HLA Services and Pulman Group team up as business club launches

The HLA Mariners Business Club has been given a kick-start after two of South Shields FC’s key partners teamed up to strike a major agreement.

Boldon-based HLA Services has agreed a key sponsorship deal with the Mariners and has signed a contract for two VW ID4 electric vehicles from Pulman Group, the club’s main shirt sponsor.

Regional air conditioning and refrigeration company HLA Services, which has a fleet of more than 70 vehicles, is founder member and title sponsor of the HLA Mariners Business Club. The aim of the club is to develop corporate partnerships and provide the business community with a forum from which to network, develop contacts and do business together.

HLA Services was introduced to Pulman Group at the formation meeting and the pair have now struck a deal which sees HLA purchase two electric vehicles from the multi-franchise motor dealer.

South Shields FC director Glen Stidolph said: “I’m delighted that our inaugural business networking event on Tuesday kicked off with the news that HLA, the Business Club’s title sponsor, and one of the football club’s largest partners, Pulman Group, have set a fantastic precedent.

“They have not only talked the talk, but very quickly walked the walk, in agreeing what could become a very significant contract, and HLA are awaiting delivery of the first two vehicles.

“One of the football club’s mottos is ‘We Grow Together’, which is why I wanted to start the Business Club.

“We already have a great eco-system of businesses involved in partnering the football club and we wanted to encourage and develop these existing relationships but also provide a framework to recognise each other, provide a platform to meet regularly, and then expand and collaborate with other businesses and business networks such as the North East England Chamber of Commerce.”

HLA Services director Neil Henry said: “Building a strong and ever-evolving list of contacts is crucial for any firm seeking to win new business and grow. A key ingredient in all of this is meeting people and networking.

“At HLA Services, we are proud to have built a strong and forward-looking business in South Tyneside and we want to ensure that our link with the borough gets stronger as we look increasingly to spread our footprint across the north of England.

“We recognise the fabulous investment that has taken place at the football club and we were very keen to be involved and to be part of its future.

“We were not expecting to enter into a commercial contract with a fellow club sponsor but the discussions we held with Pulman Group made it a very easy decision for us to agree terms for the extension of our vehicle fleet.”

Pulman Group commercial director Chris Slater said: “The HLA Mariners business club has reaped immediate results for Pulman Group and we’re delighted to be able to partner with HLA to provide them with electric vehicles for their fleet.

“The benefits of our partnership with South Shields FC has resulted in a fantastic local business relationship which is as a direct result of our joint association with the club.”

The HLA Business Club is scheduled to meet a minimum of six times per year, and any business can attend initially as a guest.

Membership starts at £535, which not only provides the benefits of the Business Club, but also includes a crowd-facing advertising board at 1st Cloud Arena.

The inaugural meeting of the HLA Mariners Business Club was held on Tuesday, November 1st at 8.30am in the new stand bar at 1st Cloud Arena. As well as a networking session, Steven Tuckwell, of club sponsor, 1st Cloud Accountants, delivered a presentation titled ‘tax tips, what the internet will never tell you!’