2019 has been another incredible year for our team and the projects they have created and delivered for our clients. Our strategic growth has continued as planned, with increased team members and more clients joining the family. Our financial results have continued to ensure we remain a safe, secure and trusted partner for them all.
We have also seen fantastic results in recognition of the work we have produced, with our level of service, quality of product and industry-leading creativity being cited as key factors in our success. We received over 35 awards, among which our team became Operations Team of the Year, our film and video team were ranked number one in the Corporate Top 50, and our digital team won Digital Agency of the Year!
All of this and we continued to increase the investment in our team's well-being, leading to us being recognised as one of The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, ranking at number 29. We also won five awards specifically for Employer of the Year.
We have invested heavily in people, with the employment of 100 new team members and the creation of our own industry training ‘DRPG Academy’, open to each team member across the group. We now have 10 apprentices and have run a very active educational programme of mentoring, work experience and talks. This has culminated in launching our SPARKS careers programme next year.
Our knowledge is something we’re extremely proud of and actively look to share outside of our group whenever possible. Our team have written over 50 unique blogs, held three DRPGtalk dinners and delivered the biggest and best DRPGBIGtalk event to date, with over 120 clients in attendance. We also launched our ‘Leadership Live’ programme, which coincided with our expansion into Ireland where 100 business leaders attended a thought-provoking day of insight and learning at the ICC Belfast.
We opened our first European office in Cologne, Germany, and continuing our international growth to better support our global clients, we opened our first USA office in St Louis. Our international expansion will not be slowing down, as 2020 will see further operational growth in even more territories.
Extensive building work continues at our global headquarters, Studio 212, in Hartlebury, Worcestershire, UK. Due to be completed in early 2020, this will include team well-being spaces, the Academy, a creative comms development hub, dedicated creative comms studios and a rooftop playground!
I’m also extremely proud of our track record for sustainability and CSR. 12 years ago, we were the first in our industry to attain the international accreditations for these important factors and remain at the highest level of achievement. This links with our community programme, which has been extremely busy this year supporting a range of charities and very worthwhile causes; from building prosthetic hands for third world countries to supporting local organisations to raise funds or awareness. However, we’re also committed to making 2020 even bigger with the launch of our CSR Charter. It will continue to put us at the forefront of our industry for all the right reasons.
Speaking of 2020, it’s hard to believe it will mark our 40th anniversary. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear, we’re going ‘big’ on celebrating the occasion and will be recognising the people that have made it all possible over the years and every little thing they have done to help make us who we are today. Keep a look out as more information will be coming at the start of next year.
So, as 2019 draws to a close, it just leaves me, on behalf of the whole DRPG team and all the brands in our group, to wish you a fantastic Christmas and prosperous New Year.
Best wishes,
Dale