inbusiness Northants Aug Sep 21

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inbusiness @NorthantsCoC

www.northants-chamber.co.uk

THE VOICE OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BUSINESS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

INNOVATION IN COMMUNICATION DBFB IS READY TO MEET YOUR BUSINESSES’ TECHNOLOGICAL NEEDS

NEWS: ENTER BUSINESS AWARDS SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH & SAFETY MEMBER ZONE: NEXT GENERATION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER

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INBUSINESS

CONTENTS inbusiness

8

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

BUSINESS REPORT

10

14

5

Business Awards are open for entries

6

Farm seeks sustainable solution

8

HR firm reaches milestone

10

Marketing firms deliver good news

11

Financial support for start-ups

13

Law firm ranks among best places to work

14

A royal visit for trio of Chamber members

16

Construction firm welcomes new staff

17

Fire and Rescue Service take on charity challenge

18

Policy Matters: Firms still face recruitment issues

20

Family firm is forging ahead

21

Driver celebrates 10 years at recycling business

22

Backing for tree planting project

23

Air Ambulance launches new helicopters

GOING GLOBAL 24

The common risks to businesses

ISSUE SPOTLIGHT 25

MANUFACTURING Anniversary for historic firm

30

HEALTH & SAFETY Training facilitates safe working from home

32

ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES Accountants launch probate service

23

TALKING BUSINESS 34

Simon Pickering, managing director at dbfb

TRAINING & EVENTS 36

The latest comprehensive list of Chamber training courses and events

MEMBER ZONE

39

39

Trainees progress to apprentices

40

Financial support for property projects

42

Member Profile: Kalpesh Bhayani, Bright & Beautiful Northampton

43

College gets green light for new degree

45

Next Generation, plus member benefits

46

The Chamber welcomes new members

The October/November 2021 issue of inbusiness will include features on: Growing Your Business, Corporate Christmas and Construction & Redevelopment The deadline for editorial submissions is: 12 August

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INBUSINESS

inbusiness

THE VOICE OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE BUSINESS

CONTACT DETAILS

VIEWPOINT

T: 01604 490490 NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Waterside House, 8 Waterside Way, Northampton NN4 7XD Editorial process managed by Ballyhoo PR EDITOR: Catherine Bontoft EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Katie Macdonald NEWS AND ARTICLES SHOULD BE SENT TO: inbusiness@northants-chamber.co.uk

PUBLISHED BY: Kemps Publishing Ltd Unit 8, The Courtyard, 707 Warwick Road, Solihull B91 3DA T: 0121 765 4144 W: www.kempspublishing.co.uk MANAGING EDITOR: Laura Blake DESIGNER: Lloyd Hollingworth ADVERTISING T: 0121 765 4144 E: jon.jones@kempspublishing.co.uk PRINTERS: Stephens & George Print Group FRONT COVER: Simon Pickering, dbfb See pages 34-35 COVER PHOTO: Jane Russell Photography ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE: inbusiness is a bi-monthly publication and digital magazine distributed to 6,000 Chamber members and key businesses in Northamptonshire.

The publication focuses on news and information about local companies and the initiatives and advice available to increase the prosperity of county firms. Northamptonshire Chamber welcomes newsworthy articles of business interest, giving preference to Chamber members. As editorial space is limited, inclusion cannot be guaranteed and the editor may amend or reject articles submitted.

FOLLOW NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER AT:

www.facebook.com/northamptonshire.chamber @NorthantsCoC

EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS ARE ON THE HORIZON After a long period of only delivering virtual events, we’re very excited about once again being able to start running face-to-face events.

The virtual networking events, forums, seminars and policy hour sessions we’ve run since the pandemic began have been a roaring success and allowed members to remain in the conversation when they needed us most.

Virtual events are here to stay but will be complemented with the return of face-to-face events which ultimately offers more value, more choice and more opportunities for members.

We were delighted to run a successful face-to-face event during our recent Chamber Men’s Health Week and are now looking forward to our Back2Business exhibition at Northampton Saints on 15 September. We’re also thrilled to have opened the entries for the Northamptonshire Business Awards 2021.

Other exciting developments include the announcement of the University of Northampton’s Centre for Sustainable Business Practises launching a new hub for corporate responsibility and sustainability as part of its aim to help businesses Build Back Better.

I’ve always known Northamptonshire is an entrepreneurial county, with many new businesses setting up on a monthly basis, so I’m also proud that the Chamber is supporting BIPC Northamptonshire with its recent Reset. Restart Small Business Grants programme.

The initiative was launched for start-up businesses and those with a business idea that required financial and business support. Following on from a Dragon’s Denstyle pitch, 19 successful local businesses each walked away with a £1,500 grant, a year’s free membership of Northamptonshire Chamber and ongoing support from BIPC Northamptonshire.

At Northamptonshire Chamber we’re committed to supporting local start-up businesses and our Start-Up Membership, launched in January, continues to be well received.

Finally, I’d like to encourage all Northamptonshire businesses to share your views with us through our Quarterly Economic Surveys (QES). The data helps us tremendously when we meet with local MPs and council leaders to discuss the development of local economic strategies and policies to promote and enhance enterprise.

Best wishes, Louise Wall Interim CEO, Northamptonshire Chamber

www.linkedin.com/company/northamptonshirechamber-of-commerce www.youtube.com/NorthantsChamber You can also follow our International Trade Team on Twitter: @NhntChambExport For further information on Northamptonshire Chamber call 01604 490490 or visit www.northants-chamber.co.uk inbusiness is produced on behalf of Northamptonshire Chamber by Kemps Publishing Ltd and is distributed without charge to all Chamber members and other leading businesses in Northamptonshire. The Chamber and the publisher are committed to achieving the highest quality standards. However, views expressed in the magazine are independent and while every care has been taken to ensure that the information it contains is accurate, neither Northamptonshire Chamber nor the publisher can accept any responsibility for any omission or inaccuracies that might arise.

PRIVACY NOTICE: Kemps Publishing Ltd process personal information for certain legitimate interest purposes, which includes the following: • To provide postal copies of this publication to Chamber members and Kemps' customers; and • To offer marketing and promotional opportunities within this publication to Chamber members and prospects.

Whenever we process data for these purposes, we always ensure we treat your Personal Data rights in high regard. If you wish to, you can visit www.kempspublishing.co.uk to view our full Privacy Notice and to learn more about our legitimate interests and your rights in this regard.

4 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

CHAMBER BUSINESS PARTNERS

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POLICY MATTERS

BUSINESS REPORT

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER keeps its members up to date with all the latest business news. Whether it’s through the pages of this magazine, via our website or by regular email updates, we will always endeavour to keep you in the picture and informed

BUSINESS AWARDS ENTRIES OPEN Firms across the county are being urged to enter the Northamptonshire Business Awards 2021.

The awards opened in June and organisations have until 5pm on 6 August to submit their entry and be in with the chance of being recognised as one of the very best performing firms in the county.

There are 11 awards up for grabs including two new awards – Best New Business Award and the New Normal Business Award which celebrates how firms have adapted to the challenges of the past year.

The event will also recognise the contribution charities make to our county with a live vote on the awards night to select the winner of the Charity of the Year Award.

Northamptonshire Chamber Group business development and membership manager Sunny Singh said: “We’re thrilled to have opened entries for the awards as we return to the new normal.

“We’d like to thank everyone involved, especially our sponsors, including Wilson Browne Solicitors who have been our headline sponsors since 2018.”

The other award categories are High Growth Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Family Business of the Year, International Trade Business of the Year, Customer Commitment Award, Workplace Wellbeing Award and Young Business Person of the Year.

The categories are sponsored by the University of Northampton, All Things Business, Square Media, ACS, UK Business Forums,

The team from Variohm Eurosensor celebrate at the last Northamptonshire Business Awards

‘WE’RE THRILLED TO HAVE OPENED ENTRIES FOR THE AWARDS AS WE RETURN TO THE NEW NORMAL’

Ellacotts, Learning and Skills Academy CIC, Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire, HR Solutions and The Health Hub. Wilson Browne Solicitors business development and marketing director Wayne Jenkins commented: “Wilson Browne Solicitors are excited to once more be the headline sponsor for the Northamptonshire Business Awards.

“The last year or so has been tough for everyone and Northamptonshire’s businesses

and entrepreneurs have shown their resilience and adaptability in an acutely challenging environment.

These awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise that, to celebrate success, and to pay tribute to the best in the county.”

The awards will culminate with an awards ceremony and dinner on 11 November 2021 at Park Inn Northampton.

Visit: www.northants-chamber.co.uk/awards

LOCAL RADIO STATION’S REFIT IS REVOLUTIONARY The studio of Northampton’s newest radio station has undergone a complete transformation thanks to a fellow Chamber member.

Revolution Radio 96.1FM has made its new home in the former Home Discount store in Abington Street with help from Kilsby Commercial Interiors (KCI) which has transformed the premises into a modern radio station equipped with two studios and a meeting room.

The exciting project was a full floor to ceiling transformation and included the introduction of glass partitioning, electrical sockets being moved, new carpet tiles being laid, sound block board walls being installed and the creation of a new shop front.

Revolution Radio managing director Chris Gregg said: “The project was completed on time and to budget in four weeks and we were very pleased with the excellent service from KCI. “Jon Kempster and the rest of the team at KCI shared our vision and excitement for the project and the results are stunning. It’s been great to be able to work with another Chamber member on this project which will enable us to do even more to support the business community.”

Jon added: “It was an absolute pleasure to complete this refurbishment for Chris and the team at Revolution Radio.

“We really enjoyed helping to transform a former shop in the heart of Northampton into their new radio station.”

Chris Gregg of Revolution Radio and Jon Kempster of KCI

To find out more about Revolution Radio visit www.revolutionradio.com To learn more about how KCI helps commercial and domestic clients, or to see more photos of the Revolution Radio refurbishment project, visit www.kilsbyinteriors.co.uk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 inbusiness 5

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BUSINESS REPORT

VERTICAL FARMING TAKES OFF An organisation which provides a sustainable solution to farming is working on an exciting project.

Syan Farms repurposes disused farms and turns them into vertical farms which grow crops in vertically stacked layers and use controlled-environment agriculture to produce quality food grown in a sustainable, environmentally-conscious way.

It has started work on a new large scale automated vertical farm in Northamptonshire and is creating a solar farm to help power the site.

The site already uses a closed loop system and aeroponics system to hugely reduce the amount of water traditional farming uses and is also in the process of installing rainwater harvesting tanks to further reduce its need for water.

Director Preyesh Patel said: “This is a really exciting time for us. As well as all the developments happening on site, we are also expanding our team.

“We’re thrilled to have recently welcomed our new research and development assistant Frankie Downes who has a background in sustainability and a passion for research.

“We've also started growing some microgreens and herbs in our research and development vertical farm and have started to supply local chefs with fresh locally grown greens.”

To ensure it is growing food in a sustainable, environmentally-conscious way, Syan Farms uses state-ofthe-art Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technology, which sets the ‘THIS IS temperature, light, and humidity within A REALLY each stack to create EXCITING TIME the perfect conditions for their FOR US’ crops. As a result, they can deliver delicious, nutrient-rich crops all year round.

Syan Farms are also pesticide and soil free which reduces degradation to the land and their controlled environment gives them complete traceability from seed to customer.

For further information about Syan Farms and to follow its social media accounts visit www.syanfarms.com

ACCREDITATION FOR FINANCIAL PLANNER A Northamptonshire-based financial planner is one of the best in his profession in the world.

Conor O’Sullivan, of O’Sullivan Financial Planning Ltd, is in the top 16% of his profession to have achieved Chartered Financial Planner status and is one of only five per cent who are also a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Conor, who is also a Northamptonshire Chamber board member, is now working towards achieving Certified Financial Planner status which is held by fewer than 1,000 advisers in the UK. Conor recently passed The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) Advanced Financial Planning Certificate.

Conor explained: “Only 22% of advisers pass this exam and only eight per cent pass the case study first time.

“Now that I’ve passed the exam, I’m working on the case study. I’m constantly developing and improving myself so I can improve the service I offer my clients. The Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) recognises it as the most desired and respected global certification for those seeking to show their commitment to

Syan Farms’ crops growing in its R&D Lab

Poppy Design Studio’s virtual tour

TAKE VIRTUAL TOUR OF DESIGN STUDIO Conor O’Sullivan

competent and ethical financial planning practice.

“I’ve also recently launched a new business focusing not on advice but on education as an additional service for my clients. Whereas O’Sullivan Financial Planning focusses on business owners and their goals, Money-Able is aimed at the employees of SMEs where business owners are looking to improve the financial well-being of their employees. This in turn generates happier employees and greater productivity.”

Visit: www.osullivanfp.co.uk

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Desborough-based Poppy Design Studio has launched a virtual tour of their Victoria Street studio with help from a fellow Chamber member.

The tour, created by Kyra Williams and her team at Firetree Visual Media, shows how Poppy Design Studio has adapted to Covid-19 and gives clients and visitors a 3D walk-through of their studio and quick links to further information about the business.

‘WE’RE HAPPY Having spent a year working from TO HAVE home, the creative team returned to RETURNED TO their studio full-time in May and hope OUR STUDIO the virtual tour helps clients AND BE BACK understand what they can expect when they visit the premises.

WHERE WE Poppy Design Studio head designer LOVE TO BE’ and director Marie Baker said: “Our creative space has been sorely missed during lockdown and we’re delighted to be able to show it to the world thanks to Kyra and her team. We’re happy to have returned to our studio and be back where we love to be.”

To take a tour of the Poppy Design Studio creative hub visit www.poppydesignstudio.com/our-studio

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BUSINESS REPORT

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BUSINESS REPORT

HR SOLUTIONS REACHES A MAJOR MILESTONE

New Workbridge gift shop

CHARITY SHOP HELPS ADULTS GAIN SKILLS A charity which helps adults in Northamptonshire with a learning disability, brain injury, mental illness or autism to gain work skills has launched its new shop and studio.

The Workbridge Shop and Studio was launched earlier this summer to provide a supported retail experience where service users can gain work skills and a gift shop that showcases bespoke items such as ceramics and wood turned items made by people with a range of mental health needs.

Helen Burdett-Wright, head of Workbridge, said: “Workbridge was established in 1980 by Michael Jones, of Michael Jones Jeweller, social worker Dorothy Davidson and healthcare professionals at St Andrew’s Healthcare.

“In 2017, Michael passed away, leaving widow Anne. It was Michael’s long-term aspiration for Workbridge to open a gift shop that would showcase the talents and skills of service users.

“Thanks to the continued support of Michael Jones Jeweller and the kind sponsorship of the Michael Jones Community Fund, we have been able to open the Workbridge Shop and Studio in a newly refurbished retail unit on the site of the Old Laundry in Bedford Road, Northampton.

“The bespoke pieces created by our service users are wonderful and we hope lots of people will support their efforts by visiting our new gift shop.”

The Workbridge Shop and Studio is open from 9am to 3pm on weekdays and from 9am to 3.30pm on Saturdays.

Visit: www.workbridge.org.uk

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An award-winning HR firm which is expanding rapidly across the East Midlands has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

When HR Solutions was first launched by Carol Ann Guilford in June 2001, outsourcing a firm’s human resources needs was a new concept. Since then, the company has continued to pave the way for outsourced HR by supporting SMEs with a full service offering from its head office in Kettering. It provides traditional HR, payroll, recruitment, HR administration and software services to more than 450 retained clients and last year launched a Health, Safety and Environment division.

Another major highlight in 2020 was its acquisition of successful Milton Keynes HR consultancy Crispin Rhodes Limited. This latest acquisition coincided with one of the firm’s busiest years as it supported clients with HR and Health & Safety advice around furlough, redundancies and back to work guidance following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.

L-R Angela Rhodes, Greg Guilford, Carol Ann Guilford and Sue Watson

Carol’s son Greg, who has been managing the business since 2014, said: “We put our clients at the heart of everything we do.

“Having a focus on service delivery has definitely seen us grow. There are clients that have been with us for many years, and in most cases have also introduced us to their colleagues.

“There have been so many incredible achievements over the past 20 years, but I’m extremely proud to have developed such a great team. They’ve really risen to the challenge of supporting our clients during an extremely tough 12 months.”

Visit: www.hrsolutions-uk.com

FIRM SHOWS OFF ETHICAL CREDENTIALS A multi-award winning company specialising in baby slings, carriers, maternity wear and associated baby products has pledged to continue to support UK manufacturers.

Amawrap was started by Shabs Kwofie in 2012 after she became a mother and turned to her own African and Indian ancestry for inspiration to create her own baby wrap.

The organisation has since grown into one of the most respected baby sling companies in the world and is proud that all its products – even down to its packaging – continue to be made in the UK. Shabs said: “All of our products are made in the Midlands by a long-established, family-owned manufacturer, who we have worked with for several years. Their team has as much passion for our products as we do, which ensures our slings are a premium, long-lasting product.

“Our 100% cotton carriers are made by adults operating in fair working conditions, so we can assure Amawrap customers they’re sourcing ethically made products while also minimising the carbon footprint of every baby sling purchased.

“These factors are at the heart of everything we do at Amawrap and while we may not be the biggest baby sling manufacturer in the business, we are proud to pledge that our focus is helping parent and baby bond, not margins.

“There are a number of new wrap brands entering the market using viscose brands imported from the Far East such as Tencel, Lyocell or Modal. However, our extensive research and experience keeps bringing us back to our luxurious 100% natural cotton wraps.”

Visit: www.amawrap.co.uk

‘WE CAN ASSURE AMAWRAP CUSTOMERS THEY’RE SOURCING ETHICALLY MADE PRODUCTS’

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BUSINESS REPORT

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BUSINESS REPORT

RALLYING CRY FOR MORE GOOD NEWS A massive 93% of people want to see more positive stories in the news, according to a survey carried out to mark National Positive Media Day. The survey, carried out by two Northamptonshire-based PR and marketing firms, also found 83% of people felt ‘uplifted and positive’ after reading, watching or hearing a good news story.

Despite this appetite for positive news, 71% of respondents said they felt the news has become more negative since the pandemic began.

The survey, which generated more than 300 responses, was created by fellow Northamptonshire Chamber members Jessica Pilkington, of Pilkington Communications, and Emma Speirs, of Ballyhoo PR. Jessica said: “We relish positive news, it makes us feel good, and yet people feel there’s less than ever before due to Covid-19. This is a timely reminder of the importance of positive stories in the press.”

Emma added: “As PR professionals we’re huge believers in the power of positive news stories, not only for those being featured but also those reading or listening to the news. We wanted to find out how people access news and how it impacts them from a health and wellbeing point of view too.”

To ensure positivity in the press continues the firms have enlisted fellow Chamber member Poppy Design Studio to design a new website: www.positivemediaday.co.uk

Amarjit Pawar

PROVIDING SANITARY WARE An exciting new project has been launched by a Community Interest Company that provides support and guidance for young people who are in, or are leaving, the care system in Northamptonshire and Peterborough.

Right Resolution CIC supports young people, aged between 16 and 24, with their employment, education and training needs. In addition, it runs projects that engage young people in social activities and skills development and this summer it has gone on to launch a sanitary ware scheme called the Jeevan Project.

Right Resolution CIC director Amarjit Pawar said: “We work hard as an organisation to continuously develop our projects and initiatives to ensure the needs of young people are met as holistically as possible.

“This is why we’ve launched the Jeevan Project – a sanitary ware scheme which aims to provide care leavers in Northampton with free access to products on a monthly basis.

“Figures released by Action Aid show young women miss at least one day a month of education, employment or training due to their cycle, and a lack of access to sanitary products increases the use of unsafe and unhygienic alternative methods. We want to tackle this issue and are on the lookout for donors and supporters who can help us develop this project further.”

Right Resolution CIC is keen to work with fellow Chamber members to raise awareness and provide more packages across the town to ensure the project continues.

Email: admin@rightresolutioncic.org

Anyone who has ideas or wants to get involved in the campaign can email info@positivemediaday.co.uk

‘THIS IS A TIMELY REMINDER OF THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE STORIES IN THE PRESS’

Emma Speirs and Jessica Pilkington

GROWTH LEADS TO EXPANSION A thriving accountancy firm has expanded its team and moved to new premises.

Rhoda Thomas Bookkeeping Legal cashiering services began trading in 2013 when Rhoda singlehandedly launched her business from her home.

Eight years on she now leads a team of three and has recently welcomed a new apprentice who is studying for his AAT with support from the rest of the team.

At the end of last year Rhoda also opened her new business premises at Plant House in Daventry.

Rhoda said: “Our business has grown significantly over the past eight years and today we work with clients across Northamptonshire and from further afield.

“We provide businesses with a bespoke service, tailored to their needs, which we can either deliver onsite or remotely.

“Many legal practices do not employ a full-time or part-time cashier, but instead acquire these services on an ad-hoc basis so we offer a bespoke cashiering service to suit their requirements.”

As a professional cashier, Rhoda keeps up to date with all the changes to the Solicitors Accounts rules, to ensure her clients remain fully compliant.

Having worked in the legal accounting profession for several years, Rhoda understands the SAR rules and

10 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

Rhoda Thomas with apprentice Tom Kempster

compliance procedures and how a cashier’s office works. Rhoda can help clients to streamline their procedures so they are both fully compliant and efficient.

To learn more about Rhoda Thomas Bookkeeping visit www.rhodathomasbookkeeping.co.uk

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BUSINESS REPORT DOUBLE WIN FOR SOLICITORS

SUPPORT FOR START-UPS Nearly 20 new start-ups have received an incredible range of business support after impressing judges in a Dragon’s Den-type event.

The Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire (BIPC) received more than 150 applications when it invited entrepreneurs to bid for small business grants.

Thirty-four entrepreneurs were shortlisted and asked to give a presentation on their new start-up business to The Small Business Grants panel which consisted of the BIPC Northamptonshire team and representatives from Northamptonshire Chamber and Building Business Consultancy. After several days of presentations, the shortlist was narrowed down to 19 winners which have received a £1,500 grant for business expenses, a year's free Northamptonshire Chamber membership, ongoing free business support from BIPC Northamptonshire and promotional profiling support.

The winners are: Attain Coaching - Cate Gregory; Career Catapult - Esther Greenwood & James Gage; Form Five Group - Matthew Abraham & Matthew Kemshed; Goldings Communications Ltd - Kim Hughes; Jolibi - Agi Brodzinski; Kirsch Home - Rebecca Kirsch; Knight Shift Virtual Assistant Services - Laurie Knight; Lacerta Design - Rhiannon Griffiths; Made for Belle & Friends - Lorna Chamberlain; Personal Strengths Coaching - Nicola Jackson; Pieces Academy - Kiran Tehara; Saints Coffee - Ben Francoise; Serengeti Spirits - Alex Wright; Simply Ngo Ltd - Ngozi Kemjika; Word Window - Kate McKenzie; The Boxed Bakery - Laura Conroy; Topstitch UK - Jo Griffiths; Wildflowers - Ali Mitchell; YooKanToo - Kellie Ceccarelli.

For more information about the winners visit www.bipcnorthamptonshire.co.uk

The team at Wilson Browne Solicitors is enjoying double celebrations after it picked up two top honours at the county’s most prestigious law awards.

For the past couple of years, the Northamptonshire Law Society Law Firm Of The Year Award has had its home at Wilson Browne Solicitors and they were thrilled to receive it for the third successive year at this summer’s ceremony.

The award recognises a number of things such as client care, staff welfare and development, growth in reputation and especially importantly work and investment in the community.

The firm was also thrilled to see Jamie Christie win Junior Lawyer Of The Year.

Jamie started working for Wilson Browne Solicitors as an office junior and quickly showed his potential. Many of Jamie’s clients have contacted the firm to show their gratitude for his help, and Jamie has also become a Dementia Champion for the firm. His award is a fantastic reflection of his hard work.

Visit: www.wilsonbrowne.co.uk

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BUSINESS REPORT ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Quality Assessment and Qualification Framework (QAQF) ‘Alone you carve your own path BUT together we provoke the difference in shaping your future’ AQF is an innovative training organisation, helping health professionals across the globe to meet overseas standards to obtain their licence to operate in countries like the UK, Canada, New Zealand, USA and Australia.

We started amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and had no idea that the impact of this would make our project so important, with organisations such as private care, nursing, residential and hospitals all benefitting from our services.

Since last year we have trained and placed over 100 overseas nurses across the UK (London, Plymouth, Cornwall, Croydon, Lancaster and Harrogate).

Our blended training took place on our eLearning platform and our face-to-face practical training is conducted at Crowne Plaza Hotel in London.

Recently we have trained over 50 overseas nurses for their OSCE Exam. During their training, we also conducted a welfare assessment to measure their level of wellbeing.

A significant number of the trainees were very appreciative of how their employers have treated them. They were also grateful that they were given the greatest opportunity to serve during this challenging time. Lots of them have left their friends and family back home to dedicate their lives to caring residents and patients in the UK.

Q

Testimonials Cynthia Kaguah, from Ghana, says that she is so fortunate that she recently secured her NMC PIN and is now a qualified nurse.

Kelsy Manyi Nijiwaji, from Cameroon, says this country has given her a unique identity and she wants to dedicate her career to the residents in her Care home in Lancaster.

She passed the OSCE exam in June.

Anu Tamang, from Nepal, is willing to give whatever it takes to make a resident smile in Croydon London.

Alisha Baidhya, from Nepal, finds the UK to be an amazing place to learn more on how to improve her talents. She is a preregistered nurse in Doncaster.

12 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

All of these nurses are overseas qualified health professional and have a lot of experience to share here in the Care sector – however working with the elderly, dementia and challenging behaviour residents was, for most of them, a first-time experience.

Nonetheless, within a short period of time they have quickly learned how to navigate and adapt in the care sector, keeping all the standards and regulations in place. Indeed, they are fast learners.

Over 100,000 health professionals are needed in the UK market and QAQF endeavours to train a huge number of overseas candidates to the UK standard so as to feed the needs of the market shortage. We train them to adapt swiftly to the job market.

We closely work with many employers in the health sector to fulfil their needs, as well as to bridge the gap between the candidates and the requisite skills, so that we can reduce the shortage of labour efficiently, not only in the UK but in other countries such as New Zealand and Canada.

Together we empower people and communities to thrive through education, innovation, and experiences.

To find out more about the full range of courses available please contact us on Tel: 07856592518 Email: info@qaqf.co.uk or visit: www.qaqf.co.uk

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BUSINESS REPORT

LAW FIRM RANKS AMONG THE BEST PLACES TO WORK Leading law firm Howes Percival has been ranked in the ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list for the second year running.

The list celebrates excellence in workplace engagement and is widely acknowledged as the most searching and extensive research into employee engagement carried out in the UK. Lists are compiled based on employee opinions on how the company supports wellbeing in the workplace, gives something back to society, shows strong leadership and teamwork, provides opportunities for personal growth and offers fair pay and benefits. Only the organisations with the highest level of overall employee engagement qualify for the list.

Howes Percival was ranked 72nd in the UK's 100 Best Large Companies to ‘NURTURING Work For category. The firm achieved AND DEVELOPING a two-star Best Companies accreditation, which is given to OUR PEOPLE IS A organisations with an ‘outstanding' LONG-STANDING this opportunity to thank commitment to workplace VALUE’ everyone at Howes Percival for engagement. In addition, Howes their hard work and dedication in Percival ranked fifth in the Top 20 Best what has been an exceptional year.

Law Firms to Work For 2021 list.

"Nurturing and developing our people Howes Percival’s chairperson Geraint is a long-standing value.”

Davies (pictured) said: “We’re delighted to have once again, been recognised as one of the UK's best Visit: www.howespercival.com employers. The award is based on employee opinions - which makes it very special indeed. I'd like to take

NEW SITE FOR WALKERPACK A leading provider of warehousebased added value services has added a new site to its property portfolio.

Walkerpack’s portfolio now includes Lilliput 133 - a modern 133,000sq ft self-contained, warehouse on the Brackmills Industrial Estate in Northampton.

The secure six-acre site will increase the firm’s operational capacity for warehousing, contract packing, fulfilment, manufacturing and distribution and will allow it to provide an even better service to its customers.

The facility boasts an impressive 3,500 racked pallet storage locations, more than 80,000sq ft of operation space, ground level and dock loading doors, modern offices, more than 100 car parking spaces and yard areas for HGVs. Sales director Steve Tiley said: “The third-party logistics industry has seen rapid expansion in recent years and demand for warehousing is expected to continue to grow throughout 2021. Increasing our capacity was an essential step for our business growth strategy.”

For further information call Steve on 01604 760529 or email sales@walkerpack.co.uk

ACTIVITIES CELEBRATING THE VALUE OF UNPAID CARERS The team at the trading arm of The Salvation Army pulled together a series of activities as part of a nationwide campaign that celebrated the vital contribution make by the UK’s unpaid carers.

The Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) ran activities, coordinated a series of announcements and shared information with their employees to mark Carers Week in June.

The event came on the back of the company introducing a new carers resource on its colleague intranet earlier this year, and was organised by SATCoL marketing coordinator, Jey Sharman who is also a carer.

Jey said: “Being a carer can be extremely challenging and I’m so thankful for the support I receive from SATCoL and that they gave me the opportunity to organise Carers Week.

“It was a really busy week and included an intranet take over with colleagues sharing their personal carer journeys. We also updated our carer resource section with more information, held an online discussion with Northamptonshire Carers and delivered wellbeing packages to our carers across the company.”

To find out about Carers Week visit: www.carersweek.org or to learn about Salvation Army Trading Company visit: www.satradingco.org/ AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 inbusiness 13

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BUSINESS REPORT Three Northamptonshire Chamber members were honoured with a visit from The Princess Royal during her recent trip to the county. We caught up with Bambino Mio, Scott Bader and Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara and the Sikh Community Centre and Youth Club (SCCYC) to find out about their royal visits.

SCCYC WELCOMES PRINCESS ANNE HRH The Princess Royal began her trip to the county by officially opening Siri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara and the Sikh Community Centre and Youth Club (SCCYC) in St James, Northampton.

HRH The Princess Royal was shown around the new Gurdwara and Community Centre on St James Mill Road, including the new museum which will be used for educational visits, before unveiling their plaques.

She was also introduced to the SCCYC management committee, staff and its hot food and food bank volunteers.

The organisation was put forward for the visit by the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire after it won the ‘Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – MBE for Volunteer Groups’ last year, for the substantial voluntary contribution it has made to supporting people in Northampton for over 40 years.

Trustee Amarjit Singh Atwal said: “I’m delighted our organisations have been recognised with the highest award for voluntary services and we were thrilled to welcome HRH The Princess Royal.

“Although we’re a small community, through the commitment and dedication of our volunteers we offer a lot of services across Northampton.

I pay tribute to the hard work and commitment of our past and present volunteers whose selfless efforts have led to this award and recognition.”

During her visit, HRH The Princess Royal also met another Chamber member, Parm Bhangal, of Bhangals Construction Consultants, who provided voluntary quantity surveying services for the new Waterside Connect building project.

For further information about SCCYC visit www.watersideconnect.com To volunteer or donate, contact development manager Pindy Kaur at pindy@watersideconnect.com or on 07770 088568.

Parm Bhangal, of fellow Chamber member Bhangals Construction Consultants, and other professional volunteers who supported SCCYC to achieve the building project, meet HRH The Princess Royal

VISIT A ‘PRIVILEGE’ FOR SCOTT BADER

The Princess Royal in conversation outside the Ernest Bader Technical Centre

The Princess Royal in front of Scott Bader colleagues

14 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

HRH The Princess Royal joined employees at Scott Bader’s UK headquarters in Wollaston to commemorate the firm’s centenary.

The Princess Royal toured its former manor house, called the Hall, that serves as Scott Bader’s head office and is set in beautiful gardens alongside state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and a busy manufacturing plant.

The global chemical manufacturer is an employeeowned organisation and is also celebrating the 70th anniversary of founder Ernest Bader and wife Dora Scott gifting the company to their employees to form the Scott Bader Commonwealth.

The Princess Royal visited the Commonwealth Centre, used by the business and the local community, to learn more about the Scott Bader Commonwealth and the charity fundraising and volunteering activities employees around the world participate in.

The Princess Royal was introduced to Godric Bader, life president of the Scott Bader

Commonwealth and his daughter Hansi Manning who is a Scott Bader guardian trustee representing the Bader family.

The Princess Royal was accompanied throughout her visit

by CEO Kevin Matthews, who said: “We’re privileged and honoured to have welcomed Her Royal Highness to Scott Bader.

“My colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and discussing our roles in this unique organisation.

As we continue our centenary celebrations, we can all look back on this visit with pride and gratitude.”

The Princess Royal also unveiled a plaque commemorating Scott Bader’s centenary and initiated the burial of the Scott Bader Centenary time capsule which contains employee aspirations for Scott Bader and will be reopened in 2036.

As a memento, Scott Bader’s new centenary book, detailing Scott Bader’s rich history, was presented to The Princess Royal.

Visit: www.scottbader.com

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BUSINESS REPORT

ROYAL VISITOR DELIVERS AWARD HRH The Princess Royal made a special visit to Bambino Mio to present the reusable nappy experts with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, and officially open its new headquarters.

The Princess Royal was welcomed by the Bambino Mio team, who shared insights on business growth and their purpose-led mission work.

A small awards presentation was held outdoors, where Bambino Mio’s founder and managing director, Guy Schanschieff, received The Queen’s Award for International Trade.

This held personal significance for Guy, as 10 years ago he was presented with an MBE by The Princess Royal, for his services to business.

Guy said: “This is yet another accolade which proves that the purposeful work we’re doing at Bambino Mio is genuinely driving a positive change within the reusable baby product category.”

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise celebrates business

excellence across the UK and recognises outstanding international growth and Bambino Mio’s ongoing efforts to make reusable nappies and associated sustainable products commercially acceptable and available worldwide.

Bambino Mio is one of just 220 organisations to be recognised with this award.

The Princess Royal also unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of Bambino Mio’s new headquarters in Northamptonshire which underwent significant expansion in 2020.

Throughout the past decade, Bambino Mio has reported positive uplifts in sales of reusable nappies and associate products on an international scale.

More and more parents are ditching damaging, disposable nappies and are committing to reusable nappies and other ecofriendly alternatives.

HRH Princess Anne visits the warehouse

HRH Princess Anne during the tour

Visit: www.bambinomio.com

E: info@linkbusinessfinance.co.uk W: linkbusinessfinance.co.uk

HRH Princess Anne with founders Jo and Guy Schanschieff

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BUSINESS REPORT

FOUR NEW FACES AT BHANGALS Award-winning construction Two of the new recruits, consultancy, Bhangals client service administrator Construction Consultants, is Scarlet Price and trainee expanding with the appointment estimator Joe Reynolds of four new members of staff.

The new recruits include two trainee estimators, a client service administrator, and a social media executive.

Parm Bhangal, managing director at Bhangals Construction Consultants, started the business in his bedroom at the age of 22 after completing a degree in quantity surveying. It now boasts two offices – one in Northampton and one in London – and 20 members of staff.

Six years ago, he also launched a sister company called My Build Estimate which offers an estimating service to contractors.

‘WE LOOK The new estimators FORWARD TO have been brought in WELCOMING to help manage the growing demand for THESE NEW estimating services.

RECRUITS AND They will carry out WORKING daily duties, such as changing our TOGETHER’ estimating, liaising with recruitment model clients and suppliers, to employ two reviewing documents and junior estimators at a assisting quantity surveyors. time, we have a buddy “Recruiting estimators has system in place that boosts training historically been a challenge for us,” and increases performance. The said Parm. “We found that through client service administrator will

support the sales team and the social media executive will be tasked with looking after the evergrowing Bhangals Construction Consultants social media platforms.

“We are absolutely delighted that our team is continuing to grow. We look forward to welcoming these

new recruits and working together to provide the best possible service.”

For more information about Bhangals Construction Services visit www.bhangals.co.uk or call 01604 871806.

PUBLISHERS COME TOGETHER IN MERGER

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING AN LPA One of the county’s most respected will writers is trying to raise awareness among company directors about the importance of having a business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).

Simon Bonanno launched Nene Legal in 2017 and has received nothing but five-star reviews on Google, and Facebook as well as winning the Bark Customer Service award from clients since he started trading.

However, after working with hundreds of clients he has found many company owners and directors are potentially putting the future of their business at risk because they have failed to put in place a business LPA. Simon said: “It’s now more important than ever to have a

business LPA in place. Very few businesses consider the consequences of what could happen to their business, should, they or their fellow directors lose mental capacity through accident or illness.

“Should you lose capacity with no legal plan in place the impact on your customers and your business could be huge. Business bank accounts may be frozen by your bank, leaving staff wages unable to be paid and contracts unfulfilled until proper arrangements can be made. All this can be avoided if company owners and directors make sure there is a business LPA in place.”

Visit: nenelegal.co.uk/lastingpower-attorney-business

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Two of the leading publishing businesses in Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire have joined forces to create a new ‘print powerhouse’.

Lunar Publishing Ltd produces the monthly NN Pulse and MK Pulse lifestyle magazines and also relaunched the well-respected Business Times in Northamptonshire earlier this year.

Now it has acquired the Business MK and Business2Business titles, to create an unrivalled portfolio.

The publications are committed to high-quality news, picture, and feature coverage.

“When the opportunity arose to acquire Business MK and Business2Business newspapers, it was one too good to miss,” said Lunar Publishing director Kerry Lewis Stevenson.

“They are both titles that are well respected, trusted and have been at the heart of the business community for more than 20 years.

“To amalgamate them into our publishing portfolio will be to the benefit of all five titles, as well as the business and wider communities they serve.”

Both titles - Business MK and Business2Business - returned to print in May, having been published in digital form only since the first lockdown last year. The move has been greeted with a surge in subscription requests.

To find out more contact sales director Martin Lewis-Stevenson at martin@business-times.co.uk.

Send your Northamptonshire business news to news@businesstimes.co.uk or your Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire news to news@businessmk.co.uk

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BUSINESS REPORT

TEAM TAKES ON GRUELLING TASK Members of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) will take on firefighters from across the country at the British Firefighters Challenge in October.

Around 250 firefighters will take on the gruelling challenge at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh which will test their strength, skill and speed.

Dean Keeber, firefighter at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The British Firefighters Challenge raises vital funds for the Firefighters’ Charity.

“Those taking part in the challenge will go head-to-head over an obstacle course that replicates some of the ‘real-life’ skills a firefighter needs to carry out his or her everyday job. It includes sprinting up six flights of stairs, running out a hose reel and rolling it back up, as well as moving a 70kg dummy across 50m, all within six minutes and while wearing full PPE.” Representing Northamptonshire are group manager Stef Douglas, training instructor Bec Meachin, firefighters Dean Keeber, Lee Brown, Paul Webb and Aaron Childs and on-call firefighters Sarah Damani and Ben Wilkie.

Anyone who wants to find out more, or support their local firefighters, should visit www.northantsfire.gov.uk/bfc NFRS works closely with businesses across the county to ensure they have robust fire safety plans in place. Its Protection Team is available to assist with all aspects of fire safety plans and can help business owners Bec Meachin and fulfil their legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Dean Keeber (inset) undertaking the British Call: 01604 797000 Firefighters Challenge

HELP TO MANAGE UNCONSCIOUS BIAS A renowned local recruitment services company has released three free training courses on unconscious bias in the workplace.

The trio of sessions, offered by hireful, are made from similar content but targeted to different audiences. Challenging Unconscious Bias in the Workplace is designed for all staff to complete. This is supported by Challenging Unconscious Bias in the Workplace For Managers and Minimising The Role Of Unconscious Bias in Your Recruitment Process, which both cover all the chapters listed in the original course but with additional chapters designed for managers, HR users or recruiters.

Director Sean Maher said: “In recent years, specifically 2020, we saw diversity and inclusion become a focal point across the world.

“In hireful’s spirit of being ‘the UK’s most helpful recruitment company’ we wanted to give organisations the opportunity to learn more about the influence their unconscious bias can have on their decision making, and how to minimise their bias in the workplace.”

Visit: academy.hireful.co.uk/courses

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BUSINESS REPORT

POLICY MATTERS

The Chamber represents your views to the people who matter

RECRUITMENT IS STILL AN ISSUE Business leaders in Northamptonshire have welcomed a fall in unemployment but some companies in a variety of sectors are facing a ‘THE LOGISTICS recruitment headache.

INDUSTRY IS We saw EXPERIENCING A unemployment drop HUGE VOLUME from 4.8% to 4.7% in the three months up INCREASE’ to April as the economy was slowly starting to reopen. With the end of the furlough scheme looming we could see an uptick in unemployment but we know that some areas of the economy are desperate to recruit.

The feedback the Chamber is the reopening of the economy has getting from business is that the brought. logistics industry is experiencing a It’s been a combination of huge volume increase and that is Covid-19 and Brexit that has led to leading to capacity issues and the shortage for those sectors. delays in getting products out to Some people have found new businesses. industries while the hospitality Both the logistics sector and sector was closed down while the hospitality sector have been many EU workers have returned clear they need to recruit to be home. It’s absolutely vital now that able to meet the demands that businesses are supported in

The logistics sector needs to recruit to be able to meet the demands that the reopening of the economy has brought

finding and training new staff to help them make the most of the full reopening of the economy.

A recent survey from the British Chambers of Commerce underlined there isn’t going to be a one size fits all approach as people return to work. There’s no doubt businesses and their employees across the region have adapted incredibly well to the past

15 months and it may mean a hybrid of home and remote working with a return to the office but, again, it’s going to require some flexibility as the economy starts to rebuild.

What we really want to see even more of is people getting out and using local businesses as much as possible, while abiding by any Covid-19 rules that may be in place.

HELPING BUSINESSES MANAGE THEIR CASHFLOW AS THEY START TO REOPEN Cash is king – how businesses can take control of their outgoings The impacts of the pandemic will be felt well into the future but for now, businesses are taking their first steps in gradually reopening.

Coffee shops and cafes are welcoming customers inside, hairdressers and beauty salons are switching on the lights and workers are starting to return to the office.

Despite these first steps, trading will continue to be difficult for some time, especially for smalland medium-sized firms. These are the ones who will have seen their cash flow significantly hit and are now looking for all the help they can in trying to budget and plan for the future.

How businesses can avoid spending more than they have to In these uncertain times, many businesses are looking for ways to save money and maintain a healthier bottom line. The good news is that 18 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

directly to your energy supplier so you don’t have to!

getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference.

A smart meter can help businesses take control of their energy bills as they enable accurate, not estimated billing. Meaning, they only pay for what they use – helping to take the stress out of budgeting.

We all want to work smarter not harder. Smart meters send your gas and electricity readings

Manage your environmental footprint It is also important to bear in mind that it’s everyone’s responsibility to become more conscious of their environmental impact.

Regardless if your business has three employees, or three thousand, we all should be aware of how much energy we’re using and a smart meter is a simple way of doing this.

A smart meter is a positive step in taking control of business outgoings and if your firm has 10 employees or less your business could be eligible.

To find out more please visit www.smartenergygb.org You can also contact your energy supplier or broker. It could be one of the best calls you make this week.

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BUSINESS REPORT

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BUSINESS REPORT

FAMILY FIRM IS FORGING AHEAD A family-run business unveiled its newly refurbished offices and trade counter at a special event to mark its 30 years of operating in the compressed air and vacuum industry.

Aircare Compressor Services Ltd hosted an open event earlier this summer to celebrate their landmark anniversary and to bid a fond farewell to company founder and chairman Brian Bennett and senior engineer Willie Bourn on their retirement.

The event included an emotional presentation that recognised Brian and Willie’s contributions to the company and all Aircare team members received 30th birthday gifts to thank them for their service.

Managing director Wendy Hayward said: “The event was a huge success and the whole team are still buzzing!

‘WE WILL “Having said goodbye to our STEADILY chairman – and my father – EXPAND OUR Brian, it’s time for us to forge ahead.

BEST IN CLASS Europe & EMEI business director Colin Mander, Brian Bennett and Wendy Hayward at the 30th anniversary celebration “Our customers will continue PRODUCT to receive the very best service, RANGE’ our team will carry on growing and runs throughout the company Hydrovane, Elmo Rietschle and Pneumax & we will steadily expand our best in and will continue to do so, Prevost. The British Compressed Air Society also class product range. hopefully for another 30 years!” attended the event along with Aircare’s fluid “Our customers can always rely on the Attendees included representatives power partners, OMC & Hydroscand. knowledge and experience of our honest and from well-known suppliers in the compressed air trusted team of professionals. Quality of service Visit: www.aircarecompressors.co.uk and vacuum industry such as Compair,

10 YEARS IN BUSINESS FOR E-COMMS FIRM

Square Media’s new office space

EXPANSION FOR SQUARE MEDIA A full service digital marketing agency which acts as an outsourced marketing team for other organisations has expanded its premises and team.

Square Media already occupied the ground floor of Darwin House in Corby Gate Business Park and has now expanded into the first floor – taking its office space from 1,200sq ft to a substantial 3,000sq ft.

The firm has also taken on additional members of staff and has capacity to grow further in response to increasing demand for its services from clients.

Founder and director Matthew Rigby-White said: “This new move has enabled us to not only double our office space, but to grow our team too.

“We originally had nine desks but now we have 23 desks and two extra staff members who joined us in June.

“We’ve also added another boardroom, bringing us to two boardrooms in total now.”

Visit: www.squaremedia.solutions

20 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

An innovative company which delivers corporate UK and international mail and e-commerce solutions for businesses has celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Reliance Worldwide has built up an enviable reputation providing companies’ employees with the ability to book their mail or packets instantly through Reliance’s website or mobile app.

The organisation prides itself on offering a dedicated customer service and bespoke solutions through its global network of account managers which serve clients across 250 cities worldwide.

Sales director Matthew Ruff (pictured) said: “We have a proven track record of reliability, meeting deadlines and offering highly competitive rates. We tailor-make our services to meet companies’ mailing needs. We offer a personal service to our clients’ customers which is second to none in the industry.

“During the past decade we’ve learned that listening to our customers is the most powerful act a business can do.

“As a result of listening to our customer feedback we’ve provided

additional information on our newly revamped website - not only saving our customers time but providing valuable transparency through technology.

“Looking to the future over the next 10 years we see ourselves continuing to learn from our customers. Feedback is only priceless if you act upon it and that’s what we will continue to do.”

For further information visit www.reliance-grp.com or email matt@reliance-grp.com

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BUSINESS REPORT

VEKA DRIVER LOGS TEN YEARS A VEKA Recycling driver has celebrated his 10-year anniversary with the company.

Andy Burns (pictured) joined the company on 4 July 2011, making collections of PVC-U windows for recycling from customers throughout Scotland and the North East.

He’s a well-known face on his regular route, which means he has built up a real rapport with his customers - who probably know him best for ribbing them about the football while sharing a cup of tea.

Andy has been at home on the road for a long time, having been a lorry driver for 33 years. Despite having never been out of employment since leaving school, incredibly VEKA Recycling is actually only the third company he has worked for, including having previously worked for Hotpoint for almost 20 years and an office furniture group for almost 10 years.

Andy has technically been with the VEKA family since 2010, as he joined VEKA Recycling on secondment from VEKA Plc – so he was already an established member of the VEKA group.

“VEKA has been the best company I’ve worked for and working there really is like being part of a family,” said Andy. “Management at VEKA listen to their staff. There’s not too many places you can knock on the MD’s door with any issues and get invited in for a cuppa and a chat.”

“Andy is a great asset to our business and we all congratulate him on reaching this 10-year milestone,” said VEKA Recycling’s managing director Simon Scholes. “He’s a great, reliable, solid chap who our customers really like, a truly valued part of the VEKA family.”

Visit: www.veka-recycling.co.uk

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BUSINESS REPORT HELPING THE COVID FIGHT A leading independent chemical and pump manufacturer has been helping the nation in its fight back against Covid-19.

CDR Pumps UK Ltd has been manufacturing chemical process pumps for more than 60 years and supplies the chemical, nuclear and pharmaceutical industries.

One of its most recent innovations has been a patented sprayer to help organisations keep their premises disinfected and sanitised.

Managing director Ashley Fenn said: “With more and more workplaces opening up again, the demand for disinfecting and sanitising is at an all-time high but our new SaniSpray HP helps organisations with their mammoth cleaning task.

“It delivers consistent coverage, without heavy drips and runs, so you can achieve specified disinfectant dwell times.

“Applying disinfectant using an airless disinfectant sprayer is more efficient and effective than spray-and-wipe methods.

Airless sprayers provide effective disinfecting by completely coating surfaces to meet required dwell times.

Spray-and-wipe methods are not only inefficient but also ineffective at providing proper dwell times and complete coverage of disinfectant.

“We are proud that our SaniSpray machines and Hydrus disinfectants are being used across the country.”

For further information email sales@cdrpumps.co.uk or call 01933 674777.

The Billion Trees Project helps rebuild sustainable communities (Photo credit: Eden Reforestation Projects)

TRILL MARKETING BACKS TREE PLANTING PROJECT including, Central America, Madagascar, Mozambique A new digital marketing business is backing an and Kenya. It is on a mission to plant one billion trees ambitious project to plant one billion trees to help offset helping businesses to go green, attract likethe carbon footprint generated by businesses. minded customers, improve marketing Tony Hill, CEO of Trill Marketing, decided processes, and make the world a better to get behind the campaign after listening place for just 15p per tree! to a presentation by Ben Westcott of Tony added: “We understand the The Billion Trees Project at a ‘WE’VE MADE importance of helping the environment networking event.

THE DECISION TO and reducing our carbon footprint Tony, who launched his firm at the PLANT A TREE wherever possible. beginning of 2020 and now has eight FOR EVERY NEW “As well as using The Billion Trees employees, said: “Ben’s presentation Project as an amazing way to get new blew everyone away and we were one CUSTOMER’ of the first businesses to sign up. leads, we’ve made the decision to plant “As a business we’ve made the a tree for every new customer. I’ve decision to be as green and sustainable as already recommended The Billion Trees we possibly can. We’ve already decided that Project to lots of organisations and will continue to do so.” even after the pandemic we will try to conduct online meetings with clients and prospects rather than inperson. Why go out in our cars when the technology is To find out more about Trill Marketing visit there, and we can still provide a great service?” www.trillmarketing.co.uk or to learn more about The Billion Trees Project go to The Billion Trees Project works with qualified tree www.thebilliontreesproject.org planting partners across a wide range of countries

EXPERTISE, NOT PROCESSING POWER, IS KEY The team at Invu Services Limited, which develops electronic management, accounts payable and purchasing solutions for a range of sectors, argues one key thing when choosing to buy services rather than performing them inhouse is to be clear about whether you are buying expertise or processing power.

Invu business advisor Leanne Wan (pictured) said: “Expertise is all about skills you don’t have and, at least in the short term, do not want to develop in house.

“Processing power is something you could do, but choose not to, because you want to free up your time to add value to your business.

“Paying a highly qualified accountant to carry out mundane tasks like processing your supplier invoices will be costly. On the flip side, 22 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

compromising on expertise and going for a lowcost solution on high-value accountancy services like tax and corporate planning can be a disaster.

The cost of missed opportunities or errors and omissions can be fatal to the business.

“The accountancy services sector is moving towards providing expertise, rather than processing power. Choosing the right partner, dependent on the area of expertise you require, is key.

“Today there are software tools that enable you to automate basic tasks like data entry and supplier invoice processing. These enable you to grow your business without a linear increase in fixed overheads.”

For further advice contact leanne.wan@invu.net

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SUPPORTING THE NHS FROM THE AIR The critical, lifesaving work of your local air ambulance has been enhanced this year through the launch of two new, state-of-the-art helicopters that will enable the charity to continue its important work in supporting the NHS frontline across Northamptonshire and further afield.

The launch was the culmination of an 18-month project to modernise and replace both the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) and the Derbyshire Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA).

And now the charity is calling on the Northamptonshire community the aircraft serves to show their support as the charity builds on the 42,000 plus missions it has attended since its launch in 2003.

The new aircraft were launched from Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire, home of aircraft provider and project partner Sloane Helicopters Limited, before joining the frontline to begin flying lifesaving missions.

The new AgustaWestland 109 derivative was chosen for its proven performance as the world’s fastest commercial twin-engine helicopter but also its ability to start-up and shut-down engines in a much shorter time than many of its competitors.

These seconds and minutes saved can often be vital in terms of delivering lifesaving critical care to patients.

For anyone wishing to support the vital charity please visit: www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.

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GOING GLOBAL

GOING GLOBAL

The Chamber’s INTERNATIONAL TRADE TEAM will help you navigate your way through all of the regulatory procedures and documents that you’ll need for successful international trading

WHAT ARE THE RISKS TO YOUR BUSINESS? your supply chain or changed the way you deal Recent events have impacted businesses in with EU customers, there’s still a long road many ways, but one common theme has been ahead as Covid-19 provided a period of an increase in uncertainty for the grace before the post-Brexit paradigm. business outlook.

“With Covid-19, despite the As a result, CurrencyTransfer, vaccination rollout accelerating which helps organisations and ‘WHAT TO the return to some degree of individuals to access great CONSIDER AS normality, the final lifting of international money transfer restrictions won’t mean the end deals online, is encouraging PART OF THE of the pandemic. What to firms to do a business risk ‘NEW NORMAL’ IS consider as part of the ‘new assessment.

WIDELY YET TO normal’ is widely yet to be To help organisations get BE DEFINED’ defined. their assessments under way, “Finally, with the recovery CurrencyTransfer senior FX underway, concern has shifted to the analyst Chris Smith wants firms to threat of inflation. The risk of increased consider some of the common risks that can have a negative impact on businesses if they prices of raw materials and labour are driving are not fully prepared. demand for Central Bank action. Changes to He said: “The most common risks to policy will always impact currency markets, and it’s worth considering how this risk may impact businesses currently are Brexit, Covid-19 and your business as this could easily impact sales inflation. Whether the ‘Brexit impact’ disrupted

Chris Smith

and demand tighter controls of cash flows. So, don’t forget to look at your hedging.

“We’re here to help businesses so if any Chamber members would like to discuss or review their business FX risks, please get in touch.”

For further information call Chris on 0207 0961036 or 07369 247683 or email christopher.smith@currencytransfer.com

RHENUS APPOINTS SECTOR MANAGER

MAKING THE CUSTOMS PROCESS CLEARER The new Chamber customs declarations service has been set up to help businesses clear goods for international trade, post Brexit.

Customs declarations are forms used to accompany goods that are entering or leaving the country. product and its relevant tariffs.

This allows customs and regulatory bodies to calculate what duty is payable and understand any restrictions.

ChamberCustoms is a brokerage service run by Chambers of Commerce across the country.

The dedicated team of experts at the Chamber have the expertise and knowledge to help traders keep on trading.

International trade executive Raphael Tomy said: “ChamberCustoms has been created to clear goods for import and export at every port in the UK. We make a potentially complicated process smooth, quick, and entirely transparent.”

Contact chambercustoms @northants-chamber.co.uk

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Logistics expert Rhenus has appointed a new sector manager, following the acquisition of its fourth warehouse on Magna Park in Lutterworth.

As European sector manager, Harry Wheelhouse will help drive the continued growth of the business in the UK and support international business growth across Rhenus facilities in Europe, working with national and international clients.

With a 10-year background in the logistics industry, Harry joined the commercial team at Rhenus Warehousing Solutions in March.

Specialising in the fashion and e-commerce sectors, Harry and his team are now enhancing the company’s client base and reputation of being a flexible and dynamic leading provider of third-party logistics.

Harry said: “Rhenus is performing exceptionally well globally, and with our bespoke services available in the UK, particularly for clients in the fashion sector, I see so much potential in the growth of the company.

“My new role is enabling me to play an active role in ensuring the needs of our valued customers are met, while keeping connected with our overseas teams to ensure top marketing strategies are being delivered.

“Rhenus is a true innovator which offers industry leading solutions, and I’m eager to see what my future holds as part of the team.”

Managing director Kerry Delaney added: “At Rhenus, we believe in the importance of providing people with great new opportunities to enhance themselves, and it’s wonderful to see hardworking individuals like Harry Wheelhouse flourish in their trade.”

Visit: www.rhenus.group

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MANUFACTURING

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

In this issue we look at the MANUFACTURING, HEALTH & SAFETY and ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES sectors in the Northamptonshire area

ANNIVERSARY FOR HISTORIC FIRM

Torquemeters team delivers high-performance coupling project for major European aerospace customer in record time

A firm which pioneered the development of the earliest optical torquemeter measurement devices and is now one of the leading high-speed driveline and test rig designers in the world has celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Torquemeters was established by R D van Millingen, a member of Frank Whittle’s pioneering Power

Jets team that developed the first aero gas turbine, and the business has been based in Ravensthorpe, Northamptonshire, since it was incorporated on 1 March 1951.

From unassuming beginnings working from a barn, the company now operates from a purpose-built facility and has grown into a specialist engineering business

with over 50 employees supporting the development and operational programmes of some of the world’s largest aerospace, automotive, energy and industrial companies.

Today, Torquemeters is still a family business led by the sons of the original founder; James and Ben Van Millingen.

Managing director Ben Van Millingen commented: “We’ve been fortunate to have had such long and excellent service and commitment from our highly skilled employees, both past and present, and our success is testament to their effort and expertise.”

Visit: www.torquemeters.com

GIVING BACK TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES PDI International, a global leader in infection prevention products and service solutions based in Corby, has celebrated its first Be The Difference Day - a day dedicated to giving back to local communities.

PDI International’s leadership team and colleagues donated their time and resources to non-profit organisations that represent the PDI ‘Be The Difference®’ mission and brand.

More than 60 people participated at the firm’s bases in Corby, Manchester, Milan and Lisbon.

Over £12,000 was raised and the proceeds were split between non-profit organisations chosen by colleagues, including Cancer Research UK, Cransley Hospice, Lakelands Hospice and MIND in Kettering.

Donations of critical items, such as clothing, blankets, books and toys, were dropped off at Cancer Research UK’s Corby store and teams

PDI production line leader Laila Zeberga, with Steph Orr of Mind and PDI production team leader Steven McLellan

also coordinated volunteer activities. A team also volunteered at Corby Homeless Project, taking part in tasks such as painting, gardening and general maintenance and baking more than 100 cupcakes for residents and staff.

PDI International president and CEO David Gueundjian said: “Our involvement with the Northamptonshire community goes back almost 20 years, and we’re very proud to have made Corby the central point of our international efforts.

PDI International’s mission goes beyond business, and this first ‘International Be The Difference Day’ has given our UK colleagues an amazing opportunity to exemplify our unique culture, give back to our communities, and impact even more lives.”

Visit: www.pluswipes.co.uk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 inbusiness 25

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MANUFACTURING

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MANUFACTURING After a busy year of trading, Haddonstone are thrilled to announce their new site expansion.

The new building, which is estimated to cost £300,000, is due to be completed this summer and will double the current size of the TecStone shop floor, giving Haddonstone approximately 12-14 tonnes per day of manufacturing space, compared to the current average of 6.2 tonnes.

As part of the same project, the new site expansion will also increase their timber mould shop space to accommodate a CNC machine.

The site expansion project brings potential new job opportunities and the Building and Construction team has expanded too, having recently welcoming two new starters.

Production director Tony Mason said: “Expanding our new TecStone manufacturing space at Brixworth means we will be able to effectively double our production output each day. This will allow us to keep up ‘WE WILL with the increasing market demand for BE ABLE TO our wet-cast stonework products and EFFECTIVELY to meet our clients' requirements DOUBLE OUR quicker and more efficiently. I’ve worked at Haddonstone for 40 years PRODUCTION and it's great to see that our business OUTPUT EACH is continuing to invest in our production DAY’ facilities, as well as recruiting the next generation of fresh talent.”

After a successful year of trading, the demand for Haddonstone’s wet-cast products has increased year-on-year ever since they began manufacturing TecStone. The demand for the TecStone material has been steady over the last few years and is now roughly 60% of all the stone that Haddonstone makes.

SITE EXPANSION FOR HADDONSTONE

Tony Mason outside Haddonstone’s new TecStone area

Visit: www.haddonstone.com

FOOD BUSINESS FINDS A WAY TO THRIVE The pandemic brought with it a variety of challenges for all businesses, and particularly for manufacturers.

Despite the difficulties, one organisation which has continued to thrive is The 1:1 Diet

by Cambridge Weight Plan.

Operations director Scott Law explained: “As a food business, we were classified as essential and allowed to continue operations. Although many functions of the business could switch to operate remotely, our operational teams had to quickly put in measures to ensure we could prioritise staff safety while continuing to supply products.

“We had to adhere to strict requirements set out by the Government and had to ensure our employees felt safe in their working environment.

“The adaptations in our process were largely driven by social distancing requirements.

We bought in relevant equipment and additional resource where needed and took the opportunity during quieter periods to build our stock levels.

“There were some initial shortterm challenges associated with imports and exports, particularly during the first lockdown.

However, given our stock strategy and flexibility within the factory, we got through the period with excellent service levels. As independent business owners, our goal was to ensure we could provide our 6,500-plus consultants with the products they rely on. We also supported others in our communities; donating more than 46,000 healthy meals, snacks and care packages to front line staff in care homes or via food banks.

“Being an employee-owned business definitely played a role in our success. It helps to create the mindset of ownership, accountability and being ‘in it together’. Not only did we continue operations, we also launched 16 new products between April 2020 and March 2021. We reduced our overall spending and quickly returned to a pattern of growth.”

EXCITING PRODUCTS HIT THE SHELVES The SOS Serum Skincare range has launched an exciting new facial product.

The brand, which is well known for its range of products which help to soothe, heal and moisturise skin, has launched a new cleanser called SOS Cleanse. Company founder Bruce Green said: “We’re very proud of our new product.

“SOS Cleanse is a gentle lightweight soothing cleanser that flushes the pores and dissolves makeup while removing daily atmospheric pollutants. It is formulated to calm and instantly soothe and cool the skin’s outermost layer. It leaves the skin prepared and ready for the daily onslaught of environmental pollutants and at times, somewhat aggressive colour cosmetics.”

Bruce is also delighted to share details of another recent innovation.

He said: “We’re also thrilled to launch Kitchen Safe as part of our Veggi Wash, Fruit Too brand. Kitchen Safe is an anti-bacterial surface cleaner that kills bacteria and enveloped viruses, including coronavirus.”

Kitchen Safe is also effective against e-coli, salmonella and listeria. It is made from totally natural ingredients and is nontoxic, leaving no taint or smell.

Visit: www.sosserum.co.uk/soscleanse

Visit: www.one2onediet.com Visit: www.veggiwash.co.uk AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 inbusiness 27

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MANUFACTURING

NIFTYLIFT REACHES FOR THE STARS One of Europe’s largest manufacturers of mobile elevating work platforms has won a top industry award.

Niftylift has won Hire Industry Supplier of the Year for the third year running at the Hire Awards of Excellence 2021.

The Hire Awards of Excellence are run by the Hire Association Europe (HAE) and due to Covid-19 restrictions, they took place this year in May online.

Hire Industry Supplier of the Year is a prestigious award that holds special significance for Niftylift as the HAE’s membership represents a broad cross-section of Niftylift's European customer base.

This is the fifth time in total that Niftylift has won Supplier of the Year which is a meaningful endorsement of Niftylift and its interactions with the hire industry as a whole.

Niftylift's service and parts manager Lee Casebrook said: “We work very hard to build strong relationships with our customers, so to win Supplier of the Year for the third year in a row is a hugely important recognition of all that hard work.

“I’d like to thank the whole team at Niftylift for their continuing commitment to excellent customer service and the Hire Association Europe for this award, which will spur us on to do even more for our customers in the future.”

Niftylift would also like to extend its thanks to the Hire Association Europe, with special mention to Paul Gaze and Brian Sherlock, for hosting a very professional online event and honouring the firm with the Supplier of the Year award.

Visit: www.niftylift.com

Service and parts manager Lee Casebrook standing in front of the Niftylift Shenley Wood headquarters in Milton Keynes, holding the HAE Hire Industry Supplier of the Year 2021 award

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: MANUFACTURING

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH & SAFETY

THE SOLUTION IS CRYSTAL CLEAR FOR GRAVITAS HR When Gravitas HR Solutions was approached by a client for help to deliver display screen equipment (DSE) training to more than 100 employees it immediately turned to fellow Chamber member Crystal Clear Compliance for support.

Following the onset of the pandemic, the client wanted to ensure all its employees working from home on a flexible basis were trained to set up their workstation at home correctly so they avoid risking injury or ill health.

Crystal Clear Compliance organised the training while Gravitas HR Solutions worked with the client to create a blended model of working which works for the employees and the business.

Gravitas HR Solutions director Dawn Exley said: “I know Lucy Walsh from Crystal Clear

Compliance through networking and she’s incredibly generous with her health and safety knowledge and expertise.

“Thanks to Lucy’s training, ‘EMPLOYEES my client knows Lucy Walsh COULD FIT THE their staff are ONLINE TRAINING working safely at home.”

IN AROUND THEIR complains they The DSE SCHEDULE’ have a bad back, training was for example, and delivered through weren’t offered any an online package. support with working Employees working from from home. The training also home and those in the office protects the employees and helps received 30 minutes of training to improve their posture. via video and had three weeks to “Employees could fit the online successfully complete an training in around their schedule assessment. and because they don’t need to Lucy added: “This training is a go anywhere to complete it, it’s legal requirement. It protects the very cost effective.” employer if an employee later

Shane Richardson

Jake Newell

Dawn Exley

Lucy went through every assessment and flagged any issues to the client who also received a certificate for every employee who successfully completed the training.

For further information about Crystal Clear Compliance visit www.crystalclearcompliance.co.uk or to find out about Gravitas HR Solutions visit www.gravitashr.co.uk

Charlie Dalby

NEW TRAINEES WELCOMED AT ACORN An award-winning firm at the forefront of tackling the UK’s asbestos problem has expanded its workforce.

Acorn Analytical Services works alongside businesses, councils, schools and hospitals across the country to make sure buildings are free from the health risks of asbestos.

It employs more than 30 staff at its bases in Northampton and Birmingham and in the past few weeks has recruited three new trainees as part of its commitment to developing the next generation of asbestos consultants.

Shane Richardson, 24, and Jake Newell, 21, who are both from Northampton, and Charlie Dalby, 20, of Oakham have all received a full induction 30 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

into the industry, have begun accompanying the firm’s highly qualified surveyors and analysts on site visits and have taken their first set of examinations.

Acorn director Ian Stone said: “The UK relied on asbestos as a building material for decades which means there are properties up and down our country, including homes, workplaces, schools and hospitals, that continue to harbour this potentially fatal substance.

“As a result, the risk of people being exposed to asbestos here will continue to be high for a long time to come which is why our management team has invested thousands of pounds in training the next generation of specialist asbestos consultants.

“We’re delighted to welcome Shane, Jake and Charlie to Acorn and to see how well they are doing with their training. The long-term goal is for them to become fully qualified consultants and we look forward to watching them develop their careers at Acorn.”

In the past few years, six other Acorn trainees have gone on to become fully qualified asbestos consultants and two-thirds of them have chosen to continue their career with the firm.

For further information about joining Acorn’s award-winning team visit www.acornas.com/careers or for advice on asbestos and asbestos training call 0844 818 0895.

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: HEALTH & SAFETY

Director Darren Peck gives a presentation to fellow Chamber members at Men’s Health Week

STAY HEALTHY WITH THE HEALTH HUB An exciting new company is helping more than 5,000 new clients every month to take the guesswork out of their health needs.

The Health Hub launched about 18 months ago and proudly sponsored Northamptonshire Chamber’s Men’s Health Week series of events in June.

The firm has already made huge inroads helping other organisations to boost their productivity and profitability through its innovative digital healthcare platform, Health Hub Teams, which has been specifically designed to improve team health and increase business performance, health and happiness.

Director Darren Peck said: “We’re really passionate about what we do because it really helps business

people and helps organisations to be more productive.

“Our Health Hub Teams provides preventative healthcare and lifestyle management combining blood testing, personalised nutrition services, nutrition planning, health and happiness analysis and mental health support.

Employees can manage and access tailored programmes via the Health Hub Teams dashboard.

“By combining the human touch with digital healthcare, we connect employees with experts empowering teams to proactively live, feel and work at their very best. Healthier, happier employees translate to a more productive and motivated workforce.”

Visit: www.thehealthhub.com

ENSAFE LAUNCHES NEW SAFETY SERVICE The UK’s fastest growing asbestos, environmental and risk management provider has launched its new competent health and safety person service - Simply Safety.

For a one-off annual fee, Ensafe’s new retainer service offers clients a costeffective solution to health and safety support.

CEO Greg Kirkman said: “Ensafe’s competent person service helps businesses who cannot justify the expense of employing a full-time health and safety manager..”

The new service includes regular health and safety audits, access to health and safety advice and regular updates and information to keep clients informed about current health and safety regulations.

Ensafe has a range of packages starting from £44 per month.

Visit: https: www.ensafe.co.uk

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES

NEW PROBATE SERVICE OFFERS MOORE TO CLIENTS Richard Monkhouse and Paul Leach

NEW SENIOR STAFF AT AZETS Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and business advisor to SMEs, has appointed two senior staff members at its Kettering office.

Richard Monkhouse has joined the firm’s Kettering office from the Azets Peterborough office where he worked for over six years. As an associate audit director, he will lead the audit team on a range of clients including owner manager companies, large UK groups, charities and academy schools.

He will retain his existing portfolio of clients in the Peterborough office and will also work with new clients in the Kettering office.

Richard will also strengthen the already strong relationships the Azets Kettering office enjoys with academies, working closely with small single academies and large multi academy trusts.

He said: “I’ve very much enjoyed my time at the Peterborough office and am delighted I can remain with Azets while being able to move to another vibrant office with the opportunity for growth and progression.”

Paul Leach joins Azets as accounts manager from Mark J Rees LLP in Leicester, where he worked for over 17 years. He specialises in advising ownermanaged businesses across a wide range of sectors and takes a proactive and considered approach in assisting clients’ needs.

Paul said: “It’s a very exciting time to join the firm with its focus on ongoing growth and development and I’m looking forward to being a part of the challenges ahead.”

Kettering office managing partner Paul Tyler commented: “We’re pleased to provide our employees with a variety of opportunities within the Azets network.”

Visit: www.azets.co.uk

Chartered Accountants Moore East Midlands, which has offices in Corby, Northampton and Peterborough, has launched a new Probate Service to complement their existing Trusts and Estates and Inheritance Tax planning services.

Probate services were historically only offered by solicitors, but in 2014 the law changed to allow specially accredited accountants to undertake noncontentious probate work too.

Matthew Grief who is heading up the new service, is a Chartered Tax Adviser and a member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners).

Matthew said: “You may not have considered using an accountant for probate services, but there are some real advantages. As accountants we have more knowledge in respect of the taxation and accountancy requirements than ‘WE ARE HAPPY traditional probate practitioners.

TO WORK WITH When asked to act for existing YOU TO KEEP if you prefer, we can handle everything clients we already hold a significant COSTS DOWN’ on your behalf.” amount of information in relation to Moore East Midlands is offering its their financial affairs which can make new service to both existing clients and the whole process far less time new clients. Prices start from around £1,500. consuming.”

Matthew added: “Our service is For more information or to get a bespoke quote, completely flexible. We are happy to work with call 01536 461900, email east.midlands@moore.co.uk you to keep costs down if you can do some of the or visit www.moore.co.uk more straightforward, administrative tasks yourself, or,

L-R: Tax partner Jennie Brown, chairman Paul Tutin and tax partner Luke Prout

NEW OFFICE FOR ACCOUNTANTS Opening a new office in the midst of a pandemic may not seem the best move, however, it certainly was for Streets Chartered Accountants.

This top 40 UK practice, with plans afoot, went ahead this time last year and opened its Northamptonshire office at the new Enterprise Centre East Northants (ECEN).

Over the last 12 months the office, led by local tax partners Luke Prout and Jennie Brown with audit partner Alan Endersby, has gone from strength to strength.

The need for support and advice by businesses impacted by the pandemic has kept the team busy.

While not able to meet face-toface with clients, the firm has

32 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

created awareness of its work and connected with new clients looking for specialist and proactive advice covering personal and corporate tax planning as well as accountancy, audit and advisory services through its digital presence.

In particular, those in the property sector locally have sought advice from Streets around investments and the treatment of Stamp Duty Land Tax in light of the holiday period. New clients have been engaged for audit work for both businesses and third sector organisations as well as owner managed businesses seeking accountancy and tax services.

Chairman Paul Tutin said: “Streets has made its mark, with

new client successes and demand for our services leading to the expansion of our team, with the recruitment of a tax semi senior, accounts senior and audit manager.

We’re also searching for additional tax specialists and accountancy staff to join our growing team.

“Looking ahead, we’re excited about being able to get out and meet people and to attending local business events, especially those organised by Northamptonshire Chamber. We’re exhibiting at the Chamber’s Back2Business Expo on 15 September and can’t wait to meet fellow members and delegates.”

Visit: www.streetsweb.co.uk

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TALKING BUSINESS

CONNECTING AND COMMUNICATING Innovative communications business dbfb has experienced incredible growth in recent years. We spoke to managing director Simon Pickering to find out the secrets of their success. probably know the business they are talking to, When Brian Kingston and Bill Oliver set up a small because we believe most people would rather talk to communications company in a broom cupboard people. This service model is quite rare in our office under the stairs back in 1989, they could industry.” never have imagined its success two decades later.

It is this model that dbfb will rely upon to help them But dbfb prides itself on being agile, responsive reach their ambition to be turning over £15m a year by and ready to meet businesses’ technological needs.

2025. While organic growth will be a key strategy for The renowned communications company is the this, the company will also look to acquire. original launch and preferred partner for They recently bought out Octopus CityFibre in Northampton and Milton Keynes and is leading the way in Installations - which has been rebranded delivering a full-fibre digital overhaul as installations for business Ltd (infb) to businesses across the UK. - which delivers audio visual ‘WE SPEAK TO dbfb now boasts 36 staff and solutions and structured cabling. A CUSTOMERS, has an annual turnover of £6.5m timely and appropriate addition to UNDERSTAND with ambitions to deliver £7.5m the services dbfb already offer.

THEIR PAIN POINTS by the end of the financial year.

Simon said: “We want to AND DELIVER continue to be a strong regional Managing director Simon player. We want to be the lead Pickering believes its continuing FLEXIBLE managed service provider for growth and success is defined by SOLUTIONS’ Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and three basic business function Buckinghamshire – the main SEMLEP principles. area.”

He said: “For the last five years we’ve seen significant growth. This year will see And while Simon admits that the recent Covid revenue of circa £7.5m and see our workforce grow 19 restrictions have created challenges over the past to about 40 people. But we still have the same year, as a small employer, they have been able to principles of service, networking and referrals that adjust appropriately.

“The best ideas are when you are all together, we had at the beginning. Those principles have not changed.” whether that is a beer after work or just sitting round a table and thrashing it out. It’s very difficult Alongside their three principles, dbfb rely upon to do that remotely. four key focus areas for their business model – “Covid has made us realise that we don’t need people, solutions, platforms and service.

High quality service and a customer centric, everyone in the office 8am-6pm. I believe now that people led approach has seen the firm invest heavily people can work from home but that is role specific. in its ever-expanding workforce over the past 12 “All of our people have the latest technology so months, despite the disruption of a global pandemic. they can work anywhere. The challenge is that not The company has ploughed £40,000 into staff everyone wants to work from home. However, I do think the days of people being in the office five days training, with another £30,000 investment planned a week are over.” for upcoming sales and leadership coaching.

Simon is passionate about the next generation of workers and making them assets to the business community.

The 50-year-old said: “We care about our people and we reward them well. We believe that we pay salaries above the market average because we expect our people to provide exceptional service.

But we are now really starting to invest back into our people.

“It’s important to us that all our staff communicate effectively with each other and with our customers.

Our people relate back into our service.”

Despite plans to launch a new online portal imminently, in which customers will be able to access live information about the products in their service plan, Simon believes that dbfb’s conscious decision to avoid service automation has contributed to their continued growth.

“Our business model is very simple,” he said. “We speak to customers, understand their pain points and deliver flexible solutions.

“We are over resourced for our revenue, but we know that and we do it on purpose. Customers speak to a person, a local person, so they will 34 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

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TALKING BUSINESS PHOTOS BY : JANE RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHY

dbfb pride themselves on being a flexible employer and a flexible provider and this has been a great asset in recent times.

“Over the last 20 odd years the marketplace has changed significantly,” said Simon. “If you go back to the early 2000s there were a number of independent businesses that offered mobile and IT solutions but over the last 10 years there’s been a lot of consolidation. Now there’s probably 2 or 3 independent businesses left that do what we do.

“The big difference in using us over a corporate like Vodafone or EE is they are very focussed on automation and are very consumer based – and rightly so – they have 40 million subscribers each.

“But for a small business the offerings are not flexible, they are not tailored to your business.

“By buying wholesale we create solutions that fit the individual needs of our customers. Another advantage is that we invoice the customer directly, this enables us to have all the information we need to resolve any query quickly and results in improved service levels for our customers.”

LEFT: Simon thinks back to the early days of dbfb

FACTFILE: dbfb ABOVE: Managing director Simon Pickering says dbfb’s ambition is to turn over £15m a year by 2025 RIGHT: dbfb has ploughed tens of thousands of pounds into developing its team

DESCRIBE THE COMPANY: Brian Kingston and Bill Oliver started the business in a small office in Northampton in 1989. There were three of them in the broom cupboard office under the stairs. Simon joined in 2016 and it’s now 35 people and a £6.5m turnover business..

COMPANY DESCRIPTION: dbfb are a 21-year-old communications business that delivers mobile hosting, voice and IT solutions to SMEs and enterprise customers.

They pride themselves on delivering these services without technological jargon and with more clarity.

WHY DID YOU JOIN THE CHAMBER: “We joined the Chamber originally because we were a new business and we needed to meet people. The Chamber offers us great advice and also great networking opportunities.”

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TRAINING & EVENTS

TRAINING & EVENTS

Follow us on Twitter @NorthantsCoC Follow #ChamberTraining for the latest updates Follow #ChamberEvents for the latest updates

TRAINING COURSES All Chamber training courses are currently delivered virtually in compliance with Covid-19 restrictions.

Call the Training Team for more details on 01604 490490 or email training@northants-chamber.co.uk

GETTING THE MESSAGE RIGHT CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE TELEPHONE Date: Cost:

15 September (one-day) Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 + VAT A telephone conversation may be the only contact you have with your customers or incoming enquiries; it is therefore essential that you master the skills to keep the conversation flowing; obtain important information and ensure your customer - or potential customer - leaves the call with a good impression of your company.

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WRITING IN THE 21ST CENTURY Date: Cost:

22 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 + VAT This practical course aims to help people understand how they can make their written messages more effective, inclusive, and appropriate to the needs of their audience. We will focus on basic grammar as well as the subtle changes needed to remain professional when writing for different channels such as email, letter, text and web chat.

People are encouraged to bring examples of their written work to review during this half-day session.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE TRAINING CUSTOMS PROCEDURES, DOCUMENTATION & RULES OF ORIGIN *2 MODULES Date: Cost:

26 August (one-day) Member £299 + VAT Non-member £369 + VAT This course covers the key information required to understand:

• Organisations involved in International Trade • What is an export?

• International documentation and key Information • Rules of Origin • Customs Compliance, HMRC – their role, Export Declarations, Customs Procedures • Import Duties, AEO, Audit, Phased Import Easements, NI Trade

IMPORT PROCEDURE (INCLUDES IP/OP) BCC ACCREDITATION *2 MODULES Date: Cost:

21 September (one-day) Member £299 + VAT Non-member £369 + VAT The course provides an overview of the end-to-end import process and reviews all the areas that would be applicable to a new supplier, to include country and supplier risk, payment risk etc. It will review documentation requirements and how to ensure goods are imported successfully to include duty payments and an overview of the available Special Procedures.

EFFECTIVE APPRAISAL SKILLS

The important question is how to handle conflict situations? Some people are too pushy and say too much, some are too passive and say nothing. The best way to resolve conflicts is to develop a rational approach to all people and all problems. Use reason, as opposed to either a high emotional approach or avoidance.

IMPROVE YOUR SELF CONFIDENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

8 September (one-day) Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 +VAT Appraisal is a key part of performance management. It offers a regular opportunity to provide people with constructive feedback about their performance and to set objectives both for achieving their task and for further developing their capability. The significant increase in home working due to Covid-19 and a change in work practices, has made it even more important to maintain contact and give people feedback. A key factor is to have more frequent reviews, perhaps monthly and to include additional skills for remote working.

Date: Cost:

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

14 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 +VAT Leadership in any context is challenging. This course will explore the key strategies that are most effective, and what kind of leaders succeed most often in remote and onsite environments.

Date: Cost:

SALES AND MARKETING

MANAGEMENT AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

7 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 + VAT This half-day workshop will explain the elements that make up your self-confidence and how each of those can be improved effectively, rapidly and permanently. This will lead to improved effectiveness and engagement in the workplace and greater resilience to deal with issues when things don’t go according to plan, coping with the unexpected!

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Date: Cost:

9 September (half-day) Member £140 + VAT Non-member £180 +VAT Conflict is inevitable, people disagree, argue and sometimes there is conflict. Conflict management is a way of resolving conflict early by means of skilled communication and negotiation.

We need to know how to nip it in the bud and how to diffuse the situation before it gets out of hand.

LEADING BLENDED TEAM VIRTUAL & WORKPLACE Date: Cost:

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING Date: Cost:

16 September (one-day) Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 + VAT This practical session will show how social media feeds into your company’s business and communications objectives and how to gain the most mileage out

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MEMBER ZONE The CHAMBER EVENTS TEAM has worked hard to adapt and deliver a new format of events, increasing the range and availability of our schedule.

EVENT IN FOCUS Northamptonshire Chamber is preparing to host its first major business exhibition since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Back2Business Expo is sponsored by Chamber Platinum Business Partner, Wilson Browne Solicitors, and will take place at the home of Northampton Saints, Franklin’s Gardens, on 15 September.

The exhibition is free to attend and will give visitors the chance to network and find out about the wealth of opportunities, products and services available to firms in the area.

Northamptonshire Chamber events executive Kate Denne said: “We’re delighted to see the return of our hugely popular business exhibition.

“Like many organisations we’ve had to adapt during the pandemic and over the past year we’ve run a full calendar of online networking events.

Whilst we’ll continue to deliver virtual events, we’re thrilled to now be preparing for our first face-toface business exhibition.

“Historically, this is always one of the biggest networking events in Northamptonshire and is

extremely well attended because it gives our business community a fantastic opportunity to forge new contacts and raise their profile.”

The exhibition will start at 10am and is open to members and non-members of the Chamber.

Northamptonshire Chamber membership team leader Jenny Copeland added: “We’re thrilled that this exhibition has generated such a buzz in the local business community. As soon as the exhibition was announced we had lots of enquiries from firms wanting to exhibit and from organisations wanting to book on our Business Before Hours event which takes place just before the exhibition starts.

“It’s fantastic to see such great levels of engagement from our members and the wider business community. We’d like to thank everyone who is working hard to make sure this event will be a big success, including our exhibition sponsors, Wilson Browne Solicitors.”

For further information about Chamber events visit www.northants-chamber.co.uk/events

FORTHCOMING EVENTS members - £15 + VAT Non-members: £20 + VAT

WOMEN WITH VISION NETWORKING (ONLINE) of your marketing budget!

Beneficial for all personnel looking to develop an understanding of how social media can be utilized to its full potential as an essential marketing tool.

EFFECTIVE FACE TO FACE/VIRTUAL SALES MEETING Date: 21 September (one-day) Cost: Member £229 + VAT Non-member £299 +VAT Whether you are meeting your clients face-to-face or running sales meetings via Zoom it’s important to get an understanding of their issues/problems, effectively demonstrating how you can help them and ultimately close to win the business. How effective are yours? Are you winning business? If not, this is the workshop for you!

This one-day training session will show you how to achieve this

Date: Time: Cost:

Wednesday 11 August 10am–11.30am Free to attend – Women With Vision members only

NEXT GENERATION SANDWICH SOCIAL (ONLINE) Date: Time: Cost:

Tuesday 7 September 12pm–1pm Free to attend – Next Generation members only

WOMEN WITH VISION SOCIAL How Women Rise CPD session delivered by champion member Anjana Rajani from Power2Progress, plus networking and afternoon tea Venue: Northampton Active, Bedford Road, Northampton Date: Wednesday 8 September Time: 12.30pm–2.30pm Cost: Women With Vision

Time: Cost:

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

WOMEN WITH VISION REFLECT ON THIS MONTH’S CPD SESSION WITH THE CHAMPIONS DROP-IN SESSION (ONLINE)

Venue: Northampton Rugby Club (Franklin’s Gardens) Date: Wednesday 15 September Time: 9am – 10am Cost: Members £10 + VAT Non-members £15 + VAT

Date: Time: Cost:

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER BACK2BUSINESS EXHIBITION Venue: Northampton Rugby Club (Franklins Gardens) Date: Wednesday 15 September Time: 10am–3.30pm Cost: Free to attend.

Open to all

FRIDAY WIND DOWN NETWORKING (ONLINE) Date:

Friday 24 September

3pm–4pm Free to attend members only

Wednesday 29 September 10am–11am Free to attend – Women With Vision members only

NEXT GENERATION CPD SESSION (ONLINE) From Apprentice to Managing Director – The Journey of Matthew Rigby-White of Square Media Date: Time: Cost:

Wednesday 29 September 3.30pm–4.30pm Free to attend – Next Generation members only

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Open courses and bespoke training sessions on all Microsoft packages at all levels are available.

Call the Training Department on 01604 490490 for details.

YOUTUBE CHANNEL Look out for our new YouTube channel entitled ‘NN & MK Chambers of Commerce’ which allows our subscribers to watch back ChamberLive events so you never have to miss out!

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MEMBER ZONE

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MEMBER ZONE

MEMBERZONE Latest news from NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER MEMBERS including award wins, relocations, appointments, new contracts, member profiles, mergers, company expansion plans, sponsorship deals and business success stories

Front row: Jo Baxter far left, David Wilkins Director of Construction centre and Kieran O’Keefe right

TRAINEES BUILD NEW CAREERS Nearly 20 construction trainees have progressed to quality apprenticeships after rising to the challenge of work experience during lockdown.

The construction trainees work in the plumbing, carpentry, brickwork and electrical trades and some of them were part of The Bedford College Group’s T-Level pilot - a type of training course now rolled out nationally by the Government.

The Bedford College Group director of science and digital technology Jo Baxter said: “We’re very pleased for the learners from our Corby campus who have secured good placements with local employers.

“The work placements have also benefitted local companies by filling skills gaps and enabling them to train individuals to suit their particular needs. We’d like to thank

all the employers that have supported us, and our learners, in these challenging times.”

Kieran O’Keeffe who is workplace co-ordinator for Construction and Building Services at Tresham College, which is part of The Bedford College Group, added: “A high-quality work placement can be transformational for a young person. The prize for these traditional trades is, of course, an

apprenticeship and these students have captured that prize.”

Young people aged 16-plus can sign up for a wide range of T-Levels with The Bedford College Group from September. Critical to the courses is the combination of 80% college activity and 20% real work experience and they can be a route into apprenticeships or Higher Education.

Visit: tresham.ac.uk

SUPPORTING DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS A charity which has been supporting victims of domestic abuse for more than four decades is rolling out a new training course for professionals.

Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS), formerly known as Northampton’s Women’s Aid, has begun running an all-day training session, called Advanced Domestic Abuse, which is designed to raise awareness about the problem among practitioners and professionals who work directly with survivors of domestic abuse.

Delegates will gain an understanding of what defines domestic abuse according to the Association of Chief Police Officers, learn about the size of the problem, the effects it has on adults and children and gain an overview of honour-based violence. They will also learn about best practice with regards to responding to domestic abuse, find out how agencies are working together to tackle the issue in Northamptonshire and where people can turn for help.

NDAS CEO Dr Rachel Duncan said: “We believe nobody should live in fear, whatever their community, and we work to achieve effective responses to domestic abuse.

“We exist to end the harm done through domestic abuse to all survivors and children. Our work is holistic and empowering, working alongside survivors to achieve independent lives free from abuse. We support victims and survivors from all genders and walks of life, covering all ethnicities, socio-economic statuses, sexual orientation and religions.”

The charity also runs seven refuges in Northamptonshire for men and women fleeing domestic abuse, an outreach service on a 1:1 basis and a 10-week Freedom Programme for Survivors of Domestic Abuse.

For further general information email info@ndas-org.co.uk or for advice and support email advice@ndas-org.co.uk Visit: www.ndas.co AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 inbusiness 39

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MEMBER ZONE FIRM NAMED AS AWARD FINALIST PragmatiQ Solutions have been named as one of three finalists at the SME MK & Buckinghamshire Awards 2021, in the High Growth Business of the Year category.

The SME MK & Buckinghamshire Awards 2021 recognises businesses from across the county who are demonstrating excellence in their sector. The category acknowledges high growth firms.

Managing director Stuart Goldwater said: “We pride ourselves on delivering bespoke technology solutions that solve real problems. To be recognised in this category is a real privilege for the team.”

Over the last few years, PragmatiQ has seen huge success across all areas of the business, from growing the team to surpassing all revenue targets.

The winners will be announced on 9 September.

Visit: www.buckinghamshireawards .co.uk

AUREUM LENDS SUPPORT TO PROPERTY PROJECTS A financial advice company, which supports corporate clients to fund property projects and investments, has secured loans for numerous new developments in Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire this summer.

Aureum Finance, based in Central Milton Keynes assist clients to source and structure any debt requirements across all asset classes.

The firm completed their sixth deal in the same year for one client in Clifton – a development loan for seven bespoke executive houses in a Bedfordshire village location.

Down the road, in Silsoe, they completed a marketing loan for eight houses in another soughtafter village, popular with commuters for its proximity to Flitwick train station and motorway links. This enabled the client to release profits early and reduce funding costs.

In Long Buckby, Aureum Finance recently secured 100% funding for an exclusive development of nine executive family homes, providing a joint venture structure that will

40 inbusiness AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021

assist the clients with the growth of their business.

And in Corby, their work helped to finance a residential development of 12 new houses and six apartments with a second project of 87 houses now purchased on the same site in the heart of Northamptonshire.

Managing director Dean Brown said: “Our dedication, hard work and efficiency enables us to assist our clients to get their developments and investments

funded in a timely manner. We can source creative funding structures that assist our clients with the growth of their business and that provides real satisfaction to our team.

“We have access to a number of diverse lenders with funds available and are always seeking experienced property developers to partner with.”

Visit: www.aureumfinance.co.uk, Call: 01908 414235

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MEMBER PROFILE

NAME: Kalpesh Bhayani COMPANY: Bright & Beautiful Northampton JOB TITLE: Director WHAT DOES YOUR ORGANISATION DO? Premium cleaning services.

HOW DID IT ALL START? A change of perspective on life following life-threatening cancer. My drivers and “why?” changed. I wanted something of my own which would enable me to give back to our awesome community.

WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR? I’d say beating Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and also getting my business through the pandemic and its consequent impact on businesses and our day to day lives!

‘SEEK INPUT FROM THE STRONG NETWORK OF LIKEMINDED PEOPLE AROUND YOU’

WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT? Hot summer nights.

WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST IN YOUR JOB? How difficult it can be at times to find the right people with the right mindset.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST RISK YOU’VE EVER TAKEN – AND DID IT WORK? Leaving my professional IT career to invest in a franchise and start again (with minimal income) was a huge risk in so many ways but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love every day. Having my own business is inspiring, energising and so fulfilling and I’m in better control of my work life balance.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Absolutely do your research and due diligence, seek input from the strong network of like-minded people around you, then follow your dreams!

WHAT EXCITING PROJECTS IS YOUR ORGANISATION WORKING ON? We’ve just purchased our first team vehicle which is a rather exciting milestone for us! And we’ve just taken on a new supervisor to help maintain our premium service to our customers at all times!

WHAT MADE YOUR ORGANISATION JOIN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CHAMBER? The Chamber is a great community of like-minded wonderful people to share stories with, seek inspiration from and serve the community with. There’s so many benefits to the membership that I have yet to take advantage of.

T: 01604 910 102 E: kalpesh.bhayani@brightandbeautifulhome.com W: www.brightandbeautifulhome.com/

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MEMBER ZONE

COLLEGE GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW DEGREE Moulton College, based in Northamptonshire, has been awarded validation status from the University of Northampton to run a new degree course in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.

The course will run at the college’s main site campus and includes awards at Foundation degree and Bachelor’s degree level.

Adding this programme to Moulton’s curriculum was the brainchild of Mark Edwards, lecturer in Ecology and Conservation, whose passion for the subject has inspired previous students to pursue conservation careers.

Mark said: “Interest in ecology and conservation is on the rise. With lockdown highlighting our inherent connections to nature, this news is very timely. We’re providing an exciting opportunity for the next generation to create a sustainable future for wildlife and contribute to our Net Zero environmental goals.”

Moulton College already offers degree programmes in Animal Studies, Construction Management, Equine Studies and Sport, with all degrees accredited by the University of Northampton.

Dean of higher education Cleeve Jenkins said: “We’re delighted to add this new programme to our existing degree offer. As a Higher Education Department, we pride ourselves on the unique learning experience we can provide to our students, including smaller class sizes, and access to our stunning rural estate. This validation status opens our doors to more students to take advantage of the degree programmes we have on offer here.”

Visit: www.moulton.ac.uk

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MEMBER ZONE

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NEXT GENERATION PROFILE

MEMBER BENEFITS CHAMBER FX Exclusive foreign exchange member package offering free health check, low transfer fees and free account opening. Key benefits include bankbeating exchange rates.

NAME: Chloe Doggett COMPANY: Wilson Browne Solicitors JOB TITLE: Associate solicitor

CHAMBER HEALTH PLAN Provided by Westfield Health, Chamber Primary Health Plan can give members cover from just £5.57 per employee, per month.

CHAMBER AA Chamber members can save up to 63% on roadside assistance for business vehicles in a scheme provided by The AA.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT CHAMBER FOREIGN EXCHANGE

BACKGROUND I attended Northampton University for my fast track Law Degree, I then commuted to London for a year to attend Law School.

I joined Wilson Browne at the end of 2015 and commenced my training contract at the start of 2016. I qualified as a solicitor in the commercial litigation team in early 2018 and have progressed to become an associate mainly focusing on property litigation.

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE? My role is varied but includes; liaising with clients, other firms, the Land Registry and the First Tier Upper Tribunal. Some days I will be drafting court applications or consent orders and other days I can be advising multiple clients on their property matters/title defects.

WHY DID YOU JOIN NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER? I joined because there is always more to learn as your career progresses. With a range of speakers I thought it would be a productive way of meeting people and also working on my own skills development.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER EVENT AND WHY? The recent talk by Lindsey Marriott and Charlotte Green from Specific Learning &

‘I HAVE LEARNT THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A STRONG NETWORK AROUND YOU’

Coaching was extremely helpful because they provided tips on how to manage a busy workload.

WHICH NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER MEMBER DO YOU ADMIRE? It’s hard to name just one! I think the whole committee have been great, especially keeping events going online for members throughout the pandemic.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU’VE LEARNED FROM NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER? For me, I have learnt that there are a variety of people out there who are willing to help with any queries. I have learnt the importance of having a strong network around you and that the best way to get to know people is simply by getting in touch for a chat.

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACT Linkedin: Chloe Doggett

NEXT GENERATION CHAMBER PATRONS

The British Chambers of Commerce has partnered with exchange experts, moneycorp to provide money saving foreign exchange to Chamber members across the country.

If you have international payment requirements moneycorp can help you save hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands every year.

We offer an exclusive Member Package including a free assessment of your business’s foreign exchange requirements, to help you pinpoint where you could improve your margins, plus low transfer fees starting at just £5.

Chamber Foreign Exchange allows customers to buy and sell any of 35 different currencies at bank-beating exchange rates – typically as much as 4% better than the banks. moneycorp is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority to provide payment services and safeguards all client funds in segregated customer accounts.

Chamber Foreign Exchange offers expert market guidance at the end of a phone moneycorp’s professional currency dealers can guide you through the foreign exchange market.

For more information on Chamber Foreign Exchange telephone 07551 170665, quoting ‘Chamber of Commerce’, or email andy.medler@moneycorp.com

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 inbusiness 45

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NEWMEMBERS Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome its NEW MEMBERS. Membership offers your business a whole host of support services and ways to connect and network with other companies. Contact the Chamber membership team on 01604 490490 1702 Productions KINGTON 07989121326 www.1702productions.co.uk Theatrical productions Atomic Breath Ltd CORBY 07956 692 244 www.atomicbreath.video Video production and creative content strategic company Attain Coaching DAVENTRY 07485 415369 www.attaincoaching.co.uk Helping individuals and organisations attain their goals through coaching Boxx Communications Limited MILTON KEYNES 01908 350750 www.boxxcomms.co.uk Based in Milton Keynes, yet with a national engineering network. Boxx specialise in providing bespoke telecommunications solutions to businesses large and small Boy Limited RUSHDEN 01933 354460 www.boy.ltd.uk Sales and service of injection moulding machines and spare parts Britanic Cable Production Ltd NORTHAMPTON 01604 434186 www.briticom.net Manufacturing telecommunications network products Caz Interiors NORTHAMPTON 07867 867033 www.cazinteriors.com Bespoke handmade lighting shades CMC Business Advisors GREAT DODDINGTON 07568 978021 www.cmcbusinessadvisors.co.uk Business advisors and mentors Digital Attitude NORTHAMPTON 07563 186469 www.digitalattitude.co.uk Fractional/virtual/CIO/CTO and digital transformation services DS Smith Sheetfeeding KETTERING 01234 790800 www.dssmithsheetfeeding.com Manufacture of decorative and performance speciality corrugated materials

Manufacture of geophysical instruments and sensors

Penetration testing and cyber security consultancy

Green Life Buildings Ltd CORBY 03301 332463 www.greenlifebuildings.co.uk The Green Life Building System is an innovative, lightweight, ecofriendly, and exceptionally durable sandwich panel system for construction projects

Northampton Psychology Practice/The Autism Practice NORTHAMPTON 07521 941284 www.northamptonpsychology.co.uk Clinical Psychology Service for children and adults. Diagnostic service for children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions and learning needs

Insync Safety Services Limited NORTHAMPTON 07561 412053 Health and safety training and consultancy It's What's Next IT MILTON KEYNES 01908 410883 www.iwn-it.com We are a managed IT services business, that happens to be a social enterprise. We look after IT strategy and IT support to SMEs Jolibi CORBY 07861 747981 Soap manufacturer Kirsch Home NORTHAMPTON 07849 101017 www.kirschhome.com We are a biophilic homeware brand and consultancy with a mission to transform living spaces into more natural habitats, by creating beautiful jungle interiors

Northampton Town Football Club NORTHAMPTON 01604 683734 www.ntfc.co.uk The Home of the Cobblers, Sixfields has conference facilities from two to 110 delegates with a range of rooms to accommodate your event Northamptonshire Health Charity NORTHAMPTON 01604 626927 www.northamptonshirehealthcharity .co.uk Supporting local Northamptonshire NHS hospitals and community services Park Inn Northampton NORTHAMPTON 01604 739988 www.parkinn.co.uk Town centre hotel, near the train and bus station, 12 conference rooms, banqueting to a max of 600 guests, 146 bedrooms, swimming pool, gym and spa

Knight Shift VA Services KETTERING 07543 677496 www.knightshiftservice.co.uk Working with you to integrate your purpose-driven strategy and vision into the fabric of your business

Personal Strengths Coaching NORTHAMPTON 07375 212277 www.personalstrengthscoaching. com Personal strength coaching

Lacerta Design PETERBOROUGH 07597 364987 Graphic and web design

Pieces Academy TOWCESTER 07774 471194 Learning and development

Liquid Culture WELLINGBOROUGH 01933 670999 www.liquid-culture.co.uk Experts in coffee first and foremost, and specialists in providing the complete drink and snack service. We supply a selection of vending options

Revolution Radio NORTHAMPTON 07774 546453 www.revolutionradio.com Revolution Radio is the community radio station broadcasting from studios on Abington Street in Northampton via the National Lift Tower

Made for Belle & Friends NORTHAMPTON 07946 767920 www.madeforbelle.co.uk Handmade children's clothing

Right Digital Solutions Ltd CENTRAL MILTON KEYNES 01908 106133 www.rightdigitalsolutions.com Services that span beyond print and document services: incorporating workplace innovation, workflow solutions, cloud enablement and information security

Evolve Business Coaching Ltd FINEDON 07305 828625 www.evolvebusinesscoaching.co.uk Business coaching for small and medium sized businesses who want a systemised sales and marketing process to increase leads and profit

Millbrook Business Finance Ltd NORTHAMPTON 0333 0153301 www.millbrookbusinessfinance.com Helps UK businesses access funding in the form of asset and equipment finance, business loans, vehicle and car finance, invoice finance and property finance

Geotek Ltd DAVENTRY 01327 311666 www.geotek.co.uk

Nene Cyber Security Ltd NORTHAMPTON 07551 977347 www.nenecybersecurity.com

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Saints Coffee NORTHAMPTON 07305 057817 www.saintscoffee.co.uk Social enterprise coffee shop, restaurant, bar and retailer speciality of coffee on-line, 25% of profits being given to social projects

Serengeti Spirits Ltd BRAUNSTON 07756 142487 www.serengetispirits.co.uk Serengeti Spirits are a brand of tropical flavoured craft spirits, inspired by the paradise island of Zanzibar and the big animals of the Serengeti Simply Ngo Limited CORBY 01536 742899 www.simplyngo.com Simply Ngo Ltd was founded by Ngozi Kemjika. It has three prongs - writing services, speaking services, life coaching services Smiles Harris Process Servers Ltd NORTHAMPTON 01604 497987 www.smilesharris.co.uk Process servers (legal), professional investigators Stately Web KETTERING 01933 588050 www.statelyweb.co.uk Stately Web’s team works with unfaltering commitment, from across the globe with only one goal in mind – to build your perfect digital image and manage your online infrastructure SuperCool Central Ltd NORTHAMPTON 01604 621215 www.supercoolcentral.co.uk Service, maintenance and installation of air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems Syan Farms NORTHAMPTON 07899 662152 www.syanfarms.com A vertical farming company aiming to provide local communities with better quality food in a sustainable, environmentally-conscious way Teltronix UK Ltd NORTHAMPTON 01604 434186 www.teltronix.net Manufacturing telecommunications network products The Boxed Bakery NORTHAMPTON 07462 927126 Small home-based bakery business The Startup Pack Limited BLISWORTH 01604 435133 www.thestartuppack.co.uk Business start-up packs Think Hatch BLISWORTH 01604 879776 www.thinkhatch.co.uk Channelling creativity and innovation into meaningful results Topstitch UK PETERBOROUGH 01832 205613 www.topstitch.uk We have 40 years sewing experience and have been

specialising in campervans and motorhome conversion upholstery for the last five years Triple 111 Group Ltd LONG BUCKBY 01788 432111 www.triple1group.co.uk Face mask manufacturer. Health product manufacturer U.See.Me LTD FLORE 07704 530224 www.useeme.uk U.See.Me is a business development company focusing on delivering digital software solutions in the UK and abroad UK W M Trading NORTHAMPTON Vuykont Infotech Limited NORTHAMPTON 07961 998822 Helping clients with their Information technology requirements West Northamptonshire Social Enterprise Towns NORTHAMPTON 01604 214300 www.wnset.org Our vision is to be a centre of excellence in social enterprise, to be a voice for the growth of West Northamptonshire’s vibrant, existing social enterprise Wildflowers WELLINGBOROUGH 07498 622139 Wildflowers offer complementary, natural, therapy products which treat the person as a whole, treat the cause not the symptoms. To ensure sustained healing Winkworth Estate Agents Northampton NORTHAMPTON 01604 204455 www.winkworth.co.uk/estateagents Sales, lettings, property management, and all things property-related Word Window NORTHAMPTON Developer of small handheld device to help aid young people to learn to read YooKanToo KETTERING 07786 879822 A life change therapist and motivational speaker, Kellie helps people find freedom from trauma, phobias, anxiety, addictions and overeating disorders YUM YUM Creative Solutions Ltd BLISWORTH 01604 879776 www.weareyumyum.co.uk As a creative agency, we recognise the challenges facing small businesses and also recognise the need to see a return on your investment

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