ARCHAEOLOGICAL firm GSB Prospection is set to increase its turnover by 100% thanks to support from Bradford’s growth programme, Rising Stars.
The West Yorkshire company specialises in archaeological geophysics and examines the ground for hidden and historic sites before major developments such as new housing, solar or wind farms and highways begin.It has grown to a team of 12 with a projected half a million pound turnover for 2013 and is now part of national survey delivery network, following three years of guidance from Rising Stars, a growth programme which is jointly delivered by Bradford Council and the Bradford Chamber of Commerce.
With 80% of clients in the housing and development sector, managing director John Gater said Rising Stars offered a “big boost” to the business three years ago when the recession really took hold.
“Organisations have gradually become more environmentally aware and combined with the Government’s demands on developers to survey land ahead of the build process, we were in real demand until about five years ago,” he said.
“Because we are reliant on an economy that promotes building and developing, when building work stopped, the need for our services and our staff reduced. Cash flow became so tight that we minimised our expenditure and it started to feel like we were going backwards.”
GSB, which was established in 1986, has now doubled income and broadened its offering to include utilities detection. With Rising Stars support, the team also managed the disruption to cash flow following the end of a 20-year relationship with Time Team, Channel 4’s archaeological programme which ceased production in 2012. Mr Gater is best known in the public arena as the show’s presenter of the ‘Geofizz’, working alongside Tony Robinson and TV archaeologists.
In 2012 GSB became part of the SUMO Services group which has bases in Southampton, Cornwall and the Midlands and operates a network of survey delivery across the UK.
Carolyn Coleman, business services manager at Rising Stars, said: “GSB Prospection has turned a corner and secured a more stable future by broadening its offering and investing in new equipment and staff.
“Making important business decisions in an unstable climate can be difficult but with the right advice and access to funding, Rising Stars works to make the process achievable, enjoyable and ultimately profitable for the business concerned.”
