Local PR agency buoyant after securing further new clients

August 2010: Ipswich PR agency Project PR continues to grow its business by securing another four new clients in recent months.


East of England Inward Investment, who support foreign owned businesses set up and invest in the region, Skills Training UK, a nationwide specialist provider of welfare to work training and employment advice, Resource Efficiency East, funded by EEDA to help local businesses reduce their impact on the environment, and Overeaters Anonymous, a body which works similarly to Alcoholics Anonymous but for those with eating disorders, have joined Project PR’s client list.

The agency has also agreed to assist local organisations Felixstowe Chamber of Commerce, Ipswich Women’s Aid and the Rotary Clubs of East Suffolk in raising the awareness of the work they do.

Penny Arbuthnot, director of Project PR, commented: “Our team have worked hard to ensure that our business hasn’t been affected by the economic downturn, and to spread the message that PR is a cost effective method for businesses to raise their awareness. We are looking forward to working with our new clients and enjoying a buoyant second half of the year.”

Project PR employs a team of six PR and marketing professionals and has built its success on delivering results for its many long term clients, who include Ford Retail, Suffolk manufacturer Challs International, and Ipswich Building Society.

The Project PR team is eagerly awaiting news of its entries to the 2010 Chartered Institute of PR Pride Awards with the finalists due to be announced in September. In 2009 it won four Gold and two Silver awards and earlier this year it was named the fourth most ‘awarded’ PR agency outside of London by The Drum magazine.

See www.projectpr.biz

RYAN INSURANCE GROUP CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Employees from Ryan Insurance celebrating 35 years in business with a 70s day

August 2010


One of the region’s leading independent insurance brokers is celebrating reaching its 35th year in business this month. Ryan Insurance, which has an offices in Ipswich, Colchester and Norwich established as a family business by Colin Ryan in 1975. As part of the celebrations, staff at the Ipswich office were invited to come to work in 70s clothing, and bring with them their 70s memorabilia. They were served 70s food and played games of ‘guess who’ using photographs from the 70s.
“It’s testament to the dedication of our team to giving great customer service that we have grown and maintained our success over 35 years” said Tim Ryan, Managing Director. “It is a family business in every sense of the word and we strive to preserve those values which are important to us and our clients.”
Local Building and Civil Engineering Merchants Collier and Catchpole have been a client of the Ryan Insurance Group since the beginning. Chris Cook from the firm said: “Ryan Insurance is a family-run business and has the same values as Collier and Catchpole. If we went elsewhere we could probably save money, but for us, nothing beats the personal service and the complete package that you get from Ryan Insurance.”
Associate Director John Girling, who is the group’s longest serving employee said: “I can remember that we used to offer a Third Party Fire & Theft policy to a 17 year old driving a Group 1 vehicle (Mini, Ford Fiesta etc) for £100! Nowadays we would be lucky to achieve a premium for the same risk of under £1,000! I can also remember selling comprehensive moped policies for as little as £12.50!”
Director Robin Belsom, who was also one of the first employees to join the business added: “I was attracted by the fact that it was a young dynamic business, which was small but growing fast.
“My first job was to sell car insurance over the counter as this was the time before telephone and internet sales. I loved meeting the public and helping them, either by saving them money or sorting out a claim. It was great fun and we got to know many of the customers really well. Some of them I speak to now, some 30 years later!
“I recall one day the great Sir Bobby Robson called, as he wanted to bring in two new signings so we could arrange their motor insurance. Bobby turned up later with Frans Thyssen and Arnold Muhren. We had paper folders at the time and I am proud to say that we had colour pictures of both on their files!
“There are many special qualities about the Ryan Group. The personal and friendly approach of Colin Ryan helped shape the development of the early Ryan's team, and I am pleased to say that Tim Ryan has the same approach but with a sharper commercial edge. Tim has always displayed a great deal of drive and energy and continues to lead the business successfully in to the future.”
All money raised through dressing up and a ‘Win a day off work’ competition will go the EACH Treehouse Appeal.