BUSINESS INSIDER
BREAKING NEWS
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN Our pick of the most exciting, intriguing or important local business stories right now
HOUSEKEEPING TO BEE-KEEPING Combe Grove, the Grade-II listed Georgian country club, has recently been purchased by the charity The Elmhurst Foundation. The long-term vision is to transform the Bath Hotel, restaurant and fitness club which is set in 70 acres of grounds, into a work-based learning centre, while the hotel continues as a business. Along with apprenticeships being offered across each department including hospitality, catering, customer services and finance, there will be a programme of practical courses such as bee-keeping and dry-stone walling. Building on the existing Combe Grove fitness club activities, there are also plans to expand further into holistic wellness with, for example, yoga, painting and mediation courses.
“Let’s go fly a kite – up to the highest height!”
CHILD AIR CARE
Helen Aylward-Smith, founder of The Elmhurst Foundation, says, “We are very grateful to all those who have given us the opportunity and enabled this to happen. We will now focus our energy on launching our apprenticeship programme, working together to create an inspiring retreat for health and wellbeing, in this most beautiful rural English setting.”
Back in September 2013, Etihad Airways introduced the concept of Norland-trained and approved Flying Nannies to help children and parents with the stresses of long-haul flights, as well as accompany minors travelling alone. The idea took off immediately and the Middle Eastern airline has just celebrated the graduation of the 2,000th Flying Nanny. Claire Burgess, head of research, consultancy and training at Norland, who has been delivering the training at Etihad Airways’ headquarters since the initiative began, says, “This milestone reflects how successful the Flying Nanny programme has been for Etihad Airways, and it proves that Norland’s expertise continues to make a positive impact on the passenger experience.”
For more: www.combegrove.com
For more: www.norland.co.uk
The Combe Grove team are ready to train
BRIGHT SPARKS A simple spark of an idea from a young Somerset schoolgirl led to big success on the online retailers Not On The High Street. Deborah, who lives in Taunton, explains, ‘When my daughter Verity was 16 and was studying textiles at college, she had some ideas for personalised t-shirt designs so we decided to try selling them. She helped me by cutting out fabric. This was the beginning of Sparks Clothing back in 2007.” The duo are now a team of 10, have won The Make Awards Partner of the Year 2013 and processed around 170,000 orders. Verity, who helped her mum with the business all the way through her university career, says, “It was difficult to balance things, but because Mum and I are such a good team we managed to get through it. I’ve now finished my degree, and am very excited about the future of our business.’ For more: www.notonthehighstreet.com Sparks Clothing is a family affair
98 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Chris is a leading scholar in 20th century British art
ART MOVEMENT The Holburne Museum has announced the appointment of its new director, Dr Chris Stephens, currently head of displays and lead curator at Modern British Art at Tate Britain. Chris, who has overseen the programming, planning and delivery of the Tate Britain’s collection displays since 2001 and is recognised as a leading scholar in 20th century British art, will take up the post in Bath in July. He succeeds Jennifer
Scott, now Sackler Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery. Chris says, “Since its reopening in 2011, I have admired the richness and professionalism of The Holburne, its staff and its programme, so I am thrilled to become its next director and to continue and extend its innovation and all that it offers the people of Bath and beyond.” For more: www.holburne.org