Business Works UK

Business Loans Case Study

Business Works UK provides a range of services to SMEs, from book-keeping and accountancy to strategic business advice and support. Launched in December 2008, the company employs seven staff at its base in Garforth, Leeds. Clients include small owner-managed businesses to companies employing 100 staff with turnovers approaching £3 million.

The Company

Entrepreneur Jo Tomlinson founded Business Works UK after more than 20 years’ experience in commercial roles in blue chip companies. Services include everything from tax returns through to running payrolls, advising on legal and compliance issues, business and tax advice, business valuations, benchmarking and funding applications.

Having doubled the size of Business Works UK in 18 months, Jo wanted to develop and market the company’s services to a wider SME audience and take advantage of the potential in providing auto enrolment services, supporting businesses which now have to automatically enrol staff in a workplace pension scheme.

The Solution

A £20,000 Business Loan from Finance Yorkshire is enabling Business Works UK to deliver its marketing strategy, developing its range of products and attracting new clients. The investment has also enabled Jo to employ an apprentice.

Jo said: “Finance Yorkshire offers much more than many funding providers. They also provide guidance and support and I particularly like the way they challenge you, helping to ensure your business strategy works in the marketplace.”

The Investment Rationale

Finance Yorkshire Investment Manager Ian Atkinson said: “Jo is an inspirational entrepreneur with a positive attitude to expanding her business. With our backing, Business Works will be able to complete its planned marketing activity and expand the range of products and services it offers to clients.”

Future Expectations

Business Works UK has clients predominantly across the North of England. Its ambitions are to extend the range of services it offers and to continually develop the services provided, so that it can add even more value to clients. Jo’s target is £1m turnover with a portfolio of up to 250 clients.

For more information about Finance Yorkshire, please visit www.finance-yorkshire.com or call 0845 649 0000.

Note: this case study is from Finance Yorkshire’s previous fund. Read more about Finance Yorkshire