19 December 2011

Essex Ltd Will Be Back Next Year

The results of the first ever Essex Ltd survey into the performance of the county’s top 100 businesses have now been announced at two highly successful events held earlier this month and the good news is that Essex Ltd’s member companies are responding very well to challenging conditions (see report for the full story).

Further good news is that due to the success of the pilot survey, Essex Ltd will become an annual event in the county’s business calendar, conducted by financial and business advisers Grant Thornton and Essex law firm Birkett Long.

For a copy of the 2011 Essex Ltd report please click here and watch this space for more news on the 2012 event.
 

December 2011

Essex Ltd 2011

Essex businesses are responding positively to extremely challenging market conditions and economic uncertainty, according to a report published this week. Business leaders from across the county heard the results of the first ever annual survey into the performance of the county’s top 100 companies at a breakfast seminar organised by financial and business advisers Grant Thornton and Essex law firm Birkett Long.

The report, called Essex Ltd, provides an in-depth financial analysis of the county’s 100 largest companies by turnover and is set to become an annual event. Headline findings show that combined turnover, profits and employment figures for Essex Ltd’s constituent members all increased from the previous year.

The results are derived from the current and previous year’s public company accounts to allow a comparison between the two years. Therefore, the period covered relates mainly to post recession UK during a time of low growth and economic turmoil.

Annual turnover amongst the 100 companies grew by a robust 12 per cent to £7.43 billion; operating profit increased from £136 million to £263 million, and profit before tax (which also takes into account exceptional costs such as restructuring) turned in at £121 million, following a £60 million loss the previous year. Total employment amongst the 100 companies stood at 50,236 people, an increase of 2,396 over the year.

Presenting the findings, James Brown of Grant Thornton said: “Essex is an exciting, entrepreneurial and diverse county and home to many highly successful companies. In keeping with the county’s resourceful and determined reputation in business, Essex Ltd has achieved very impressive results during a period of extremely challenging market conditions and economic uncertainty.”

Tracey Dickens, Head of Commercial and Corporate Finance at Birkett Long, added: “Essex Ltd’s success mirrors the attitudes of most of the business leaders we are meeting which is, that while business remains tough, there seems little point in waiting for others to turn things around and they might as well get on with creating opportunities to grow. Essex Ltd’s results show that has been a good attitude to have and long may it continue.”

The study also examined a breakdown of the financial data by sector. Retail & Wholesale Distribution took the largest share of overall turnover at 30 per cent, followed by Property & Construction at 24 per cent and Transport at 17 per cent. Further details are provided in the full report which is available from both Grant Thornton and Birkett Long or by visiting www.essexltd.co.uk.

Essex Ltd is modelled on the highly successful Suffolk Ltd, also run by Grant Thornton, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. Following in Suffolk Ltd’s footsteps, Essex Ltd is expected to become a key event in the county’s business calendar.

Essex business leaders gathered for the first of two Essex Ltd events held at The Radisson Blu, Stansted on Friday 2 December where, along with the report findings, they also heard from guest speaker Stuart James, finance director of Wilkin & Sons Ltd, producers of the internationally renowned Tiptree brand of preserves.

The second Essex Ltd breakfast seminar was held on Tuesday 6 December at Stock Brook Country Club near Billericay. During the event Charles Hindson, group finance director of e2v, the Chelmsford-based global provider of specialist high performance technology solutions, shared his experiences and insights.

For a copy of the Essex Ltd report, please contact Deborah Baker of Grant Thornton on 01223 225612 or deborah.baker@uk.gt.com; Jennie Skingsley of Birkett Long on 01206 217605 or jennie.skingsley@birkettlong.co.uk.

15 November 2011

Essex in Shape For Continued Economic Challenges, Suggests Top 100 Businesses Survey

A preview of the results of the first ever survey and analysis into the performance of the county’s top 100 companies indicates that generally, most Essex firms are in good shape in the face of ongoing tough economic times.

The full findings of the survey called ‘Essex Ltd’, which has been carried out by leading business and financial advisers Grant Thornton working with Essex law firm Birkett Long, will be presented at two dedicated breakfast events to be held on Friday 2 December at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Stansted and Tuesday 6 December at Stock Brook Country Club near Billericay.

Leading Essex business figure Charles Hindson, group finance director at e2v Technologies plc, the Chelmsford-based global provider of specialist high performance technology solutions, will share his experiences and insights at the Billericay event; while Stuart James, finance director of Wilkin & Sons Ltd, producers of the internationally renowned Tiptree brand of preserves, will be  guest speaker at the Stansted event.
The Essex Ltd analysis shows the combined turnover for the 100 companies forming the report is approximately £8bn and they collectively employ over 65,000 people.

The survey has been launched following the success of a similar annual event hosted in Suffolk by Grant Thornton which, for the past 10 years, has provided an important barometer of the county’s overall business performance and changing marketplace.

James Brown, partner at Grant Thornton, said: “Essex is an exciting, entreprenuerial and diverse county, and home to many highly successful companies. However, the economic situation is extremely challenging and the report promises to shed light on how Essex is coping in these testing times. Full details will be revealed at the Essex Ltd events to be held next month.”

The Essex Ltd study is based on the latest company accounts available and will look at details such as company turnover, operating profit and employment figures, and also include a breakdown of the financial data by sector. The top 100 companies have been selected based on the postcode of their main trading address and turnover levels.

David Wisbey, Chairman of Birkett Long, added: “The aim of Essex Ltd is to provide an annual review which summarises how the largest Essex businesses and employers are fairing. We expect Essex Ltd will become a useful economic indicator for the county and the report will undoubtedly make interesting reading.”

To receive a copy of the Essex Ltd report or to register interest in attending the Essex Ltd events which both run from 7.30am to 10.30am, please contact James Brown, partner, Grant Thornton at james.r.brown@uk.gt.com or David Cant, partner, Birkett Long at david.cant@birkettlong.co.uk.
 

31 October 2011

Speakers Announced For Essex ‘Top 100’ Event

Two leading business figures from Essex have signed up to speak at events in December to launch the first ever ‘Essex Ltd’ report, an in depth survey into the performance of the county’s top 100 companies conducted by leading business and financial advisers Grant Thornton in partnership with Essex solicitors Birkett Long LLP.

Keith Attwood, chief executive of e2v, the Chelmsford-based global provider of specialist high performance technology solutions, will share his experiences and insights at the South  Essex event in Billericay, while Stuart James, finance director of Wilkin & Sons Ltd, producers of the internationally renowned Tiptree brand of preserves, will speak at the North Essex event in Stansted.
The Essex Ltd study will provide an important barometer of the county’s overall business performance and changing marketplace. Using the latest company accounts, the survey will look at information including company turnover, operating profit and employment figures, and include a breakdown of the financial data by sector. The top 100 companies will be selected based on the postcode of their trading address and turnover levels.

James Brown, partner at Grant Thornton, said: “The first ever Essex Ltd report will offer a valuable picture of the Essex business economy. Keith Attwood and Stuart James are both high profile figures within the county’s business community and we are delighted they have agreed to join us for the launch events.”

David Wisbey, Chairman of Birkett Long, added: “The aim of Essex Ltd is to create an annual report which summarises the changing face of the Essex business economy. We hope Essex Ltd will become a recognised economic indicator for the county and the report will undoubtedly make interesting reading.”

Both events are scheduled for early December and attendance will be by invite only. To sign up in advance for a copy of the Essex Ltd report, please visit www.essexltd.co.uk

Essex Ltd has been launched following the success of a similar annual survey conducted in Suffolk by Grant Thornton which, over the past ten years, has become a recognised event in the county’s business calendar.

13 June 2011

First Ever Survey Of Essex’s Top 100 Businesses Launched

The first ever indepth survey into the performance of the county’s top 100 companies,  has been launched by local business advisor and accountants Grant Thornton in partnership with Essex solicitors, Birkett Long.

Called Essex Ltd, the information will be compiled over the next few months using the latest company accounts available and the results announced at two dedicated events to be held in December in Stansted and Billericay. Guest speakers will be announced soon.

Essex Ltd has been launched following the success of a similar annual event hosted in Suffolk by Grant Thornton which, for the past 10 years, has provided an important barometer of the county’s overall business performance and changing marketplace.

James Brown, partner at Grant Thornton, said: “Essex is an exciting, entreprenuerial and diverse county, and home to many highly successful companies. The first ever ‘Essex Ltd’ survey will provide a detailed insight into the county’s top 100 businesses, offering a valuable picture of the Essex business economy.”

The Essex Ltd study will look at details such as company turnover, operating profit and employment figures, and also include a breakdown of the financial data by sector. The top 100 companies will be selected based on the postcode of their trading address and turnover levels.

David Cant, Director of Business Development at Birkett Long, added: “We are delighted to be working alongside Grant Thornton to produce Essex Ltd. As a firm we have a long established history in the county and have seen the business scene develop and thrive. The results of Essex Ltd should make very interesting reading.”

For further information on Essex Ltd, please visit www.essexltd.co.uk.

For further information please contact Rachel Cass or Charles Arbuthnot, Genesis PR.

Tel: 01473 326406/ 01473 326402

Email: rachel.cass@genesispr.co.uk or charles.arbuthnot@genesispr.co.uk.

Notes to editors:

1. Grant Thornton UK LLP is a leading business and financial adviser with 28 offices nationwide including offices in Cambridge, Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Chelmsford.
2. Grant Thornton UK LLP is a member firm within Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world's leading international organisations of independently owned and managed accounting and consulting firms. Clients of member and correspondent firms can access the knowledge and experience of 2600 partners in over 100 countries and consistently receive a distinctive, high quality and personalised service wherever they choose to do business.
3. Copyright (symbol) 2010 Grant Thornton UK LLP. All rights reserved.
4. www.grant-thornton.co.uk
5. This press release has been prepared only as a topical guide to business matters.  No responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting, or refraining from acting, as a result of this press release can be accepted by us/Grant Thornton UK LLP.  Professional advice should be sought before making any investments.
6. Birkett Long LLP is one of the region’s largest full service law firms, with 23 partners, and offices in Chelmsford and Colchester.
7. www.birkettlong.co.uk