ELLIE MACDONALD
FTSE 100 -29.14 6305.49
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2015
Hectic times at 3M BIC Interview - Page 3
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MARK WEEKS Look after lone workers Column - Page 4
An EXAMINER publication
KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
By HENRYK ZIENTEK Business Reporter henryk.zientek@examiner.co.uk
A BUSINESS consultancy based in Kirklees is expanding its operations north of the border. Finance and marketing company ABL Business has opened an office in Glasgow – its first in Scotland – following a highly successful year of trading for the firm which saw a three-fold increase in turnover from 2014. ABL Business (Scotland) will operate from offices in the city’s West George Street and will be led by an additional director, Robert Perrie, an experienced commercial finance broker. The new branch aims to provide SMEs with the knowledge, contacts and support to enable growth through accessing commercial funding streams, combined with marketing strategy and management. ABL Scotland’s expansion comes almost two years after a merger between ABL Finance and Talk Direct Marketing to give customers access to broader endto-end support packages. Alex Beardsley, director of Cleckheaton-based ABL Business Ltd and a member of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers, said: “Over the past 12 months, we have dealt with over 200 SME businesses across the UK and
■■ ABL Business (Scotland) director Robert Perrie (centre) with ABL Business directors Andy Redman and Alex Beardsley
brokered £25m in funding. “Our business offer is now perfectly placed for the growing SME market across the UK, including Scotland, where we noticed that provision in the finance market was very limited.” As well as SMEs accessing the services directly, she said the packages had already proved popular with funders
who have a presence in Scotland such as Lloyds, Ultimate Finance, Shawbrook Bank and Funding Circle. “We identified a gap in the market in Scotland to provide services for firms operating in Glasgow and the central belt,” Mr Perrie said. “Accessing finance is one of the most challenging aspects of business for SMEs and our research
revealed that not all firms realise brokers exist and those that are aware of them don’t quite understand how they operate.” He said: “We have already secured a good client base as the opportunity to access all financial needs with one point of contact is attractive, not just to the SMEs themselves but also to the funders, as it adds value for their clients. “Combined with the additional business support available, this makes ABL Business (Scotland) a very attractive supplier for SMEs across the country. Our approach is always is to build trust and focus on people.” Mr Perrie’s financial experience spans spells working for Lloyds Banking Group, Aldermore Bank and Western Union. The move into Scotland is the first step in ABL’s growth strategy – with the company currently examining potential opportunities in the North-East, NorthWest, Midlands and London. Director Andy Redman said: “We identified a niche to move into as a commercial finance brokerage, but wanted to be sure we could provide Scottish clients with the same level of personal service for which we are known in Yorkshire. “Under Robert’s guidance, the new branch will enable us to achieve this and offer Scottish SMEs one point of contact where they can access a full range of funding to enable them to grow.”
Investment brings rewards for fleet incident specialist
■■ FMG’s headquarters in Huddersfield
Fleet incident management and roadside service specialist FMG has landed a key contract. The Huddersfield-based company has secured a three-year contract to handle incident management services for Complete Vehicle and Asset Management (CVM) Group. The contract will see FMG operate under the CVM brand, providing round-the-clock first notification of loss, a UK-wide repair management service and a range of legal services for CVM’s fleet customers. Kevin Connor, commercial director at CVM said: “We focus on improving the operational efficiency of our customers’ fleets to achieve substantial and measurable reductions in the total cost of
fleet management, whilst continually focusing on improving service levels. “By forming this strategic partnership with FMG, we gain access to the best repairers in the fleet market at preferable rates and this feature alone will cut our customers’ costs by reducing their vehicle downtime to an absolute minimum. “ Mr Connor said: “We will deliver additional value to our customers by claiming back what is rightfully theirs following an incident which wasn’t their fault and with the provision of a like-for-like replacement vehicle, to ensure their business continues as usual.” Harvey Stead, sales director at FMG, said: “More businesses are
turning to us as they further develop their customer service proposition and, in the past 18 months, we have significantly invested in people and technology to substantially enhance the customer and driver journey. “We are delighted to support CVM’s customers by using our proven expertise to significantly reduce the cost and hassle of vehicle incidents for their customers.” FMG, which employs 30 people, has more than 25 years’ experience as a specialist outsource provider of intelligent incident management services to more than 250,000 vehicles on behalf of major UK companies, including blue chip private companies, large insurers and leasing companies.
Snappy answer A BRIGHOUSE firm took its campaign for better door locks to a major conference in Europe. Clive Lloyd, managing director of Avocet Hardware was invited to speak on the issue of lock-snapping at the annual European Neighbourhood Watch Association conference in Umbria, Italy. The conference was attended by renowned scientists, police experts and Neighbourhood Watch practitioners. He was invited to speak following a trip to Italy in September when Avocet presented its answer to lock-snapping – its threestar rated and SS312 Sold Secure Diamond accredited ABS and ATK locks
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Expanding consultancy is striding out into Scotland
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Shining brightly A PICTURE made of coloured glass provided the spur for Huddersfield woman Paula McQuilkin to set up her own business. Now she is selling exquisitive items of jewellery made from glass, gold and silver which she designs and makes herself. And she has proved a sparkling success on a demanding programme which nurtures up-andcoming entrepreneurs by winning £1,000 with a oneminute “pitch” to a team of expert judges