news 9


Survey results encouraging for young entrepreneurs


Chartered accountants Haines Watts recently carried out a nationwide survey, which showed that a surprising number of owner-managed businesses in the Thames Valley have managed to achieve growth despite the tough economic climate


44% of businesses surveyed achieved positive growth over the past three years, whilst a third have remained the same. Most were also positive about the year ahead, with only 6% citing negative growth prospects. During 2014, 81% said they would finance growth using internal cashflow and only 6% were planning to use bank finance.


This is good news for the record number of young entrepreneurs who have entered the market in the past few years, as it shows it can be done. Technology has opened up remarkable opportunities for young people and a new generation of digital


entrepreneurs is emerging, involved in diverse market sectors. Last year’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition winner, Jack Greetham, with his business ‘Just Right Goods’ is a case in point, as are the other finalists: Alex Minchin, of online marketing business ‘Zest Digital’, Carina Evans of ‘Dog Rocks Distribution’ and Katy Hymas of stylish muslin producer ‘Mumlin’.


The Haines Watts ‘Growth’ survey also looked at key challenges facing entrepreneurs currently, and findings included getting the right employees and accessing new streams of customers. For a third, cashflow management was the


NEXT MONTH NEXT MONTH NEXT MONTH


In the May issue of The Business Magazine


Education & Business Colleges, universities and training establishments are so much more in tune with the needs of business. The image has long faded of a campus having a rarefied atmosphere where lecturers and students dismissed any notion of commercial reality. Today’s educational centres work alongside the corporate and commercial world.


If you are involved in building relationships between education and business, you can participate in this special feature section by emailing Dan Teuton at dan@elcot.co.uk


Also next month: • Thames Valley Deals Awards • Summer Hospitality • Focus on Reading


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY –APRIL 2014


As your local training provider, we offer a range of professionally accredited courses including:


• Accountancy • Management • HP ATA


• Law • Sales & Marketing • Cisco CCNA


For details, call freephone 0808 252 5051


2013 HWYE finalists (from left): Carina, Katy, Jack and Alex


top issue, with many complaining that long invoice cycles and late payments were causing them difficulties.


Haines Watts has launched its Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition to help support business owners under 36 and provides hints and tips on its website, as well as social media platforms to share ideas with like- minded people. Those who enter


the competition and are successful in getting through to the finals also receive year-long business mentoring sessions with a partner at Haines Watts, PR for their business and prize money.


If you – or someone you know – is thinking of entering this free competition, go online at www. hwye.co.uk and submit a good business case for why you should win.


Competition applicants must be running a business in the Thames Valley, defined as Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, and should have been trading for over a year. The competition is open to anyone who is under 36 years old on July 31, 2014 and there is no lower age limit.


For further information visit: www.hwye.co.uk


HWYE is also on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.


For further information about Haines Watts visit: www.hwca.com


www.businessmag.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52