A design consultancy expects to increase turnover by 25 per cent in 2006 after winning a series of lucrative accounts with blue-chip companies.

Horsham-based Storm, which was founded seven years ago by managing director Matt Saunders, is gearing up for its "most successful year to date".

The company, which specialises in all areas of design, from branding and direct mail to exhibitions and multimedia, has some big-name clients such as Sony and the AA.

It said a recent direct mail campaign for First Choice Holidays resulted in a 157 per cent return-on-investment for the Crawley-based tour operator, while a business-to-business campaign for Sutton-based publisher Reed Business Information generated a 380 per cent return-on-investment.

In the past six months Storm has won several major accounts including a rebranding project for a leading UK cosmetics manufacturer and a complete redesign of the literature for Ringway - one of the UK's largest road maintenance groups.

The company said a "booming 2006" would build on a productive 2005, which saw a 20 per cent increase in turnover and the recruitment of two new staff members.

Unlike most design consultancies, Storm does not have account managers; instead clients have direct communication with the designers working on their project.

Storm operates from two converted barns in Rusper, near Horsham.

Mr Saunders said: "Given the exceptional level of growth we are experiencing it certainly appears our approach - of combining creative thinking with business insight - works.

"We've already had an excellent start to 2006 with strong organic growth of existing clients plus new and exciting business wins, and there are lots of great new opportunities in the pipeline."

Tuesday, May 23, 2006