Danbro commemorates International Family Day

By DANBRO ACCOUNTING

14 May 2015

Lytham based accountants Danbro have plenty to celebrate on International Family Day – May 15.

The Danbro group has reached the milestone figure of 200 employees since the recent acquisition of a competitor in London where Danbro already has an office.

Closer to home, 190 staff work under the vast roof at the company’s Jubilee House HQ overlooking the Green and Estuary in leafy Lytham.

And these number crunchers are a close knit clan.

‘Family’ is more than just an internal value of the group. It was the bedrock on which the business was built 15 years ago by Damian and Helen Broughton.

Longest serving employee Sharon Oldham – Helen’s aunt – who recently opened Jubilee House started working for Danbro when her children were at school.

Today two of her daughters work at Danbro.

Co-founder Helen, director of people and standards, works with three of her brothers. Chris Rhodes heads umbrella services, Andrew’s in charge of maintaining the 77k sq ft complex, and Wilfred, 17, is the unflappable accounts assistant who told PM David Cameron about Danbro when they met at an apprenticeship event at Warton.

At least four other extended clans work within the 66k sq ft of office space.

HR manager Rhianna Weedon – whose other half also works there - says family values run deep.

“At the last count we had six married couples, five sets of love birds and 27 employees directly related to each other,” she explains.

Helen explains: “We don’t set out to find family but family finds its way here – and not just ours; we adopt others so they don’t feel left out!

“Current family members from my side include one aunty, three cousins and three brothers – I’m big sis so have always been the boss!

“My PA is my cousin Alison Sayle. We have a growing number of family groups. People love to work here and share the love with family members. We’re at the point, 15 years on, where sons and daughters are following in father’s or mother’s footsteps.

“It’s great. Family keeps you grounded. They say it like it is – although it means you can never pretend to be working late unless you really are!

“Family’s loyal too. You don’t want to let your family down. Our biggest challenge is not boring others when we get together to talk.

“Having family around makes me feel safe. They’re the ones you can take advantage of when you need extra help!”

Danbro’s founding ‘fathers’ are predominantly Broughtons, Rhodes and Oldhams (nine) but the Swift/Fothergill family is catching up (six), along with three Greens, three Browns and permutations on other family fortunes.

Accountants Patrick and Johnny Brown, both in their 20s, followed their father, former international aid worker and teacher Michael, into the business. One tried work experience there, the other switched from engineering. Johnny explains: “There’s nothing boring about accountancy, Danbro’s a great company and really going places.”

Like many of the family members sisters Lauren, 20, and Bethany Lockett, 22, work in different departments but love meeting up for lunch – “depending on who’s paying,” adds Bethany.

Laura Green, 22, followed father John into the business. Chelsea O’Brien, 20, works with stepmum Nicole.

One big cluster group includes finance director Glenn Swift who’s worked with Danbro for eight years, wife Jackie (customer service), son Glenn (HR) and partner Craig Doyle (IT manager), Jackie’s sister Julie Fothergill (senior sales ledger clerk) and son Marcus (accountant).

Craig confides there’s one distinct advantage to working with family. “It means you can always get a lift to work”

Danbro provides accountancy, umbrella, business and financial services to 8000 clients, contractors and agency workers across the country and plans to more than double staff, clients and turnover (currently £225m) within five years.

MD Damian Broughton, the driving force behind the 2020 vision, concludes: “We call it the Danbro Family because it’s grown with us and this fantastic team shares our passion for excellence, customer care and service above all else – and cares enough to want to make a difference with the community.”

As for the family member who lent his name to the business, Helen and Damian’s son Daniel, now 18?

Damian chuckles. “He likes to say we owe it all to him - but he doesn’t want to come into the business. Yet...”

Danbro is planning a special family day in June for staff and family members to mark the official opening of Jubilee House.

FAMILY VALUES FACT FILE

· The Institute for Family Business reckons there are around three million family firms in the UK. Family businesses account for almost 70 per cent of the UK’s small and medium sized enterprises. A report by Oxford Economics claims they generate work for nine million people – around 40 per cent of total private sector employment.

· Specialist researchers at the University of Wolverhampton warn family businesses to factor in a 20 year strategy to train up the next generation to ensure a smooth hand over. The study highlights key family strengths such as trust and flexibility but cautions against clashes over pay and sense of entitlement.

· International Day of Families has been observed globally since the United Nations declared 1994 the international year of the family. The annual event reflects action taken to stabilise families in all cultures. This year’s theme is gender equality, a better deal for children, and an end to violence in the home, extended family or community. Caption: Caption (main group shot) front row, from left to right: Marcus Fothergill, Lauren Lockett, Johnny Brown, Laura Green, Julie Fothergill, Chelsea O'Brien, Clair Rhodes, Wilfred Rhodes, Chris Rhodes (and daughter Bethany). Back row: MD Damian Broughton, Patrick Brown, Bethany Lockett, Glenn Swift (snr), Glenn Swift (jnr) , Jackie Swift, Craig Doyle, Dean McOwen, Jenny McOwen, Helen Broughton.

Enjoyed this? Read more from DANBRO ACCOUNTING

Latest news

1

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders Sub36 event

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders

15 Jul 2025

2

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos Maya Ellis MP photo

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos

15 Jul 2025

3

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth James Austin, Alistair Bradley and Michael Collum

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth

15 Jul 2025

4

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026 Red Rose Awards 2025

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026

14 Jul 2025

5

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession Northcotes winning awards

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession

14 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin