Chief Executive's Statement
About Us |
Chief Executive's StatementIt hardly seems possible that a year has passed since we produced our last Annual Report. We have told the story of the business in this Annual Report through the eyes of our Staff. It has become almost clichéd in companies to say that "people are our most valuable asset", however in our case this is absolutely true, no one reading this years' report can fail to be impressed by our people, their energy, flexibility, innovation and their commitment to always doing what they say they will do. I am very proud of them all. PropertyTurning to the coming year we see ourselves consolidating our position on the property side of the business, it has been a period of rapid expansion with us adding significantly to our property portfolio this year. We want to ensure that we continue to do an excellent job in managing our properties and that we maintain our success in creating new businesses and jobs in them. Businesses located in our properties have created over 300 jobs between them in the past year - long may that continue, we remain as committed as ever to making our continued contribution to the renaissance that our region is enjoying. Business SupportOn the business support side of our business we have been awarded an important contract from emda to undertake redeployment work in the engineering sector regionally, we will be turning our full attention to the successful delivery of this work in the coming year and beyond. This work will take us into new partnerships and new customers and we relish working with all of those involved in the project. We seek innovation constantly and we have plans to bring forward some new work with international partners that will see us delivering at the leading edge of technology for the benefit of our customers. This new work will build on the extremely successful foundations of the Centre for Technology Excellence work that we have delivered over the past 5 years. EuropeWe have invested over the last three years, our effort and knowledge in Eastern Europe, bringing forward new projects that transfer our knowledge and experience into the economic infrastructure there. One of these projects has received approval and will go ahead this year with our support and guidance on its management and delivery. TrainingOur fledgling training operation is going from strength to strength and we have new contracts ready to deliver from September onwards, again we are working with new partners in these contracts and the successful delivery is leading us into new customers and ultimately upskilling people employed by the business community in the region.
My thanksI would like to thank my Chairman and fellow Directors for their unfailing support throughout the year and especially for their contribution to the ‘thinking' that is so necessary in a business and their various experiences of different sectors, which they apply in their role on our Board. I must also thank my senior management colleagues for their dedication, commitment and sheer hard work in the year. It is a privilege to work with you all. Linda Shepherd |