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End for UK's RBA Research
Leeds-based RBA Research is in administration and will cease trading at the end of October. The public sector specialist has seen margins eroded by aggressive competition from larger agencies.
RBA was established in 1981 and originally called Robertson Bell Associates. In the late 1980s it became part of marketing services firm The Whitaker Group, but in 2000 was bought out by its management. Since then, it had averaged 20% sales growth each year, while maintaining its reputation as a focused and experienced supplier to the public sector.
Managing Director Iain Sutherland told DRNO that finances had come under strain during the last 6 months, with price competition from big agencies pushing the company to 'compromise on margins to keep the volume'. The firm was forced into administration and redundancies were announced last Wednesday (11th October) when Inland Revenue and Customs served a notice of requirement and bankers refused further support. The administrators are Begbies Traynor.
Administration will continue until 31st October in order to complete specific projects - the company will then cease trading. Of thirty staff, eleven remain with RBA for the rest of the month.
Web site: www.rba-research.co.uk .
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