GoResponse managing director Mark Kirby with a previous award

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A Kent call centre has rung bells in the United States by being dubbed the third best on the planet.

GoResponse, based on Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, represented the UK at the grand finals of the Contact Center World Awards in Las Vegas.

The accolade capped a successful 2012 for the telephone answering service provider which had already picked up three awards earlier in the year, including Best Small Contact Centre.

The awards were judged by 150 industry experts after a presentation by chief executive Mark Kirby, who also won the bronze medal for his leadership.

GoResponse was set up nine years ago with just four people and now employs more than 100.

Speaking at the Treasure Island Hotel on the Las Vegas strip, Mr Kirby said: “Winning these awards tops off what has been an incredible year for us, and I’m extremely proud – both of the hard work that has been put in by the team to get us this far, and of the results we’re seeing from it.”

He added: “We’re not going to rest on our laurels though – we’re going to keep pushing ourselves until we’re best in the world.”

James Speck, Kent Science Park site director, praised the achievement. “The fact that they’ve now been named the third best call centre in the world is a huge achievement, of which they should be extremely proud.

"GoResponse now have over 100 employees on site, and awards such as this one can only help them to grow further – creating more jobs opportunities for local people.”