Editor: John Arnold. E-mail jarnold@creditman.co.uk
Pat Williams. E-mail pwilliams@creditman.co.uk
Site: Business Credit Management UK
URL: http://www.creditman.co.uk
Issue: Vol 5 Issue 35
Dated: 9 September 2001
Welcome to the Business Credit News UK.
In this weeks edition you will find the following topics.
UKINTEREST RATES HAVE FURTHER TO FALL - CHAMBERS
Reacting to the Bank of England's decision on Thursday to hold interest rates at five per cent, Ian Fletcher, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“A further cut this month would have given temporary comfort to manufacturing, but offered little towards solving the wider imbalances in our economy.
“With the latest index of manufacturing output showing a 2.1 per cent fall over the last three months, the sector clearly is continuing to struggle, and further cuts in domestic rates should not be disregarded while inflationary pressures remain subdued.
“What UK manufacturing needs most is a pick up in global demand, fledgling signs of which are emerging following recent action by the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve. “
RATE CUT COULD HAVE PREVENTED SLOWDOWN SPREADING - SAYS CBI
By keeping interest rates on hold the Bank of England missed an opportunity to help support UK economic activity and prevent a more widespread loss of business confidence, the CBI said last Thursday.
Ian McCafferty, Chief Economic Adviser, said: "This decision is disappointing but not surprising. Retail sales have been very strong over the last few months but this strength is not reflected in other areas of the economy. Recent evidence suggests the weakness in manufacturing is widening into the service sector, including services bought directly by consumers.
"A further interest rate cut now could have helped support UK economic activity through the winter and stopped falling confidence spreading further beyond the manufacturing sector.
"With prospects for inflation continuing to be benign, a cut wouldn't have posed a significant risk to the Bank's inflation target."
UK OFFICIAL HOLDINGS OF INTERNATIONAL RESERVES
The UK Government's net reserves rose by $479 million in August, bringing the end-August total to $13,647 (£9,408 million1) compared with $13,168 (£9,238 million2) at the end of July
The Bank of England's net holdings of foreign currency and gold rose by $5 million in August, bringing the end-August total to $72 million (£50 million1) compared with $67 million (£47 million2) at the end of July
RETAIL SALES STILL STRONG IN AUGUST BUT SLOWDOWN EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER - CBI
Annual retail sales volumes grew in August at the fastest rate since October 1996, but retailers are expecting slower growth in September, according to the CBI's quarterly Distributive Trades Survey out last Wednesday.
The survey shows that volumes were significantly above average for the time of year. Sixty-eight per cent of retailers said sales were up compared with a year ago, 19 per cent said sales were down. This gives a balance of plus 49 per cent which compares with plus 44 in July and plus 30 in June. The underlying trend shown by the three-month moving average, has also risen, testifying to the strength of consumer spending over the last three months.
Grocers reported the sharpest increase in sales volumes compared with a year earlier. Strong increases were also experienced by chemists, booksellers and stationers, durable household goods stores and hardware retailers. Specialist food, clothing, and furniture and carpet retailers reported smaller but still significant increases in volumes. Footwear and leather retailers experienced only modest growth.
Orders picked up in August and grew more strongly than had been expected. Fifty-eight per cent of retailers reported a rise in orders placed on suppliers, 18 per cent reported a fall. The balance of plus 40 compares with plus 25 in July and plus 14 in June. The pace of growth is expected to slow in September.
The survey shows an unexpected increase in retail prices, with the highest balance indicating an increase in prices since February 1999, although prices are expected to rise much more modestly over the coming months.
Investment plans strengthened to their highest level since May 1998, indicating a marked increase in capital expenditure over the coming year. Employment growth has slowed since the beginning of this year, modest job creation is now expected over the coming months.
Alastair Eperon, Chairman of the CBI's Distributive Trades Panel, said: "Retailers were pleased that the pick up in volumes, reported in July, also extended into August. However, several indicators in today's survey suggest that the robust growth will not extend into September. Retailers confidence about the business situation over the next six months has dropped back from the levels reported in February and May and job increases are expected to moderate over the coming months."
Wholesalers also reported a pick up in sales volumes in the year to August, despite expectations of a marked reduction. Business was considered to be significantly above average for the time of year, to the greatest extent since December 1995.
Motor traders' annual sales volumes grew at around the same rate in August as in the previous survey in line with expectations. Selling prices fell sharply, and have now declined in every quarterly survey since August 1999.
GRIFFITHS ANNOUNCES £14.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS IN DEPRIVED AREAS
Small Business Minister Nigel Griffiths on the 4 September gave the green light to £14.5 million in grants to 46 new projects which aim to support thousands of budding entrepreneurs in deprived areas.
The Phoenix Fund, run by the Small Business Service, supports organisations in England that are seeking to develop new and imaginative ways of helping people in disadvantaged communities set up and run successful enterprises.
Announcing the successful winners the Minister was joined by David Irwin head of the Small Business Service. Nigel Griffiths said:
"If economic growth is to be maintained it is critical there is an increase in the number of people starting new businesses. We are encouraging people who face more hurdles when launching their ideas such as older people, people from disadvantaged groups, inner-city areas and women.
"Creating a business friendly culture is key to increasing the number of people trying to start a business."
The projects that benefited from funding in the first round of the initiative include; helping ex-miners develop new skills, helping women to set up childcare businesses to enable other women to take jobs and assisting disabled people to set up their own small businesses.
David Irwin, Chief Executive of the SBS, said:
"The SBS is determined that entrepreneurs in disadvantaged areas will not suffer from lack of support, advice or access to finance.
"The Phoenix Fund will encourage enterprising people to revitalise their communities - and we hope that in the future some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs will emerge from the scheme."
One of the projects that benefited from the first round of the Phoenix Development fund was Mazorca. Dieneke Ferguson, Project Director of Mazorca believes that the fund has enabled them to provide valuable help to the design industry as a whole. She said:
"When I heard that we'd been successful, I was delighted and the project is already making a real difference. By providing flexible support with valuable networking opportunities we are finding people starting out don't find the experience as overwhelming.
"Sharing best practice is key to increasing the success rate of start-ups. We are now launching a mentoring scheme that will take this kind of business support one stage further.
"I feel so proud that through the Phoenix Fund we have been able to offer design businesses the assistance they really need."
The £100m Phoenix Fund, announced by the Trade and Industry Secretary in November 1999, is designed to encourage entrepreneurship in disadvantaged areas.
Fifty organisations shared £15.2m in the first round in February.
The Phoenix Fund comprises four elements:
A development fund to promote innovative ways of supporting enterprise in deprived areas; A pilot network of volunteer mentors to pre-and early-business start-ups, through a Business Volunteer Mentoring Association; A Challenge Fund to help resource Community Finance Initiatives; and Loan guarantees to encourage lending to Community Finance.
Information on all aspects of the Phoenix Fund is available on the Small Business Service website: http://www.sbs.gov.uk/phoenix.
Details of all the successful bidders from rounds one and two of the Phoenix Development Fund are posted on the SBS Website: http://www.sbs.gov.uk/phoenix/devbid.asp
MONSTER.COM. TO PROVIDE GLOBAL ONLINE RECRUITING SOLUTIONS FOR ERNST & YOUNG
Monster.com®, the leading global online careers site and flagship brand of TMP Worldwide Inc. has announced that Ernst & Young, one of the world's largest professional services firms, has entered into a partnership for an innovative package of global online recruiting solutions.
The relationship includes job postings, company profiles, and access to Monster.com's curriculum vitae database for Ernst & Young's human resources professionals in ten countries around the world, namely the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This recruiting package will help Ernst & Young find the most qualified professionals and bring their job postings to the seven million unique Monster.com users.
Denise Collis, Human Resources partner at Ernst & Young in the UK explains: "We've been investing selectively in internet recruitment for some time, and therefore this deal is a logical progression for us. We need to access a wide, diverse talent pool in order to achieve our objectives and the internet is certainly a useful tool in this respect, although we continue to emphasize the importance of building personal relationships in recruitment."
"Ernst & Young is a leading global firm and Monster is a leading global brand in internet recruitment, so we expect to work well together. Our presence on Monster will complement the next phase development of our own careers website, to be launched in mid September."
"We are excited to be working with Ernst & Young, a leader in the professional services industry, on their recruiting needs. With Monster.com now in 21 countries, Ernst & Young will benefit from our extensive suite of products and services on a global scale," said Steve Pogorzelski, Group President – Sales, Marketing and Customer Relations, Monster.com. "During a time when having talented employees is an important element of a company's ingredients for success, Monster.com will be instrumental in helping Ernst & Young find those qualified candidates faster, easier, and more cost effectively."
About Monster.com
Monster.com, headquartered in Maynard, Massachusetts, USA, is the leading global careers website, recording over 26.7 million unique visits during the month of July 2001 according to independent research conducted by I/PRO. Monster.com connects the most progressive companies with the most qualified career-minded individuals, offering innovative technology and superior services that give them more control over the recruiting process. The Monster.com global network consists of local content and language sites in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, India, Italy, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and Finland. More information about Monster.com is available at www.monster.com
About TMP Worldwide
Founded in 1967, TMP Worldwide Inc., with more than 10,500 employees in 34 countries, is the online recruitment leader, the world's largest Recruitment Advertising agency network, and one of the world's largest Executive Search and Executive Selection agencies. TMP Worldwide, headquartered in New York, is also the world's largest Yellow Pages advertising agency and a provider of direct marketing services. The company's clients include more than 90 of the Fortune 100 and more than 480 of the Fortune 500 companies. In June 2001, TMP Worldwide was added to the S&P 500 Index. More information about TMP Worldwide is available at www.tmp.com
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young LLP is a global business advisory firm with over 80,000 employees in more than 130 countries. It is a leading provider of assurance, corporate finance, tax and legal services to clients across a range of industries and sectors.
Ernst & Young believe winning the 'War for Talent' will be the most crucial component of achieving competitive advantage over the next few years. It is not only our greatest challenge but also our greatest opportunity. We are one of The Sunday Times 50 best companies to work for and Accountancy Age 'big 5' firm for the last two years.
HOUSEBUILDING: JULY 2001
In July 2001, it is provisionally estimated that 16,400 dwellings were started in Great Britain compared with 16,200 in July 2000. Completions numbered 14,400 compared with 13,700 the previous year.
In the latest three months 50,300 dwellings were started, down 1 per cent on the same three months a year ago, while total completions at 41,200 were down 6 per cent.
Contributed by Contributed by www.CollectionIndustry.com - a leading provider of content to credit grantors, lenders and the professional debt collection community
September 4, 2001 — Canadian consumer bankruptcies increased 7.9 per cent in July 2001 over July 2000, according to statistics released today by the Federal Superintendent of Bankruptcy. A total of 7,073 individuals declared bankruptcy in July 2000, compared to 6,554 filed in July 2000.
"This represents a dramatic increase in the rate of Canadian bankruptcy filings when compared to the 3.2 per cent increase over the first six months of this year, " said Frank Kisluk, President, Debtor Consulting Services Ltd, of Toronto. In the United States, filings increased 24 per cent over the same period.
According to Kisluk, "The significant rise in July filings could be an indicator of even more dramatic increases to come in personal bankruptcies over the next six months."
Citing the U.S. economy which Canada typically mirrors, Kisluk believes that "a combination of factors contributed to the increase in July filings including continuous job layoffs, a near zero-savings rate, reduced consumer spending and an increased credit card delinquency rate." In July, the U.S. credit card delinquency rate, based on account balances more than 30 days past due, rose for the eighth straight month to 5.06 per cent.
"We have evidence that Canadian and U.S. bankruptcy filings have traditionally grown at the same pace, and based on the July statistics, we can expect that Canada is now entering a catch-up phase to the U.S. number of filings. We anticipate that Canadian insolvencies are set to expand rapidly over the next six months," Kisluk added.
ABOUT DEBTOR CONSULTING SERVICES LTD.
Toronto-based Debtor Consulting Services Ltd. specializes in the field of financial structuring and insolvency services. President and Bankruptcy Trustee Frank Kisluk incorporates into his practise over 32 years of professional experience. Kisluk is the author of Life After Debt and Dear Creditor.
Source: Canada News Wire
Kim Rayment, corporate recovery partner at accountants and business advisors PKF has been appointed to the new post of national head of lending services with effect from 1 September 2001. His role will be to develop the team and market the firm's specialist services specifically to the banks and asset based lenders.
The new appointment has been made as a response to the Government's June 2001 White Paper in which it stated its intention to give priority to collective procedures and to move away from the mechanism of administrative receivership.
Philip Long, London-based head of PKF's national corporate recovery practice, said: "Although we recognise that the powers of banks to appoint receivers will diminish, secured lenders will always have a fundamental role to play in the rescue, survival and turnaround of struggling businesses. Kim's new role is a reflection of our commitment to this sector of the corporate recovery market."
LIQUIDATORS APPOINTED TO GBE INTERNATIONAL GROUP PLC
John Alexander of accountants and business advisors PKF has been appointed liquidator for GBE International Group Plc.
The Hampshire based food and beverage company was established in 1986 and had over 800 employees.
The company developed a wide range of products including machinery for the worldwide tobacco industry. Its last recorded annual turnover was 58 million GBP.
John Alexander the liquidator from PKF commented,
"GBE International went into receivership back in September 1998. The receivers have largely completed their task and I have been appointed to agree creditors' claims and distribute the available funds to them."
Glenfield and Kennedy deal concludes:
The sale of the business and certain assets of Glenfield and Kennedy Ltd, the Kilmarnock-based manufacturer of valves and fittings etc to leading Danish valve manufacturing business, AVK Holding A/S concluded on Friday 31 August 2001.
The deal, which was for an undisclosed sum, secures 68 jobs and the future of the Kilmarnock operation which went into receivership on the 30th of July.
Commenting, joint receiver Tony Friar of KPMG Corporate Recovery said: "We are very pleased to have concluded the sale to AVK Holding A/S, which is a major player in the global valves market. AVK Holding A/S has exciting plans for developing the business, this is an excellent outcome for the Kilmarnock operation and good news for all. We would also like to thank all parties connected with the business who have assisted in keeping it trading over the course of the last few weeks."
HILANDS CONSULTING COMPANY LIMITED
On 5 September 2001 The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry presented a petition in the High Court to wind-up Hilands Consulting Company Limited in the public interest. This followed enquiries made by the Companies Investigation Branch of the DTI under the provisions of section 447 of the Companies Act 1985.
On the application of the Secretary of State the Court appointed the Official Receiver as the provisional liquidator of Hilands Consulting Company Limited until the hearing of the petition.
Hilands Consulting Company Limited was incorporated in June 1999 and traded as a provider of project finance.
The registered office of Hilands Consulting Company Limited is 23 Station Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield S35 4XE
The petition was presented under s124A of the Insolvency Act 1986.
All public enquiries concerning the affairs of Hilands Consulting Company Limited should be made to the Official Receiver at:
The Insolvency Service
Public Interest Unit
PO Box 203
21 Bloomsbury Street
*** FORTHCOMING CREDITORS MEETINGS ***
For detailed information on all the British Isles insolvency's (liquidation's, receiverships, administrations, dividends, creditors) please visit http://www.insolvency.com/cgi-bin/gazette/liq/nots.pl
TW LW TW LW
USA 1.45 1.44 Canada 2.26 2.24
Austria 22.66 22.03 Portugal 330.14 321.01
France 10.80 10.50 Belgium 66.43 64.59
Finland 9.97 9.52 Italy 3188.59 3100.34
Germany 3.22 3.13 Sweden 15.54 15.16
Holland 3.62 3.52 Switzerland 2.48 2.42
Spain 274.00 266.42 Ireland 1.29 1.26
Australia 2.80 2.74 Denmark 12.25 11.92
Hong Kong 11.36 11.34 Euro 1.64 1.60
Africa Com 12.39 12.17 Saudi Arabia 5.46 5.45
India 68.70 68.57 Malaysia 5.53 5.52
Singapore 2.55 2.54 Norway 13.05 12.90
Japan 176.82 174.43
TW This week LW Last week.
Marconi, the troubled telecoms-equipment company, sacked its chief executive, Lord Simpson, and chairman, Sir Roger Hurn, on news that it would lose GBP227m ($330m) in the six months to the end of September. It had told investors it expected to break even. Marconi's sales fell by nearly half in the second quarter compared with the first.
Schroders, a London-based asset-management firm, fired its chief executive, David Salisbury, as its profits tumbled by 68%. It also laid off about 100 employees. The 183-year-old firm's performance has sagged in an increasingly competitive market. Following the sale of its investment-banking division to Citigroup last year, many of its top managers have left and it has had trouble attracting new talent.
Speculation ended over who will succeed Volkswagen's chairman, Ferdinand Piech, when he retires in spring 2002. The company is primed to appoint Bernd Pischetsrieder, who now sits on the board. Mr Pischetsrieder was ousted from BMW in 1999 for failing to return its British subsidiary, Rover, to profitability.
The mobile-phone industry could be in for a big shake-up Ericsson, the telecoms-infrastructure behemoth, announced that it will license much of its wireless technology, including that needed for third-generation mobile phones, to any manufacturer. The decision, which follows a similar move by Motorola in July, will drastically reduce barriers to entry. Europeans may see the first third-generation mobile phones on the market in a year's time.
Procter & Gamble has blown the whistle on its own corporate espionage activities. The consumer-products giant has been in talks with its rival, Unilever, after discovering that its spies had taken improper steps to gather information about Unilever's hair-care business.
Source - The Economist
Charter, the engineering group, announced pre-tax losses of 22 million pounds, after exceptional charge, on turnover of 477.6 million, for the six months ending 30th June 2001.
Marshalls natural stone and paving suppliers, announced pre-tax profits of 24.3 million pounds, after exceptional credit, on turnover of 168.9 million, for the six months ending 30th June 2001. Earnings per share stand at 10.2p, on increased capital.
McBride announced pre-tax profits of 11.3 million pounds, after exceptional credit, on turnover of 516.6 million, for the year ending 30th June 2001. Earnings per share stand at 4.5p.
John Mowlem, the construction group, announced pre-tax profits of 11.8 million pounds, on turnover of 844 million, for the six months ending 30th June 2001. Earnings per share stand at 6.7p, on reduced capital.
Travis Perkins, the builders' merchant, announced pre-tax profits of 52.3 million pounds, after exceptional credit, on turnover of 628.4 million, for the six months ending 30th June 2001. Earnings per share stand at 31.6p.
MERGER NEWS
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has decided, on the information at present before him, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Director General of Fair Trading, not to refer the following merger/s to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973:Proposed acquisition by Nestor Healthcare Group plc of HCMS Limited
Completed acquisition by Cerro EMS Limited of Edgbaston Group Limited, Edgbaston Industries Limited and Bailey Brother Hot Pressings Limited, trading as Bailey Peerless
OCTAGON/BRITISH RACING DRIVERS CLUB MERGER CLEARED
The Competition Commission has concluded that the acquisition by Octagon Motorsports Ltd (Octagon) of assets of the British Racing Drivers Club Ltd (BRDC), including a lease over the Silverstone motor racing circuit, is not against the public interest.
The Competition Commission's report on the merger was published on the 6th September by DTI Minister Brian Wilson.
He said:
"The Competition Commission has conducted a thorough investigation into this acquisition and has concluded that it does not operate against the public interest. However, the Commission has proposed that the Director General of Fair Trading should review the operation of the relevant markets within five years. The Director General has agreed to do so."
The Commission noted that the merger affects three product markets:
The Competition Commission found that the acquisition means that Octagon now controls 5 of the 18 licensed circuits in the UK, including two of the best known at Silverstone and Brands Hatch. Octagon's share of turnover from circuit operations increased from 28 to 72 per cent - or from 39 to 60 per cent if the largest single event, the British Grand Prix, is excluded.
In order to assess the effects of the merger, the Commission had to consider what would have happened had the merger not taken place.
Some argued that without the merger there was a risk that the UK would lose its round of the Formula One Grand Prix. However, the Commission concluded that had the merger not taken place, it was likely that an alternative arrangement would have been made to keep the Grand Prix in the UK.
The Commission concluded that circuit operators would be inhibited from raising prices for major events as it could lead to a significant proportion of spectators switching to other sporting and leisure activities instead. For smaller events the Commission noted that Octagon could not raise prices at Silverstone above market rates because of competition from other circuits in the Midlands. Due to the overlap of the Silverstone and Brands Hatch catchment areas, the constraint Silverstone exercised on prices at Brands Hatch would remain largely unchanged. For these reasons, the Commission considered that the merger did not significantly reduce competition for spectators of motorsport events.
The Commission considered that there was a sufficient choice of venues to prevent Octagon from having too much market power in the supply of circuits for activities e.g. to motor racing clubs, organisers of track days and motor racing teams. Customers for experience days, who visited a circuit on a one-off or occasional basis, were likely to see other leisure activities as acceptable substitutes. The provision of these activities was also not restricted to licensed circuits.
Octagon is vertically integrated in the supply of track days through On Track, its in-house organiser (that is, Octagon both offers circuits for hire to track day organisers and arranges track days itself). There were complaints that Octagon had excluded other track day organisers from hiring its circuits. However, at present On Track accounts for only one-fifth of the track days held at Octagon circuits and the addition of Silverstone did not make much difference to Octagon's share of demand or supply.
Octagon now has a majority of the voting shares and formal control of British Motorsport Promoters Ltd (BMP). BMP holds the rights to promote the three major national motor championships, two for cars and one for motorcycles. However, the Commission believes that Octagon was already in effective control of BMP before the acquisition.
In the light of these considerations, the Commission found that the acquisition would not give rise to adverse effects and was not against the public interest.
The Commission did, however, have some concerns for the future. These stem partly from the combination of Octagon's horizontal strength in the control of licensed circuits and its vertical links in the provision of track days and the promotion of spectator events.
The Commission therefore proposed that the Director General of Fair Trading should review the operation of the relevant markets within five years. The Director General has agreed to do so.
The Commission also commented that there was a more immediate need for improvements in some aspects of the workings of BMP, which is the responsibility of both Octagon and the other shareholders.
The acquisition was referred to the Commission by Stephen Byers on 17 April 2001 under sections 64 and 69(2) of the Fair Trading Act 1973. The Commission submitted its report on 6 August.
The Fair Trading Act 1973 empowers the Secretary of State to refer to the CC for investigation and report actual or proposed mergers which create or intensify a market share of over 25 per cent of the supply in the UK, or a substantial part of the UK, of particular goods and services, or involve the take over of assets exceeding &ppound;70 million.
Octagon, formerly called Brands Hatch Leisure Group Limited (BHL), has since November 1999 been a subsidiary of the Interpublic Group of Companies Inc (Interpublic) of the USA, a large advertising and marketing services company. Before the BRDC acquisition, Octagon owned four licensed motor racing circuits in the UK, including Brands Hatch.
BRDC is a company limited by guarantee whose main objects are to provide a members' club and promote British motor sport. It owns the Silverstone motor-racing circuit.
If the Competition Commission concludes that a merger is not against the public interest, the Secretary of State has no power to intervene to prohibit the merger or to impose conditions.
Copies of the Competition Commission's report 'Octagon Motorsports Ltd and British Racing Drivers Club Ltd: a report on the merger situation' (Com-5252 ) are available from the Stationery Office, price £17.10. The report can also be viewed on the Commission's web site ( http://www.competition-commission.org.uk )
New mock theory tests for all vehicle categories went 'live' on Friday 31 August 2001 when the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) included them on its web site. DSA, the government body responsible for the driving test and theory test, has enabled candidates to practice for the real test by carrying out simulated car theory tests on their web site, with a facility which allows them to obtain feedback from the questions they have answered wrongly.
Paula Thorpe, Head of Public Relations, said:
"This is an excellent practice area for learner drivers. It gives candidates the chance to see what it will be like to sit the real test, with the added advantage of finding out exactly where they are going wrong."
The theory tests will be in similar format to the real tests, where candidates can get feedback on the questions at a later stage. Unlike the real test, the feedback will show the actual question(s) as answered incorrectly by the user with the correct answer(s) highlighted. It will also identify the chapter heading from the relevant Official DSA Theory Test book that the user needs to study more closely.
The mock theory tests are available on http://www.driving-tests.co.uk
E-COMMERCE MINISTER GREENLIGHTS EXPORT WEBSITE FOR UK SOFTWARE SECTOR
E-Commerce Minister Douglas Alexander today pledged further Government support for the UK software industry when he approved the development of an innovative new website dedicated to assisting the sector fulfil its export potential.
The Minister was speaking at Scotsoft 2001, Scotland's key industry event for the software and computer services sector.
He said:
"I am pleased to announce that I have given the go ahead for the development of a website specifically aimed at providing export and international business advice to the UK's software and computer services sector.
"The dedicated website is to be managed by the DTI in partnership with British Trade International and the Computing Services and Software Association (CSSA). It will ensure that software companies in the UK will have a single point of contact for information on government support for international business."
The development of the website is a result of one of the key recommendations to come from a recent industry study undertaken for the DTI.
The comprehensive site will:
The DTI will invite companies to tender for the creation, hosting and content provision of the website. It is anticipated that the site will be operational by January 2002.
Wednesday 19 September First Annual Conference for Turnaround Management Association (TMA) UK 10am - 10pm Venue: The Great Northern Hotel, Station Approach Peterborough, Cambridgeshire For more information: Email: tonygroom@k2-partners.com Website: www.rescue.co.uk Mobile: 07973 630646 Cambridge - Regional office Phone: 01767 651600 Fax: 01767 652151 Snail: Blythe Farm, Mill Street, Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire SG19 3JW London - Head office Phone: 020 7720 8000 Fax: 0709 222 7720 Snail: The Old Pump House, Albert Hall Mansions, London SW7 2AQ Wednesday 26 September Sussex & Surrey Branch of the ICM A speaker from Surrey Police Fraud & Financial Investigations Unit Venue - The Bridge House Hotel Reigate Time: 700 for 7.30 p.m. Sponsored by ICC Information Systems Ltd 1 to 2 October Experian UK Conference 2001 Managing customers outside in Celtic Manor Hotel UK 8th and 9th October 2001 FCIB's 107th International Round Table Conference In Europe Brussels Hilton Hotel 38 Boulevard de Waterloo, 1000 Brussels, Belgium FCIB's International Conference 'The Art of Country Risk Analysis' Further information can be obtained from: Tim Lane, Director of European Operations, FCIB Corporation, 7200 The Quorum, Oxford Business Park North, Garsington Road, Oxford OX4 2JZ, England Tel: 44 1865 481630 Fax: 44 1865 481482 (From within the UK, substitute zero (0) for 44) E-mail: timlane@fcib-europe.org Monday 15 October Wessex Branch of the ICM Retention of Title - Speaker/Sponsor Fanshawe Lofts Venue - Royal Southampton Yacht Club 1 Channel Way, Ocean Village, Southampton SO14 3QF Time : 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Refreshments provided Wednesday and Thursday 17-18 October Softworld Finance and Accounting Exhibition, NEC, Birmingham http://www.softworld.co.uk/af2001a/register.html Thursday 18 October Magazines in Credit 2001 Conference and Awards Grosvenor House Park Lane, London W1 Telephone Justin Barry on 020-7400-7534 for more information or e-mail justin.barry@ppa.co.uk or visit the website at www.ppa.co.uk/events/credit2001 Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 24th to 26th October 2001 International Credit Exhibition & Conference The Westin Stamford, Singapore http://www.internationalcredit001.com Mailto:info@internationalcredit001.com Tuesday 30 October Collections 2001 Credit Today National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham The inaugural Credit Today conference for the UK on Debt Management, Collections Procedures as well as the political issues and regulatory changes affecting your work For more details contact Carleen Bennett on 020 7407 4700 or visit www.credittoday.co.uk Monday 12 November Wessex Branch of the ICM European Credit Checking - Speaker/Sponsor ICC Information Ltd Venue - Royal Southampton Yacht Club 1 Channel Way, Ocean Village, Southampton SO14 3QF Time : 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Refreshments provided Thursday 22 November Sussex & Surrey Branch of the ICM Factoring/Invoice Discounting/Asset Finance Speaker: To be advised Venue - HSBC, Farncombe Road, Worthing Time: 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. Sponsored by HSBC 23 November Debt Sale & Purchase Credit Today, Savoy Hotel, London The second annual debt sale and purchase conference chaired by Rob Levick. For details e-mail carleen@credittoday.co.uk 4-6 December Online Information 2001 Olympia Grand Hall, London Monday 10 December Wessex Branch of the ICM Quiz Night - Sponsor Virtual Mailroom Ltd Venue - Royal Southampton Yacht Club 1 Channel Way, Ocean Village, Southampton SO14 3QF Time : 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Refreshments provided Thursday 24 January 2002 Sussex & Surrey Branch of the ICM Annual General Meeting Followed by Dinner. Speaker: To be advised Venue - The Imperial Hotel, Hove Time: 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. Raise the profile of your event. If you have an event coming up which is credit management related and you would like us to make an entry in the Diary section please e-mail the details to jarnold@creditman.co.uk
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