Second SYIF Loan Supports Continued Expansion At Innovative Field Marketing Business

Doncaster-based Intelligent Marketing Solutions seeking larger premises. 

South Yorkshire Investment Fund has provided a second loan to help the innovative and award-winning Doncaster-based field marketing business fulfil its growth plans.

Intelligent Marketing Solutions (IMS) is using the £45,000 loan to support the cost of relocating to larger offices in the Doncaster area which is currently being finalised. Following the move, IMS, which provides a range of field marketing services to leading retailers and consumer companies, is planning to recruit five more staff for its sales and support teams as a result of increased business.

Founded in 2001, IMS provide traditional field marketing activities including mystery shopping (or secret shopping), merchandising, stock auditing, and point of sale placement. IMS boast an impressive portfolio of clients including Woolworths, Orange, Nationwide Building Society, Johnson and Johnson, Northern Foods, T Mobile, Kraft Foods, Porsche and The Guardian. 

IMS was the first field marketing company to build its operation around an e-business solution and in 2003 won the national innovation award. This technology enables IMS to provide clients with a more efficient service, including live 24/7 online reporting of their campaign results. 

Laura Holden, Sales and Marketing Director, who is one of the company’s founders, said: “We have pioneered an e-based approach to our business that has enabled us to develop our reputation for innovation and reliability which has in turn enabled us to grow.

“SYIF helped us in the early stages with a £25,000 loan which we used for marketing purposes. We have also had the services of a SYIF business mentor, a chartered accountant who in effect acts as our finance director and provides invaluable advice that helps us make key business decisions. SYIF has now supported us again with a second loan that we will put towards the cost of moving to larger premises as we gear up for future growth.”  

Allan Wood, Investment Manager, said “It has been gratifying to see the continued progress made by IMS through its innovative approach to its business sector. Their experience has shown the value, not only of the funding available form SYIF, but also of the mentoring service which is designed to support companies with advice and guidance as they develop and grow.”

For further information contact Ian Green or Chris Holland on 0845 4503210 or Suzanne Tinkler on 01709 386381 or visit the website at www.syif.com.

EDITOR’S NOTES

About South Yorkshire Investment Fund

South Yorkshire Investment Fund can provide loan and equity linked investments, ranging from £15k to £2.5m, specifically to help small and medium businesses meet the gaps in funding they need for development. 

Created as part of the Objective 1 programme, the Fund is a private and public sector business finance provider and has already invested over £15 million in 130 businesses. 

The European Regional Development Fund is an investor in the Fund.  The Fund also provides access to Business Angel investments from the Yorkshire Association of Business Angels.

South Yorkshire Investment Fund Ltd is a company limited by guarantee (Registered No 3936065). South Yorkshire Investment Fund comprises three sub funds, the South Yorkshire Investment Capital Fund, the South Yorkshire Investment Development Fund, which are each managed by YFM Venture Finance Limited, and the South Yorkshire Investment Small Business Fund, which is managed by UKSE Fund Managers Ltd.  YFM Venture Finance Limited  (Tel 0113 294 5000) and UKSE Fund Managers Ltd (Tel 0114 270 0933) are each authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  South Yorkshire Investment Fund also provides a number of services including Mentorbank, and provides access to South Yorkshire Microloan and Yorkshire Association of Business Angels, none of which are regulated by The Financial Services Authority.