As Brexit uncertainty abounds, RSM is advising companies seeking expansion of the need for customer reach and helping them to identify their unique strengths.

While export activity has increased across the Midlands signalling a return to growth, companies in the region face the same challenges as companies across Ireland with Brexit uncertainty a key factor.

“The main market has been Britain and unfortunately the ambition to increase markets in Britain has been badly hampered by the uncertainty arising from the Brexit decision. Food producers are particularly badly impacted,” said Suzanne O’Neill, partner with RSM’s Midlands office.

“We have mainly seen an increase in export activity from clients who have obtained support from Enterprise Ireland,” said O’Neill.

“Enterprise Ireland supports are very beneficial to successful businesses expanding their businesses and their export bases, but the vailability of supports for businesses at an early stage of start-up and for smaller businesses could be improved, to support lower- level job creation or business growth pre job-creation,” she said.

“Although the economy in the cities continues to strengthen, we need a stronger focus on attracting new FDI clients to the Midlands region.”

RSM advises companies seeking expansion of the need for national or overseas customer reach and assists them in identifying their unique strengths in the marketplace. “As well as accounting and audit services, we provide recruitment and HR services, IT supports, and advice on mergers and acquisitions, business succession and taxation,” said O’Neill.

“Business planning and management information are key for businesses and continuous up-to-date management information is essential to drive decision-making. We work with businesses to streamline business planning and management information with in-house or outsourced solutions.”

RSM’s Midlands offices offer a full range of consulting services to its Midlands client base, supported by its head office specialism in management and tax consulting. “We offer assistance to businesses at all stages of the business cycle, from start-up to growth,” said Pat Keegan, partner with RSM’s Midlands office.

“We have seen a growth i ntransaction services provided by our corporate finance services team over the past year, with opportunities on both acquisitions and disposals,” said Keegan.

“Financing of these transactions is still challenging in the new banking environment so it is essential to demonstrate that rigorous due diligence has been undertaken to underpin the financial benefits of the deal,” he said.

“We work with buyers and sellers to identify and match potential acquisition opportunities and we undertake due diligence for buy and sell mandates.”

The firm has also seen growth in demand for startup support and advice in its Portlaoise and Birr offices, mainly from small start-up businesses in niche areas. According to Keegan, access to an educated and trained workforce is vital for businesses in expansion mode and the number of well-educated graduates in the Midlands is on the increase.

“We also see experienced professionals return to the Midlands to improve their work-life balance, and they bring their expertise to Midlands businesses or indeed start up their own businesses from the Midlands,” he said.

“Quality employees seek an interesting, challenging work environment in the Midlands region, but face rent pressures and the lack of new housing. These issues need to be addressed as part of the national housing strategy.”

O’Neill said RSM Ireland’s business had grown considerably over the past 12 months since the firm joined the RSM network.

“The Dublin office has grown at a faster pace than the regional offices but all three offices (Dublin, Portlaoise and Birr) have seen an increase in new business activity in the past 12 months,” she said.

“We are currently recruiting in the two Midlands offices at manager, senior and trainee level to support our business growth.”

 

*As published in the Sunday Business Post 'Business in the Midlands' special, 10th September, 2017