Shildon’s Shane Parkins boosts growth plans with £20,000 backing

A digital marketing firm boss is planning a recruitment drive following £20,000 support.

Shane Parkins wants staff to boost his eponymous County Durham business.

Backed by North East Small Loan Fund cash, the company has already taken on three people, and aims to further boost its headcount to meet a £1 million turnover target within five years.

Shane worked with NEL Fund Managers to secure the cash, and says the Shildon-based business – which provides search engine optimisation and pay-per-click services to UK and overseas clients – has an exciting future.

He said: “We’re passionate about doing the best possible job for clients, which feeds into the ongoing relationships we’re building with many of them and which, in turn, underpins our commercial success.

“This investment gives us the resources we need to bring in the staff required to manage growing client demand, and is allowing us to give young people from our area the training they need to build careers in our industry.

“We’re well on track to hit our turnover target, and expect to see our headcount continuing to increase as our growth plans are fully rolled out.

“NEL’s backing is helping to accelerate our growth plans and the team gave us exceptional support as we worked our way through the application process.”

Jonathan Armitage, investment executive at NEL Fund Managers, added: “Shane’s confidence in applying the knowledge he’s built up through his career has proven to be well-founded.

“After making a very impressive start, his business now has the resources it needs to fully maximise its growth potential.”

The £9 million North East Small Loan Fund, which is supported by the European Regional Development Fund, typically offers loans of up to £100,000 for businesses across Tyne & Wear, Durham and Northumberland.