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business success


A picture perfect banking relationship


As specialists in transporting, shipping and storing fine arts, antiques and furniture, the team at Williams & Hill know a good thing when they see it


Founded in 2002 by Cliff Williams and Kerry Hill, today the business has a £15 million turnover and employs around 100 people in London and New York.


In July alone, it achieved a half million pound profit (before tax) and clients include some of the best known galleries, auction houses as well as major corporations and private clients in destinations such as New York, Monaco, Hong Kong and Russia.


Hill puts the success down to having the foresight to invest in a “different type of service and modern facilities” setting the business apart from its competitors.


Playing a key role in the company’s success is Barclays which, over the past decade has provided Williams & Hill with both banking facilities and ongoing support.


Key milestones have included debt financing to allow the investment in new warehouse facilities and the purchase of a fleet of 18 state-of-the-art vehicles costing £200,000, and Hill says the relationship with both the bank and relationship director Nick Leonard, is a close one.


“We see ourselves as a young business, able to react quickly, and we are lucky with Barclays because they react with us,” he said. “When Nick started working with us, he looked at the business in a different way and that was very refreshing. He could see the growth potential and I believe that without Barclays, we wouldn’t be where we are today.


“Even though now we don’t need the additional facilities, we still choose to be with them and that’s a reflection on the service we’ve received. When our clients are making unusual demands, they know how to react.”


The Williams & Hill story began when both founders were discontent with their previous jobs and spotted an opportunity for a more tailored and upmarket


approach to the shipping of fine art and antiques.


Having started working with smaller galleries, as the company’s reputation grew, so did demand and the need to invest in ever larger warehouse facilities with climate control and humidity control to ensure optimum conditions at all times.


Today’s portfolio includes shipping services, packing and casemaking, art storage and relocation. A more recent addition to the offering has been the growth in exhibition services, supporting clients at both national and international events.


Hill describes the approach as very “hands-on” and says the fact that their own employees work on projects from start to finish wherever they are in the world, reassures clients that their expertise is available every step of the way.


At this month’s spectacular Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park (October 6-9), around a third of all artwork on display from art dealers and galleries worldwide will have passed through Williams & Hill’s very capable hands.


“We pride ourselves on our leading edge approach and always being first to take advantage of new technology,” continued Hill. “Clients know we lead the way with innovation, from providing museum- standard condition reports, high-tech security vehicles, climate-controlled warehousing and vehicles, all with one aim – protecting precious artworks at all times.”


With an eye on the future and taking more of a back seat, Hill says the next step is to give employees a greater say in running the business, enabling it to expand still further while he and Williams keep an expert eye on proceedings.


For Nick Leonard, it’s been all about providing the right solutions at the right time. “It has certainly been a good journey


Barclays is a trading name of Barclays Bank PLC and its subsidiaries. Barclays Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No 122702). Registered in England. Registered number is 1026167 with registered office at 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. October 2016.


Kerry Hill, Nick Leonard and Cliff Williams


over the years and we’ve been pleased to offer different solutions to ensure their needs were met in a way that would allow them to grow,” he said.


“They have always had a strong understanding of where they are and where they want to go to take the business forward. We always had a belief that they would get there and now they are very much at the top of their game with a truly global offering. We’ve been pleased to be part of that.”


Kerry Hill


khill@williamsandhill.com williamsandhill.com


Nick Leonard 07775 548595 nick.j.leonard@barclays.com barclays.com


The views expressed in this article are the views of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Barclays Bank PLC Group nor should they be taken as statements of policy or intent of the Barclays Bank PLC Group. The Barclays Bank PLC Group takes no responsibility for the veracity of information contained in the third party guides or articles and no warranties or undertakings of any kind, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information given. The Barclays Bank PLC Group takes no liability for the impact of any decisions made based on information contained and views expressed.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2016


businessmag.co.uk


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