Liverpool sports media firm PPL invests £2m in new Speke HQ

A sports media firm has invested £2m in a new Liverpool HQ after outgrowing its old premises.

PPL Sport, which creates matchday programmes, signage and branding for the sports industry, is banking on its newly launched video production department with the move to Brunswick Business Park in Speke.

To facilitate the expansion, which sees PPL boost capacity by 20%, the firm used a £1.8m funding package from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking along with a £200k Growth Fund grant.

Paul Kimberley, PPL’s sales and marketing director, said: “The new premises in Speke has excellent rail, road and air links and the move out of the city means we will be less impacted by traffic congestion.

“The size of the property will enable us to improve production flow and will increase our capacity, as well as enabling us to grow our range of products.”

He continued: “We have seen a growing number of requests for bespoke signage and construction of items such as kiosks and retail units, which the extra space will greatly assist.

“The move will also support the creation of some additional intern and graduate roles planned for this year.”

Established in 1946, today PPL is owned by its three directors, Philip Butcher, David Kelly and Carl Biggs, employing a team of 29 across sites in Speke and Epsom, Surrey.

The £5m-turnover company has provided matchday programmes for a number of national sporting events, including Wimbledon Tennis Championships, British Athletics, The Open Golf Championship and the Rugby Football Union Six Nations Championship.

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking relationship director Alistair Pike worked with PPL to secure the funding.

Alistair commented: “Lloyds Bank has a longstanding relationship with PPL and it has been a pleasure to support its evolution over the years.

“It is a dynamic and inaovative business, as proved by its latest move into video production, and I’m sure that its new headquarters will give PPL the growing space it needs as it enters the next chapter in its growth story.”