His dream as a youngster was to become a professional footballer.
But businessman David Bannon now has a different goal in sight as director of the Brighouse-based Bannon Group.
David co-founded the business in 2011 with a partner to provide electrical installation, fire and security services and building services.
More recently, the group has added environmental services to its offering – helping customers make big savings on their energy bills by installing LED lighting, solar panels and eco-boilers.
The group also carries out environmental audits and helps clients identify the grants and tax breaks available for switching to energy-saving systems.
Among its clients, Bannon Group has helped implement “greener” systems for Dawsonrental and Websters Interiors in Brighouse and Elland’s Spire Hospital.
It also works in collaboration with Brighouse-based eco-roofing specialist Ploughcroft.
David says: “The money companies save by adopting energy-saving systems can generate jobs.
“One retail customer saved enough money to cover the wages of the Saturday girl, but in other cases the savings could be reinvested in better facilities for employees, staff recruitment or improving the reception area, for instance.
“Better lighting improves the working environment for staff.
“It can improve things such as quality control and changing the look of a company can attract new customers.”
Heading a successful business is not how David envisaged things as a youngster growing up in Bradford.
At the age of eight, he was on the books at Bradford City and playing football for St Peter’s School.
“I must have had some natural ability,” says David, who played left back.
However, City released him when he was 18 and while David played semi-professionally for a while, his dream of playing professionally for one of the big clubs was over.
“I did set out to be a footballer,” he says. “But there are only 2,000 professional footballers throughout the leagues, so you have to be talented.
“However, there’s not much support for people who don’t make the grade – people who have played for the North of England, say, but who will never pay football again.”
David says: “I had to sit down to see what I could do. I researched the construction industry and discovered there was a massive shortage of electricians!”
He made the logical move and embarked on an electrical apprenticeship with an electrical fit-out company in Brighouse and studying on block release at Huddersfield Technical College.
After qualifying, David worked for a couple of companies.
But he says: “When the recession hit, 80% of companies took staff off the books and they went self-employed.
“That happened to me – and suddenly I was making the jump from being an electrician to what some would call a company director!”
Bannon Group has a team of five, but calls on a pool of sub-contractors to carry out work on a national basis.
Inevitably, David finds himself behind a desk for almost half of the time, but says: “I can get the toolbox out when I have to!
“Dealing with clients is the important thing. I can get anyone to do the installation work, but if I’m doing that I’m not attending to the business. I have to deal with the clients and put a strategy in place.
David works with a business coach to set out strategy for the growth of the group.
He says: “I spend about 40% of my time in the office and the rest of the time out seeing clients.
“The one-to-one thing is very important. I spend a lot of time speaking to people on a one-to-one basis.”
David isn’t overawed by the role. “I’ve played football in front of a couple of thousand people and had to deal with the pressure of playing in finals,” he says.
“I’ve never had a problem speaking to people or thinking on my feet.”
The next big step, David says, is for Bannon Group to make a job-creating move to its own premises where it will have space to set up a showroom to give potential clients a fuller picture of how the company can help them.
Currently, the group operates from offices at Birkby House, but David has eyes on another property nearby.
“We were originally based in Queensbury, Bradford,” he says. “But Brighouse is fantastic. We are straight onto the motorway, so it makes sense to stay locally.”
David lives in Bradford with wife Samantha and sons Lowen, six, and Nile, four.
David says: “I drive the boys to school. The main thing is taking them to football and watching them play.
“As a family, we do things with the children all time. We go to work to have a good lifestyle – we don’t live to work.”
However, David and Samantha are never far away from the construction industry.
“Property is also our ‘hobby’ as we’re busy building a house in Queensbury,” says David.
He adds: “I have a great network of friends and people from all levels of business from contractors to directors.”
Commenting on the success of Bannon Group, David says: “We have used 17 contractors from the Huddersfield area, so we are contributing to the local economy.
“We have taken an apprentice on this year and we will probably do the same again next year.
“There is a massive skills shortage, but I’m quite lucky regarding electrical training because Kirklees College is by far the best in Yorkshire.”
David gets satisfaction from helping clients improve their properties and business performance.
“I enjoy problem-solving,” he says. “I still played football until last year when I turned 30.
“Work was so demanding that it has taken over from that hobby.
“Now I get a kick from doing what I do and helping people make savings in their businesses.”
Role: Director
Age: 30
Family: Married to Samantha with sons Lowen, six, and Nile, four
Holidays: We like America, especially Florida
Car: Mercedes Benz – but I seem to drive the family Vauxhall Vivaro most of the time because it has room for the kids’ bikes
First job: Wearing a bear costume and standing at the side of the road to advertise a carpet shop in Bradford!
Best thing about the job? I enjoy meeting the clients, listening to their problems and coming up with solutions. I enjoy problem-solving
Worst thing about the job? The paperwork
Business tip: If it feels right, 99% of the time it is right. But if thing’s aren’t going right, don’t be afraid to change direction. Don’t hold onto the dream if it’s not working out
Work: Building, electrical, security systems and environmental services
Site: Birkby Lane, Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse
Phone: 01484 937887
Email: info@bannonenvironmental.co.uk
Web: www.bannonmyers.com
