Business name: John Williams Heating Services
Based: Chippenham, Wiltshire
Website: jwheating.co.uk
Nominated: Debbie Williams, co-founder
Debbie Williams is the co-founder of John Williams Heating Services. Over the last year, she’s taken the lead in a company employing 20 people by embracing her own personal development to take the company forward.
Debbie works alongside her husband John, an experienced heating engineer. She gave up her own business to take John’s fledgling heating company to another level. She’s fully embraced being part of the local business community by sponsoring events, and in the last year has sponsored a young Bath rugby star Dan Keat, as she’s passionate about rugby and grass roots talent.
In the office, she’s organised charity events to raise money and generate a laugh. Christmas jumper day was supplemented with Santa’s Surprises for all staff. Cue much laughter, and more than £100 raised in an hour – all before the working day started.
The engineers love working for Debbie and John, feeling supported and cared for. Debbie’s main passion revolves around apprenticeships. She’s recently been appointed an apprentice ambassador in the south west, as she strongly believes schools need to actively promote this career route for young people who do not wish to continue into full-time higher or further education.
The company has employed apprentices for several years and currently has four on its team. Debbie has been asked by the local council to talk about apprenticeships and employment internationally, and she’s increasingly seen as a high profile female entrepreneur in Wiltshire.
