THE BIG Partnership has highlighted its rapid expansion into services beyond its traditional public relations offer as it grew profits and turnover in its most recent financial year.
Glasgow-based BIG has reported a 75 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £1.4 million for the year to May 31, which came as turnover climbed by £1.4m to £8.8m. The performance will lead to the firm’s 107 staff sharing a £250,000 bonus pot, with payouts structured as a percentage of salary.
Director Allan Barr said the last 12 to 18 months have been a “period of incredible momentum” for the firm. He cited the biggest driver of growth as the shift from clients requesting traditional public relations advice to demands for a broader range of services, including marketing, digital and design. Both new and existing clients, such as Loganair and Stewart Milne Group, are increasingly calling for a package of services. “Typically, more and more clients are taking on more and more of our services,” Mr Barr said.
More broadly, Mr Barr said the firm had seen a “knock-on” benefit from growing consumer confidence and businesses deciding to invest.
Asked about the effects of Brexit and sluggish economic growth, he said the UK’s divorce from the EU was “obviously a factor”. But he observed that fears the vote would lead to the economy “falling off a cliff haven’t really happened”, adding that businesses are continuing to invest to grow.
BIG highlighted the growth of its Manchester office, which opened in 2015, stating it doubled profits amid “hugely buoyant” economic conditions. The Manchester office, which is expected to grow profits again this year, secured new clients such as API Group and Turley.
Alex Barr and Neil Gibson, who founded BIG in 2000, sold the agency to six fellow board members in a management buy-out in 2016.
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