Pub monitor cash doubles

Nov 7 2007 By The Journal

Tees Valley winner James Dickson, chief executive, Brulines, Stockton.

WHETHER or not it was a knowledge of taps from his oilfields experience that had something to do with it, James Dickson has shown the brewing industry he can resolve its bartop problems.

He has also led a company of previously mixed fortunes to success on the Alternative Investment Market. The company’s measure enables breweries and other pub owners to monitor amounts and quality of beer sold from pumps.

In 2003, James joined as chief executive. Raised on a small Scottish farm, he had (besides six years overseas in oil) worked with breweries. He holds an MBA from IMD Lausanne.

When he led an MBO in 2005, turnover was £8m. Refloated on the AIM, the company sales are now £16.76m. The firm also has a stake in Coin Metrics, whose wireless data enables gaming and amusements firms to protect their assets too.

A £3m local move will now enable 170 more people to be taken on. Brulines was Tees Valley Company of 2006.

RUNNER-UP

Frances Reed, managing director/owner, Pearson – The Art of Home Moving, Middlesbrough.

IN taking over at Pearson, Mrs Reed has not only given a long-established firm a makeover, but personalised the business of removals and strengthened Anglo-Polish relations.

The company, covering both Britain and continental Europe, was established by Edwin Pearson in 1917 and developed subsequently through his grandson Brian, later group chairman. In 2007 Mrs Reed, who had been 25 years with the firm and impressed, completed a management buyout with her husband Steve. She had joined at 18 as a personal assistant. She had risen to accounts administrator and credit controller, general manager, then director in 2000. She gained a diploma in company direction from Durham University.

The firm has 36 trucks and 80 employees. Among her major triumphs has been the winning of a lucrative Ministry of Defence contract. Mrs Reed recruits Polish as well as local HGV drivers.

Pearson’s turnover has more than doubled, from £2.5m in 2000 to £5.2m now.

RUNNER-UP

John Collins, managing director, Reflex Vehicle Solutions, Stockton.

WITHIN three-and-a-half years of setting up Reflex Vehicle Solutions, Mr Collins has taken his business into the top 10 of rental companies. The firm offers flexible rentals on cars and commercial vehicles.

It has more than 6,000 vehicles operating from Tees Valley, Oxfordshire, Kent and a national sales team covering the country.

Mr Collins helped to introduce the concept of flexible rental in the early 1990s. He and members of his team, who also have a stake in the business, worked for Northgate plc, where he was sales director.

When Reflex required £15m to move off in its first year, he secured that through a private investor. Now a number of investment firms back him too.

The firm has created 70 jobs (50 in the North-East), and has an asset base and investment of £50m-plus, expected to reach £100m within three years.

He holds a diploma in company direction from Durham University Business School.