30
100GROWTH
The Knowledge Academy’s remarkable story was explained at a breakfast seminar at Donnington Valley Hotel in Newbury when The Business Magazine brought SMEs together to mark the launch of the Growth 100 index.
The Business Magazine managing editor and publisher David Murray explained that the 100 companies in the index employed 8,000 people and had a combined turnover of £1.2 billion. It included a number of manufacturers.
Then Mark Berrisford-Smith, head of economics, UK commercial banking for HSBC gave a candid view of the economy, explaining the mixed picture of recent years but reported a positive outlook.
Growth, he said, would continue but more slowly than in recent years. “I think we’ve probably had the best of the growth in this cycle. Before you get dispirited about that, this is based on the growth of last year. It’s not as dynamic. In the end it’s just not quite as strong as 2014. What’s kept the economy growing? As ever, the British consumer.”
Consumerism was having a ‘rip-roaring time’ with consumer confidence at an all-time high. Yet this was against a backdrop of difficult times for retailers, forced to reduce prices.
“From the consumers’ point of view it’s absolutely great,” he said.
What had given the economy real legs was low oil prices, a message he admits went unappreciated when he delivered it in the north east of Scotland recently.
He believes interest rates will rise in 2016 and fears it could be a mistake to leave that rise too late.
Mark Berrisford-Smith
THAMES VALLEY SME TM Launching the Index
Businesses heard from one of the most dynamic companies in the Thames Valley as they gathered to celebrate the fastest growing in the region
Other risks included uncertainty over EU membership but, questioned over the referendum issue, he said it was not about the decision itself but about making the best of whatever the country chose to do.
Despite the risks he remained upbeat. “We’ve had the best of it but what’s coming down the tracks isn’t bad.”
The picture of growth was starkly illustrated by one of the fastest-growing firms in the region.
Barinder Hothi, who with husband Dilshad, grew The Knowledge Academy from launch in 2009 to turnover of almost £15 million and a staff of 250 today, outlined the company’s story of success.
Both had backgrounds in sales and marketing yet chose to do their own thing during the depths of recession.
She said: “We had successful sales careers but felt we really wanted independence so we tried to see if we could do it ourselves. In 2009 we took the decision to start up The Knowledge Academy but 2009 was quite a challenging time. People thought we were bonkers starting in 2009.”
From three people in a one-person office in Winkfield, The Knowledge Academy grew quickly and a course in project management was running by September that year. The Hothis were familiar with the reseller model from their sales days but their plan was to produce their own accredited courses and that remains core to their success.
Yet, despite their size, operating globally, launching four new divisions and aiming to be the Amazon of education, the couple manage to stay close to their day- to-day operation.
Barinder Hothi
They are now considering the localisation of languages.
Hothi said: “Over the past six years the growth has produced a number of challenges. We are extremely hands on and we often get asked how we are going to grow it the next year, being so hands on. But actually it’s our biggest strength.”
The four new divisions; recruitment (Oxford Hanson), IT (Avenoire), travel (Global Travel Desk) and office space (Insta Venues) all complement The Knowledge Academy but have further potential to spin out. However the company’s roots look set to stay local.
Hothi added: “There is a great buzz around businesses in this region. I’ve always worked in and around this area. I can’t really imagine being anywhere else.”
Rounding off the morning of growth, Ed Cooper, director of Thames Valley Berkshire Business Growth Hub explained its role as one-stop- shop for innovative, ambitious high-growth businesses, linking them with new networks and long-term support.
The LEP-funded hub runs a three-day programme at Henley Business School called Berkshire Business Accelerator, where start-ups can step back from their day-to-day work.
Cooper said: “It’s about taking the owner out of the business for a few days so that they can actually observe where they are going strategically.”
Concluding the event Murray thanked guests, speakers and sponsors and added: “Hopefully we’ll see you for another SME conference in a year’s time.”
Details:
www.businessmag.co.uk Ed Cooper
www.businessmag.co.uk
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 15/JANUARY 16
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56