Business Leaders Partner to Launch New Venture

The picture shows Robert Webster, David Forrester, James Hart and Anthony Ford.

Four vastly experienced businessmen have joined forces to launch a new outdoor display and telecommunications company.

Robert Webster and Anthony Ford, along with David Forrester, former part co-owner of Team Valley-based Astley and silent partner, accountant James Hart, have jointly founded Future Vision Group.

The company specialises in outdoor digital displays such as weatherproof televisions and LED screens that can be found in pubs, football stadiums and concert venues. It also provides telecommunications services including business broadband, cloud and hosted telecommunications, business mobile phones and structured cabling.

The business has been supported by a six-figure investment committed by each of the four directors and will initially focus on the UK market.

However, with the team’s headcount likely to rise quickly in the coming months, Future Vision Group has already identified opportunities overseas, including in Dubai and the United States.

Managing Director Robert Webster, who brings with him over 30 years experience within the tech sector, said: “After several years in the industry working at director-level, I knew the time was right to start our own venture and bring Future Vision Group to the marketplace.

“The team we’ve put in place is vastly experienced, and with the connections we each have, we’re confident that we will be able to quickly establish the business as the go-to supplier of outdoor TV’s, large digital displays and first-class telecommunications solutions.

“Although very early on, I believe our biggest challenge will not be if or how we grow, but how we manage that growth. That has to start with getting our position within the UK market established, then looking at opportunities overseas.”

Future Vision Group has moved into a unit, with offices and a warehouse, in Peterlee.

As well as the four directors, the business also employs a team of sales, support and project management staff.

David Forrester, who until recently was part owner and director at national sign manufacturer Astley, said: “I knew Robert and Anthony well from my days at Astley so when the opportunity to join Future Vision Group came up, it was too good to miss.

“In Astley I was at the helm of a hugely successful company, that worked with many national and international brands. My aim is to bring some of that success to Future

Vision Group and help the business establish a reputation for excellence, one that is synonymous with top quality products and first class services.”