Keeping it simple the route to business success

The three companies short listed in the Yorkshire Post-backed Local Business Accelerators contest have seen their turnover and profits grow because they have maintained a clear vision and an unwavering sense of purpose during troubled economic times.

The judging panel chose Energy-saving specialist Compliance365, from Wakefield, as the regional winner, but the panel members all believed that Viamaster Training of Castleford, and online retailer Approved Food of Sheffield were also “winners” in their chosen fields.

The three short-listed entries were selected by the Yorkshire Post’s judging panel from 33 entries submitted by companies across the region.

The Newspaper Society’s LBA campaign, which is supported by 500 newspapers across Britain, aims to find Britain’s most promising young companies.

At the final stage of the judging process, representatives from the three short-listed companies travelled to the Yorkshire Post’s headquarters in Leeds, where they got the chance to chat with their mentors, and participate in a discussion about the value of mentoring.

Their mentors, along with Yorkshire Post Deputy Business Editor Greg Wright, later decided which of them would go through to the national final. The winner – Compliance365 – counts the likes of Sainsbury’s, The Co-operative Group, Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns among its client base.

The business has developed cloud-based energy audit and certification services, which are aimed at helping businesses to save money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Founded in October 2010, Compliance365 now has around 25 staff, with this figure expected to rise to 35 by the end of its current financial year, which closes in March 2014.

Also using cloud-based technology, the business has developed C365 Online, a compliance management system which helps organisations and businesses to manage their legislative obligations in many areas, including health and safety and employment.

Malcolm Wallis, the managing director of Compliance365, was full of praise for his mentor, Paul Ayre, the managing partner of law firm Gordons, which has offices in Leeds and Bradford.

Mr Wallis said: “The introduction to Paul has been a real positive for us.

“Paul’s professional network has introduced us to a number of other potential clients. We’re very busy dealing with the business, day in and day out, and Paul has been able to introduce me to a number of other business streams that I wouldn’t have even thought about.”

Approved Food, which sells short-dated grocery goods like tins of soup, rice and pasta, has seen its headcount increase significantly in recent times, with 16 new staff taken on since the start of the year. The business, based in Sheffield and now employing more than 40 people, started out as a market stall in 2009, before moving online. It buys in large quantities and passes on savings to customers.

Andy Needham, a director of Approved Food, said: “Roger Marsh (the firm’s mentor, who is senior partner at accountancy firm PwC in Leeds) has helped us with the mentoring side tremendously. He’s pointed out areas that haven’t even hit our radar.

“Mentoring has opened our eyes a bit further. We’re continually looking for opportunities to grow.”

Castleford-based Viamaster Training, which serves public and private sector clients, is also growing rapidly with annual turnover up 83 per cent to £275,000 last year.

The business, which provides services including commercial vehicle driver training as well as instruction in health and safety, compliance and first aid, has also seen its staff numbers grow, with a current total of around eight full and part-time staff, some of whom are self-employed. Andy Wood, training manager at Viamaster Training, welcomed the fresh perspectives brought by his mentor, John Hooper, executive director at Yorkshire Bank’s parent company, National Australia Group Europe.

Mr Wood said: “Just having somebody from the outside come in and look at the business and give us that guidance was helpful.

“We’re growing quite well, but he gave us some ideas about how we can target our marketing. It’s like a supervisor coming in and doing an audit.”

Mr Hooper said that taking part in the mentoring process had been rewarding and humbling, while Mr Marsh said that the UK economy would come through challenging times, thanks to the efforts of companies like Compliance365, Viamaster and Approved Food. Mr Ayre said the Local Business Accelerators Competition was the “right way” to help UK businesses grow.

Brewery has gone from strength to strength

Last year, Ilkley Brewery was crowned the national winner of the Local Business Accelerators competition and won mentoring from campaign ambassador Deborah Meaden, entrepreneur and star of Dragons’ Den.

The brewery also won an advertising campaign devised by a top London creative agency.

This year, an additional £10,000 cash sum from the Business Growth Fund has been added to the prize package.

Ilkley Brewery has gone from strength to strength since winning the national title.

Earlier this month, Ilkley Brewery landed its first export deal, which will see 14,000 bottles of its Mary Jane, Lotus and The Chief ales arrive in the southern states of the US in the next few days.

The deal was struck following two trade missions to the US.

Wakefield-based Compliance365 will be hoping to follow in Ilkley Brewery’s footsteps, and bring the money-spinning national title back home to Yorkshire later this year.