Pair’s business decision has proved to be Ultimate success

The day after they were dealt the blow, the duo decided to go into business together – and Ultimate Office Solutions was born in an old rented stable block on the outskirts of Skipton.

Fast forward eight years and the business partners have bought their own building, complete with showroom, in Silsden.

They’ve also opened a second branch in Manchester and recently launched a new sister company.

Mark Hickey, aged 38, said: “Our current turnover is £3.5m. To put this into perspective, when we first started out in the stable block at Broughton Hall we made £400,000 in our first year.

“We have just grown progressively and gone from strength to strength.”

The company specialises in contemporary office design, office fit-outs and office furniture for the commercial market.

The emphasis is firmly on design and quality – leading to a high-profile client list that includes Skipton Building Society, GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo, and The Professional Footballers’ Association.

They also added two more ‘names’ to their impressive list this year when they were asked to design and fit offices for Yorkshire Water and hair-styling giants GHD.

“We worked for a company called Overburys, the main contractors for GHD who were moving into offices at Bridgewater Place, and they sub-contracted the furniture element to us,” explained Mr Hickey.

“As a small company we were up against some big London firms so it’s great that we won that one – it was a bit of a coup really.

“On the back of that we won one of the biggest office lets in Leeds with Yorkshire Water at Clarence Dock. It was nice to win two big projects.

“The GHD offices were state-of-the-art. The unit was all glass and leather so it was quite chic.

“We’ve seen nothing in all the years we’ve been doing this that’s anything like it. The Yorkshire Water project was very fresh-looking and one of the most modern we’ve done.

“Each project was very design-led. It was a good specification and it was nice to put quality products forward.”

And although both were carried out while the economy was experiencing a slump, Mr Hickey said it was the company’s best year ever.

“When people were reporting doom and gloom, we landed two projects which boosted our turnover and profit, as well as our profile.”

In 2008, the two Marks opened a second branch in Salford Quays, in Manchester, run by director Dan Platt, with the aim of targeting both sides of the Penn- ines.

And last April the joint directors decided to move out of the old stable block at Broughton Hall and acquire their own build- ing.

“Again, in what was possibly the most difficult economic year, we decided to buy our own purpose-built building and showroom in Silsden – just between Skipton and Keighley,” said Mr Hickey.

The pair had to find over £100,000 to fit out their own new headquarters and then build the showroom – but the risk paid off and, last month they expanded further with the launch of a sister company, Ultimate Environments.

“That arm targets the leisure and hospitality industry, such as hotel and café chains,” added Mr Hickey.

“It’s new and exciting. Again most people aren’t opening new businesses but we think the only way to grow and go forward in a difficult time is to make some positive moves.”

The plan is to build all three businesses into a recognised brand across the UK.

Not bad for a business that started life tucked away in an old stable.

“Although it didn’t feel that way at the time, being made redundant was one of the best things that ever happened to us,” said Mr Hickey.

Creating new environments

The company works closely in collaboration with designers and architects including Carey Jones in Leeds, and Grants Booths and Smailes in Saltaire.

Each project is different – clients might ask for anything from a calming environment to adding vibrancy with bright wall coverings and striped carpets.

“It’s about employers wanting to retain staff, although some people don’t seem to care!” said Mr Hickey.

The company has just finished fitting out Metro’s head office on Wellington Street, Leeds, and the pair still get a buzz out of seeing the end result.

For more information visit www.ultimateofficesolutions.co.uk and www.ultimate-environments.com