Proving their net worth
SOFTWARE services firm Unily, whose digital workplace technology keeps companies and their employees connected wherever they may be, is set to create more jobs and expand internationally.
“It’s gone crazy since lockdown,” says chief executive Will Saville as demand has doubled for its multi-lingual platform giving its 250 clients bespoke intranets, apps and customer portals as well as performance and behaviour-tracking analytics.
All are now essential tools to withstand today’s challenges, they can also shape their offices in the future.
Designed for companies with 500plus staff, the Surrey-based business offers blue-chip clients, such as L’Oréal, Primark, Comcast and Mars, a subscription model with tailored, adaptable solutions that the workforces find easy to use and relevant.
Returns on investment come not just from efficiency savings, in some cases thousands of hours a day, and increased productivity as staff stay well informed, but from employees being able to operate flexibly and remotely during the pandemic.
Founded in 2006 by Saville and business partner Richard Paterson as technology consigned the traditional company newsletter to history, Unily now has a global team of 200 in offices from North America and Australia to
Hong Kong and the UK. Development of the platform and rapid growth over the past two years has seen revenue grow 40 per cent year-on-year and turnover reach £20 million.
Seeing the digital opportunities increasing and with 50 per cent of clients in the US, Unily also embarked on scaling in 2019, raising its first external round of investment, £51.7 million from Silversmith Capital and Farview Equity.
Since then the pandemic has changed the physical commercial landscape. Internal communications, once in the background, are now at the forefront of a firm’s operations.
“It’s now crucial in keeping workers informed, Unily has become a valuable tool as collaboration and efficiency become more vital,” explains Saville.
“We spend a lot of time listening to clients. The days of building a system in-house are over. Unily takes that pain away from clients.
“Our users get best-in-breed experiences that are ahead of the curve. One example is our Universe portal that connects our customers allowing them to offer ideas, share work and feedback and get inspiration. It increases our community and educates us.”
For the moment, early plans to connect up small hospitality venues that are part of bigger chains are on hold.
Next month however its new Feature Store will launch – the “direct result of Covid-19,” says Saville.
“Clients will be able to download new features to their own site and have them go live immediately.
“They can enhance their choice and flexibility with features that slot in with the design they have chosen.”
Continuing to build on new business in sectors from healthcare, retail and energy to financial services, Saville and Paterson expect to recruit up to 50 new staff: “We see the product filling an emerging gap for virtual office experiences that replicate the experiences of a physical hub.”