Member Article

Local business accelerated to great heights

Virtualisation technology specialists SITS Group have appointed a company mentor and non-executive chairman to assist the firm as it continues to drive the business forward.

Respected North East business man and entrepreneur Geoff Hodgson will advise and support the SITS directors and board members, whilst mentoring and assisting with the continued development of the company and its staff in 2012 and beyond.

It’s a move which follows on from the firm’s success in the Local Business Accelerators (LBA) competition, a national initiative pioneered by the Journal, which saw SITS Group crowned regional winners.

The competition was a catalyst for forming a close business relationship with Geoff, who was on the judging panel alongside fellow businessmen Alan Hall, Alan Holmes, and Journal business editor Iain Laing.

Geoff said: “The passion and drive which I saw from SITS whilst sitting on the LBA judging panel really impressed me – they also had an ambitious business plan which made it clear to me from the outset that the firm was going places.

He adds: “I’m a big believer in supporting and nurturing business talent, so when they invited me to join the board I was quick to accept.”

The LBA competition, which aimed to harness the power of local newspapers to give a much needed boost to the local economy, won backing from Prime Minister David Cameron following its launch in 2011.

Winners were awarded with advertising and business advice throughout 2012, from well known regional business leaders, alongside Dragon’s Den judge Deborah Meaden.

SITS Group commercial director Phil Cambers said: “Winning the LBA competition has already exposed us to some incredible opportunities and we are thrilled that off the back of this someone of Geoff’s calibre has joined the team. Not only does he bring incredibly valuable skills and experience to the company, but his connections within the North East business community mean we are well placed to harness his knowledge and expertise as we enter our next phase of growth.

Phil concludes: “It’s a really exciting time for us as a company – we are continuing to recruit and recently moved premises to accommodate the growth of the firm, so having Geoff on board really is the icing on the cake.”

- SITS Group employs 14 people at its offices in Northumberland Business Park, Cramlington.

- Established in June 2008, it was the first North East based virtualisation expert.

- Winner of the Tyneside and Northumberland Newcomer Award 2009, the company achieved its first year’s sales targets in just six months and doubled its sales forecast in the first year.

- For further information visit www.sitsgroup.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by SITS Group .