By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
EFT Group in Southport is the winner of the 2025 Sefton Business In The Community Award after a year of once again supporting the local area in so many different ways.
The award was sponsored by In Demand Radio. As part of their prize, In Demand Radio is providing 10 weeks of free advertising and the production or radio adverts, worth £3,000.
The business, based on Cobden Road in Southport, consists of EFT Systems, EFT Construction and EFT Electrical, which provide a unique partnership to build, protect and maintain clients’ property, life safety and security assets.
EFT Systems was founded in 1974 and the family-owned firm works hard to champion opportunities for women and men, including through its own two academies.
Senior figures at the business who accepted the Sefton Business In The Community Award at the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards at the Grand in Southport included HR Director Kyla Watts, company director Jordan Duggan and colleagues.
EFT Group embodies what it means to be a business woven into the fabric of its community. With deep-rooted family values, an unwavering commitment to local causes and a selfless approach to giving back, they have changed lives in ways both big and small.
Over the past 12 months alone, their generosity and hands-on involvement have uplifted individuals, supported grassroots initiatives, and strengthened the heart of Sefton.
Their dedication is quiet, yet their impact is profound — making them truly deserving of the Business in the Community Award.
EFT has played a pivotal role in helping local athletes chase their dreams. Their main sponsorship of Southport’s own Niall Brannigan and his team aboard SeaSoar, who rowed the Atlantic in aid of Lyme Disease UK, was instrumental in turning this daring mission into a reality, raising vital awareness and funds. Likewise, their backing of young darts player Jack Peet helped him reach the Darts World Championships in Gibraltar, proving that talent nurtured locally can shine on an international stage.
EFT’s belief in the power of sport to transform lives is further reflected in their main sponsorship of Southport Rugby Club.
More than just funding, this partnership has created tangible career opportunities, with five Southport Rugby Club players now working within EFT through their apprenticeship program. Their investment in sport extends even further, as they also sponsor Lucy, a young Southport Taekwondo athlete, in her quest to compete at the World Open Championships, where she hopes to claim her third English title. With their support, Lucy is proving that hard work, dedication, and belief can take you anywhere.
EFT’s support for charities is both extensive and deeply personal. They have raised significant funds for Ty Gobaith House Children’s Hospice, ensuring that children receive Christmas presents and the joy they deserve.
EFT CEO Adam Watts personally stepped up to raise money for Queenscourt Hospice by competing in Strictly Come Dancing to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice,, and their staff have taken on extraordinary challenges like the Ben Nevis trek, skydives and the Liverpool Half Marathon, all in support of local causes that make a real difference.
Further contributions include their team’s participation in Star Trekk, a 10k night walk that raised over £1,500 for Queenscourt Hospice and generous donations to Cradle Charity, which provides crucial support for local families grieving the loss of a baby during pregnancy.
EFT’s commitment to the next generation is unwavering. In the past year alone, they have provided 15 work placements, giving young people essential hands-on experience in the industry. Through partnerships like the EFT Academy and Southport Rugby Club, they are shaping futures and ensuring that local talent has a pathway to success.
EFT’s belief in the power of human connection has led them to take meaningful action against social isolation. They regularly organise social get-togethers, such as community bingo mornings, bringing joy and companionship to elderly residents. Their acts of kindness extend to everyday gestures, like their staff stepping in to help an elderly resident in need—an act of care that was recognised in the local news.
Their commitment to community wellbeing also extends to tangible improvements, such as donating and installing new lighting for Burscough Dynamo Football Club’s changing rooms, ensuring young athletes have a safe and well-equipped space. Their generosity further shone when they installed a free intruder alarm and CCTV system for a local small business after it suffered a devastating break-in, reinforcing their support for fellow businesses.
EFT’s philosophy is simple but powerful: even small gestures can change lives. Their donation of garden furniture to Crompton Court, a local housing association scheme, helped create a more welcoming outdoor space for residents. Their foodbank donation to Centre 56, a children’s charity, ensured that struggling families received much-needed support.
EFT doesn’t seek the spotlight for their contributions; they let their actions speak for them. Whether it’s helping a young athlete chase her dreams, supporting families through loss, or ensuring that local businesses and sports teams thrive, EFT gives back with sincerity and purpose.
This nomination represents only a glimpse of their generosity. Their kindness, their belief in people and their relentless commitment to making Sefton a better place are what make them truly special. EFT Group doesn’t just operate in the community — they are the community.
The Pride Of Sefton Awards sponsored by The Grand Southport and organised by Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport, is an unmissable fixture in the Liverpool City Region events calendar, in association with In Demand Radio.
Next year’s awards will take place at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport on Friday 24th April 2026.
For more details please email: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
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