Jim swaps crime for grime in new business venture

Marc Astley
Authored by Marc Astley
Posted Friday, June 23, 2017 - 11:54pm

He’s spent 22 ½ years fighting crime and now former Devon police Sergeant Jim Humphrey has launched a war on grime.

For Jim has taken over the South West region of Ecocleen Services, a national franchise which offers a range of services including cleaning up to an industrial scale.

The veteran cop will be known to residents of East Devon for his role as the Neighbourhood Team Sergeant for Honiton and Axminster where he spent the last three years of his career.

But he has swapped pounding the beat for a career in business taking on over 50 clients and 70 staff from day one.

Jim says much of what he learnt as a police officer has helped him embark on the new venture.

He explained: “You would think there would be a major gulf between my former career and what I am doing now but I have discovered there are so many transferrable skills.

“Relationship building, problem solving, partnership working and dealing with pressure situations were all part of my previous career and this hasn’t changed in the slightest”.

“It’s just the same in business. Being a police officer was a way of life and so is running your own company. The day starts the minute you wake up and ends when you go to sleep.”

Jim, who is married to Sarah, a company director, says the Ecocleen brand appealed to him due to its environmentally-friendly credentials.

“None of the cleaning products we use contain any toxic chemicals,” he said.

“We use only sustainable and environmentally-friendly products which is important to many of our customers.”

However, Ecocleen is more than a cleaning company.

“We offer a wide range of facilities management services,” said Jim, who lives just outside of Exeter.

“That includes everything from CCTV, security, pest control, waste management and grounds maintenance as well as contract cleaning.”

For more information email jhumphrey@ecocleen.co.uk or visit http://ecocleen.co.uk/locations/south-west

Photo caption: Jim during his time on the beat (inset) and today out on the road drumming up new business

 

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