Entrepreneur to embark on new voyage – sailing around the world
Coldstore installations expert Simon Tysoe has announced his retirement from business and the start of a new voyage – an 18-month round-the-world sailing trip.
Tysoe left school at 16 and learned his trade as an electrician and panel fitter before founding several successful companies around his home city of Leicester, including S Tysoe Installations, Midlands Access Platforms, TPS Hire and a substantial property portfolio.
His main company, S Tysoe Installations was bought in March 2021 by The P & M Group, the parent company of Gloucester-based coldstore construction and maintenance specialists ISD Solutions.
After a three-year transition period Mr Tysoe, aged 61, has now retired, saying he is confident the company he founded is “in good hands”. His other business interests will continue to be managed in his absence by staff and associates.
Mr Tysoe’s retirement gift to himself is the commissioning of a cutting-edge, 60ft Oyster sailing yacht, christened ‘Distraction 3’, in which he will sail around the world for the next year and a half.
The boat will set sail from Ipswich to Guernsey before a potentially stormy few days to Gran Canaria, where the trans-Atlantic voyage, expected to take around 18 days, begins in earnest.
A crew of four will then see Distraction 3 sail from the Caribbean island of St Lucia in early January as part of a flotilla of some 200 boats in the World ARC adventure race for 2025-26.
“I’ve sailed the Atlantic before,” he said, “and covered some 40,000 nautical miles in trips over the years. But this is going to be my biggest challenge.
“I’m an adventurer – I always have been, whether it’s mountaineering, helicopter flying, or rally car driving. Now I’m retired I’m lucky enough to be able to take on this journey and raise some funds for charities, doing valuable work tied in with The P & M Group’s environmental and social values.
“I’m excited about the trip and we’re well prepared. It’s going to be quite a journey.”
Tony Wall, managing director of The P & M Group, said: “We’re really excited for Simon and wish him all the best for the next 18 months. What an incredible opportunity for him and something which is richly deserved after a fabulous career in business.
