Stuart Ferster currently serves as the Executive Director of the digital marketing company Interactive Technology Corporation (ITC) in Manchester, UK. ITC specializes in SEO, website design and development, and social media and online marketing as well as software development. As leaders in their target market, due to the excellent work of their talented staff, ITC works to enhance the positive branding of its clients utilizing these various marketing and support services. The company prides itself on providing clients with an exceptional customer experience.
Stuart Ferster’s success in business should come as no surprise as he hails from a family of successful entrepreneurs. He was born in 1955 to Nancy (Halpern) Ferster and Chaim Ferster. His father owned several successful businesses beginning with a sewing machine repair business after World War II which later evolved into a sewing machine manufacturing company and then transformed to a plastics company specializing in plastic injection moulding which became known as Coral Products. After selling Coral Products, Chaim Ferster and his eldest son, Warren, began a separate plastics venture that produced carrier bags which operated under the name Gaynor Group. Both of the family businesses were successful due in large part to a talented team of employees.
After attending Carmel College, Stuart Ferster got his start in the business world working in both family-run businesses, the Gaynor Group and Coral Products, serving as Production Director. Since establishing himself as a Manchester-based business leader and entrepreneur, Stuart Ferster has spent the past 15 years working to grow Interactive Technology Corporation from a mere handful of employees to over 70 members. As the Executive Director, Stuart Ferster is proud of ITC’s reputation for excellence and the investment they’ve put into their employees. Stuart strongly believes in a philosophy of taking care of the company’s workers to bring out the best their talent has to offer.
Stuart finds it gratifying to have worked with his family to create such a well-respected legacy over the past few decades.
In addition, Stuart Ferster is an active member of Yom Hashoah Manchester, the UK’s largest Holocaust Jewish commemoration center. Stuart seeks to honor the memory of his late father who was a Holocaust survivor. Chaim Ferster survived eight Nazi concentration camps and his stories from this period of his life have been documented as part of The Living Memory of the Jewish Community collection. In tribute to Chaim, the Salford City Council installed an audio solar bench where Chaim regularly walked his dog, Blue, until he passed away at the age of 94. Stuart believes his father’s mission to educate future generations about the Holocaust is vital in order to prevent history from repeating itself.
What’s the most important thing we should know about you?
Stuart Ferster: My faith means a great deal to me; I’m Jewish and proud of it.
Name the most impactful lesson you learned from failure.
Stuart Ferster: Really, I think that’s the only way you learn – through failure. The only way you can be successful is to learn from your own mistakes. You have to take some risks and failure is a common part of that.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Stuart Ferster: I’m most proud of my wonderful family. I feel fortunate to have such a wonderful family. Aside from that, I would have to say my donation of bone marrow to a stranger who had leukemia.
Name a tool you use for work that you can’t live without.
Stuart Ferster: Definitely my iPad. I use it for everything.
What is your favorite hobby and why?
Stuart Ferster: Gardening is the most wonderful activity which I adore. It’s good exercise and you get to appreciate the miracle of nature. I also get my grandchildren involved and they love digging and planting.
Name one small habit that positively impacts your productivity.
Stuart Ferster: Looking after your staff. As well as rewarding your staff. It is important to take the time to listen to them. It’s important to make them feel like an integral part of the operation.
What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
Stuart Ferster: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s a very powerful story based on the Holocaust.
Do you value intelligence or common sense more? Why?
Stuart Ferster: I believe common sense is more important than intelligence because even the most educated people need common sense. Without it they cannot figure out how to do all the essential acts of living. A person does not need knowledge in order to stay safe, healthy, and in good social standing. Common sense is needed for all three of those aspects.
What would you consider to be the perfect day?
Stuart Ferster: Waking up in the morning!
