WORCESTER COMPANY REVEALED IN TOP FIVE MOST SUCCESSFUL BBC DRAGON’S BUSINESSES

With the BBC’s perennial favourite Dragon’s Den now in its 18th series, Worcester-based Magic Whiteboard has been revealed as the second most successful business to come out of the Den.

When comparison site money.co.uk compiled a list of seven of the most successful applicants from the series, top of the list came Levi Roots and his Reggae Reggae Sauce, while in second place was Worcester-based Magic Whiteboard.

The business was founded by husbandand-wife team Neil and Laura Westwood in 2006 to sell Magic Whiteboard, a roll of A1-sized whiteboard sheets that stick on anything thanks to static. More than two million rolls of Magic Whiteboard have since been sold and it is stocked in major office supply stores including Ryman and Office Depot, with a global customer base.

Magic Whiteboard has also expanded its range. It now also sells blackout blinds, children’s tabletop whiteboards, 100 per cent tree-free notebooks, wipeable sticky notes and pegboards. (The Eden Project stocks the tree-free notebooks, which are made from recycled stone).

The original magic whiteboard was invented by Neil. Working as a trainer in the NHS he was fed up carrying a bulky flip chart around the hospital, so he invented a portable whiteboard on a roll.

Before appearing on Dragon’s Den, the business was making (mainly online) sales of £45,000, with net profits of around £19,000.

But thanks to £100,000 investment from Theo Pathitis and Deborah Meaden, and Theo putting the Magic Whiteboard in his 237 Ryman stores, sales skyrocketed.

Neil said: “Distribution is very important and critical to success and Deborah Meaden helped with marketing and PR.”

Rugby pro puts down roots in Worcester

A Worcester recruitment firm founded by former professional rugby union player turned entrepreneur, Nick Baxter, has bought its first commercial property to help future growth plans, after securing a six-figure commercial mortgage from HSBC UK.

Founded in 2017, Baxter Williams provides recruitment services across the property, construction, commercial and executive-level sectors. Purchasing the 3,000 sq ft property it had previously leased will give the business the stability to grow and expand into other areas of the country, according to Nick.

The business has so far created four new jobs during the pandemic and says it will continue to recruit locally as it expands.

By 2014, the couple had amassed enough money to buy back their shares. “The deal happened quickly after I asked to buy back the shares,” said Neil. “The Dragons don’t get emotional, they just want their money. We didn’t use a solicitor, I sent them £800,000 and they returned their 40 per cent shares.”

Since then the business has continued to be profitable and develop new products. “Our children’s tabletop whiteboards have been a huge success,” said Neil. “Parents and schools bought these during lockdown to keep their children entertained.

“Our Magic Blackout Blinds have also proved popular. They help parents and children sleep better.”

The couple continue to innovate, but Neil isn’t complacent. “2021 is going to be a hard year. Customer behaviour has changed. People are working more from home so we will develop more products to make it easier for them.”