Jon’s Group Shines A Guiding Light On GAP’s Growth
Lighthouse Business Club, founded by experienced business leader Jon Malton, has played a significant role in supporting the growth and strategic development of GAP Northeast Limited, one of the UK’s leading recycling and waste electrical items companies.
Through its structured peer-to-peer advisory groups, Lighthouse Business Club has helped GAP navigate complex decisions around investment, expansion, and long-term strategy, contributing to the company’s continued success and projected turnover of £30 million this year.
GAP Northeast Limited was founded by former Royal Navy submariner Peter Moody, who transitioned from military service to entrepreneurship by starting a fridge recycling operation. Today, GAP processes thousands of fridges a day, handles millions of disposable vapes annually, and operates one of the most tightly regulated and well-invested recycling facilities in the UK.
Lighthouse Business Club is not a networking organisation. It is a confidential peer-to-peer advisory community for business owners, managing directors, and senior leaders of companies with a turnover of over £1 million. Members meet every six weeks to work through real business challenges, learn from world-class speakers, and draw on the collective experience of peers from non-competing industries.
Founder Jon Malton brings decades of senior-level business experience to the club. His career began at Northern Foods, one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, where he gained exposure across production, sales, marketing, finance, and leadership roles in multiple locations nationwide. He later worked closely with Lord Chris Haskins, former chairman of Northern Foods and a key business adviser to the UK Government.
Jon went on to build and sell his own successful milk round business before spending 25 years with family-owned firm Ringtons, working his way through the ranks to become Managing Director.
At the age of 55, Jon stepped away from full-time corporate leadership to establish Lighthouse Business Club, allowing him to continue helping businesses grow—without the day-to-day pressures of running a large organisation.
One notable example of Lighthouse’s impact on GAP was a proposed expansion into Scotland. After tabling the opportunity within the group, GAP refined its approach, re-engaged with the Scottish Government, and successfully established a new operation north of the border, creating jobs and extending the company’s footprint.
Peter Moody, Managing Director of GAP Northeast Limited, said:
“Working with Jon and Lighthouse Business Club has been invaluable. The advice and challenge from people who have genuinely been there before helped us make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes. The support around our expansion plans was a real turning point for the business.”
Jon added:
“Lighthouse Business Club exists to help leaders make better decisions. GAP is a brilliant example of what happens when experience, openness, and ambition come together. Seeing businesses like Peter’s grow, create jobs, and do things the right way is exactly why Lighthouse exists.”
Lighthouse Business Club currently supports more than 80 members across six groups in the North East and Cumbria. Membership is open to established businesses with turnover in excess of £1 million, ensuring a high-trust environment where leaders can speak openly and gain practical, experience-led insight.
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Photo: (L-R)Harry Tomlinson (Commercial Manager), Jon Malton, Peter Moody (CEO), Nathan Lowrey (Senior Commercial Manager) (The Bigger Picture Agency)
Photo: Jon with Peter (The Bigger Picture Agency)
PR and Media keitH@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951 PR and media keith@highlightspr.co.uk 07814 397951