Member Article

Visualsoft aim to create 50 new jobs after buyout

North-East e-Commerce specialists Visualsoft aim to create 50 new jobs over the next 12 months and treble their turnover by 2017 following a management buyout.

The buyout, led by founding director Dean Benson, follows a record-breaking year that saw the fast-growing company achieve a record multi-million pounds turnover.

The multi award-winning industry leaders have launched nearly 1,000 online stores for retail clients across a huge range of sectors since launching in 1998.

As a full-service agency, they design, build, host and market online stores for hundreds of clients from independent sellers to multi-chain retailers and internationally-known brands such as Boxfresh, Gola, Jules B, Mitre, Canterbury and Lotus Shoes.

Following the management buyout, Visualsoft are targeting a three-fold increase in their turnover during the next three years.

Having recently opened a new base in Australia, they aim to stay ahead of the market by investing further in research and development, producing new and exciting digital innovations.

They are now looking to add to their existing eCommerce partnerships they have with the likes of Google, PayPal, Amazon, eBay and Sage.

Currently employing 155 staff in their Stockton headquarters and offices in Newcastle and London, Visualsoft expect to create another 50 jobs over the next 12 months.

Within a new structure following the buyout, new Managing Director Mr Benson is joined on the board by Business Development Director Tim Johnson, Technical Director Matt Burton and Online Marketing Director David Duke.

Mr Benson said: “I am excited about Visualsoft’s future. We have come a long way since our humble beginnings as an online training venture 16 years ago.

“We have grown in tandem with the e-Commerce sector, capitalising on the surge in online retailing that has largely escaped the recession.

“I’m thrilled to be taking Visualsoft forward with a new management team and outstanding staff to drive the business forward and ensure we remain at the cutting edge of the e-Commerce industry.

“We are not only market leaders but are helping to define the industry, pushing the boundaries of e-Commerce through ideas, creativity and innovations. We are determined to remain the very best in the industry.”

“We have a clear vision for continued growth with ground-breaking technology and retail innovation remaining at the heart of what we do.”

Mr Benson thanked the companies who had played a key role in guiding them through the management buyout including Nik Tunley of business lawyers Endeavour Partnership, Barclays and chartered accountants Clive Owen & Co LLP.

Aaron Clark, Director at Barclays Corporate, said “Visualsoft is a key customer and local employer and I am delighted to have delivered a bespoke leveraged financing package to fund the management buyout, and provide a platform for Visualsoft to deliver growth and quality jobs for the future.”

Angus Allan, Corporate Finance Partner at Clive Owen & Co LLP, added: “Visualsoft are a longstanding and valued client so we were well placed to deliver key strategic advice. Led by Dean, I am sure the team will continue to build upon the excellent base already established over many years of successful trading.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .