UKSE helps Outrank take ‘growth forward’

A marketing firm has “put its foot to the metal” following a six-figure investment that has helped accelerate its expansion.

Middlesbrough-based Outrank received funding from UKSE, the business support subsidiary of Tata Steel, more than a year ago, enabling it to recruit more staff, move to larger premises and achieve significant year-on-year revenue growth.

Based at Riverside Park, the company has also added to a growing list of industry accolades, recently being recognised for having the best agency culture in Europe and placing 81st in a ranking of the continent’s best places to work.

Outrank has also featured in the Top 10 Sunday Times Best Places to Work list, ranked second on the UK’s Great Places to Work list and holds the current Tees Business Tees Tech Awards Tech Business of the Year title.

Stephen Robinson, founder and chief executive of Outrank, said the UKSE investment had helped the firm “supercharge” its ambitious growth plans, accelerating progress that would otherwise have taken considerably longer.

He said: “We reached a point where headcount and revenue were both growing quickly, while customer retention remained extremely strong.

“We wanted to continue to grow, we had a platform we wanted to build and we wanted to take on some larger accounts, but we had to hold off on recruitment because space was a bit of an issue and we had reached a pinch point.

“We met Sarah Thorpe of UKSE to explore our options and immediately, we just got a really good vibe around a friendly funder, and it felt like a good cultural fit in terms of what we wanted to achieve and what they stood for.”

He added: “With UKSE, it feels like you have got a partner, rather than just a lender.

“We went from being stifled by space to being able to use the funding and support from UKSE to be even more ambitious and increase headcount, as we moved from a 2000sq ft space to 6000sq ft offices.

“Before we moved, we were at a headcount of 30 and now we are at 55 and have won several awards recognising our workplace culture.”

Alongside the financial backing, Outrank says it has benefited from an ongoing relationship with UKSE.

Stephen and commercial consultant Simon Davies continue to work closely with Sarah Thorpe, UKSE’s regional manager for the North, who regularly checks in on the company’s progress.

Simon says the relationship has shown the value of having a funding partner that takes a genuine interest in the businesses it supports and understands their ambitions.

He added: “With UKSE, it’s not like borrowing from other providers where they say ‘there is your money and here are your repayments’.

“It’s not onerous or daunting and they provide continuous support and are always in touch asking ‘how’s the business going’ – and Sarah couldn’t have been more supportive – I know she roots for us.

“UKSE genuinely want to see local businesses doing well – they’re not just concerned about getting their money back, they also give you their support and their backing.

“We could see so much growth potential and this gave us the options we needed to take that growth forward.

“Getting support from UKSE has really worked for us – we have embraced the support and it has driven the business forward a little bit faster.

“If you are a growing business, it’s worth having those conversations with UKSE about your growth plans.”

Sarah added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to witness the growth Outrank have experienced.

“When I first met Stephen and Simon, it was clear that Outrank was really going places – but having the finance has helped them to get there faster, creating more jobs for people on Teesside and contributing extremely positively to the local economy.

“At UKSE, this is what we exist for – empowering and giving confidence to businesses like Outrank to enable them to go forward and supporting local communities to thrive.

“We can’t wait to see where Outrank goes next and we look forward to continuing to support them in the future.”

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