David Fraser: I started in 2006, and if I think back to when I first started at Capricorn We were about 9,000 Members, and I think our Member purchases that year was $600 million. I came in initially as the Group's Sales and Marketing Manager. In 2019, and I was appointed into the Group CEO role. And today we're a business that has about 29,000 Members.
And in the past year, about $3.8 billion worth of Member purchases. This business started with some really humble beginnings. It didn't have a management structure.
It didn't have an employee for the first 5 or 6 years. So they had to do it themselves. And to me, that is just something that I think, sits within our DNA today. I like to call it ‘purple blood’.
We’re really a passionate group of people here at Capricorn. The purpose of why we exist hasn't really changed over 50 years and I don't think we've forgotten that. You know, we are here to help our Members be stronger businesses. And for me, it's also making sure that we all understand that collectively, we're going to be stronger by standing together.
Sometimes our Members are doing it tough. And we don't always get to hear about that. But I know that our people out there sometimes having those conversations and really being that shoulder to lean on. They’re a very authentic bunch of people.
They really do care about our Members’ business. And I think that’s what really shines about our people they want to make a difference. They see their success being built on the back of our Members’ success. I think one of the things I've really witnessed at a number of our events is just the stories that Members are prepared to share with one another.
They do it openly. You know, as an industry, I think, we all have common problems. And I think our networking events are a way to come together and start to talk about some of those common problems. We like to enjoy and celebrate success.
And I think at times you also have to let people see the other human side of you. You know, for me, that's really, really important it’s one of my own personal values. We will still be here in another 50 years time. Now, our industry might look a little bit different.
And I think this is one of those shifts that we probably need to think about as an industry going forward. Don't just think about the car. Think about mobility and transport. We've never lost sight of why we exist and I think part of why we exist is to help our Members understand the changes going on around them.
They are so busy working in their business day in and day out. Capricorn has a role to play in helping them build out their business. Being aware of what's changing around them. I would like to think that I'm a better person for my time at Capricorn.
The way I interact with my own family, with my friends. I think Capricorn’s taught me a lot with regards to humanity and humility. The people. Yep.
Yep, nah, I’m - You’ll make me tear up now. The people, not just the people at Capricorn, the people in the industry. I think, you know, the industry is full of so many good people and, you know, that's the part that's going to be the one thing I'm going to miss the most.
