Auros Ltd

Deloitte Fast 50 2009 South West winner Auros is a provider of online content management solutions. Based in Bristol, the company has hit a growth rate of 3294 per cent over the last five years.

The company was founded in 2001 by Dominic Mills, the current managing director and co-director Catherine Brown. The approach behind Auros – derived from the Latin for 'new beginning', according to Mills - was to combine a high level of professionalism alongside impeccable client services. Mills explains: "We were very keen from the outset to provide the level of service that clients might expect from the very best large agencies, while at the same time being more responsive and innovative. We specialised in more traditional systems integration projects for the first two years and we then consciously chose to focus on the internet."

The move paid off, producing an ongoing relationship with Virgin among other household names. Mills commented: "We found that even in this congested marketplace, our track record in integration served us well. We look at web projects more holistically – not just focusing on the creative front end work as a traditional digital agency might, but also the benefits of backend integration and ensuring a quantifiable return on investment. This has proven popular with public sector clients, for example by making savings through a reduction in call volumes or by driving higher levels of customer engagement, it's all results orientated."

Private sector customers include Airbus, Bovis Lend Lease, British Gypsum, Emap, Knauf Insulation, and Prudential. In the public sector Auros works with a wide range of local government, education, health and emergency services clients. Mills believes that ongoing customer relationships are crucial to the business. "Client service is the real key here - this is what makes the difference. Our retention rate is extremely high, because we don’t just finish a job and step back, we continue to provide support and to work with each client to enhance and innovate long-term. The completion of a specific project is the beginning of the relationship, not the end. Many of our clients have been with us for years, growing in step with us." Auros appointed a dedicated client relationship manager in 2008, which has strengthened this business strategy.

Auros currently has a headcount of 32 and is actively recruiting towards 42 by February 2010. The company has a policy of avoiding recruitment agencies, preferring to go direct. Mills is sure that the results speak for themselves: "We've found that the hit rate is much higher without using agencies. We also use a peer recruitment strategy, where people throughout the business can be involved in new hires. We find that this ensures we get beyond the qualifications and find people with the right attitude for the business."