Accessing capital to fund growth plans is one the biggest challenges for almost two-fifths (37%) of North West businesses. Declining customer demand continues to be a top challenge for 40% of regional businesses. Despite difficult trading conditions, 63% of North West businesses feel more confident about their business prospects this year, compared to the second half of 2023.

Chinese stocks have staged a remarkable comeback- and it’s likely there’s more upside to come, predicts the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organizations.

A new managing director and chief operating officer have taken the helm at Northern this week. As managing director, Tricia Williams now leads the UK’s second largest train operator, an organisation that makes an annual contribution to the national economy of £1.25bn. Williams has been with Northern since 2020 when she joined the organisation as chief operating officer.

On the election of the Greater Manchester Mayor, Damian Waters, CBI Regional Director for the North West, said: “Congratulations to Andy Burnham on his re-election as Greater Manchester Mayor. The Greater Manchester economy has outperformed the national economy since the Covid pandemic but we cannot afford to sit on our laurels.

Unity is one of only 29 businesses to receive the award for excellence in this category. The King’s Awards for Enterprise are amongst the most prestigious business awards in the UK and this year recognised 252 organisations for their contribution to International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development or Promoting Opportunity.

Legislation was passed last week to ensure those competing in the Champions League Final at Wembley on 1 June 2024 will not be subject to UK income tax. Such tax rule changes are now a regular occurrence when big sporting events come to our shores. Chris Etherington Private Client Partner in the Leeds office at audit, tax and consulting firm RSMUK explores why the new legislation is necessary.

New research from Fuel Card Services deep dives into fleet manager attitudes and expectations of the market in 2024, with a focus on the role electrification will play in shaping fleets in the coming months and years.

Magtec has designed and developed a next-generation lithium ion battery pack for specialist automotive and industrial applications in the construction and agriculture sectors. The innovative company has started volume production of MAGPAC after winning an initial order for 120 units with a world-class British manufacturer and exporter.

Figures released by the Chemical Industries Association indicate a significant turnaround in the chemical sector – one of Britain’s biggest manufacturing export industries – showing signs of growth.

We need to value and invest in our young people. Every generation has its hyperbole about young people's poor attitude towards work and fecklessness. It's not a trait I recognise when speaking to young people. I see ambition and a desire to do a good job and get on in their lives.

Eleven Sports Media – a North West-headquartered sports marketing business - has attracted a multi-million investment from BGF, one of the largest and most experienced investors in the UK and Ireland.

According to ONS data released today the UK experienced a 3.4% increase in real terms in government R&D spending in 2022, from £14.98 billion to £15.49 billion. This growth level, however, is significantly less than other OECD nations.

Craft beer importer and distributor, Cave Direct, has secured an invoice discounting facility with a £2.5m funding limit from asset-based lending (ABL) specialists, Cynergy Business Finance (CBF). Established in 1979, Cave Direct is a family-run business with a rich legacy. It was founded by Bryan Gilhespy, who was then joined by his son, Colin Gilhespy, and daughter, Louise Smale.

Private sector activity fell again in the three months to April (weighted balance of -14%, compared with -12% in the three months to March), according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. Activity has now been flat or falling in our surveys since mid-2022.

Housebuilder, Keepmoat, is celebrating after two teenagers successfully completed their Level 2 bricklaying apprenticeship - a flagship qualification that is creating a pipeline of skilled workers as the sector faces a talent shortage. Evan Browne and Callum Quinn are employed by the housebuilder and began their qualifications in October 2022.

Cumbria Chamber’s Power 40 group comprises business leaders from 40 of the county’s most influential businesses. The group met this week for a tour of animal by-product specialist, Leo Group’s Omega Proteins site in Penrith. Acquired by Leo Group in 2002, Omega Proteins operates a Category 3 animal by-product processing plant.

I recently attended an event where one of the key speakers introduced herself as one of four collaborative CEOs at her business. This peaked my interest, and I decided to find out more about the concept of Co-Leadership. Employers are increasingly recognising that their approach to executive leadership roles needs to change if they are to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.

With political parties searching for revenue raising policies ahead of the election, Chris Etherington Private Client Partner in the Leeds office at audit, tax and consulting firm RSMUK looks at the potential implications of a policy highlighted in recently published commentary from the Institute of Fiscal Studies in restricting certain inheritance tax reliefs. What might the real-life consequences be for taxpayers of such a move and could it genuinely raise much needed funds for general election spending pledges?

Retail sales fell sharply in the year to April, according to the latest monthly CBI Distributive Trades Survey. This follows no change in sales over March. While the earlier timing of Easter this year likely played a role in April’s decline, the fall in retail sales was nonetheless greater than expected. Sales are expected to continue falling next month, but at a slower pace.

Sentiment within the manufacturing sector improved in April and output expectations were the strongest for six months, according to the CBI’s latest quarterly Industrial Trends Survey. Output volumes were broadly stable in the three months to April, following strong declines in output over the first quarter of 2024.

At a recent dinner in Manchester for technology leaders, one thing came through loud and clear - every business is facing similar challenges, and collaboration is the best way to address them. It’s time for Yorkshire and Lancashire, particularly Leeds and Manchester, to work together. The 40-odd miles that separate the two cities is similar to the 36 miles from the East to West of London.

Gary Neville’s Relentless Developments has signed a deal with premium serviced office provider, Gilbanks, for c.34,000 sq ft of office space at No.1 St Michael’s in Manchester. The Leeds-based flexible office space provider will occupy 1.5 floors at the £400m development. The announcement follows an extensive search and selection process for a serviced office partner at the new development.