£95m boost for small businesses

Small and medium sized businesses in England could benefit from £95 million in government investment.

The government funding, announced on 10 November will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) considering investing in new capital assets. The government expects the funding to unlock around £500 million of new investment and create at least 4,000 jobs.

The money forms part of the government’s £1.4 billion Regional Growth Fund, which supports projects that can create jobs, are based in areas dependent on the public sector and are supported by private sector investment.

The new scheme will provide grants designed to support SMEs considering investment in new capital assets and creating new employment but which have been unable to secure commercial funding for their projects.

These schemes will directly help SMEs that want to invest and create new jobs. They will deliver a shot in the arm to local communities and help small businesses drive local growth.

RBS, NatWest and HSBC have agreed to facilitate the distribution of the £95 million. To qualify for the scheme run by NatWest and RBS, SMEs need a turnover of less than £25 million. To qualify for the HSBC scheme the SME will need a turnover of less than 50 million euros.

SMEs can qualify for a grant if they are going to invest in new capital assets, such as plant and machinery, and create new jobs but cannot get normal bank finance. Grants of up to £500,000 will be awarded alongside the award of a new bank loan on commercial terms.

For further information about business grants please contact Steve Bell, Head of Corporate Finance on T: 0114 251 8850 or email: steve.bell@hartshaw.co.uk.

Hart Shaw Corporate Finance

Connect with Steve on Linked In

Energise Your Cash Flows Seminar – 17th November 2010

A joint seminar with business experts Hart Shaw and the FD Centre, with a guest speaker from HSBC Commercial.

On Wednesday 17^th November, Hart Shaw & the FD Centre are joining forces to deliver a timely, hour long seminar on the effects cash flow management has on business.

This seminar is designed for business owners, managing directors and senior business managers.

Positive cash flows are the lifeblood of any organisation. In an economy marked by recession, spending cuts and a scarcity of funding, cash flow management is the single most essential tool of any business – large, medium or small. This seminar will provide owners and managers with a greater understanding of the crucial role that cash flow and working capital management plays in the successful operation of any organisation be it private, public, profit or not-for-profit. Real life tools and strategies will also be presented to both illustrate and signpost business changing actions.

The seminar will cover:

• Typical cash flow issues
• The techniques of effective cash flow management
• The preparation and use of cash flow forecasts
• Understanding the thoughts and needs of funding providers

This seminar is a joint presentation between Hart Shaw, Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers and The FD Centre, providers of part time finance directors along with a guest speaker slot from HSBC Commercial and is part of a series of seminars aimed at SME’s who are looking to develop in their current markets or expand into new ones.

Join Chris Sellars, Corporate Finance Partner at Hart Shaw, Andy Collier, from the FD Centre and Jon Gilgrass, International Commercial Associate at HSBC Bank over breakfast at Hart Shaw’s offices for a seminar that offers a crucial insight in to how effective cash flow management can help your business.

The details are:

• Date: Wednesday 17^th November 2010
• Time: 8:00am for tea, coffee and breakfast sandwiches, 8:30am start and 9:30am finish with optional networking afterwards
• Venue: Hart Shaw Building, Europa Link, Sheffield Business Park, Sheffield, S9 1XU

The seminar is FREE to attend and you are very welcome to bring a guest or a colleague.

To confirm your attendance please contact Brendan Hall at Hart Shaw on T: 0114 251 8872 or email: brendan.hall@hartshaw.co.uk. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

We look forward to seeing you there.

For further information please visit our website: http://www.hartshaw.co.uk/events.htm