Simone Hindmarch went into business with her brother Arthur and his university friend Alastair in 1991. Previously, Simone and Arthur’s father ran a thriving stationery and office equipment group, but sadly, just as it was gearing up for growth, the recession of the late 80s hit.
The company was put into receivership in 1991, so Simone, Arthur and Alastair stepped up to the challenge and relaunched as Commercial Group. At that time, they focused exclusively on B2B stationery, copiers and office furniture, starting life in a one-room, one-phone office.
Fast-forward to 2019, and the business now employs almost 300 people across three locations and offers a broad portfolio including IT services, managed print services, print, workwear, interiors and technology as well as office supplies. Simone is responsible for steering the business ethos towards a more sustainable stance following her ‘Al Gore moment’ in 2006. In 2018 the business won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.
Simone competed as an international swimmer from the age of 15, winning two gold medals in the World Student Games and another for the UK at the 1986 Commonwealth Games.
