A WOMAN has followed in her parents' footsteps after being part of a team that has took over a business that helps to keep our power going.

Hindley Green-based power protection firm PE Systems was set up in Mike and June Smith's back garden in 1987.

Since then the firm has grown to become a multi-million pound provider of secure power solutions for clients such as UK National Grid, SSE, UK Power Networks and GE.

And last month, Mike and June's daughter Nicola Jones staged a takeover of the company with three other members of the executive team.

“On a personal level, I’m immensely grateful to my parents for a chance to follow their example in business and to build on their success," Nicola said.

"I’m also delighted that we will continue to benefit from my father’s input as he will continue to play a role in the future direction of the business as both an ambassador and innovator.”

As well as Nicola, the buyout team also includes finance director Anouska Gee, production director Julie Nuttall and sales director Mark Wilson.

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Nicola said: “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity of investing in a company that has such a proud heritage here in the North West as well as an unrivalled reputation for delivering quality, service and innovation across the UK and Europe.

“All four of us have a substantial history with PE Systems, and can draw on experience garnered over many years in our respective roles.

"We chose to invest in PE Systems because we’re confident we, together with our 50 plus strong team, have the skills and commitment required to secure its future sustainability and growth.

“We also share a vision for its future which will draw upon the inherent values which have underpinned its success to date.

"The strength of our proposition will continue to lie in the same ethos which governed the business over the past 30 years: to provide quality products with the power to perform, the reliability to deliver and the durability to last.

“We’re excited about the challenges ahead and look forward to working with clients in developing new relationships, exploring new markets and commercial applications, and maximising emergent technologies.”

Wealth management group PM+M, based in Blackburn, played a key role in the buyout.

PM+M corporate finance partner Jim Akrill said: "Often this is the best exit solution for businesses like PE Systems, where there is a solid management team taking over along with vendors who are willing to be part of the deal through an ongoing stake in the company for a few years."