Businesswoman of the year ‘stunned’

When Accrington resident Elaine Brady left school with no qualifications, she took up the offer of any job that would pay the bills, from working in factories to cleaning pubs. When she became employed with a care agency, she had found a line of work she was passionate about. This inherent enthusiasm and an unwavering commitment to achievement have seen Elaine become managing director of Lancashire’s leading home care provider, Oswaldtwistle-based Willowbrook, and its 230 employees.

And now her remarkable efforts have been recognised by the Lancashire business community at the Be Inspired Business Awards, where she picked up the accolade of Lancashire Businesswoman of the Year 2011.

“I was utterly stunned and in shock when they announced my name. All the team were cheering and clapping around me but I couldn’t move.

“It is absolutely unbelievable. I have put everything I have into creating a business I can be proud of. All Willowbrook’s employees want to do the best for our customers, and to be recognised for that is very humbling,” said Elaine.

In a glittering award ceremony held at Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom, businesses and businesspeople across the county were honoured for their work throughout the year. Elaine’s gong follows Willowbrook’s shortlisting earlier in the year for the Red Rose Awards Large Business of the Year.

Having been made redundant from the care agency, Elaine knew she wanted to continue to provide care to those that needed it most. It was at this point Elaine considered setting up her own business, only for the bank manager to look at her like she was ‘daft’.

“When I first started the business, there were difficult obstacles to overcome, as with any start-up. But I didn’t let them interfere with my aspirations and I still have to pinch myself now when I realise how far I have come,” added Elaine.

With little business knowledge or IT skills (she enrolled herself on a course entitled ‘how to use your mouse’) the first year was a steep learning curve for Elaine, but she soon found her confidence and mixed her new-found business acumen with her own instincts to drive Willowbrook forward. Her ethos on developing talent has seen employees progress through the ranks year-on-year.

“My mother was a carer and her principles and old school standards are central to the working culture we have at Willowbrook, she’d have been so proud to see me pick up the award. She is the one person that drove me forward to be the best I can be,” said Elaine.

In the eleven years the business has been running, Elaine’s uncapped enthusiasm and determination has seen Willowbrook complete four acquisitions of other care agencies, secure itself as one of Lancashire County Council’s preferred domiciliary providers and be certified as a City and Guilds training centre.

Elaine finds the challenges and buzz of business a thrill, and with further acquisitions in the pipeline, Willowbrook will undoubtedly continue to grow under her stewardship.

For more information on Willowbrook and its services go to www.willowbrookhomecare.com or call 01254 390347.