Business development firm plans grow to meet demand
A MIDLAND business development organisation is planning major expansion as demand for its services grows.
Coventry-based Acua has seen three successive record-breaking years, doubling in size in 2010-11, with more than 70 blue chip companies on its books.
As it moves into its fourth year, Acua is targeting a further 50% expansion with plans to develop its portfolio of products and services in the UK and overseas.
Acua delivers leadership development programmes accredited by Coventry University, which set up the organisation in 2008 to meet the growing skills shortage, to drive business growth and improve performance in the UK.
Since being established, Acua’s workforce has more than trebled to meet its growing client base which now includes major brands such as Santander, House of Fraser, The AA, Ford UK, TNT, Café Nero and Busy Bees.
In the past year, the organisation has also branched out into new business sectors including construction, pharmaceutical and retail, in addition to the existing areas of manufacturing, engineering, financial services and logistics.
Larraine Boorman, Acua managing director, said: “Acua was established to help bridge the skills gap in the UK and our record-breaking year of 2010-11 demonstrates the significant effect we are having on closing it.
“We believe this is due to more businesses recognising the need to invest in developing the skills of their workforce, particularly in these challenging times, and the real impact that we can make on their performance through our unique approach.
“It has been a tremendous year and we are well-placed to expand further in 2011-12 so we can continue to close the skills gap and improve business performance by helping to identify and develop talent in both the UK and international arena.”
