8 Business Argus


Small firms focussing on training and staff potential


Small and medium enterprises (SME) in Gwent are prioritising staff training and devel- opment in order to achieve business growth this year, according to the latest results of a leading index of SME sentiment and perfor- mance. The quarterly Business Factors Index, produced by specialist funding pro- vider Bibby Financial Services, reveals that in Q4 of 2013, 37 per cent of firms said they would pri- oritise training and staff development over the next six months, compared with 26 per cent in Q3. The number of SMEs planning to invest in new product development also increased, from nine per cent in Q3 to 18 per cent. The index,which sur-


veys the quarterly senti- ment and outlook of 500 UKbusiness owners across five industry sec- tors - manufacturing, con- struction, transport, wholesale and business services – found that 69 per cent of Welsh SMEs, including those inGwent, were looking to achieve business growth of at least five per cent in the first half of 2014, up from 56 per cent in Q3. Of those businesses look-


ing to grow, half reported that they are looking to achieve growth of more than ten per cent, com- pared to just a fifth in Q3. And although the figures for orders and new cus- tomers are not quite as high as in Q3, during Q4 of 2013, 44 per cent of Welsh SMEsreported an increase in new customers and 41 per cent an increase in orders. The latest report echoes


the positive attitude towards economic recov- ery and paints a picture of UKSMEs in the country benefitting from increased national confidence. Agrowing sense of opti- mism about the economy is also reflected in the rise in recruitment as almost a third (31 per cent) of SMEs inWales say they have recruited new staff during Q4, up from 14 per cent in Q3.


Sharon Wiltshire,MDfor


Bibby Financial Services, said: “The findings are cer- tainly encouraging and although we’re not yet heading back to pre-reces- sion levels of trading, what we do have is the foundations onwhich to start building for a sus- tainable recovery. “The reality for many SMEs is that running a business is still a huge challenge.”


Tuesday, March 11, 2014


Environmental accolade for top support provider


By Jo Barnes 01633 777240 jba@gwent-wales.co.uk Twitter @SWABusiness


THE Newport andGwent Chamber of Commerce Enterprise and Industry has been awarded an envi- ronmental standard in rec- ognition of its environ- mental performance and management. The NGCCEI was recog- nised with certification to levels one and two of the Green Dragon Standard, which is a stepped approach to environmental manage- ment. Levels one and two best suit the needs and requirements of the NGCCEI, the industry within which it operates and the environmental impacts asso- ciated with their activities. NGCCEI is the parent body


of the SouthWales Chamber of Commerce and Centre for Business,which has a base in Newport. It’s the largest busi- ness support provider in Wales, with more than 1,100 chamber members, a key influencer on business top- ics, offering training, busi- ness consultancy, IT consul- tancy, business-to-business support and test trading opportunities. It also delivers all three SouthWales Business Start- Up contracts as part of a con- sortium, as well as the pres- tigious BusinessWales con-


GREEN: From left, David Russ, managing director of NGCCEI, Claire Hurley, business consultant, NGCCEI and Gareth Jones, Green Dragon quality manager, Groundwork Bridgend Neath Port Talbot


tract for theWelsh Government. David Russ, managing director of NGCCEI, said: “NGCCEI is committed to becoming an exemplar organisation. Achieving this award is an important step


towards achieving this goal as we continue to develop. “We have worked extremely


hard over the last six months to go through the necessary steps to implement the envi- ronmental management sys- tem and integrate effective


environmental management into everything we do.We nowhave a Green Teamof 11 people responsible for ensur- ing our environmental policy continues to be implemented on a daily basis. “We recognise the impor-


Acorn appoints new manager to strengthen company connections


NEWPORT-based recruit- ment and training company Acorn has appointed a new business developer to strengthen its established network inWales. Katrina Raposo, 33,who


lives in Caerphilly, joins the group as commercial busi- ness development manager for SouthWales. She brings 15 years’ experi-


ence in the recruitment industry with particular expertise in finance, legal, medical, administration, marketing, sales, contact cen- tre and customer service sec- tors. In her new role, Katrina


Katrina Raposo


will be responsible for the development of key accounts and attracting new business, with a particular focus on the development of national and multi-regional accounts as Acorn continues to expand


its geographical reach UK-wide. Katrina said:“Withmy experience in business devel- opment and knowledge in recruitment, I plan to create and develop some great rela- tionships with leading com- panies and introduce them to our Cardiff, Caerphilly, Newport, Blackwood and Swansea branches. “I’ve joined Acorn at a real-


ly exciting time, as we have just announced a record turnover for 2013 at £102 mil- lion. There are some very positive signs in recruitment that the economy is finally on the mend, and I’m therefore eager to seewhat I can bring to Acorn’s success.” Acorn’s director of opera-


tions in SouthWales, Maria Larcombe, said: “Katrina joins the business at a key time.Weare delighted to


have attracted someone of her quality and standing within the industry as we look to expand further. “Her contribution will be a


vital factor in attracting and retaining new accounts nationwide, and she will be a key element of the compa- ny’s growth in 2014.” With more than 20 years in


the business, Acorn has its UKheadquarters at the Celtic Springs Business Park in Newport and operates from 38 branches across Wales and the SouthWest, NorthWest and South East of England. Acorn places up to 6,500 people into the workplace with around 850 different cli- ents each week. The group also delivers training to more than 1,000 individuals and makes 1,700 permanent placements every year.


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tance of an award such as the Green Dragon Standard, which is key for us in deliv- ering contracts for the gov- ernment and ensures we practicewhat we preach, in terms of the resource and efficiency elements.”


Learn and earn with law firm


NEWPORT-based Convey Law Conveyancing Lawyers has joined a scheme to cre- ate a new apprenticeship in conveyancing. The firm is working with a


national consortium facili- tated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The company, in Stow Hill,


will help local people of all ages and backgrounds including school-leavers and others wanting to ‘earn as they learn’ and build careers in the legal sector. The group aims to develop


the apprenticeship quickly so learners can start this autumn. The government has pledged £40million to support participation in Higher Apprenticeships such as this one.


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