MP Gary finds out why Goss is growing

SOUTH West Devon MP Gary Streeter has visited the offices of a Plymouth IT firm to find out how it has achieved huge growth during a recession.

Goss Interactive, a supplier of websites, hosting and web content management solutions, grew significantly in 2009, with numerous new clients and staff coming on board.

The team expanded from 40 to 53 employees in a year to meet the demands of new clients such as the Met Office, as well as continuing to work with existing clients including Brittany Ferries, DorsetForYou, South West Water, Newquay Airport and the committee which runs the Tamar Bridge.

Managing director Rob McCarthy said: "It's been an exceptional year for us. Hopefully we can build on the growth; we have plans to accelerate it."

The company, based at the Tamar Science Park, is now planning a move into new premises, four times the size of its current offices.

Mr McCarthy said the MP's visit was also a chance for Goss to market itself to a potential new governing party.

"We do a lot of work for the Government, so we were showing how we can offer efficiency savings," he said.

"With budgets likely to be tight, we believe we can help keep front-line services and maintain them more efficiently by investment in technology."

Mr Streeter said: "Future growth in our economy and future job creation will depend on private-sector firms like this."