The Specialist Worx Group Ltd: Best Facility Maintenance Solutions Company MD 2024 (Lancashire): Lee Palmer Featured: SME News- Managing Director of the Year 2024 Accounting & Payroll MD of the Year 2024: Matthew Blane Based in Lancaster, Honest Payroll Limited does exactly what it says on the tin… provides an open and transparent solution to all payroll and accountancy needs for organisations and individuals alike. We speak to the firm’s leader, Matthew Blane, to find out more about the company and its ambitious future plans as he gains notable recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024. Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024
SME News is excited to announce that our popular Managing Director of the Year Awards are returning in 2024! After being introduced to our awards portfolio in 2022, this programme has gone from strength to strength and is now entering its third consecutive year! Here at SME News, we are dedicated to acknowledging the ongoing work of Managing Directors across the UK, as the role is a challenging one that requires high levels of responsibility and business acumen. Top Managing Directors are expected to be proficient leaders who are adept at guiding their company towards growth, profit, and industry recognition. While the specific duties of today’s Managing Directors can be extremely varied depending on sector and organisation size, some important attributes that make for a successful MD include strong leadership, problem-solving, effective communication, people management skills, and a thorough understanding of business strategy and finance. Through overseeing day-today operations, preparing future business plans and growth strategies, and developing professional relationships with staff, customers, and commercial partners, the Managing Director is an influential figure that is often the public face of their company’s mission and values. Phone: +44 (0) 203 970 0010 Website: www.sme-news.co.uk Sofi Parry Senior Editor No information contained on or in this website constitutes investment advice or an offer to invest or to provide management services and is subject to correction, completion and amendment without notice. Neither AI nor any of its associated entities are authorised to give financial advice of any nature nor are they regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Prior to making any investment, AI recommends that any prospective investor should consult with its own investment, accounting, legal and tax advisers to evaluate independently the risks, consequences and suitability of that investment. AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. Managing Director of the Year 2024
34. HAVi Technologies Ltd: Specialist Industrial Health & Safety MD: Kate Louise Cole 35. EFM Global: Best International Logistics MD 2024: Mike Llewellyn 36. Badger & Combes: Most Innovative Digital Media Production MD 2024 (North West England): Colin McKevitt 37. Solicitude Training Ltd: Best Health & Social Care Sector Training Provider MD 2024: Jenny Gibson 38. Eleve: Renewables & Alternative Tech Re cruitment MD of the Year 2024: Dominic Kendal 39. Complexa HPE: Medical Injection Mould Solutions MD of the Year 2024: Paul McHugh 40. Commerce Business Systems: IT Support Solutions MD of the Year 2024 (Northern England): John Green 41. GK Telecom Ltd: GK Telecom MD of the Year 2024 - Navaratnam, Ravi 42. Crisp Vocational Provision Limited: Youth Vocational Skills Training MD of the Year 2024: Kev Crisp 43. Allseas Global Logistics Limited: Most Innovative Logistics & Freight Forwarding MD 2024: Andy Whitehouse 44. Milford Research and Consultancy Limited: Best Collaborative Business Management Company MD 2024 (West Midlands): Dr Robert Milford 45. Peerless Plastics & Coatings Ltd: Plastics Manufacturing MD of the Year 2024: Peter Llewellyn-Stamp 46. Kinver Business Solutions Ltd: Best Project & Programme Management MD 2024 (West Midlands): Darowen Jones 47. Eat IT Drink IT Ltd: Hospitality IT MD of the Year 2024: Cliff Gurdin 48. Monica Jones: Best Strategic IT Consulting MD 2024: Monica Jones 4. Honest Payroll Limited: Accounting & Payroll MD of the Year 2024: Matthew Blane 6. Senate Group: Best M&E Engineering MD 2024 (NW England): Kiera Vogel 8. ppac: Best Construction Sector Compliance Company MD 2024 (London): Dean Tuhey 10. RPMG Global Limited: Best Building Fabrics Maintenance MD 2024: Chris Cummins 12. SES Engineering Services: Most Innovative M&E Business Leader 2024 (York): Steve Joyce 14. Midshire Signature Services Ltd: Best Independent Specialist Catering Contractor 2024 (Cheshire): Sue Bradwell 16. Davis Wright Haulage Ltd: Construction Haulage MD of the Year 2024 (East of England): Adam Davis-Wright 18. DSSL Group Ltd: Most Innovative Security Solutions MD 2024 (East of England): Aaron Stephens 20. KLS Martin UK: Most Innovative Medical Technology Solutions MD 2024: Simon Clarke 22. Clarity Occupational Health: Occupational Health Services MD of the Year 2024 (Northern England): Andy Campbell 24. Mondrelog Ltd: Best Automation & Engi neering Services MD 2024 (East Midlands): Algis Litvinas 26. Earth Hub Limited: Environmental Consultancy MD of the Year 2024 (West Midlands): Darren Fyles 28. The Specialist Worx Group Ltd: Best Facility Maintenance Solutions Company MD 2024 (Lancashire): Lee Palmer 30. Service Electrical Distributors Ltd: Best Electrical Wholesaler MD 2024 (NW England): Marc Redfern 32. Brit Alliance Ltd: International Private Security MD of the Year 2024: Kyle Thorburn Contents
49. Deflecto Europe: Acrylic Fabrication MD of the Year 2024: Adrian Mayes 50. Carbon Gold Ltd: Garden Products MD of the Year 2024: Sue Rawlings 51. Hi-Line Industries Limited: Bespoke Com pressed Air Product Manufacturing MD of the Year 2024: Steven Smith 52. Western Counties Roofing Ltd: Sustainable Roofing Solutions MD of the Year 2024 (Devon): Dave White 53. MG Cannon Ltd: Best Vehicle Bodyshop Managing Director 2024 (England): Dan Wareham 54. KAST Renewable Energies Ltd: Low Energy & Electrical Engineering MD of the Year 2024: Kes Scott 55. Moda Living: Best Rental Living Neighbourhood Development MD 2024 (North Yorkshire): Richard Smith 56. Briggs & Forrester Special Project: Construction MD of the Year 2024 (England): Tim Cunningham 57. Green Gourmet Ltd: Food Innovation MD of the Year 2024: Mike Hanley 58. Liberty Jai: Best e-Commerce Logistics Consultancy MD 2024: Jerrad Hampson 59. Washstation Limited: Laundry Solutions MD of the Year 2024: Katy Mitchell 60. SFH Maintenance Limited: Most Innovative Design & Engineering MD 2024 (Surrey): Mike Thornton 61. Anturas Consulting Ltd: Most Client Focused Construction MD 2024: Catherine Leech 62. Heartbeat: Retail & Hospitality Fit-Out MD of the Year 2024 (West Midlands): David Myles 63. Northside Truck & Van: Commercial Vehicle Dealership MD of the Year 2024: Keith Sims 64. The Loo of the Year Awards Ltd: Best Public Hygiene Promotion Organisation MD 2024: Becky Wall 65. Y-our Network Group Ltd: Best Communications Company MD 2024 (the Midlands): Justin Worthington 66. Anchor Foster Care: Most Supportive Foster Care MD 2024 (Kent): Farayi Chinyemba 67. Devoted Healthcare: Most Trusted Healthcare Agency MD 2024 (Berkshire): Daniel Mphande 68. Timber Buildings Limited: Best Glamping Pod Manufacturer MD 2024 (North West England): Sam Westworth 69. Creative Ideaz UK Ltd: Digital Marketing Business Leader of the Year 2024 (Midlands): Sumit Kumar 70. Harris Fairfax Interiors: Interior Design & Home Staging MD of the Year 2024 (Southern England): Rebecca Harris 71. eventFULL: Best Exhibition Stand Company MD 2024: Emile Sade 72. Ecosafe Group: Best Construction & Maintenance MD 2024 (Dorset): Adam Marston 73. Water Fuel Engineering Limited: Clean Energy R&D Business Leader of the Year 2024 (Northern England): Alexander Nenov 74. Opergy Group: Clean Energy & Technology MD of the Year 2024: Johnathan Reynolds 75. Humber EC&I: Most Innovative Engineering Solutions MD 2024 (Hull): Robert Morgan 76. Fired Up Leaders: Leadership Training MD of the Year 2024 (Southern England): Nicola Lyle 77. Persona Media: Thought Leadership & Marketing MD of the Year 2024: Bryn Bowen 78. Star Property Group: Property Solutions MD of the Year 2024 (South East England): Vashikeh Clarke & SME News Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award 2024
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SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 6 Based in Lancaster, Honest Payroll Limited is your consultative payroll and accountancy partner offering tailored solutions across multiple sectors around the globe. Here we speak to the firm’s leader, Matthew Blane, to find out more about the company and its ambitious plans for the future as he gains notable recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024. Honest Payroll’s journey first began back in December 2022 and was driven by a desire to raise the bar in umbrella payroll and a passion for delivering world-class customer service to contractors, agencies, and clients. In just eighteen months, its achievements have been nothing short of remarkable. The company has meticulously built its systems, software, policies, and procedures, laying a solid foundation for growth, all the while recruiting an exceptional team of experts in its field along the way. Today, Honest Payroll offers a fresh, individual, and powerful approach to payroll and accounting services. One that cuts through all the complexities, is always compliant, and serves up the right solutions that meet its end users’ needs. Its continuing success has enabled it to expand internationally, establishing Honest International in Dubai and launching its latest brand, Honest Accountancy. Here, Matthew Blane, Managing Director of Honest Payroll, shares his insights on the company’s foundations, its people, and core values. “Honesty and transparency sit at the heart of everything we do here,” he says. “We strive to do the right thing in an ethical and respectful way, whilst also being accountable and taking ownership. Behind the scenes, you’ll find a close knit, approachable team of experts who all share a strong customer first approach.” As a seasoned senior manager, with more than 25 years’ worth of experience, Matthew’s journey into the world of contractor payroll and accounting started nearly ten years ago. Prior to this, he worked in recruitment servicing the energy sector in various roles across the world for almost twenty years. “I have a great understanding of both of these industries and their respective supply chains,” he elaborates. “This experience has given me a strong grasp of what worldclass customer service looks like for our contractors, agencies, and clients – and crucially, how to deliver it. I’m well versed in strategy creation and implementation, with a proven track record in identifying, creating, and realising opportunities within a local, national, and international environment. That, combined with an industry that's crying out for compliance, was the driving force behind why I first set out to create Honest Payroll Limited and I’ve never looked back.” He continues, “What sets Honest Payroll apart is our innovative approach, encapsulated in the “Honest Journey”, a journey founded on three core principles: transparency, individuality, and seamlessness.” Matthew’s approach to management and leadership is very much an extension of the recruitment process. He believes that, whilst skillset and experience are of course important when recruiting, understanding, and prioritising behavioural profiles can also play a big part and he actively searches for candidates who share Honest Payroll’s core values and approach. It’s how he’s been able to build such a passionate, empowered, and agile team who all share such a strong moral compass. Post on-boarding, everyone is brought up to speed with the company’s vision and values so that they all share a full and rounded understanding of the “Honest Way” of working and where the business is heading. “We really do operate an open-door culture here,” Matthew tells us. “Everyone has a voice and we’re dedicated to investing in our people through continuous learning and development, ensuring our team is always at the forefront of industry advancements.” Matthew’s leadership approach centres upon several components which together Accounting & Payroll MD of the Year 2024: Matthew Blane
make up the company’s wider objectives. These include: the vision; empowering the team; engaging the team; three-year business plan; 12-month focus (strategy); quarterly strategy sessions; weekly pulse meetings; and accountability. “Our three-year vision is broken into annual segments with a granular focus on the coming year. This is broken down further into quarterly commitments which are then further granulised into weekly bitesize chunks. Our weekly meetings provide a communication platform for the team where together we can track progress and table any issues. All in all, I find that great communication, structure, engagement, and empowerment are what makes the dream work.” Recently, thanks to his pro-active approach and laser focus, Matthew gained notable recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards and was bestowed with the prestigious and coveted title of Accounting & Payroll MD of the Year 2024. Now, as the future beckons, Matthew has a solid vision of what he wants the business to achieve over the next five years. Namely, his aim is to be a top-ten provider in the United Kingdom within five years, with further expansion in international markets and subsequent complimentary brands. Over the next 12 months alone, Matthew hopes to see the firm doubling in size. “Achieving our ambitious vision isn’t something I can do alone. Having the right people, in the right seats with the right mindsets and cultural values is going to be crucial in getting us there. The team has to buy into the vision and be able to see the reality of what we can achieve, not just as individuals but as a collaborative team.” It’s also important for Matthew to have the right rewards in place. Financial reward will understandably be a priority for most people, but he has learned to never underestimate the power of a happy, engaged, and motivated workplace where people feel valued. “In hindsight, my approach to management today has in many ways been shaped by learning from past experiences in businesses where they didn’t always get it right. These lessons have underscored the importance of having the right team around you, which I believe is crucial for success and something I never take for granted.” Just a few of the services that Honest Payroll provides include: • Employment: Full PAYE employment, including pension, holiday entitlement, expenses, and statutory benefits. • Professional Employment Organisation (PEO): Transparent solutions with fixed gross rates and no deductions beyond statutory PAYE, ensuring clear payslips. • Self-Employed/CIS: Flexibility of selfemployment while we handle contracts, payments, and necessary insurances. • Limited Company: Complete compliance with all company and agency legislation, using a self-billing system for clear and concise paperwork, with access to required insurances. When asked about what the future holds, Matthew shares, “The future has never looked brighter or more exciting for Honest Payroll. Our recent expansion into international markets, coupled with the launch of new brands like Honest Accountancy, marks just the beginning. As we continue to grow and evolve, our mission remains clear: to provide unparalleled service and compliance, empowering contractors, agencies, and clients worldwide. The journey ahead is filled with promise, and the team and I are ready to embrace every opportunity that comes our way. So, yes, here’s to a future of growth, success, and making a real difference in the industry. Watch this space!” Contact Details Contact: Matthew Blane Company: Honest Payroll Limited Web Address: www.honestpayroll.co.uk
SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 8 Senate Group was established in 2002 and is an expert in providing mechanical engineering and construction services throughout the UK, where it has developed an enviable reputation for quality and integrity. By offering a full range of services direct to public or private sector clients, Senate Group gives diversity to its extensive portfolio, aiming to deliver the best service to its customers with a flexible yet focused approach. Senate specialises in the design, supply, install, test, commission and maintenance across all of its M&E projects, offering bespoke and cost-effective solutions to its clients. The Group also offers a full range of construction services, planned and reactive maintenance services, as well as being highly experienced in the installation of ground source technologies. At Senate Group, the team of dedicated specialists know everything there is to know about a project and how to ensure it is completed on time and on budget. Similarly, focusing on getting the job done right first time and building strong, longterm relationships with clients is of huge importance to them. Mechanical The in-house teams’ expertise ensures a proactive approach to allow a smooth delivery programme for customers from tender through to completion. Senate is always looking to provide a collaborative and inclusive approach with other trades, maximising a project’s potential. Bringing a proactive and flexible approach to understanding its client’s requirements, Senate Group’s ultimate goal is to deliver a high-quality installation on time and within budget. Electrical Electrical engineers and contractors at Senate Group have the in-house knowledge and experience to design, install, test and commission electrical services to the highest standards. The company specialises in all aspects of electrical installation, Liverpool-based Senate Group specialises in all aspects of mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering and construction services, with more than 100 years' worth of combined experience and knowledge of working across a wide range of different sectors including education, healthcare, housing, retail and leisure. We find out more from MD, Kiera Vogel, as she gains notable recognition in this year’s Managing Director of the Year Awards. electrical testing and maintenance as well as lighting refurbishments and is highly skilled in carrying out complex engineering projects from inception to completion with the help of directly employed Project Managers, Supervisors and Electricians. Construction With a solid reputation for undertaking educational, healthcare, community facilities, housing, retail and internal refurbishment projects for both public and private sector clients, Projects can range from primary schools to special educational needs schools, colleges and further education facilities. Kiera Vogel is Co-Owner and Managing Director at Senate Group. Here, she tells us more about what makes the business unique… its people. “At Senate, we want to break the tradition of what a company should be,” she begins. “We’re an award-winning business, which leads from the front. Our people are our culture and together with our values, they drive us to be the best we can be. We recognise the importance of having an inclusive culture in which all of our people can thrive and where they are not afraid of bringing their whole self to work.” Best M&E Engineering MD 2024 (NW England): Kiera Vogel
By embracing diversity and inclusivity, Senate Group is able to offer different skills, ideas, approaches and expertise to its business and ultimately to its clients – thinking differently about the problems it can tackle. In 2021, Senate was crowned LGBTQ+ Business of the Year, which saw it beat some very tough competition to lift the trophy. This award win proves that Senate Group likes to do things differently to everyone else and its culture around the business supports this. “The true value of Senate rests within its people, and we understand that not everyone is the same, we all bring different ideas and talents to the team,” enthuses Kiera. “We are committed to developing those talents, so you can grow and develop in your role with us, no matter what stage in your career you join us, we are here to help you succeed!” The company offers all of its people access to a suite of structured learning opportunities, whether that’s online courses, mentoring opportunities or more bespoke training sessions, Senate Group aims to support every team member and encourages them to be the best they can be. As an employee of Senate Group, staff members can also benefit from the Employee Reward Scheme, which includes access to Lifestyle Discounts, including Gym discounts, Bike Scheme, Technology Scheme, Motorsave Scheme, Voluntary (Direct Debit), Health Cash Plan, Health Assessments, and Financial Planning help and advice. Senate Group is also committed to the next generation of M&E and construction employees by working with Thrive, a careers hub in Liverpool city centre, established to help connect careexperienced young people find employers across the region. Since it opened in late 2020, Thrive has helped hundreds of young people find their direction in life. Senate Group works with Thrive to give young care leavers the opportunity of apprenticeships in various trades including electrical, mechanical and construction-based learning. “Being able to offer apprenticeships and to be a positive influence in someone’s life is what Senate is all about,” enthuses Kiera. “We work closely with Thrive Careers Hub in order to ensure that everyone has access to the industry. We have also supported Thrive by donating coffee shop equipment so they can make their coffee shop a one-stop-shop for young people to drop into and enjoy.” As a Liverpool based company, and very proud of where it came from, the company vision runs through everything it does, with care and attention to detail being key to how Senate Group operates, working across the North West and beyond. As part of its ‘giving something back’ initiative, Senate Group has been actively supporting the local Liverpool based foodbanks for many years now. Kiera feels it is important to support those communities in which the Group works in order to help them to thrive. And the company doesn’t just donate money and food to the foodbanks, it also enjoys using volunteering hours to help and support wherever possible. In the last few years, Senate Group has donated over £4,000 to local foodbanks, as well as volunteering with various projects. “It is hugely important to us that we have a positive impact on everything we do – not just in our day-to-day work, but we also want to have an impact across the communities in which we work as well,” Kiera says. “We understand the importance of making an impact in the communities in which we live and work.” Recently, in recognition of her incredible leadership skills at the helm of Senate Group, Kiera was bestowed with the prestigious accolade of Best M&E Engineering MD 2024 (NW England). This title is testament to the dedication and commitment that Kiera has shown to the industry, her team, and the local area in which she lives and operates. “Our commitment is always to our customers,” Kiera enthuses. “At Senate group, we pride ourselves on always putting the customer first.” Contact Details Contact: Kiera Vogel Company: Senate Group Web Address: www.senategroup.co.uk
SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 10 Best Construction Sector Compliance Company MD 2024 (London): Dean Tuhey The construction industry is an ever-growing entity not only in the UK, but around the world. This evolution makes finding the right products and services absolutely vital, which is why we’re so pleased to present ppac to our readers. After spending many years of his career in construction recruitment, Dean Tuhey created a committed ID authentication system to alleviate issues with the entire recruitment process for the construction industry. We spoke with Dean following his recent success in our Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024. Dean Tuhey started out in the construction sector in 2003 as a Senior Construction Consultant for FastTrack Management Services Ltd., where he was responsible for all blue collar recruitment for many projects, large and small scale. Dean has worked on iconic projects such as the Terminal 2 project at Heathrow, Tideway Infrastructure, and HS2, which require years of high quality skill, giving him an edge on the competition and the experience needed to know how to make a real difference to the construction industry. Dean told us, “Heathrow was all about direct employment. So, benefits, rights for workers, passport and right to work checks, competency, work history, and criminal record checks, all for the highly secure environment in the construction employment market.” This security process is absolutely integral to any industry, but the construction sector was always Dean’s focus. As the laws, regulations, and compliance chains change, so must we. The intricacies of the legal realm aren’t for the faint hearted, and individuals must make sure fraudulent documents and imperfect situations don’t have the chance to arise. Ensuring all labour is managed correctly, with no exploitation or room for disaster, Dean has worked hard to get to where he is now – not simply for his own career, but for the livelihood of other businesses, projects, and, of course, people. The 13 years he spent with FastTrack Management Services only solidified Dean’s determination to make a difference. His specialist roles within the establishment continued to fuel the fire which led him to forming his own enterprise only a year after he left his most recent role of Business Development Manager for Major Projects in 2015. As ppac Founder and Managing Director, Dean brought his company into the world in 2016 to continuously improve the construction industry’s efficacy, compliance, quality, and overall expansion. From 2016 onwards, ppac has swiftly become a leader in construction by building on its existing ID authentication software. Its software doesn’t just look for one specific document, it searches through immigration status approval, validating steps throughout their onboarding process from biometric residence permit, visas, to right to work share code documents, including any criminal records they may have. This ensures that everything is known from the very beginning, and the right people can be applied to the roles required for any size project. ppac ever-evolving software now has the ability to compile all qualifications and experience into industry skill cards, under one umbrella, to ensure that directly employed and self-employed construction workers can showcase their skills from the get-go. This not only saves time in trying to find a job, or a worker to fill a role, but it also saves time and difficulties should the individual not be the right fit to begin with. Giving the construction industry the power to do all of this entirely remotely, Dean and his team at ppac are truly elevating the way we look at employment checks and ID authentication – always for the better. ppac USP is certainly its seasoned approach. With Dean at the helm, cherry-picking the best of the best for his team, the company has a notable air of excellence when it comes to growth, passion, and action. Rooted in years of industry experience, Dean’s leadership style is entirely supported by what he has seen throughout his own career – as well as where he sees the future of ppac. Dean commented, “You can’t do everything on your own, even if you’re passionate about something. I learnt very early on that I’m not a lone ranger and I hire people for different aspects of the business.” As each part of the ppac team is responsible for key areas of government legislation, GDPR, labour expectations and requirements, translation, end-to-end products and services, and transforming ideas into reliable technology, Dean has cultivated an environment where everyone at ppac has a special place at the table – each bringing their individual experience and unique skill to the end product. Dean added, “As a leader, you don’t have to learn coding, but you can understand the logic behind things and terms to be understood. It’s about collaboration and motivation, supporting the team, learning from any issues, and moving in a positive motivating direction. You end up knowing everything about the market, and areas you thought you never would.” The team’s shared goal is to make ppac software accessible to all, so that everyone can have an easy employment journey. Working with Tier 1 contractors, subcontractors, labour hire agencies, and Pay roll providers, ppac future is looking to be bustling and bright as it continues to expand its reach. No matter what challenges ppac has faced over the years, such as the pandemic’s restrictions, the team has pulled together to create opportunities for themselves and the construction industry as a whole. Dean encourages his team to continue learning and looking forward to the years to come. As technology continues to evolve, so does ppac; with the support of their managing director the team has access to all they need to feel confident and able to scale together.
These positive business relationships stem from Dean’s industry experience where mutual trust is essential. He has created a place where the entire team can work together towards one common goal: to continuously improve the industry for all. With new trends in the market, ppac is currently working on its support module so that end users can have everything in one place with all they could need at their fingertips. Dean knows just how important this is to the giant industry and looks forward to pushing further with the software over the years to come. Striking a balance between looking after the team when needed and making sure everyone’s doing their best work is something that every managing director grapples with. But Dean’s formula for success has meant that over two decades have gone by with continuous improvements, contributions to the industry, and the expansion of a small yet mighty business which is sure to spread overseas to the EU and US markets. Everything that ppac strives to do falls under its mission to protect the construction industry, and we’re sure that – with its software’s capabilities – the construction industry is not the only place that can be improved. As ppac software, team, and ambitions grow, the construction industry strengthens, and we’re set to see the company’s impact spread both nationally and internationally. With new locations comes new compliance laws and regulations, and challenges, but ppac has proven itself time and time again to be the top choice for the industry. Winning Best Construction Sector Compliance Company MD 2024, London, Dean’s success in this year’s Managing Director of the Year Awards is closely linked to his rich experience in the industry, but also a direct result of what he has turned his experience into – ppac. Contact: Dean Tuhey Company: ppac Web Address: www.ppac-id.co.uk
SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 12 Based in the Northwest but operating on a National scale RPMG is making a splash (and then cleaning it up) in the building fabrics maintenance sector. Formed in the aftermath of the pandemic trading conditions, RPMG faced tough battles from the beginning. Supported by the strength, determination, and experience of their Managing Director, Chris Cummins, with some help from supply chain partners, consultants, and clients RPMG fought valiantly to keep providing the best building maintenance in the game. Following the first job complete, RPMG never broke their stride. Then, by their second year, it was clear that the hard work was beginning to pay off. The company is so humbled and they couldn’t be more grateful for the support they have experienced. From those who follow and support their LinkedIn, all the way through to the individuals who have trusted them and seen the remarkable results they produce on a consistent basis. Upon seeing their high levels of success, RPMG saw more opportunities to expand and grow with partnerships and faculty. Initially, partnering with Michelle from Hola HR to support their business with highquality HR and expert advice. This was closely followed by recruitment within the Operations Team. Throughout their journey, they focused on demonstrating their reliability and building trust with both partners and clients to create a strong, reputable brand built with the foundations of a strong and ethical ethos. Their ethos is built on a strong foundation of their four key values: Safety first: All staff are trained in the latest industry safety standards, can quickly identify new solutions and are always honing their craft to pass knowledge on to their customers and partners. Sustainability matters: Sustainability is at the heart of everything they do. RPMG works with supply chain partners, operates with HVO-powered equipment, recovers on-site applications, and adapts to ethical trends as they arise. Furthermore, when working, they always try to recover older materials and reuse them on-site to contribute to the circular economy as a result of the significant impact the building, construction and maintenance sector has on the environment. Personalised service: Their customer service is built on face-to-face communication. This means they will always be on hand to address your needs, keep you in the loop and go the extra mile to finish a project ahead of schedule. Collaboration is key: Values matter to RPMG and they build long-term partnerships with like-minded businesses to provide added value to all of their customers. They already work with so many titans of industry and are always looking to meet more like-minded businesses who share their vision of providing impeccable building fabric maintenance around the nation. If you’re interested in having a conversation with them, please get in touch! RPMG care about customers and their assets. This is why they split their services into four distinct sectors, ensuring efficient and effective conversations with valued customers leading to first-class results. The four services include: Maintenance: If left to dilapidate, buildings are extremely costly to repair for investors, landlords, property developers, retailers, and anyone else who has a physical space they rely on for business. From facades to glazing, maintenance is crucial across all aspects of a structure and ensures your asset remains in top condition. Cleaning: Whether you own a building or have a business in a certain space, it’s a major investment. It’s your money, time and effort on the line and if you aren’t maintaining a property in the right way, you aren’t going to see the return on investment. Safety Systems: As a building stakeholder, it’s crucial to have the right systems in place to maintain a high level of safety and meet the rigorous compliance and working at height standards that go along with the role. Without these systems, building maintenance workers and visitors are at risk, your asset will depreciate in value and you’ll lose money on costly repairs. Access: High-rise buildings and skyscrapers are among the most lucrative buildings to have in a portfolio. It’s crucial to carry out the right maintenance work to see a return on investment and this often requires work that needs to be done at great heights. There needs to be a balance between a strong access system and a team that has the skills to use this system safely and that’s where RPMG comes in. If you’re looking to protect your assets in an efficient, effective, sustainable way whilst remaining in line with the rigorous UK safety compliance laws, remove the headache and get in touch with the experts at height today! Contact: Chris Cummins Company: RPMG Global Limited Website: http://rpmg-global.com/ Best Building Fabrics Maintenance MD 2024: Chris Cummins
SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 14 Starting his career as an apprentice he worked his way up the ladder developing his experience, technical skills and leadership style to get to where he is today. From an Electrical Foreman, Supervisor, Project Engineer, Project Manager, Operations Manager, Operations Director, Regional Director and finally, Managing Director, he really has done it all. Over the years he has helped secure flagship projects, resulting in considerable profit for the North, including Drax Power Station, Hitachi Rail, Darlington Education Village, Life and Mind Building, AESC Gigafactory and SeAH Monopile to name a few. He also created partnerships with long-term customers through Education, MOJ and Healthcare frameworks, many of which the business still works with today. Championing the use of offsite manufacturing, Steve was a key player in the creation of SES’ original offsite factory Prism, maximising the benefits across the business. Steve transitioned into the Managing Director Role during a turbulent time of lockdown’s, furloughs and health fears. He took on the challenge, working around the clock to support the business, staff and supply chain, prioritising health & safety and wellbeing. For Steve, it’s not just about the projects, it’s about the people. He is passionate about mentoring his team and encouraging their development and is an advocate for supporting new talent into the industry. Steve’s impact on those he has worked with over his impressive career is undeniable. Talking to some of his colleagues, you can see just how much he has shaped their experience in the industry and the positive contribution he has made. Testimonials “I started with SES as an apprentice electrician 19 years ago. As the only female tradesperson on the books it was daunting. Steve supported me from day one. As my career has grown, he has provided advice, opportunities, and guidance. The mentoring and shadowing opportunities have been invaluable, building my business knowledge and technical understanding, but most of all my confidence. Steve has always been an advocate for creating an inclusive culture and I truly believe he is part of the reason the diversity in our leadership and wider Having been with SES Engineering Services for 30 years, Steve Joyce, Regional Managing Director has played a key role in shaping the business and has been instrumental in its success in the North. It has been said by many people, that for them Steve is SES – epitomising the true impact he’s had on those he’s met and the projects he’s managed. Most Innovative M&E Business Leader 2024 (York): Steve Joyce
business is growing each year.” Rachel Schofield, Proposals Manager, SES “I have worked with Steve for 24 years and he has been instrumental in supporting me to achieve the position I am in today. Steve motivates me to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone and is always at the end of the phone if I need support or advice.” Sam Johnson, Regional Social Value Manager, SES “Since the day I began my journey with SES, Steve has been a voice of reason, a visible figure and naturally, somebody to look up to. He is a true testament that with hard work and dedication, the world really is your oyster. With extreme amounts of knowledge and experience, he has always shown humbleness and eagerness to collaborate with all levels of the business. As well as ensuring the success of the company, Steve also prioritises the wellbeing and success of his staff.” Megan Bailey, Assistant Proposals Manager, SES “Having worked with Steve in one guise or another for over 25 years I have watched him develop into the leader he is today. His charisma and passion for the business, our people and our customers are his USP - and through this he has inspired countless successes. From a personal perspective he has always been supportive and open-minded to my ideas; challenging and advocating with exactly the right balance. I am delighted for him that he has received this recognition.” Paul Newby, Technical Director, SES. “From the outset, Steve recognised my potential and has supported my career ambitions over the last 12 years, sharing his vast knowledge and experience within the industry. He has outstanding people skills and a flexible management style which gets the very best out of his team. His leadership qualities have had a significant impact on both my professional and personal development.” Phil Walker, Preconstruction Director, SES. A worthy winner, a true people person and an influential leader who champions personal development, builds long-term partnerships and drives business growth. Contact: Leanne Chatt Company: SES Engineering Services Website: https://www.ses-ltd.co.uk/
SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 16 Behind Midshire Signature Services stands Sue Bradwell, a beacon of optimism, positivity, and purpose. Under her leadership, the company has doubled in size over the last five years and become a staple of the catering industry across the Northwest, reaching the Midlands and Wales as it’s expanded. With Sue’s expertise and steadfast decision-making at the helm, the company sees steady growth and no signs of slowing. Midshire Signature Services provides catering and support services to the workplace, education, and extra care sectors. Comprising 350 staff members and 70 locations, it’s maintained a firm foothold in its region, operating mostly out of client premises. Despite its size, Sue keeps the company running smoothly, according to the values that have served it well, which are the very same she lives by herself. Above all else, Sue’s passion for food guides the business to growth and success. She seeks the same passion in every employee, believing in freshly prepared, healthy meals made up of well-sourced ingredients. This passion has been a current running through her years of service to the industry. Having worked within catering since leaving college, Sue quickly rose through various managerial roles, arriving at operations director level by the age of 30, and she feels fortunate to have worked for managers and organisations who recognised her incredible competency, dedication, and that signature passion. Simply put, Sue is a veteran of the industry. Having worked as a chef manager and operations manager before reaching higher rungs, she understands the intricate web of roles and personalities that form a wellrun catering business. After working as a regional director for a large FM company, she decided that she needed to find a smaller business environment, ending up in Midshire Signature Services. Having bought the company in 2019, she’s presided over a period of steady growth along with her husband, a director in the company. It was the logical step for Sue to take on the position of managing director, and it’s one she has grown into naturally over the course of her time leading Midshire Signature Services. Throughout her time as managing director, catering has endured a harsh run of challenges, such as the pandemic and inflation driving up the price of produce. In particular, Sue laments the lack of adequate funding for both contracted and council-led school meal programmes, which has proven a shock to the market. Despite these challenges, Sue’s leadership has withstood every test. She sees problems as opportunities, tackling them head-on, acting decisively, and always remaining personally involved in running the business. A portion of her efforts to keep Midshire Signature Services current and ahead of the market is organising continuous training and development opportunities. Coupling first-class training with regular meetings to ensure that staff are supported and aligned with company goals, Sue maintains a welleducated, satisfied staff base and remains ever grateful for their efforts. The business runs on a foundation of strong collaboration at every level. It is proud to always remain responsive to the communications and needs of its team and clients. Sue believes that part of remaining adaptive involves taking client feedback, keeping an open conversation, and always listening to stakeholder’ value-adding suggestions. Throughout her day-to-day as managing director, Sue’s door remains open to staff, whom she takes a personal role in hiring. It’s important to Sue that her key staff are commercially minded, and she always seeks employees who are a great fit for the team and maintain high standards of integrity and resilience. When looking for new members, she wants to know how they handle pressure, and when the chips are down, what they will bring to a stressful environment. “We know we are only as good as our people; that’s why our staff have a passion for food and service that runs through our entire DNA.” For the success of Midshire Signature Services, Sue is immensely proud of her team, all of whom are a pleasure to lead. She also gives nothing but thanks to her husband and co-owner, her influencers along the way, and those who saw her potential as she rose through the ranks of the catering world. As a successful industry professional, Sue has distilled practical advice in response to adversity, keeping an eye on what works whether the times are easy or tough. She advises fellow business owners, first and foremost, to be consistent in everything they do, be it management style, decisionmaking, or simply how they approach concerns. She values absorbing wisdom wherever possible, treating every experience as one for learning. Sue’s management philosophy is all about knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses, and those of their staff, so they can build a team spanning all personalities and skillsets. Bridging the gaps between its team members ensures that Midshire Signature Services is poised to take every day as it comes. She emphasises the need to rely on others and that some challenges are too great without the right support network. As Midshire Signature Services continues to grow, it will coordinate more training and development, and the business will continue eagerly adopting new technologies to ease the burdens of administration and keep communication consistent and effective. Sue intends to build upon its existing client base Best Independent Specialist Catering Contractor 2024 (Cheshire): Sue Bradwell Midshire Signature Services Ltd
with those for whom the business its values, and team are a seamless fit. In Sue’s words, the company is small enough to care but big enough to make a difference. Going forward, Midshire Signature Services will surely continue to make that difference. Between strong leadership, a cohesive team, and a passionate vision that runs through every level of the company, it’s set to weather any storm and keep on providing first-class service. Contact: Susan Bradwell Company: Midshire Signature Services Ltd Web Address: www.midshiresignatureservices.co.uk
SME News - Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024/ 18 Built on a family ethos, Davis Wright Haulage Ltd (Davis Wright Haulage) offers various services and materials for construction projects undertaken in the Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire regions. Davis Wright Haulage has built a reputation for providing an extensive range of diverse and reliable construction haulage services. The firm provides specific offerings to its customers, including a comprehensive muck away service, road sweepers, delivery of aggregates, such as limestone and any other construction materials, in loads of up to 30 tonnes. Using the right aggregates is crucial for a construction project's substrate. Fortunately, Davis Wright Haulage can easily arrange and deliver various types of aggregate to a construction site within its delivery perimeters, including sand, gravel, topsoil, ballast, and rough hardcore aggregates. Limestone, particularly crushed limestone, is an essential component in many building projects, prized for its versatility and durability. For this reason, Davis Wright Haulage has become extremely capable in the bulk haulage of limestone. The company’s limestone haulage service can be as smallscale or as great as is required, with specialised vehicles, storage and loading processes that cater to the transport of quality crushed limestone. Much of the firm’s construction haulage is related to the commercial industry. For public buildings, including everything from assisting the construction of a shopping centre to a local school, Davis Wright Haulage can provide commercial haulage services. This means that it can do two things: shifting building material to a site in loads of up to 30 tonnes with its tipper vehicles, and also adhere to a strict commercial schedule. This dependable, prompt delivery service reduces the firm’s time on-site to a minimum, meaning that projects can continue to run smoothly and in-line with a time constraint. Davis Wright Haulage Ltd is an aggregate supplier and haulier that specialises in working with large housing development sites, as well as smaller house builders and construction sites. Being a relatively young company still, the firm has gone from strength-to-strength since its formation, and we speak to Adam Davis-Wright to find out more in the wake of him gaining notable recognition in the Managing Director of the Year Awards 2024. Construction sites can also produce a great amount of waste. To handle this waste safely and effectively, Davis Wright Haulage offers and expert muck away service to ensure the correct removal and disposal of inert spoil away, hazardous and non-hazardous spoil, asphalt, concrete and hardcore. There are also various types of construction vehicles and equipment available for day hire, such as plant equipment, crushers, sweepers, and grab lorries. Construction Haulage MD of the Year 2024 (East of England): Adam Davis-Wright
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