Overview
In the premiere episode of The Glass Girls Podcast, hosts Natalie Beazant and Lauren Addi sit down with Darren Beazant (Founder and Co-owner of Regency Glass) and Wayne Fitzmartin (Company Director) to discuss the humble beginnings, growth, and core values of one of the UK’s most respected glass manufacturing companies – Regency Glass.
00:00 – 00:40 | Introducing the Podcast and Guests
The Glass Girls Podcast debuts with a nostalgic dive into the origins of Regency Glass, a family-run glass company established in 1983.
Hosts welcome Darren Beazant and Wayne Fitzmartin to share their personal journeys and the company’s evolution.
00:40 – 02:38 | How Regency Glass Was Born
Darren left college after realizing academia wasn’t for him, opting instead to join his father at Lilford Glass.
Within 9–10 months, Darren, his father, and colleagues Terry Bates and Roy Hilton broke away to start their own venture – the birth of Regency Glass.
03:00 – 04:23 | Starting from a Shed – The First Workshop
Regency’s first workspace was a rundown shed with no toilets, rented for just £10/week.
Staff used the local café or partner homes for restrooms.
The name “Regency” was inspired by Regent Road, the street Terry lived on.
04:23 – 05:45 | Early Challenges and the Power of Reputation
With no initial customer base or marketing plan, the founders relied on word-of-mouth and hard work.
They took on reworks and rush jobs that other companies refused, gaining a reputation for quality and reliability.
05:45 – 08:34 | Wayne Fitzmartin’s Career Journey
Wayne joined Regency Glass in 1992, transitioning from British Aerospace.
Initially performing basic manual tasks, Wayne was determined to learn as much as he could to add value and stay engaged.
His drive and initiative led to running departments, eventually becoming Director.
08:58 – 11:35 | Mentorship and Company Values
Darren and Wayne both credit their fathers for instilling a strong work ethic and sense of purpose.
Wayne acknowledges Darren’s mentorship, especially during Darren’s 10-year absence (2006–2016) when the business was sold to Corpaq.
Despite being abroad, Darren remained a guiding figure behind the scenes, emphasizing a collaborative leadership style.
11:58 – 13:58 | Regency’s Expansion and Move to New Facility
In 2019, Regency moved into a state-of-the-art facility, significantly enhancing efficiency, work-life balance, and production capacity.
Compared to the original RG1 factory, the new site reduced overtime pressure, provided better tools, and modernized operations.
14:22 – 16:04 | Company Culture and Employee Loyalty
Regency Glass boasts extremely low staff turnover with many employees staying for 20–30+ years.
Remarkably, over 50% of staff have left and later returned, highlighting Regency’s strong company culture and positive work environment.
The workforce has grown from 25 employees in the early 1990s to over 130 today.
16:04 – End | Investment in People and Technology
The management takes pride in offering competitive salaries, top-tier machinery, and a stress-free culture.
Staff are viewed as critical cogs in a larger wheel, with every role – from shop floor to director – seen as equally valuable.
Modern machinery is only effective if paired with skilled and dedicated employees, a principle Regency firmly stands by.
