Hodgson is eager to emphasise why the Fortec model works:
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"We are keen to keep going with our relatively rigid management structure, because, from my experience, that is what makes a business run like clockwork. This will be another selling point to attract those who are in it for the long haul, thus making our network particularly strong.
"If you look at some firms where all control is centralised. you see the opposite of the desired effect. We have regional directors scattered across the UK, because ultimately what's happening in London is going to be very different to what's going on in the remote borders of Scotland. I believe the more personal levels of relationships, as opposed to speaking to one far away call centre, serves to make operations run much more smoothly."
The regional management structure also allows Fortec to keep a closer eye on how members are working, and if there are any problems. In line with Rod's vision of Fortec being the 'quality network', Hodgson says several members were asked to leave the network in the first half of 2009. "If companies were not going to grow or were unable to weather the economic downturn sufficiently, we were not sure they had a place in Fortec. We want to help firms develop, and certainly do not want to have members who are detrimental to the repute of the business."