Business confidence in East of England sees record rise

Business confidence in the East of England is now at its highest level since Q2 2005 with a Confidence Index score of 7.6 for Q3 2009 up by a record 39.5 points since the last survey, according to the latest Institute of Chartered Accountants UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM).

The figures show a rising Confidence Index for the third successive quarter.


[Pictured during a visit to Marshall of Cambridge, left to right: Tim Howes, President of the East Anglian Society of Chartered Accountants and Centre Manager for Kaplan East Anglia; Michael Izza, Chief Executive, Institute of Chartered Accountants; Bill Dastur, Marshall of Cambridge; Pippa Bourne, Regional Director, Institute of Chartered Accountants.]

Firms surveyed for the BCM in the East of England expected turnover to increase by 3.1% over the next 12 months, having shrunk by 1.9% over the previous 12 months.

This is the highest expected rate of growth in turnover since Q3 2008 and highlights a significant improvement in outlook compared with recent BCM surveys. In Q2 2009 the region’s business professionals expected turnover to contract by 1.2% over the year ahead. This change in expectations is strong evidence of a turnaround in business outlook in the East of England.

East of England firms also have a more positive outlook for both profits and sales than at any point since this time last year. Profits are forecast to grow by 2.8% over the next 12 months following a fall of 1.9% over the last 12 months, while sales growth is expected at 2.8% following a decline of 1.5% over the 12 months to date.

Despite expected wage growth of 1.1% over the next 12 months, the fastest pace in England and Wales, firms in the East of England expect no increase in prices over the coming year, even though wages typically make up around 60% of total business costs. This is the first time in the history of BCM that firms in the region have forecast zero annual growth in prices, and it follows the sharpest annual decline in prices (‑0.6%) ever recorded in the region.

The increase in confidence is reflected in East of England firms’ expectations for stronger than average growth in sales over the coming 12 months, with 2.8% forecast compared with 2.3% for the UK as a whole. The region’s relatively strong exports growth over the last 12 months (2.6%) is also expected to be maintained over the coming 12 months.

Said Pippa Bourne, Regional Director of the ICAEW in the East of England: “This quarter’s BCM suggests that the recession in the East of England is nearing the end. While there is no doubt that the region’s economy is on its way to recovery, we shouldn’t underestimate the challenges ahead for businesses. Businesses have taken the right actions to mitigate the impact of the downturn and are playing their part in an improving economy. Policies such as quantitative easing, the fall in interest rates and the VAT reduction have all helped improve business confidence. However, the recovery is very fragile and although positive growth in the autumn seems more likely, there are still concerns about the strength of the recovery.”

The BCM is one of the largest and most comprehensive quarterly trackers of business confidence in the UK, based on the informed opinions of typically 1,000 senior business professionals working at the heart of business. It has proved to be an accurate forward indicator of GDP growth.

To access the survey in full go to www.icaew.com/bcm and for information on surviving the downturn www.icaew.com/creditcrunch.

* * *

To locate other Cambridgeshire business news stories of interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click the “SEARCH BLOG” button.

* * *

Lambert Smith Hampton cycle raises £3000 for CLIC Sargent

Lambert Smith Hampton’s Cambridge cycle team has raised over £3,000 so far for the local children’s cancer care charity, CLIC Sargent.

The seven member cycle team peddled the London to Cambridge 60-mile course enduring one puncture and a lot of uphill effort to reach the finish line at Cambridge’s Midsummer Common. The team were then greeted with a champagne reward and, for some, a short bike ride home!


[CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The team (pictured from left to right - Stephen Gaastra, Nick Brammar, Andrew Gordon, Leonie Dickman, Andrew McGahey, Caroline Searle and Matthew Grange) are all now recovered from the exertions of the day and are thrilled to see that the promise of sponsorship is still trickling through.

LSH plan to present a cheque for the total amount raised in the coming weeks to the CLIC Sargent staff at the C2 Ward of the local Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where the charity are well known for their essential efforts in the care of the children and their families that are admitted to the ward.

If you would like to know more about the bike ride or if you would like to add to the donation total then please either visit the donation webpage (www.justgiving.com/lshcambridge) or contact Caroline Searle on 01223 276336 (csearle@lsh.co.uk).

Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH)

LSH is a leading commercial property consultancy with an unrivalled national network focused on the UK and Ireland property markets. Its expert teams deliver a full spectrum of transactional and consultancy services and business-driven solutions for clients. LSH is the ‘UK’s most active national agent’ and ‘Top National Office and Industrial Agent’ (Estates Gazette’s ‘EGi Deals Competition’).

6 Wellbrook Court
Girton Road
Cambridge
CB3 0NA
UK

Tel: + 44 (0) 122 327 6336
Fax: + 44 (0) 122 327 6226

www.lsh.co.uk

Lambert Smith Hampton’s (LSH) Cambridge office is a commercial property consultancy providing property services and advice in Cambridge, the surrounding area and nationally. With LSH clients have the added advantage of each office being backed by the strength of a national office network. For clients, this means 10 key divisions and over 850 professional staff working together to address the commercial property difficulties you may face, anywhere in the UK.

Lambert Smith Hampton is a member of the Elite Cambridge Business Circle.

LINKS:

PR-GB OpenPress Free-Press-Release UKPRWire PRLog

* * *

To locate other Cambridgeshire business news stories of interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click the “SEARCH BLOG” button.

* * *

Business confidence returns in Eastern England

Business confidence and expectations are better than they have ever been at any time since the recession began, according to the latest report from the region’s economic intelligence centre Insight East.

The new evidence comes from Insight East’s second Quarterly Economic Brief, covering Q2 - April to June 2009. A summary of the report is available on the Insight East website www.insighteast.org.uk. Insight East was launched by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) in March this year as an independent economic research and analysis unit for the region’s leaders.


Glenn Athey (pictured above), director of Insight East said: “Business confidence is improving and is at its highest since the recession began. There is no doubt that the regional economy remains in a ‘fragile state’ with slowing industrial output and the number of people out of work at a 12-year high.

“However, there is some evidence that the rate of job losses is slowing and that house prices are recovering faster in the East of England than in other regions across England.

“Our findings support those of other economists in the region and will add to the growing feeling of optimism that the worst may well be behind us.”

If policymakers are to deliver effective, evidence-based policy to improve the economy of the region, they need the evidence to back it up in an accurate, timely and accessible format and this is the role of Insight East. This analysis and other reports from Insight East will help decision makers better understand the economy.

EEDA has £30 million of business support available every year to help businesses survive and grow – go to www.bizmapeast.co.uk to navigate the network of business support.

About the East of England Development Agency

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force behind sustainable economic regeneration in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. EEDA’s vision is for the East of England to be an ideas driven region that is internationally competitive, harnesses the talent of all and is at the forefront of the low carbon economy. For further information visit www.eeda.org.uk

About Insight East

Insight East – the new economic intelligence centre for the East of England – was officially declared open in March 2009. Funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Insight East has been developed to help decision makers better understand the economy.

The Insight East team will analyse economic data to provide clear and succinct reports on the key trends and issues facing the East of England. The service will provide answers to questions such as how the economy is performing, how it’s changing and where growth may come from and when.

EEDA’s impact

An independent report from PA Consulting and SQW published on 31 March 2009 showed that EEDA has had a positive impact on the region’s economy. The report drew on evaluations of over 60 per cent of EEDA investment between 2002-07. It found that for an investment of £142 million, between £525 million and £820 million of wealth has already been created for the region. This represents a return on investment of £3.70 to £5.80 for every £1 invested - with a mid point of £4.75.

With future benefits of projects and programmes taken into account, EEDA’s contribution to the regional economy would be worth between £874 million and £1.3 billion. This would represent a return on investment of between £6.10 and £9.10 for every £1 invested – with a mid point of £7.60.

* * *

To locate other Cambridgeshire business news stories of interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click the “SEARCH BLOG” button.

* * *

Lambert Smith Hampton market industrial units in Cambridge

VALAD Property group has instructed the Cambridge office of Lambert Smith Hampton on the dispose of the vacant industrial units located at Roman Way Business Centre in Godmanchester (pictured below).


[CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The estate comprises 33 small light industrial/warehouse units ranging from 1,100 sq ft to 3,535 sq ft. The units benefit form roller shutter access, office space, WC facilities and good on-site car parking. The estate is secured with palisade fencing around the perimeter and the entrance gates are locked at night.

Commenting Nick Thompson, Head of Industrial for LSH Cambridge, said, “The estate provides small, good quality business units which are very cost effective, making them ideal for small and start up businesses as well as occupiers who may simply require some extra commercial space. The estate also provides the opportunity to nurture businesses as they grow with the potential for companies to expand as they require”

The units are available to let on a new full repairing and insuring leases for terms to be agreed. Flexibility can also be provided in the lease terms.

Interested parties should contact Lambert Smith Hampton on 01223 276336.

And the Cambridge office of Lambert Smith Hampton is instructed by LaSalle Investment Management to dispose of their vacant industrial units in Bar Hill, Cambridge (pictured below).


The current availability includes Unit 3 Viking Way and Units 18 & 19 Trafalgar Way which provide between 5,395 sq ft and 12,744 sq ft of light industrial/warehouse space. The units have recently undergone extensive refurbishment and provide good clean accommodation including office space and WC facilities. The units benefit from a minimum eaves height of 5.35 m.

The properties are available at a reduced quoting rent on new full repairing and insuring leases for terms to be agreed. For further details or to obtain a proposal for your specific requirements please contact Lambert Smith Hampton on 01223 276336.

Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH)

LSH is a leading commercial property consultancy with an unrivalled national network focused on the UK and Ireland property markets. Its expert teams deliver a full spectrum of transactional and consultancy services and business-driven solutions for clients. LSH is the ‘UK’s most active national agent’ and ‘Top National Office and Industrial Agent’ (Estates Gazette’s ‘EGi Deals Competition’).

6 Wellbrook Court
Girton Road
Cambridge
CB3 0NA
UK

Tel: + 44 (0) 122 327 6336
Fax: + 44 (0) 122 327 6226

www.lsh.co.uk

Lambert Smith Hampton’s (LSH) Cambridge office is a commercial property consultancy providing property services and advice in Cambridge, the surrounding area and nationally. With LSH clients have the added advantage of each office being backed by the strength of a national office network. For clients, this means 10 key divisions and over 850 professional staff working together to address the commercial property difficulties you may face, anywhere in the UK.

Lambert Smith Hampton is a member of the Elite Cambridge Business Circle.

LINKS:

ClickPress SeeNation PR-GB OpenPress UKPRWire free-press-release PRLog

* * *

To locate other Cambridgeshire business news stories of interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click the “SEARCH BLOG” button.

* * *

Q2 Cube - internet radio with a twist

The Q2 Cube, a novel internet radio developed by Cambridge Consultants and Armour Group PLC, is being demonstrated for the first time at IFA Berlin, 4-9 September 2009 in advance of its pre-Christmas launch.


The product’s user-friendly and intuitive design makes internet radio fun, taking it from the desktop to the bedside table and turning it into a desirable consumer object. The user selects one of their four pre-selected stations by turning the Q2 Cube onto one of its four ‘live’ faces. A fifth face is dedicated to the speaker - tilt it forward to turn the volume up, tilt it backwards to turn it down.

The Q2 Cube from Armour will launch in Autumn 2009 and will be available in selected stores in time for Christmas. It is based on a concept first shown by Cambridge Consultants at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Kevin Taylor, E-Commerce & Marketing Director at Armour, commented: “When we first came across Cambridge Consultants’ concept for a cube-radio, it was the revolutionary user interface that caught our attention. At last, here was a way to make internet radio fun, and to turn into a truly novel consumer product with mass appeal. Having agreed to commercialise the technology, it was Cambridge Consultants’ expertise in developing low cost wireless platforms that helped us get the product to market so quickly. We’re now in the position of being ready to launch the Q2 Cube, a really innovative product which we believe will change the way people interact with and listen to the radio forever.”

Duncan Smith, Head of Consumer at Cambridge Consultants, added: “We’d had a hugely positive reaction when we first demonstrated the concept, but it was Armour that saw its true commercial potential. We worked closely with their technical product development teams and their manufacturer, adding our own electronics and software expertise to Armour’s strengths in consumer product development and home entertainment. Working together in this way, we’ve kept the development cost low and helped Armour bring the Q2 Cube to market in just nine months.”

Cambridge Consultants is demonstrating the Q2 Cube at IFA 2009 (Hall 10.2 Stand 119), giving visitors a sneak preview of Armour’s revolutionary internet radio. The company’s display will also include examples of its other consumer product development work, including CatchNet, a unique platform for delivering web-services to consumers via a range of single-function devices.

Cambridge Consultants develops breakthrough products, creates and licenses intellectual property, and provides business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide. For nearly 50 years, the company has enabled its clients to turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies.

With a team of over 300 engineers, designers, scientists and consultants, in offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA), Cambridge Consultants offers solutions across a diverse range of industries including medical technology, industrial and consumer products, transport, energy, cleantech and wireless communications. In 2009, the company was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. For more information visit: www.CambridgeConsultants.com

* * *

To locate other Cambridgeshire business news stories of interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click the “SEARCH BLOG” button.

* * *

Lambert Smith Hampton market
office suites in Cambridge city centre

Commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) is marketing various office suites, on behalf of LaSalle Investment Management, at Millers Yard in Cambridge (pictured below). Units 9-10 and Units 11-12 are located on the first floor of this courtyard development. They are centrally located on Mill Lane, within a short walk of the River Cam.


“The units range in size from 1,019 to 1,689 sq ft. Each suite offers open plan accommodation with one meeting room, and benefit from suspended ceilings, Cat ll lighting, Kitchen and WC facilities. The offices are ideal for any occupier looking for a central location in a pleasant environment,” explains Leonie Dickman of LSH.

The suites are available to let on a new full repairing and insuring lease direct from the landlord, at a rent of £15.50 per sq ft. Incentives are available to reflect covenant strength and lease length. For further details or to book a viewing please contact Leonie Dickman at Lambert Smith Hampton on 01223 276336 or e-mail ldickman@lsh.co.uk.

Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH)

LSH is a leading commercial property consultancy with an unrivalled national network focused on the UK and Ireland property markets. Its expert teams deliver a full spectrum of transactional and consultancy services and business-driven solutions for clients. LSH is the ‘UK’s most active national agent’ and ‘Top National Office and Industrial Agent’ (Estates Gazette’s ‘EGi Deals Competition’).

6 Wellbrook Court
Girton Road
Cambridge
CB3 0NA
UK

Tel: + 44 (0) 122 327 6336
Fax: + 44 (0) 122 327 6226

www.lsh.co.uk

Lambert Smith Hampton’s (LSH) Cambridge office is a commercial property consultancy providing property services and advice in Cambridge, the surrounding area and nationally. With LSH clients have the added advantage of each office being backed by the strength of a national office network. For you this means 10 key divisions and over 850 professional staff working together to address the commercial property difficulties you may face, anywhere in the UK.

Lambert Smith Hampton is a member of the Elite Cambridge Business Circle. You can join the Elite Cambridge Business Circle on Linkedin. CLICK HERE

LINKS:

PR-GB SeeNation OpenPress I-Newswire 24/7 Free-Press-Release PRLog

* * *

To locate other Cambridgeshire business news stories of interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click the “SEARCH BLOG” button.

* * *

Cambridge University launches new Centre for Science and Policy

THE University of Cambridge has created the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP), dedicated to bringing together the best scientific thinking across all disciplines in order to inform public policy.


[Pictured: Dr David Cleevely FREng, who has been appointed the Founding Director of the CSaP.]

CSaP will build upon the strengths of the University to inform debate surrounding these issues by facilitating contact between policy makers and scientific experts. Cambridge has a constellation of recognised leaders in a range of disciplines which can be brought to bear on the widening range of policy issues where input from science and technology and the social sciences is imperative. It is also well placed to draw on expertise from around the world, and to engage in productive dialogue with governments, the private sector and international organisations.

The Centre will be a major resource for the UK, but international in its activities. In order to reach as many organisations as possible that inform policy, it will work with other academic institutions, think tanks, and the research elements embedded within Government, business and international organisations.

Dr David Cleevely FREng has been appointed the Founding Director of the CSaP. He brings expertise in engineering, economics, biotechnology businesses, networking organisations and government policy formation to this task. He will be a member of the Executive Committee of CSaP, whose other members include Sir Tom Blundell, Head of the School of Biological Sciences; Professor Arnoud De Meyer, Director of the Judge Business School; Lord Eatwell, Director of the Centre for Financial Analysis and Policy; Frank Kelly, Professor of the Mathematics of Systems; Professor Ian Leslie, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research; and Sir David Wallace, Director of the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

Dr Cleevely said: “In the coming decades, humanity faces unprecedented challenges and great opportunities. The world’s growing population, coupled with advancing technology, poses threats to the climate and biosphere that could be irreversibly damaging. Additionally, advances in bio- and nanotechnology offer immense prospects, but raise new ethical and security dilemmas. These new technologies and emerging issues will continue to transform and enrich our lives, but also pose a unique set of challenges for policy makers.

“I am very excited to be leading this initiative, which builds on real strengths at Cambridge. A key feature of the Centre will be a focus on communication, facilitating the most effective engagement between policy makers and leading scientists whose expertise spans the wide spectrum necessary for informed decisions.”

CSaP continues and extends the work undertaken by the Cambridge University Government Policy Programme (CUGPOP) which ran as a series of extremely successful seminars between 1998 and 2006 for senior policy makers.  

More details may be found on the CSaP website: http://csap.org.uk

The creation of the Centre has been made possible through the generosity of donors including the David Harding Foundation and the Isaac Newton Trust, and internal funding by the University of Cambridge itself.

* * *

To locate other Cambridgeshire business news stories of interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click the “SEARCH BLOG” button.

* * *