Daniel Corby, founder of 118trades looks for acquisitions in the UK directory market
Daniel Corby, the founder and CEO of 118trades, the UK’s leading directory service of tradespeople and businesses with checkable references is considering acquisitions in the UK directories business as way to drive growth in 2007. Speaking about the announcement, Daniel Corby said “118trades has experienced huge growth in the last 12 months, and now has over 45,000 members across the UK. We are actively considering the acquisition of other directories which could fit well within either 118 trades or the wider 118 group – the parent company of 118trades. 118trades operates directories on the net at www.118trades.com, an A5 directory which is distributed door to door and a 24 hour directory service available on 0800 247 1184. Our growth plans for the coming year are again ambitious and will be achieved through organic growth of 118 trades and the possible acquisitions, if we can find the right business to bolt on to 118”
118trades is preparing to open one of the largest call centres in Essex, with the creation of around 350 jobs at Chelmer Village, Chelmsford. This new site will be in addition to the existing call centres in Chelmsford, Harlow and Asia and will be the catalyst of the growth plans for 118trades. The company has recently made some high profile appointments to the board, with business veteran, Richard Allan joining the business as Chairman, the former MD and founder of Potential Finance Group plc, Hugh Craen joining as non executive director and Peter Hill, the former FD of Dorma Door Controls Limited joining as Group Finance Director. Richard, Hugh and Peter join founder and CEO Daniel Corby and Commercial Director Bradley Chapman on the board. The company is currently considering a float on AIM, which could happen as early as 2007 – the funds raised would be used to fund further acquisitions for the wider 118 Group, which now has interests in Advertising, Directories, Media, Mobile, Publishing and Telecoms.
www.118trades.com
www.the118group.com
www.118gethitched.com
www.carauto.co.uk
www.fidolocal.com
