Member Article

Teesside emergency medics’ company is thriving thanks to Enterprise Team

Tees company Medics UK is riding high after providing emergency cover at Le Tour Yorkshire and being asked to care for the stars of Downton Abbey while filming takes place at Alnwick.

The company – a founder member of the independent ambulance service – provides medical cover to offshore workers around the world and is a regular at a range of public gatherings such as agricultural shows, festivals, concerts and large sporting events.

The company was set up in 2002 and now has regular fixtures at sporting events such as Durham Cricket Club, the Jane Tomlinson Appeal 10k runs in York and Leeds, Middlesbrough 10k and 5k and Middlesbrough FC Under 21s’ matches.

Former Accident and Emergency nurse Ken Lumley, managing director, said: “Business is going incredibly well, we have a core team of five full and part time staff and when we are providing cover at large events that number increases to around 80 fully trained temporary staff.

“We also have medics working for us on vessels around the world providing offshore workers with the best medical care possible.”

Ken - a qualified paramedic - worked offshore before launching the company, so he appreciates the extraordinary circumstances offshore medical teams can find themselves dealing with.

Since it launched Medics UK has gone from strength to strength and now boasts a fleet of 15 fully-fitted rapid response ambulances, all carrying the same life-saving equipment as NHS vehicles.

The company recently won contracts to supply medics to Technip and Northern Marine Management – a move that saw turnover increase to more than £1m.

Ken has been working with the Redcar Enterprise Team to develop the company’s marketing and human resource expertise, enabling him to expand the business further, including adding to the fleet of rapid response vehicles.

The Enterprise Team will continue to play a key role in helping that to happen.

Cllr Mark Hannon, cabinet member for economic development said: “Economic regeneration relies on companies like Medics UK generating wealth and creating jobs. The Enterprise Team and the local authority will continue to do whatever it can to fuel that success.”

The Enterprise Team is made up of skilled business coaches, and is focused on helping companies in Redcar and Cleveland to achieve their goals, including moving premises, increasing their turnover and improving profitability

The scheme offers Redcar and Cleveland businesses at least 12 hours of free tailored support and in the last year more than 200 companies have been helped, leading to the creation of more than 150 jobs.

The business coaches have also held scores of free pre-start workshops, enabling hundreds of residents to realise their dream of running their own business or exploring the possibility of self-employment.

Find out more about the Enterprise Team at www.theenterpriseteam.co.uk or call 01642 438500.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lottie King .