WE HOPE YOU’LL FORGET ABOUT OWNASHARE IN TIME!

I’m writing as the new Chair of Ownashare Cruising Limited.

Syndicate membership should ensure canal boat cruising is a joy. Like theatrical scene changers, Ownashare’s work should be invisible: if we get in the way, we spoil your enjoyment.

Over the last year or so, our industry has experienced shocks and it’s still undergoing changes. All of us have been adversely affected by this. So, we’re in the process of creating a company which does what it’s supposed to do: goes about its work without fuss; builds trust by doing what it says it’s going to do; listens to what you want and acts on it. Our aim is to ensure that you forget about the company and remember the individuals who support you. We’ll get on with our job and only remind you of our existence when we meet up to discuss what we can do to improve your experience - for instance, when our customer care managers ease each ‘turnaround’ day; let you know that we’ve done it; whenever we can, surprise you when we do more than we promised and, hopefully, wave to each other as we cruise pass each other on sunny afternoons.

To deliver on these promises we had to start with Ownashare itself. We’ve worked to create a company with two principles in mind.

·     Everyone involved must have a deep personal commitment to canal cruising. You’ll find brief biographies of our management team on this website. Between us we have decades of working in the canal business, but equally importantly we’ve been boat owners and users. We’re customers too, and all of us have been affected adversely by recent industry problem, in some cases suffering six-figure losses and, in others, losing jobs.

·     Parallel to this experience, we combine the key skills needed to run the trustworthy organisation from cleaning , engineering and design to absolute financial probity. Which is where I come in. I’m a qualified chartered accountant with huge experience in many different industries and thriving involvement in many organisations. People I work with (and who work for me) will tell you I’m obsessive about financial transparency. My role is to ensure that Ownashare delivers on its promises: invisibly and without causing you any shocks.

In effect, we’re clearing our decks for a new season.

So what?!

Most of us aren’t that interested in the internal set up of companies we deal with - unless they let us down. That’s why this is just the first of a number of letters and newsletters we’ll send you during the new company’s initial period, each of which will show how we are shaping our services to deliver what you want. We’ll post these announcements on our web site, but we know all of you aren’t on-line fanatics. We’ll also arrange events in the near future to talk to you about what new services we can offer you.

We’d love to hear from you if you have suggestions to make, ideas, complaints or even praise for individuals. The people whose photos you can see on our web site will listen hard to what you say as they are involved in intensive discussions centering around one theme:

‘ We’re canal boat enthusiasts. What would be the best possible service we would want from a management company?’

Your comments will help.

On a personal note. Canal cruising is a huge pleasure; a great relaxation; an opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones. I don’t want business to intrude into it.

I want a management company to be a friend in need and a friend in deed. That’s what Ownashare will become.

John Dutton

Chair, Ownashare Cruising Ltd