Leicestershire business doubles workforce after record year of growth

Tom Dalby and Steve Denny

Leicestershire-based Blue Light Card, the discount service for emergency services, NHS, social care workers and armed forces, says it has posted a record year of growth with over half a million new members and a “surge” in partners.

The firm is reporting a 30% increase in sign-ups, taking its members from 1.85 million to over 2.39 million in the course of a year.

The company,which helps UK frontline workers to make savings across fashion, hospitality, travel and more, this year, says it has increased the number of deals available for members. Working with 4,500 new retailers, it has now brought its total roster of partners to over 16,500. New additions this year include household brands such as Costco, Wilko, Disney Travel Company, Sports Direct, and MADE.com. During its Black Friday sales event, over 100 brands took part with exclusive, enhanced discounts saving members over £2 million.

The firm also relocated to a 21,000 sq ft office in Cossington, Sileby, after a raft of new appointments saw the team double its workforce from 60 to 121.

Blue Light Card was founded in 2008 by ex-police constable Steve Denny and his business partner Tom Dalby, who are now chief technology officer and chief executive officer respectively.

Dalby said: “The pandemic has affected all of us, but it’s only through the incredibly hard work of the nation’s emergency services, NHS and blue light community, that we’ve all made it through this exceptionally difficult couple of years. This year has certainly shone a light on just how valuable frontline workers are for keeping the country going which is why as a team we have worked harder than ever to do our bit to thank them for all their efforts through the discounts we offer.

“The fact that so many amazing brands have partnered with us to provide exclusive discounts is a testament to the incredible work all frontline workers do, day in and day out. Blue Light Card is committed to always showing our members how valuable they are to us, but that doesn’t just come from our discounts. This year, we have also donated over £100,000 to national emergency services charities, and introduced a new Blue Light Get Active fundraising initiative to raise funds for fantastic national organisations that support the blue light community.”

Following the launch of its Blue Light Tickets service in 2020, which allows NHS and emergency service workers to apply for free entry to a number of events across the nation, this year Blue Light Card gave away 10,000 free tickets to Silverstone Summer 2021. It was also behind a £1 million giveaway for blue light workers for DFDS ferry services.

Dalby added: “It’s only when taking a step back to reflect on the last 13 years since our launch that we realise how far we have come. We’re a long way from the home office where Steve and I started the company, but it’s fantastic to work with such a brilliant team and to be able to provide even more value for our customers each and every year. To our members, our employees and our partner brands, we say a massive thank you. Without you this would never have been possible and we look forward to building on this year’s successes while supporting even more frontline workers over the coming year.”

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