Serving the Teesside Business Community | 21
A Bespoke
service with
a Teesside
heart
Principal Lee Flanagan (centre) outside Bespoke Financial’s
Middlesbrough HQ with team members, from left: Kieran Megran,
Jordan Smith, Nathan Steel and Natalie Boult.
F
ast-growing Bespoke Financial say a
commitment to transparency and hard
work is the secret behind a success that
has seen their team of financial advisors and
administrators grow to 19 in little more than
12 months.
Launched in November 2014 with a
team of five, Bespoke specialise in building
financial protection packages tailored to the
needs of each individual.
Part of First Complete, a regulated
national network, their services include life
assurance, critical illness assurance, income
protection, private medical insurance and
business assurance.
But principal Lee Flanagan believes
Bespoke are different from other financial
firms.
Bespoke have built their success by
building a team of people with no previous
experience of the financial sector. They
include among their ranks people formerly
employed as a school teacher, care worker,
interpreter, sports centre manager, football
coach and call centre worker.
Lee explained: “Non-industry people buy
into the dream and are keen to learn the way
we do things. Everything we do is built on
transparency and hard work.
“We’ve seen how death, serious illness or
job loss can affect families, both financially
and emotionally, so we’re absolutely
committed to leaving them in a better
place should they suffer from any of life’s
unfortunate events.
“We build a bespoke protection portfolio
for our clients, providing them with the
protection that’s right for them, with a
steadfast policy of transparency and honesty.
We always do what’s best for the client.
“That’s how we’ve been able to build our
business purely on the basis of referrals.
There’s nothing more powerful than a
recommendation from a friend or family
member who you know and trust. People
are happy to recommend us because we’ve
done a good job for them.”
Born and raised in the Whinney Banks area
of Middlesbrough, Lee added: “We’re very
proud of our Teesside roots. It’s part of who
we are.
“I’m not from a privileged background. I’m
from a working class family and I’ve had to
work hard for every single thing I’ve got. Like
many people, I’ve had some tough times
in the past but this industry has helped me
change my life and build a better life for my
two children.”
On a roll: Peter Crone is delighted with
Rollershield’s increasing move into the
industrial door market.
Opening doors to new business
R
ollershield, one of the North-East’s
leading manufacturers and installers
of shutters, is working with some of
Teesside’s most well-known businesses as it
increasingly moves into the industrial sector.
Whilst committed to a policy of no
job being too small, the family-run
Middlesbrough firm is taking on increasing
numbers of bigger jobs for firms within
the transport and logistics, chemicals and
construction sectors.
Experts in manufacturing, installing,
repairing and maintaining all types of
industrial doors, the push into new markets
saw a 65% boom in sales for Rollershield in
2014-15.
Working closely with several contractors
who are established within the construction
and maintenance of buildings, Rollershield
are confident of continued growth in 2016 as
they service customers of all sizes.
From their 2,500 square feet unit on
Riverside Park, they offer a wide range of
industrial door products and hold most spare
parts in stock for quick and easy door repairs
for any onsite emergencies.
Managing director Peter Crone
said: “We’ve always done work in the
construction, chemical and logistics
industries but the last 18 months have seen
us working more than ever in those sectors
and I expect that to develop further this year.
We pride ourselves on customer service and
this is what sets us apart from others.
“Our staff know this industry inside
out, so we’re able to bring a high level of
expertise to customers who often need
advice on the correct door type or style for
their specific purpose. In addition we are in
a position to offer ongoing support in terms
of maintenance and ensure all doors are CE
marked.
“Many local firms, including national and
international businesses with bases in and
around Teesside, are realising they have legal
obligations to adhere to in terms of their
industrial doors. With that in mind, they are
identifying Rollershield as local experts who
they can consult with for free advice and call
on to provide the full range of products when
required.
“We’ve built up a loyal customer base and
all of our customers know if they need us,
we will respond quickly. The fact that we’re
local and flexible means we’re able to act
fast. We’re on Teesside for Teesside.”