After lockdown: The shape of business in The Thames Valley

Following our recent survey we’re pleased to share our findings with you. This latest piece of business research was conducted by Wilson Partners in July 2021 to help understand the state of business in the Thames Valley following the pandemic. We surveyed our own client base, consisting of approx. 500 ambitious owner managed businesses, largely SMEs, headquartered in the Thames Valley with 5 to 150 employees as well as a select few businesses of a similar DNA.

Having run similar surveys in June and December 2020, we wanted to see how businesses have continued to adjust to the challenging landscape, whilst hopefully benefiting from the vaccine rollout and lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Helping our clients make informed decisions with clearly articulated information is at the heart of what we do and we continue to be here for those clients who need us. We hope that the data in our latest research is a useful addition to your planning for the future.

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What did we learn?
If you looked at the results in isolation, you could be forgiven for forgetting about the pandemic! Although that’s obviously still not the case for every business, overall sentiment is that 45% have not even been adversely affected by the pandemic. Although there is definitely some modesty at play here as we think that some great management has seen off the potential to be adversely affected, as we said last time – fortune favours the brave.

The biggest issues facing businesses in the Thames Valley over the next year are coming from inflationary pressures, and hiring good people, although with 74% of businesses surveyed reporting they are now working remotely in some capacity, this means you can cast the net wider for recruitment.

Fix the roof whilst the sun is shining
Supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, a lack of quality people and businesses still in recovery mode present a lot of variables that could turn on a sixpence at some point in the next few years. So in conclusion, the importance of keeping tight on your numbers, scenario planning, staying on top of cashflow, and keeping a constant dialogue with your customers is as important now as it’s ever been. And having had time to make improvements to your business through the pandemic, now is the opportunity to get it in the best shape, whether that be for growth, acquisition, exit or just to take more holiday.

Thank you
Thank you once again to all clients who took part in our latest survey and particularly congratulations to Leonel de Oliveira at The Virtual Forge who won the Fortnum’s picnic basket in our draw! Once more we were able to gain some valuable insights into business in the Thames Valley, the latest on the impact of the pandemic and the outlook for the year ahead.

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