'Chamber Heroes' Interview with Richard Excell

Here at the Chamber we had an interview with one of our Chamber Heroes, Richard Excell from Excell Designs, who gave us some really good answers to our questions about his business, Brighton, and the Chamber.

Here are few extracts from the interview:

Please tell us a bit about your business, what you do and who you work with?

I started Excell Design in 2005 once I'd decided to give up the daily commute to a London agency and started freelancing down here in Brighton. After about six months I started finding my own clients directly and that was the start of the business...

We provide a creative service for all types of business communications using our expertise and experience in producing graphic design, brand identities, advertising campaigns, print communications, website and interactive design. Our clients range from start ups to national businesses across both B2B and some B2C. We work with a lot of marketing and exhibition/events companies providing a design and artwork service, indeed we act as an outsourced design department for some clients, a very cost effect service in these economic times.

We also work with a number of charities, helping them present and promote their charities to both the people they offer help to and the businesses, organisations and fund raisers that help support them. We are particularly proud to be working with Grassroots Suicide Prevention in Brighton, creating two brands for them along with marketing materials and a new website.

What gives you the most satisfaction from your business?

I can remember my first job for a design company, some years ago now, and designing the wrap on a Coca Cola paper cup for specific events. They produced 250,000 of them and I actually got to go to one of the events and see people holding the cup in their hands. It gave me a thrill to see the cup in so many people's hands and think I designed that! Quite simply it's totally satisfying and rewarding when you see your design work out and about working for our clients, achieving the desired results from the initial brief that we develop with them.

What’s been the biggest challenge for you as a business?

Well the last few years have been economically tough for everyone, and as a result I'd say that businesses have been holding onto budgets and projects as they have needed to be cautious about what they spend. Frankly that's a good thing as it's made businesses think about what they need their marketing to achieve and what's the most effective way to achieve it. The challenge is delivering the right results for each specific client project in line with their marketing strategy, something that will help them achieve the results they desire.

What’s been your favourite Chamber event of 2013?

I've always been a fan of the breakfasts for some years now, but in December 2013 I went to the Construction Voice event/debate and was thrilled and excited to see so many professionals from the construction sector, along with council officials, sat across the table from each other talking animatedly about how they can better work together. That's got to be a good, positive approach to better business across the city that all sectors should adopt.

When you’re not working, what do you enjoy doing?

Well it's got to be walking on the South Downs or spending as many a night as possible down the Basketmakers!

What book are you currently reading?

I'm a big fan of Brighton author Robert Rankin. He's a colourful character with a great imagination, and so too are his novels! I'm currently reading The Mechanical Messiah and Other Marvels of the Modern Age.

And finally... What’s the best thing about being a member of the Chamber?

The best thing about being a member of the chamber is the variety of like-minded people you meet from all sorts of businesses and organisations. It really has led me to find help in my business on a number of levels and I’ve made a few good friends along the way too!

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk