Business

North's business must compete globally to sustain recovery

Richard Gardiner and Clare Galloway, RSM McClure Watters are pictured with Niall Creighton of the Creighton Group
Richard Gardiner and Clare Galloway, RSM McClure Watters are pictured with Niall Creighton of the Creighton Group Richard Gardiner and Clare Galloway, RSM McClure Watters are pictured with Niall Creighton of the Creighton Group

BUSINESSES in Northern Ireland need help to make it on the global stage and contribute to sustained economic recovery, a Belfast accountancy firm has said.

RSM McClure Watters said the time is right for businesses to grow by taking advantage of the recovering economy.

It has launched a new service aimed at helping firms capitalise on economic opportunities.

The advice service, LifeCycle, will help firms with company incorporation, taxation, company pensions, business health checks, management accounts, payroll and annual accounts, right through to creating business plans, negotiating funding offers, property acquisition plans, business expansions, succession planning and property disposal.

RSM said that up to now, recovery of the north's economy had been driven mainly by domestic consumption but that sustainability would be achieved by competition on the world stage.

RSM partner Richard Gardiner, who will lead the new service said it aimed to provide rapid and relevant answers to businesses, no matter where they are in their lifecycle.

“The last number of years have been challenging for businesses in Northern Ireland, but this has brought opportunity as well. Successful businesses are more proactive and growth orientated than they were in the past,:" he said.

"There is improved confidence in the market although uncertainty regarding the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement is not conducive to supporting either investment or business confidence.

"The LifeCycle Programme ensures all our highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team is able to advise clients from an initial idea for a start-up project right through to how to structure their company, guiding them through all the other business essentials and help them navigate the potential pitfalls on the way.”

Among those to already use the service is Niall Creighton of Creighton Group which runs filling station forecourts.

“We have worked with RSM McClure Watters over many years, as we have grown our business organically. In the last 12 months we have expanded through acquiring a new site at Blacks Road and we have just commenced a new development at Balmoral which will provide superior retail and forecourt facilities to the residents and commuters in South Belfast and complement the existing flagship superstation, well known as Creightons of Finaghy," he said.

“Through each of these stages of growth, RSM McClure Watters have provided professional advice and support across all of our business areas. Historically we have always looked to exceed our customers’ expectations and for us, the partners and staff at RSM do the same.”