Serving the Teesside Business Community | 27
Building a Bespoke career in protection advice
former scaffolder is building a new career
A in financial protection advice with a thriving Teesside firm .
Darren Roulston left his job in scaffolding to take up a new role with Bespoke Financial Services , which recently expanded to new offices in Stockton .
The 44-year-old , from Middlesbrough , had previously spent 20 years working as a sports development and education officer for a local authority before going into the building trade .
And after completing his financial protection training last year , Roulston joined Bespoke ’ s growing team of advisors in December .
“ It is quite a career change but I ’ m well versed at diversification !” said Roulston .
“ I have a lot of life experience and I ’ m loving the new job , and the job satisfaction that comes with protecting people and their families .”
Bespoke Financial Services was launched by Lee Flannagan in November 2014 – he now oversees a team of 20 from the firm ’ s Boho Four base in Middlesbrough and new offices at Gloucester House Business Centre in Stockton .
Roulston joins 38-year-old James Brass
Bespoke Financial ’ s latest protection advisor Darren Roulston ( centre ) with Nathan Steel ( left ) and James Brass outside the firm ’ s new Stockton offices .
at the firm who also opted for a career change 18 months ago , joining Bespoke from the motor sales trade , and mortgage and protection advisor Nathan Steel .
Brass , from Middlesbrough , said : “ You think you don ’ t need cover , but anything can happen to anyone at any time , so it ’ s so important to have that peace of mind .”
Steel , also from Middlesbrough , is one of Bespoke ’ s longest-serving advisors , having joined two years ago .
The 24-year-old said : “ We try to take a relaxed view and get to know our clients ’ personal and financial situation , and recommend from there . “ We take a more friendly approach to mortgage and protection advice and we try to make it easy for the client , which is why we ’ re taking on dozens of new clients every month .”
Bespoke offers advice on mortgages , critical illness cover , life insurance , income protection and insurance services .
To enquire about any of Bespoke ’ s services , give the team a call on 01642 931238 , email info @ bespokefinancialteesside . co . uk or go to www . bespokefinancialteesside . co . uk
MI Supplies managing director Alex Ingham ( centre ) with warehouse team member Callum Patton , admin assistant Sophie Tasker and the firm ’ s awards and certificates .
Triple recognition for workwear firm after 200 % online growth
Workwear firm M . I . Supplies is celebrating after winning Teesside ’ s Small Business of the Year award – now it ’ s plotting major growth .
The Thornaby-based company won the Tees heat of the North East Business Awards ’ small business category after narrowly missing out in 2016 .
And M . I . Supplies boss Alex Ingham is hoping to build on the firm ’ s success after enjoying a 200 % surge in online sales in recent months .
His company also finished runners-up in the grand final of the North East Business awards , held at Hardwick Hall in Sedgefield .
“ To be in the running for three awards in 12 months is extremely exciting , and is helping the company to push forward in every area to improve and keep being noticed by people ,” said Ingham .
“ We have been hugely inspired by other local firms and this is driving us to keep making improvements in our working day .
“ We as a team are incredibly motivated by customer service and behaving in a world class way in everything we do . We feel putting the customer first in everything we do ensures ongoing success .
“ These areas of recognition I feel are a testament to the superb team ethos we have , and how we all care for each other and our customers alike – long may it continue .
M . I . has now provided more than 100,000 orders to almost every country in the world of workwear and safety consumables , and currently is growing its online business by over 200 % as it drives towards £ 2m internet sales .
The firm ’ s new-look website , launched earlier this year , now boasts more than 140,000 different workwear products from well-known brands such as Caterpillar and major European workwear suppliers Helly Hansen and Mascot .
M . I . Supplies now has a growing client base consisting of more than 250 business customers including the fire brigade , local councils , engineering firms and charities , while more than 26,000 customers have ordered supplies from the company ’ s website , and brands supplied by M . I . include Sainsbury ’ s , Barbour , Aldi , Lidl , Royal Mail , Wessex Foods and Mercedes .
For more information about M . I . Supplies go to www . misupplies . co . uk