world. It is set to boost not only the local economy in Blackburn through job creation and development, but will also benefit the wider UK manufacturing sector, with the new expansion expected to create a six-fold increase in production capabilities.
▲ A £14m state-of-the-art facility has been unveiled by Blackburn Chemicals. The self-funded premises is the most advanced powder defoamer chemical plant in the
▲ Lancaster University has officially opened one of the largest educational facilities in the country to help train the next generation of computer science and cyber security students. The facilities, opened by Chris Ensor, deputy director of the National Cyber Security Centre, received a £4m grant from the Office for Students (OfS). It will support teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, an executive MBA and professional training and reskilling.
Dominic Ball Tax director
PierceCA pierce-c.-a.-limited pcaltd
IS YOUR COMPANY STRUCTURE HOLDING
YOU BACK? As businesses grow, their structures don’t always keep pace. What worked for a lean start-up may no longer suit a company entering new markets. Yet many delay structural reviews because they seem overwhelming.
But structure isn’t just a legal formality - it can be the key to tax efficiency, asset protection and smoother operations. Here are four strategic areas to consider:
Time to consider a group structure? A holding company might offer advantages such as:
• Protecting assets from trading risks
• Tax-neutral asset transfers within the group
• Managing diverse activities like Intellectual Property (IP), investments, or overseas growth
▲ Chiptech announced a major healthcare innovation initiative at a high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in London. The Lancaster-based business announced a major initiative across the UK and Europe, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the North West based Electech Innovation Cluster. This MoU worth £500,000 per year, establishes a groundbreaking funding and mentoring programme to support startups focused on people safety and healthcare innovation.
Put surplus cash to work Generating excess cash is great – but where and how it’s held matters. Investment assets inside a trading company can create tax issues, especially before a sale or exit. A well-planned structure supports long-term goals.
Thinking globally? Plan locally Whether setting up sales teams, manufacturing hubs or shared service centres, each jurisdiction has unique tax rules. A robust structure helps:
DOWN
▼ Companies in the North West reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 10 points at 54 per cent in the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
▼ New statistics show the North West had more worker deaths than anywhere else in England last year, including a higher rate than any region. A total of 22 people died at work in the region in 2023/24, and the figures from work safety lawyers Graham Coffey & Co suggest both employed and self-employed workers are at risk.
▼ The Cardboard Box company, based in Clayton-le-Moors said a ‘perfect storm’ of government changes and a deflationary market had left it pausing recruitment and facing a significant increase in costs. The business said it is taking a risk averse outlook this year to protect jobs, as the increase in National Insurance
contributions (NICs), rise in the minimum wage and changing client budgets make the short-term future uncertain.
▼ The number of start-ups set up in the North West hit the lowest level of 2025 so far in May, according to new research from R3, the UK’s restructuring, turnaround and insolvency trade body. R3’s analysis of data shows there were 6,413 new business established in May – the lowest monthly total in 2025 so far. Start-up numbers dropped by 10.9 per cent in May when compared to the previous month’s total of 7,194.
Fran Henshaw, chair of R3 in the North West, said: “The drop in start-up numbers last month may reflect a period of reassessment for many potential entrepreneurs, particularly following April’s increases to employer National Insurance and the minimum wage. Many would-be business owners may be taking time to evaluate how these changes affect their plans before deciding how to move forward.”
• Minimise global tax exposure • Ensure cross-border compliance • Support international growth
Is your IP working hard enough? IP-rich companies can access valuable tax incentives. But if your structure isn’t aligned with IP development, those benefits may be out of reach. Structuring with IP in mind can give a competitive edge.
Final Thought Your structure should work for your business – not hold it back. A strategic review could unlock efficiency, and open up future opportunities.
Tel: 01254 688100
Email:
enquiries@pierce.co.uk www.pierce.co.uk
LANCASHIREBUSINES SV
IEW.CO.UK
17
BAROMETER
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