2006 News
Viewing a PDF document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download the latest version for free at the Adobe site.
12 December 2006
Businesses at risk of being caught cold
With warmer than average temperatures experienced in November and mild weather predicted for December, businesses may be lured into a false sense of security this winter. The Met Office is predicting a late cold snap that could cause problems for owners and managers of small businesses.
6 December 2006
Business crime increases by 15% in third quarter
The latest findings from the AXA Business Crime Index* reveal a 15% increase in crime related insurance claims by businesses between July and September, compared to the second quarter of this year.
28 November 2006
AXA produces TV programme on the issue of climate change
As part of AXA's ongoing contribution to the climate change debate and its involvement in the Local Government Association's climate change conference on Tuesday 28th November AXA Insurance has made a short television programme which aims to communicate and reinforce its commitment to advising small businesses and planners on how to adapt to, and mitigate the effects of climate change. Watch it here: Climate Change video
20 November 2006
Professional services industry most at risk from assault
AXA Insurance research with 67 employees who have been injured whilst working in the professional services sector over the past five years has revealed that eleven of them (16%) had received their injuries as a result of physical assault. This is much higher than the 8% average across all industries covered in the study.
8 November 2006
Edinburgh’s Bigmouthmedia scoops UK ‘Business Oscar’
New media marketing agency bigmouthmedia proved itself a tartan tiger company tonight by topping a 10-strong field of finalists to win the AXA Small to Medium Size Business of the Year category at the UK’s National Business Awards at glittering award ceremony at Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
23 October 2006
Poor health and safety in the leisure and hospitality sector
AXA Insurance research with 130 employees who have been injured whilst working in the leisure and hospitality sector over the past five years has revealed poor levels of health and safety in the workplace. Accidents in the kitchen accounted for most of the injuries to leisure employees with 74 out of the 130 (57%) injured there. 105 of the people injured (81%) suffered cuts or burns. Despite the frequency of such injuries amongst the leisure industry employees surveyed, only half of them (65 respondents) claimed to have received health and safety training.
12 October 2006
Business crime insurance claims on the increase
The latest findings from the AXA Business Crime Index show a 3% increase in the number of crime related insurance claims by businesses in the second quarter of 2006 compared to the first three months of the year. The Index, which is based on AXA’s own claims data, also reveals that over the same period, the number of arson claim settlements increased by an alarming 12% while malicious damage claims, such as graffiti and smashed windows increased by 11%. However, incidences of theft, which accounts for the majority of crime related insurance claims by businesses, fell by 1% between the first and second quarter though it still accounts for over 10% of all insurance claims made by businesses.
2 October 2006
AXA launches electrical inspection survey for SMEs
AXA, in partnership, with The National Electrical Certification & Training Alliance Ltd (NECTA), an independent electrical safety specialist, have introduced an innovative and bespoke electrical inspection service for small to medium-sized businesses in the UK.
2 October 2006
AXA research shows small business not concerned by EU expansion
Research released today by AXA Group, shows the majority of Britain’s small businesses are not concerned by expansion of the EU and some have even benefited from it. 9% of those questioned felt it had been good for their business and 75% said they saw this as having no impact at all. In fact, a quarter of businesses are more concerned about competition from Asian markets than from an enlarged Europe.
21 September 2006
Machinery responsible for one in four accidents in the workplace
AXA Insurance research with 57 employees who have been injured whilst working in the manufacturing sector over the past five years has revealed poor levels of health and safety in the workplace. 16 out of the 57 (28%) were injured by the machinery they were using and in an industry where the use of potentially hazardous equipment is commonplace, it is shocking that three in ten of the employees claim to have had no health and safety training.
15 September 2006
Edinburgh’s Bigmouthmedia named AXA Small to Medium sized Business of the year
AXA today announced that Bigmouthmedia (www.bigmouthmedia.com) in Edinburgh has won the title of AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year’s prestigious Scottish National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’. The company is a leading search engine marketing agency based in Edinburgh, London and New York and specialises in achieving high traffic for clients through top listings on search engines.
30 August 2006
One in ten employees injured at work
New research from AXA Insurance has revealed that as many as one in ten people have sustained an injury in the work place in the past five years. AXA’s study revealed that whilst employee injuries are most likely to be caused by work-related accidents (81%), for example, using machinery and tripping over, a shocking eight per cent of work-related injuries sustained by employees resulted from a physical assault by either a customer or colleague.
17 August 2006
Small businesses live in fear of technology failure
For the third year running, small businesses have told AXA that IT systems failure is the most feared threat to their ongoing health and profitability. 91% of respondents identify IT failure as a threat with 23% of these believing it to be significant. IT problems were also identified by a quarter of respondents as the most common cause of total business failure.
14 July 2006
Coveted AXA Wales and West Country ‘Business Oscar’ Awarded to Eatonfield Group of Companies, Mold
AXA today announced that Eatonfield Group of Companies, Mold (www.eatonfield.co.uk) has won the title of Wales and West Country AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.
14 July 2006
Coveted AXA South East ‘Business Oscar’ awarded to Telinet Solutions Ltd of Southwark
AXA today announced that Telinet Solutions Ltd, Southwark (www.telinet.co.uk) has won the title of South East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’. The company is a network service provider offering a complete range of telephony and data network services.
12 July 2006
Coveted AXA North West region ‘Business Oscar awarded for second year in a row to Farmhouse Fare Ltd
AXA today announced that Farmhouse Fare Ltd, Clitheroe (www.farmhousefare.co.uk) has won the title of North West AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’. The company is a specialist manufacturer of premium chilled desserts supplying to major UK supermarkets and biscuits and traybakes to Waitrose coffee shops and it retains the title for the second year in a row.
12 July 2006
Coveted AXA North East ‘Business Oscar’ awarded to Martek Marine Ltd of Rotherham
AXA today announced that Martek Marine Ltd, Rotherham (www.martek-marine.com) has won the title of North East AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of safety and environmental monitoring equipment to the global marine industry.
11 July 2006
AXA Welcomes the Government's Commitment to cut Onerous Business Red Tape
British small businesses continue to find dealing with red tape onerous according to AXA’s Business Risk monitor data released today. However, despite the weight of legislation that they have to deal with, 81% of businesses recognised that failure to comply could have a negative impact on their business performance, potentially threatening their livelihood .
6 July 2006
Coveted AXA Midlands and East of England ‘Business Oscar’ awarded for second year in a row to Tyrrells Potato Chips LTD of Leominster
AXA today announced that Tyrrells Potato Chips Ltd, Leominster (www.tyrrellspotatochips.co.uk) has won the title of Midlands and East of England AXA Small to Medium Business of the Year in this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.
6 July 2006
AXA Risk Monitor shows skills problems lead to business failure
82% of businesses are worried about future recruitment according to the AXA Risk Monitor Report*. The survey that examines potential risks to the UK SME market also revealed that 46% of businesses consider lack of good staff as the most common reason for business failure.
22 June 2006
Cost of Individual Cases of Business Crime up 6%
The latest findings of the AXA Business Crime Index, which are based on the company’s own claims data*, show that the average cost of a crime related business insurance claim during the first three months of 2006 was £4,179.
14 June 2006
Scottish Businesses Shortlisted for AXA ‘Business Oscars’
AXA today announced the five Scottish businesses that have been shortlisted in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards programme for Scotland 2006 – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.
13 April 2006
UK SMEs cite severe weather patterns as a bigger threat to their businesses than poor management or competition
New findings from AXA’s Business Risk Monitor survey have revealed that UK SME directors believe that Environmental Disasters – such as flooding and hurricanes are a more common reason for business failure than poor management or competition. When asked what they thought was the most common reason for business failure just 3% accredited this to bad or poor management and only 1% believed that it was down to competition. A much bigger proportion considered a potential environmental disaster (12%) as a bigger threat to their businesses.
6 April 2006
South East businesses shortlisted for AXA ‘Business Oscars’
AXA today announced that four South East businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further four highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.
6 April 2006
North West businesses shortlisted for AXA ‘Business Oscars’
AXA today announced that four North West businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further four highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.
6 April 2006
Wales and West Country businesses shortlisted for AXA ‘Business Oscars’
AXA today announced that four Wales and West Country businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and one has been highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.
6 April 2006
North East businesses shortlisted for AXA ‘Business Oscars’
AXA today announced that four North East businesses have been shortlisted as finalists and a further two highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award category of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards.
6 April 2006
Midlands and East of England businesses shortlisted for AXA ‘Business Oscars’
AXA today announced that four Midlands and East of England businesses have been shortlisted as finalists of this year’s prestigious National Business Awards.
16 March 2006
Business crime cost £721 million in 2005
New research from AXA Insurance reveals that in 2005 the cost of crimes against British small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) was at least £721,637,653. However, AXA believes that the ‘true’ cost of business crime is much higher as many offences will not be claimed for. In addition many more SMEs are either not insured at all or have inadequate cover.
8 March 2006
Weight of Government Legislation is Stifling UK Productivity
SMEs are finding dealing with red tape to be a huge burden on their businesses and it is stifling productivity, according to new research by AXA. 85% of businesses surveyed believe that the weight of Government legislation has increased in the last twelve months and 54% state that the effect of more legislation will reduce productivity.
8 March 2006
AXA Risk Monitor survey
Businesses at risk from new Employment Act regulations, companies need to act now to reduce the risk of litigation.
17 February 2006
Scottish businesses invited by AXA to star in 'Business Oscars'
AXA is calling on businesses across Scotland to enter the AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award, part of the National Business Awards programme for Scotland 2006.
17 February 2006
Are you the Best Business in the North West?
AXA is calling on businesses across the region to enter the North West AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award.
17 February 2006
Are you the Best Business in the North East?
AXA is calling on businesses across the region to enter the North East AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award.
17 February 2006
Are you the Best Business in Wales & The West Country?
Wales & West Country businesses invited by AXA to star in ‘Business Oscars’
17 February 2006
Midlands & East of England Businesses invited by AXA to star in ‘Business Oscars’
AXA is calling on businesses across the region to enter the Midlands & East of England AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award.
17 February 2006
Are you the Best Business in the South East?
South East businesses invited by AXA to star in ‘Business Oscars’ AXA is calling on businesses across the South East to enter the South East AXA Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year Award.
24 January 2006
Noise at Work Regulations
SMEs are being warned that under new Noise at Work Regulations the noise levels that employees can be exposed to will be reduced by almost half. This legislation is due to come into effect April 2006 with a two year transitional period for the music and entertainment industry until April 2008.
10 January 2006
Fear Hinders UK Entrepreneurialism
65% of UK employees say that they find the idea of working from home and running their own business from home appealing, according to new research* from AXA. But despite the apparent attraction it seems that fear and uncertainty are holding back many wannabe entrepreneurs when it comes to realising their dreams.