Strengthening Visibility, Reconnecting With Clients & Building a Sustainable Future
For more than 30 years, Anthony Brookes Surveys has been a trusted name in land and building surveying across the South West. From measuring land and railways to producing detailed plans for architects, councils, schools, and homeowners, their team prides itself on accuracy, reliability, and decades of specialist experience.
But like many long-established businesses, changing markets, shifting customer bases, and evolving digital expectations brought new challenges — and a need to strengthen their visibility and reconnect with clients.
This is where Cool Ventures stepped in.
A Business Built on Experience — and the Love of Working Outdoors
Director Phil began his career with one simple goal: to work outdoors. Originally dreaming of becoming a lumberjack, he discovered surveying offered the perfect balance — hands-on, technical work with long-term career potential.
He joined founder Anthony as a partner in 1996, and became a joint owner on incorporation in 2003. Under Anthony and Phil’s leadership, the business has continued to deliver high-quality survey services for a wide range of sectors.
Challenges Along the Way
Like many long-standing SMEs, Anthony Brookes Surveys faced a series of external pressures over the years:
- The 2008 recession, Brexit, and Covid significantly impacted staffing and demand
- Previous clients retired, and relationships needed rebuilding
- Marketing activity was minimal
- There was no social media presence
- HR processes needed updating after years of business evolution
With retirement on the horizon, Phil wanted to ensure the business remained strong, visible, and sustainable for the future.
Why They Turned to Cool Ventures
Phil attended a Cool Ventures event at Thornbury Leisure Centre and realised the support on offer aligned exactly with the challenges he wanted to address:
- Building confidence with social media, particularly LinkedIn
- Reconnecting with long-standing clients
- Strengthening HR processes through the HR Essentials Programme
- Updating the team handbook & compliance documentation
- Creating a structured approach to marketing and communication
The free, expert-guided support made the next steps achievable and far less overwhelming.
What the Support Made Possible
Cool Ventures’ advisors provided practical, bite-sized sessions, tailored to fit around the demands of a busy surveying business.
Key achievements include:
- Phil launched his personal LinkedIn profile and grew it to over 68 meaningful connections
- The company page gained 150+ new followers, increasing visibility
- Reconnection with former clients led to new conversations and fresh leads
- HR processes and documentation were fully updated and compliant
- The business regained confidence in promoting its work and brand identity
- Working on a climate transition plan
Phil particularly valued the hour-long sessions, which allowed learning, implementing, and reviewing at a realistic pace.
The Impact
The support has helped Anthony Brookes Surveys:
- Raise their profile within the industry
- Reconnect with clients they hadn’t spoken to in years
- Improve future resilience through stronger HR and marketing foundations
- Gain clarity and confidence around their strategic direction
LinkedIn is now a new and powerful avenue for client outreach — a major shift from where they began.
Looking Ahead
As technology in the surveying industry evolves rapidly, Phil is excited about the future. His long-term goal is clear:
“I want the business to be successful and keep running — even when I’m no longer here.”
With renewed visibility, stronger systems, and a refreshed network, that legacy is well underway.
Phil’s Message to Other Businesses
“If they don’t know about Cool Ventures, get in touch.
Established businesses may not realise this support exists — but it can make a huge difference.”
Discover more about Anthony Brookes Surveys : Topographical Survey, Measured Building Survey, Rail Surveys
More Information:
If you want to read more about other businesses Cool Ventures has supported click Success Stories Archives – Cool Ventures
To find out what support is available to you check out this page Funded Support – Cool Ventures
