Tc0211 thescene issue2 web

Issue 2 www.thomascarroll.co.uk

Bon Bon Buddies Goes Global Scarlets Chief Speaks Out Protecting the Finer Things in Life Happy 40th Birthday Thomas Carroll Group Win

Corgi Luxury Socks Get Your Edge Back Mark Eedy Advises Employers

The Insurers Star in ‘Mission for Ty Hafan’

The (Flood) Plain Truth How to Better Prepare Yourself

CONTENTS

07 Get Your Edge Back 08 Scarlets 12 Estate Planning 14 The (Flood) Plain Truth 16 40 Years of Thomas Carroll 25 When the HSE Comes Calling 32 New Mortgage Finance Service Launched 33 Golf Day for Ty Hafan 34 Climbing and Cycling to Charity Success

The Scene is published by Thomas Carroll Group plc.

Editor: Peter Acton, Blanket Communications. Publisher: Gwenllian Davies, Thomas Carroll. Art Director: Alex Mills, Burning Red. Contributors to this issue: John Moore, Mark Eedy, Louise Eedy, Alison Davies, Kevin Price, Michael Learoyd, Peter Acton, Gwenllian Davies.

Photography: Martin Ellard, Alex Mills, Andrew Davies, Gwenllian Davies, Peter Acton and Wales News.

Design by Burning Red. © 2012 Copyright Thomas Carroll Group plc.

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No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form of advertising or promotion without written permission of the publisher. No responsibility will be accepted for any error or omissions or comments made by writers or interviewees. Views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of Thomas Carroll Group plc and services and goods featured are not necessarily endorsed by Thomas Carroll Group plc.

Thomas Carroll Group plc Pendragon House, Crescent Road, Caerphilly CF83 1XX www.thomascarroll.co.uk Tel: 029 2088 7733 Printed by Hartley’s Colourprint

Editorial submission to: thescene@thomas-carroll.co.uk – the Editor retains the right to edit editorial according to style and space considerations.

Thomas Carroll Group plc: Commercial Insurance Personal Insurance Independent Financial Advice Health and Safety Employment Law

WELCOME PEOPLE

Cover Story: Tim Carr, Finance Director of Bon Bon Buddies photograph Martin Ellard

WIN 6 months’ supply of Corgi Royal socks!

Celebrate the 120th birthday of one of Wales’ top brands, Corgi luxury socks, featured on page 5 by entering our competition to win 6 months’ supply of these iconic socks.

Carrying the much sought after Royal Warrant, by Appointment to HRH Prince Charles, Corgi socks, handcrafted and finished using traditional methods, have been rightly called the world’s best socks. Using only the finest cashmere, cotton or wool, Corgi socks are ideal for the man or woman who demands only the very best in their fashion choice.

To enter our free competition simply visit Corgi’s website: www.corgihosiery.co.uk where the answer to the following question can be found:

What is the exact wording on Corgi’s Royal Warrant?

Email your answer together with your business contact details to: thescene@thomas-carroll.co.uk Closing date for entries is 1st March 2013 *6 months’ supply equals six pairs of Corgi socks For full competition terms & conditions visit

Thoughts of

John Moore Our 40th year end approaches … an exciting year of achievement, of enjoying winning our business challenges and pleasingly the personal development of young people.

A crowded year of business awards, the £40k Tŷ Hafan promise, promotions for our good people, the employee share dividend trust working and our Group services coming agreeably together.

A year of financial challenges … around the discipline of budgets, but being certain to properly resource customer service and the importance of our negotiating position with the insurer partners.

With Brynmor Williams and Robert Jones inspiring our Cardiff and County Club lunches; the fellowship with other professionals brings together old clients and new prospecting friends most agreeably … the importance of meeting new people, talking and sharing business cultures and views on future partnerships, our membership of CBI; IOD; Federation of Small Businesses; Business in the Community and the Chamber makes for good lobbying platforms … and, the open sharing of prospects; business intelligence and friendships.

And the WMC 40th Anniversary party … celebrated in style with friends, supporters and colleagues.

This brand investment strengthens our leading position in Wales and attracts and demands attention from our insurer partners … with Arriva Trains Wales, Gofal and Comcen amongst major clients delightfully trusting us with instructions. Most importantly our long-standing friends of thirty years Wye Valley Group, Brian Lewis, the Hale empire, Peter Miller and many, many others.

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Last Issue’s Winner Congratulations go to Tracey Barry, Wye Tech Recycling Ltd,

And now most impressively from Swansea and West … Total Flood Solutions, Jenkins Bakery and Neath Coach Builders.

Your loyalty through the 40 th year recognised and appreciated with many thanks.

With a year 2020 vision on the strategy discussion table, my confidence remains strong around our chartered business ethics, the next generation of Thomas Carroll people and most importantly, our committed ability to win your instructions.

Your loyalty through the 40th year recognised and appreciated with many thanks.

John Moore Chairman

winner of our Issue 1 competition, who receives a year’s supply of Brecon Carreg Water.

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Pictured (L-R): Richard Pask, Chris Jones and Kevin Price

Photographs: Martin Ellard

Celebrating it’s 120th birthday�

GREAT WELSH BRANDS: CORGI HOSIERY

Luxury Socks Fit for a Prince Words: Peter Acton

It seems that the Royal Family, from the Queen down, and Prince Charles in particular, admire a very special brand of luxury socks, handcrafted in a gem of a classic factory in Ammanford, West Wales.

Celebrating its 120th birthday in 2012, Corgi Welsh-made socks are widely regarded as the best in the World and are big in Japan as well as amongst the fashion cognoscenti in the UK and the USA. The Scene visited the factory hot on the heels of our colourful photo shoot, featuring Chris Jones, Joint Managing Director of Corgi with Kevin Price, Managing Director and Richard Pask, Director of Thomas Carroll Management Services.

TCMS Thomas Carroll Management Services have been brought in to provide health & safety consultancy for Corgi in line with the company’s recent production expansion.

The good news is that if we accept that quality costs – and that varies from around £10 a pair to £120 – then like Prince Charles, we can all luxuriate in a pair of what are widely regarded as the world’s finest socks.

Not only are Corgi socks by Royal Appointment to the Prince of Wales, a regular visitor to the factory, his Royal Highness and both Prince William and Prince Harry have had a personal input into their design. The company has made socks for the Prince of Wales for many years, and also Argyle socks for the Highland regiments.

Corgi first gained its Royal Warrant for its traditionally-made fine cashmere, cotton and wool socks and knitwear in 1989.

The young Princes personally selected the colours for their own socks during a special appointment for the Welsh sock makers at Highgrove. Occasionally a shipment of Corgi socks is sent to Buckingham Palace for the Queen to give out to family and friends for Christmas presents.

As with many a top brand, Corgi is a family concern with a line unbroken since its foundation in 1892 by Rhys Jones, greatgreat-grandfather of Chris. He found a rich seam of business, selling his hardy thighhigh woollen socks to Welsh miners, and subsequently throughout the Welsh Valleys.

The thread was taken up by his son Glyn who made three-week round trips to London selling his wares and also developed sales for Argyle socks in Ireland.

TC Says: Corgi combines the best of the traditional and modern, and as a manufacturer their health & safety needs are the same as any organisation in Wales. We are proud to be acting for this iconic and successful Welsh brand” Kevin Price, Managing Director, Thomas Carroll Management Services.

In one area of the 10,000 sq foot factory at least, the founder would find himself on familiar territory. Corgi’s most expensive socks, pure cashmere and retailing for up to £120 a pair, are created on hand-operated Griswold knitting machines first introduced

by Chris’ great-great-grandfather.

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PEOPLEWELSH BRANDS: CORGI HOSIERY GREAT

In Britain Corgi stockists include the luxury elite, including Hardy Amies, Jasper Conran, Mr Porter, Selfridges, Turnbull and Asser and even Aston Martin.

“There are only four of these original machines still in use, but we have plenty of spares in storage,” said Chris, giving us a factory tour which also highlighted a giant Edwardian cast-iron steam press. “We tried modern presses but they come nowhere near the old ones,” said Chris.

The story goes that Chris’ father recently found a rusty, old Griswold machine and after renovating it, found it produced a unique twisted cable pattern. Today, that same machine produces one of the most expensive socks in the world, in cashmere and costing around £120 retail, a true sales success born of the past.

Chris and his sister Lisa Wood, Joint Managing Director, returned to the family fold in 1997 after successful careers in textile production and design respectively.

They took over from their father Huw, who retired in 2007.

It was Huw who first broke into the Japanese market in the 1960s, where quality, style and precision are highly regarded, he also opened up the US market, supplying to Brookes Brothers in New York.

As well as socks, Corgi also produces its own range of knitwear, also crafted on handoperated machines.

Recently the company forged an alliance with another historic British name, Dents clothing and fashion accessories, whose own heritage dates back to 1777.

This enabled Corgi to share showroom space in über-trendy South Molton Street, London, a vital presence in the heart of the capital’s fashion world.

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Corgi’s new generation at the helm brought colour to the company’s designs, and pioneered the rise of rainbow bright hues to the previous muted colours of the classic British sock. Lisa’s imaginative creations are much sought by designers and buyers the world over.

Augmenting the traditional machines, the new team’s investment in modern fine gauge sock-making plant, has helped Corgi break into big new markets where orders in the tens of thousands are a must.

Names include US retail aristocracy J. Crew, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman and Ralph Lauren. In fact fashion guru Ralph Lauren personally told Lisa Wood that he proudly pulls on a pair of Corgi socks every day.

In Britain Corgi stockists include the luxury elite, including Hardy Amies, Jasper Conran, Mr Porter, Selfridges, Turnbull and Asser and even Aston Martin.

Even though the new line of lightweight are machine produced, each pair is finished by hand with hand-stitched toes; “the only way,” says Chris “for a smooth, seamless finish that sets Corgi above its competitors.”

This continuing investment in technology is producing results, with the company doubling turnover in the last two years to £1.5 million.

Its royal connection is clearly a great advantage to Corgi, even more so in a postLondon Olympics world where brand Britain has grown even higher in its international stature. Future markets include Russia, Scandinavia and China.

Chris Jones puts down the enduring success of Corgi to: “The skill of our workforce, most have worked here for over thirty years, and the quality of our yarns; we insist on only the very best. Our designs and service is very flexible, enabling us to give retailers their own exclusive line, and that is very important in today’s market.”

You don’t have to be royal to wear them, the seven colour socks can be purchased from Corgi’s online shop at www.corgihosiery.co.uk.

Thomas Carroll

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

GET YOUR EDGE BACK The Scene asked Mark Eedy, Managing Director of Thomas Carroll Independent Financial Advisers, for his latest advice to employers under current economic conditions.

There are indications that the seeds of recovery are starting to germinate. For instance, encouragement can be taken from a headline in the Federation of Small Businesses Survey results – “Small firms ready to employ again as confidence picks up”.* Even though job queues may be long, an employee benefits package that is both attractive and cost effective is key to attracting and retaining the right people.

More and more employees are looking for fringe benefits like pension scheme membership, life assurance cover, private medical insurance and so on,

giving them the opportunity to trim their personal budgets. Salary exchange is also very high on many employees’ shopping lists.

Q We have seen a number of legislative changes around pension planning in recent years. What is the current situation and what advice would you give to clients?

From October 2012 the largest employers are now required by law to automatically enrol all eligible employees into a pension scheme and pay contributions on their behalf.

The timing of pension compulsion will be phased in, depending upon the number of employees, and is due to be completed by June 2018.

Pension advice for individuals can be extremely complex despite recent attempts to introduce pension simplification.

High earners in particular need to take care not to fall foul of recent legislation and suffer penal tax charges.

My advice would be to consult a specialist independent adviser at the earliest opportunity, giving you time to effectively budget and plan ahead for pension provision.

More and more employees are looking for fringe benefits…

Q How is the government intending to help small businesses grow?

The government is intending to reduce the top slice of income tax and corporation tax. They are committed to a process of consultation on a number of tax simplification proposals.

A new Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEID) will be introduced and Enterprise Investment Schemes will be made more attractive to encourage investment in smaller businesses.

Mark Eedy is Managing Director of Thomas Carroll Independent Financial Advisers mark.eedy@thomas-carroll.co.uk *Source ‘Voice of Small Business’ Index 12 March 2012

Photograph: Alex Mills

Q What steps can employers take to improve their competitive edge over the next 12 months?

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Photograph: Andrew Davies

PROFILE

Where Heart and Soul Rugby meets business 8

Thomas Carroll

Interview: Peter Acton

For many in world rugby, the Scarlets represent the heart and soul of rugby in Wales, a phrase in common parlance at Parc y Scarlets, their regional home.

PROFILE

Pictured at Parc y Scarlets: (L-R) Jeff Partridge, Mark Davies and Robert Jones ‘Welcome to Heart and Soul Rugby County’ is proudly displayed across the length of the North Stand at their 15,000 capacity stadium and it is obvious that is what they are putting into all they do.

Thomas Carroll provides insurance broking services to the Scarlets through its West Wales Office in Swansea, appropriately headed by our own Welsh rugby legend Robert Jones MBE, a former backs coach at the Scarlets.

He is joined by TC Account Executive Jeff Partridge, who has the responsibility for

managing the insurance requirements of the Scarlets.

The Scene caught up with Aberdare-born Mark Davies, who took over as Chief Executive in August 2010, after 20 years in the international motor industry, chiefly with Honda where he was head of Honda Motorcycles in Europe.

Q How did you approach the business challenges when you arrived at Scarlets?

“Well the world changed in 2008, so whatever plans a business had pre-

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2008 were no longer relevant. I knew full well how stark the conditions were across Europe, it completely changed everything so every business has had to re-plan - including professional sport.

But fundamentally the challenge at Scarlets is no different to that facing every business, every day – the first rule is survival, then sustainability.

The figures have to add up and the only thing that actually makes a difference is people who are committed to making the maths work. So the simple approach was to set a clear plan and start delivering it.”

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PROFILE

Q What abilities did you bring to the table given these challenges?

“Well I’m fortunate that my career has given me a great deal of experience in creating and defining a clear direction for a range of different businesses.

Once that’s in place and you have the right people, you just need to encourage the energy and appetite that exists within everyone to make things happen. Scarlets already had a small team of incredibly committed people.

It’s often remarkable what people are capable of if you believe in them, define clear goals and back them to achieve.”

Q You listened to the opinions of supporters and stakeholders when you arrived, what did that reveal?

“We asked about their experiences. Of course we were not asking them how to run the business; but we needed to listen to how they felt and their opinion on how we were doing and how we could improve. That never stops – we need to do that every day – without fail.

There was no ‘wow moment’ and there is no single ‘silver bullet’ – as is almost always the case, we simply need to listen to our customers, be honest with ourselves and work hard to deliver.

The team already knew we needed to be far better at engaging our community throughout the region, more inclusive and live by the same values off the field as we do on it.”

Q Apart from rugby, how can a club in the modern era drive up its revenue?

“The simplest way to look at the business challenge is that Scarlets Rugby only produces match revenue on 16 days a year, but the overhead is in place 365 days a year. So the key is how you generate revenue outside of relatively few match days at the stadium.

Our biggest revenue is our conference and corporate events business. Our income from hosting business events has risen from zero to around £600,000 in just 18 months. We’ve achieved that without any real selling tools – which we now have in place based around our new website – www.parcyscarlets.com.

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It’s not rocket science, you have to sweat the asset to make a rugby business sustainable.”

Mark Davies, CEO Scarlets

Our conference, banqueting and meeting facilities are remarkable thanks to the vision of the people who created the stadium, a combination of our directors and Carmarthenshire County Council, resulting in a remarkable facility with great attention to the detail of the customer experience.

We can accommodate business meetings from 2 to 350 people in banqueting in our Quinnell Lounge, or banqueting for over 1000 in the Delme Thomas Indoor Arena.

Our Arena is the biggest indoor events and exhibitions space west of Cardiff.

The growth of our food and beverage and merchandising businesses is what has given us the confidence to commit to our new retail unit in the fantastic new Eastgate development in Llanelli town centre.

We would not have committed ourselves to a unit without the experience we have built up over the last 18 months, but we feel very strongly that we have a responsibility to actively support the redevelopment of the town centre – just as the stadium has been part of the regeneration of the post-industrial landscape at Pemberton.”

The Scarlet’s new retail store in East Gate, Llanelli will be the first retail venue of its kind undertaken by a UK rugby club. Due to open early in the New Year it will include a sports retail store including new Scarlets clothing ranges and a trademark ‘Heart & Soul’ coffee and food outlet.

Q What can other regions learn from the work you are putting in here at Parc y Scarlets?

“First of all – I’m sure we can all learn from each other as every one of the regions are working very hard to deliver sustainability and ensure we can all continue to contribute to the remarkable success of Welsh rugby overall – which is the envy of many other nations. Every region has different circumstances and structures in place, but we all face the same basic issue – rugby costs

Thomas Carroll

have inflated dramatically ahead of revenue and it is taking time to re-adjust.

But thanks to that hard work, last year we averaged gates of 9,000, the third highest in the league behind Leinster and Munster, both of whom have 4 to 5 times our population base.

We were 15 per cent up on the previous season in a region with real economic challenges which is really encouraging.”

Q How would you sum up the appeal of the Scarlets?

“If there is such a thing as a global brand in club rugby, Scarlets are as close to that as anybody, thanks to our 140 years of remarkable history and heritage.

The spirit of the Scarlets over that entire period has created real value and goodwill amongst rugby enthusiasts all around the world. For me, that spirit is not just a Scarlets or West Wales spirit, it’s the embodiment of Welsh spirit at its best, the ability to take on all odds and punch above our weight.”

Health and Safety Training Courses from Thomas Carroll Management Services Accident Reporting and Investigation Asbestos Awareness

Directing Safely

IOSH Working Safely

Employee Safety Awareness

Managing Contractors

CDM Awareness

Event Management

Confined Space Entry

Fire Warden

Conflict Management

Fire Safety Awareness

COSHH Awareness

Health and Safety Awareness for Line Managers

Manual Handling Awareness

Principles of Risk Assessment Representatives of Employee Safety Safe Use of Ladders

Developing Method Statements Display Screen Equipment Risk Assessment

Health and Safety Awareness for Trade Apprentices IOSH Managing Safely

Contact us today

Manual Handling Train-The-Trainer

Safe Use of Work Equipment

NEBOSH National General Certificate

Stress Management

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Stress Management for Managers

Office Safety

Working at Height

Managing Permits to Work

Working Alone Safely

Telephone:

Visit:

029 2088 7733

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ESTATE PLANNING

Estate planning?

It’s not all about the Taxman Planning your estate for when the inevitable happens is not all about Inheritance Tax and there are a number of tips that can be relevant regardless of whether or not you are caught by the IHT net.

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Thomas Carroll

ESTATE PLANNING

1 Make a Will Ensuring you have a valid and up-to-date Will is the cornerstone of any estate planning. Where no Will has been made then the estate must be distributed in a particular order known as the ‘Intestacy Rules’.

If you are intestate, your estate will be split depending on its value to family members including your partner (if married), children, parents and siblings. If unmarried and intestate your grandparents

2 Consider making

a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

3 Pre-nuptial agreements We appreciate that this is not the most romantic thing to discuss with your partner when proposing, but in some cases a

can also benefit. If there are no relatives found the property passes to the Crown…

There are many things you can do through a Will such as:

Ensure your spouse / partner always has a home Appoint guardians to care for your children (and provide money for their maintenance)

Ensure your assets, money, and property pass to whom you wish to inherit and in the way you want

Give rights of occupation to adult children who are still living at your home when you die

Choose who you want to be the executor of your will

Ensure an inheritance for your children in the event of your partner remarrying after your death

Save Inheritance Tax and care fees

Leave something to charity Give a memento, like a piece of jewellery, to a treasured friend If in a new relationship, you can ensure that your children from previous relationships get legacies, avoiding so called ‘sideways disinheritance’

When we think of the term ‘estate planning’ it is usually in the context of controlling what will happen to our assets when we die, but what about what will happen to our assets whilst we are still alive should we become unable to manage our own affairs?

This is why making a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is important – possibly even more important than your Will. An LPA is a legal document that allows you to choose persons (attorneys) you would like to make decisions on your behalf

if you lack the mental capacity to make the decision yourself.

pre-nuptial agreement may be a sensible thing to consider.

It is important to stress that pre-nuptial agreements are not legally binding, although they are increasingly taken into account provided they meet certain conditions.

Louise Eedy is Director of Thomas Carroll Independent Financial Advisers Ltd louise.eedy@thomas-carroll.co.uk

It might at first glance not appear to be ‘estate planning’, but the costs of divorce can often be greater than the costs of any inheritance tax.

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PROPERTY PEOPLE INSURANCE

The (Flood)

Plain Truth The Environment Agency encourages you to sign up for automated flood warnings, and both understand the sources of flooding and whether you are at risk.”

With Summer 2012 breaking all records as the wettest for 100 years, little wonder that images of towns and villages devastated by flash floods are becoming an increasing part of our lives.

Over 5 million people in England and Wales live or work in properties that are at risk of flooding, says The Environment Agency. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates that about 260,000 properties in the UK are at risk of flooding, and this number is expected to rise.

In January 2012, Defra produced a climate change risk assessment report which predicts that annual flood losses in England and Wales could grow from the current average of around £1.2bn to up to £12bn by the 2080s.

Flooding commonly occurs from surface run-off, ground water or ordinary water courses and

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comprehensive flood mapping by the Environment Agency and Insurers does allow for risk assessments to be carried out.

One of the biggest inland flood protection projects in England has recently opened along the River Trent.

The Environment Agency encourages you to sign up for automated flood warnings, and both understand the sources of flooding and whether you are at risk.

In reality, the Flood & Water Management Act 2010, the

Over 5 million people in England and Wales live or work in properties that are at risk of flooding” - The Environment Agency The £45m Environment Agency scheme – originally estimated to cost £51m – will protect 16,000 homes on the river’s north bank around Nottingham.

This massive flood defence system, which took 3 years to build, will stretch 27km (16 miles) along the river.

responsibility of Defra, is yet to be rolled out, and much work agreed on flood defences in 2008 remains outstanding.

A Statement of Principles exists between UK Government and UK insurers regarding provision of affordable flood insurance for homes and small businesses.

Thomas Carroll

It is based on government spending money on reducing the overall risk by building flood defences. The ‘Statement’ expires in June 2013.

Replacing the Statement of Principles will include a government-backed fund to pay for some flood claims.

Thomas Carroll Property Risk Services can assist with property pre-purchase due diligence, flood planning, business continuity planning and advice from our own claims team.

We also have business partners involved in increasing the resilience of property to the devastating effects of flood water.

Photograph: www.MorienJones.com

PROPERTY INSURANCE PEOPLE

You can better prepare yourself by: Making a flood plan Preparing your property for flooding Understanding schemes and strategies for flooding in your area Michael Learoyd, Property Business Executive michael.learoyd@thomas-carroll.co.uk

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PEOPLE TIMELINE

First year’s trading accounts show a profit of

40 Years of

£506.91

1972

1976

2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the foundation of Thomas Carroll Group plc.

Evan Thomas and Terry Carroll

Here we present a timeline of important dates in our history, with a selection of

with respective wives Anne and Delma open the first office in Queens Arcade, Cardiff

photographs from the archives.

John Moore becomes Chief Executive

Acquisitions of Baynham Purcell and Chartered Insurance Services

Thomas Carroll Group plc formed

1998

2000 Cowdrey Morris and Blank Bankhart acquired

2001

Thomas Carroll Independent Financial Advisers formed

‘Pendragon House’ is built, overlooking Caerphilly Castle

The Group soon outgrows Pendragon House and phase II is built

2006

Phase III of Pendragon House is opened by First Minister Rhodri Morgan

The four companies all came together attracting the instructions of many corporate Welsh businesses

Thomas Carroll Management Services formed

2007

John Moore appointed Chairman, taking over from

Evan Thomas who retires 16

New HQ

The Group wins five UK awards for business excellence and for six consecutive years The Sunday Times ranks us among the best companies to work for

Thomas Carroll

TIMELINE PEOPLE

Sadly within five years of cofounding, Terry Carroll dies and Evan Thomas retains just the Caerphilly office as HQ

John Moore joins as Director

1977

1982 1987

Purchase of a prominent office at Ty Glas on

First acquisition Cyril Morgan’s insurance account on Piccadilly Square, Caerphilly creates another office

Thomas Carroll Life Pensions Ltd is born

Caerphilly Road, Cardiff

1990 Thomas Carroll named

Purchase of Colin Mason brings a

Best in Britain

Cowbridge Office Office at

St Andrews Place, Cardiff opens Gold Investors in People status awarded

The Queens Arcade 1972 dream ISO9000 standard achieved

to become the leading independent financial services and risk management Group in Wales”

Swansea and West Wales HQ opens

Thomas Carroll Private Clients Ltd formally becomes a company, previously a division

at Tawe Business Village realised and the 2012 turnover £7 million

2010

2012

Brecon base serving mid-Wales is created

In 40th Anniversary year the Group pledges to raise £40,000 for children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan and achieves tc1970s - individual profiles_IC.indd 1

17/04/2012 09:53

£49,000 www.thomascarroll.co.uk

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CELEBRATION

Our 40 Birthday Celebrated Live on Stage! th

Over 450 clients, insurers and business partners filled the stage of the Wales Millennium Centre for a spectacular celebration dinner for Thomas Carroll’s 40 th birthday, helping the company achieve its biggest ever charity donation target.

Hosted by BBC News presenter Sian Lloyd, the event formed the climax of the anniversary season in which we set an ambitious target to raise £40,000 for Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice, in our 40th year.

Guests of honour included Evan Thomas, former Chairman of Thomas Carroll, and his wife Anne who co-founded the company with

the late Terry Carroll in 1972. Terry’s wife Del Carroll and daughter Joanne Colling-Morgan also joined in the celebrations.

Insurance companies from throughout the UK attended, helping to drive the total up on the night from £33,000 already raised by Thomas Carroll people, to over £49,000.

John Moore, Chairman of Thomas Carroll Group plc said: “Not only have we enjoyed wonderful and warm support from clients, associates and great friends who have joined in our 40th celebrations tonight, we have also far excelled our target for our enduring love affair with Tŷ Hafan. I would like to thank everyone involved for their support.”

CELEBRATION PEOPLE

Only Men Aloud, Licensed to Thrill!

Photographs: Andrew Davies

CELEBRATION

Thomas Carroll Group’s 40th Birthday Party in Pictures Brynmor Williams and Robert Jones with Ceryn Fisk, Robert’s partner

Gwenllian Davies, TC Marketing Manager, organiser of the event (left)

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Thomas Carroll

CELEBRATION

John Moore leading the toast with presenter Sian Lloyd The Thomas Carroll Family - Rhys Thomas, Anne Thomas, Evan Thomas, Del Carroll, Joanne Colling-Morgan

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PEOPLE PROFILE

Interview: Peter Acton

This is a great place to bring children to,” said Tim Carr, Finance Director of Bon Bon Buddies, as the Thomas Carroll team entered the company’s colourful confectionerylined showroom.

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Thomas Carroll

Photographs: Martin Ellard

PROFILE PEOPLE

L-R: Rhys Thomas, Tim Carr and Mark Eedy

Bon Bon Buddies is a long-term client of Thomas Carroll and joining us for our photo shoot were Rhys Thomas, Managing Director of our commercial broking division and Mark Eedy, Managing Director of Thomas Carroll Independent Financial Advisers.

In the room, floor to ceiling shelves are neatly stacked high with a cornucopia of character and branded sweets, chewy bars, chocolate eggs, a rainbow of characters, brands and comic action heroes, led by top UK boy band ‘One Direction’ and Disney’s iconic stars including Lightning McQueen from Cars, the classic Princesses and of course Mickey Mouse.

Thanks to Bon Bon Buddies, Wales can taste international success in the confectionery market.

opened his sweet business in 1993 having recognised a niche in the market for branded confectionery.

The company is the leading character licensed confectionery player in both the UK and Europe as a whole. It has just leapt into the inaugural ‘The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200’ league table which ranks Britain’s fastest growing international sales performers, one of only two from Wales, the other being furniture company, Orangebox.

Sales grew to £13 million by 2003 and shortly thereafter the company launched into export markets. Sales grew rapidly year on year, rising to £40 million in 2011 and a projected £42 million for year end 2012.

Bon Bon Buddies is led by founder and Managing Director, Chris Howarth, who

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“We have broadly tripled sales in the last 10 years and doubled them again since 2008–9” says Carr, who was brought in 4 years ago to implement a new growth strategy for the company.

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PROFILE

Thanks to Bon Bon Buddies, Wales can taste international success in the confectionery market.

were essentially a virtual company until we acquired a manufacturing site two years ago,” says Tim Carr.

“We acquired Dovedale Confectionery (since re-named BBB Dovedale) in the Peak District which manufactures chocolates and sugar confectionery, some of which we now leverage into our own capacity.

Tim Carr Today the company’s products are to be found in all the major grocery chains, high street stores and speciality or convenience outlets throughout Europe and beyond.

A swish, modern headquarters employing 70 staff in Blackwood, near Caerphilly, is the epicentre of the Bon Bon Buddies empire, exporting to 40 international markets, with 9 sales and warehousing facilities across Europe. The company’s major hubs being France, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Spain and the Benelux.

At Dovedale we produce and co-pack 5 million of our Easter eggs and we have a history of producing quality confectionery for third party customers including Thornton’s Chocolates, Next and Matalan.”

The company’s success was historically largely built on the seasonal highs of its markets, namely Christmas and Easter, however in recent years it has expanded into non-seasonal sales in addition to its core.

A move evidenced by the launch of its own brands: the luxury chocolate brand ‘K Shocolat’, produced by BBB Dovedale, and for youngsters, the ultra-sour new ‘Brain Blasterz’ brand.

It is the centre of a global operation which combines its in-house design and product development expertise with sourcing the confectionery and components from suppliers all over the world, to create chocolate and candy products that dazzle all the senses.

To understand the taste bud assault that is ‘Brain Blasterz’, think of the entire sourness of a packet of sour jelly sweets condensed into one little green lozenge and you will begin to approach the tongue-searing, eyewatering experience!

Bon Bon Buddies has now also become a chocolate maker in its own right. “We

It is a sensation children clearly love, as sales since launch in 2011 are already worth £1.5m.

The company has also capitalised on its own supply routes into retailers by taking on the distribution of major brands including Pez, Ritter Sport and the Jelly Bean Factory.

This means that Bon Bon Buddies can provide the majority of the confectionery product needs of the retailer in one visit.

“This move alone,” says Tim Carr, “has grown into sales worth £7 million.”

And the secret of their success? “It is a combination of the passion our people have for our market, the understanding they have of kids’ characters and brands, combined with retail, shopper and product knowledge and the empathy they have with our consumers.

This results in our delivering confectionery products that are superior to those of our competitors in all respects.”

So, when you or your children enjoy sweets that feature next year’s big hit ‘One Direction’ (the boy band), Super Mario (world famous gaming phenomena) or Disney’s next huge blockbuster movie, be sure to look at the small print on the pack, it will feature the Bon Bon Buddies name, and now you will know why!

Visit: www.bonbonbuddies.com

How Does Character Licensing Work?

The global licensing market, of which confectionery is a part, is estimated to be worth over $192billion in retail sales (2009). Disney is the biggest selling brand in the world.

Companies like Bon Bon Buddies sign licenses with global brand owners, paying them for the right to sell products featuring their brand. The agreements to provide

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Thomas Carroll

merchandise ranges are often linked to movie and DVD launches featuring their characters.

The producers take on the entire business risk and must adhere to the strict style guide requirements of the brand holders whose approval is obtained at every stage of merchandise creation.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

When The HSE Comes Calling The stakes in the world of health and safety got higher from October 2012, when ‘Fee For Intervention (FFI)’ came into force.

The HSE’s new cost recovery scheme allows it to recoup its costs from organisations contravening health & safety law, charging them fees of £124 per hour.

It is feared that this cost could easily run into thousands of pounds and with thirty days to pay, may place significant financial strain on some businesses.

Perhaps FFI will help create a level playing field by acting as another financial deterrent discouraging those businesses who undercut others by flouting health and safety law.

Prior to FFI, the taxpayer footed the bill, so what could the financial impact be for businesses?

With over 15,000 enforcement notices and just short of 100 prosecutions every month, the implementation of the scheme will be closely monitored with interest.

Kevin Price is Managing Director of Thomas Carroll Management Services Ltd kevin.price@thomas-carroll.co.uk

Many legal commentators have expressed concern that whilst the hourly rate is known, organisations will have no idea of the final bill until the very end of the HSE’s involvement.

Visit: www.thomascarroll.co.uk Of course, for those organisations that manage health and safety effectively there is little to be concerned about.

www.thomascarroll.co.uk

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Photograph: Wales News

Alison Davies (left) and Claire Humphries

PERSONAL INSURANCE PEOPLE

Protecting the

finer things in life Meet Alison Davies and Claire Humphries, two intriguing insurance professionals, dedicated to protecting the luxurious lifestyles of clients for whom the anonymity of online insurance just will not do.

Intriguing, because by the very nature of the market in which they operate, Alison and Claire have personal access to the homes and possessions of affluent individuals in a world where confidentiality and trust is an absolute.

Alison Davies is Managing Director and Claire Humphries, Director of Thomas Carroll Private Clients. The company specialises in insuring high value homes, contents, cars and various insurances to support both the individual and the family’s lifestyle needs.

The Scene photographed them in a client’s home, deep in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan. Here we were given hints of a new value-added service which the team is developing at Thomas Carroll Private Clients.

Alison said: “This is the highest end of the personal insurance market and there is simply no alternative to a complete, personal understanding of a client’s situation and that means meeting them at home, assessing their needs and advising them accordingly.

People often underestimate the value of their possessions, the contents of their wardrobes, outbuildings, artworks, antiques and jewellery. This can leave them totally exposed in the event of a claim, especially if they have

purchased ‘off-the-shelf’ insurance cover online, we always counsel against that.”

confidence and empathy to the situation backed up by our in-house claims team.”

“Everyone’s tolerance of risk is different,” says Alison, “some are more relaxed than others.

Quite simply, there is no way to replace the sentimental value that personal possessions hold. By having them suitably insured at least enables them to be physically replaced.*

It is a partnership approach which is set to intensify with the launch of a new valueadded service which clients can qualify to take advantage of.

Alison adds: “People are often time poor, and one of the solutions we have for this is to offer a portfolio arrangement which offers the convenience of managing all aspects of your insurances once a year. This has proved to be popular with our clients who are now recommending our proposition to their family and friends.”

The lifestyles of their clients may leave many in awe, but for Alison and Claire not only is it all in a day’s work, but their focus is clearly on protecting properties and contents rather than luxuriating in them!

Claire said: “We see our role as a partnership with our clients; it’s a relationship based on trust, confidentiality and honesty. The valuation service and home visits allow us to offer independent, logical and practical advice. In the event of a claim, we are then able to react with

www.thomascarroll.co.uk

We see our role as a partnership with our clients Alison said: “We do not want to give too much away at this stage, but we are well down the road with our plans and will be introducing the new service in early 2013. It will be a value-added service which can further enhance the lifestyles of clients, and we cannot wait to introduce it in the New Year.”

Until then, of course, Alison and Claire, true to their profession, remain at the height of confidentiality!

To find out more about Thomas Carroll Private Clients’ services contact Alison Davies alison.davies@thomas-carroll.co.uk.

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PERSONAL INSURANCE

Skiing – Don’t Run the Risk

If you fancy a winter sports holiday, it is good to know that there is a range of insurances available so that you can enjoy your trip with peace of mind.

It is important to review your standard travel insurance to include a winter sports extension.

In the event of an accident on the slopes you could run the risk of having to pay excessive medical bills if the right insurance cover is not in place.

You should consider the following: Will my ski insurance enable me to ski anywhere?

pistes are closed (thus preventing you from skiing). Cover is only available during the months that constitute the local regular ski season and where you purchased your policy more than 14 days before your departure date.

Does my ski insurance include competitive skiing or practice for a competition?

Off-piste skiing/snowboarding is restricted to within resort boundaries or with a registered and qualified guide.

Unfortunately not, ski policies generally exclude activities such as ski jumping, ice hockey, the use of skeletons or bobsleighs and taking part in International and National events.

What if there is a lack of snow on the ski slopes?

Is my ski equipment covered against theft, damage and loss?

You are covered up to the amounts specified on your policy schedule per 24 hours if there is a lack of snow or bad weather conditions in your holiday resort and the

Ski equipment is a normal part of winter sports travel insurance but only to the value specified within the policy. Most policies will take into account the age of

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Thomas Carroll

PERSONAL INSURANCE

the equipment, condition and state of repair when calculating any payments.

Proof of purchase and maintenance receipts may be required to support the value of the claim, so keep them safe. If you choose to buy your travel insurance online, be mindful of the policy exclusions and limitations – not all policies are the same!

And finally, here are a few health and safety tips to help you get the most out of your skiing or snowboarding holiday: Use the correct ski equipment – Don't be tempted to borrow poor fitting equipment, it could ruin your enjoyment and possibly cause an accident.

Wear a helmet – Not only a trendy accessory, it's an essential piece of kit that quite simply saves lives.

Be prepared – The weather can turn from crystal clear to a whiteout in minutes. Always have a good hat, gloves and layer up.

Take lessons – They are not just for the absolute beginner.

Lessons can greatly improve anyone’s enjoyment of skiing and snowboarding.

Never ski alone – Always ski or snowboard with a friend so that help is at hand if needed.

Illustration: Lo Price

Know your limits – Statistically, most accidents occur when people exceed their ability and limits.

And finally… – Keep your photos and videos safe.

Damaged or stolen camera equipment can be easily replaced, the photos and videos taken cannot. Make back-up copies or store online for safety every day.

www.thomascarroll.co.uk

You can enjoy your time on piste safe in the knowledge that your Thomas Carroll travel insurance will take care of you in the unfortunate event that you need to make a claim.

TC’s Winter Sports Travel Insurance Cover 1

Damage of your ski equipment

2

Hire of ski equipment if yours is delayed on the outward journey

3

Proportional refund of your ski pack following injury or illness

4

Transport to an alternative ski resort if your booked resort is closed due to lack of snow

5

Additional travel and accommodation expenses if you are unable to reach or leave your resort due to avalanche or weather

To check the extent of medical cover under your existing travel insurance policy, contact your private client account executive or for a new quotation, call us on 029 2086 9531.

Alison Davies is Managing Director of Thomas Carroll Private Clients alison.davies@thomas-carroll.co.uk

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Photograph: Peter Acton

CHARITY CHALLENGE

The Insurers Mission for Ty Hafan

The Insurers in action in their latest film

Film premiere marks our squad’s latest adventure.

They are a crack team of 1970s super sleuths, created to celebrate Thomas Carroll’s 40th Anniversary and help raise £40,000 for Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice. They are ‘The Insurers’, and they are back on the road in their latest film – ‘Mission for Tŷ Hafan’.

and one-day’s shooting, the homage to the world of classic insurance adverts is ready.

The Welsh Job was premiered on stage at the Wales Millennium Centre, before a captive audience of 450 guests at the Thomas Carroll 40th Anniversary celebrations.

Played by heavily disguised Thomas Carroll people, their previous outing consisted of a TV trailer and a more revealing ‘Behind the Scenes’ video, both receiving much acclaim on YouTube and Wales Online.

With a plot inspired by the complexity of ‘The Expendables’ franchise, ‘Mission for Tŷ Hafan’ sees our heroes battling against a mysterious foe to deliver fundraising donations to Thomas Carroll’s 40th Anniversary celebrations at the Wales Millennium Centre.

Demand has been growing for an actual film based on the trailer, and after months of preparation,

You can enjoy ‘The Insurers’ latest caper by visiting www.thomascarroll.co.uk.

tc1970s - individual profiles_IC.indd 1

DONATIONS FOR TY HAFAN STILL GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED Contribute today: www.theinsurers1972.org

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Thomas Carroll

17/04/2012 09:53

PEOPLE

It’s All About

New Graduates

Shine

Photographs: Martin Ellard

the People

L-R: Simon Harris, Director of BITC, Alexandra Dredge, Account Executive Thomas Carroll (Brokers) Ltd and Richard Pask, Director Thomas Carroll Management Services Ltd

Thomas Carroll has picked up an award in the Business in the Community Wales Awards for Excellence 2012. The Group won the People Development of the Year award sponsored by the Principality.

Business in the Community Awards recognise the powerful and positive role that businesses play in local communities across Wales by rewarding companies for the impact and innovation of their responsible business programmes across a number of categories.

The awards are given to companies who demonstrate their leadership on the key social and environmental issues where business can make a difference at local, national and international levels.

Julie Waters, Associate Director, Thomas Carroll said: “Developing our people is the pinnacle of everything we do here at Thomas Carroll.

We invest time and money to provide as many opportunities

as possible to our colleagues to ensure they can be the best that they can at their job. Inevitably, highly qualified and motivated individuals provide our clients with the customer care they deserve. Winning the award is an accolade to everyone in the Group. We are very proud.”

Simon Harris, Wales Director, Business in the Community said: “The Wales Awards for Excellence are all about celebrating responsible business and Thomas Carroll has demonstrated that they can have a positive impact on society and people without losing focus on their business.”

Visit: bit.ly/PeopleDevelopmentAward

Pictured (Top Left - Bottom Right): Kate Whittaker, Tom Stevens, Rhys Woodward and Charlotte Stevens

As part of a commitment to people development and succession planning, Thomas Carroll has recruited four new graduates into Account Broker positions across the Group.

Brother and sister, Tom and Charlotte Stevens, will be based in the South West Wales office in Swansea headed by Regional Director Robert Jones MBE. Kate Whittaker and Rhys Woodward will be based at the Caerphilly headquarters.

Tom and Charlotte, who live in Hendy, join Thomas Carroll from Antur Insurance in Swansea. They have both successfully achieved their Certificate in Insurance and are now working towards their Diploma.

Rhys, from Caerphilly, joins the Group from U-Sure Insurance Ltd after gaining a degree in Economics at Swansea University. Kate, who successfully completed her degree in Business Management at Aberystwyth University, is currently working towards qualifications in insurance.

www.thomascarroll.co.uk

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Photograph: Alex Mills

PROPERTY FINANCE

New Mortgage Finance Service Launched

David Griffith

A new residential and commercial property finance service has been launched by Thomas Carroll Independent Financial Advisers.

The service will complement the current wealth management, employee benefit and pension advice Thomas Carroll offers to clients.

Appointed as Director with responsibility for the new service is experienced property finance specialist, David Griffith.

The division’s growing portfolio of property owners can now benefit from specialist property-based advice from acquisition through to ownership and property management.

Cardiff born and bred, David joins with 23 years’ experience in financial services, commencing with

The range of services will take a whole market approach to mortgage finance across residential and commercial property, including the buyto-let market.

As well as the high street banks, we are able to access specialist commercial bankers, venture capitalists and private investor funding to give a truly independent service.

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Mark Eedy, Managing Director of Thomas Carroll IFA said: “In these testing economic times the ability to access chartered and independent expertise in all aspects of property acquisition, finance and management is a major benefit for our clients.

New IFA Property Services Residential Mortgages: First-time buyer Re-mortgage/capital raising Buy-to-let Self-build Free reviews

Cardiff born and bred, David joins with 23 years’ experience in financial services

Commercial Finance: Property purchase Re-mortgage/capital raising Multi-let unit funding

The Cathedral Group. He subsequently joined The Alexander Partnership and more recently merged his business Realty DHG Ltd with Thomas Carroll Group.

We are delighted to have attracted someone of the calibre of David Griffith to help us further develop this exciting and important new service.”

HMO licence property Development finance Pension fund loans and acquisitions For more information contact: David Griffith david.griffith@thomas-carroll.co.uk

Thomas Carroll

SPORTING LIFE

Photographs: Gwenllian Davies and Wales News

Golf Day

Golf Day for Ty Hafan hosted by Thomas Carroll at Creigiau Golf Club Over 100 clients and business partners took part in the annual Thomas Carroll golf day, as part of our 40th anniversary celebrations. The event at the Creigiau Golf Club near Cardiff, successfully raised £1,000 for Tŷ Hafan children’s hospice. Our congratulations go to all winners on the day. We would like to thank everyone who participated for their support.

for

John Moore and Brynmor Williams with (L-R) members of second place team: Keith Kendal-Williams, Ian Stephens

Winners: (L-R) Paul Gorin, Tom Denman, Mark Helmich, Giles Harries

Winner Longest Drive: Chris Hamlin Third place team: (L-R) Rhys James, Gary Brown, Howard Greenhaf, Neil McDermid

(L-R) Gareth Williams, Liam Farbrace, Chris Hackett, Owen Golding

(L-R) Jack Lane, Jonathan Wellington, Chris Davies, Steve Francis

www.thomascarroll.co.uk

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PEOPLE CHALLENGE CHARITY

Two teams of Thomas Carroll people have endured miles of difficult terrain in Wales to contribute towards our £49,000 raised this year for Ty Hafan, the Welsh hospice for young lives.

Undertaking the gruelling Welsh 3 Peaks Challenge were Jack Lane, Leigh Chamberlain, Stephanie Powell and Victoria Thomas.

After a taxing 15 hour challenge which consisted of a 20+ mile walk over Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen Y Fan, the TC Dragons conquered the Welsh 3 Peaks.

This has been one of the most extreme challenges we have undertaken

The team have successfully raised £1800, which is way beyond their initial £1000 target.

The team would like to say a huge “Thank You” for your support and kind donations that have undoubtedly helped to successfully raise this amount.

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Photograph: Martin Ellard

Meanwhile, on the roads of Wales, a team of cyclists from Thomas Carroll took on a 250mile charity bike ride from the tip of North Wales to Cardiff Bay. 26 riders, including Managing Director Rhys Thomas, completed the 4-day challenge.

Rhys Thomas said: “This has been one of the most extreme challenges we have undertaken and the sense of achievement is immense. I would like to thank everyone who took part and of course all those who so generously sponsored us for Tŷ Hafan.”

The Thomas Carroll Tŷ Hafan bike riders at the finishing line

The route from Anglesey to Cardiff Bay – known as ‘Lon Las’ – took in three mountain ranges including Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons. It is regarded as one of the toughest on the National Cycle Network.

TO VIEW A VIDEO MONTAGE OF THE CHARITY BIKE RIDE Visit: www.thomascarroll.co.uk.

Stephanie Powell, Victoria Thomas, Leigh Chamberlain and Jack Lane

Thomas Carroll

Protect your Family Tree With our Will Writing Service Thomas Carroll Independent Financial Advisers Ltd can now offer a Will Writing Service to new and existing customers. We have made a special arrangement with Involegal to provide you with a legally binding and cost effective service.

Do not leave your family assets and their future down to chance; make the right provision for your family and friends. Visit us online for more information on how to make a Will www.thomascarroll.co.uk/will-writing

Call Thomas Carroll today: Telephone:

029 2088 7733 Or email:

louise.eedy@thomas-carroll.co.uk

in association with:

Thank you for 40 Glorious Years Diolch am 40 Mlynedd Bendigedig Our Group Approach is Timeless... www.thomascarroll.co.uk