Mentoring locks in strong growth for security firm

By Boost Business Lancashire

03 Mar 2020

hannah-whittle-quality-essential-distribution-banner.jpg

A South Ribble-based commercial security firm hopes to more than double both staff and turnover after receiving mentoring support from Boost, Lancashire Business Growth Hub.

Quality Essential Distribution aims to increase its team in all areas of the business, reach new markets and more than double turnover over the next five years.

Boost’s Growth Mentoring programme helped QED’s newly promoted operations manager Hannah Whittle learn how to delegate and manage the operational side of the business, improving profitability.

Hannah said: “The mentoring experience was very constructive. It was great to receive a third-party perspective on the business and my role within it.

“My mentor Julie has been such an inspiration for me. It’s been invaluable to have someone like her to talk to, as she is another successful woman in business who I can look up to.”

Established in 1997, QED supplies and distributes security products for the commercial sector and offers security surveillance solutions and support.

After significant growth and a need to streamline processes, QED’s product development director, Matt Philp, promoted Hannah to operations manager to develop and manage the KPIs for the firm’s key business functions. She was previously PA in the business.

Matt heard about Boost after meeting an adviser from Orvia at a networking event. After attending a Boost business review meeting to discuss his growth aspirations, he put Hannah forward to receive support through the Growth Mentoring programme to help her in her new role.

Boost is Lancashire's Business Growth Hub and is led by the Lancashire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) and Lancashire County Council and supported by funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Hannah was matched with mentor Julie Brotherton, a specialist in leadership, people development and team building.

Hannah was tasked with reviewing QED’s processes to improve productivity and subsequently make the firm more profitable.

As a line manager, Hannah initially found it difficult to manage colleagues that she had previously worked alongside. Mentoring helped Hannah to overcome these hurdles and grow into a position of leadership.

Julie said: “Hannah had worked as a PA to the directors at QED for many years. She now oversees many departments including, purchasing, warehouse, sales administration and order processing. Although very capable of carrying out her new role, she just lacked the experience to manage people.”

Julie worked alongside Hannah to build her confidence and develop her leadership skills. They also worked on how to motivate and encourage people and build a sense of accountability within their roles.

“It was fantastic to see Hannah’s confidence grow over the mentoring sessions. I am sure she will continue to be an asset to QED.”

Hannah’s line director Matt Philp added: “After the first two mentoring sessions, I noticed a significant change in Hannah, and how she was managing the team in her new role. Putting her forward to receive the mentoring has certainly proven to be beneficial for Hannah but for QED too.”

Hannah is now introducing new systems and procedures to improve efficiency. She has also increased transparency across the teams and communication between departments.

She said: “Julie’s input was unbiased and objective, she was practically ‘stepping into the role’ for me. It gave me great confidence.”

QED has since experienced a growth in enquiries, leading to an increase in sales. Hannah has recently recruited two new team members in sales order processing and sales administration. The firm is also seeking to secure additional office and storage space to support the growth.

Ann Lancaster, operations manager at Orvia said: “It’s great to see that after meeting Matt at a networking meeting that QED decided to join the Growth Mentoring programme. Hannah has found the mentoring experience with Julie so valuable. It has helped her to greatly improve confidence and to the growth of the company.”

Latest news

1

Pleasure Beach Resort takes home four prizes at UK Theme Park Awards Pleasure Beach Resort’s David Hill, head of rides, and Stuart Cumming, marketing manager with the awards

Pleasure Beach Resort takes home four prizes at UK Theme Park Awards

18 Sep 2025

2

Brookhouse Aerospace invests more than £500k in additional machinery to support growth Brookhouse Aerospace machining facility

Brookhouse Aerospace invests more than £500k in additional machinery to support growth

18 Sep 2025

3

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey Mo Isap from the Lancashire Business Board with the plan

Growth Plan maps out £20bn-plus investment journey

18 Sep 2025

4

Post Office future secured as council explores new options Abington Street Post Office

Post Office future secured as council explores new options

17 Sep 2025

5

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent Jerrod Hartley

Airframe Designs supports new defence strategy with pledge to nurture talent

17 Sep 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
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

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day
MTD drop in session.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) drop-in day, Blackburn, BB1 5QB

10:00 - 16:00

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25
Metris 25.09.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Metrics That Matter – Sept 25

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world
Oct PTC.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

The Future of Work: Tech, teams and thriving in a changing world

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 Oct 2025 - 07 Oct 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – October

Soul Bowl, Morecambe, LA4 4BU

08:00 - 10:00

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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin