National Pest Awards Sole Trader of the Year 2022
Syngenta Profesional Solutions is the Principal Sponsor of the National Pest Awards. Find out more about the Awards here.
Nominations for National Sole Trader of the Year 2022 are:
AML Pest Control
Andy Lee started his business in January 2018, having previously worked in pest control for Newark & Sherwood District Council at Newark Showground.
The majority of his work is with domestic customers, but he also does some contract work for letting agents and local schools.
He also carries out work for a number of national companies in his local area.
Andy said: “I was approached by a domestic customer who I had carried out a wasp nest eradication for; the customer said to me that because of the professional way that I had approached the job, he asked if I would carry out contract work at a sports complex that he was the chairman of.
“I like to think I go the extra mile on all jobs, small or large.”
He added that the biggest challenge he faces is educating people on bees. Andy said he was “quite surprised” to be shortlisted.
“It would be nice to win the award for the recognition of my work,” he said.
Fast Track Pest Control
Paul Claydon established Fast Track Pest Control three years ago after working in The City for 20 years, and says he has never looked back.
He said: “My key strengths are an eye for detail, being approachable and personable and caring about the people/ situation I’m in. Customer service and satisfaction is my number one aim and so I take great care and time explaining to customers the issues they have and recommending how best to solve these.
“This is also followed up each time with a full written report sheet, and proofing recommendations, which I then offer my services for.”
Paul said that he was really proud to be chosen as a finalist at this year’s awards.
“I could have easily stayed working in The City, but I wanted to give this a go and the business has gone from strength-to-strength,” he said.
“To win the award would be a fantastic achievement; it would be such an honour and privilege to stand up in front of people that have been in the industry for longer than me.”
Ripley Pest Management
Stephen Paskin started as a pest technician in 2006 and in 2017, established Ripley Pest Management.
His core business is commercial and agricultural rodent contract work with a small amount of domestic work.
“Clients describe me as a ‘dog with a bone’ when it comes to the root cause of an issue,” he said.
“I am always compassionate to their situation as I appreciate that having a pest issue can often be embarrassing and I will not use technical terms which my clients may not understand or be intimidated by.”
In 2008, he passed the RSPH Level 2 Certificate in Pest Management. Since starting Ripley Pest Management, Stephen has qualified as a certified field biologist.
Stephen said: “Winning this award will give a great boost to move me from being a one-man band.”
