Baird Group unveils new identity and acquisition plan

What began as a single printing company in Belfast in 1862, the newly-entitled Bailie Group – now headquartered in Leeds – has forecast revenues of £45m in 2020, with plans to reach £65m turnover and £5m profit by the end of next year.

The team has also announced an acquisition hunt for organisations with cyber security, artificial intelligence, data consultancy, edtech, SaaS, creative communications or content creation specialisms.

The group of agencies and consultancies, which currently comprises CDS, CDS Defence & Security, Newspress and Loop, supports clients in a range of sectors, including government, defence, education, financial services, healthcare, housing and automotive. They typically work on projects which aim to keep people safer, help the UK transport system move more effectively, and better connect citizens with social services.

Past projects include building National Rail Enquiries’ journey planner and developing a case management system for Social Work England.

Chief executive Fergus Bailie said: “When I took over the group in 2010, turnover was £25m and we employed 200 people. Now, we stand at circa £45m and have 340 colleagues, with 20 joining us in the last three months alone. Continued investment in our workforce, internal growth projects and corporate acquisitions, of people and property, is part of a three-year plan to build a highly principled £65m business, by the end of 2021.”

He added: “We have naturally been cautious during COVID, as we’d be wrong to suggest we haven’t been affected. But we’ve always focused on the sustainable expansion of our organisation, so our position remains strong and our three-year plan on track.

“Our purpose remains clear and guides our decisions – to invest in people and ideas which make a positive difference, and properties that inspire.”

In 1977, Bailie Group’s chairman Roy Bailie led the management buy-out of W&G Baird, a then 115-year-old business, from the British Printing Corporation. A number of acquisitions large and small saw more than 10 brands absorbed into the group before Mr Bailie took over three years ago.

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