A Derbyshire serial entrepreneur is proving that blindess is no barrier to doing business after launching his latest company.
Leeroy Howcroft, from Draycott, was registered blind almost 30 years ago and suffers from a genetic neurological disorder.
But that has not stopped the 48-year-old from running his own businesses. Now, Leeroy, along with his wife Clodagh, has launched his latest venture - Crassus Grab Hire.
The firm provides customers across the East Midlands with waste removal and demolition solutions, as well as the delivery of aggregates, sand, stone and topsoil.
The new venture follows on from his previous businesses including a successful roofing firm. Leeroy also still runs a 15-unit overnight accommodation for local construction workers at Hilltop Farm, near Draycott, where Crassus Grab Hire is also based.
The couple chose to set up their latest business after deciding they wanted to start a new venture together. They have named it after Marcus Licinius Crassus, a Roman general and politician who was dubbed “The richest man in Rome”, to reflect their ambitions.
The firm has now taken delivery of almost £300,000 of tipper trucks, supplied by East Midlands Renault trucks dealer RH Commercial Vehicles, which has a base at Alfreton.
Leeroy, who is also involved in various charitable projects supporting My Sight (previously Nottinghamshire Royal Society for the Blind), said: “The first months for Crassus Grab Hire has been incredible, with a high volume of business already coming through our door.
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“I have never let my sight problems dampen my ambitions, but it helps to be supported by the right suppliers, such as the team at RH Commercial Vehicles, who understand I operate slightly differently perhaps to some of their other customers.
“With the current success of the business we’re expecting to purchase another two trucks in the coming months and we will be returning to RHCV when we do.”
Simon Bailey, sales manager at RHCV, said: “We are proud that we have been able to support Leeroy and supply two new Renault trucks, and assist his new business.”