25 years of HOST Policy Research: Looking back...
Some reminiscences
“When I started HOST Policy Research 25 years ago I had clear goals – I wanted to retire at 50 and I wanted to be able to walk into a shop and buy anything I fancied! At 26 years old these seemed quite reasonable goals to me! At 51 (and still working out of choice) and having largely lost interest in buying ‘things’ this seems amusing now looking back.
“I remember the day I went to see the bank manager, clutching my business plan and dressed to kill including three and a half inch high stilettos (I had ankles then you understand), with no money of my own to put down but with the strong intention to get a £10,000 overdraft and make my business happen. And somehow I got the overdraft and HOST was born.
“The first few years were tough, no holidays, no salary – anyone who has run their own business knows this story! But by 1995 there was a sound business, my then husband joined me soon after as a partner and it has just gone from strength to strength from there.”
Dorothy Berry-Lound, HOST Managing Director
“Now, I have one memorable recollection about the time I introduced Dorothy to one of the new Business Managers in about 1996. I had warned the person in question in advance of the meeting that Dorothy was ‘an interesting character’ and that she should not ask questions like ‘Now tell me what does your business do?’ Despite this, and in line with another typical request, Dorothy was asked whether we could have a copy of the Audited Accounts in order that we could renew HOST’s facility. It was a closed question and Dorothy simply said "No". I recall nothing was said for about 2 minutes (it did feel like 5 minutes at the time) as my colleague had no idea how to respond. I must admit I was smirking at my colleague’s embarrassment and was expecting tumbleweed to blow across the room in the eerie silence that descended. It still makes be smile to this day!!”
Stuart Mackman, NatWest Bank
“On August 11 1999 we all sat in the garden to watch the eclipse of the sun – we ate donuts and drank champagne. I remember it was freezing when it went dark!”
Jan Upton, Secretary
"After our first few years of having projects that lasted only three or six months and never being able to plan more than six months ahead I remember when we got our first long term project, three years - bliss! And then we got another soon after (they must be like buses). It was a real credit to all the work we had put in and I was so proud of everyone."
Dorothy Berry-Lound, HOST Managing Director
"Undeniably the best week in my 13 years with HOST was the team building event and 20 year celebration in Umbria in 2006 - it really did help in getting to know colleagues better - not too much work but plenty of good food and wine (and punctures), trips to Assisi etc, getting very lost on the way back from Perugia, a reflexology experience by the pool, and heated debates when dinner times were set to coincide with the Archers (50/50 fans and sensible people)!"
John Barry, HOST Associate
"In 1995 new neighbours moved in next door - an Indian restaurant with their extractor fan facing our main window. All of us were starting to smell horribly of tikka massala. Luckily we found new business premises (an ex-army recruitment office) and began restoration before moving in the following year."
Dorothy Berry-Lound, HOST Managing Director
“I remember in 1998, I think it was, we had a staff day out to Windsor Castle and watched the changing of the guard - I remember being collected by the minibus at a god forsaken hour to take us all there.”
Jan Upton, Secretary
“I can’t believe it is 24 years since I made the HOST logo cake for HOST’s first anniversary - which I might add I took great delight in doing. Particularly trying to match the colour green for the icing and the black cat. I wish HOST the best of luck for the future.”
June Lound
“I gained more knowledge about how best to gather information for research purposes and the limitations.”