Enterprise Hub Network - Case History
Surrey Enterprise Hub
Mike Lunch
M&N Communications Ltd
M&N Communications is a fast-expanding PR company, founded 12 years ago, by partners Martin and Nicky Winch.
It specialises in property, regeneration and the built environment, became incorporated in 2007 and has grown at an annual rate of 35 per cent for the past three years with a current fee turnover of £2 million.
M&N Communications opened an office in Godalming 10 years ago and now has offices in London and also in Abu Dhabi, which was formally launched in June 2008. It employs a total of 25 staff
Building reputations
It focuses on building reputations and improving brand profiles for corporate and professional clients using clear communication strategies.
The company also works on major regeneration and development projects where it helps to build consensus for planning applications through stakeholder consultation.
Following consent, it maintains a close involvement with all key stakeholders during the construction phase through a programme of community engagement. Post launch or project opening, M&N often stay involved in the development and manage consumer PR programmes aimed at maintaining footfall and asset value.
Finding the Hub
M&N Communications was recommended to the Surrey Enterprise Hub by Business Link in 2006.
In November that year, M&N Communications was selected by business coach and marketing expert Andrew Cross, from a shortlist of eight businesses, to take part in a High Growth Business Coaching Programme organised through the Hub and funded directly by SEEDA.
Andrew spent 12 months with the company meeting with Martin Winch for about two hours twice a month.
How the Hub assisted
Andrew talked to key decision makers in the company during the first two months to build an operational picture of M&N, assessed the needs of the company and produced an action plan.
This helped M&N to:
- Widen their focus to markets outside the south east environment.
- Ensure the business plan focused on core business – ie. PR and not marketing consultancy
- Develop a marketing strategy and plan for itself
- Ensure that their markets were diverse enough to reduce the impact of any downtown in the property market having an adverse effect on business.
Other assistance included:
- Introduction of the company to UK Trade and Investment which subsidised travel and accommodation on an exploratory trip to Abu Dhabi
- Identification of a member of staff working within the company to take on the role of Marketing Manager
- Introduction to a Business Accelerator Programme at Henley Management College where M&N Directors Gaye Charlton, who manages the Godalming office, and Nick Jones, who manages the London office, gained valuable leadership skills
- Support with the implementation of an HR policy
Mike Lunch, Surrey Enterprise Hub Director, said: “The company is very well organised, transparent and open to new ideas. Its involvement with the High Growth Coaching Programme resulted in an excellent working relationship with Andrew Cross which is enabling the company to move on to the next level.”
Martin Winch, CEO at M&N Communications said: “The Enterprise Hub has been invaluable. When you are in a business bubble you don’t always have time to run the radar 360 degrees and think laterally.
“My partnership with Andrew became a very creative one. His objectivity and being able to look from the outside in, has helped us to create a clear strategic vision, ensure all our targets are realised and our growth maintained.”
A growing business success
M&N continue to go from strength to strength, meeting all business targets for 2007/8 and is enjoying a good start to the 2008/9 year. Over the last year, M&N has been appointed by 19 new clients, including Land Securities, Crest Nicholson, Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, Berkeley Homes and Dubai based global architect Burt Hill.
The company continue to raise their profile within the sector, leaping 24 places in the PR Week league tables and entering the top 150 for the first time.
Nick Jones, M&N London Director has now assumed responsibility for the Abu Dhabi office with a growing local team headed by Regional Director Arsalan Al Hashimi. M&N’s first major government contract has just been won and further Middle East expansion is planned.
Contact M&N Communications:
M&N Communications Ltd
Queen Street Courtyard
Queen Street
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1BA
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 1483 415 915
Fax: +44 (0) 1483 428 231
E:
Contact the Surrey Enterprise Hub:
Surrey Enterprise Hub
Surrey Technology Centre
40 Occam Road
Surrey Research Park
Guildford GU2 7YG
Mike Lunch Hub Director
T: 01483 685222
Andrew Cross Portfolio Director
T: 01483 685232
www.surreyhub.co.uk
Surrey Enterprise Hub is part of the Enterprise Hub Network, a South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) backed organisation working across the South East. The Enterprise Hub Network is focused on helping entrepreneurial individuals and organisations bring highly pioneering and distinctive ideas to market across a range of sectors.
