Enterprise Nation

Neil Perkins is quite the global go-getter. From his home office in Newport, Shropshire, he delivers contracts for Royal Families in the Middle East and organizes launch events involving Brazilian football star, Pele. Neil shows that anything is possible from the comfort of your own home.  

When did you start NDP Publicity Services?

January 1990

What were you doing before becoming your own boss?

Working as a sports editor on a newspaper in London for three years.

What does the company do?

International sports management, event management and press relations.

You have some amazing international projects and clients - do you tell your clients you run the business from home in an English market town?

They know I work in the UK, but everyone outside the UK - especially in the Middle East - assumes that you must work from London. It is only when I explain to clients that I am closer to Manchester and Birmingham airports than London do they show an interest in Shropshire. It is easier for me to tell them that I am not far from Wales and half way between Manchester and Birmingham.....

What has been your most memorable project to date?

There have been so many. I have been very fortunate, but the one that stands out was the four days I spent with Pele, the Brazilian footballer in 1993, working on the launch of a new fruit drink for Proctor & Gamble, in association with youth soccer in the Middle East. I wroteb his speeches, entertained him in the evenings and was able to talk to the greatest footballer on the planet about soccer affairs around the world.

What is the one thing in your home office you couldn't do without?

The view out of the window of one of the ponds full of koi carp...it is very relaxing and nice to sit aside when I need a coffee break and I get writers' block...

What are your plans for the business in 2009?

Actually quite busy considering the recession. I am currently working on the launch (June 7th in Riyadh) of the new Saudi Arabian olympic team brand/logo/programme for the London 2012 Olympics and have numerous commitments in Class 1 and F1 powerboating with the Qatar Team, F3 Euro Series racing with a Lebanese driver, running a local pool league and tournament and working on numerous international car rallies in remote areas of the world....all from a little office in sleepy Shropshire. I have also just finished working on my 10th successive Dakar Rally.

Neil Perkins talks to Emma Jones

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