Retford-based Jane Campbell spent 19 years working in banking, finishing her career as an Area Sales Manager for HBOS. Her team finished in the top three nationally across all key performance indicators.

In 2003, she and her husband launched their own telecoms company. In 2004, the company won

the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce “Most Promising New Business Award “. In the following year, Jane won the “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” and became the first female winner of this award in the Chamber’s history.

Jane recalls: “As a result of this recognition, I wanted to give something back to my local community. So I became a Member of the Board of Directors supporting issues and causes that affected local business.”

In 2009, the Campbells decided to sell the business on. Jane says: “I wanted to ensure my next challenge would give me a better work/life balance, especially as we had a young family, so I joined the Auditel franchise network in March 2012. Other procurement specialist franchises were researched but Auditel was finally chosen. Their rationale was all about customer service and building a long term relationship”

Jane says that the training to date has been really good. In addition to excellent classroom trainers and reading material, there is always someone at the end of the phone able to give help and support.

She adds: “The Affiliate network is also very supportive, especially local affiliates, who are happy to give up their time to help improve your knowledge and skills. Working within the Auditel family gives you the freedom to control your working hours and shape your own goals; however you still feel part of a team due to the encouragement you receive and also the number of meetings on offer.”

Jane recalls some of the impressive savings being made now and the immediate future:

• Manufacturing company – turnover £10 million
A well-established family business wanted to take a more strategic review of key cost areas to release capital to cover the costs of implementing Energy Efficiency measures. As a result, this company to date has saved approximately £27k pa on Utilities and Stationery costs. The project has now been expanded to include Packaging, Telecoms, Work Wear and Mobile Communications. Further savings are anticipated this year.

• National charity – turnover £50 million – Fleet Management
This charity had an aging fleet of vehicles which needed replacing. However they were unsure what was the most cost effective way to replace it. By new, sell and lease back or lease an entire fleet. Working with Gill Gibbon, we were able to model all the scenarios and helped identify the right fleet management company for them to work with. Our intervention has saved the charity £55K.

• Insurance sector – turnover £5 million
A commercial insurance brokerage wanting to review key areas with the ultimate goal of reducing administration and costs. The company has reduced its Telecom costs by around 20%. The company also saved around 15% on their utilities and took advantage of our expertise to negotiate their new lease agreement which saved them 15%.However, the biggest improvements were with Stationery. A new supplier was sourced who was able to offer to assist the FD in managing the allocation of budgets more accurately. The cost savings were also around 30%.

Jane concludes: “I’ve signed up eight clients in my first eight months. We are really busy and I have already recruited my first staff member. They will ideally provide administrative support. This will free me up to stay focused on the growth of the business as my goal is to sign up a further fifteen during my second year!”

Jane’s tremendous progress was acknowledged at Auditel’s National Conference this year with her nomination for the prestigious Rising Star Award for 2013.