Real Business - March 2003
28) Artizian Catering Services

"I was definite about what we'd achieve," says Alison Robinson, founder of this Reading-based caterer. "Year-on-year we were spot-on. It's about getting the right contracts and a lot of referrals. We're food-driven, financial and creative...

"Happy employees create happy customers," she continues. So that's why Artizian has a "Minister of Excellence" and a "Minister of Fun." Robinson: "We follow a modern empowering management style, pay above-market rates and focus on senior management training through Open University courses."

The hard part? "Introducing formalities at the right stage of growth. We've moved from verbal communication – which is inefficient and gives a licence for interpretation – to putting things in writing."

Robinson expects a £6m turnover this year. "The economy is volatile and a lot of our contracts are in the technology sector but of the contracts up for review this year we have retained all but one."

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