Exeter based WiFi SPARK doubles workforce
WiFi SPARK, the UK’s fastest growing managed WiFi provider has doubled its workforce in just over year since relocating to Exeter.
Previously based at Heathfield just outside of Newton Abbot, the firm moved to Matford Business Park with the help of Exeter City Council, to open larger offices and new workshop space, now filled with more than 40 full time staff.
WiFi SPARK, whose clients include the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, National Portrait Gallery in London and Plymouth University was launched in 2003 by Chief Executive Officer Matt O’Donovan whose original ambition was to install WiFi at Marinas across the UK.
Matt’s ambition has since grown to include the provision of WiFi to a range of sectors including retail, hospitality, healthcare, museums, transport and education facilities. The team at WiFi SPARK now provides bespoke services that include unique and branded user platforms and management systems, with one client as far away as Australia.
Matt said: “Once we had installed WiFi at the vast majority of marinas, it became clear that there was a demand for WiFi services in a huge range of buildings and public spaces. We have continued to expand our offering and now work with businesses and organisations throughout the UK and beyond, to provide high speed internet connectivity and bespoke management systems, as well as 24-hour technical support.
He continued: “As our offering grew, so did our staff team and we outgrew our premises in Newton Abbot. Moving into Exeter was an obvious choice for us, it has consolidated all our staff into one central location and provided us with a more accessible and well connected location to continue to grow. The transport, including the airport and trains and being located just off the A38/M5 is fantastic. Exeter’s reputation for being a vibrant city for business has really helped and encouraged both potential and existing clients and partners come to see us from all over the UK.”
WiFi SPARK has also recognised the improvement in recruitment and retaining staff since being based in the city. Marketing Manager Oliver Malkin said: “Finding the right sort of people to fill the available roles has been much easier. People want to live and work here in Exeter, and the level of graduates coming from the University and Exeter College mean that we have the right sort of talent pool available to us.”
WiFi SPARK is fast becoming the leading WiFi supplier to both shopping centres and towns across the UK, with one of its customers attracting over 400 million customer visits each year. They have also taken on their first VP of international sales who has secured contracts across the world, including in Australia.
Councillor Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, said: “The team at WiFi SPARK are working on some really interesting and impressive projects, rolling out public WiFi in locations that will enable thousands of people to connect to the network at any one time. Their growth since being in Exeter is down to their impressive drive and their clear and focused leadership team. Exeter’s reputation as a home to big data, innovation and entrepreneurship is only strengthened by the presence of firms such as WiFi SPARK that are reaching out across the globe.”
For more information about WiFi SPARKS visit www.wifispark.com or follow the team on Twitter @wifispark. For more information about relocating a business to Exeter, visit www.investinexeter.co.uk or follow @investinExeter.
