Matthew Ingle – Kitchens, or Sink Kitchens, or Sink weaves memoir with business insight, telling us a great deal about the state of manufacturing in the UK, how Matthew learned to turn setbacks into opportunities and established the standards he set for himself and his workforce. Matthew Ingle left school in 1971 with four O levels. He went to work at a timber yard in Huddersfield. When he was made redundant in 1994, he had an idea for a business, but no products, premises or backers. Howdens was founded in 1995, and today is a FTSE 100 company with 10,000 staff. Matthew tells us the story of how he got there: the highs and lows, the disasters turned to triumphs, the unsung heroes and the grafters, and outlines the no-nonsense business principles that guided him along the way. This is an honest and uplifting story, which also offers sound and pragmatic advice to anyone starting their own business. Chaired by Harry Pearson Book Now Sponsored by: Booking Information Priority Booking for Festival Friends opens at 08.00 on Thursday 2nd of March. Tickets go on general sale from Saturday 4th March. Please note that a handling charge of 50p per ticket applies to bookings made in person or over the phone. No handling charges apply to online bookings. Hearing loops are available. Carers qualify for free ‘essential companion’ tickets. Wheelchair spaces are limited. In all cases, please call the Box Office on 01434 652477 to book (booking fees will not apply). Tickets cannot be refunded but can be exchanged for other Book Festival events. Booking for this event has now closed.