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Digital agency set for record year

A digital design and development agency is set for a record year after doubling in size in the last 12 months.

Image+ Limited, which is based in Coventry and designs and develops a range of websites and mobile apps for businesses, charities and other organisations, has doubled its staff and reached record turnover.

Now the company, which built the website for, and worked closely with the successful bid for the Coventry’s 2021 UK City of Culture crown, is set to expand again in 2019, as it heads towards is 25th anniversary.

Alan Hartin, who started the firm in his back bedroom, said the company’s expertise in mobile business apps was one of the main drivers of the growth.

“We gained 32 new clients in 2018 which was a record for us, which meant we had to expand our team considerably and that growth does not show any signs of slowing up,” he said.

“The new clients included Jaguar Land Rover, BID Leamington, Coventry University and health insurance company BHSF.

“We have really developed the web and mobile based apps part of our business (Apps Plus) and that has seen significant growth. Much of that is around simplifying business processes and allowing companies to improve efficiencies through real-time working.

“We have always been very strong in our region, but much of this work has come from outside the Midlands with several new customers in London. In addition, we work with companies which are – genuinely – 100 metres from our offices to the likes of Advent Communications and Really Awesome Coffee.”

Alan added that the economic strength – and digital specialism – of the region was also a key factor in the success of the company which is based in a large studio at Electric Wharf.

He said: “A number of our clients are in the engineering and manufacturing sector which is not only performing well in our region but also is moving incredibly quickly in terms of the adoption of new technology.

“That means that businesses practices have to evolve at the same pace to make the most of those digital advancements.

“Coventry and Warwickshire is also a hot-bed of digital talent and that has helped us recruit some very technically capable staff from various sources including graduates from Coventry University.

“We have also taken a longer-term view to train our staff. Five of the team of 16 joined us as apprentices, the first of these over five years ago. We give them the opportunity to work on exciting projects and to learn from experienced colleagues who have been in the industry for some time. It is great to see colleagues who joined as apprentices work their way up through the ranks.

“It has been great for them, especially, to work on projects such as the City of Culture website and an app for JLR.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .