Smailes Goldie to Support Growth of Humber Renewables Awards Winner (UK)

Free business advice is being offered as a prize by a firm of chartered accountants to the recipient of a renewable energy award.

As part of its backing of the Humber Renewables Awards 2013, advisors from Smailes Goldie are proposing to meet with the winning organisation and help support further growth.

The firm, which has offices in Hull and Barton-upon-Humber, is sponsoring the small business category of the event, which is dedicated to recognising excellence in the region’s green energy industry.

Alicia Hobden, tax manager at Smailes Goldie, said: “The renewable energy industry offers huge potential for small businesses, whether it’s a farm wishing to generate electricity on its land or those companies wanting to secure a place in the sector’s supply chain.

“Smailes Goldie is keen to support these small businesses and the Humber’s emergence as a key area for green energy.

“Sponsoring the small business category of the Humber Renewables Awards, and the offer of free business advice and support to the winner in the form of a meeting, demonstrates this commitment in a very practical way.”

First run last year, the Humber Renewables Awards celebrate the work of individuals, businesses and other organisations in making the region a capital for low-carbon energy.

With bio-energy plants, micro-generation projects and marine renewables all within the region, the area can be a major powerhouse for the sector.

Alicia said: “We’re in the right place at the right time – the Government has set targets for the UK’s use of renewable energy for years to come and Hull and the Humber can be at the centre of this industry in Europe.

“Commercially, there is a lot of potential for our area and businesses, creating jobs and replacing some of the other manufacturing work that has been lost in the area in recent times.”

Founded in 1899, Smailes Goldie is a leading firm of chartered accountants, auditors, tax and business advisors across East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, employing 90 people.

Alicia said the company is already working with a range of clients involved with the renewable energy sector.

She said: “This area of work has grown naturally – advising farming clients building wind turbines, dealing with renewable energy companies, offering corporate finance advice to businesses aiming to expand or diversify and also supporting start-ups.

“We’re pooling our knowledge and, with so much expertise across a wide range of services, we feel Smailes Goldie is very well positioned to support companies involved with green energy.”

One area Smailes Goldie has been advising companies on is the tax regimes aimed at supporting the research and development activities of businesses – something particularly relevant to the hi-tech renewables sector.

Alicia said: “The Government is putting a lot of focus on innovation and there are reduced tax rates and additional enhanced relief available for certain research and development expenditure.

“Renewables is a very progressive industry and this is an area we’re keen to help businesses benefit from.”

The Humber Renewables Small Business of the Year award, sponsored by Smailes Goldie, recognises an organisation with fewer than 50 employees that is committed to the area’s green energy sector, whether directly involved with the technology or at any stage of the supply chain.

Alicia said: “The awards are a positive way of showing the qualities of the Humber area and the excellent assets we have to offer the renewables industry.”

The awards are being run by Footprint Renewables, an East Yorkshire-based public relations and marketing company that works exclusively with the renewable energy and green industries.

There are 10 categories and the finalists will be invited to a celebration dinner at The Deep, Hull, on March 1, where the winners will be announced.

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Press release, February 7, 2013; Image: footprintrenewables