Buckinghamshire Business First Case Studies 2024

#partofsomethingbigger

Making a difference in Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire Business First

Economic development at the level of the firm Since 2011, Buckinghamshire Business First has been helping businesses create and protect jobs, develop innovations, increase their productivity, reduce their carbon emissions, and upskill their workforce, all while preparing the next generation by creating careers opportunities for students and young people.

The jobs created in 2023-24 alone were worth almost £16 million to the economy, boosting life chances and reducing the strain on our public services.

In 2023/24 alone, we provided 10,264 hours of targeted support to businesses as we helped them find the right solutions to maximise their potential and overcome any barriers in their way.

These numbers are important, but so are the real-life stories and experiences of those working at the coalface, the business owners reaching out for help and finding it in abundance. Here are some of their stories.

What businesses say about Buckinghamshire Business First

“It’s being part of something that amplifies my voice and brings it to a larger audience. Together, we can be such a strong force.”

– Angela Spang, JUNE Medical

“There is a real spirit of collaboration within the business community and a wealth of support available. Buckinghamshire Business First is a business’s best friend.”

– Victoria Brocklesby, Origin Global

“They’ve provided a whole melting pot of advice. We’re constantly implementing that advice and it forms part of our everyday function and core as a business.”

– Dave Kirby, Old Bills Pest Control

Contents

Part of Something Bigger The Growth Programme Rural business support Net Zero & Low Carbon Workspaces Apprenticeships & workforce skills Inspiring the future with teacher encounters Support for tourism, hospitality & leisure Leadership development & peer learning Start-up support - Be Your Own Boss

Red Helix securing the future tech workforce Red Helix “Of all of the membership bodies that we’re a part of, Buckinghamshire Business First makes it the easiest to contribute to and interact with and the BBF team is particularly supportive and proactive.”

- Michelle Caulfield-Harris, Red Helix

Red Helix is a shining example of how BBF membership works, highlighting the benefits for businesses of all sizes of becoming part of a collective community that thrives on shared knowledge, unwavering support and endless growth opportunities.

In a digital world, security is big business. Cyber security experts Red Helix are expanding their services to adapt to new challenges such as AI and increasingly sophisticated online attacks on businesses large and small.

“What we’ve done in the last three years is bring our services to smaller organisations in need of cyber security that don’t have large teams to operate the tools and technologies required,” explains Michelle Caulfield-Harris, Senior Digital Marketing Manager.

“Consumers are becoming a lot less forgiving when breaches occur. It’s becoming a business risk you are expected to manage.”

The Aylesbury-based company immediately benefited from joining Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), investing in becoming an Ambassador business and fully embracing BBF’s ‘Part of Something Bigger’ ethos. “Attracting more local SMEs was our main reason for joining BBF,” says Michelle. “We have met many of the fantastic businesses in the local area by attending networking events like the Business Leaders’ Dinners and Bucks Skills Show. This exposure means

we have grown our network and generated leads and opportunities for new business.”

Young local talent is very much at the forefront of Red Helix’s recruitment strategy, with Buckinghamshire’s joined-up support system bringing the company into direct contact with the workforce of tomorrow. “Working with BBF and the Bucks Skills Hub has helped us make valuable connections with schools and colleges in the area, and we met some very impressive students at the Bucks Skills Show.”

Red Helix also run a coding club with two local primary schools and are looking at offering speakers, guest lecturers or short-term programmes to support students in higher education.

“We’ve always offered work experience to students in good numbers,” explains Michelle. “Anything we can do to help stimulate interest in a tech career is a brilliant thing.”

For Red Helix, this last point goes beyond the needs of their own company and extends to the wider sector.

“There’s a skills shortage in the UK tech sector, especially in cyber security, so it’s important we do everything we can to encourage people to retrain or come direct from university or even school and let them see that working in STEM can be a great career. Whatever we can do to encourage people to join the sector will be a real benefit.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/red-helix

It pays to be part of the bigger picture TalkOne “The more involved you become, the more you form part of a collective thriving on shared knowledge, unwavering support and access to limitless growth opportunities, as well as funding and strategic advice.”

– Greg Thomas, TalkOne

As the managing director of Buckinghambased TalkOne, an innovative telephony and software solutions provider, Greg Thomas takes every opportunity to involve himself and his firm in the wider business community.

In addition to TalkOne being an Ambassador member of Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), Greg acts as a mentor to other business owners and also took part in the leadership development programme MD Ngage. “I wanted to be part of a tribe as the tribe is stronger together,” says Greg. “There are so many different elements to it - learning, knowledge transfer, experience and mentoring – it’s multi-faceted.”

With MD Ngage, Greg found himself in a group of directors with the same goal of growing their businesses. He enjoyed the variety of content covered on the programme, including delving into AI, and the roundtable discussions where “we discuss our own challenges and advise each other with potential solutions. It challenges you and gives you a basis for different thinking.”

TalkOne is primarily a customer contact technology provider for businesses,” as Greg explains. “Our technology focuses on workflow, integrating phone

calls with CRM systems, for example. It’s about being smart with technology and making systems work together. We also do a lot of work on AI solutions. We believe we provide technology that was previously only affordable to larger businesses and offer it at a realistic price for SMEs.” These credentials served them well when they entered the Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2023, being named runner-up in both the Excellence in Customer Service and Digital Innovation categories. It was four years prior to this that TalkOne first became a member of BBF and Greg joined MD Ngage.

Through his own role as a mentor to four different business owners, Greg knows how valuable a fresh pair of eyes can be, especially during the toughest of times. “My first MD Ngage group bonded through the Covid period. We met every two weeks as business owners discussing the threat and uncertainty of the pandemic, and focusing on what we could do. Being part of this group helped me shape solutions to the challenges we were facing.”

It sums up what Greg has found out along the way: “You can’t do it all on your own.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/talk-one

77%

More than

600

businesses received bespoke support

The Growth Programme is the cornerstone of our Business Support.

of businesses increased turnover

200+

new jobs created

Sustainable solutions “Working with Interform, a manufacturer based in High Wycombe, we mapped and re-worked their production line layout for a regular product.

They reported an increase in output of approx.

50% per employee on their re-worked production line, with less stress placed on management to manage orders for this product.”

Our Growth Advice Service helped Shailesh Patel’s wholesale company, Lynam Pharma, reduce plastic waste by creating a recyclable surgical gown.

“We had this great idea and needed help to make it a commercial reality. We’ve accessed advice, contacts, mentoring, and Innovate UK funding.” – Shailesh

Tim Scurlock, Applied Lean Consulting, Growth Advice delivery partner

Looking good for growth A talk with a Growth Adviser helped Janet Fricker create a 5-year growth plan for Delilah Cosmetics.

“It’s so important to take time out and listen to people with expertise.” – Janet

For more growth stories, scan here:

For more information, visit ngagesolutions.co.uk

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Reassuring support during uncertain times ahead Siyan

“I have found BBF to be very accessible and easy to deal with.

The grant process was straightforward and once approved was paid promptly, which is so important for cashflow. Communication was fantastic, they are very easy to work with and genuinely want to help our business.”

– Mark Baruch, Siyan

Prior to March 2020, concerts, festivals and mass gatherings were the main source of work for lighting and production company Siyan, with highlights including Penn Festival, Rock the Moor and Latitude.

The High Wycombe-based business was set for its busiest year yet as it approached its twentieth anniversary celebrations. When the pandemic hit and it became apparent that mass events and gatherings would not be possible, Siyan diversified into delivering livestreaming and televised events, such as a netball series with Sky Sports, which needed a different approach in terms of equipment and skills.

Seeking financial support to weather the storm and protect jobs until a return to live events was possible, the team began researching business support options and discovered Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF).

Managing Director Mark Baruch soon got involved with our Growth Programme, and it was via a financial planning masterclass that he was introduced to accountants Evelyn Partners (then known as Harwood Hutton).

“Siyan were able to quickly see that engaging with Evelyn Partners could help the business forecast future revenue and apply for government funds to protect jobs and provide a much-needed lifeline,” says a member of the BBF Business Support Team.

Siyan applied for a Restart Grant to fund bespoke financial planning services. Once the grant was approved, they opted to work with Evelyn Partners again and undertook strategic financial planning and forecasting work. This helped to prepare financial projections for their bank and ultimately a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan (CBIL) to maintain the business whilst severe restrictions were still stopping them from being able to operate.

Thanks to this approach, as well as funding from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund, Siyan avoided having to make any redundancies and instead embarked on plans to grow the team as they got back on the road.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/siyan

A warm introduction leads to vital investment WorkBuzz “Buckinghamshire Business First offer a really important service, particularly as the UK needs to become more entrepreneurial. It can be quite lonely running a business.

I’ve seen first-hand the difference BBF can make.”

– Steven Frost, WorkBuzz

As soon as the Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) team began talking to WorkBuzz, they saw huge potential.

With software platforms that target employee engagement in hybrid and flexible working environments, the business is definitely on trend.

More than ever, business leaders need to ensure their staff feel supported by, and connected to, their organisations. WorkBuzz, launched in 2018 by Steven Frost, provides a tool for companies to acquire and analyse real-time feedback from their employees. Big clients signed up and WorkBuzz targeted growth.

But there was a problem and it’s one our Business Adviser thought they could help fix. “It was clear that if WorkBuzz were going to capitalise on the opportunity, they needed more investment. I felt I could open some doors.”

“We’d taken the business to a level where we were at risk of plateauing, and funding was the biggest constraint,” explains Steven. “We needed to make some big upfront investments in technology, marketing and client acquisition.” He wanted to invest in machine learning by creating algorithms that could accurately summarise potentially thousands of pieces of employee feedback and turn them into useful management information.

Our Business Adviser provided WorkBuzz with a warm introduction to an asset management group. “I was aware that most venture capitalists take one in 100 deals,” says Steven. “But if you get a warm introduction, you get an opening and then suddenly have a betterquality conversation. BBF gave us a bit of extra credibility, which helped us get our feet in the door.”

After an introduction to the asset management group, Steven and his team, with the help of BBF, got working on their pitch, now armed with an understanding of what boxes needed to be ticked. “We didn’t want to go in half-baked or present something that wasn’t fully aligned with their investment criteria,” remembers Steven. After two rounds of pitches, they got the offer they wanted.

The deal became even sweeter when another investor got on board, and WorkBuzz eventually received investment worth £780,000 via the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF).

Their growth plans had taken flight, and with Steven so impressed with the support he received, he decided to join BBF’s Mentoring Programme as a mentor so he could ‘pay it forward’ to others. “We didn’t have a board of advisers, so having an external set of eyes was crucial. That and the introduction. The benefit was clear – raised and measured in investment.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/workbuzz

How to engineer a winning strategy Wycombe Engineering “What I liked about working with a BBF Business Adviser is the mix of theoretical ideas and practical outputs. Together, we quickly homed in on areas important to the business and we can now understand and tackle the challenges that can unlock further growth.”

– David Milnes, Wycombe Engineering

There can’t be many businesses that make Hollywood props, plastic widgets for double glazing, bespoke parts for classic cars, prototype shoulder pads for American footballers, medical masks, and more. You name it, Wycombe Engineering designs and produces it.

One unexplored revenue opportunity was also spotted: intellectual property. As engineering problem-solvers extraordinaire, Wycombe Engineering are in the perfect place to capitalise on that unique skillset by offering production consultancy services to other engineering businesses. This is just one example of how BBF’s input has expanded Wycombe Engineering’s horizons, another being connections.

Founded by an engineer and staffed by engineers, they like nothing more than “to roll up their sleeves and solve complex engineering problems”, according to David Milnes, an adviser working for the company. But contemplating future business strategy is another world entirely, and they reached out to Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) for help.

“The most immediate benefit is access to the wider business community,” says David. “I’ve now got a list of a dozen different business networks that we can tap into to find collaborators and customers. That is worth its weight in gold.” These networks include the Silverstone Technology Cluster, the Screen Industries Global Growth Hub at Pinewood Studios, and Innovate UK.

One of our Business Advisers helped the company develop and implement a robust strategy that set the direction for the markets they would concentrate on and how they would build their internal capacity to deliver through people, systems, and processes. A high-level audit identified key issues and outlined an approach to solving them, including clarifying the value proposition and developing growth and people plans.

Meanwhile, potential sources of external expertise, such as HR specialists, were identified to help deliver them.

Take for instance, the Silverstone Technology Cluster, who BBF introduced Wycombe Engineering to.

With around 120 companies all focused within that advanced automotive space and a strong spirit of collaboration amongst them, the possibilities are endless, leaving David and Wycombe Engineering excited for the future.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/wycombe-engineering

Mentoring provides valuable coaching and support The Polka

“Each session feels like a light-hearted conversation with a fellow woman in business.

Every time, the conversation has been full of practical gems and actionable advice, giving me the accountability to scale my business.”

– Carys Dorritt, The Polka

Coming from in-house corporate roles in digital marketing, Carys Dorritt was well versed in her craft, but knew that she wanted to find additional support to help her establish and scale her digital marketing business, The Polka.

Having searched for business resources on the web, Carys found Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) and quickly made the most of the practical support on offer.

A business support advice session led to her being introduced to BBF’s Mentoring Programme, which offers external input from a fellow business owner.

After being matched with local businesswoman Rachel Rice, the two began to meet up virtually and in person, with each session covering anything from managing clients to growing a team, and much more. “I come to every meeting with a list of questions that I want to ask, and this organic approach is really refreshing.”

Carys has found it to be very powerful having that connection with a fellow businesswoman to bounce ideas off and sense check challenges with. It has been a massive boost for her to be able to discuss a business problem with an objective professional in a safe space where no question is considered silly.

“I feel really fortunate to have secured a place on

this programme,” says Carys. “Having that support over the last year has been hugely beneficial.

It has provided a ray of light.”

BBF’s Mentoring Programme has had a positive impact on Carys’s business both in terms of mindset and setting practical foundations for further growth, such as with The Polka’s systems and processes.

Carys’s mentor has guided her towards which systems to set up and which organisations to get involved with.

The business is expanding, providing its digital marketing services - which include coaching, digital marketing strategies, social media, paid ads and content marketing - to even more small businesses and charities. The team is growing and building out new services, while Carys hopes to continue working with BBF and their Mentor Programme and make the most of the face-to-face networking opportunities offered by BBF. “We know that running a business can be lonely, which is why our Mentoring Programme connects business owners who need practical and emotional support with other business owners who can provide exactly that.” – The Buckinghamshire Business First Growth Team

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/the-polka

The LEADER Programme came to a successful close in December 2022, but not before maximising its support for the rural economy throughout The Chilterns, Clay Vales, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

Match-funded grants and advice helped businesses from forestry and farming to heritage and tourism.

£1.5m extra profit

230

jobs created

219

new techniques and bits of equipment funded

Farm diversification enables sustainable production A LEADER grant enabled family run business Marbled Meats to purchase a catering trailer and install processing facilities. “I wouldn’t have been brave enough to go through with it all if it hadn’t been for LEADER. It gave us the confidence we needed and when you have confidence in what you are selling you are better able to interact with customers and get more sales.” – Rob Pratt, Marbled Meats

LEADER grant supports growth and diversification Haddenham Garden Centre expanded its farm and coffee shop with the help of a LEADER grant. The project created 25 new jobs and increased weekly sales by 75%.

A significant boost to the local economy and community A small group of local residents agreed that the community would really benefit from a new shop and café selling local produce to local people. A LEADER grant helped to fund the construction of the building. The turnover exceeded expectations and the café’s performance stronger than anticipated.

Having established the Wiggington Village Shop, the community realised the power of coming together to boost the local economy and create sustainable change.

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Sparkling growth for non-alcoholic drinks manufacturer The Real Drinks Company “LEADER was enormously beneficial to us, helping with investment in capital equipment.

That gave us the confidence to accelerate our growth plans.”

– David Begg, The Real Drinks Company

By the time David Begg founded The Real Drinks Company in 2016, even amid a boom period for non-alcoholic drinks, the search for sparkling wine and champagne alternatives had proved challenging.

David launched two non-alcoholic drinks that were soon stocked by 60 Michelinstarred restaurants, and supermarkets such as Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.

Such a rapid rise to acclaim and commercial success comes with many challenges, but one critical component behind the company’s growth was its involvement with the LEADER Programme, a publiclyfunded initiative managed by Ngage Solutions which is designed to foster and support the rural economy.

In 2018, LEADER supplied a £23,000 grant to help purchase six fermentation tanks that increased production capacity five-fold to 50,000 litres a month.

The project was initially forecast to generate two jobs, but ended up creating 16 new jobs.

With demand rising, the Covid lockdowns stalled further growth as its core restaurant trade was off limits. Turning attentions to a potentially more stable customer – big supermarkets – The Real Drinks Co. had to manage its evolution from a small craft business to one with the scale to go after significant retail chains,

with the added volume, flexibility and accreditations that required.

In 2021, conversations with LEADER were re-started.

David was looking for a larger manufacturing facility and, vitally, to bring bottling in-house rather than subcontracting that to a third party. “We had monthly bottling slots, but we had to book those two or three months in advance,” explains David. “It means you’re either slow to react to changing orders or you have to hold a large amount of stock, which in the short term is dead money.”

Supported by a grant of £157,000 from LEADER and an additional £1 million of private sector investment, The Real Drinks Company greenlit bottling as part of a 2022 move from Wendover to the Waddesdon Estate that also saw the company purchase five new fermentation tanks. And now? Just a quarter of a million litres produced each month! The second grant is set to create 39 new jobs as the business looks to export overseas. With growing orders and glowing recommendations, The Real Drinks Company’s prospects appear rosy. The role that LEADER has played in this is testament to the power of targeted capital grant programmes to make a real impact on jobs and investment in rural areas.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/real-drinks

Cheesemakers create new rural tourism destination Nettlebed Creamery With increasing demand, the Cheese Shed has become a tourism destination in its own right. It is open seven days a week and employs over 30 individuals from the local area.

Award-winning Chilterns-based artisan cheesemakers Nettlebed Creamery increased productivity and employed 30 members of staff by implementing two new projects funded by rural business support.

As a result of this increased productivity, the creamery decided to create a third type of cheese, and in doing so, became the first UK cheesemaker to create a cheese aged in hay, which would take home a Great Taste Award in 2019. Nettlebed also moved into the pre-packaged retail market and appeared in Waitrose and Ocado Life’s ‘Perfect Cheeseboard’ feature.

Two years after launching Nettlebed Creamery in 2015 using her family’s organically farmed milk, Rose Grimond and her two employees were making, on average, 300 litres weekly, and using it to produce the “Best Soft White Cheese” at the British Cheese Awards 2018.

This is not the only growth this small independent business has seen. As a result of the new vat and their subsequent success, the creamery embarked on a second LEADER-funded project. Due to the Covid pandemic, the business had a need to develop new markets for its products, and saw an increase in direct sales to the public from the farm gate.

As they began to create more cheeses, new equipment was needed to keep pace with their growth plans. In order to purchase a new cheese vat to support their forecasted growth, Rose looked to Ngage Solutions’ LEADER Programme for grant funding. Awarded a grant of nearly £10,000, they purchased a 2,000-litre vat that allows them to not only be more efficient and productive, but also have a better impact on the environment.

The outcomes are impressive. Production growth of 500%, an increase from 300 litres of milk being processed a week to at least 2,000 litres being processed in one day. During their busiest period, they can now process 10,000 litres a week!

And so, with a £13,500 LEADER grant, the Cheese Shed was born. The team converted a redundant Dutch barn into an outdoor covered café area and retail space, enabling the business to develop further products and add value to the farm’s organic milk.

The creamery also produces milk, cream, butter, kefir and ice cream, utilising not only produce from within the business but many other local suppliers as well.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/nettlebed-creamery

Low Carbon Workspaces supported the shift to a low carbon economy by incentivising businesses to implement energy saving initiatives.

933

businesses supported

of CO2 e saved, equivalent to annual emissions of 2,349 cars

The Pilgrim Pub is an award-winning, independent village pub. They have reduced their carbon footprint and saved money with the support of Low Carbon Workspaces.

“Overall, we’ve had a 40% reduction in our energy costs, which is massive for a pub with the ongoing situation globally and the increase in energy costs.”

Total Carbide tackling energy waste

Brett Newman, Owner

£4,511

5

Grant awarded

Saved on energy bills per year

Tonnes of CO2e saved per year

Total Carbide, the leading European manufacturer of sintered Tungsten Carbide wear parts, is now saving over £4,500 a year thanks to grant support from Low Carbon Workspaces.

“Not only does it help us reduce our carbon footprint, but it also saves us over £2,000 per month in heating costs in the winter months.”

ZKS Martial Arts generating their own power

Andreas Hohmann, Managing Director

Low Carbon Workspaces support brought solar energy to an award-winning children’s martial arts group, helping a business that is keen to minimise its impact on the environment.

“We’ve been able to generate and store enough energy to cover about 70% of our daily energy usage, and that gives us the ability to run our classes almost off-grid.”

£2,439

£1,244

1

Saved on energy bills per year

tonne of CO2e saved per year

£1,691

£4,563

14.3

Grant awarded

Saved on energy bills per year

Tonnes of CO2e saved per year

For more low carbon stories, scan here:

Ben Babbington, Owner

Grant awarded

of funding delivered to SMEs

5,033 tonnes

The Pilgrim Pub is calling time on CO2 emissions

£5,549

£3.3m

For more information, visit ngagesolutions.co.uk Funded by

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A data-driven journey towards Net Zero and CSR Independent Marketing Sciences

“It’s difficult for a business like this. We’ve only got 13 people.

Most of us work from home and the only thing we really use is computers. I had no idea what our carbon emissions were.”

– Alex Vass, Independent Marketing Sciences

With businesses increasingly having to show their CSR credentials when pitching for business, our Net Zero Advisers helped Independent Marketing Sciences (IMS) improve their environmental credentials, meet client expectations, and deliver a confident sales pitch.

IMS is a consultancy specialising in data science that has grown from one man with a laptop to a 13-strong workforce. This has inevitably involved many sales pitches, and they haven’t all been successful. Alex recalls a major client who scored them poorly on CSR despite his best efforts to build an ethical business with green suppliers and an electric car.

Corporate Social Responsibility refers to efforts companies make to ensure they’re having a positive social impact. The key is turning those efforts into measurable metrics. IMS worked hard to improve in many areas of CSR but found one aspect hard to crack: evaluating their carbon footprint. If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it, so IMS reached out to Buckinghamshire Business First and our Net Zero Bucks team to help solve the problem.

Following a detailed interview and assessment, our Net Zero Advisers provided IMS with a comprehensive Net Zero Report detailing both the sources of their emissions and areas for improvement,

all rooted in the latest climate science and sciencebased targets (SBTi). An annual surplus of 50 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) was identified for IMS to offset, with continued access to a Carbon Calculator to measure ongoing improvements part of the programme.

One potential area for gains is data storage, which Lancaster University estimates is responsible for up to 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions via millions of industrial-scale data centres hungry for electricity and water. IMS analyse large datasets and use advanced statistical models to measure the effectiveness of clients’ advertising campaigns - one company alone sent them 110 million rows of data.

Fortunately, not all cloud-based data centres are built alike. Some are powered by green energy and employ less energy- intensive technologies such as serverless, open-source software. That’s something the Net Zero Bucks team can advise on.

In the meantime, IMS are offsetting their emissions through the planting of trees and have embraced CSR as both an ethical guide and a business necessity. By working with the Net Zero Bucks team, IMS are going green and staying competitive.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/IMS

Local Net Zero pioneer aims to be part of something bigger Shellwin Real Estate “Getting involved with Buckinghamshire Business First was an absolute game changer for us because they’re so focused on SMEs. Without them, we wouldn’t have got as far.”

– Helen Shellabear, Shellwin Real Estate

What does it take for an SME leader to become a Net Zero champion? Who better to ask than Helen Shellabear, Managing Director of Shellwin Real Estate, who has transformed her familyowned enterprise into an exemplar of sustainable practice.

A steadfast friend and advocate of our work here at Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), Helen was an early adopter of our Net Zero programme, was one of the first in the area to use our carbon calculator to understand her company’s environmental footprint, and accessed grants to help finance improvements in her properties.

What sets Helen and Shellwin apart? It starts with Helen’s attitude to her core business which specialises in managing and renting out office and industrial properties in the Thames Valley. While understanding the importance of delivering profits, Helen was dissatisfied with the traditional landlord-tenant dynamic and wanted to build more meaningful relationships with, and between, occupiers. “We make introductions so people can benefit off each other,” says Helen.

“We want to build a community of businesses here.”

But Shellwin also want to have a broader social impact.

By her own admission, Helen is “very conscious of my impact on the environment.” Back in 2021,

Shellwin participated in the Low Carbon Workspaces scheme, replacing windows and doors with thermally efficient alternatives and installing better insulation and LED lighting. Their next project involves installing solar panels on the roof of one of their buildings, which Helen believes will reduce their drawdown from the national grid by 60%.

“I researched carbon calculators, and a lot of that software is so expensive,” explains Helen. “That’s fine for big companies who can take subscription after subscription without even noticing, but that doesn’t work for a small local business. BBF supplied a solution that was affordable.”

A firm believer in the importance of being #PartOfSomethingBigger, Helen is a vocal supporter of young people. Giving her time and energy to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs, Helen mentored students in the Bucks Skills Hub’s Green Schools Challenge and says she has “only ever seen positive outputs from mentoring young people.

For all those people that sit there and moan about Gen Z or X, life’s tough for them. Get out there and help them.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/shellwin

A family-run opticians cuts its carbon emissions in half Clearsight Opticians “Considering the increased energy prices, I think we’d have been paying double by now if we had continued the way we were.”

– Arif Master, Clearsight Opticians

Founded in 1995 by Arif and Sukaina Master, Clearsight Opticians is a small, independent business that has carved out a great local presence.

Despite their success, Clearsight faced a series of related challenges, including inflation, rising energy bills, and an increasingly price-sensitive customer base.

Keen to cut costs and reduce waste, they took up the invitation to join the Net Zero MK programme, determined to calculate their carbon emissions and build a practical plan to cut them in line with science-based targets (SBTi).

First: the fact-finding report. After conducting a detailed interview, our Net Zero Advisers provided Clearsight with a comprehensive Net Zero Report detailing their emissions and identifying areas for improvement. The report examined heating and lighting, business travel, supplied goods and services, waste disposal and more.

“We have a lot of machines like our Optical Coherence Tomography scanner that we used to leave on all the time,” says Arif. “Same with the lights.

We didn’t do it deliberately; we’d just forget about it.

Net Zero MK brought us some awareness and a desire to do something about it.”

Armed with the facts, Arif realised he had to make changes. To help, he was armed with a £350 voucher from the Net Zero MK programme. Clearsight implemented two big changes – one technological, the other behavioural. Firstly, using their voucher, they installed smart plugs, smart LED lighting, and a remote thermostat, all controlled by a smart phone app which can be operated anywhere, at any time.

Secondly, knowing how important it was that everyone in the team understood and accepted the changes, Arif ran staff training which was greeted enthusiastically. The results have been impressive.

Comparing corresponding periods either side of accessing the support, Clearsight reduced their electricity consumption by a third, slashing their annual carbon footprint from 19 to 7 tonnes.

Inspired by their success, Clearsight are now turning their minds to further initiatives, such as offering customers a choice between new and recycled eyewear cases.

“Nine out of 10 patients say they have hundreds of cases at home – just sitting there unused,” explains Arif. “If we could offer customers the choice – a new case or a re-used one - I think many would go for it. It’s time to stop the waste.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/shellwin

Sustainable dreamsofbecome reality for community hub A shining example sustainable entrepreneurship Molly’s Pantry “We can’t be perfect all the time, but if we’re thinking about these issues, we’re halfway there.”

– Molly Thomas, Molly’s Pantry

Molly’s Pantry stands as a shining example of sustainable entrepreneurship, proving that community-driven businesses can make a substantial impact. By accessing support from Net Zero MK, this local grocery store in Bletchley has been able to cut its carbon emissions while growing its fledgling operation.

More than just a seller of fruit and veg, Molly’s Pantry is a hub of sustainability, championing local produce to reduce food miles, promoting refills of dry goods to minimise packaging, and spearheading litter-picking campaigns with local schools. An inclusive ethos to provide healthy options for everyone, regardless of budget, perhaps explains why Molly’s Pantry has survived when other Covid-era start-ups have not.

The team wants to do more than just talk the talk on green issues – they want to make a difference. And for Molly, that means finding a credible way of measuring their impact and being transparent with the results. As she puts it, “anyone can just stand around and fudge statistics, but if you can put real numbers on things, it makes you accountable.”

Molly was quick to sign up to the Net Zero MK programme. The process involved a comprehensive audit of their carbon emissions by a Net Zero Adviser,

which led to a report being produced that revealed that Molly’s Pantry had, in two years, slashed its emissions from 29 tonnes to 13 tonnes and that’s alongside consistent business growth at the same time.

This reduction wasn’t merely a case of cutting down on energy use, it was about mindful purchasing, recycling efforts, and waste reduction initiatives. It proved Molly’s Pantry wasn’t just talking about environmental responsibility, it was delivering on it – and the proof was right there in black and white. The scale of their recycling activities alone was mind-blowing to Molly: “It was tonnes and tonnes. I couldn’t believe it. Despite our business growing, our carbon footprint was still akin to two small cars.”

Their Net Zero Report is helping to shape the roadmap for future improvements. As Molly tells it, the report forced them to scrutinise aspects they hadn’t considered, such as the renewable commitments of their energy supplier and the commuting methods of their employees. Molly sees immense value in the Net Zero MK initiative, describing it as highly accessible and almost fool-proof.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/mollys-pantry

Easing the transition to electric vehicles Esri UK

“We thought the project would complement our net zero commitments, but there were many other advantages, including understanding how our company has contributed to a reduction in air pollution to the benefit of the local population.”

- Gary Lockwood, Esri UK

Esri UK joined the Buckinghamshire EV Project, transitioned 43 company vehicles to electric, and subsequently reduced vehicle emissions by 90% in three years.

The Buckinghamshire EV project drove home the importance of planning for the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and an overall path to net zero. One of the first businesses to get involved was Esri UK, an Aylesbury-based distributor of GIS mapping software who made transitioning to EVs a key part of their Carbon Reduction Plan.

Esri encouraged employees who are company car drivers to switch to EVs using low benefit-in-kind rates payable on the benefit, increased allowances to enable them to reach suitable EV models within their allowable budgets, and a salary sacrifice scheme open to all employees that encourages company car drivers to join the electric fleet and order an EV.

This has resulted in the average emissions of the Esri fleet dropping from 110 g/km in 2019 to 11 g/km in 2022, while employees have saved money in terms of tax and per-mile running costs. Some unavailability of model choices and long lead-times have been challenging, and while an initial bout of ‘range anxiety’ amongst employees was noticeable, information was provided to help overcome this.

Whilst Esri does not operate a large fleet, EVs are an important contributor to their Carbon Reduction Plan, and they committed to ensuring that all companyoperated vehicles were EV or hybrid by the end of 2023.

Esri’s experiences can inform how other businesses tackle these challenges, with best practice examples including employee incentives, installing workplace chargers to enable hassle-free charging at work, sharing positive feedback with employees to generate further interest, and considering launching a salary sacrifice scheme.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/esri-uk

Reaping the rewards of hiring an apprentice TP Smart Repairs “Training apprentices eliminates substantial recruitment fees and is great for quality control as you teach them the processes fresh from the start. We look after our apprentices like family and that breeds loyalty.”

- John McNally, TP Smart Repairs

John McNally strongly believes his business would not be thriving as it is today without hiring apprentices, with one recent young recruit proving an inspiration to everyone.

As owner of Aylesbury-based vehicle maintenance and bodywork specialist TP Smart Repairs, John puts apprentices at the heart of his company. And he is clear as to why: “I want to provide people with the opportunity to learn a trade and develop a purpose and real prospects in life. Some of our apprentices wouldn’t have had any other opportunity. Aside from the benefits this creates for the business, this is why I became involved with apprenticeships.”

Having previously trained as one himself, John set up TP Smart Repairs in 2020 with a former apprentice, Tommy Phillips. They now have 16 staff, including four apprentices. One of the most recent recruits is 17-year-old Callum May. Callum, who has ADHD, was deemed at risk of dropping out of education with few qualifications. He needed direction and was put in touch with John by Buckinghamshire Skills Hub and the Mandeville School in Aylesbury.

Callum’s positive attitude and interest in working with cars made a great impression on the TP Smart Repairs team and he was soon taking an apprenticeship as a body panel beater, through which he is learning about the motor trade and acquiring functional skills in English and Maths.

John says: “I asked Callum what he would say if he returned to Mandeville School and spoke to students who find themselves in a similar situation. He said he has two younger siblings at home and could see that being a positive role model to them was one of the most important things he could do.”

John, who is dyslexic, could see a lot of himself in Callum, who has already set his sights on running his own business one day. “When you have dyslexia, you look at things in a different way, but I found it to be a superpower. I understood Callum suffered from ADHD so I explained my dyslexia to him and said he could make a difference by finding his superpower. Later, his mentor told me he’d never met a kid like him. He’s polite and focuses on a task until it’s done - that’s his superpower, which is fantastic for any business.”

John is looking to hire more apprentices as he expands the business, with plans for an apprentice training centre and a 25,000 sq. ft. workshop, parts of which will be sublet to businesses at a discount on the condition they employ an apprentice. “A lot of businesses are scared of taking on apprentices as they believe there’s too much paperwork and it takes too much time, but it’s actually an easy process.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/smart-repairs

Realising the value of young people to a business Zenopa

“Zenopa is a fantastic example of a progressive employer that really believes in the value of young people to its business, not just ‘ticking the box’ of taking on apprentices but making them integral to its success and growing accordingly.”

- John Browning, Buckinghamshire Business First

Going to university can be seen as a necessary pathway to a fulfilling career, but there are alternatives routes to a rewarding future. Proving the point is recruitment consultancy Zenopa, which has employed a whopping 24 apprentices aged 18-21 over the past five years in fields such as sales, marketing, and finance.

The apprentices work and study for a degree at the same time, but this ‘earn while you learn’ approach is not just glorified work experience with further education tacked onto it, as Max McGarvie, who is in the final year of his apprenticeship, explains. “Apprentices are given responsibility working with their own clients from day one. It provides commercial awareness and the skills required to work in an office environment, like interacting with people and getting to work on time.

I feel like my skill set has grown massively.

Zenopa’s Managing Director Mark Denton personally developed the employment model of recruiting 18-year-old school leavers for degree apprenticeships.

One fruitful recruitment avenue has been the Bucks Skills Show, which brings thousands of eager students together with local businesses. Mark also volunteers time as an Enterprise Adviser to help local schools and colleges enhance employment opportunities.

Mark has integrated degree apprentices into the core of the business model, with students mixing four days at work with one day studying, typically for a business management or marketing degree. More than half of their 51 staff are apprentices, who are seen as integral to leading the future international growth of the company and developing the use of technology and social media.

This is no doubt helped by the supportive way that Zenopa integrates new team members into the business via a buddy system that matches new apprentices with existing ones, backed by ongoing internal and external training. From the outset, candidates from a disadvantaged background and / or whose family have never been to university are particularly encouraged to apply.

The results have been impressive. One apprentice generated sales of £250,000 in a year, while Zenopa has just set up a team in the United States led by two apprentices.

Zenopa’s dedication to its apprenticeship scheme has helped its business reputation, winning a ‘Great Place to Work’ award four years in a row, and the Apprentice and Young Person Employer of the Year Award at the Buckinghamshire Business Awards in 2022.

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/zenopa

Seriously benefiting from apprenticeships Serious Brands “An apprenticeship helps us each become a better version of ourselves. Taking one is a sign of aspiration, ambition and application - all great attributes in any team player.”

– Alex Pratt, Serious Brands

Is an apprenticeship something to help school leavers transition into the world of work, or is it for existing company employees to upskill? The answer, of course, is both.

One business that knows this is Serious Brands.

Based in Bierton, near Aylesbury, it is a manufacturer of hand-built reading and hobby lights with 27 staff, set up by Alex Pratt OBE 35 years ago. Now selling their lights around the world to the likes of opticians and air traffic control rooms, as well as domestic customers, they identified a need to upskill staff as well as grow their workforce.

Serious Brands approached Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) for help with setting up an apprenticeship scheme and were helped by Workforce Skills Manager John Browning, who advised them on hiring and best practice. Chief of Staff Helen Fearnley explains: “I attended a great online webinar from BBF about apprenticeships, which is where I met John. He was very helpful and told me everything I needed to know, and then helped us get going on the apprenticeship programme.”

As well as taking on two new apprentices, annual appraisals had identified training needs for four existing staff who were matched to relevant apprenticeships to upskill within the business in areas like sales and leadership and management. “I did a Level 3 HR

apprenticeship course with my assistant,” says Helen.

“These courses really helped us all to progress in our current roles. The apprenticeships offered such great learning and helped with team morale.”

The new apprentices now have permanent jobs with the company having been specifically trained for their roles, while some of the team members also achieved functional skills qualifications in English and Maths.

“We’ve since been in touch with John about other training needs,” says Helen. “BBF has been a great local support, putting on fantastic events and training courses, helping our team progress with their training needs.”

Serious Brands has ambitious expansion plans and running an apprenticeship programme is undoubtedly helping it lay the foundations of a prosperous and sustainable future. John Browning sums it up: “Serious Brands is an excellent example of a firm recruiting new staff through apprenticeships, but also using the scheme to train existing employees. It is fantastic to see how they have benefited from working with our Skills Team. Having happy, motivated staff can only help them as they step up their growth plans, which in turn is great for the local economy.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/serious-brands

Unlocking potentials as an Enterprise Adviser ANT Telecom “Thanks to Klaus, I’ve gained an insight into a wide range of careers and had the opportunity to work with people I don’t know. This has massively increased my confidence.”

– Hannah, student at The Highcrest Academy

A graduate programme at Bosch Telecom in Germany put Klaus Allion on the path to a career in sales, but it was entrepreneurialism that brought him to the UK as Managing Director of ANT Telecom. He went on to become one of Buckinghamshire’s first Enterprise Advisers - industry professionals who partner with a school or college to help ensure careers education reflects the real world of work.

Klaus has been volunteering as The Highcrest Academy’s Enterprise Adviser for over seven years. So why does he dedicate so much of his time to the role?

“I’ve always enjoyed working with students, whether it’s mentoring, teaching or coaching, and being an Enterprise Adviser offers many opportunities to develop these skills. Together with the school, we set up a programme for students to help them understand what careers development is and how to get onto a path.”

Klaus brings his own experience to the fore when putting together programme for students. “It’s important for young people to get a taste of as many different areas of business as possible – it’s hard to know what career you’d be interested in or suited to without that. I originally wanted to go into marketing, but that soon changed to sales when I realised that being in the trenches is where I thrived. A significant

part of the school’s careers programme is about encouraging students to find work experience.”

Work experience at ANT Telecom is “a real experience,” says Klaus. When two Highcrest students joined for a week-long placement, they were introduced to IoT sensor technology and tasked with installing a temperature monitoring system at their school. “By the time a member of our team arrived to help, they had already installed the equipment,” Klaus recalls. “They then analysed the data and put together a presentation pitched to the school’s deputy head and business manager.”

Klaus isn’t merely chasing profits with ANT Telecom, his motivation runs deeper. “The perception is that it’s better to recruit experienced candidates as you don’t have to spend as much time training them, but what does that say about the company’s culture? Even someone without all the skills can have a lot to offer in terms of new ideas.

“The more businesses help students with career planning, the more prepared they’ll be for the world of work, which benefits everyone. You never know, those bright young people might remember the time you invested in them and decide to come back.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/highcrest-academy

Shakespeare helps teach young tech talent Capgemini “I would recommend the scheme to teachers who have never worked in a corporate environment. If we don’t have an idea of what’s on the other side of exams, how can we expect our students to know what to strive for?”

- Helen Hill, The Misbourne School

Bucks Skills Hub brought together The Misbourne School and Capgemini for a teacher encounter experience that aimed to bridge the gap between the skills young people need for work and what they’re leaving the education system with. Here’s what the two parties had to say about the experience.

Capgemini’s Head of Talent Attraction UK, Michelle Perkins: “We’ve formed invaluable relationships with the people who have a direct line to what schools and students want from businesses, which has helped us refine our long-term plans around outreach and recruitment.

“Our staff who took part in the scheme did so on a voluntary basis, but that didn’t affect how much effort they put in to ensure its success. I believe they enjoyed the opportunity to think creatively as they had to develop new materials to support the teachers’ lesson plans.

“Young people are most influenced by the people they speak to regularly. The more we can help teachers understand key employability skills, the better placed they’ll be to support students when leaving education.

Anything employers can do to upskill students benefits the UK economy.”

The Misbourne’s business and economics teacher, Helen Hill: “I’ve already developed a new lesson for my business A-Level students inspired by our visits to Capgemini. It includes more up-to-date terminology and common work processes in the tech industry.

This real-world way of working is being embedded into lessons.

“We met several Capgemini employees, including a history graduate who explained how they transferred their skills from the classroom into a career in tech.

Our group’s history teacher took this knowledge back to their classroom to show that what they teach can be used in organisations like Capgemini. Our English teacher had a similar experience as the encounter provided an answer to ‘Why do we study Shakespeare?’ The ability to scan, analyse and interpret information is a core skill for many Capgemini employees.

“It’s important to make connections between the curriculum and careers, and the merits of apprenticeships and graduate roles, and how there’s one to suit every type of learner. It helped us realise that these prestigious organisations are in reach of many of our students and they shouldn’t lessen their ambitions if they don’t receive the grades they expected.”

Read the full story > BucksSkillsHub.org/capgemini

Teacher encounters are a win-win-win!

Flannery Plant Hire & BAM Construct

“In the past, the education system was targeted at students gaining qualifications and good grades. Employers now work more closely with schools and colleges to develop wider skills and behaviours alongside academic achievement.’’

- Paul Skitt, Flannery Plant Hire

According to Oxford Learning College, two thirds of large UK businesses struggle to recruit employees with the skills they need. At the same time, the Institute of Government & Public Policy (IGPP) reports that 70% of secondary school leavers do not know what career they want.

Bucks Skills Hub has been working closely with BAM Construct and Flannery Plant Hire to try and combat this stark reality through a programme called ‘Teacher Encounters’. By encouraging educators to engage with employers directly, we can: Provide businesses with an insight into education.

“It’s mutually beneficial”, says Flannery Plant Hire’s Paul Skitt. “We get a better understanding of how schools operate, and they get a better understanding of what businesses need from students.” According to June Wilkinson of BAM Construct, the experience can be eye-opening for businesses: “It gives us a window into the world of education, which for many of us was a long time ago – so much has changed.”

Expand educators’ understanding of industry.

“There’s often a narrow view of construction that it’s all hard hats and digging,” says June, who has been able to promote the breadth of professional and technical roles within the sector. Paul has encountered similar misconceptions around what businesses need, but says that things have changed in recent years.

Raise awareness of alternative pathways. June recalls that “the teachers knew little about non-university

career pathways or what support employers can offer.

If a student has a particular interest, we can advise what careers it links to and the best way to get there,” which might be T-levels or an apprenticeship. Design & Technology teacher Craig has already secured two student work experience placements following his encounter. “I now find myself actively seeking avenues in which I can promote vocational opportunities. How well paid the programmes can be is a real selling point.”

Enrich schools’ curriculums. Businesses have extensive industry knowledge that can, as Paul puts it, “bring lessons to life.” Geography teacher Rachel reveals how she was inspired by her visit to Flannery Plant Hire to create a GCSE lesson around construction careers links. “Before the encounter, our teaching in this area was poor,” she admits. “In the future, I’d like to expand the lesson into a long-term project or an educational visit.”

Secure businesses’ talent pipeline. “I was surprised to learn of the number of careers available within construction and how it’s an environment that should appeal to women in STEM,” says Craig. Engaging with educators from Buckinghamshire College Group is a high priority for Paul: “We have a wide variety of technical support roles available, ranging from finance to customer sales.” As June says: “If you’re struggling to recruit, this is how to secure your talent pipeline.”

Read the full story > BucksSkillsHub.org/BAM-flannery

Sustainable recovery for Roald Dahl Museum Roald Dahl Museum

“For a small business, it’s really hard to find the budget to get the expert advice you know will be useful. We can use the consultancy advice we received to build a business case for significant investments such as a new boiler and looking for a green energy supplier.”

– Steve Gardam, Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Dedicated support has ensured the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre’s post-Covid recovery is sustainable – in more ways than one.

Visitors to the museum in Great Missenden can see the preserved interior of Roald Dahl’s famous Writing Hut, where he wrote all his most famous books. The temporary closure of such a precious location during the Covid lockdown in 2020 was keenly felt by wouldbe visitors at home and abroad. When they were finally able to fully reopen in summer 2021, with their fully interactive experiences, live storytelling sessions and hands-on exhibits, they made a steady start on the long road to full recovery.

Having received support from Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) in the past, Museum Director Steve Gardam got in touch with the team again to investigate further support to accelerate a sustainable recovery to pre-pandemic levels and understand how they could reduce their impact on the environment.

He found the Visit Buckinghamshire: Boost programme, which was designed to accelerate the recovery of tourism, hospitality and leisure businesses and the wider visitor economy in Buckinghamshire.

Steve joined the ‘Green Credentials’ element of the programme, one that helps organisations gain a competitive advantage by being at the forefront of the Net Zero transition.

Expert consultancy followed, and a carbon calculator tool detailed exactly where the museum was using the most energy, with this data proving useful for Steve to make the case for investment in energy-efficient boilers. He also used the carbon audit to drive staff engagement and education around positive changes they could all make at work and at home.

A unique tourist attraction in the heart of the Chilterns, the museum attracts a diverse range of visitors, and Steve worked with the Boost programme on the vital issue of accessibility. Being in a relatively small historic building presents its own accessibility challenges, but being armed with the right information will help the organisation make informed choices about investment priorities. “Now we know what would make the most significant difference in the business, it really whets the appetite for more bespoke advice.”

Whatever the challenge, Steve knows that the BBF team is always there. “It’s a valuable organisation, well set up to support small businesses, with a really committed, active and punchy team,” Steve says.

“We are grateful for the existence of these types of programmes and are appreciative of the moral support and encouragement, particularly over the last few tough years.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/roald-dahl

Accessibility support boosts Hill Farm and Orchard’s future Hill Farm and Orchard “Having the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day has meant that I am now clear about our goals and how to measure them. We have a path for growth and that focus and accountability makes us feel more upbeat and excited for the future.”

– Susan Nash, Hill Farm and Orchard

Hill Farm and Orchard first diversified in 2013, launching a glamping site complete with wigwam cabins. During lockdown in 2020, they further invested in the business, using the government Bounce Back Loan to invest in infrastructure and products for the cabins, enjoying a busy summer post-lockdown.

Following a consultancy with our Business Advisers, they also generated an action plan and wrote a clear accessibility statement for the website. “We had already put some accessibility measures in place, such as a 3D tour on our website,” says co-owner Susan Nash. “With the advice and support we received, we looked at what further improvements we could make, such as the Recite Me software for our website and on location.”

Aware that 2022 could be more challenging, with reduced demand due to more flexibility to holiday abroad, they started to investigate what support might be available via contacts at Visit Buckinghamshire. One of the first things they did was make the most of the busy Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) community by sourcing a marquee company to offer bell tents during busy periods.

Participating in the Boost programme really helped Susan establish a clear plan for the business. “Having this independent audit has been really beneficial and we have started to receive testimonials from customers with additional needs who have stayed with us.” The value of having external support is about benefiting from an adviser’s expertise and having increased accountability and check points so that everyone is confident in what actions need to be taken and when.

As participants on the Visit Buckinghamshire: Boost programme, a key strand the business made the most of was in the area of accessibility, receiving support to be more accessible to people with additional needs, such as by changing the text colour on their website and investing in different types of sensors for smoke alarms.

“Hill Farm and Orchard are a great example of how to make the most of connections made via our community, working with other hospitality businesses to augment their offering.” – BBF Business Adviser

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/hill-farm

Digital training steers canal boat firm to new audiences Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays

“The digital skills training helped us completely re-think our social strategy and as a result, we have increased brand awareness, traffic to our website and grown our Instagram community.”

- Corinne Newman, Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays

When Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays was founded in April 2021, there was a huge amount of pent-up demand from customers in the market for a staycation after months of lockdown.

“Being able to use the voucher to invest in our customer user experience on the website is something that we wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise, and this has had a positive impact on our bookings,” says Corinne.

As more opportunities to travel abroad opened up in 2022, Corinne and Gareth Newman were aware that they needed a strong marketing strategy to generate more brand awareness. Thinking ahead, they also wanted to investigate how to be as sustainable as possible in their business.

The ‘Green Credentials’ portion of Visit Buckinghamshire: Boost was next up for Corinne and Gareth, helping them understand their carbon footprint and take action to reduce their impact on the environment. They know that sustainable, car-free holidays are something that people are looking for more and more.

Corinne attended the Buckinghamshire Tourism summit in March 2022 for an insight into the kinds of support available and signed up for the Visit Buckinghamshire: Boost programme via Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF). They successfully applied for a £250 voucher to improve users’ online booking experience and create printed fliers to promote their holidays in other local tourism venues.

The business also invested in pay-per-click (PPC) Google ads, expanded their ‘Google My Business’ profile and targeted geographies outside of the Chilterns, leading to bookings from Canada and Australia.

Looking to the future, Corinne knows that she can ring the BBF Business Support Team for advice and support to help with her business and looks forward to establishing the business further as a great asset for the Buckinghamshire tourism community.

Corinne’s Business Adviser was delighted, saying: “It was wonderful to hear that Chiltern Canal Boat Holidays had taken their first bookings from abroad following the digital skills training and our ‘Taking England to the World’ seminar. We love to hear about more people discovering the Chilterns and its beautiful surroundings.”

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/chiltern-canal

Waddesdon reducing all manner of emissions Waddesdon Manor “Some of the simple changes we could undertake would instantly make a big difference, like switching to a 100% green energy tariff. The support has been amazing, I can’t thank the team enough. They were so helpful and always at the end of the phone if we had questions.”

- Chris Leach, Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor have planned and carried out a reduction of carbon emissions throughout the business thanks to support from Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF).

The iconic National Trust property receives almost half a million visitors every year. Being a historic building means it is not always straightforward to apply sustainability measures and new technologies.

For example, the rooms where collections are housed need to be maintained at a consistent temperature and humidity year-round to protect them.

Despite this, it is committed to working in a sustainable way and, prior to support from BBF, had already invested in initiatives including installing LED lighting, recycling, investing in electric vehicles, and implementing a “green approach” where possible.

When Waddesdon Manor participated in the Visit Buckinghamshire: Boost programme, their purpose was to clearly understand the current green credentials of their organisation in order to build a plan for future improvements and lower their carbon emissions.

The Boost programme was designed to accelerate the recovery of tourism, hospitality and leisure businesses and the wider visitor economy in Buckinghamshire.

The support prepared businesses for future trends in five different areas: green credentials, workforce, business growth, digital skills, and accessibility. And so, with sustainability in mind, Waddesdon Manor were introduced to the expertise of the Climate Essentials organisation who carried out a benchmarking audit across all areas of the business using a carbon calculator tool.

Chris Leach, Head of Sustainability and Conservation at Waddesdon, used the results of the audit to inform the development of Waddesdon Manor’s sustainability plans and help identify where to focus their efforts and what capital funding might be required. This future focus would look at the environmental impact of other elements of the running of the business, such as visitor and staff transport methods, catering impacts, and homeworking for staff.

“It is wonderful to hear that a historic building such as Waddesdon has been able to use the carbon calculator tool to make positive changes to reduce its carbon footprint. These changes will ensure that the building continues to be a thriving visitor attraction and embody its sustainable values.”

– BBF Business Adviser

Read the full story > bbf.uk.com/waddesdon

“Peer Ngage is a place where business leaders can brainstorm and bounce ideas around.

It’s a valuable time.”

On MD Ngage and Peer Ngage, business leaders and senior managers tackle challenges together while learning from experts on a diverse range of topics, such as cyber security, sales, AI, innovation, communications, CSR and more.

– Sally-Anne Lloyd, Lloyds Wines

“Having my problems tackled by 10 other MDs of all different business sizes is a great growth opportunity.”

“I invest in MD Ngage because my business needs me to. My business needs a better leader, a better manager.

This is the best money I spend a year. I also spend money on training for my staff, but this is for me. It’s money very well spent.”

- Kris Theophanous, Bradbury Tracks

“Peer Ngage is exactly the right platform for anyone in business looking to gain some leadership skills, experience and a good network.”

- Sean O’Farrell, Choice Loans

- Matthew Swansbury, Saffery Champness LLP

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“Lovely informative day, pitched at the right level. Thoroughly enjoyed the day and took away some useful things I can do straight away.”

“The access to knowledge, particularly the session with Trading Standards, was brilliant.”

- Adebukola Bukky Ayoade, Vibrant Midlife Wellness

- Jasvinder Kaur Sidhu, 1313 Group Ltd

“Following today’s session, I feel equipped with useful information and highly motivated to start working on developing my business models.”

“I was happy being on the course and learned a lot of useful information.”

- Candid Care Ltd

- Lidia, Moon Hijab

Hari Sharma, Business Coach, Excel Yourself Sales Coaching

Be Your Own Boss Graduate “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to be open minded and flexible, hear people out, listen to what’s out there, learn as much as you can and then take the elements that are worth using and deploy it in your own business. It’s important to go out and start networking, meeting people, and BBF is perfect for doing that. Lots of events you can attend, and they help you learn, which, for me, is fantastic. A great opportunity for everybody.”

Louise Mitchell, Director, Calibre Quality Care Be Your Own Boss Graduate “The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that, with all the support systems in place, it’s okay not to know everything. Especially with Buckinghamshire Business First, they have lots of people who can help you succeed.”

"I enjoyed the event content, the way it was presented and the opportunity to spend time with like-minded people."

"It is very encouraging to see others who have succeeded having their own business."

For more information, visit ngagesolutions.co.uk

- Participants of the Be Your Own Boss Start Up Programme

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