How BECBC helps Thomas Graham forge new opportunities across sectors
Thomas Graham, a long-established Cumbrian business, continues to grow its presence across multiple sectors including energy, nuclear, engineering, and professional services thanks in part to the tailored support and powerful connections offered by Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster (BECBC). Key to this support have been Emma-Jayne Gooch, Nuclear Sector Lead, and Liz Bowe, Member Opportunity Consultant.
Garry Smith, Sales Director at Thomas Graham, credits BECBC with helping the business break into new markets and make strategic connections that drive results.
“We’ve been members for a while, but in the last couple of years, the support from BECBC has really stepped up. Emma-Jayne and Liz have made a huge difference,” said Garry. “It’s not just about being at events. It’s who they introduce you to and how they open doors you didn’t know existed.”
Garry described how a BECBC-supported event in Warrington opened the company’s eyes to the Fylde Coast Energy Consortium, an organisation working right on their doorstep, yet previously unknown to them. “We deliver there nearly every day. And yet we didn’t even know that consortium existed until Emma-Jayne put us in that room. That’s how powerful the right networking can be.”
Thomas Graham & Sons Ltd, founded in 1892, is a family-run business with a strong heritage in supplying steel and industrial goods. With branches in Carlisle, Egremont, Kendal, Morecambe and Barrow, they serve a wide range of sectors with products including steel, welding equipment, PPE, workwear, hygiene products and tools. Their success lies in combining high-quality supply with long-term customer relationships and tailored support.
Emma-Jayne Gooch, who brings a wealth of experience from recruitment, the private sector, senior roles at Sellafield and running her own business has a powerful ability to connect the right people at the right time. “The nuclear sector group is focused on opportunities. We bring in speakers that have real opportunities that members can access. With the structured networking that I facilitate at every meeting, it means you get the opportunity to have focussed business conversation with everyone in the room. We will continue to bring the right people into the room, and the members need to be there to have those conversations.” she said.
Garry agrees. “I think we’re good at what we do, but if we’re not in the room, no one knows that. Emma-Jayne helps us be in the right rooms with the right people.”
Alongside Emma-Jayne’s work, Garry says Liz Bowe’s weekly support has become an essential part of their business development. “Liz sends us two or three opportunities a week. Every single one is thought-through and relevant. She gets what we do and what we could do. Without her, we’d probably be finding out about stuff after it’s too late.”
Thomas Graham’s reach has extended further thanks to introductions and opportunities through BECBC. They’ve also reconnected with clients at Capenhurst and Sellafield and opened up conversations with AWE for the first time.
“Without BECBC, we wouldn’t be in some of these conversations,” Garry said. “We’ve just acquired the old James Fisher site in Egremont to support our expansion, we will be moving in early July. That’s how fast things are moving.”
BECBC has proven to be more than just a networking group for Thomas Graham. It’s been a growth partner. And for businesses willing to actively engage, it’s clear that the benefits multiply.