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Exclusive Interview with our Managing Director & Founder, Wayne Taylor

In this article...

As part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations, we reminisce on our beginnings with Wayne Taylor, the managing director of Citrus Group - who shares his experience, challenges and successes of building a business from a small team to one of the biggest UK leading training providers.

Try to describe yourself in 3 words - 

I couldn't decide between the 3 below so here is all of them!

• Wayne Scott Taylor  
• Tall, Grey and Old 
• Married with Children 

Why did you start Citrus Training? What did you think was missing from the industry and that Citrus could do differently? 

As a result of the research required to produce a robust business plan for securing funding, it became clear that training provision for the built environment was very fragmented via many regional providers across the UK. The sector was demanding provision on a national basis, providing consistency of delivery, service and engagement without working with multiple providers across the UK. A key part of the Citrus Training strategy was born. 

How did you raise funding? 

A previous Chair introduced me to investors. We might not be enjoying 20 years in business without that introduction. I shall be eternally grateful to both.  

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business and how did you overcome them? 

• The journey is tough in the early days. Turning an idea into a successful and sustainable business is not easy. So, make sure you have fun along the way. 
• It can be lonely. Surround yourself with a balanced network of supportive peers.  
• Building the team is not easy. Hire great people then develop them.  
• Whatever your business does, make sure you can sell whatever it does! 

Why did you decide to start your own business? 

Why not, is a better question. It was always a goal. I’ve worked for in corporate and smaller business which I helped grow and sell on to venture capitalists. That journey gave me a lot of exposure to all elements of business. It also convinced me, with the right idea, I could win! 

How do you manage your work-life balance? 

For the early part of 20 years in business, not great. But we are a big family now and my Golf handicap is coming down. Just not quickly enough! 

What motivates you? 

I am a terrible loser. By definition, therefore, I guess achieving motivates me. Whether that by in business or life in general.  

What advice would you give to someone just starting their own business? 

• Focus on something you have a genuine passion for and demonstrate it every day. 
• Really understand what your sector wants, not what it currently has. 
• Create and develop a business plan and properly understand cash flow. 
• Surround yourself with a team you admire, trust and who challenge you.

How do you define success? 

Tough question. I think one’s definition of success changes over time. Of course, any business needs to meet it's financial objectives to succeed over time, but financial success without fulfilment is failure.  

Success = Financial stability + health and happiness + lifestyle.   

What are some of your accomplishments? 

There are so many. I am very lucky to work with such a talented team. We have won many awards, trained local unemployed residents on London regeneration projects, championed women in construction, support many safety initiatives, but hitting the 20-year anniversary is pretty special. 

What are our main competitors? 

In the main, competition is good. It helps bring innovation and drive quality in sector. Like any space, we have direct and indirect competition. 

The value and cultures we have managed to create within the business over 20 years, and the reputation we have built. A client described us once as there ‘trusted training provider’. I loved it. So it became one of our taglines.  

How does your business look now vs. when you first started? 

Very different. We started with a plan. A good plan, and a handful of exceptional people. We are now one of the largest technical safety training and apprenticeship providers in the UK. We are still working on the plan! 

How have you grown personally from becoming an entrepreneur? 

I have no doubts it has grown my resilience. Take the Pandemic, almost anything is possible if you really want it and dedicate almost everything to it.  

Is there something you would’ve done differently? 

Of course! Running a business is just another part of life and anyone who says they haven't made mistakes has made nothing. Indeed, it's part of life. It's part of running a business. How you overcome them is reality and the critical learning journey to success.