NEWS COMMENT
Webahead Internet managing director Dale Jeffries aims to build on his firm ’ s growth after seeing sales more than double to £ 2.4m . PIC BY TOM BANKS
WEB BOOST
Digital agency targets more growth after doubling workforce and sales
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North East-based web design firm is aiming to create more new jobs after seeing sales and headcount more than double in recent years .
Webahead Internet , based at Faverdale in Darlington , have added four new members to their team in recent months , taking their staff numbers to 50 – up from 22 just four years ago .
And sales have grown from £ 1m to £ 2.4m in the last four years after seeing their client base almost treble in that time .
Now Webahead , which celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year , wants to grow again with more new employees .
Their 50-strong team is currently made up of a new business sales team , account managers , an admin team , designers , developers and management .
Now the firm – which is ranked second in the UK from 2,900 companies by Freeindex , one of the UK ’ s biggest web design agency review sites – is currently looking for UI designers , developers , salespeople and a customer care representative to continue their impressive growth path .
Managing director Dale Jeffries , who ’ s from Newton Aycliffe , said : “ We have a very loyal and driven workforce who couldn ’ t wait to get back to the office after the lockdowns .
“ Our staff didn ’ t enjoy working from home at all . We have a great vibe in the office , and they all wanted to be back with their peers in the office .
“ We have a fantastic team morale within the company which is proven by our high staff retention rates . It ’ s a happy place to be .”
Webahead Internet was launched by digital entrepreneur Jeffries with just five staff in March 2012 .
After achieving a first-year turnover of £ 140,000 , the firm grew to a £ 1m turnover in the first six years and a client base of 5,000 customers across the UK .
Webahead now have 14,000 customers on the books , with 2021-22 sales hitting a record £ 2.4m .
Jeffries said : “ Our success is down to our staff , who have all played their part in our huge growth .
“ We have big ambitions to grow further but we need more numbers to make that happen , which is why we ’ re looking for creative individuals to help us achieve those goals .”
To complement Webahead Internet , Jeffries launched Mode Media in January , a trading arm of Webahead , which is targeting a different market .
Mode Media works more closely with local firms , providing a boutique , agency style service , building and designing larger more bespoke websites for clients .
Jeffries added : “ It ’ s an exciting development for the company which has already created new jobs , and we ’ re confident it will grow even further in the coming years .”
Anyone interested in any of the roles available at Webahead can email info @ webaheadinternetltd . co . uk .
CREATING VALUE THROUGH INNOVATION
Innovation has generally been recognised as essential for value creation , both for individual companies and for the UK economy as a whole . The development of new ideas , processes and technologies and their flow across different sectors is a significant driver of economic growth and productivity .
Recently , innovation has also been identified as crucial to the transition of the economy away from fossil fuels and carbon-intensive business activities .
Many factors affect whether and how businesses innovate . For example , the availability of skills and capital and government policy measures such as tax incentives .
However , none are more important than the company ’ s own culture , capabilities and internal systems – all of which are aspects of its governance .
Unless companies are governed in a way that is conducive to innovation , they are unlikely to be in a position to take advantage of new opportunities .
Research and Development ( R & D ) tax credits are a government incentive designed to encourage innovation across multiple industries .
This is an opportunity for you to reduce your corporation tax bill or receive a refund from HMRC , based on the number of working hours and relevant costs your business dedicates to R & D .
Under the scheme , SMEs can claim back up to 33 per cent of the costs associated with R & D .
Please talk to us about R & D tax credits and long-term finance . Our independent experts have many years of experience and success in advising businesses across a wide range of sectors .
Matthew McConnell Partner , Kudos Accountants
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