Let's Get Down to Business: Harry Corrigan, Solar Botanic Trees

HARRY CORRIGAN is an entrepreneur who set up Solar Botanic Trees, a renewable energy company. The company has been developing a solar “tree” that powers an electric vehicle charging station. Harry and his wife Cora, who works in healthcare insurance, live in the centre of Henley.

Describe your business

Renewable energy, concentrating on a solar “tree” that acts as an electric vehicle charging station (www.solarbotanictrees.com).

How many people does it employ?

Four people, three engineers and me. We work in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre at Sheffield University which is designing and building our prototype.

What did you do before you started this business?

I owned a chemical company that specialised in the prevention of corrosion in offshore oil rig equipment. I then worked in Africa building distant learning education centres.

When did you start your business?

In 2012 I had an idea that I could build something in the shape of a tree that would generate energy from the sun and be aesthetically pleasing. This has proved to be technically difficult but with the help of the design and engineering department at Brunel University in London we have arrived at a point where we have orders for more than 22 trees/electric vehicle charging stations so we are making haste to get to production in the second half of next year.

What was your objective?

To help the environment fight against climate change, I believe wholeheartedly that we have a serious problem that is going to get much worse unless we act, as Greta Thunberg says, “like our house is on fire because it is”.

Who or what influenced you?

Not having a job or a job that I wanted to do and, to be quite honest, I stumbled into the chemical business and there were many days when I thought ‘this is not easy’ but it taught me perseverance.

Do you have a mentor or role model?

Ray Dalio, an intelligent and successful financier, who has written some very good books and has a newsletter that imparts a lot of wisdom.

What would you do differently if you could start again?

Begin with a lot more money.

Did the coronavirus pandemic affect your business?

Not much as we were able to go through the design process remotely and in fact it has made me realise that working remotely has some great advantages.

How is your business doing compared with last year?

Much better as we now have sales and a clear vision of where we are heading whereas the previous years were all about coming up with a design that was commercially viable.

How do you market your business?

We have a PR company that regularly sends out press releases to industry.

What’s the best thing about running your own business?

The freedom to choose the direction and not having to worry about committee meetings.

What’s the most challenging aspect?

Staying positive in the midst of doom merchants.

Where is your business headed?

To be a leader in EV charging and microgrids.

How important are online sales?

Very as there is less cost involved.

Do you have a five-year plan?

Yes, revenue of £40 million. We are currently ahead of our target but we are in a rapidly changing world and I am aware that to stay on track and not be distracted by Kipling’s “two impostors” I need to remind myself daily “it’s about the environment”.

Do you set any goals for your business at the start of a new financial year?

Yes, to be in a profitable business a year later.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned?

Don’t quit.

What would you advise someone starting a business?

Surround yourself with good people who are smarter than you and don’t run out of money.

What three qualities are most important to success?

Understanding a balance sheet, being able to persevere and making the people around you feel good about themselves.

What’s the secret of your success?

I’m alive and in the game and enjoying every minute.

What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made?

Running out of money.

How organised are you?

Very.

How do you dress for work each day?

Suit and tie for meetings otherwise smart casual.

What can’t you be without every day?

My iPhone.

Lunch at your desk or going out?

At my desk.

Do you continue to study?

Yes.

What do you read?

Mainly biographies.

How are you planning for retirement?

I don’t plan to retire as I really enjoy what I do.

Interview by Will Hamilton, intermediary, global marketing consultant and Henley town councillor