“He lives by values”

Very private, very genuine, guided by clear values: these words perhaps best describe John Herbert, initiator and general secretary of the European DIY Retailers Association (Edra) and recipient of the DIY Lifetime Award from the German home improvement sector.
The laudation was delivered by Manfred Valder, a long-standing member of Hornbach's executive board and a previous winner of the award. "He lives by values," said Valder of Herbert, referring primarily to his approach of doing everything for the customer and the respect that he has always shown for his colleagues. And of course: "He really knows everything."
In a very personal response that was coloured by his British sense of humour, John Herbert expressed his thanks for the award and the sustained applause. He specifically named companions and people who had made an impression on him, such as Obi founder Manfred Maus. He also used the podium to appeal to the industry to take part in the world-leading trade shows staged in Germany. He concluded his address with the words: "I'm a very, very lucky man."