Profits are up at an accountancy practice who are reaping the benefits of bringing in professional help with their marketing and PR.

LSGK Accountants from Leek have reported 20 per cent growth in their year ending 31 July. Even growing their client base during the Coronavirus pandemic.

The firm started working with marketing and PR agency, Mark Brammar Associates in 2018. The brief was to come up with a marketing and PR plan which would up the profile of the practice that had been around since the late 1950s. Formerly known as Leslie SG Knott & Co Ltd , the business had been acquired back in 2014 by Cannock based Growth 4 Businesses Group who already had three other practices in Staffordshire.

LSGK director Jed Eatough said: “There was a great legacy from the old name but I was aware that I needed to let people know that we were now operating in a very different way, offering a whole range of business advice and financial services to complement our accountancy services.

“I’d met Mark Brammar through the Staffordshire Moorlands Chamber of Commerce. Mark suggested a strategic approach to our marketing and PR and working together we came up with a two-year plan to raise the profile of the business. Mark also suggested working with another of his associates, Giles Metcalfe who could take care of the digital marketing and social media.”

Alongside the increased marketing activity Jed also set up a regular Leek based networking group, Gone Fishing 4 Business and established the annual Dyer’s Den competition for start-up businesses in Staffordshire Moorlands both of which gave plenty of opportunity for additional PR.

Mark Brammar said: “Its been great working with Jed to raise the profile of LSGK. Jed is no different to many business owners who have the ideas and intention but do not have the time to execute the work involved. Having myself and Giles on board gives the business a bolt-on marketing department who work flexibly with Jed to suit the needs of the business.”

Jed added: “It’s certainly a comfort to know I have Mark and Giles to take care of the marketing and PR activities helping to drive the business forwards, and it’s no coincidence that the growth in turnover corresponds to the marketing and PR activity.

“Would I recommend other businesses to bring in outside professional help as I have? I certainly would! LSGK have at least a 600 per cent return on their investment in Mark and Giles and we have continued to steadily grow our client base, even through the pandemic and lockdown.”

Photo: L to R – Mark Brammar and Jed Eatough – Photo by Cathy Bower Photography