History

WLP has been helping business grow and develop since 1991.

1991

Wilson, Lee & Partners a limited company was incorporated by Norman Wilson, Timothy Lee, Anthony Cheeseman, Steve McCracken, Phil Rawling.
Between us they had expertise across a wide range of industries, management experience and skills in each of the areas covered by the Enterprise Initiative for the DTI.
They all came from Morton Hodson a consultancy franchise that had became involved in another business involving a property investment which went wrong so was liquidated.
A phoenix was formed, and the other 45 consultants joined but the founders of WLP did not as they had the skills needed and occupied the East of England region of the franchise.

They had a 2 hour meeting and decided the principles on which they would work and the name. In the meeting they felt that other combinations sounded like “jeans brands or Scottish solicitors”.

They chose to use a distinctive yellowish none smooth paper and a blue Futura Lt Book font. These made our letters, the main mode of communication then, stand out.

 

They all qualified with the Institute of Management Consultants and became a practice within the institute. They obtained registration to ISO 9001.
Early on they charged a heavy fee for becoming an associate but then did not support the associates appropriately. By 1996 Steve McCracken and Phil Rawling had left for jobs.
It was decided that the model for associates was not fair, so it was changed.

1996

Company reformed. At the end of 1996 Don Pearson and Norman Wilson formed a limited company with Tim Lee as a privileged member.
Tony Cheeseman had helped a client sell a business and went to work for the acquirer and then his client.

1998

Gill Smith joins she is the longest serving person at WLP after Norman

2001

Expands to new offices at 11 Ventura House, Watton, Norfolk as staff numbers grew.

2002

In 2002 the model changed to include a monthly fee for consultants.

2004

Rebranded as WLP

2016

WLP celebrates 25 years

2018

Don Pearson retired from the business

2019

Moved to present address at Wayland House, High Street, Watton

2020

Gill leaves after after 22 years.

2021

Norman Wilson will retire after 30 years.

The business and directors are looking forward to and planning for the next 30 years and beyond.