Leading independent invoice finance specialist, Bibby Financial Services, has been recognised as one of the top 100 employers in the UK for the second year running.

The company, which employs 649 people across 17 offices throughout the UK including Belfast and provides expert invoice finance solutions to over 4,000 businesses a year, was placed 84th in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list, up 11 places on 2011.

Recognised as the definitive survey of workplace engagement and satisfaction, the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, identifies the UK’s most dynamic and effective organisations with the most motivated and enthusiastic employees based on eight key workplace performance and best practice factors.

Commenting on the announcement, Nick McCafferty, Regional Manager for Bibby Financial Services in Northern Ireland said “The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious company award schemes and we are very proud to be given this recognition for the second year running. Employee feedback is taken very seriously In Bibby Financial Services, so it is great to affirm that staff are happy with working conditions and optimistic about the future of our company.

“Bibby Financial Services is all about supporting local SMEs, giving them the opportunity to develop and grow, safe in the knowledge that they have the security of adequate cash flow to allow them to do so. Our clients typically view the Bibby Financial Services employees as an extension of their own team, and our staff being happy in their work reflects in high performances, both in our clients businesses and in our own.

He continued, “Every year internal employee surveys are carried out and the company always act on the results. For example, after receiving record levels of client satisfaction as well as employee engagement, last year’s survey also revealed that employees wanted benefits tailored to their individual needs, so, from January this year, the company started implementing a flexible benefits system whereby employees can buy benefits important to them and their family, including extra holiday and dental cover.

As well as making staff wellbeing a priority, Bibby Financial Services strives to make a difference in the community by supporting local and national charities. The firm supported its parent company the Bibby Line Group in raising £3.7 million for good causes in 2011 through its matched funding programme, ‘Giving Something Back’, which encourages staff to organise charity events and then matches the funds they raised.

Nick McCafferty continues, “Our aim is to become the largest independent factoring company in the world, and we can’t do this without the continuing hard work and dedication of a fully motivated team. Last year Bibby Financial Services made 74 promotions across the UK and spent more than £500,000 on staff training and continues to invest in the company and staff going forward.

“In having an invigorated and inspired workforce we are able to build strong-relationships with our clients and are proud to report that 83 per cent would recommend our services to their peers, an increase of 8 per cent on 2010.”

“We are acutely aware that our employees determine the continued success of the company, which though has a worldwide network has a specific regional focus for each office.

“At a time when traditional lending institutions are restricting credit facilities to NI SMEs, Bibby Financial Services are providing SMEs with funding vital to survival and growth. Our employees play a crucial role and we are committed to showing our appreciation for their ongoing commitment.

“In the current environment, where lending to NI businesses from traditional lenders is at an all time low, we will continue to differentiate ourselves through the flexible funding we offer and through the high level of personal service our highly trained employees provide.”

ENDSPlease contact Lyn Sheridan at Aiken PRLyn@aikenpr.co.uk 048 9066 3000/ 0044 77705841

Notes to editorsInvoice FinanceInvoice finance enables businesses to unlock the funds tied up in one of their biggest assets, namely, unpaid customer invoices – leading to an immediate injection and then ongoing supply of cash into the business. On receipt of an invoice from a customer, an invoice finance company will typically release up to 85 per cent of its value within 24 hours. It will then undertake the credit control and collections function on behalf of its client, sending out statements and chasing the debt until it is paid. The balance, less a service charge, is paid to the business once customer payment is received.The cash flow released from an invoice finance facility can be used to pay staff wages and fulfil new orders. In addition, the monies can be used to settle suppliers’ bills more quickly, enabling businesses to benefit from early payment discounts. With the money advanced to the business based directly on actual sales, the amount of cash available to the business increases as invoices are raised

Bibby Financial ServicesBibby Financial Services is a market-leading specialist in the provision of a range of business cash flow solutions to small and medium sized enterprises. As a global provider, Bibby Financial Services operates throughout Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, with coverage in France, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and Hong Kong. As a leading independent invoice finance company we support the cash flow and growth of our clients globally through our network of local offices, ensuring genuine market knowledge and fast, flexible solutions.

Our aim as a leading independent invoice finance company is to support the cash flow position and growth of our clients in both Ireland and overseas, something we have been doing now for over 25 years.

About Bibby Line GroupBibby Financial Services is supported by its parent the Bibby Line Group a business-to-business services group involved in shipowning and operation, shallow water accommodation, offshore oil and gas services, contract logistics, financial services, memorial parks, employment law and health & safety advisory services, specialist plant & equipment hire and retail.The company was founded by Liverpool entrepreneur John Bibby in 1807 and has its head office in Duke Street, Liverpool.