Events company shows it's a winner

As the slowdown turned into a slump, the private sector's conference budgets were slashed.

But after a bleak opening two months, Ripon-based Livius Events, in common with many small businesses, managed to carve out a profitable niche by working with the public sector.

The company is now about to launch a training division for North Yorkshire entrepreneurs who need first aid, health and safety and food hygiene training.

Livius was formed three years ago and has leased Ripon Racecourse for all non-race day events. It is run by the husband and wife team of Andrew and Allison Wells who believed there was a gap in the market for an events company in Ripon.

The company, which has three staff, saw its turnover rise by 55 per cent this year, to 350,000, after it secured work to host events for organisations such as Business Link and the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Wells, who used to work in the oil industry, said: "We know that the public sector will tighten but we are optimistic that the commercial sector will come back."

The training division will enlist the help of experts in the fields of health and safety to ensure local firms are aware of potential risks.