BUSINESS ADVICE
PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH
Ambitious growth plans for worldleading digital business Big Bite - with support from Azets
A PARTNERSHIP WITH BITE
Support - from left , Andrew Rowe and Stephen Harris of Azets with Iain McPherson and Mark Goodyear of Big Bite .
Big Bite is trusted by some of the biggest brands across the globe to dramatically improve how they publish digital content , covering everything from editorial workflows to the end user experience .
The enterprise WordPress agency , which counts Amnesty International , The Times and The Wall Street Journal as clients , is the only WordPress VIP Gold partner in the UK . It was founded by Mark Goodyear , Jason Agnew and Iain McPherson , who met at Teesside University .
Global company with Middlesbrough roots Since setting up Big Bite in 2011 , the company has gone from strength to strength with turnover going up over ten-fold . In 2020 , the tech company moved to prestigious new offices in Albert North , Middlesbrough , to fulfil ambitious growth plans after outgrowing its original premises .
Despite the hurdles of the global pandemic , Big Bite has continued to grow the team by increasing headcount from just 10 people in 2018 to around 30 in 2022 , with the majority coming from the local area .
The founders have long championed the Teesside tech scene . They ’ re proud of their connection to the wider digital cluster in the town centre and are also playing their part in raising aspirations and creating well-paid , ambitious jobs in the heart of TS1 .
“ Our business operates globally , but our roots are firmly in Middlesbrough ,” said CEO Iain McPherson .
Working with the High Tide Foundation , Big Bite has offered digital work experience so local students can cut their teeth in a competitive industry . In addition , it independently launched a six-month remote training academy in 2020 for those wanting to get started in the world of development .
Azets support with Albert North funding Led by partner Andrew Rowe , Azets has worked with Big Bite since 2014 having met the founders at a Teesside University event , supporting them as the business has grown .
As Andrew Rowe explains : “ Even when we first met them , I could tell Big Bite was destined for great things . Over the years , we ’ ve supported them with accounts , corporation tax and payroll and , as the business has grown , provided strategic support .
“ In 2020 we obtained a significant grant from Tees Valley Combined Authority to assist them with a move of premises that they were beginning to outgrow , from Middlesbrough ’ s digital incubator area of Boho 1 to the new growing digital cluster of Albert North .”
Next steps Stephen Harris , tax director at Azets , has also advised on the company ’ s R & D Tax Credits and is currently supporting on next steps for the business ’ growth through business restructuring and opportunities to invest in the next generation of new local talent such as tech startups .
A trusted advisor on Big Bite ’ s growth journey Iain McPherson says : “ In Azets , we have found real , trusted advisors who have been partners with us on our growth journey . Their technical expertise , combined with digital and local knowhow , means Andrew , Stephen and the wider teams have become an extended part of Big Bite . We wouldn ’ t hesitate in recommending them to other growing tech companies in the region .”
Championing the Teesside tech sector “ We ’ re proud to work with Big Bite - they embody the best of the Teesside tech sector and they ’ ve got an exciting future ahead of them . The work we ’ ve done with them demonstrates Azets at its strongest ,” Andrew Rowe said .
“ We work with a number of dynamic companies in the tech sector and Azets ’ sponsorship of the digital transformation award at the Tees Tech Awards reflects our commitment to shine a light on the Tees region ’ s thriving digital and tech sector .
“ The awards are the perfect way to support the local digital community and it ’ s a crucial platform to encourage the growth of the tech sector as a whole . As advisors , digital is our sweet spot and we can see how important it is , not only to us as a company , but to our clients .”
The voice of business in the Tees region | 43