Member Article

Cactus Images celebrates 10 years at Connect Derby

Cactus Images, one of the region’s best known commercial photographers, is celebrating its tenth anniversary at Connect Derby, the city’s leading managed workspace provider.

The company was founded in 2008 by Angela Jenkins and Chris Howard when they were in their third year studying for a degree in commercial photography at Derby University and started life at the university’s Banks Mill creative studios.

In 2010, they moved to Friar Gate Studios, home of Derby’s creative industries. By 2016, the business had outgrown its studio space at Friar Gate Studios and expanded to the penthouse suite at the iconic Marble Hall, which is also part of the Connect Derby portfolio of managed workspace.

During their 10 years at Connect Derby, Cactus Images has established itself as one the region’s leading commercial photography and post-production studios, with a reputation for its ability to translate its clients’ ideas into dynamic images.

As the business has developed, Angela and Chris have expanded the range of services they offer to support and strengthen their photography projects and now provide creative planning, prop sourcing, styling and set builds.

As a result, the company now works with a broad client base, including local SMEs and national brands such as FujiFilm, Morrisons Flowerworld and East Midlands Trains.

Marble Hall, on Nightingale Road in Osmaston, joined the Connect Derby portfolio in 2016 following a £4m refurbishment programme to create an exciting managed workspace facility and community hub.

Set over three floors, the accommodation includes 42 high specification offices ranging in size from 100 ft2 to 800 ft2 as well as the exclusive penthouse suite.

Commenting on their tenth anniversary at Connect Derby, Angela Jenkins said: “We have loved being part of the Connect Derby community over the past 10 years. It’s been the perfect place to establish and develop our business. The services and facilities on offer are second to none and a wide range of support is available to tenants too.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has played a part in our success over the past decade, particularly Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, who persuaded us to move to Friar Gate Studios back in 2010 and has supported us every step of the way.”

Chris Howard added:

“Marble Hall is an incredible place to call home. The scale of the space available in the penthouse has enabled us to continue working throughout the national lockdown restrictions and support clients with a wide range of projects.

“I can’t believe we’ve been at Marble Hall for almost five years. We look forward to what the future has in store for Cactus Images and remaining part of the Connect Derby community.”

Ann Bhatti, head of Connect Derby, added:

“Cactus Images are one of Connect Derby’s longest serving tenants and it’s been wonderful to watch their business grow. Over the past 10 years, they have made a massive contribution to the sense of community that has developed at Connect Derby. They are also Connect Derby’s retained photographers and do some fantastic work for us and our tenants.

“I look forward to enjoying a piece of birthday cake in the coming months, when government guidelines allow.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sonia Bolla .