About Ray Spooner
Expert Business Support Professional & Published Author
Ray Spooner is a long-term business owner and Chairmen of the Carmelcrest Group of companies operating in construction and property.
Ray took over the family business at age 28 and from meagre beginnings professionalised and grew the business to what it is today, an award winning and extremely successful company employing over sixty people plus sub-contractors operating from two offices in Bishop Stortford and Cambridge.
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The company was the first in its secrtor to achieve BS 5750 for its management systems, the forerunner to ISO 9001, and won the distinguished Docklands Business Club award as, "The Business of Tomorrow". Ray has been featured on TV on the learning zone, a series about busness mastery and the company was used as an example by the Department of Trade and Industry as a, "Business of Excellence" example to other businesses.
Ray trained one of his five sons who all work in the business, to succeed him as MD and Ben succeeded Ray in 2017 when Ray took up the Chairman role. Ray went on to set up a property development and investment business now managed by another of Rays sons Alex. This company has a property portfolio approaching fifty units and also carries out commercial to residential developments and new-builds. Both the businesses are profitable, nearly all of which is reinvested into developments or investment property.
A major goal of Ray's was to provide generational wealth for his family and this was achieved in his mid-fifties. Ray then took a back seat and his main role since then has been to mentor his sons into the senior roles. His day to day role as Chairman is one of developing his team and monitoring business performance through monthly meetings and weekly updates. One of Rays values is to help others and to that end he mentors selected business people.
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Ray is a dedicated life-long-learner and personal development geek. He is a Chartered Builder (MCIOB), Chartered Surveyor (MRICS) and an NLP master practitioner. His Masters dissertation was about family-run businesses, which has come in very useful, as the group is now very much family run. He is also a qualified personal trainer and has a diploma in nutrition, living a very healthy lifestyle.
He has a great interest in Human Psychology and Biology and how this knowledge can empower business owners to better manage and motivate their team.
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Ray is author of three business books. 50 Skills - The Entrepreneurs Handbook. A book of 50 key skills Ray has learned in his thirty-five years plus in business. His second book titled The School leavers Guide to Money is aimed at young people to give them the money skills they should have learned at school. His recent book is The Art of Construction Estimating, a training manual for those wishing to pursue a career as a building estimator.
Navigating Success: A Candid Tribute to Ray Spooner, Mentor and Friend
I'm thrilled to express my heartfelt appreciation for Ray Spooner, not just a mentor but a true friend who has transformed my life over the past 6 years. Ray's no-nonsense approach and candid guidance have taken me from uncertainty to leading multiple thriving businesses with seven-figure turnovers.
Ray's unique style cuts through the fluff, offering practical wisdom that's propelled my growth as an entrepreneur. He's more than a mentor; he's a guiding force who helped me evolve from dreams to reality, showing me how to identify opportunities in challenges.
Under his mentorship, I've not only built successful businesses but also cultivated a united team of eight remarkable individuals. Ray's emphasis on genuine care and motivation has created a positive work environment that fuels productivity and growth.
The most impactful lesson from Ray is resilience in the face of uncertainty. His insights into crafting resilient business strategies have given me the freedom to navigate economic changes confidently. Thanks to Ray's candid advice, I can steer my businesses through any situation.
In conclusion, Ray Spooner's mentorship has been a game-changer in my journey. His candid and authentic guidance, combined with true camaraderie, make him the mentor everyone dreams of having. Here's to Ray—for turning aspirations into thriving accomplishments.
Adam Cooper
Freedom Homes and Cooper Construction, Peterborough