Parker Neal Ltd. is taking off in more ways than one after expanding into a new office at DiSH in Manchester.
The firm, founded by Dave Parker and Gareth Neal, provides cybersecurity, data privacy and governance solutions to clients nationwide. It is expanding its reach with a new office at the Greater Manchester Digital Security Hub in its home city.
DiSH is managed by a consortium including Barclays Eagle Labs, Plexal, Lancaster University and the University of Manchester on behalf of Manchester City Council.
Parker Neal Ltd. has five permanent staff and a further 12 which work alongside it as associates. Co-founder Parker told BusinessCloud that the move gives it an opportunity to collaborate with other businesses.
“It enables us to get all of the support we need to drive business growth. It opens doors into other areas that we wouldn’t necessarily have had access to otherwise,” he said.
Parker Neal Ltd. was recently accepted onto the ASCEND Scale Up Programme, run by GM Business Growth Hub, and flew out on a trade mission to the Ruhr region of Germany.
The trip, organised by Mayor Andy Burnham, aimed to foster business relationships and explore opportunities for collaboration between the two regions.
During the visit, Parker had the opportunity to meet with key industry players, attend industry events and explore potential partnerships.
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this trade mission,” he said. “The Ruhr region has so much to offer in terms of technology and business opportunities.
“We look forward to building lasting relationships and exploring potential collaborations.”
Parker then jetted off to Europe’s biggest technology conference, Web Summit, in Lisbon, Portugal last week.
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BusinessCloud editor Jonathan Symcox joined a delegation of ASCEND businesses on the trip and spoke to Parker about his highlights.
”Signing a contract with a new customer was a highlight,” he said. “I loved bumping into people at meeting points and discussing our businesses. I have picked up a number of opportunities to follow up.
“I have immense admiration for the number of startup businesses that have put their livelihood on the line to do a one-day pitch. I have never seen such breadth in innovation.
“However there were multiple similarities in app design and function so I wonder how many will be there in a year’s time.”
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