When this recruitment firm chose to tackle Covid by expanding rather than contracting, NatWest Rapid Cash helped them stay on course.
Ross Porter started in recruitment, forging his own agency back in 1999. Since then, he’s built a successful company, sold it to a job-market giant, built up another challenger brand, and in his own words had “a shed-load of challenging times along the way”.
Now in 2021, Ross is Managing Director of Clear Sky Recruitment and facing tempestuous times under coronavirus. But unlike many small-to-medium enterprises, the Caerphilly-headquartered agency is steering into the storm of the pandemic; and with the help of NatWest Rapid Cash, is looking to emerge from the maelstrom stronger than the entered it. ‘Clear skies’ indeed. Ross told us,
“Covid has impacted Clear Sky Recruitment, however, as a business we’ve come out fighting by increasing our presence”.
Under the cloud of the global crisis, Clear Sky has expanded rather than contracted. Since the start of 2020, the company’s two branches in South Wales have been joined by offices just across the Severn in Bristol, and north into both Birmingham and Manchester.
Like a bridging loan over troubled waters
“Costs were cut wherever possible” said Ross, “and access to working capital became paramount during this period, as did the support of NatWest as a banking partner.
“We had good weeks and we had bad weeks. It was (and is) great to have a facility that flexed along with that. Working capital is key – having access to our funds as quickly and easily as possible.”
NatWest Rapid Cash gave Ross and his team access to the fast, reliable and predictable service that they so desperately wanted.
“The NatWest Rapid Cash facility and the support team have been impressive from day one. It gives us quick and easy access to vital working capital, which is essential in the fast-paced world of recruitment that we operate in. We can see what’s readily available at any point. It’s a very, very easy system to use.
“With NatWest Rapid Cash we get a simple, interest fee per month. It’s there on or around the same day every month, and we can see exactly how much it is costing us. The competitor facility I was using before was a bit of a nightmare. It was difficult to see what I was being charged as they’d dress it up.”
Parting the clouds with NatWest
Since moving to NatWest Rapid Cash, Ross and Clear Sky have not looked back.
“One of the main advantages of Rapid Cash over our previous funding method is that the ledger is directly linked to our accountancy package. This means that sales invoices are automatically uploaded to Rapid Cash; no need to input them manually as with our former provider’s software. This saves a lot of time and omits room for errors.
“I can’t really fault NatWest Rapid Cash. It’s quick, it’s easy to navigate around the dashboard and the funds are right there. The name says it all – it’s rapid cash.”
After hearing Ross’s glowing praise, we asked him if there was anything Rapid Cash could improve to make his experience better. Ross simply said, “In this article, can you swap out my picture for George Clooney’s?”
Sadly, that’s the one thing NatWest Rapid Cash can’t do.
Thanks to Ross and Clear Sky Recruitment for taking the time to talk to us about their experiences with NatWest Rapid Cash.
What could Rapid Cash do for you?
To be eligible for Rapid Cash you must be trading for at least 6 months, have an annual turnover of at least £100k and either be a Limited Company or Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales. Additionally, you need to invoice other businesses and use one of the following digital accounting software: Xero, Quickbooks, Sage 50, Kashflow, FreeAgent and Netsuite.
Security and guarantee required. Interest on borrowing. Product fees may apply.
