Milton Keynes Business News

Retail Merchant Services, the UK's leading merchant services provider has scooped a prestigious award in the Card Payment Industry. Awarded at a London conference, hosted by Elavon Merchant Services, Retail Merchant Services was awarded with Elavon's ‘Best Independent Sales Organisation (ISO) Performance 2010' award, which recognises the contribution made to the independent sector of the card payment industry and the level of achievement in new sales and revenue. Milton Keynes Business Scoops European Business Award

Jon Gilpin, Director, joins PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC)in Milton Keynes to further extend the firm's local expertise. According to Jon Gilpin, the economic conditions remain very challenging for local companies and auditors have an important role to play as business partners. Milton Keynes PricewaterhouseCoopers

High-end consumer electronics brand, BOSE has secured the services of Milton Keynes-based marketing services agency, P&MM Events and Communications, to provide an experiential brand launch roadshow to their dealer network across the UK and Ireland. P&MM will be providing BOSE with a fully managed and branded, production-led VIP event to ‘launch' their market leading products to their eagerly awaiting dealer network.
BOSE, Milton Keynes

Europe's largest insurance intermediary Towergate Partnership, with one of its largest commercial insurance offices based in the heart of Milton Keynes, together with its colleagues and clients have raised in ... more...

Despite the Government's decision to stagger a planned hike in fuel duty prices at the pump are hitting struggling businesses hard, the Forum of Private Business is warning. The average price of fuel has now reached 119.9 pence per litre, topping the previous high of 119.7 pence reached two years ago. In some areas prices are much higher and analysts have warned that they could reach as much as 150 pence per litre over the summer.
FPB, Milton Keynes

In April, members of the team from Coutts' office in Milton Keynes are taking part in a region-wide charity bike ride between offices. Nineteen people from the region are taking part, with others supporting them along the way. The cyclists begin their three day journey at Coutts' Norwich office, before visiting Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Reading, finishing at Coutts' head office at 440 Strand where they will be greeted by chairman Lord Home and CEO Michael Morley.
Coutt's & Co, Milton Keynes

Mazars came first in an independent UK survey into clients' views on audit services, outranking the ‘Big Four' and the rest of the country's most-used audit firms. The results, published in Accountancy Age, revealed that 635 senior readers of Finance 360 and Financial Director awarded Mazars an overall satisfaction score of 73%. Their result was 3% higher than the firm in second place, and 17% higher than the Big Four firm in last place.
Mazars, Milton Keynes

Improvements in orders and turnover experienced by small firms are being overshadowed by cash flow difficulties as a result of late payment, the latest Economy Watch member panel survey from the Forum of Private Business suggests. According to the monthly survey of members on the Forum's Economy Watch panel 43% of respondents said they had experienced an increase in orders, with 18% reporting a decrease and 39% no change.
FPB, Milton Keynes

Commenting on the implications of today's Budget for property business, Seb Tubb tax partner at international accountancy firm Mazars said: “Residential and commercial property investors will be particularly relieved that the rate of capital gains tax remains at 18%. But, as was confirmed today, from next month, individuals engaging in property development and trading will be facing the 50% top income tax rate on profits when annual income is over £150k.
Budget 2010, Milton Keynes

46% increase in profit before tax for the year ending 31st December 2009. Linford Wood, Milton Keynes: Motivcom, the leading UK business services group offering marketing communications, events and incentive expertise to major blue-chip corporate clients, today (31 March 2010), announced a 46% increase in profit before tax for the year ending 31st December 2009. Motivcom, Milton Keynes

Commenting on the implications of today's budget report for private individuals, Janet Pilborough-Skinner, a director Mazars in Milton Keynes said: "The Chancellor's speech caused hilarity at the mention of targeting tax avoidance to the chagrin of Lord Ashcroft and his well reported use of the tax haven Belize, but this belies the full import of anti avoidance measures which have been announced today.
Budget 2010, Milton Keynes

“Entrepreneurs will be particularly relieved that the rate of capital gains tax remains at 18% and pleasantly surprised that the £1m lifetime limit for entrepreneurs relief (which effectively reduces the tax rate on certain capital gains to 10%) has been doubled to £2m. The discrepancy between income tax rates (50%) and capital gain tax rates (10-18%) presents opportunities for businesses to optimise their tax affairs.
SMEs, Milton Keynes

Today's announcement that the Chancellor will be delaying part of the increase in petrol and diesel duty due next month (there will be increases of 1p a litre next month, with the same again in October and next January) conceals the fact that he has already imposed a hidden increase this year in taxes on petrol, drink and tobacco, according to Seb Tubb, tax partner at Mazars in Milton Keynes.
Budget 2010, Milton Keynes

Albert E Sharp as part of its re-launch has announced that it is teaming up with Carey Pensions UK an independent specialist SIPP provider to provide its discretionary fund manager services in a pension wrapper. Albert E Sharp as part of this new initiative will be paying the SIPP establishment and annual management fees to Carey Pensions UK on behalf of the member from its own fee based charges.
Carey Pensions, Milton Keynes

Anglo Continental Cars, Milton Keynes, has been voted the best garage in the Midlands by British motorists in a nationwide Golden Garages competition, run by Motor Codes. As the competition reaches its climax, Motor Codes, which operates the UK's largest consumer code for motorists, has announced the UK's top ten garages based on voting by the British motoring public. Anglo Continental Cars won out against four other local garages named in the top 50 shortlist announced on 8 March...
Anglo Continental Cars, Milton Keynes

Following the announced changes to company car tax, Seb Tubb, tax partner at Mazars in Milton Keynes, explains why it may be worthwhile for employees to reimburse their company for the cost of private fuel. Tax for company cars that come with fuel for private mileage is calculated on a percentage of £16,900, which is based on CO2 emissions. From April 2010 this sum increases to £18,000.
Mazars, Milton Keynes

The present economic downturn can be a catalyst for growth and better business support, according to the Chief Executive of the Forum of Private Business, Phil Orford, who was speaking at the Forum's business support event in Manchester yesterday. Mr Orford compared the climate faced by the UK's small businesses to the industrial turmoil of the late1970s and early 1980s, an era that saw great economic and social decline but also the birth of modern business support organisations, including the Forum.
FPB, Milton Keynes

The leading national charity for people with spinal cord injuries, Milton Keynes based, the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), received a welcome boost when transport giant, FirstGroup, donated more than £2,000. The UK's largest bus and rail operator has provided funding to help support a new publication, ‘Wheelie Power'. The book aims to provide children aged under 14 with spinal cord injuries, and their parents, with accurate and relevant information to help them understand...
FirstGroup, Milton Keynes

P&MM the marketing services agency based in Linford Wood MK, will create a launch event for the pan-European unveiling of Toyota's new Auris Hybrid model, due to go on sale in later this year. The eagerly awaited event, which will take place in Spain, is highly important as this is a strategic model in the Toyota range. Chris Clarke, P&MM's Director of Events, said: “I am delighted that P&MM has been entrusted to help Toyota launch such an important model.
P&MM, Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes based creative design agency has been appointed by Park Resorts to provide creative solutions for the park operators national recruitment campaign. The partnership will see Blue Cube create a variety of regional and national recruitment adverts to support the leading park operator as its ramps up its
recruitment drive ahead of the summer season.
Bluecube, Milton Keynes

In certain circumstances, capital losses realised on shares in unquoted trading companies can be offset against income, resulting in a reduction in the amount of tax payable. Seb Tubb, tax partner at Mazars in Milton Keynes, explains how this can be advantageous. The income tax relief must be claimed within one year and ten months of the end of the tax year in which the loss was incurred.
Mazars, Milton Keynes

Daytona Milton Keynes is launching a brand new premium arrive&drive race series for 8-12 year old drivers, who wish to consider becoming professional drivers just like Jensen Button or Lewis Hamilton. The Vodafone DMax-Cadet 2010 championship will comprise five rounds at Daytona Milton Keynes – racing in Daytona's Vodafone DMax –Cadet karts.
Daytona, Milton Keynes

Motivcom, the Milton Keynes-based group dedicated to improving the performance of employees of companies through incentive and motivation programmes in the UK and Europe has officially been rated as the sector's largest agency according to major industry poll. The incentive and event industry publication, Conference & Incentive Travel, rated Motivcom, which comprises companies P&MM, AYMTM and Zibrant as the largest organisation in the industry.
Motivcom, Milton Keynes

On 24 February, Martin Pickard enthralled an audience of 70 local business people at the Bedford Breakfast Club with his presentation entitled ‘Musings from an Insolvency Practitioner'. As a seasoned professional who has spent the past 13 years as a local Mazars partner in Milton Keynes, he was able to put the frightening figures of the subsiding recession into context.
Mazars, Milton Keynes

UK footfall figures from Synovate Retail Performance reveal another fall last month – the fourth consecutive month where there has been a year-on-year decline. The Retail Traffic Index (RTI), the national measure of the shopper numbers entering non-food outlets, dropped 1.3% in February against the same month in 2009; also falling month-on-month by 3.1% against January's figures.
RTI, Milton Keynes

Growth through and beyond the recession will be the theme of a free event organised by the Forum of Private Business taking place on 17 March 2010. The Business Support Event, at which the Forum of Private Business' new tailored business support solutions will be revealed, will feature as guest speaker the star of Channel 4's Secret Millionaire Kavita Oberoi, one of the UK's most successful female entrepreneurs.
FPB, Milton Keynes

Following the resignation of the chief executive, Stuart Randall, insurance brokerages Brokerbility and Brett & Randall of Leicester and Nottingham were acquired in a management buyout (MBO). Mazars of Milton Keynes and Bedford took the reins in corporate finance due diligence, and Brethertons LLP of Banbury provided legal assistance. “Employees of companies that are partially or fully up for sale often favour MBOs rather than outright purchases...
Mazars, Milton Keynes

With figures suggesting big companies are able to secure far better energy prices than small businesses the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is urging firms to shop around for better deals. The latest industry data available from the Government shows that average electricity prices for small and medium sized firms increased by 15-17% between the third quarter of 2008 and the same period of 2009.
FPB, Milton Keynes

On Thursday 11 February, over 150 business representatives from across the region enjoyed an evening of seasonal foods and assorted entertainment acts hosted by Wyatt James, a new event catering company launched in Milton Keynes. Founded by David Bowen, formerly of Clarendons and Jo Hunter-Wyatt, the company provides a full spectrum of bespoke catering services for corporate hospitality events, summer balls, private parties and weddings.
Wyatt James, Milton Keynes

New IoD data shows that nearly 60% of businesses seeking bank finance in 2009/10 were rejected by their bank and that 20% are financing their businesses to some extent with credit cards. This evidence, which will be submitted to the Government, challenges a central claim made by some UK banks last week in the wake of the critical Public Accounts Committee report that where demand exists for bank finance the majority of that demand is being met.
IOD, Milton Keynes

Mirus IT Solutions (www.mirus-it.com) – an award winning IT solutions provider based in Milton Keynes and Northampton has been acclaimed as one of the worlds ‘most progressive' Managed Service Providers following their inclusion in the 2009 – 2010 MSPmentor 100 survey (www.mspmentor.net/top-100-msps/) carried out by Nine Lives Media.
Mirus IT, Milton Keynes

On 12 February, ICRI Global Research launched the UK's only research institute of its kind in Linford Wood, Milton Keynes. The company came to the UK offering international clinical research masters degrees, with training facilities in Singapore and South Carolina, to students from around the world. Their UK training centre and global head office was transformed from a shell to a world-class educational centre in just four weeks by local commercial designers Shepherd Interiors. Research Institute, Milton Keynes

2010 has started with accelerated expansion for international accountancy firm Mazars, who have promoted two of their partners on the back of their continuing international growth. Stephen Eames has been promoted to Regional Managing Partner and Phil Verity, who previously held this role, has been promoted to the Mazars International Board. Mazars, Milton Keynes

On Friday 19th February spinal injury charity, Aspire, in partnership with the Guinness Trust Housing Association and Guinness Midsummer, will open a new purpose-built house in Bradville, Milton Keynes. It will offer more people with a spinal injury the chance to enjoy fully accessible accommodation while adaptations are being carried out to their own homes. This new home will be Aspire's 19th house in the UK, and will be formally launched at 13:00 by local MP and Shadow Minister for International Development, Mark Lancaster.
Aspire, Milton Keynes

As our choosen charity for 2010, the Mirus team descended upon Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes for a day of painting and decorating. The Hospice had identified their Day Centre as requiring a new coat of paint with lively and vibrant colours to give the environment a warmer less clinical feel. As part of our task we redecorated a number of rooms...
Mirus IT, Milton Keynes

At the end of January, a group of students from Walton High had a true taste of what the business environment is really like when, as part of the Young Chamber initiative, they were set a business challenge by one of the region's leading companies. Trafficmaster plc opened the doors to its Group Headquarters based in Cranfield and gave the ten students a glimpse into some of the facilities the company offers to their own customers. Chamber of Commerce, Milton Keynes

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is responding to comments made by Iceland boss Malcolm Walker dismissing a new supermarket code of conduct and ombudsman as a “waste of time”. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Mr Walker insisted the company would “do the bare minimum” to comply with the revamped code. The code has been introduced today to protect small suppliers from the bullying tactics often employed by supermarkets.
FPB, Milton Keynes

Doctors, dentists and other medical professionals should not delay in coming forward to declare tax liabilities under the Government's newly launched amnesty aimed at the healthcare sector and take advantage of its favourable terms, advises Seb Tubb, tax partner at Mazars in Milton Keynes. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have launched an amnesty for medical professionals to disclose understated income or gains called the Tax Health Plan (THP).
HMRC, Milton Keynes

Latest UK footfall figures from Synovate Retail Performance reveal that January 2010 has been the worst start to a new year for retailers in half a decade. According to Synovate's Retail Traffic Index the number of shoppers in non-food stores over January was markedly down, by 5.0% on the same month in 2009, itself badly affected by the recession. Not since January 2005 when it was down by 5.2%, has the year-on-year decline been so great.
Retail performance, Milton Keynes

Seb Tubb, tax partner at Mazars in Milton Keynes, warns that on 6 April this year the government will start charging those earning more than £150,000 per annum at 50%. He urges those within and approaching this threshold to plan carefully and he sheds light on what they could do to help prevent this personal financial haemorrhage.
Mazars, Milton Keynes

Shepherd Interiors, of Milton Keynes, are urging businesses to ditch the 80's decor and improve the region's corporate image. Following severe rounds of redundancies businesses are expanding and many are competing with rivals in London, so presentation and first impressions are of increasing importance. Directors are rethinking their business models as flexibility is vital to emerge from the recession with strength.
Shepherd Interiors, Milton Keynes

Many could be forgiven for thinking that the worst effects of the recession are over, following better news for the industry lately. The KPMG/Synovate Retail Think Tank's (RTT) latest Retail Health Index, which recorded an improvement in retail health over the last quarter of 2009 and predicted it to continue into quarter one of 2010, strong figures from the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for December 2009 and positive trading updates from a number of retailers suggest a better year ahead and a recovery sooner than many anticipated.
Retail Think Tank, Milton Keynes

Argos, the UK's leading general merchandise retailer, launched its 73rd catalogue on Saturday 23 January 2010, unveiling a new look for the new decade. For the first time in 10 years, and only the second time since relocating to their current MK headquarters in 1978, Argos is presenting its customers with a fresh face as it approaches the new decade with confidence.
Argos, Milton Keynes

Following its January sitting, the KPMG/Synovate Retail Think Tank (RTT) revealed the following: The state of retail health in quarter 4 improved for the first time since quarter 1 2007, after nine consecutive quarters of decline, with all drivers of health having a positive impact for the first time since the RTT was formed...
Retail Think Tank, Milton Keynes

Small business owners, many of whom are paying hundreds of pounds so they can legally play music at work, are now able to complain to an ombudsman if they believe they have been treated unfairly by the Performing Rights Society (PRS). Under the law, business owners have to pay if their staff or customers are able to listen to music played in a range of formats – including hold music recorded on telephones – even if this is not for commercial reasons.
FPB, Milton Keynes

Workhubs.com is calling on home-working freelancers and businesses in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands ‘target growth' area to say what sort of help they'd like for their business. The team has designed an online survey to test interest among home-based businesses in occasional use of ‘workhubs' - spaces where they can collaborate with other small businesses and self-employed freelancers, and use shared working facilities and equipment.
Workhubs.com, Milton Keynes

Many businesses have started to expand again. Most are fitting more people and equipment into the same amount of floor space. Shepherd Interiors of Milton Keynes successfully helps businesses expand without the need to move premises by re-engineering space. Sharing pearls of wisdom in an area that is confusing to most, they explain why and when you need to consider Building Control compliance.
Expanding businesses, Milton Keynes

Recession-hit small businesses are actively managing their cash flow yet struggling to access finance because they are not presenting their management accounts in the correct format to the finance and credit industry. The news follows the latest research from the Forum of Private Business (FPB), commissioned by CreditPal, the free accounts analysis system for SMEs*.
FPB, Milton Keynes

The 2009 recession brought entrepreneurs and bold commercial nous to the forefront. True movers and shakers, such as Alexander Rosse, Cloudreach and Google, are changing the way indispensible business services are delivered. These innovators refuse to be compromised by traditional models and are flocking together in their search for equally creative partnerships.
Business models, Milton Keynes

Small suppliers are finally being given protection from supermarkets in the form of an ombudsman, but the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is calling for further measures to help both suppliers and shops. The FPB is welcoming today's news that the Government has accepted a recommendation for a body to enforce the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP). It was made by the Competition Commission in 2008 after a two-year inquiry into alleged abuses in the groceries market.
FPB, Milton Keynes

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is cautiously welcoming the Government's concessions to small businesses over pension reform. Today (Tuesday, 12 January 2010), the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Yvette Cooper announced what she called “the most radical change to workplace entitlements since the introduction of the national minimum wage”.
FPB, Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes-based i2 Office, the UK's most technology-savvy serviced office operator, has appointed Colin Peacock as its new chairman. Peacock, who founded serviced office operator Stonemartin Corporate Centres in 1999 and then left the company in advance of its sale to Regus in 2008, will now take on the newly created role with effect from January 11, 2010. He joins CEO and i2 Office founder Philip Grace on the company's board of directors.
i2, Milton Keynes

As common family characteristics and employment opportunities have changed over the past 50 years, family business dynamics have changed. Youngsters tend to pursue careers elsewhere rather than working within the family business. This trend leaves time bombs within such enterprises, and the resultant behaviour takes corporate finance into new territory. Stephen Harris, corporate finance director at Mazars in Milton Keynes, regularly works with family businesses, which often means he manages emotionally charged situations. Mazars, Milton Keynes

Property buyers in East Anglia and southern England can now get a fabulous new home with greater peace of mind thanks to Country & Metropolitan Homes. Under a new deal for 2010, Country & Metropolitan Homes will guarantee to buy your existing property at the market rate but leave you free to sell it to a higher bidder when it's time to move house. The ‘Safety Net Part Exchange' means buyers across East Anglia, the South East, Home Counties, London, Essex, Hertfordshire...
C&M Homes, Milton Keynes

Thanks to intensive preparations, Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is coping well with the extreme weather conditions. Most Trust staff have battled through the heavy snow and icy roads, determined to support their patients and colleagues. Jayne Skippen, Emergency Planning Coordinator, said: "It is business as usual at Milton Keynes Hospital. Whilst the weather is bad, our dedicated teams continue to care for patients and deliver high quality care.”
Milton Keynes Hospital

Final figures from Synovate Retail Performance reveal that the number of shoppers in non-food stores over December (which included the final Saturday; 2nd January 2010) was significantly down on December 2008. Synovate's Retail Traffic Index registered a 5.5% year-on-year decrease in December in the UK, far below the 1.8% increase it had predicted for the month. Likewise the month-on-month rise of 27.0% against November was well below the 32.4% forecast.
Retail performance, Milton Keynes

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) is warning that the cost of a single day of employee absenteeism because of the freezing winter conditions could be at least £230 million. The Met Office has warned that minimum temperatures have dropped to their lowest for 15 years, with snow expected to be between 15 and 25cm deep in places. The calculation was made using information including the daily GDP figure, anticipated vehicle breakdown levels from the AA, average salaries and official data reflecting an expected fall in retail sales. Employee absenteeism, Milton Keynes

Champagne corks are popping as developer Places for People has won two major awards for its unique development, Wolverton Park. Following hot on the heels of being officially voted the best mixed use development in the country winning Gold at the What House? Awards, Wolverton Park has just won Modern Railway Restoration Award at the National Railway Heritage Awards for 2009 for its superb restoration of the Grade II listed Royal Train Shed.
Wolverton Park, Milton Keynes

New figures suggest that more candidates with business and finance management experience are putting themselves forward as prospective MPs because they are disillusioned with existing enterprise policies. Following research from the Industry and Parliament Trust (IPT) showing that the number of potential MPs with 15 or more years of business experience has doubled since 2008, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) is giving prospective parliamentarians a platform to outline their plans for small businesses. FPB, Milton Keynes

Latest footfall figures released by Synovate Retail Performance show that the bank holiday, Monday 28th December, was the busiest shopping day of 2009. Synovate's Retail Traffic Index indicates that the number of people out shopping at non-food retail outlets on Monday was 1.2% higher than the previous busiest day of the year (Saturday 19th December, the final Saturday before Christmas Day) and fully 27.5% busier than Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009.
Footfall figures, Milton Keynes

Me Learning Develops Flexible, Cost-effective and Bespoke Online Solution to Improve Childcare across the Council. Me Learning, a specialist provider of online training for the social care sector, today announced it has signed a five year contract with Milton Keynes Council to provide a suite of e-learning courses to assist with the training and ongoing support of the Council's ICS users.
Milton Keynes Council

Commenting on the implications of today's Pre-Budget report for UK resident individuals Seb Tubb, tax partner at Mazars in Milton Keynes says: “The Chancellor once again gave a very strong message that the current New Disclosure Opportunity is the final chance for UK residents to disclose the existence of offshore bank accounts and assets and pay the tax due. Failing to do so will incur much greater penalties.
Mazars, Milton Keynes

This the second of the weekly ‘countdown to Christmas' releases from Synovate Retail Performance has shown that shoppers were simply not going to be stampeded into shopping by tales of stock shortages this Christmas, at least in the early part of the week. While the Retail Traffic Index (RTI) for the week just ended (Sunday 6th – Saturday 12th December 2009)... RTI, Milton Keynes