LASTWORD
MOVERS&SHAKERS
Liz is the real deal Cripps managing associate Liz Barton has been selected as a winner in the Deal Maker of the Year Awards 2014. The accolade is in recognition for her role in the successful raising of £2.2m in funding for Silent Edge, an award-winning Tunbridge Wells talent management company that helps some the UK’s best known firms get the best possible performance from their staff.
The Last Word Name: Company: Job title:
Caroline Butterfield Oak Creative Advertising and Design Partner, Managing Director
Q. What was your first job and what was the pay packet? A. Working for an Advertising Agency on Gabriels’s Hill, in Maidstone, as a junior paste-up artist. These were the days before computers and my first wage packet was £25 per week. Q. What do you always carry with you to work? A. A B&Q 3m (10’) yellow tape measure. Q. What is the biggest challenge facing your business? A. Client expectation because it effects budgets. Q. If you were Prime Minister, what one thing would you change to help business? A. Lower VAT as this would benefit 'Start-ups'. Q. What can you see from your office window? A. A green field and lots of rabbits. Q. If you could do another job what would it be? A. Work in the Restaurant Industry. Q. As a business person, what are your three main qualities? A. Intuition, organisation skills, honesty with customer relationships. Q. What was your biggest mistake in business? A. Too obliging and not being able to say ‘no' to a customer. Q. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs? A. Have achievable targets. Q. Who do you most admire in business? A. Richard Branson.
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ThinkingBUSINESS February - March 2015
Miss Barton, who has specialised in corporate law and mergers & acquisitions work for the past 11 years, said:
“Cripps has a strong corporate and commercial team that supplies a whole range of highly-rated services to our business clients. I am delighted to have won this award as it is a further endorsement of the expertise that we offer.” James Beatton, head of the Cripps corporate team, added: “Liz is a talented corporate lawyer who works extremely diligently to get the best possible deals for our clients. The Silent Edge fundraising was a typical example of her going the extra mile to make sure our client’s interests were well looked after.” The Deal Maker of the Year Awards are run by Finance Monthly magazine and recognise the year’s most impressive corporate transactions.
Furley Page lawyer appointed Vice Chair Furley Page Partner Myfanwy McDonagh has been appointed Vice Chair of a committee of property specialists who provide law firms across the UK with advice on commercial, residential and landlord and tenant law. Myfanwy, who heads Furley Page’s residential property team, is now a senior member of the Property Section Committee of the Law Society. The committee is made up of specialist residential, commercial, and landlord and tenant practitioner members, and their practical support and guidance
helps society members to achieve best practice when dealing with clients. Myfanwy trained with Furley Page, qualifying in 1985. She subsequently moved to London before moving to practice law in Hong Kong. On returning to England in 1997, Myfanwy rejoined Furley Page. She is a member of the Kent Law Society, the Strode Park Foundation Committee and the Rotary Club of Chestfield.
The importance of appointing Ernest GDM Architects, based in Maidstone, has appointed Gavin Ernest as Associate Director with the practice. The promotion follows Gavin’s four years with the architecture practice, during which time he has been responsible for projects ranging from offices and education to designs for a multi dental practice and a new church. Gavin has recently been involved in helping the firm to win a series of competitive commissions and taken the
lead on entering GDM projects for awards, which led to projects being shortlisted in the recent Kent Design & Development Awards. He said: “It’s a very exciting time for architects with a growing interest in not only the aesthetic form of new buildings but also their sustainability and environmental performance. GDM is seeing a growing demand for our services and I’m delighted to join the management team.” In his new role he will continue with his project responsibilities and assist the directors with client contact and future business development.
Vanessa joins the team The Ridler Report 2013, Trends in the use of Executive Coaching in collaboration with the EMCC UK, identified that 83% of its respondents cited the most important key quality in coaching as being able to raise awareness of ingrained patterns of behaviour. (April, 2013) New Level Results Ltd, the only company in the UK and Ireland to offer Best Year Yet, an exclusive transformational, web based coaching tool and successful international Results Generating programme with an unparalleled track record for success for transforming the lives of individuals, teams and any sized business. With more than 25 years’ experience working within the public and private sector, including education and children and families social care, Vanessa Austin has joined a team of Results Coaches in the South East who are able to
access and deliver the Best Year Yet coaching programme throughout Kent & Surrey. Vanessa supports independent professionals, business owners and private individuals to break down barriers to success with a view to generating extraordinary results, both for their companies and/or in their private lives. Often quoted for her ability to question and challenge any problem Vanessa is able to support clients move forward to having their Best Year Yet. Vanessa is offering Chamber of Commerce members a complimentary, no obligation introductory session to a Best Year Yet coaching programme. Please contact Vanessa by emailing her at vanessa.austin@newlevelresults.co.uk