Washington-based J S Security and Electrical has been named the North East's best family business by banking giant Barclays and Dragon's Den's Reggae Reggae Sauce entrepreneur Levi Root.

Winners from eight regions across the UK received cash prizes of £1,500 and a year of free business advice from Barclays at the firm's headquarters in London.

J S Security installs and repairs alarms, electrical systems and CCTV across the North East.

The company is run by husband and wife team Joe and Susan Sheridan and their sons Lee and Mark.

They started the business in 1985 by working part-time at night and on weekends. They moved to run the business full- time in 1992, and now have more than 4,000 customers.

The company has developed such a good reputation that for the last 13 years it has not needed to advertise and the family is now planning to take on two apprentices and new business premises.

Levi Roots said: "J S Security is just a fantastic business.

"I wouldn't have got where I am today without the backing of my family – so I know how important the support of relatives is to business success.

"The Sheridans clearly stick together, and they truly deserve to win.

"I hope we've added a bit of zest to their business, and spiced up their prospects – and that they continue to shine as an outstanding example of a family business."

John Davis, marketing director for Barclays Local Business, said "Our search for the UK's best family businesses has revealed to us just how impressive and important family firms are.

"They are the backbone of the UK's economy, and we think they deserve recognition for all their hard work."

Family businesses are a crucial part of the UK's economy. There are just under three million family firms in the UK – about two-thirds of all the UK's private companies. About a third of the UK's wealth is produced by family firms, and they have a combined turnover of over £1 billion.





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