Business Person of the Year (sponsored by Bolton Council) finalists

Claire Crompton, The Audit Lab

IN the same year as co-founding digital marketing agency The Audit Lab Claire Crompton also had her first child and renovated a new house.

Now, the talented Bolton businesswoman is a finalist for the Business Person of the Year 2019.

The business was founded just two years ago and Claire has continued her inspirational and aspirational move to the top ever since.

The agency now has a staff of nine with a culture allowing staff working days from 10am to 4pm, unlimited holidays, flexi-time and working from home plus a clear progression for staff with six-monthly pay reviews.

This care for staff and a data-driven, effective strategy for clients have paid off. The business doubled in size in its first year, quadrupled the following year and in its third year looks set to break its own turnover records.

Claire’s passion for people is pivotal in this and apparent in everything she does. Her ability to build the company with co-founder Lee Frame as well as raise her young son is something others admire. Her endless capacity to juggle work-life, home-life and motherhood is a remarkable example. She cares passionately about the delivery of services and positive results for clients.

Claire is now pregnant with her second child and, on her return from a short maternity leave, she plans to open an office in London.

She stated: “It has been a tough few years getting The Audit Lab off the ground but hard work prevails. Thankfully, I have a fantastic business partner who has been nothing but supportive of my personal circumstances throughout the last couple of years of business building.”

She added: “I want to be able to offer the same flexibility and opportunities to all our staff. I want nothing to hold them back from achieving their career goals.”

James Bancroft, ExcluSec

A MAN who raised the level of customer service for clients and staff in the security industry is a finalist for the Business Person of the Year 2019.

James Bancroft started ExcluSec in 2010 without funds and from the front room of his Bolton home. He had a laptop, a couch and an idea and continued working in his day job as a cash machine engineer to ensure stable income as he developed his new business.

This involved 18 hour days but it paid off as ExcluSec grew phenomenally. By the company’s third year, James was in a position to leave his day job and commit full-time to his new company, which enabled it to grow even further.

Over the past nine years, the company has become an industry leader and diversified into other services. In 2018, it was re-branded as The ExcluSec Group Ltd with James as Group Managing Director.

It now offers a range of tailored security services to private individuals, charities and corporate clients regionally and nationally. There is also a facilities’ division for soft service business solutions like cleaning and a training division.

As the head of all these, James Bancroft ensures that clients get the best of services and that all his staff are trained to the highest standards and well cared for on a personal level.

What his original dream has meant for the now 180 employees is an approachable leader whose door is always open. He also works operationally on the ground, regularly inter-acting with staff at all levels.

He commented: “I’m delighted to be a finalist for the Business Person of the Year. I would like to thank all my team for their award nomination and for all their hard work and support which has contributed significantly to our growth and success.”

Maura Jackson, Backup

A CHARITY leader who has grown her organisation 500 per cent in the last seven years is a finalist for the Business Person of the Year Award.

Maura Jackson is CEO of BACKUP North West, formerly Bolton Young Persons Housing Scheme. She has seen the charity go through significant change and growth since she joined it in 2012.

BACKUP focusses on tackling homelessness and risk of harm amongst 16 to 25 year-olds. It has quadrupled in size over the last seven years, now accommodating 100 young people in furnished, safe flats and bedsits across Bolton.

Each one is supported by staff offering varying levels of help, depending on need. BACKUP’s aim is to stop homelessness and improve all aspects of young people’s lives, increasing opportunities for successful independent living.

As well as vastly increasing its turnover and finding new funding and sustainability, BACKUP has dramatically increased the number of young people it supports and staff have increased from 13 to 70. Maura has also just secured a new contract for £2 million over the next four years, offering stability – “something that’s a luxury in the charity sector,” she commented.

“As a charity leader I have run BACKUP as a business to ensure its continued success.

“Whilst we’re primarily focussed on tackling homelessness and improving life chances for young people, I need to ensure we are a strong employer, have secure finances, meet all levels of compliance plus deliver the strategic aims of our service, for young people.”

“So, to have this recognition from the Business Awards is overwhelming because it shows that the judges agree I have a business approach and being not-for-profit is irrelevant.

“Win or not, to be a finalist with two other high-calibre contenders is an honour. Either way, young people are benefitting which is what matters.”