Business & Innovation Magazine - Issue 11 January 2019

Editor-in-Chief

Nicky Godding

Tel: 07966 510401

nicky.godding@nkmedia.co.uk

Commercial Director

Kirsty Muir

Tel: 07971 912020

kirsty.muir@nkmedia.co.uk

Chairman, NK Media Ltd

James Palmer

Regional Account & Events Manager

Rosemary Henderson

Tel: 07889 227432

rosemary.henderson@nkmedia.co.uk

Marketing & Events Co-ordinator

Lizi Clapham

Tel: 07955 855817

lizi.clapham@nkmedia.co.uk

Customer Services enquiries@nkmedia.co.uk

Accounts accounts@nkmedia.co.uk

Magazine Design

Brace Creative Agency www.brace.co.uk

Magazine Printers

The Manson Group www.mansongroup.co.uk

Chief Photographer

Rob Lacey www.roblaceyphotographer.co.uk

Contributing Editor

Anita Syvret

www.syvretmedia.co.uk

Contributing Writer

Ian Mean

Reporter: Kate Godding

Sub Editor

Joyce Matthews

Nicky Godding Editor-in-Chief

07966

One way or another, 2019 is going to be a year to remember. I’m writing this mid-way through December and anything could happen between now and when this magazine is published. All bets are off about our future relationship with the European Union.

So in this issue we’re looking at the positive. Many people may be surprised how much the UK still manufactures and exports. This region makes more things that most people realise and it exports more too, and not only to the EU. There are markets across the world there for the taking. UK manufacturing delivers 44 per cent of our total exports and directly employs 2.6 million people.

In this issue we celebrate regional manufacturing and exporting and we hope that our features will inspire more businesses to take the plunge.

Our big interviews are all with bosses of some of the region’s most innovative companies. From household appliances to autonomous vehicles, the world is changing fast and companies across the region are leading the charge in so many ways.

Looking further ahead, there will be reasons to be cheerful in 2019 - we just have to navigate Brexit first. And to do that you have to know what’s going on.

Our daily news website, www.businessinnovationmag.co.uk, reveals news and business opportunities and you can sign up on our website for a free, information-packed weekly business newsletter.

I’m a “glass half-full” person, so with my fingers firmly crossed, here’s to a Happy New Year for your business, our business and for the UK economy as a whole.

Business & Innovation Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine published by NK Media Ltd. Our readers are business owners, senior executives, key influencers, entrepreneurs, innovators and those working in further and higher education, and government departments. Any opinions expressed by those quoted in this magazine are their own and do not necessarily represent or reflect those of Business & Innovation Magazine, or of NK Media Ltd. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form of advertising or promotion without the written permission of the Editor-in-Chief or Commercial Director.

ISSN 2514 - 7609

Member of the Professional Publishers Association

SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION

IN THE HEADLINES

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

P106

SPOTLIGHT ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

MADE IN THE REGION

P44

WE MEET DR GRAEME SMITH, CEO AT OXBOTICA

BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY

P64

P10 Nick Grey of Gtech talks design

GLOBAL AMBITION

P87

ASTON MARTIN FLIES HIGH WITH NEW AIRCRAFT CONCEPT

Floating on the London Stock Exchange last year wasn’t enough for Aston Martin. The luxury car maker has now set its sights above the tarmac.

The Warwickshire headquartered company has revealed the Volante Vision, a concept aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities.

Produced in partnership with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solutions and Rolls-Royce, the concept aircraft aims to bring luxury personal transportation to the sky.

With room for three adults, the concept is a near future study that previews a flying autonomous hybrid-electric vehicle for urban and inter-city air travel, providing fast, efficient and congestion-free luxurious travel.

Aston Martin President and CEO, Dr Andy Palmer, said: “With the urban population growing, congestion in towns and cities will become increasingly demanding. We need to look at alternative solutions to reduce congestion, cut pollution and improve mobility.

“Air travel will play a crucial part in the future of transportation.”

“The Volante Vision concept is a demonstration of its design ingenuity. With room for three adults, the concept is a near future study that previews a flying autonomous hybridelectric vehicle for urban and inter-city air travel”

The Volante Vision concept will take full advantage of the latest advances in aerospace, electrification and autonomous technologies, coupled with Aston Martin’s signature design.

The heat is on as ProCook eliminates plastic packaging

Gloucester cookware retailer ProCook has joined the battle against plastic pollution. The company has revealed big changes to the way its products are packaged.

The homewares brand, which opened a further eight retail stores across the UK last year, has committed to using fully recyclable materials in its extensive cookware and knife products, resulting in 90 per cent of all plastic packaging being eliminated in those ranges by the end of 2018, and 95 per cent by the end of 2019.

The worst-offending non-biodegradable packaging such as EVA packing material, shrink wrap and polythene is being

replaced with 100 per cent recyclable card packaging in all ProCook cookware and knife ranges. The new card packaging uses a simple layered construction and clever folding techniques to protect products during transit.

ProCook owner Daniel O’Neill said: “As retailers we have a responsibility to consider the wider effect of our business activity, and addressing product packaging is a significant step in the right direction. Our new packaging has been designed with careful thought and a long-term goal

in mind – we want our customers to feel good about spending their money with ProCook in the full knowledge that we are a company that is committed to reducing single use plastics.”

The ProCook knife packed in cardboard

Franchise Brands tops Worcestershire’s Growth Barometer

Kidderminster-based Franchise Brands, founded in 2008 by Stephen Hemsley (Executive Chairman) and Nigel Wray (Non-executive Director), topped the 2018 Worcestershire Growth Barometer, which tracks the fastest growing businesses in the county.

Franchise Brands is an international multi-brand franchisor with more than 450 franchisees in 12 countries across four brands. It was admitted to London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2016.

Dan wins Rising Star at international boat awards

In the headlines

The leap in growth followed Franchise Brands’ acquisition of Metro Rod in April 2017, for £24.4 million.

The Group’s brands are Metro Rod, a provider of drain clearance and maintenance services, ChipsAway, the originator of SMART repair technology and the leading repairer of minor automotive paintwork damage in the UK, Ovenclean, a leading oven cleaning service brand with more than 100 franchisees and Barking Mad, a pet care franchise with over 70 franchisees. It provides a professional dog-sitting service as an alternative to kennels.

Director and Head of accountants

BDO Worcestershire, which compiles the growth barometer, Gary Rouse, said: “The wealth of data we have accumulated and which has not been analysed anywhere else, gives us a unique view of how Worcestershire’s districts and business sectors are evolving over time.”

Williams Jet Tenders is celebrating after its design engineering manager, Dan Bloice-Smith, won the inaugural Rising Star Award at the 2018 Boat Builder Awards in Amsterdam.

The Rising Star Award was a new category and recognises an individual up to the age of 35 who has had a major impact on the boatbuilding business.

During the last eight years at Oxfordshire-based Williams Jet Tenders, Dan has been instrumental in the growth of the business.

Having joined as an engineer in 2010, he now heads the technical

department and oversees new product development.

Dan has been involved in the launch of 16 new models and was pivotal in the launch of the Minijet 280 in 2016, a lightweight tender that would give Williams access to a whole new market sector.

Dan has also devoted his spare time to establishing and running Williams’ Powerboat School. Engaging with the local community, Dan oversees a group of students through a six-weekend programme, teaching them the basics of boatbuilding. The best students are offered an apprenticeship at Williams the following year and the programme has so far produced six apprentices who have gone on to become full-time employees.

Mat Hornsby, Sales Director of Williams Jet Tenders, said: “This award is testament to Dan’s design and engineering skills that have allowed Williams to dominate the luxury yacht tender market. The Rising Star Award is a brilliant category that provides the perfect way to praise emerging talent in the global marine industry.”

Dan Bloice-Smith (right) wins the Rising Star Award, with representatives of the Boat Builder Awards

“The wealth of data we have accumulated and which has not been analysed anywhere else, gives us a unique view of how Worcestershire’s districts and business sectors are evolving over time”

The Minijet 280

New warehouse supports “Just in Time” service and Brexit contingency planning

In the headlines

Specialist packaging manufacturer GWP Group has invested in a third warehouse at its Cricklade site in Wiltshire, increasing storage by 20 per cent.

The new 10,000sq ft warehouse adds to its existing 65,000sq ft across two units already on the site.

The new warehouse will help manage the supply and distribution of packaging products to GWP’s customers in the South West and support the company’s growth. It will also help contingency planning for Brexit says the company.

James Pedley, Operations Manager at GWP Packaging said: “One of our key services is to hold our customers’ stock, and to supply it to them on a “Just in Time” basis. This frees up their warehouse space, reduces their associated costs and allows us to monitor stock levels and manage peaks in demand for them too.

“Around 80 per cent of our customers have us manage their packaging inventory for them, and with continued growth over the last 24 months, we needed to increase our storage space to maintain the success of this service.”

Ruth Cook, GWP Managing Director, added: “Many of our customers are nervous regarding the uncertainty of Brexit, and what it could mean for supply of goods and services – including packaging – to their business. One of the steps we are taking is to increase our buffer stock of raw material and finished product, and the additional space provided by the new warehouse will be a great help with managing this.”

The opening of the new warehouse follows the purchase of new manufacturing equipment at both of GWP’s sites in Cricklade and Salisbury, with more than £1.1 million being invested by the company since 2015.

NEW HORIZONS FOR PLAYGROUND GAMES

It’s been a phenomenal 12 months for Leamington-based games developer, Playground Games.

Last June the company, founded in 2010 by a group of local games developers, was bought by industry giant Microsoft. Playground also announced that it will be working on a second game. This will see the company double the size of its Leamington team to 400, resulting in the acquisition of a second studio, securing top creative talent from around the world.

Playground Games, is best known for its work on Forza Games - its first title Forza Horizon was created for the Xbox 360 in 2012. The latest in the hugely successful series Forza Horizon 4, launched late last year.

This is a racing game set in Britain, where players can drive some of the fastest cars on the planet and experience the different seasons, and on and off-road

conditions such as mud, ice and snow.

Leamington Spa, which is promoting itself as “Silicon Spa” has more than 2,500 employees employed across 50 studios. Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Business, Councillor Noel Butler said: “It is one of the strongest and most established games clusters in the UK and is fast becoming a global powerhouse of games development.”

Playground Games along with fellow Silicon Spa studio Sega Hardlight, was recently named as amongst the Best Places to Work in the UK video games industry by Gamesindustry.biz.

Coventry, Gloucester & Oxford are top UK innovative cities

Cambridge is the most innovative city in the UK, but Coventry, Oxford and Gloucester come second, fourth and tenth respectively, a new study has found.

The study, conducted by innovation funding specialists MPA Group, found that in 2016, Cambridge had 315.7 patents published per 100,000 residents. Coventry, home to the science and practice of holography, the classic bicycle and London black cabs,

saw 108.9 patents published per 100,000 residents. Oxford achieved 78 per 100,000 people and Gloucester, considering it has less than half the population of Coventry, achieved an impressive 32.7 per 100,000.

The research was based on the UK patent applications published in the 2016 Centre for Cities Report

Over half of respondents selected penicillin, discovered in Oxford, as the UK invention they are most proud of.

“Leamington Spa, which is promoting itself as “Silicon Spa” has more than 2,500 employees employed across 50 studios”

The Playground Games team also supports the Witney-based charity SpecialEffect, helping people with physical disabilities

NICK HAS FUTURE ON THE DESIGNS

Gtech isn’t just a household appliance design and manufacturer, it’s an ideas factory. And its founder enjoys solving practical problems through invention and innovation

By Nicky Godding

Gtech dust bags cost £1 each. Nick says bagged vacuums need less emptying and spare bags can be ordered on a smart phone for next-day delivery by Amazon.

Solving problems by understanding consumer need

Nick has long been a disruptor in his chosen business sector of household appliances. In the early years of Gtech (he launched the business, which he still owns, in 2001), the company sold his unique cordless sweeper. At that time it was the only one on the market which could do the full cleaning job, he says. When others realised the appeal of what he’d designed,

But Nick isn’t just a household and garden appliance designer, he’s a problem solver.

“We want to design products that are simple to build and assemble, and we will continue to re-engineer them if necessary, making them even simpler and more effective, always taking into account why the customer needs a product,”

“We want Gtech products to be robust. It should be simple to extract a sock sucked up by a vacuum cleaner. Our hedge trimmer won’t break just because the user has chopped through barbed

“We want our products to be able to cope. And it gets more difficult as we all live a fast-paced life, but I want Gtech products to last.”

Long-term ambition to reshore some manufacturing

Nick has ambitions to bring some product manufacturing back to the UK from the Far East, which is where most household appliances are made. I ask why.

“Some customers have asked us if we could manufacture here, and we are a company who rely on goodwill and want to respond to the customer and community.”

And it’s perfectly possible, he says. Another vacuum cleaner brand, Numatic, manufactures in Somerset.

But that ambition is on hold for a little longer. It’s been a tough year for the UK’s vacuum cleaner market, where sales volumes dropped in 2016 and 2017 as economic uncertainty bit following the Brexit vote. Householders are waiting longer to replace durable goods.

Nick saw the downturn coming at the beginning of 2018 – not long after the company was reporting record sales of £120 million, with global sales of more than £17 million, mainly drawn from the Far East.

He admits it was a tough beginning to the year. “Everyone was saying well done after our record results, but I knew it was going to be a difficult year. We’d also moved into a new factory and thrown resources at it.

“There was more going on and when we reviewed our business, not everything was adding value. So we regrouped, simplified the business and put those people who’ve been with us for a long time

Every household needs a vacuum cleaner. And with more than 27 million households in the UK, that’s why there are a lot of wellmore than enough customers to go around.

Gtech

Gtech

“We want to design products that are simple to build and assemble and we will continue to re-engineer them if necessary, making them even simpler and more effective, but always taking into account why the customer needs a product”

and know Gtech well, into key roles of responsibility.”

The long-standing Gtech model works well, says Nick. “We design great products, advertise them direct to the consumer, sell some retail, others direct and respond efficiently to customers.

“When we moved that got a little lost, so we’ve reorganised and are looking forward to 2019 with new products and planned growth. We’ve got a tighter team and removed complexity from the business.

“When I started Gtech 18 years ago, I’d planned on a 10-year project. But this is my favourite thing to do and I still love it.”

Gtech: The ideas factory

Gtech isn’t short of ideas. “I’m super proud of our new products and we have a number in the pipeline for 2019,” says Nick.

The business designs and sells not only vacuum cleaners, but also garden equipment such as hedge trimmers, lawn mowers and strimmers, and e-bikes.

I first interviewed Nick, in 2015, when he let me ride one of his funky e-bikes just before they were launched.

This interview also sees me try out a new product. This time it’s a massage bed which the team is still working on.

Designed by Nick to help solve his own low-level but persistent back pain, it’s based on the sort of hard foam roller seen in most gyms. This one is mounted on a very simple robotic device which rolls up and down underneath the low-level bed. The tension can be adjusted in a number of ways to fit the user’s requirements.

“It’s for anyone who has aches and pains and we are working on an extra attachment to suit the neck,” he says.

I tried it. It was fabulous feeling the roller run up and down my spine. But

conducting an interview lying prone while experiencing a deep tissue massage is a little disconcerting.

“When we are deciding what to design, we look out for a need that’s not already catered for,” explains Nick.

“There are millions of people with bad backs and nowhere near enough therapists. The NHS is trying to offer hands off stretching as one solution, so we thought that’s the perfect thing a robot should be able to do.

“It’s hard, boring work for therapists to massage backs all day. Our bed is designed for those experiencing painful back pain from tension. Those who have serious back pain should go to a doctor to be properly diagnosed. They may suggest this – but you will need to check first.”

Learning from experience

What happens when a design idea fails?

“You want it to fail early in order to move on fast with the next idea” says Nick. He’s also aware of the different capabilities

of his design team. “Some love working on an idea which I have come up with. They enjoy that and thrive on making it better. Others want to come up with their own ideas and that’s great too.

“But as designers. we all have to understand that the consumer is always the boss and not all ideas will work. I’ve tried lots of things that haven’t worked. As a designer you have to be humble to be successful. We have to know that we don’t know everything, and good design is an iterative process. Is it a good idea. Does it work properly? Does it work for all aspects of the design? We have to be our own worst critics.”

One of Nick’s design failures came as he and his team tried to design the Best Ever Vacuum Cleaner. “We’d designed the BEV to do everything. It had bags that cleaned themselves, above the floor cleaning and performance was great.

“Then we used it, and it was like ‘this is awful’. It was heavy, clumsy and trying to be all things to all consumers. So we dumped it and I was very relieved. Vacuuming the floor and the walls and ceilings are totally different. And for a short while, we’d overlooked that. But as a designer you have to try everything.”

“Gtech designs and sells not only vacuum cleaners, but also garden equipment such as hedge trimmers, lawn mowers and strimmers, and e-bikes”

Tewkesbury Borough Businesses offered unrivalled support at new Growth Hub

Tewkesbury Borough Growth Hub is now open for business with an exciting new space where the local business community can work, meet and get access to important resources in a supportive environment.

Adding another unique service to Tewkesbury Borough’s Public Service Centre, the hub is the first of its kind in the country to be located within an existing public services building. This means businesses can also access the huge range of services already located there, including important regulatory, planning and environmental health advice.

“We have found the advice and guidance we received from both the council and the Growth Hub invaluable and I would really encourage small businesses to get in touch with them to see how they can help develop businesses further.”

project is funded by Gloucestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (GFirst LEP) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Councillor Rob Bird, Leader, Tewkesbury Borough Council said “The Tewkesbury Growth Hub is a major boost for local businesses of all types and sizes, and I encourage everyone to make full use of the help, advice, resources and facilities available. It fulfils two key council objectives: practical support for business growth and prosperity and the onestop customer service experience, by coordinating our services to businesses through one contact point.”

“This is the first Growth

It was officially opened by Councillor Rob Bird, Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council and David Owen CEO of GFirst LEP at a packed launch event, including local businesses who shared their experiences of support received through the Growth Hub network.

Promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and business growth in the area, the hub offers support to businesses of all types and sectors, from pre-start to established companies and organisations looking to grow. The

The Tewkesbury Growth Hub, forms an integral part of the public service element of Tewkesbury Borough Council. It is a real coup as it is the only Growth Hub to be located within and partnered with a borough council in England, which shows the commitment of Tewkesbury Borough Council to businesses.

What’s on offer at Tewkesbury Growth Hub?

The hub offers a ‘one stop shop’ approach to business support through the in-house team and Navigator service. Upon registering, the team will check eligibility and suitability across a range of options and will offer bespoke, fully-funded advice, provided it shows growth. Business-focused workshops and events are also on offer to upskill and develop knowledge.

In addition, bright, airy and modern meeting room space is available to be booked for meetings with clients, employees or partners. These can be booked on an hourly or full day basis. In addition, the hub space includes three incubator units where tenants benefit from access to a wide range of support services.

There is no need to book a visit, the Growth Hub is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, so go along for a tour and see what’s on offer!

To find out more and discuss how we can help you please contact the Tewkesbury Hub Team on:

Tel: 01684 272073

Email: tewkesbury@thegrowthhub.biz

Nigel Dawson Café Au Chocolat in Tewkesbury

Hub in the UK hosted by a local council, illustrating our driving ambition to help businesses grow successfully, which creates prosperity for a thriving community.”

Councillor Rob Bird Leader Tewkesbury Borough Council

David Owen, Diane Savory

Councillor Rob Bird from Tewkesbury Borough Council

Forest Economic Partnership builds momentum

The Forest Economic Partnership, which launched last year, is gearing up for a busy 2019 with more than 100 organisations and businesses signed up as members, but the Partnership is urging more to get involved and have their voices heard.

IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE FOREST TODAY

Three established Gloucestershire companies have opened a shared office hub to serve the Forest of Dean.

Tayntons Solicitors, the Gloucester-based law firm, has linked up with chartered accountants Griffiths Marshall and Quayside Wealth Management.

The shared office hub is in a former bank building on Newerne Street, Lydney.

Paul O’Flynn, who heads Tayntons Forest Legal and lives in Lydney, said: “There is tremendous potential in the Forest of Dean and we want to support businesses and private clients.

“To have Tayntons, Griffiths Marshall and Quayside together under one roof will enable each of our businesses to grow.”

“To have Tayntons, Griffiths Marshall and Quayside together under one roof will enable each of our businesses to grow”

Ian Price, Managing Partner of Griffiths Marshall, said: “We strongly believe this strengthens the overall professional offering in the area to which we remain committed.”

Alex Kell, Principal of Quayside Wealth Management added: “We have an office in central Gloucester and hope that having a second office in Lydney will give us the opportunity to support more individuals and businesses.”

All Fleet Services moves to Mitcheldean

It’s all change for All Fleet Services, a provider of software, call centre and administrative services to the fleet and automotive industries.

The company has moved its head office from Gloucester to Mitcheldean.

The search for new premises included properties within Gloucestershire and outside the county, but the firm finally

secured a long-term lease for 30,000 square feet of office accommodation within the Beechdene Building, Vantage Point Business Village, Mitcheldean.

Dave Scobie, Managing Director of All Fleet Services, said: “This move marks a new chapter for the business and it is great to have all our staff within one building and one floor, and still have room for expansion.”

The Forest of Dean has historically been poor at shouting about its successes, a message reinforced at by Ian Mean, Business West Director and Small Business Champion for GFirst LEP.

He said: “The Forest Economic Partnership has produced a set of excellent plans that bode well for the economic growth of the area, but if the Forest is to make real progress, it must get better at shouting about its successes.”

The Partnership has established working groups to tackle what members see as the highest priority sectors: education and skills, transport and infrastructure, digital connectivity and the Severn and Wye Bridges cross-border working.

The new Gloucestershire College campus at Cinderford opened in September and the early abolition of tolls across the Severn Bridge, originally planned for December 31, but brought forward to before Christmas, have been welcomed.

Andrew Callard, chair of the Forest Economic Partnership said, “The removal of the tolls on the Severn Bridges will bring significant benefits for the areas neighbouring the Forest.

“It’s essential that we work together to make sure the Forest shares in those benefits for all those that live, work, play and study here.”

Toasting the new Lydney offices for Tayntons, Griffiths Marshall and Quayside Wealth Management: Chris Price, Ian Price, Cllr Brian Pearson, Steve Price, Alex Kell, Andrina Nisbet, Paul O’Flynn and Andrew Ollerenshaw

The stunning Forest of Dean College Campus, which opened last year

Established in 2008, JMP Ltd has gained a strong reputation for its dedication and professionalism, attention to detail and customer service. These qualities are at the core of its business, helping to deliver first class independent insurance.

John Phillips, Managing Director, has been working in the insurance broking sector for nearly 33 years and understands the importance of building good local relationships. Having gone from strength to strength JMP now deals with hundreds of businesses and private clients all over the UK.

JMP started out working inside an accountancy practice in Tewkesbury, which provided John a solid base in which to launch the business. After several years of consistent growth in 2014 they took the opportunity to relocate to their beautiful offices in Imperial Square. JMP advises and provides bespoke commercial business insurance for corporates, SMEs, and high net worth personal insurance for private clients. We want to make sure

that we are easy to trade with and not one of these faceless organisations on-line who point you to different departments and with whom you never speak to the same person twice! “We are still a traditional brokerage,” says John. “We get to know our clients and offer one point of contact for business, motor, property and home insurance. “I love what I do, and I love the variety. For example, one day I’m in a cheese factory, the next a motor trader, a motor sport team, an engineering business, a solicitor’s office. There seems to be nothing out there we can’t insure.

I constantly meet with great people and see fantastic businesses and there is certainly plenty of business out there; you just have to offer and deliver the right consistent professional service. We really value our clients and are here for them at all times, we deal with them right through from the initial quotes, arranging the right cover, to sorting out their claims.

Last year saw the acquisition of Tetburybased broker, John Pearce Insurance. This was JMP’s first acquisition and further broadened the business’s customer base. Its exciting times, ahead and having rounded off 2018 with some record months, JMP are looking forward to a strong 2019 and expanding the team.

JMP is now providing bespoke insurance to members of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA),and companies all over the UK with insurance and risk advice to help component manufacturers, suppliers and race teams find the right insurance. The Partnership also launched its cookery school scheme, providing specialist insurance for chefs, cookery demonstrations and cookery schools across the UK, including those offering accommodation. Both are very different but equally exciting project to be offering.

John explains: “These new opportunities came thanks to a new member of staff who joined us in 2016. Colin Jones has worked in insurance for over 45 years with a strong background in motorsport insurance plus a hobby of cooking that presented us with an opportunity to work with cookery schools. His knowledge has been invaluable and being so well respected in the industry insurers have been keen to support us with our recent projects.

www.cookeryschoolsinsurance.co.uk

www.jmpmotorsport.co.uk

Cheltenham-based insurance brokers, John Morgan Partnership, known as JMP Ltd, is proud to be celebrating 10 years in business with huge customer growth.

“80 per cent of our business comes through referrals from professional connections and networking. Our clients appreciate that we are small enough to offer an individual, bespoke service, but experienced enough to offer the highly professional and well-informed service that they should expect.”

John Phillips, Managing Director John Morgan Partnership

Graduate lands dream job after life-threatening injury

A University of Gloucestershire graduate landed his dream job with a Premier League football team less than a year after recovering from a coma. Adam Micklewright, 21, secured a job with Fulham Football Club after recovering from a life-threatening injury and going on to achieve a First Class degree.

REGGAE REGGAE SAUCE BOSS TELLS STUDENTS TO GET A LAWYER

While socialising with friends, Adam suffered a blackout, collapsed and cracked his head on a pavement. It left him with a triple fracture to his skull and a severe bleed on the brain. Adam confounded medics with the speed of his recovery and was discharged from hospital four days after waking up. After four months of recovery, he returned to his studies, worked hard to catch up with his peers, and passed his degree with a First Class Honours.

Adam landed his dream job with Fulham Football Club, the team he has supported since he was a boy. He now works in the media team, producing material for the club’s website and social media channels.

Adam said: “I had a second chance, so I threw myself into everything. Improving my grade was the starting point and I just kicked on from there.”

Senior Lecturer in Sports Journalism at the University of Gloucestershire, Tom Bradshaw, said: “For Adam to have not only overcome that injury, but to have taken inspiration from it and achieve what he has done, is nothing short of remarkable.”

Dragons’ Den star Levi Roots says his business success is down to willingness to change and adapt – and a good lawyer.

The BBC show 2007 winner who secured life-changing investment by pitching his Reggae Reggae Sauce, was speaking at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

At the height of his fame Levi found himself involved in litigation over his sauce – which he went on to win. It was at that point he saw the benefits of getting legal expertise on his team.

“Get a lawyer involved and a really good accountant. It may be expensive but at some time they will pay you back 100 times more.”

The audience of students, many taking business and management degrees at the RAU, asked him to predict future trends in his industry.

“If you are in a niche sector you will be able to survive – you are not just another fish in a massive market. Street food is a good market, people enjoy going for street food with their friends.”

The hardest stage of Levi’s journey to the top was the transformation from his kitchen to a more professional operation.

“We made Reggae Reggae Sauce with my kids in Brixton.”

So when Sainsbury’s asked him for 250,000 bottles he had to come up with a plan fast.

“I had to think very quickly. The answer we came up with was licensing. We gave AB World Foods a call.”

“If you are in a niche sector you will be able to survive – you are not just another fish in a massive market. Street food is a good market, people are thinking more healthily and enjoy going for street food with their friends”

Katy Duke, the RAU’s Head of Enterprise said: “We’re so proud of Levi’s involvement with our university, because he recognises our commitment to putting enterprise and innovation at the heart of our student experience.”

Regional round-up

“I had a second chance, so I threw myself into everything. Improving my grade was the starting point for that and I just kicked on from there”

Levi Roots outside the Royal Agricultural University

Prince’s Countryside Fund boost to community shop

MOOG TEWKESBURY CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Tewkesbury manufacturer Moog celebrated 50 years in the UK by welcoming employees’ friends and family behind the scenes of the company’s two facilities in the town.

More than 700 people watched displays and demonstrations that showcased Moog’s involvement in the development of primary and secondary flight controls for commercial and military aircraft, its role in developing technology that powers the centre court roof at Wimbledon and its miniature servo valves used in Formula1cars.

Moog’s founder, Bill Moog, developed the world’s first mechanical feedback servo valve in the early 1950s, licensing the manufacturing to Cheltenham-based George Dowty in 1958. Demand for the product and the availability of a skilled workforce saw Moog launch in the UK a decade later. The company moved to Tewkesbury in 1979.

Moog is now the largest employer in Tewkesbury. Chris Curr, Entity Manager at Moog’s Industrial Systems Group, said:

“While Moog is a multinational company operating in 26 countries around the world, our culture and values are akin to being one big family. When we wanted to mark our 50th year in the UK, it was a natural decision to involve the families and friends of our staff.”

Open day visitors saw technology in action, from traditional lathes, CNC machines and miniature hydraulics to futuristic industrial 3D printers and robotics. A 14-seat simulator gave first-hand experience of the simulation technology the company develops for the automotive, rail and aerospace industries.

“We were overwhelmed at the number of people that joined us, and our staff were proud to show how a group of passionate people can lead the world in what they do,” said Mark Lawton, Site Manager and Sector Operations Director at Moog Aircraft Group.

Moog’s Industrial Systems Group and Aircraft Controls Group are both based in Tewkesbury.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund, which seeks to support a sustainable agricultural and rural community, has awarded a grant to Bledington Community Shop and Café as part of its Rural Four project, supported by players of The People’s Postcode Lottery.

Rural Four supports countryside communities with a focus on encouraging the development of community hubs.

The grant awarded to Bledington, near Stow-on-the-Wold, is helping kit out the shop’s interior. Design and labour for the build are being contributed by local volunteers.

The shop aims to provide the village with a social hub. It will sell essential groceries including local foods. The fund’s recent Recharging Rural research highlights the benefits such projects bring to rural communities.

Vegan Society warms to Ecotricity’s energy supply

Ecotricity has announced its green gas supply to homes and businesses is now recognised as vegan – alongside its green electricity, which received registration from The Vegan Society earlier this year.

Last year, Stroud-based Ecotricity lifted the lid on the secret ingredients that have made their way into the energy supply of over half of Britain’s homes: millions of people – vegans, vegetarians, those simply

concerned with animal rights – are powering their homes with electricity and gas made with the by-products of the meat and dairy industry, they say. Some energy companies euphemistically “recycle” dead fish and animal body parts into power.

Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity, said: “We knew people would be surprised by the secret ingredient used to power their

homes, and have always believed that clear labelling of energy, as we have with food, is essential to enable informed choices. Being able to source electricity that is vegan has proven to be very popular.

“While we’ve had some flak from farming groups and complaints to the ASA about our advertising, we’re really pleased to have opened up this issue to public scrutiny.”

Artists’ impression of the Bledington Community shop and café

Moog’s HR Director Hamish Fergusson teaches his son James how to use servo controls to crush tin cans

GB Solutions meet the growing recruitment demands for HR and Legal sectors…

Following his appointment to Business Partner, Alex Caluori now takes responsibility for the GB Solutions dedicated HR & Legal Division.

GB Solutions headquartered in Gloucestershire, have long been known as the region’s specialist recruiters. Having successfully managed the GB Office Division for the last 6 years, Alex is now sharpening his focus to meet the growing demand for people with specialist skills and experience across these two sectors. By setting up a specialist HR and Legal desk, Alex wants to develop the scope of services he can offer clients across these two areas.

Human Resources professionals span every industry and cover a huge spectrum of jobs, specialisms and careers. Alongside traditional roles such as HR Advisor, Business Partner and Head of HR, Alex and the team at GB are finding companies with a need for more specialist roles: Compensation & Benefits, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition, HRIS Analysts to name just a few.

Every business faces the same challenge of recruiting, developing and retaining productive employees as well as absorbing the raft of employee related legislation. Clearly HR plays an integral part in this.

The fact there are approximately 1500 (and growing) CIPD members in Gloucestershire alone shows what a thriving area HR is. There are diverse levels of specialist courses offered in HR and the University of Gloucestershire offers both Professional Study Certificates and MSc’s. Degrees in Psychology, English and Criminology are preferred pathways into HR but the university of life is also a well-worn path!

Under the GB Legal umbrella GB have established strong relationships with many legal firms across the region largely supporting the recruitment of non-fee earners in the shape of Legal Secretaries, Paralegals, front of house and back office legal administrative staff. Building on this success, more recently GB have supported the recruitment of fee earners, Conveyancers, Legal Executives and plan to further develop this sector in the future.

“The service I offer is one of an outsourced HR Recruitment Partner. I can take a relatively limited job-spec and present it in a way that is appealing and engaging to the candidates. We use a number of job boards to advertise our roles which gives a widespread geographical reach. In addition my extensive LinkedIn network helps me keep candidates up-to-date with the job roles I am currently offering and allow me to reach out in a discrete but direct way.”

Alex Caluori, Business Partner GB Solutions

The HR & Legal team covers permanent, temporary, full and part time positions. For more information on how Alex can help you with your HR and Legal recruiting please contact him or chat with him directly on LinkedIn!

Alex Caluori

DD: 01452 429901

Email: alex@gbsolutions.co.uk

Clarkson Evans lights up the East Midlands

Electrical contractor Clarkson Evans has moved into the East Midlands, opening its 20th branch in Nottingham.

GFIRST LEP RIDES HIGH AT ANNUAL REVIEW

Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP, attracted record numbers to its annual review. More than 350 delegates registered for the event at Hartpury College.

Led by Diane Savory, Chair of GFirst LEP and David Owen, Chief Executive, the review showcased the infrastructure projects where it has been investing capital over the last few years.

The LEP also announced that it is creating a Local Industrial Strategy for Gloucestershire to encourage economic growth, aiming to mirror the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

David said: “It’s been great to see record

numbers of delegates turn out for our annual review. Now really is the time to engage with the LEP and help drive forward the next exciting period of growth for the county.”

Russell Marchant, Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University and Principal of Hartpury College, said: “We’re extremely proud to have hosted GFirst LEP’s 2018 Annual Review as we celebrate Hartpury’s 70th anniversary and so soon after we were granted university title.

“We were delighted to update guests on our Agri Tech Centre, which will provide access to the latest smart farming techniques, for which support from GFirst LEP has been crucial.”

Cheltenham welcomes first plastic-free shop

Regional round-up

A plastic-free shop has opened in Portland Street, Cheltenham, close to the town centre.

Launched by Lorraine Du Feu, Alison Crane, Anne Knight-Elliot and Miriam Frings, the four professional women all share a commitment to halting the tide of plastic threatening the environment.

Foodloose will run for a trial threemonth period to test the demand for plastic-free shopping in the town. If successful, the shop could become self-sustaining as a social enterprise.

Staffed and run by volunteers, the enterprise will give shoppers in Cheltenham the opportunity to buy food and cleaning products without trashing the earth, say the women.

Products range from organic and fair-trade dried goods such as beans, seeds, dried fruit and nuts; refillable household and personal cleaning products like washing-up liquid, toilet cleaner and shampoo plus items such as wax food wraps, loose toilet rolls, bamboo toothbrushes and re-useable coffee cups.There is also a small café serving coffee, artisan teas and cake.

Clarkson Evans’ Nottingham and Kettering branches will create around 50 jobs and are part of its five-year expansion plans.

“We’re delighted to announce the opening of our new branch in Nottingham, part of our plans to expand our company and make our mark in the East Midlands within the next few years,” said Nathan Evans, Managing Director at Clarkson Evans.

“We are already working on several major housing developments for three different housebuilders in the East Midlands.”

“We’re delighted to announce the opening of our new branch in Nottingham, part of our plans to expand our company and make our mark in the East Midlands within the next few years”

Further openings are planned in Sheffield and Leeds.

Clarkson Evans is a major player in the housebuilding industry, wiring nearly 20,000 new homes in 2017, that’s one in 10 of all new homes built in England and Wales.

It employs more than 850 staff and operates across much of southern England, the Midlands and South Wales.

GFirst LEP Chair, Di Savory, with David Owen, Chief Executive, present the organsation’s annual review at Hartpury College

Business & Innovation Magazine host Royal Box Directors breakfast at Cheltenham Racecourse

Regional senior directors joined Business & Innovation Magazine in partnership with Cheltenham Racecourse for breakfast hosted in The Royal Box, at Cheltenham Racecourse. The Princess Royal Stand with panoramic views across the racecourse and Cleeve Hill was a unique setting for regional senior business directors to meet. The keynote guest speaker was Michael Caulfield of Sporting Edge one of the UK’s leading sports psychologists.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB LACEY

The Royal Box, Cheltenham Racecourse

Simon David from Thomas Legal with Lee Moulson from Cheltenham Racecourse and Andrew Bence from Indectron

Mark Wilton from HSBC with Stuart Mico from Midland Communications

Mark Powles from RRA Architects and Julian Sutton Gemini Financial

Keynote speaker Michael Caulfield, of Sporting Edge

Professor Kamal Bechkoum from the University of Gloucestershire with Jonathan White from RRA Architects

Joe Roberts from Roberts Limbrick with Nathan Evans from Clarkson Evans

Tania Hitchins from Robert Hitchins with Nicky Godding from Business & Innovation Magazine

James Brown from Salpo Technologies with Richard Muller from Prima Dental

Mark Powles from RRA Architects with Nick Latimer from Crowe UK and Andrew McKenzie from Commercial Group

Paul Nurden from Brewin Dolphin with Michael Caulfield from Sporting Edge and Andrew Grant from Andrew Grant Ltd

John Bailey from Wright Hassall LLP and Tim Barnett from 9 Group Jon Rathbone from Hughes Paddison with Emma Stevens from Corinthian Wealth Management

Martin Elliot from Delapena Group with Mark Eldridge from KIWA UK

John Bailey from Wright Hassall with Sathya Timmaraju from Varistha Asif Rehmanwala from Ecotricity with Richard Bach from XQ Cyber

Adam Benson from Gloucester Rugby with Kevin Aherne from National Shower Spares

David Arthur from Delapena Group and Ben Walker from CEMAR

Kirsty Muir from Business & Innovation Magazine with John Workman from BPE

Funding for innovation: Equity funding

What is equity funding?

Equity funding involves the raising of capital in return for a share in the business. Investors often set out to realise their return on a sale or refinancing of the business, having seen the value of their stake grow. A clear exit/growth plan is therefore often required.

In certain instances, the only option may be equity; for example, start-up and knowledge based businesses who lack tangible assets to offer as security for debt finance.

Pros

 Investors have a vested interest in the success of the business;

 Access to follow up funding as a business grows; and

 Investor board representatives can bring a wealth of experience to a business.

Cons

 Dilution of owner’s share in the business;

 Obtaining equity finance is often demanding, costly and timeconsuming; and

 Board influence – need to provide information to investors.

Sources of equity funding

Venture capitalists and private equity invest in products or services with a unique selling point or competitive advantage. Commonly, they will not invest in start-ups, unless backed by a credible management team with a proven track record.

Business angels are individuals who make equity investments into high growth businesses and typically invest £10,000 – £1 million, often as part of a syndicate. They mainly invest in businesses where they can add value, providing first-hand experience and a network of contacts.

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the internet.

Business plan

A solid business plan is key to securing funding. It should provide potential investors with the critical information they need to know about a business and its objectives. The plan should include:

 A description of the business;

 Management’s vision and goals for the business;

 Details of how much funding is

required and when it is needed;

 An overview of the historical and forecast results of the business; and

 Details of how and when investors will see a return.

How can we help?

Before entering into any financial agreement, it is important to get good advice. The role of the corporate finance adviser is vital, not only for their experience in raising finance, but also for their links with appropriate financial institutions and investors.

For further information, or to arrange a free initial meeting, please contact Paul Fussell on 01242 680000 or email paul.fussell@hazlewoods.co.uk www.hazlewoods.co.uk

Innovative businesses are always looking to develop the ‘next big thing’ and are often faced with the challenge of funding new projects.

In the last two issues we have considered grant and debt funding. This month, we focus on equity funding.

GFirst LEP Annual Review 2018

Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP, attracted record numbers to its annual review with more than 350 delegates attending the event at Hartpury College, including local businesses, students and young entrepreneurs. Led by Diane Savory, Chair of GFirst LEP and David Owen, Chief Executive, the review showcased where the LEP has been investing capital across Gloucestershire over the last few years.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB LACEY

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Hartpury University hosts GFirst annual review

Nicky Godding from Business & Innovation Magazine with Jo Draper from QuoLux

Wendy Jackson from Forest of Dean District Council, with Angela Presde and Mally Findlater from GFirst LEP

Mark Ryan from Gloucestershire Airport and Mike Curran from GFirst LEP

Sir Henry Elwes, Michael Warner from Warners and Russell Marchant from Hartpury University

Christopher Haslam from Robert Hitchins with Simon Carey from Barnwood Group and Kirsty Muir from Business & Innovation Magazine

Liam Evans and Andy Slaney from SGS College with Elizabeth Weaver from GFirst LEP and Gill Reindl from Hartpury University

Jenny Raymond from Harrison Clarke Rickerbys and Patrick Downes from PACT Property

Antonia Shield from BPE Solicitors and Jeremy Williamson from Cheltenham Borough Council

Mark Hawthorne from Gloucestershire County Council with David Owen and Diane Savory from GFirst LEP

Michael Ratcliffe from Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce and Andy Jarrett of MS Society, with Ian Mean and Dev Chakraborty from GFirst LEP

Business & Innovation Magazine with Circle2Success

host Worcestershire drinks

Business & Innovation Magazine and Circle2Success hosted Worcestershire business drinks at drp the award-winning Worcestershire-headquartered creative design agency. Business & Innovation Magazine were delighted to team up with partners Circle2Success for this business event. Guests heard from Rosemary Henderson of Business & Innovation Magazine and Andrea Borwell-Fox from Circle2Success about their support of the Worcestershire business community as well as Dale Parmanter from drp about the business’s growth.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB LACEY

Paul Nichollas from drp, Angela Edwards from Circle2Success, Dale Parmanter from drp, Rosemary Henderson of Business & Innovation Magazine, Andrea Borwell-Fox from Circle2Success and Nicky Godding from Business & Innovation Magazine

Robin Mayo from Handelsbanken in Worcester, Pete Hill of Petvictus and Andrea Borwell-Fox from Circle2Success

Sharon Chance from Coomber Innovation with Rosemary Henderson from Business & Innovation Magazine

Dale Parmanter from drp with Nicky Godding from Business & Innovation Magazine

Worcestershire Stands Tall at drp

Richard Bull and Stuart Laverick from Heart of Worcestershire College

Angela Edwards from Circle2Success with Ross Veale from Barclays

Dave Phillips from Allcooper with Jim Stevenson from Jelf

Kirsty Muir from Business & Innovation Magazine with Jane Doyle from North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration

Ruby Edwards from You Do Better with Mick Hurst from Areca Designs Linda Garner and Alice Cook from Worcestershire County Council

Guests networking Louise Grant and Andrew Radley from Inksmoor Finance

Peter Roper from The Family Business Practice with Mike Newnham and Kate Davies from Quantum R&D Tax Ltd

Gemma Bennett from Design Bank Studios with Rebecca Price from Blackfinch Investments and Chantall Herbert from Green Gorilla Apps Ltd

Cathryn Vass from Sutcliffe & Co with Elizabeth Wheatley from Barclays Tony Bennett from Coomber Innovation and Ian Vass from Jelf

Carrie Wagner from WCC Business Energy Efficiency Programme with Simon Lucas from GD PR and Media

Amanda Sutcliffe from Sutcliffe & Co and Mila Barr-Hamilton from Lloyds Commercial Banking

Tim Hunt from Above & Beyond PR with Pete Hill and Nick Tudor from D-RisQ

Funding is now available for Worcestershire’s growing cyber sector businesses and to support local SMEs, to become more cyber secure.

Worcestershire aims to become a national centre of excellence for Cyber Security to further develop our cyber sector and maximise the cyber security of our local SME’s

Small and medium sized businesses across Worcestershire are being encouraged to apply for funding to either improve cyber security or to grow an existing cyber sector business. SMEs in the county can apply to the Be Cyber Secure Grant Fund, a Capital and Revenue based grant scheme, for match funded grants of up to £20,000 to help improve cyber security or grow their cyber sector business.

The Be Cyber Secure programme, funded by European Regional Development Fund and supported by Worcestershire Councils, is currently offering two separate grant funds.

Security Grants will help SMEs to improve their cyber security. This may include complying with GDPR, investing

Be Cyber Secure and grow your business

Funded Grants for…

Non-cyber SME’s and Cyber Sector companies

Eligibility: To qualify your business must be an SME located in Worcestershire, be trading “Business to Business” and have the potential to expand your business.

Worcestershire SMEs encouraged to apply for Cyber Growth and Security Grants up to £20,000

in networking equipment or gaining cyber security certification, such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001.

Growth Grants will help cyber sector companies to grow their business through capital expenditure, marketing and product development.

For more information please contact Wendy Garrad on 01905 844595 email wgarrad@worcestershire.gov.uk www.business-central.co.uk/ be-cyber-secure/

Cyber Security Grants –Non-Cyber SME’s:

We can help Worcestershire SME’s protect and improve their cyber security, achieve cyber accreditation and business growth.

How the grant may help:

Improve your IT systems making your data secure

Invest in new software to protect your systems and back-up

Achieve Cyber accreditations such as Cyber

Wendy Garrad, EU Project Manager Worcestershire County Council Growth and Investment Team

Worcestershire LEP Annual Conference 2018

Over 400 businesses from across the country attended Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Eighth Annual Conference. The Conference, which has grown its reputation as one of Worcestershire’s biggest business events, took place at the Chateau Impney in Droitwich. BBC Reporter and Radio Expert, Kate Russell, hosted the Conference while keynote speaker, Tiffany St James, gave an insightful presentation on the innovation of digital tech, with plenty of actionable ideas for the audience. A total of 19 speakers shared their knowledge on the latest innovative developments led by the LEP, and how these projects are helping to boost productivity, tackle the skills shortage and strengthen connectivity.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB LACEY

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Worcestershire LEP Annual Conference, Chateau Impney

Mark Stansfeld and Gary Woodman from Worcestershire LEP

Jack Barnett Worcestershire LEP and Rosemary Henderson from Business & Innovation Magazine

Kirsty Muir from Business & Innovation Magazine and Ben Mannion from Hewett Recruitment

Philip Parkinson from Harrison Clark Rickerbys with Nicki William from Heart of Worcestershire College and Robert Capper Harrison Clark Rickerbys

Rob Pearce from Bishop Fleming with Dani James, Alison Wacey and Tony Gibb from Thursfields

Dave Morris from Zentano with Steven Borwell-Fox and Josh Coreless from Borwell and Rich Horton from Zentano

Linda Smith, David Lowe, Russel Lodge, Luke Hopkins, Jon Wills, Corinna Elliot, David Sidaway & Neil Cooke from Betaden

Charlie Green, Lynne Davies, Jonathan Mountford, Mark Davies and Andrew Lewis from GJS Dillon

Aidan Stevens from Veritas Hotel Group with Kate Walton from Hallmark Hulme, Lance Turner of Mainstay Group and Rebecca Widdowson from Hallmark Hulme

Simon Smith from Malvern Hills District Council with Sue Crow from Worcestershire County Council, Stephen Butterworth from Worcestershire LEP and Victoria Carman from Malvern Hills District Council

Steve Butterworth from Worcestershire LEP with Chris Walklett from Bishop Fleming and Stuart Emmerson from Worcestershire LEP

£5 MILLION FUNDING FOR INNOVATION

Worcestershire Innovation Network (WINN) has announced a further £5.1 million worth of funding to support innovation throughout the county.

WINN has successfully created a unique county ecosystem which supports new ideas through to proof of concept and beyond.

This funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), supported by the Worcestershire LEP, Worcestershire County Council, enables WINN to offer a full programme of support for budding innovators and growing businesses.

This includes the return of its highly successful Proof of Concept Grant Fund with an opportunity to support a further 73 businesses across the county. The last phase of funding supported 48 businesses and helped local inventors develop

products ranging from revolutionary tanning beds to pet accessories which have featured on the BBC’s Dragons’ Den.

The new programme will also support the county’s first technology accelerator BETADEN, as well as see the popular WINN challenge fund return, while offering one-to-one support on product development, problem-solving and getting an innovation to market.

All of this activity is supported by the established WINN Community which meets bi-monthly at WINN Wednesday networking events. Topics have ranged from Harvest Festival, celebrating all things agritech, to how to fund an innovation.

The next WINN Wednesday takes place on February 13.

Funding helps take pushchair accessory from idea to prototype

Alison Skidmore had her “lightbulb” moment around four years ago.

She was out with her young children when it started to rain. She struggled to undo the pushchair straps to put her daughter’s raincoat on. Five minutes later the sun came out and she had to go through the whole rigmarole again to take her daughter’s coat off. She thought to herself: “There must be an easier way to adjust straps.”

While pushchair design has improved over the past 40 years, strap adjustment has remained largely unchanged. So Alison set about designing one that she could use easily.

A standard pushchair usually has five adjustment buckles – Alison’s Care4Futures buckle prototype product is operated within one adjustment dial.

Thanks to Worcestershire County Council’s Proof of Concept funding, Alison received help to pay for a design agency to take her product from idea to working prototype that can be demonstrated to prospective clients.

Health and lifestyle business expands into Redditch trade park

Primal Cure, the lifestyle, vitamin and food supplement business founded by fitness entrepreneur Steve Bennett, has bought three new industrial buildings at Crescent Trade Park, Moon’s Moat, Redditch. Part of Steve Bennett’s holding company BHHG, which employs more than 1,000 people around the world and includes television company Gems TV and Primal Cure, has acquired 8,055sq ft in a deal brokered by commercial property agents KWB and Bromwich Hardy.

Regional round-up

Steve said: “With expansion into new product areas we needed top-quality new space and Crescent Trade Park is ideal.”

Steve’s holding company BHHG (Bennett Health and Happiness Group) works to improve the lives of others.

Sourcing gemstones from around the world for Gems TV has taken Steve to remote countries and much of his insight has been garnered during his travels.

His family founded the charity The Colourful Life Foundation, which believes that every child around the world should have access to a safe and proper education. The charity has built schools in countries including India and South Africa.

The TV channel, Primal CureTV, is a 24-hour health channel on Sky. The channel and the products promoted on it are born out of Bennett’s published lifestyle book – Primal Cure.

Is your business at the point of significant expansion, and looking to secure investment to grow?

The Investing in Growth programme is designed to help SMEs in Worcestershire to secure the necessary funding required to initiate significant expansion projects. Funded through the European Regional Development Fund, Worcestershire County Council and district councils, the programme provides 18 hours of Investment Readiness advice and support at no cost to the SME. The County Council have appointed local financial specialists, John Painter and Ian Priest as delivery partners to guide businesses towards securing investment through one-to-one consultancy and workshops. Working with SMEs trading business to business, John and Ian can work with the management team to find the most appropriate investment option and advise on the best way to present the business to secure the funds.

John and Ian have both found through their own in-depth experience that often businesses approach banks and financial lending organisations for funding but don’t always have the right business plans and information required to approach lenders. This programme offers the opportunity for businesses to gain an insight and receive help in preparing to access financial funding and approach lenders in a stronger position from the start.

John Painter, Partner at Haines Watts in Worcester, has been helping SME business owners to manage and grow their businesses for over 30 years. John offers participating businesses practical

support through a blend of coaching and consultancy aimed at providing answers and giving businesses the direction to grow. John’s experience means he can offer businesses an understanding to implement their growth aims.

Ian Priest has worked in banking across Worcestershire since 1986 and has a strong understanding from both the lender and also the business owner. Ian’s knowledge of the region’s strengths and opportunities for growth, helps him offer businesses support in the right areas. The insight that Ian provides to businesses who access the 18 hours of free support, primarily helps them to both source funding and then present their case to potential lenders and investors, in a way that they can easily digest and understand.

To find out more visit: www.businesscentral.co.uk/investing-in-growth/

Does your business need to access finance?

Constrained by cash flow?

Need to invest in machinery but don’t know how to fund?

Been declined funding and looking for other options

Outgrown your current premises, or considering buying your own?

Receive 18 hours fully funded Investment Readiness Support

“The support we received was very practical as

digest and understand”

James O’Donnell Managing Director Rift Technology

SECURITY FIRM BOSS NAMED ONE OF 100 FACES OF A VIBRANT ECONOMY

Neil Male, CEO of Bromsgrove-based GMS Group of Companies, has been cited as one of 100 “Faces of a Vibrant Economy” by professional services firm Grant Thornton.

Faces of a Vibrant Economy celebrates leaders from across the public, private and third sectors who exemplify what it takes to develop a vibrant economy.

Since becoming CEO in 2005, Neil has grown GMS from £2.3 million to £14 million. The company now employs more than 500 staff nationally with clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Cemex, TUI, VAX, Aston Martin and Kerry Foods.

“I’m very proud to be nominated,” said Neil. “It is a great honour, not only for myself but for the whole of the GMS team who all play a part in delivering innovative security solutions to our customers.

“To be recognised in our 20th anniversary year is also a great achievement.”

The Faces of a Vibrant Economy are selected from across the UK and represent diverse sectors and industries.

Global creative communications agency drp, which has its headquarters at Hartlebury, Worcestershire has published a White Paper revealing that while the language surrounding technology and innovation is being used in modern brand communications, those in the sector are not using what they talk about, and this is having detrimental effects on the industry.

Among them are business leaders, entrepreneurs, local government innovators and third sector trailblazers, all recognised for their commitment to developing an economy that enables people and organisations to flourish.

Sacha Romanovitch, Chief Executive at Grant Thornton, said: “By celebrating these leaders, we recognise their role in developing a more purposeful and innovative business environment. They show us how business can be done through human leadership which nurtures talent.”

The paper was debated by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for events chaired by Member of Parliament, James Heappey. The group draws together industry professionals and politicians to explore how the industry can address the problem.

More than 100 communications professionals contributed to the paper, which explores the gap between perception and reality in modern organisations and the language and practice in communications.

The White Paper was created and researched by the drp insight team, headed by Callum Gill. He said: “In agency land, we get to experience first-hand the steady shift in patterns of communication, and right now our language, mindset and focus have all shifted toward the future. With technology changing so rapidly and innovation the only way to keep pace, many brands are saying the right things.

AFH Financial Group has completed its largest ever acquisition, a £10 million deal that takes the group’s funds under management to more than £5 billion.

The Bromsgrove company has bought Hull-based CTL Three Group, taking its adviser team to around 250.

The group was founded by chartered financial planner Alan Hudson in 1990. Now Chief Executive, Alan said: “With

£5 billion now under management we have met one of our group three to five year objectives after just two years”.

The business is now one of the fastest-growing financial planning-led investment management companies in the UK.

Its revenues in the year to October 31, 2018 exceeded £50 million, up around 50 per cent on the year before.

“What our research proves is that while they may be talking the talk, they are not walking the walk. This White Paper will arm in-house communications professionals with the facts to help turn the tide and help our communications perceptions match up to reality.”

Regional round-up

Communications professionals talk but don’t “walk the walk”

Bromsgrove group’s latest buy takes funds under management to more than £5 billion

“I’m very proud to be nominated as one of Grant Thornton’s 100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy”

ROYAL RECOGNITION FOR

ISO QUALITY SERVICES LTD

Business improvement specialist ISO Quality Services Ltd has been commended for its commitment to training and skills excellence by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

The Worcester business was one of 48 organisations honoured with a Princess Royal Training Award for creating lasting impact by successfully linking skills development needs to organisational performance.

All 48 recipients demonstrated that training has a significant impact on productivity and business success. They were drawn from across the public and

private sector, and from a broad range of areas including hospitality, healthcare, finance and manufacturing.

ISO Quality Services’ training programme blended individual training, learning and development plans and peer-to-peer learning in order to develop its employees.

Chris Jones, Chief Executive of the City & Guilds Group said: “In an ever-changing world, it continues to be important for Britain’s businesses to invest in training to boost their productivity, address skills gaps and further develop their teams.”

Small businesses need more space, property consultant warns annual business conference

More than 400 people packed out Chateau Impney at Droitwich for the annual Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) conference.

Speaking at the event, Mark Stansfeld, chair of the LEP, said: “There is a real momentum within the county and we must ensure the local business community feels the benefit.

“From our £71.71 million governmentfunded Growth Deal, to the £68 million EU programme, we are helping to create jobs and boost productivity across the county and I am pleased to say that we have been recognised by government for our ‘excellent’ delivery of these funds and the projects that they enable.”

But at a breakfast event, held before the main conference, delegates heard John Dillon, Managing Director of commercial property consultancy GJS Dillon, warn of a shortage of units and premises suitable for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

He said: “The Worcestershire economy is driven by SMEs. There are 33,325 of them in the county representing 97.8 per cent of our economy.Actually, 95 per cent of them are micro businesses, those employing up to nine people.

“We need to look after those businesses. Demand for space substantially outstrips supply.”

Fastest growing businesses in Worcestershire contribute £3.15 billion in revenue

Worcestershire’s fastest growing mid-sized companies have generated £3.15 billion in revenues in the last year, achieving 51 per cent growth over a three-year period, according to the Worcestershire Growth Barometer report published by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP.

The third annual Worcestershire Growth Barometer report identifies the 50 fastest growing mid-sized companies based on average turnover growth. A number of the companies have been on the list for the last three years, reflecting their use of highly sustainable growth strategies.

In conjunction with the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, BDO also surveyed a number of businesses in Worcestershire.

Finding the right staff and skills emerged as by far the biggest challenge in the last year, cited by almost a third of businesses. Brexit is also of concern.

Driving sales and growth was the priority for 37 per cent, well ahead of improving profitability and increasing efficiency.

The survey also found half of businesses said Worcestershire’s central location is a reason for its growth.

Gary Rouse, Director at BDO and author of the report, said: “Our findings are very encouraging for businesses in the county and those looking to invest here.”

“Our findings are very encouraging for businesses in the county and those looking to invest here”

FAMILY SLEDGING FUN INSPIRES DAD TO INVENTION

Families can now have more fun in the snow together thanks to a Worcester inventor.

Axiski is a multi-position and multiterrain sledge that can be used by the whole family. You can stand up, lie down, or double up not only on snow, but also on sand and frost.

It was invented by Darren Mather, who lives in Worcester. He couldn’t buy a sledge that he could use with his daughters at the same time. “I wanted to enjoy the snowy slopes with them in the same moment,” he said.

The challenge was how to make it. “I didn’t know anything about manufacturing, rotational moulding, vacuum forming, carbon fibre, wood, extrusion or injection moulding. And we had to avoid it becoming brittle, as many sledges do.”

Darren worked with Droitwich Injection moulder, ChessPlastics.

“We spent a long time devising a way for

Worcestershire apprentices celebrate success

A total of 340 people gathered to cheer the winners at the 2018 Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards.

Twenty five of the county’s best apprentices, employers, schools and training providers were celebrated in 12 categories at the West Midland Safari Park. The event ended with the announcement of the winners of two overall awards. Buzz

Electrical was named as the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak, and Bethany Clayton from Morgan Advanced Materials won the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year award, sponsored by Worcester Bosch.

The event was organised by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council.

Axiski to stay malleable and bendy but keep the rigidity. Finally, we found it.”

Axiski is now available in hundreds of bricksand-mortar independent retailers in the UK and across Europe, and as far as Russia and the USA.

“The Axiski is a product for the whole family to enjoy that is UK-made and will provide hours of healthy summer and winter fun,” added Darren.

winners

Worcestershire Apprenticeships award

The Axiski, invented by Darren Mather

Coventry & Warwickshire Business Festival

Coventry & Warwickshire Business Festival 2018, supported by headline sponsor, Inspire Insurance, launched with a networking breakfast at Warwick School’s theatre Warwick Hall. Speakers included Adam Dent, Barrie Thomas, Jonathan Browning, Bob Stear, Sue Tonks and Neil Mackey. With 104 events across the region, covering nine key sectors and now in its second year, the Festival took place to drive economic growth, inward investment and to showcase all the innovative work taking place in the region.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB LACEY

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Coventry & Warwickshire Business Festival launch

Nicola Cox and Paula Deas from Coventry & Warwickshire LEP

Rachel Gedrim and Bob Stear from Severn Trent

Verity Crichton from Hanson Lawrie with Simon Dexter-Jones from I Am Export and Lee Osborne from Federation of Small Businesses

Clare Ireland from Coventry City Council with Jag Soor from The University of Warwick

Adam Dent of Advent Communications

David Kelham from Excelerate Resources with Dick Dixon from Warwick Folk Festival and Edward Hudson from Deeley Group

Jeremy Moore from Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, with Clare Ireland from Coventry City Council and Gary Thyeson from the Growth Hub

Neil Mackey, Nick Mullin and Amanda Elkington from Inspire Insurance Jonathan Browning, Chairman of Coventry & Warwickshire LEP

Andrew Roadnight from The University of Warwick with Alicia Law from The Government’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

NOW MOTORCYCLES ARE GOING ELECTRIC

A Coventry business has completed a multi-million-pound funding round to launch what it claims is the world’s most advanced electric motorcycle.

Arc Vehicle has secured investment from Mercia Fund Managers’ enterprise investment scheme funds and Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital fund, InMotion Ventures, alongside private investors.

The Vector, which was unveiled at the Milan Motorcycle Show, aims to be the cleanest and safest motorcycle on the road.

The motorcycle is accompanied by a connected helmet and “intelligent” rider jacket which creates a human machine interface, feeding the user important information when riding. The hand-made, lightweight vehicle is set to sell for £90,000.

Arc was founded by Mark Truman, Two county professionals have received national recognition within their industries.

who has spent two years developing the bike with a team of top engineers. As part of the deal, the company has appointed David Roberts, who has held senior roles at both Aston Martin and Chrysler.

Mark said: “We’ve taken technologies previously unexplored by bike builders to transform the way we ride. The funding will allow us to launch and market the Vector and put it into production.”

Lisa Ward, Investment Manager with Mercia Fund Managers, said: “Arc has created a step change in the way electric motorcycles have been built to date. Rather

National recognition for Warwickshire professionals

Sporting Venue for Events at the National Venue Awards.

The Head of Sales at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena, Jenni Ford, has been recognised for bringing a record number of events to the venue.

Jenni, who has worked at the Ricoh Arena since 2014, led a team that sold space for a record 793 different events including exhibitions, conferences, banqueting and weddings in the year to August 2018.

As a result, she has been named the winner of the Meeting Industry Association’s awards. Earlier this year, the Ricoh Arena won Best Venue Under 8,000sq m at the Exhibition News Awards, and the Best

Also receiving national acclaim in a different sector is Coventry site manager Bob Hodgkiss.

Bob, who works for Deeley Construction, has been named Site Manager of the Year for the Midlands at the annual British Safety Group Awards.

He joined the business in 2013 and is currently site manager at the company’s Lillington Church development in Leamington.

The development will feature a new place of worship as well as 25 shared ownership

“We’ve taken technologies previously unexplored by bike builders to transform the way we ride. The funding will allow us to launch and market the Vector and put it into production”

than adapting existing technology, Mark and his team set out to design an electric bike from scratch, one which surpasses everything else on the market. The funding will allow them to get production under way and fulfil their initial order book.”

homes, including six apartments, 12 two-bedroom houses and seven threebedroom houses.

Bob said: “It is an honour to be presented with this health and safety award.”

Bob Hodgkiss, Deeley Construction and Jenni Ford of the Ricoh Arena

Arc Vehicle’s Vector

10th Annual Stratford Business Show

More than 100 local businesses gathered at Stratford-upon-Avon College for the annual Stratford Business Show. With a great line up of seminars and speakers, the show offered opportunities to network and meet like-minded businesses from across the region.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB LACEY

Quentin Wilson, motoring journalist with Lash Saranna from Electric Zoo with Mark Toor from Tesla

Josh Kendrick and Karla Hill from NFU Mutual

Matthew Slater from BCRS Business Loans

Doug Webb from Stratford-upon-Avon College

Lily Witherford and Ali Sewell from Warwick Racecourse, The Jockey Club

Phoebe Howles from Hanson Lawrie with Rosemary Henderson from Business & Innovation Magazine Kingsley Rhule and Laura Harford from Burgis & Bullock

Gavin Barnett, Coventry & Warwickshire LEP and John Tonge from Venture House

Denitsa Lukanova and Nicole Barraclough from Coventry University Enterprise Ltd

Cathryn Smith and Jonathan Smith from Business Forums Ltd

Natasha Miles, Natalie Dersley and Krishna Parekh from Warwickshire College Group

County’s cultural economy gets £6 million boost

Four projects in Coventry and Warwickshire have been awarded more than £6 million in funding to further encourage culture, tourism and the economy.

DIGITAL COMPANIES FLY WITH ANGELS

Start-up digital companies from across the UK pitched for funds to business angels in Coventry, with two successfully securing investment.

Minerva is a business angel network run by the University of Warwick Science Park and helps match angel investors with potentially high growth companies.

The network, headed by Alex Toft, gave small businesses operating in the digital sector and seeking funding the chance to pitch to the Minerva network.

Minerva, which has more than 90 active investors, has helped fund over 70 companies and invested over £10 million through its Minerva angel investment groups, which are dotted throughout the Midlands.

The network started in 1994 and grew out of the science park’s ambition to support young, start-up companies.

The event, which took place at Warwick Conferences’ Radcliffe House, saw two businesses secure investment indications of around £325,000 on the day.

Alex said: “It is was great to be able to get everyone in the room together.

“The event helped them interact and network to develop those important relationships with not only potential investors but investors who can also be important mentors.

“To have two businesses receive serious investment interest on the back of it was an incredible result.”

WMG receives more than £30 million project funding

Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick has secured more than £30 million in government funding.

The West Midlands Combined Authority will receive up to £20 million to enable WMG to create the UK Mobility Data Institute. This will collect and analyse transport data generated by technologies such as autonomous vehicles and electric vehicle charging.

WMG Chairman, Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, said: “The Institute will

build on WMG’s global expertise in the research and application of connected, autonomous and electrified transport.”

WMG is also leading an £11 million programme partnering with Highways England to evaluate connected and autonomous vehicles, to help speed their deployment on the roads.

The Meridian 3 programme brings together Highways England with the Midlands Future Mobility consortium, made up of WMG, Horiba Mira along with six other organisations.

The board of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) unanimously agreed to invest in four projects which it thinks will have a significant impact in the area ahead of Coventry becoming UK City of Culture in 2021, and the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham in 2022.

Completing the Culture Capital will receive £2.4 million to invest in key venues such as Coventry Cathedral, the Daimler Building Scheme, Belgrade Theatre, The Box at FarGo Village and Drapers Hall.

The Royal Shakespeare Company Costume Workshop redevelopment will be given £1 million to restore and redevelop its costume workshop, enabling public access.

Henley Street in Stratford-uponAvon has been awarded just under half a million pounds to redesign its streetscape to create a new social space.

Coventry City of Culture’s tourism and leisure quarter has been given £2.57 million to transform strategic locations within the city centre, including enhancing the areas around The Wave – Coventry’s new waterpark and sports facility which will open this year, as it celebrates being European City of Sport.

The extra money has become available as part of a continual review process which ensures any funds not able to be spent within the necessary timescales are returned to the programme.

Regional round-up

“One of the reasons we feel confident in the future of autonomous vehicles is that they can reduce 90 per cent of road accidents. Our software is pretty advanced – we are certainly leading the way in Europe”

LOOK NO HANDS!

The government is planning for fully driverless cars on British roads by 2021. One company leading the vehicle software development for those cars is Oxbotica.

By Nicky Godding

Dr Graeme Smith, Chief Executive, Oxbotica

Selenium has been developed by Oxbotica, a spin-out from Oxford University’s internationally-regarded Mobile Robotics Group. It uses data from laser and camera sensors mounted on the vehicle to find out where it is, what’s around it and calculate a safe and efficient route.

Oxbotica is leading the government-backed consortium DRIVEN which, since April 2017, has been deploying its fleet of fully autonomous vehicles in urban areas and on motorways. The programme will culminate in 2020, in an end-to-end journey from London to Oxford.

Ahead of government legislation to allow fully driverless cars on our roads, there are also humans sitting in the driver and passenger seats logging the car’s progress and ensuring the trial is carried out safely.

Dreams become a reality

Dr Graeme Smith has led Oxbotica as its Chief Executive since the company’s foundation in 2014 and it’s hard to think of anyone better qualified to do the job. He was previously a Director of Telematics at Ford, led a telematics implementation project as director for the UK’s Department for Transport and has worked in telematics, transport and cloud computing for years, alongside companies including Renault-Nissan and Peugeot Citroen.

Where did this passion come from? “When I was a kid, I loved sci-fi and dreamed of self-driving cars,” he says.

His childhood dreams are no longer the stuff of science fiction. “We will start to see autonomous vehicles on our roads from 2021 and expect to see numbers growing from 2022 onwards, probably over 1015 years. The adoption of autonomous vehicles will spread from locations where the environment is relatively simple, such as airports and university campuses.”

Trials have also been undertaken at Gatwick, shuttling staff across the airfield in autonomous vehicles. No passengers or aircraft were involved in this first trial, which was limited to airside roads between the airport’s North and South terminals.

“Airports offer an incredibly interesting domain for our autonomous driving software,” explains Graeme. “There is a huge diversity of vehicles, each with a very specific mission. However, the challenge of choreographing all the activity around an individual plane, or in support of airport operations is immense.”

One issue which could be a big potential problem is the hacking of an autonomous vehicle’s software systems. “Cyber security is a big issue everywhere and something we are paying a lot of attention to. We are working with Nominet, the UK’s official registry for domain names, to design the cyber security of the system, which will all be built in. We think it’s probably as safe, or safer, than your bank account.”

Oxbotica undertook its first trial of a self-driving vehicle at Heathrow Airport, partnering with IAG Cargo. The “CargoPod” spent almost a month running autonomously along a cargo route around the airside perimeter. The trial collected more than 200 km of data to help IAG and Heathrow assess potential opportunities for using autonomous vehicles around airports.

It’s not just the physical environment which has to change to meet the autonomous vehicle challenge. It’s the

Oxbotica

Oxbotica

You don’t have to look too hard to spot autonomous cars being tested in Oxford city and the surrounding countryside. Blue and white Ford Mondeos badged up with logos and carrying cameras, lasers and radars are being driven around the county testing, testing, testing an autonomous control system called Selenium.

“Autonomous vehicles will save lives”

“We will start to see autonomous vehicles on our roads from 2021 and expect to see numbers growing from 2022 onwards, probably over 10-15 years”

Cars using Oxbotica’s autonomous techolology are being tested on Oxford’s roads

infrastructure around their deployment, and another big issue is how to insure this new class of car.

Some insurance companies are more forward-thinking than others, says Graeme. “The insurer AXA XL is looking to work with us on understanding autonomous vehicles to better develop their underwriting of the sector.

“One of the reasons we feel confident in the future of autonomous vehicles is that they can reduce 90 per cent of road accidents. Our software is pretty advanced – we are certainly leading the way in Europe.”

Mapping technology extends to London and beyond

Late last year, the company joined forces with the Addison Lee Group. The two companies are now collaborating on the development and operation of autonomous vehicles to provide customers with selfdriving services in London by 2021.

The partners are using Oxbotica’s mapping technology at Canary Wharf to record every kerb, road sign, landmark and traffic light on the 128-acre estate.

This is the first stage of a major mapping exercise across the capital, where more than 250,000 miles of public roads must be mapped before a fully autonomous service can be rolled out.

Oxbotica also has global ambitions. Last September it raised £14 million from investors IP Group plc, Parkwalk Advisors and insurer AXA XL to scale its activities in Europe, Asia and the US market.

In the race to be the first, there are other global companies making significant headway in autonomous vehicle technology. Google launched its Waymo self-driving car project in 2009, and last year partnered with Jaguar to create the world’s first premium electric self-driving vehicle: The Jaguar I-PACE.

Google has also received a permit from the California Department of Motor

Oxfordshire’s “Living Laboratory” for driverless car adoption

Oxfordshire is ahead of the game nationally in offering itself up as a “living laboratory” to support the roll- out of autonomous vehicles on UK roads. The county council is the first in the UK to have a connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) strategy and to include them in its future planning, including for Didcot’s new garden town.

Dr George Economides is Team Leader for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles at Oxfordshire County Council. He said: “The problem is not the car, but the integration into the city. We want a strategy to implement new mobility.”

The council currently has seven projects running related to its

Vehicles for up to 40 fully autonomous cars to drive on city streets, rural highways and highways, at speeds of up to 65mph. Waymo is the first company in California allowed to test robot cars on public roads with no human driver behind the steering wheel.

Graeme is pragmatic about the competition. “We see them as a big ice breaker leaving clear blue water behind for us and others to enjoy.”

Oxbotica has bigger fish to go after. The company is looking east. “We are receiving interest from China,” says Graeme.

“The country is building green cities where there will be no car ownership. This will radically change the urban layout. The city will own the cars, which it will provide as a service to residents.” This shift away from personally-owned modes of transport is referred to as Mobility as a Service (MaaS), and many consider it a solution to traffic congestion in the world’s biggest cities.

autonomous vehicle strategy, of which the Oxbotica-led DRIVEN is just one. The other six look at vehicle usage, air quality, the use of sensors on CAVS to monitor road quality and street assets, traffic prediction and the integration between CAVs and mobility as a service (MaaS).

MaaS is seen as a practical alternative to car ownership where customers can call up a car, or use other forms of transportation, at any time rather than owning and expensively maintaining their own. According to the RAC the average car spends about 80 per cent of the time parked at home, is parked elsewhere for about 16 per cent of the time and is only actually in use for four per cent of the time.

Off-road autonomous opportunities

The media is fixated on autonomous vehicles on public roads, but is roadbased technology the biggest opportunity for Oxbotica?

Not necessarily, says Graeme. “We are different to other companies and are not myopic about road cars. Our technology could be deployed in other sectors, including off-road construction, defence, mining, logistics – even in supermarkets, as well as airports where we have already undertaken trials.

“Our end product is a white label solution which third parties can license to integrate with their own products. We partner with companies in several industries, and our collaboration with Addison Lee is a great example of that.”

Oxbotica

Oxbotica

AIRCHARGE BRINGS FIRST-CLASS WIRELESS CHARGING TO PASSENGERS

Aircharge, based at Wantage, which develops wireless charging for contract use, has linked up with commercial rail interiors supplier, Baker Bellfield, to launch the world’s first fully rail compliant inductive phone wireless charging system.

On-train wireless charging is now available on South Western Railway’s (SWR) refurbished class 444 Siemens Desiro five-car EMUs on the London Waterloo, Southampton, Bournemouth, Weymouth route.

When the refurbishment programme is completed, all 172 of SWR Desiro class trains will have the feature.

The Aircharge is integrated into tables in SWR’s first-class carriages as a complimentary passenger service, enabling customers to top up their mobile phone by placing the device on the charger cable-free.

Using the universal standard for wireless charging, Qi, the system is directly compatible with more than 130 Qi certified smartphone models, including the latest Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models.

The Aircharge Baker Bellfield wireless charging units are the first to be manufactured specifically for rolling stock.

“Wireless charging is the future of charging mobile devices and the partnership with Aircharge will create a new standard for the railway rolling stock sector and beyond,” said Robert Wilkin, Business Development Manager at Baker Bellfield.

Steve Liquorish, CEO and Founder of Aircharge, added: “We have already deployed our solution on buses and in a number of airports and train stations across the UK railway network, in Europe, US and the Middle East.

“Wireless charging is the future of charging mobile devices and the partnership with Aircharge will create a new standard for the railway rolling stock sector and beyond”

“The expansion into trains consolidates our position as the leading provider for the transport sector.”

Aircharge already provides the most extensive wireless charging ecosystem deployed in public venues globally, including transport hubs, restaurant and fast food chains, cafes, hotels, retail shops and office installations.

Shop smart: Nielson launches virtual reality tool

Global measurement and data analytics company, Nielsen, which has its headquarters in Oxford, has launched its virtual reality tool Smartstore in the UK.

Smartstore helps retailers and manufacturers analyse shoppers’ experiences to better understand future shopper behaviour.

Smartstore recreates the layout of existing or planned stores and lets retailers test and evaluate the space to improve consumer experience.

Leveraging breakthroughs in virtual reality gaming technology, Smartstore builds a live environment and creates realistic and immersive scenarios.

REGIONAL ROUND-UP OXFORDSHIRE

Social Tech Trust reveals funding programme

Social Tech Trust, a leading charity based at the Oxford Science Park dedicated to socially motivated technology, has announced £400,000 in funding for nine ventures, which it considers can help reshape the UK’s relationship between technology and society.

Vicki Hearn, Social Tech Trust CEO, said: “The ventures we’ve backed are delivering tech innovations that promote equality in the areas of communities, health and wealth.”

Each venture will receive a grant of up to £45,000, plus support to scale up their social impact. Over the last 10 years, the Trust (previously known as the Nominet Trust) has supported more than 750 initiatives and invested over £30 million in social technology.

The funded ventures include Beam, the world’s first crowdfunding platform for employment training for homeless people.

Alex Stephany, founder and CEO of Beam, said: “With the shocking homelessness problem in the UK, we see how technology can help people experiencing homelessness for the longterm, by supporting them to realise their potential as everything from bricklayers to accountants. The Social Tech Trust will help us to scale and deliver significant positive social impact.”

Operating as an independent charity, and with the support of Social Investment Business, which provides loans, grants and strategic support to charities and social enterprises, the Social Tech Trust focuses on radical approaches that tackle significant social challenges, such as delivering community care, improving the life chances of homeless people, or harnessing the untapped talent in the refugee community.

Regional round-up

The new Aircharge service on South Western Railway

CAN THE UK REASSERT ITS GLOBAL POSITION IN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY?

In 2017 the government announced the first phase (£42 million) of a £246 million investment into battery technology to ensure the UK leads the world in the design, development and manufacture of electric batteries.

Known as the Faraday Challenge, the fouryear investment round is a key part of the government’s Industrial Strategy.

The UK has form in battery technology, and missed a big early opportunity to capitalise on a unique discovery.

In 1980 Oxford University’s Professor John Goodenough discovered lithium cobalt oxide which led to the development of the high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion batteries now widely used in devices such as mobile phones and laptop computers.

However, it was Sony which commercialised the discovery and the UK saw minimal financial benefit.

Now millions of pounds are being poured into UK research and development into battery technology, and leading UK experts led a lively debate on the issue at a Bessemer Society dinner in Oxford.

The Bessemer Society is a forum and mutual society of CEOs, founders and entrepreneurs committed to creating successful new companies based on innovation in science and technology.

Neil Morris is CEO at the Faraday Institution, the UK’s independent institute for electrochemical energy storage science and technology. He spoke at the dinner, highlighting the institution’s research into battery challenges to accelerate the electric vehicle revolution.

Rob Millar, Head of Electrical at Williams Advanced Engineering discussed the collaboration between his company and Unipart Manufacturing Group which will result in the opening of Hyperbat, the UK’s largest independent vehicle battery manufacturer in Coventry this year.

Also speaking was Graeme Purdy, CEO at Ilika plc, which invents new materials for energy and electronics applications.

Guests attending the dinner agreed that existing poor infrastructure is slowing wider adoption of electric vehicles, including the shortage of public charging points. An increase in National Grid capacity will also be needed to meet demand for electric vehicles and public transport.

While there is ambition to drive the adoption of battery technology globally and position the UK at the heart of its development, significant challenges and uncertainties remain as to how this will be achieved.

REGIONAL ROUND-UP OXFORDSHIRE

Double success at emerging technologies competition

Regional round-up

Oxford nanoSystems and Oxford Biotrans have won two out of the eight awards at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s annual innovation initiative. Now in its sixth year, the Emerging Technologies Competition helps turn promising ideas into commercial reality.

Oxford nanoSystems, based at Harwell, develops innovative coating technologies to improve heat transfer in components for industrial, transport and electronics platforms.

The company has developed a new evaporator which is 70 per cent smaller than a traditional unit, requiring 70 per cent less energy and uses 70 per cent less refrigerant. According to the company, one kilogram of the common refrigerant R-23 does as much damage as 14.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Its product nanoHEX can remove the need for these refrigerants.

“Oxford nanoSystems, based at Harwell, develops innovative coating technologies to improve heat transfer in components for industrial, transport and electronics platforms”

Oxford Biotrans, which is based at Milton Park, won in the competition’s Food and Drink category. The Oxford University spin-out has developed a proprietary technology to commercial scale with its first product called natural nootkatone.

Nootkatone is the flavour and scent of grapefruit made by biotransformation of natural valencene, a citrus extract readily obtained from oranges.

Neil Morris, the Faraday Institution, Graeme Purdy, Ilika and Rob Millar, Williams Advanced Engineering

TRADERS SIGN LONG TERM LEASES FOR OXFORD’S COVERED MARKET

The majority of traders have signed new long-term leases to continue trading in Oxford’s covered market.

Oxford City Council, which looks after the Grade II-listed building, has now completed on leases with the tenants of 43 units and expects to complete a further three leases in the near future.

The majority of traders have again opted for 15-year leases. This was the first opportunity that local and independent traders have had to review their tenancies in 15 years.

The Covered Market now has 61 units, but this is set to rise to 63 later this year due to the city council splitting the former fishmonger’s unit to meet the needs of new traders.

The council is investing more than £3 million into the market.

The investment includes £1.8 million to secure the roof, and more than a million

“Some traders chose to retire and some chose to explore business opportunities elsewhere, but the overwhelming majority are now committed to the Oxford Covered Market”

for internal refurbishment, decorations and new flooring.

Oxford Covered Market, which first opened in 1774, sells food, gifts, shoes, fashion, flowers and jewellery and provides a unique showcase for local crafts, food and drink.

Graham MacDonald, Director of the Covered Market Traders’ Association

New university buildings win conservation award

Oxford Brookes University has won an award for its refurbishment of the Clerici and Sinclair buildings on its Headington Campus.

The award came in the Large Building Conservation category at the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards 2018.

The awards recognise building projects that make a contribution to Oxford and which celebrate good design and conservation.

Chris Blackburn, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Oxford Brookes Business School, said: “Both Clerici and Sinclair were original 1960s campus buildings.

“This refurbishment has reinvigorated these spaces, transforming them into facilities for study which truly mirror the environment of organisations where our students and researchers go on to work.”

This is the second time in recent years that Oxford Brookes has received recognition

and owner of iScream & Wicked Chocolate, said: “Some traders chose to retire and some chose to explore business opportunities elsewhere, but the overwhelming majority are now committed to the Oxford Covered Market.

“I am glad the city council has let new units on varying terms, which means we should avoid the lease renewal process occurring at the same time. We have now moved through this difficult period and put the rumours to bed.

“There are exciting new shops opening in the Covered Market almost every week. At the moment the City Council is busy subdividing the larger units to make it considerably more attractive and affordable for yet more unique and independent shops to open.”

Regional round-up

from the Oxford Preservation Trust, after the university’s landmark John Henry Brookes Building won in the New Building category in the 2014 awards.

Oxford Brookes’ Clerici building wins award

Oxford’s covered market

Bessemer Society hosts Oxford Battery dinner at Saïd Business School

Business leaders from the technology sectors across Oxfordshire gathered at the Saïd Business School for an evening dinner of networking and debate hosted by the Bessemer Society. Guests heard from keynote speakers Neil Morris, CEO, of the Faraday Institution, Rob Millar, Head of Electrical at Williams Advanced Engineering, and Graeme Purdy, CEO of Ilika plc, who spoke on the innovation and research in battery technology.

PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB LACEY

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Jacqui Murray from Innovate UK, Stephen Bennington from Krino Partners, Neil Morris from The Faraday Institution, Rob Millar of Williams Advanced Engineering, Graeme Purdy of Ilika plc, Angus Horner of Harwell and Alex Stewart from The Bessemer Society

David Williams from Bidwells with Thomas Burvill, from Reaction Engines

David Haley from iPRO Solutions and Dr Deborah Spencer from The University of Oxford

William Cooper from Harwell Campus and Nicky Godding from Business & Innovation Magazine

Ian Ellerington and Neil Morris from The Faraday Institution

Mark Bishop from Grant Thornton and Iain Mosely from ChargePoint

Adam Brunton from M-Solv with Professor Peter Dobson from The University of Oxford

Oliver Polcher from Black Silicon with Jim Rogers from Grant Thornton

Christoph Birkl from Brill Power with Athan Fox of Aurelius and Jean de La Verpillière of Echion Technologies

Paul Blackmore from WMG with Kevin Brundish from AGM Batteries

Prakash Kumar from Air Hydro Energ with James Simester from Unipart Manufacturing Group

MADE IN THE REGION

The uncertainties around Brexit are having an impact on UK manufacturing. A survey published in December by EEF (the manufacturers’ organisation) and accountants BDO, reveal that output and orders remain positive for now but the trend is downwards.

Manufacturing in the UK makes up 11 per cent of GVA (Gross Value Added — the contribution to the economy of individual industries or sectors) and 44 per cent of our total exports. The sector directly employs 2.6 million people.

A collaborative initiative called ReshoringUK is helping the sector bring more manufacturing back to the UK. The initiative is supported by a raft of trade associations, including the Engineering Industries Association, Cast Metals Federation, WMG at the University of Warwick, the Manufacturing Technology Centre and Innovate UK.

ReshoringUK wants original equipment and tier one manufacturers in this country to realise that they don’t need to look overseas to find the skills their businesses need. The problem is smaller suppliers, sometimes engineering companies employing just a few people, are not easily found by larger manufacturers.

Julia Moore is Chief Executive of GTMA, the UK trade association representing

“Taking a concept from design to delivery requires a wide range of skills in the supply chain and the UK does have those skills. We want to make it easier to bring UK buyers and suppliers together”

precision engineering, rapid product development, toolmaking, and tooling technology companies. The GTMA instigated the ReshoringUK initiative.

She said: “Taking a concept from design to delivery requires a wide range of skills in the supply chain and the UK does have those skills. We want to make it easier to bring UK buyers and suppliers together.”

John Workman is Senior Partner at Cheltenham-headquartered BPE Solicitors, which works with some of the region’s most successful manufacturing companies. He said: “Manufacturing in this region is bedrock – it isn’t visible all the time but it holds everything else up.

“Manufacturing boosts our economy, drives investment in skills and sustains a healthy ecosystem, where businesses remain closer to their suppliers. This has a healthy effect on collaboration, which will drive innovation – where the UK and our region are already acknowledged as world leaders.”

Over the next few pages we showcase some of the region’s producers who have chosen to manufacture in this region.

The UK is the world’s eighth largest industrial nation. We may be small in land mass, but this country’s manufacturing sector still packs a big global punch

Morgan Motors Cars will celebrate 110th anniversary in style

The Morgan Motor Company is celebrating 110 years this year by introducing a series of ‘110 Anniversary’ models to its line-up.

Each of the models has unique badging as well as special performance and styling options.

The model changes for 2019 are the first in a series of announcements that Malvern-based Morgan will

make in its 110th year, the most significant milestone since the company’s 2009 centenary.

Steve Morris, Managing Director, said: “It is an immense pleasure and an honour to lead the Morgan Motor Company as we approach such a significant milestone in our history.

“We are delighted to be thriving as a privately-owned, British, family

Williams Advanced Engineering drives innovation

Formula 1 motorsport racing is only part of the Williams story. Oxfordshirebased Williams Advanced Engineering is transferring race track technology into commercial applications for which it won a Queen’s Award for Innovation last year.

The company designed and developed batteries for all cars racing in the Formula E championship, the world’s first fullyelectric international single-seater racing series. For its first four seasons Williams designed the battery that powered 40 electric racing cars at 225kph, while being practical in terms of aerodynamics, range, recharging times and safety. The company says its battery technology could

revolutionise other sectors such as aviation and energy.

Managing Director, Craig Wilson, said: “Motorsport has traditionally been the testbed for new technologies.”

Warwick-based Aston Martin chose Williams Advanced Engineering as technical partner for its first allelectric model, the Rapide E, with Williams assisting with the complex engineering integration. Having been a key partner in the original concept of the Rapide E, Williams, together with Unipart Manufacturing Group,

owned automotive manufacturer, and in our 110th year of business are stronger than ever. Milestones such as this anniversary offer everyone associated with the brand an opportunity for reflection, as well as an opportunity for us to offer even more to our customers.

“The anniversary vehicles are the beginning of our celebrations, and we look forward to making further exciting announcements throughout 2019.”

will also power the vehicle through a new company Hyperbat Limited. Its Coventry factory will open in early 2019 as the UK’s largest independent vehicle battery maker.

Formula E Battery Williams Advanced

Morgan Motor company

Siemens Magnet Technology: an attractive success story

Siemens Magnet Technology, based at Eynsham near Oxford, is a world leader in the design and manufacture of superconducting magnets for MRI body scanners.

Since its introduction in the early 1980s, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) has quickly become accepted as the leading diagnostic imaging modality in healthcare. Siemens Magnet Technology (SMT) is now a world-leading manufacturer of volume production into novel high-field superconducting magnet designs for MRI.

More than a third of all MRI scanners installed in hospitals around the world have a superconducting magnet designed and manufactured by SMT.

Siemens’ Eynsham facility has around 500 employees and more than 50 of them work in research and development. The company’s innovation was recognised by winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation 2012. This marked the seventh Queen’s award for SMT, which has previously received Queen’s Awards for high-tech achievements, export success, innovation and contribution to the development of MRI technology. SMT has manufactured more than 15,000 MRI magnets at its Oxford site, more than any other MRI magnet factory on the planet.

Worcester Bosch Group is UK market leader

Originally founded in 1962, Worcester became part of the Worldwide Bosch Group in 1996 and it is now the UK market leader in domestic boilers, manufacturing them at its Worcester factory.

Its current product range includes gas and oil boilers, hot water cylinders, renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar water heating systems, as well as controls and accessories. The company employs 1,800 people at its Worcester factory, from where it produces a quarter of a million boilers every year. It is the largest employer in the area.

Worcester Bosch boiler

Siemens Magnet Technology

A diamond business in Oxfordshire

Element Six is one of the world’s leading suppliers of synthetic diamonds.

Part of the De Beers group of companies, its £20 million Global Innovation Centre which opened in 2013 on the Harwell Campus, is now Element Six’s main research and development site.

The company develops products for cutting, grinding, drilling, shearing and polishing, as well as materials for use in the manufacture of optical systems, water treatment, sensors and semi-conductors.

Element Six has additional primary manufacturing facilities in Germany, Ireland, South Africa and the USA.

There are more than 110 scientists and engineers at its Harwell site and the business operates in five core business divisions: automotive and aerospace engineering, road construction,

maintenance and mining, oil and gas and consumer electronics. The fifth business division focuses on the use of Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) diamonds.

By manipulating the impact ofdefects, material scientists can optimise the remarkable properties of diamonds for wide ranging applications including thermal management, laser and optics, waste water treatment, acoustics and more.

Where to? electric taxi heads for Paris launch

An electric taxi, made at Anstey, Warwickshire for London taxi drivers is ready to launch in Paris this month. The LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company) TX eCity, the world’s most advanced electric taxi, has been approved by Parisian authorities and can legally be used as a working taxi in the city. This comes months ahead of the vehicle’s intended launch in Paris.

With almost 600 TX cabs now on the streets of London, the vehicle is already contributing to the capital’s air quality. Drivers are reporting fuel savings of more than £100 a week. Last September, the UK’s biggest programme for encouraging taxi drivers to upgrade to an electric vehicle was launched in Coventry, close to where the taxis are manufactured.

The Go Electric Taxi scheme includes incentives worth up to £2,500 for taxi drivers interested in making the switch to a cleaner vehicle.

The electric taxis are made at LEVC’s £300 million manufacturing plant, which opened in 2017. It also houses a research and development centre and testing facilities, and was the UK’s first plant dedicated entirely to the production of electric propulsion vehicles.

Traditional craftsmanship in high demand

Manufacturing isn’t all about high technology. The craftsmen at Chiselworks, based in Cirencester, undertake bespoke joinery design and manufacture and for owner Adam Burtenshaw, it’s not unusual for his order book to hold six months of commissions.

Adam, 29, set up Chiselworks three years ago to bring his fine level of design and craftsmanship to the Cotswolds. Last year he was joined by Warren Baldwin, who has 17 years of expertise in exceptional stairbuilding and joinery. Chiselworks now employs six members of staff and invests in the latest technology to support them.

Chiselworks joinery and furniture, made in Gloucestershire

Element Six

Safran Landing Systems takes off

World-leading manufacturing company Safran Landing Systems, based in Cheltenham, designs and manufactures aircraft landing and braking systems for large commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, business jets, military aircraft and helicopters.

The company also services and provides spares for the equipment throughout its life.

Safran invests in research and innovation to push the boundaries of landing and braking systems designed with the objective of developing lighter, quieter, more cost-effective and robust systems.

The Gloucester site has been at the forefront of landing gear technology for more than 85 years, dating from the innovative designs of Sir George Dowty to advanced landing gears for the world’s most modern aircraft today.

The site has full life-cycle capability from concept to in-service support. This includes research and development, engineering design, systems integration, test, production, processing, assembly and commercial and product support.

Renishaw — manufacturing is in its DNA

Renishaw, the global company with core skills in measurement, motion control, spectroscopy and precision machining has five sites in Gloucestershire. These employ around 2,500 people, with the main manufacturing sites at Woodchester and Stonehouse. Nine hundred of the total regional workforce are involved in manufacturing operations, including operating machines, assembling products, writing programmes for machines and developing assembly processes.

At the Woodchester site near Stroud, Renishaw makes dimensional measuring systems that are sold to manufacturing companies around the world to ensure that products can be produced to very high levels of accuracy, for example parts for jet engines that may have a tolerance of plus/minus five microns (a human hair has a thickness of around 80 microns). The same site also produces position feedback encoders — devices that enable the motion of a machine to be measured to incredible accuracies (down to a nanometre a

billionth of a metre), for machinery used in the manufacture of flat panel displays for TVs, smartphones, smart watches and gaming consoles.

At the Stonehouse site, Renishaw machines metal parts that are sent to its assembly facilities around the world to manufacture all types of Renishaw products, from measuring systems to metal 3D printing machines.

The company’s headquarters near Wottonunder-Edge is primarily for research and development, and corporate services, but it does manufacture Raman spectrometers at the site. These are used for the analysis of a wide range of materials in applications as diverse as pharmaceutical tablets, battery development, solar panel manufacture, graphene manufacture, medical research and even archaeology (the Terracotta Army Museum in China has one of its systems).

Renishaw has been manufacturing in Gloucestershire since moving to Wottonunder-Edge from Chepstow in 1976.

Renishaw QC20-W wireless ballbar for machine tool performance diagnosis. Parts machined at Stonehouse and product assembled at Woodchester

The quench process in Safran’s heat treatment facility is part of the overall manufacturing and processing sequence of the landing gear

FORGING THE FUTURE

Brexit continues to dominate time and resources for many businesses in the region. However, there are other important issues. Iain Garfield, Partner at BPE Solicitors, believes these shouldn’t be ignored to ensure manufacturing here can continue to flourish.

Our region is one of diversity when it comes to manufacturing, in the size of businesses and the sectors represented. In what is a mostly buoyant market, steady economic growth has been largely proportional to manufacturing growth. This means we are in a strong position to maximise the potential for future growth, as long as businesses are able to adapt to the challenges and issues they face.

For regional manufacturers concerned about the impact of Brexit, it is rightly being given the attention it deserves. It will affect larger multinational corporations, and the reverberations will be felt across all business sizes in all parts of the country. Nevertheless, there are some other key issues which our regional businesses will need to address to continue evolving.

Despite an extensive pool of skilled workers in the UK, and indeed more locally, who have a vast amount of knowledge with a focus on R&D, there are not enough with the particular skills required to meet the changing needs of employers. Engineering UK estimates that 182,000 people with engineering skills are required every year between now and 2022 to meet the sector’s growth potential.

This will be a challenge, especially given a recent Barclays Corporate Banking survey which revealed that more than a third of firms reported that too many job applicants do not have the right skills, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths.

It’s brought into even sharper focus in light of an ageing workforce which holds a huge amount of expertise that needs to be passed on. Transferring this knowledge is crucial and a key part of this will be encouraging the recruitment and retention of skilled workers entering the profession.

Here Brexit could have an impact with the free movement of people a key part of the negotiations. The manufacturing sector typically employs many migrant workers, so any post-Brexit restrictions could result in businesses struggling to source the skilled workers it needs.

While people are crucial in the manufacturing sector, technology isn’t far behind. Historically manufacturers have perhaps been reticent to embrace increased digitisation, automation and robotics. The emergence of Industry 4.0, as it’s being called, means that businesses have little choice if they want to be able to handle the requirements of customers now and in the future. We are seeing more manufacturers in the region looking to invest in the latest technologies to support their long-term business plans and ensure they can keep pace with an ever-changing landscape.

Further evidence of this is demonstrated by the annual Manufacturing Report 2018 which revealed that 80 per cent of manufacturers believe that Smart Factory technology will improve supply chain relationships.

We help clients incentivise their workforce to encourage retention, and the establishment of share schemes and other benefits can encourage loyalty. A shortage of skilled workers can also create issues around intellectual property (IP). Exceptional employees are more likely to be head-hunted which could potentially leave your IP at risk if it’s not properly protected. This also has an impact on wages, with employers having to increase salaries to keep key staff, putting more pressure on costs.

While there’s no doubt that this is a wholly positive shift for the manufacturing sector, it brings challenges. Cyber security is more important than ever and is something BPE is finding more and more of our clients are needing our support with. This covers a broad range of areas including drafting IT contracts and policies as well as disaster recovery and cyber crime response plans.

This type of specialist legal advice is fast becoming a staple for BPE’s manufacturing clients as part of our commitment to supporting local manufacturing firms and adding commercial value with pragmatic expert advice.

www.bpe.co.uk

Iain Garfield, Partner at BPE Solicitors

“Engineering UK estimates that 182,000 people with engineering skills are required every year between now and 2022 to meet the sector’s growth potential”

Worcestershire Ambassadors join forces with new business partners

Worcestershire Ambassadors have named four businesses as the organisation’s first strategic partners.

Estate agency Andrew Grant and Worcester law firm Lowes Solicitors, county events specialist drp and Greenworks Solutions, a facilities management company, have all become Ambassadors partners.

The deal will see the businesses playing prominent roles in fundraising events and each will present £15,000 to four local charities after this year’s charity ball in October.

Kevin Powell, chair of the Ambassadors, which helps to develop the county’s economic prosperity and encourage inward investment, says the deal will help the organisation to do even more for Worcestershire.

He said: “Since the Worcestershire Ambassadors was formed almost 20 years ago, we have put fundraising and promoting the county at the centre of everything. Bringing on board four fantastic businesses as partners will help us build on our successes.”

The Worcestershire Ambassadors fundraise for local charities and good causes. Events this year include the popular Strictly Worcestershire event, an annual golf day and the Ambassador’s showpiece black-tie ball.

Since 2013, the Worcestershire Ambassadors have raised almost £400,000 for good causes in Worcestershire – including Rory the Robot, St Richard’s Hospice, Worcestershire Prostate Awareness and the Worcestershire Community Foundation.

THURSFIELDS RAISE £2,000 FOR HOSPICE AT CHARITY GOLF DAY

Thursfields Solicitors raised £2,000 for a local hospice by holding a charity golf day in Worcestershire.

Associate solicitors Hannah Nicholls and Laura Williams arranged the mixed team contest at Gaudet Luce golf course in Droitwich following the success of their monthly ladies’ golf networking events.

event, with dozens of local business people taking part on what was an extremely warm day.”

The money raised will help fund the hospice’s Build 2020 appeal for the final £1.4 million needed to build a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for. The total cost for redeveloping the existing building in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, is £5.3 million.

Tricia Cavell, Fundraising Director at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “Every penny raised is going directly towards the appeal, helping us build a bigger hospice to care for more patients and loved ones.”

The total of £2,000 raised was donated to St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester.

Nick O’Hara, Managing Director of Thursfields, said: “This was a fantastic

Raffle prizes were donated by hat and fascinator maker Gillys, Severn Valley Railway, West Midland Safari Park, Worcester Warriors, Gaudet Luce Golf Club, Churchfields Maize Maze, Sanders Fitness, Arbonne and Stripes of Worcester.

“Every penny raised is going directly towards the appeal, helping us build a bigger hospice to care for more patients and loved ones”

The mixed team winners from Arkade Property and Biddle & Webb: James Clapham, Jeremy Thornton, Dave Biddle and Toby Porter

Worcestershire Ambassadors strategic partners

Leamington Business

Awards raises record amount for charities

Businesses in the community

Generosity from businesses saw a record £10,000 raised for charity at the Leamington Business Awards. Following the announcement of the initial fundraising total of £6,506, the amount was spontaneously topped up to £10,000 by donations from Lloyds Bank, Bellagio Stone and this year’s Outstanding Achievement winner, Vik Tara from Technology Blueprint.

The 2018 Leamington Business Awards were sponsored by The Box Factory and organised by accountants Harrison Beale & Owen (HB&O).

Mark Ashfield, Managing Director of HB&O, said: “We were absolutely thrilled with the outcome. As well as providing a great opportunity to share the fantastic work being done by local businesses and charities in and around Leamington, we raised a significant sum for The Ups of Downs and Springfield Mind.”

The Leamington Business Award entries were judged by an independent panel of experts, featuring David Hanson, Mentor and former Chief Executive of the Independent Association of Prep

Renishaw renews sponsorship of Gloucester-Hartpury Women

Global engineering company Renishaw has extended its partnership with Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s Rugby Football Club. Renishaw has long supported Gloucester Rugby’s initiatives and has sponsored Gloucester men’s and England international rugby union player, Ben Morgan, since 2012.

“Renishaw is a fantastic business to partner with,” said Adam Benson Chief Commercial Officer at Gloucester Rugby.

Chris Pockett, Head of Communications at Renishaw, said: “We recruit a large number of apprentices and graduates from the region and run an extensive education outreach programme to

Schools; Jonathan Smith, founder of the Leamington Business Forum; Roger Scott, Area Director, SME banking, Lloyds Bank; Sarah Windrum, CEO of Emerald IT and Louise Richards, cofounder of Motionhouse.

New business of the year

Sponsored by Bravissimo

Winner: Warwick Street Kitchen

Business and the community

Sponsored by Trelawny SPT

Winner: The Kingsley School

Customer service excellence

Sponsored by BID Leamington

Winner: Naturally Baby

Not for profit excellence award

Sponsored by Aubrey Allen

Winner: Thare Machi Education

Young person of the year

Sponsored by IAPS

Winner: Emily Enoch

Employer of the year

Sponsored by Bellagio Stone

Winner: Wright Hassall

South Warwickshire achievement award

Sponsored by WDC

Business Enterprise

Winner: Get Cooking!

Innovation of the year

Sponsored by Withers and Rogers

Winner: GENBA Digital

Outstanding achievement of the year

Sponsored by Lodders Solicitors

Winner: Vik Tara

Independent business of the year

Sponsored by The Royal Priors

Winner: The Drawing Board

Business of the year (Judges’ Choice Award)

Sponsored by The Box Factory

Winner: Aubrey Allen

encourage young people, particularly girls, to consider engineering as a career. Engineering draws an interesting parallel to rugby, typically seen as a male sport,”

added Chris. “Renishaw wants to challenge social stereotypes and the perception that engineering and rugby are only for men.”

The Leamington Business Award winners

Renishaw supporting Gloucester-Hartpury Women’s rugby team

WORK LIVE TO

Beat the January blues with the best spa days and treatments

Christmas has been and gone in a haze of mulled wine, tinsel and good food.

Many people begin January with fad diets and gruelling exercise routines, but there is another, much more luxurious way to detox. With this region hosting many brilliant spas tucked away in leafy corners, we’ve selected some great destinations and treatments to help you kickstart 2019.

Gloucestershire — The Painswick

You will find The Painswick Hotel surrounded by Gloucestershire’s glorious countryside and sat within the historic town of Painswick. The hotel’s two treatment rooms offer massages and facials that can rival their big sibling, Calcot Hotel and Spa near Tetbury.

With a cool and elegant style from the outside, both treatment rooms offer a different view of the world; either tucked away for a hidden retreat or overlooking the beautiful gardens with views for miles.

Once you’ve finished your chosen treatments, why not choose from a cocktail or afternoon tea? alfresco on the terrace or, if you don’t fancy braving the January weather, in the warm comfort of The Painswick restaurant.

Experiencing all the delights this lovely

hotel has to offer is a wonderful way to rest and refuel after a countryside jaunt around the Cotswold hills.

Warwickshire — Ardencote

Ardencote has opened its doors to a new, luxury destination spa. With a Himalayan salt sauna, aromatherapy steam room, tepidarium,Tyrolean kilo sauna and outdoor hot tub and pool, this is a perfect place to relax and unwind, and you’ll be beating the January blues in no time.

Ardencote Spa also has 40 beautiful bedrooms. The courtyard design of the hotel and spa surrounds an opulent outdoor heated swimming pool and its restaurants offer fine dining experiences with menus making a spa visit feel more special than ever.

Worcestershire — Malvern Spa

With Great Malvern originating as a spa town and lying at the foot of the outstanding Malvern hills, The Malvern Spa offers a peaceful place to take a break and unwind from everyday life.

With a choice of six spa days, you can choose the perfect day for your body to relax, unwind and reset in the cold of winter.

The Malvern Elements Spa Day, with a special offer for January and February bookings, will allow guests to relax in its warm outdoor bubbly hydrotherapy pool while breathing in the invigorating Malvern air

The spa day includes a 40-minute Elemis Elixir Massage or Elemis Superfood Facial to boost your skin. A wonderful treat enhancing Malvern’s spa heritage.

Oxfordshire — Old Swan & Minster Mill

The garden spa is a tranquil calming space within Oxfordshire’s cosy Old Swan & Minster Mill Cotswold stone hotel.

It’s the perfect place for indulgence with three treatment suites, a poolside rock sauna, aroma steam room, ice fountain and tropical rain forest shower to complete the experience.

The spa sits right in the heart of the grounds, so it’s easy to leave the treatment room and drift through the 65 acres of beautiful gardens or simply lounge by the indoor heated plunge pool on a more frosty January day.

The Old Swan & Minster Mill’s garden spa exudes beauty and character and all within a quintessentially English inn.

Ardencote

Ardencote’s steam room

The Painswick

SOLE TRADER OR LIMITED COMPANY? DECIDE BEFORE YOU LAUNCH INTO BUSINESS

Deciding to go into business is a big decision and before you start it is important to decide how you will actually trade.

The new dividend tax system has narrowed the perceived tax advantage from operating as a company compared to a sole trader. There can still be an advantage however, particularly if you do not wish to extract all profits from the business every year.

Deciding whether to incorporate – to set up as a limited company – should be based on whether it is right for your business, not just on potential tax savings. Incorporation enables more flexibility. If looking to expand the business, as well as considering borrowing, a limited company provides the additional option of raising capital by selling shares to outside investors.

Business ownership can be divided between multiple shareholders and the ratio of ownership between individuals can be established by varying the number of shares each person holds. Ownership can be made more complicated by having different share classes with different rights. This might be a consideration in succession planning, but it is a complex area and requires detailed analysis.

Incorporation provides a separate legal entity. As a sole trader, any liability of the business is your own liability and personal assets, such as your home, could be at risk. With a limited company, the liability stays with the company and the shareholders are only liable up to the amount of their capital investment.

Trading as a limited company increases a business’s visibility and transparency. Accounts must be filed at Companies House, so anyone can see who owns the business and how it is performing financially. This may be a factor in securing new finance or contracts.

corporation tax liability is another area where specialist advice can help.

As a separate entity, the company will have to pay corporation tax on its profits, although the rate is currently significantly lower than the basic rate of income tax.

Also, you will not personally own company assets. If you wish to take assets out in future, it is likely you will have to pay corporation tax, stamp duty, land tax and income tax if extracting cash after selling the asset.

Limited companies are taxed as separate entities. Sole traders are taxed on all of their profit each year, whereas a company owner can choose how much income to take from the business in salaries and dividends, giving more control over when income is taxed.

But incorporation brings increased compliance costs. As well as the initial set-up costs in registering the company, accounts and a confirmation statement must be filed at Companies House every year, as well as a corporation tax return to HMRC.

This is in addition to the personal tax return, which a company director needs to complete. Taking a salary requires you to register a payroll with HMRC, which requires regular reporting. The correct calculation and reporting of your

Directors of a limited company may have limited liability against the debts of the business, but still have the same legal responsibilities in health and safety, and public liability as a sole trader, and can be prosecuted and fined for non-compliance.

Looking to the future, it is sometimes costlier in terms of tax to introduce new shareholders, especially if they already work for the company. If you are a sole trader, you can invite anyone to join you in business and share your combined profits, usually with no tax cost.

Incorporation can be a sensible evolution for a business but needs to work for your overall business. There are potential tax savings, but this will depend on the type of business, profit levels, and your long-term intentions. Take specialist advice early in the planning stage of your new business.

Sue Daye is Tax Partner at national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm, Crowe. Based in Cheltenham, Sue helps entrepreneurial businesses, professional firms and High Net Worth individuals.

Sue Daye, Tax Partner, Crowe UK

“Deciding whether to set up as a limited company should be based on whether it is right for your business, not just on potential tax savings”

ONLINE ESTATE AGENCY EMOOV ENTERS ADMINISTRATION

Emoov, the online estate agency established in 2010 entered administration in early December.

Peter Whalley and Sandra Mundy of Oxford-based James Cowper Kreston were appointed as joint administrators by the directors of Emoov Limited, Tepilo Holdings Limited and Tepilo Limited.

Emoov operated a hybrid estate agency, combining online client service and property listings supported by local agents, but without the requirement for a high street presence.

By 2017 Emoov said it had sold thousands of properties all over the UK totalling £3 billion. Last April, Emoov acquired its competitor, Tepilo Limited, the online agency established by Channel

According to the consumer organisation Which, the firm accounted for around half a per cent of the estate agency market in 2018.

Simon Murdoch, Managing Director of Episode 1, which first invested in Emoov in 2015 said that an increasingly competitive market helped lead to Emoov’s problems.

Over the last few years the market has become crowded with the likes of Purple Bricks, Yopa, Housesimple and easyProperty.

According to thisismoney.co.uk, despite their popularity, online estate agents still only have five per cent of the market.

Specialist bakery business bought by Panicium Legal

A Warwick-based specialist bakery has revealed plans to accelerate its growth by joining a new baked goods group.

Margaret Hall Ltd which manufactures under its own brand ‘Margaret’s Country Kitchen’ and for other brands, has joined Panicium Limited as part of a buy-and-build strategy to scale up and acquire craft bakeries within this highly fragmented UK sector.

Margaret Hall Ltd was started as a corner shop in 1963 by Ted and Margaret Hall. The business expanded to a chain of 15 retail shops. Jonathan Walsh joined the business in 1991 and the business refocused on manufacturing. Today, the bakery sells more than six million tarts, biscuits and cakes every year to food service distributors and catering wholesalers.

Newbury-based specialist mergers and acquisition adviser BCMS advised Jonathan and co director Charlotte Walsh, with legal advice from Leamington Spa law firm, Blythe Liggins. The price and terms were undisclosed.

BPE Solicitors named as government-approved supplier

BPE Solicitors have been appointed as an approved legal supplier for public sector organisations in the South West, following a rigorous tender process by Crown Commercial Services (CCS).

The Cheltenham-based law firm is one of only 42 law firms nationally to be

awarded a place on the regional panel. These services will be available to government departments and their agencies, local and regional government, emergency services, social housing organisations, health and education bodies and non-profit charities or voluntary groups.

“Whether working closely with government agencies such as Innovate UK, or advising GPs setting up new NHS super-surgeries, the BPE team has experience in the public sector,” explains Rob Bryan, Equity Partner at BPE, who led the team’s submission in the CCS tender process.

John Workman, Senior Partner at BPE, adds: “The success of tenders such as this reaffirms the firm’s prominent position supporting the public sector nationally as well as in the region.”

Four television presenter, Sarah Beeny.

“Whether working closely with government agencies such as Innovate UK, or advising GPs setting up new NHS super-surgeries, the BPE team has experience in the public sector”

Rob Bryan, BPE Solicitors

VIVE LA CYBERSÉCURITÉ

AS FRENCH VISIT MALVERN

Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) hosted a cyber delegation from France alongside the Midlands Cyber network at Malvern Hills Science Park. The audience heard speakers from QinetiQ, GCHQ and Worcestershire’s 5G testbed team and learned more about commercial opportunities and Worcestershire’s new tech accelerator, BetaDen.

Stuart Emmerson, Invest in Worcestershire Manager at Worcestershire’s LEP said: “The event attracted around 70 attendees to our event in the heart of Cyber Valley. The French cyber delegation were keen to learn more about Worcestershire’s outstanding reputation for producing and attracting dynamic cyber companies. They were deeply impressed by the quality of

firms and the opportunities to access the lucrative Midlands market. The UK is the largest, most concentrated and accessible cyber security market in Europe, worth more than £25 billion, and Worcestershire is at the heart of this opportunity.”

Tewkesbury firm set to revolutionise cyber training

Tewkesbury cyber security company

XQ Cyber says it is set to revolutionise how businesses gain the highest level of certification under the government’s Cyber Essentials Scheme.

The scheme helps organisations guard against the most common cyber threats. Having a Cyber Essentials certificate reassures customers that a business is taking cybers ecurity seriously. Being certified at the highest level depends on having an independent system assessment.

Many large organisations are starting to require suppliers or partners to demonstrate a level of competence in cybersecurity. One recognised way of achieving this is with Cyber Essentials certification.

Until now, it has only been possible to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification by employing a specialist company to perform on-site testing. This can be expensive and difficult to do at scale.

XQ has transformed the process. With the company’s award-winning CyberScore service, organisations of all sizes can automate certification, cutting the expense and time it takes to achieve.

CyberScore guide a business through the certification process, by advising which scans are likely to meet the criteria, while gathering information around the policies in place within the organisation. The results are available immediately, alongside a certificate if successful, and a full report containing details of the checks performed.

Richard Bach, XQ director and cofounder, said: “Currently, certification depends on the use and availability of skilled assessors. But when it comes to scale, cost and repeatability, this approach has its challenges. By using technology, we can overcome these and help the Government achieve its aim to make the UK secure and resilient to cyber threats.”

The dark web, cybercrime and how to protect businesses from online malpractice were the focus of a free seminar by national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe.

Johnathan Dudley, Crowe’s Midlands Managing Partner, said: “Our specialists in forensic services have many years of experience helping organisations navigate around the huge challenges of the dark web, cybercrime and business malpractice.

Keynote speaker was Jim Gee, National Head of Crowe’s Forensic Services team, as well as a visiting professor and chair of Europe’s top research unit in this area at University of Portsmouth. He said: “No organisation can expect to be immune from fraud and cybercrime, and creating protection is a key tool to minimise the impact.”

Chris Hine, Crowe’s new principal partner working on expert witness assignments within Crowe’s Forensic Services team, outlined case studies showcasing previous expert evidence and professional advice.

Specialists host seminar on the “dark web”

Delegates pack the room to meet French cyber delegation

Cyber

CAREER AHEAD

NEW PATRON FOR COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE BUSINESS BOARD

Ian Harnett, Director of Human Resources and Global Purchasing at Jaguar Land Rover has been appointed as a patron for the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Board. The Board raises funds for the NSPCC’s Boole House in Coventry, which works with vulnerable city children and their families.

MIDLANDS VENTURE CAPITAL COMPANY GROWS

Midlands venture capital firm Midven has appointed graduates George Wood and Liam Bradley to the business during a period of strong growth. Midven has recently secured Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF). The company has invested in companies such as eTravel Safety, Assembled Electronics Solutions (AES) and Geospatial Insight Ltd.

HEALTH RETAILER PROMOTES NON-EXEC TO CHAIRMAN

Holland & Barrett International Limited, which has its headquarters in Nuneaton, has appointed John Walden as Chairman of its board of directors, elevating his role from non-executive director which he has held since the company’s acquisition by L1 Retail in August 2017.

QUADRUPLE PROMOTIONS AT HARRISON CLARK RICKERBYS

Law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys has promoted four colleagues to partners. Andrew Morris and Steven Murray in Cheltenham, Suzanne Vercoe in Worcester and Zoe Touhey who works between both offices.

BIBBY DIRECTOR JOINS EXPORT INSTITUTE

Banbury-based Bibby Financial Service’s Specialist Director, Kash Ahmad, has been appointed to the board of the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT). The IOE&IT is the professional membership body representing the interests of those involved in importing, exporting and international trade.

AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING COMPANY SECURES NEW CCO

Warwickshire-based Horiba MIRA, a world-leader in advanced automotive engineering, research, development and testing, has appointed Miller Crockart as its new Chief Commercial Officer. Miller joins the executive team and will oversee the continued development and execution of Horiba MIRA’s global sales and marketing strategy.

INTERNET BUSINESS SECURES TWO MORE BOARD DIRECTORS

Worcester-based Airband, a leading wireless and fibre internet service provider for rural and isolated areas in England and Wales, has appointed two new board directors as well as more than 20 new appointments across the business. Peter Mathers (shown) joins Airband as Operations Director and Andrew Price joins as Finance Director.

EXPANSION FOR AWARDWINNING VAT TEAM

Oxford accountants James Cowper Kreston has appointed Jeff Ruddell as their new senior VAT Manager. In his former managerial role at HMRC he specialised in VAT repayments, complex VAT issues, criminal and civil issues and has also been responsible for leading national training programs and projects in the field.

CLARE JOINS URBAN DESIGN TEAM AT SAVILLS

Property company Savills has added to its specialist urban design team in Oxford with the appointment of Clare Mitchell as associate director. An experienced urban and landscape designer, Clare’s experience spans public and private sectors. She brings with her an extensive track record in landscape architecture and has worked on several high-profile public realm schemes in the UK and internationally.

UBER DIRECTOR TO DRIVE INTERNATIONAL GROWTH AT OXBOTICA

Uber’s former Head of Business, Fraser Robinson has joined autonomous software company Oxbotica’s Board of Directors. Fraser most recently led Uber’s investment negotiations, strategy and partnerships in EMEA. Prior to Uber, he held a number of senior positions within technology and e-commerce, including Managing Director of Lastminute.com

REGENERATION ORGANISATION APPOINTS HEAD OF SERVICE

North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration has appointed Ostap-Taras Paparega as its new Head of Service. Ostap-Taras moved from his previous role as Regeneration, Heritage and Economic Development Manager at Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVALS BOOSTS SUPPORT FOR FUNDRAISING INITIATIVES

Bernadette Murphy has joined Cheltenham Festivals as Director of Marketing and Development. She has moved from New Zealand where she was Group Manager for Fundraising, Marketing and Communications for community agency Lifewise NZ.

IT’S TOUCHDOWN AT TITANIA FOR NEW FINANCE CHIEF

Kirsty Fisher joins Worcesgter-based Titania group as Chief Financial Officer. The company says her former experience in the competitive arena of premier league financing (for Worcester Warriors) will be invaluable in supporting the ambitious growth plans of one of the UK’s most successful cyber security SMEs.

SARAH PROMOTED TO PARTNER AT BPE

Cheltenham law firm BPE has promoted Sarah Lee to Partner in its employment team. Sarah started her career with an international law firm before joining BPE’s Employment Team in 2008. Sarah has advised the likes of Interserve, The Smallpeice Trust, The Physiological Society and Howard Tenens.

THE MEAN VIEW

By Ian Mean

At the risk of sounding like a long-playing record, I feel I must return at the start of a New Year to a white hot topic that I first wrote about in the July edition of Business & Innovation Magazine.

That is: skills.

Companies across the region readily admit that finding skilled people is, for most, their main priority.

But I am afraid few companies get down to trying to really sort out what is becoming a key issue for business in Gloucestershire.

And it is not for the want of persuasion either.

You may remember at the start of the Vision 2050 project, Gloucestershire County Council’s chief executive, Peter Bungard, gave some scary figures on the skills picture.

Just to remind you, in Gloucestershire we need something like 13,000 new people annually to replace those leaving through retirement or other reasons.

And we are haemorrhaging young people at an alarming rate - around 400 a year are leaving the county.

The county council and GFirstLEP, the local enterprise partnership, has set up a Skills Board to try and get to grips with this key issue.

Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Oxfordshire are also investing significant time and energies into tackling the skills issue too.

They all have a mountain to climb but they cannot do it alone.

The government, immersed in its Brexit bubble, must get its head on properly and back up what we are all doing here, in Gloucestershire and across the region.

Cash to further education colleges has been slashed which seems to make no sense if government is going to stand any chance of meeting its target for apprenticeships: three million by 2020.

While I must lay blame at the door of government, a lot of local businesses must also shoulder some of the responsibility for our dire skills gap.

The Gloucestershire 2050 Vision Project was conceived by Gloucestershire County Council following discussions that identified the need for an ambitious, longterm development plan for Gloucestershire.

They suggested that focusing on a date 30 years in the future would help long-term investment and progressive planning necessary for truly game-changing projects. Significantly greater funding can also be leveraged with a 30-year payback period, enabling the development of transformational projects.

Retaining and attracting young people to Gloucestershire has been identified as a central issue.

In Gloucestershire, it is a fact that something like 57 per cent of employers have an annual training budget of less than £1,000, and 77 per cent less than £5,000.

How can they possibly hope to develop their own skilled people if they are not prepared to put more money into training?

One thing is certain. Skills must be a key constituent for the county’s Industrial Strategy which the government has asked local enterprise partnerships to develop.

And some companies simply have to wake up and realise that skilled people do not grow on trees.

The final G2050 Vision portfolio will be launched publicly this summer. Further detailed scoping work on the projects can then begin.

Ian Mean is Gloucestershire Director of Business West, and a former regional newspaper editor.

He is an honorary vice-president of Gloucestershire College and has an honorary doctorate of philosophy from the University of Gloucestershire for supporting business in the county.

Ian is also chairman of the Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust Organ Donation Committee and a board member of Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, championing small and medium-sized businesses.

“Skilled people don’t grow on trees”

“Skills must be a key constituent for the county’s Industrial Strategy which the government has asked local enterprise partnerships to develop”

Ian Mean

LEADERSHIP DRIVING GLOBAL EXPANSION

Martin Spray CBE, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Martin has been Chief Executive of the famous Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) since March 2004.

Almost the first third of his career was spent in the government sector in a variety of managerial positions.

In 1988 he moved into conservation with the World Wide Fund for Nature and three years later to the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust as its first Chief Executive.

He has now spent 27 years as a chief executive in the conservation sector.

Running a charity or not for profit organisation can have different challenges from a profit-making business. Each have individual goals, structures and cultures.

Two years ago he decided to focus his attention more outside his organisation and establish connections with others not necessarily in the same sector. “I wanted to better relate conservation to what was going on in the wider world,” he says.

This is particularly important as Martin also leads the consulting arm of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, WWT Consulting.

This is the world’s leading specialist wetland consultancy, a subsidiary business to WWT (which itself is a substantial business responsible for 10 wetland centres across the UK and around 600 staff).

WWT Consulting supports ecological surveys, habitat creation, restoration and management, wetland centre design and planning across the world.

“I am an open kind of leader, very rarely do people get turned down for a meeting. But talking through my leadership style with others made me more conscious of the shadow a leader can cast”

Leadership has played a role in the success of the consultancy. In 2010, Martin enrolled on the QuoLux LEAD leadership and management course. Eight years later he still recognises the benefits.

“It made me reflect on the way I behave in an organisation and the way I work. I hadn’t consciously done that for a very long time. It’s not something you really think about when you’re going about the day job. One thing I did pick up was how I took my approach to communicating within the organisation for granted. Working with other leaders on the course made me reflect hard on that.

“I am an open kind of leader, very rarely do people get turned down for a meeting. But talking through my leadership style with others made me more conscious of the shadow a leader can cast. You can change the atmosphere and motivation of a group around you very easily.”

Whether in corporate life or the world of non-profit organisations, management issues are much the same. “It cheered me up that I was experiencing similar challenges to others in my cohort, who came from a wide range of companies. It was amazing just how commonplace our issues and concerns were.”

WWT has worked in 48 countries around the world.

“The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust is a business which does conservation,” says Martin. “Fundamentally we are no different to any other business. We have to secure funding and then spend our resources where they are going to be most effective. Confident leadership helps us achieve these objectives.”

Martin Spray, CBE, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Strong leadership is needed if companies are to successfully expand their horizons globally. We meet three leaders doing just that.

Stop micromanaging to drive business growth

Peter Creighton,

Development

Director, Oxford Plastics

Peter Creighton is Business Development Director for Oxford Plastics, an award-winning manufacturer of roadworks and street works products such as barrier fencing, sign cones and temporary walkways.

He is driving the business’s development in the USA and has taken that part of the business from a turnover of around £90,000 annually to the current £2.5 million. Looking forward, the Chipping Norton-based company expects to double turnover in the USA next year.

Peter is a qualified engineer and during his career has been head of engineering for a number of companies, including Oxford Plastics.

Moving from engineering to sales was a challenge, he readily admits.

“Engineering teams need to adopt a methodical approach to their work and do need tight management. When I moved into business development and sales, I took that method of management with me. The upshot was that I had a tendency to micromanage my staff.”

His approach seemed to work at the start. Sales in the USA rose from around £90,000 a year to £400,000 to £800,000. Then they stagnated. Something wasn’t working.

“I decided that it was perhaps my issue so three years ago I enrolled on a LEAD course with QuoLux.”

The LEAD course is all about building teams, he says. In one of the masterclasses, Peter realised that he was expecting every decision at every level to go through him.

Nicola rewarded for leading by example

Nicola Whiting, Chief Strategy

& co-owner of Titania Group

“Suddenly I understood that I couldn’t do everything and in fact I was the bottleneck slowing everything down. My staff felt their opinion didn’t matter.”

Over a period of time, Peter successfully changed his management style. Rather than talking regularly with each individual member of his team, they now have weekly conference calls where wider discussions take place. “I no longer automatically jump in with a solution, we talk things through. I’ve also become a better mentor and my team are now stepping up to the plate. This method of management has given them confidence in their own abilities.”

Peter sees huge potential for the growth of Oxford Plastics in the USA. “The UK is so driven by health and safety legislation and compliance that our products are way ahead of those in the USA, which has legislation but little enforcement. As a result, we have also adapted our messaging from being compliance-driven in the UK, to one of return on investment in the USA.”

Peter’s hands-off and more collegiate style of management is reaping rewards. “My sales team in the USA are now more confident and independent. We still do a lot of team preparation before they go out visiting clients, but ultimately they have more scope to develop successful relationships with clients themselves, using me as their backstop.”

Nicola Whiting, Chief Strategy Officer and co-owner of Worcester-based Titania Group, rounded 2018 off by receiving the prestigious Security Leader award at the Unsung Hero event hosted by Security Serious, an annual event held in October during European cyber security awareness month.

Titania, the company founded by her husband Ian in 2007, develops cyber auditing software that serves industries in more than 75 countries. Nicola is now acknowledged as one of the top 20 most influential women in cyber security.

The award was for someone in industry who leads a team or mentors individuals to ensure those coming through the ranks are prepared for the future. Surprisingly, it wasn’t just for the work she’s done within her own organisation, Nicola spends much of her free time mentoring for the Department of International Trade and other organisations dedicated to increasing the success of cyber start-ups in the UK and allied countries.

How does a leader, in a high growth SME such asTitania, make time for her mentoring and speaking commitments?

“I’m a firm believer in putting frameworks in place that support and empower people to deliver their best. The principles I’ve spent a lifetime learning help us maintain our values, deliver a consistent vision and stay focused on our goals”

Officer

Peter Creighton, Development Director, Oxford Plastics

“I’m a firm believer in putting frameworks in place that support and empower people to deliver their best. The principles I’ve spent a lifetime learning help us maintain our values, deliver a consistent vision and stay focused on our goals. This clarity has helped us attract and retain a strong leadership team who I trust implicitly to take the organisation to the next level.”

This success didn’t happen overnight, she adds. “We made a lot of mistakes on the way as this was the first business that we’ve grown to this size. Titania has developed from a bedroom start-up to a multi-million pound turnover, award-winning company.

“For us to get here, we had a lot of help on the way. Mentoring and supporting others (who are often on the start of their own journey) is my way of giving back.”

“One of the biggest challenges for any entrepreneur is letting go. It’s a bit like being a parent, for your child to grow, you have to let them learn their own lessons. We foster an atmosphere here of continual learning and improvement. With that driving our business, there’s no limit to where we can go — after all, Apple and Microsoft both started in a garage.”

“The Unsung Hero award meant a lot as it was industry recognition by my peers. I was up against contenders from organisations like John Lewis, Deloitte and Barclays, so to win was completely unexpected.”

QuoLux goes global

Rachael Ramos, director of QuoLux, discusses going global.

“In 2018, QuoLux joined the export business community, opening a satellite office in Brazil (where I’m now based) and launched Leading MBA – a worldleading online programme that captures the power of learning in the workplace, wherever that may be.

“Embarking on this new venture is integral to our overall business strategy. As such, we developed a plan to help ensure its success, including these key steps:

Be strategic

“Our strategy for growth is to build on the success of our core services in leadership development, while innovating into a new market (online learners in the UK and overseas). Research confirmed the opportunity, and we were able to disrupt the traditional MBA model through innovation, creating the first work-based learning master’s delivered entirely online.

Identify your value proposition

“We carefully considered how to add value by recognising the constraints of other MBA models and the needs of our target audience. The result was Leading MBA, which gives leaders the freedom to continue to work in their business and live at home. It provides a unique learning environment supporting their business and personal development. We then created a distinctive red, white and blue brand that encapsulates our offering, instantly evoking Britain’s reputation as world-leading in education.

Prepare thoroughly

“Bringing leaders into a virtual learning environment demands the best technologies. Through extensive research we identified partners that ensured we were using proven, reliable systems that allow our delegates to learn wherever and whenever they want.

Build expert networks

“It is invaluable to secure the right support to help elevate your business overseas. We are currently partnering Gloucestershire-based, Join In China, to target the Henan Province, where Leading MBA was met with enthusiasm from senior officials. We are leveraging our relationship with the university of Gloucestershire to approach leaders in the Guangdong Province, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Vietnam where the University has strong ties with other educational institutions. Meanwhile, our Leading MBA advisory group, consisting of international business and leadership experts, are supporting us through their extensive global networks.”

Going global has its challenges, but the opportunities are certainly exciting. To find out more visit www.leadingmba.com

Nicola Whiting, Chief Strategy Officer and co-owner of Titania Group

Rachael Ramos, Leading MBA Programme Director and Facilitator

GLOUCESTER TO HOST RETAIL INNOVATION CENTRE

It’s not news that traditional high streets are shrinking fast. Footfall has plummeted as we shop online. The owners of shopping malls in big cities are doing their best to fight back, investing vast sums in new attractions, street-food concepts, retail entertainment and more.

But where does that leave the traditional high street with its multiplicity of property owners? They will seldom agree to jointly commit the significant sums of money needed to make a material difference.

In his autumn budget, the Chancellor promised £675 million of co-funding to create a Future High Streets Fund.

This will support councils wanting to transform their town centres. He also announced a cut in business rates of one third for all retailers with a rateable value below £51,000, a boost for the independent traders.

This was all music to the ears of Gloucester, which is ahead of the game nationally in its commitment to improving the city’s retail landscape.

Last year, the city announced its own investment. The UK Digital Retail Innovation Centre (UK:DRIC), which opens in early 2019, will become a national centre for testing and developing disruptive innovations. It will help shape and inform the future of cities with a special focus on retail.

Located in the city’s Eastgate Shopping Centre, the initiative is being led by the city’s destination marketing organisation, Marketing Gloucester. Last year it secured £400,000 from Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership to kickstart the project. It will also seek funding from central government for full fibre and 5G, and expects to gain rental income from retail incubators and shared work space.

Marketing Gloucester Chief Executive, Jason Smith, said: “Gloucester is ideally suited as a testbed for new technologies. It is a relatively compact

Gloucester’s UK digital retail innovation centre

 A testbed for emerging retail technologies

 Support high street business in adopting new technologies to maximise efficiencies, selling opportunities and improve economic growth

 Provide incubator space for new retailers or established retailers developing innovative retail propositions

“Gloucester is ideally suited to test-bed new technologies. It is a relatively compact city, with a representative demographic and a high degree of innovation and good digital infrastructure”

city, with a representative demographic and good digital infrastructure.”

Gloucester became the first UK city to simultaneously install CCTV over IP (a system which sends and receives images via a computer network and the internet), free high-speed Wi-Fi and 4G across the whole city. This award-winning model has been adopted by Cardiff, Glasgow, Nottingham, Leicester and Newcastle with others to follow. 4G is a superfast, high capacity network which makes doing things on a mobile phone seem instant.

The UK:DRIC will offer four retail incubator units, a conference and training facility, shared workspace and exhibition space.

The centre aims to support at least eight new retailers and move them into high street premises over the next three years. It will also help 500 individuals boost their digital retail skills.

Gloucester’s new digital retail innovation centre primed to welcome innovative ideas and start-ups

The cosmetic retailer LUSH’s London store on Oxford Street shows how successful retail innovation can be achieved

By Nicky Godding

How does a business keep innovating once its founder is no longer involved?

That could have been a major dilemma for Cheltenham-based water treatment equipment manufacturer Adey Professional Heating Solutions.

In 2003, independent heating engineer Chris Adey was working with British Gas. Busy during the day, in the evenings he had begun to work on an idea for a product to solve a regular problem.

He designed a piece of equipment which harnessed magnetic power to clean domestic central heating systems. He reckoned that the equipment would extend the life of both the heating system and the boiler – and reduce maintenance bills.Genius.

Fast forward 16 years and the company which bears his name is turning over in excess of £60 million annually, having sold more than five million of his original MagnaClean filters and a raft of associated plumbing and heating products.

In 2016, Chris finally bowed out of the business after a private-equity backed management buyout led by its current chief executive John Vaughan.

What has happened since then? After two years with no significant new products, the plumbing and heating industry might have been forgiven for thinking that Adey had lost its mojo. They would be wrong.

TAKING INNOVATION

TO THE SECOND LEVEL

This year Adey is launching three new products, two for the domestic and one for the commercial market.

Chief Operating Officer, Edward Davies, says these will put clear blue water between the company and its competitors for years to come.

Adey investing in innovative

“Chris started this business from scratch and embedded it with his personality and uncompromising approach to research and development,” says Edward. “Once in, such DNA is difficult to lose. Chris believed in innovation and quality. He never compromised and would delay the launch of a product until he was totally satisfied in putting his name to it.

Adey

In 2003 Chris Adey risked everything on his new invention. In 2016, he sold the multi-million pound business he’d built on the back of it.

We look at how Adey

Professional Heating continues to innovate

Adey’s new MagnaClean

“Chris believed in innovation and quality. He never compromised and would delay the launch of a product until he was totally satified in putting his name to it”

New sensing technology puts Adey ahead of the competition

New patented sensing technology invented by Adey’s research and development team is being launched. It will enable installers to monitor the health and chemistry of a heating system without having to set foot over a property owner’s threshold. The “Sense vision” includes several new products and services.

Adey will launch the new products during the year. Once all are on the market they will create a holistic system for monitoring and remotely treating system water.

The most usual reason for a boiler or central heating system to fail is dirty water flowing through the pipes. “It’s the same as the oil in a car,” explains Edward. “If it’s dirty the engine will wear more. Repairs will be needed sooner and your car is going to need replacing earlier. And while you are doing that you are burning more fuel.

“Buying a boiler is a distress purchase. Homeowners want their boiler to last as long as possible. Our

new monitoring system means that installers can check its efficiency and receive alerts when the water quality is below par. They can then take pre-emptory steps to avoid breakdowns that would otherwise occur.”

Adey can see that its new sensing technology will appeal to a much wider market, including the commercial sector, housing associations and local councils. “The money available, particularly in local authority areas, is falling fast,” says Edward.

“Our technology allows heating systems to run more energy efficiently, which means lower heating costs and less carbon being pumped into the atmosphere if the system is running well. This helps the tenant, and the local authority benefits from reduced breakdowns.”

“If every property in this country had clean water running through their heating systems, it would be one of the single biggest contributors to emissions reductions.”

“If every property in this country had clean water running through their heating systems, it would be one of the biggest contributors to emissions reductions”

Chris Adey

“The teams he built and the people within them all have this company’s DNA embedded within them.

“As a management team we know that is at the heart of our success and will continue to be. It’s the barometer by which the whole business and the individuals within it are judged.”

Early failure to astonishing success

Edward, a lawyer by training, met Chris in October 2003 when he was working in commercial practice. “Chris came to me having filed patents for his MagnaClean invention. He wanted to sell the idea for someone else to take forward.”

But no-one wanted to pay what Chris knew his invention was worth. “He’d set himself some red lines in what he wanted a sale to achieve,” explains Edward. “The issue for the companies he met was that there wasn’t a history of revenue because it didn’t yet exist as a marketed product.”

It was two years before the BBC’s Dragon’s Den aired. At that time the UK commercial landscape wasn’t as entrepreneurial and was less willing to take risks. Fast forward almost two decades and things have changed. Big companies and investors now compete hard for new inventions and ideas.

Chris turned his failure to sell his idea to a third party into a new and highly profitable niche sector within the plumbing and heating industry. This sector is now worth around a hundred

But he is also well aware that this is the company’s to lose, which brings it all back to the importance of innovation.

Moving the business on

“Over 15 years Adey has developed and widened our product range. Once the MagnaClean had been established the business developed products to satisfy different market segments. A smaller filter for a smaller space, a larger one for a bigger heating system, then we moved into commercial systems.”

Along the way Adey invented MagnaCleanse, a new product to clean a central heating system before the water hit the filter. Then it built a family of products, including chemicals, to clean the system, bringing them together under Adey’s best practice service regime.

The company expanded across Europe, winning innovation and exporting awards along the way.

After 13 years of building a hugely successful business, Chris Adey agreed to a management buyout in 2016. One of his legacies was the strong research and development team he had created. This team has now taken Adey innovation to the next level.

“In principle, it’s relatively easy to design and launch a non-mechanical filter,” says Edward. “However, over the last 18 months our team has taken a giant leap forward by adding sensing technology to our filters.

“We have spent two years building a roadmap, a strategy and business model around that sensing technology. We are first to market and have protected our inventions with a raft of international patents.

“We want to rise to the challenge and make as much of the opportunities as possible. That comes down to people and capabilities and we invest heavily in that.

“That’s really the life-blood of this business. It’s about moving the story on.”

“We want to rise to the challenge and make as much of the opportunities as possible. That comes down to people and capabilities and we invest heavily in that”

Adey

Adey

Edward Davies, Chief Operating Officer at Adey

Adey’s new MagnaClean Atom

GLOBAL AMBITION

CAN WE EXPORT OUR WAY OUT OF BREXIT?

There are 195 countries in the world. So why are some people worried about battling to maintain our current close relationship with just 27 of them? Non-EU countries constitute a larger export market for the UK that those in the Union.

This is a rather fatuous view. It’s obvious that any upset in our arrangements in exporting to the EU, our closest neighbour, will have consequences. Just how serious is anyone’s guess and few business leaders like uncertainty and disruption.

However, it’s a big world and every business leader knows that if you are not growing, you’re more likely to be going backwards. While no-one likes economic uncertainty, the current business climate does offer opportunities for bold UK companies determined to expand their export markets. Let’s get Brexporting.

Exports from the UK across the world, including the EU, rose by six per cent in the year to June 2018 when compared to the same period last year according to government figures.

Total exports to outside the EU totalled £342.8 billion. Services exports experienced over three per cent growth outside the EU, with a total value of £168.2 billion.

“Cheap and easy shipping, instantaneous global communications and the current marketability of ‘Brand UK’ come together to make this an excellent time for British companies to be exporting their goods and services”

A 6.6 per cent increase in goods exports was driven by a demand for high quality British manufacturing, with service exports also continuing to boom (also up more than six per cent).

The Chancellor’s Autumn budget promised an additional £2 billion of credit for buyers of British products and services. £5 million is also being made available to the Department for International Trade (DIT) as it increases its European network to attract investment and help UK exporters land new deals on the continent.

Nicolas Groffman, head of law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ international team, said: “Cheap and easy shipping, instantaneous global communications and the current marketability of ‘Brand UK’ come together to make this an excellent time for British companies to be exporting their goods and services.

“Now that UK businesses are looking for new markets globally, beyond the EU which has been seen as the easiest option, exporters may have to work harder to set up watertight and workable agreements but will reap their reward in much larger markets.

“China, India, Australia and the US, to name only a few, are ready for well-targeted UK products and services and, with some care and attention to detail, offer great potential for growth. For instance, the Chinese, known for their long-term trading relationships worldwide, are keen to welcome UK businesses, and the US, with a common language and some common business practices, remains a friendly export market.”

2019 will be a roller coaster ride for UK businesses. We take inspiration from exporting successes across the region

Action sports brand Ruroc, based in Gloucester, created the world’s first helmet system with integrated goggles and detachable face mask to protect from rocks, rails and sub-zero wind chill. Ruroc is now growing rapidly across the globe as the brand for action sports protective gear, and currently exports to more than 80 countries.

SPORTING FACE MASK INNOVATION DRIVES EXPORTS

we have is an epic achievement and one that we’re really proud of”

Close to 90 per cent of Ruroc’s overall turnover is made up of exports. In 2018 the company received £3 million investment from the Business Growth Fund to drive international growth.

Ruroc uses social media to raise its profile and is continually taking on new international social media managers to increase awareness.

It now has managers for all major European and Scandinavian countries and covers China, South Korea and Japan.

Chief Executive Dan Rees says: “The most exciting new prospects for us are Mexico and India where we are currently recruiting marketing managers.”

He adds it’s impossible to pinpoint the single most exciting part of the growth. “We’re constantly learning and the journey we’re on has been full of steep learning curves but building the team to the size we have is an epic achievement and one that we’re really proud of.”

The company sees huge potential in its big five territories (USA, Canada, UK, France and Germany) and considers China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and India as massive new opportunities.

Intralink wins trade award — for helping others export

Abingdon-based Intralink celebrated its own Queen’s Award for International Trade last year, following its work helping British companies export their products and services to four markets in East Asia and China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

The company also offers market development services to European and North American companies wishing

to export their products and services. Intralink’s international sales have grown year-on-year by 146 per cent, from £1.5 million to £3.8 million.

Its top overseas markets include the USA, France, Japan, Spain and Canada.

In 2016-17 Intralink provided its East Asia market development services to clients in 16 overseas countries including

in the European Union, the USA, Canada, Australia and the Far East.

Greg Sutch, Intralink Chief Executive, said: “We were thrilled to win a Queen’s Award. It’s a wonderful recognition of our distinctive approach and the talent and hard work of our employees. It’s also an endorsement of the close relationships we have with our clients and the results we’ve managed to achieve together.”

“We’re constantly learning and the journey we’re on has been full of steep learning curves but building the team to the size

Global Ambition

Latin made, Oxford grown: Accessories brand breaks America

An Oxford-based luxury leather accessories brand is aiming to double its export sales by 2021 after securing a raft of deals in the US worth £113,000 since 2017.

Pampeano, which sells artisanal South American leather accessories, has steadily grown its US stockist portfolio after the Department for International Trade (DIT) helped the company attend trade shows in both the US and Germany.

The company now exports to 27 countries across five continents and in just four years, revenue from exporting has grown from two to 26 per cent of total sales. Following this international success, Pampeano aims to double its export sales to 50 per cent of turnover

by 2021 as it looks to further expand its customer base in the USA.

The company also plans to increase global online sales, having created a new website, improve its search engine optimisation for other languages and offer transactions in other currencies.

Kevin Juggins, Sales Manager at Pampeano, said: “We decided to start exporting in 2014 and haven’t looked back. After establishing a solid stockist

Sweet smell of success for Marmalade

Cheltenham-based fragrance house Marmalade of London is celebrating success in Canada following two orders over the summer and anticipated sales of almost £1.4 million over the next five years.

Husband and wife team Piers and Helen Flook produce all Marmalade of London’s candles, soaps and fragrances in the UK.

After appointing a distributor in Canada, the company took an initial order of £8,000 last July, taking a second order of £45,000 just two months later.

This was the first time Marmalade of London had done business in Canada, and the family-run business sees the deal as being a launch pad into other North American markets, primarily the USA.

Last September, there was a near-total removal of tariffs on UK exports to Canada, as the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into effect.

This means 98 per cent of import duties have been scrapped, giving UK companies easy access to more than 35 million people and helping companies strike up productive relationships for future trade with Canada.

Marmalade, which has received support from the Department for International Trade (DIT), also took part in the New York Trade Show and exhibited in Toronto. The company has a strong retail presence in the UK, with current stockists including Fenwick and Blenheim Palace along with 500 independent retailers.

base in the UK, we didn’t want to saturate the market here, so expanding internationally seemed like the most logical next step.

“Our first stop was Europe, where we’ve done incredibly well. We started targeting the US about 18 months ago. That country appeals to us because of the scale of the opportunity there. Our brand crosses over with equestrian, country clothing, hunting and fishing markets, all of which are huge there.”

Over the next five years, the company hopes to increase its turnover to £25 million in retail sales, with plans to increase export turnover to more than 75 per cent.

Piers said: “We are thrilled to have begun distributing to Canada and are excited about the opportunities to increase our exporting potential to new international markets. It’s great to see the demand for British products overseas.”

Where do I start?

 Which market should you target and why? Ensure that you know why you have chosen a specific market, and that you have considered all of the possible opportunities. The chosen market should be the best place for your products and services and there also must be a proven demand for them.

 Who are your customers in this market? If you have had an enquiry from this market, this is a good start but make sure you aren’t missing out on more lucrative opportunities in other markets. If the size of your target market is lower in this country, perhaps look at the size of the market in neighbouring countries.

 What should your price point in a new market be? You need to be competitive in this new market but also take into account other costs that you will incur by exporting. Think about current exchange rates, tax, import duties and export documentation costs. Many British products can carry a premium price tag which is an advantage when you have all these items to consider.

 How will you manage any new sales in a new market? Think about whether you want to use a distributor or agent, or other ways to get your goods into market and expand whilst you are there. Research should be carried out to make sure you choose the right one for your brand and customers.

Research is one of the fundamental things you should do before you start on your overseas journey so those are a few questions you should be answering with in-depth analysis to back up your answers.

This is just a starting point; there will be many more things to consider before packing your suitcase, and you can identify what these might be by chatting to one of our expert researchers. We can help you make an informed decision on which countries to focus your resources, and help you target those markets where the best opportunities lie for your specific product or service. This lowers the risk of new market entry, saving you time and money. Business West is a nonprofit organisation, and our mandate is to help companies export more, as such our service is affordable and customerfocused in order to help identify your next international market, and help you get it right first time.

How it works: Using a straightforward, objective and transparent methodology we will help you determine criteria that differentiate overseas markets. Using our bespoke market selection software, we can chart these criteria across two dimensions of demand and ease, enabling you to decide which markets to target next. A market selection analysis meeting typically takes up to 2 hours, after which you will receive a comprehensive report, access to the data, and the online portal.

Costs: Prices start from £750 but due to the bespoke nature of the service, prices vary for our market selection and market research services. Costs are based on the time required to deliver the work.

Market selection is just the first step in developing your export plan, further deskbased and in-country market research may be required and our team can help you through every stage.

Why Market Research is fundamental to identify and prioritise new overseas markets for your business…

“The market selection tool has saved us considerable time and money; it has helped us with the assessment of our performance in existing markets, as well as making the selection of a new market a much more systematic process.”

Jo Bird & Co.

FAST OVERSEAS TRADE GROWTH FOR REGION’S BUSINESSES

Prima Dental drills into market success

Dental bur company Prima Dental, based at Gloucester, won a Queen’s Award for fast overseas growth in 2018.

Adey delivers outstanding overseas growth

Since pioneering magnetic filtration technology in the UK more than a decade ago, Adey Professional Heating Solutions has expanded overseas and now trades in 19 European countries as well as China, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. In 2018 it won a Queen’s Award for International Trade after reporting three years of impressive overseas sales.

Adey’s overseas sales have increased from £1.1 million to £3.2 million, an increase of 190 per cent. Overseas sales as a percentage of total sales have grown to nearly nine per cent. The company has expanded its business across Europe, into the United States and China and now sells in 20 international trade markets.

Founded in 2005, the company invented the concept of magnetic filtration for the maintenance and protection of central heating systems and has also developed a range of advanced chemicals that work in tandem with the filters.

Read the full story of how Adey continues to innovate on page 26.

Prima Dental designs and engineers dental instruments and products for the healthcare and cosmetic industries worldwide and is the world’s fastest growing producer of carbide drills (known as burs).

It was a pioneer in the private label/ OEM markets for burs and is now

TP3 Global innovation wraps up international expansion

TP3 Global, based in Redditch, manufactures the market-leading SilverSkin range of pallet covers. It has operations in EMEA, the Americas, India and Asia Pacific.

The company’s range of single-use and reusable thermal covers offer protection for pallets and parcels in transit. It is pioneering materials technology and consistently invests in research and development.

Put simply, its products protect temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical goods in transit and it supplies global pharmaceutical, healthcare, logistics and perishable industries.

Overseas sales have grown by 187 per cent over the last three years and exports have increased to 74 per cent of total sales. Last year the company won a

the world’s largest supplier in this sector. Overseas sales have grown from £10.1 million to £13.2 million, a total growth of more than 30 per cent, with the percentage of overseas sales increasing to more than 80 per cent.

The company now has a presence in all global regions and sells to more than 90 countries. It has a local presence on the ground in India (through its subsidiary company) and also joint venture companies in Brazil and China.

Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding short-term growth in overseas sales over the past three years.

Last year TP3 Global was acquired by Softbox Systems, a global award-winning temperature control packaging innovator.

Softbox, has been designing and producing high performance passive temperature control packaging systems for more than 20 years. The purchase enabled it to expand its worldwide presence and strengthen its product portfolio.

For some businesses, export growth can take years. For these companies, it’s taken just three years to embrace a global market

WHERE TO GO FOR EXPORTING HELP

National help and advice for exporters across the region

The UK’s Department for International Trade runs a number of campaigns. The GREAT Britain campaign was launched in 2012 to capitalise on the global interest in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics.

GREAT campaigns are currently running all over the world to encourage significant and long-term increases in trade, tourism, education and inward investment to benefit the British economy.

A separate, but similarly-named campaign – also run by the UK government, is called Britain is Great. This is the Department of International Trade’s advice website which holds information for all exporters, from rookies to experienced international trade teams. It offers advice on market research, business planning finance and compliance.

Gloucestershire and the South West

Business West offers a full range of international trade products and services across Gloucestershire.

After securing the UK government’s Department for International Trade contract and a European Union contract under the European Regional Development Fund, the business support organisation is also able to deliver strategic international trade support to businesses looking to export anywhere in the world.

It also provides trade documentation

assistance including an award-winning online platform, Acorn International Trade Services, to digitally process Certificates of Origin and ATA Carnets, and an exceptional Letter of Credit service.

Business West is closely monitoring Brexit negotiations as they occur and is aiming to provide clarity on any proposed changes and how they might impact on businesses in its region. Matt Griffith, Director of Policy at Business West will help businesses make sense of the changes.

Businesses can register on its website to ask questions. Regular updates will be shared to help businesses navigate through Brexit and beyond.

www.busineswest.co.uk/export

Tel: 01275 370944

Worcestershire, Warwickshire and the West Midlands

The Department for International Trade (DIT) team in the West Midlands offers comprehensive support and guidance to companies across the region.

Located in six Chambers of Commerce, including Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, International Trade advisers work at local level, providing information and support to companies

from first-time exporters to large multinationals. They will help with handling initial overseas enquiries to building a long-term international strategy.

DIT West Midlands

wmenquiries@mobile.trade.gov.uk

Tel: 0345 222 0159

Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley

The Thames Valley Chamber offers wide-ranging help and advice on international trade, including international trade documentation, workshops, events and forums, products and systems compliance, and more.

customerservices@tvchamber.co.uk

Tel: 01753 870 500

Institute of Export & International Trade

The Institute of Export & International Trade is a professional membership body supporting the interests of everyone involved in importing, exporting and international trade.

www.export.org.uk

The UK’s GREAT Britain campaign

Get your facts right

Nicolas Groffman, head of law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ international team, says there is no substitute for strong research and detailed knowledge of the market an exporter is targeting. Top-quality due diligence is essential. –Exporters obviously need to be familiar with UK and EU requirements, but they also need to understand the requirements of the recipient country.

“It’s vital to know as much as possible about the people with whom you are dealing, whether they are a distributor, sales agent or buyer. Do your due diligence research and, while it isn’t cheap, you won’t pay the price in damage to your brand and civil liability incurred by a bad agent overseas.

“Language barriers can be overcome with specialist advice and help. Tap into your advisers’ existing networks to access the right people on the ground and the local knowledge that you need.

“Meticulous attention to detail, combined with as much inside and local knowledge as you can access, will safeguard your interests.”

Pitch your ideas to get ahead in exporting competition

Frank Myers is the Chairman of the Herefordshire Business Board, a Board Member of the Marches LEP and a successful businessman in his own right. He has been exporting since the early 1990s including the Quickcone, a product he designed and patented. The Quickcone is still selling across the world nearly 30 years later. In 1995 he was awarded the MBE for services to road safety and to export.

“If you have a great product which solves problems or fulfils a need, people will buy it the world over, whether there is a trade deal between that country or not,” he says.

“All the government’s initiatives in the 1980s and 90s worked for me. I went to exhibitions across the world and took advantage of every bit of help I was offered. My advice to new exporters is to do the same. Visit the country you want

to export to, find out what makes their market tick. Use the Department of International Trade, it is eager to help ambitious businesses.

“With my Quickcone, I haven’t yet found a market I can’t sell to.”

While managing currency can be challenging, says Frank, knowledge and experience help. And the DIT will offer advice and guidance here too.

Frank’s advice to would-be exporters is don’t delay, for the country’s sake. “If the UK loses 10 per cent of our EU trade, we have to double our trade to India and China put together to replace it.”

While managing currency can be challenging, says Frank, knowledge and experience help. And the DIT will offer advice and guidance here too.

The Institute of Export & International Trade has launched its tenth “Open to Export Competition”, offering UK companies the opportunity to win £3,000 towards implementing them.

Sponsored by Bibby Financial Services, the competition asks small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to create an international strategy.

Companies have until January 25 to enter their “Export Action Plans” into the competition. The finalists will be invited to pitch their businesses at a showcase final at the end of February.

The finalists will pitch to a panel of expert judges about how they would use the £3,000 cash prize provided by BFS towards implementing their international growth strategy.

All businesses have the tools to export

“It’s vital to know as much as possible about the people with whom you are dealing, whether they are a distributor, sales agent or buyer”

Nicolas Groffman, head of Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ international team

Your Digital Technology Partner in a Global Economy…

As a technology service provider, First Solution headquartered in Cheltenham understand that business enabling technology solutions and modern infrastructure are crucial for winning on a global stage and expanding into new markets. Technology such as, micro services, global communication and collaboration tools, cloud services and secure networks allow businesses throughout the world to operate simultaneously delivering improved customers experience and driving improved employee productivity.

Demands on global business require the delivery of quality products and services as quickly and efficiently as possible, providing the customer with a personalised experience whilst remaining attractive and competitive in differing markets. It’s a difficult juggling act requiring many

simultaneously performing services, one of the ways to increase agility and transform business is through choosing the right technology partner. First Solution will helps global businesses to quickly adapt to changing conditions, respond to growth and improve your global business reach.

Our purpose is to disrupt the conventional Managed Service provider models, where the ‘usual suspects’ typically fail to perform, by delivering innovative digital technology solutions that are designed to meet real business opportunities and to address the precise needs of your organisation is our goal. We communicate in clear and straightforward language and our technology solutions are always aligned to the wider business strategy. Our technology solutions are powered by our 24/7/365 managed service – “chasing the sun around the earth.”

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For more information on how we can help transform your business with global infrastructure contact the team on 01242 335 549

The greatest assets to any business are its customers and its employees. Creating a technology platform that allows the delivery of a seamless customer experience across the globe is one of the key challenges facing any organisation serving a global market.

MABEY BRIDGES THE GAP WITH WITHWITH

TRADE MISSION TO AFRICA

Michael Treacy, the Chief Executive of Lydney-based bridge and engineering services specialist Mabey, accompanied Prime Minister Theresa May on an official trade visit to South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya last August.

The visit formed part of the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) objective to help British businesses unlock further economic potential in Africa, one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.

Working with the UK government, the visit allowed Mabey to examine opportunities to respond to demand for infrastructure services on the continent.

Mabey employs more than 600 people and operates in 28 locations around the world, specialising in providing bridging and engineering services to develop, improve and repair vital infrastructure in urban and rural areas. It has supplied more than 500km of steel bridging to more than 142 countries globally.

Mabey has been exporting to Africa for almost 50 years, developing infrastructure to connect communities, providing safe access to local healthcare and education facilities and widening the market for perishable goods.

“Mabey has been exporting to Africa for almost 50 years, developing infrastructure to connect communities, providing safe access to local healthcare and education facilities and widening the market for perishable goods”

Mabey’s work in Africa also focuses on the employment of local people for its bridging projects, helping to transfer the technical and creative skills associated with construction. For example, after

the initial development of the Tsomo Bridge in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, the local installation team used the knowledge and expertise it gained from working with Mabey to build an additional bridge in Bengu safely and efficiently in just six days. This demonstrates the ways in which these programmes can empower the local community to take a more active role in the economic development of their region.

Michael Treacy, said: “We have been exporting to Africa since the 1970s and in 2018, demand for the type of infrastructure we provide has never been higher. We felt extremely privileged to be part of this visit, helping to accelerate infrastructure projects in the continent over the next 50 years more quickly, safely and efficiently.”

They’ve got the knit knack: craft industry growth drives Wool Warehouse expansion

Frustration at the seemingly simple challenge of not being able to find the right yarn for a crochet kit led husband-and-wife team Andrew and Holly Smith, 35 and 33, to set up Wool Warehouse as a craft products online retailer in 2012.

The Leamington Spa firm now stocks 20,000 products, including yarns, patterns,

kits and needles. Its products are popular with 24 to 30-year-olds and sales have been driven by internet forums and social media. Exports hit £1.9 million last year, helped by offering next-day delivery to the USA.

According to research from the USAbased research consultancy Research and Markets, the global handicrafts market

reached a value of $526.5 billion in 2017. Looking forward, the market value is projected to reach approximately $985 billion by 2023. In the UK, the craft market is valued at around £3 billion a year and growing, according to the Crafts Council. While Wool Warehouse sells mostly online, the business still runs a shop in Leamington Spa.

Global Ambition

A Mabey bridge reconnected a Puerto Rican community in the aftermath of Hurrican Maria

PERFECT PITCH FOR PLASTIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MAKER

Warwick Music Group has created a unique family of high-quality plastic brass instruments which sell worldwide. The pBone, pTrumpet and pBuzz are also sold in deprived areas of big cities across America, enabling children to experience playing instruments for the first time.

The company, based in Tamworth, is credited with profoundly changing the declining brass instrument market by developing instruments that appeal to children in particular, but which are also attractive to existing brass players.

Their robust, lightweight instruments, manufactured from recyclable ABS plastic, now make up a staggering 80 per cent of all brass instrument sales in the UK in a sector that has been largely free of innovation for the past two centuries.

Steven Greenall, CEO of Warwick Music Group said: “Britain has a tradition of innovation and our instruments are inspiring the next generation of creators and innovators and demonstrating that inventiveness can apply to just about every area of life.”

International collaboration for marketing experts

Global Ambitions

Kidderminster communications agency, drp and German content marketing agency Kammann Rossi have agreed to collaborate on Europe-wide projects.

The two privately-owned companies have been established in their respective markets for decades, and have in-house expertise, from communications consulting to film production, animation, events and live broadcasting.

The agencies’ client base includes Bosch, Jaguar Land Rover, BT, Sainsbury’s,

Formation Media develops software monitoring for global manufacturer

Warwick-based media agency Formation Media has developed new monitoring software for industrial lubricant manufacturer Houghton UK.

The software will enable Houghton’s clients to monitor their coolant data on any production sizes from machines located across the globe.

The FluidTrend software is a cloudbased customer portal with diagnostic and reporting capabilities.

The project took more than 1,500 hours of work between a team of web and software developers, graphic designers and copywriters in Formation’s Warwick studio.

The Formation Media team is now working on international integration projects to support numerous European orders from various Houghton divisions, including in Germany, France, Italy and Poland. An America roll-out of the software will begin after completion of the European integration.

Lloyds Banking Group, Clariant, Deutsche Bahn and Germany Trade and Invest.

Carsten Rossi, a member of the Board at Kammann Rossi says: “In this very consolidated market place, the collaboration with drp means international reach and further competencies, particularly film and animation, events and digital.”

Dale Parmenter, Chief Executive at drp, added: “We are working more and more globally, for us this is a fantastic

opportunity to work closely with Kammann Rossi to increase our offering across both the UK and mainland Europe.”

Richard Hingley of drp, Carsten Rossi of Kamman Rossi and Dagmar Mackett of drp

Ontic Engineering and Manufacturing achieves phenomenal growth in the UK and US

Ontic, a wholly owned subsidiary of BBA Aviation plc, has over 45 years of aerospace product manufacturing and aftermarket support experience.

BBA Aviation is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange. Ontic, a BBA Aviation company, is the aerospace industry’s leading provider of ‘Extended Life Solutions’ for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) legacy products. Since Ontic joined BBA in 2006, it has been experiencing steady growth through the regular addition of new licenses and acquisitions. Most recently, the company has made good progress with its expansion strategy having recently acquired Firstmark Corp (“Firstmark”).

Firstmark is a leading provider of highly engineered, proprietary components and subsystems for the aerospace and defense industry. The company will give Ontic an East Coast footprint in the US and bring it closer to many of its key OEM

partners and customers. It will be highly complementary to the existing Ontic sites in Chatsworth, California; Cheltenham, in the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Ontic has been focusing on either licencing or acquiring new intellectual property from many well-known and long-established OEM partners. This has allowed them to continue to support legacy platforms across all segments of the industry including: Commercial, Military and Business & General Aviation.

Ontic is fully supported by their parent company, BBA Aviation, and is poised for continued significant growth. Ontic has signed many new agreements in recent years, all adding to their broad range of capabilities. The Ontic portfolio

includes manufacturing and supporting a variety of avionics, flight instruments, fuel management systems, engine controls, environmental controls, APUs, pilot controls and displays, to name just a few. To be successful, Ontic maintains a highly skilled workforce with dedicated engineers specializing in obsolesce management and configuration control, supply chain specialists, certified technicians and continuous improvement professionals.

As the business grows, Ontic is dedicated to providing an environment that nurtures talent to ensure that their people thrive and develop to achieve their maximum potential. Ontic strives to be an employer of choice by continuously engaging with their team members, recognizing exceptional work practices and committing to the enhancement of performance and culture of the Ontic organization. Employee health and safety is a top priority at Ontic. By looking out for each other, they instill the values of safety in all of their employees at every facility. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Plans for future growth will continue to offer opportunities for highly motivated, ambitious and adaptable people.

For more information on opportunities to join the Ontic team, please email recruitment@ontic.com

www.ontic.com

Ontic’s global focus is supported from manufacturing and MRO facilities in Chatsworth, California; Cheltenham in the United Kingdom; Singapore and the recently added Firstmark facilities in Creedmoor, North Carolina and in Plainview, New York.

““My time with BBA Aviation, and Ontic in particular, has been incredibly rewarding. The business has invested heavily in developing its executive leadership capabilities”

Matthew Pritchard Site Director of the Cheltenham, UK facility

ANNOUNCEMENTS COME THICK AND FAST FROM VERSARIEN

Cheltenham-based Versarien, the AIMlisted advanced materials group which is working to commercialise graphene, has reported group revenues up by 19 per cent to £5.22 million for the half year ended September 30, 2018.

The company, which has factories, in Cheltenham, Banbury and Aylesbury, also raised £5.15 million via Primary Bid in September, which helped it purchase 62 per cent of Madrid-based Gnanomat, for £2,647,000. The company is capable of using Versarien’s graphene products for energy storage devices that offer high power density, almost instant recharging and long lifetimes for use in electrical vehicles and portable electronics products.

Solid State buys Pacer Technologies

Redditch-based Solid State plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM), has bought Pangbourne-headquartered Pacer Technologies Ltd for £3.73 million. The consideration is being settled out of the Group’s existing resources and new banking facilities provided by Lloyds Bank.

The offer was hugely over-subscribed, and Versarien chose to take the money in order to be able to look at further acquisitions and technologies. The offer

was supported by many private investors who have followed the company from its beginning, and also institutions, according to CEO Neill Ricketts.

Versarien said that, after gaining Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, it has also received its first order for 1kg of graphene nano platelets for use in fire retardant aircraft interior parts for a major global airline. Neill said: “This is a world first for graphene in aerospace.”

The platelets will be manufactured in Cheltenham which is scaling up production to achieve the manufacture of three tonnes per annum.

American infrastructure engineering firm Aecom has also placed its first order for compounded material as part of a large UK transportation project. Neill refused to be drawn on the project but promised more information at the end of January.

Versarien has also signed memorandums of understanding with Chinese organisations, including Tungshu Optoelectronic Technology Ltd and Jinan High-tech Financial Investment Co., Ltd to establish a manufacturing centre in the Jinan Innovation Zone, Shandong Province.

Pacer is well-established in the specialist markets of optoelectronics and displays. Solid State, a manufacturer of computing, power and communications products and distributor of electronic components, says the acquisition significantly enhances its exposure to the niche medical sector and will enable the enlarged Group to further design and manufacture own brand products for distribution using Pacer’s recent investment in a new production facility in Weymouth.

Solid State serves niche markets in oil and gas production, medical, construction, security, military and field maintenance and acts as a component supplier to OEMs and bespoke manufacturer of specialist units to clients with complex requirements.

Gary Marsh, Chief Executive of Solid State, said: “Pacer’s expertise and product set are complementary to the existing Solid State Group, with the added benefit of enhancing the value added operations and increasing exposure to high growth markets such as the medical sector. In addition, Pacer has an established US business which provides the Group with an opportunity to further develop its US activities.”

“Versarien has received its first order for 1kg of graphene nano platelets for use in fire retardant aircraft interior parts for a major airline. This is a world first for graphene in aerospace.”

Versarien’s graphene

Manufacturing

“Pacer is a company that we have known and admired for many years. Their expertise and product set are complementary to the existing Solid State Group”

MANUFACTURERS SEE THE FUTURE IN 3D

Hosted by ARRK Europe in Gloucester, Manufacturing Live gave directors, senior engineers and production managers the opportunity to tour the company’s European prototype facility and share best practice.

Manufacturing Live events are devised and hosted by Business & Innovation Magazine and supported by national accountancy firm Crowe UK and BPE Solicitors, which has its headquarters in Cheltenham.

ARRK is a global conceptual design and manufacturing specialist and one of the largest prototype manufacturers in the world.

The Japanese company, which is split into four divisions (engineering, prototyping, tooling and low volume production), annually turns over 418 million Euros in Europe and its prototyping centre, which employs more than 100 people, is based in Quedgeley, Gloucester.

Here, the company produces prototypes for a wide range of clients and industry sectors.

Keynote speakers at the event were Craig Vickers, ARRK’s Head of Prototyping and 3D Printing Operations in Europe and Professor Jeremy Miller, Research and Solutions Development Manager at Spirax Sarco.

Investment in 3D printing drives growth

Over the last two decades, ARRK has invested significantly in its 3D printing and prototyping capability “Companies use prototyping to verify form, fit and function or to validate 3D data,” said Craig as he outlined the extensive capability his technical teams have in this area.

However, Craig encourages customers to think more about how a product will be made before coming up with its design.

He said: “3D printing is changing how products are manufactured. Fewer tools or tooling aids are needed as they have been replaced by digital files which will generate 3D printed items.”

In any six-month period, ARRK provides prototypes for more than 2,000 customers, from European multinational manufacturers to individual designers with a revolutionary idea. “It’s all about speed in our industry,” said Craig. “We can build a prototype in days, rather than weeks –and sometimes we can do it in a day.”

Design rights offer some protection

Riyaz Jariwalla is Partner at BPE solicitors, and specialises in intellectual property. He outlined key issues manufacturers should consider to help protect their designs.

While the benefits of registering intellectual property (IP) are widely acknowledged, Riyaz highlighted the lesser-known concept of design rights and the importance of regular intellectual property audits.

Under UK law design rights protect a design for 10 years after it is first sold or 15 years after it is recorded in a design document or create — whichever is earliest. He added: “It affords the owner the exclusive right to reproduce the design for commercial reasons.”

Design rights apply to the shape and configuration of the whole or part of an original article. To claim design rights, the creator will need proof of when it was created. This could be getting signed and dated copies of the design drawings or

More than 50 engineers, production managers and business owners joined forces for the second Manufacturing Live

Craig Vickers, ARRK’s Head of Prototyping and 3D Printing Operations in Europe

Invention and innovation drives business opportunities

Manufacturing Live’s second keynote speaker, Professor Jeremy Miller, began his career as an engineering apprentice at Rolls Royce Aero Engine Division. In a career spanning 40 years, Jeremy has successfully translated R&D into many commercial applications.

He currently has more than 45 patents and is a Professor of Energy Futures at Brunel University and Fellow of the Institute of Engineering Technology and Institute of Refrigeration.

Jeremy presented his approach to research at Spirax Sarco, a global leader in the design and manufacture of industrial and commercial steam systems, which has its headquarters in Cheltenham.

“We split our research into four segments: explore, scope, demonstrate, deliver. We encourage our teams to develop

new products to serve our markets and innovate existing products, always with clear foundation and direction as to what the market needs and our customers are asking for. We then test and demonstrate, and deliver as soon as commercially possible. Everything we invent or develop must create value for the customer and for Spirax Sarco.”

Collaboration for commercial benefit

Manufacturing Live guests toured ARRK Europe’s site. Due to the confidential nature of much of its prototyping work, cameras were not allowed into the facility.

Lunch and networking wrapped up the event.

Chris Mould, Partner at Crowe, said: “We are really proud to sponsor Manufacturing Live

“Manufacturing has always been the background to my life and it was motivating to see so many local manufacturing businesses discussing the challenges and opportunities for collaboration at a forum just for them”

“Manufacturing has been the background to my life. It was motivating to see so many local manufacturing businesses discussing the challenges and opportunities for collaboration at a forum just for them.

“ARRK Europe were inspiring hosts and it was great to hear Professor Miller highlighting innovation and not being afraid to fail, and good to hear his emphasis on taking risks and being bold. That is what these events are for: to inspire and facilitate collaboration. This event worked particularly well. Bring on the next one.”

photos certified and kept by a solicitor or intellectual property attorney.

Business & Innovation Magazine host Manufacturing Live at ARRK Europe

Guests joined Business & Innovation Magazine for its second Manufacturing Live event, this time held at ARRK Europe’s European prototyping and 3D printing technical centre in Gloucester. Sponsored by Crowe UK and BPE Solicitors guests heard from Craig Vickers, ARRK Europe’s Head of Prototyping and 3D Printing Operations in Europe and Professor Jeremy Miller, Group Research Manager at Spirax Sarco Engineering before taking a tour of ARRK’s impressive prototyping and 3D printing facilities.

PHOTOGRAPHY: CARL HEWLETT

ARRK Europe’s European prototyping and 3D printing technical centre in Gloucester

Jon White from GE Aviation and Professor Jeremy Miller from Spirax Sarco

Pierre-Etienne Dandaleix from Safran Landing Systems and Graham Jones from ARRK Europe

Gemma Brindley from Crowe UK and John Hollins from SPP Pumps

Martin Sanderson from Prima Dental Group and Paul Denney from Snow Business International Ltd

Craig Vickers from ARRK Europe with Chris Mould from Crowe UK

Karl Summer and Megan Snowdon from Adtech Polymer Engineering Ltd

Germain Forgeoux from Safran Landing Systems and Tom Halford from Loco Motives Ltd

Martin Smith from AGD Systems Ltd and Riyaz Jariwalla from BPE

Alex Nelson, Reece Halling and Luis Rendon from Gantry Railing ARRK Europe’s European prototyping and 3D printing

Derek Lawrence from ARRK Europe, Kevin Gani from Renishaw and Rupert Sleightholme from ARRK Europe

Richard Horne from Heber and Martin Ryan from Pulse Power and Measurement.

Simon Higgs from The Engineering Technology Group, Mark Robinson from BPE and Rob Green from Severn Glocon Group

Simon Higgs from The Engineering Technology Group and Linsey Temple from Gloucestershire Engineering Training

Steven Munnoch from Avon Metals Ltd and Gary Lane from Helander Precision Engineering Ltd

Ian Hind from AGD Systems Ltd and Jon White from GE Aviation

Andrew Buckmaster from Malvern Panalytical and Andy Wakefield from CKF Systems Ltd

Nicky Godding from Business & Innovation Magazine and Andrew Robinson from ARC Energy Resources

Dave Marfell from Quality Engineered Products Ltd and Kirsty Muir from Business & Innovation Magazine

Chemotherapy throat cancer treatment remains effective

A new study funded by Cancer Research UK and sponsored by the University of Warwick has found that chemotherapy currently used to treat a specific type of throat cancer remains the most effective.

The findings of the trial, which aimed to compare for the first time the outcomes of using two different kinds of treatment for patients with Human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive throat cancer, have been published in The Lancet.

Throat cancer is one of the fastest rising cancers in Western countries. The rise has been attributed to HPV, which is often a sexually transmitted infection. Most throat cancers were previously caused by smoking and alcohol and affected 65 to 70-year-old working class men. Today, HPV is the main cause of throat cancer and patients are generally middle class, working, have young children and are aged around 55.

Culham Science Centre given green light to expand

Culham Science Centre near Abingdon has been granted government permission to expand.

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) will create new facilities for companies working in fusion-related fields. The centre already hosts around 60 companies, including 20 start-ups, employing around 1,500 highly skilled science and engineering specialists.

The site has hosted the world’s most powerful fusion experiment, JET (Joint European Torus), since 1983.

CEO of UKAEA, Professor Ian Chapman, said: “We can now begin to establish Culham as a home for hi-tech business in fusion and adjacent sectors and reinforce Oxfordshire’s status as a powerhouse of innovation.”

MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN FIGHT AGAINST ZIKA VIRUS

The Native Antigen Company, a life sciences company backed by Warwickshire-based Mercia Technologies, has launched a new range of tests for the Zika virus which represent a major step forward in the fight against the disease.

The company’s new non-crossreactive Zika Virus immunoassays (biochemical tests) are more sensitive and accurate than current tests and can also distinguish between Zika and similar viruses such as Dengue, which is vital in tracking the spread of infection.

They offer researchers, health authorities and drug discovery teams more effective tools to control the disease and help develop a vaccine, says the company.

The new product range comes as the Oxford-based company reports a third consecutive year of growth, with turnover for the 12 months to the end of September 2018 up by 25 per cent year-on-year. The 30-strong team has also taken two more units next to the existing headquarters, bringing its total laboratory and office space to 7,500sq ft.

The Native Antigen Company was founded in 2010 as a spin-out from an existing Mercia-backed company, Psioxus. It is now one of the world’s

leading suppliers of infectious disease reagents, supplying pharmaceutical vaccine manufacturers, diagnostic companies and academic groups internationally.

Dr Nick Roesen, Chief Operating Officer of The Native Antigen Company, said: “The Zika virus poses a significant global risk and there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available. Sensitive and specific assays are crucial to mapping the spread of Zika, developing new vaccines and ultimately to finding a way to stop the birth defects associated with the virus.”

Peter Dines, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Life Sciences and Biosciences at Mercia, added: “The Native Antigen Company provides products that help overcome the challenges presented by existing and emerging infectious diseases. The launch of these new tests represents a major step forward in the fight against the disease.”

“The Zika virus poses a significant global risk and there is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available. Sensitive and specific assays are crucial to mapping the spread of Zika”

Oxford spin-out launches to predict and prevent heart attacks years before they happen Rezatec continues global expansion

Caristo Diagnostics, an Oxford University spinout company, has been launched to commercialise a new coronary CT image analysis technology that can flag patients at risk of deadly heart attacks years before they occur.

Every year, more than 100,000 people die from a heart attack or related stroke in the UK alone, and heart disease and stroke remain the two biggest overall causes of death worldwide.

Heart attacks are often caused by inflamed plaques dislodging from the coronary artery and blocking blood getting to the heart. Yet there is no method that allows for early detection of a potentially fatal build-up of plaque that could trigger a heart attack.

Caristo’s technology is based on the novel scientific discovery that the fat tissue surrounding the coronary arteries senses the presence of inflammation in the coronary artery. This change can be detected by analysis of routine coronary

CT angiograms using Caristo’s proprietary technology, producing a new measure called the Fat Attenuation Index (FAI) which accurately quantifies the extent of inflammation in the coronary arteries supplying the heart.

The FAI can be combined with other known risk factors and imaging characteristics to create a new Cardiac Risk score (CaRi), which provides a greater level of insight.

Professor Metin Avkiran, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, which funded the research that developed FAI, said: “Most heart scans are good at spotting blockages caused by large plaques, but not the smaller, high-risk plaques that are likely to rupture and cause a heart attack. This new technique could be a game changer – allowing doctors to spot those “ticking time bomb” patients who are most at risk of a heart attack and getting them on to intensive treatment.”

NASA scientists develop partnership with Coventry’s MTC

Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Centre is developing a partnership with the North American Space Agency (NASA) as US space scientists look to use MTC-developed technology in future space missions.

The high-flying link-up comes after work done by the MTC for the European Space Agency (ESA). The MTC is home to the agency’s additive manufacturing benchmarking centre.

US scientists from five NASA centres, including the Kennedy Space Centre, visited the MTC and hope to team up on projects involving the manufacture of complex and high-stress components through additive manufacture, or 3D printing.

The MTC is home to the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing and has the most comprehensive combination of equipment and capability in Europe.

NASA is also interested in the centre’s work on component certification and standards, particularly those produced using advanced manufacturing techniques.

The MTC and NASA are also in discussions on other technologies including robotic processing, high temperature alloys and ceramics.

MTC chief technologist David Wimpenny said the link-up with NASA was very exciting and had enormous potential.

World-leading geospatial data analytics company Rezatec has announced a further £2 million of investment, with Harbert European Growth Capital providing a substantial growth debt facility to the company. This new facility will support Harwell-based Rezatec’s new customer acquisition across North America, Africa and Asia Pacific. The company is seeing particularly strong demand for its geospatial data analytics in the forestry, infrastructure and water sectors worldwide.

Rezatec applies data science to satellite imagery and geospatial data analysis to customers owning and operating high value land-based assets.

Patrick Newton, Chief Executive at Rezatec said: “We are very pleased to have secured the support of Harbert in building the Rezatec business. Their focus on high growth, innovative technology companies makes them an ideal fit for our business.”

NASA technologist Rick Russel added: “Our team was extremely impressed with the capabilities and staff at the MTC. Working with the ESA we anticipate utilising the MTC and the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing as part of our future collaborative efforts.”

Coventry’s Manufacturing Technology Centre

High tech customer service business expands

A Warwick technology firm which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the customer service experience is expanding across the UK and overseas.

IFS-mplsystems, based at the University of Warwick Science Park’s Innovation Centre, has taken on new staff after seeing significant revenue growth.

IFS-mplsystems, which was acquired by Swedish software company IFS last year, develops contact centre and self-service software, which uses AI to improve the speed and accuracy of resolving customer requests.

The customer service agent desktop software is across a wide range of industries, including travel, manufacturing, retail, utilities and the service industry.

Susannah Richardson, of IFSmplsystems, said: “Our product can draw information from a large number of disparate enterprise systems, so rather than agents having to search for data and updates, they are prompted with the information they need and are able to answer queries more efficiently.”

“It also uses AI to predict customer needs. For instance, an emergency home repairs business could receive a call about a problem with a boiler. The agent’s desktop software will simultaneously display all the fault information coming direct from the boiler and will gather all contextual information producing a smoother experience.”

OXFORD UNIVERSITY SPIN-OFF LAUNCHES ‘SMART MAINTENANCE’

A pioneering technique which promises to save lives and millions of pounds by predicting industrial maintenance is being developed at Harwell Innovation Centre, Oxfordshire.

PrOXisense is the brainchild of University of Oxford’s Professor Kam Chana, with the company using sensors to predict required repairs to machines.

The patent-protected technology is already being used in power generation turbines and company executives believe it has the ability to prevent plane accidents by pre-empting problems with engines.

Having secured £2.5 million investment, including funds from the university and the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, a team of

nine is supporting existing clients and fine-tuning new sensors. Neil Parke, PrOXisense Chief Executive, who works with Professor Chana in the venture, said: “We specialise in advanced sensors, diagnostics and optimisation systems. We predict and prevent downtime and equipment failure, improve performance and efficiency of complex equipment.

“Most turbine failures can be predicted in advance, through subtle changes in the engine dynamic characteristics.

“Our technology is making real-time decision-making possible, allowing our systems to recommend timely interventions for predictive and preventative maintenance to machinery, including wind turbines. This data can also improve efficiency, performance, reliability and availability.”

Farm491 attracts members from across the UK

The agritech incubator Farm491, based at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester has welcomed online crop analysis business Fotenix, as its latest member.

Fotenix was co-founded by Professor Bruce Grieve, Director of e-Agri Sensors Centre at the University of Manchester Innovation Centre, and Dr Charles Veys. The company’s online crop analysis tool aims to improve yield quality and shelf life. Charles describes

the technology as a modern MOT for crops, following recent research field trips to Canada, China and multiple European countries.

Charles participated in Farm491’s Inspiring AgriTech Innovation Programme last year. This provides business support to AgriTech innovators, start-ups and existing AgriTech enterprises in Gloucestershire and nationwide, which have the potential to create jobs and wealth at local and national levels.

Jane Talbot and Susannah Richardson of IFS-mplsystems

The PrOXisense team

Pioneering UK project to tackle world’s killer diseases

Ebola and Lassa fever are among the deadly diseases to be tackled in a pioneering new UK project in Oxford.

More than 50 jobs will be created by the new Vaccines Manufacturing Innovation Centre to tackle disease worldwide as well as further boosting the growth of the UK’s £70 billion life sciences industry.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “More than 200 years ago the UK pioneered the first vaccine and with it, smallpox was eradicated. Now as the world is threatened by killers such as Ebola and Lassa fever we will build on our significant heritage and history to fight against them with our unmatched reputation for medical research and innovation.

“The government is investing in pioneering vaccine manufacturing as part of our modern industrial strategy to create more highly skilled jobs, place the NHS at the

Redditch software company set for international expansion

Unique IQ Limited, an innovative software provider serving the health, social care and cleaning sectors, has secured significant investment from venture capital firm Midven, which manages the £35 million equity portion of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF).

Unique IQ, founded in 2003 to improve remote and mobile workforce management such as clocking in and out of visits, will use the investment to further expand its Worcestershire team. The company will also make use of the additional funding to advance in-house development of its IQ:timecard and IQ:careplanner solutions, both of which are gaining traction in the cleaning sector and the domiciliary care market.

David Lynes, Managing Director of Unique IQ, said: “The investment from Midven will provide us with opportunities to expand our team and focus on international growth, specifically targeting

forefront of cutting-edge technologies and deliver the biggest increase in public investment in research and development in UK history.”

The centre is expected to open in 2022, with the first products expected later that year. Led by the Jenner Institute, a partnership between the University of Oxford and the Pirbright Institute, the new centre has been awarded £66 million funding by UK Research and Innovation through the UK government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) Medicines Manufacturing challenge.

UK Research and Innovation Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport, said: “Improving the development, production and application of new vaccines against infectious diseases requires expertise and collaboration across academia and industry.”

New ‘lean spin-out’ model drives innovation

PalaeoPi, a spinout from the University of Oxford is helping researchers turn objects into 3D models.

The company is initially targeting archaeological science with its integrated photogrammetry product but plans to expand its client base as it grows, offering high quality, research grade and low-cost 3D digitisation to other sectors.

The spinout is the first company developed as a lean spinout by Oxford University Innovation, the innovation arm of the University.

The lean spinout model aims to support ideas which don’t require upfront investment or long-term help in order to bring their product to market, but wqhich will benefit from support in building a sustainable business model.

respected multi-national service providers to secure long-term contracts.”

Roger Wood, Director at Midven, said: “Unique IQ has grown consistently over the last three years. Faced with further growth opportunities, both in overseas markets and within its existing customer base through an imminent new product launch, the further investment in the

company will enable it to build out its team and progress technology development.”

Midven’s Unique IQ investment follows recent investments into Warwickshire–based electronic design and development provider, Assembled Electronics Solutions Limited, and into Black Country-based carbon fibre composite manufacturer, CFP Composites.

Cheryl Guest, Unique IQ; Roger Wood, Midven; David Lynes, Unique IQ; David Tindall, British Business Bank

Quedgeley East Business Park could provide 1,250 jobs

Developer St Modwen has been given the go-ahead to develop a new 58-acre business park near Junction 12 of the M5.

Stroud District Council approved St Modwen’s outline planning application for Quedgeley East Business Park on a former MoD storage site.

It enables the developer to bring forward approximately 935,000sq ft of prime warehouse and industrial space which the company says has the potential to provide 1,250 jobs.

Due to be delivered in phases, the speculative construction of the first three units starts in 2019, providing 178,000sq ft of industrial and warehousing space for occupation by the end of the year.

Quedgeley East is one of three St Modwen sites in Gloucestershire. The other two are the £22 million Gateway 12 Business Park and £150 million mixed-use scheme at Littlecombe in Dursley.

Pete Davies, Development Director for St Modwen West and Wales, said: “Demand for premium quality warehouse and industrial space close to the motorway is the driving force behind our building programme for Quedgeley East Business Park.

“The green light to develop 935,000sq ft will allow us to attract significant inward investment for Gloucestershire in line with our overall purpose of changing places and creating sustainable new communities.”

WIGLEY GROUP SELLS HISTORIC INDUSTRIAL SITE IN COVENTRY FOR £7.5 MILLION

An industrial site of historic importance in Coventry has new owners in a deal worth around £7.5 million.

The land in Edgwick Park, once home to the world-famous Alfred Herbert machine tools manufacturing works, has been sold by the Wigley Group to Harmsworth Pooled Property Unit Trust.

Bromwich Hardy acted on behalf of the Wigley Group.

The Wigley Group, a commercial property, construction and risk company, began a speculative development of its three-acre plot just off the M6 in 2018 to provide 65,000sq ft of high-quality industrial units.

Managing Director James Davies said: “We have completed a forward-funded deal whereby we are selling the land, and our construction arm, Wigley Building and Development, are building the units on behalf of the purchaser.”

The site, now renamed Edgwick Point, forms part of 35 acres bought by The Wigley Group in the 1970s.

It marked the start of the company’s venture into the commercial property market and large sections have since been regenerated and sold to companies including Gallagher and Lidl. James added: “The sale marks a historic transition in ownership.

“We have completed a forward-funded deal whereby we are selling the land, and our construction arm, Wigley Building and Development, are building the units on behalf of the purchaser”

“It is the final piece in the jigsaw of the development and regeneration of what was the oldest investment in our commercial property portfolio.”

Altus Group chooses Redditch’s Crescent Trade Park for new headquarters

Commercial property agents KWB and Bromwich Hardy have sold a new Redditch industrial building to a growing electronics distribution business for use as its headquarters.

Altus Group has acquired Unit D, a new 2,405 sq ft industrial unit at Crescent Trade Park in Moons Moat, Redditch, at a quoting price of £130 per square foot.

With more than 200 clients, 16 suppliers and 15 staff, Altus, which supplies electronic production equipment to the UK and Irish markets, has outgrown its current headquarters in Stockwood, Worcestershire.

Altus Managing Director, Richard Booth, said: “Due to the continued expansion of our client base, the number of engineers in our team and our product portfolio we have taken the opportunity to upgrade our facilities to better support our activities in the UK.

“It will help us serve customers from one large, efficient and centralised facility.”

Kenny Allan, Director at KWB chartered surveyors, said: “Achieving £130 per square foot for this sale to Altus Group underscores property consultancy MacMullen Associates’ vision for this high-quality scheme to meet the need for smaller industrial and commercial space.

Trust invests £26m in warehouses at Bicester’s Link 9

A real estate investment trust, known as RDI REIT, has invested £26 million in a new speculative development of two large warehouse buildings on a 13.5-acre site at Link 9 in Bicester.

Link 9, owned by Albion Land, is a new 40-acre distribution, production and headquarters development where new buildings have already been purchased by British Bakels, Teknos and Oxford Safety.

Construction has started on the two new self-contained warehouses comprising a 120,225sq ft distribution building which

will be ready for occupation in April 2019 and a further 168,000sq ft unit, ready in November.

Once the warehouses are complete, Link 9 will provide 530,000sq ft of employment floor space and the potential for more than 1,000 new jobs.

Chris White, Managing Director of White Commercial Surveyors, said: “Bicester is experiencing substantial growth with a further 10,000 houses planned until 2030 and is an ideal location for distribution businesses in the centre of England.”

“Nothing like Crescent Trade Park has been built in Redditch for years, so it is satisfying a pent-up demand and is driving a very high level of inquiries.”

David Penn, Partner at Bromwich Hardy, added: “With its excellent links to J3 of the M42 and the motorway network, and the supply of flexible labour in Redditch, it’s no wonder that Altus has chosen Crescent Trade Park for its new HQ.”

Completed in July 2018, Crescent Trade Park is a £3.5 million development of 24,000 sq ft of commercial and industrial space across 12 units, available for sale or to let.

Sarah Jones, Senior Asset Manager for RDI REIT, said: “The acquisition of high-quality distribution assets in Bicester through a forward-funding agreement presents a clear opportunity to increase our exposure to a sector with strong structural support and rental growth prospects at an attractive entry price.”

Commercial Property

“Nothing like Crescent Trade Park has been built in Redditch for years, so it is satisfying a pent-up demand and is driving a very high level of inquiries”

Kenny Allan from KWB, Richard Booth from the Altus Group and David MacMullen from MacMullen Associates

Bicester’s Link 9

Award-winning architects Roberts Limbrick celebrate 10 years of continued growth

With nine directors at the helm, and over 100 skilled, creative people working from its Gloucestershire headquarters, Roberts Limbrick continues to grow from strength to strength.

With a string of regional, national and industry awards to their name for their enviable portfolio of projects, it’s no surprise that the directors of Roberts Limbrick are looking ahead at a busy 2019.

This award-winning RIBA Chartered Practice was born in 2008 from the merger of two local firms, Roberts Gardner Ltd and Limbrick Limited, both successful practices with a heritage of over 25 years behind them, and has developed into a highly dynamic practice

covering all sectors and employing over 100 people.

Roberts Limbrick is managed by nine directors, each bringing their own specialist skills and knowledge. The practice’s main office is in Gloucester, and in 2013 it successfully established an office in Newport which has now grown to over 20 people.

Celebrating their 10 year anniversary, Roberts Limbrick has grown regionally and across the UK and are proud of their well-established reputation. They have a wide range of skills and experience within the practice, from high end concept designers and master planning, through to technical delivery, and use these to help the process run smoothly and to be completed on time and budget. They also have superb interior design and visualisation skills in house which is often invaluable to their clients.

“I can honestly say that we both felt that one of our best decisions since our inception in 2010 was appointing Roberts Limbrick on the Brewery”

Phillip Martin Managing Director Martin Commercial Properties

Roberts Limbrick core design philosophy behind all projects, is to achieve the right balance between design and function and an efficient use of space. They bring a wealth of experience working with business owners, delivering innovative medium and large scale projects across the UK.

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Sustainability is also an important aspect of their approach and they always try to achieve the highest standards within client affordability criteria through good design principles. When Roberts Limbrick decided to renovate the Carriage Building in Bruton way as their main office they did so sympathetically whilst still achieving an ‘Excellent’ level of energy performance.

The Future… The practice has built on its success in key sectors of commercial, residential and sport & leisure projects as well as healthcare, education and mixeduse projects within its extensive portfolio. 2019 looks set to be another strong year, with a superb range of projects, including being commissioned to design the new aquatic centre for the Commonwealth Games in Sandwell, Birmingham.

Roberts Limbrick nurtures the best talent and skills by investing in people with the technical resources to support them.

If you are interested in a career working for an award-winning practice email recruitment@robertslimbrick.com

www.robertslimbrick.com

OUR RECENT PROJECTS:

Honeybourne Place, Cheltenham

Striking new landmark offices in the heart of Cheltenham’s business quarter providing 65,000ft2 net office space over six floors. Due for completion early next year.

Forest of Dean College Campus, Cinderford

A stunning new centre for academic and vocational further education which opened this year.

Cheltenham Racecourse

Multi award-winning redevelopment around parade ring including the stunning new Princess Royal grandstand to compliment previous projects such as The Centaur and Best Mate stand.

Renishaw R&D Innovation Centre, Wotton-under-Edge

A major 200,000 sq.ft research and development facility for this global engineering company. Second phase now on site.

Cheltenham Crematorium

A completely new facility at Bouncers Lane Due for completion early 2019.

The Brewery Quarter, Cheltenham

Recent phase of Brewery including 100,000 sq.ft of retail space, Premier Inn Hotel with 104 bedrooms as well as 34 two and three bedroom luxury apartments.

Tewkesbury Community Hospital

A complete new build hospital including operating theatre suite as well as outpatient department, minor injuries unit, and a 20 bed in-patient department.

Hinckley Leisure Centre, South West Roberts Limbrick is particularly well known for its expertise, quality and design of leisure projects and the practice act as technical advisors to Sport England.

New residential development, Dursley

Contemporary development of houses and apartments for St Modwen Homes. One of the many residential schemes successfully delivered in 2018.

“We believe that quality and cost are a delicate balance. Value is central to our service and we always strive to put our customers’ needs first to deliver highly efficient projects that meet their brief”

Aled Roberts Director Roberts Limbrick

Two Rivers Housing is investing more than £30 million in the next two years in building new affordable homes in Gloucestershire.

The not-for-profit social housing provider, based in Newent, currently has 12 schemes with nearly 300 properties under construction.

They stretch from Lydney and Newent to Tewkesbury and Tetbury, taking Two Rivers into new areas of the county for the first time.

Development Team Leader at Two Rivers Housing, Angharad Hodge, said: “There is a desperate need for affordable homes across Gloucestershire and we are working with local councils and developers to build homes in areas where that need is greatest.

“Many of the schemes have homes for low-cost rent sitting alongside properties offered for shared ownership, giving people a choice of how they want to live.”

Two Rivers has pledged to build more than 100 homes each year for five years. The largest development is the Wheatpieces in Tewkesbury where Two Rivers is taking 104 properties over three years.

HITCHINS DEVELOPS NEW GRADE A OFFICE SPACE AT HATHERLEY

Robert Hitchins is developing much needed high-quality, new-build offices at Hatherley in Cheltenham.

Hatherley Place will provide 32,734sq ft of Grade A open-plan space close to Junction11 of the M5, the A40, GCHQ and Cheltenham town centre.

With 126 parking spaces and cycle parking, the new building offers many staff amenities with B&Q, ASDA, Travelodge, Jury’s Inn and the Arle Court Park and Ride all on its doorstep.

The letting agent is Alder King.

Mayor cuts the ribbon at Cotswold Retail Park

Mayor Councillor Bernard Fisher cut the ribbon as the doors opened to Lidl customers at the new store in Cheltenham’s Tewkesbury Road.

The development, which includes a Starbucks Drive-Thru, has been delivered by Worcestershire-based developer the Hinton Group.

In a joint venture with the landowner, the development, which has 142 parking spaces, was built on the site of a former BMW car dealership. Construction took 30 weeks.

Development director Jon Hinton said: “This has been a very successful

Simon Tothill, Property and Development Director of Robert Hitchins said: “We’re very pleased to be able to provide this new-build office space to such a high spec in Cheltenham where accommodation of this size and quality is scarce.

“We are confident that the Hatherley Place development will attract a lot of occupier interest.”

Adrian Rowley for Alder King added: “Cheltenham has been starved of good quality new-build office space and this development will provide much-needed Grade A stock in a superb location.”

development, delivered to exacting requirements and strict timescales.”

The project was funded by LaSalle Investment Management acting on behalf of the Nationwide Pension Fund.

Glen Stidever, Lidl UK’s regional head of property, said: “Hinton fully understood our store specification and business requirements from the outset, and went on to fully adhere to target timescales set throughout the entire process.”

Two Rivers invests £30m in affordable homes for Gloucestershire

Commercial Property

Two Rivers is investing more than £30m

Hatherley Place will provide Grade A office space in Cheltenham

Annie Mackenzie from Lidl, store Mmanager Raja Rauf Mayor Bernard Fisher and Shirene Bentley at the opening of Lidl

NEW DEVELOPMENT IDEAS ARE SMOKIN’ AT LYDNEY

A former aircraft factory at Lydney harbour could be redeveloped into a purpose-built smoker, eel farm, visitor centre with shops and a restaurant if Richard Cook of the successful Severn and Wye Smokery at Chaxhill, gets planning permission. Ian Mean, Gloucestershire director of Business West went to find out more.

Richard Cook, Managing Director of Severn & Wye Smokery, believes his company can create what he calls The Forest’s “jewel in the crown” over 50 acres by the side of Lydney Docks.

A Severnsider born and bred, Richard has a vision to transfer most of his fish processing and smokery business to the Pine End works land he has purchased at Harbour Road, Lydney.

Walking round the site in sheeting rain and wind, I say to him that he has a huge task on his hands with this development.

“It is about opening the area up. I see it as the jewel of the Forest of Dean and it needs to draw people to the area and have the support of the local community”

“That is really the master of understatement,” Richard tells me as we tour the huge derelict building that was used to build wings for Mosquitos during the Second World War.

It is just like a massive aircraft hangar and Richard tells me the huge concrete roof arches were built that way to stop the whole building collapsing if it was bombed.

And as Business & Innovation Magazine went to press, Richard and his team were at Lydney Town Hall holding a consultation session with local residents to make them aware of his plans.

“People were very positive,” he told me the day after. “In fact, we were mobbed by local people enthusiastic about the plans.”

Those plans envisage the transfer of Severn & Wye’s fish processing from their plant in Grimsby and at Chaxhill on the A48, to Lydney with about 240 people being employed there.

Richard’s vision is to create a real Forest destination on the site with an eel farm and restaurant as well as the fish processing.

“It is about opening the area up,” he tells me. “I see it as the jewel of the Forest of Dean and it needs to draw people to the area and have the support of the local community.

“It is very arrogant to draw up plans and second guess what people want— it is much wiser to engage and consult the local community.”

Severn & Wye is a great business. It trades worldwide with a turnover of £56 million.

But Richard is aware that the phase one costs of his dream will be around £40 million and he will be seeking further investment to make it happen.

CONSTRUCTION OF BUSINESS UNITS IN WANTAGE GETS UNDER WAY

MP Ed Vaizey MP led a groundbreaking ceremony at the new 36,000sq ft development BGP1 at Grove Business Park near Wantage.

The MP for Wantage and Didcot said: “The new development will hopefully bring yet more innovative companies and help in creating further job opportunities at a very exciting time when there is a significant residential expansion under way in Grove and Wantage.”

GBP1 will consist of 10 business units ranging from 1,900sq ft to 6,700sq ft,

High-tech innovator grows into Abingdon Business Park

with the ability to increase the floor area to 16,000sq ft by combining units.

Feltham Construction from Newbury is the main contractor.

Aigenpulse expands into bigger offices at Milton Park

Rapidly growing Aigenpulse Ltd has moved into larger premises at Milton Park, near Abingdon.The company is at the forefront of using data technologies to accelerate drug discovery.

The company has grown fourfold in the last year and its additional space in Oxfordshire supports the company’s continued expansion.

Aigenpulse will take 2,026sq ft in the science and technology cluster at Milton Park and plans to take more space to

accommodate future expansion. It has also opened new offices in Boston, Massachusetts.

Tobias Kloepper, Chief Executive Officer at Aigenpulse, said: “Since launching in 2016 we have seen significant growth.”

He added: “It is essential we are positioned in locations that offer us the flexibility to expand whilst being surrounded with like-minded, innovative businesses.”

A pioneering technology firm has moved into new premises at Abingdon Business Park.

Oxford nanoSystems has taken units 11 and 13 at Blacklands Way after expanding from Harwell Science Park. Comprising 8,000sq ft, the buildings include an industrial unit with offices as well as a laboratory and test facility. A 10-year lease has been agreed with Abingdon Business Park owners Patrizia.

The firm specialises in developing coatings which allow highly efficient heat transfer to take place leading to more efficient cooling. Markets range from electronics to the automotive industry.

Kim Sardar, Fund Manager and Director at Patrizia said: “Oxfordshire is rapidly becoming a world-class centre for this kind of firm and we are delighted to be able to accommodate such an innovative business, ensuring home grown ventures remain within the county.”

Abingdon Business Park is a 50-acre mixed-use scheme near the A34 and Abingdon town centre. It is home to more than 35 businesses employing more than 2,300 people.

Oxford nanoSystems has moved into 11 and 13 Blacklands Way

The Aigenpulse team at their new office at Milton Park, Oxford

Commercial Property

“The new development will hopefully bring yet more innovative companies and help in creating further job opportunities at a very exciting time”

Bamboo toothbrushes point to the way forward for Emily

Committed vegan Emily Attwell has opened Bromsgrove’s first zerowaste and vegan shop in the town’s High Street.

The 22-year-old has taken a three-year lease on a 577sq ft ground floor unit with the help of commercial property consultancy and chartered surveyors GJS Dillon.

The new shop sells vegan-friendly dried foods and eco-friendly supplies like sanitary products, bamboo toothbrushes, reusable jars and bags.

“I decided to go vegan after I thought about the environmental impact of what I was eating. Everything I was buying was in plastic. I tried to find a zero-waste store near me and I couldn’t so I thought I’d do it myself,” said Emily, who previously worked for a food packing business.

BERKELEY BUSINESS PARK IS THE PLACE TO BE

Property management company Place Partnership has marked three years in business by moving into new offices in Worcester.

The launch for Placepro House at Berkeley Business Park was attended by more than 100 people including staff, customers and the Lord Mayor of Worcester Jabba Riaz.

Place Partnership manages properties for and provides services to West Mercia Police, Hereford and Worcester Fire Service and many local councils and public bodies.

Some of its recent projects were showcased at the event, including the construction of a new Police & Fire

New premises give us more va va v-room, says car parts specialist Nemesis

An online parts retailer for highperformance sports cars has bought its own warehouse in Bromsgrove for £212,000.

Nemesis UK Performance Ltd has moved into the 2,218sq ft warehouse with twostorey offices on the Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, assisted by chartered surveyors John Truslove.

The family-owned company, which imports parts and accessories for vehicle upgrades in the UK performance car market, had been operating from rented premises in Bromsgrove but needed a bigger site for more staff and extra storage.

Dawn Tomlinson, marketing and e-commerce manager at Nemesis UK, said:

Operations and Communications Centre at Hindlip and the refurbishment of Greenham Common Control Tower.

Place Partnership Managing Director Andrew Pollard said: “We are delighted to have secured an excellent base from which we can serve our clients and all stakeholders.”

“We’ve seen a real surge in demand for vehicle upgrades and body styling options for cars like the newer Ford Mustang, as well as Porsche and Chevrolet models.”

Charlie Green of GJS Dillon, owner of Nature’s Intention Emily Attwell, and Andrew Lewis of GJS Dillon outside Nature’s Intention

Chairman of Worcestershire County Council Brandon Clayton weith Place Partnership Managing Director Andrew Pollard

Ian Parker of John Truslove with Dawn Tomlinson and Philip May from Nemesis UK

“We are delighted to have secured an excellent base from which we can serve our clients and all stakeholders”

Commercial Property

A major scheme to transform Nuneaton town centre and boost economic growth and jobs has been given the green light.

Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council are working in partnership to deliver the Transforming Nuneaton Programme to create a vibrant, attractive and prosperous town.

The scheme has now received £7.5 million from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership to kickstart the transformation.

The funding package will focus on the development of Vicarage Street and the area around the railway station to create a vibrant gateway to Nuneaton.

Other key developments include Horiba MIRA Technology Park and the growth of Bermuda Park employment site.

There will also be investment in the road, rail and transport infrastructure.

Jonathan Browning, Chair of the CWLEP, said unlocking key development sites within Nuneaton town centre would transform the area. “These regeneration plans involve creating the infrastructure for Nuneaton to thrive and supporting the growth of existing businesses as well as improving its potential to attract developers and investors in the future.”

PRAGMATIC STICKS WITH STONELEIGH FOR ITS NATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

A new national training centre for the utilities and construction industries is being created in Warwickshire.

Work is under way to transform a twostorey building at Stoneleigh Park into a bespoke training facility with outdoor space to re-create real-life working environments such as gas, water and underground cabling.

The centre is for Pragmatic Consulting, an approved training and assessment centre in the utilities and construction sectors which has had a base at Stoneleigh Park for two years.

The new centre will be more than twice the size of the company’s existing training facilities on the estate.

Pragmatic Consulting, established in 2013 by managing director Jo Niblett,

“We are doubling in size year-on-year. This new training centre will enable us to provide more courses. The location allows us to have an outdoor compound for real-life as opposed to just classroom training”

offers Construction Industry Training Board courses plus a range of industrywide health, safety and environmental courses, and courses to support new electrical regulations.

Jo said: “We are doubling in size year-onyear. This new training centre will enable us to provide more courses. The location allows us to have an outdoor compound for real-life as opposed to just classroom training.”

Harris Lamb’s Building Consultancy department has overseen an extensive refurbishment of a Rugby warehouse, giving a neglected unit a highspecification overhaul.

Unit 8 on the Dunchurch Trading Estate in London Road was in a state of disrepair. Landlords South Street Capital instructed the team to project manage the refurbishment of the 10,535sq ft unit in order to market it and secure new tenants.

Gareth Booker of the team said: “This was an extensive refurbishment of both internal spaces and the externals. Over eight weeks, we liaised with the contractors to ensure that all works

met the high standards specified within the brief.

“With industrial units of this size being in very short supply, landlords are increasingly recognising the benefits of investing in improving existing stock to reinvent it and attract new occupiers.”

The project cost £120,000.

Hey presto! Warehouse in Rugby is as good as new

£7.5m grant heralds a bright future for Nuneaton

Unit 8 at Dunchurch Trading Estate in Rugby has been overhauled

Jonathan Browning from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership

Jo Niblett, Managing Director of Pragmatic Consulting, with Colin Hooper, Estates Director at Stoneleigh Park, at the site of the new training centre