A DIRECTOR of a Runcorn family firm is being honoured as one of the region’s brightest business talents.

Matthew Darlington, 25, company director of Sutton Weaver-based KDE Ltd, has been invited by corporate publication North West Business Insider to an annual event to celebrate the strength of rising entrepreneurs across the north west.

KDE, a regional firm specialising in electrical, fire alarm and plumbing and heating employs 50 people on Chester Road, Sutton Weaver.

Matthew will join 41 other prominent entrepreneurs to form the ’42 under 42 Class of 2017’ at a celebration dinner at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester on Monday.

“When my father founded the company in 1989 he had a vision and I’m delighted that I can continue his legacy and make him proud building on his vision,” said Matthew.

“I am passionate about the services we provide and I really believe in our business and everything it stands for, so to be recognised by a publication like Insider for something that I love is fantastic”.

Matthew is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service which has allowed his family business to thrive.

He added: “We have always been passionate about delivering the best possible service and I still use this ethos of delivering outstanding customer service each and every day.

“We put our customers’ needs first and foremost in every situation. I think that’s why people keep coming back to us again and again”.

When asked about the secret of his success, Matthew says it’s all about people.

“We employ 93 talented and motivated individuals who I’m proud to work alongside,” he added.

“Our philosophy is and has always been to empower our team to deliver excellence in everything they do.”

“By continually improving employee retention, investing in training and development, improving wellbeing and offering incentives, we have a happy and highly motivated team who love what they do.

“As a result, we’ve grown by 78 per cent in 3 years and we’re expected to hit a huge milestone of employing 100 members of staff before the end of the year.

“Growing KDE is more than just a job to me – it’s a lifestyle, a passion and an obsession that excites me.”