Web design agency which worked with US election host venue moves into new Nottingham office

A web design agency which worked with the university that hosted a key debate in the US presidential election race has moved to Nottingham city centre.

HeX Productions, which was previously based in Ilkeston, relocated to the Westminster Building, in Theatre Square, earlier this month.

It has given the company enough space to double its team to eight and founder James Hall believes it can be part of an emerging web design scene in the city.

Mr Hall, who is also creative director, said: “We need that space to expand a little bit more and the opportunity in Nottingham came up at the perfect time for us.

“It works for us because of the location of the clients, the space we needed and the fact it’s less than two hours from London.

image: http://www.nottinghampost.com/images/localworld/ugc-images/276368/binaries/HeX%20Productions3.jpg

HeX Productions’ new Nottingham office

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“Looking back it’s been a great journey so far and one that’s only just beginning.

“It’s an area where we will be working with other agencies as Nottingham is becoming a creative hub that people want to move to.

“Brighton has this fantastic reputation for web design and I think Nottingham will soon.”

After working as a web developer for Gedling Borough Council, Mr Hall set up the company at the end of 2014.

He has grown the business using his own funds and its turnover is expected to increase from £50,000 in the financial year ending March 2016 to £150,000 in the current financial year.

It has worked with clients such as local authorities, Queen Mary University of London and Longwood University, in Virginia, which hosted the sole vice-presidential debate in the US election in October last year.

image: http://www.nottinghampost.com/images/localworld/ugc-images/276368/binaries/HeX%20Productions2.jpg

HeX Productions founder James Hall, left, with staff Jon Newby, Zara Gemmell and Emma PageHeX won the Longwood University contract after being recommended by TerminalFour, an Irish-based web content management company that it had worked with previously.

Mr Hall, who lives in Beeston, said: “It doesn’t matter where in the world you’re based, as long as you’re solid and good at what you do.

“We integrated all the designs and usability needs for the website and eventually built this mammoth website.

“We had a really sharp turnaround to meet the deadline so it could be ready in time for the debate, although they didn’t tell us that was happening.

“It was really cool to work on that project.”

HeX had employed three staff in addition to Mr Hall, but the move has created space for two new recruits who joined this month. Another two apprentices will be hired in the coming months.

Read more: Meet the CEO who grew firm by 10-times the size in eight years

Zara Gemmell, who studied advanced web design at Central College Nottingham, has joined as a web developer.

The 34-year-old said: “Working for a small company allows you to have a more personal approach in the work you do.

image: http://www.nottinghampost.com/images/localworld/ugc-images/276368/binaries/HeX%20Productions%20founder%20James%20Hall.jpg

Founder James Hall in the new Nottingham office“It allows you to put your own touch to a project, as well as work with a team who care about each other and want to help you learn and develop as an individual.

“I love working closely with our clients and helping them to bring their ideas to life.”

Jon Newby, 32, is another new web developer and arrives with 10 years’ experience.

He added: “It’s great to be with HeX coding full-time, the company culture is brilliant and I’m particularly excited to be involved in the development of a friendly yet professional web agency.”