Hale Independent Issue 186

DECEMBER 2025 22 Independent BUSINESS JUST over four in ten businesses have reported experiencing a cyber secu- rity breach or attack in the last 12 months. That equates to around 612,000 UK businesses and 61,000 charities, according to official UK figures. Phishing attacks remain the most prevalent and dis- ruptive type of breach or attack – experienced by 85 per cent of businesses. By harnessing artificial intelligence, scammers can create highly convincing emails and messages that trick employees into reveal- ing sensitive information or transferring funds. With five simple prompts information technology giant IBMwas able to trick a gener- ative AI model into developing highly convincing phishing emails in just five minutes. Here it shares advice to help businesses stay prepared: � When in doubt, call the sender: If you’re ques- tioning whether an email is legitimate, pick up the phone and verify. � Dispel the myth that phish- ing emails are riddled with bad grammar and spelling errors. AI-driven phishing attempts are increasingly sophisticated, often demon- strating grammatical cor- rectness. That’s why it’s imperative to re-educate employees. Train them to be vigilant about the length and complexity of email content. Longer emails, often a hallmark of AI-generated text, can be a warning sign. � Strengthen identity and access management con- trols: Advanced identity access management sys- tems can help validate who is accessing what data, whether they have the appropriate entitlements and that they are who they say they are. � Constantly adapt and inno- vate: The rapid evolution of AI means that cyber criminals will continue to refine their tactics. Busi- nesses must adopt that same mindset. � Staff awareness is the first line of defence against phishing AI. Regular train- ing will help employees rec- ognise AI-driven scams, understand the risks, and respond appropriately. THERE has been amarked fall in the number of SMEs in the North West making Research & Development tax relief claims, accord- ing to research by account- ancy firm Azets. The drop has prompted a specialist at the firm, which has an office in Stockport, to warn that businesses in the region should use the valuable tax relief support – or lose it. Becca Murdoch, a tax director with Azets, issued the warning after analysing the latest HMRC figures for 2023-24. They show claims by firms in Cheshire falling from865 to 615 compared to the previous year. In Greater Manchester the figure fell from 2,290 to 1,495. Becca said: “We are find- ing that the reduced benefit for SMEs, latest compliance rules and relatively high time TWOmembers of theHurst Corporate Finance team who joined the practice as graduates have been pro- moted to manager level. Isabelle Bennett joined the Stockport based accountany practice in 2016 and has been part of its corporate finance team since 2021. She advises on a range of projects, including business valuations, exit strategies and acquisitions. Matthew Taylor joined Hurstfor a six-week work placement after university in 2021 and immediately earned a place on its graduate trainee programme. He has led a number of significant projects across sectors including energy, legal and property, and is currently working on numer- ous high-value transactions, including acquisitions, buy- and-build strategies and com- pany disposals. Nigel Barratt, head of Hurst Corporate Finance, said: “Promotion for Isabelle andMatthew is well-deserved, given their hard work and commitment to developing their corporate finance skills, and they always get great cli- ent feedback. “They will undoubtedly help us to carry on building an increasingly successful cor- porate finance business and I look forward to continuing to work with them over the coming years.” Earlier this year, Hurst unveiled plans to double in size amid rapid expansion across the practice. It aims to become a £20mil- lion-turnover operation in 2028, fuelled by a growing national client base, exten- sive recruitment and new service lines to support its ambitions, alongside a mul- ti-million-pound investment in technology. PLANNERS have given the go-ahead for the con- struction of two state-of- the-art industrial units on the 30-acre Winsford Gateway development. Developer Rula has also agreed a freehold ‘build- to-suit’ for one of the units to become the new head- quarters for local business, Saint Group. Established in 2008, Saint Group is a national business offering expert floor finishing and interior design services to national housebuild- ers, with five offices across the UK. Steve Turner, Saint founder and chairman, said: “Our business has contin- ued to grow both locally and throughout the UK since its conception in 2008. “As we embark on further expansion, we are thrilled to be working with Rula Developments to deliver new bespoke HQ premises VERNON Building Society was named Employer of the Year at the NorthWest Business of the Year Awards. The win is the third time in 2025 the Stockport-based mutual has been recognised for its exceptional employ- ment practices. The award was presented at a ceremony attended by more than 400 guests atTheMidland Hotel inManchester. Chief executive Darren Ditchburn said: “We’re abso- lutely delighted to be named Employer of the Year at the North West Business of the Year Awards. “This makes it a hat-trick of employment recognition this year following our Greater ManchesterGoodEmployment Charter membership and our StockportBusinessAwardswin. “We’re a people-based business – everything we do regions, is a crying shame because this kind of funding pays the people who help local businesses develop new and exciting technologies, which in turn grow the regional and wider economy. “Innovation costs consid- erable money – and a lot of innovation wouldn’t happen without taxpayer support because loss-making compa- nies wouldn’t risk bankroll- ing further financial hits and profitable ones may fear being dragged into the red without recourse to public money to offset R&D outlay. “Yet successful innovation can generate new revenues for businesses and create new taxes which more than cover what was put in by the tax- payer. Companies with genuine claims should not be put off.” She added: “Worryingly, the government’s figures show that SMEs aren’t making as many R&D tax credit claims, with a decrease of nearly one- third compared to the previous year, and this is undoubtedly a direct consequence of the latest compliance rules. Indeed, the number of claims last year for R&D tax credits by scheme overall was the lowest since 2016-17.” Green light for Gateway development Approval: A CGI of theWinsford Gateway industrial units (Photo credit: Rula) that will support our future aspirations, safeguarding and creating new jobs while generating new investment for the area.” Winsford Gateway is a significant business hub at Junction 18 of the M6. It sits at the north entrance to the wider 380-acre Winsford Industrial Estate, which is home to around 150 busi- nesses employing more than 4,000 people. Anthony Clith- eroe, development director at Rula Developments said, “We are delighted to secure planning consent for our latest plans at Winsford Gateway, adding important logistics accommodation to the already successful Winsford Industrial Estate which remains 100 per cent occupied. “We are also excited to secure a freehold build-to- suit agreement to deliver for a locally founded, successful business like Saint Floor- ing, supporting its busi- ness expansion.” He added: “We have also invested in creating an amenity hub at Winsford Gateway with on-site facil- ities including a recently opened Costa Coffee, Greggs, Subway and Londis and fill- ing/service station serving the thousands who already work and commute around the site. “A new McDonalds outlet opened in July and a KFC operator has recently secured planning consent within the amenity hub also.” Rula has previously deliv- ered a state-of-the-art factory for Tiger Trailers at Winsford Gateway, and more recently completed a 4.1-acre yard extension for the manufac- turer on its adjacent devel- opment site. On the way up Promotions: Matthew and Isobelle Decline in R&D tax relief claims sparks warning Concerned: Becca Murdoch Society does the ‘treble’ Winners: The Vernon team celebrates the award team starts with people and ends with people. That’s why this recognition means so much. It’s a huge credit to our bril- liant team and the culture we’ve built together. As CEO, I couldn’t be prouder.” The award recognises Vernon’s evolution into a ‘values-led organisation’ that places colleague wellbeing at its core. The society, which cele- brateditscentenaryin202,has six branches across Stockport and Cheshire. As well as its Stockport HQ, the Vernon has branches in Bramhall, Poynton, Hazel Grove, Marple and Reddish. and cost investment to make an R&D claim are discour- aging SMEs, in particular smaller SMEs.” Claims by SMEs – which account for nearly 99 per cent of businesses in the UK – fell by nearly one-third compared to the previous tax year. Just under 47,000 R&D tax credit claims for 2023-24 were made overall, a fall of just over a quarter. Tax reliefs can be between £15 to £27 for every £100 spent on R&D, based on the government’s own figures. Becca added: “The decrease, seen locally and across all the How cyber secure are you?