A Meeting That Changed Everything:

Reflections on Birmingham, Martin Roslyn, and a Historic Pub by Geoff Temperton

Back in 1994, I was a young, somewhat green area manager for Labatt’s, sent on what I thought would be a “routine” rent review at the Birmingham Arms, Dudley Road, Birmingham. The pub itself was steeped in history, with a unique boxing heritage and the kind of character that time can’t fake, rumour had it even Muhammad Ali himself had once called in. But as memorable as the location was, it's the meeting with Martin Roslyn, the business advisor for the licensee, that still echoes in my career and life to this day.

A New Face with Determination

Although Martin was newly established in his advisory practice, his approach during our meeting was far from tentative. He questioned and challenged me from the outset, focusing intensely on the long-term sustainability of the proposed rent increase. His questions cut straight to the core: Was the rent hike viable for the licensee? How would this impact the business long-term? He didn’t just represent his client; he was their champion.

It was no easy ride. Martin interrogated every number and poked holes in any argument that wasn’t watertight. At first, I’ll admit I was taken aback by his persistence, but as the discussion unfolded, it became clear his approach was about far more than just haggling for a lower rent, he genuinely cared about the future of the pub and the people in it.

Reaching a Win-Win

Thanks to Martin’s tenacity (and perhaps a dose of stubbornness on my part), we eventually landed on a fair compromise. The new rental figure was considered a win for all sides, but more importantly, it gave the licensee the best possible shot at continuing to develop this remarkable, historic pub. Looking back, it was a classic “win-win”, but more significantly, it set a new standard for how I approached negotiations and business reviews going forward.

Lessons That Lasted

Something clicked after that meeting. I realised that the best advisors in our business don’t just crunch numbers, they truly understand the peculiarities of the pub and hospitality trade. Martin brought not only astute financial acumen through monthly accounts and stocktaking, but he also appreciated the nuances of each site and its people. He was there to help licensees grow, not just survive.

So much so, in fact, that I reached out to Martin afterwards to ask if I could recommend his services to other tenants and prospects. Despite the grilling he’d given me, I considered him a key ally. I knew that if Roslyns was involved, my tenants stood a much better chance of the kind of success that lasts.

Fast Forward: A Full Circle

Now, 30 years on, I’m privileged to lead the Roslyns Group as Managing Director, with over 15 years' service under my belt. Martin’s approach, putting the development and welfare of clients and colleagues first, remains our ethos. We’ve grown into the UK's leading hospitality provider of accounts, payroll, and stocktaking, but our heart is where it always was: helping people succeed.

At Roslyns, our values are simple but vital, everyone should be happy, have the opportunity to develop to their full potential, and feel valued as an individual and as a part of the team. Whether it’s a historic city pub or our hard-working team behind the scenes, our commitment is to see everyone succeed and grow.

From One Historic Meeting to Many More

That day at the Birmingham Arms, I learned that real business advice goes far beyond the paperwork. It’s about understanding, resilience, and a wholehearted commitment to helping others achieve their best.

Thanks, Martin, for the hard time, for the lessons, and for setting the bar for what it means to truly support this great industry. Here’s to many more years of helping people and our great hospitality industry flourish.

Geoff Temperton CBII

Managing Director, Roslyns Group