Yet 25 years in, here we are. Just 11 months after launching The Resolved Group in Hartlepool, we've already expanded internationally.
Our second office is in Ahmedabad, which is India’s sixth biggest city. It allows us to provide 24/7 support to our increasingly global client base.
Scaling a business is never straightforward, but operating two offices 4,500 miles apart brings unique challenges. It’s rewarding but not risk free.
A 2023 survey revealed that 70 per cent of UK SMEs abandoned plans for international expansion, often citing a lack of infrastructure or available talent.
That’s why we know we’ve backed a winner by branching into India.
The country is dripping with tech talent.
There are five million software engineers alone, which for context, is more than the entire population of Sydney.
But talent alone isn’t enough. I’ve learned that to succeed, your culture must be mirrored throughout the business.
Your workforce-whether in North East England or North West India-must share the same values and vision.
That takes a lot of effort and consistent communication, along with the right leaders to drive it home.
Our team in India are not a source of “cheap labour.”
We pay around three times the local average wage because we want the best talent, not the lowest cost.
And we invest in their growth and wellbeing, offering flexibility and recognising achievements.
When people feel valued, they buy in-and buy-in is what turns a good team into a great one.
And we know we have a great team, as they’ve been crucial in delivering fantastic results for the business both at home and abroad.
Since the start of 2025, international leads are up 185 per cent. More than a third of all enquiries now come from abroad, especially the USA, Asia and the Middle East.
A big driver is our unique approach.
Instead of expensive rebuilds, we fix existing systems-even if we didn’t build them ourselves.
That can be around 80 per cent cheaper for our clients – and if there is one thing in business that knows no borders, it’s saving money!
But none of that would be possible without the right culture, and the right people.
Expanding internationally isn’t a quick fix. It takes time, energy, and a long-term mindset.
These are my top tips for growing a business abroad:
Get your systems straight from the start. Clear workflows, clear briefs, and one place where everything lives. Begin with a small, tight-knit team, and only scale once you know the model holds up.
Culture travels (or at least, it should). Set the non-negotiables like quality and deadlines but allow space for local ways of working. Trust the local leadership team to add that nuance, while making sure your core values remain consistent across the board.
Keep the communication rhythm steady. Write things down, record the tricky stuff and stick to routines—stuff like daily standups and regular reviews.
Remember: Leaders set the tone, regardless of the location. It’s about showing by example how you want things done. Trust and accountability flow from the top.
And above all, look after your people! Pay properly, as you would at home – recruit for talent, rather than value. Offer flexibility and recognition, along with a chance to grow. They shouldn’t feel their location is a ceiling for their career.
Expanding abroad isn’t for everyone.
But if you combine great talent with strong systems and shared values it can be a gamechanger for your business.
resolvedgroup.co.uk