The Business Magazine Thames Valley June 2015

news 9 Shareleague Thames Valley Presented by in association with Business T H E M A G A Z I N E

BG Group, the Reading-based world leader in exploration, led the way in April when it came to major company share prices with a 43% hike. The rise followed recent speculation that the group was in advanced discussions with Royal Dutch Shell regarding the latter’s cash and shares offer.

Under the takeover code, Shell had to confirm its offer by May 5, but both companies lost no time in making an announcement that agreement had been reached and the offer was accepted by BG.

The deal represented a premium of some 50% on the share price at the time, giving the group a valuation of £47 billion. It means BG shareholders will own 19% of the combined group.

Overall it was a terrific month for

the smallest quoted companies in the region, with four seeing their shares rise over 50%. Top billing went to Bagshot-based ZincOx Resources, whose business is recycling EAFD, a hazardous waste generated by the recycling of steel scrap.

ZincOx, whose long-term objective is to operate a network of recycling plants covering each of the major steel recycling regions of the world, announced its 2014 results showing revenues of $38.2 million, an increase of 39% year on year.

Another big success story was Newbury-based Immedia Group – launched by DJ Bruno Brookes 15 years ago – whose subsidiaries provide bespoke radio and audio visual programmes to the retail industry.

Large (over £1 billion) Closing price

BG GROUP

CABLE & WIRELESS COMMS. SKY

ICTL.HTLS.GP.

MICRO FOCUS INTL. SPECTRIS

GLAXOSMITHKLINE WOLSELEY

SERCO GROUP INTL.CONS.AIRL.GP. (CDI)

31/03/15 829 61

993

2,634 1,181 2,160 1,546 3,993 138 603

Closing price 30/04/15 1,183 67

1,077 2,804 1,257 2,147 1,515 3,872 134 545

Medium (£250 million to £1 billion) Closing price

NORTHAMBER

OXFORD INSTRUMENTS SDL

DAIRY CREST XP POWER (DI)

MORGAN ADVANCED MATERIAL GENUS

RPS GROUP

OXFORD BIOMEDICA RWS HOLDINGS

31/03/15 415 837 436 443

1,467 341

1,369 225 12

155

ANGLE ACAL

MICHELMERSH BRICK HDG. VERNALIS

TISSUE REGENIX GROUP REAL ESTATE INVESTORS RM

ECKOH MICROGEN NANOCO GROUP

31/03/15 79

260 68 46 17 62

144 40

119 124

Sub £50 million Closing price

ZINCOX RESOURCES

RESOURCE HOLDING MAN. IMMEDIA GROUP SOPHEON

EGDON RESOURCES GUSCIO

STARVEST FUTURA MEDICAL

ENV.RCYC.TECHNOLOGIES JOHN LEWIS OF HUNGERFORD

31/03/15 8 7

17 50 8 9 4

41 0 1

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2015

Closing price 30/04/15 473 930 468 457

1,512 336

1,347 213 11

138

Small (£50 million to £250 million) Closing price

Closing price 30/04/15 94

295 77 51 19 62

140 38

115 109

Closing price 30/04/15 12 10 26 78 10 8 3

38 0 1

Change in share price 43% 11% 8% 6% 6%

-1% -2% -3% -3%

-10%

Change in share price 14% 11% 7% 3% 3%

-1% -2% -5% -8%

-11%

Change in share price 20% 13% 13% 11% 10% -1% -2% -3% -3%

-12%

Change in share price 60% 58% 58% 56% 22% -6% -7% -7% -8%

-19% The perks and peaks

of a great business There’s a hashtag category on social media called #happystaff – you might have seen it. There are accompanying photos of scrumptious cakes, frothy coffees, interesting fitness and health initiatives and details of the ways that employees' lives have been made better by something the boss has done

Finalists, speakers and judges from last year’s HWYE competition

When building a business, investing in your staff is a major key to success and should not be sidelined. Put simply, people who feel valued perform better and make other people feel special too. That translates into an empowered team who give excellent customer service and you can’t afford to be without that.

Every now and again there’s an update on Twitter pages about the outcome of having #happystaff with an announcement that a company has won an award – which makes everyone even happier.

Sickening isn’t it, but you get the picture. If you want peaks you have to offer some perks. Show your staff they’re valued and loyalty and success usually follows – you have to have some trust too.

One way to confirm to your staff that they are doing a great job is to enter a competition. Not only do your employees look good when the company is shortlisted but your business benefits too.

There are many lucrative competitions out there, including Haines Watts’ Young Entrepreneur of the Year (HWYE), which recognises owner managers.

This competition has the added www.businessmag.co.uk

advantage that, as well as cash prizes, winners also receive a year’s free mentoring from a partner at Haines Watts and extra PR for their businesses. Visitors to the HWYE website will find online support on offer too, such as helpful tips and a blog.

The HWYE competition is free and is open to applicants running a business in the Thames Valley, defined as Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. Applicants must be under 36 years old on July 31, 2015 and there is no lower age limit but candidates should have been running their business for over a year.

If you, or someone you know, is interested, go online at www.hwye.co.uk for details.

Young entrepreneurs can link up on the HWYE Facebook and Twitter sites.

For further information about Haines Watts:

Details: www.hwca.com

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