February 22 – our latest Thames Valley business report is here

Following our latest survey of businesses in the Thames Valley, we’re pleased to share our findings with you.
This latest piece of business research was conducted by Wilson Partners in Feb 2022 to help understand the state of business in the Thames Valley as the pandemic continues to linger. We surveyed our own client base, consisting of approx. 500 ambitious owner managed businesses, largely SMEs, headquartered in the Thames Valley with 5 to 150 employees as well as a select few businesses of a similar DNA.

Having run similar surveys in 20/21, we wanted to see how businesses are continuing to adjust to the challenging landscape coupled with an easing of restrictions. Helping our clients make informed decisions with clearly articulated information is at the heart of what we do and we continue to be here for those clients who need us. We hope that the data in our latest research is a useful addition to your planning for the future.

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Steady as she goes
Our latest survey, from Feb 22 is a similar story to what respondents told us last year. Although with more businesses finding cashflow tougher, we certainly need to keep abreast of the numbers, with a warning around profit erosion to the 30% of businesses not increasing their prices at present. And whilst we’d love to see a confidence barometer in the 90s, given the last two years uncertainty we should still be buoyed by a 74!

Profits on the up
77% of businesses told us they expect profits to increase this year with just 5% expecting a decrease. This marked confidence bodes well for 2022.

Recruitment a bigger problem
Unsurprisingly there was an increase in the number of businesses (54%) finding recruitment more challenging – but it is a great show of strength that 57% of firms surveyed have not seen any resignations in the last 12 months.

Ignore the politics and focus on the task at hand
With it difficult to tell the difference between satire and reality these days, it’s important to focus on the job in hand and the stuff we are in control of. Whilst the prospect of higher taxes, supply issues, interest rates, conflict in the East and political instability all rumble in the background, it is evident that by and large business in the Thames Valley is in great shape and can take heart from the latest findings.

So in conclusion, as with July’s report, the importance of keeping tight on your numbers, scenario planning, staying on top of cashflow, and keeping a constant dialogue with your customers is as important now as it’s ever been. And having had time to make improvements to your business through the pandemic, now is the opportunity to get it in the best shape and make you a no-brainer for your next hire!

Thank you
Thank you once again to all clients who took part in our latest survey. Once more we were able to gain some valuable insights into business in the Thames Valley, the latest on the impact of the pandemic and the outlook for the year ahead. And in the process we have been able to help children in crisis through the Book Buddy campaign, part of the B1G1 movement.

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