TODAY we continue our weekly focus on the Sussex Super Growth Awards, which recognise the fastest-growing businesses.

Their success will be celebrated at an awards event at the Amex Stadium at Falmer on March 8.

It is sponsored by asb law, Lloyds Bank and Kreston Reeves in partnership with The Argus.

Here we focus on two more successful finalists.

Focus Group

www.focus-grp.co.uk

Focus Group is one of the UK’s leading providers in telecoms and IT, delivering a range of services including fixed and mobile telephony, data connectivity, IT services, security, energy and print to more than 10,000 businesses.

The business has achieved consistent year on year organic growth of more than 20 per cent per annum.

In 2017 turnover grew by £9.5m, or 21 per cent, reaching a total of £55m and gross profit grew by 22 per cent to £18.5m.

This continued growth results from a diverse product portfolio and a dedicated workforce, which currently stands at approximately 240 staff, and sees the business enter an exciting new chapter.

The Focus Group headquarters in Southwick is relocating to a brand new 30,000 sq ft office in Shoreham and the company also intends to enhance its pace of growth through an aggressive acquisition strategy, over and above the organic new business that its team generates.

MD Chris Goodman said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been nominated this year.

“The Sussex Super Growth Awards are a fantastic platform, not just to be recognised for your company’s successes but also to meet other organisations that share common ambitions.

“We know first-hand that strong working relationships can be built through inclusion in the Awards – at the 2016 Awards Ceremony I met the Chairman of Dual Energy and now the two businesses have a thriving business relationship, working together on numerous projects.”

Paxton Access

www.paxton.co.uk

Paxton Access is an ambitious, global, Brighton-based technology company. With more than 30 years experience in the security and technology industries, Paxton designs and manufactures market-leading access control, door entry and building intelligence systems for smart buildings.

The company’s head office is located on the Home Farm Road Business Centre, off the Lewes Road, and it manufactures all its products locally at a facility in Eastbourne.

Employing more than 300 people globally and exporting to more than 60 countries, the company continues to expand internationally and now has offices in locations including USA, France, Germany, South Africa, Scandinavia, Middle East and Benelux.

Paxton has always aimed for engineering excellence, designing and manufacturing intelligent and innovative products that make life easier for its customers.

The new Paxton Technology Centre in Brighton opened in 2017.

Last year a new state-of-the-art technology centre was opened alongside its Brighton head office.

The whole building was designed to create a dynamic and collaborative working environment to ensure that Paxton continues to be at the cutting edge of design and technology within the security industry.

Adam Stroud, Paxton’s Group chief executive, said: “Hard work, focus, investment and a good strategy are essential to the success of the company.

“But most important by a long way are the people that work for Paxton, they have been responsible for our success to date, and will determine the extent of our future successes.”

The Board of Directors are passionate about making Paxton one of the best places to work in the UK.

The company offers fantastic opportunities and career growth with a varied range of job roles from product development to marketing, finance to manufacturing, plus its continued international expansion, and forward-thinking product roadmap.

Sussex Super Growth Awards Criteria

• Privately-owned business, trading with headquarters in Sussex.

• Profitable growth in turnover measured over a 4-year accounting period based on latest full accounts information filed at Companies House.

• Minimum turnover of £2m in base year.

For further information about the Sussex Super Growth Awards contact neil.gardner@asb-law.com