ISSUE SPOTLIGHT: ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES


ISSUE SPOTLIGHT


ATTEND FREE FINANCIAL MEETING


The Institute of Financial Accountants holds regular evening meetings at the Milton Keynes Holiday Inn with a focus on topics relevant to small and medium- sized businesses and the accountants who advise them. There are 17 IFA branches across


the UK all of which are run by dedicated volunteer IFA members. Local accountant Liz Needham has run the Milton Keynes branch for the last two years. The next meeting, on Wednesday


19 September, covers vehicle acquisition costs for businesses, selling your business to an employee trust and an introduction to Metro Bank by Richard Bywater. Liz said: “The meetings provide


an opportunity to keep up-to-date with industry and legislation changes and give attendees a platform to network and make useful local contacts.” Paul Flowers, IFA business


development executive said: “As the fastest growing city in the UK it made sense for us to establish a branch in Milton Keynes. It’s a hub for both SMEs and multi-national industries and that brings a real energy to our meetings.” The event is free to attend and runs from 6:15pm – 9pm.


For further information and to register your place visit www.ifa.org.uk/events


A new brokerage specialising in development finance has been launched in Milton Keynes – and their first order of business was to join Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce. Aureum Finance, an independent finance broker


that specialises in property finance covering every sector, launched on 27 June – and immediately joined the Chamber. Managing Director Dean Brown is a former director


of a corporate finance broker and lenders. Aureum Finance will provide assistance in sourcing


and structuring loan facilities with a key focus on funding for property. Dean said: “After spending my career in lending


and financial advice working for others, I have decided it is now time to be the master of my own destiny. “I am proud to announce the launch


of my business Aureum Finance. With a key focus on development and equity finance our team will be able to source and structure loan facilities and joint ventures across all asset classes.” “We will also work with key partners


‘OUR TEAM WILL BE ABLE


TO SOURCE AND STRUCTURE


LOAN FACILITIES AND JOINT VENTURES’


that have an expertise in general insurance, building warranties and latent defects together with a team that offer advice on all regulated personal and mortgage products. “ Dean chose his home town of Milton Keynes rather


than London to set up his firm because of its location and potential.


he added.


For more information visit www.aureumfinance.co.uk or call 01908 414235.


FIRMS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO ATTRACT TALENT


The majority of businesses in Milton Keynes and the wider region believe they have achieved a strong organisational culture but almost three quarters still find it hard to attract the right skilled people to develop and grow, according to a new survey by business and financial advisers Grant Thornton. The poll of senior managers


Fiona Baldwin


revealed that more than two thirds (68%) felt their organisation had a robust, positive culture, while a further 63% felt their core business values supported future strategy.


24 inbusiness OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 Encouragingly, 79% of


respondents went on to say their business culture enabled people to improve their skills and grow, with 84% stating employees were encouraged to freely express opinions and exchange ideas. However, just 36% of businesses


questioned had actually surveyed employees on their own perceptions of the environment they work in. The poll results also indicated


that 74% of respondents are having difficulty finding the right talent to take their business forward.


Fiona Baldwin, of Grant


Thornton’s Milton Keynes office, said: “Milton Keynes is one of the fastest growing parts of the UK, but with the UK reaching so called ‘full employment’ local businesses face a real recruitment challenge. “It is positive to see that local


firms are confident in the strength of their culture. However, the survey shows that this alone is not necessarily enough to attract top talent. To stay ahead of the curve, firms need to consider and regularly review more creative ways of overcoming the skills shortage.”


“Milton Keynes is fast becoming a major growth hub for the UK. The area is well connected and there are many large companies based in the town. It makes sense to be based in the centre of the east-to-west growth corridor,”


Highlighting Milton Keynes’ leading ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES firms


FINANCE FIRM SEES THE POTENTIAL IN THE REGION


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