This story is sponsored by Strive Group.

A connected experience agency in Harrogate is looking to take on more staff to help it expand its services to new clients. 

Strive Group, which works mainly with household names in the automotive sector, is recruiting initially for inside sales positions, based at its head office off Wetherby Road.

The company has several customer-focused teams, all supporting their clients with their customer experience journeys. Whether this be supporting customers through the process of buying a vehicle online, creating lead generation and opportunities for Volvo Corporate Sales, or booking in MOTs and services, and making mystery shopper calls.

Strive is now looking to expand its offering to other automotive manufacturers and is recruiting for Inside Sales Executives.

Helen Falgate, head of employee relations at Strive, said: 

“More customers are buying online now, so we take them through the retail journey, from initial enquiry right through to final purchase. It’s all completed remotely, but they always have just one point of contact, and we ensure that it’s a very personal service.”

Strive currently employs more than 60 people, and works with well-known brands including Volvo and Honda. But Helen said no experience or knowledge of working with cars was necessary for the new roles, as they depend more on having the right attitude: 

“There’s a lot of trust involved. That’s why the people we employ are absolutely essential. They need to be people who want to do their best for the customer. 

“People who have worked in retail and hospitality are often good at this, as they know how to be personable and build up a relationship with someone. Everybody we employ, we employ for their character. 

“But we don’t just want them to be good for us – we want us to be good for them. It’s a case of getting the right quality of people, rather than just getting the right quantity.” 

Strive employee Sarah Chandler, who works in inside sales for client Volvo Cars.

Sarah Chandler has a background in recruitment and started working at Strive in March 2022 as a contact centre executive. In June, she moved to inside sales, and now works with the Volvo team. She said: 

“I never knew much about cars, but Strive helped me build up my knowledge so that I am able to answer any questions a customer might ask. If you’re prepared to put something in, Strive will help you develop in your career as much as you want to progress.

“The rewards are good too. The targets are for the whole team, and very achievable – I’ve earned my bonus every month I’ve been here.

She added:

“This is the most positive environment I’ve ever worked in. It doesn’t feel like there’s a hierarchy – it might sound like a cliché, but it genuinely feels like a family here.” 

For more information about the roles on offer and to apply for any of the posts, go to Strive Group’s careers page by clicking or tapping here.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards saw 11 finalists, and one very lucky prize winner, crowned the winners of their categories.

The winners shared their reactions in the LCF LAW Winner’s Lounge.

Here is what some of them had to say.

The Golden Ticket Prize

Winner: Millie Rae

Millie Rae, of Cloud NINE, was crowned the winner of our Heads or Tails game, winning herself an overnight stay in the Presidential Suite and dinner at Grantley Hall.

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, Millie said:

‘I’m very, very happy.

“We were playing heads or tails and I changed my mind at the last minute, and I managed to win! I’ll take my boyfriend with me…if he’s nice!”

Dynamic Leader Award – sponsored by Succession Wealth

Winner: Ian Baker, The Soundproofing Store

Ian Baker, founder and managing director of The Soundproofing Store, won first place in our Dynamic Leader Award.

Ian Baker with Clare Frisby (L) and Lawrence King of Succession Wealth (R)

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, Ian said:

“My team put me up for this, I had nothing to do with it and I feel absolutely amazed”.

“I’ve always liked to treat people as you’d wish to be treated yourself — that’s what I always try to do”.

Best Independent Retailer Award – sponsored by the York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: TravelGate

TravelGate is an independent travel agency in Harrogate. The company won the Best Independent Retailer Award.

Clare Frisby (L) with the TravelGate team and James Farrar, of York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub (R)

Melanie and Phil, in the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, said:

“We are absolutely overwhelmed to have received this award.

It means so much to us – thank you to everybody”.

“There were some fabulous businesses in this category, so it is incredible to recognised”.

Digital Innovation Award – sponsored by ASE Computer Services

Winner: Strive Group

Strive Group is a connected experience agency in Harrogate.

The company took home the crown for Digital Innovation.

Clare Frisby (L) with the Strive Group team and Chris Dickinson of ASE Computers (R)

In the LCF Law Winner’s Lounge, Director Alistair Grant said:

“It felt awesome to be up on that stage and accept the award for the company”.

“There is such strength of talent in Harrogate and we wanted to show the local community the great opportunities here”.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended our event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

Despite multiple weather warnings and a rather inconvenient March snowfall, the first Stray Ferret Business Awards was a roaring success.

With nearly 400 guests, a crowd of paparazzi and a lot of laughter, last night’s event was a fitting celebration of business across the Harrogate district.

The Stray Ferret Business Awards showcased a variety of talent from across the area, and 11 finalists were crowned the winners of their categories.

The Harrogate district boasts a high calibre of business, which was reflected in the submissions, but the winners’ entries particularly impressed the judges.

The Winners

Dynamic Leader – sponsored by Succession Wealth

Winner: Ian Baker, The Soundproofing Store

Ian Baker is the founder and managing director of The Soundproofing Store.

Ian has led the company to become the largest online retailer of soundproofing equipment and solutions in the UK.

Ian’s employees say “his style of leadership is instrumental in the success of the business and solutions offered to customers”.

The judges agreed that Ian’s innovative, open and creative approach to leadership merited first place.

Highly Commended: Suzanna Prout, Xenonex

Suzanna Prout is the founder and managing director of  Xenonex, which offers leadership coaching and development programmes.

During covid, Suzanna shifted the business to be entirely online, which included online training and bespoke portals where users could access resources and track progress.

Suzanna also led the business to win the CorporateLiveWire Innovation & Excellence Award for Management Training Specialist of the Year – UK.

The judges felt Suzanna demonstrated incredible resilience and established necessary flexibility during challenging times.

Best Independent Retailer – sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: TravelGate

TravelGate is an independent travel agency in Harrogate, offering clients bespoke expertise and advice on holiday destinations.

As chaos ensued during covid, TravelGate was inundated with policies to follow and holidays to amend. However, the agency remained open throughout several lockdowns to provide support for clients, both locally and abroad.

The judges believed TravelGate’s relentless resilience and ability to adapt to such hardship made it deserving of the award.

Highly Commended: Whittams Hire

Whittams Hire offers luxury motorhome hire to the people of North Yorkshire and beyond.

Since launching in 2018, the company now boasts nine motorhomes and has even opened a coffee shop alongside the office space.

The judges felt the company keeps customer service at its core, – evidenced with a 100% 5-star Google review record – which merited a highly commended.

Highly Commended: Watermark Gallery

Watermark Gallery is a Harrogate art gallery selling original, contemporary and modern British art.

During the pandemic, the gallery offered customers the opportunity to watch live artist exhibitions through the gallery window – growing a large customer base.

In 2020, the gallery also adapted its space into becoming a workshop space to teach and learn.

The judges felt Watermark Gallery’s business growth and dynamic approach to retail was deserving of a highly commended placing.

Digital Innovation – sponsored by ASE Computer Services Ltd

Winner: Strive Group

Strive Group is a connected experience agency in Harrogate.

The company used its Interactive Customer Experience (ICE) software to establish a virtual specification configurator for Volvo.

The immersive software permitted customers to explore the features of the car, including testing the sound system, in aid of the Volvo C40 Recharge launch.

Strive Group’s cutting-edge innovation dazzled the judges.

Employee Development – sponsored by Jones Myers Family Law Solicitors

Winner: Grantley Hall

Grantley Hall is a luxury five-star hotel and wellness retreat near Ripon.

Grantley Hall offers staff an on-site training facility, as well as live-in accommodation, free meals and wellbeing support.

Staff can access additional training services from senior staff members, including Michelin-starred chef, Shaun Rankin.

Grantley Hall stood out to the judges with its five-star staff development programme.

Best Digital Marketing Campaign – sponsored by Next Chapter

Winner: Ogden of Harrogate

Historic jeweller Ogden of Harrogate impressed the judges with its virtual advent calendar.

The campaign enabled the jeweller to bring its annual Christmas catalogue online.

Each day, an animated image featuring the corresponding door was emailed to subscribers, showcasing a piece of jewellery.

The judges were impressed by Ogden’s strategy to marry the digital and traditional retail, delivering impressive results in sales.

Sustainable Business – sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub

Winner: EnviroVent (Large Business)

EnviroVent is a designer and manufacturer of sustainable ventilation systems in Harrogate.

The company has recently moved from two separate sites into one zero-carbon building that uses low carbon heating and energy sources.

EnviroVent also aims to plant 5,000 trees a year in partnership with MoreTrees.

The judges were impressed by EniroVent’s clear objectives to becoming entirely net-zero carbon.

Winner: Resurrected Bites (Small Business)

Resurrected Bites is a food waste organisation, with pay-as-you-feel cafés and community groceries in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The business collects short shelf life and excess food from local producers to distribute via the cafés.

Any food not fit for human consumption is passed onto livestock and peelings are gifted to allotments to make compost.

The judges felt that Resurrected Bites is solving an important issue by aiming to fill bellies instead of bins.

Rising Star Under 30 – sponsored by Thompsons Chartered Accountants

Winner: Laura Mounsey, Harrogate Family Law

Laura Mounsey qualified as a solicitor with Harrogate Family Law four years ago and is already a director of the firm. An equity stake in a legal firm usually takes at least 10 years to achieve.

Laura is the chair of the advisory board to the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS), as well as the youngest ever president of the Harrogate & District Law Society.

Laura’s clients describe her as “extraordinarily approachable and knowledgeable”.

Laura’s incredibly impressive career stood out to the judges. They agreed she would continue to rise throughout her career.

Highly Commended: Tiffany Snowden, Willow Heritage

Tiffany Snowden is the lead heritage consultant and director of Harrogate environmental consultancy Blue Willow Heritage.

Tiffany is just one of 500 women in the UK to be granted membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CifA), the highest level of accreditation that the most senior archaeology body in the UK offers.

Tiffany was also invited to join the Association for Studies in the Conservation of Historic Buildings (ASCHB), the UK’s premier body for the study of architectural preservation.

In just two years, Tiffany has led Blue Willow Heritage to become one of the top small heritage consultancies in Britain.

Tiffany dazzled the judges with her career to date and they believe she is certainly one to watch.

Highly Commended: James Owen Thomas, JOT’s Gallery

James Owen Thomas is an environmental artist and owner of JOT’s Gallery.

James was diagnosed with autism aged three and has since used this, as well as his love for the environment, as a means of inspiration for his art.

James is an ambassador the Tree Council, supporting its Force For Nature campaign.

James’s artwork has helped raise funds for The Alzheimer’s Society, Autism Trust, Disability Action Yorkshire, National Autistic Society and many more.

The judges believed James is a star in the making.

Business Growth – sponsored by Raworths Solicitors

Winner: The Soundproofing Store

The Soundproofing Store has seen consistent growth over the last eight years.

The company has recently established a commercial client sector, which resulted in significant growth in revenue and network.

The Soundproofing Store also created the only soundproofing floor mat without the need for an over boarding layer. Sales of the mat amassed to over 11,000.

The judges noted that The Soundproofing Store’s product and service innovation has led it to such significant growth.

Highly Commended: Bamber & Brown

Bamber & Brown is a hotspot for takeaway coffee that trades out of a converted horse box.

Since 2021, the company has seen significant financial growth, developed horse shelter into a pizza van and has recently acquired a premises license, which will be used to create a prosecco bar.

The judges loved Bamber & Brown’s story and were impressed by its exponential growth in just 18 months.

Highly Commended: TMR Foods

TMR Foods supplies premium quality fish and seafood across Yorkshire.

During covid, the new business began doing private deliveries, which resulted in a loyal customer base.

TMR has since added two more vans onto the roads, established a base in Ripon to work from, and is now developing pre-packed ranges to supply to retailers.

TMR Foods’ resilience throughout covid and subsequent growth stood out to the judges.

Unsung Hero – sponsored by Bigbamboo

Winner: Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

In 2021, Harrogate BID recruited Chris Ashby to keep Harrogate town centre clean.

As the town’s street ranger, Chris Ashby has removed 126 graffiti tags, improved 38 building façades, and disposed of 57 used needles.

His actions in July 2022 hit the headlines, when he rescued a man who was trying to take his own life in the early hours of the morning.

The judges were very impressed by Chris’s commitment to maintaining the town’s beauty, but felt his actions in helping save a man’s life meant he was undoubtedly the Stray Ferret’s Unsung Hero.

Highly commended: Kayti Mewis, Mumbler

Kayti joined Mumbler as volunteer after moving to Harrogate and is now the content creator and social media manager.

Kayti has added value across the whole company, including working in the sales sector, creating inspiration for parents during lockdown and is even due to co-present the Harrogate Mumbler Awards in November.

Sally Haslewood, founder of Mumbler, said:

“To be honest, I don’t know what I would have done if she’d turned down the role, as she had fast become my right-hand woman.”

The judges felt Kayti’s work is exactly why the Unsung Hero award was established – she is a vital cog in the functioning of Mumbler.

Inclusivity Award – sponsored by Kempston-Parkes Chartered Surveyors

Winner: Artizan Café and Creative Space

Artizan Café and Creative Space is a Harrogate café and workshop staffed entirely by adults with learning difficulties.

The café provides them with work experience and employment opportunities.

The staff learn vital skills such as food preparation, customer service, handling money, food hygiene and more.

The judges felt Artizan Café and Creative Space allows differently-abled people to fulfil a dream of paid employment.

Highly Commended: Horticap

Horticap is a Harrogate charity that has provided training in outdoor skills to adults with learning disabilities for nearly 40 years.

Horticap students can learn about garden maintenance, social skills, craft work and hospitality.

Horticap aims to immerse its students into society and provide them with skills that can be replicated at home and towards new career paths.

The judges commended both Horticap’s long-standing service and the significant impact the charity makes on the students’ lives.

The Stray Ferret would like to thank everyone who entered the awards and everyone who attended yesterday’s event.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including all the businesses supporting our individual categories, and our lead sponsor, Prosperis.

Keep an eye on our site and social media over the coming days to see more news and photographs from the awards ceremony.

The Digital Innovation Award is sponsored by ASE Computer Services Ltd.

ASE Computers Ltd is an IT Sales and Services company offering both corporate clients and individuals IT solutions.

ASE Computers Ltd has recently become a Sophos Partner.

This award is designed to highlight businesses that have embraced digital and grown the business as a result.

Finalists

Re-Macs

Re-Macs is an online business specialising in refurbished Apple devices.

The company has introduced digitally automated systems that enable staff to calculate the profit made on each product.

Re-Macs also launched a sister site, mac-recycle.com, where customers can trade-in their used Apple Macs and get an instant quote.

Tom James, Director of Re-Macs, said:

“It is fantastic to see all our hard work considered for a nomination for the Stray Ferret awards. We are obsessed with improving all aspects of what we do all the time.

“We’re on our way now to becoming the largest seller of refurbished Apple computers in the UK!”

Strive Group

Strive Group is a connected experience agency in Harrogate.

Strive Group was tasked by Volvo to create a virtual specification configurator, using the power of its ICE (Interactive Customer Experience) ahead of the Volvo C40 Electric Recharge launch.

‘ICE’ permitted potential customers to explore the car with immersive features such as the opening and closing car doors, testing the media system and even fitting an external tow bar.

Alistair Grant, Director and Owner of Strive Group, said:

“As a Harrogate business, we are very proud to receive recognition within the business community for the work we deliver for global clients. Our ‘I.C.E.’ platform has been developed to create a fully immersive experience for brands.

“With Volvo, we have further developed this concept, allowing customers freedom to explore the car as they would in a real life showroom, build the car to their specification and complete the ownership experience through subscribing or purchase the vehicle”.

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

Read more:

• Best Independent Retailer
• Rising Star Under 30
• Inclusivity Award
• Digital Marketing Campaign

• Unsung Hero Award

• Sustainable Business Award
• Dynamic Leader Award
• A prize fit for a president

The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. You can purchase tickets here.

Masham-based brewery, T&R Theakston, has announced a trio of new hires.

Helen Barrett has joined as a national account executive, whilst Ben Parkinson and Hayley Dodds-Baddon have taken up the roles of sales development manager and Visitor Centre manager respectively.

Helen has previously worked for whisky-brand, Douglas Laing and Co. Her experience equips her to lead on projects in the spirits industry. Theakston’s has recently entered the market with its ‘Theakston Spirit of Old Peculiar’.

In the sales development manager role, Ben Parkinson will be responsible for expanding Theakston’s presence in North Yorkshire and Teeside.

Hayley Dodds-Baddon will work at the Theakston’s Visitor Centre, where she will draw on her skills as a qualified teacher, as well as her career in marketing.

Managing director Simon Theakston, said:

“In 2022 we sought to drive the business forward under difficult trading circumstances and as we move forward in 2023 with further growth plans, I’m delighted to welcome Helen, Ben and Hayley to our team.”

Read more:

• Business Breakfast: Harrogate environmental services firm makes consultancy acquisition
• Business Breakfast: Ripon engineering firm partners with The British Heart Foundation

 Strive Group boosts employee wellbeing

To promote employee welfare, Strive Group has partnered with Champion Health, a health and wellbeing solution provider.

The Harrogate-based experience and brand agency hopes to benefit from Champion Health’s data-driven approach to employee wellbeing. Its platform works by measuring things like stress-levels and possible low-moods, and offers personalised, targeted solutions.

Director of Strive Group, Alistair Grant, said:

“Partnering the Champion Health is one of our core initiatives to make Strive Group a place to work…

“By championing employee wellbeing, we will be able to retain and attract talent, which will not only benefit every individual but also the company”.