Only 15 per cent of workers in Yorkshire and Humberside prefer to meet face-to-face with colleagues, clients and suppliers, while almost half choose to keep in touch with clients and colleagues via e-mail, according to a new survey.

A further 31 per cent would rather conduct business by phone.

The figures come from the latest Close Brothers Business Barometer, a quarterly survey that canvasses the opinions of UK SME owners and business managers.

The research further revealed that two in five employers in the region believe that face-to-face communication is becoming less important in the modern workplace.

Lee Hayes, regional sales director of Close Brothers invoice finance in Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “As technology continues to evolve, the different ways to communicate appear almost endless.

“However, while it may seem quicker and easier to send an e-mail or make a call, the value of face-to-face communication should not be forgotten.”