Sales up 36% as Paver Smith weathers recession

Paver Smith has announced a 36% increase in turnover for 2009.

Income rose from £1.7m to just under £2.4m, with a net gain of 17 new clients over the year, including the National Lottery, Grosvenor and webuyanycar.com.

The agency also took its head count to 38, launched its in-house training academy and opened its Deansgate office in Manchester.

"I don't think we've ever worked as hard in our lives," said managing director Dougal Paver. "We focused heavily on training, development and systems and that's delivered for us," he said.

Paver predicts that 2010 will be "as tough, if not tougher" than 2009 but is forecasting growth of around 10% for the year.

"We'll retain our focus on staff development in 2010 as it's clear that quality inputs drive quality outputs. Our Investors in People status will be renewed and we're investing an additional five figure sum in our in-house training academy. Everyone, from our receptionist to the board, will be completing 60 hours of CPD through our chartered institute, the CIPR. This is on top of the role-specific training everyone enjoys," said Paver.

"In addition", says Paver, "the agency's recent election as a partner in IPREX, the worldwide corporation of independent public relations and communication firms, will give it a stronger platform to look after the international interests of clients such as Shell Gas Direct and Bibby Ship Management."