Gregory Darling - Applied Satellite Technology

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Applied Satellite Technology (AST) is a homegrown Norfolk company which has become truly world class.

Starting from nothing in 1992, with just four people in an industrial unit in Norwich and some ideas and enthusiasm, over the past 18 years it has grown consistently every year, outperforming many international giants.

Now based in Great Yarmouth, it provides mobile satellite communications, including the equipment, airtime, service and support, for those wishing to communicate outside GSM coverage worldwide.

It also has offices in Great Yarmouth, Southampton, Singapore, Australia, South Africa, as well as minority-owned companies in Shrewsbury, USA and New Zealand.

Gregory Darling describes the business as one of two halves: half the business being satellite hardware and half airtime by value, and similarly half is to direct clients and half indirect via an extensive distribution network. And he has significant ambitions for its growth.

ASTs main clients include shipping companies, TV and media companies, aid agencies, governments and the military. Sixty five per cent of our business turnover is overseas, with more than half of this outside of the EU and spread over many different clients, said Mr Darling.

We have almost no business in East Anglia. We set ourselves a growth target for 2009/10 of 20pc, which has been achieved along with a 35pc increase in profits during a global recession and while building a new IT and satellite airtime billing infrastructure.

The company continues to grow internationally and relentlessly in a competitive market. In the current year the firm has bought a substantial share in a US company located in Arizona, with its main business in South America and similar approach applied in March 2010 with a company in Auckland, New Zealand. It was also a launch distribution partner of satellite phone company Immarsats new hand-held satellite phone launched in June in Singapore.

It employs 130 full-time staff, with 80 in Yarmouth, and puts continual investment into staff training and development.

The willingness to sit in the back of planes and then meet people is a key part of the companys success, said Mr Darling.