County's resilience shines through

The resilience, innovation and determination of the county’s top SMEs was highlighted at Lancashire Business View’s Hot 100 breakfast.

The gathering at Mitton Hall near Clitheroe was held to celebrate the magazine’s 2022 Hot 100 list of the Lancashire’s most profitable SMEs.

It was attended by representatives from companies on the list and an invited audience from the worlds of academia, business support, local government and the media.

The well-attended morning event was sponsored by Woodcocks, Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors, Nelson and Colne College and PM+M and supported by Lexus Preston and Limitless Public Relations.

Dean Rogers of PM+M accountants, who compiled the Hot 100, told the audience: “There is some serious resilience in the list.”

He said that despite most businesses being affected by the pandemic, the overall profit generated by the 100 had risen by £80m compared to the previous year, with the construction sector proving particularly strong.

And he predicted that Lancashire’s resilience would again come to the fore over the next 12 months, whatever the difficulties ahead.

Nadeem Memon, group financial officer at textile group Panaz, number 64 in this year’s list, said it had continued to invest in digital technology and automation on its growth journey, with

 efficiency at the heart of the strategy.

He added: “We use the profits that we generate and reinvest those back into the business.”

As well as its investments in processes, the group had also set up its own manufacturing operation in east Lancashire and had made acquisitions. Nadeem said: “Don’t hesitate to invest to try and accelerate your businesses.”

 

Victoria Last, marketing manager at Haslingden based Carvansons, number 55 in this year’s Hot 100, said the business had concentrated on exports and new products since moving into

 Lancashire from Greater Manchester.

The business manufactures bulk ingredients for the soap, cosmetic and detergent industries, creating a range of fragrances. Victoria said: “During Covid we adapted our products” and stressed that being able to “pivot and adapt “was critical for businesses looking to meet the challenges ahead.

Tracy Clavell-Bate, head of development and acquisitions at Barnfield Construction, shared some of its business thinking and strategy. The company came in at number 15 in the Hot 100.

 

She explained how the east Lancashire headquartered group had entered successful partnerships with both the public and private sector, including several joint ventures. Barnfield has its own

 development portfolio and is now also looking at bigger contracts.

Tracy said: “Our biggest challenge is recruitment, getting people to come to our end of the M65.”

The breakfast event also heard from Sara Beaumont, director at Woodcocks, Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors and Morag Davis, assistant principal at Nelson and Colne College.

Sara said it was important for businesses to have conversations and to get support. She said: “Acknowledge your strengths but admit your weaknesses. It is easy in business to think you should be able to do everything.”

She added: “There is nothing wrong with admitting you are not particularly good at something. It takes a lot of strength to actually recognise that and go and find someone who can help you.”

Morag urged businesses to think about the skills pipeline and where their talent was coming from.

She said many businesses did not really know how Further Education colleges work, the help they can provide and the skilled people they can deliver for them. She stressed: “Colleges have to work with businesses to respond to their skills needs.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Lancashire Business View

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin