A digital agency founded by four graduates has seen profits grow by 30% for the second year running and has attracted a new director who has worked with some of the world’s biggest companies.
Plymouth-based Elixel has been joined by new shareholder Ed May who has been a key player in the IT and telecommunications industries in a number of senior roles, involved with A-list clients including GlaxoSmithKline, BAE, The National Archives, Barclays, RBS and RM.
Mr May, who is now commercial director, has been brought in to drive Elixel through its next wave of growth.
He said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the innovative team at Elixel. Having 20 plus years’ experience of growing numerous businesses, I’m looking forward to sharing my know-how with the team to help take Elixel to the next level.
“This is perfect timing to align Elixel in synergy with other complementary businesses I’m involved with, as, together, we’ll maximise the offering to our clients.
“On a personal note, I’ve always loved Plymouth and the West Country, so to combine my passion for the region with working and growing a business in the area is a great privilege.”
Elixel was founded in 2012 by four students while studying digital art and technology at the University of Plymouth.
Mr Jones set up the company alongside Becky Veater, financial director; Christian Cook, technical director; and Paul Bird, creative director.
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The foursome were all students in their final year when they won a Venture Culture module competition with a reward of three months in the University of Plymoith’s start-up incubator Formation Zone.
They went to the now defunct Outset programme, which offered start-up businesses support, and were able to move out. The business is now based in offices in Armada Way, in Plymouth city centre.
The company has gone on to create and develop digital products and services for major clients including Game, JP Morgan and everyone's favourite wand-waving puppet bear Sooty.
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Elixel’s team has doubled since November 2017, and it has a 50/50 gender split with a mainly female development team - highly unusual for a tech company as women represent just 19% of the digital tech workforce in the 海角视频.
Meanwhile, turnover and profit have grown by more than 30% two years in a row and in July 2019 Elixel recruited former IBM Master Inventor Rob Breeds, who spent 19 years at IBM and has several technology patents to his name.
Gavin Jones, managing director of Elixel said, “The growth of Elixel over the past 18 months is evidence that businesses are looking to innovate and they’re realising their need for help to overcome the challenges standing in their way.
“We’re building a team of pioneers who can help businesses unlock the real opportunities that digital has to offer.
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“As we strengthen our partnerships, no matter what opportunities our clients want to explore, we have access to the talent to make it happen without being overburdened with massive overheads.”
Mr May has experience in business integration (M&A), delivering innovative solutions for top-line business goals, and developing strategic plans to meet short- and long-term objectives.
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His business portfolio also includes multiple tech firms, giving Elixel direct access to a 300-strong development team with an extensive skill set, from mobile app development to artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Mr Jones said: “Having spent seven years building Elixel, it’s fantastic to have someone like Ed get excited about what we’re doing and wanting to be a part of the journey with us.
“His experience in growing businesses and working with large scale enterprises will be invaluable in helping Elixel reach its full potential.”