Economy

Getting to Know You: Russ Wilmot, Co-Founder and Director at Acquirz

Established in 2019, Acquirz is a market-leading B2B data solutions and email marketing agency, dedicated to transforming the way businesses connect with their target audiences.

With a focus on innovative email strategies deployed using cutting-edge technology, Acquirz helps SMEs and enterprises focus on new customer acquisitions by identifying and engaging potential customers with precision and efficiency. Our expertise spans across all B2B industries, allowing us to tailor our approach to meet the unique needs of each client.

Our company’s commitment is rooted in providing high-quality, GDPR-compliant data, delivered either directly to clients or through wholesale channels via the Acquirz Business Universe. This initiative aims to fuel effective and innovative marketing strategies that will bolster business growth in the digital age.

Based in Cheltenham, Acquirz boasts a purpose-built acquisition database of over three million companies and 2.5 million B2B emails, outshining our competitors in depth, breadth, and accuracy of information. With an average client ROI of 400% and over 150 years of collective experience in B2B acquisition marketing, we have positioned the business as a seasoned, trusted authority capable of delivering tailored, data-driven solutions to a broad range of clients, including some of the world’s most iconic brands such as AVIS Group, Admiral, Howden, Hiscox, Tide Bank, Coop, EDF, and many national SMEs.

Acquirz is a true innovator, going beyond conventional industry practices by introducing solutions like managed email campaigns and self-service email marketing platforms that are customizable and scalable. The team understands that high-quality data and leads are the lifeblood of any successful business. Therefore, we employ a data-driven methodology to ensure that every prospect opportunity is not only relevant but also primed for conversion. By leveraging advanced analytics and a deep understanding of market dynamics, we deliver high-value opportunities that drive sales growth and enhance Return on Investment.

What was the inspiration behind Acquirz?

Acquirz was inspired by a simple mission: to empower businesses of all sizes to achieve their growth goals through intelligent customer acquisition strategies. I believe that every business deserves the opportunity to reach its full potential, and the team here is committed to providing the tools, resources, and guidance to make that happen in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible.

Prior to starting Acquirz, I worked at the largest vendors in the market for nearly 20 years. I felt that the market could be much better served with higher-quality products, better customer experience, and more flexible pricing models to suit market demand. I knew that customers needed better solutions that weren’t yet available, so I decided to form Acquirz with my business partner, Chris Skinner, to fill that gap.

Who do you admire?

Someone I really admire is Steven Bartlett. In my opinion, he embodies the power of self-made success and resilience. He started out from a modest background and went on to co-found Social Chain, transforming it into a multi-million-dollar company by the age of 27.

I find he has an authentic and relatable approach to his work, often sharing personal struggles and failures—something not many do but which resonates deeply with aspiring entrepreneurs. He has a way of creating a genuine connection with his audience through his transparency about mental health, diversity, and the realities of business.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

Attracting and hiring first-class employees is mission critical for any business, but especially for start-ups. Smaller businesses are especially reliant on new hires having a direct impact on performance and productivity when budgets are often tight and great results are a top priority. Looking back, I would have focused more on being diligent during our hiring process, with a more thorough end-to-end process to help eliminate risk.

We did learn quickly, and as a result, have been able to hire more effectively. We now have a much better idea of what keeps great talent in the business. We now have an exceptionally strong and committed team that we incentivise and retain with a range of practices and benefits, including an Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI) equity share scheme.

What defines your way of doing business?

A dedication to offering superior products and services that can be flexible to our customers’ needs and budgets.

Almost all of our operations are powered by products we have developed in-house, which ensures that we can continue to deliver even as the industry evolves. For example, the Acquirz Business Universe is a market-leading business database that uses a unique combination of telephone and electronic research to ensure that clients hit the right people at the right time with the right information. Not only does this maximize the impact, but it does so for less marketing spend.

We also developed the Acquirz Web Parser, a tool that enables us to review and update key contact and functionality information for websites in the Acquirz Business Universe in real-time. This highly intelligent data management practice means we’re always operating in the most efficient and accurate way, reducing the likelihood of wasted calls, inaccurate information, and direct marketing wastage. This means our clients aren’t spending key budget on marketing to businesses that no longer exist.

We’re keen to serve businesses at all stages of growth and development, whether it’s an SME looking to scale or a corporate enterprise looking to expand its client base.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

I think the key thing when starting out is to focus on solving a real problem and then validate your idea through thorough market research, ensuring you have a strong foundation to build on. Remember, you don’t necessarily have to reinvent the wheel—just do things better than the rest!

Whatever vision you decide on, stay committed to it but be ready to pivot if necessary. There is no telling how world events such as COVID and the current cost-of-living crisis will impact your business, so agility is key.

Building a strong team is crucial; start off small and repeat the model once proven, avoiding jumping into any decisions if you can.

Lastly, keep overheads low and finances in check. It will really help you out in the long run if you can get into that habit early on.

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