Cheshire’s Cygnet Group crowned regional champ

CHESHIRE manufacturer Cygnet Group will fly the flag for the North of England in the national finals of a major competition to find the most innovative and forward– thinking companies.

The fast-growing family-owned business was one of two winners – the other being Scottish lesiure group BrewDog – at the regional finals this week of HSBC’s Global Connections competition.

The two companies will compete in the national Global Connections final against eight other companies from around the UK inJune. The winner stands to receive a financial reward of up to £240,000.

Cygnet  Group, which was founded by managing director Matthew Kimpton-Smith’s parents in 1974, provides advanced engineering services for some of the fastest-growing industries in the world including aerospace and automotive, fibre and fabric processing and sub-sea oil and gas.

Revenues doubled to £16m in 2011 and grew to £24m 2012. Cygnet Group  generates around 95% of its turnover from exports and staff numbers have doubled from 50 at the start of 2011 to over 100 today.

David Beaty, HSBC’s regional commercial director for the North, said: “We selected Cygnet Group for the way they innovate their products, empower the whole of the team and have such a clear strategic direction for the future of the business.”

Luke Vardy, Cygnet Group’s technical director, said: “We are really honoured and privileged, especially with the competition being so strong. The recognition is hugely important to us.”

Steve Price, HSBC’s head of business banking UK, added: “Global  Connections is fundamental to the work we are striving to do to support the best in British business.”