The British economy is undergoing a period of change and uncertainty, with many businesses struggling to understand what lies ahead.
Marketing is a tool that every business can rely on to gain a leg up on the competition, so as to attract more customers and retain existing ones. However, while traditional marketing methods may still work in today’s world, some businesses are discovering that they need to adjust their approach if they are to succeed in a post-pandemic world.
This is specifically relevant to the marketing departments of companies based in the Midlands, who may find that their traditional target audience is changing and that they need to develop new methods to maintain market share.
10 Marketing Companies in the Midlands to Watch
If your company is based in the Midlands and you’re looking to grow your business, there are ten marketing companies that you need to keep an eye on.
Before the pandemic hit, Aviva Investors, a global financial services group, ranked the UK’s most promising mid-sized companies based on sales and earnings performance, growth, and profitability. The results from this research identified ten companies that stand out above the rest.
The Aviva Investors research also looked at three years of sales growth, market capitalisation, and return on investment (ROI).
With business as usual continuing in the lead up to the pandemic, these ten companies may well go on to shape the future of the British economy.
1. Postmates
Postmates is one of the ten most promising mid-sized companies in the UK. This on-demand delivery service, established in 2012 in London, provides a range of local and nationwide goods and takes a commission on each delivery it makes.
The company’s growth has been rapid, with revenue increasing from £2.9m to £15.7m between 2017 and 2019 and now stands at £17.8m. This puts it ahead of competitors such as Uber Eats and Just Eat in terms of size, though just behind DPD in terms of delivery service coverage.
The business has invested heavily in technology and expanding its operations abroad. The company currently operates in over 200 cities across 52 countries, with the UK representing its largest single market. In 2018, Postmates launched in the United States and Canada. In Brazil, for example, the business is known as Postmercado.
2. NPD Group
The NPD group is a leading market research company, specialising in market sizing and market analysis for business to business (B2B) marketers. Founded in the UK in 1899, NPD’s clients include some of the world’s biggest brands.
NPD’s UK consumer group market research is respected across industries, with clients citing it as one of the main sources of competitive Intelligence in the market.
NPD’s unique benchmarking software, QuoVadis, provides a complete overview of B2C and B2B marketing in one place. The software allows you to compare the performance of one brand with another, pinpointing key differences in performance between them. You can then use this analysis to inform your future marketing strategy.
3. Carillion
A major employer in the Midlands, Carillion is a construction company that provides a full suite of services throughout construction and infrastructure projects. As well as the UK, Carillion operates in Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East.
The company has repeatedly been named one of the UK’s most promising businesses, cited for its innovative approach, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to sustainable practices.
In 2018, Carillion reported an increase in annual revenue of 16% to £12.9bn, with net income rising by 39% to £2.9bn. The firm recently expanded into the US, launching a centre for excellence in Chicago in partnership with the University of Chicago.
4. PLC WorldWide
PLC WorldWide (PLC) is a leading market research company, specialising in marketing and sales research for the insurance and financial services industries. PLC WorldWide was founded in 1873 and is based in the UK.
Insurance firms and financial services businesses around the world are turning to PLC for analysis of the risk and behaviour of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
5. Aegon
Like other property-related businesses, Aegon has been hard hit by the pandemic and is now shifting its focus to reviewing and rebuilding its customer base. This global insurance company, founded in 1868, sells insurance and investment products in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Aegon has invested heavily in technology, opening offices in Dublin and expanding its use of online marketplaces including Facebook and Instagram to attract new business and retain existing customers.
The firm also expanded into the US, establishing a branch office in Oklahoma City and working with the University of Oklahoma’s George J. Mitchell Center for Entrepreneurship to develop an entrepreneurship minor.
6. Legal & General
Legal & General is one of the largest insurance providers in the UK, with operations including life insurance, general insurance, and pensions. Legal & General was founded in the UK in 1881 and is now owned by American firm Marsh & McLennan.
The firm expanded into Europe, the Middle East, and Australasia, and it now has operations in over 40 countries. In Europe, it is the largest insurance provider in Germany and the Netherlands.
Legal & General has repeatedly been named one of the UK’s most promising businesses, cited for its entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to sustainable practices, and innovation.
7. Resolution Group
The Resolution Group provide a UK home insurance product and boast an unrivalled reputation for customer care, with 97% of customers rating their service as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.
Based in Hatfield, South Yorkshire, Resolution Group first opened for business in 1881 and is one of the UK’s largest home insurance providers. In 2018, the Resolution Group reported an increase of 7% in annual revenue to £23.2bn, with an operating profit of £2.85bn and assets of £11.9bn. This represents growth at a steady rate.
8. RSA Insurance Group
The RSA Insurance Group is a global insurance company, providing coverage for risks such as earthquakes, floods, and terrorism. The firm was established in the UK in 1897 and is now owned by insurance company Swiss Re. The British headquarters are in London, with operations including offices in Germany, France, and Australia.
The group’s International Operations are based in Zurich, with a branch opening in Singapore in 2019.
The RSA Insurance Group is one of the largest home insurers in Europe with operations in Germany, France, and the UK. It also owns Irish Reinsurance, which operates in the Republic of Ireland. In 2016, RSA Insurance reported an increase in annual revenue of 12% to £23.7bn, with a 5% rise in net income to £3.67bn.
9. Scottish Reinsurance
The Scottish Reinsurance is a UK-based specialist insurance provider, operating in England, Wales, and Scotland. Scottish Re is considered an ‘Associated Entity’ of Swiss Re, holding equal status in relation to ownership and control, and working alongside the Swiss company to provide integrated risk management solutions.
The company offers customers cover for the big four risks (fires, lightning, storms, and submarines), plus property-related losses (burglaries, robberies, and malicious damage). Scottish Re also provides cover for medical professionals and legal representatives. With over 140 years of experience, the firm is highly regarded for the quality of its care.
10. Aon
Aon is the international risk management group, providing insurance and reinsurance brokerage, risk management, and corporate intelligence services to businesses. Aon was founded in the UK in 1865 and is now headquartered in Paris.
The firm operates throughout the world, with clients predominantly in the insurance and financial services industries. Aon has also expanded into the US, establishing an office in New York in 2018.
Aon is one of the largest insurance brokers in the UK and operates in almost every country in the world. The company also owns insurance broker Marsh LLC, with offices in Chicago, New York, and Atlanta.