A PAYROLL specialist has boosted her business after finding new clients through services backed by Worcestershire County Council.

The value of FinditinWorcestershire’s breakfast networking events has been proved by the success of Carolyn Baker, who won business after attending her first meeting. Mrs Baker, from Redditch, runs Payease, a new payroll services business, and was introduced to the FinditinWorcestershire event by a business colleague.

Determined to use the network, she created a mini website through the Findit portal, uploaded a photo, started chatting to people and found herself talking to someone who knew someone who urgently needed exactly the service that she was offering.

“I realised there was a gap in the market, when payroll legislation changed in April this year,” she said. “Real Time Information was introduced, which means employers have to submit full payroll data to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) online in advance of salary payments being credited to employees' bank accounts, greatly increasing the workload and burden for employers.”

She said the extra pressure on employers due to the changes led her to identify a gap in the market.

“I decided to set up my own business offering a service for this work, which has proved particularly useful for small firms,” she said.

“This allows businesses to concentrate on what they are good at while I take care of the payroll.”

FinditinWorcestershire is part of Worcestershire. Business.Central, a business solutions initiative aiming to provide support for businesses to develop and grow. The initiative is a partnership between Worcestershire County Council, the district councils, Worcestershire LEP, Hereford and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire Training Providers Association, the National Apprenticeship Service and JobCentrePlus.

Bob Harrington, business relationship executive at Worcestershire County Council, said he was pleased the services had paid off for Payease.

“I am delighted Carolyn has been able to gain great benefit from these county council-led services,” he said.

“We are here for businesses that require our help and support in starting or growing, whether it is finding access to finance including grants, or developing training and skills opportunities.”

For more information and a guide to the services on offer, visit business-central.co.uk or call the FinditinWorcestershire team on 0300 1231440.