Welcome from Paul Waite

Follow Me and I‘ll Follow You.

By Paul Waite FCA FCCA - Chief Executive, Aspen Waite Group

The world is so much better when the sun is shining. I have enjoyed the light early in the morning and the good sunshine we have had recently.

The gym is open again and I have enjoyed going back after more than a year’s absence.

Despite another year gone, my performance has improved and I have even reached “athlete” status when checking out.

The Waite family world is dominated by baby Evelyn who is our pride and joy.

I enjoy the banter with someone of my own mental age. (Lisa says Evelyn is more advanced.)

Baby Evelyn Evelyn and Paul

It’s been some journey in Aspen Waite land with so much that is noteworthy:

• Winning the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Somerset Business Awards.

• Presenting and hosting the Thames Valley and

South West Business Awards.

• My new radio shows and our new radio schedule.

• The launch of our new business “Sustain”.

• The arrival of Richard Hill and Randall Edwards, two industry heavyweights.

• Commercialising our wonderful Marketing offering.

And, of course, the return to new normal. I did quite enjoy the quiet roads so it’s challenging coming to terms with all the extra traffic.

Winning the Award was a sweet moment and quite an emotional one.

We have undoubtedly helped many businesses through our Friend Programme but being recognised publicly is wonderful. I have written an article on the benefits of entering awards which you can find on pages 30-36 and will be a chapter of my next book which currently has no title.

I thoroughly enjoyed presenting the awards with Natalie Gayle and, as a minimum, now have the National Awards to look forward to later in the year.

It is no secret that I like to talk and I have found my vocation after all this time.

Richard Hill is a leading Tax Professional and we were very fortunate to get him on board. Totally professional, calm and a master of his craft.

Randall Edwards was formerly a partner with PwC where he headed up the Corporate Finance department in Wales. Since leaving PwC, he has been involved in Environmental Consultancy. It would have been difficult to create our new business, Sustain, without him.

Corporate Finance is an essential part of our future and Randall is already making a difference.

I am utterly resolved that we should be involved in Corporate Recovery & Insolvency but more from a palliative care point of view.

There are a lot of businesses hurting out there and they may need cash, some restructuring or advice.

On 1st May we went DAB across South Wales. This was a big step and required further significant investment and a lot of courage.

Over the last year or so we have proved we can run a quality Radio Station that plays great music.

The next step was to make our offering more relevant to our core business. So we have introduced a range of business and current affairs type programmes. I applaud my colleagues David, Gary, Richard, Johno and Randall for agreeing to have their own weekly programme.

I have every confidence in each one of them. A man I am very proud of, and possibly the best father ever, is my son, Calum. Evelyn is going to find it difficult to get a boyfriend though!

Calum has really added something to my weekend breakfast shows, especially the interaction in

“On this week in History”.

He was keen to have his own shows, so a few weeks ago “The Dark Dell” (Saturday at 10pm) and “The Forest of Gleeb” (Sunday at 6pm) were born. If one had to categorise them, the former is a rock & metal show and the latter essentially folk.

I am a great believer in not following convention and, as I do not come from a conventional radio programme background, I tend to just do what I think people would like.

I have proven that I am not afraid to back my instinct and when Calum wanted to name his shows as he has, I was all for it.

I am particularly behind the Forest of Gleeb and it is without doubt our most original programme.

I admire Calum and Drew for their characterisation in the Wizard Meeb and Shleeb and being so authentic. For those of you who listen to the programme, I am the Overlord of the Realm and I am also the originator of Rusty the Hare.

When listening to the Forest of Gleeb, it is so different from anything else that I tend to think this is either madness or genius. Then the music starts and I listen to the lads talking and it is just a wonderful experience.

I am all in so expect merchandise, books and all things Gleeb. From this edition on there will be a regular feature on the Forest. I think this will be the programme that wins us an award.

Our Marketing Team have been on fire for some time now and are amazingly talented.

We are keen to give our valued customers and friends the same tools we have, whether it be a website, brand design, social media, use of our recording studio, filming, podcasts or maybe even their own magazine.

Marketing is arguably the single most important aspect in a business and the best way to differentiate yourself.

Our daily rate is only £600, well below the prices offered by marketing agencies.

Contact Clare Wiltshire and Natalie Gayle to start your journey with us today.

There seems to be a new air of optimism and maybe even joy in the world. Life will never be the same again but it is what you make it.

Remember, we are true friends, we are always here to help. We all need a friend sometime.

Enjoy our wonderful magazine and let me know what you think.

Until next time...