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When and why did you take the decision to float?

We floated because we were seen as offering surveying services that were too big for smaller clients and too small for larger clients. Listing gave us room to grow and service larger clients. It has also given staff the option to buy shares in the company. This attracts staff to the company and encourages loyalty.

Who did you approach first to float?

Our chairman Roger Knowles got in touch with Seymour Pierce who became our nominated adviser and broker. We already had a working relationship with the firm and were confident in their ability to work with small-cap businesses.

How did you prepare yourself for the investor roadshow?

We followed the advice of Seymour Pierce and that of our legal adviser Neil Myerson who guided us on what investors were looking for. We also sent our staff on public-speaking training, which helped everyone with their oration.

How did you choose your other advisers?

Our advisers and accountancy firm Alexanders in Manchester were chosen because they were smaller local firms. We felt they could give us the time and attention we needed. It was always obvious that our case was important to them.

What advice would you give to companies considering a float?

One thing that really surprised me was the level of verification needed for the investor roadshow. We needed proof of all of our past achievements, profit projections and even our personal work history. You need to be prepared for the cost of a float – ours was around £500,000, which is normal. It’s also vital to have a good investment plan for the funds raised.

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