Yet again for 2025, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring regional businesspeople from across the north. We’ll be quizzing a notable name with 12 quickfire questions. As we get closer to Christmas, it's the turn of Ami-Lou Jackson, MD at C.O.G. Scaffolding (Darrington, Yorkshire).

1.What were you hoping to achieve by December when you sat down in January, and did you get there?

We were hoping to achieve £1m turnover by the end of the year and we have done that. We’re really pleased to have reached that milestone. It’s a great way to end the year.

2.Tell us about three moments from 2025 that made you proud of your business.

1). Getting the 18-tonne wagon. That was great!
2). How we recovered from having £30,000 worth of equipment stolen; and being broken into the following month when one of our vehicles was written off. It was a dreadful thing to have happened but we just got on with it and did what needed to be done.
3). Taking on our first apprentice and upskilling our team across the board.

3.What's been your biggest headache this year - supply chains, recruitment, costs, or something else entirely?

Our Facebook page being closed down because of a mistake by a follower. Years of loyalty and equity in the account just wiped out overnight. It was a really important platform for us, so it was gutting.

4.If you had to describe 2025 using a Christmas film title, which would you choose?

Die Hard!

5.What's your number one priority when the office reopens in January?

We want to secure larger commercial developments. We also want to maintain our current partnerships really well and develop new partnerships in the new-build sector.

6.Which business in the region has caught your eye this year - for all the right reasons?

Smith Craft Roofing. They’re a local company who get fantastic reviews as their craftsmanship is impeccable. We like working with honest and trustworthy companies who work to high standards and they fit this perfectly.

7.Crystal ball time: what does 2026 hold for businesses like yours?

We are being targeted to build more houses. This obviously comes with planning restrictions and the issues of the liquidity of construction firms. We’d like to see the building sector being more buoyant.

8.This Christmas, are you a "full production" household or a "feet up and telly" one?

Full production!

9.Crackers, Brussels sprouts, or pudding - which one best describes your year?

Crackers!

10.Which business book, podcast or piece of advice has been your "surprise hit" of the year?

Lizzie at Cavalier Health is a mental health practitioner and has been working with us. It’s enabled us to open our minds and manage the business better because of managing the day better and this then filters down to how we help and manage others. It’s been great.

11. As you wind down for the festive break, what are you most looking forward to switching off from?

The phone constantly ringing and spending so much time in front of a screen. And for the guys, being out in the cold!

12.In 25 words or fewer, what would you say to your customers, teams and stakeholders as we head into 2026?

Reflecting upon 2025, there’s a wave of emotions around our financial goals and growth. We wish everyone we work with a thriving 2026!