A landmark photography project
Photography by Aleks Paluszek and Weronika Kordonska
Born in Salford in 1964, Ged Mason OBE is the CEO of Morson International, Britain's leading manpower services company. The organisation specialises in supplying skilled white collar staff - engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers - to the aerospace, defence, nuclear, rail, oil, gas and construction sectors.
Ged's father Gerry started Morson International in 1969 from their family home in Eccles. Staying true to its roots, Morson International's new 10 million headquarters remains in the town, located on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal.
Ged - who has been at the helm of the business since his father moved abroad in 1997, first started with the company in 1986 and explains how he began his career at the bottom.
With an annual turnover of 800+ million, Morson's clients include: BAE Systems, Airbus, Network Rail, Transport for London and the British Nuclear Group.
“I started as ‘brew boy’! I eventually had experience in all departments to properly understand the business. The great blessing was to eventually share an office with my late father where I truly learned his principles of value-based leadership.”
Ged and Sir Alex in the winning enclose at Aintree, 2010
Ged with former WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla
“I’m a Red through and through,” he says. “I was weaned on watching George Best and Denis Law. How could you not be hooked on it after that? Football is still my first love but racing is a very close second.”
Morson International are generous benefactors to charitable causes within the region, including: The Seashell Trust, Engineering Excellence Scholarships, University of Salford Makerspace project and Destination Florida - causes close to Ged's heart.
Ged's massive interest in sport is reflected in his many sports sponsorships, including: Co owning Sale Sharks RFU, Salford Triathlon, Paul Nicholls Stables along with up and coming sportsmen and women from the world of boxing, golf and horse racing.
Ged successfully co owns race horses with close friend Sir Alex Ferguson, combining his two sporting passions of football and horse racing.
“I’m a Red through and through,” he says. “I was weaned on watching George Best and Denis Law. How could you not be hooked on it after that? Football is still my first love but racing is a very close second.”
THE SHOOT: Morson International, Salford
The state of art Morson head quarters, located just one mile away from where the company was founded
Student reflection: Weronika Kordonska
"This shoot gave me the opportunity to step out my comfort zone and try something new. Morson’s high tech HQ was intimidating, but we were made to feel really welcome on our arrival. We started our photography in the boardroom to capture some formal images. Ged then guided us around the building and we took the opportunity to select interesting locations, taking advantage of the brightly lit stairs and landings. We finally completed our shoot outside the building in an attempt to include some of the Morson signage in the photography. The images we produced have variety and show Ged’s friendly personality. Although a successful businessman, he was extremely down to earth and very interested in our photography and future careers. The shoot was a challenging but pleasurable experience."
