Celebrating 10 Years of Taylor Investigations

Last week we celebrated a milestone that feels both surreal and incredibly special – 10 years of Taylor Investigations.

To mark the occasion, we hosted a Vegas-themed celebration with over 100 friends, family, clients, referrers and supporters joining us for the evening. The theme was “Business is a gamble”, which, if you’ve ever run a business, you’ll know is very true.

Thankfully, over the past decade, a few of our bets have paid off.

The night was a chance to pause, reflect, and most importantly say thank you to the people who have helped shape the journey so far.

From a Sofa to a High Street Office

 Taylor Investigations began in February 2016, shortly after I left the police.

At the time, I was still working for a heating and engineering company and doing shifts at a local bar while trying to build the business alongside it all. The “office” was my sofa, and the start-up budget was a few hundred pounds pulled together for a logo, a basic website and some business cards.

There was no grand plan. Just determination, long evenings, and a belief that it might just work.

The business began to grow steadily, and in 2018 we took on our first office premises at a business centre in Wymondham. Coincidentally, around the same time, my now husband, Rick came into my life and very quickly suggested a rebrand.

With the new logo, something clicked. For the first time, I could see the bigger vision: a private investigation firm with a high street presence, hiding in plain sight.

That vision finally became reality in 2022, when after COVID did its thing to slow the world down, we moved into our office on Rose Lane in Norwich. Seeing our name above the door was a proud moment and a reminder of how far the business had come.

A Decade of Investigations

Over the last ten years the work has been varied, challenging, and incredibly rewarding.

During that time we’ve:

– Completed over 2,000 person traces

– Served more than 5,000 legal documents

– Conducted over 600 hours of genealogy research

– Delivered more than 20,000 investigation hours (that’s being very conservative)

And perhaps most impressively of all…

– Consumed tens of thousands of cups of tea and coffee along the way.

Our work has supported organisations across the legal, insolvency, finance, commercial and agricultural sectors, helping clients find answers, locate individuals, and move cases forward.

But beyond the numbers, the most important part of our work is the trust placed in us.

Investigations often involve sensitive situations and real people’s lives. While we may not get everything right every single time (because we’re human), we never take lightly the responsibility our clients place in us.

The Power of Networking

 One of the biggest drivers behind the growth of Taylor Investigations has been networking.

From early morning meetings and business lunches to events across the region, the connections made through Norfolk’s business community and networks further afield have been instrumental in shaping the business.

Many opportunities over the years have come from a single conversation, a referral, or someone recommending our services in a room we weren’t even in.

Those connections, and the people behind them, have played a huge role in where we are today.

Giving Back

 Alongside our commercial work, we’re proud to continue supporting individuals who need help through our partnership with Norfolk Community Law Service.

We provide free process serving and desktop tracing for individuals involved in family and domestic violence cases, ensuring they can access the legal support they need.

It’s a small way of giving back, and a reminder that investigations are not just about cases or paperwork, they’re about people.

A Brilliant Team

 No investigation firm succeeds on its own.

The dedication, professionalism and commitment of the Taylor Investigations team is what makes the business what it is today.

A huge thank you to Jamie, Ben, Debbie, Diane, Loren, Andy, Steve and Rick, along with previous team members who have been part of the journey over the years.

Behind every investigation is a team working tirelessly to find answers and deliver results, and I’m incredibly proud of the people who make that happen.

Personal Milestones Along the Way

 Alongside building the business, I’ve also been proud to contribute to the wider industry and business community.

I continue to serve as a Governing Council member of the Association of British Investigators, helping support standards and professionalism within the investigative sector.

Closer to home, I’m also honoured to be Chair of Norwich Business Women’s Network, a community that champions collaboration, support and growth among women in business.

And as someone who loves theatre, one particularly proud moment was seeing our logo appear on the safety curtain during intervals at Norwich Theatre. Something I’d once only dreamed about. We’ve been proud sponsors since 2024.

Celebrating the Journey

 Our 10 year celebration evening was a chance to bring together the people who have supported the business over the years.

Friends, family, clients, referrers and colleagues all came together to celebrate the milestone, share stories, and reflect on the journey so far.

Running a business is never a straight line. There are great highs and some very low lows, moments of confidence and moments of doubt.

But standing in that room, surrounded by so many people who have played a part in the journey, it was clear that every challenge has been worth it.

Looking Ahead

Ten years ago, Taylor Investigations started from a sofa with a laptop and a handful of business cards.

Today we are a well established investigation firm with a high street office, an experienced team, and clients across multiple sectors. And while we’re proud of everything achieved so far, this milestone is really just another step in the journey.

So here’s to the next chapter of Taylor Investigations.

And if the last ten years have taught us anything, it’s that sometimes the biggest gamble you can take…is simply backing yourself.

Charlotte Notley

[email protected] | 0330 090 4031 | www.taylorinvestigations.co.uk