A North East video production company founded by two schoolfriends is ready to roll across the UK after securing investment.
Based at Gateshead’s Northern Design Centre, YourFilm was set up by managing director Matthew Newman and creative director Kevin Owens in 2005. It works with many well-known clients in the North East, as well as others nationally and internationally.
YourFilm produces TV and cinema commercials, promotional videos and training films for clients including Nissan, tombola, Intu Metrocentre, Frank’s The Flooring Store and the NHS.
The firm is now looking to build on its success by scaling up business development activity, attracting more and larger clients from outside of the region. It worked with regional fund management firm NEL Fund Managers to secure the investment which will support its marketing drive.
Jon Dudgeon, partner at Blu Sky Chartered Accountants in North Shields, recommended NEL to the YourFilm management team.
Mr Newman said: “Video in all its forms has become arguably the predominant form of advertising over the 15 years we’ve been in business, and there’s no sign of this trend slowing down in the foreseeable future.
“We’ve come a long way since setting up the business, and can see real opportunities to accelerate our growth by building on the work we’ve done for some big brands over the past few years.
“Scaling up our operations will help us attract more and bigger clients, which will then give us the chance to compete for bigger budget projects, which tend to originate outside the region, and showcase the creativity and innovation that’s been central to our achievements so far.
“This investment allows us to expand the business development resources we have available, which will in turn enhance and underpin the long-term sustainability of our business.
“Working with the NEL investment team was pretty straightforward and Jon’s expert support in completing the investment process made a big difference.”
The £9m North East Small Loan Fund forms part of the £120m North East Fund and offers loans of between £10,000 and £50,000 to businesses in Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland.
Mike Guellard, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, said: “YourFilm has an excellent market reputation and an ambitious plan to take its operations to the next level, a plan in which we’re very pleased to be able to invest.”
