FEATURE GROWTH


Commercial growth


With an increasing numbers of firms now admitting to gearing for growth we talk to Richard Keatinge of Commercial group about the firm’s ambitious plans.


C


ommercial group is one of an emerging number of South West companies breaking ranks and coming clean, that although times


are not easy neither are they without opportunity. Whether it is the business model of


these firms, clever management, market position, staff, product or price, they are not only surviving the economic stress test but find themselves in pretty good shape. These are the firms seeing clear opportunities for growth and investment. Gloucestershire-based Commercial


Group, the £25m-plus office and stationary services business has always had big plans. Founded by brother and sister Arthur Hindmarch and Simone Mann and fellow director Alastair Adams 20 years ago, the Cheltenham-based operation pinned its colours to the mast before the recession hit – announcing plans to double turnover to £40m in five years. Mr Hindmarch is on record as stating


the firm’s ambition from the off was ultimately to achieve a £100m turnover. Operating in a shrinking market you


would have thought the business would be focused only on trying to ride out the storm, but no.


16 JANUARY 2011


COMMERCIAL TEAM: Arthur Hindmarch, centre, with fellow directors Simone Mann and Alastair Adams


ISSUE 23 | WWW.SOUTHWESTBUSINESS.CO.UK


“The most exciting thing is that last year, in the teeth of the recession, the business grew by nine per cent. This year the market is still tough. It is still down three to four per cent. But Commercial is still accelerating.”


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