118 trades to launch in Northern Ireland as expansion plans
118trades.com, the fast growing internet directory service is preparing to launch in Northern Ireland as growth plans double for 2007 ahead of planned aim float for 2008
[UKPRwire, Mon Feb 26 2007] One of Europe’s fastest growing directory businesses, The 118 Group, announced today that it is launching its model into Northern Ireland in a bid to truly cover all of the UK by Quarter 4 of 2007. This follows the recent announcement to enter Scotland.
Currently undergoing a massive recruitment drive for its new call centres that will place the company as one of the biggest employers in the area, The 118 Group is looking to attract bright new talent to the business ahead of the planned Northern Ireland growth which will be managed from offices in Essex.
Daniel Corby, CEO of The 118 Group comments, “Our business has been in high demand as trades-people and reference checked businesses want to promote themselves with a different form of directory and association with the valuable benefits that we provide. 118trades which now lists around 100,000 businesses will add 250 categories of business listing across Northern Ireland as part of the next expansion plans.
"I firmly believe that now is the right time to enter Northern Ireland with the business and we’re absolutely sure that this will bring dividends to the business and an increase in sales and profitability ahead of our planned float. The core website 118trades (dot) com is promoted in National Media and we will roll a similar campaign across Northern Ireland a few weeks following the launch. The campaign will be managed by Rathbone Media Limited, our retained media agency who handles 90% of the 118 Group bookings”
118trades, part of wider 118 Group Holdings plc last week launched the Apprentice style programme to recruit and find the best new talent for the business. Each week in the boardroom the remaining candidates will face industry veterans Chairman Richard Allan, whose previous experience includes CEO of Perry Motor Group plc and non executive roles with Northumbrian Water plc and Essex and Suffolk Water plc; Hugh Craen, who founded and floated Potential Finance Group plc on AIM in 2002, Jaynie Vincent, Group HR Director, who joined 118 Group plc from a similar role within Deutche Bank and of course CEO Daniel Corby who brings a wealth of experience in the telecoms marketplace from his role as Sales Director of phones4u.
Notes to editors
118 Group Holdings plc has interests in Advertising, Directories, Media, Mobile, Publishing and Telecoms
The group was founded in 2005 with the launch of an internet directory 118trades and has now grown to cover 6 industries
Additional call centres are being planned to open in late 2007 and 2008 in Wales and another UK location yet to be finalised bringing headcount to over 1,000 people
The group successfully raised private equity during Quarter 3 of 2006 to allow the group to grow significantly during 2007 and in Quarter 4 of 2006 opened a 300 seat call centre operation in Chelmsford. The group has other offices in Chelmsford, Harlow and the Asia Pacific Regions
The winner of the 2007 Apprentice style programme will be announced at the 118 Group Annual Awards being held in late March
You can read more about 118 Group at the following websites
Interested job applicants for 118 Group can visit www.telesalesjobsinchelmsford.com for more information on the current vacancies and career opportunities available
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