Narta deputy chairman Lionel Lee has announced his decision to step down from the board after 24 years.
Lee surprised several members of the industry when he made the announcement on stage during the group’s 60th anniversary conference with a memorable and passionate speech.
Here is an extract of his speech which blended a mix of prepared and off the cuff comments about the Narta group and the future of the industry.
“As we celebrate Narta’s 60th birthday, I truly appreciate the opportunity to talk to you on a personal level regarding my retirement from the Narta board. I am so happy that my wife Lisa and my four children are here and of course the rock of our business my 91 year-old mother Yenda.
“Standing here tonight I find myself filled with mixed emotions – gratitude, nostalgia and sadness, but also a very deep sense of satisfaction and achievement.
“After 24 years of service as a director and several years as deputy chairman, I feel it’s the right time now to step down and say farewell to this incredible Narta board that we have.
“Firstly I want to say a very heartfelt thank you to our chair, Kay. I remember our first big meeting with you and Richard Luce in the main boardroom at Sharp Corporation with my Uncle Cedric – I think I was 22 and I was terrified. And now all these years later, well I am only slightly less anxious. You have been a friend, a confidant, a mentor and an ally. I’ve learned so much from you and on behalf of my family and our business, we say thank you.
“To my fellow board members past and present, your support, collaboration and friendship have made my time here not only rewarding, but truly unforgettable. The camaraderie we have shared and the lessons I have gleaned have been a cornerstone of my experience with Narta.
“I especially want to thank our dedicated Narta staff and leadership team, led by my friends Michael Jackson and Darren Spencer. Your tireless work and commitment to the task at hand have inspired us all. Each initiative we have undertaken stands as a testament to our shared goals at Narta.
“Advancing our industry and supporting our members – but there is one initiative I would like to especially single out and that was GNFR (Goods Not For Re-Sale) – it was amazing – because to me GNFR was the catalyst of all the Narta services that you see now. This is not a sales pitch to the suppliers, we are going though unprecedented times as an industry, but Narta stands strong after 60 years and it is about the unification that we come together as both suppliers and retailers and we work through our problems. This is not a short term industry – Bing Lee has been around for 67 years and hopefully through the governance of Peter Harris and my four kids it will continue on as a family business. But this industry needs to stick together.”
“I can’t tell you how emotional I have been over the last two or three days. This industry has given my family everything – I think back to my grandfather and father – in a fruit shop of all things – and the opportunity of going into the electronics industry because the guy was selling and then the fortuitousness of black and white television being launched three months later. We have never wanted to be the biggest, we have never wanted to be the best, we just want to serve our customers and we do this with the help of suppliers and Narta.”
“Sometimes we thrive and sometimes we have to survive and we have to do it together. I cannot stress enough to the suppliers who are doubting at times as to what Narta provides you – come into the office, sit down and listen to what we have to tell you because it is crucial that you go back to your head office, your global offices and push back and say that Narta is important. We cannot become a transitional business, we cannot become a transactional industry like FMCG with Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA knocking at the door. We must work together please.”
“I would like to extend a special thanks to suppliers here tonight and some of you may remember from my previous speeches that without you we simply wouldn’t have a business. Your contribution and continued support over the years have played a vital role of our success, which then cascades down to us – the retailers.”
“The partnerships that we have built have enriched our association and strengthened our commitment to provide value to members and most importantly our customers and together we have navigated change, encountered challenges and celebrated successes all of which have only reinforced our dedication to one another and to the industry we love. Your efforts, innovation and collaboration have truly made an immense difference and simply put – as my father Ken always said – support for support. As a I step down, I carry with me, not only the accomplishments we have achieved, cherished memories and valuable lessons and above all – wonderful friendships with all of you that I will treasure for the rest of my life – thank you once again for the honour and privilege of serving alongside every one of you.”
“Though I may be stepping away from my official role, Bing Lee and I will always be strong supporters and advocates of Narta. May I wish you continued success and prosperity – good health and happiness. Here’s to Narta.”
Appliance Retailer has re-published this speech with the permission of Lionel Lee.