A Cardiff-based events management company has boosted turnover more than twenty-fold within five years of being set-up.

 

Green Ant Creative Events, set-up by 25-year-old entrepreneur, Joe Blackman in 2005, has boosted turnover from £60K, in year one, to £1.3m this year.

 

The firm which has seen rapid growth recently moved to new larger offices in Senghenydd Road, and currently employs ten staff which it hopes to increase to 16 this year.

 

Green Ant, which has been supported by Venture Wales, the country’s leading support agency for small and medium-sized enterprises, which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government; specialises in planning and delivering creative high-end events and parties world-wide for royalty, celebrities and the corporate market.

 

The firm has organised lavish parties and events costing hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Abu Dhabi royal family and A-list celebrities such as the rapper 50 Cent, pop singer Alesha Dixon and pop band The Killers. It has also delivered events for Liverpool Capital of Culture, Brecon Jazz, Abergavenny Food Festival, NatWest Bank, Cardiff Madi Gras, Ty Hafan, Go Compare and RightMove.

 

The firm has just won the contract for the fourth consecutive year to produce the UK’s largest African festival, the Africa Oyé, held in Liverpool. Green Ant will handle production and safety management, emergency planning preparation, traders’ management and site production.

 

Joe Blackman, founder and director of Green Ant, who hails from Llantwit Major, said: “We’ve been able to grow and boost profits despite the global economic downturn because we work in niche high-end luxury markets across the world. However, we don’t put all our eggs in one basket and we diversify and deliver events and parties to suit all budgets.

 

“What sets us apart from our competitors is our creativity, quality of work, attention to detail, and the personal touch we offer our clients who we form strong working relationships with. We deliver imaginative, innovative events that offer value for money using environmentally friendly materials that meet our client’s high standards.

 

“Venture Wales business advisor Bill Harrison has been very supportive providing invaluable business advice that has helped to move the business forward and plan for future expansion,” he added.

 

Mr Blackman has ambitious plans and is looking to diversify Green Ant’s offering with a mobile cocktail bar business and marketing services. He is also currently working on projects linked to the 2012 Olympics.

 

Phil Cooper, chief executive of Venture Wales, said: “Green Ant is an example of an exciting dynamic Welsh company that is operating globally and has the potential to diversify and grow even further.

 

“Venture Wales will continue to support Joe and his team to help ensure the company’s continued success. Joe is a great role model and I hope his success story will inspire others to be entrepreneurial and set-up their own businesses.”