Nottingham-based family business Midland Conference Services (MCS) is celebrating an exceptional year of trading by creating two new jobs and moving to a larger premises.
MCS, an AV event production company which works with some of the UK’s most iconic brands, was set up by Peter Wyles in 1987. Two years ago, Peter passed the baton to the next generation when his daughter, Rebecca Muldoon, took over the strategic management and day-to-day running of the business.
As MD, Rebecca has focussed on leading the growth strategy for MCS, whilst preserving a service offering that is applauded by its clients. In the past 12 months alone, she has single-handedly grown the team, invested in the company’s technical offering, introduced a more structured corporate responsibility strategy, all whilst maintaining the company’s high standards for customer service.
This has been rewarded with the business being highly commended in the Service Excellence category of the Midlands Family Business Awards 2015, as well as being crowned a finalist in the Nottingham Business Post Awards 2016.
This has culminated with MCS relocating to a new, larger head office to accommodate the demands of both the larger team and growing stockpile of AV equipment. The business is now based just outside Nottingham city centre in the regenerating area of Bridge View, Freeth Street, having moved out of a premises at the Wyles family home.
Rebecca comments: “We have grown rapidly over the past few years. From graphics and film production to set design and delegate management, every area of the business has expanded. We have even added an event management consultancy service to our offering. Our new head office not only provides a more professional workspace for the growing team, but we can now also offer improved facilities for our clients.”
These facilities include two large warehouses which house all the company’s technical kit, plus any large or bulky items that their clients cannot store themselves. In addition, the boardroom serves as a relaxed rehearsal space and fully-functioning presentation zone. Here, clients can run through their speeches well ahead of an event, familiarising themselves with any technical features – such as lighting and cues – before any nerves begin to show.
The office area provides a sizeable open-plan space for staff and guests to use and, already, MCS is looking into hosting business networking events. Meanwhile, the whole team is enjoying having a smart, contemporary space in which they can host their clients and suppliers, and they look forward to welcoming new clientele as the client base expands.
“I am very excited about how MCS will progress now that we are in our new premises,” says Rebecca. “When I took over the business three years ago, we had three employees and an annual turnover of over £750k.
“With the recent arrival of Sophie Clarkson, our new event manager, and recruitment for a financial controller in the pipeline, we expect to employ a senior team of 10 people by the end of 2016. Our turnover has exceeded £1.2 million which puts us in a strong position for continuing growth. And with the new premises able to accommodate up to 20 staff, who knows what the future will bring!”