2005 News
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6 December 2005
AXA Reports Fall in Business Crime but Urges Vigilance Over the Christmas Period
Despite the latest findings from the AXA Business Crime Index revealing a decrease of 17% in the number of crime related business insurance claims settled between July and September compared with the second quarter of 2005, the insurer is warning of a potential rise in business crime over the Christmas period.
29 November 2005
2.5 Million UK SMEs Vulnerable to Age Discrimination Claims
New research released today from AXA suggests 65% of the UK’s 3.8 million small to medium sized businesses - almost 2.5 million in total -could be vulnerable to age discrimination claims, if they don’t review working practices before October 2006, when new government regulation on age discrimination comes into effect.
29 November 2005
AXA Research Reveals a Third of Scottish SME Bosses are Unaware of Impending Age Regulations
New research released today from the AXA Risk Monitor, an annual survey of SME managers across the UK, suggests over a third of small business leaders in Scotland (36%) aren’t aware of the new age discrimination legislation coming into effect in October next year. Of those who are aware, a further 38% haven’t begun to take action to address its implications.
29 November 2005
AXA Research Reveals Over a Third of SME Bosses in the North are Unaware of Impending Age Regulations
New research released today from the AXA Risk Monitor, an annual survey of SME managers across the UK, suggests over a third of small business leaders in the North (36%) aren’t aware of the new age discrimination legislation coming into effect in October next year. Of those who are aware, 54% haven’t begun to take action to address its implications
29 November 2005
AXA Research Reveals Half of Midlands SME Bosses are Unaware of Impending Age Regulations
New research released today from the AXA Risk Monitor, an annual survey of SME managers across the UK, suggests almost half of small business leaders in the Midlands (49%) aren’t aware of the new age discrimination legislation coming into effect in October next year. Of those who are aware, 41% haven’t begun to take action to address its implications.
29 November 2005
AXA Research Reveals a Third of South East SME Bosses are Unaware of Impending Age Regulations
New research released today from the latest AXA Risk Monitor, an annual survey of SME managers across the UK, suggests a third of small business leaders in the South East (33%) aren’t aware of the new age discrimination legislation coming into effect in October next year. Of those who are aware, 38% haven't begun to take action to address its implications.
29 November 2005
AXA Research Reveals Half of South West SME Bosses are Unaware of Impending Age Regulations
New research released today from the AXA Risk Monitor, an annual survey of SME managers across the UK, suggests almost half of small business leaders in the South West (48%) aren’t aware of the new age discrimination legislation coming into effect in October next year. Of those who are aware, 44% haven’t begun to take action to address its implications.
22 November 2005
Businesses Urged to Prepare for Cold, Hard Winter
With the Met Office warning that Britain could be facing a colder than average winter this year, AXA is urging owners and managers of small businesses to take action to reduce the significant threat such a cold snap poses to their operations.
17 November 2005
Businesses Blame Crime on 'Yob Culture', Drugs and Binge Drinking
Businesses are concerned about the increase in the number of crimes committed against them and they are blaming ‘yob culture’, drugs and binge drinking, according to a new study by AXA. Worryingly, a quarter of businesses surveyed said that their biggest fear was being a victim of violent crime in the workplace, and it was retailers in particular who were most concerned with 34% admitting that this is a worry.
9 November 2005
Farmhouse Fare Finds Recipe for Success at National Business Awards
Lancashire-based catering company Farmhouse Fare Ltd was celebrating success last night, after winning the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year category at the National Business Awards, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
19 October 2005
One in Four Employers Have Been Involved in a Litigation Case
AXA is warning that UK businesses are increasingly under threat from litigation. Research conducted by the company reveals that a quarter of employers surveyed have been involved in a litigation case. Of those companies, during 2004 over half were involved in one case and a further 20% were involved in between two and four cases.
5 October 2005
One in Four Employers See Maternity Leave as a Business Risk
According to research from AXA, one in four companies see maternity and paternity leave as a business risk, with 7% seeing it as a serious threat. Perhaps not surprisingly, smaller companies are the most concerned. Some 28% of businesses with 20 or less employees said that it was a business risk as opposed to 15% of those with more than 100 staff.
30 September 2005
Money Worries Hold Back UK's Budding Entrepreneurs
As thousands of students head off for university this week, a new UK-wide survey of 16-24 year olds has found the burden of spiralling student debts may be stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s young people. 59% of young Brits questioned by AXA would like to start their own company, but nearly a third (31%) are put off because of student debts and other financial concerns.
30 September 2005
Money Worries Hold Back Glasgow's Budding Entrepreneurs
As thousands of students head off for university this week, a new UK-wide survey of 16-24 year olds has found the burden of spiralling student debts may be stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s young people. 63% of young people in Glasgow would like to start their own company, but nearly a third (30%) is put off because of student debts and other financial concerns.
30 September 2005
Money Worries Hold Back Birmingham's Budding Entrepreneurs
As thousands of students head off for a new university term this week, a new UK-wide survey of 16-24 year olds has found the burden of spiralling student debts may be stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s young people. 62% of young people in Birmingham questioned by AXA would like to start their own company, but a fifth is put off because of student debts and other financial concerns.
30 September 2005
Money Worries Hold Back Bristol's Budding Entrepreneurs
As thousands of students head off for university this week, a new UK-wide survey of 16-24 year olds has found the burden of spiralling student debts may be stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s young people. 56% of young people in Bristol questioned by AXA would like to start their own company, but nearly a quarter (24%) is put off because of student debts and other financial concerns.
30 September 2005
Money Worries Hold Back Scotland's Budding Entrepreneurs
As thousands of students head off for university this week, a new UK-wide survey of 16-24 year olds has found the burden of spiralling student debts may be stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s young people. 62% of young people in Scotland would like to start their own company, but nearly a third (30%) is put off because of student debts and other financial concerns.
30 September 2005
Money Worries Hold Back Leeds' Budding Entrepreneurs
As thousands of students head off for university this week, a new UK-wide survey of 16-24 year olds has found the burden of spiralling student debts may be stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s young people . 62% of young people in Leeds questioned by AXA would like to start their own company, but a third is put off because of student debts and other financial concerns.
30 September 2005
Money Worries Hold Back Manchester's Budding Entrepreneurs
As thousands of students head off for university this week, a new UK-wide survey of 16-24 year olds has found the burden of spiralling student debts may be stifling the entrepreneurial spirit of Britain’s young people. 56% of young people in Manchester questioned by AXA would like to start their own company, but almost half (45%) are put off because of student debts and other financial concerns.
21 September 2005
AXA Identifies Dramatic Increase in Crime Related Business Insurance Pay-outs
The latest findings from the AXA Business Crime Index has revealed an increase of 24% in the number of crime related business insurance claims settled during the second quarter of 2005 when compared to the first three months of this year. The Index, which is based on AXA’s claims database, revealed that between April and June, the value of the average crime related business insurance settlement was £3,743.
14 September 2005
Britain's SMEs Posing Risk to Their Future
Despite recent high-profile threats to business hitting the news, from terrorist attacks and weather extremes, to petrol blockades and the "bra wars" between the EU and China, a new research report produced for AXA by Henley Management College – Out-of-Business As Usual? - has found that the UK's SMEs are gambling on their futures.
9 September 2005
The Sweet Sound of Success for Radio Tay
Dundee-based radio station Radio Tay was celebrating success last night, after being named AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year at the National Business Awards for Scotland. The company picked up the award at a ceremony at the Glasgow Hilton, beating four other finalists shortlisted in the category.
5 September 2005
Small Businesses Drowning in Legislation
Over a third of small businesses admit that they are worried by increased legislation. Research, from AXA Insurance, reveals that 34% of businesses find it impossible to keep up, understand and implement the changes correctly and on time. A further 31% believe that new legislation distracts them from the actual running of their business. 5% went as far as to say that new legislation creates a climate of fear and uncertainty that has an adverse affect on the business.
4 August 2005
Nearly One in Five Businesses has Suffered from a Disaster
Alarming research from AXA reveals that 46% of businesses do not have a business continuity plan. The insurer says that this is a worrying statistic especially because 17% of businesses claim to have been affected by a disaster in the past and that just over one in five of these companies took longer than a week to recover. Around 8% claim it took them over six months before they were up and running again.
1 August 2005
AXA Uncovers the 'DNA' of a Successful Small Business in Scotland
A study of leading Scottish small to medium sized businesses has revealed the secrets of success lie in the right mix of entrepreneurial spirit and scrupulous forward planning. Twenty SMEs shortlisted in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business category of the National Business Awards, including five Scottish companies, took the business personality profile test, devised in partnership with experts from Cranfield Management School.
1 August 2005
AXA Uncovers the 'DNA' of a Successful Small Business
A study of leading UK small to medium sized businesses has revealed the recipe for success lies in the right mix of entrepreneurial spirit and scrupulous forward planning. According to the results of the AXA Business Personality Profile test, devised in partnership with experts from Cranfield Management School, the finalists shortlisted in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business category of the National Business Awards all share similar successful 'business DNA' components.
22 July 2005
Shortlist Announced for AXA Scottish Small to Medium Sized
AXA today announced the five businesses shortlisted as finalists in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year's prestigious Scottish National Business Awards – touted by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.
15 July 2005
sparesFinder locates success in SME awards
Kingston-based inventory management software company, sparesFinder celebrated success last night, when named AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year for the South East. The award ceremony was one of several regional award ceremonies for the prestigious National Business Awards held at the Metropole in London.
15 July 2005
Moneypenny rich with success in SME awards
Wrexham-based outsourced reception service, Moneypenny last night proved it is rich in talent, when it was named AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award for the Wales and West County. The award ceremony was one of several regional award ceremonies for the prestigious National Business Awards held at the Metropole in London.
13 July 2005
Jump's innovative approach to property market wins SME award
Leeds-based Jump has proven that innovation in the traditional real estate market can enhance business performance. Last night (Tuesday 12 July) the firm won the North East AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, the regional element of the prestigious National Business Awards, held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester.
13 July 2005
Flowers Direct combines floristry and technology to win SME award
Combining floristry and technology, Morecambe-based Flowers Direct has found a wining formula. Last night (Tuesday 12 July) the firm won the North West AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, the regional element of the prestigious National Business Awards, held at the Palace Hotel in Manchester.
7 July 2005
Tyrrells Potato Chips finds the winning recipe for SME success
Leominster-based Tyrrells Potato Chips has proven that diversification can be key to business performance. Last night (Wednesday 6 July) the firm won the Midlands and East of England AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, the regional element of the prestigious National Business Awards, held at the Coventry Hilton.
30 June 2005
UK businesses continue to suffer at the hands of criminals
The cost of crime to businesses increased dramatically over the first quarter of 2005 according to the latest findings from AXA's Business Crime Index. The latest findings from the index, which is based on AXA's own claims database, shows the average settlement amount for a crime related insurance claim rose by a staggering 29.2% from £3,643 between October and December 2004 to £4,708 for the first three months of 2005. By comparison, the average cost of a non-crime related settlement rose by just 2.3% in the same period.
9 June 2005
AXA warns Scottish small businesses to check business continuity plans
Following Bob Geldof’s call to ‘Head for Edinburgh’, over a million protesters are now set to descend on the city to campaign against world poverty as G8 leaders meet at Gleaneagles on 6 July 2005. Whilst the organisers call for peaceful protests, AXA is advising small business owners to make sure that they have adequate plans in place in the event of any disruption to their business and ability to trade.
20 May 2005
South East businesses shortlisted for AXA SME Business of the Year Award
AXA today announced the four South East businesses – Molten Group, Provecta Car Plan, Sparesfinder and Thomsons Online Benefits – shortlisted as finalists in the AXA SME of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – touted by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.
20 May 2005
North West businesses shortlisted for AXA SME Business of the Year Award
AXA today announced the four North West businesses – Elite Telecom, Flowers Direct, Panaz and Part Two Group – shortlisted as finalists in the AXA SME of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – touted by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.
13 May 2005
West Country businesses shortlisted for AXA SME Business of the Year Award
AXA today announced that two West Country businesses – a consultancy and contracting service and a software specialist – have been shortlisted as finalists in the AXA SME of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – touted by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.
13 May 2005
Welsh businesses shortlisted for AXA SME Business of the Year Award
AXA today announced that two Welsh businesses – a ready meal manufacturer and a telephone answering service – have been shortlisted as finalists in the AXA SME of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – touted by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.
13 May 2005
North East businesses shortlisted for AXA SME Business of the Year Award
AXA today announced the four North East businesses – Easy computers, MIS, Jump Group and National Locums – which have been shortlisted as finalists in the AXA SME of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – touted by Gordon Brown as the 'Business Oscars'.
5 May 2005
AXA discovers smaller British companies without business continuity plans
90% of businesses affected by a major incident never re-open or close within 18 months.
29 April 2005
Massive data gap hampers efforts to protect business against rising crime
AXA is calling on the future Government to do more to protect UK businesses from the growing threat of crime. AXA recently met with business leaders and crime experts to discuss the reality of business crime in the UK and whether the Government and the police are recording incidences of these crimes effectively. The overwhelming consensus was that business crime isn't taken seriously enough and that the lack of official data on this area makes it difficult for the police and businesses to tackle the problem.
22 April 2005
UK Retailers call for greater protection from crime
The Government and Police authorities are not doing enough to protect retailers from the threat of criminal activity according to a recent study amongst small to medium sized businesses in the sector.
9 March 2005
SMEs invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'
Small and medium sized businesses across the country have until 22 March to enter the regional AXA SME of the year award within their respective region. This forms part of the National Business Awards programme that Gordon Brown calls the 'Business Oscars'.
8 March 2005
Crime continues to threaten UK Business – AXA reveals business crime is up by 22%
Criminal activity against businesses has increased dramatically according to the latest findings from AXA’s Business Crime Index. The index, which is based on AXA’s own claims database, shows the number of claims settled as a result of criminal activity in the last quarter of 2004 rose by over 22% (22.76%) compared to the previous quarter.
21 February 2005
Research highlights problem of ‘under-insurance’ amongst SMEs
New research from AXA Insurance reveals that the majority of commercial insurance brokers believe that their SME clients are under-insured. Around half believe that their SME clients do not have enough insurance for their working premises and 55% claim that they need more cover for their motor fleets.
11 February 2005
Research identifies ‘true’ cost of criminal activity on small businesses
The implications of criminal activity on businesses are far reaching and involve much more than just replacing stolen stock or paying to repair damaged property. New research from AXA reveals that over the past five years, some 2,000 small businesses claim that they have been forced to close down as a result of suffering at the hands of criminals.
31 January 2005
136,000 small businesses could be victims of crime in 2005
According to new research from AXA Insurance, around 12% of small sized businesses - some 136,000 companies in total - could suffer from some form of criminal activity during the next 12 months. The most frequent crime they will fall victim to will be theft, followed by malicious damage such as vandalism, and forcible entry to their premises.