Rachael Flanagan was 18 years old, had just failed her Business Studies A-level, and had £20 to her name. She spent it printing flyers, picked up a mop, and started cleaning houses in south Wales.
Twenty years later, she has been named Medium to Large Business Director of the Year at the IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards 2026 — one of the most prestigious business leadership prizes in Wales.
Mrs Buckét, which has its headquarters in Swansea, is now on track to achieve a projected £11.5 million turnover in 2026, employing almost 500 staff and serving 185 commercial clients across Wales and Bristol.
The name itself is a nod to the classic BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances — a wink at Hyacinth Bucket, who always insisted her surname was pronounced “Bouquet.” The business started as a domestic cleaning service before Rachael sold that side in 2018 and pivoted entirely to commercial cleaning, where clients now include the Wales Millennium Centre, Sony UK Technology Centre and GE Wales Aviation.
Rachael is also known for her commitment to paying at least the Real Living Wage and challenging outdated perceptions of the cleaning industry. “There is a mistaken belief that cleaners are poorly educated, poorly paid and forced to work antisocial hours,” she has previously said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth.”
The IoD judges praised her strategic focus, strong governance and people-first culture, highlighting her entrepreneurial leadership and disciplined approach to growth. Mrs Buckét achieved a 30% increase in business performance in 2025, securing 30 new clients including major education sector contracts with Bassaleg High School and the RCT Education Framework.
Last month, Rachael moved into the CEO role while Kate Ablett — herself shortlisted for the IoD Skills Development Award — was promoted to Managing Director, allowing Rachael to focus on the strategic direction of the business.
Speaking after receiving the award, Rachael said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award and incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a business. This recognition reflects the hard work, commitment and passion of our entire team, who consistently go above and beyond for our clients every single day.”
The ceremony at ICC Wales in Newport on 8 May also saw Swansea Bay represented by Cherrie Bija, CEO of Faith in Families, who took the Public and Third Sector prize.
Faith in Families is a Swansea Bay charity supporting children and families facing poverty, trauma and crisis through its network of Community Cwtches and the Cwtch Mawr Multibank — Wales’s first multibank, which redistributes surplus goods from businesses to families in need. Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey visited the project earlier this year to hear how rising costs are affecting children across the region.
The wider ceremony brought together more than 300 directors, CEOs and senior leaders from across Wales. It was hosted by broadcaster Mariclare Carey-Jones in collaboration with headline sponsor Cardiff Business School, with 38 finalists shortlisted across 10 categories.
The evening also included a Chair’s Award for Excellence in Director and Board Practice, presented to Professor Simon Gibson CBE DL for his exceptional contribution to the technology sector, entrepreneurship and public service in Wales. A co-founder and CEO of Ubiquity Software and Chief Executive of Wesley Clover Corporation, he continues to support innovation and startup growth in Wales as Chairman of the Alacrity Foundation.
This year’s chosen charity partner was The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026.
Richard Selby MBE DL, National Chair of IoD Wales, said the awards were an opportunity to recognise exceptional leaders driving change across the Welsh economy. “Every finalist and winner has demonstrated the impact that strong leadership can have, not only within their own organisation, but across communities, industries and the wider Welsh economy,” he said.
He added: “At a time of continued challenge and change, it is inspiring to see so many leaders committed to innovation, inclusion, sustainability and developing future talent.”
