WHEN Andrew Shankland and Peter Barber wanted to expand their communications agency business they decided to take up a Government initiative to provide the expertise they needed.

Laura Taylor, a BA Hons in International Business from Northumbria University has joined Brainstorm Communications Ltd to carry out a two-year project under the Knowledge Transfer Partnership, mainly aimed at SMEs (Small & Medium-sized Enterprises) and which combines university, graduate and company and the transfer of knowledge between the three.

Andrew said: "We are doing very well after eight years and we want to grow the business more.

"What is vital is that you maintain your existing relationships. By taking Laura on board we have taken on a bigger resource to grow."

They heard about the scheme from a freelance business adviser and the process from beginning through to interviewing graduates took about a year.

Laura joined the Cookham Dean firm last September on a two-year project.

During her time with the agency she will be helping to look into the future of Brainstorm, how it can take on new clients and the marketing strategic direction the company should take, while ensuring existing clients do not lose out.

She will also be working towards an MA, an NVQ in Management and a Chartered Institute of Marketing post-graduate diploma.

"It is fun company to work for which uses leading edge technology. It is about applying creativity to that technology," said Laura.

Peter and Andrew know each other from the sixth form at the Royal Grammar School and have run Brainstorm from Cookham Dean for eight years.

Today they have 14 staff, plus freelancers, with their own edit and graphic suites at their offices at The Old Stables. Clients include BMW and Yell.

"Everything we do is completely bespoke. It is very important that it is relevant to the business message.

"There is a lot more focus with employees with staff more fully informed and able to get the brand message across," said Andrew.

"It is all about relationships."