Interior design company aims to expand following 60% business growth spurt

Bernard Interiors, a Northumberland-based luxury interior design business, is aiming to double in size in the next five years after seeing profits rise by 60 per cent in 2017.

Entrepreneur, Jen Bernard set up the company in 2008. In 2016, she began to build a team to grow the business whilst moving into new premises in Ponteland, hosting a design studio and a showroom for clients.

Now employing a team of seven, she plans to add a further two people to the design team to meet demand from clients.

The practice specialises in luxury commercial and residential projects throughout the UK and abroad.

Its growth will be built upon a number of significant projects and clients secured in recent months, most notably UK market-leading retirement village operator, Audley.

The four-year contract involves work on new build and refurbishment projects with a total construction value of over £200m.

Supporting the growth of Bernard Interiors is Newcastle-based advisory firm, Ryecroft Glenton (RG), which supports Bernard Interiors’ operations manager, Les Irving, in looking after every aspect of the company’s accounting and tax compliance requirements.

Jen Bernard said: “We’ve worked hard over the last couple of years to put good foundations in place for further growth, including the right professional support, and now we are really beginning to see the results.

“We achieved turnover of more than £1m for the first time in 2016, which we repeated last year and profits are projected to double in 2018. Last year we increased staff numbers across the company by 17 per cent and plan to grow the design team by 30 per cent in 2018.

“Ryecroft Glenton provides us with a comprehensive, personal service. Its team are interested in our business and we feel they are part of our business.

“The firm understands the challenges and opportunities for business growth and has a similar culture to us which has helped us develop a strong working relationship.”

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