Event sees Hampshire businesses tackle barriers to growth

How can businesses in Hampshire grow? That was the question posed at an event held by Grant Thornton UK LLP and the CBI in Whiteley.

Business leaders from across the county gathered at The Solent Hotel in Whiteley to debate the question and find out about access to finance.

Norman Armstrong, partner at Grant Thornton in Southampton, said: “Both the CBI and Grant Thornton acknowledge that raising finance can be a real barrier to growth, particularly for medium sized businesses. That is why we wanted to bring together our expertise and share it with leaders from those communities.

“A key element that came through on the day is that businesses do have opportunities to grow – particularly by capitalising on emerging markets overseas – but are struggling to access the cash to fund that growth in the ways that they used to. We were able to advise those businesses on alternative sources of funding beyond bank debt and are looking forward to seeing the results.”

Among the businesses present at the event were Raymond Brown Group, Richmond Group and Hilson Moran Holdings.