What's half of 99?

The question that began a career in print!

In 1984 John Roche took his first job in the printing industry. Fresh out of school he won a post as a trainee printing estimator at Ripley Roll Label in Leicestershire at a time when unemployment was a genuine problem in the UK. He felt extremely lucky, then, to be offered the post but succeeded only after being able to answer a straightforward maths question. What is half of 99? Having solved this deceptively simple question he would go on to spend the rest of his career to date in print.

John became a journeyman and over a period of several years occupied many positions in the industry, including costing clerk, estimator, MIS controller, commercial manager and financial director. Then, in 1999, he became the managing director of specialist costing software development company Chapel Business Systems Ltd and in 2003 moved on to become the managing director of Ortega Software Ltd - a position he still occupies today.

In 2006, John established Haybrooke Associates Limited. Offering all manner of general consultancy to printers, including the calculation of hourly cost rates, he has saw the company rapidly grow. Moreover, John has now consulted at over 200 printing companies, helping to change their fortunes and improve their outlook.

Today, at 41 (and looking 10 years older!), John has shown he has the experience to help printers of all shapes and sizes to grow their businesses. It is a job that he feels lucky and very privileged to have and one that he has no plans to change for the rest of his working career.

One more thing. For those of you who think you have the answer to the above question, you might be surprised to learn that it is not 44.5 or 45.5 but actually 49.5!

Telephone:
+44(0)116 2711000

Email:
postmaster@haybrooke.com

Website:
www.haybrooke.com

Main contact:
John Roche CEO
email or telephone 0116 2711000.