The Group Director of one of Southport’s most ambitious businesses has spoken of her passion for attracting top female talent into an historically male industry.
Jordan Duggan, the Group Director of EFT Group, will be one of the headline speakers and panellists at the annual International Women’s Day celebration, organised by Queenscourt Hospice, at The Grand in Southport on Friday 6th March 2026.
The family-run EFT Group, founded in 1974, consists of EFT Systems, EFT Construction and EFT Electrical, providing a unique partnership to build, protect and maintain clients’ property, life safety and security assets.
Last year the firm, which employs over 160 local people, announced ambitious plans to move from its long-time home at Cobden House, on Cobden Road, and expand into three brand new purpose-built units at Southport Business Park.
EFT Group has always been heavily invested in supporting the local community and in developing opportunities for local women and men, including through its own two academies.
Last year the firm was crowned Sefton Business In The Community champion at the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Jordan Duggan said: “The business is over 50 years old, and I am proud to have worked here for the past 25 years.
“The firm was founded by my uncle and aunt, Peter and Helen Ingham, as a company initially selling fire alarms, and has grown since then to offer far more besides.
“Peter and Helen didn’t have any children of their own and to me and my brother, Adam, who is now the company CEO, they were like second parents.
“Adam and I were born in Southport. Like many people who grew up here, I moved away to live in Cheltenham. Peter kept asking if I’d like to come back and start a career with EFT!
“I did and started at the bottom and without favour. I had to demonstrate my worth to the business, and prove myself through hard work.
“I started in the admin department, doing filing, answering the phone, general admin.
“I moved onto the accounts department, learning all about profit and loss, accounts, suppliers and more.
“I moved onto the operations team and became the Operations Director 10 years ago.
“Meanwhile, Adam was working hard in the sales team – he would bring in work and I would put it into action.
“Another responsibility has been looking after the EFT Academy where we provide vital skills and training.
“I lead the EFT Foundation, which has become a real legacy to Uncle Peter, who died 20 years ago.
“We love to do what we can to play our part in improving the local community. What we do is varied!
“At the end of last year, we hosted our very own EFT Strictly fundraising night at the Prince Of Wales Hotel to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice, after Adam had competed in Queenscourt Strictly the year before.
“We then stepped in to support Southport Hesketh Round Table after hearing about their appeal to repair their Santa Sleigh, and ended up building a brand new one for them! That was a lot of fun.”
EFT Group has grown substantially in the past few years – so much so that it has finally outgrown its Cobden Road home of many years.
Jordan said: “When I started, we had a turnover of £1.5 million a year. It’s now over £20 million.
“Last year we rebranded as EFT Group to incorporate everything we do.
“Next year we are planning to move into our brand new purpose-built headquarters at Southport Business Park which will enable us to expand our operation, our turnover, and the number of local jobs that we can create.
“The future is so exciting!
“We have always been based at Cobden Road and as we have grown we have carried out lots of iterations to it.
“What we have always invested in the most has been our team.
“EFT Group is very much about offering equality and opportunity for people.
“Our industry has traditionally been very male-dominated, and we have been very eager to alter that.
“Over half our board is made up of women. Across the UK, we need to see more women in the boardroom and earning opportunities in top company positions.
“At EFT Group we work hard to encourage more girls into careers involving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
“We do talks in a lot of schools. I often take a young female apprentice along with me.
“It’s fabulous seeing the reaction of girls in the class, thinking ‘in a couple of years that could be me’.
“We thrive on inspiring girls that anything is possible, there don’t have to be barriers in the way of careers they’d love to do and are ideally suited to.
“I am very passionate about having more girls on our team and making opportunities available in all roles, including in previously male-dominated areas of our industry.
“International Women’s Day is all about raising each other up; supporting each other; and working together as a collective.
“Sometimes, there can be envy and jealousy of successful women.
“We should all be proud of what women are achieving and should celebrate women who are doing well.”
International Women’s Day 2026 will be at The Grand on Lord Street, Southport, a beautiful venue known for its elegance and charm, on Friday 6th March 2026.
Attendees will enjoy a delicious two-course meal while hearing from relevant keynote speakers who will inspire and empower.
The celebration will be rounded off with music and dancing, providing a joyful conclusion to the event.
Visit: International Women’s Day Celebration – Queenscourt Hospice
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