BOB HOLT OBE – ANOTHER DECADE
Bob Holt OBE has led a life filled with major success stories – both in his business and philanthropic worlds. He has achieved more in the past three decades than most of us could dream about in one.
He is acquainted with thousands of people and thousands more applaud him for the difference he makes to businesses, charities and individuals across the world.
For over thirty years Bob has worked strenuously, making many valuable contributions to a wide variety of businesses and devoting huge amounts of time and energy to worthy causes. His every move provides endless opportunities for others.
Via Bob’s many chairmanships and directorships, he has led some of the most important businesses to unprecedented positions. He took Mears Group PLC to incredible heights and continues to support the company through its next stage of growth with improving communities, improving homes and improving lives.
As Chairman, he oversees Sureserve PLC grow from strength to strength with results, people development and community engagement. As Chairman of Totally PLC, he leads the company as it builds the number one position in the NHS urgent care provision with continued success in driving down costs, reducing waiting times and increasing engagement with its customers.
Bob has always recognised the importance of leadership. Having seen his own roles play a large part in creating career opportunities and helping individuals reach the next rung of the ladder, he has recently been undertaking a number of leadership discussions with start up and mature businesses. He is also mentoring individuals to help shape them for more senior roles.
In February this year, he launched an investment management and corporate advisory business in the West Country. Seneca Partners, where Bob has been a director since 2012, specialises in advising UK SME’s on all aspects of business including corporate advice, debt and equity funding, reorganisation, acquisition or sale. Bob has personally brought Seneca to the West County where he heads up the business. He has been watching it gather momentum this year, advising five or six new businesses each month.
Bob’s work in the world of commerce has provided him with possibilities to do more for charity.
Over the years, Bob’s philanthropic efforts have helped over sixty charities and many thousands of people. He is the founder and Chairman of The Mears Foundation, The Footprints Foundation and The Holt Trust.
As part of his South Africa project, which commenced in 2007, The Footprints Foundation supports six orphanages and helps areas in crisis and deprivation.
This year’s project concluded recently, having created two new medical centres; providing facilities and treatment for communities that would otherwise have no immediate access to healthcare. Bob’s foundation generated teams of volunteers and sponsors that assisted in the provision, erection and furnishing of the centres. It also provides financial support for nursing.
Tens of thousands of people will benefit from this work. In the first few days of the opening of the centre, one thousand eye tests were carried out resulting in the restoration of sight for one little girl.
As Bob Holt prepares for the coming decade, he does so with a great deal of enthusiasm “I am excited to share my leadership skills with others and see the positive encouragement it has on both people and business. I am also very much looking forward to carrying on the efforts in South Africa, where we have five new projects planned for 2020. This year’s work was truly momentous but I believe we can make an even bigger impact in the coming few years.”