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MLA was one of handl Group’s earliest acquisitions. When we invested in MLA, we took over a book of industrial and military claims cases and opened up whole new revenue streams. But we also kept in place many of MLA’s existing people, including one who’d progress through the company as we helped it grow. Mike Shallcross.
“When MLA was first acquired, there were a few ideas about what to do with the company. My idea was to grow by becoming the first company to move from being a Medco Tier 2 company to a Tier 1. It was a big ask, and one we couldn’t have considered without full backing and support from handl Group. I led the application and the project to get us there, and after lots of work from the management team, we achieved it.”
Overnight, with help from the group, MLA had unlocked a whole new growth opportunity, and revenue followed. So did opportunities for Mike, who’d already worked his way up through MLA’s ranks before the acquisition.
“I’d done everything, worn so many hats. I’d been the sales team, managed supply, operations, and I was working more and more closely with the handl Board and some of the other leaders around the group.”
With that knowledge and experience – plus his relationships across the group – it made sense for Mike to step up into the role as MLA’s managing director. But Medco Tier 1 certification had only been his first big idea.
“Our turnover was good, but the group wasn’t standing still. Lots of acquisitions were being made, and I wanted to keep MLA at the front of people’s minds by really driving growth. So we needed another offering to fit alongside the industrial claims and military claims we’d been doing so far. The Homes Fit for Habitation Act came in, and I saw an opportunity.”
Mike had seen how housing disrepair reports were being handled due to the crossover with military claims, and customers had started asking if MLA could help.
A few presentations to the board later, making the case for a whole new panel of specialist chartered surveyors to sit next to the group’s existing case management panels, and Mike had secured the backing to realise his next big idea.
“There were intricacies in terms of our process in moving into disrepair, but it’s paid off. We’re on course to see huge growth in the future, but I’m just proud to be in that market. We’ve worked with activists, run a number of conferences. We’re making a difference.”
After drawing on his experiences with MedCo to secure RICS compliance and registry, Mike saw another opportunity. With a panel in place and the operations processes around disrepair refined, MLA could offer a direct-to-customer surveying service. It’s another of his ideas that the group has backed.
When handl Group first acquired MLA, Miike wasn’t planning on looking for a senior leadership role. Over the years, with his own drive and support from the group’s leaders, he’s moved up through Operations to become the company’s Managing Director. Today, he’s an example of how we help to develop talent – especially when that talent has the determination – and the ideas – needed to grow with us.
“Being part of handl Group’ has really given me and my management team a chance to grow. We’ve brought on some really exciting people, made some strategic hires, and promoted from within. I’m showing the sort of trust in my team that handl Group has shown in me.”
