Forcing hidden gaps into the spotlight

Imagine half of your business disappearing overnight?
Well, for business owner Clare Randall of Stonewall Security Group, that’s exactly what happened when COVID first hit.
This eye watering challenge threatened the survival of the traditional, but very successful, security business Clare and her husband Martin had built up over a number of years.

It forced hidden gaps, within their business model, into the spotlight.

There was nowhere now for these weaknesses to hide.

Clare shared, “It taught me to never rely on a handful of customers.”

“We had some large contracts that just stopped at a snap of the government’s fingers when they enforced the first lockdowns.

And for a traditional security business that involves guards onsite, with a lockdown in place this created an enormous gap.”

It also, on the flip side, presented an opportunity to diversify. And in a moment where many others may have sunk, Stonewall Vaults was born in a bid to safeguard the business and enable it to swim on through the murky waters.

Following great personal sacrifice, Clare decided to sell her house and invested heavily into building her very own state-of-the-art safety deposit box facility. For those who utilise these services, it’s common knowledge that banks up and down the country have been stealthily closing all safes.

The complementary service provides enhanced security to Stonewall’s customers belongings, documentation and precious possessions in a secure vault away from home. The variety in boxes sizes also offers a range of secure storage needs.

Stonewall Vaults is the only independent safety deposit box facility in the midlands, that is manned 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

She kicked off her high heeled boots

In March 2024, shock news that Clare had been shortlisted as a finalist at the Woman Who Achieves Awards was announced. She was interviewed by an independent panel of judges in April and in May the Awards event took place.

In security there are many techniques used to effectively keep people safe.

Clare spotted a trend during the Awards event: the finalists were being called out in alphabetical order…

She’d kicked off her high heeled boots towards the end of the event, thinking that the day was done. Alphabetical meant all the winners with names beginning with C had been called out early on in the event!

To her complete and utter surprise her name was called out as one of the final winners of the day!
The judges commended her win, declaring:

“When COVID hit and business disappeared overnight, many would have perhaps have taken the easy option to close up shop.

But Clare developed a new revenue stream with the launch of safety deposit boxes as well as redeveloping their existing security business to differentiate from the competition and create new opportunities. All this resulted in a strong bounce back and a business that continues to grow.”

The Woman Who Achieves Awards were founded by Sandra Garlick in 2016.

“When I started the Woman Who Awards it was only supposed to be a ‘one off’ event. I was fed up with the Awards I’d entered and attended. They were boring, full of men in suits, the Finalists ignored, and the Winners only celebrated for a fleeting moment on stage.

 I wanted to change the perception of Awards and for every woman in business who had taken the time to enter to be celebrated. My aim is to make everyone in the room feel as though they are a Winner and to have their moment on stage.

 2024 was my 9th year of delivering these Awards and it was important to me that the event is as inclusive as possible.
Clare is a great role model to inspire others. She could have given up when her business disappeared during COVID, but her ability to see a new opportunity has led to business growth and is a deserving winner” says Sandra Garlick MBE

So who is Clare?

Clare is a Rugby-based, female business owner who is on a mission.

As a woman in business it can be tough.
And as a woman in security, some may argue, it’s tougher!

She is a woman on a mission to be the Woman Who changes the perception of the security sector, by becoming an innovator and thought leader.

With a experience of working across the care sector, Clare is also a dedicated first aid trainer!

She’s passionate about keeping people safe and out of harms way. To support local Rugby and Midlands based businesses she dedicated some of her free time delivering first aid training to help up skill and share vital safety knowledge. The only caveat is that businesses make a donation to her chosen charity in exchange for the training, which is valued at £100 per person.

Clare has taken on the challenge of raising £10,000 for The Myton Hospices this year.
To make it all worth the donation, she’s set herself 4 gruelling challenges which have already seen Clare come face to face with some of her biggest fears.

Challenge 1 – Triathlon is complete (and rebooked for October, because she enjoyed it so much!)
Challenge 2 – The Parachute Jump is pending
Challenge 3 – 897 Miles from John O’Groats to Lands End is planned for the end of July
Challenge 4 – The 5k Santa Dash is planned for the end of the year!

If you’re impressed – you too, can show your support here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/clare-garrod-1702294216469

To learn more about the security and safety deposit services on offer visit
https://www.stonewallsecurity.co.uk and https://www.stonewallvaults.co.uk/