Member Article

New business wins lead to expansion for 49digital

North East website developer 49digital Ltd is gearing up for growth with a move to its first premises.

Established by Helena Borthwick-Hill in 2010, the firm is now bbased North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC), on Sunderland Enterprise Park.

Whilst previously living in Vancouver, Helena launched the website design business alongside her husband Geoff who at the time was an airline pilot on sabbatical leave.

Helena explained: “When we first moved to Vancouver I had just finished my master’s degree in planning and was employed by the Urban Development Institute (UDI) as a researcher.

“Geoff had an interest in web development so we started 49digital, providing web services and social media management to the UDI.

“In 2011, we came back to the UK and carried on with the business until we decided to take a break from it to re-evaluate the direction in which we wanted to take it.

“Geoff went back to flying and I took this time to do lots of training to take the business forward in its current form. I love learning and am passionate about what I do so this break was very relevant to how the business stands today.

“During the past six months we have been working closely with Ross Golightly from Sphera Consulting who has been helping us grow 49digital.

“Alongside moving into our new offices we now have a growing team of developers and UX consultants and are successfully delivering user-centred design to a range of industries across the region.”

Now working with larger businesses Helena says the time was right to move into the company’s first premises, rather than work from a home office.

She continued: “I already know some of the businesses based on the park, and after visiting the BIC we knew it was where we needed to be. The whole package just felt right.

“It fits with the market we are in and the free onsite parking is ideal for our clients to come and visit for meetings and training.

“The BIC’s support is significant to our business and we have also been lucky enough to receive help from Neil Clasper from Sunderland City Council’s business investment team who helped us secure funding for some equipment.”

Donna Surtees, Centre manager at the BIC, added: “It’s great to welcome 49digital to our centre. We aim to offer an all-round package of support as well as high quality business space so I’m delighted to hear that Helena and her team are already benefiting from the BIC’s supportive environment as the business continues to grow.

“I’m confident that 49digital will also find it useful being located in close proximity to other local businesses.”

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