Family business turnover soars 65%

Shohreh Fleming, Chief Executive Officer, and Shawn Khorassani, Business Development Director, discuss the 65% growth turnover figures.

Thatcham-based family business language services company Prestige Network is celebrating financial success with the announcement that its turnover has soared 65% in the last 12 months.

Despite worldwide gloom and doom, the company - run by brother and sister Shohreh Fleming and Shawn Khorassani, along with Shohreh's husband Anthony - has seen its turnover to the end of the last financial year soar to a phenomenal £3 million.

They now employ 25 staff and 5,000 specialist language freelancers based all over the UK, who speak and translate more than 400 languages. Prestige Network caters for language and communications needs in the private and public sector (including the NHS, local government departments, charities, the police and other public organisations).

The trio feel optimistic about their future and are confident that they can carry on growing, despite the recession.

Shohreh said: "Our staff are invaluable to us, so we ensure it's a happy place to work. It's a great pleasure to ensure employment during difficult economic times."

The company has been helped by Business Link in Berkshire for the past five years. With the advice and support service on hand, Prestige Network Services' turnover has soared from £886,000 in 2005 to £3 million. Business Link in Berkshire adviser Keith Steptoe has been on hand every step of the way for the past five years.

He said: "They have all been very willing to listen and take on board advice and this, combined with their professional expertise and the demand for their service, has made them ever more successful."

Prestige Network's Business Development Director Shawn Khorassani said: "The future is looking good for us and we are on target for further growth this next financial year (2009/2010), which is not something which can be said for many companies in the current financial climate.

"Our leap in annual growth is symptomatic of the need to meet the country’s continually expanding and diversifying language base. Many public and commercial organisations have begun to see the benefits of communicating with non-English speaking audiences. They have recognised that language is a potential obstacle which may restrict access by foreign nationals to their services and products - by identifying that obstacle and delivering languages services to overcome that, this gives them a huge competitive advantage."

Prestige Network can be contacted on 01635 866888

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