Under-age designers on the right tracks

Jones Garrard director Michael Rodber obviously does not subscribe to the adage about not working with children. For when the consultancy was working on ideas for a bid by GEC Alsthom to supply new Gatwick Express trains, Rodber turned to his offspring. With dad stuck for ideas on a “kid’s coach” for the train, Michael’s sons Tim (aged six) and Jack (aged 11) jumped on board and contributed cartoon character seats, a train track table with boards for snakes ‘n’ ladders and other games, and a cut-out train to vroom around the table. Jones Garrard is giving credit where it is so obviously due and putting the success of the 100m GEC Alsthom bid down to the little Rodbers. What’s the going bonus rate for winning new business? Fifty pence? Or is that just in packaging consultancies?