Research highlights region’s ‘champion’ firms that are creating jobs

A SMALL number of firms have been responsible for creating thousands of jobs in Leeds since the global slump began in 2008, according to new research.

An Experian study indicates that, over the last three years, 37,329 jobs in Leeds were created by just 10 per cent of the city’s small business population.

These ‘champion’ high-growth firms typically create two-thirds of all small business jobs, and according to Experian, more champions could easily be created if firms managed their finances more effectively.

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Simon Streat, SME managing director for Experian UK & Ireland, said: “The champions we’ve identified serve as a blueprint for other aspirational businesses. They’re proof that it absolutely matters who leads your business. It’s also important that your business is linked with other high growth companies – geographically or through your directors. Opportunities exist for Leeds firms across all sectors, but to achieve growth they need the right management in place and a healthy support network to draw upon. Firms face a number of barriers to growth, such as the need for financing to expand, nervousness about the current economy or cashflow issues due to late paying clients, who themselves are watching their own cashflow.”

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