A BUSINESS owner who went from sleeping rough to heading up a trio of companies with an annual turnover of £25 million has opened a huge new warehouse and office complex in Dorcan.

Lee Hallett invited the Mayor of Swindon to the ribbon-cutting of the OPX Group's 37,000sq ft distribution centre in Ignition Park.

Lee became his own boss in 2014 after a tough two years in which he lost his home and his job. During that time, he approached the Swindon Jobcentre and staff there put him in touch with government-backed scheme Outset, which provides funding and start-up loans to people who have a viable plan to set up their own company.

Through this funding process, Lee met Coun Garry Perkins and was delighted to reunite with him several years later at the opening of the new facility.

Coun Perkins said: “After the closure of Honda, Swindon needs entrepreneurs like Lee.”

Since that successful funding application, Lee has founded OPX Recruitment and expanded it to OPX Logistics and OPX Distribution before bringing all three branches under one name.

The new complex took three months to get ready and more than 100 guests attended its official opening, including family, customers, and employees who played a big role in Hallett's success.

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Lee reflected on the past few years and the journey he and his growing team have been on: "We've experienced such significant growth, year on year. Our feet haven't touched the ground.

"In seven years, we've created three successful, profitable businesses and employ hundreds of people on a daily basis.

"We are supported by some of the country's biggest third-party logistics providers, supermarkets and retailers."

OPX Group has appointed a new general manager and financial director who have ambitious plans for the future.

Dave Boggold has been headhunted from Aldi after 30 years with the retail giant. He said: "I wanted the opportunity to make a difference, every single day. Without the corporate bureaucracy. I'm able to make decisions at any time to create an environment where people want to work.

"The vision is to make OPX the best place in Swindon to work. We've got some of the best employees already, and we want to make it the best for everyone in the future.

"The depot is modern and efficient, so a great place to work. It's a place where people are valued and trusted, and where their contributions are recognised.

"This is just the beginning. We have exciting plans, and in early 2023 we will hopefully open a larger distribution centre in the Midlands.

"As an ethical business, we will deliver on our promises of supporting the supply chain and allowing our partners businesses to operate smoothly, we are the solution to their problems.”

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Andrew Smith is reportedly considered in the top one per cent of chief financial officers in Europe and joins the team from the Heineken Group.

Lee added: "This is an exciting time for OPX, and this is an exciting time for Swindon. We have found our place in the market and have ambitious plans to grow throughout the country.

"I am truly grateful for the continued support of my family, friends, colleagues and employees, who have all played a part in where we're stood today, and I am incredibly proud of everyone involved."