Case Study – Paragon Services

The Challenge

Launched during the height of the pandemic, Paragon Services is a specialist scaffolding and access recruitment agency founded by Josh Allwood. While Josh possessed deep industry experience and strong client relationships, the business faced the unique pressures of a lockdown startup.

Initially relying on a supporting agency for basic financial backing, Josh quickly realised that to reach his ambitious growth targets, he needed more than just a landlord. He required a sophisticated funding partner and a robust back-office infrastructure that could offer the security, flexibility, and risk management necessary to handle a massive influx of business without compromising cash flow.

The Solution

Paragon Services partnered with Workwell Outsourcing to transition into a fully independent, scalable operation. We implemented a comprehensive support structure that went beyond simple payroll, focusing on long-term financial health and risk mitigation.

The solution included:

• Flexible Invoice Funding: Week-to-week funding to free up essential cash flow as the client base expanded rapidly.
• Risk Management & Insurance: Introduction to trade credit insurance and regular credit limit monitoring to protect the business against bad debt.
• Administrative Outsourcing: Handing over the “heavy lifting” of back-office admin and payroll, allowing the Paragon team to focus entirely on business development.
• Strategic Consultancy: Providing expert advice that occasionally challenged the status quo to ensure the business’s best interests were always protected.

The Result

The partnership has facilitated an extraordinary growth trajectory. Paragon Services evolved from a one-man band with a £10,000 monthly turnover to a respected agency with a £4.1 million turnover in just its second year.

By outsourcing the back office, Josh gained the freedom to outgrow his initial supporters and establish a fully independent five-person team managing 130 contractors. With a new London office on the horizon and a projected turnover of £13 million, Paragon Services has successfully transitioned from a lockdown startup to a high-turnover market leader.

Josh Allwood, Managing Director at Paragon Services, said:

“We work very closely together. It’s a great partnership, and I’ve got where I am because of them. In just two years, the flexible funding and back-office support has empowered our expertise to flourish.”