World First UK Ltd, the foreign exchange broker, has been named Service Business of the Year at the 2010 Fast Growth Business Awards.

The awards, organised in conjunction with Growing Business magazine, is an independent scheme designed to raise awareness and celebrate the UK’s fastest growing businesses and the people running them. The awards were presented at a black tie event at London’s Marriott hotel in Grosvenor Square on Wednesday 14 April.

World First UK Ltd, based in Battersea in London, has seen sales grow by 79% per year over the last three years and now looks after 20,000 private individuals and over 4,000 corporate clients. During the same period, profits are also up by 55% per year and turnover in 2010 will exceed £1 billion.

Founding director, Jonathan Quin, said, “When Nick Robinson and I started the company almost six years ago, we wanted to put exceptional service right at the heart of our business. We believe that the growth we’ve seen has been down to the level of service we provide. It’s this service that enables us to develop lasting relationships with clients.”

World First’s clients also reiterate the level of service the company provides. Caroline Payne said, “I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to deal with World First after dealing with a high street bank and their inefficiency and ‘don’t care’ attitude! I always had an immediate response to every email I sent, or a personal call even though I live in Italy and I received very clear information about all the options available to me. I will certainly be using World First again in the very near future and wouldn’t have any hesitation recommending them to anyone I know.”

Jonathan continued, “Nick and I are very proud to win the Service Business of the Year award. It’s a great accolade to receive.”

Nick and Jonathan still have grand plans for further growth, “We have some very exciting new service developments for 2010 including our new online trading platform and an advisory services for larger corporate clients. We’re also continuing our global expansion with a new overseas office later in 2010.” Jonathan concluded.

Ends

For further information contact:

Wendy Casterton
t: 020 7801 1060
e: wendy.casterton@worldfirst.com
w: worldfirst.com

Notes for editors:

World First is a currency exchange broker, serving both private and corporate clients. Set up in 2004 by directors Jonathan Quin and Nick Robinson, the company is experiencing very fast growth and now employs nearly 80 people in two offices (London, UK and Sydney, Australia). It has 20,000 private clients and 4,700 corporate clients and transacted over £1 billion in 2009.

World First’s corporate clients are generally import or export companies, making regular transfers.   World First helps them minimise their exchange rate risk and manage their currency exposure.

Private clients largely use broker services to purchase property overseas, usually a second home, for foreign investment, emigration or simply making international transfers.

World First offers ‘currency options’ to SMEs and private clients through World First Markets Ltd, which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the FSA. World First was the first broker to offer ‘currency options’ in the form of hedging strategies which, until now, have been the preserve of very large corporate organisations through their banks.

World first UK Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FSA as an Authorised Payment Institution and is registered with HMRC. World First Markets Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FSA.