approach helps him keep a fresh perspective and tackle the varied challenges his role presents:
“I like my routine being different and having different things to do. For people who have lots of rigid behaviours in their companies, we can help them look outside the box.”
Gary also admits to being heavily reliant on his phone for work but doesn’t let it dominate his life:
“It’s like my phone is literally attached to me, but there are moments when I love to switch it off and live without it. The problem is, I don’t really understand it! I probably don’t get the true potential out of it.”
How Grosvenor House Supports Walk Through Walls
Gary was introduced to Grosvenor House through a trusted connection:
“One Thousand Trades is a group of companies we belong to, along with Prof. Paul Cadman, who introduced me to Grosvenor House as a resource.”
Since partnering with us in 2023, Walk Through Walls has used our registered office address services to support their business operations. Gary highlights how these services have provided them with a solid foundation:
“Having a business that’s so varied and needing to be in Birmingham, London, or elsewhere, it’s good to have a base where admin like phone calls and post can be dealt with efficiently. The structure behind the business really helps.”
Grosvenor House has also served as a valuable networking hub for the Walk Through Walls team:
“We’ve had some great networking events there. It’s definitely a resource I’d recommend to other businesses.”
Lessons from Leadership and Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the past five years, Gary offers advice that resonates with business leaders and entrepreneurs alike:
“If you go back five years, just before COVID, the biggest lesson we’ve all faced is that things can change very quickly. We get used to the status quo, but we don’t appreciate how much change affects us. We should never underestimate change—there’s always an opportunity to be had from it.”
For Walk Through Walls, the future is all about creating success while giving back to the community:
“Ever since I was a kid, it’s been about doing what you can and giving back. Whether that’s sitting on a board, helping a Community Trust, or just giving to charity, I’ve always wanted to try and do something positive.”
Why Birmingham Businesses Choose Grosvenor House
As a virtual office provider in the heart of Birmingham’s prestigious St. Paul’s Square, Grosvenor House is proud to support businesses like Walk Through Walls. Our services provide the flexibility, professionalism, and local presence that modern businesses need to thrive.
If you’re looking for a partner to help take your business to the next level, contact Grosvenor House today. Let’s break through barriers together.