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About Us

Our story starts back in 1999 with a small, two person operation selling security screws and access control from a garden shed in Radcliffe.

After years in the business fellow Director Gwyn Ewens and I bought out the original business owner back in 2015, bringing a combined 45 years’ experience in the fields of safety, security and signs and transformed the business into the online business it is today.

Although we are primarily an online business, we do our best not to come over as a faceless organisation. We try to combine the convenience and value of shopping online, with the customer service of a friendly traditional high street shop. We live and breathe our moto 'SSP - placing the customer at the heart of everything we do' - its even on our wall!

We are proud to be approved suppliers for hundreds of local authorities, schools and hospitals, as well as supplying to large organisations like the Christie Hospital, Kellogg’s, Edmundson Electrical, BBC, Balfour Beatty and Lyreco.

We have thousands of genuine positive reviews which speak for themselves, but on the rare occasion that we do get it wrong, I personally promise that, if it is our fault, we will put it right.

We have no pushy sales team, what we do have is a friendly, knowledgeable Customer Service team that I am very proud of. These people are here to support you in whatever way you need. Although we now have over 15,000 products, it is worth saying that many of these standard products came about by listening to our customers and solving a problem specifically for them… and then rolling these ideas out to others. So if you cannot find what you are looking for, please give our team a call to discuss your requirements.

Although we are unrecognisable from our humble beginnings, our commitment to quality products, customer service excellence and unbeatable prices remains the same today as it did when we sold our very first product back in 1999.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know us.


Hayley Ewens
Managing Director


Mission & Vision

1. First and foremost to have happy customers, who recommend us to others and come back to us again and again.

2. To offer cost effective, quality products and solutions that do exactly what our customers expect them to do.

3. To have a happy workforce who feel appreciated, valued and in turn are commited to the business and our customers.

4. To give back to society. Whether this is by taking on apprentices, which lead to genuine long term employment, or by financially supporting worthy charities.


Meet the team:

Gwyn Ewens - Commercial Director

Role: Gwyn is responsible for developing SSP’s online proposition, introducing new products, purchasing budgets and achieving sales targets, whilst ensuring we live up to the customer’s expectations online. Being the longest standing member of the SSP team, Gwyn is our technical and quality go-to.

SSP Goal: To enjoy the challenges presented every single day but never settle with what we have accomplished so far. We should continue to develop our product offering and grow as a business. Ultimately, I want SSP Direct to strive to be better today than it was yesterday. I also want everyone involved to enjoy being part of that journey.

Fun fact: In 2018 Gwyn ran the Manchester Marathon on behalf of the amazing Christie hospital.

 

Hayley Ewens - Managing Director

Role: Hayley is ultimately responsible for the day to day running of business as a whole, making sure we deliver the very best customer service. Management of staff, processes and procedures, suppliers, finance and business efficiency.  

SSP Goal: To lead a happy team that genuinely believe in the values of SSP and naturally want to give of their best, resulting in Customers either wanting to order from us again, or recommend us.. or even better, both!

Fun fact: I have four children, I love travelling and listening to live music.


Mark Hughes - Business Development Manager

Role: Mark is responsible for quotations, tenders and our export business as well as assisting with general Customer Service.

SSP Goal: My goal is to always make our customers feel appreciated, whatever size the order.

Fun fact: I am a huge Manchester United supporter.


Jess Hughes - Accounts and Custom Artwork

Role: Jess splits her time between invoicing, debt chasing and creating custom sign artwork.

SSP Goal: To make sure that every customer and supplier has a pleasant and helpful service from me.

Fun fact: I collect Irregular choice shoes!


Peter Ashton - Customer Service/Stock Manager

Role: Peter is part of our Customer Service team, answering calls, emails and processing orders. He is also in charge of despatch and managing stock levels.

SSP Goal: I strive to be as helpful & honest as possible when dealing with customer queries.

Fun fact: I once paid 20 Euros to write my own name WITH A PEN on a bottle of Jameson Whiskey!


Jenni Corrigan - Customer Service Co-ordinator

Role: Jenni is part of our Customer Service team, answering calls, emails and doing all she can to ensure products are despatched on time.

SSP Goal: To provide the highest level of customer service, I strive to ensure our customers are happy and receive a happy friendly speedy service they can rely on.

Fun fact: I love animals. I have two beautiful dogs… and a Hamster  

 

Our Charities

Giving back is very important to SSP, so far we have supported the following charities:

- The Christie, for their pioneering work in the research and treatment of cancer, and the amazing support they give to cancer sufferers up and down the country:

www.christie.nhs.uk


- Kidz2gether, for the truly inspirational support they give to both autistic children and their parents/carers in and around the Bolton area:

http://www.kidz2gether.org.uk/


- Helen and Douglas House, for the amazing respite care and support they provide to children with life-shortening conditions:

https://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/

 

- Breaking barriers for the amazing work they do working with disabled children and supporting their families:

www.breakingbarriersnw.com



- One Big Family Helping The Homeless, a truly remarkable charity helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society:

http://obfhelpingthehomeless.webs.com 

 

- Martin House Childrens Hospice, who provide family led care for children with life shortening conditions. It is a place where children, young people and their families can stay from time to time along their journey and find support, rest and practical help.

www.martinhouse.org.uk

 

-Maggies Manchester, for the wonderful practical, emotional and social support they offer people with cancer.

https://www.maggiescentrorges./our-centres/maggies-manchester/