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Business management

Building a local resource for collaboration

How a family-run communications agency took their business to the next level by re-energising a disused retail store in their local high street.

When TMC Strategic Communications decided to expand their premises, they opted to take on an ambitious project rather than settle for a more traditional office solution.

The company worked with commercial mortgage brokers Empire Global Finance and NatWest to secure an old Woolworths store in Congleton, Cheshire, then set about reinventing the building as a state-of-the-art office and co-working community, called The Space.

Watch how TMC transformed the building.

TMC’s CEO Tim McCloud explains the importance to him of investing in your own workforce, and in your local community.

“We asked our team what they wanted from a modern office, and we incorporated their suggestions into our plan,” he says. “We created collaborative areas, lounge-like meeting rooms, and flexible working spaces, and I think the new office reflects TMC’s commitment to providing a vibrant and versatile working environment for our employees in a space that’s welcomed by the town.”

Tim says sustainability is a core value at TMC and the company invested in eco-friendly infrastructure, including a 65-kilowatt solar array system and high-performance insulation. And TMC’s commitment to sustainability also extends to its plans to achieve B-Corp certification.

Inspiring growth story

TMC was founded in 2006 by experienced marketer Tim, FCIM CMktr, and his wife, Dr. Jan McCloud, who holds a PhD in neurophysiology and has extensive expertise in healthcare and science communications.

“Jan is the rock and brains behind the whole operation,” Tim says. “Her role as Director of Healthcare and Chief Operating Officer helps us stay at the forefront of scientific communication and client management.”

The agency helps clients in the healthcare and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sectors enhance their brand reputations and reach. Tim explains that the company’s focus on long-term client relationships and innovative solutions has made it a trusted partner for some of the most prominent names in the sector.

With clients including multinationals such as Siemens, and Hologic, a leading women’s healthcare company, TMC also has close relationships with renowned medical associations like the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

“Our relationships with clients like ESMO and ESC date back to 2012 and 2018 respectively, which shows our commitment to long-term partnerships,” says Tim.

Collaborating with the community

In 2023, TMC won the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for excellence in international trade and service delivery and established a legal entity in Denmark – TMC Europe APS – to help maintain its European operations.

“We showed that export can actually be a service, not just a physical product,” Tim says. “Approximately 78% of our work was European based beyond UK shores.”

Although TMC’s reach extends overseas, its roots remain firmly planted in its local community in Cheshire, providing work experience opportunities and collaborating with schools to nurture a pipeline of talent.

“We have four people on work experience today and are exploring apprenticeship degrees to offer alternative career paths in future,” Tim says. “TMC’s presence on the high street and its involvement with local institutions are an example of our commitment to Congleton.”

Planning for growth

With an expanding team of 37 employees, TMC looks poised for significant growth and is aiming to further enhance its services while maintaining its high standards of quality.

“Our ambition is to be a top-flight organisation in our industry – comparable to agencies in Manchester and London, but with the advantage of occupying a more rural setting,” Tim says. “We’re showing that it’s possible to make a wide impact, while contributing to our community at the same time.”

Empire Global Finance Director, Martin Johnson, says: “As relationship debt specialists, we placed the client with a lender that we knew could support the project and Natwest delivered on every level. The result is a building that allows TMC to grow, and serves the local community at the same time.”

NatWest Relationship Director Julian Brooks adds: “TMC’s aspirations, values and focus on both client and community aligns strongly with our own drive to support progressive businesses and management teams.” 

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Explore how NatWest could help you reach your goals.

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