Plymouth fire safety firm Ventro continues expansion with new offices

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A rapidly growing Plymouth fire safety company has opened an office extension as it plans to continue its expansion across the UK.

Ventro, formed by brothers Harvey and Ross Melvin in 2013, has created an additional 42 desk spaces and a new meeting room at its headquarters at Darklake View, Estover, and invited Plymouth’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Terri Beer, to open them.

The company operates nationwide in thousands of properties, including specifically with registered providers of social housing. In 2020 the company opened an additional office in the Midlands, which has become a key hub for client relations and operational delivery.

Ventro, which revealed net assets of more than £2.3m in its most recent balance sheet for the year to the end of March 2020, plans to open in further locations around the UK.

With more than 60 staff in Plymouth and more than 200 nationally, Ventro continues to engage with communities to promote fire safety and to make a difference to safety of people’s homes and work environments.

Ventro has been applauded in the sector as an organisation leading improvement in the fire safety arena including attending Westminster debates on best practices, advising the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government on current issues and requirements within the sector, as well as being involved in cross-party discussions on fire safety in view of improving building safety across the country.

Alongside Cllr Beer, it invited other guests to the opening of its office extension, including Peter Hamon, from Bromhead Accountants, and Max Venables, from Plymouth Albion RFC.

The expansion project was coordinated by Ventro’s experienced project management team in Plymouth, and supported by many local businesses including Arlo Solutions SW, Olympia Electrical, Lang & Potter, A-Fit and Air Improve.

Cllr Beer complimented the company for its staunch support of apprenticeships and praised the team for giving young people in Plymouth the opportunity to learn and develop in the workplace.

Commenting on the “buzzing environment” she experienced during her visit Cllr Beer said: “This office just feels different; as soon as I walked through the door, it really felt like everyone wanted to be here.”

Ventro has been working to give young people the opportunity to grow with the company and gain invaluable experience, by working with schools and colleges.

Harvey Melvin, Ventro managing director, spoke of the workplace as being a perfect balance of youthful energy and unique experience, and said: “We don’t see age or inexperience as a weakness but rather a strength as we know they will be motivated and driven to succeed.”

Thomas Besley, aged 18, who has been with the company for four months, spoke of it being “a no-brainer” to work for Ventro and be a part of their rapid growth.

He said: ““The vibrance and buzzing atmosphere at Ventro made my choice to work here very straightforward.”

Ventro has welcomed several young apprentices over the years, many of which are still with the company. These individuals have been nurtured into key members of the Ventro team, giving them a crucial opportunity to get ahead early in life and setting them on a promising career path.

Just one of the many apprenticeship success stories is Jake Eames, who started at Ventro as an apprentice in 2015. Mr Eames has been a part of the Ventro team for six years and is now a key, indispensable member of the management team and head of operations South, continuing to look after several projects and leading a growing and successful team.

Mr Eames said: “Ventro is a fast-paced business to work for. If you show willingness and work hard you can progress with the business. It’s a great place to work as ideas are listened to.”

Mr Eames, alongside colleague Dan Conniss, was responsible for the office expansion project. The Lord Mayor presented both of them with the Firestone Award and praised for their hard work and effort which has resulted in this project being completed to an exceptionally high standard.

The Melvin brothers were among Plymouth’s youngest business bosses when they formed Ventro. Harvey is still aged just 28 and Ross is 30. They were jointly named Young Business Person of the Year at the 2017 Plymouth Live Business Awards.