Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Growth Award entrant – Claire Gilbert and Crystal Klean

Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Growth Award entrant – Claire Gilbert and Crystal Klean
Posted on 06.06.25
Share it:

Entrepreneur of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Growth Award entrant – Claire Gilbert and Crystal Klean

In 2020 Claire Gilbert set up Crystal Klean after a friend asked her to clean her home. That first year her turnover was less than £2,000. Five years later she has 40 staff, a PA and an annual turnover of around £400,000.

The company specialises in prestige commercial cleaning services in Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding areas. Typical clients include business premises, car showrooms and blocks and communal areas.

Claire worked in finance at Lloyds Bank for six years, leaving in 2004 to take a career break to look after her three sons.

Claire’s youngest son was diagnosed with mild autism when he was seven years old. She was looking to get back to employment but wanted a career that would not compromise her role as mum. Her own cleaning business was the solution.

She gradually took on more clients and Claire saw the need to formalise the business. Within two years she exceeded the VAT threshold and became a limited company.

As Crystal Klean grew Claire had to quickly learn all the elements of running a business, including recruiting a growing number of staff.

Claire’s objectives for the next three years include being more strategic about business growth, becoming the number one commercial cleaning company in Staffordshire and establishing a charitable foundation in the name of her mum, who died in 2022 and was her inspiration.

Claire Gilbert has entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards and has entered Crystal Klean into the Small Business of the Year and Growth categories.

© Copyright 2023 University of Staffordshire Business Awards