A former farmer who fled Zimbabwe with no assets has picked up a prestigious national business start-up award for his new company.
Radstock-based Dundry Cleaning, run by Ian Huxham, beat more than 150 businesses throughout the UK to be crowned Best Business Start-up at a ceremony at Hampton Court Palace last week.
The award, funded by the Fredericks Foundation, was presented to Mr Huxham by former Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable.
Mr Huxham, who was also a finalist in the 2013 national Entrepreneur awards, is vice-president of Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club.
He and his family moved to the UK after being forced to flee the African country with no assets and after a brief stint farming in the UK and as a publican in Bath, he chose commercial and domestic cleaning for his new venture.
Initially he found it impossible to source the funding he needed to get the business off the ground until he was put in touch with the Fredericks Foundation.
With funding and mentorship secured he was able to buy a vehicle, invest in marketing and expand his workforce.
Mr Huxham said: “I’m delighted to receive this accolade, Fredricks funding and mentor scheme has kept me focused and given me confidence to expand into new territories.
“We are continuing our growth by creating a new website and working on accreditation with Checkatrade.”
He started his commercial and domestic cleaning business six years ago.
Mr Huxham now employs an office manager and 12 full-time cleaners with a growing number of contracts for schools, offices and homes in Bath, Bristol and Basingstoke.
He has long-term plans of creating more than 100 jobs and to provide a comprehensive commercial and domestic cleaning service throughout the South West.
Source: www.somersetguardian.co.uk
