Digital service provider to accelerate growth and job creation following Rosebud loan

A Lancashire headquartered provider of technology services to SME businesses is planning a major expansion, including the creation of 25 new jobs, after receiving a £300,000 loan from Rosebud.

Digital Britain, formerly Customer Care Group, was formed in 1998 and has traditionally supported its customers with IT and computing hardware and support, including phone systems, computers and CCTV systems.

The Haslingden company has innovated its operations over recent years, and now offers a wide range of sales and marketing systems and expertise including CRM systems, software design and integration and digital marketing support, such as social media marketing, SEO, and PPC.

The loan, which is one of Rosebud’s largest to date, will fund the recruitment of a specialist sales and marketing team, allowing the business to grow a business partner network, as well as supporting the growth of Digital Britain’s team of specialist technical and digital marketing experts.

The company, which has already doubled in size over the past four years, hopes to accelerate its growth over the coming years, which includes doubling its headcount.

Mark Bedward, chief executive, Digital Britain, said: “Over recent years, we have developed from being a group of telecoms and tech gurus and business advisers, helping SMEs with different aspects of technology, to a complete digital and tech service provider to owner managed, SME businesses.

“We have built traction and we have a great foundation but not everybody knows about us. We want to be the go-to place for any owner managed SME business in the UK for anything tech and digital and the loan from Rosebud will help us to do that.”

The company is now exploring a range of financial options to support its growth ambitions, including launching a Digital Britain franchise network and is considering equity finance to fund further growth.

Rosebud is owned by Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lancashire County Council. It aims to support the growth of Lancashire businesses and the local economy, offering loans between £10,000 and £300,000 as well as high-quality business support.

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth, Lancashire County Council, said: “Digital Britain is a real success story of a growing Lancashire business. Lancashire County Council is proud to be able to provide funding to help the company through its next stage of growth and achieve its ambitions.

“This support from Rosebud will support new Lancashire jobs and also help Digital Britain to expand within the UK.”

Jonathan Nelson, senior loan manager, Rosebud, said: “From the first conversation I had with Mark and Carl, the ambition that they and the company had was clear and there was a real strategy to achieve this.

“Digital Britain is an innovative business, and its development has prompted the growth the business has experienced to date. I am excited that Rosebud will be part of the next stage of Digital Britain’s business growth and look forward to following the company’s journey.”

Rosebud is delivered by GC Business Finance. Businesses in Lancashire’s 12 local authority areas are eligible for the funding: Burnley; Chorley; Fylde; Hyndburn; Lancaster; Pendle; Preston; Ribble Valley; Rossendale; South Ribble; West Lancashire; Wyre.