IN this week’s SME Focus an electrical contractor’s experience shows there is still work to be won from local authorities by firms that can cast their nets wide enough amid the squeeze on public spending.

Name:

Mark David Ward.

Age:

44.

What is your business called?

Power 1 Group.

Where is it based?

Paisley, with an office in Manchester. We are due to open in Sussex this financial year. This will give us three geographical regions to serve our clients more efficiently across the UK and significantly reduce our accommodation and fuel overheads.

What services does it offer?

We are specialist electrical contractors who operate in LED Lighting, (indoor and street) and work on mobile telecoms networks and in facilities management. We are accredited through Lloyds register to work on energy firms’ distribution networks.

We have worked offshore extensively in the past in the USA, Singapore, Norway and the North Sea but with crude oil south of $40 per barrel we are more likely to be involved in the decommissioning programme than any drilling activities.

We are very innovative and are working on a project to improve connectivity in the rural areas of Scotland.

Whom does it sell to?

Mobile operators, local authorities, construction companies, large professional services organisations, lighting manufacturers and some private clients.

What is its turnover?

£5 million in the 2015- 2016 financial year. We have £8m secured for 2016-2017 with a target of £10m.

How many employees?

Around 50 permanent employees but we also put about 50 subcontractors to work each day. We have identified another 37 positions that we need to fill in the next quarter due to some recent successes and this ranges from electrical contracts managers to some more junior administration staff.

When was it formed?

The business was incorporated in April 2007. I was a sole trader in November 2004 while still at Vodafone.

Why did you take the plunge?

I was working for Vodafone and I missed two rounds of redundancy which I was hoping to get as I have always had that entrepreneurial spark with a great ambition to create something that would be sustainable for years to come. I had a small electrical contracting firm in Jersey in the 90’s and the desire never left me to set something up in mainland UK. I think the problem was that Vodafone offered a great career and company to work for.

What were you doing before you took the plunge?

I am an electrician to trade having served a fantastic apprenticeship with Balfour Kilpatrick who invested heavily in my development.

I spent a couple of years working in Jersey before coming back to have a great career with Vodafone building the 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The 2G Highlands and Islands rollout was the best as we spent so much time using helicopters on our daily commute to access some of Scotland’s most remote mountains to build install and commission these sites. It was no mean engineering feat by Vodafone and O2.

How did you raise the start-up funding?

It was self-funded initially then we had some assistance from our bank. We have used other funding streams from time to time. I have been with Lloyds/ Bank Of Scotland from day one and have had some fantastic advice and support from my relationship manager who has been there throughout which is unusual. These relationships are crucial as your bank and funders are among the most important stakeholders in any company especially growing companies.

What was your biggest break?

We work in a specialist sector which has been growing year on year. Latterly we won a seven figure contract in LED street lighting from Northumberland County Council.

What was your worst moment?

Trying to switch a funding line whilst on holiday in Lake Garda. I spent the whole time on the phone!

What do you most enjoy about running the business?

I love the freedom it gives you personally and the fact you are very much a master of your own destiny within reason! I also love the chase in securing a new deal. I’m very much the business development director and I love meeting new people and hearing their stories too.

What do you least enjoy?

Monday morning board meetings and four or five am alarm calls when I’m catching a flight!

What are your ambitions for the firm?

To get the company to a healthy and manageable £30m with good retained net profit margins.

What are your top priorities?

To have a sustainable business for all our employees; to create a legacy and culture that runs deep in the organisation; to put something back into the community by creating apprenticeships year upon year.

What single thing would most help?

Easier growth funding to help support our business plan.

What could the Westminster and/or Scottish governments do that would help?

To reduce taxes and have them in line with turnover.

What was the most valuable lesson that you learned?

To treat all people as you wish to be treated and to be transparent.

How do you relax?

By playing golf very badly, driving and spending time with my partner and kids.