Aycliffe Today Business Aycliffe Today Business Issue 35 | Page 25

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 25
Cornerstone Business Solutions
sales director Chris Bibby on
Aycliffe Business Park.
New kids look to ‘corner’ the market
Award-winning IT company Cornerstone Business Solutions says it plans to become
“part of the community” after opening its first office on Aycliffe Business Park.
T
he firm marked its celebrations of 10
years in business with its expansion
into Aycliffe – whilst announcing a
plan to more than double turnover to
£5m within three years.
Founded in 2008, in the middle of the
global recession, Cornerstone is focusing on
Aycliffe on the back of exceeding a record £2
million turnover and increasing its workforce
to 25 at its existing office in Stockton.
Along with being Official Technology
Partner for Middlesbrough Football Club,
Cornerstone also boasts long-term contracts
with the likes of Durham Tees Valley Airport,
Camerons Brewery, Tecnicas Reunidas,
OSB, Punch Robson Solicitors, Endeavour
Partnership and many more.
Now managing director Chris Petty, whose
dreams of life as a soldier in the Green
Howards were ended by injury, is setting
his sights on a new target as Cornerstone
continue to shoot for the top.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for
Cornerstone,” said Petty. “What better way
to celebrate 10 years in business than buy
expanding?
“We believe we’re the best known IT
brand on Teesside now, but we’re now
looking to become very much part and
parcel of the business community at Aycliffe
Business Park.
“There’s a broad range of high-quality
businesses on the park and I’m sure they’ll
want the confidence of knowing their IT
provider is based close.
“Whether they’re a single user or a
multi-national, all of our customers get an
outstanding service, so we’re really looking
forward to supporting Aycliffe firms in their
growth plans.”
Cornerstone has also launched software to
support clients with their GDPR compliance,
while they boast partnerships with such
leading brands as Microsoft, Apple, IBM, HP,
Dell, Lenovo, Vmware, ESET and Cisco.
“We have simple strategies that have
underpinned Cornerstone’s success
and ongoing growth,” added Petty. “It’s
about providing a first-class service, real
expertise, a professional call management
system, looking after our customers and all
supported by partnering global brands.
“Ultimately, our core values are customer
service and making sure our customers are
happy.
“It’s no coincidence that over the years
we’ve won multiple awards for our customer
service and IT offerings. Each day we’re
always looking at ways to further improve
our customer experience and make sure we
never rest on our laurels.”
Having recently recruited four new staff,
Petty says a happy workforce is crucial to
further success.
“We give our staff an opportunity to build
a great career and work with some fantastic
local and national clients,” said Petty, who
runs the firm with fellow directors Chris
Clark, John Storey and Chris Bibby, together
with new non-executive director Gary
Lumby.
“Staff love working here because, while
they know they’re expected to work hard for
our clients, they are encouraged to have fun
while they do that.”
Now the firm is looking forward to the
next 10 years.
“We have a lot more exciting plans in the
pipeline,” promises Petty. “After hitting this
milestone, we are looking forward to keep
growing – into Aycliffe and Leeds - while
working with some great new clients, and
expanding further afield to new markets.
“We can’t wait to make a real impact in
Aycliffe. The world’s our oyster and this is
just the start.”
Cornerstone’s new Aycliffe base is at Units 8 & 9, Parsons Court, Welbury Way, Aycliffe Business Park DL5 6ZE.
For more information about Cornerstone and the firm’s services go to cornerstonebs.co.uk