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CODE TO JOY
STAR STORE
Teaching method that could be international success – page 2
John Lewis chief hails Cribbs Causeway outlet – page 3
Business www.
bristolpost.co.uk
28 OCT
2015
THE BIG INTERVIEW
SAVING ICON FROM SEA OF TROUBLES Meet the man who steered a rusting SS Great Britain to its former glory and created a thriving tourist attraction Pages 6&7
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Recruitment
Link with rugby side is forward thinking
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Exports
● ONE of Bristol’s most successful recruitment companies has thrown its weight behind a university rugby team in the city in a deal it hopes will give a boost to graduate jobs. G2V Recruitment Group has announced it will work in partnership with the Students’ Union UWE men’s rugby union first team this season. It is hoped the agreement will not only help to develop rugby at the University of the West of England but build on the growing global recruitment business’s already strong graduate links.
In the last year, the G2V Group took on almost 60 graduates including several UWE alumni and it hopes to double the figure next year. It is the first time a recruitment business has sponsored the UWE men’s rugby first team and internal recruitment manager Leanne Higgins is hoping it will be a move which benefits both parties. “We’re really looking forward to working with UWE, which is known as strong sporting university,” she said. “Historically, candidates who have competitive sporting traits have always been successful at G2V, so we’re hoping to attract more candidates of this calibre.”
● Youngsters using the method for teaching computer coding
Exporting skills Teaching the US to crack computer code at school Upjohls avun
Business@b-nm.co.uk
Survey
Bristol one of best places for start-ups
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● BRISTOL is one of the best locations in the UK to start up a small business, according to research compiled by AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). AAT examined information from 64 cities across the UK to determine the best location to start a business in, cross referencing data from seven key criteria including the density of small and medium sized businesses in the area, quality of broadband connectivity, the amount of small business closures, property prices, and even pollution levels. Bristol rated highly for having a high density of small businesses in the area. London made it to number nine on the list; however, the capital’s high number of small business closures, middling broadband speeds and astronomic property prices make Bristol a more attractive place for a start-up. AAT chief executive Mark Farrar said: “Although many people would automatically think of London as the best place in the UK to start a business, this research shows that there may be better locations to find success.” The top ranking places are: Brighton, Cambridge, Leicester, Worthing, Reading, Bristol, Aldershot, Crawley, London and Derby.
A
METHOD for teaching children in the UK about the basics of computer coding making its way across the pond to the United States of America. Matt Thurling, a Bristol-based entrepreneur and founder of a national training school CPD for Teachers, knew he was onto a winning idea when he developed a computer science training programme for educators coaching them on how to teach code.
The programme, which has been well received on a national level in the UK, was launched to tie in with the Government’s change from ICT to a new computing curriculum. Recognising the need to fill a future skills shortage in the sector, children as young as five years are now expected to learn about the basis of computer science including coding. Impressed with the uptake, the company is now looking at international opportunities. Matt was invited to the USA at the fringe education event at one of the world’s biggest digital festivals, South by Southwest.He started making inroads into the country. With the help of Government department UK Trade and Investment, he met with an
International Trade Advisor (ITA) about implementing his programme overseas. Matt said: “What I’ve come to realise with the exporting process is that you learn on the job. “You might make mistakes but what you’ve learned might just strengthen what you do in your home market as well. “The lessons I have learned along the way have also had positive benefits on the work I do in the UK.” UKTI’s advice was for Matt to take advantage of the Export Market Research Scheme (EMRS) within its portfolio of services. This scheme supported Matt in his investigation of the US market, with funding to help with travel costs and
guidance on how he could gather the data and market validation he needed in order to proceed. As part of the process, Matt went out to the USA and conducted research guided by the UKTI team on the ground in the New York office, which helped him make contacts. Matt is now planning the next phase of his entry, which is working on setting up a pilot scheme within certain states and education departments. UKTI is holding ExploreExport 2015 at Ashton Gate, Bristol, on November 11 to talk to companies about bringing their product or services overseas. To book a spot, go to www.exploreexport.ukti.gov.uk/Bristol.aspx.
Retail
Aldi staff now paid higher rate than rival stores SHOP floor staff at discount supermarket chain Aldi will now be paid more than their counterparts in other supermarkets. Aldi announced yesterday it was increasing wages for the its staff to above the rate paid by all its other rivals, regardless of the staff ’s age. The German company, which now has nearly half of Britain’s families for shoppers, revealed it will introduce a £8.40 minimum rate for all its staff from February next year. It is now the latest supermarket to beat Chancellor George Osborne’s £7.20 national living wage requirements for those more than 25 years of age. It comes after Lidl became the first supermarket last month to
announce it will meet the living wage, closely followed by Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. More than 5,000 workers at Aldi supermarkets will benefit from the new higher wage. Matthew Barnes, Aldi UK and Ireland CEO, said: “Just as Aldi won’t be beaten on the low prices of our products, we are also committed to offering the best pay and benefits in the industry. The success of Aldi in the UK and Ireland has been driven by the commitment, hard work and ambition of our employees and we will
continue to maintain our leading position on pay.” Earlier this year, Aldi was looking to take on more than 120 people in different roles around its stores in Bristol. John Richardson, Aldi regional managing director, added: “Bristol remains a key city for us, and our existing store vacancies continue to offer significant employment opportunities for people in the area. “We’re looking to attract applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, including supermarket, fast-food and clothing
chains, who can demonstrate relevant retail experience, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.” Sarah Vero, director, Living Wage Foundation said: “We welcome the fantastic news that Aldi is set to raise its hourly wages to rates far above the national minimum and the premium for over 25s. “Their bold move demonstrates that paying the Living Wage in retail is achievable, despite other major supermarket chains telling campaigners that higher wages for the lowest paid are simply not possible. The economic climate has shifted. It’s time for business to recognise we need a recovery for all.”
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Retail
John Lewis Cribbs store among top performers in UK, says chief Upjohls avun
Business@b-nm.co.uk
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RISTOL is punching well above its weight – that is according to John Lewis managing director Andy Street who visited the city’s store yesterday. Since moving to Cribbs Causeway in 1998 from Bristol city centre, the store has continued to improve its takings, and is now one of the top five most profitable stores in the country. Outside of London, the only store which comes close is the one in Bluewater, Kent. Staff - or partners, as they call them at John Lewis - are now gearing up for their busiest time of the year. More than 140 temporary jobs are now up for grabs during the run up to Christmas and New Year. During an exclusive interview with the Bristol Post, Mr Street said the company would continue to invest in both their online offering and store service. He added: “The store here has developed a fantastic trade since we opened in 1998. It is certainly in the
Refugees
Joint effort to find ways to give help ● BUSINESSES and charities will join hands today to explore ways they can help refugees in the city. Bristol, a city of sanctuary, is set to take its share after the Government announced the country will take 20,000 refugees over the next five years. The conference, entitled Sanctuary can work: The Business Community and Refugees is organised by City of Sanctuary in partnership with Business West and Clarke Willmott, who are hosting the conference. Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson will give a key note address, and other speakers include James Durie, director of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Initiative, and Elinor Harris, coordinator of Wales Nation of Sanctuary. The invited audience will consist of representatives of businesses, the voluntary sector and sanctuary seekers, and will discuss ways on how to utilise the untapped skills of refugees as well as supporting those with entrepreneurship skills for the benefit of the city of Bristol. “We know sanctuary can work if we work collaboratively. Proper dialogue can help us to explore opportunities on how to harness the gifts of sanctuary seekers living in our city,” said the Rev Richard McKay, chairman of Bristol City of Sanctuary.
Employment
48,000 jobs on offer as roadshow arrives
have in the south west.” Lucy Ramseyer took over as head of the Cribbs branch earlier this year, and is already realising why the Bristol store is popular with shoppers. “We are getting the first shoppers for Christmas, the early ones,” she said. “From experience, we know there are some who will come early, and some who will come a bit closer to Christmas, so we have to be ready for them as well.” This summer, Cribbs Causeway hosted both the Shaun the Sheep exhibition and auction, which raised more than £1million. Three Shauns were also placed at the Mall as part of the trail, which saw thousands of people from around the world come to Bristol to take part. Lucy added: “We were delighted when we heard the exhibition and auction was going to be here. “We have seen our footfall increase over the summer and it was great to see the Mall become the home for the Shauns. “The shop helped to raise money for the Grand Appeal, and we are always looking for ways to work with
“ This is what
we call a ‘mission critical’ shop and is a big player our group that does particularly well. We want to be able to keep refreshing it and keeping it new, and that means investing in the shop.
Andy Street
● John Lewis managing director Andy Street at Cribbs Causeway; inset, the festive decorations Pic: Dan Regan local charities or schools.” Around 145 temporary staff are needed at the store in Cribbs to meet the demand for services in what is expected to be the store’s busiest period. If any of them do well, there is a chance they will be taken on permanently. “I like to think we do things traditionally here. We take people on as graduate trainees and give them different opportunities. It is like a career for life, which is not really what you can say about the retail sector these days,” Mr Street said. And he believes the store will continue to go from strength to strength. He added: “It is one of our top stores in the country in terms of takings, but it is not really our biggest in terms of space. But that is testament to the good work that is being done here, and how it has been built up. “Over the years it has become a success and we would love for that to continue.”
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top five in the country. “At the moment, sales within the shop are a little down on last year, but if you take into account our online sales, we’re up. “It is something we are seeing more often. People will come to the store to browse and go home and maybe buy online.” The retailer recently opened a new store in Birmingham, while announcing plans for a new outlet in nearby Cheltenham. But Mr Street does not believe it will threaten the store at the Mall at Cribbs Causeway, which is its regional flagship. He added: “They are not going to come close. This store has been building a reputation for many years. “This is what we call a ‘mission critical’ shop and is a big player our group that does particularly well. “We want to be able to keep refreshing it and keeping it new, and that means investing in the shop.” The store’s move from the city centre to Cribbs Causeway was a talking point for many shoppers when it happened in 1998. Rumours persisted in the last few years that it could reopen in the city centre, but Mr Street said there were no plans to at the moment. “When this shop opened, it was the regional shop. It wasn’t just Bristol, we had customers coming down on the M4 or the M5 just to come here,” he added. “There is no reason we would move back to the city centre. People travel quite a distance to come here, and it complements the other shops we now
● MORE than 48,000 jobs are up for grabs as one of the biggest jobs roadshows comes to Bristol tomorrow. The Sunemployment Roadshow will take place at The Bristol Hotel in the Harbourside. Starting at 10.30am, it includes companies such as Barclays, Ocado, John Lewis, GlaxoSmithKline and Jaguar Land Rover. Michelle Dewberry, Dragon’s Den’s Sarah Willingham, and Emily Thornberry MP, Shadow Employment Minister will form a panel at this year’s talks. The event is expected to finish by 2.30pm and will move on to London on Friday.
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Recruitment
College helps firms find new apprentices ● WESTON College has launched a new recruitment agency in a bid to help companies find apprentices. Brighter Futures Recruitment will enable employers to enjoy the benefits of recruiting new workers through apprenticeship schemes without having to worry about long-term commitments. The agency will provide two new apprenticeship models designed to suit the needs of every business, as well as the traditional apprenticeship model. The traditional model is where the apprentice is employed directly by the business, with the training provider being Weston College, pictured. For companies that require greater flexibility, Brighter Futures Recruitment offers a new service where the agency acts as the employer on behalf of the business and deals with all paperwork and legalities. This option has two models. One is the Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA) Probation Model, in which the apprentice is employed by the agency for an agreed amount of time and the prospective employer can observe them in their work environment before offering direct employment. The other is the ATA model, which involves the apprentice being employed by the agency for the length of their apprenticeship. Helen Booker, contracts manager at Brighter Futures Recruitment, said: “This is a unique recruitment agency, which aims to place apprentices in employment and to support companies interested in employing an apprentice, but concerned about the demands involved in taking on more staff. “We appreciate that every business is different. “We can support them in finding and hiring the perfect candidate and then act as the employer for an agreed amount of time.” Brighter Futures Recruitment will be based within the Business Enterprise Centre at the Weston College South West Skills Campus.
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Freight
Tech
Biggest players join city network event
● Avonmouth packaging company IES carries out the difficult work of transporting fragile packages
Delicate moves Keeping diseases safe in transit Upjohls avun
Business@b-nm.co.uk
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MAGINE trying to move delicate vials of some of the most infectious diseases known to man. Now imagine trying to transport hundreds of those samples. That was the task facing Avonmouth packaging company IES, which had been commissioned by the Pirbright Institute – formerly the Institute for Animal Health – to move the deadly disease. The institute is a world-leading centre of research and surveillance of viral diseases of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. This includes foot-and-mouth, bluetongue, swine flu and mad cow disease. After opening a new state-of-the-art laboratory facility at their headquarters in Surrey, the institute hired IES
to make the delicate move. A specialist packaging and logistics company, IES came up with a project plan to package and transfer of all the equipment – the first move of this scale anywhere in Europe. More than 250 packages were moved, with around 1,000 pieces of equipment used. Matt Boyd, sales director from IES said: “This packing and logistics project for The Pirbright Institute was a very unique challenge – a task like this had never been done on this scale for such highly sensitive equipment and samples of viral diseases. “The packing and project management that we carried out can now be adapted to meet the requirements of any organisation that has biosecurity requirements, for example in the medical, science or research and development sectors.” Joan Shadwell, project manager for the institute, was responsible for the move and commissioned IES to supply the packing and project
management of the move. She said: “This project was very unusual as we had an enormous amount of equipment that had to be moved from a restricted area. “We were looking for a unique wrapping solution and IES were able to provide this. We couldn’t use our normal externalisation methods as this would have taken too long and most of the equipment is too sensitive to the harsh treatments, but HSE and Defra allowed us to wrap materials three times before transporting them across open ground. “We were very pleased as both the planning and the move went exceedingly well and ran really smoothly. “This is the first time we have moved equipment from high containment laboratories, on this scale, to a brand new building. “When we did come across any issues, Tim and the team at IES were flexible and able to come up with solutions. We found them professional, friendly and accommodating.”
Catering
Ethical Franchise Guild builds on past success
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A FAMILY owned business has opened two new Starbucks branches in Bristol and plans to roll out more across the South West in the coming months. The Ethical Franchise Guild first fitted out the sites Wine Street and Clifton Down after buying the franchises. The company is operated by award-winning business owner Stuart Montgomery who opened his first franchise, an Irish pub, in Thailand in 1995. He established the Guild in 2014 to open and operate Starbucks
throughout the South West, with Gloucestershire his target for further expansion. Stuart said: “A franchise, like any other business, takes time to grow and I’ve found it pays to move steadily in the early years until you know the ins and outs of the brand you have taken on. “After a couple years, you are able to develop faster due to a deeper understanding of the business and its customer. “In every organisation I have been involved with, I always focus first and foremost on the customer.
● Stewart Linnane (commercial relationship manager at Clydesdale Bank) and Stuart Montgomery (owner of The Ethical Franchise Guild Limited) “Too many companies are run purely on numbers and while many are successful, they could be so much more profitable if they paid greater
attention to their customers.” He secured a six-figure funding package from Clydesdale Bank with money available for expansion.
● BRISTOL played host to some of the world’s biggest players in the tech industry during a landmark event. Representatives from Google, Youtube, Pinterest, Microsoft, Twitter and Salesforce took part in Oi West, held at the Mercure Hotel in Bristol city centre. Organised by Coup Media, delegates at the “Online Influence” conference enjoyed interactive sessions and key industry insights and the opportunity to network with representatives from top digital companies in the South West. “Bristol’s Oi West was another great event with our focus on world class content from the world’s biggest marketing tech companies,” said conference founder Paul Shepherd. “Our ambition remains to create the UK’s biggest and best marketing tech event over the coming years and we plan to scale once more for March’s Oi16 in Cardiff. With Unilever, Vodafone and more already confirmed to speak, March’s event is shaping up to be the biggest and best ‘Online Influence’ yet.”
Retail
New furniture store has a Raft of ideas ● FURNITURE chain Raft has announced it will open a new store in Bristol next month. Located in Whiteladies Road, it will be Raft’s ninth store in Britain. The new two-floor showroom is about 1,400 sq ft, and will take over an old printing house. It will open its doors on Friday next week and offer an extensive collection of wood furniture. A spokesman for the company said: “With an identity all of its own, Bristol is a town that outrivals many others thanks to its passionate locals and busy events scene, and also celebrates its European Green status – the perfect brand fit for Raft furniture which prides itself on its extensive range of FSC certified recycled teak furniture and British made sofas, which only use sustainably sourced European hardwood.” It will be open between 10am and 6pm on Monday to Friday, 11am to 6pm on Saturdays, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
Stewart said he had a strong personal relationship with the bank and praised its understanding of the franchise market as “essential” in helping launch the Bristol outlets. Rob Spearman, head of Clydesdale Bank’s Business and Private Banking Centre in Gloucester, said: “Stuart has an extensive track record of launching successful franchises for leading brands that boost local economies by creating job opportunities. “We are proud to have supported the development and opening of the current stores and look forward to working with Stuart and his team on their future growth.” The bank is the first to partner with the British Business Bank under its Enable Guarantees scheme, which will see up to £125 million of new lending help more small businesses achieve their growth ambitions.
www.southwestbusiness.co.uk
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Accommodation
Claims
Firms dismiss accusations made by MPs
● Bristol University has grown in popularity among international students in recent years, especially with Chinese students
Living costs Bristol second most expensive place to study in world Upjohls avun
Business@b-nm.co.uk
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NTERNATIONAL students looking to study in Bristol will have to pay a premium to live in the city. That is according to new research from international real estate advisor Savills. The report, themed World Student Housing 2015/16, shows Bristol is in the top 10 most expensive cities in the world for overseas students. It also ranks as the second most expensive in Britain, just behind London and ahead of places like Manchester.
Savills’ report breaks down student costs into their constituent parts, looking at the most popular student cities around the world. Berlin is the cheapest, while Boston comes in at the most expensive for university students. Bristol University has been welcoming international students for more than 50 years, with students coming from more than 120 countries. They make up 12 per cent of the undergraduate student body and about 35 per cent of postgraduate taught students and 26 per cent of postgraduate research students. Last year, there were 3,764 international students at the University of
the West of England. Keith Hicks, director of corporate relations at UWE, said: “Bristol has grown hugely in its popularity among international students recently, especially from links with South East Asia and China. “We have seen an increase of 55 per cent in the last five years from about 140 countries. “Excluding the EU, some 1,674 students started at UWE in 2010. This has risen to 2,597 in 2015. “Even more significant has been the increase in numbers of students studying UWE degrees at overseas institutions.” Marcus Roberts, director of student investment and development at
Savills, said Bristol remains popular. He added: “Bristol appears in the top half of the 22 top tier cities we examined, cheaper than London but slightly more expensive than Manchester and Toronto in terms of the monthly cost for an international student to study there. “However, cost is only one of many factors that students use to evaluate where to study. “Bristol continues to prove popular both nationally and internationally and, with its current low supply of purpose built accommodation, we think its student housing market, alongside London, Oxford and Edinburgh, has some of the greatest potential for future growth.”
Retail
High street beauty firm moves to bigger location business with wife Alison, said: “We used to be a high street salon with three beauty rooms offering spa treatments without a spa environment, so we really needed to find a place to grow into so that clients could enjoy their experience in a beautiful, peaceful spa environment. “The metro spa concept has come out of London and fits between a high street salon and a luxury day spa. Although we do not offer a pool or hot tub, clients are really noticing the look and feel of a top spa, which is apparent as soon as they walk through the door. “We saw a real gap in the market to elevate what we already had. Henleaze High Street is a fantastic
location; it’s good for parking and is in a cosmopolitan area.” The new spa has four treatment rooms, including one double to cater for couples’ treatments, shower facilities enabling the spa to introduce new body treatments, four nail stations and three ‘pedicure thrones’. Ben and Alison are hoping that the new facilities will attract wedding parties and other groups. The move was supported by Natwest. Ben and Alison worked with the bank’s relationship manager Paul Williams to borrow 60 per cent of the cost of refurbishing the new spa. “Paul has been a very good sounding board, offering good advice,” said Ben.
● NatWest’s Paul Williams in Pamperbanana’s new pedicure throne, with Ben and Alison Hill
THE Serious Fraud Office (SFO) could investigate Lloyds Banking Group and a Bristol firm following allegations by MPs that the bank pushed two men’s companies into administration for its own gain. Allegations were made by two Labour MPs, Jo Stevens and Huw Irranca-Davies about the way their constituents were treated by the bank and the SFO told the Bristol Post that they have the “matter under review.” The allegations relate to Alder King, a Bristol commercial property consultants company. According to the MPs, two of their constituents, Kashif Shabir Alun Richards – both property developers – had their businesses pushed into administration. This was because an Alder King partner was a seconder to Lloyds (the lender) and did not reveal this. There was therefore a conflict of interest as the Alder King was used by the bank as a receiver in the south west, the Welsh MPs claimed during a Commons debate. The MPs said Lloyds would increase interest rates to force customers into a breach of loan conditions. Property consultants such as Alder King, would undervalue client’s assets. The bank would then seize the asset and sell it for a profit. The MPs described it as “daylight robbery” and accused Lloyds of “colluding” with Alder-King. Jo Stevens said: “Both men have suffered significant financial and emotional harm as a result they say, of the actions that are alleged.”
“ Those allegations are quite simply, and demonstrably, false Alder-King spokesperson Both Lloyds and Alder King deny any wrongdoing. An Alder-King spokesperson said: “To be clear, Alder King strongly denies all allegations of wrongdoing or professional misconduct, let alone criminality. Those allegations are quite simply, and demonstrably, false. “As we state above, the allegations were the subject of a very thorough investigation by our professional body, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and we were cleared of any wrongdoing in all respects. “It is regrettable that Mr Richards’s and Mr Shabir’s constituency MPs made these serious allegations concerning Alder King, and named individuals, without seeking our response. Had they done so, we would have been very happy to set out the true position. They denied that Alder King partners misrepresented themselves and that there was a conflict of interest. Alder King also stated that any suggestion they undervalued the properties was false. A spokesman for Lloyds Banking Group said: “These customers have made a number of allegations about our treatment of them, all of which are completely baseless. “The allegations have been reviewed extensively over a number of years at the highest levels within the bank, as well as by a number of independent, external third parties and have been found to be without merit.”
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A BRISTOL beauty business has moved to a bigger high street location as it continues to grow. Pamperbanana Bodycare and Grooming has become Pamperbanana Metro Spa, providing spa and salon treatments in a tranquil environment more than twice the size of the previous location. The move further along Henleaze High Street from its original location has enabled an increase in the number of treatment rooms, meaning the spa can now cater for larger groups. General manager Janette Allan has been brought in to run the spa, which has five therapists, and there are plans to grow this number to nine. Director Ben Hill, who owns the
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015
The Big Interview
WHY THE SS GREAT BRITAIN STILL R Gavin Thompson meets Matthew Tanner, the chief executive who has navigated the ss Great Britain through choppy seas by running the charity as a business
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ATTHEW Tanner enjoys a room with a view. The 49-year-old has looked out on a waterfront vista from every office he has had in his career. And that’s no different in his role as chief executive of the ss Great Britain Trust. “Whenever there’s a problem or challenge I sit here and look at the water and the boats,” he says. “It’s very helpful to have a view like that. It clears the mind and puts things in context.” The view from Matthew’s office has changed since he arrived as the docks have been transformed into the thriving residential and leisure area we see today. “When I first arrived the entire dock area was derelict,” he says. “The changes have been dramatic... some better than others. “It took a long time for the city to culturally get past the idea that the
Vital statistics Name: Matthew Tanner Title: Chief executive and director of the ss Great Britain Trust Age: 49 Born: Newcastle, but brought up in Kent Education: St Andrew’s University, studied classics and maritime archeology, which was great but there are no careers in maritime archaeology First job: Junior curator at the Scottish Fisheries Museum. I learned loads as a young English boy in a traditional Scots industry. It knocked the corners off.
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harbour is for shipping after shipping moved to Avonmouth, which it had to because ships now are so big. “Now we embrace the Harbourside for leisure it’s a huge asset and we’re just beginning to take advantage of that. It’s a jewel: most cities simply don’t have this in the city centre.” Matthew came to Bristol as the first paid curator of the ss Great Britain. But the job was much more than history, the ship’s future was in serious doubt. “The ship was raining rust into the dry dock,” he says. “It was collapsing and the visitor appeal was very poor. “They had applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund and it reacted by saying to the then board: ‘You don’t know what you are doing, you need to start again, here’s a small grant to go and find a professional and carry out some feasibility studies to work out what to do’. That was the job I got. “It was fascinating. A huge set of challenges and a huge opportunity.” That was 1997. By 2000, the role had evolved from curator to chief executive.
“I had no idea how big the opportunity would be,” says Matthew. “But the board of trustees were so receptive to new ideas to make this sustainable and viable. “Big ships are notoriously difficult in heritage terms – they are eminently biodegradable, cost a lot of money and still try their best to collapse on you. “It’s been an exciting ride. I took it on with view to saving the ship and developing her and that’s what we’ve done.” The key challenge was to find a way to stop the corrosion without losing the originality of the iron hull designed by the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. “Our big idea was the glass sea,” says Matthew. “That came to us once we understood that preventing the corrosion required very, very dry conditions, under 20 per cent humidity – like the Arizona desert. We also realised that most of the corrosion was at the bottom of the ship.” They decided to create a dehumidifying chamber around the bottom of the ship, made of glass. Water hides it by covering the top of the glass. “That was the big idea that we sold the project on and secured a £9 million grant towards it,” says Matthew. “The extension then is how to make that interesting and engaging. The idea is that the ship appears ready to
Saving the ss Great Britain ● The ss Great Britain returned to the place she was built on July 19 1970 after being recovered from the Falklands. In the 30 years between her scuttling and recovery the elements had taken their toll on her iron hull. At the time of her rescue she was in such a poor state, and her hull so corroded, it was feared she would not last another six months. The dry dock in Bristol was anything but dry. High levels of moisture in the air, and the rain, meant that once home the ship continued to corrode. Researchers from Cardiff
sail away and inside it’s about immersing in the experience of what it’s like if you’re about to set out to Australia.” It worked and, along with other improvements, has seen the popularity of the museum grow. From 70,000 annual visitors when Matthew joined – a number he described as “marginal” in terms of the ship’s future – to 200,000 last year. Staff numbers have risen from 20 to 85, along with
University estimated that corrosion could destroy the ship within a few years. But they also found that the ship could survive if kept in a very dry environment, protected from humidity. The most fragile parts of the ship, below the waterline, were sealed in a giant dehumidification chamber created by a glass plate, fitted around the ship. Two dehumidification machines dry the air in the dock and the ship. A layer of water gives the impression that the ship is afloat and acts as an insulating blanket – saving up to £20,000 a year on the trust’s energy bills.
140 volunteers. There are more female than male visitors, with a wide age range. The trust has successfully engaged a wider audience than the Brunel enthusiasts. And while the big projects have received grant funding, Matthew is proud that the ship runs without ongoing public subsidy. “I was thrilled when we won Business of the Year in the Evening Post
Business Awards in 2011,” says Matthew. “We have proved that you can run a charitable company for the public benefit as a business.” He admits if the trust was offered an annual subsidy from the city council, they’d have to consider it but adds: “Being free to operate effectively and entrepreneurially has been important and one shouldn’t give it up lightly. It has sharpened what we do. It makes you creative, finding solutions to be commercially sharp without compromising your principles. That’s terribly rewarding.” As well as operating like a business, the trust works closely with business, in particular in the engineering community. Matthew says: “The business community been tremendously supportive. The engineering companies have a real need to encourage young people into engineering and realise engaging with us helps them increase the science capital in the city.” The trust’s Future Brunels programme takes a small cohort of schoolchildren and shows them the potential of science and engineering. A five-year pilot study has just ended and now the aim is to expand the programme. “The first trip they do is to Thorpe Park to ride the rollercoasters, then they meet the engineers who maintain them,” says Matthew. “They take their enthusiasm back into their own
www.southwestbusiness.co.uk
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
RULES THE WAVES
greater recognition of and support for tourism. The ss Great Britain contributes ÂŁ11 million to the local economy alone, he says. “Tourism is the second biggest industry in Bristol after retail,â€? he says. “Worth ÂŁ1.1 billion a year in the local economy. I find it still strange most people in Bristol don’t realise the tourist economy in Bristol is twice the size of Bath. It’s massive yet we do very little in putting the infrastructure in place as a destination.â€? While there has been a lot of focus on the proposed new arena, for example, other things get less support. “I understand the need for the area,â€? he says. “My belief in terms of
“ It was fascinating. I worked on some exciting cases, for high net worth individuals including members of foreign royal families and a plastic surgeon based in Harley Street Anton Lane
â—? Matthew Tanner, who came to Bristol as the first paid curator of the ss Great Britain Picture: Dan Regan
‘Not all apprenticeships offer high quality provision’ - 3aaa AN AWARD winning apprenticeships provider says some firms are claiming to run apprenticeship schemes but instead simply accrediting workers for existing skills. 3aaa welcomed a strongly worded Ofsted report into the apprenticeships sector, which has not been welcomed by all in the further education sector. But 3aaa, which last year secured a top Ofsted rating and this year was named provider of the year in the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards, said the report supports its own views of problems in the sector. “Not all apprenticeships offer high quality provision,� it said. “We have worked extremely hard to develop and maintain high quality apprenticeship provision. “In particular, Ofsted is correct that many employer providers especially are simply accrediting employees with existing skills (particularly those over 25 years of age) and this does not constitute an apprenticeship, nor does it represent value for money for the tax payer. “In the same age bracket, many providers, both colleges and private training providers are doing the same as employers and simply accrediting current skills. “There is also evidence that they restrict the ability to allow their employees, ‘time off the job’ to gain new skills. Previous Ofsted reports have highlighted this and it is disappointing that action has not been taken to address this with those providers and employers concerned. An element of off the job training is critical to apprenticeships.� The number of apprenticeships has grown to
two million since 2010 but much of the growth had been in retail, customer service, care and administration which – according to Ofsted – “have not sufficiently matched the skills needed by our nation�. Inspectors found that in a third of the 45 providers visited, apprenticeships did not provide sufficient, high-quality training that stretched the apprentices and improved their capabilities. They observed, for example, apprentices in the food production, retail and care sectors who were simply completing their apprenticeship by having low-level skills, such as making coffee, serving sandwiches or cleaning floors, accredited. It found on the whole the best apprenticeships were in more traditional sectors such as cars, construction and engineering. The report called for apprentices to focus on sectors where there are skills shortages and called for schools to do more to promote them. The Government has pledged three million more apprenticeships by 2020. That target is too ambitious, according to 3aaa, which has an academy in Bristol. It said: “We are already six months into this new cycle with little evidence that apprenticeship initiatives are stimulating significant increases in demand. “We believe it is time to reset that target at a more realistic level of two million starts and remove from those targets those Apprenticeships that are over 25 and are simply accrediting existing skills of a mature workforce. We will then achieve two million quality starts, and resultant high quality outcomes.�
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schools and classrooms.� “The results exceeded our expectations. Every child has chosen at least one science at A-level and three-quarters are doing maths as well. These are people who weren’t thinking of a maths and engineering career at all.� Often they had found the teenagers relate more to the apprentices and younger employees at companies such as Airbus or Rolls-Royce. That’s when many of them experience their “light-bulb moment�. “They can see themselves and realise, ‘I could do that’,� he says. Matthew approaches his career in cycles, with a five year strategic plan. His current one will see through the next big step for the trust, the Being Brunel project. and will see the 1940’s shed replaced by a new museum in keeping with the character of the original dockyard that will house the Brunel collection, from his last cigar to diaries and letters. “It’s a wonderful collection,� says Matthew, “drawing out the characteristics of the man – what did he make, what made him and why it’s relevant today.� It should be open for the 2018 season, but the cogs in Matthew’s brain are already whirring with the next project. “I’ve got some ideas but I can’t share them yet,� he says. One thing he would like to see is a
visitors however is that it’s the differences that make an impact. “Things like us, the zoo, the harbour are the real drivers,� he says. “Other cities also have arenas; we won’t pull people from Birmingham to come here with an arena.� When the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership set its five priority sectors in 2010, tourism was not on the list. “I believe that was a mistake,� says Matthew. “It wasn’t so obvious in 2010; they made that choice because while they recognised tourism was a big part of the city’s economy they didn’t think there was the same scope for growth as other industries. “The reality is that this has been one of the major areas of growth in terms of employment and economic impact. “I hope we can encourage the LEP to look again and think about investing further in tourism.� Key areas to improve would be signs and marketing. “Transport is an issue,� he says. “Not so much whether it exists but is it usable by visitors, not just people who live here? You have to hold their hand. The arrival at Temple Meads should tell you where the ss Great Britain, the zoo, the Old Vic and the Hippodrome actually are. “At one point the bus service that came by us didn’t list us on the timetable, nor did it have Temple Meads listed because it selects stops at random. “The return on such investment would be phenomenal. It doesn’t take a lot to invest in decent welcome signs.� Matthew’s love of the sea and sailing was sparked by reading tales of adventure, Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons series in particular. As he sits back in his office thinking about his own adventures on board Brunel’s ss Great Britain, he’s hopeful that the city’s approach to attracting and welcoming visitors will change – if not quite as dramatically as the skyline.
Education
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www.southwestbusiness.co.uk
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Female Festival of Entrepreneurs
BEST TIME FOR START-UPS IN 30 Hundreds of businesswomen gathered at the Colston Hall for the Female Festival of Entrepreneurs. Gavin Thompson reports
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RISTOL’S successful people tend to buy big houses rather than use their cash to back new businesses as angel investors, according to one start-up expert. Mike Jackson, who runs Webstart Bristol, an accelerator the helps very early stage enterprises get up and running, was speaking during a discussion at the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs. The event, run by Enterprise Nation, kicked off with a panel session on funding. Mike, who puts his own hand in his pocket to invest in start-ups through his Engine Shed-based programme, said: “Bristol and the West Country is still an area where the active angel network is pretty weak.
“ Bristol and the West Country is still an area where the active angel network is pretty weak. People here buy big houses rather than investing in business. Mike Jackson
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“In London those values are very strong and you often find business owners reinvesting from the get-go in other companies. “We don’t have that here yet. People here buy big houses rather than investing in business.” But angels aren’t the only form of funding and the overall message for entrepreneurs at the Colston Hall event was upbeat. Nicola Horlick, founder of Money&Co, which helps businesses with more experience behind them borrow to fund growth, said: “There is lots of money around at the moment. This is one of the best times I
‘We’d like to return bigger and better’ MORE than 700 people attended the celebration of women entrepreneurs in Bristol. Delegates at the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs heard from a range of speakers on topics ranging from getting finance to turning a blog into a business. The event was founded by Bristol businesswoman Joni Farthing but has since been taken on by Enterprise Nation. Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said Bristol was the perfect venue and she was already talking to the Colston Hall about returning next year. “We have had a fantastic response to the event,” she said. “We wanted to see if there was an appetite for this kind of business event and clearly there is. “Now we’d like to see if we can bring it back next year bigger and better. With a full 12 month run at it, we’d like to move it to the main hall next year,” she said. “We want to use this as a springboard into the rest of the South West.” Emma said she felt the majority of delegates were women already running their own business, looking for ways to grow. Nadia Abdulla, owner of start-up experience marketing company Moving Experience, said she had found the networking the most beneficial aspect.
have seen in the last 30 years to start a business.” And those people investing in bricks and mortar might just be missing a trick. With a nod to the generous Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, Nicola added: “There are huge tax incentives for individuals to invest.” Earlier, the panel were asked what they look for when backing a company.
● Mike Jackson, Nicola Horlick, David English and Sarah Gosling OBE
● Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation “I have a phone full of connections to follow up,” she said. “There was a great line-up of thought provoking topics provoking great conversations.” Entrepreneurial Spark, a Natwest-backed hatchery to help businesses grow, was among the companies which had a stand at the
Mike said: “I work with very early stage companies so there’s nothing tangible to look at, no product, no accounts. All I can judge on is the entrepreneur. I spend as much time as possible getting to know the person and their motivation. “It’s less about the idea. In my experience people who are more natural entrepreneurs can make an idea work or come up with another one, but if you’ve got the best idea in the
event. The organisation is recruiting businesses to join its next phase and Caroline Thompson said it had been well worth attending. “It’s been really inspiring to talk to so many women and some men at the festival with many of them interested in Entrepreneurial Spark,” she said.
world but not a natural entrepreneur it’s not going to go anywhere.” Double Olympic gold medallist Sarah Gosling, founder of female rewards-based crowdfunding platform F-crowd, urged delegates to go against their natural instincts and ask for what they want. “Reach out to everybody you have ever met and ask would they be interested in supporting you,” she said. “If you don’t ask somebody, they
● Emily Shurey and Rowena Cumner from Moo
Pictures: Jon Kent “It’s been a really successful day with lots of people here and an amazing line-up of speakers.” Ingrid Duffin, from another exhibitor Startup Loans Company, added: “It’s been really successful for us to meet people and also see what else is on offer in the business support sector.”
won’t know what you need. You have to be very un-female about it.” David English of the Startup Loans Company talked about the importance of support and mentors. He admitted a business he started in the past had failed in part because he didn’t have that support around him but said most Startup Loan success stories credited mentoring as a big factor in what they had achieved.
www.southwestbusiness.co.uk
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
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YEARS, BUSINESSWOMEN TOLD ● Maree Maxfield, Becky Stoneman and Nina Michell from Xero
● Sam Barber and Fran Hope from Design and Co
● Lou Wild, PinUp UK, and Alice Cohan, Malice Art and Design
● Ingrid Duffin and Sara Eloise Blangers from Startup Loans
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www.southwestbusiness.co.uk
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
In pictures Bristol 2015 European Green Capital Business Summit
● Joanna Yarrow, IKEA
● The Innovation Zone at the Bristol Summit
Pictures: paulbox© paul@framedogs.com
How former eco sinner saw the (green) light Upjohls avun
Business@b-nm.co.uk
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E need to make the future a better place. That was the message to civic leaders as dozens gathered for the Bristol 2015 European Green Capital Business Summit. Held at the Passenger Shed, the event focused on the challenges, as well as the huge opportunities, of an era where the world is changing faster than ever before – from climate change to changing markets, from limited resources to massive urban growth. Ignoring our responsibilities was not an option, as highlighted by Dr Eddie O’Connor, who is recognised as a world leader in the renewable energy industry. Inaction, he said, would guarantee that “we humans face catastrophic and irreversible climate change.”
● Richard Gillies, Kingfisher Plc
● George Ferguson and Krishnan Guru Murthy
Dr O’Connor, chief executive officer of Mainstream Renewable Power, described himself as “a former sinner – a big one”, a reference to a career that included being the boss of an organisation extracting turf from Ireland’s peatlands for burning in power stations. Then he “saw the light” and became one of the pioneers in the development of wind and solar energy. He said: “I like being part of the future, being ahead of the curve.” “The transition from a high to a low carbon economy requires the biggest-ever investment in infrastructure, in the way we manufacture, distribute and consume. It is not just an unprecedented challenge; it is also an unparalleled business opportunity for those of you with vision, foresight and courage. Dr O’Connor said that the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris (COP21) would augment and universalise the momentum towards a zero carbon economy. He added: “I say – ‘Let the polluter pay’.”
● Eddie O’Connor, Mainstream Renewable Power
www.southwestbusiness.co.uk
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
In pictures Being Brunel
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Business diary Bristol Connected: The Bristol Post’s regular business networking event, this time taking place in our offices in Temple Way. Post editor Mike Norton will talk about our changing audience while managing director Sarah Pullen will discuss the future of media. From 6pm, Thursday, October 29, please register via eventbrite. Bristol Post Green Capital Awards: Celebrating the achievements of businesses, communities and individuals in making the city a greener and better place. The gala ceremony takes place on November 12 at Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre. To nominate or buy tickets, visit www.bristolpost. co.uk/greencapitalawards. ● Daryn McCombe, Regional Driver Manager (Central) at Great Western Railway and Peter Rignall, Regional Retail Manager for Network Rail
● David Bruno, Dawn Bruno and Zena Bruno
Project backers party on Brunel’s iconic ship THE first businesses to back a major project to create a national centre of excellence in the life, work and mind of one of Britain’s greatest engineers enjoyed an ‘after hours’ visit on board the ss Great Britain. Being Brunel is a new venture from the ss Great Britain Trust, which will include a new museum and visitor experience alongside the ship. The event, which marked the first gathering of the Being Brunel Corporate Club, gave the businesses who have supported the project the chance to see the plans, with
entertainment and refreshments. Being Brunel is expected to provide a boost to tourism in Bristol, contributing an extra £1 million every year to the economy of the city, which, as well as the ss Great Britain, is home to famous Brunel creations Clifton Suspension Bridge and Bristol Temple Meads station. The club gives businesses the opportunity to invite guests and employees to come on board the ship after the crowds have gone home through a series of exclusive events leading up to the museum’s opening.
Businesses to have joined so far include Renishaw, Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Ltd, Hollandia UK Ltd, SMC Global Ltd, Wapping Wharf and Stannah. Work is set to begin in 2016 on enhancing dockside buildings within which the new museum will be housed, recreating the look of the Victorian harbourside of Brunel’s day and paving the way for his significant legacy to be protected and harnessed for future generations. Louisa Pharoah, director of development at the trust, said: “Our first
Being Brunel Corporate Club event was a fantastic opportunity for the trust to thank the local businesses that have thrown their support behind a project that is hugely significant not just for the ss Great Britain, but for the city of Bristol as a whole. “This initiative is going to put the city on the map as a national hub for all things Brunel, drawing in new visitors to the region and inspiring the next generation of engineers.” Find out more online at ssgreatbritain.org/beingbrunel.
Global MSC - Technology and Innovation in the Security Industry: With speakers from chief constables to Big Brother Watch, Global MSC’s annual conference is a high profile industry event. November 9 and 10 at the Bristol Hotel. Email events@globalmsc.net. Linking marketing to financial performance: If you aspire to run your own business or rise to a board level position within a larger organisation understanding the links of marketing to business performance is critical. Half-day CIM workshop at The Bristol Golf and Country Club, Almondsbury, on Thursday, November 12. Email cimevents@cim.co.uk. Employment law seminar: Discrimination, social media and managing workplace investigations seminar for business owners, managers and HR advisors. Leigh Court Business Centre, Abbotts Leigh, Thursday, November 12. Email marketing@qsbdlaw.com. Workshop essentials: For people who give or would like to give workshops as part of their business. Three-hour session from 9.30am on Thursday, November 12 at Bristol Spaceworks, Easton Business Centre. Email helene. jewellfacilitation@gmail.com.
● David Brown, COO The Bristol Port Company, and Andrew Ord, Commercial Director The Bristol Port Company
● Louis Arron, Development Manager Wapping Wharf, with Jerry Arron, Founder of Mud Dock
● Martin Greenslade and Kim O’Hare
Post your events online at www.southwestbusiness.co.uk. Events are sometimes cancelled without us being notified so please check with organisers before travelling.
Get in touch Assistant Editor (Business) Gavin Thompson Call 0117 934 3336 Email gavin.thompson @b-nm.co.uk Twitter @gavin_thompson1 Advertising Robert Rodgerson Call07584 003229 Email robert.rodgerson @b-nm.co.uk
● Brian Macmahon and Jane Walton
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● Frances Wang and Katie Hibbitt
Advertising Jane Chapman Call 01179 343025 Email jane.chapman @b-nm.co.uk
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015
The back page
Your digest of the week in business
People ● SIMON Newson from Weston-Super-Mare has this month been appointed as the general manager for Wessex Garages’ new Nissan dealership in Bristol. In his new position, the 31-year-old will handle the day-to-day running of the purpose-built Nissan showroom, which will open on December 18. Keith Brock, managing director of Wessex Garages, which already has two dealerships in Bristol, said: “Simon is new to the company and we would like to welcome him to the team. He has worked in the motor industry for more than 10 years and has five years’ experience in Nissan retail so will be a real asset to our new branch.” The father-of-one is familiar has lived and worked in Weston-Super-Mare most of his career. The new dealership will be on Hayes Way at Cribbs Causeway, which Keith said “looks set to be an excellent retail location for us”. The new dealership will span just over 18,000 square feet and create at least 25 new jobs in addition to the company’s existing Nissan business, which is situated on Pennywell Road. The project will cost in the region of £5 million. It will also be a centre for electric vehicles and will be an additional charging point for Bristol. Simon, right, said: “I am delighted to be joining Wessex Garages. Their reputation of being a forward thinking company means it was an easy decision for me to head up its new flagship site. It will be one of the largest dealerships of this kind in the country.” ● A family-run business has enrolled all of its 20 strong management team at a prestigious business school. Keynsham-based Facilities management firm Almeda has spent more than £60,000 to place its entire management team on the Business Accelerator Programme at the Cranfield School of Management in Bedford. Cranfield is widely considered to be one of the best business schools
● Above, the Almeda team
● SOE Plant Engineer of the Year Award goes to Adrian Sims left, presented by from left Shaun Stephenson (SOE) and Ian Jackson (IPlantE PSC chair) in the country and specialises in creating better leaders in business; and ensuring staff and management are well-equipped for the challenges of a rapidly changing word. It is rare for a company to send so many staff to take the course in one academic year. Operations director Brady George, said: “Over the next few months all of the staff here will take the business accelerator programme at Cranfield, with enrolment being staggered in order to avoid a logistical nightmare! “It’s a huge investment for us as a company but in the long run it will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the level of service we deliver for our customers; and ensure we are as responsible and smart as we can be when it comes managing iconic buildings across Bristol and beyond.” ● Two new recruits have joined a team of property lawyers in Bristol, as the company prepares to move to bigger offices.
Katherine Vargas and Danielle Mellor have joined Hoffman Malem based at Aztec West, which is about to move to larger premises within the same Regus-run complex. The firm, which is based in Swindon, open its Bristol office in 2013. A licensed conveyancer, Katherine’s career in law began after working for more than 15 years in the merchant navy, which she left to start a family. Katherine retrained as a property lawyer. “I really wanted a new challenge,” said Katherine. “I am delighted to have joined Hoffman Male. They are very friendly, very professional and I like the way they offer a personal service to their clients.” Danielle had been working at a solicitors’ firm in Ilfracombe, Devon, but joined Hoffman Male when she relocated to Bristol. She is a legal assistant, and hopes to train to be a licensed conveyancer. ● Independent broker Venture Insurance has promoted account director Alec Cole to the position of share-holding director. Alec joined the Clifton-based firm in 2013 following an approach by
managing director Simon James. His promotion enables Venture Insurance to continue the expansion which saw premiums placed grow to 25 per cent to £7 million in 2014/15. Alec, below, said: “It’s been a privilege over the past couple of years to be part of a thriving firm which prides itself on its independence and strength of customer service. Collectively, Venture Insurance offers more than 150 years’ experience in insurance across a wide range of industries. Last year the company, which was set up three years ago, became one of fewer than 100 companies in the UK to have been given Chartered status. Simon James said: “I am delighted that Alec has accepted this new position with us and his continued involvement really bolsters the strength of what we offer. His expertise and client relationship management skills are highly valuable and we are grateful to have him.” ● Adrian Sims, managing director of Bristol-based Vent-Tech, has been named the first recipient of the Society of Operations Engineer’s (SOE) Plant Engineer of the Year Award. The award was established this year in recognition of the important work done by plant engineers and celebrates an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to any aspect of plant, works, services, maintenance, or facilities engineering. With over 25 years’ experience in the design of mechanical building services systems, Adrian was chosen as the winner for his professional approach to developments in his industry, and for promoting training and qualifications, and occupational health and safety. The firm specialises in exhaust ventilation testing. He was honoured for his achievements at the society’s lunch. Vent-Tech Ltd was founded by Adrian in 2001, and works with companies such as The Royal Mint, Exxon, Greencore, and the University of Bristol, designing, installing, and testing LEV systems
throughout the UK and Ireland. Adrian said: “My role takes me into a lot of factories; as an engineer, I find this fascinating. It is also interesting to see how different industries manage the same problem.” With a team of 10, Adrian’s plans for the company are to grow it in number to enable it to help as many people as possible in order to reduce the number of yearly occupational health fatalities. “Managing customers’ expectations on system performance can be a challenge as people often do not understand how extraction systems work,” he said. “So we spend a lot of time providing clients with information and educating them.”
Places ● A newly refurbished office in Aztec West is already fully let, suggesting the out-of-town market is on the up. Legal & General Property (LGP) has let the final floor in 740 Aztec West to human resources strategy company, Northgate Arinso UK Ltd, in a deal brokered by property consultants JLL. The letting follows a £5 million, 30-week overhaul. The lower floors were pre-let to Alcatel Lucent – an internet provider, broadband and cloud technology specialist. Northgate Arinso, which is only moving across the pond from 730 Aztec West, is paying a rent equating to £21 per sq ft on a 10-year lease. The office is the first refurbished business park office in Bristol to achieve the highest energy performance certificate rating of A. Hannah Waterhouse, associate director at JLL in Bristol, said: “The fact that 740 is fully let so soon after completion is a testament to the fantastic quality of the building. “It is positive news for the out of town market where we are finally seeing good levels of rental growth. It also highlights that demand for high quality energy efficient space remains strong against a backdrop of short supply.” Alder King acted for Northgate and JLL and Knight Frank acted for LGP.
Opinion
Continual investment in talent is key to economic prosperity
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HE Global Competitiveness Report is an annual assessment of the factors driving productivity and prosperity in 140 countries around the
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globe. Its detailed analysis enables politicians, policymakers and businesspeople to gain an insight into how the global economy is changing and, more importantly, to benchmark themselves against the more successful countries in the World. For the seventh consecutive year, the most competitive nation in the World is Switzerland, followed by Singapore and the USA. Others in the top ten are Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Finland, Sweden with the United Kingdom in tenth place.
L shu Rvulz5M}huz
Professor of entrepreneurship and strategy University of the West of England
What is notable about all of these nations is that they have either withstood the global economic crisis or have made a swift recovery from it. For example, Switzerland experienced only a mild recession in 2009 and its unemployment rate has remained around 3 per cent throughout the crisis. Meanwhile, Greece, ranked 81st, has seen its economy shrink by 25 per cent and the jobless rate remains above 20 per cent. Therefore, if the global economy is
to continue its growth, then long-term structural reforms must be put into place that boost productivity and ensures that more people have access to high-quality education and training. In particular, high unemployment is a heavy burden on societies, risking not only prolonged lower demand but also the de-skilling of a significant segment of the labour force and growing discontent. If this is not addressed, then it could result in problems in improving living standards and reducing long-term unemployment and, more worryingly, could harm the global economy’s ability to cope with any sudden shocks in the future. Another key message from this
detailed research is that the capacity to leverage talent is at the heart of an economy’s competitiveness. Improving numeracy and literacy skills will clearly contribute to increasing productivity but the report suggests that there also needs to be a greater emphasis on education that meets 21st century demands such as knowledge generation, leadership skills and innovation. For example, an increasing number of management courses are focusing on helping participants to develop those softer skills that provide them with the ability to think critically and creatively and that will add real value to the business and organisation in which they work. In addition, the changing structure
of the world economy means that information and communications technology are generating new industries and disrupting others. As a result, those countries and regions that invest in developing talent in these areas are the best equipped to adapt to the changes brought about by this technological revolution. And whilst some remain worried about the future growth of the global economy, it is clear that if the UK economy is to maintain its position amongst the most competitive nations in the World, then there must be a continuous investment in the development of entrepreneurial talent and innovation within our business community.