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BDO launches the Q1 Thames Valley Business Barometer


Following the commencement of the Business Barometer in 2012, BDO LLP has launched the first of its quarterly surveys for 2013. This quarter the focus is on financing the business and funding growth


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As reported in February’s Business Magazine, the Q4 Thames Valley Business Barometer published in January 2013 showed that economic confidence and business sentiment for the region as a whole had strengthened, after a clear leveling out in the previous quarter. However, there continued to be caution when respondents considered the performance of their own businesses, with lower expectations, especially when it came to profitability, and access to funding remained an issue for many.


On funding investment, Simon Brooker, partner and head of BDO in the Thames Valley commented: “The emphasis on the need for robustness is a marked change we’ve seen building over the year with a ‘flight to quality’ as those with finance to lend have a much clearer aversion to risk taking.”


This quarter, in addition to general economic confidence and business performance the barometer looks at funding structures within Thames Valley businesses. Are businesses looking for additional funding – and if so, what is available? What options are there when it comes to funding for growth and is access to finance still a major issue?


Taking part in the survey


The Q1 barometer survey will close on March 28, 2013. To take part now, put 'Thames Valley Business Barometer' into your search engine. This will take you through to the Barometer page on the BDO website where there is both an online survey and the option to download a hard copy of the survey to complete.


measuring results business barometer


Alternatively, contact karen.meenderink@bdo. co.uk for a link to the survey and also for a copy of the Q4 report.


Nominate your business to be profiled in Q1


A selection of Thames Valley businesses have the opportunity to be profiled alongside the full survey results, giving their own perspective on operating within the region. If you would like to nominate your business to be interviewed, contact Karen Meenderink for more information.


Results in May


The report of the findings will be available in early May, and a review of the results will take place at the next Twenties Club breakfast meeting on June 14, 2013.


The BDO Thames Valley Business Barometer is a collaboration between BDO and business network The Twenties Club, providing a quarterly snapshot of business and economic confidence in the Thames Valley. The results offer a compelling street-level view of business sentiment, helping to inform decisions on growth, investment and employment in the region.


Details: Karen Meenderink 0118-9254448 karen.meenderink@bdo.co.uk


Reading scientists keep meat in the pink


Food scientists at the University of Reading have begun work on a major project to produce meat additives that can actually lower your risk of cancer, while maintaining the pink colour consumers expect.


The European-funded study aims to develop a way of producing meat products, such as ham, bacon and sausage, without using nitrite, the preservative which has been linked to an increased risk of colon cancer.


Business THE M A GA ZINE www.businessmag.co.uk TM


Instead, scientists will use natural fruit and vegetable extracts known as phytochemicals to replace the nitrite. As well as helping to preserve the colour, flavour and increase the shelf-life of meat, phytochemicals have thebeneficial side effect of helping to improve gut health.


Once the new techniques have been developed in the lab, project partners in small businesses in the food industry will recreate the new techniques on a larger scale. The effects of the new products on human health will be tested, and in-depth consumer research will be carried out to find out the reaction of shoppers to the new products.


University of Reading scientists will be involved in analysing different phytochemicals before and after they are added to meat, and will also analyse samples from people taking part in human trials to see how a diet that includes the new meat products might reduce the risk of cancer in the gut.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MARCH 2013


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