Spring 2011
OUR NEW CHARITY Timpson first supported the NSPCC in 2001 when it adopted the organisation’s high profile Full Stop Campaign as its corporate charity. John and Alex Timpson’s personal commitment to helping children in distress soon grew into a hugely successful relationship with ChildLine, the 24 hour Children’s helpline founded by the popular writer and broadcaster, Esther Rantzen.
John Timpson CBE, Timpson Chairman & CEO
WHY & HOW? The Timpson business is renowned for its exceptional ‘Upside-down Management’ culture, where colleagues have the freedom to do whatever it takes to deliver outstanding customer service and are supported in that mission by everyone else in the business. “Our business is very different to most high street retailers,” says John Timpson. “We don’t hinder our people by putting set rules and procedures in place, instead we let them serve their customers in the way they know works best for the customer. I personally receive a host of complimentary letters and emails every week from customers who are amazed by the service they receive in our shops. I take my hat off to our people who over the years have provided a great shopping experience or have done a little job for free and directed customers’ appreciation into the charity tin on the counter. I genuinely believe I have the best and kindest shop staff in the country…and customers too. We plan to keep doing what we do best for our customers and our new charity, After Adoption - deliver outstanding customer care and put appreciative pounds in the tin.”
Donate online www.timpson.com
Over the years very many Timpson colleagues have gone to extraordinary lengths to raise money for ChildLine - by climbing mountains, leaping out of aircraft and cycling coast to coast in support of the cause. All this activity culminated in Timpson raising more than £1million for ChildLine. Much of that money has been donated by loyal Timpson customers who have happily put a £1 donation in the charity box in recognition of the outstanding customer service they have received in-store. Now it is time for a change of charity. Inside, John Timpson CBE explains why, after many years supporting ChildLine, Timpson is now adopting After Adoption as its new corporate charity. In the following pages we reveal how John and Alex hope to repeat Timpson’s highly successful fundraising formula and, with the help of many truly amazing and supportive colleagues, raise £1m to help After Adoption deliver its highly acclaimed SafeBase programme to adoptive families in need of vital support.