During 2017 The Inspiretec Group, which was founded by Newport-born Simon Powell and which had significant investment from GoCompare founder Hayley Parsons last year, has enjoyed a year of expansion.

In its first year of operation the group has had ground-breaking success in North America following the acquisition of Incentriq Canada, now known as Inspiretec Canada; all coupled with exciting client wins in the UK.

In a bid to address staff and skill shortages, Inspiretec has opened an office in Toronto which is situated in the heart of the growing technology scene of Downtown Toronto’s Liberty Village.

The Canadian branch will account for 15 per cent of group turnover and the company anticipate a team of 15 in house by the end of quarter one this year.

To support growing staff numbers, the group has introduced a new employee benefits platform for all staff called the ‘One Programme’ which provides new levels of flexi-time, health and well-being programmes, sabbaticals, equity participation, profit share, career breaks and extended holidays.

Pivotal to the introduction of the programme has been group chief financial officer Matt Wakerley, together with HR director Helen Baldwin.

Matt said: “The group’s expansion into Canada is a pivotal moment in what has been a very successful year for us. The new Canadian team will service client and market needs overseas and Inspiretec’s products will revolutionise North American business processes.

“As well as success overseas, this year has seen great achievements on home soil. Our business wins include exciting new clients such as Shearings Holidays, Ramblers Walking Holidays and Caravan Club & Motorhome Club. We are extremely excited to see what 2018 will bring.”

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing at the Caravan and Motorhome Club – another of the group’s new clients - said: “We’re really happy to appoint Inspiretec as our partner. We felt Inspiretec shared our vision and demonstrated the capacity for organisations like ours who are looking to achieve a step change in how they engage with their customers.”

In 2017 the Inspiretec Group saw turnover double from £4.2m to £8.3m. This took them from break-even to an EBITDA of £900K. Staff increase was substantial, growing from 100 people to more than 140 people, setting up 2018 as another year of success.