Business Matters #03

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03 SEPTEMBER 2010

businessmatters Quarterly Magazine of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce

Moneypenny

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Tree of Knowledge

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Ringing the changes to the recruitment dilemma

Encouragement despite tough time in the Dragon’s Den

The Big Interview...

Preparing for the upturn as companies come out of recession

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce

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Let’s talk about IT MWL Systems is a strategic member of the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce and is able to offer other members world class IT support at realistic prices.

Our systems engineers are fully qualified and experienced in all Microsoft products, VMware and Sage 200 and our development team can create bespoke software applications if required.

If you have an IT project coming up, or are unsure whether you are getting the best service from your existing provider, please contact us for a free consultation and quotation without any obligation.

See our website www.mwlsystems.co.uk or ring us on 01244 645901 for prompt attention.

Our clients in the Chamber work with us because we help increase their productivity and reduce costs.

Why don’t you challenge us to do the same for you?

Email challenge@mwlsystems.co.uk

W: www.mwlsystems.co.uk E: sales@mwlsystems.co.uk T: 01244 645901

thecompleteITsolution.com

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businessmatters Chester Office Willow House, Park West, Sealand Road, Chester CH1 4RW Telephone 01244 669988 Fax 01244 669989

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info@cepnwchamber.org.uk www.cepnwchamber.org.uk Registered Company No. 173634

Contributing Editor John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com

Production & Design Distinctive Publishing 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Telephone 0191 4788346 production@distinctivepublishing.co.uk www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Advertising Telephone 0191 4788300 alison.seymour@distinctivepublishing.co.uk

Disclaimer Distinctive Publishing or West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may occur, individual products or services advertised or late entries. No part of this publication may be reproduced or scanned without prior written permission of the publishers and West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

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CONTENTS 004 005 008 010 011 013 014 015 016 018 020

INTRODUCTION CHAMBER NEWS MONEYPENNY BUSINESS NEWS BRANDALL NORTH WEST 20 QUESTIONS OBSIDIAN GROUP INTERNATIONAL TRADE CHAMBER EVENTS SPIRE YALE HOSPITAL DEESIDE COLLEGE

022 025 026 028 029 030 032 033 034 035 036

THE BIG INTERVIEW CHAMBER TRAINING CONFERENCE FEATURE DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL CHAMBER TRAINING PATRONS PAGE DC MAXWELL NEW MEMBERS MOVERS AND SHAKERS UNIVERSAL STARS COSTCO

Enabling more efficient and effective business

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Guidance and hands-on support for companies wanting to improve their business processes.

• Research, evaluation and implementation of software • Development of project management processes and skills

e: enquiries@greenbeamconsulting.co.uk t: 07799 075906 www.greenbeamconsulting.co.uk BM MAGAZINE 03.indd 3

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n INTRODUCTION

In difficult economic times such as we continue to experience, it is more important than ever for employers to maintain up-to-date HR policies and procedures.

Are you using the Chamber’s free HR advice and documentation service? It could save you a lot of money.

As a Chamber member, you have access to a 24-hour, seven day advice line supported by a bespoke HR website.

You can also obtain all the documentation you need to implement good HR practice in your organisation.

Documents available include a contract of employment, an employee handbook, including grievance and disciplinary procedure; health and safety policy and access to more than 150 downloadable policies, forms, documents, templates and fact sheets.

As there is no limit to usage, you can keep on contacting the service.

A number of our members use it to keep their employment contracts and HR policies in line with the latest legislation.

The HR advice service is free of charge and therefore a valuable benefit of Chamber membership. Indeed, you could quickly recoup the value of your membership fee on this one service alone.

If you haven’t used it before, give it a try and use it to help contain your overheads.

Colin Brew General Manager

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Uncovering the Benefits of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme By the end of this September, approximately 70,000 companies in the UK will be legally required to register under the Environment Agency’s CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC).

CRC is described as a cap-and-trade scheme explains Auditel, the UK’s largest cost management consultancy, which offers financial incentives in return for improved energy efficiency. Of those organisations obliged to register it is estimated that 5,000 large organisations whose annual consumption is 6,000MWh or more will be legally bound to participate fully or face financial and other penalties. These organisations will be required to maintain records for each energy supply, monitor all energy consumption, and purchase and sell carbon credits, and if that wasn’t enough, then there’s the annual compliance report to complete.

Many participating organisations may not have the time, the resources or the know-how to manage the implementation of the scheme let alone try and turn this into an opportunity to bolster their green credentials, By using a dedicated third party to manage the whole process an organisation will not only be able to establish whether it qualifies, but then make certain that it complies with all the obligatory red tape and ensure that its energy consumption is as efficient as possible, whilst saving it from the headache of trying to balance its carbon credits. With Auditel’s help, CRC could in fact turn out to be rather good news for your business and the planet.

An organisation’s green credentials will be publicised in a league table ranked by its success in reducing its emissions annually.

So each participating organisation will need to investigate ways of reducing its spend, making its energy consumption more efficient. Many may view CRC as an unwelcome but necessary evil, however, others believe that it presents participating organisations with a gilt-edged cost reduction and brand building opportunity.

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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NEWS n

Chamber launches Regional Business Council BUSINESS chiefs from across Cheshire and North Wales have come together for the first time to discuss some of the region’s key economic challenges and opportunities.

Heads of more than 30 of the region’s most influential bodies attended the first Chamber of Commerce Business Council meeting at Bank of America Europe Card Service’s headquarters in Chester.

The business council is a new strategic body set up by the chamber to discuss and influence key economic infrastructure and regeneration opportunities across Cheshire and North Wales.

Its objective is to seize economic opportunities and resolve key business issues affecting chamber members and the wider business community in the area.

It gives chamber members unrivalled access to leading decision-makers and influncers in the region Already, the business council has arranged for a representative of a town’s regeneration body to address council members about its objectives; and helped a chamber member to resolve a problem processing a planning application at a local authority.

Members of the business council include chief executives of local authorities and tourist boards, senior partners from professional services providers such as law firms,

as well as owners and directors from a crosssection of SMEs within the chamber’s region.

The Chairman of the Chamber, John Newton Jones, said the first meeting had been a great success. “The chamber business council enables business leaders and public sector economic stakeholder leaders to come together and properly shape economic infrastructure.

“There is a great sense of enthusiasm from the business council to progress work with immediate effect and to develop the agenda further.”

Items under discussion at the first meeting included the sub-regional economic strategy for Cheshire West and Chester Council which, by 2030, will bring an added £3bn in growth value to the local economy; the Anglesey Energy program, which in the mid-term will bring £2bn to the regional economy; the regeneration of Rhyl; and the Wrexham 483 industrial link road.

The business council will next meet in October and will focus on how to support towns and villages, from Holyhead to Northwich, which are in most need of economic assistance and regeneration.

“The chamber business council enables business leaders and public sector economic stakeholder leaders to come together and properly shape economic infrastructure.”

Managing Directors’ Forum news Key economic issues affecting North Wales were highlighted at the last meeting of the chamber’s Managing Directors’ Forum.

Addressing the meeting at the Quay Hotel, Deganwy, Dewi Davies, chief executive of the Tourism Partnership North Wales reviewed strategic issues considered critical to the future development of the area. He made particular reference to the spatial plan.

Following his address, the forum focused on the growing need for effective fibre optic services in more rural areas.

It was agreed that the forum should work proactively to persuade leading authorities and heads of private enterprise that it is vital for the region to keep up with advancing technology.

In addition it was agreed to campaign for a review of local authority control processes and planning enforcement procedures, which can currently cause lengthy delays to the progress of commercial projects. This is detrimental to the region’s competitiveness.

Education was felt to be invaluable in helping strengthen business links and potential economic growth. The forum advocates a system of offering mentoring support for regional business heads.

It would involve commercial leaders with a strong track record of success offering advice and practical skills development opportunities to local business owners and managers.

The forum then discussed the focus of the Chamber of Commerce, and the need to reinvigorate it as a leading voice for the region, better liaising with government and economic stakeholders.

It also discussed the role of the newlyformed Chamber Business Council.

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n NEWS

One successful patient is Brian Matthews, who has had both knees replaced simultaneously at the Clinic.

Mr Tony Smith undertook the two hour surgery as part of the rapid recovery programme.

This meant that the patient was back on his feet on the day of major surgery and in hospital for just four days.

A Maintenance Technician at APPE, a Wrexham-based European plastic bottles manufacturer, for more than 15 years Mr Matthews, 63, had suffered with knee pain for a number of years.

Knee Specialist Mr Tony Smith explains the procedure to patient Mr Brian Matthews of Wrexham, so he is fully aware of what will happen in the rapid recovery knee replacement process.

Pioneering knee surgery is recognised Mr Tony Smith, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Knee Specialist at the North Wales Knee Clinic in Spire Yale Hospital, and Sian Chandler, Matron, also of the hospital, have been nominated a finalists in the 2010 Independent Healthcare Awards.

The nomination, in the Innovation category, is for their pioneering work for patients in providing rapid-recovery knee replacement surgery, which began at the North Wales Knee Clinic, Spire Yale Hospital in Wrexham last year.

Following the introduction of the programme, Spire Yale Hospital has reduced the average length of stay in hospital following knee replacement from 5.5 days to just 2.7 days.

Some patients have been discharged safely as early as 24 hours following their operation and can usually resume driving within three to four weeks.

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Other successes have helped to establish rapid recovery as standard practice for patients having replacement surgery at the North Wales Knee Clinic.

The Independent Healthcare Awards exists to highlight the range of achievements within the independent health and care sector. Winners will be announced at a prestigious Gala Dinner to be held on 14 September at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel, London.

More than 95% of patients on the programme are happy to recommend their experience to others.

Mr Smith said, “We are delighted to have been nominated and are looking forward to September’s award presentation evening in London. We will be taking a team from the North Wales Knee Clinic at the Spire Yale Hospital, Wrexham, to celebrate the teamwork which has been crucial to the success of the programme.”

The first patient under the programme was admitted in June 2009 and was discharged within 72 hours of surgery.

Mr Smith has also been asked to advise the Department of Health in England and Wales about the new programme.

This worsened and he knew the time had come for replacement surgery, when he was struggling to walk.

Surprised that he could have both knees operated on at the same time, Mr Matthews opted for this, as it saved him six to nine months of recuperation.

He said: “My friends and family think it is amazing that I was up and about so quickly, having had both knees replaced at the same sitting. It is really great to be no longer restricted in what I do and to enjoy spending active time with my wife, my daughters and my granddaughter. I would recommend it to everyone and would be happy to go through it again, if the benefits were the same.”

Mr Smith said: “I am delighted with Mr Matthew’s excellent progress. He has done really well. The rapid recovery programme is very rewarding and represents a huge step forward for our patients requiring joint replacement surgery.

“Bilateral knee replacement is not suitable for everybody but for those with the right motivational and clinical attributes, it is safe, comfortable and extremely beneficial. Enhanced recovery enables patients to get back to normal activities more quickly, reduces both pain and potential post operative complications, such as deep vein thrombosis.”

For more information about the rapid recovery knee service, ring 01978 262 or see www.northwaleskneeclinic.co.uk

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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NEWS n

New Company Set to Clean Up Chester based Big Fresh Bins Ltd is set to provide a much needed solution to the problem of unhygienic commercial bins.

Operating throughout the North West, North Wales and nationally via their partner companies, Big Fresh Bins Ltd provides an on-site cleaning, disinfecting and deodorising service for commercial bins which can be tailored to individual business needs.

“With increasing legislation and focus on hygiene, commercial bin cleaning is now considered an important factor towards meeting the minimum standards for hygiene best practice and can benefit all businesses, regardless of size. Unhygienic bins cause untold damage to

company reputations and can put the health & safety of both customers and staff at risk.

Using our professional and cost effective service can significantly improve standards and minimise the negative impact that bins can have on businesses” says Director, Paul Chambers.

To discuss your organisations individual needs, call Freephone 0800 612 4884 or email: info@bigfreshbins.co.uk

Dilaps UK –regional and national expansion There is one side of the property business that booms in tough times, and that is the dilapidations business.

Landlords are pushed to maximise their portfolios and especially to enforce dilapidations liabilities against their Tenants. Tenants, on the other hand, want to minimise their outgoings.

Almost every commercial lease includes provisions that non-renewing Tenants are bound to put their premises back into good and substantial repair, unless they are protected by a schedule of condition, which states that they do not have to put the premises back at the end of the lease in any better condition than they found them.

One in every five properties is set for a fight between Landlord and Tenant every year. The professionals who handle these negotiations are Chartered Surveyors who enjoy a mix of skills, the first being Building Surveyors who cost works, the second being those same people who have dilapidations negotiation experience.

This has kick-started the meteoritic expansion of the fastest-growing surveying business in the UK. Thus Dilaps UK was formed with the intention of hiring a dilapidations specialist in every town in the country.

Already, 26 Managing Partners are up and running covering their own localities extending from Fife, Scotland through Mid-Yorkshire, West Cheshire and North Wales and throughout the country down to Portsmouth.

Lee Scott, Leeds Managing Partner, said: “Some of the Dilapidations issues have the potential of being both complex and lengthy projects.

It is my responsibility to provide the Client with immediate cost-savings measures and a long term strategy.

Paul Sheen, Chester Managing Partner, said: “All Dilaps UK Surveyors are Specialist in the field of Dilapidations. The Surveyors are “on site” understanding the local market in their area. For Tenants, they can easily ascertain the intentions of the Landlord – as an example, if a Landlord wants to develop he cannot pursue his dilapidations claim because there was no damage caused by the state in which the property is left.

Landlords with a portfolio across the UK can now be assessed in a matter of weeks instead of months.”

For further information please contact Paul Lande, Group Managing Director, Head Office. Tel: 0845 604 6233 www.dilapsuk.com Email: paul.lande@dilapsuk.com

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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n MONEYPENNY

RINGING THE CHANGES TO THE RECRUITMENT DILEMMA The recent economic slowdown has brought more than its fair share of challenges to British business and recent figures from the National Institute for Economic & Social Research show that times are likely to remain tough with the new government’s tax and spend plan expected to knock a further 0.4% off UK growth next year.

But is it all bad news? Maybe these tough times have forced many companies to sit up and take a closer look at their costs as well as the service they provide to clients.

One area of regular review is staffing costs and trying to balance how any cost savings in this area can negatively impact on a company’s customer service provision. Staff overheads however remain one of the biggest costs to business today, particularly when considering the additional associated expenses of holidays, sickness and NI to name just a few. Having higher staffing overheads can increase the business risk, but equally being understaffed can affect how a business performs, particularly when people are out of the office or tied up in meetings.

So what are the solutions? One possibility is to recruit temporary or agency staff to manage calls to cover holiday leave, but choosing the right person can be both time consuming and unproductive. In addition, there tends to be a high turnover in agency staff which means a lot of time spent briefing each new person or inefficiencies as telephone cover may only be needed for a couple of hours a day while in a meeting or working to achieve a deadline.

One solution that many companies are increasingly turning to is having their own dedicated remote or “outsourced PA”. This service is growing in popularity as it gives companies the flexibility to use it as much or as little as needed with costs structured to reflect the amount of use. The selected PA in turn gets to know the business as well as key clients and acts as like another office-based member of the team - but without the overheads.

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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MONEYPENNY n

We know clients wouldn’t entrust their calls to a stranger and that temporary staff or answer machines do not provide the high levels of customer service that are rightfully demanded. The thing that sets Moneypenny PAs apart is their ‘can do’ attitude and a desire to really understand a client’s business and their various needs.

Glenn Jackson, Managing Director of Moneypenny one of the UK’s leading providers of outsourced PA services, comments; “We know clients wouldn’t entrust their calls to a stranger and that temporary staff or answer machines do not provide the high levels of customer service that are rightfully demanded.

The thing that sets Moneypenny PAs apart is their ‘can do’ attitude and a desire to really understand a client’s business and their various needs.”

The process of outsourcing a company’s PA requirements is simple as each client is allocated a dedicated and fully briefed PA to be on hand whenever she is needed. Calls are automatically directed for her to handle as

and when needed and if she is already on the phone, one of her small team of 3 or 4 will take the call.

call and every opportunity is being captured whether the client is busy, out of the office or on holiday.”

Depending on a business’ requirements the Moneypenny PA can put calls through to an alternative office number or mobile and take messages which are forwarded immediately by email or SMS. Regular and VIP callers are recognised and greeted accordingly (they won’t be repeatedly asked for their contact details) and she will also filter unwanted calls and react exactly as needed if an urgent situation arises.

With continued economic uncertainty, one thing that remains consistent is that businesses need to continue to keep a careful watch on achieving the right balance between costs and service. While the recruitment dilemma remains central to this debate, a dedicated outsourced PA offers organisations a long or short term solution by providing an extension to their in-house team but without the associated overheads.

Glenn Jackson, surmises; “Having a dedicated and professional person to handle calls gives businesses the flexibility to get on with what they do best, safe in the knowledge that every

For more information on Moneypenny and the services it provides, call 08000 199 944 or visit www.moneypenny.co.uk.

CASE STUDY 3D Coaching 3D Coaching is an organisational and career development coaching company that employs more than ten people providing advice, training and group facilitation for individuals, corporates, public sector bodies and charities.

out at meetings or on holiday. I felt strongly that clients should be able to speak to someone other than an answer phone but wasn’t at the stage that I could justify the expense of a full time PA.”

Claire Pedrick Managing Director of 3D Coaching approached Moneypenny in 2003 as she needed phone cover for her company over the summer and felt that an answer phone service did not convey the professional and personable business she had created.

After trialling Moneypenny’s PA service for a week to see for herself how it would work and whether it would meet her requirements, Claire concludes; “My Moneypenny PA, Cathy, has been an integral member of my team from the very beginning and has helped me grow the business to the position it is in today.

She knows my business, answers calls and takes messages in a professional

Claire comments, “When I first started the company I was working alone so needed some form of cover when I was

and competent manner. She’ll happily call clients to rearrange meetings and takes the day to day pressure off me so I can focus on growing my business.

“Having such a service is incredible. It is cost effective, efficient and reliable.

It has helped give my company a more professional and larger feel from the outset without the cost implications of employing another member of staff.

Cathy is a real asset to us and although she is not based in the office we very much consider her part of the team.”

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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n BUSINESS NEWS

Encouragement despite tough time in the Dragon’s Den The managing director of motivational training company Tree of Knowledge says that coming away empty-handed from hit TV show Dragons’ Den has restored his faith in business.

Directors appeared on the popular BBC 2 show in August, asking the Dragons for £100,000 in return for a 10 per cent stake in their business as they seek to expand from their Dunfermline base in Scotland into the English market.

But, after more than two hours’ filming, they failed to clinch a deal after one Dragon said he’d be unhappy taking a big chunk of the business in return for his investment.

Managing director Gavin Oattes said: “Basically, what Duncan Bannatyne was saying was that we can get along fine without his money and without giving up a lot of equity in our firm,”

“We take tremendous encouragement from that, and the fact that Dragon Peter Jones said we were probably the best in our field he had ever seen.

The Dragons have a reputation for being ruthless and driving a hard bargain but they’re a bunch of softies really.”

Tree of Knowledge, which delivers motivational goods and services throughout the UK, work mainly in schools and wanted the Dragons’ help and investment as they prepare to attack the English education and corporate market.

One of the company’s key products is the Apodo, an oddly-shaped, multi-coloured, toolkit full of weird and wonderful materials designed for a range of interactive motivational activities. There’s an Apodo in every second school in Scotland and Tree of Knowledge wanted the Dragons’ support with a planned October launch of their Apodo for the business market.

The corporate Apodo features a mix of items, ranging from skipping ropes to a movie camera, for use in activities designed to motivate business bosses and their staff.

Specialists in delivering a bespoke HR service for SMEs. Contact us today on 01244 537304 for your free intial consultation and special rates for Chamber members.

E: Info@hrangelsconsultancy.co.uk W: www.hrangelsconsultancy.co.uk

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Mr Oattes, who appeared on the show with fellow director Alan Burton, from Dunfermline, said: “Getting the Dragons’ support for our corporate Apodo would have been fantastic. I am sure they would have opened a lot of doors for us.

“But ultimately they recognised that we don’t need their help for the price they’d be looking for. They could have tried to rip us off but didn’t and that’s restored our faith in business.”

Tree of Knowledge went to Dragons’ Den hoping to attract the support of entrepreneur Peter Jones, who has experience in the education sector south of the border.

After what’s been described as a “confident pitch”, the Tree of Knowledge duo persuaded four of the five Dragons – James Caan clearly wasn’t interested – to have a go at one of their motivational games, ‘Naughty Ropes’ which involved untangling skipping ropes. They laughed and joked their way through the exercise but Deborah Meaden then Theo Paphitis declared themselves out of the running as potential backers, followed by the negotiations with the remaining two Dragons which ultimately proved fruitless.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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BRANDALL NORTHWEST LTD n

Brandall Northwest Ltd

Richard Allsop – Managing Director

Brandall Northwest are specialist commercial cleaners based in Winsford, Cheshire and we are continually expanding our client base throughout the North West region.

With over 16 years experience and celebrating yet another year of continued growth, we have a reputation for delivering high quality cleaning services, on time and to specification at very competitive rates.

We encourage regular meetings with our clients to ensure continuity of service and to ensure that high standards are maintained. Weekly inspections are encouraged and all clients are asked to sign a customer satisfaction report.

Our commitment to our customers is of paramount importance to us and we like to think that our contracts are a `partnership` to improve and maintain cleaning and hygiene standards throughout their premises.

Having been established for a number of years we now deal with contracts for all types of businesses and we cover all aspects of cleaning.

Brandall Northwest Ltd.

In addition to office cleaning services we supply the following;

Winsford Industrial Estate

Our company is built on the principles of providing a high quality, reliable service.

Our customer portfolio continues to grow because of our constant drive to improve our service, quality and standards and most importantly listening to our customer.

Our excellent service has established our place in this industry. This allows us to make a distinctive and substantial impact for our clients.

We currently supply our services to a number of well known local companies. We believe in hands on management, good supervision of the cleaning staff and good working conditions.

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Window Cleaning Services Carpet Cleaning Services Computer Cleaning A full range of Janitorial products with guaranteed next day delivery Pest Control Feminine Hygiene PAT Testing High Level Cleaning

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For more information on our services, or to receive a FREE quote, please contact Vicky on 01606 556810 or email: sales@brandallnorthwest.co.uk

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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B O L E S W O RT H E S TAT E FIRST FOR R U R A L C O M M E R C I A L & R E S I D E N T I A L S PA C E TO LET

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COMMERCIAL Bolesworth Estate has 250,000sq ft of commercial space ranging from individual storage units to bespoke office buildings designed to your specification.

The flexibility of our commercial properties means they are perfect for any business large or small, as our wide variety of tenants have discovered. Sole traders, family businesses, SMEs and multi-national corporations are all thriving at Bolesworth, the place to do business in the heart of the countryside.

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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20 QUESTIONS n

20 Questions Interview Name: John Pitchford Job Title: Corporate Director Company: Barclays Corporate Chester & North Wales Lives: Cross Lanes Wrexham Q1.) What brings you to the industry?

I’ve been involved in banking now for 30 years and there were several factors influencing my decision to join Barclays. In my formative years as an A Level student, I was a keen cricketer, there was a role model in my club that worked for a bank. It seemed to be an interesting and exciting life with plenty of time to play cricket! I saw banking as linking in with my own values of wanting to help people, which still remains wholly relevant 30 years on!

Q2.) What advice would you give to anybody wanting to get in to this industry?

Do some research, find out if this is really what you want to do, work experience is a good way of gaining an insight. Work really hard on your education to get good academic results – even more relevant in the current climate. Engage with someone in the banking industry to act as a mentor.

Q3.) What is the most important thing you look for in a new recruit?

Passion and enthusiasm for the role – technical skills can be learnt but these traits are hard to develop if they aren’t present in the first place.

Strong work ethic. A genuine desire to help both customers and colleagues. Someone better than me – not difficult!

Q4.) If you could employ anybody from the world of Business who would it be and why?

Bearing in mind my last comment it would have to be Richard Branson for the following reasons: Visionary, People-focused – establishing a very good team around him. Determination – succeeded against all the odds both personally and in business by taking on the “big boys”.

A risk taker Q5.) As a business person, describe your three main qualities?

Empathetic – try to really appreciate the needs of my team, wouldn’t ask anyone to do anything that I wouldn’t do or have not done myself. Focused – driven to ensure that my team succeeds in all

areas. Make everyone in my team heroes not be one myself!

banking in North Wales and I aspire to do the job as well as he did!

Q6.) And your worst quality?

Q13.) What was your first job and the amount in your first pay packet?

Impatience – I sometimes can’t wait for things to happen and can get frustrated.

Q7.) What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

Personally being invited to join the “Barclays Academy”, which was for the top 20 Relationship Directors within Barclays, it involved bespoke training and mentoring, external qualifications, project work and helped shape my future career.

Q8.) What do you always carry with you to work?

A little black notebook!

I am not blessed with a terrific memory and I tend to forget about 90% of things that people tell me.

I attend a lot of meetings and events and I come across a lot of good points that I would either like to action or think about later, my notebook helps me to remember and implement these ideas.

Q9.) Would you say you live for work or work to live?

I actually had 3 jobs whilst studying for my A levels: Gardening £5 per week, Church Organist £25 per quarter, Supermarket Assistant £15 per week - I thought I was rich!

Q14.) If you could choose to work for any company in the world, which would it be and why?

Barclays!, at this stage I don’t think anyone else would put up with me!

Q15.) If you won the lottery would you retire?

No – although I would probably set up my own business in Scotland with self catering properties.

Q16.) Do you make time for lunch every day?

No – other than the occasional business lunch.

Q17.) What is a normal day for you?

Both – I don’t believe that the 2 are mutually exclusive, I spend so much time working that I have to enjoy it. If it got to the point where I wasn’t enjoying work then I’d start to look for a new job!

Leave home at around 6 am to get to the Colwyn Bay office, Emails and planning for the day until 9 am, Customer meetings throughout the day with Relationship Directors supporting them with business issues. Various meetings to attend in the evenings – networking, governship, treasurership, trade associations, etc.

Q10.) Who is the most famous person you have ever met – what were they like?

Q18.) If you could work in a completely different field, what would it be?

I recently met Terry Waite CBE – such an inspirational and humble person who has battled against the odds.

Business consultancy – unless I win the lottery!

Q11.) Who in your view is the media industry role model and why?

David Dimbleby, Question Time – my must see TV show of the week, he always seems to get the best out of his panel and has a good sense of humour.

Q12.) What is your biggest achievement?

Gaining the role of Corporate Director in Chester and North Wales. I took over from a real legend in

Q19.) If you could turn the clock back, what would you have changed about your business career?

Nothing, I love every minute of every day!

Q20.) What hobbies do you have?

Walking “Daisy” my Golden Retriever Photography Music – both playing and listening Reading.

Football – Season Ticket Holder at Shrewsbury Town with my daughter.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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For more information simply call us on: 01244 394 200 or email: info@obsidiangroup.net BM MAGAZINE 03.indd 14

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE n

Trade & Investment are able to assist all sizes of businesses in achieving their international ambitions. Small businesses are not always aware of their overseas potential, or of the wide range of assistance we can offer them at UK Trade & Investment, and we would urge companies in the region to get in touch with us to see how we can help.”

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall.

In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency.

In the North West the partnership is particularly strong with UKTI acting as the trade arm of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and operating a “Dual Key” agreement under which the NWDA provides additional funding and joint working to strengthen and support the range of services provided within agreed delivery plans and with a focus on regional priority sectors and markets.

Cracking the foreign market...

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), with its team of expert advisers located across the globe, can help you fulfill your international ambitions. It can assist you at all stages of the business planning cycle, from inception to completion.

Whether you’re a seasoned exporter or just beginning to expand overseas, talking to UKTI is one of the best moves your company can make.

Through a range of unique services, including participation at selected trade fairs, outward missions and providing bespoke market intelligence, we can help you crack foreign markets and get to grips quickly with overseas regulations and business practice.

Our North West International Trade Team

UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. In the North West the International Trade Team is managed under a single delivery contract by Chamberlink Ltd on behalf of North West Chambers of Commerce and aligned to the business support framework of Business Link North West. It can be contacted as shown below.

has over 35 International Trade Advisers, who can provide support tailored to your needs. An International Trade Adviser will provide professional advice on a range of our services, including financial subsidies, export documentation, contacts in overseas markets, overseas visits, e-commerce, export training and market research.

UK Trade & Investment Export Adviser Julie Greensword, “Overseas Trade is booming in the North West in a number of sectors, and UK

For more information about the range of UKTI services we can offer in the Northwest please contact our International Trade Centre on 0845 603 7053 or email info@uktinorthwest.co.uk

“Overseas Trade is booming in the North West in a number of sectors, and UK Trade & Investment are able to assist all sizes of businesses in achieving their international ambitions” Julie Greensword

UK Trade & Investment Export Adviser

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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n CHAMBER EVENTS | NETWORKING

September is a busy month here at the Chamber, we have lots going on there is plenty to look forward to.

There will be a “really useful” meeting held at Vale Royal Abbey on the 14th of September. These meetings are free to our members, and are designed to be a mix between a networking event and a seminar giving our members an opportunity to network and gain valuable information to help their business grow. There will also be two other breakfast events to be held across the region in the usual format.

Dates for your diary 14/09/2010

A Really Useful Meeting Vale Royal Abbey

Another exciting event to look out for is the Annual Dinner on the 24th of September to be held at the Grosvenor Hotel and Spa; which always proves to be a great event and a night to remember.

21/09/2010

Business Breakfast Wrexham

The Google Calendar has been updated to the end of November, giving you plenty of time to organize your diary if you want to come along and join in. So have a look and see what you fancy coming to.

24/09/2010

Annual Dinner

29/09/2010

Business Breakfast - Inglewood Manor

Our events program is constantly being reviewed and we want to offer the best possible service at the highest level of quality to our members, so keep checking the website as we hope in the future to expand our events portfolio further.

Chamber Go Kart Racing

Chamber Go Kart Racing.

The annual Chamber of Commerce Go Karting challenge was a success with over 60 people attending the evening. Kevin Curtis, Managing Director of DrivingMonitor (event sponsors) said, “We had a great turn out and everyone enjoyed the evening. We decided to provide some more ‘off track’ entertainment for drivers who were waiting for their next karting race, and the formula1 simulator and Scalextric challenge proved to be very popular.”

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Congratulations to Paddy Gill of PRS Telecom - who won the beer goggles Drunk Challenge, and to Kevin Tansworth from Bolesworth Estate Company who won the Formula 1 fastest lap challenge.

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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CHAMBER EVENTS | NETWORKING n

Meet your Weaver Vale MP Graham Evans at your very own “Question Time” The West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce is delighted to be joined by Graham Evans MP for a Question Time event on the 8th October 2010, 6.45pm - 9.00pm. Graham will be joined on the panel by Geoff Hope Terry, Chairman of the Weaver Valley Partnership Board.

Something’s happening in Mold!

The evening will be held in the grounds of the Vale Royal Abbey. www.vra.co.uk Vale Royal Abbey, Whitegate, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 2BA, further details will follow.

Questions and matters are urgently and expressly sought. If you want further information on this meeting or wish to register a question then please contact the Chamber directly on 01244 669988.

The Chamber, in association with the Mold Business Forum is holding a special event at the Beaufort Park Hotel, 3rd November 2010.

Chamber Annual Dinner The West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend the Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner. This year’s event will be held at one of Chester’s most prestigious venues, The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

Guest Speaker Helen Smith will present the details of the Chamber’s Training Portfolio and how this can best serve local business as well as discussing the “Art of Networking” This will be a great opportunity for local business people to meet, network and gain a real insight into the benefits of membership.

For further details please contact the team on 01244 669988

Friday 24th September 2010 Dress: Black Tie ad Cocktail Dresses Members Price £65+vat per person

Non Member Price £75+vat per person

To book please call 01244 669988 or email the events team at events@cepnwchamber.org.uk

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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You don’t need private medic insurance to get private treat at your local Spire hospital Did you know that you can get private treatment, when you want, without having private medical insurance?

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You can even choose your consultant and the times of your appointments and treatments.

Private self-pay treatment at Spire Yale Hospital Wrexham and Abergele Consulting Rooms lets you pay for medical treatment when you need it.

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edical reatment al

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n THE BIG INTERVIEW

BIG THE

INTERVIEW

James Crane

Managing Director Overbyte Interactive Limited

Preparing for the upturn as companies come out of recession For James Crane, establishing a business in Chester was a form of homecoming. Although the managing director of Overbyte Interactive Ltd grew up in Norwich, his wife Lou was born in Chester.

The couple met in the first year of James’ university course in Lancaster and after he graduated in 1996, they moved to her home town.

It was in Chester that James embarked on his business career, developing his belief that computer technology has to be a creative, as well as technical, process, and one that places as great an emphasis on content as it does on design.

Within a decade, having spent several years obtaining extensive experience with some big name companies, James and his business partner founded Overbyte Interactive in 2005.

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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THE BIG INTERVIEW n

The company specialises in providing high-end technical solutions for web and application builds for businesses and for James, his choice of career can be traced back his early years.

He said: “My interest in computers was sparked at school when I learned about computer programming. After university, I worked in various programming roles including as a senior developer producing in-house software for Bank of Scotland, Barclays and the Ministry of Defence.

“I also spent time developing web solution at McCann-Erickson. This is a world-leading agency and working there gave me a huge insight into the marketing and aesthetic feel for development.”

He has taken that into his work with Overbyte Interactive Ltd, whose clients come not just from the North West but across the UK and further afield. It currently employs four full-time staff and partners with a number of highly specialised companies who supply further services when required.

James said: “The purpose of the business when we set it up was to provide technical support to design and public relations agencies across the UK who were pitching for large web contracts but needed people to fulfil the technical aspect of the deployment. This continues to form a large part of our business and we have worked with large agencies.

“We also work with manufacturing companies to help them fulfil their corporate clients’ requirements. Through this, we produced systems for Asda to create an in-store ordering system, and with BT for whom we created a home-worker’s furniture ordering site.

“Although there has been a recession, we have never been busier. I feel we have done well because we are very proactive. I am member of BNI and became a member of the board of the Chamber, which has given me a real chance to connect with business in the area.

“As the company has matured and grown, we now have many clients with whom we deal directly, and this is an aspect of the business that we’re keen to grow. We have worked for some pretty demanding clients and that has meant delivering what we say we can do. I think to succeed you have to be able to achieve that. A lot of our business is repeat business.”

The team is also constantly thinking about the ever-changing nature of the Internet. For all a lot of the company’s work contains design, its team never loses sight of the fact that the task of a website, first and foremost, is to convey a message. That means ensuring that the site is easy to use.

James said: “We think about what functionality will benefit the user and the best way to present it. We believe that the Internet is primarily about information, so we tend to

focus first on what information will be displayed on what pages on a website and where things like menus will go.

“This leaves us with white pages with just textual information on but with no design. This approach allows clients to focus on the actual information that they are getting across rather than getting get too distracted too early by the design aspect. Once we’re happy that this is right, then we can start the design process.

“If you go back to the start of the Internet, initially it was about white pages down which you could scroll. As the Internet developed, people turned away from that kind of approach. However, we can see the sense in an approach that presents information in the best way possible. When the Internet was created it was about content and we believe that is still the case.

“That is not to say that there is not a place for design, because there is. The extent of that design depends on the nature of your website.

If you are promoting a film or launching a video game, for instance, then you need a site with a heavy design element.

“But a lot of sites do not require such heavy design elements. If you look at some of the most successful websites, like E-bay, they are not big on design because they are about content.

“However, we are flexible about the design approach and we work with some outstanding design companies.”

James is confident about the years to come as the country starts to emerge from recession.

To prepare for what he predicts will be a significant upturn in business, the company is currently re-branding and will be focusing much more on its core services.

James believes that five years after the company was created, the time is right to take stock of what is important to its future.

That includes Web development, Content management, E-commerce, Customer relationship management and Custom online applications. Another key part of its work is in Application development, including Non-webbased programming tasks and search engine optimisation and marketing, and helping businesses with placement of their material on Google.

James Crane

“We are very keen to expand and we feel the time is right to re-brand and focus much more on the core parts of the business”

James said: “We are very keen to expand and we feel the time is right to re-brand and focus much more on the core parts of the business.

“We have a lot of work on at the moment. My view is that if companies are prepared to invest in our kind of service during difficult times then what will they do when the situation improves? I really do think that it is going to explode and we are working hard to be ready for the upturn.”

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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n WREXHAM COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Wrexham - The Right Choice for Business

RV Shipping offer a comprehensive container, roll on/roll off (RORO) service and European haulage service, including any export & customs documentation.We are experienced in handling mobile cargo, out of gauge cargo, full container and trailer loads throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide.

Wrexham Industrial Estate provides the business with a unique opportunity to be ideally located to arrange shipping and export solutions for North West and North Wales businesses to worldwide destinations.

We pride ourselves on providing expert, excellent value solutions in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Wrexham’s business community consists of everything from small indigenous operations to major multi-nationals and world class companies, which have chosen to locate here. A great many organisations have made substantial investments in the area and the fact that they continue to thrive and maintain their commitment to Wrexham shows that, as a location, it provides a business environment in which they can prosper, flourish and feel confident enough to expand and re-invest.

Wrexham Council have a range of business premises to fulfill the needs of small prosperous organisations right up to the major plcs, from serviced office accommodation on the popular Wrexham Industrial Estate to low cost Warehousing and Industrial Units on LLay Industrial Estate and Whitegate.

Wrexham has long adopted a positive approach to Economic Development attracting new businesses to the area and helping companies grow and develop. This combined with a strong skilled local workforce and a location which provides rapid access to most UK population centres, gives us a Business Location which is accessible, diverse and which has and continues to attract many major investors such as

Ball Packaging, Hoya Lens, JCB, Kelloggs, Tetra Pak, Moneypenny and Avox.

RV Shipping decided to locate in one of Wrexham County Borough Councils serviced offices in 2009 and has developed as an organisation with a strong customer base. RV Shipping continues to develop it’s business and is confident that being located in Wrexham has had a part to play in this.

Our decision to locate in serviced accommodation on the popular Wrexham Industrial Estate has enabled the company to start on a firm footing and has fostered our growth and development, not only with superb accommodation but also with accesses to a team of dedicated Business Support professionals from Wrexham Councils Economic Development Department who are always on hand to provide advice and guidance, from identifying suitable premises through to supporting the business moving forward.

Matthew Pickering Managing Director - RV Shipping; T: 01978 660681 E: info@rvshipping.co.uk W: www.rvshipping.co.uk

If you are interested in locating your business in Wrexham, expanding a current operation or looking for suitable accommodation, contact us to discuss your project on 01978 667300.

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West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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CHAMBER TRAINING n

CAREERS WALES...WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS Careers Wales delivers free, impartial careers guidance for all ages.

We help employers to: Recruit young people Support their staff Get involved with preparing young people for the world of work

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The law firm for all people The past eighteen months have been the most challenging that local businesses have seen for a long time and never has there been a greater need for owners to protect the wealth they have acquired.

Advocates who can provide Higher Courts representation.

Potential damage to business wealth is undoubtedly more complex in the current financial climate. As businesses struggle to cope with late payments, cash flow difficulties, redundancies, employment tribunals, restructuring and refinancing, many owners are also facing family breakdowns as a consequence of business pressures.

A multi-disciplined practice that began in 1970, GHP Legal was formerly known as Gwilym Hughes & Partners. Since its inception, the firm has grown through amalgamation and progressive expansion.

As a result, the need for access to wider and more comprehensive legal services under one roof is at an all-time high.

GHP Legal is a local and regional firm that offers that all-encompassing service. Priding itself on collating the broader picture when dealing with a client’s affairs, the firm offers in-house services for private and business clients, and its personnel include a Barrister and Solicitor

Whether it is the issue of protecting assets against the burden of taxation and making provision for passing on wealth to dependents and loved ones, handling an employment dispute, or ironing out a shareholder agreement, GHP Legal’s private and commercial teams believe a co-ordinated approach is the key to success.

GHP Legal is led by nine partners and employs about 100 people, making it one of the largest and most highly-regarded law firms in North Wales, Mid Wales, Shropshire and the North West.

The firm has among its Partners, solicitors and other lawyers, representative members of a substantial number of professional Panels and Associations.

GHP Legal Managing Partner, Peter Butler, who is Vice-President of Chester & North Wales

Law Society, said: “Our reputation can be attributed to numerous close client relationships built over forty years, together with expertise in niche sectors and the careful attention to quality and personal service provided by all our departmental teams.

“Our client base has grown across both the private and commercial sectors because we offer across the board legal services and have developed a natural cross fertilisation of business between our different departments.

In many instances we have provided advice to several generations of the same family.

“We offer a wide range of specialist advice to a large number of private, commercial and institutional clients, working closely with them to address their immediate needs as well as helping them with their longer term personal, strategic and commercial goals.”

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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     

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     

  

          

   

  

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 

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   

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         

27/8/10 11:56:01

n DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

MARKET FORCES

By Mark Dixon, Principal Regeneration Manager, Denbighshire County Council Whilst most of the attention in the last twelve months has been focused on the investments being made in the coastal resorts, there’s a lot going on in the market towns of the region too.

One of the most exciting developments recently which really puts the Dee Valley on the world map together with the Statue of Liberty and the “rosered city” of Petra is the designation of the Llangollen Canal as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The designation covers the stretch of the canal from the Horseshoe Falls in Denbighshire across the Pontycysyllte Aqueduct in Wrexham County Borough to Gledrid Bridge in Shropshire.

The three local authorities involved are working with British Waterways and Tourism Partnership North Wales to ensure that the area gets the maximum economic benefit from this world class status.

Meanwhile, on the north side of the Horseshoe Pass, a new retail development is on the cards for the historic town of Denbigh in the Vale of Clwyd. Cathco are progressing a scheme on the site of the former Kwik Save store which will be anchored by a 50,000 sq ft TESCO food store and which will will also provide 75,000 sq ft of non-food retail units.

The town is also the home of Denbighshire’s largest industrial estate at Colomendy where Denbighshire County Council has recently completed a 6,000 sq ft development of office units to rent which have sweeping views across the vale towards the Clwydian Range.

The County Council has also renovated historic properties to provide rental units and one such property is Crown House which is a 16th century Listed timber framed building in the heart of the market town of Ruthin. Businesses choosing a character property like Crown House as their base don’t even need to give up the benefits of contemporary urban living because it has its own cafe on the ground floor where you can get a panini and skinny latte to go!

UNEDAU I’W GOSOD, SIR DDINBYCH UNITS TO LET, DENBIGHSHIRE UNEDAU / UNITS A8, A9 & A11 – TREM Y DYFFRYN Adeilad swyddfeydd newydd sbon wedi ei adeiladu’n arbennig ac a gwblhawyd yn 2008. Mae pob swyddfa â chegin fach a thoiledau hygyrch.

Rhwng 1350 - 1400 tr sg / 125 - 130 mtr sg

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SWYDDFA 1 – CROWN HOUSE Adeilad fframwaith coed o’r 16eg Ganrif wedi ei ailwampio yn 2005. Mae’r swyddfa â chegin fach a thoiled hygyrch.

Maint: 788 tr sg / 73 mtr sg

Brand new purpose built office accommodation completed in 2008. Each office with kitchenette and accessible WCs. Between 1350 - 1400 sq ft / 125 - 130 sq m

OFFICE 1 – CROWN HOUSE 16th Century timber frame building refurbished in 2005.

Office has kitchenette and accessible WC. Size: 788 sq ft / 73 sq m

Am fanylion pellach cysylltwch â: Julie Lavery - Swyddog Eiddo Busnes Ffôn: 01824 706824 Ebost: Julie.lavery@sirddinbych.gov.uk

For further details please contact: Julie Lavery - Business Property Officer Tel: 01824 706824 Email: Julie.lavery@denbighshire.gov.uk

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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27/8/10 11:56:03

CHAMBER TRAINING n

Learning occurs through wanting to do something new and innovative. The next stage is to try it out, and actually do it. After that we look for feedback on how well we have performed both formally and informally.

Finally we reflect on what we have learned, building it into our understanding of who we are, before moving onto the next level of learning.

It’s that first stage of wanting, which is the start of the learning process.

Without that desire, there can be no learning and no something new. This is just as relevant on a personal level, as it is within organisations. There will always need to be this level of wanting; otherwise we run the risk of becoming rigid, inflexible and unable to compete.

Business is volatile and highly competitive, so there has never been a better time to strengthen our innovative skills and learning abilities.

Innovation and learning should be a major part of our daily routine: inspiring others and seeking competitive advantage.

The Chamber trainers are happy to help you get closer to your goals.

Call us today to discuss how we can assist in taking your business to the next level. Tel: 01244 669988 or 07855 311393 email: training@cepnwchamber.org.uk

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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27/8/10 11:56:06

n PATRONS NEWS

The Chamber is proud to have the following organisations as its Patrons.

You can now find the details of all our Patrons on our new website. Follow the links to each of their home pages and find out more for yourself.

Chamber Patrons and Strategic Members Cheshire West and Chester Council The new unitary authority for Western Cheshire supports the Chamber as an element of its support for the region business community.

www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk DrivingMonitor DrivingMonitor helps organisations meet their duty of care obligations by managing employees who drive on company business. The company has been assessing drivers over the internet for the past 8 years and works with businesses from 5 employees to tens of thousands. With head offices near Chester, DrivingMonitor deploys its software all around the UK and also works with the DVLA to check employee driving licences.

DrivingMonitor is an innovative technology-based business that aims to use the internet more effectively and help organisations manage its driver risk and ultimately save money, reduce accidents and lower insurance premiums.

www.driving-monitor.com Hill Dickinson Lawyers Major international law firm based in Liverpool with branches in Chester, Manchester, London, Greece & Singapore. Hill Dickinson’s journey began in 1810 when it quickly established itself as a leading maritime law firm. Over our 200 years in practice, we have built a solid and enviable reputation amongst clients and wider business communities

www.hilldickinson.com West Cheshire College Leading suppliers of lifelong learning and business training solutions, with Campuses in Chester and Ellesmere Port. We combine the very highest standards of tuition and workbased skills development with a flexible and responsive approach - ensuring that all our learners can access opportunity and achieve their full potential. West Cheshire College is recognised as a key driver in the regeneration of the local area. Our excellent success rates, combined with significant on-going investment and forthcoming state-of-the-art build, demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest standards of service to our learners and key stakeholders

www.west-cheshire.ac.uk 30

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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27/8/10 11:56:11

MOVERS AND SHAKERS n

Affordable pictures that you’ll absolutely love, or you don’t pay...

Cheshire-based Paul Worpole is a creative photographer who takes dynamic portrait and product shots for promotional purposes – and because of his background in graphic design - he intuitively understands how to craft pictures for maximum impact, whether you’re looking simply to raise awareness or boost profits!

Recognising that value for money and peace of mind are paramount when you’re looking to book a photographer has prompted Paul to create an unbeatable offer: “Affordable pictures that you’ll absolutely love, or you don’t pay – and you even own the copyright!”.

See examples of Paul’s work and get his “Pic of the Week” by visiting www.paulworpole.com

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NMC DESIGN & PRINT – A TRULY UNIQUE DESIGN COMPANY

Unique is a much misused word these days but NMC is one enterprise to which it really does apply!

The NeuroMuscular Centre is a Registered Charity based in Winsford, Cheshire providing support for people with Muscular Dystrophy, an aggressive, incurable muscle wasting condition.

NMC Design+Print is a Social Enterprise with a difference. Like other graphic design and print companies we produce a wide range of products - logos - brochures - folders - leaflets - flyers business stationery - booklets - newsletters - promo materials roller banners all at competitive prices. The difference is that all our designers have Muscular Dystrophy and all our profits go towards the running costs of the Centre.

Co Ene

We supply many organisations including Cheshire East PCT, BAM Nuttal and Hope House Children’s Hospice with all their print and promotional requirements. We are happy to provide free, no obligation quotes.

With recent investment in on site digital printing, folding and binding we can offer you a full service with a faster delivery.

Our Sales Manager Alan Mottram is happy to visit you to discuss your needs, alternatively you are always welcome to visit the NMC and see at first hand the wonderful work we do here.

Alan can be contacted on 01606 863464 or Mobile 07714 701089.

Email: alan@nmcentre.com www.nmcentre.com

Just call us to quote!

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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Do you hold ISO 9001 certification?

If not, you could be missing out on valuable business contracts.

Increasingly, product and service specifiers are making ISO certification a requirement for Preferred Supplier Status or to tender for potentially lucrative public sector contracts. ISO in a Box and the web based ISO Activ are the simplest, most cost-effective and secure ways for an organisation to achieve this certification.

Why is ISO certification important to your business?

ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 form a suite of internationally recognised management standards. Once adopted, they add value to your business by providing the framework to run it in a highly organised and efficient manner.

They contribute to making the development, manufacturing and supply of products and services more efficient, safer and cleaner.

And, of course, certification can mean the difference between winning and losing an important, lucrative contract.

What are these standards?

ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised Quality Management Standard. The emphasis is on managing your processes and continually improving the way you run your business. It does not require you to change any of your operating procedures or do anything that isn’t good practice.

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised Environmental Management Standard. It actively controls the way your business manages its carbon footprint to protect the environment, prevent pollution and improve environmental performance.

OHSAS 18001 is a British Standard that sets out the requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System. This enables businesses to control risk, protect employees’ health and improve business performance.

Why use ISO in a Box and ISO Activ ?

These simple, logical and proven tools from Equas SmartPro guarantee ISO 9001 compliance to UKAS certification standard, as well as delivering the business control benefits ISO standards were designed for.

We offer: 4 Guaranteed ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS18001:2007 certification and compliance 4 Simple to use systems tailored for any business 4 To work to full certification by UKAS-accredited auditors 4 Continuous support during and after certification 4 Integration within your existing processes 4 Delivery of immediate business improvements We don’t believe you should change your processes to fit new management systems, but we do believe that systems should be built to fit your organisation. So the first thing we do is listen to you and identify what you need your system to deliver.

For more information and a free consultation with no obligation then contact your local Equas SmartPro consultant; David Maxwell, D C Maxwell Ltd, Ystablau, Bod Offa Farm Lane, Mynydd Isa, Flintshire, CH7 6RE

Tel: 01244 545296 Mob: 07876 447513 E-mail: d.maxwell@equas.co.uk Web site: www.isoinabox.co.uk

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NEW MEMBERS n

New Members Craxton Wood Hotel Parkgate Road Puddington CH66 9PB 08448799038 cassandra.forshaw@ macdonald-hotels.co.uk www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

Williams Birley Wealth Management LLP 6 Nicholas Street CHESTER CH1 2NX 01244 403300 aled.williams@sjpp.co.uk www.williamsbirley.co.uk

Owen Davenport Ltd Metropolitan Buildings 25 High Street Llangefni LL77 7NA 01248 724356 berwyn@owendeveonport.co.uk www.owendevenport.co.uk

Vision Express Wrexham 30 Hope Street WREXHAM LL11 BD 01159882167 nicole.wenden@visionexpress.com www.visionexpress.com

Arpadis UK Ltd The Meadows Church Road Dodleston Chester CH4 9NG 01244 661666

DTM Legal Archway House Station Road CHESTER CH1 3DR 01244 354800 www.dtmlegal.com Phoenix Energy Assesment Eddisbury Road Whitby ELLESMERE PORT CH66 2JT 0151 3244050 info@phoenixenergyassessment.com www.phoenixenergyassessment.com Cassidy & Ashton Cassidy House Station Road CHESTER CH1 3DW 01244402900 guyevans@cassidyashton.co.uk wwwcassidyashton.co.uk GHP Legal 26-30 Grosvenor Road WREXHAM LL11 1BU 01978 291456 nicola.thomas@ghplegal.co.uk www.ghplegal.co.uk ITER Research Rhianfa Bodfford LLANGEFNI LL77 7LJ 07590 766018 simon@iter-research.co.uk www.iter-research.co.uk

North West Consulting 2 Oak Bank Willington Road Willington TARPORLEY CW6 OND 01829 737006 mikefrancis @northwestconsulting.co.uk www.northwestconsulting.co.uk Wheelwash Ltd Woodford Park Industrial Estate WINSFORD CW7 2RB 01606 592044 sales@wheelwash.com www.wheelwash.com Clancy Connection Ltd 36 Stanley Park Drive CHESTER CH4 8PQ 01513480227 jo.clancy@clancyconnection.co.uk

Paul Worpole Photography 3 The Heywoods CHESTER CH2 2RA 07740076765 paul@paulworpole.com www.paulworpole.com Fourth Wall Limited Chapter House Hinderton Hall estate Chester High Road NESTON CH64 7TS 0151 353 7310 joe.moroney@fourthwallcreative.com www.fourthwallcreative.com Remploy Regent House Regent Street WREXHAM LL11 1PR 03004568055 grace.jackson@remploy.co.uk www.remploy.co.uk

For more information on chamber membership contact 01244669988 or visit www.cepnwchamber.org.uk Kate Julian 19 Corsey Road Wilmslow WILMSLOW SK9 5DU 07984649757 kate.julian@kjulian.co.uk

AMA Finance Ltd Hill Corner New Road Prestbury MACCLESFIELD SK10 4HT 01625 269104 aki@amafinance.co.uk www.amafinance.co.uk Ultima Media 43 Ethos Court CHESTER CH1 3AT 07525498527 chris.turton@ultimamediagrou.com www.ultimamediagroup.com Clwyd Welding Services Ltd Unit 6 Hawarden Industrial Park Manor Lane DEESIDE CH5 3PZ 01244 531667 clwydweld@aol.com www.cws-ltd.com Jets Basketball Club Ltd The Old School Guilden Sutton Lane CHESTER CH3 7EX 01244 302010 peter.hawkins@jetsbasketball.org.uk www.jetsbasketball.org.uk BTCV Enterprises Kelso House 13 Grosvenor Road WREXHAM LL11 1BS 01978 290 866 d.atlay@btcv.org.uk www.atlay@btcv.org.uk

Bargain Booze Windsor Road New Broughton WREXHAM LL11 6SU 01978758248 bj.pagan@virgin.net Dyesol Technium Optic Unit60 Fford William Morgan St Asaph Business Park ST. ASAPH Flintshire LL17 0JD 01745535175 Fifthday Ruby Ltd 24 Holford Moss Sandymoor RUNCORN Cheshire WA7 1GB 07968495995 Arrow Financial Services 46 Watergate Street CHESTER Cheshire CH1 2LA 01244 322330 Morris Fire & Safety Ltd Unit G1 Bank Top Industrial Estate St Martins OSWESTRY Shropshire SY10 7HB Job Gallery Regus House Herons Way Chester Busiess Park CHESTER Cheshire CH4 9QR 0844 5675001

Carluccio’s 38 Bridge Street CHESTER CH1 1NQ 01244 401 938 chester@camuccioss.com www. Carluccios.com Mary Murtagh Media 88 Forfar Road LIVERPOOL L13 8DX 07788 566030 marymutaghmedia@hotmail.co.uk

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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n MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Angela joins the team

Angela Airey

Sales executive Angela Airey has joined the sales and marketing team at The Chester Grosvenor and Spa. The 31-year-old from Oxton, Wirral, joined the five star venue earlier this month.

In her new role, Angela will be generating new business for the hotel including conferences, meetings and events.

Angela, a former pupil at Weatherhead High School, Wallasey, spent years working all over the UK as a professional dancer and entertainments manager before moving into hotel sales.

She said: “I’m looking forward to introducing more and more corporate clients to our ‘secret weapon’ - our state-of-the-art executive boardroom.

“Its video conferencing, plasma screens and individual laptop docking stations make it one of the best training venues in the north west.”

Angela will be clocking up 20,000 miles a year travelling the UK showcasing what The Chester Grosvenor and Spa has to offer.

Jo makes the connection

Jo Clancy, Director, Clancy Connection Ltd

A successful career of 19 years working within one of the UK’s largest banking organisations, the last 12 of which were spent designing and delivering development solutions.

Jo was responsible for the people development of all the Estate Agency branches in the North West which comprised of 40 branches and approximately 400 staff including Area Managers and Branch Managers.

Jo holds a CIPD Training Qualification and is a member of the Institute for Learning (IFL).

Jo’s vast experience in designing and delivering inspirational development programmes has enabled her to apply for and become an approved ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Provider.

In addition to the ILM Development Programmes Jo will also offer Bespoke Custom Built Development Programmes, Outplacement Services and Team Building workshops, For a no cost consultation contact Jo by phone or email: 07917 385257 Jo.clancy@clancyconnection.co.uk www.clancyconnection.co.uk

34

Watt works for David Kerr

David Kerr

David Kerr is the founder and Managing Director of Watt Works Consulting Ltd – a dynamic consulting, training and coaching organisation that specializes in helping individuals and organisations improve their performance.

David has nearly 20 years experience gained in senior consulting and board-level positions across the IT and management consulting sector.

As a former student of the worldrenowned management cyberneticist and systems thinker Stafford Beer, David has undertaken a large number of strategic reviews and performance improvement initiatives for organisations across the Telecoms, Pharmaceutical, Manufacturing, Education, Government, Charitable, Retail and Banking sectors.

He is adept at designing and delivering powerful business and IT change.

•

•

•

David is also an NLP Master Practitioner and NLP Trainer, facilitator, executive and business coach. He completed his AMBA accredited MBA in 2003 and has specific expertise in organisational diagnosis and improvement, change management, strategy creation, project management, business analysis, branding, marketing and business development.

Contact: david@watt-works.com or view http://www.watt-works.com

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Magazine

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Celebrating our

Fifth Year Universal Stars Incorporated

Intimate venues to stadium transformations, whatever your unique occasion we will produce a

dynamic backdrop for you!

• Manufacture • Hire • Installation www.universalstars.co.uk info@universalstars.co.uk Tel. +44 (01)1948 820878 Fax +44 (0)1948 820684 BM MAGAZINE 03.indd 35

27/8/10 11:56:51

CASH & CARRY MEMBERSHIP WAREHOUSE CLUB

JOIN THE CLUB

CHESTER

Join more than 58 MILLION PEOPLE who are already saving!

Costco is a membership warehouse club that sells a wide selection of top quality brand name merchandise at low warehouse prices.

Speciality departments include Fresh Deli and Produce, In-House Bakery and Butchery, Service Deli, Cafe, Tyre Centre, Opticians, Fine Wines, Beers and Spirits, Electrical Appliances and much much more!

Trade Membership If you are a bona fide business owner or manager or are self employed you qualify for Standard Trade Membership or Executive Trade Membership. You

need to provide evidence of trading in the form of a current business utility bill (electricity, gas, water) plus either a VAT Registration Certificate or two other pieces of business stationery (cheque, letterhead, invoice).

Standard Trade Members pay an annual fee of £20 (plus VAT) and this includes a free spouse card. Executive Trade Members pay an annual membership fee of £50 (plus VAT) for the primary cardholder and a free spouse card.

Executive members earn a 2% Reward on most purchases, up to a maximum of £400, and receive this in their renewal notice each year, to use against goods in the warehouse.

Costco Chester, Dunkirk Trading Estate, Chester Gates, Chester, CH1 6LT T: 01244 852 070 E: marketing119@costco.co.uk www.costco.co.uk

CAFÉ PASS

THIS VOUCHER ENTITLES THE BEARER TO A SNACK* FROM OUR CAFÉ *Snack comprises of Hot Dog & Soda, or Bakery product & Tea/Coffee Valid until 311210

Only available at Costco Chester Purchases may only be made once full membership is obtained.

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