Hi, I’m Clare
I'm the multi-award-winning founder and director of Ducks In A Row Ltd, a business support agency bringing together strategic thinking, specialist expertise and practical solutions.
My entrepreneurial journey began in 2020, during the global pandemic, when I launched Clare Lucas Real Business Solutions. I recognised the opportunities that flexible, outsourced business support could offer, but I completely underestimated just how much demand there would be.
Within a year, I was working at full capacity. I knew that if I wanted to help more organisations, I needed to build something bigger than myself. So I brought together a team of talented professionals with complementary skills and experience.
And that's where things really started to take off.
As the business grew, so did the breadth of our work. What began as virtual assistance evolved into something much more substantial, drawing on my experience in business strategy, operations, leadership, governance and project delivery.
Following a period of reflection, strategic planning and a little creative thinking, Ducks In A Row was born.
Today, we work with businesses, charities, community interest companies and larger organisations, providing everything from everyday operational support to marketing, project management, strategic consultancy and fractional leadership. We even regularly support film productions!
Having built and grown my own business while developing my career in local government and strategic leadership, I understand the challenges that come with juggling competing priorities, managing change and trying to move an organisation forward.
I also know the value of having the right people around you.
That's what Ducks In A Row is all about. We're not simply here to take tasks off your hands. We bring fresh perspectives, ask the important questions, challenge assumptions and help turn ideas into action.
I'm incredibly proud of how far we've come, the talented people I work alongside and the difference we're making for the organisations that trust us.
And the best part? We're still evolving.
Let’s meet, learn, collaborate and grow. Let’s get your ducks in a row.
Why Ducks In A Row?
We fix processes, implement procedures, and streamline admin. We get your ducks in a row to make
your organisation run smoothly.
We make outsourcing easy.
The Woman Behind The Ducks
I've never had a conventional career path, but I firmly believe that's one of my greatest strengths.
In 1999, I secured a university place to study Art and Design but decided to defer it and head to America to work at a Girl Scout summer camp in New Hampshire. That experience sparked my love of travel, and rather than taking on university debt, I spent the next couple of years working, saving and exploring Australia and New Zealand.
When I returned, I landed my dream job as a travel consultant, becoming known locally as the Australia and New Zealand specialist. I loved helping people plan their dream holidays and was lucky enough to win trips to destinations around the world. Those were the days!
Since then, my squiggly career has taken me through sales management, commercial leadership, business development and 20 years working across parish, district and county councils.
From executive support and digital transformation to strategic communications, economic development and senior management, I've gained experience across almost every aspect of organisational operations. I also spent three years on the Senior Leadership Team of a coach company, heading up products, contracts, sales and marketing.
My varied career has taught me that the best solutions come from combining different experiences, asking difficult questions and challenging the way things have always been done.
Beyond the Business
I’m a wife, mum of an eighteen-year-old son, thirteen-year-old daughter, and half pug, half sausage dog fur baby living near the beautiful Suffolk coast. In my spare time I LOVE to travel, every couple of months we take time away to make memories.
My love of travel has never faded. Whether it's exploring cities, mountains or lakes, I'm happiest making memories and planning the next adventure. I love helping other business owners find the time to do this too!
For me, success isn't just about professional achievements. It's about building a life you love living.
