Member Article

Optimism returns to Yorkshire business community

Yorkshire’s business leaders feel confident about their future prospects and plan to grow their business next year, according to new research from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Almost 90% of businesses surveyed at the latest Lloyds Bank Gameplan event in Leeds said that have benefited from the economic recovery and three quarters plan to increase their head count next year.

Almost nine out of ten businesses surveyed (86%) said that confidence and growth prospects are stronger than at any point since the start of the financial crisis.

Furthermore, 87% of firms claim the economic recovery has delivered tangible growth opportunities for their firms.

Nearly three quarters of businesses (73%) plan to increase headcount in 2015, although more than 60 per cent say that a shortage of talent in the region could restrict their growth plans.

The event brought together the region’s policymakers, academics and business leaders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Yorkshire businesses.

It included a panel debate chaired by former BBC journalist Declan Curry and featuring Liz Slater, managing director of Bayford Group, Mark Philips, chief financial officer of Zenith Vehicle Contracts, Norman Souter, chief executive officer of William Jackson Food Group and Richard Butterfield, chief executive officer of Principle Group.

Steve Harris, area director for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking in North, East and West Yorkshire, said: “These encouraging results show that businesses in the area are beginning to put the confidence they’re feeling into action, and are predicting growth over the coming year.

“The Gameplan events give us a snapshot view of how businesses are feeling locally, and help us to understand what the future looks like from our customers’ perspective.

“This insight is invaluable for us, and it also allows business leaders in attendance to get an idea of where they sit in comparison with other firms across Yorkshire.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .