Business Direction 33 by Distinctive Media Group Ltd

Direction

Business

SEVEN CONTINENTS: WASTE SPECTRUM’S JOURNEY TO EXPORT SUCCESS PAGE 36

UPDATE FROM LINDA SMITH, DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE

EU REFERENDUM AND TRADE – SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

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CHAMBER OF THE YEAR 2013 Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Issue 33 September/October 2016

Navigate your business to export success Specialist legal services for international trade

Nicolas Groffman, Head of International 01189 256005 | ngroffman@hcrlaw.com Robert Capper, Head of Commercial 01905 744814 | rcapper@hcrlaw.com

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FIRSTWORD TINENTS: SEVEN CON TRUM’S WASTE SPEC JOURNEY TO CESS EXPORT SUC PAGE 36

M UPDATE FRO DIRECTOR LINDA SMITH, NAL OF INTERNATIO TRADE

NDUM EU REFERE AND TRADE – SO WHAT ? HAPPENS NOW PAGE 38

PAGE 34 Issue 33 tober 2016 September/Oc

Commerce Chamber of THE YEAR 2013 & Worcestershire CHAMBERnOF Herefordshire published by

WELCOME TO THE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER EDITION OF BUSINESS DIRECTION Summer is almost over and the dust has started to settle as we look to establish Britain’s new relationship with the European Union. Two of our local MPs, Robin Walker and Mark Garnier, are involved in the new Government departments, the Department for Exiting the European Union and the Department for International Trade (DIT) respectively.

Business Directio

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EDITOR Rebekah Harris 01905 673 639 rebekahh@hwchamber.co.uk

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FEATURE EDITORS  John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors within this publication. Editorial submissions are included at the discretion of the editor. The opinions expressed in articles and letters within this publication are not necessarily those of the Chamber. All offers, promotions and competitions appearing in Business Direction are the sole responsibility of the advertiser/ promoting party and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce does not accept any responsibility for any representations made within them.

DIT will provide the International support previously delivered by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), and will also be responsible for the negotiation of trade deals and free trade agreements. In the West Midlands, we have delivered the DIT contract (formerly UKTI) for over ten years. Over the last year, the International Trade team based at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has assisted over 300 companies in the two counties with export support and delivered over £125 million export business wins. Promoting exports and supporting exporters remains a priority in the two counties. In this edition of Business Direction, we have aimed to capture the breadth of services offered by DIT to companies big and small. Our main features include an update from Linda Smith, Director of International Trade at the Chamber, as well as a Big Interview with Steve Hunt, Managing Director of Waste Spectrum Environmental Ltd, the winner of the Chamber’s 2016 Exporter of the Year Award. Over 100 tourism businesses entered the Visit Herefordshire and Visit Worcestershire Awards for Excellence this year. 60 companies have been shortlisted and the winners will be revealed at a ceremony on Tuesday 20 September at Eastnor Castle. In the past, local tourism businesses have continued to win national awards in the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence and we look forward to seeing this year’s winners announced. The Chamber’s Autumn Business Expo takes place on Thursday 6 October at the Three Counties Showground. We are delighted to welcome John Carr, Partner Manager at Facebook, as the keynote speaker at the networking breakfast. To pre-register for the Expo and to view a full programme for the day, visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/expo See you at the Expo, Mike mikea@hwchamber.co.uk

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Cover Feature

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September/October 2016

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBERNEWS

FACEBOOK SPEAKING AT OCTOBER EXPO This autumn’s Chamber Business Expo will feature an exciting keynote speaker for the popular networking breakfast. John Carr, Partner Manager at Facebook, will be addressing 250 attendees, speaking on “The Evolution of Communication”.

Facebook will also be delivering two workshops on the day which businesses can book on to: “Driving Growth with Facebook” and “Introduction to Instagram for Business”.

asked to register to attend the Expo and to book a breakfast place or seminars. Visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/expo or email events@hwchamber.co.uk to book.

The Expo is taking place on Thursday 6 October at the Three Counties Showground and will feature 800 visitors and a 120+ stand exhibition. Businesses are

POSITIVE FEEDBACK FOR BUSINESS DIRECTION A survey conducted in July showed that the majority of readers think Business Direction is a useful resource for their business. 59% of respondents said they had visited the Chamber website or contacted Chamber staff about something they had read, whilst 47% of respondents said they have contacted another business they had seen in the magazine. 88% of respondents said they valued being featured in Business Direction, nearly 90% described the magazine’s appearance as very good or excellent, whilst 94% described the written content as excellent, very good or good.

The Business News pages were the most popular, with Chamber News, Events and Movers and Shakers coming a close second. Skills, Marketing and Digital were the most popular suggested themes for future editions, with Technology, Sustainability and Manufacturing also being ranked highly. As a result of completing the survey, Creative Mouse, based in Hallow, Worcester, won three tickets to Worcester Racecourse. Xytron Ltd, Hereford, won an article in Business Direction, featured on page 10. To view the full survey results and 2017 themes and deadlines, visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/Business-Direction

CHAMBER CHAIRMAN TAKES ON THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS On Sunday 18 September, Jim McBride, Chairman of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and patron member Lesk Engineers, is flying to Morocco for a 12 day trek in the Atlas Mountains to raise money for Megan Baker House. 65 last year, Jim decided to take a more unusual option than retiring. The trek will cover 85 miles and three peaks, including North Africa’s highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, which stands at 4167m - almost four times as high as Snowdon.

Megan Baker House is a charity close to Jim’s heart. Based near Leominster, the charity supports children with cerebral palsy, dyspraxia and other motor related disorders, as well as helping adults with Parkinson’s disease or those suffering from stroke or head injuries. Jim is hoping to raise £5000 which can fund one child through a year’s treatment. If you would like to support Jim, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ Jim-McBride-Atlas

Sophia Haywood, Jane Raven, Myrtle’s Kitchen, and Ruth Smith, TIC Manager

WORCESTER ENJOYS FOODIE FESTIVAL Worcester city centre was buzzing at the end of July as crowds filled the streets for Worcester’s popular Foodie Festival. With 70 stalls tempting visitors with locally produced cider, honey, chocolate, bread, cheese and more, as well as free cooking demonstrations, the city was filled with mouth-watering smells. Worcester Tourist Information Centre took part in the festival with free food tasting outside the Guildhall and a colouring competition for children. Visitors enjoyed sampling some Worcester Rock and the TIC successfully sold their entire stock of Worcester Warrior chutney, made by Myrtle’s Kitchen in Bromyard. Over 30 children entered the colouring competition which was held on Saturday. The winner of the Under 7’s category was Izabelle Phillips, age 5, and the winner of the 7–11’s category was Edward Chapman, age 7. Both children received a summer holiday goody bag, containing summer games and a bucket and spade.

September/October 2016

CHAMBERNEWS

NEW PRESIDENT FOR THE BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Francis Martin as its new President. Francis, who will be the business group’s first President from Northern Ireland, was officially appointed at the BCC’s Annual General Meeting after serving as Vice President since 2013. Francis is a Partner in BDO Northern Ireland, and has over 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and business advisory locally and international. Formerly President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he was recently awarded Northern Ireland Dealmaker of the Year 2016.

Commenting on his appointment, Francis said: “Drawing on the local and regional perspectives of the Chamber network, which represents businesses of all sizes and sectors, supporting over five million employees in the UK, the British Chambers of Commerce is a leading commentator on the UK economy. I will, during my term as President, be proud to champion the British Chambers of Commerce as an influencer of Government as it shapes policy and legislation at this critical time for the economy of the UK.

Deputy Chief Executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Sharon Smith, and Chamber Chairman, Jim McBride, enjoyed attending the British Chambers of Commerce AGM in July.

Robin Walker MP, Sharon Smith and Jim McBride

pleased to meet Robin Walker, MP for Worcester and junior minister in the new Department for Exiting the European Union, to discuss how the Chamber and local politicians can continue to work together to ensure the two Counties remain informed of important changes throughout this time.

BUSINESS LEADERS GO BACK TO SCHOOL FOR SUMMER DINNER Business Leaders from 60 companies in Herefordshire and Worcestershire were ushered back to school in July for the annual Chamber Business Leaders Summer Dinner at RGS Worcester. Representatives from Mazak, Worcester, Bosch Group, Vision Labs, Hewetts and University of Worcester were in attendance, to name a few. Delegates were welcomed with Pimms on the lawn before making their way to the historic Perrins hall to enjoy a few courses of culinary delights. Key note speaker Clive Wheawall, Commercial Manager at Advance IT Group, then took to the stage. The topic of the evening was the role of business leaders today, touching on mentoring within companies.

Francis Martin, new BCC President

As the UK faces unprecedented change, Chambers of Commerce, and the views of the members they represent, are more

CHAMBER STAFF ENJOY SUMMER AGM

At the AGM, the BCC provided an update on their post Brexit ambitions and welcomed the appointment of their new President, Francis Martin. Sharon and Jim also took part in some interesting discussion panels with Anna Soubry MP, the former Minister of State for Business and Enterprise in the Business, Innovation and Skills Department and Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, the former Secretary of State for Education and the former Minister for Women and Equalities. They were also

important than ever before. I look forward to engaging positively with all Chambers in the Accredited Network, which do a wonderful job engaging and supporting their local communities.”

Business leaders hear from keynote speaker Clive Wheawall

Rob Newton, Managing Director of Print Strategy Europe, said: “It was really great to make some strong business connections and the speaker gave a fresh, different perspective. It was good to hear Clive focussing on the fact that the biggest win in business is looking after your team.” Some students from RGS Worcester were involved in raising funds for their 2017 hockey and netball tour, receiving generous donations from delegates on the evening. £420 was raised, which will buy the kit necessary for the tour.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

LAUNCH OF WORCESTERSHIRE CHARTER FOR INCLUSIVE GROWTH Businesses across Worcestershire are invited to attend the launch of the “Charter for Inclusive Growth” on Friday 30 September. The Charter, which is supported by the Chamber and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), encourages businesses across the county to take on employees who need extra support. This includes those with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, the long term unemployed, ex-offenders and young people with no work experience. The Charter addresses misconceptions around such employment and instead recognises the benefits to the individual, business and society as a whole. Robin Walker MP will be launching the Charter at Worcestershire County Cricket Club between 8.00–9.30am. Guests will enjoy networking over breakfast and the chance to hear firsthand the benefits of inclusive employment. Places are limited so businesses are encouraged to book a free place now by visiting www.hwchamber.co.uk/ events. Alternatively email Sophia Haywood, Policy Executive, on sophiah@hwchamber.co.uk.

BUSINESSNEWS

V8MEDIA AND CORPFILMS PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATES FIRST BIRTHDAY WEOBLEY COMPANY PICKS UP INNOVATIVE DESIGN AWARD Weobley based Primasil picked up the Medilink Innovation Award for further developing a cooling cap designed to bring relief to chemotherapy patients in fear of hair loss.

HEWETT’S 'VALUES' RECOGNISED AT STAFF AWARDS

“We are thrilled to have received the Medilink Innovation Award this year,” said Primasil’s Medical Division Manager Caroline Herdman.

The West Midland Safari Park was the setting for Hewett’s Annual Staff Family Fun Day in July. Spring Grove House was alive with children playing in the grounds and meeting animal characters, followed by a furry live animal encounter and BBQ.

“It is wonderful recognition of what we can do for an industry where product innovation makes a real difference to people’s lives. Silicone rubber is a remarkable material...When the right minds are brought together our potential for creating, improving and transforming medical devices is almost limitless.”

The company’s annual awards presentation took place later in the afternoon. This year’s award categories were based on the company’s core values: Passion, Innovation, Knowledge, Adaptability, Integrity and Excellence. Laura Hewett, Commercial Director, commented: “It’s important for us to recognise the contribution that all our employees make to the business day in day out and congratulate those individuals who go above and beyond. We have a great team here at Hewett’s and everyone shows such passion in delivering an exceptional service to our clients and candidates.” Congratulations to the winners!

Primasil undertook the work on behalf of Paxman, the global leading manufacturer of scalp cooling equipment for cancer patients.

www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk

The award was voted for by medical industry leaders in the West Midland’s prestigious Medical and Healthcare Business Awards this year. The cooling cap lowers the head and scalp temperature, reducing blood flow to the hair follicles, which prevents or reduces the risk of hair loss.

V8Media and CorpFilms have been successfully combining their respective, individual skills to provide clients of both companies with co-ordinated tactical marketing and rich media content. Claire Wozencroft, V8Media, said: “For V8Media clients, stimulating website content is always in demand. CorpFilms’ background specialising in content-led marketing films delivers this need.” Terry Anderson, CorpFilms, added: “V8Media develops and executes cohesive campaigns which help CorpFilms’ clients to reach a wider, more relevant audience.” The partnership hasn’t just been bringing the services of one company to clients of the other, but has also successfully secured projects, enhancing propositions to new clients. Herefordshire Council’s Behind The Door campaign reached out to businesses, changing perceptions of working in the county. Other projects included Fastershire’s online advice about internet issues and conducting interactive interviews for CREATE NWE. Visitors to the Chamber Business Expo in October can see the two marketing teams exhibiting as one partnership on a double stand. www.V8Media.co.uk www.CorpFilms.co.uk

www.primasil.com

LAW FIRM NUDGES £1BN IN RECORD YEAR A record year for the Corporate Team at Harrison Clark Rickerbys saw the firm complete 110 deals with a total value close to £1bn, encompassing national and international clients as well as local firms. The firm’s 24-strong corporate team handled the full range of corporate transactions, from mergers and acquisitions to investments and management buy-outs. Its corporate expertise has been recognised in leading legal directories, with the team’s practical and problem-solving skills highlighted and their experience across the board acknowledged.

Rod Thomas, Managing Partner and Head of the Corporate Team in Worcester, said: “The financial year 2015/2016 was an outstanding year and a record for us – our corporate expertise and strength is taking us into the top flight of firms in the West Midlands and enhancing our national standing too. Our ability to work both locally and internationally means that we can support the regional economy by bringing big business to invest at a local level – that flexibility sets us apart.” www.hcrlaw.com

September/October 2016

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FOCUSONLEGAL

Service Charge Charge and and Service Ground Rent Rent Debt Debt Ground Recovery Service Service Recovery

Rebecca Rogers Rebecca Rogers Assistant Solicitor Assistant Solicitor

Through Solicitors’ dedicated dedicated debt debt Through mfg mfg Solicitors’ recovery department, over the past 12 recovery department, over the past 12 months I have successfully recovered months I have successfully recovered in £50,000 in in unpaid unpaid in excess excess of of £50,000 ground rent and service charges -ground rent and service charges funds many businesses, landowners, funds many businesses, landowners, landlords and property management landlords and property management companies across Herefordshire Herefordshire and and companies across Worcestershire had all all but but written written off off Worcestershire had their sheets. their balance balance sheets. Many, are missing missing the the Many, however, however, are opportunity to claw claw back back ground ground opportunity to rent and service service charge charge from from rent income income and property owners or tenants which is property owners or tenants which is rightfully theirs, so in this autumn rightfully theirs, so in this autumn edition of Business Direction Direction II can can give more background on on the the process process involved and why it’s not as as difficult difficult as as some might assume. What is ground rent and and why why is is it important? Ground rent is the fee that that leaseholders have to pay to to freeholders freeholders as a condition of their lease. lease. It It is is usually small, around £100 £100 to to £200 £200 a year. However, it can mount mount up up over time and all too often often it it can can be be forgotten about. Service charges are levied levied by by landlords landlords and/or freeholders to recover recover the the cost cost they incur in providing services services to to aa building or common parts. parts.

Why recover recoverthese thesedebts? debts? Why Effective service charge and Effective service charge and ground rent recovery is vital tothe the ground rent recovery is vital to continuationand andeffectiveness effectivenessofof continuation property management. property management. It is is about about cash cashflow. flow.Cash Cashflow flowisis It crucial to businesses, landlords and crucial to businesses, landlords and property management companies property management companies who still still face facecontractual contractualobligations obligations who to provide services. to provide services. What can cananyone anyonedo doabout aboutit? it? What At mfg mfg Solicitors Solicitorswe weundertake undertakeaa At comprehensive and cost effective comprehensive and cost effective service charge chargeand andground groundrent rent service recovery service. service. recovery We offer offer aa dedicated dedicatedservice service We focusing exclusively exclusivelyon onrecovering recovering focusing the debt debt together togetherwith withrecovering recovering the the legal legal costs costsincurred incurredfrom fromthe the the debtor. debtor. Does that thatmean meangoing goingto tocourt? court? Does Not Not necessarily. necessarily.We Wehave haveparticular particular specialisms specialismsin inpre-action pre-actioncollection. collection. Often Often this this can canbe beresolved resolvedininwriting writing before before itit gets getsto tocourt. court.Once Oncewe we exhaust exhaust that thatas asan anoption optionthen then we we are are experts expertsin intaking takingsuch such matters matters through throughthe theCounty CountyCourt Court and ensuring that the judgment and ensuring that the judgmentisis enforced. enforced.

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For Forfurther furtherinformation informationreaders readers can contact Rebecca Rogers can contact Rebecca Rogerson on 01562 01562820181 820181ororvia viaemail: email: rebecca.rogers@mfgsolicitors.com rebecca.rogers@mfgsolicitors.com

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rebecca.rogers@mfgsolicitors.com rebecca.rogers@mfgsolicitors.com

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

@mfgsolicitors @mfgsolicitors 09

BUSINESSNEWS

HOSPITAL A REAL ASSET, SAYS MP Worcester MP Robin Walker met nurses, surgeons and staff at Spire South Bank Hospital when he was taken on a tour of the Bath Road building. He was shown around by Hospital Director, Simon Milner and Head of Clinical Services, Julie Wild, and visited the oncology and endoscopy departments, the imaging unit and the Spire Eye Centre. As well as treating private patients – both insured and self-funding – the hospital also caters for a large number of NHS patients.

small hospital, it has some of the most modern equipment around today. It is a tremendous facility and really does provide first class health care for the people of Worcestershire. “It is also a great example of private healthcare and the NHS working together to meet the medical needs of the people in the region. It is a great asset to the city and the region as a whole.” www.spirehealthcare.com/southbank Robin Walker MP enjoyed a tour of Spire South Bank Hospital

Robin said: “Although this is a relatively

CB, CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS LAUNCH ADVISORY SUPPORT The is830 in operation

OPTIMEC LAUNCH NEW METROLOGY INSTRUMENT Optimec has been designing and manufacturing precision contact lens measurement instruments for the global contact lens industry since 1979. Five years ago, the decision was taken to invest significantly in the development of a new range of technology based instrumentation, together with the infrastructure in which to manufacture them. This investment has resulted in the successful launch of the new Optimec is830 instrument which was developed in a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Aston University. Dr Ben Coldrick, who led the project and is now Optimec’s Head of Technical Development, commented: “The is830 is a game changing inspection instrument for the industry and will help our customers control their processes and ensure their product quality is maintained, especially for the complex contact lens designs now being manufactured. Since its launch, we have had enquiries from around the world and have already installed the first system for a leading UK manufacturer”. www.optimec.com

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Worcestershire based CB, Chartered Accountants has launched CB, Business Leaders, providing 1:1 advisory support plus training, both online and face-to-face, access to online strategic planning tools and regular peer networking events. John Painter, Managing Partner, said: “Getting the support you need for your business and addressing your personal development needs is critical to on-going success, but many support programs are too prescriptive, or don’t directly relate to the pressing issues you’re facing on a daily basis.” CB, Business Leaders is powered by Mindshop which has over 25 years of expertise and experience in online learning and development solutions. There are three levels of subscription starting from just £300 per month. Members can access the experience and problem solving skills of a senior business advisor, commercially focused workshops with business leader peers, Just in time learning from online courses, webinars and videos and a network of business leader peers online. www.cbcharteredaccountants.com

DATA RECOVERY BUSINESS CELEBRATES 12 YEARS Xytron Data Recovery, based in Rotherwas Industrial Estate, is celebrating its 12th year of trading. The company offers a valuable service which helps businesses in their hour of need, by providing solutions for the recovery of lost data. “Our service is used by local and international clients for a variety of technology failures; such as dropped external hard drives, server or RAID disk failures, mobile phone forensics, fire and water damage disks”, said Richard Cuthbertson, Managing Director. “During the 2011 riots a fire damaged disk was sent to our lab and all important data was recovered. Our clients include Military, Police Forces, Government, PLCs and SMBs through to home users who may have lost their family photographs; we deal with all types of data loss”. Boasting a state of the art clean room facility for the repair of physically damaged media, AES encrypted servers and 10,000+ previous cases, your data is in safe hands. www.xytrondatarecovery.co.uk

September/October 2016

POLICYNEWS

BID FOR £35M TO FURTHER GROW THE ECONOMY In July 2016, the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership submitted a bid for an extra £35m in the third round of the Government’s Growth Deal initiative. The bid builds on the successes already seen with the current funding allocation of £54.2m. Projects from the first two rounds are already delivering a range of benefits for local businesses and are on track to deliver an extra 4,000 new jobs.

MINISTERIAL POSITIONS FOR LOCAL MPS Theresa May’s latest reshuffle has seen the two counties become well represented in government with four Worcestershire MPs and one Herefordshire MP being given key roles. Excitingly, two of our MPs are involved in the two new departments which have been created in light of Brexit. Robin Walker MP is a junior minister in the Department for Exiting the European Union, a new department dedicated to getting the most out of Brexit, led by David Davis MP. Mark Garnier MP has also taken up a role in the new Department for International Trade under Liam Fox MP. It is great to see two local, highly committed politicians

seriously involved in paving the future for the United Kingdom. Bromsgrove MP and previous Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Sajid Javid, has transferred roles to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, following the dissolution and replacement of BIS with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Herefordshire MP Jesse Norman now has a role in this department, focussing on industry and energy. Harriet Baldwin MP for West Worcestershire also has a new role in the Ministry of Defence, focussing on Procurement.

£68M BID TO CREATE 7,200 JOBS & 2,850 NEW HOMES The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has launched a bid for nearly £68m of Government funding to support projects which could create more than 7,000 jobs and 2,850 new homes in the region. It is competing with 38 other LEPs for a slice of £1.8 billion of Growth Deal funding for 11 proposed projects across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Business Board, also includes a bid for funding for a business incubation centre and the creation of a Hereford Centre for Cyber Security at Skylon Park, Rotherwas. The LEP is also asking for £5m to support new homes, employment land and a new primary school in Leominster. www.marcheslep.org.uk

The schemes include the development of the proposed New Model in Technology and Engineering (NMiTE) University in Herefordshire, a £19.9 million project, and an enterprise park in Ross-on-Wye which would create more than 460 jobs. The proposal, supported by Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire

The most recent statistics also show the County at the top of the league tables for economic growth. In recent years, out of all 39 LEP areas, Worcestershire has ranked first for the strongest growth in higher level workforce skills, second for highest growth in productivity, and third for highest growth in prosperity. Worcestershire is also set to exceed the target of £2.9bn growth in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2025. The additional funding will deliver a range of schemes to develop infrastructure, skills and business growth. For further information, visit www.wlep.co.uk.

ANNUAL BANK OF ENGLAND BREAKFAST Businesses are invited to attend the Chamber’s annual Bank of England breakfast to meet with and hear from Graeme Chaplin, the Bank of England’s Agent for the West Midlands and Oxfordshire. The event will take place from 7.30am to 9.30am on Friday 16 September and will be held at the Cloisters, Hereford Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG. As the Agent in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Graeme will be joining us to give his annual update on the Bank of England’s latest economic forecasts and to explain the role of the Bank in promoting stability in the UK Financial Sector. To secure your place, please visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/events or email Sophia Haywood, Policy Executive, on sophiah@hwchamber.co.uk.

Graham Wynn OBE, Marches LEP chairman

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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FOCUSONRECRUITMENT

SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE ARE GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO

– so why not build the talent within a business by putting people in positions they excel at and give them jobs they enjoy doing? Our customers can’t love our organisations unless those who are working in them love what they do. Few organisations are full of vibrant people loving what they do every day. Its al about finding the right kind of people and that means delving further during the recruitment process and asking the right questions to ascertain if they really will thrive rather than just endure. As Steve Jobs said “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work… and the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” Many employers use strength based interview questions when recruiting these days as they bring out the genuine interest, motivation and overall aptitude of the candidate for the particular job in question. Companies know they can often help build the skills required for the job, as long as the candidate has the right attitude, qualities and interests to make a great match for the role. This type of interview is designed to look at what candidates enjoy doing and have a natural aptitude for, rather than what they can do, which is usually assessed

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Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work… and the only way to do great work is to love what you do. Steve Jobs during a competency based interview and can lead to square pegs in round holes. When employees genuinely enjoy their work, they are said to enter a state of consciousness known as ‘flow’ where they are engrossed in their work to a point where they lose all sense of time and tend to perform to a higher standard. By asking strength based questions, a manager can really get a feel for who the interviewee is and what personally motivates them. The results could mean that overall productivity is increased by recruiting people who enjoy doing the style of work necessary within their particular field.

Some example interview questions might feature these themes: n What do you love doing in your spare time? n Do you like the big picture or the little detail? n Do you most like starting tasks or finishing them? n What energises you? n What kind of person are you? For further information, free factsheet and advice contact louise@hewett-recruitment.co.uk

As the questions feel more personal and are less likely to be practiced it also provides a more accurate indicator of later job performance and so is beneficial to both the business and the employee.

September/October 2016

BUSINESSNEWS

AWARD WINNING BUSINESSES

Clive Collins - McCarthy Taylor, and Jemma Towler

Mel Preedy, Caplor Energy, with Vikram Solar representatives

AWARD SUCCESS FINANCIAL FIRM ACHIEVES SUCCESS FOR CAPLOR ENERGY A Worcestershire Financial firm has once again won national recognition for its excellent retirement planning services after winning a prestigious award for the second year in a row. Chartered Financial Planners McCarthy Taylor Ltd were winners at the Retirement Planner Awards 2016, which honour the work of ‘outstanding’ financial planners in the retirement sector. The firm has also been shortlisted as finalists in two categories by Moneyfacts in the ‘Investment Life & Pensions’ Awards which take place in September.

Herefordshire based Caplor Energy has recently travelled to Munich to accept an industry award at Intersolar, the world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry. Mel Preedy, Business Manager, said: “So far we have installed 2.5MW or approximately 10,000 Vikram Solar panels, many of which are in Herefordshire. We hope that this successful relationship grows further as the solar market continues to expand in the UK.” www.caplor.co.uk/energy

www.mccarthytaylor.co.uk

OAKLEAF COLLECTS SILVER

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL INNOVATION AWARD

Oakleaf Commercial Services has been presented with the Silver award for the second year running at the RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2016.

Against strong competition, family business Oakland International secured Highly Commended at the National Red Ribbon Awards held at Wembley Stadium in London in July in The Innovation Award category. The company was recognised for their specialist Distress Load Management Service.

Ian Hancock, Managing Director, said: “It is a great achievement to receive this award for the second year running. It demonstrates our successful Health and Safety systems and shows that we are continuously working together to improve our standards and the safety of our employees, outside contractors and members of the public alike.”

www.oakland-international.com

www.oakleafcs.com

WARRIORS SET FOR TRIP TO RUSSIA Another Aviva Premiership season is upon us and Worcester Warriors will be looking to build on their strong campaign last time out. Warriors recorded a club-record four consecutive Premiership victories last season on their way to a tenth-place finish. With Head Coach Carl Hogg and High Performance Director Nick Johnston now at the helm, Warriors will be looking to continue their progression.

VISUALISATION CENTRES EXPANDING REACH AND MINDS Managed by a specialist team at the University of Wolverhampton, the Visualisation Centres based at Wolverhampton and Telford Business Solution Centres (BSCs) are continuing to expand their reach through the wider BSC network. Visualisation Centres act as a practical showcase for exciting technologies, including touch screens, 3D printing and drones, as well as state-of-the-art conferencing facilities; creating a hub for technological innovation that local businesses can tap into. Working collaboratively with the Marches LEP, Hereford & Wyre Forest BSCs will provide stunning streaming solutions for their business support events and workshops, allowing companies to attend virtually and reduce travel time. Gary Dimmock, Business Solutions Centres Manager, said: “Visualisation Centres give businesses affordable access to cutting edge technology. Coupled with the hands-on support our team can offer, the Centres will present Marches companies with a greater degree of connectivity, increased flexibility around working and access to more opportunities.” To find out more, call 01902 321272 or email info@businesssolutionscentres.co.uk.

Warriors’ new hooker Matti Williams

Warriors will also be exporting their brand as far away as Russia this season after the club were drawn against Enisei-STM in the European Challenge Cup. Chief Executive Jim O’Toole said: “We’ll be making history again this season with a first trip to Russia which is something all the players and staff are looking forward to. Enisei defeated Newcastle Falcons and Brive on their home patch last season so we will face a huge challenge over there.” www.warriors.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

013

FOCUSONFINANCE

September/October 2016

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

RED FLAG ALERT PARTNERS WITH INTELTRAIN TO BOOST BUSINESS DATA ANALYSIS

Intelligence analysis experts Inteltrain have announced a partnership with online business information bureau Red Flag Alert to use the cutting-edge Level 3 Diploma In Intelligence Analysis offered by Inteltrain. Red Flag Alert (RFA) is a leading provider of real-time business intelligence data for companies; it appreciates the need to ensure that its employees are trained to the highest standards enabling them to fully support their customers. This endorses the quality of the Level 3 Diploma in Intelligence Analysis course, which delivers key skills and techniques not previously adopted within commercial business. Inteltrain is a leading provider of specialist vocational qualifications for those working in the intelligence and cyber security sectors. They have identified a current lack of specialist training available for those working in roles such as fraud, data and client/business intelligence as well as other analytical roles. All the courses they deliver have nationally accredited qualifications

attached to them and a number of Red Flag Alert staff are being trained via the recently developed Level 3 Intelligence Analysis programme. Nick Atkinson, Commercial Manager at Inteltrain, said: “We are delighted to be working with Red Flag Alert. A number of their key personnel are going to be using our unique Intelligence Analysis programme to further develop their own skills and techniques in gathering, disseminating and using client and business intelligence, enabling them to have more informed discussions with clients, helping them get the maximum return from their investment in Red Flag Alert’s services.” RFA will be offering this training to its own customers and Nick said: “Through the development of skills and techniques, RFA customers will be able to improve the quality of their decision-making to build on what is already an excellent online business information bureau.”

gathering and interpreting client/business intelligence and data. Red Flag Alert’s customers range from High Street banks through to small and medium sized businesses. Gareth Dunn, Red Flag’s Marketing Manager, said: “We already provide a market leading source of Business to Business data and we are passionate about helping our customers benefit as much as possible not just from our service but also any other forms of data to which they have access. “Working with Inteltrain means that we add value to what we offer. It allows us to provide both our internal teams and our customers with insight into how they can best utilise the information they are handling.” You can find out more about the range of cutting-edge programmes offered by Inteltrain at www.inteltrain.com.

The programme was developed in conjunction with the highest levels of British Military Intelligence to combat the lack of specialist training for those working in roles that rely heavily upon

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

015

BUSINESSADVICE

NEW GRANT SCHEME FOR FOOD AND DRINK BUSINESSES

THE INSURANCE ACT BUSINESSES BEWARE

Food communities across the country are encouraged to apply for a new, dedicated grant to champion regional food and drink.

A change to insurance law took place in August designed to make insurance fairer for both the customer and the insurer.

The grant scheme forms part of Defra’s Great British Food Campaign, which launched at the start of 2016. The campaign aims to celebrate our world class food industry and culture, drive growth and jobs in the sector and establish Britain’s reputation as a great food nation. Food tourism is a leading element of the food culture strand of the campaign. The grant fund budget applies to the 2016/17 financial year only, therefore it is aimed at projects that can be completed by March 2017. Projects should take a collaborative approach, joining-up local food and tourism organisations.

The total grant fund is £150,000 and the most that can be applied for per project is £25,000. To find out more, visit www.greatbritishfoodcampaign.com

BREXIT COULD PRESENT CHALLENGES FOR COMMERCIAL LANDLORDS Since June’s milestone Brexit vote, the UK’s economic growth has decelerated, contributing to varying degrees of nervousness in the business community. Across Herefordshire and Worcestershire that unease has undoubtedly spread to commercial landlords, many of whom are concerned about tenants’ ability to meet their financial commitments.

options, is forfeiture by peaceable re-entry. Landlords are well advised to check the lease before deciding what action to take on unpaid rent. If not it might be all doom, and long-term gloom. For advice, landlords can email Harjie Bindra through harjie.bindra@ mfgsolicitors.com or call 0845 55 55 321. www.mfgsolicitors.com

An area most landlords will be familiar with is unpaid rent, which can stack up over time and leave a landlord significantly out of pocket. Where a tenant fails to pay rent, a landlord has a number of options available. If the lease contains a suitable provision, one of the most effective, but often overlooked

Harjie Bindra, Divisional Head of Litigation Division

BUSINESS OWNERS – WHAT IF YOU COULD NOT WORK? How would any unexpected incapacity to yourself impact on the day to day running of your business? What would happen if you cannot work or make decisions – how would your business manage? Planning ahead for business cover can save additional stress. SME Partner and Head of Wills and Probate, Samantha Lloyd, advises: “Sometimes lack of capacity is a gradual process that allows time to put alternative plans

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In future, insurance companies will find it more difficult to reject claims for unfair reasons and they will have to pay claims without unnecessary delays. However, policyholders will also have additional responsibilities; most importantly they must fairly present the risk to underwriters at the start of the policy and keep them informed of any changes which could affect the insurers’ underwriting decision. To do this business owners may have to consult with colleagues to ensure every aspect of the business is represented accurately. Examples of information you need to disclose include: n Bankruptcies, liquidations, CCJs, convictions, claims and incidents involving the business and senior management. n Thorough explanation of what your business does. n Details of your premises, surroundings and places of work. n Contracts that take on additional liabilities. Cathryn Lacey, Operations Manager at Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers, states: “the Insurance Act brings benefits, but the additional responsibilities of policyholders, their agents and brokers cannot be underestimated”. www.sutcliffeinsurance.co.uk

in place. Sometimes it is not, and an accident or sudden illness can leave you unable to run your business. The impact of this on your business could be significant. Planning for the worst with a business LPA can be a very positive move.” SME Solicitors is a full service law firm based in Sansome Walk, Worcester. For further information please call 01905 723561 or visit www.smesolicitors.co.uk.

Samantha Lloyd, SME Solicitors

September/October 2016

FOCUSONLEARNINGANDDEVELOPMENT

HUMAN RESILIENCE – IS IT NATURE OR NURTURE? Business can be a rocky road at times and the ability to bounce back from adversity has long been praised as a predictor of success and good leadership. But is resilience a natural trait or can it be taught? Watching the Rio Olympics and Paralympics over the summer has proved, if proof was needed, the power of resilience to take someone to the top of their game. Athletes facing world-class competition either won through to a medal or vowed to continue their sporting ambition in the face of failure. How is it that some people overcome set-backs, in the heat of competition or soon afterwards, and others crumble? And how can we learn to bounce back quickly time and again, and not only bounce back but bounce forward to a brighter, stronger future by learning from adversity?

BOUNCING BACK, BOUNCING FORWARD Yes, resilience can be learned and grown as a capability. You may already know someone who has an uncanny knack of bouncing back and it’s not as simple as “water off a duck’s back”. What they’ve actually developed (probably unknowingly) is a coping strategy or process which sees them safely and quickly through a set-back. Set-backs in the workplace these days are just as likely to result from prolonged periods of stress or uncertainty as from recognisable events like re-structure or redundancy. In fact a 2014 study of UK workplaces found the biggest drains on resilience come from having to manage difficult relationships or politics in the workplace, closely followed by being stretched to the limit by the volume or pace of work.

WHAT DOESN’T KILL US MAKES STRONGER Martin Seligman describes resilient people as those who “turn their most difficult experiences into catalysts for improved performance” – also popularised in Nietzsche’s famous “That which does not kill us makes us stronger”. It’s easier for some people to learn this than others and depends on the individual’s starting stance: Are they a “glass half full” or “glass half empty” person? This much simplified measure masks a complex and sophisticated combination of beliefs about the Self, motivating values, emotional landscape and

The way we interpret adversity, based on our natural stance, affects our resilience

Glass half-full stance

PERCEPTION OF ADVERSITY

Glass half-empty stance

"It's about the event, not me"

PERSONAL

"It's about me"

"It's about that particular event other things are fine"

PERVASIVE

"It's about everything"

PERMANENT

"It's difficult for a while and it will pass"

"It's forever"

strength of purpose. Our natural stance (half full/half empty) determines how we’re likely to perceive and interpret adversity in the degree to which it’s Personal, Pervasive and Permanent in our lives.

n Emotional intelligence – self-awareness, social awareness, empathy

A “glass half full” type might, after the initial shock of redundancy has passed, say to themselves:

n Emotional regulation - how to positively respond to a situation instead of exploding an emotional reaction

“the company hadn’t responded to the downturn, it’s not about me, there’s a market for my skills, I’ll get on the Internet” [not personal, not pervasive, not permanent] Their resilience is supported by deeply rooted psychological resources, which you could describe as deep optimism. A “glass half empty” type might, in the same situation, say to themselves: “my boss saw I wasn’t up to the job, in fact I’m not cut out for this role at all, what’s the point of looking for a similar job? I won’t get it” [very personal, all pervading, sounds like forever] Since our self-beliefs, motivating values, emotional landscape and strength of purpose are not fixed and can change - as neuroscience and the study of neuroplasticity shows - a “glass half empty” type can learn resilience, maybe just with a little more practice than a “glass half full” type.

LEARNING RESILIENCE There are five stages of resilience (which we don’t have space to explore here and now) which are supported by developing:

situation and the future – eg “there’s no failure only feedback, learning and growth”

n Appreciation of what is, and what new opportunities could offer, as a basis for planning realistic action that leads to the bounce-back n Relationship and communication skills, to be able to talk about setbacks and learn from them. Resilience is about more than bouncing back or knuckling down. It’s about learning how to respond positively and swiftly to change and adversity – learning how to “turn your most difficult experiences into catalysts for improved performance”. With a strategy and process in place, and with empowering internal resources to draw on, we can all – glass half full or half empty – stay at the top of our game. Liz Watkins-Young is an Organisational Development Consultant, Coach and Trainer, based in Malvern and working nationally across the UK. Liz works with business leaders and teams to improve business and team focus, resilience and performance. T: 07968 837868

n Empowering beliefs about Self, the

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

017

BUSINESSNEWS

SEVEN TIPS TO GET MORE LEADS FROM YOUR MARKETING L-R: Nick Grey, Gtech, with Richard Tomlinson, Halls, at the new Gtech HQ

GTECH SECURES NEW HQ TO STAY IN WORCESTER Worcester will remain home to local business gem Gtech after they managed to find suitable premises for ongoing expansion on Shire Business Park. Gtech was founded by inventor Nick Grey and now manufactures a range of products from cordless vacuum cleaners to electric bicycles. Gtech was announced earlier this year as the private company with the second fastest growing profits over three years on publication of the 2016 Sunday Times BDO Profit Track 100 league table. The company has purchased the 30,268 sq ft former Coomber Electronic Equipment HQ. Initially strategic Chamber member Halls Commercial marketed the building at a guide rent of £165,000, until Grey enquired if the owners would sell. He said: “This building provides an ideal solution as it allows us to remain in Worcester and retain all staff, which is vital for our continued growth strategy.” www.gtechonline.co.uk www.hallsgb.com

L-R: Cllr Caroline Spencer, Vice Chair BDC Malcolm Glass, David Chill, and Cathy Simpson

A VIP LAUNCH IN BROMSGROVE Civic dignitaries, customers and representatives from the business community celebrated the arrival of Versatility in Print (VIP) in Bromsgrove, in May. The family run business offers graphic design, digital printing, hot foil print, vinyl banners and pop-up banners. VIP originally opened in Droitwich in 2003 to meet the design and print needs of customers across the region. However, due to the success of the business, owner David Chill recognised the need to move to larger premises, allowing for future expansion and a more professional office environment. Guests at the launch were entertained by artist Cathy Simpson, sketching caricature cartoons. These were printed out for people to take home. Staff demonstrated the hot foil machine by producing gold foil VIP key fobs for guests to take away. “It was wonderful to welcome a new business to Bromsgrove,” said Cllr Malcolm Glass, Vice Chair of Bromsgrove District Council. “I wish VIP every success in the future.”

For 21 years Print Strategy Europe have been working with marketing teams of some of the UK’s fastest growing and most exciting businesses. Here’s what we’ve learnt to help you to get the most out of your marketing budget. n Make your marketing piece easy to respond to, ask at least five people to try it. n Introduce new avenues to advertise your product, new ones are always evolving. n Use customer loyalty to attract new business. n Spend more on the bigger potential spenders and less on the smaller ones. n Choose quality when the budget allows, people rarely throw away an item of high quality. n Stay in regular contact with your existing customers, other companies want their business. n Analyse your current ideal clients and find more businesses like that. Print Strategy Europe is a family business with clients including Hotel Chocolat, Jack Wills and QVC. All of these businesses have grown massively with our support. www.printstrategy.eu

www.vipprinters.co.uk

ACCREDITED MARKETING PARTNERS WITH BIJUR DELIMON INTERNATIONAL Ross-on-Wye based Lead Generation company, Accredited Marketing Ltd, is delighted to announce their partnership with local Hereford company, Bijur Delimon International (Denco Lubrication Ltd), to provide ongoing lead generation and telemarketing training.

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and grease lubrication systems and process cooling solutions throughout the UK.

The training is CPD (Continuing Professional Development) certified which supports BDI’s commitment to invest and develop the skills of their staff.

Ben Jones, UK Marketing Manager of BDI, said: “The training by Charlotte Greenman was relaxed, easy to follow and tailored to our broad range of industries and needs. Within the first 15 calls after phase 1 of training, we had four enquiries, eight literature requests and 15 join our mailing list. Charlotte’s training is invaluable to us and highly recommended”.

Both companies see this ongoing partnership as an exciting move forward to increase BDI sales and market share for automatic oil

www.accreditedmarketing.com www.bijurdelimon.com www.bdicooling.com

Ben Jones, BDI with Charlotte Greenman, Accredited Marketing Ltd

September/October 2016

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

Huw HuwPonting Ponting 01432 806 990 01432 806 990 hponting@novumlaw.com hponting@novumlaw.com

SURVIVINGSERIOUS SERIOUS INJURY INJURY SURVIVING

theroad roadto tocompensation compensation and and recovery the recovery Serious injuries, from road traffic accidents to

Serious injuries,incidents from road work-related cantraffic have aaccidents significantto work-related incidents haveand a significant impact on the lives ofcan victims their impact on the lives ofcan victims and theirbut families. Recovery be challenging families. Recovery be challenging but compensation cancan provide vital rehabilitation and specialist care and support. compensation can provide vital rehabilitation and specialist care and support. Here are five key steps to compensation and recovery: Here are five key steps to compensation and

recovery:

Step 1 - Instruct experienced and specialist solicitors

StepAfter 1 - Instruct and an specialist solicitors a seriousexperienced injury, you need expert legal team

behind you. At Novum Law, we can help you secure After a serious injury, compensation you need an expert legal invaluable team maximum financial and provide behind you. Law, we can help access to At theNovum best medical experts and you caresecure and support maximum financial providers such ascompensation case managersand and provide support invaluable groups.

access to the best medical experts and care and support providers such as case managers and support groups. Step 2 - Seek interim payments

In cases where liability is not in dispute, interim payment awards (a proportion of your likely compensation award) can be sought from the defendant’s insurer. At Novum Law, In cases where liability is not in dispute, interim payment we pride ourselves on obtaining early interim payments awards (a proportion of your likely compensation award) which is invaluable to our clients to be able to help pay for can be sought from the defendant’s insurer. At Novum Law, medical treatment, rehabilitation, specialist equipment we pride ourselves on obtaining early interim payments and necessary adaptations to their home.

Step 2 - Seek interim payments

which is invaluable to our clients to be able to help pay for medical treatment, rehabilitation, specialist equipment and necessary adaptations to their home.

@novumlaw

Step 3 - Get rehabilitation

There is a wealth of rehabilitation options available depending your of needs. At Novum Law, we are able to There is a on wealth rehabilitation options available put you in touch withneeds. experts haveLaw, the appropriate depending on your Atwho Novum we are able to qualifications and with experiences assess ourthe clients’ needs. put you in touch expertstowho have appropriate

qualifications and experiences to assess our clients’ needs.

Step 4 - Access support for those around you

Step 4 - Access support those around As a personal injury victimfor you are often theyou central focus throughout your recovery, but supporting loved ones is also As a personal injury victim you are often the central focus just as important. Local social services, charities and support throughout recovery, butcan supporting networks canyour help. Novum Law point youloved in theones rightis also just as important. Local social services, charities and support direction. networks can help. Novum Law can point you in the right direction.

Step 5 - Plan ongoing support Safeguard yourongoing future by seeking advice from specialist Step 5 - Plan support solicitors on Personal Injury Trusts which will protect your funds and benefits. If you making Safeguard your future bystruggle seekingwith advice fromfinancial specialist decisions result of Injury your accident, Novum Law is ableyour solicitors as onaPersonal Trusts which will protect to put and you in touch with deputyship to help you funds benefits. If you struggle services with making financial manage your your ongoing needs decisions as aaffairs resultand of ensure your accident, Novum Laware is met. able

to put you in touch with deputyship services to help you

If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident manage your affairs ensure needs and sustained a severeand injury, callyour us in ongoing confidence on: are met. 01432 806 990 or email: hponting@novumlaw.com for free If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident expert advice.

and sustained a severe injury, call us in confidence on: 01432 806 990 or email: hponting@novumlaw.com for free expert advice.

For more information and a free no obligation chat, please get in contact: www.novumlaw.com

BUSINESSNEWS

Liz Collier, 2016 Finalist for Consultant of the Year

TWO FINALISTS FOR HOGE100 Sally Spink and Liz Collier from Worcester based Hoge 100 have recently become finalists in the Greentree Consultant of the Year Awards. The Award recognises employees who build excellent working relationships with customers, helping businesses to be more productive, competitive, efficient, and successful. Hoge 100 sell and support Greentree, a completely integrated ERP system developed in New Zealand. Unlike many systems that are just bolt-on bits and pieces, on Greentree everything is on one system. This includes Finance, Distribution, CRM, HR, Payroll, Service and Asset Management, Project Costing and eBusiness. Stuart Wild, Director at Hoge 100 Business Systems Ltd, said: “Hoge 100 has developed business software and implemented finance and ERP systems for over a quarter of a century. We know that a high level of on-going customer care and support is important to the long term success of any system implementation and this is shown through these awards”. www.hoge100.co.uk

RESPONSIBLE SOURCING Kingspan Insulation has taken its responsible sourcing practice to the next level as its TEK and OPTIM-R product ranges have become the first in their respective classes to achieve ‘Very Good’ BES 6001: Responsible Sourcing of Construction Products certification. The latest certificates cover all Kingspan OPTIM-R and TEK products manufactured at the Pembridge site and at Selby in North Yorkshire. The certification provides clear, independent assurance that Kingspan Insulation products have been produced with constituent materials which meet the highest levels of responsible sourcing practice. www.kingspaninsulation.co.uk/ sustainability

SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF GENERIC NASAL SPRAYS Experts from Nanopharm, a leading provider of analytical and product development for inhaled and nasal drug products, supported by Malvern Instruments and with funding from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have conducted studies to identify analytical strategies that can help bring generic nasal sprays to market faster. The findings highlight the benefits of component-specific particle size measurement and rheological characterization for determining Critical Material and Process Attributes of suspension nasal sprays. These techniques add value during the development of abbreviated new drug applications by upholding fast and robust bioequivalence testing. Generic pharmaceuticals must still demonstrate clinically equivalent performance to the reference drug. Demonstrating bioequivalence means showing that two products have the same availability at the site of drug action in the body, and is a requirement for FDA approval. This research highlights how Malvern’s Morphologi G3-ID provides robust particle size distribution data specifically for the active substance, to confirm the parity of different formulations. For more information, visit: www.malvern.com/ nasal-spray-BE and www.malvern.com/ nasal-spray-whitepaper

ACCOUNTANTS SCORE WITH NEW VENTURE On the ball accountants Ormerod Rutter have added a major new player in the sport industry to their client portfolio. The firm, who have offices in Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove, are providing audit and taxation advice to Fleet Street Sport & Media Group, whose chairman is former Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn MBE. Founded more than 30 years ago, Ormerod Rutter provides a wide range of services to businesses and individuals including corporate finance, auditing and bookkeeping.

Sarah and Aidan in the gardens of Stratton House

COUNTY HOTEL OWNERS EXPAND The owners of Droitwich venue, St Andrews Town Hotel, have expanded their group with the purchase of a historic hotel in the Cotswolds. Hoteliers Aidan and Sarah Stevens have purchased the 39 bedroom Stratton House Hotel in Cirencester - with the promise of new jobs and a £1m investment programme. The acquisition comes four years since the couple purchased the Droitwich hotel which they have transformed – boosting guest numbers, overhauling the 31 bedrooms, adding an elegant Orangery, and providing 14 new jobs by expanding its team from 26 to 40. Aidan said: “The success and support we’ve had since we took over the St Andrews Town Hotel has been fantastic and that has played a huge role in us expanding and having the confidence to take on our second venue. “In many ways the template we’ve created in Droitwich, and the feedback from guests, has helped us to decide on the blueprint for the Stratton House refurbishment plans.” www.st-andrewshotel.com

REBRAND FOR POUNDHOST UK-based Internet Services Provider, PoundHost Internet Ltd, has unveiled the brand’s transformation to Simply Hosting & Servers. Over a 15-year period, the company has experienced significant International expansion and developed a broader European client base. This triggered the decision to retire the “PoundHost” brand name, as the British pound is no longer central to its core identity. Abhinav Mathur, Commercial Manager at Simply said, “We are proudly British and our top-class datacentres are here in the UK but our future aspirations go much further afield. www.simplyhosting.com

www.ormerodrutter.co.uk

020

September/October 2016

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

PROVIDING SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS Since the launch of Hereford Business Solutions Centre last year, there have been a host of events and seminars for companies that have brought the business community together and created fantastic networking opportunities in the process.

Our continued focus on helping businesses of all sizes to achieve sustainable growth by providing access to a range of support, activities and services, is making a real difference to businesses in Herefordshire. Several local companies are already benefitting from a range of funding accessed via the Centre; from funding for start-ups through to capital grant funding. The Marches Growth Hub Herefordshire is also based within the Centre providing local business knowledge and access to many business support agencies. In addition, incubation space available within the Centre has proved popular with

young businesses. We have seen start-ups looking for a professional base and the opportunity to work in a well-connected environment plus win new business through the networking opportunities available at the busy Centre. We host many events and meetings throughout the year from start-up workshops to business support drop in sessions. We also hold larger topical events such as cyber security, Lean awareness workshops for manufacturers and our annual live budget event where an expert panel debate the impact of the measures announced on business.

Professional IT Support Services for Herefordshire Businesses

We are due to open another centre in Wyre Forest House, the home of Wyre Forest District Council, in the autumn. There will be business facing University staff based at the Centre providing support and a range of events for Worcestershire based businesses. To find out more about our events and business support contact us on. Telephone: 01432 344424 (Hereford) or 01902 321272 for all other Centres. www.wolverhamptonbsc.com

2016 our 10th year providing IT services to Herefordshire.

OURSERVICES

IT SUPPORT

DISASTER RECOVERY

SECURITY

Professional IT support for small businesses with between 5 to 250 members of staff.

Fixed rate, all inclusive, UK based cloud backup and disaster recovery solutions.

A comprehensive range of network security services to protect your IT assets.

Herefordshire Chamber Members, claim your FREE 2 HOUR network security/disaster recovery audit

01544 327310 www.opsoftware.net /OPSoftwareLtd

/opsoftware

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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SKILLS

THE LEVY IS COMING – ARE YOU PREPARED? From 2017, the Government is introducing a new apprenticeship levy that will have financial implications for businesses of any size. In particular, large employers with a pay bill over £3 million will have to pay an annual apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of their PAYE bill, which can only be recouped when they employ and train apprentices. The levy will be collected monthly by HMRC through the payroll system, so any employer who has a payroll bill over £250k in any one month will pay the levy.

n Assist you with your apprenticeship strategy to ensure your business maximises its return on the levy investment n Help you to recruit and select apprentices and develop career pathways by recommending suitable training providers and colleges who can deliver an apprenticeship to suit your business needs n Assist you to identify progression routes to get your existing employees onto apprenticeships

Businesses will also receive a £15,000 annual allowance and an additional contribution of 10% on their monthly levy allocation.

n Create a communications and engagement strategy to drive apprenticeships forward in your business

If you want to make sure you get the best results from your apprenticeship levy payment, Worcestershire Apprenticeships are on hand to help and advise you through the process. They can:

n Source a quality-assured college or training provider

n Help you understand what the apprenticeship levy means and how it will impact your business

Worcestershire Apprenticeships exist to support employers, learners, parents and schools and to grow apprenticeships in Worcestershire to meet the LEP Skills Strategy. They are impartial and work with all the training providers, colleges, and university, as well as partnering with

n Explain the new apprenticeship standards that will be replacing apprenticeship frameworks

n Support you with registering to the Digital Apprenticeship Service

STUDENTS CELEBRATE AT PERSHORE ABBEY Pershore College students and their families gathered at Pershore Abbey for their annual Presentation Day ceremony.

www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk

WORCESTERSHIRE APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS 2016 Tables are now on sale for the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, taking place on Thursday 17 November at West Midland Safari Park. 12 awards will celebrate the best of the county’s apprentices and those who support them, email awardsbookings@ worcestershire.gov.uk to book. www.worcsapprentices.org.uk

Children enjoying Code Club

INSPIRING SOFTWARE ENGINEERS OF THE FUTURE Code Club enjoys continued success and is now in its third year at Malvern Parish Primary School. Each week, volunteers from borwell, a software company based in the Malvern Hills Science Park, hold an hour long after-school club to inspire the future generation of software engineers.

Students from across the college - who studied courses including horticulture, arboriculture, animal welfare and veterinary nursing – were presented with their certificates and awards by College Director, Helen Kinghorn. Special awards were also given out for outstanding achievement. David Hodgson presented Richard Moore with the Percy Picton Memorial Fund Prize for the student producing the best dissertation. The Rotary Club Award for Student Achievement was given jointly to Kerry Reho and Emma Howard, while Tom Adamson received the Richard Martyr Memorial Award for the student who shows a high level of service to the community.

local authorities, district councils and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce.

Mattew Maslin, centre, winner of the FSB Award

Matthew Maslin was also presented with the Federation of Small Businesses Further Education Enterprise Award. Matthew, 18, from Fernhill Heath has just completed his Level 3 Horticulture qualification, but already runs his own business in Worcester, Maslin’s Gardens. www.warwickshire.ac.uk/pershore

The 10 and 11 year old pupils are the perfect age to pick up key computing skills for later life. Mr Hart, Year 5 teacher, is delighted with the pupils’ progress. He said: “The pupils love it and have learned so much from borwell’s team of code club volunteers. It really helps the school to deliver the new computing curriculum and builds successfully on the work that our staff are doing with younger pupils.” Code club encourages pupils to challenge themselves with activities designed to use a variety of coding techniques. Children work at their own pace, using their imagination to create computer games, animations and websites. www.borwell.com

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September/October 2016

SKILLS

SOUTH WORCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE MERGES WITH WARWICKSHIRE COLLEGE GROUP Warwickshire College Group and South Worcestershire College officially merged in August to bring improved services to students, employers and the local community. As part of the Warwickshire College Group structure, South Worcestershire College will return to its individual localised identities and will be known as Evesham College and Malvern Hills College. Warwickshire College Group has six other colleges - Royal Leamington Spa, Rugby, Moreton Morrell, Henley-in-Arden, Warwick Trident and Pershore. The merger will result in educational provision that is better able to contribute to the key growth sectors,

particularly advanced manufacturing and engineering, agri-food, agri-tech and the visitor and destination economy. Angela Joyce, Warwickshire College Group Principal and CEO said: “This merger offers new opportunities for current and prospective students, employers and communities across Worcestershire as we will be able to offer a broader curriculum, an increased range of specialised facilities, more progression and employment opportunities and an enhanced overall student experience.” www.sworcs.ac.uk www.warwickshire.ac.uk

HEREFORDSHIRE’S PRIMARY PUPILS CELEBRATE RESULTS Herefordshire’s primary school pupils have much to celebrate this summer, after the provisional 2015/16 key stage test results indicated that the county’s children are outperforming their peers nationally. The test results are encouraging across the board, including early years foundation stage and phonics, but are particularly positive for key stage 1 in reading, writing and mathematics, which have exceeded the national average for the first time in 4 years. The overall results for key stage 2 were slightly below the national average,

Young people undertaking DofE training

following the change to a tougher testing regime. Nevertheless, Herefordshire’s pupils continue to excel in reading and recorded significantly higher than average results. Councillor Jonathan Lester, Cabinet member for Young People and Children’s Wellbeing, said: “As a council, we aim to ensure every child has the best start in life and I’m confident our children will go on to even better successes, supported and challenged by the vibrant education community we are developing in Herefordshire.” www.herefordshire.gov.uk

COUNTY COUNCIL TOPS TABLES FOR D OF E AWARD Worcestershire County Council is the biggest provider of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE Award) across the Central England region. Over 1,600 young people completed an award through the County Council’s work with 42 schools and youth organisations over the past year. 2740 young people enrolled for one of the three awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold, an increase of over 5% on the past year. The County Council supports around 600 adult volunteers to enable young people to experience the Award programme. Regional statistics show that young people undertaking an award through the council had a completion rate of 59%, above the national target of 50%. Cllr Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families said: “This is fantastic news for Worcestershire. From the County Council’s point of view we are very lucky to have a small army of volunteers who help to train each young person. Worcestershire is passionate about volunteering and helping to grow skills, especially in young people, so it’s no surprise that we have topped the tables for the Duke of Edinburgh Award across the Midlands.” www.worcestershire.gov.uk www.DofE.org

A TASTE OF ENGINEERING FOR STEM PUPILS Pupils from the STEM Club (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics) at Tudor Grange Academy in Worcester enjoyed first-hand experience of the types of careers available in engineering as they took a tour of the Worcester, Bosch Group factory, and participated in a specially created build challenge in August. The pupils from years 7 and 8 spent the morning seeing how the company’s award-winning Greenstar gas boilers

are made, before breaking into small groups to take on the task of creating a Worcester trophy, using only a combination of plastic, metal, rivets and screws available to them. Worcester’s expert engineers were also on hand to help guide the students through the challenge, and to answer questions on the work that goes into the design, development, testing and final build of a boiler. www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Students gain advice from a Worcester, Bosch Group engineer

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CHAMBEREVENTS

HR PROFESSIONALS CONFERENCE 2016

In association with Hewett Recruitment

Thursday 17 November 2016: 9.00am – 3.00pm - The Bank House Hotel, Bransford, Worcester WR6 5JD £35.00+VAT Chamber Members, £50.00+VAT Non-members Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is once again partnering with patron members Hewett Recruitment to bring you the annual HR Professionals Conference 2016. This event marks a key date in the Chamber Events calendar not to be missed by anyone responsible for people and HR. The conference is open to all HR professionals, Directors and Business Owners across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO

We are delighted to announce the return of Kevin Green, Chief Executive of the REC, the professional body for the UK recruitment industry, as key note speaker. Kevin is a well-known authority on the UK labour market, regularly commentating on radio and TV.

Sponsored By Hewett Recruitment Thursday 6 October: 9.30am-3.00pm Three Counties Showground, Malvern WR13 6NW FREE Entry, FREE Parking, FREE Wifi and FREE Tea and Coffee

KEVIN GREEN Chief Executive of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation

He will explore what creates value in 21st Century Britain, taking a look at why talent matters and what great HR will look like over the next decade. He will also address two fundamentals of world class HR – creating value today and tomorrow as well as the rise of the robots and digital platforms.

This year’s event is going to be bigger and better than ever. Due to high demand, we have increased the number of Exhibition Stands by 15, bringing our total number of exhibitors up to 125. The two counties’ biggest networking breakfast is also held at the Expo, where over 250 business professionals meet before the event officially opens. As well as hearing from our keynote speaker at breakfast, John Carr, Partner Manager at Facebook, visitors can look forward to taking part in two workshops delivered by Facebook: “Driving Growth With Facebook” and “Introduction to Instagram for Business”. Attendees can also explore the Health and Wellbeing Zone and attend a seminar on Auto Enrolment delivered by Johnson Fleming. Visitors will be able to meet the local International Trade team at the Expo at the Exporting is GREAT truck, which will be at the Expo all day. If you haven’t seen what our Expo looks like, take a look at our “Expo in 60 Seconds’” video – www.hwchamber.co.uk/expo. To pre-register for the Expo, book a breakfast place or a workshop, visit the website or email events@hwchamber.co.uk.

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ALISON GARVEY

SALLY MORRIS

HR Strategic Speaker HR Business Partner at PCA Predict

Resident Legal Professional Partner & Head of Employment at mfg Solicitors

Having spent over 15 years in HR, Alison will discuss “Employee Ownership and the Impact on Performance and Engagement”, explaining how adopting a business model of employee ownership can positively improve product development and business strategy.

Sally Morris joins the conference line up once again and will provide employers with all the latest 'hot off the press' news. This will include Brexit, Modern Slavery and Gender Pay Gap Reporting, as well as an update on legislation and case law that is impacting HR and business in the current climate, with top tips and Best Practice Advice.

EXPO SPONSORED BY

September/October 2016

CHAMBEREVENTS

NETWORKING CALENDAR SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2016 SEPTEMBER 2016 Kidderminster Networking Lunch Wednesday 7 September - 12.30-2.30pm Hogarths Stone Manor, Stone, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 4PJ £20.00+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Hereford Networking Breakfast Wednesday 21 September - 7.30-9.30am Burghill Valley Golf Club, Tillington Road, Burghill, Hereford HR4 7RW £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Women’s Business Conference 2016 in association with borwell Ltd Friday 23 September - 9.30am-2.30pm The Abbey Hotel, Abbey Rd, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3ET £35.00+VAT Members and £50.00+VAT Non-members Hereford HR Forum in association with Hewett Recruitment Wednesday 28 September - 9.30-11.30am Hereford Business Solutions Centre - Building B, Units 1-4, Skylon Court, Rotherwas, Hereford, HR2 6JS FREE event for Chamber Members and clients of Hewett Recruitment Droitwich Wellbeing Networking Breakfast Thursday 29 September - 7.30-9.30am St Andrews Town Hotel, St Andrew’s Dr, Droitwich Spa, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 8AL £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members

OCTOBER 2016 Chamber Business Expo sponsored by Hewett Recruitment Thursday 6 October - 9.30am-3.00pm Three Counties Showground, Malvern WR13 6NW FREE entry – pre register at www.hwchamber.co.uk/expo Expo Networking Breakfast sponsored by Worcestershire Business Central Speaker – John Carr, Partner Manager at Facebook Thursday 6 October - 8.00am-9.30am Three Counties Showground, Malvern WR13 6NW £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members

Driving Growth With Facebook – workshop delivered by Facebook Thursday 6 October – 9.30-10.00am Three Counties Showground, Malvern WR13 6NW FREE entry – email events@hwchamber.co.uk Introduction to Instagram for Business – workshop delivered by Facebook Thursday 6 October – 10.30-11.00am Three Counties Showground, Malvern WR13 6NW FREE entry – email events@hwchamber.co.uk Redditch HR Forum in association with Hewett Recruitment Tuesday 11 October - 9.30-11.30am Abbey Hotel Golf Club and Spa Resort, Hither Green Lane, Dagnell End Road, Redditch B98 9BE FREE event for Chamber Members and clients of Hewett Recruitment Worcester Networking Breakfast – QES Special Thursday 13 October - 7.30-9.30am Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Ledbury Networking Lunch Monday 17 October - 12.30-2.30pm The Talbot Inn, 14 New Street, Ledbury HR8 2DX £20.00+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Pershore Networking Breakfast sponsored by Wychavon District Council Wednesday 19 October - 7.30 - 9.30am Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, Worcestershire WR10 1PT FREE to Members and £17.50+VAT Non-members Worcester Women’s Business Forum in association with borwell Ltd Thursday 20 October - 9.30am-12.00pm Malvern College, College Rd, Malvern WR14 3DF £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Maximise Your Membership Event Friday 28 October - 8.30-11.00am Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ FREE to Chamber Members

Auto Enrolment In The Workplace in association with Johnson Fleming Thursday 6 October – 9.30-10.30am Three Counties Showground, Malvern WR13 6NW FREE entry – email events@hwchamber.co.uk

To book your place on any of these events visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/events, email events@hwchamber. co.uk or phone 01905 673 600. Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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EXPOFEATURE

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE MONK AND THE STONEMASONS? There is a story of a monk who supervised a construction project. One day he goes to see the team of stone masons and asks the first one he meets how things were going. The stonemason rather bluntly replied that the stone would be cut to shape on time. The monk carried on and asked the same question of another stonemason who replied, more pleasantly, indicating that he was on schedule to complete an archway. The monk continued on his way and asked the same question of a third stonemason. This stonemason leaned back greeting the monk with a beaming smile. Looking at the stone he worked, he declared all was well, and that whilst he knew he would not live to see the cathedral completed, he

was delighted that people in centuries to follow would see this beautiful building. It is rare that we ever get to see the full legacy that we leave through our work, yet one of the gifts of great organisations, teams and focussed people is they know the contribution they are making. All too often we are busy being, well, busy, seldom taking the time to reflect, so perhaps a few questions: Like the cathedral on the back cover – how strong are your foundations?

By the way, in the longer version of this stonemason story there is a lovely twist at the end, but that will have to wait for another day. If you are keen to develop your business and invest in your people for a reason, a season or a lifetime, let us speak.

Have you recently taken time out to ‘survey’ yourself, your team, your organisation to make sure that no weaknesses are forming or being missed?

So do get in touch:

How much ‘maintenance’ have you undertaken in the past year? Or are you just too busy bent over chiselling the stone to get through the day, whilst others work with joy?

01905 21216 peter@peterjohnsononlone.com www.peterjohnsononline.com Award Winning Specialists In Inspiring You, Your Team, Your Business To Achieve Excellence

Wellbeing at Work

with Kathy Scott from Hands on at Work massage therapies

Workplace massage creates happy and productive teams

Try a taster at the Chamber’s October Expo

We work harder when we’re happy

On Wednesday 6th October we’ll be joining the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce team at the Three Counties Showground Expo.

Did you know that we work harder when we’re happy?

Come and find us in the Health and Wellbeing Zone and enjoy a free taster massage.

Yes it’s true. Recent research by economic experts at the University of Warwick has revealed that individuals who’re happy in the workplace are around 12% more productive.

Don’t worry, each one is performed over clothing and with the recipient seated!

WOW, 12%. That’s quite a big difference!

Easy and effective

Hands on at Work massage therapies are an easy and cost-effective way to keep your team happy and motivated. And our treatments (which are suitable for any workplace environment and usually last around 20 minutes) can even be delivered with the individual remaining at their desk or other place of work.

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Find out more - You can also find out more about workplace massage by calling 07989 367669, emailing info@handsonatwork.co.uk or having a click around our website.

www.handsonatwork.co.uk

September/October 2016

EXPOFEATURE

15 YEARS OF GROWTH AND SUCCESS It’s been 15 years since SJL Insurance Services first started trading locally in Worcester. SJL’s owner, Simon John Lancaster, built the business on the foundations of ‘Quality, Service and Innovation’ and grew the company steadily through wholesale Insurance Broking. The company continues to focus on Property and Business Insurance and has its own delegated authority from underwriters in the prestigious Lloyd’s of London insurance marketplace to accommodate most risks. Additionally, due to the constant year on year growth that has been achieved, SJL has been able to invest into developing new products, training staff and expanding the company’s insurance offerings to become a one stop broker for all aspects of business and property insurance.

SJL now employees close to 50 staff, has recently achieved Investors in People status and has evolved to offer consultancy and insurance solutions directly to businesses and individuals as well as over 1000 insurance brokers nationwide. Providing protection for its customers is at the heart of SJL’s core values with insurance solutions being provided to companies both nationally and internationally. With this in mind, Simon and a number of staff are actively involved with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council where SJL work in a mentorship capacity to advise and offer cover for companies who import or export. The increase in online trading volumes in recent years and the rise of the ‘internet of things’ means that more and more companies can be left exposed to new risks they previously didn’t have to consider simply by trading in other territories.

Large companies who routinely move products, equipment or personnel around the world are exposed to the same types of risks as small to medium sized companies. The risks simply differ by scale, not by kind and all need appropriate cover in place. The implications of having inadequate cover can be severe and the option of sourcing the right cover through a process of trial and error isn’t a viable option. SJL offer consultancy free of charge and will be exhibiting at the Business Expo on the 6th of October at the Three Counties Showground. To talk to us about your business, either book an appointment by calling 01905 27775 or emailing info@sjlins.co.uk or drop by the stand.

To Understand how Big Data, Visualisation, Integration and Collaboration can add value to your business visit our stand at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Expo or visit us online. www.borwell.com 01684 377980 Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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EXPOFEATURE

GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS World Mental Health Day is on the 10th October, so now it is a good time to get mental wellbeing on the agenda in your work place. The first time many businesses think about mental health is when a member of staff is signed off sick with stress or depression. Faced with a long absence, this is when they discover that when it comes to mental health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. So, what should we be doing to ensure our work places are good for mental health? Studies have shown that the factors that have the greatest impact on the mental wellbeing of employees are: n Having a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities. n Workloads and timescales that are realistic and within their capabilities. n Having a degree of control over how and when they do their work.

n The quality of their relationships with colleagues and team members. n The level of support and encouragement they receive. n The frequency of change and how well it is managed and implemented. So, how to get started? Well, here are five things you should be doing to look after the mental wellbeing of your staff: n Raising awareness. Mental health is something of a taboo subject and we all need to get used to talking about it more. World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to highlight the issue. n Training managers – they need to know about common mental health conditions, what to look out for and how to talk to staff about their mental health.

uncharacteristically quieter or more irritable than normal, and being prepared to talk to them about it in a sympathetic and constructive way. n Being prepared to be flexible in making adjustments for someone who is having mental health problems, e.g. allowing them to work reduced hours or have time off for therapy. It’s worth remembering that addressing mental wellbeing is as much about creating positive, inspiring work places as it is about preventing absences. Enable Works helps businesses reduce sickness absence and runs mental health training for managers. simon@enableworks.co.uk Tel 01386 839427

n Identifying staff in high-risk roles and make sure that there are mechanisms in place for reviewing their workload on a regular basis. n Watching out for the warning signs, such as when an employee is

Simon Tandy, Director

LOW CARBON MEETINGS l l l l

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September/October 2016

BUSINESSNEWS Skylon Court is now fully let

HEREFORD ENTERPRISE ZONE FULLY OCCUPIED A new development in Hereford designed to support growing businesses has revealed that it is fully let. Skylon Court, located on the corner of the Straight Mile and Coldnose Road on Skylon Park, is now home to seven different organisations that are set to create more jobs in the future. Skylon Court was constructed as a 12,200 square foot courtyard development of 10 units designed to offer flexible accommodation for expanding companies, including offices and studio workspace. Many of the new companies operate in the defence and security sector, providing services from protection in hostile regions to cyber security training. Businesses include AKE International Ltd, Eye Witness Protection, Xreach, MSC Associates, Minimal Risk, and Jenks Associates Ltd. The Chairman of Herefordshire Enterprise Zone, Bill Jackson, said: “We are delighted that Skylon Court is fully occupied, just six months after completion." Skylon Court is the designated Enterprise Zone of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, the private sector-led organisation tasked with revitalising the economy of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. www.skylonpark.co.uk

GOWLING WLG IN THE SPOTLIGHT Patron member Gowling WLG has had 14 trademark lawyers from the UK, Canada, Russia and the UAE named as global leaders in the latest Who’s Who Legal: Trademarks category. Who’s Who Legal guides are among the world’s most prestigious International

Networking at the Malvern Festival of Innovation

QUALITY HOPS GO INTERNATIONAL Charles Faram, hop factors and merchants based in Worcestershire, has been ranked No.117 on the seventh annual Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200. The list ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales, based on their latest two years of available accounts. The UK office in Newland, near Malvern, has a small team of 35 and sells over 130 varieties of hops as well as other brewing aids and ingredients. The site in the U.S. is situated in Portland Oregon and consists of a team of five. The Canadian office in Toronto is the newest facility with a 10,000 sq ft warehousing facility and a team of two. Other sales from around the globe are handled through the UK office. Paul Corbett, Managing Director, says: “We are extremely pleased to appear in the International Track 200 list, especially with such a small dedicated team here in the UK, in America and Canada. We have invested heavily in the three sites to ensure the highest possible quality and service”. www.charlesfaram.co.uk

Legal directories, so to have so many experts listed is a real testament to Gowling WLG’s calibre worldwide. The publication uses a comprehensive voting process that solicits feedback from clients, in-house counsel and peers to identify leading legal practitioners in more than 100 countries around the world. Gowling WLG’s Trademarks, Brands & Designs Group works with clients on all facets of branding, including

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

FESTIVAL OF INNOVATION RETURNS TO MALVERN To compete successfully on the world stage requires enterprises to constantly improve efficiency, adapting to new trends. The knowledge-based economy, where arguably the greatest value-add can be achieved, also requires creative minds to spot opportunities and deliver commercial products and services effectively. Innovation is therefore key; it is the ability to generate and act on new ideas, new processes and new methods to deliver something that a customer values. Businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have a long history of innovating; however, we must be looking forward. There is a pressing need to stay top of the game and continuously improve. The annual Malvern Festival of Innovation, taking place from Monday 3 – Saturday 8 October 2016, is here to help you overcome this challenge. Featuring business and technology symposia, exhibitions, networking sessions and debate and delivering informative and fun events across a variety of venues, the Festival engages all, from ambitious school students to business leaders. www.festival-innovation.com

trademarks, designs, copyright, domain names, licensing and enforcement. With in-depth industry expertise, our top-ranked professionals work across sectors and jurisdictions to clear new marks, strategically manage local and international portfolios, and secure registered rights in a manner that is both commercially practical and cost-effective. www.gowlingwlg.com/en/united-kingdom

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ADVERTORIALFEATURE

WHY THE “MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY” APPROACH WORKS

When you’re the boss and the buck stops with you, it’s unsurprising that you’ve got some very clear ideas about how your business should be run. This vision will involve the big goals, the long term plan of how to achieve them, and even the little tasks that make up the long term plan. You know exactly how you want each step of your vision to be executed—nothing wrong with that. That approach, the idea that the people in your company should do things as you’ve envisaged them, is known as “My Way or the Highway” and is often seen as an overly aggressive or even negative management technique. But it works. And it doesn’t have to be negative or aggressive. You can get your way without having to show anyone the highway. If everyone knows your plan, they’re all focused on the same goal. When people know the process they’re supposed to be using and stick to it, all work is carried out consistently and to the high standard you (and your customers) expect. So how do you make sure your plan is clearly communicated and your processes are unmistakably outlined without coming across as a tyrant? Two simple things: Communication and Collaboration.

1. COMMUNICATION. I’ve personally found that sitting down regularly with my department heads (and larger groups in more occasional meetings) to explain my general plan and vision for OpenCRM gives them an insight into how their roles and projects fit into these bigger goals.

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They can then pass on the relevant information to their teams, giving everyone the knowledge that what they’re doing fits into a bigger journey.

my plan, either for the company or the process. This is where the “My Way or the Highway” approach can take an ugly turn if you’re not careful.

When people know that they’re working to a plan, rather than just plodding along, they’re much more likely to view their own part of that process in a positive way. Especially if the tasks they’re doing have been engineered in a way that is productive in terms of the overall plan and practical for their day-to-day job…and that’s where the second step comes in.

I personally have found that taking the time to listen to their concerns and opinions about my vision does wonders. If two people are able to discuss their disagreement, one can either persuade each other to their own opinion or at least make it clear that the other person’s voice has been heard.

2. COLLABORATION. In order to achieve the various goals you have for your company, you will undoubtedly have a clear idea of how the individual steps should be carried out by your team. When I have a new process I’d like to introduce, the first thing I do is document my thoughts as clearly as possible. I then liaise with my team leaders to ensure that they agree with this process I’ve set out. Sound odd for a “My Way or the Highway” approach? Yes. But after all, they are the ones on the ground and will be expected to sense check and deliver the objectives. If they do find one (or more) issues with my logic, revising my process plan doesn’t change the fact that the job will get done the way I want it to, it means that it can now proceed in a more practical and informed way.

BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE DOESN’T LIKE YOUR PLAN AT ALL?

In the past, when I’ve had an employee who strongly disagrees with my vision for the company, once they know that their opinion has been heard and potentially hear further details behind my reasoning, they’re far more likely to go along with my plan. They know that “My Way” isn’t about being tyrannical, it’s about having a focused vision for the company. They also know that I’m not so precious about my vision that I can’t hear other opinions about it, I am always open-minded when I hear a good idea. The “My Way or the Highway” approach works because it gives your company clear direction and method, but that only works if both the plan and the participants are well informed. Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems

There is always the possibility that someone will entirely disagree with

September/October 2016

FINANCEMATTERS

BREXIT AND BUSINESS IN BRITAIN: WHAT’S NEXT? On 23 June the UK voted to leave the EU. Currently the decision to invoke Article 50 and give official notice to exit the EU has not happened. As ‘Brexit’ seems to be raising more questions than answers, many UK businesses are wondering what happens next.

VAT UK VAT law derives from European law and was introduced as part of our original accession to the Common Market in 1973. It is also one of the largest revenue generating taxes for the UK government. As such, it is unlikely to be abolished or significantly changed as a result of Brexit. However, the way UK VAT currently operates is closely connected to our EU membership, so once the UK has left the EU we may see some changes come into place. For businesses operating mainly within the UK the effects are likely to be less than for more internationally-focused businesses. Once we leave the EU, the government will have more flexibility over setting VAT rates and liabilities. The current single claim mechanism will cease to apply, making the process for UK businesses to reclaim VAT incurred in EU member states more administratively complex. We may see the UK maintain a parallel VAT system for the first few years because of the confusion and cost changes would cause.

CUSTOMS DUTIES The UK is currently part of a customs union with other EU member states, which means that goods can flow freely without customs duties or import VAT. Brexit negotiations are likely to try and preserve these arrangements, but it is possible that the transactional costs of trading with the EU will increase. Additional costs in the form of customs duties may also be considered. Outside of the EU, the UK will be able to negotiate free trade agreements with other countries, although these agreements can take many years to implement.

UK EMPLOYERS OF EU WORKERS At this stage the arrangements for existing EU workers in the UK is unclear. Speculation in the media has suggested that there are several possible arrangements which may come into place: n Those employed may remain in the UK without any restrictions n Entry restrictions may be imposed on EU workers n EU workers may have to gain a new type of permission to stay Employers are advised to carry out some contingency planning, such as formalising current EU workers’ employment with paperwork showing that they were employed prior to the Brexit vote.

EMERGENCY BUDGET The Chancellor has discounted the possibility of an early Budget in response to Brexit. We can expect the Autumn Statement to set out a roadmap of how the UK’s tax and spending plans will evolve going forward. Outside the EU, the UK government will have even more flexibility over the

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

administration of taxes and much will depend on the negotiations which take place once Article 50 is invoked.

WHAT’S NEXT? Until formal negotiations start it will not become clear what ‘Brexit’ really means for business in Britain. These detailed negotiations will determine the exact arrangements going forward. It is important not to act in haste while so much remains unclear. At this stage there is not enough information to make decisions, however over the coming months we should start to see some clarity over how the UK’s relationship with the EU will evolve. Businesses should focus on staying informed at this stage and be prepared to undertake some contingency planning on key issues as the political and economic landscape becomes clearer. Tel: 01905 777600 mail@ormerodrutter.co.uk www.ormerodrutter.co.uk @OrmerodRutter

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FOCUSONDIGITALMARKETING

10 SEO Mistakes to avoid during your next website redesign! Redesigning your website isn’t just an exercise in aesthetics. Sure, the purely visual elements of your newly designed website will likely get the most attention, but remember: a great website redesign also requires that you consider (and improve) what’s under the hood. A flashy exterior doesn’t help much if the actual machine fails to function. If people can’t find your website via search, and if they can’t intuitively navigate through your site’s pages and easily understand what information those pages contain, it doesn’t really matter how beautiful it looks. When it comes to your website redesign, form and function need to be a package deal. So while you should absolutely add those new beautiful CTA buttons, and add that big beautiful hero image on your homepage, don’t forget about what’s happening behind the scenes. In our full guide, we’ll cover one particular portion of the less glamorous side of website redesigns: search engine optimisation. While the way we think about SEO is always evolving — with the focus now shifting toward optimising content for the searchers themselves, as opposed to for the search engines — it’s still something you can’t afford to overlook. So without further ado, here are 10 SEO mistakes to avoid during your next website redesign. 1. Not thinking about SEO from the start 2. Not doing an audit of your existing website 3. Failing to identify (and include) commonly searched keywords 4. Not setting up 301 redirects 5. Failing to consider your URL structure 6. Leaving shady backlinks in place 7. Not implementing a responsive design 8. Forgetting to unblock search engines from crawling your site

Phone: 01905 758034 Email: simon.thompson@wsinetmarketing.co.uk www.wsiworld.com/simonthompson

9. Forgetting to add analytics tracking to your site

Download the full guide e-book here http://tiny.cc /seo-mistakes

10. Failing to think like a human Now it is probably the truth that someone is doing this for you, but it never hurts to understand what is being done for you and if a lot of these areas are not being addressed then perhaps you have found out why your new website was so cheap in the first place. When we do not really understand what we are buying we buy on the only thing left that we do understand, and that is the size of the bill. But if that was the only real way to differentiate between items then Kia Picantas should be outselling BMW 3 Series 10:1.

LEGALMATTERS

AFTERMATH OF THE EU REFERENDUM from speaking to people in the industry we know there is an ongoing challenge to make it more attractive to potential employees.

I think it’s fair to say that people have been taking the opportunity to draw breath over the summer following an unprecedented amount of change during June and July.

The aftermath of the EU referendum seems like a long time ago now, and despite some predictions of economic doom, businesses in Herefordshire rolled up their sleeves to pretty much carry on as normal. Our job as legal professionals is to offer guidance to businesses as they develop and grow, and from speaking to our clients there is still optimism about the future - regardless of political views regarding the EU. One of the key reasons for a lot of excitement about the future is the development of the Hereford University

By creating a forward-thinking university here in Hereford we can really help to change perceptions and produce graduates who are employable with the right kind of skills to hit the ground running. New Model in Technology and Engineering (NMiTE). It will be the UK’s first new purpose-built university in 40 years, and will really put Hereford on the world stage for engineering.

The university is due to take on its first students in 2019 (so the UK’s relationship with rest of the EU should be somewhat clearer by then!) and I for one can’t wait to see the results. William Morse is an employment partner at Lanyon Bowdler in Hereford. T: 01432 377152 E: william.morse@lblaw.co.uk

Lanyon Bowdler is proud to be a founding partner of the university, and we have been delighted to see the project gain more support as 2016 goes on. One of our key values as a firm is to attract and retain talent locally and to support the great businesses in the area. We work with a large number of engineering and manufacturing clients, and

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Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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COVERFEATURE

UPDATE FROM LINDA SMITH Director of International Trade at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce “Keep Calm and Carry On Exporting” would probably be the mantra of our local business network engaged in international sales as we continue to see strong determined growth in trade. I’m delighted to see the UK Government taking the decision to set up a new dedicated department - the Department for International Trade (DIT, replacing UKTI) - with trade promotion perfectly placed to make the UK a beacon for open trade. By bringing together the whole of government, industry and the extensive overseas network, we’ll be able to

champion British business better and help them take advantage of the global appetite for British goods and services.

October – a first for us! Try and come along to one of the interactive export workshops we’ll be running.

The local International Trade team based at the Chamber offers a wide range of support; from assisting first time exporters, right through to operational export documentation services, market strategy development, e-commerce advice for online traders, specialist training and numerous networking and export opportunities events. The Exporting is GREAT truck is coming to the Chamber Expo in

Henryka pendants made from Silver and Amber

THE GROWTH IN THE DIGITAL EXPORT MARKET Digital trade is growing and DIT’s E-Exporting Programme aims to help UK companies sell their products or services to millions of global consumers and grow their business through online exports.

EXPORTING SUCCESS FOR HENRYKA One local company taking advantage of International opportunities is Henryka (Amber & Silver Jewellery) Ltd, a British Brand specialising in designing and creating stunning jewellery pieces made from amber and silver, inspired by Britain’s wildlife. Co-founder Anna Emmett said: “Approximately two years ago we started selling our jewellery on Amazon in Germany, Spain, France and Japan. We were taken back by the popularity of our designs which highlighted to us that these markets had a potential for exporting. “Germany is the second biggest market that we sell our jewellery to, following the UK, so we decided to focus on that market. Under the DIT umbrella we exhibited for the first time at Inhorgenta, Munich last February. We had a great response and several retailers placed orders with us. It is

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our aim to exhibit again at Inhorgenta in February 2017 and to continue to grow the German market. “We attended several workshops run by DIT and were provided with advice and guidance on various subjects relating to exporting. DIT employs experts with in-depth knowledge in most areas relating to international trading and their guidance gave us the confidence to move forward.” Henryka have been helped by Worcester based Advisor Naomi Steemson. Anna said: “We love working with Naomi. She is always at the end of the phone ready to help. Naomi directs us to the right source of support if we have a specific question. She always keeps us informed of any new services or help provided by DIT that might benefit us to enhance our growth in export."

By selling online, UK companies can: n find new customers in overseas markets n do business 24/7 n build brand awareness n access new markets in a low cost way n monitor real time sales and use data to make informed business decisions DIT’s E-Exporting Programme helps UK companies who are: n new to selling online n already selling online, but need help with specific issues n experienced in online sales, but are looking to sell on multiple platforms globally For more information about the Digital Export Market, contact Naomi Steemson at naomi.steemson@mobile. trade.gov.uk or 01905 673 629.

September/October 2016

COVERFEATURE

DOCUMENTATION, TRANSLATION AND TRAINING – HOW THE CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL TRADE HUB CAN HELP Today’s digital world means that trade is now borderless, Wi-Fi is everywhere and there is no time delay on getting paid. Now is the time for you to seriously consider how you can maximise your profits by selling to international customers. The Chamber International Trade Hub based at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce offers a complete service for exporting businesses. Our specialist team of International Trade Advisers are available locally to meet and support your company with all aspects of export development, information and advice.

e-z Cert allows you to submit your export documentation applications online, it simplifies and speeds up your ability to exploit international trade and gives significant financial savings on each document.

marketing, technical, medical, financial, commercial or legal documents, websites, training materials, multimedia and apps. We can also provide website and software translations in specific industry sectors.

Use our ‘Express’ service for an even faster delivery. Print approved documents at your own premises avoiding postage delays or travelling time. You’ll also have absolute security in the processing of your documents and because you are cutting out processing time you save on costs.

Our translation team are ISO-certified, registered members of the ATC (Association of Translation Companies) and ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpretation).

TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES

EXPORT DOCUMENTATION SERVICES In today’s global, competitive market, The Chamber International Trade Hub is the leading provider of Export Documentation Services to companies in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and issues approximately 8,000 documents annually.

where 75% of the world’s population doesn’t speak English, the importance of getting the language right when conveying information is one of the key components that determine the outcome.

Qualified staff provide practical and consistent advice on how to issue documentation that is accurately certified and legalised to ensure goods and services are exported with ease.

n 60% of British trade is with non-English speaking countries.

ONLINE DOCUMENTATION SERVICE The Chamber International Trade Hub offers online Certificate of Origin applications.

n There is a direct correlation between export success and the value exporters place on language skills.

The Hub provides access to an online, electronic documentation applications system called e-z Cert, which saves Herefordshire and Worcestershire businesses thousands of man hours and cost savings.

The Chamber International Trade Hub offers a specialised translation service and is also a leading interpretation supplier to a wide range of industry sectors. We offer translations in more than 150 languages and can translate all content types including

n One in five exporting companies say that they are losing trade because of cultural barriers.

HOW EXPORTING CAN GROW YOUR BUSINESS – WE’LL DRINK TO THAT! Many of the businesses that export achieve sustainable growth and often become more productive, innovative and efficient than companies that do not sell outside the UK. The Department for International Trade (DIT) Herefordshire & Worcestershire and the Chamber of Commerce supports as many businesses as possible in the two counties to start exporting. One local entrepreneur who has recently discovered the benefits is Herefordshire farmer Jo Hilditch, from Whittern Farms Limited. Jo struck a deal in Australia following her appearance on the BBC show Dragons’ Den last year and is now dramatically expanding her export activities.

Whether you need an interpreter for a business meeting, conference call, interview or personal appointment we can help. We have a large network of specialised business interpreters that can provide you the best service whenever to need it, 24/7. For a detailed quote based on your translation or interpretation requirements please call 01905 673 600.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRAINING The Chamber International Trade Hub offers a comprehensive programme of specialist, high quality import and export training courses which have been specifically designed to help local businesses trade profitably and effectively in the global market place. We have training courses ranging from basic exporting documentation and procedures through to specific exporting and importing requirements, as well as a variety of finance and sales courses relevant to any exporter. You can find out more about all these services at www.hwchamber.co.uk/support.

Jo Hilditch, Whittern Farms Limited

Jo’s range of drinks including her now famous British Cassis, are being sold in Australia following negotiations with a drinks importer late last year. Jo, who was helped by International Trade Advisor Alison Avery, produces a range of alcoholic fruit mixers at her farm in Lyonshall. She said: “The decision to export was something that I first considered when I was drawing up my business plan for Dragon’s Den. “The Chamber was extremely helpful as we set up the export operation and the process went smoothly. It helped that we had a partner in Australia. I think having someone like that is important if you hope to succeed at exporting.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

“It is all very exciting and plans are moving apace with lots of export opportunities. Ultimately, I would love to start selling my Cassis in France.” Jo is so excited by the opportunities ahead that she has employed a new Executive Director, Peter Andrew, to develop the export strategy. www.britishcassis.co.uk

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BIGINTERVIEW

SEVEN CONTINENTS: WASTE SPECTRUM’S JOURNEY TO EXPORT SUCCESS The capacity for export to invigorate a business is exhibited nowhere better than in the experience of Worcester-based Waste Spectrum Environmental Limited, which was recently awarded the title of "Exporter of the Year" at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce's 2016 Business Awards.

The award reinforced Waste Spectrum’s position built up over the past decade as a global exporter of UK-designed, engineered and manufactured incineration and thermal treatment solutions. Since 2007, Waste Spectrum has exported to 70 countries covering all seven continents and was the first UK company to achieve UK DEFRA ‘type-approval’ for Animal-By-Product incinerators, having been instrumental in the development and interpretation of the legislation within the EU. Behind its success is the fact that the company has one of the largest ranges on the market, which includes animal, municipal and medical waste incinerators with more than 85% of production going overseas. The company’s beginnings in 2004 were attributable to a remarkable twist which saw Waste Spectrum’s owner Steve Hunt search the world for something that was on his doorstep all the time. Steve, now Group Managing Director, said: “The company had been created in 1994 and in 2004 we were looking to take over a business to develop our new arm - Waste Spectrum Environmental. “We looked all over the world and ended up finding them in the middle of Worcester! It was remarkable.” The road to export success for the company was down to a change in European legislation which meant Waste Spectrum had already created the type of animal carcass incinerators that would

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be permitted by law, unlike some of their competitors.

Mayor’s office and the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Steve said: “The change in legislation gave us an edge and we took a conscious decision to start exporting, beginning initially with Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

“We have found that, whatever happens, the Union Jack is a very powerful marketing tool.”

“At first we made all the mistakes going, but in time we developed an export market. Then came the 2008 banking crisis, which was a shock, but we kept developing our export trade. “One of the ways we did it was to attend exhibitions. Everything in exporting is about networking. In fact, we met one of our most important distributors when they had the stand next to us. “We got talking to them in the evening when the public had gone and eight years later we are still working together. “For us, successful exporting depends on developing contacts who know the way systems work in particular countries. “They do not need to know how our equipment works – we can teach them that – but what is really important is their ability to gain us representation by networking locally at Government and business levels." Through its global network of distributors, Waste Spectrum has worked with Government departments, environmental agencies, ministries and large producers.

DIT has supported Waste Spectrum’s international expansion since 2005. During this time, the business has been placed on export development programmes, received funding for market visits and exhibitions and has had access to DIT’s overseas network for market research and ad hoc enquiries. In February, the company’s International Business Development Manager, Mark Comerford, took part in a survey to assess the extent of this support. Nick Corley, DIT International Trade Advisor at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Mark concluded that during the 2015/16 financial year, DIT assistance had contributed towards the winning of £1,500,000 new export sales.” Mark himself said: “Without DIT support, we would not have launched our equipment ranges into a number of new markets outside Europe. Future support is also vital if we are to continue to spread our worldwide reach and activities into specifically targeted market sectors.”

As a result, in the past 12 months alone the Waste Spectrum team has flown more than 250,000 miles, visited 23 countries and hosted numerous delegations from many of those countries. One of the areas into which the company is now expanding is China, a country developing links with Worcestershire through the Worcestershire Ambassadors initiative, of which Steve is a Director. He said: “I am delighted that I can promote the area in other countries and the China link is an important one. “In the past two years we have had four Chinese Government delegations come to visit Waste Spectrum’s factory in Worcester, including some very important people. We have always had great support from our MP Robin Walker, the

For us, successful exporting depends on developing contacts who know the way systems work in particular countries.

September/October 2016

BIGINTERVIEW

Steve Hunt, left, and Mark Comerford standing in front of the companyâ€™s Hurikan 1000 incinerator, which is made in Worcester and sold worldwide

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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INTERNATIONALTRADE

EU REFERENDUM AND TRADE - SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW? Sandra Strong, Managing Partner at Strong & Herd LLP The UK, the EU and the rest of the world have been thrown into a period of uncertainty after the UK voted to leave the European Union, our partner trading nation for 42 years. It appears there is no going back from this and the UK will, at some stage in the future, implement Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and start exit talks. These talks can take up to two years and may be extended if all remaining 27 Member States of the EU agree. International Trade and Business need certainty to plan and focus but this seems unlikely in the immediate and indeed the near future. In the interim period, it is important for businesses to consider what a trading relationship with the EU has meant in practice. This will give companies time to assess the potential impact on their business and get involved in approaching government in getting this right. It is worth looking at the following six areas: n Use of the Europa website - this currently provides free information to EU members relating to the TARIC (Integrated Tariff of the European Union), Market Access Database, Anti-Dumping Duty laws, and the guidance and training packages on the Union Customs Code.

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n Free Circulation of Goods means that no duties or taxes are collected within the EU - There are no customs borders between member states which aids speedy deliveries. Freight companies also benefit, as a company registered in any of the member states can pick up cargo in any member state without restrictions on where it can be delivered. n Harmonised Tariff Rates along with other tariff measures such as Tariff Suspensions and Tariff Quotas - Though the UK will still have international commitments to organisations such as the WTO, there will be a UK tariff classification system, not an EU one. n Embargoes and Sanctions, Export Controls and Common Security Measures - The UK has the Export Control Order 2008 and UK Strategic Export Control Lists but we don’t have individual sanctions, treasury controls or embargo laws. We could rebrand the EU ones into UK legislation or adopt the USA ones. Eventually the aim will be to create our own legislation in these areas but the EU will expect us to keep in-line with their legislation; otherwise we would become an unsafe market for them to trade with. n Common Customs Procedures and Customs Regulations - The easy fix

is to make the Union Customs Code the UK Customs Code and then over time adjust it to suit UK businesses. We could remove the contentious areas on valuation, bring back the first sales price, and clarify the situation on royalties and licence fees. We might even decide to remove the requirement for financial guarantees to support potential duty liability under Special Procedures. n Free Trade Agreements – this is getting a lot of press as it is an important area and working within FTAs is currently essential to UK businesses. But how this will progress is still unknown. It is difficult to influence this area as only time – 5-10 years – can bring about new Free Trade Agreements; however that shouldn’t stop trade from considering the options and coming to some conclusions.

SO WHAT IS MY CONCLUSION? We all need to work towards the best possible solutions when Article 50 is signed and this means businesses, not just Government and Civil Servants. Start work now on what is important for your business and get involved in approaching Government and Trade Bodies, for example the Chamber. If we know what we want, it is more likely to happen. www.strongandherd.co.uk

September/October 2016

INTERNATIONALTRADE

MIDLANDS ENGINE CYBER MISSION TO BALTIMORE, USA

The Exporting is GREAT Truck will be at the Chamber Expo

Cyber security companies, universities and sector developers from across the Midlands are participating in a Midlands Engine mission to Baltimore, Maryland between Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 October 2016.

EXPORT HUB ON TOUR TO THE CHAMBER EXPO If you’re thinking of exporting but aren’t sure where to start, why not visit the Exporting is GREAT truck at the Chamber Business Expo, on Thursday 6 October at the Three Counties Showground. This one-stop hub for export support will be available alongside the Expo to provide a host of advice. Whether you’re a first-time exporter or a business that wants to step up its activities in the global market, Exporting is GREAT experts will be on hand to offer advice on a wide range of subjects, including translation, export documentation, training and skills development, industry/ sector specialisms, and e-commerce opportunities. They will also help you to identify the best markets and provide advice on ways of selling into the market, which

routes are best for your business, business culture and regulations. They can also help you to explore funding support that may be available. You can drop in throughout the day to speak to the Exporting is GREAT team or attend some of the mini workshops available. First-time exporters are invited to a “bite-sized” seminar to provide you with information, opportunities and practical support to kick start your growth. Visit www.exporthub. eventbrite.co.uk for a full programme. Businesses can also access live opportunities around the world through the Export Opportunities database - www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk - which has over 1,300 current global export opportunities. For details about the Exporting is GREAT hub and to register your interest for attending the seminars, visit www.exporthub.eventbrite.co.uk.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Maryland is recognised as an important centre for Cyber Security both nationally and internationally, with the world’s largest concentration of cyber security companies. The headquarters of the US National Security Agency is at Fort Meade and some of the world’s largest IT and cyber security firms are located there. It is also home to many of the most successful modern cyber innovation companies, five universities which are designated centres of excellence in cyber education, research by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and several leading hi-tech and cyber security incubators and accelerators. The mission includes the prestigious CyberMaryland Conference 2016, with a range of networking and business development opportunities. The UK delegate will help companies from across the Midlands make contacts within US organisations and create long-term partnerships. Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the Marches LEP, in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, are developing a programme over the next three years with a proposed return visit from a Maryland delegation to the Midlands being planned for Spring 2017. Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The mission to Cyber Maryland is a unique and powerful opportunity for Worcestershire businesses in the cyber sector. We recognise the importance of the cyber sector for our local economy...We look forward to working with you to showcase the expertise in this sector from Worcestershire as well as from across the Midlands.”

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EXPORTANDINTERNATIONALTRADE

READY TO EXPORT, WITH THE RIGHT TEAM As the UK looks to new global markets, the opportunities for exporting are considerable. While our focus in the last 40 years has been increasingly Euro-centric, other areas are equally lucrative and just as open to UK involvement.

Taking your company into international markets can be complex, but should not be daunting – Harrison Clark Rickerbys offers in-depth knowledge of international trading rules and our teams can offer insights in different specialised sectors. We can not only negotiate through the maze of regulations and requirements, but we also understand what international markets need and the impact of cultural variations. Nicolas Groffman, head of the firm’s International team, said: “We know this is a very complex area, and there are pitfalls, but we can help businesses to avoid problems and to find the right way ahead. We work with our own international network of law firms - chosen because they are as committed to client care as we are – but we also make sure that we keep our own knowledge up to date, maintaining contacts and creating new links in different markets to support clients’ exporting ambitions.” Exports are closely regulated, and once a new market has been researched and established, dealing efficiently with the necessary permissions and licenses is an early hurdle to overcome. Robert Capper, head of Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ Commercial team, has plenty of experience in this regard. He comments, ‘We regularly advise UK exporters and other clients looking to do business overseas. As well as preparing and advising on the contracts, we can assist in taking local legal advice on the legal requirements for doing business in a particular country and how to keep any relevant risks to a minimum.” For manufacturers, one of the key exporting issues is whether their products are classed as “strategic goods” – these are goods which have a civilian use but

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could be used by the military or which have a specifically military application. So a wide range of components fall into this category, even when they appear to be entirely non-military in application.

Trading in many sensitive goods and services without a licence is a criminal activity and even those with a licence will need rigorous systems in place to deal with the inevitable compliance audits.

Telecoms equipment, for instance, as well as software, can be affected, as can analytical and test equipment, because military end use controls can extend to the transfer of technology by electronic means, to the maintenance and development of military equipment and to the final destination of a product. For instance, civilian vehicle parts from the UK, installed in a military vehicle in Pakistan, which is then supplied to Uzbekistan, are covered by export controls.

Taking products and services into new markets globally may mean creating joint ventures and partnerships; an understanding of the law in the countries involved is essential so that a foreign investment complements your UK business.

Those involved in brokering a deal between firms in two other countries in these goods and services should also check on the licences needed – several types of licence exist - as well as considering any trade sanctions or embargoes which relate to those countries

Harrison Clark Rickerbys offers a wealth of advice, information and expertise to help exporters achieve successful international deals. Nicolas Groffman, head of International and Robert Capper, head of Commercial, can be contacted on ngroffman@hcrlaw.com and rcapper@hcrlaw.com.

September/October 2016

EXPORTANDINTERNATIONALTRADE

EXPORT / IMPORT – IT’S NOT AS DIFFICULT AS YOU THINK and with the correct paperwork in place.

As the global market place becomes more important with new opportunities arising, an increasing number of companies are exporting and importing.

However, many companies hold back, with one of the main reasons being that they find themselves daunted by the documentation and other processes required when exporting/importing. They need not worry though, because arranging for goods to be transported by air, land or sea is easier than you think – if you have the right help. That is the message from David Snell, Managing Director of Worcestershirebased Atlantic International Freight Services Ltd, who founded the freight forwarding business eight years ago. The company has grown steadily into a business that handles import export shipping for companies all over the UK but especially in the West Midlands and Hereford and Worcester. The company arranges all aspects of freight forwarding, ensuring that companies get their goods onto ships, planes or trucks with the minimum of fuss

Atlantic International Freight Services Ltd (which recorded a turnover exceeding £5m in the last financial year) is so successful because its six-strong team has extensive experience which has allowed it to develop enduring relationships with logistics partners all over the world. This enables them to arrange and manage air/sea/road movements to and from most countries. David said: “I think people view the logistics side of exporting and importing as complicated. They think that they will have to negotiate complex bureaucracy when the truth is that it is a simple process if you know what you are doing. That is where we come into the picture. We are the middle man. We arrange transport of goods all over the world, including the United States, Europe, Asia and Australasia. Companies come to us having secured a contract to export or import but who are in need of someone to help them transport the goods. Our team takes all the worry away for them.” The company is watching the effects on international trade of the EU Referendum with interest and believes that uncertainty over trading relationships with EU countries could see many of its customers looking for new export markets.

many of our clients for years to come, but a number are looking afresh at other areas of the world. The uncertainty over future EU trade agreements means that some customers are and will be looking to export more outside the EU. The United States for example seems to be one country in particular that represents increased opportunities. Within just one month of the referendum one of our customers had secured a significant new contract with a customer in the United States and I think that the vote leave result could see even more customers exploring opportunities with the USA and other countries farther afield as well.” To find out how Atlantic International Freight Services Ltd can help make your global trading easier, please contact: Atlantic International Freight Services Ltd, Bartleet House, 165A Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 0DJ T: 01527 874980 davidsnell@atlanticintl.co.uk www.atlanticintl.co.uk

David said: “Actually we are already seeing a positive effect post referendum. Europe will remain an important trading area for

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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ADVERTORIALFEATURE

MODERN SLAVERY? – NOTHING TO DO WITH MY BUSINESS (OR IS IT?) to protect your employees and your reputation? In addition to the Right to Work checks legally required if you are employing people in the UK, you should be aware of any signs of coercion – for example, if you have the same address for multiple employees, you think an employee’s movements are being controlled or they seem distressed or distrustful. If you are concerned, alert the police or call the Modern Slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700.

Most of us will be aware of and appalled by stories of ”modern slavery”, from imprisonment of domestic staff to use of child labour in developing countries. As a local business owner it may seem a long way from your experience of ethical employment but the facts now are telling us otherwise.

Home Office research suggests there could be between 10,000 and 13,000 victims of slavery in the UK and they are often to be found in reputable, professionally-run businesses. Many of them are victims of human trafficking. For example, migrants may be offered loans to pay for their trip and a promised job and accommodation on arrival. The debt is then used to control the victims as they are told they cannot leave the job until it

An expert HR professional can keep you aware of the responsibilities and risks of employing staff. is paid off. Their bank accounts may be controlled by the traffickers and groups of migrants are often housed together in sub-standard accommodation. For further examples see https://goo.gl/wGzKEi.

Deirdre Myers FCIPD 07855 250045 deirdre@mh-humanresources.co.uk Practical HR support for business owners

Industries which employ large numbers of foreign casual workers are particularly attractive to those engaged in human trafficking or other means of exploitation. So what can you do as an employer

Outsourcing your Technical Documentation Operating under strict quality and configuration control and adhering to industry or customer standards, our suitably qualified and experienced team of experts, technical authors and illustrators can create, maintain and review all the publications that you need. Creating new publications

Reformatting and digitising documents

For new equipment we create full sets of publications for

To convert your publications to the structure and format that your

training, operation, support and maintenance. We also create

customers require, we provide a complete, quality-assured

service bulletins, instructions and maintenance notices from

reformatting and digitising service. We can work

original source data.

from any digital format or legacy printed publications.

Reviewing and updating publications For as long as your equipment remains in service we can maintain all the necessary publications on your behalf. We review and update them to reflect changes in technology, procedures and any interim modifications.

Illustrating and designing Whenever diagrams and images are needed to provide clarity or show complex technical details, our experienced illustrators will create them to the highest standards. We regularly work from original drawings, collaborate with designers and work with the actual equipment.

To find out more please contact us on 01905 789006 or 0117 3707755. Email enquiries@aace.co.uk

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September/October 2016

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

GROWING INVESTMENTS COMPANY LAUNCHES WEBSITE North East investments advice company Castle Investment Group Limited have launched their new website as the business continues to grow. The Group, which is based in Washington, Tyne & Wear and has regional offices in Yorkshire, Hertfordshire and Hampshire, launched the new website to deal with increased interest in its services The company, which has a team of experienced field agents giving them total coverage nationwide, specialises in putting Pension and ISA investors seeking a no obligation review in touch with FCA-regulated experts best placed to carry out the assessment. Director Paul Rowe said: “The new website is very striking and provides the company with a window on the world.

“The site is packed with lots of useful information that clients and prospective clients need to keep themselves up to date with a rapidly changing financial landscape. “Securing your financial future is so important and our experts can help investors identify the best options for

their investments from the wide range of products on offer.” The website can be found at www.castleinvestmentgroup.co.uk.

INVESTMENT GROUP

ACCOUNTANT OFFERS SYSTEM FREE TO BUSINESSES Mullen Stoker Chartered Accountants, which is based on the Belmont Industrial Estate, Durham, works throughout the North East and beyond with a client base that covers all types of business sectors and all types and size of businesses from Groups of companies through to individuals.

Durham-based Accountants Mullen Stoker have become a Gold Partner of the SageOne accounting system and will be giving it away free to clients and non-clients.

The company was created by Neil Mullen FCCA ACA and Gary Stoker BSc MBCS along with several highly qualified and experienced staff who had all previously worked together, most for more than a decade. In July 2012, Stephen Green FCCA ACA CTA became Tax Director, giving further strength to the board.

SageOne is a range of cloud-based online accounting and payroll software, offering everything that businesses need to run the accounts and payroll side of their small business or start-up. Gary Stoker, one of the founders of Mullen Stoker, said: “Having become a Gold Partner of SageOne, we can introduce clients and non-clients alike to the advantages of the system. “Our free offer will run for a year and allow us to work with the companies on making their financial systems as efficient as possible. SageOne allows them to do that.” Stephen Buzzeo, Regional Online Development Manager for Sage (UK) Ltd, Accountants’ Segment, said: “One of the big advantages of SageOne is that

The company can be contacted on: Tel: 0191 374 0300 Email info@mullenstoker.co.uk it saves time because accountants can access the software directly, instead of the information having to be transferred forward and backwards by email. “The time that saves means that the system provides real added value for those companies that use it.”

Mullen Stoker House, Mandale Business Park, Belmont Industrial Estate, Durham, DH1 1TH

VISITHEREFORDSHIRE

Weobley, North Herefordshire

WEOBLEY HOSTS THE ONE SHOW After searching the length and breadth of the country, BBC’s popular early evening magazine show, The One Show, chose Weobley to host their live show on Wednesday 3 August. Nestled amongst the black and white villages of North Herefordshire, Weobley, which won Village of the Year 1999, is renowned for its charm and local characters. The village was in a buzz in the run up to the event, with lots of hard work ensuring it was looking its best, and residents preparing to show off everything Weobley has to offer. Some highlights were a feature on the Meals on Wheels service which showcased how the community helps each other, and a live performance by Squeeze. The iconic green sofa found its way into the rose garden, where presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones spoke to villagers about what life is like in Weobley.

Cider maker Alistair Phillips

FIVE AWARDS FOR PIPS CIDER Golden Valley craft cider maker Pips Cider won five awards at the Royal Three Counties Show in Malvern in June, coming just over a month since all their craft ciders won first prize at the International Cider and Perry Competition at Hereford Cider Museum. Between these two competitions, the Pips sweet cider also won in its class in the Bath and West Cider Competition. “We are completely overwhelmed by the success our ciders have had this year. Being a very small producer in one of the world’s most renowned regions for cider making, and to win so many awards here is a major milestone in our business”, says cider maker Alistair Phillips. “This success means that we have to seriously consider where we take the business in future. Cider making has been a hobby up to now, but we have to decide how to capitalise on our success.” www.pipscider.com

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HEREFORD BIDS FOR CITY OF CULTURE Every four years a British city wins the title of “City of Culture”. With Hull taking the top spot next year, Herefordshire is bidding for the prestigious title of City of Culture 2021. This bid is a little different from other bids as it aims to incorporate the whole county rather than just the cathedral city. As a county we are inherently proud of what we have to offer and winning the bid would not only have a positive and fundamental impact on our culture and economy, it would also entice degree level students to the county. With NMiTE looking set to draw more people to the county from 2017, this is a very exciting time to get involved, and help to win the bid for City of Culture 2021. To find out more about the bid and how you can get involved, visit www.herefordcityofculture.org

ROSS-ON-WYE HEDGEHOG FESTIVAL Ross-on-Wye has a unique link to the hedgehog dating back to the seventh century, which is celebrated throughout the year. This year they have incorporated the 150th anniversary of the birth of Beatrix Potter with their Hedgehog Festival. Highlights from an event held on Potter’s birthday, Sunday 31 July, included Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s Tea Trail and plenty of family activities. The hedgehog theme runs throughout the year with the “Ode To The Hedgehog” poetry competition open until Friday 30 September, as well as a trader’s annual window dressing competition in Ross-on-Wye town centre throughout September, winner to be announced in October. www.playross.com/hedgehog-festival

September/October 2016

VISITWORCESTERSHIRE

60 FINALISTS REVEALED IN AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE Visit Herefordshire and Visit Worcestershire received over 100 entries in the 2016 Tourism Awards for Excellence, the two counties’ leading Awards for tourism businesses. The Awards seek to recognise and celebrate Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s best accommodation providers, visitor attractions, festivals, events, food producers and more. The entries for both counties were of a high standard which made short listing a difficult task. 55 entries were received for Herefordshire and 53 for Worcestershire, with ten categories for each county. 15 entries were received in the Best Visitor

WORLD CLASS WORCESTERSHIRE There are many reasons why Worcestershire is a world class destination, both to live and work. We’re sure you know about Morgan Motors, which have been made in the county by the same family for over 100 years. But did you know that at Little Malvern Court there is a giant lime tree that is 250 years old, or that Harvington Hall is home to a series of incredibly rare original wall paintings, most of them dating back to the late 1500s? Worcestershire isn’t just looking backwards to its past for inspiration but is looking forward too. The Hive in Worcester has won two international awards for the building’s striking design and sustainability. Worcester was the first UK City to host the European Wheelchair Basketball championships, thanks to the spacious 2000-seat University Arena which caters for disability by design. The Arena is also the home ground for the Worcester Wolves basketball team and the training base for GB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team.

Attraction category for Herefordshire, making it the most popular category for the county. Worcestershire’s most popular category was Best Festivals and Events which received 14 entries, an increase of four from last year. All finalists from the Awards for Excellence will be invited to a grand ceremony at Eastnor Castle on Tuesday 20 September, where the Winner, Highly Commended and Commended from each category and county will be revealed. To view a full list of finalists for each county, visit www.visitworcestershire.org/awards or www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/awards

The Entrance Hall of Eastnor Castle, Venue for the 2016 Awards for Excellence

FESTIVE FUN ON THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY Summer may only just have ended, but the Severn Valley Railway is already preparing for Christmas – its busiest time of year. Thousands of visitors flock to the SVR each year to enjoy its hugely popular range of festive season services. The Railway is now encouraging people to book their tickets early to avoid disappointment. Always a sell-out, its Santa Steam Specials run every weekend in December from Saturday 3rd-24th, where families can enjoy a thrilling steam train ride to meet Santa and his elves at his grotto at Arley. Santa himself will join families on the train for the Santa Herald services on 20th-23rd, handing out presents and posing for seasonal selfies. Those in fine voice

Everyone will have their own reasons why Worcestershire is World Class and we would like to hear yours - visit the website and share your stories by using #worldclassworcs and @worldclassworcs. www.worldclassworcestershire.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

can board the SVR’s Carol Trains for an evening of carol singing on 3rd, 10th and 17th December and visitors can complete the day by enjoying a Christmas Carvery at the Engine House on certain days. For information about dates and bookings, please see www.svr.co.uk, or call 01562 757900.

WWW.VISITWORCESTERSHIRE.ORG Worcestershire has lots to do, from great days out to events and festivals. If you’re looking for something to do with your family or friends this weekend or are looking to impress a client, why not use www.visitworcestershire.org to plan a day full of memorable moments.

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WORCESTERSHIREBUSINESSCENTRAL

FUNDING AND SUPPORT – WHAT DO I QUALIFY FOR? Funded support for businesses is nothing new. Unfortunately, individual funding sources are limited in terms of duration and/ or amount. This means many businesses do not realise what support is available until the ‘pot’ relevant to their requirements is gone.

to SME’s, some may require your business to be B2B, others may require B2C, others will be open to a mix of the two. Some may be for capital support, others may relate to capital and revenue projects. We have often heard the term ‘post code’ lottery referenced in terms of qualifying for support. This is a very real phrase and the divide between qualifying and not qualifying can be opposite sides of the same road!

SECURING YOUR GRANT Support for businesses is as variable as the British weather. The packages available today may not be the packages available tomorrow. New packages are introduced as older packages cease to exist. Keeping track of the funding and support landscape, however, does not have to be complicated. It can be as easy as registering for the Growth Hub’s newsletter or regularly visiting the respective websites Worcestershire Business Central, (www.business-central.co.uk) for Worcestershire Companies and The Marches Growth Hub, (www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk) for Herefordshire companies.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT GRANTS? Whether you want to enter new markets or invest in new equipment, having the necessary finance can often be a challenge. Grants can be accessed by a variety of businesses, though they should be viewed as a support mechanism towards achieving your objective rather than a substitute. Many grants come with their own criteria i.e. many will only be available

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Don’t be fooled into believing that someone is going to turn up to your business with a blank cheque! Similarly, applying for a grant does not have to be overly onerous and many organisations can support you in your grant application – often in return for a percentage cut if your application is successful.

OTHER SUPPORT Support for businesses is not limited to grant support. R&D Tax Credits are often overlooked by businesses. Other areas of your business may benefit from non-financial projects such as marketing, apprenticeships etc. The team at Worcestershire Business Central would be happy to talk to you about your business challenges and inform you of any relevant support available – visit www.business-central.co.uk, email info@business-central.co.uk or call 01905 677 888.

Make sure you have a defined project which requires the funded support. If your project is one in which you will invest even without a grant then it is unlikely you will be given the support. Grant funding should be an enabler of a ‘project’. At the very least, funding should bring forward your ‘project’ by a significant margin. Grants usually require some sort of match and will often have an upper ceiling. As an example, the Proof of Concept Fund in Worcestershire has an upper limit of £30,000 and requires a 50% match. Essentially, if your project is a £15,000 project, you will need to invest £7,500 from your own resources; if your project is an £80,000 project then your support through the fund will be capped at £30,000.

September/October 2016

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

Established in 1962, we are committed to providing a service equal to the highest professional standards, whatever your building project. We have offices both in Hereford and Gloucester, but operate without geographical constraints and provide a full and comprehensive service to all our clients on every Project, from Inception to Completion. We have a team of highly motivated, dedicated and professional staff with the skills required to work with a wide range of clients and contractors in both the Public and Private Sectors.

• Quantity Surveyors • Project Management • Design & Build Adams Fletcher & Partners Hereford Office Contact: John Crooks Office 9 The Rural Enterprise Centre Vincent Carey Road, Hereford HR2 6FE Tel: 01432 355432

Gloucester Office Contact: Nick Denman Unit S 04, Kestrel Court, Waterwells Drive, Quedgeley, Gloucester GL2 2AT Tel: 01452 306214

W: www.adamsfletcher.com

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

CONSIDERING BUILDING WORK? Getting the best value from building works is down to a number of factors, but most important must be seeking good advice - avoiding relatively small professional costs at this stage can cost tens of thousands of pounds extra in additional, unnecessary or overpriced works. Naturally, contractors are unwilling to offer their best rates for projects which are not adequately described, or where they are exposed to risk due to the extent of the work being undefined. The role of the Quantity Surveyor is to minimise risks for both parties by defining the work content and terms of the contract as precisely as possible, thereby getting the lowest possible prices; and ensuring that stage payments made to builders are accurate, thus avoiding any chance of overpayment.

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LYON SHA L L

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a new standard in healthcare

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Ranked as the 6th best home in the West Midlands 048

Ranked as the number one home in the West Midlands September/October 2016

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

ROTHERWOOD AWARDED NUMBER ONE HOME

Rotherwood Healthcare’s Hampton Grange is awarded ‘number one home in the West Midlands’ by carehome.co.uk It’s an exciting time for Rotherwood Healthcare (formerly Claridge Nursing Homes) who last year merged with business partner Fennell Financial to broaden their offering and define a new standard in healthcare. The Group has already secured and refurbished St George’s Park in Telford which now has a state of the art dementia suite - aptly named the Acorn Suite after the brand’s oak leaf logo. The renovations bring the

Telford home in line with the exemplary standards established in the Hereford homes: Lynhales Hall, Gwen Walford House and Hampton Grange - which were recently awarded ‘6th best and number one nursing home in the West Midlands respectively’ by carehome.co.uk.

February 2016, which is calculated using a combination of the number of reviews, the average of each of the ratings and the size of the care home. Hampton Grange and Gwen Walford were both classed in the large home category having capacities of 30 and 41 beds respectively.

The carehome.co.uk Top 20 Care Home Awards highlight the most recommended care and nursing homes in each region of the UK. The awards are based on over 55,000 reviews & recommendations received from residents friends and family from 15th February 2014 to 15th February 2016. The awards were allocated based on the review score, as of 15th of

Richard Claridge, CEO of Rotherwood Group, had this to say: “We’re so proud to receive the top 20 award for both Hampton Grange and Gwen Walford from carehome.co.uk. It’s validation that we are truly living by our company values and doing everything we can do define a new standard in healthcare.”

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

049

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

AS AN EMPLOYER IT IS YOUR REASONABILITY TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT LEVEL OF FIRST AIDERS The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work. These Regulations apply to all workplaces including those with less than five employees and to the self-employed. Independent Medical Solutions supply free advice. We can guide you through your 'First Aid Needs Assessment' which is a requirement by law for your company to determine how many and what type of first aiders you require. Our competitively price courses include:

WORKPLACE TRAINING PACKAGES n 3 day QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work course (QCF) – Chamber Member 5% discount n 2 day QA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work Requalification course (QCF) - 5% discount

n 1 day QA Level 2 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work course - 5% discount n 3hr Annual Refresher Training

SCHOOLS/ NURSERIES TRAINING PACKAGES n 2 day Mandatory (Ofsted Compliant) Paediatric Emergency First Aid course n 3hr Annual Paediatric Refresher Training

BESPOKE TRAINING PACKAGES n Evacuation Chair training n Automated External Defibrillator Training Call or visit us today on: Tel: 01527 457527 Email: info@imsfirstaid.com Web: www.imsfirstaid.com

Don’t be the person who has a Heart Attack or Stroke at work and then finds out there employer has NO PROVISION to look after them.

Independent Medical Solutions

Limited

R.J. Francis & Co Accountants for where your business is now... and is heading

R J Francis & Co was formed by Robin Francis in 1984 and we provide accountancy and taxation services to a wide range of clients throughout Herefordshire, also with clients in Shropshire, the West Midlands and South Wales. We have established a reputation for our friendly and professional approach. Our very experienced management are supported by knowledgeable trained staff that are extremely conscientious in looking to meet the needs of our clients. We provide the services you need with a friendly team you can rely on.

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Telephone call of the Month

Tel: 01432 266630 admin@rjfrancis.co.uk | www.rjfrancis.co.uk Franklin House, Commercial Road, Hereford, HR1 2AZ

Our Services: n Accountancy n Taxationt n Audit & Assurance n Payroll n Business Consultancy & Management Accounts n VAT & Book-Keeping n Company Secretatial n Start-up Advice

September/October 2016

Come to a FREE open event HDC Quarter Pages 08/16_Layout 1 09/08/2016 16:30 Page 2

Now’s the time to get fit and well for Christmas. So come along to one of our FREE open events. It’s a great opportunity to meet our Consultants and hear more about the treatments available at your local Nuffield Health Hereford Hospital.

PRESTIGE CAR & MOTORBIKE STORAGE

Let’s talk hips

Tuesday 27th September 2016 at 6.30pm

Let’s talk knees

Tuesday 4th October 2016 at 6.30pm

Let’s talk varicose veins

Tuesday 11th October 2016 at 6.30pm

If you are looking for a premier car storage solution, the Happy Day Cars prestige car storage is your first choice. Our facility operates the latest technology and security with unrivalled service, to fulfil your every car storage need. The unit is located on a managed business park, with 24 hour CCTV monitoring. We are minutes walk from Worcester train

Why not give us a call to discuss your requirements on 01905 409222

stations for easy onward commute to all parts of the UK. Happy Day Cars prestige car storage is more than just a facility our experienced team pride themselves on providing you with a white glove concierge service for your vehicle.

Places are limited and booking is essential, call 01432 818304 to book.

We also oﬀer a chauﬀeur driven service and wedding car hire.

www.happydaycars.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBERTRAINING

OUR COURSES Introduction to Excel - a course designed for those who need a basic working understanding of the product which leads you through the look, feel and new features of the programme. Learn how to create, save and print worksheets, enter simple formulas and functions. Intermediate Excel - the course you need if you can already manage the basics and are beginning to need more functional ability. We cover charting, sorting, and filtering, and take you through some of the useful commands, mathematical functions, multiple file and workbook linking and absolute references.

CAN WE INTEREST YOU IN...IT TRAINING? With the varied and diverse range of skills that we incorporate into our portfolio of courses, IT isn’t always considered the most breathtaking.

If your idea of a day’s Excel Training is down there with wrestling snakes or you’d rather give your children the password to your Facebook account than tackle the data within a spreadsheet, maybe you should experience the anomaly we find when chatting to the delegates attending our courses. With feedback such as: “IF statements rock!” and “Everything was brilliant!!” Whether it’s the contagious enthusiasm that emanates from John Legge, our trainer, or the realisation that a software programme we’ve been using for years is even more adaptable than we thought, we can’t decide. We send our own staff on the courses and they also come out enthusiastic and keen to book on to the next level. There are so many features in Excel which, if performed correctly, can save you time. These range from setting up your QAT

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(Quick Access toolbar) and personalised Tab, to creating a set of Sub totals rather than individually creating Auto Sum statements. John has managed to save some clients minutes and hours by showing them shortcuts: n Did you know that to create a simple pivot table is just a three step procedure and to perform a simple "sort" is just two clicks! n By using a slide master in Powerpoint you can set up the look and feel of the whole slide show and create slides very quickly. Attending the courses allows you to work at your own speed and consider more efficient ways of analysing the data you require. It’s also an easy way to ask questions and consider your current processes in a closed environment, away from the desk and with an expert.

Advanced Excel - the course to really embed your knowledge and usage. We cover advanced charting, text and logical functions, VLOOKUP statements, pivot tables and charts as well as simple macros. We aim to make the most advanced functions relatively easy to understand. If you have a good understanding of Excel but want to expand your capabilities in a short space of time this is the course for you. PowerPoint for Presentations - This course is designed to give delegates a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of PowerPoint, enabling them to produce, edit and theme creative and memorable presentations. Most people who believe they can find their way around PowerPoint with ease find they have been wasting time when they discover the tricks and shortcuts that this course provides. All of our IT courses are run at the training centre in our Worcester office from 9.30am-4.30pm and cost £150+VAT (Members) and £188+VAT (Non-members). Refreshments, a buffet lunch, laptops and course materials are provided on the day. “Loved the simple, quick and correct techniques and the practical element...and the free pen!” “Excellent day, much appreciated the patience of the tutor teaching diverse abilities.”

John Legge, IT Trainer

September/October 2016

CHAMBERBUSINESSTRAINING

TRAINING CALENDAR SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER 2016 SEPTEMBER COURSES

OCTOBER COURSES

NOVEMBER COURSES

Google Analytics Tuesday 13 September - 9.30am-1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

An Introduction to Digital Marketing & PR Tuesday 4 October - 9.30am-1.30pm FREE for Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Train the Trainer Tuesday 1 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

AEO Awareness Tuesday 13 September - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-members

Writing Effective Marketing Copy Thursday 6 October - 9.30am-1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

An Introduction to Digital Marketing & PR Tuesday 1 November - 9.30am-1.30pm FREE for Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Advanced Import Documentation & Procedures Tuesday 20 September - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-members

Effective Use of Social Media Tuesday 11 October - 9.30am-1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Communicating for Success Wednesday 2 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Role of the Team Leader Wednesday 12 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Introduction to Excel Friday 4 November – 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-Members

Introduction to Microsoft Excel 2010 Friday 14 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Handling Distributor Contracts Tuesday 8 November – 9.30am-1.00pm £100+VAT Members, £125+VAT Non-Members

Fire Marshal Training Friday 14 October – 10.00am-4.00pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Intermediate Microsoft Excel Friday 11 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Creating a Customer Care Culture Tuesday 18 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Search Engine Optimisation Tuesday 15 November - 9.30am-1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Export Finance Tuesday 18 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-Members

Quality Manager Training – ISO9001 Wednesday 16 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £236+VAT Members, £295+VAT Non-members

HR for the Non HR Manager Wednesday 19 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Basic Export Documentation & Procedures Thursday 17 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-Members

INCOTERMS (2010) Thursday 20 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-Members

Successful Telesales Tuesday 22 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Employment Law Update Friday 21 October – 10.00am-3.00pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Tariff Classification Wednesday 23 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-Members

PowerPoint for Presentations Friday 21 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Email Marketing Thursday 24 November - 9.30am-1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

IOSH Managing Safely (4 Day) Monday 24 October-Thursday 27 October - 9.30am-4.30pm £495+VAT Members, £595+VAT Non-members

International Trade Compliance Management Tuesday 29 November - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-Members

Surviving a Customs Audit Wednesday 21 September - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-members Direct Shipping Wednesday 21 September - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-members What’s New – Changes in International Trade Tuesday 27 September - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-members Basic Letters of Credit Wednesday 28 September - 9.30am-4.30pm £225+VAT Members, £250+VAT Non-members VAT on Exports

Thursday 29 September - 10.30am -3.30pm £150+VAT Members, £175+VAT Non-members Organising a Distributor Meeting Thursday 29 September – 9.30am-12.30pm £100+VAT Members, £125+VAT Non-members

KEY: Chamber Business Training Courses Import and Export Training Courses

For more information and bookings contact us on 01905 673 611, training@hwchamber.co.uk. www.hwchamber.co.uk/training

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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01299 266610 info@affinityvehicleleasing.com

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Quote parameters can be varied to suit driving and finance needs. Images are for illustration only and other colours and models are available. Finance provided to suit credit history: credit issues need to be disclosed from the outset to ensure appropriate finance suppliers are used.

affinityvehicleleasing.com unique code Networking

We’re on our way thanks to Affinity

info@affinityvehicleleasing.com

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

SEPTEMBER NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS ARE HERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO DRIVE A DISCOUNTED BRAND NEW VEHICLE? You may have never considered driving a brand new car or van and paying for it monthly, but with discounts of up to 40%, monthly prices starting at £89 and no deposit deals available, now is the time to contact Affinity Leasing. IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY If you would like a brand new car or van on the new 66 plate, we can deliver a number of models from stock. However if you would like a car or van with optional extras to suit you, the discounts are still available on factory orders.

NO DEPOSIT NEEDED Affinity Leasing Director, Michelle Howles explains “many monthly finance deals are advertised with large initial payments. The

majority of our deals have no deposit at all, ideal if you are facing expensive repairs on your existing vehicle, it has failed an MOT or if it has just reached the end of the road!”

FULL MANUFACTURER WARRANTY INCLUDED Whether you have a personal or business deal, every vehicle is covered by the full manufacturer’s warranty. Individuals can chose to have a straightforward lease and hand back (PCH), the option to buy at the end (PCP) or traditional hire purchase (HP). Companies can select from contract hire and hire purchase.

full manufactures’ warranty, Chamber members are able to source new vehicles for personal or business use. To discuss any aspects of this scheme or for quotes to suit your financial and motoring needs, with no obligation, call free on 01299 266610, email info@affinityvehicleleasing.com or visit www.affinityvehicleleasing.com/ members/hereford-and-worcesterchamber-of-commerce and log in with the unique code Networking

HWCC MEMBERS BENEFIT Bewdley based Affinity Leasing offers brand new cars and light commercial vehicles on monthly finance with discounts of up to 40%. Supplied direct from the manufacturer, with

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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MOTORINGFEATURE

SEE WINTER DIFFERENTLY AT LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE EASTNOR

We have a number of exciting Experiences planned for this winter. More rain equals more mud – and night-time brings a new perspective to off-road driving. Winter sees the return of our Night Drives and this year we are planning a special Halloween evening. Group Bookings are welcome. It’s a great alternative to the boring old work Christmas party! For more information call us and quote: BDM16. Land Rover Experience Eastnor. The Bothy, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1RL. 01531 638779. eastnor@landroverexperience.com. www.eastnor.landroverexperience.co.uk

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September/October 2016

HDC Quarter Pages 08/16_Layout 1MOTORINGFEATURE 09/08/2016 16:29 Page 1

HAPPY DAY CARS FOR SPORTS EVENTS If you’re a sports fan you know all about the stress of driving to, parking at and exiting the event venue.

EXECUTIVE CHAUFFEUR SERVICE

Why not let us take the stress away when visiting events like the Rugby 6 Nations, the FA cup, the Ryder Cup, Silverstone, Ascot, Wimbledon or the polo match. Let us worry about the best route to take, where to enter and where to park while you just enjoy your day out and soak up the atmosphere.

HAPPY DAY CARS FOR ALL OCCASIONS AND EVENTS Tim started the business as he knew from experience, travelling to meetings can be stressful, unproductive use of time and after a hard day, very tiring. With an important business trip, when a door to door service eliminates unproductive time, a stress free journey allows you to arrive fresh, prepared and ready for that meeting. Tim and the team aim to take the stress away and help you and your business succeed. If you’re a sports fan you know all about the stress of driving to, parking at and exiting the event venue . Again, the team can make your special day more enjoyable, whether it is the rugby, football, tennis polo or motorsport.

HAPPY DAY CARS ARE HERE TO TAKE THE STRESS AWAY.

Happy Day Cars offer a first class VIP chauffeur service for every purpose and occasion. We offer a superb fleet of modern Mercedes vehicles and smartlypresented chauffeurs who you will always find to be reliable, polite and punctual. The team exude enthusiasm to provide a high quality, stress-free service that is second to none, but also competitively priced.

Our trained and experienced chauﬀeurs are chosen for their punctuality, driving skills and extensive knowledge of the best routes, and it should go without saying that all our vehicles are airconditioned, non-smoking and fully insured. We also oﬀer car and motorbike storage, and wedding car hire.

Why not give us a call to discuss your requirements on 01905 409222

www.happydaycars.co.uk

FORD LEASE

Contract Hire that really means business.

ECOSPORT TITANIUM 5 DOOR 1.0 ECOBOOST PETROL (125PS)

£152.00

per month with Ford Lease over 3 years. Advance of 6 monthly rentals.

KUGA TITANIUM 5 DOOR 2.0 TDCI FWD 150PS

£224.00 per month with Ford Lease

over 3 years. Advance of 6 monthly rentals. • Includes optional Ford SYNC 2 DAB Navigation

ALL NEW EDGE TITANIUM 5 DOOR 2.0 DURATORQ 180PS TDCI 6-SPEED MANUAL 4X4

£316.00

per month with Ford Lease over 3 years. Advance of 6 monthly rentals.

If you’d like to book a test drive or want to find out more about funding vehicles for your business, come and speak to our Business Vehicle specialist. Business users only.

Southern Avenue Leominster, HR6 0QF 01568 612337 Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) Ford Car range: urban 23.54-41.5 (12.0-6.8), extra urban 34.87-67.3 (8.1-4.2), combined 29.73-57.7 (9.5-4.9). Official CO2 emissions 249-95g/km. Finance subject to status. Guarantees/indemnities may be required. Examples exclude VAT and are based on 36 month non-maintained agreements with 10000 miles per annum. Profile is 6+35. Payment in advance of 6 monthly rentals, followed by 35 monthly rentals. Vehicles must be returned in good condition and within agreed mileage, otherwise further charges will be incurred. Prices correct at time of going to print and are subject to change without notice. Subject to availability at a Ford Authorised UK Dealer for vehicles with finance accepted and vehicle contracted between 01.07.2016 and 30.09.2016. Not available with any other promotion. Ford Lease is provided by ALD Automotive Limited trading as Ford Lease. BS16 3JA. Bengry Motors - Leominster acts as a credit broker in relation to finance products and not a lender.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

057

CONFERENCEWORCESTERSHIRE

www.visitworcestershire.org/conference-meetings.aspx

ELIM CONFERENCE CENTRE Whether you are looking for a versatile venue to hold your next conference or an idyllic spot to retreat, the Elim Conference Centre provides accommodation and meeting space for the perfect guest experience. Nestled in the heart of the Malvern Hills, it is located a short drive from the M5, providing easy access across the Midlands region. The Centre offers fully equipped meeting rooms, private informal coffee lounges and even a theatre which can accommodate up to 240 guests. Bedrooms are en-suite, beautifully decorated and many offer stunning views across the Worcestershire countryside. Outside there is a tennis court and large outdoor heated pool, along with 30 acres of beautiful grounds to explore, ideal for team building and group exercises. If you would like to discover more about our competitive rates or request a tailored quote please contact our dedicated conference team - ecc.enquiries@elimhq.net. 01684 588967/8 www.elimconferencecentre.com

Archery at Eastnor Castle

EXCLUSIVE CONFERENCING AT EASTNOR Businesses or agencies searching for a corporate event venue for team building, activity days or corporate training in Herefordshire need look no further than Eastnor Castle. A privately owned castle situated in a 5,000 acre estate and surrounded by a deer park, lake and arboretum, Eastnor Castle is the perfect choice. It offers itself out exclusively as a venue for meetings and conferences, product launches, training, private dining and parties, as well as offering 12 sumptuous bedrooms for small groups wishing to include dinner and overnight accommodation. Eastnor Castle prides itself on the highest standards of comfort, impeccable service and personal attention to detail. This Autumn, Eastnor has launched a brand new corporate offer, the Daybreaker package, including exclusive use of the Castle for a morning or an afternoon, refreshments, and a two hour teambuilding activity, from £100.00 per person – for more information, email jodie@eastnorcastle.com.

MODERN NEW BUSINESS VENUE Open Space Rooms in Malvern is a new and modern business venue in the West Midlands. With free onsite parking and easy transport links, it is a fantastic choice for meetings and events. There are a variety of spaces available perfect for one on ones up to conferences for 60 people. Each room is unique, with both refreshing décor and the latest equipment, including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and wall mounted LCD screens, as well as natural light and quiet private rooms. Open Space prides itself on flexibility. Whatever your event and room set up required, the team will always work hard to accommodate. Every space can be set up uniquely; from boardroom to theatre to floor space. The catering team work closely with local caterers - whether you want breakfast baps and pastries or luxurious buffets, they can provide all levels of catering to suit your event. www.openspacerooms.co.uk

www.eastnorcastle.com

THREE UNIQUE VENUES, ONE AMAZING SETTING Discover the wild side of conferencing at West Midland Safari Park, with three unique venues to choose from. Whether it’s a small, select group, or a gathering of thousands, Safari Venues has the facilities and the knowledge to provide an unforgettable experience.

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Spring Grove House, Cellarz and Treetops Pavilion provide a variety of rooms and set ups, with breakouts and syndicate areas also available. There are spacious, flexible exhibition areas, free parking and Wi-Fi included in the standard conference package. The Day Delegate package includes a diverse range of food and refreshment options. For a completely

unique touch, a visit around the animal reserves or a VIP animal experience can be included in the day. For more information, visit the website or contact our knowledgeable, friendly team on 01299 406460, events@wmsp.co.uk. www.safarivenues.co.uk

September/October 2016

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

VINEYARD ENJOYS AUTUMNAL FRUITS OF ITS LABOURS Here at Frome Valley Vineyard, near Bromyard, the end of summer brings the harvest. We have had a good summer with plenty of sunshine and plenty of rain! The fruit is looking good so far and a long, hot September would be perfect to finish them off. All the hard work, care and attention through the year culminates in the autumn. We harvest the grapes in October; family and friends lend a hand and we get the grapes pressed immediately to capture the maximum quality and flavour. September is a very busy month for us; we are at the Ludlow Food and Drink Show on 9-11 September and the Abergavenny Food and Drink Show on 17-18 September. Our full range of wines, fizz and brandy will be available. These shows are great fun and a really good place for people to discover the enormous range of excellent food and drink that’s made in and around Herefordshire. We are very fortunate to have so many talented and dedicated producers around us!

We are also making our debut as an h.ART venue this year - 9 - 18th September. We have five local artists, photographer, sculptor and artist blacksmith exhibiting. Wine tasting is also available! In November things begin to wind down a little before the Christmas rush. The vines start losing their leaves and it all starts to look a bit autumnal. Pruning is the next job and that takes three man months to accomplish on our trellising system. The winery is open for tastings and buying wine if you call and let me know when you’re coming, and all our wine is available on the website. We stop the tours over the winter as a wet and muddy vineyard is not quite the same as fresh, green spring vines or summer vines laden with fruit. So we re-open for tours and tastings in April 2017. Tel: 07886700976 Email: jeanie@fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk www.fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk

Worcester Citizens Swimming Pool The complex comprises of a 20m swimming pool, New Fitness Studio and small fitness gym. Ample Free Car Parking available. We are a family friendly pool, offering a range of activities for your health and wellbeing, for all the family Open 7 days a week, please call or visit our Facebook page for opening times • • • • • •

Children’s Weekly Swimming Lessons & 1-2-1 Swimming Lessons Private pool Party Hire - Inflatable & Non- Inflatable (Disco Lights Available) Aqua Aerobics - Monday 6-7pm & 7-8pm; Tuesday 7-8pm; Wednesday 2-3pm; Thursday 2-3pm Fitness Studio - A wide range of classes from morning Zumba to Yoga, Pilates & Circuits Adult lane Swimming - Monday, Wednesday & Friday 7.00am - 8.45am Sunday’s 8.30am - 10am We offer Children’s Crash Courses, Rookie Lifeguard Courses & NPLQ courses during the school holiday’s

Weir lane, Lowerwick, Worcester, WR2 4AY

Tel: (01905) 421089 | lwsp@hotmail.co.uk | www.lwsp.co.uk Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

059

CHARITYNEWS

Robin Walker MP visited ASPIE in World Autism Awareness Week

Shaun Marshall, Kidderminster

EXTREME ENDURANCE FOR KEMP HOSPICE Running enthusiast, Shaun Marshall from Kidderminster, is taking on a number of physically demanding challenges in support of his local Hospice, KEMP. In October, Shaun is travelling to Calella, Spain, to take on his first incredible challenge - the Ironman Barcelona. Shaun will swim 2.4 miles in the open Mediterranean, cycle a staggering 112 miles inland and to finish off, run a marathon, all within 17 hours. There won’t be downtime for Shaun as in November he will be taking on another extreme challenge with an Ultra Marathon called Sunrise to Sunset. This is a continuous 15 hour run which starts at 4am and finishes at 7pm and will take sheer determination and stamina. Shelley Stanley, Challenge & Events Fundraiser at KEMP said: “Shaun is fantastic. We are so grateful for the continued support over the years.” To donate to Shaun’s Just Giving page, please visit www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/Shaun-Marshall10

L-R: John McLean, Thursfields, Bill James & Julian Carroll, Bishop Fleming, Mike Ashton, H & W Chamber

ASPIE – REALISING UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

GOLF DAYS RAISE OVER £1200 FOR LOCAL CHARITIES

ASPIE celebrates and promotes the talents of adults with Asperger’s in a unique psycho-social environment in Worcester city centre.

A number of business owners and professionals from the Herefordshire and Worcestershire business community attended two golf days organised by accountancy firm Bishop Fleming. The first was held in Hereford at Burghill Valley Golf Club, raising funds for Help for Heroes. The second was at Gaudet Luce in Worcester and raised funds for Rugby star Craig Gillies' charity, CG5.

Aspies are wired differently, think differently and see the world differently. Whilst they live with the challenges of Asperger’s, their minds are open to remarkable forms of creativity and ingenuity. Their keen senses allow them to see, hear and feel subtle changes which non aspies do not, resulting in phenomenal powers of observation and memory. These qualities, aligned with their focus, commitment and reliability, are recognised as a valuable but untapped employment and entrepreneurial source for business and the wider Herefordshire and Worcestershire economy. To find out more about ASPIE, contact the team on admin@wits-endweb.co.uk or 01905 27825. www.aspie.org.uk

www.kemphospice.org.uk

Craig said: “As a small, local organisation, we were really pleased to have the support of Bishop Fleming and to be invited along to play. It was a great afternoon and the funds raised will go towards helping young children with disabilities reach their full sporting potential.” The events were organised by Bishop Fleming’s Business Services Manager, Julian Carroll. He said: “This is our third year hosting golf days and they are growing every year; we are delighted to have raised over £1,200 from this year’s events”. www.bishopfleming.co.uk

CHARITY HELPS YOUNG BOY WITH DREAM JOB Local Children’s charity Mentor Link has been providing mentoring support to a young boy from Eastham to help him secure his dream job when he leaves school. Josep Haines, who lost his mum in tragic circumstances whilst at Primary School, was referred to the charity for

060

long term one to one support. Mentor Link provided Josep, age 13, with a female mentor to provide weekly listening and emotional support with the aim of keeping him engaged in learning. Karen, Josep’s mentor, recognised that he was gifted in IT and had designed computer games whilst he was at Primary School.

Company and borwell in Malvern offered to provide a one day work placement with one of their software engineers.

She asked the charity to secure a work experience day with a local Software

www.mentorlink.org.uk

Josep’s father said: “Josep found the day very informative and enjoyable. Again thank you for arranging it, I think it has given Josep a good goal to aim for.”

September/October 2016

FOCUSONCHARITY

CAN YOU HEAR ME? HEARING LOSS is a hidden disabling condition and affects most people at some point in their lives: If not ‘you’ it will be a relative, friend, neighbour, work colleague. If you know someone who needs help contact Deaf Direct.

Deaf Direct is a registered charity and the only user led specialist voluntary organisation working with Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf Blind people across Herefordshire, Worcestershire Oxfordshire and surrounding counties. 1 in 6 people suffer with hearing loss which means up to 95,000 people in Worcestershire and 31,000 people in Herefordshire.

Deaf Direct can help provide: Information, Advice and Advocacy: Interpreters, Lip Readers, Note Takers: Training in Deaf Awareness, British Sign Language (BSL), Lip Reading: Assistive Technology assessments and equipment: Outreach Support: Children/Young People Activity Breaks: Elderly People Support: Deaf/Hard of Hearing Social/Community Groups. We are building a sustainable future for Deaf Direct in what are difficult economic circumstances and we would like to request your consideration of supporting Deaf Direct:

HOW CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Make a Donation! Please see ‘MY DONATE’ on our website www.deafdirect.org.uk this can be Gift Aided. Donations large or small are much appreciated.

Please contact info@deafdirect.org.uk / training@deafdirect.org.uk or on 01905 746301

Business Community Support: We can provide your workforce with Deaf Awareness training or Interpreters at events or for employees.

Could your business help us make a difference? If your organisation is looking to make a social impact we have a range of volunteering opportunities which can directly help older, vulnerable people and support you to meet your corporate responsibility policy All things Digital

We need your help to reach more people, raise awareness of what we do through social media and use technology more effectively

People Skills

Could you offer your expertise and skills to develop our personnel through training sessions, shadowing or one to one support?

A spare 15 minutes

We have all sorts of small volunteering opportunities which only take a few minutes but they enable us to help more older people eg: proof reading a leaflet or poster

Tea & biscuits

Or perhaps you could support older people to socialise, assist with building partnerships and help create the spaces to do this through contributing to refreshments, room hire or other facilities

Making Herefordshire & Worcestershire a great place to grow older To find out more, please contact us: Tel: 01905 740950 Email: volunteering@ageukhw.org.uk Website: www.ageukhw.org.uk Malvern Gate, Bromwich Road, Worcester. WR2 4BN Charity No: 1080545

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

061

COMMERCIALPROPERTY

BREXIT AND THE EFFECT ON THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MARKET

THE MOST EXPERIENCED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TEAM IN THE REGION

So far Brexit is not having a negative effect in the Worcestershire commercial property market, according to one of the county’s leading commercial property agents.

HELPING BUSINESSES THROUGH THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MAZE n

Sales & Lettings

John Dillon

n Acquisitions

He says: “Rather than the gloom and doom for commercial property being written about recently in the national press, the Brexit decision is actually helping the local market for three key reasons:

n Management n Dilapidations

Surveys Rent Reviews n Investment Advice n Valuations n

Bill Fellows

1. 2.

Visit our website for a full list of available properties

3. Jonathan Mountford

www.gjsdillon.co.uk

Bromsgrove Office

Head Office

Worcester Office

13 New Road Bromsgrove B60 2JG

7 Roman Way Business Centre, Droitwich WR9 9AJ

9 Edgar Street Worcester WR1 2LR

01527 872525

John Dillon, Managing Director at GJS Dillon Limited, says that despite the national property press talking about uncertainties with commercial property funds this has absolutely no bearing on the regional commercial property market which deals principally with commercial property for owner occupiers.

01905 676169

01905 28684

Banks are still willing to lend to acquire business premises for owner occupier businesses There is still a shortage of good quality offices and industrial space in the county with demand far in excess of supply The quarter per cent cut in interest rates makes buying commercial premises much more attractive than renting

“In short, there has never been a better time to buy or, particularly, to sell business premises in the county, however the national property press is scaremongering and is more preoccupied with the London investor who has purchased shares in commercial property funds. This is not the same as the local manufacturing business, warehouse occupier or office user who is expanding and who has been looking for the right commercial premises to move into and buy for the last 6 months in the local area!”

To Let For enquiries please call

• New & Refurbished Industrial Units • Pleasant and Convenient Location

01384 569556 or 01299 822731

Wilden Industrial Estates Wilden lane, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 9JY

d Industrial Units enquiries@wildenestates.co.uk venient Location 062

wildenestates.co.uk

September/October 2016

Get your brand out there with some promotional marketing magic YOUR PRINT D I S P L AY & PROMOTION SPECIALISTS

Let us help you choose some great value business gifts & giveaways from our huge range Contact rachael@sbprint.co.uk for further details

BROOKES CATERING Brookes Catering is based in Norton, Worcester. As a company we pride ourselves on meeting the needs of all individuals and helping to ensure that you receive the personal touch to any of your catering requirements whether these are personal or business. Brookes Catering is well established and has been trading for 15 years and has recently received once again a 5 star hygiene rating.

A new menu that has just be launched this month is: Assorted Filled Wraps

01886 812160 • www.sbprint.co.uk

Mini Cornish pasties Goats cheese and red onion tart

LOW COST, FLEXIBLE,

OFFICE AND WORKSHOP

SPACE IN REDDITCH.

LOW COST, FLEXIBLE, Chicken tikka skewers with Mint yoghurt dip

OFFICE AND WORKSHOP

SPACE IN REDDITCH. Savory cream cheese and Red onion marmalade scones Crisps

Brookes Catering offers catering for a lots of events such as:

REDDITCH business centres • Easy In Easy Out Terms

• Short Term Licences

• No Legal Fees

• Conference Rooms

• Wi-Fi

• Secretarial Services

• 24 Hour Access

• Free Parking

• Close to Motorway Links

• No Hidden Costs

• Electric Car Charging Point

01527 517165

info@nwedr.org.uk www.redditchbc.gov.uk/businesscentres

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

n Corporate buffets n Weddings n Dinners

n Canape Parties n Corporate event catering

Within Brookes Catering we are currently undergoing a new look with our website. We are REDDITCH business centres creating a more accessible and user friendly website with downloadable menus. Please keep The next move your company an eye out for the new look on the for website www.brookescatering.co.uk

01527 517165

businesscentres@redditchbc.gov.uk

For morewww.redditchbc.gov.uk/businesscentres information, questions or quotes please do not hesitate to contact us on either 01905 OPEN FOR BUSINESS 356282 or info@brookescatering.co.uk

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MEMBERSSERVICES

TOP FIVE TIPS TO MANAGE FOREIGN EXCHANGE RISK POST-BREXIT From Moneycorp, offering a leading Foreign Exchange and International Payments service to members of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Following the Referendum result in June, Sterling weakened by 11% against the euro and 15% against the dollar. For companies trading internationally, fluctuating exchange rates can be difficult to manage and hard to budget for. Market volatility may erode or even eliminate profits and in a time of tighter margins and increasing raw material costs, it is ever more important to protect yourself from exchange rate risk and make savings wherever possible. Your business can take some proactive steps towards managing foreign exchange risk, whilst leaving the market analysis and interpretation to the experts:

1. PLAN FOR RISK Planning is the first step to managing your FX risk, and agreeing on a budgeted

exchange rate for the year will guide your transactions. An FX specialist can help to define this rate, enabling you to protect yourself from any potential adverse fluctuations.

2. ACCESS YOUR PAYMENTS ON THE GO You need to ensure you can react quickly to changes in the markets, and manage your payments effectively in or out of the office. Your free-to-access Chamber Foreign Exchange account will allow you to trade online in multiple currencies 24 hours a day, as well as provide access to your own personal dealer.

3. ENSURE YOU ARE GETTING THE BEST RATES You want to be certain you are accessing the best rates in the most currencies, and also avoid any hidden payment charges along the way. Chamber Foreign Exchange leverage off the £22bn they trade annually to secure some of the most competitive rates in the market.

4. FIX THE EXCHANGE RATE With your policy in place it is time to review the FX tools that you can use to manage your exposure. Spot contracts, Forward contracts and market orders can work individually or together to form a tailored foreign exchange strategy. Based on your budgeted rate, requirements and timing, your FX dealer will work with you to form a strategy to best suit your business needs.

5. TAKE INFORMATION FROM THE MOST RELIABLE SOURCES All Chamber Foreign Exchange Dealers are MSTA (Members of the Society of Technical Analysts) qualified. As experienced market traders they will use their expertise to ensure your company receives the best information and guidance on the markets, getting you the best solutions for your business needs.

ABOUT MONEYCORP moneycorp have been dealing in foreign exchange since 1979, making 7.2 million customer transactions in 90 currencies in 2015. They have over 750 dedicated employees in offices in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain and the USA. Through the buying power of the British Chamber of Commerce, we are able to offer a leading Foreign Exchange and International Payments Service with exclusive discounts and services to our members. If you are a member of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce please contact MoneyCorp direct. Tel: 0800 710 1040 Andy.Medler@moneycorp.com www.moneycorp.com/chamberfx

CHAMBER OPEN DOOR NO NEED TO BOOK, JUST DROP IN

A friendly and informal environment - whether you have 10 or 30 minutes to spare it’s free to come along: n Dedicated business support n Champion key business issues n Local knowledge

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WORCESTERSHIRE Wednesday 7 September and Wednesday 12 October 5:30–7:30pm Severn House, Prescott Drive, Worcester WR4 9NE

HEREFORDSHIRE Every Thursday 10am–12pm Hereford Town Hall, St Owen Street, Hereford HR1 2PJ

September/October 2016

BUSINESSNEWS The Sienna Viewbook

Pension Awareness Day

STILO GIVES SALES TEAMS A DIGITAL EDGE Worcester based designers, Stilo, have been working with local market-leading professional sunless tanning brand, Sienna X, to deliver an innovative digital sales tool. With a host of awards to their name and a rapidly growing product line, Sienna X were keen to provide their team with a digital experience which makes them stand out, and is always up to date. Sienna X Founder, Nicky Matthews, commented: “The ViewBook perfectly complements our branding and forward-looking approach to market. It looks innovative and professional, clients are really impressed and it has already shown a quick return on investment. The team and our distribution network of global and UK partners are able to use it whenever and wherever they need it - without the need for Wi-Fi; a really slick presentation of your collateral all in one place." www.brandstilo.co.uk

www.sienna-x.co.uk

Networking at the Malvern Festival of Innovation

IF YOU CAN MANAGE ONE DAY, YOU CAN MANAGE ANYTHING The Worcester Executive MBA will develop your business, leadership, and management skills. It will help you and your organisation to adapt in these increasingly turbulent times. The programme introduces theories, tools, and techniques to help you become a more effective leader and manager and builds practical capability to explore new thinking, ideas, and opportunities. The programme, delivered over one evening each week, will enable you to apply these ideas and critical thinking to your business, to lead and manage change; to identify and use resources more efficiently and appropriately; to operate more strategically and make decisions in an informed way, including decisions on entry to other markets; to improve self-awareness and personal effectiveness; and make a significant contribution to improved organisational performance. For more details, contact Rebecca Jones at Rebecca.jones@worc.ac.uk or 01905 857533. www.worcester.ac.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Annual Pension Awareness Day falls on 15th September promoting the importance of saving for the future. Its aim is to unite businesses, employers, employees and the government to work together in motivating commitment with retirement savings. This campaign also aims to support businesses in helping them to prepare for their automatic enrolment duties and supporting their workforce. The Pension Awareness will be taking place between 12th and 17th September up and down the country Under the Pensions Act 2008 every employer in the UK must now put eligible employees into a pension scheme and must make a minimum contribution towards it as set by HMRC. This is called “Automatic Enrolment”. Even if you employ just one person you are an employer, therefore, this applies to you. A company or work place pension scheme must be set up by the employer and be in place by the 1st February 2018. The employee will be required to make regular pension contributions based on a percentage of their salary. An employer must also pay into it every pay period, along with the government as a form of tax relief. Many businesses have concerns about the costs of offering a pension and the time it will take to set one up. By not complying with the legislation their business could receive a ﬁne of £400.00. Continued failure to comply could result in between £50.00 to £10,000 a day until rectiﬁed. It really is time to act, too many employers think they can leave it as late as possible and don’t fully understand the actions they need to take. Now is the time for employers to consider how it will affect them, to plan and to budget.

For further information: Ellice Bartholemew 01432 278 179 eb@kidwellssolicitors.co.uk www.kidwellssolicitors.co.uk 065

NEWPEOPLETODOBUSINESSWITH BROMSGROVE

LEDBURY

E&D Associates

Ash Scientific Ltd

Barnbow Consultancy Ltd

www.edassociates.co.uk

01527 875 173

01905 20308

0203 637 4079

www.ashscientific.com

www.barnbow.co.uk

DROITWICH

MALVERN

www.makemorenoise.co.uk

Amplitude Clinical Services Ltd

The IASME Consortium

PDMP Enterprises Ltd T/A The Zip Yard Worcester

Make More Noise Limited

01905 641 214

03330 146 363

03300 882 752

www.amplitude-clinical.com

www.iasme.co.uk

JN IT Consultancy Limited

ROSS-ON-WYE

07935 559 095 www.jnit.co.uk

www.thezipyard.co.uk

Myers Road Safety Ltd

07785 252 273

EVESHAM

www.quickcone.co.uk

Multidrive Limited

Shelley Holt Accountancy Limited

01386 423 633

01989 550 633

www.multidrivevehicles.com

www.shelleyholt.co.uk

HEREFORD

WHITBOURNE

Area Entertainments

Mugworks

01432 355 407

01886 821 198

www.areaentertainments.co.uk

www.mugworks.co.uk

Chainings Ltd

WORCESTER

01432 356 318

01905 613 582 Perry Manor (Care UK)

01905 728 410 www.careuk.com

Robert West Consulting

01905 28288 www.robertwest.co.uk

OUT OF AREA Realness Ltd

01242 603 355 Six Property Consulting Ltd

0121 259 0078 www.sixpc.co.uk

www.chainings.com

AM-Accounting & Business Advisors Limited

Core Hygiene Limited

01905 691 994

01432 272 794

www.am-accounting.co.uk

www.stellatum.co.uk

ASPIE LTD

We Are Marketing UK Ltd

www.corehygiene.co.uk

Proton Partners Int

01905 27825

01633 810 661

www.aspie.org.uk

Stellatum Ltd

0845 1162 553

01684 851 266 www.wearemarketing.co.uk

www.proton-int.com

Camenzie Ltd Sutton House Limited

07874 811 764

01432 818 535 www.suttonhouse.com

UltraFilter G.Britain Ltd

01432 367 975 www.ultrafilter.uk.com

KIDDERMINSTER Design Maintain and Create

07930 544 308 Greener Options Ltd

01299 250 221 www.greeneroptions.co.uk

Hagley Hall

01562 887 290 www.hagleyhall.com

Kidderminster Harriers Football Club Ltd

01562 823 931 www.harriers.co.uk

Severn Valley Training Services

0800 999 6461 www.severnvalleytrainingservices.co.uk

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September/October 2016

NEWPEOPLETODOBUSINESSWITH

WORCESTERSHIRE PROFESSIONAL HELPS BUSINESSES MAKE MORE NOISE Worcestershire based PR and Marketing professional, Hannah Haffield, 28, vows to help local businesses increase sales and growth through the launch of her own consultancy, Make More Noise Limited. Awarded the title of West Midlands Young Person in Business by the British Chambers of Commerce in 2014, Hannah boasts many years’ experience within PR and marketing, having worked with a number of consumer and corporate brands across both public and private sectors. Boasting close working relationships with a number of local establishments, including leading luxury hotel The Wood Norton, Hannah has worked hard to put Make More Noise on the national map, representing 2014’s Apprentice winner, Mark Wright, and national ed-tech firm, e-Careers Limited. Make More Noise offers services in PR, Marketing Communications, Social Media Management, Digital Marketing and Graphic Design.

PERRY MANOR CARE HOME CORE HYGIENE LTD www.makemorenoise.co.uk

Situated on Charles Hastings Way in Worcester, Care UK’s Perry Manor Care Home provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. Designed to enable its residents to live enjoyable and fulfilling lives, the state-of-the-art Care Home has its very own cinema, coffee shop and hair salon, with plenty of space both indoors and out for relaxation and recreation. The home offers a series of events for residents and the local community alike. Each of the home’s three floors has its own dining room and lounge, as well as bright and spacious areas for activities or for relaxing with friends and family. Many are named after people and places for which Worcestershire is famous, which creates a sense of place and provided endless opportunities to reminisce for those residents who have lived locally. The home was named a Top 20 Care Home in the Midlands by carehome.co.uk in 2016. www.careuk.com

At Core Hygiene Ltd we pride ourselves on being a family run business with the capability to supply on a personal and corporate level. With access to over 50,000 products, specialising in cleaning, hygiene, janitorial and healthcare products, as well as PPE, catering and workwear, Core can cover all aspects to ensure your business keeps running smoothly and efficiently. Since 2004, Core Hygiene has been supplying products to a huge range of industries throughout Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Mid and South Wales. More recently we gained the ability to distribute anywhere in the UK with next day, direct deliveries. The industries that we supply vary considerably, from schools, colleges, councils, local authorities and healthcare to food manufacturing facilities, automotive sector, contract cleaners, facilities management companies and catering/ hospitality establishments. Whether you are a multinational company or a high street cafe/bar, we strive to provide the same professional service for all our customers.

Hannah Haffield, Make More Noise Limited

CHAININGS LIMITED Based in Hereford, Chainings Limited manufactures and supplies a unique range of cutting-edge oil and diesel fuel filtration products. These are designed to capture and retain very fine dirty particles and water contamination beyond the capabilities of other filtration equipment. As a desire by customers to reduce cost and provide environmental benefits, Chainings also manufacture custom made Oil and Diesel Fuel Filtration systems which are designed to recycle and clean on an industrial scale. Committed to a policy of continued development, other ancillary products have been evolved to include the hugely successful range of high visibility fluid level gauges. Chainings supplies a global market, both for manufacturers and end users, including Railway, Construction and Power industries. Chainings is committed to innovation that is targeted to real user needs. www.chainings.com

ww.corehygiene.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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MOVERSANDSHAKERS

PROMOTION AT GORDON LUTTON Wills and Estates Solicitor Tristan Lewis has been appointed an Associate. NICOLE HEATON, MINSTER MICRO Leading IT and business software provider Minster Micro has appointed Nicole Heaton as a Digital Marketing Apprentice - part of the Kidderminster company’s commitment to provide career opportunities to young talent in Worcestershire. Nicole, 17, will support the creation of Minster’s marketing campaigns and develop the firm’s blogs, social media presence and website content – also helping to coordinate events and the company’s PR programme.

Tristan joined the firm in 2012 from Gloucestershire-based Tayntons Solicitors. He is particularly well regarded for his work with the elderly and dementia sufferers, regularly speaking at events held by the Alzheimer’s Society. He is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly and he also spear-headed the firm’s charity commitments through the “Wills Week”, raising over £1,800 for the Acorns Children’s Hospice. www.gordonlutton.co.uk

MARK CUNNINGHAM JOINS DRP Local Worcestershire based agency drp is growing fast, and Mark Cunningham is the newest member of the team. Cunningham is a highly skilled and experienced events professional, who will be taking on the role of Event Producer. He has a broad range of knowledge, from delivering both corporate and mass participation events all over the globe, to directing fundraising events for a high profile charity, and project managing one of the UK’s leading half marathons. www.drpgroup.com

Michael Turner, Ian Blood and Mark White

EBC GROUP WELCOMES NEW STARTERS It has been a busy time for IT & technology providers EBC Group, as they welcome four new key members to the business. To the sales team, Mark White has been appointed as Telesales Supervisor, in addition to Michael Turner who joins as a Business Development Manager. Adding to EBC Group’s technical expertise, the business has also welcomed Ian Blood as Helpdesk Supervisor, whilst Adam Dinsley has joined the team as a Technical Consultant to help with EBC Group’s growing number of projects and client base. www.ebcgroup.co.uk

Mel and Gwen at Worcester Racecourse

Financial Director, Susan Marlow, said: “Nicole has the perfect blend of skills, ideas and energy we need for the future.” www.minstermicro.co.uk KATE HOLT, BN SHE CONSULTANCY LTD Hereford based Health & Safety Company, BN SHE Consultancy Ltd, has recently appointed Kate Holt as Head of Sales & Marketing. Kate has over 10 years’ experience. Kate has benefitted from customer facing, management and strategic account management in sectors such as the automotive, real estate, travel, lifestyle products and large event markets.

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Naomi, Georgia and Ryan

MELANIE GARDINER – H & W CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NEW APPOINTMENTS AT HAINES WATTS

New starters to Thursfields’ Commercial Services Team

Mel joined Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce in April as the new Patron & Strategic Assistant, assisting Gwen Evans to work with some of the key businesses in the two counties.

Worcestershire based accountancy firm Haines Watts has recently made an internal promotion, taken on a new member of staff and a new trainee.

THURSFIELDS EXPANDS ITS COMMERCIAL SERVICES TEAM

As the company continues to grow its Worcester and Evesham Offices, they have promoted Ryan Williams to Tax Manager. Naomi Raaff has joined the payroll team in a thriving busy payroll department. Georgia Rocke is the Firm’s new trainee, who will be based in the Accounts Department in the Worcester office while studying for her AAT.

The legal practice was this year’s winner of Birmingham Law Society’s Law Firm of the Year Award (5-15 Partners) and has recently opened offices in Birmingham and Solihull. John McLean joins Thursfields from Eversheds in Birmingham, Jane Rudge joins from Higgs & Sons, Tim Edwards joins from The Wilkes Partnership, and Jenny Smith joins from Birmingham Firm, Anthony Collins.

www.hwca.com

www.thursfields.co.uk

Managing Director, Bonita Raisbeck, commented “Kate has leapt into the role with immense passion and enthusiasm and we look forward to her continued contribution to the success of the company”.

So far, Mel has enjoyed networking with some of the Chamber’s key members at Business Leaders events, such as the Business Leaders Summer Dinner, events at Worcester Racecourse and Shelsley Welsh. She has also taken responsibility for the Chamber’s Food & Drink, Manufacturing and Sustainability forums.

www.bnsheconsultancy.com

www.hwchamber.co.uk

Regional Law Firm, Thursfields, has recruited four new Senior Associate Solicitors to its Commercial Services team.

September/October 2016

MOVERSANDSHAKERS Clare Lewis

NEW STARTERS AT ECL-IPS Ecl-ips are very pleased to announce that they have two new members of the team Clare Lewis and Iain Brown. Clare brings with her over 20 years consultative Sales and Project Management experience, having represented market leaders such as ICL and IBM. Iain also joined the Ecl-ips team in June 2016 as a Project Engineer. He has spent the last 24 years working in the field of telecommunications and Network Operations Centres dealing with all forms of communications as an Operator, Installer and Analyst. www.ecl-ips.com

Sonya Bell, Elizabeth Laidler and Jo Dunlop of Encore Communications

ENCORE COMMUNICATIONS RELOCATES TO WORCESTER With over 15 year’s experience working with clients from SMEs to FTSE-listed companies, the award-winning team at Encore Communications provides a full range of PR and marketing services to customers across the Education, Engineering, Technology and Professional Services sectors. Led by MD Elizabeth Laidler, Encore’s team of experienced, senior consultants operates nationwide – and has clients as far afield as South Africa and China – but is looking forward to becoming more involved with the local business community.

CHRIS FOLLY, PATH SELECTION Path Selection, specialists in providing candidates for permanent roles in the accountancy, finance, marketing, HR and engineering sectors, has announced that General Manager Chris Folly has been appointed to the position of Managing Director. The expert recruitment firm is a division of Worcestershirebased eResponse Group which launched the venture in January 2015. The promotion of experienced recruiter Chris comes as Path Selection prepares to expand its team from six to 20 people by 2020. www.eresponsegroup.co.uk

Phil Redgate with Ian Smith, Partner at Bishop Fleming

WORCESTER ACCOUNTANT HEADS DOWN-UNDER A Chartered Accountant at the Worcester office of Top 40 accountancy firm, Bishop Fleming, will be jetting off on a five month placement to Melbourne, Australia. Phil Redgate, Audit Senior, will be working at Bentleys Chartered Accountants and Business Advisory thanks to Kreston International, the global network of independent accountancy firms, of which Bishop Fleming is a member. www.bishopfleming.co.uk Terry Smith and Liz Blackford

www.encore-communications.co.uk

ANTONY LAMPITT, TURL & CO Turl & Co are happy to welcome Antony Lampitt as the firm’s new Accounting Assistant. Antony will be responsible for maintaining clients’ bookkeeping services, and will support director Karen Lowen in the launch of new accounting software ‘dod-dle’.

DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE (DIT) JAN MCGINITY, WORCESTER WARRIORS

After playing professional poker for more than two years, Antony has vital experience working with numbers. He has successfully applied his skills, having passed all exams required to qualify for AAT Level 3 in accountancy.

Warriors have boosted the Rugby Management set-up at Sixways by appointing Jan McGinity as Head of Rugby Recruitment. Working to the Warriors’ leadership team of Head Coach Carl Hogg and Performance Director Nick Johnston, McGinity, a Consultant at the Club since 2013, will focus on identifying and securing talent to bring to Sixways.

www.turlandco.co.uk

www.warriors.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

DIT, based at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, has seen some changes this autumn. Terry Smith is retiring at the end of September and Liz Blackford has joined the department, having previously worked for DTI in the Black Country for two years. Terry said: “Having taken advantage of a number of DTI Services during my own career in Exporting, it has been rewarding to work with local businesses and to assist them to experience the same added value and benefits that I did.

Retirement will be a bit of a double edged sword, as I will miss working with some great people and such a diverse range of businesses; however, it will be good to spend more time with family, take a few more overseas trips for leisure instead of business, and be able to focus on my Bed & Breakfast business – The Manor Coach House in Hindlip.” Liz said: “I am excited to be working in this region, and am looking forward to building relationships with local companies.” www.hwchamber.co.uk/tradinginternationally

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LASTWORD

NOVEMBER FOCUS - CSR The final edition of Business Direction for 2016 is all about Corporate Social Responsibility. We will be profiling CSR champions, local CSR initiatives and charities in the two counties. For the Last Word, we spoke to BOBST (UK & Ireland), one of the world’s leading suppliers of equipment and services to packaging and label manufacturers, based in Redditch.

HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE CHAMBER GOLF SOCIETY In association with AMROS Golf and West Midlands Business Golf Society To date, three of the four Chamber Charity Golf Days have taken place, with 180 people golfing, networking and fundraising for local charities, including Midlands Air Ambulance, St. Michael’s Hospice, Fibroscan Appeal and The Albion Foundation. £5000 has been raised which surpasses all previous years, with one more golf day still to come. BOBST team painting a fence at a local school

WHAT IS CSR AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT? For our organisation, Corporate Social Responsibility is about actively seeking out ways in which we can positively influence our employees, their families and the wider community. Our staff show a strong commitment to BOBST and we want to find ways of paying back our employees whilst enhancing the local and wider society.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN WAYS IN WHICH YOU PRACTISE CSR? Our CSR policy focuses on “the next generation”. We recognise that there is a gap between education and commerce and we consider it our duty to work with the local community to promote apprenticeships, engineering and commerce generally. By building links with local schools, we also hope to have better access to the talent pool. We held a charity event in March to celebrate our 125 year anniversary and we chose four local charities (Nightstop, YMCA, Acorns and Birmingham Children’s

Hospital). We also sent a team of around 20 employees to a local school to carry out regeneration work on their garden area and paint fences within the playground. We recently held a World of Work Day where we invited a class of 8 and 9 year olds into the business and enjoyed several different activities, such as Q & A with the MD and practising telephone skills.

HOW CAN BUSINESSES IMPROVE THEIR CSR? Businesses need to look at the challenges they face today and in the future and plan how the CSR policy can be linked to these and help overcome them. For us, we have a skills shortage and aging population, so it made perfect sense to improve the links with local education providers. We are continuously looking for new ways to improve the engagement between our CSR projects and employees - we recently introduced a Staff Forum; one action from this is to ask staff to submit their suggested charity for 2017. We will then ask all staff to vote and the top four will be our chosen charities.

The three days have been sponsored by Homexperts, Handelsbanken, Nicklin Business Advisers and mfg Solicitors. All have been a huge success and many new business relationships have been formed. The last golf day of the year, sponsored by CB, Chartered Accountants and raising funds for Acorns Hospice, is at The Vale Golf & Country Club on Wednesday 21 September. On Thursday 3 November, Mike Ashton, CEO of H&W Chamber of Commerce, is heading up members of the Business Golf Society for their Annual AGM & Conference in the Costa del Sol, Spain, sponsored by Nicklin Business Advisers. To end our 2016 Events calendar, Amros Promotions have organised an Evening with Phil Tufnell, England Cricketer and Sporting all round Celebrity, on Thursday 24 November. For more information go to www. amrosgolf.co.uk, contact sales@ amrosgolf.co.uk or call 07792 620355.

We’d love to hear the latest news and achievements from your business - please email your 150 word stories to: businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk by Friday 30 September. For more information visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/business-direction

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September/October 2016

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Are your foundations strong enough? Strong buildings are built on good foundations, and regularly maintained. I am sure you treat your business and people the same way.

Need some help? If you are looking to build and develop your team and need some help book a conversation with Peter at peter@peterjohnsononline.com to see if he or his team can help. Also, enjoy the story on page 26.