Businessman completes disposal of Birkenhead consultancy and explores new opportunities. Tony McDonough reports

One of Merseyside’s best know small business entrepreneurs has stood down as managing director of Innov8 – the firm he founded in 2007 and sold earlier this year.

Birkenhead-based Innov8 was set up by Alan Robson in 2007 to deliver construction design management (CDM) services – either acting as an advisor to a principal designer or as a client’s CDM advisor.

Earlier this year he agreed to sell the business to Lucion Environmental Services and now, having completed the sale, he has decided to step down and bow exploring new business opportunities.

During that time at Innov8, Mr Robson drove turnover to more than £850,000, employed 12 staff and launched offices in the Wirral, Manchester, Edinburgh and London.

“This is one of the best outcomes I could have expected when I initially set up the firm back in 2007 as an ambitious young entrepreneur,” he said.

“At the time I felt there was a clear opportunity in the construction health and safety sector. I had a straightforward vision to help minimise health and safety risks within construction projects.

“Over the past nine years I have dedicated my life to building the Innov8 brand and along with a terrific team of skilled and experienced technicians we have made a name for ourselves as experts in our field.

“The success of the business has been underpinned by loyal and outstanding staff including Jeremy Meredith, Karen Benson and Christian McCale.

“Since setting up we have completed more than 400 projects on developments worth more than £2.5bn.

“n the last year we have worked with Peel Ports, Manchester Grammar School, Neptune Developments, Waitrose and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust.

“Other memorable projects have included No 2 St. Peter’s Square in Manchester, Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall, Wirral Waters and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Services headquarters.”