Getting to know... John Marshall

In a new feature for Bdaily looking at the person behind the business profile, John Marshall, operations director of Riverside Caravan Park, Wenningdale Leisure and Bentham Golf Course, talks about his route into the leisure sector, the joy he takes from helping others enjoy their holidays and how he relaxes outside of work.

We know you as the operations director of Riverside Caravan Park, Wenningdale Leisure and Bentham Golf Course, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick...

I’m the third generation of Marshalls to work in the business.

It all started Easter 1970, when my grandad set up Riverside Caravan Park.

My dad then took it on and expanded it into the large holiday home and touring park it is today.

In 2009, we acquired Bentham Golf Course, and over the past 16 years, we have invested in the golf course, adding accommodation in the form of Wenningdale Escapes.

I had a few years studying engineering at the University of Leeds, and then a few more working as an accountant for RSM, but moved back into the family business the week before COVID-19. And I haven’t looked back since.

In this role, I have been working to streamline an existing strong business in the caravan park and grow the golf course to make it sustainable.

I’ve really enjoyed going into an area of business, reviewing what there is, where we need to be and then putting in the hours to get us there.

Did you always want to work in leisure and tourism?

I started working at the age of 11, answering the phones in reception before being promoted to grass cutting, landscaping and working behind the bar.

These were always great jobs to come back to during school and university holidays.

I worked as an accountant in Leeds for three-and-a-half years following university, but I decided that corporate and desk work wasn’t for me.

I love interacting with our guests, suppliers and everyone in between.

Coming back into the business the week before COVID-19 was brilliant timing, as I could get my teeth stuck into something and make meaningful changes; we’re seeing the benefits every day now.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

I love knowing how special the location is to so many of our guests, many of which keep coming back.

Some of our holiday home customers have been coming for more than 40 years, and remember my grandad.

Knowing that we’re helping people enjoy their precious time off is enjoyable.

Since COVID-19, we’ve seen people put more value into staycations and enjoy the beauty on their doorstep.

The worst part usually happens on bank holidays when the sewage system breaks at one of our sites – I won’t go into too much detail!

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

From a business perspective, it's how the business is growing and improving every year.

Taking over a family business, I feel there is something to prove, and it’s essential to leave it in a better state than when you started.

Being able to consistently deliver double-digit growth in most areas of the business has been satisfying.

From a more personal perspective, there are two main things.

The first one is similar to the point regarding people coming for years and watching them enjoy our locations as a place to spend time with family and create memories.

The second is seeing the members of staff we have brought in doing a great job and developing as we grow.

How do you relax outside of work?

It’s usually anything sporting; during the winter, it’s ideally rugby, although my body has started letting me down.

During the summer, it’s cricket and golf.

Outside of sport, it’s spending time with my fiancée Pippa and our rescue lurcher Tilly, enjoying the local surroundings.

We’re also renovating an old house, but I wouldn’t call that relaxing - more like hard work.

What makes Bentham Golf Course such a great place?

We are in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District and Forest of Bowland, so when I stand at the top of the golf course, I can see all three.

The views are breathtaking, so even just nipping up the lane with the dog is a beautiful walk.

At the same time, it’s only 25 minutes to Lancaster, and with the rail links in the village, I can be back in Leeds easily.

In terms of work, we are also fortunate to collaborate with great local, small, independent businesses that we have fostered relationships with for years.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know...

While living in Leeds, I appeared on an episode of Dinner Date.

It wasn’t how I met my fiancée, but it was a fun experience.

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