2017 REVIEW: A YEAR TO CELEBRATE AT APTUS UTILITIES

As we welcome 2018 we look back at some of the highlights of 2017 and celebrate a seventh successive year of growth, before looking at what’s in store for the year ahead.

Aptus Utilities has enjoyed a number of new milestones in terms of numbers of contracts awarded and new clients gained, resulting in significant commercial success and the strengthening of our North West operations as well as expanding our share of the multi utility marketplace in the North East and Midlands.

People, as ever, are at the centre of our achievements. A number of new internal and external appointments at board level in 2017 are indicative of the company’s long term plan for growth under a strong leadership team. Developing business apprentices in key positions is also proving an effective strategy in shaping a sustainable business for the future.

Skills and training have always been at the forefront of our business and investment in our greatest asset, the workforce, resulted in one of our proudest moments of 2017 with a double win at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce’s Skills for Business Awards in November. This followed the personal award presented to our Support Services Director Natasha Clarke for her ‘outstanding contribution to apprenticeships’ by apprentice partners Alliance Learning in June.

A second cohort of construction apprentices embarked on our Craft Apprenticeship programme in October 2017 and will ensure Aptus Utilities continues to support the construction side of the business and the overall industry through the creation of operatives skilled in multi utility and jointing. This adds to our soon to be qualified 2015 intake, providing the company with the vital skill resource to deliver our comprehensive programme of works for clients.

A number of business awards and recognition is indication that our customer focused model is working. Aptus Utilities ended 2017 on a high as the company recorded a second consecutive year in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 – the annual league table ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing sales and Aptus registered in 86th place.

Further national recognition came in the form of inclusion in the London Stock Exchange Group’s annual report ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ released in May. Meanwhile regional and local business awards and league tables have continued to name the company as among the fastest-growing further attesting to the contribution Aptus Utilities is making towards the creation of a dynamic Northern economy.

With the upcoming relocation of our head office within Bolton accommodating further expansion, and a strong forward order book in place, the company is primed to continue its upward trajectory in 2018.

Company performance in 2018

Reflecting on the company’s performance over the last year, Managing Director Lisa Kerford commented: “2017 has been another positive year for Aptus Utilities, one in which the company has continued to experience commercial success and growth across the business. We have been particularly pleased with the level of business recognition received – achieving a second successive year in the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 and gaining awards for our investment in skills and training and the overall contribution this asset is making to safeguard the future of our industry.

“We know that 2018 will present new challenges as we enter new territory and face increasing competition, but we are confident that by maintaining our high quality and professional service we will continue to enjoy a prominent role partnering with developers and construction companies in the year ahead”.

Published on 3rd January 2018