Case Study: Headland Archaeology

Let your client know what your business can do for them

Tim Holden, managing director Headland Archaeology

WE HAD CONFIDENCE IN OUR SERVICE

We were founded in 1996 and work primarily with construction companies and renewable energy projects. We make sure that their various developments are carried out when and where it’s safe and responsible to do so. For example, if a road or a wind farm is being planned, we’ll investigate the landscape to establish where the best route or sites are. The aim is to avoid damage to places of archaeological significance and ensure the success of the development.

Most of our competitors are charitable trusts and university departments. They don’t operate in the same way as the developers they work with, and this gives us the chance to provide a better service. It also provides a challenge: to show companies we’re different.

WE WORKED ON COMMUNICATION

We’ve recently placed more emphasis on marketing. We’ve made a real effort to talk to our customers to understand exactly what it is that they need from us, to let them know what we have to offer and to show just how important archaeological work can be. Often people don’t realise that until they’ve had a bad experience.

We believe it is essential to balance culture and commerce. So we will never let the quality of our work slip, but we’re totally focused on our clients’ needs. They’re companies just like us that are striving to provide a quality service and turn a profit at the same time.

We’ve recently been recognised by both construction industry and academic awards, which suggests that we are finding that balance.

NOW WE’RE LOOKING TO EXPAND

During the recession a lot of construction projects were put on hold and that affected us, but we’re in a much more healthy position now. Renewable energy developments haven’t missed a beat and we have a record number of tenders coming through the door. We have offices in Cork, Galway, Glasgow and Hereford and we’re opening one in the South East. England is the most fertile area for expansion, simply because that’s where the developments are happening.

We’ve been with the Bank since we started and have always liked Bankline, their online facility. It’s very straightforward, very efficient, but very secure as well. When you get a decent-sized payroll, and have ambitions to grow further, it makes a difference to know that things like that are taken care of.