The Company
Since 1995 The Hub Company Ltd has developed interactive new ‘media channels’ (i.e. www, mobile, iTV and kiosks) for customers. More recently it has focused on developing what are known as kiosks or Self Service Terminal (SSTs) networks. Over and above offering services to paying customers (called Hub Solutions) it also now owns a fast growing network of SST networks itself (called Hub Networks).
The Hub was co-founded in 1995 by Sam Rudder the current CEO. The founding principle and launch positioning was to be the first multi-channel (e.g. www, mobile, iTV and Interactive Kiosks) digital agency in the UK.
During the first 12 years The Hub Communications Company worked with over 160 blue-chip clients requiring new digital channel developments. Five Highlight projects over this time included:
- Originating Somerfield’s home shopping new media www and iTV channels that both spoke to the same database.
- Developing from scratch the first GSM wireless internet solution called Genie, now called O2 active and still leading the mobile portal market.
- The first interactive Open TV platform for Woolworths selling DVDs and CDs.
- The largest (1,700 units) SST (informational) roll out in the UK for Vodafone.
- A personalized www platform for 'day traders' with TD Waterhouse bank requiring full integration into their trading platform.
The Hub won over 47 creative technology awards for its work including the coveted Cannes Grand Prix for interactivity plus 2 Cannes Lions. In 2006 the Self Service Terminal network for National Express Limited won the award for The Best use of Technology in the 2006 UK National Customer Service Awards.
On the 18th January 2007 The Hub Consultancy name was changed to The Hub Company limited thereby forming the existing company. Francis Ball (Chairman) and Martin Paterson (Corporate Affairs) joined as non executive directors and a new management team was put in place as the company continued to pursue it's mission to lead the provision of SST networks.
In the last 12 months customers such as Halfords, SPAR, Booker, Tesco, VisitBritain, several Universities and Norwich Airport have all utilized the platform. They join retained clients such as Vodafone and National Express who have begun to deploy a wide range of applications. The current upgraded platform has taken close to 300,000 transactions and in excess of £6.0m of travel ticketing alone. The platform is currently transacting £26k per day off approximately 40 units.
