Business Personality of the Month - Mark Mead
This month’s business personality is Mark Mead, a successful tourism operator in Swansea’s world-famous Gower peninsula. Mark and his co-director, wife Sheryl, acquired the spectacular Whiteford Bay Caravan Park fifteen years ago and transformed the then rather run-down property into one of the finest caravan parks in the country.
Two years later they did the same for Greenways Caravan Park in Oxwich, which now takes its place among the best caravan and camping parks in the area
Creative opportunity
“I love the creative input required in taking a rundown property and building it up.” says Mark. “The challenge of creating a viable operation out of a neglected business is irresistible.
“One point I feel should not be missed and is of paramount importance when we talk about our parks is Gower itself as this is really what people are buying into when they purchase a caravan from us, their very own little piece of Gower. We welcome people who want to own their holiday home in a quiet family-orientated park located in an area that is probably Gower’s best kept secret!”
Professional experience
Both Mark and Sheryl have been in business all their working lives and have gained the specialised commercial experience so essential in the service industry. Theirs is the quintessential family business, their ranks now strengthened by daughter Laura and son James.
“It’s about hard work and high standards,” says Mark. “We believe in attention to detail. We have built up a team of eleven staff who share our commitment to excellence.”
Ongoing investment
“The success of our caravan parks is due to continuous investment,” asserts Mark. “Constantly up-graded facilities, landscaping, and meticulous maintenance attract the right sort of customers to our sites, the sort of people who are looking for their own piece of Gower’s outstanding natural beauty.
“Our caravans are primarily deluxe models from well known marques such as Swift, Willerby and ABI occupying 11 spacious acres in Whiteford Bay’s 23 acre premises and 25 quiet, private acres in Greenways in Oxwich.”
Procurement policy
“We feel very proud of having created 200 jobs for twenty years in the course of our first venture, the nursing homes,” says Mark. “We continue this tradition at our caravan parks. Our procurement policy is to support local trades, employing local people.”
Green fingers
Mark Mead is a passionate gardener and their grounds at home bear witness to his love of horticulture. Sheryl and Mark open their garden annually to the public under the National Gardens Scheme and for the Llanmadoc village open gardens day.
STEPPING STONES TO SUCCESS
The Person
Name: Mark Mead
1956 - Born Great Wakering nr Southend-On-Sea Essex
1972 - King Edmund Comprehensive School Rochford
1975 – 1977 Moved to Wales to take part in new venture in the Mardy Hotel Gorseinon
1977- Married Sheryl his wife of 33 years
The Career
1973 – 1975 Joined the motor trade. Made the youngest foreman to-then-date with Woodyate Motors
1978 – 1984 Mark and Sheryl start new venture in the residential care industry in which Sheryl already has experience
1984 – 1991 They convert the care home into Meadow House Nursing home
1991 – 1996 Build and run new 70 bed state of the art nursing home St Martin’s Court in Morriston
1996 – 2011 Acquire and run Whiteford Bay Leisure Park in Llanmadoc Gower
1998 – 2011 Acquire and run Greenways Leisure Park in Oxwich Gower
2003 – 2011 Director – Whingers Ltd
2007 – 2011 Director – Shermark Enterprises Ltd, Director - Laura James Enterprises Ltd