Christian Tonna: Building Excellence from the Ground Up

From a single apprentice to a team of over 50, Christian Tonna has built Medlec Group into one of Surrey's leading property maintenance contractors. He started as an electrical engineer and created a business that now delivers facilities maintenance, electrical, fire, security, and HVAC solutions to London and the Home Counties.

What drove you to start Medlec in 2007?

Growing up, my dad had his own company and I admired his ambition and drive to create something special. When I first started working as an electrical apprentice, I learnt my trade alongside engineers who were disciplined and very good at their jobs. I continued with the same company after qualifying as an electrician to develop my skill set in various environments. Ultimately, I always knew there would come a time when I was ready to take a leap and start my own business, and 2007 was that year!

I wanted to have the freedom to make my own decisions and create something special myself. I would say many of our fundamental core beliefs within Medlec Group today stem from the valuable experiences I gained in my early years and are one of the reasons Medlec Group is successful. Do the job well, deliver a great service, take pride in what you do and always continue to learn.

How did your background prepare you for running Medlec?

I worked as an apprentice for an electrical contractor in South West London, working in various environments such as education facilities, commercial and retail sites and local authority buildings. I qualified as an electrician and continued developing my education and knowledge within the field.

I also spent 10 years volunteering as a Special Constable with Surrey Police whilst building my business early on. Nothing teaches you about handling pressure quite like that! The experience was invaluable for managing people and staying calm in challenging situations.

Then, in 2018, I was lucky to be selected for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses programme at Oxford Saïd Business School. That opened my eyes to the possibilities of what Medlec Group could become.

How did the Goldman Sachs business programme change things?

It transformed how we operate. Before Oxford, we didn't have a proper business strategy or even a website - we were too busy doing the work to plan properly. The programme helped me step back and look at the bigger picture. Now, we're much more strategic about growth.

What's been your proudest business achievement?

Over the years, there have been many, but the one most recently was being awarded ‘Contractor of the Year’ for Mitchells & Butlers. We have won 3 times now, and each time I’m grateful to receive such recognition for our team's consistent hard work.

I started with just an apprentice and then grew to a team of over 50 employees - that's been incredible. We've built something really special by bringing in brilliant people who really know their profession and can deliver exceptional service to our clients. I always say you need to employ and surround yourself with people who are better than you - that's how you build something that lasts.

How has the industry changed since you started?

The industry has transformed from paper-based systems to smart technology and integrated solutions. We're facing a real skills shortage in construction, too. Young people want instant results rather than putting in the years to master a trade, and with fewer European workers around, finding skilled people is a real challenge.

I'm not so hands-on in the field these days, although recently, I have been wiring parts of my new extension also using it as an opportunity to develop the skill set of some of our apprentices and younger team members. I loved it and forgot how much I enjoyed it. My role now is more about planning and growing the business, assisting the office team in questions they have - that are crucial to the efficiency of the day to day running of Medlec Group.

How do you maintain work-life balance?

It's not easy! When you're providing emergency call-outs at all hours, you can't just switch off at 5 o'clock. There's always someone who needs help or a problem to solve. But that's what we're here for - being there when our customers need us most.

It can be challenging to balance it all; I’m still working towards it, but I think that is a natural process you discover as you grow a business and have a growing young family.

My family life is as busy as my work life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We have three young boys, and they are just brilliant; it is never quiet in our house. I’m lucky to have an amazing wife who supports my decisions and has helped me grow the business to what it has become over the years.

What's next for Medlec Group?

We're looking at some exciting new areas, particularly pharmaceuticals and commercial office maintenance. We've nearly outgrown our current premises and are hunting for something bigger. But whatever we do, maintaining our service standards comes first. I'd like to think we can keep growing whilst staying true to what makes us successful - putting customers first and delivering quality work.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

If you've got a vision, go for it. There'll be plenty of times when you question yourself - that's normal. But if you believe in what you're doing and surround yourself with good people, you'll find a way through. It's not always easy, but it's worth it. The rewards aren't just financial - it's about the freedom to do things your way and make a real difference for your customers and team.