Former English cricketer Stuart Broad has had a remarkable career on the field, ending up as the 2nd highest wicket-taker for England, ever picking up 604 wickets from 167 games in Tests. During his illustrious career, Broad has picked up a hat-trick in 2011 against India at Trent Bridge and, in a moment to forget, also conceded six sixes in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup in Durban. Broad entered the pub business in the United Kingdom and owns three pubs as part of The Cat & Wickets pub company (The Tap & Run in Nottinghamshire, The Griffin Inn in Leicestershire, and The Long Hop in Burton-on-Trent), which in the three years has seen a turnover of Rs 14,33,63,160 to Rs 47,79,53,200 (£1.2m to £4m) in three years and the staff strength of 150 people. “The company went from being a hobby, because we wanted somewhere to go for Sunday lunch, to us going, ‘If we’re going to do it, let’s do it properly,’” said Broad, speaking to the English publication The Telegraph. “As soon as you approach 30 as a sportsperson, you know you’re nearer the end than the beginning,” he said. It was not entirely Broad's idea to get into the business. “A friend was a general manager of a pub, but wanted skin in the game. I was 30 and interested in the business world, and that’s how the company got founded.” The duo was further joined by another English cricketer, Harry Gurney, who had a degree in accounts. “Being a business owner can be very lonely,” he said, Broad, who collaborated with Sage, the UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies. “There are so many questions, and you don’t always know who to ask. I really enjoy spending time with a community of like-minded people.” Broad also recalled a fire accident in Tap and Run. “It took eight fire engines to put it out,” says Broad. “The place was derelict but a day later, Harry said, ‘Let’s bring it back better.’ We redesigned it so it was warmer, more user-friendly, and the kitchen was better.” Philosophy of Broad “My philosophy in sport was all about continuous improvement, which is how I played cricket until I was 37. I didn’t want anyone to be better than me. If we have negative feedback in a pub, it’s not a disaster, I just ask: why has that happened, what can we do to make sure that doesn’t happen again? Young people are so sharp. We love employing them and hope they stay and build careers with us. You see a lot of misconceptions about them in the media but that’s not what we have found,” ” Broad said on his Philosophy and hirings. “In the pub trade, we always say, ‘We are cautiously optimistic. Never high as a kite or completely down. We have changed and evolved so much in seven years, and learned a huge amount. It’s a wonderful industry to be in,” Broad concluded.
