Having looked at a wide range of franchise businesses, Clinton was impressed with the Countrywide Signs team and could see the business model was clear and easy to understand.

Clinton Bondin is originally from Malta, but his wife is British so they’ve spent time living in both countries. Having run his own successful business in Malta he was keen to find a fulfilling opportunity to grow a business when they decided to move to the UK two years ago.

Clinton explains: “In Malta I ran my own business servicing cigarette machines which I’d grown from 11 locations to 156. It was going really well but when the cigarette companies changed their sales strategy it was clear the future did not hold the same opportunities. We started looking at new options and decided to move to the UK where I began to research franchises whilst working as an HGV driver.”
Having looked at a wide range of franchise businesses Clinton was impressed with the Countrywide Signs team and could see the business model was clear and easy to understand.

“I really wanted to be my own boss again but there are so many options I knew I had to spend time researching them properly to find the right choice for me and my family,” says Clinton. “When I came across Countrywide Signs it looked like a good opportunity but it was the openness of the people involved that really convinced me. Although the product is different, the role and the skills required to grow the business were similar to my company in Malta, so I felt very comfortable that it was the right franchise investment for me.”

Clinton’s territory is Huddersfield, near to where he and his wife and young daughter have lived for the past two years. Although it’s mainly a new territory for Countrywide Signs, there are a few established clients which will provide a starting block for him to grow from. “I’ve just completed my training and have a clear understanding of what I need to be focusing on to get the business going,” Clinton comments. “I have strong ambitions for the business and although I’ve only just started, I’m working towards having more than one van by mid-2016 and then further growth beyond that.”

When he’s not working, Clinton likes to spend time with his family and is enjoying exploring his new home on foot. He also enjoys watching football and although he’s traditionally an AC Milan fan but thinks the English leagues are more exciting!