Portsmouth family business owner recognised after standout turnaround year
A family business owner has been named Local Entrepreneur of the Year by Entrepreneurs Circle (EC) following a year of significant turnaround, growth and renewed focus.
Dan Swatton, who leads Fareham based fitted furniture firm Deanes, received the award at the Portsmouth EC Local Event in recognition of the progress he made during 2025, applying learning from the EC community to transform the performance of the business.
The award was presented by David Sekules and Steve Wilson, the local ambassadors for Entrepreneurs Circle in Portsmouth.
“Dan’s year really stood out,” said Steve Wilson. “He didn’t have the smoothest start, but what impressed everyone was how he responded. He took on board learning from EC, listened to advice around the table and made some tough but necessary decisions. The results spoke for themselves.”
After a challenging start to the year, Dan reviewed how the business was operating and made a series of changes. These included reshaping his team, revisiting pricing, refining processes and focusing more clearly on Deanes’ ideal client base. By cutting out wasted time and effort, the business became more efficient with the people and facilities it already had.
Those changes quickly gained traction. Dan was named EC Local Entrepreneur of the Month in July after a run of “best month ever” results, and momentum continued throughout the second half of the year.
The latest local recognition follows Deanes’ success at the National Entrepreneur Awards in September, where the family firm was named Family Business of the Year.
The national accolade reflected the same qualities recognised locally: resilience, integrity and the ability to adapt under pressure.
Beyond the commercial results, Dan was also recognised for the role he plays within the Portsmouth EC Local community. He is a regular contributor to group discussions, sharing experience openly and supporting other members as they work through their own challenges.
He has already hosted an EC Local mini-Implementor Day at Deanes’ offices, giving members a practical, welcoming space to step away from day-to-day pressures and focus on implementation.
Following the success of that session, further Implementor Days are now planned for 2026, supported by Dan and his team.
“Winning national recognition as Dan did at our annual convention is a big achievement but what really matters is what you do next,” said Nigel Botterill, founder of Entrepreneurs Circle.
“Dan’s story stands out because, despite the success he’s had, he remains grounded, open to learning and committed to supporting other business owners locally. That combination of ambition and humility is exactly what Local Entrepreneur of the Year is designed to recognise.”
EC Local Events bring business owners together each month to learn, collaborate and share what is working in the real world. In 2025, the programme evolved from traditional meetings into more immersive business events and experiences, designed to support practical learning and stronger peer connections.
The Portsmouth EC Local Event supports entrepreneurs at every stage, from start ups to established businesses, and is open to business owners who are members of Entrepreneurs Circle.
The next Portsmouth EC Local Event takes place on 21st April at 6pm at The Sunshine Inn, Portsmouth. Business owners interested in attending can register to join Entrepreneurs Circle for free HERE