Taking over her father’s construction business was not just an emotional rollercoaster for Gemma Day but it became a huge learning curve as well.
Gemma, 29, now runs Dowlas UK Ltd, a leading developer heavily involved in bringing forward employment development at Junction 21 Enterprise Area (J21EA) off the M5 in North Somerset.
Her company has major building projects under its belt including the landmark new 40,000sq ft headquarters of Knightstone Housing Association, which opened recently at the Weston Gateway Business Park, which is part of J21EA. It was the largest office build to start on site in 2012 outside of London.
However, when Gemma took the helm of her father’s business she had no experience of the construction world and had to hit the ground running.
Her father, John Filer, had created several building companies throughout his career with varying degrees of success. However just over two years ago, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
At that point Gemma, who had built up a successful career in recruitment, became his carer along with her mother.
She helped in the day-to-day running of the business and, in the time she had left with him, quickly realised that she had to prove she could take over the reins of the company.
Gemma, who is expecting her third child this summer, said: “For three days a week I was dad’s carer. He was going blind, so I had to read his emails but I could see that some aspects of the business at that time were not going according to plan so I had to show Dad that I was capable of taking on the business and turning things around.”
When he died in June 2012, she became a director of Dowlas UK Ltd. Gemma, who has a degree in English Literature from Plymouth University, says the role came 20-years too early as she has had to take on a male-dominated world.
She admits she had to fight prejudice but had great support and is building a strong business after a major shake-up with new branding and identity.
Gemma, who recently remarried, said: “It has been a challenge getting people on the team to accept me because of my gender, age and stereotypes. The biggest challenge has been trying to pack in 30 years’ experience in a very short time.
“But I have had incredible support from very experienced people, especially Bob Carlton-Porter, and I cannot thank them enough.
“The outlook this year is very exciting. We are in talks with household names in the hope of bringing them to J21EA and we have big plans to create a new enterprise hub aimed at entrepreneurs.
“I am really looking forward to creating the hub because I know other entrepreneurs will soon be working there, making their business dreams come true. I am so passionate about the area that I also sit on the J21 Enterprise Area joint marketing group and am a North Somerset Business Ambassador.
“But one of the most important aspects for me in taking over my father’s business is that I can see my mum is financially secure and settled. I would not be able to do what I do without her support, especially with the children and helping with the school runs.
“We have built on dad’s legacy and I am proud of what we have achieved. I still have plenty to learn but I have carved out a role for myself and add value to the company through sales, marketing and PR.
“It has been a tough learning curve at times, but incredibly exciting. North Somerset is really taking the lead when it comes to business investment and, with J21EA taking shape, I am looking forward to what 2014 has in store.”
J21EA offers 72 hectares of employment land, which is ‘ready to go’ with planning permission and access, and aims to deliver 10,000 jobs by 2026. The area also benefits from a highly-skilled workforce as well as excellent transport links to the M5, Bristol Airport and access to Royal Portbury Docks.
To find out more about J21EA visit www.innorthsomerset.co.uk/junction-21 or call North Somerset Council’s Economic Development Service on 01934 426 266.