BUSINESS REPORT


BUSINESS REPORT


An award-winning consultancy that helps other companies to save money on their utility costs has delivered more than £2m in savings to its clients in under three years. SK Energy launched in 2017 and


offers a fully comprehensive account management service to take all the hassle of organising and monitoring business gas, electricity and water contracts away from its clients. Managing consultant


NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER keeps its members up to date with all the latest business news. Whether it’s through the pages of this magazine, via our website or by regular email updates, we will always endeavour to keep you in the picture and informed


WORKFORCE IN


REGION IS GROWING Northamptonshire’s workforce is still growing, according to the results of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) by Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce. More than a quarter of respondents


reported an increase in their workforce for Q3 of 2019 and they expect to recruit in Q4. More than half of firms also anticipate


ENERGY CONSULTANTS HITS £2M IN SAVINGS


The firm has a 100% client retention rate and a ‘PROVIDING


BEST-IN-CLASS SERVICE


Reemesh Patel said: “We launched with the long-term plan of becoming one of the UK’s leading energy consultancies, with a clear vision of putting our clients first and providing best-in-class service regardless of size, type or demographic of the business. “We’re delighted to have broken the £2m in savings mark and now want to hit £3m.”


REGARDLESS OF SIZE, TYPE OR DEMOGRAPHIC’


99.8% live rate in the industry – ahead of the industry average of about 70%. Reemesh said: “We work with so many trusted organisations including, Northamptonshire Chamber, Wilson Browne Solicitors, Cave & Sons, Jones Wholesale Business Store, Borneo Martell Turner Coulston LLP Solicitors and Warner’s – basically lots of the businesses that everyone trusts in our local


community. “We are always keen to use


fellow Chamber members and we hope by showing members who we work


with it will encourage even more of them to use us.”


Visit: www.skenergy.co.uk TOP PROMOTIONS FOR WORKING MUMS


Elsby & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors has promoted two senior staff to equity partner positions in recognition of their dedicated work for the firm. Leona Bateman and Claire Emery have reached


the pinnacle of their profession while working flexibly to balance family commitments and their roles as busy working mums. They are also both strong believers that other young women and new starters should be given the same opportunities they have experienced at Elsby & Co. Leona said: “Quite a few accountancy practices


Equity partners Leona Bateman and Claire Emery, with Carl Elsby, Chartered Accountant and Founding Partner of Elsby & Co


have one or two senior partners, but you can only get so far. My experience at Elsby & Co shows there’s real value in supporting staff. I know that if I need to take time out for my son’s sports day


I can. This level of understanding at work is priceless and something I’ve never experienced in another job before. It proves to me that if you trust your people, your business will reap dividends.” Claire adds: “I’ve got four children and haven’t


worked full-time since child number two arrived. Elsby & Co couldn’t have been more supportive in letting me work hours that suited me and always encouraged me to progress further. It’s an extraordinarily modern practice that genuinely embraces new technology and uses it to the advantage of its clients.”


Visit: www.elsbyandco.co.uk Call: 01604 678470


DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020 inbusiness 5


To read the full report visit www.northants- chamber.co.uk/representation/quarterly- economic-surveys


that their turnover will grow over the next 12 months and just under half believe, in turn, that profitability will improve. However, overall, businesses in


Northamptonshire saw a decrease in domestic activity and overseas activity also slowed. Firms also revealed a slight slow-down on the cash flow and investment front and of the businesses that attempted to recruit in Q3 82% experienced difficulties in recruiting appropriate staff for those vacancies. Northamptonshire Chamber chief


executive Paul Griffiths said: “Despite demonstrating stable and strong results this quarter, the findings still show that the persistent political and economic uncertainty has forced businesses to remain hesitant. “Enterprise is the lifeblood of the UK


economy and if dramatic change is not enacted businesses will continue to halt investment and recruitment to the detriment of growth. To boost growth prospects, the Government must urgently provide firms with clarity on future conditions and bolster business investment incentives.”


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