118trades.com to launch across Scotland from 01 March 2007
118 trades, the internet directory service is preparing to launch across Scotland from 01 March 2007
[UKPRwire, Thu Feb 15 2007] Daniel Corby, CEO 118 Group Holdings plc announces the launch of 118trades, the leading internet directory across Scotland
Speaking about the announcement, Daniel Corby, Group CEO said “We have rolled out 118 trades, the internet directory services across 70% of England and from 1st March we’ll roll out across Scotland. 118trades is a directory service offering website, A5 Directory products and telephone based directory assistance. We have been expanding the support and operational hub of the business and will launch throughout Scotland using dedicated teams from 01 March. The board believe that Scotland brings a massive opportunity to the group and marketing will commence across Scotland from June 2007 using national and local media”
Daniel Corby continued “118 Group now takes in interests in Advertising, Directories, Media, Mobile, Publishing and Telecoms and by May of 2007 will be a major employer across Essex. Additional centres are planned to open in both 2007 and 2008 which could bring headcount across the group to over 1,000 employees. The business continues to develop revenues from the core directory markets and plans to launch 118669 under the brand of 118NOW – following the successful Ofcom award of the number. In addition, the mobile phone side of the business now connects for all 6 UK networks under the brand of tastyphones.com and is sold through website and call centres using inbound and outbound calling”
Notes to editors
The group is now starting to think and act like a plc ahead of the planned float and has recently made some high profile appointments including business veteran Richard Allan, the former CEO of Perry Group plc as Chairman, Hugh Craen, the founder and mastermind of Potential Finance Group plc which floated on AIM in 2002. Hugh joins the business as a non executive director, Peter Hill as Group FD, who joins from Dorma Door Controls Limited, Scott Barker as Head of Risk, previously from World Pay and Meta Charge. In addition, Ian McLachlan, the recently retired head of Trading Standards of Hertfordshire, who has become Head of Ethics for the business and will oversee the way the business manages relationships with shareholders, staff, customers and suppliers. The business is now in talks with a former Director of Yellow Pages with regards to taking a board position with 118 Group Holdings plc. Further statements will follow in due course
118 Group Holdings plc successfully completed pre IPO fund raising exercises in October 2006 ahead of the planned AIM float and is growing ahead of forecasts. Last month the business announced the creation of 300 new jobs in Chelmsford and is recruiting rapidly. You can read more about the business at www.the118group.com
