A NEW local consultancy in Swindon hopes to improve the chances of fledgling start-ups taking off.

Andrew Hatcher set up Swindon Consultants after leaving the family firm at Interprint, having been there for most of his working life.

After 24-years picking up the tricks of his trade, becoming operations director and seeing a healthy growth in profits, he is now ready to impart some of his wisdom to smaller firms to help them reach the next step.

Andrew told the Adver: "It was time to go out on my own and try something new," he said.

"Having run a small business I'd seen so many of the issues, having faced many of themself.

"Having experienced these issues first-hand, if I can help other businesses owners, small businesses, micro businesses, that want to expand, I could save them a lot of time and stress about taking their business to the next level.

Andrew says he can advise on HR problems, production and manufacturing, getting a product onto market, financing the business for expansion and investing in new technology.

"Whatever it is, whatever keeps you awake at night, I can probably find an answer," he added.

"It's mainly simple things, that might not be so obvious. It's very difficult to see sometimes, and it can be a lot easier to get someone else to come in and offer that impartial view and make some recommendations.

"They say 70 per cent of businesses owners have no business training at all. They might be able to make something or have something to sell.

"But they have to muddle through as best they can, so I'm targeting those people who might need some assistance."

The company also offers services to well-established SMEs, including company health checks, business planning, risk analysis, R&D tax credits and general support and mentoring.

For more information or help visit the website at www.swindonconsultants.co.uk