News in brief: Chess bolts-on; pensions survey & more
CHESS, the Cheshire-based telecoms and IT consolidator has acquired a small consultancy based in Enfield.
The Alderley Edge-based company has snapped- up IT systems provider Compwise Systems, adding three employees and an additional £400,000 annual turnover to the group.
The business will be combined within the Chess Partner Services team at the Chess office located in Borehamwood.
Chess chief executive David Pollock said: “Compwise Limited has flourished as a total IT solution provider since 1992 and they possess a wide and varied knowledge base to provide great support for the technical needs of all businesses. They have an outstanding reputation across the industry and we are delighted to welcome them into the Chess group.”
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A SURVEY by Blackburn-based accountants and wealth management group PM+M has shown that 28% of those North West businesses which have yet to reach their Auto Enrolment staging date do not know what the new law is or how it will affect their organisation.
Despite a much-hyped campaign undertaken by the government, it seems that a large proportion of companies are still unaware of the details around Auto Enrolment which states that every employer must automatically enrol their workers into a workplace pension scheme if they are between 22 and State Pension age, earn more than £10,000 a year and work in the UK.
The research of 200 North West businesses by PM+M also showed that 44% do not know their own staging date; 45% are unaware of what the implications will be on their business once they reach it; whilst 50% feel they are not ready. The final question asked whether Auto Enrolment will be dealt with in-house or if the services of an independent adviser will be sought; 56% stated they are unsure of what to do.
Antony Keen, director at PM+M Wealth Management, said: “Auto Enrolment is one of the biggest reforms to pensions so it’s vital to know the facts and to do your research. We know it’s an administrative nightmare, but we were still surprised by the findings of the survey. Our advice is clear: plan early and don’t stick your head in the proverbial sand as the pensions regulator can fine companies which fail to comply.” ::
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MERSEYSIDE-based maritime safety product specialist ISP is firing-up its product portfolio with a new and unique electronic flare aimed at the leisure marine market.
International Safety Products in Bootle claims to be one of the world’s largest manufacturers of inflatable marine lifejackets. The firm also supplies a broad range of maritime safety products including immersion suits, tactical waistcoats, liferafts, EPIRBs, PLBs, SARTS and marine safety lights.
ISP commercial director Geoff Billington said its latest addition – Ocean Signal’s EDF1 electronic flare – was likely to be highly attractive to the leisure market.
“The EDF1 electronic flare has a series of design features which set it apart from traditional pyrotechnic flare products,” said Billington.
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A LIVERPOOL company which provides a digital dictation and transcription service for law firms and medical and health centres has secured a £400,000 investment from The North West Fund for Venture Capital, managed by Enterprise Ventures.
Document Direct is a supplier of transcription, typing and secretarial services, producing more than 20,000 completed documents per month from voice recordings sent over the internet.
The company, based on Old Hall Street, provides a 100% UK-based 24/7 service for legal and professional services firms and the medical sector. It will use the funding to pursue its expansion plans.
