Mount Charles announces ‘Road to £50m' growth plans
Belfast caterer Mount Charles Group has announced plans to reach £50m in revenue by 2020, as the company moved into its new £1.6m headquarters today (13 December).
Arlene Foster, the first minister of Northern Ireland and junior minister Megan Fearon officially opened the 10,000 sq ft Annon House on Ormeau Road in Belfast.
Around 50 people will be based at the head office for the firm which specialises in foodservice, cleaning, security and vending.
Mount Charles' rapid growth trajectory means that the 28-year-old company, with a 2,000 strong employee base, had outgrown its previous leased premises, Ascot House on Shaftesbury Square.
Back in July, the firm announced it has decided to purchase rather than rent a larger property as part of its commitment to the Northern Ireland marketplace.
Speaking at the official opening, Foster, said: "Mount Charles is a huge Northern Ireland success story. The company's strong position in what is a very competitive marketplace is indicative of how well run and innovative the business has become over the last three decades. With the opening of these new headquarters, Mount Charles is delivering a statement of intent, a vote of confidence in Northern Ireland, in its workforce and in the future of the business.
"I commend Mount Charles' chairman Trevor Annon and managing director Cathal Geoghegan on their leadership and vision in bringing this indigenous Northern Ireland company to this hugely significant milestone, and I wish the company every success as it continues to grow."
The new headquarters features an open plan concept with shared spaces and break-out areas to encourage better collaboration and creativity between departments.
Cathal Geoghegan, managing director of Mount Charles, said: "We've undergone a period of fairly significant change, both in terms of our people and this recent investment in our wonderful new company headquarters.
"We see the investment in Annon House not only as a suitable reflection of the dynamic, creative company that Mount Charles is, but also as a serious statement of intent both to our people and to the wider economy.
"There remains massive scope for our continued expansion and diversification. Our revenues as of September 2016 totalled £31m and we have recently outlined our ambitious plans for the ‘Road to £50m' whereby we aim to achieve revenues of that amount by 2020. We conservatively estimate that our employee figures would rise from 2,000 to more than 3,000 when we hit that target.
He added: "Our vision is simple; to be both a business partner and employer of choice throughout Ireland and the UK. The launch of Annon House together with the dynamic senior team we've assembled over the past 12 months marks the beginning of a new era, and it's one that we're incredibly excited about."
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