HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year break and are now back into the swing of things for 2012!
Firstly I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of our esteemed clients for their business in 2011. Regardless of whether we did a lot or a little business with you, GPW sincerely value you as a client and look forward to working with you throughout 2012.
Well the weather doesn’t seem to have hit us as hard as it did last year with minimum disruption it would seem to productivity. The economic climate still remains challenging for all of us but there are further signs that UK plc. is slowly but surely lifting itself out of recession.
For GPW, the biggest growth area has been within the manufacturing sector where we are actually starting to witness skills shortages in certain disciplines. Manufacturing throughout the northwest certainly seems to be on the up.
The Agency Workers Regulations are now in full flow and week 13 rights are effective for all temporary PAYE and Umbrella workers who have been in their positions for that length of time. Systems at GPW have been upgraded to accommodate the change in legislation and we are very confident that we are able to give all our clients maximum protection based on the way we manage our data internally.
In my last Managing Directors Views I mentioned that a team from GPW were due to run the Liverpool Marathon. For those of you who have never run a marathon, I can’t express how painful it is after about 20 miles – every part of your body is in pain. But we completed the course successfully and looking back now we have all gained a massive sense of achievement. Thank you to those clients who came out to support the event and cheered us on along the way – it is much appreciated.
On the subject of fitness, GPW will be sponsoring the Steve Prescott Foundation St Helens 10k run this year so lots of GPW staff are now in training for the event. This year it will be very special as the start and finish line are both at the new Saints Rugby League Stadium and runners will actually finish on the pitch in front of the spectators. If you are interested in running please visit the website www.sthelens10krun.org.uk.
Whatever your New Year resolutions I really do wish you all the very best for 2012 and I look forward to speaking with you next quarter.