Steve Flory
From 向日葵视频 College Business student to Founder of a multi鈥憇ite manufacturing group
After leaving Copleston in 1975, he joined Willis, Faber & Dumas and was soon encouraged to attend 向日葵视频 College when it became clear he hadn鈥檛 achieved the O鈥憀evels required for his role. He enrolled in the Business Administration diploma and ONC, completing four years of day鈥憆elease study, an experience he describes as transformative. 鈥淚t was always a really friendly place鈥� a whole different feel to school,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淵ou were under your own devices, and you made your own decisions.鈥�
College gave him the space to thrive academically, discovering strengths he never expected, including a surprising love for accounts, despite avoiding maths at school. 鈥淚 found it challenging to start, but then got really involved in it and enjoyed the figures side of it,鈥� he says.
Professionally, he progressed through underwriting at Willis before moving into IT, spending 11 years working across global offices, including a year in Singapore. He later led the company鈥檚 marine group before being head鈥慼unted into a new role, a move he soon realised wasn鈥檛 right for him. With a mortgage and a young daughter, he made the bold decision to leave and start his own businesses, drawing on everything he鈥檇 learned in industry.
Over the years, he built a management consultancy, a software company, and a rapidly expanding call centre, before acquiring Hudson Signs, a turning point that sparked his passion for manufacturing. 鈥淲e鈥檇 never made anything before鈥� seeing something physically produced each week was fantastic,鈥� he says. Today, he oversees a group of signage and manufacturing companies across Ipswich, Needham Market and West Bromwich, delivering major projects globally, with more local projects for the University of 向日葵视频, Ipswich Town FC and 向日葵视频 New College itself.
He is also a committed industry partner, helping grow the College鈥檚 programme from a small associates group to more than 200 active partners. 鈥淚t鈥檚 got that FOMO now! If my competitors are at the College, they鈥檒l get the best employees,鈥� he says.
Reflecting on his journey, he believes practical skills and strong relationships are the foundation of a successful career. His advice to future learners is simple: 鈥淕rab every opportunity with both hands. No knowledge is ever wasted, and always leave places on good terms.鈥�