Stephen Lloyd MP for Eastbourne and Willingdon opened the new County Clean offices in Sovereign Harbour with over 80 ACES members attending the launch event in October. At the networking launch, Chris Ewbank found out how Debbie and Mike Walker have grown the business since starting in 2007.
Stephen Lloyd MP said: “It is tremendous to open County Clean’s new HQ at Pacific House. This is a local company growing from strength to strength every year and is now one of the most successful environmental companies across the whole of the South East. Their substantial investment demonstrates yet again their absolute commitment to Eastbourne.”
Debbie and Mike started with just £70K, one rather old truck, and with Mike driving and undertaking waste removal,Debbie managed the finance, administration and credit control. And the cliché is true “where there’s muck there’s brass!” - County Clean is now a multi-million-pound award-winning business with clients worldwide. In just ten years their partnership has achieved a turnover of £5 million, a smart 5,000 sq ft office, a state-of-the-art fleet of 30 trucks, and a staff number of over 40 people. They work for local authorities across the country and are the go-to experts world-wide for serious problems with drainage and liquid waste.
Their very first job was in Barclays Bank in Edenbridge where they cleared a storm flooded basement. Since then they have overcome all their setbacks to create the highly successful County Clean Group which now includes:
- County Clean Environmental – Liquid Waste Management
- County Clean Sweepers – cleaning the roads of the UK
- County Clean Groundworks and Civil Engineering
- County Clean Waste Recycling - Gatwick
Mike is delighted to tell me about the people who have helped them along the way. “Rossetts Mercedes-Benz Trucks were brilliant. Malcolm Rosier was so supportive, we transferred our whole fleet to Mercedes trucks and vans. When no one else would help they arranged £5 million finance and gave us great service to keep our trucks on the road.”
Debbie was keen to tell me about the help and support they have received since deciding to move to Sovereign Harbour.
“Jim Christie of Seachange has been so helpful with our move to Pacific House. He’s easy to deal with and sorted out our new lease in no time. We were previously in portacabins behind Chilley Farm, Rickney but we out-grew Wealden and are delighted with our new home in Eastbourne.
“We’d also like to thank the Identity Group and especially Project Manager, Rob Gietzen. They fitted out our offices to a high standard - on time and on budget. It was actually pretty stress free!”
Mike explains: “We like to make sure our trucks are immaculate, and our new indoor storage facility helps keep them looking spotless, which is so important when you work in waste management.”
From the beginning, Debbie and Mike have made an excellent partnership. Debbie handles the finance and HR while Mike handles the operational side. Their successful partnership extends to their private life too, as demonstrated on a recent holiday when Mike visited a casino and lost a packet. But there was no need to worry, Debbie stepped in and won it all back again!
The Walkers are both complimentary about Eastbourne unLtd and are Premier Members of the Chamber. Debbie explains: “We always try to buy local and support the Eastbourne economy when we can. It’s also important to us that we buy sustainably and recycle everything. The Chamber has been really helpful and being members gives us the chance to give back to the local economy. I’d recommend any company, large or small, to join their local Chamber of Commerce.”
For more information about careers at County Clean Group visit www.countycleangroup.co.uk/about/careers
