The concept of the Northern Powerhouse should be a welcome proposal for any customer focussed business.
With the prospect of improved transport links and government investment in innovation, the scheme will make it easier for previously Southern and London-centric companies to effectively do business across the North of England.
For service led businesses, people and your relationships with them, are so vital that being conveniently located, quickly available and easily accessible to them is essential and a local presence inevitably makes that easier.
With the aim of boosting economic growth, the proposal is about more than simply satellite office buildings – it is an opportunity to reach out and build strong, in-depth relationships with new customers and vendors, while attracting the best new talent in a different geographical area. It’s a chance to replicate the culture and success of the existing business.
CAE COO Richard Behan comments on the expansion following a period of rapid growth in FY17:
“CAE has always had the desire to expand our UK presence and further solidify our position as a leading IT infrastructure services reseller in the UK. By investing in an office and region in Daresbury, CAE takes another step forward in achieving this goal. The team will be led by CAE’s newly appointed Regional Account Director for the North, Gregg Spooner. Gregg brings over twenty years industry experience along with extensive knowledge of the local market with established customer and vendor relationships. As a local, he knew what customers want and what is missing from the market.”
Selling the capability – not just the technology
As a proud investor in its people and considerate in its approach, CAE’s bespoke business model and personalised service and relationships are the differentiator in the local market. By taking time to listen to, understand and consider individual needs, the CAE team can then provide technology for business reasoning, getting the most out of IT investments to deliver service excellence with the best possible business outcomes – the technology is just the enabler.
The CAE Daresbury region have been warmly welcomed by both its strategic vendors, who were looking for a trusted, capable and credible partner, as well as by its customers, frustrated by slow service provider responses, who are in need of a faster, more agile local presence.
The proof is in the people
Our service led, customer focussed approach has already paid off. When the Daresbury region opened, for one Manchester organisation, CAE were not known and not on the approved supplier list. Having been available to spend time with their organisation and senior leadership team to really understand their business requirements, four months later we are already considered an (approved!) critical supplier.
With the widely publicised ongoing Government commitment to improved infrastructure and investment in skills and education, major businesses have already chosen to relocate and expand into northern cities, and a step-change in the balance of the national economy could now be on the horizon.
Our investment into Daresbury is just the first step, with further growth and investment already being earmarked for CAE’s graduate intake programme next year, adding even more new local talent to the already successful team.
CAE are proud of the part we will be playing now and in the future in establishing the Northern Powerhouse concept.
