Ann Summers is the first of our Surrey Success Stories, a collection of video case studies of businesses – large and small – that are putting our region on the map. Click on the video tab below to find the secret to their success.
Ann Summers and Surrey
Ann Summers has been a landmark business in Surrey for more than 50 years. And during that time they have used the region as a base to garner international notoriety.
As chief executive officer Maria Hollins says: “We are known for being trailblazers, for breaking taboos and pushing boundaries. I think we literally are one-of-a-kind.”
The business started out in 1971 as two stores. The Gold family bought it in 1972. Under their leadership it has grown to be an established, iconic British brand.
The company now has 86 stores, a global website, trade with 14 external partners and direct selling business. Its most recent annual turnover was reported to be more than ยฃ100 million.
And all of it is centered on a head office and warehouse next to the A22 in Whyteleafe, just north of Caterham.
The secret of Ann Summers
“When you speak to people in our business and you ask them why they joined and why they stay with Anne Summers, it is because of our culture.”
As Talent Acquisition and Engagement Lead at Ann Summers, Lauren Simmons knows the reasons why people love working at the business.
With 360 colleagues working at their Whyteleafe HQ there is lots of scope for progression. And many of those who work for the business have been with the company for many years. This is in part down to the culture, its reputation for innovation and the where it is based.
But why did Ann Summers base itself in Surrey back in the early 1970s?
“We have been here for more than 50 years. The family were based in Surrey so it kind of made sense for the business to be here,” says Melinda Louis, Operations Manager at Ann Summers.
Surrey – a great place to do business
So, what are the advantages of a major retail business being anchored in Surrey?
Well, for those at Ann Summers it’s all about location, location, location.
With two international airports, the M25 just minutes away and excellent connections to London and Dover, there’s nowhere better
Melinda Louis, Operations Manager at Ann Summers, said: “We always talk about the Midlands for logistics. Well, let me tell you, Surrey is the place to be. It’s kind of that feeling of having everything London has, but with additional benefits.”
“We’ve got great transport links. We’re very close to the M25, pretty close to some of the ports and obviously we bring in a lot of product inbound from overseas.”
And with such a prominent HQ next to a major road always, the business is well known to tens of thousands of people using the A22 every day.
Lauren Simmons, Talent Acquisition and Engagement Lead at Ann Summers, said: “We’ve almost become a bit of a landmark actually. The roundabout that is right by our office is now known as the Ann Summers roundabout, which we’re really proud of.”
Melinda Louis, Operations Manager at Ann Summers, said: “We always talk about the Midlands for logistics. Well, let me tell you, Surrey is the place to be. It’s kind of that feeling of having everything London has, but with additional benefits.”
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