Who are you?

Gary Maitles, founder of The Service Directory.

What does your business do?

The Service Directory provides procurement services through a bespoke, web-based system.

We help organisations where people matter, with a proven track record of saving time and money on the products and services thy procure every day.

We are a complete one stop shop for 1,500 clients, specifically focused on the care sector and early years.

We currently have clients in Care, Hospitality, Leisure and Corporate sectors. Every business purchases products and services on a regular basis therefore our model can help to ensure that businesses are running as efficiently as possible.

We recently secured deals with UK-wide businesses, including Meallmore and Runwood care home groups, along with softplay and leisure group Gambado.

Where are you based?

We are based in Kinning Park in the South Side of Glasgow and share an office with my brother and dad’s business.

The Service Directory is also part of the RBS accelerator programme’s ‘Next Level’ cohort which gives us a base in the city centre of Glasgow, when needed.

How did you get started?

I left my job in April 2012 and fully intended to work from my parents’ garage.

I had everything set up; however, I was offered a place in an incubator space in the South Side of Glasgow.

This was my base for the next 14 months and was a real springboard to launch the business.

What is your background (eg qualifications, previous work experience etc)?

I have a First Class Honours degree from Napier University in Business Studies and Marketing.

Following my degree, I worked for a specialist optician within the care sector.

It was in this role that I developed the concept that is now The Service Directory.

What is your top tip?

Make sure you are always learning.

As confident as I am with our system and service, it is a constant learning curve.

I’m always looking for feedback from customers, suppliers and stakeholders as to how we can do things even better.

How long has your business been running?

The Service Directory was founded in January 2013.

What was your first deal?

Our first win was a small group of care homes and six years on I still get the same excitement when we win new business.

Like our recent new business wins, for example, which have put us on track to achieve monthly turnover of £1 million.

Who was/is your mentor/or inspiration?

It may sound like a cliché but I love reading about Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates.

Their visionary thinking and what they continue to try and build is just exceptional.

Useful contacts e.g. business emails, websites, contact telephone numbers etc.

https://www.theservicedirectory.co.uk/

info@theservicedirectory.co.uk

0800 056 5451