Profiles

Jim Quaife started out in forestry working for a national management company and subsequently as a woodland manager on an estate in Kent. When he left in 1991 he bought the estate’s small arboriculture consultancy and set up on his own. The business now comprises Jim, two salaried consultants who work remotely from home, and a PA.

Lyn Hodges founded Up Front Limited in 1989 to train chief executives in how to present themselves effectively to staff, shareholders and the media.

Initially the company was based in plush offices in Tottenham Court Road, London in an era when it was considered important for clients to be able to experience smart company premises. In 1999, Lynn moved the company to Bermondsey to reduce overheads. During a one-year sabbatical in Spain, Lynn continued to run the company at arm’s length. It was during this time that she realised that she needed to re-evaluate the costs and benefits of having smart offices.