We recently held a reunion lunch with past Collier Homes executives who had positively impacted the business before my purchase some two years ago. The reunion provided a window to the rich history of the brand. It offered the current day leaders more profound insights into the nature of the industry and a glimpse of the fantastic personalities that have contributed so much to our distinctive and unique culture.

The reunion included Ossie Symonds, a past Chief Executive Officer; Keith Laval, a previous Sales Manager; Brian Goodall, a past Chief Financial Officer; and Michael Beck, a former Marketing Manager.

In my experience, honouring corporate history is as important as acknowledging your own ancestry. In an age when an app can help you with just about anything, it cannot give you a corporate history.

A history that connects directly to a set of solid values that relate not to grandiose statements but human virtues is something that fortifies and sustains a business through economic cycles and serves to provide a company with its culture. Instead of aspiring to receive a gold watch after some extended period of service, New generations prefer to work for a company with a real culture and not just a set of motherhood statements framed and hung in a reception area.

When I study the history of successful and enduring businesses, the constant is always a culture that allowed and encouraged individuality. These businesses, by enabling creativity and innovation to flourish also exhibit a unique personality reflective of its employees. This means that you must employ the right people, which is easy when a company’s popular culture automatically attracts the right people.

The culture and company personality attracted me to buy the brand two years ago and it continues to attract clients today. It's for this reason that I have preferred not to become the figurehead or face of the business or use my name as its brand. To do so would only stifle and suppress individuality.

Longstanding and enduring brands such as Collier Homes owe much to people like Ossie, Keith, Brian and Michael for being such valuable contributors. We honour them not only for their immense talents, enduring loyalty, deep integrity, and strong passion but also for instilling a culture that remains as their legacy.

I must also say that their stamina at lunch was up to their legendary best!