Manchester brand agency to create jobs with new investment

Brand and web agency AHOY is set to create jobs on the back of a six-figure investment.

The Manchester-based company will look to unlock growth by growing its team from nine to 15 staff over the next year.

AHOY will also use the funding, an undisclosed sum provided by a private investor, to expand its services to include digital marketing.

Mark Stringer, managing director of AHOY, said: “After an office move to the city centre last autumn it’s been a non-stop start to the year for our team, with various new client wins and lots of great projects fizzing away in the studio.

“I had two options, either grow very slowly and cash-flow it ourselves or grow quick and steady with investment and bring in a partner.”

Investor Gary Nixon commented: “Having heard about the great work AHOY does from several people over the past few years, I knew from the moment I met the team that this was a business I wanted to invest in.

“AHOY is working with some brilliant clients on a number of landmark projects and the team are very ambitious, creative and perfectly placed for growth.”

He added: “The team has seen a significant increase in the number of enquiries coming in at the moment so the money I am investing into the business will go towards expanding the team, as well as AHOY’s additional service offering.”

AHOY is forecasting sales to double as a result of the new investment.

Speaking further, Gary said: “The ultimate aim is to grow the team by an additional six people via acquisition or hire within the next 12 months and increase revenue by 100% as a result. I am confident that with this investment, AHOY can begin on the path to become a leading agency in the North West.”