Graham Bucknall: Adventi Ltd

Graham Bucknall
Age: 33
Company: Adventi Ltd

Capitalising on the growing trend to outsource, Bucknall set up Edinburgh-based Adventi in 2002 to provide IT support for small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland. Last year’s £750,000 turnover to December is expected to more than double to £1.8m by the end of this year, and the company has already reached breakeven. Plans for the 36-strong business include an imminent £2m acquisition using bank debt and an expected listing on the London Stock Exchange in the medium term. “The aim is to be a £20m turnover company within five years, with 300 staff,” says the ambitious Bucknall, who was previously brought in to run and raise finance for fund information portal TrustNet.

2017 update:

In 2010, after encountering cash flow problems, Adventi was forced to enter administration, resulting in the loss of half of its 44-strong workforce. Bucknall stepped down from his role as founding director to become non-executive director in 2008. From 2009 to 2011 he sat on the boards of The Natural Brands Company and Fitzgrove as Chairman, before embarking on a completely new career trajectory with the takeover of The Bridge Inn at Ratho in 2010 with his wife Rachel. After giving the 250 year-old country pub a makeover and turning it into an award-winning hotel and restaurant, the couple bought The Ship Inn at Elie and The 19^th Hole at Earlsferry in November 2014.