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Record Year sees Pharma Specialist Attract Investment

ByEmily

Oct 13, 2017 #Business

PHARMACEUTICAL and life sciences expert ramarketing is eyeing up a US base after attracting backing from high profile business figure Fiona Cruickshank OBE.

The six-figure investment follows a record year for the business that has seen the creative agency grow by 70% and double staff numbers to over 20.

The global pharmaceutical outsourcing market in which ramarketing predominantly operates is conservatively set to be worth $150-200bn by 2020. The company’s client list in the contract services market now spans Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

Founded in 2009 by Raman Sehgal, the Newcastle-based agency specialises in design, digital and PR services for companies operating in the pharmaceutical sector, including those involved in research and development, manufacturing, packaging and technology.

The recent appointment of pharmaceutical industry expert Fiona Cruickshank OBE, founder of The Specials Laboratory and Gabriel Investors, is designed to accelerate the company’s international growth. In recent years, Fiona has also diversified into numerous other sectors, helping the growth of several businesses.

“I am very pleased to be investing in a strong team whose track record, approach and knowledge of the life science space makes it so successful.  Export sales now account for around 40% of the business, and there is real potential to increase that even further with a US presence, as well as looking at creating another base in the UK,” said Fiona.

“I will be working closely with the senior management team at ramarketing and looking at ways that I can bring my experience to bear. Naturally, I am very excited about where we can take the business.”

The last year has seen ramarketing pick up a string of awards from creative bodies, including being named the CIPR’s North East consultancy of the year, and being included in Prolific North’s top 50 PR Agencies rankings.

Founder Raman Sehgal said: “This has been a record 12 months for the business, averaging out at over 50% year on year growth since 2014.  Our roots are in the North East and our head office and core team will always be here, but our long term aim has always been to establish ourselves as a specialist, international agency, which is where I believe we are now.

“We are now seen as one of the leading players in the global pharmaceutical industry’s contract services space and we are now actively looking for an office on the East coast of the USA. With clients all over the world, it makes sense to look at creating new bases where we see potential for growth.

“The real measure of our success for us lies in helping our clients to increase awareness, grow revenue and create employment and the level of business we win through recommendations and then retain is very gratifying.”

The company is currently recruiting for several positions across marketing, lead generation, PR and HR to join its growing team.

Raman added: “Part of our strategy is to work with the best people in the sector, and we are absolutely delighted to welcome Fiona on board as an investor.

“As a respected entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in growing very successful pharma businesses, her skills and knowledge will be invaluable and she will play a hands on role in helping us to continue our steady upward trajectory.”

By Emily