A North Lanarkshire roofer that helped vulnerable customers during lockdown and set up an academy to train new roofing talent scooped two prizes at FSB in Scotland’s Celebrating Small Business Awards.
DMG Services Group, located in Bellshill, won the 'Start-Up Business of the Year' and 'Community' awards at a ceremony in Edinburgh.
The business fixed the roof free of charge for a family who were victims of a rogue trader and offered free repairs to any pensioners in their local village facing problems during the pandemic.
In addition, the academy has allowed several local unemployed people to start apprenticeships in roofing since it was opened in December 2021.
Managing director Darren McGheetold Lanarkshire Live : “I was very proud to win and delighted to win both awards. Winning the start-up business of the year gives me the reassurance that I’m going in the right direction.
“I have great faith in the Academy and think it’s a great idea, so to win an FSB award which recognises this is a perfect validation.
“This means a great deal. It means that I’m being recognised for my hard work. It gives me the platform to continue to grow and pleasure in knowing that I am a positive contributor to my community by offering apprenticeships and opportunities.
“I would really like to thank the team at DMG as I wouldn’t be here without them. They have believed in my vision and stuck by me through the whole process. I would also like to thank my wife Kerry, without who this would not be possible.
“I am very grateful for the generous donations to the Academy from the many suppliers who believe in investing in the future of the roofing industry as much as I do.”
The FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards recognise and celebrate the huge contribution that smaller businesses and the self-employed make to the UK’s prosperity.
Andy Aird, FSB’s Scotland Chair, said: “DMG Services Group exemplifies the innovation, resilience and tenacity of thousands of small businesses that drive Lanarkshire’s and Scotland’s economy.
“As a Lanarkshire-based businessperson, I am delighted a local businessperson like Darren was recognised and celebrated at our awards.
“We’ve got businesses that have found opportunities in the difficulties of the COVID crisis and have adapted to great success.
“Others are using digital technologies to boost productivity, helping to find new customers and a great example of a business acting not only responsibly through their actions to help their local community, but via ensuring that their staff wellbeing is at the heart of the business.”
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