The founder of Richer Sounds has purchased a “pool campervan” from a fellow employee-owned innovator and member of the Good Business Charter group.
The bespoke Transporter T6.1 Tiree, which was purchased from VW motorhome qualified converters, Jerba Campervans, can be used by any of the firm’s staff members free of charge and features a fully integrated kitchen with a two-burner hob, ample storage space and a double bed.
The UK-wide hi-fi retailer, which is 60% employee owned and involved with a number of charities, made the decision to purchase its van from a company with similar values to its own.
The campervan was picked up from Jerba’s workshop by Graham Davies, Stock Control Director at Richer Sounds, on EO Day – an annual celebration organised by the Employee Ownership Association – which Jerba chose to commemorate with a staff BBQ.
Founder and MD of Richer Sounds, Julian Richer, said: “It is so exciting for Richer Sounds to have bought such a fantastic campervan for everyone in the business to use.
“As an employee-owned company where our colleagues own 60% of the shares, every colleague has a real stake in the future of the business and this wonderful campervan is a great example of how employees can benefit from the part they play in the company’s success.
“To have bought the van from another employee-owned business is so exciting too. The customer service and attention to detail that we have received from Jerba Campervans has been brilliant and it’s a delight to see employee-owned companies working so well together.”
The electrical retailer takes a unique approach to employee benefits, with loyal staff also given access to a number of employer-owned holiday homes across the UK, including Brighton and Dorset.
The Good Business Charter, which was founded by Julian over two and a half years ago, measures and recognises responsible business practices through components such as employee well-being, representation, diversity and inclusion. Jerba, which has recently joined the charter, has been identified as showing such commitment to its employees, having converted its own campervan for staff to use whenever they wish.
MD at Jerba Campervans, Paul Kimberlin, said: “As a business that is so passionate about employee ownership, it was only right that such a similarly valued company to ours picked up its new campervan on the day that celebrates all things EO.
“The team here at Jerba were ecstatic when they found out we had purchased a van entirely for their use. I hope that Richer Sounds’ new campervan brings its team the same joy.”
Richer Sounds has 51 retail stores nationwide and specialises in supplying audio and visual entertainment equipment. It was founded by Julian Richer in 1978 when he opened his first shop on London Bridge Walk. In 2019 Julian sold 60% of his shares in the business to an employee-owned trust.
Jerba Campervans specialises in converting Volkswagen Transporter T6.1 Models and is officially recognised by Volkswagen as a converter of the model. In 2015, Jerba Campervans gained a patent for its unique pop-up roof, which it adds to all of its Volkswagen conversions.
