Company: Tolchards
Location: Newton Abbot, Devon (plus a new depot in Hampshire)
Industry/sector: Distribution
Size: SME (42 employees)
Plymouth graduate Ed Haine, played a key role in clinching the company an injection of £10,000 from the Western Morning News Growth Fund. The money meant Tolchards could:
Providing a specialist drinks service including locally sourced, niche, imported, regional and national brands for around 500 pubs, hotels and restaurants, Tolchards is quickly growing its client base across the south of England and also into London.
Tolchards tapped into The Western Morning News Growth Fund, a key component of GAIN – the Growth Acceleration and Investment Network set up by the University of Plymouth, Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Science Park, through their Finance Controller, and Plymouth graduate, Ed Haine.
The Western Morning News Growth Fund made more than 60 grants totalling £4.7 million to South West companies designed to support the creation of more than 500 new jobs by 2015. These awards also unlocked private investment in the region of over £9 million.
Ed played a key role in securing the £10,000 from The Western Morning News Growth Fund for Tolchards. Originally managing the company’s finances single-handed, Ed now manages a team of three and has a more strategic role, but continues to enjoy working for a friendly family business. He said
“When I joined Tolchards we were a team of 15 and I was responsible for every aspect of the company’s finances. It's an excellent role as there's always something different to do. I'm also fortunate to be working with a great bunch of people."
Tolchards has reached a turnover of nearly £10 million in under four years thanks to support from The Western Morning News Growth Fund.
The injection of £10,000 enabled Tolchards to invest in new staff, develop an online ordering service and create a bespoke wine list service, which is a specialist offering in the sector.
The business is growing quickly with a new depot in Hampshire and is growing its client base across the south of England and into London.
“Working on The Western Morning News Growth Fund bid was a highlight of my career to date with Tolchards. The funding enabled us to significantly improve our online offer and give our customers something different, giving us the edge over our competitors. The company has seen fantastic growth and continues to look forward.”
Ed Haine, Finance Controller at Tolchards Ltd and University of Plymouth graduate.
