TGt Meets... Jeremy Holt

As part of our Entrepreneur Week Specials, we've been speaking to Jeremy Holt from Clark Holt Commercial Solicitors.

Tell us a little bit more about your business?

Clark Holt Commercial Solicitors specialises in helping businesses sort out their legal problems - with no delay or waffle on our part. I love the close relationship with our clients. It makes me get up in the morning – I always want to know what happened next.

What inspired you to set up your business?

My partner Richard Clark suggested it and I was taken with the idea. I think that it was a desire for independence on both our parts.

What do you think attracts people to starting their own business?

I suspect that it is often a desire for independence.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

The Tough Mudder I did near Cirencester a couple of months ago was slightly daunting.

Do you have a motto or favourite motivational quote?

“The thing that people criticise most in other people is often the thing that they are most guilty of themselves”

What advice would you give someone looking to take the plunge and start a business?

Just do it (with apologies to Nike)

What’s the biggest challenge facing business leaders today?

Trying to keep up to date with all the different things that are happening in business. The Financial Times is invaluable – I have learned so much from it and I love its style. I’ve read it since I was at university 40 years ago.

What’s been your biggest achievement to date?

I was not certain how to answer this question so I asked my secretary, Tina Pullen. She immediately said that it was my employing the best secretary in the world…. Apart from that I’ve helped set up a computer museum and written a book on IT law.

When you’re not busy running your business, how do you like to spend your down time?

I’m quite a keen runner. I have completed every full and half marathon held in Swindon over the last 30 years (apart from 4 of them when I was either injured or away on business in China.)