Profile: Commercial - 100 South West Challengers

With an average, annualised turnover of £28 million, The Commercial Group is the largest independently owned office services company in the UK.

Here we profile the firm as part of the 100 South West Challengers campaign, backed by the South West RDA and Business Link.

In its 20 years of trading it has developed an enviable reputation for challenging its market place and spearheading innovation and excellence.

To be the best you need to employ the best

With more than 2,500 customers, including some among the UK’s Top 100 companies, the Cheltenham-based company believes much of its success is down to the passion and commitment of its employees.

But while many businesses trot out the claim that their people are their best asset, Commercial does more than just pay lip service to what has become a cliché, especially at a time when many companies are being forced to make staffing cuts.

The business was formed by brother and sister team Arthur Hindmarch and Simone Mann and long standing university friend Alastair Adams. From the outset they put a major emphasis on recruiting and retaining the best people.

Simone said: “We value our staff as individuals and respect their unique talents and abilities.

“Staff are encouraged to develop and find the right role within the right department. We believe this makes us a community of experts.”

And while Commercial operates in an incredibly tough market it is this expertise, quality of service, products and cost efficiencies that ensure the company continues to expand.

This approach to its employees has engendered a remarkable loyalty with staff turnover practically zero over the past 15 years.

To prove how integral its staff are to the business – rather than just say it – five years ago Simone decided to include them in the marketing of the company and its services.

Their pictures can now be seen in its sales brochures, on its website and larger than life on its fleet of delivery vans.

To survive in a competitive market place you need to get creative

Simone believes this also echoes the open-minded and creative climate in the company.

“In such a competitive market place we have to be creative,” she says.

“We have a great team and in order to strengthen the benefits of dealing with us, by offering a unique experience where you know the person on the end of the phone is very important. At Commercial you’re guaranteed a very personal, friendly service.

“The culture of our company is young and vibrant; our staff are encouraged to be themselves and are empowered to make their own decisions.”

Running through everything Commercial does is a strong commitment to the environment – it slashed its carbon footprint by 50 per cent in one year by lowering its fuel usage, reviewed its energy consumption and formed a carbon neutral steering group to come up with new environmentally-friendly business ideas.

As a result, Commercial has become a standard bearer for sustainable business, which in turn has helped recruit the right people.

Employees can also take advantage of a ‘bike to work’ scheme that provides financial incentives for cycling to the office.

But its green credentials and innovative approach to its staff are far from just marketing tools – they are having a real impact on its bottom line.

Business Link adviser Suzanne Hall-Gibbins explains what makes Commercial Group a Challenger

• Employees are kept highly motivated – making them worth their weight in gold particularly as we come out of recession and the labour market tightens up again

• Using staff as brand ambassadors, in the way Commercial has, takes motivation one stage further

• Commercial demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the skills of its people, retaining the best talent and fresh thinking on creating a sustainable business.

To find out more about the campaign click here.