As a Sales and Marketing Director and Managing Director within the building materials industry, Andrew Robertson had already lead organisations through two recessions.

Tough times that required him to make tough calls: reducing both costs and manpower. When the prospect of another recession reared its ugly head, he decided to search for something that was more recession-proof and balanced. He began hunting for an opportunity that would be in demand during challenging economic times as well as in ‘normal’ economic conditions and would use the skills he’s acquired over the years. It’s then that he remembered Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA).

“I’d actually come across ERA 8 years before,” says Andrew. “At the time I was considering starting my own consulting business, but a job opportunity arose that was too good to turn down. So I put doing my own thing on the back burner.”

With the onset once again of tough financial times, Andrew recalled ERA’s proven business model and like all ERA franchise partners, he recognised the commercial viability of helping clients in a wide range of industries to reduce costs and increase profits. He also identified how his experience in his previous roles would stand him in great stead to grow his own sustainable business, backed by a powerful brand name.

Andrew explains: “Starting up on your own from scratch, represents a significant risk with far more

work required in the early years to become established. From both a branding and reputation perspective, with ERA a lot of that groundwork is done for you. ERA is an established name within the marketplace with industry-leading systems, training and expertise already in place. It ticked all the boxes.”

Andrew established his ERA business in July 2008 and was quick to make use of all the support that ERA offers its partners to help him grow. With so much expertise to call on, he soon found he could quickly build a varied client base that allowed him to achieve his objectives. Both in his work and personal life:

“The impressive expertise was there for me to build a team that could deliver outstanding projects and results for my clients. With this in place, I finally had the freedom and control I’d so badly craved in my previous roles. I now have the flexibility to work as hard as I want, when I want and on my terms. This has given me the time to pursue the things me and my family love too.”

A family man with two children, when Andrew’s not practicing his photography, or travelling, you’ll find him cycling the roads of South Derbyshire where he lives:

“I’m out about and about on the bike 2 or 3 times a week. I’m part of a local cycling club and they really push me. We take things pretty seriously, this year we spent a week at a training camp in Majorca with 30 riders and will be doing the same next year. I’d never have been able to do things like that in my previous roles. ERA has allowed me to build a sustainable business while achieving what I want in my personal life.”

Looking back now, it’s clear that Andrew’s decision to establish his own ERA business in difficult economic times was an astute one. ERA’s specialist procurement services are in high demand and that is only set to increase. In fact, in the last five years, ERA Franchise Partners’ revenues have grown 64 percent, with ERA boasting the highest consulting revenue of any UK procurement franchise.