In a regular feature each fortnight, Caerphilly Observer is profiling a business based at the Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise. Welsh ICE is a hub for new businesses at Caerphilly Business Park and is currently home to around 60 start-ups. This week we look at Waters and Gate.
Cashflow is the lifeblood of any business and it is often attributed as the reason many businesses fail.
Making sure there is enough money in the bank is crucial for companies to succeed – but what can you do if your customers do not pay on time?
Credit consultants Waters and Gate started life in 2012 to help businesses address that very problem.
Established by entrepreneurs Allan Poole, 38, and Chris Chugg, 32, Waters and Gate is a credit management and debt recovery consultancy.
Psychology graduate Chris, who has a background in recruitment, explained: “There are two parts to the company. The first is we help businesses set-up processes and procedures and provide training to stop them getting credit issues.
“The second is we offer debt recovery services by offering our expertise in that area.”
The company has recently expanded with an office in Newcastle manned by founder Allan Poole, whose background is in credit management. It now has around ten people working for it and credits Welsh ICE as a large part of its success.
Chris said: “What I like about Welsh ICE is the flexible nature of the environment.
“We have moved offices within ICE to cater for what the business needs. It’s also an upbeat environment to be in.”
Being based at Welsh ICE also means Waters and Gate has access to a dedicated business mentor, who is there to act as an advisor and get start-up companies pointing in the right direction.
Chris said: “The mentoring scheme on offer has also really started to pay dividends and I’m confident it will make a huge difference to the business.”
• For more information visit www.watersandgate.com, email sales@watersandgate.com or call 02921 262 130.