MIDDLESBROUGH
Boho X – Double Eleven’ s stunning Middlesbrough HQ.
the firm was incorporated as Double Eleven – and 16 years on, Lee remains the CEO.
The name stems from a New Age belief that 11 11 is the symbol of awakening and alignment with the universe, signifying whether someone’ s on the right path.
And having progressed to being the region’ s largest employer in the digital creative sector, with an annual turnover of more than £ 50m and on course to beat that this year, it’ s fair to say Double Eleven’ s path has indeed been the right one.
Even its emblem, the Eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol, was carefully chosen because it represents protection, wellbeing and prosperity – watching over the business and its people while also watching over the town and its communities.
Its recent success has bucked the trend of an industry that, says Kimberley, has suffered due to overexpansion during the pandemic boom, increased competition and, to some extent, the soaring cost of living, which is negatively impacting consumer spending habits.
“ While the industry continues to experience volatility and layoffs, with no sign of slowing down, we have continued to make sound strategic investment decisions which have laid down solid foundations to support future growth,” she says.
“ We’ re continuously reinvesting and strengthening our business, so we are primed and ready for when the market shifts and emerges from its current bruised state.”
Double Eleven’ s story is one of unwavering commitment to a town founded on hard work, resilience, business and trade, and which is now embracing a booming tech and gaming scene. It has always been pioneering, and this is the new era.
Kimberley says:“ One of the great strengths of our region is the thriving tech ecosystem founded on trust, collaboration and shared interest in championing each other’ s successes to the benefit of the region and our industry.”
But beyond commercial success, Double Eleven has always been driven by purpose. Certainly, being based in the Tees Valley – and looking after its people – are key parts of Double Eleven’ s DNA.
Kimberley – the 2022 Tees Businesswoman of the Year – adds:“ When Lee formed the company, he wanted to chart his own course on how he treated people, based on how he’ d been treated, and our people are at the heart of everything we do.
“ The talent, skills and dedication of our people pave the way for our collective future
Game on – the firm’ s partners read like a Who’ s Who of the gaming industry.
success. From the outset, our intention was to create an environment that allowed people to follow their dreams and deliver their passion in making great games without having to sacrifice time spent with their family and friends or having to relocate to a major city.
“ A good work-life balance wasn’ t something you typically saw in the games industry, and we were determined to do things differently.
“ Fast forward to today and we are incredibly proud that, at Double Eleven, we have built a business which invests in its people and has developed a culture in which wellbeing, inclusivity and creative growth are at the heart of everything we do.
“ We have achieved so much in a short space of time, but this is just the beginning – there’ s so much more to come.”
Visit double11. com
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