Based in East Sussex, the company, D Brockhurst Building Services, deals mainly with extensions and garage conversions. Darren is also one of very few builders who is trained in working with flint, which was a common material used across the Sussex area and sees him working on many conservation projects.

“We work closely together as a team which is important as it results in the smooth running of the business.”

But as with most busy builders across the country, Darren knew that handling the building work as well as all the paper work that comes with running a successful business was rather difficult, not to say time-consuming!

Knowing this, he sought the help of Ali right from the beginning and with the order book practically full for the foreseeable future, it looks like it was a shrewd move by the couple.

Darren said: “Fortunately we’re very busy and are booked up well in advance. However without the help of Ali, the business really wouldn’t be where it is today. She has been a revelation and deals with all invoices, accounts and quotes.”

As a result, Darren spends more time on site getting on with the work and less time worrying about making sure the accounts are up to speed, payments are made on time and that quotes are sent out as soon as possible.

Darren added: “Without Ali’s help we wouldn’t be able to survive. I’m sure, as with many other businesses across the UK, there are people like Ali who work behind the scenes doing work that means businesses are able to function. She really does deserve to be recognised for her hard work and I’m delighted!”

Ali said: “We work closely together as a team which is important as it results in the smooth running of the business. We want to provide the best possible service to all our customers, which means Darren needs to be on site doing what he does best and not stuck in the office sorting out the paperwork.

It also means there’s more time for us to enjoy our leisure time, be it in the evenings or on weekends. It’s great to receive this prize and I hope more people come forward.”

More information

Click here for more information about Builders’ Better Halves or if you would like to enter your significant other in our Builders’ Better Halves competition, e-mail pb@hamerville.co.uk.

Extract taken from Professional Builder magazine, March 2006