Meet Our New Directors
- Max Haley
- May 30
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Get to know Harry and Jordan, who recently joined their dad Tony as new Directors at H Harrold & Sons, and uncover the journeys that led them to take up the legacy of our family business.
How long have you been a part of the business and what roles have you had here in that time?
Jordan: We’ve both gradually worked our way up through the business. I started here 10 years ago – where I originally started in a role unpacking stock. Over the years, I’ve learnt where things go and how everything works and it wasn’t long before I started to serve over the counter.
It’s built up organically like that as I’ve gradually learnt the ropes. I’m glad that’s how I joined the company as, now I’m a Director, I’ve got good knowledge of all the tasks that need doing across the company.
Harry: I’ve been here four years now. Ever since I started, I was really keen to get involved in everything I could. As people have left, or changed their hours, Jordan and I have been given the opportunity to volunteer to pick up new and different tasks into our workload very naturally. It’s something we’ve both been very keen to do.
As I have done that, my role has gradually evolved over the last four years, giving me a great foundation to support other staff in my position now.
What’s your day-to-day like?
Harry: Our days tend to vary greatly as everyone in the business does a bit of everything. We’re still very much a family business and I think that culture has stayed with us – we’re one big team. Our Dad’s always been another team member – he’ll always get stuck in, and we’re keen to be the same really.
What’s it like to work with your family?
Jordan: Fortunately we get on really well, we always have! I quite like that I get to see Dad and Harry every day! Obviously, it’s all we really know, but it’s never been a problem for us. I wouldn’t have it any other way to be honest.
What has been your toughest challenge so far?
Harry: For me, it was simply starting. When I joined the company, I worked partly as an Accounts Assistant and partly in the workshop, giving me two different avenues to learn. It was my first ever experience in a customer facing job, so I had to learn everything very quickly. I didn’t like not knowing what I was doing or saying, so I put in a lot of time and effort and asked our colleagues every question I could think of.
While I now feel comfortable and confident in what I’m doing, I still love that learning experience – no matter how overwhelming it was in the beginning. I continue to learn new things every day, especially from the near 300 years combined industry experience in our team.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Jordan: It’s motivating knowing that, when I come to work every day, I’m helping to benefit our family, not a multinational corporation. We also get to employ and work with incredible people. On top of that, we’re providing a much-needed service to people in our city and to our community – that’s really rewarding.
Harry: For Jordan and me, we have long-term ambitions and plans for Harrolds which will help elevate the company going forward, but what’s equally important to us, is knowing that the work we’re doing supports our Dad.
Our support will help him retire sooner and happier – that’s really fulfilling for us as a family. We’re doubly fortunate to be working with our Dad on this journey – we get to learn so much from him and his 47 years of experience here, 33 of which were spent running the business alongside our uncle Peter.
Do you have a favourite lock?
Jordan: Not necessarily a favourite lock but I do enjoy it when someone brings in a really old lock. Not too long ago, someone brought in a number of old-fashioned locks that have ‘for His Majesty’ engraved on them. That sort of thing is very cool to me.
Harry: Safe locks are pretty interesting. The size and intricacy of them is something far beyond anything else we deal with. I enjoy getting stuck into seeing all the different types of locks available out there and the more intricate, the more interesting they are.
If you didn’t work in locksmithing, what would your dream job be?
Jordan: For me, my dream job would definitely be in Formula One. Travelling the world with a job like that and getting to be at the races each week would be incredible.
Harry: Anyone who knows me won’t be surprised to hear that my dream job would be in football. Being realistic I appreciate I probably couldn’t play football professionally, but it would be my dream to be a football manager.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Jordan: I think time-travelling would be the best power. It would be fascinating to see how the world will look in 100, 200 years – and how it used to be. Perhaps I could visit my great-great-Grandfather to see what the business was like when it first started.
Harry: Well, the thing that would make me happier than anything would be for Sheffield Wednesday to get promoted, so for that reason, I’ll say super athleticism. And – before I get scouted for Wednesday – I could sort out the stock here in record time!
What’s your favourite film?
Jordan: It’s a common answer, but the Dark Knight trilogy is so good!
Harry: Mine is The Departed. It’s always in the conversation for best film of all time – for good reason.
What’s your favourite band?
Harry: Our newest obsession is The Killers. We’ve both recently got really into them. Rob in the shop introduced us to their music, so that we finally listened to more than just Mr. Brightside! I always liked their earlier stuff, but now I’m listening to their newer stuff too.
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