AI Magazine December 2017

www.acq-intl.com • December 2017

In this issue:

Greenaway Scott Group Lewis Visuals LTD Himalayan Bank Ltd. TJP Austroexpert Taylor Hampton Solicitors Limited Star Mountain Capital

Also featuring:

IMPERIAL HEALTHCARE

A Vision to be the Best- Mpilo Ende

Meeting Expectations Phil Zeilinger started his own business working at his own home doing upholstery services.Recently, we took time to profile the firm, discovering more about it’s remarkable success.

impact economy

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Editor’s Comment

Welcome to the December edition of Acquisition Intl. Magazine, brining you the latest developments in the world of corporate finance.

Diving straight into the world of news, leading and influential figure in the IT channel Ian Kilpatrick, EVP (Executive Vice-President) Cyber Security for Nuvias Group, predicts how IT security will change as the New Year draws in.

In this month’s edition of Acquisition Intl. Magazine, we discover more about San Francisco, California-based law firm, O’Connor and Associates. The firm was established in 2006 and provides its clients with a tailored approach to complex business litigation. Recently, a spokesperson for the company took time to profile the principal of O’Connor and Associates, John O’Connor, revealing more about his exceptional success over the years.

Also in this month’s issue, we invited independent and privately held impact investing and strategy firm, Impact Economy’s Investment Group Lead, Tobias Roederer to talk us through the techniques the firm employs to achieve their goal of making impact investible.

Elsewhere in this edition, Vantage BioTrials is a full-service clinical trial management organization based in Canada, with operational capabilities across North America, Latin America, and Europe. We invited the team at VBT to tell us more about the company and the services that it offers, as it features in our 2017 Global Excellence Awards as the Most Client Focused Clinical Trial Management Firm – Canada.

Lastly, Straitons Whitelaw has developed from a company formation agency to a boutique law firm providing comprehensive legal, tax consulting, and corporation services from their offices in London, Hong Kong and Malta. Managing Director, Heiko Schröter provides us with an overview of the company’s services.

Here at Acquisition Intl. Magazine, we truly hope that you thoroughly enjoy reading this edition, and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jessie Daykin - Editor - j.daykin@aiglobalmedialtd.com

4 News

6 Meeting Expectations BUWW

How to get in touch AI welcomes news and views from its readers.

8 Protecting and Defending Intangible Access Schiweck Weinzierl Koch

Correspondence should be sent to; Address: Acquisition International, Second Floor Suite F, The Maltsters, 1-2 Wetmore Road, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1LS. Phone: +44 (0) 1283 712447 Email: reception@acquisition-intl.com Website: www.acquisition-intl.com

10 Focused. Driven. Innovative.

A new Style Law Firm.

Greenaway Scott Group

Find us on...

11 Super Lawyer O’Connor and Associates 12 A Sterling Reputation Within Healthcare Maravela|Asociatii 13 Providing Excellent Compliance Solutions FMConsult 14 Making Impact Investible Impact Economy 15 Strategy, Management & Legal Grand Hill Consulting 16 Specialising in Residential Architectural Design Lewis Visuals

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READ THIS MONTH’S CPD ACCREDITED ISSUE TO GAIN 6 CPD POINTS

18 Providing Tailor-Made Solutions for Your Business Horev & Co. Law Office 19 Gaining the Best Results Vantage BioTrials 20 Love to be by the Seaside The Berry Head Hotel 21 A Vision to be the Best Mpilo-ende Fortified Foods (Pty) Ltd 22 Full Steam Ahead for Sartorius Stedim BioOutsource 23 Maintaining Privacy, Dignity and Self-Esteem Rushcliffe Care Group 24 Shaping for the Future Himalayan Bank Ltd. 25 People, Not Packages ICON Relocation 26 Straitons Whitelaw: A Language of Quality 28 The Client Comes First Legal Acumen 30 Big Business with a Big Future OAK Group Holdings

Contents

42 8

Star Mountain Capital, LLC

23

Schiweck Weinzierl Koch

25

36

Aviation Selection Consultants

Rushcliffe Care Group ICON Relocation

31 Royals Don’t Worry Royal Crown 32 Unrivalled Care in Dubai Imperial Healthcare Institute 34 TJP Austroexpert: Professional, Diligent and Experienced 35 Available All Year Round 247 Property Services

39

HornerSalus Ltd

36 Recommended Professionals Aviation Selection Consultants

16

38 Brum Costa: Specialists in Finance and Tax Law 39 Keeping You Safe HornerSalus Ltd

Lewis Visuals

40 Providing the Best to Clients OMC Abogados & Consultores 41 Providing the Best to Clients Taylor Hampton Solicitors Limited 42 Scaling Star Mountain to Reach Success Star Mountain Capital, LLC

45 Winners’ Listings

32

Imperial Healthcare Institute

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News: from around the world

Top 10 IT Security Predictions for 2018 Ian Kilpatrick, EVP (Executive Vice-President) Cyber Security for Nuvias Group, predicts how IT security will change as the New Year draws in.

A leading and influential figure in the IT channel, Ian Kilpatrick now heads up the Nuvias Cyber Security Practice. He has overall responsibility for cyber security strategy, as well as being a Nuvias board member. Ian brings many years of channel experience, particularly in security, to Nuvias. He was a founder member of the award-winning Wick Hill Group in the 1970s and thanks to his enthusiasm, motivational abilities and drive, led the company through its successful growth and development, to become a leading, international, value-added distributor, focused on security. Wick Hill was acquired by Nuvias in July 2015.

Ian is a thought leader, with a strong vision of the future in IT, focussing on business needs and benefits, rather than just technology. He is a much published author and a regular speaker at IT events.

Before Wick Hill, Ian qualified as an accountant, was financial controller for a Fortune 50 company, and was a partner in a management consultancy. Here he shares his predictions for the developments in security that will affect the IT market in 2018.

1. Security blossoms in the boardroom Sadly, security breaches will continue to be a regular occurrence in 2018 and organisations will struggle to deal with them. New security challenges will abound and these will grab attention in the boardroom. Senior management is increasingly focusing on security issues and recognising them as a core business risk, rather than the responsibility of the IT department alone. The coming year will see further commitment from the boardroom to ensure that organisations are protected.

2. Ransomware has not gone away Too much money is being made from ransomware for it to disappear - it won’t. According to Cyber Security Ventures, global ransomware damage costs for 2017 will exceed US$ 5 billion, with the average amount paid in ransom among office workers around US$ 1400. Companies can help prevent ransomware by tracking everything coming in and out of the network and running AV solutions with anti- ransomware protection. And, of course, you should do regular backups to a structured plan, based around your own business requirements – and make sure you test the plans.

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NEWS / From Around The World

3. IoT – a security time-bomb IoT is a rapidly growing phenomenon which will accelerate in 2018, as both consumers and businesses opt for the convenience and benefits that IoT brings.

However, manufacturers are not yet routinely building security into IoT devices and 2018 will see further problems generated through the use of insecure IoT. IoT is a major threat and possibly the biggest threat to businesses in the coming years.

Unfortunately, it is not easy, and in some cases impossible, to bolt on security as an afterthought with IoT, and many organisations will find it challenging to deal with the consequences of such breaches. As IoT cascades through organisations’ infrastructures, it is likely to become the ultimate Trojan horse.

4. More from the Shadow Brokers The Shadow Brokers, a hacker group which stole hacking tools from the American National Security Agency (NSA), created havoc in 2017 with the Wannacry ransomware episode. The group has already stated that it will soon release newer NSA hacking tools, with targets that might include vulnerabilities in Windows 10.

New OXIAL GDPR EXPRESS Provides 100% GDPR Compliance For Mid-Market FS Firms New solution brings digitised compliance approach to remove GDPR burden and offer continuous compliance and high-level data security.

Mid-market Financial Services (FS) firms can now benefit from a fast, intelligent and effective solution to achieving GDPR compliance, thanks to the new GDPR EXPRESS from new generation GRC solution provider OXIAL.

There will certainly be further episodes from them in 2018, so patch management, security and regular backups will be more crucial than ever. A major target of these hackers is the data that organisations hold, including PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and corporate data, so protecting the data ‘crown jewels’ inside the network will become ever more crucial.

With the deadline for the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) coming into effect on 25 May 2018, the GDPR EXPRESS solution uses an automated digital compliance approach to offer 100% GDPR compliance. Live and operational in less than 90 days, the new solution is based on OXIAL’s years of experience in risk management, IT security and compliance and reflects the urgency for mid-market FS firms to begin getting GDPR-ready.

5. GDPR – have most businesses missed the point?

The arrival of GDPR in May 2018 will, of course, be a big story. However, many organisations are missing the main point about GDPR. It is about identifying, protecting and managing PII - any information that could potentially identify a specific individual. This will become more important in 2018 and there will be considerable focus on identifying, securing and, where required, deleting PII held on networks.

“GDPR is the most significant change to data protection law in the EU for a generation and the penalties for failure to comply could be catastrophic for some organisations,” said Eric Berdeaux, CEO, OXIAL. “For bigger firms with compliance teams and the resources to allocate sufficient time to GDPR, there should be few problems getting GDPR-ready, but for mid-market organisations it is a different matter altogether. Our GDPR EXPRESS solution removes the burden of GDPR for such businesses, by using a digitised approach to ensure every requirement for GDPR compliance is met.”

6. GDPR Blackmail – the new ransomware?

Unfortunately, GDPR will give a great opportunity to criminals, hackers, disgruntled staff and anyone who might want to do an organisation harm. They simply have to ask you to identify what data you hold on them, ask for it to be erased, and ask for proof that it has been done. If you can’t comply, they can threaten to go public – exposing you to the risk of huge fines – unless you pay them money. Watch out for that one!

7. DDoS on the rise It is now possible for anyone to ‘rent’ a DDoS attack on the internet. For as little as US$ 5, you can actually pay someone to do the attack for you! https://securelist. com/the-cost-of-launching-a-ddos-attack/77784/. This is just one of the reasons DDoS threats will continue to escalate in 2018, alongside the cost of dealing with them. The dangers of DDoS for smaller companies are that it will leave them unable to do business. For larger organisations, DDoS attacks can overwhelm systems.

Remember that DDoS is significantly under-reported, as no-one wants to admit they have been under attack!

8. Cloud insecurity – it’s up to you Problems with cloud insecurity will continue to grow in 2018 as users put more and more data on the cloud, without, in many cases, properly working out how to secure it. It is not the cloud providers’ responsibility to secure the information – it is down to the user. With the introduction of GDPR in 2018, it will be even more important to ensure that PII stored in the cloud is properly protected. Failure to do so could bring serious financial consequences.

9. The insider threat Historically, insider threats have been underestimated, yet they were still a primary cause of security incidents in 2017. The causes may be malicious actions by staff or simply poor staff cyber-hygiene - i.e. staff not using the appropriate behaviour required to ensure online “health.” In 2018, there will be growth in cyber education, coupled with more testing, measuring and monitoring of staff behaviour. This increasingly involves training and automated testing, such as simulated phishing and social engineering attacks.

10. Time to ditch those simple passwords In 2018, simple passwords will be even more highlighted as an insecure ‘secure’ method of access. Once a password is compromised, then all other sites with that same user password are also vulnerable. As staff often use the same passwords for business as they use personally, businesses are left vulnerable. While complex passwords do have a superficial attraction, there are many challenges around that approach and multi-factor authentication is a vastly superior method of access.

Compliance is a business function in many organisations that is yet to be significantly altered by digitisation, and OXIAL has placed digital at the heart of its new GDPR EXPRESS solution. It comes with a number of powerful features to help address GDPR, from an initial step-by-step project plan to reporting mechanisms for the regulator and senior management.

The GDPR EXPRESS solution encourages compliance to be treated as a continuous process, advised and supported by external experts who will allow an organisation to drive GDPR more efficiently and to reach the desired results from a compliance perspective.

Approached in this way – supported by automation of processes to ensure nothing falls through the cracks – means an organisation knows exactly how GDPR relates to their business and data, and is able to assess what they must change in order to be compliant and gauge where the priorities and responsibilities lay.

“A major challenge for mid-sized firms is the sheer volume of data that must be accounted for,” continued Eric Berdeaux. “Data is stored all over an organisation – how do you find it, how do you manage and protect it and how do you ensure it is GDPR compliant? Without the know-how, time and experience of compliance teams in bigger firms, answering these questions is a significant problem and one with enormous consequences should an organisation not be able to do so.”

There is also an important security element to GDPR, with enormous volumes of data to keep secure. OXIAL has partnered with cyber security provider Global Data Sentinel (GDS), to keep GDPR data safe. GDS is a crossdomain, zero-knowledge system, so all data within a network or cloud is stored encrypted, meaning even IT personnel cannot see it. GDS resides seamlessly inside in organisation’s existing network, securing data from the get-go, without requiring any additional infrastructure investments.

Every organisation – irrespective of where in the world they are located – must comply with GDPR if they hold or collect data on European citizens. To ensure compliance, organisations must keep records that show data is stored and used in the right way. Failure to comply will result in fines of up to €20,000,000 or 4% of an organisation’s annual global turnover, whichever is greater.

“Compliance does not begin and end on a fixed date and 25 May 2018 is certainly not the end of GDPR,” said Eric Berdeaux. “Compliance is an ongoing process and should be managed as such, including compliance around GDPR. That’s what we are aiming for with our GDPR EXPRESS solution and we believe it can be a game-changer for mid-market firms that are struggling with GDPR requirements.”

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Meeting Expectations Contact: Phil Zeilinger Contact Email: philz@buww.com Company: BUWW, 4462 Boeing Drive, Rockford, Illinois, 61109, USA Telephone: 001-815-962-2899 Web Address: www.buww.com

Phil Zeilinger started his own business working at his own home doing upholstery services. Over 20 years later, the business has rapidly grown, with new offices being open across the country. Recently, we took time to profile the firm, discovering more about it’s remarkable success. stablished in 1993, BUWW Founder, Phil Zeilinger created his own business, working at his house doing upholstery services. Phil is the definition of an entrepreneur, he’s a person who both organises and manages any enterprises, especially a business, with considerable initiative and risk.

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During the firm’s inception back in 1993, Phil was renting a building in Rockford, Illinois, a place where he could fulfil his new vision of establishing an all in one manufacturing facility, commonly known today as BUWW Coverings, Inc. Over the past 20 years, BUWW has relocated and expanded across the United States, Canada and even Mexico. In early 2000, BUWW Canada started in St. Thomas, Ontario in a 5,600 sq. ft. building with two employees. Fast forwarding three years, the company then expanded their offices to a 10,000 sq. ft. building.

Having initially rented a building in Rockford, Illinois, Phil then moved BUWW USA to their current residence, a 37,000 sq. ft. location on 4462 Boeing Drive Rockford, Illinois. The businesses expansion did not end there, as in 2005 BUWW Mexico first began in Santa Catarina, in a 300 sq. ft. building with just only three employees.

“As for what BUWW’s overall mission is, it is to provide their clients with all the solutions for machine tool protection needs.”

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at his home, to multiple locations across the country in just a short space of time.

As for what BUWW’s overall mission is, it is to provide their clients with all the solutions for machine tool protection needs. This is to anyone who manufacture, owns or even sells machines across the globe. They are powered by their client’s valued business, as their philosophy is to achieve their mission by providing customer service and customer satisfaction above, and most certainly beyond the expectations at all costs.

As this is what BUWW is for, they provide their employees with a better way of life through excellent company benefits, quality education and also retirement programs. This enables them to develop innovative products and more than that, encouraging their self-improvement on and off the job.

Only a year later, BUWW USA began a joint venture with BUWW Brazil in Sao Jose dos Pinhais, in a 3,229 sq. ft. building, again with a small team of just only five employees. A few years down the line, BUWW USA acquired a Mitsubishi Laser Machine, which is the industry leader in laser cutting.

Overall, BUWW is primarily centred around their customers. The reason being, is that Phil believes that the company itself would not be in existence if it not were for the client’s that make BUWW what it is today.

In recent years, BUWW Brazil expands its business to a 13,993 sq. ft. building, growing the team to eight employees. Finally, in 2012 BUWW USA added a second U.S location to its belt, an office in Murrieta, California. In just over 20 years, Phil has been able to expand the business he initially began

Looking ahead, Phil is keen to continually work tirelessly to ensure that each clients’ expectations are fulfilled to their fullest potential. Lastly, Phil hopes that the BUWW will continue to grow, and expand to more offices and more locations across the country.

Meeting Expectations

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Company: Schiweck Weinzierl Koch Patentanwaelte Partnerschaft mbB Contact: Dr. Gerhard Weinzierl Contact Email: Gerhard.

Weinzierl@ip-matters.de Address: Landsberger Str. 98, 80339 Munich, Germany Telephone: 0049 89189 47690 Website: www.ip-matters.de

Protecting and Defending Intangible Access Schiweck Weinzierl Koch is a dynamic, relatively young, but yet very experienced patent attorneys’ office, with a strong technical background across the chemical, pharmaceutical and life science sector. Dr. Gerhard Weinzierl provides us with an in-depth overview of the company and the services that it offers. chiweck Weinzierl Koch advise and represent their clients in all areas of European and international intellectual property rights. Its clients tend to be internationally operating pharmaceutical and chemical companies, medium-sized businesses, biotech start-ups and renowned research institutes and universities. Gerhard outlines the commitment of the company to maintaining exceptional standards, and also ensuring that clients are kept up to date with proceedings, regularly and honestly.

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“Besides our commitment to high quality standards and proficiency, Schiweck Weinzierl Koch also places great emphasis on transparency, trust and direct personal contact with their clients. Each client is provided with personal contact with a team member in order to best serve their interests.”

Focusing on employees is important in the eyes of Gerhard, as understanding the needs and requirement of each individual client can form a thorough client philosophy, which the team can implement and embed into the company mission.

Gerhard also notes that the employees are regularly trained, making sure they are up to date with any developments within the industry.

“The focus of our employees has always been on our clients, and the representation and defence of their interests.”

“The focus of our employees has always been on our clients, and the representation and defence of their interests. The most important step for defining a client service philosophy is to understand the necessities and expectations of your clients, and to repay their trust through loyalty and highquality work. In this respect, our company culture is truly client-oriented, professional, and serves the individual first and foremost. Regular training measures for our employees, and an open exchange of knowledge inside the team helps to maintain our established high standards.”

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Discussing the international patent market, Gerhard is keen to reference the ever evolving nature of the industry, and how integral it is that every member of staff is able to demonstrate an excellent understanding of recent developments in patent law.

“The international market for patents permanently grows, and this reflects the growing importance that companies attach to intellectual properties.

Thus, maintaining high quality standards and working out the most appropriate strategies to suit a company’s individual situation will be an ongoing challenge for patent attorney offices in the future.

Providing strong technical expertise and excellent understanding of recent developments in patent law is more important than ever, and dealing with the latest legal developments in Europe will be the basis for more complex requirements in this very field.”

Schiweck Weinzierl Koch sets itself apart from their competitors by always innovating; they know that innovative ideas from their clients require innovative strategies for protection, something Gerhard is proud to mention.

“Across the market, we have the courage to look beyond traditional structures and to pursue unconventional models for the enforcement of our client’s rights. To us, it is important to always adapt the IP strategies in the best possible way, and to allow our clients to benefit from their own work or investment in a creation to the maximum. Our clients really appreciate this approach.”

Clearly excited about the future, Gerhard hints at possible expansion for the business and its team, venturing into new projects in different areas of the sector, which will be of great benefit to the team at Schiweck Weinzierl Koch.

“Looking ahead, it is a time of strong expansion for our team, and in the close future, we intend to extend our range of activities to further technical areas in the field of intellectual property.”

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Company: Greenaway Scott Group.

Contact: Nigel Greenaway Contact Email: ngreenaway@ greenawayscott.com Address: The Loft at the Maltings, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF24 5EZ, UK Telephone: 029 2009 5500 Website: www.greenawayscott.com / www.verdecf.com

Focused. Driven.

Innovative. A new Style Law Firm.

Greenaway Scott Group is a multi-disciplinary professional advisory group. Nigel Greenaway provides us with an in-depth overview of the achievements of the firm, as well as the inner-workings within the team. reenaway Scott specialise in advice around the mergers and acquisitions market and have a corporate law firm (Greenaway Scott), and a corporate lead advisory firm (Verde Corporate Finance) within our Group. The firm offers professional services which provide a one stop shop for advice on mergers, acquisitions, fund raising and similar offerings. Nigel explains the usual clientele that the Group works with.

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“Typically, at Greenaway Scott, our clients range from AIM Listed to University spin-outs. The majority of our clients are in the technology and life science space, and all of our clients are fast growth businesses which are on a journey of development through to exit.”

Being selected in the 2017 Global Excellence as the Ones to Watch for 2018 is something which excites Nigel, particularly as Greenaway Scott is a relatively new business, marking its fifth anniversary in 2018.

“Greenaway Scott are delighted to be highlighted as Ones to Watch. Our business is relatively new and 2018 will mark its fifth anniversary.

“In that time, we have grown to three boutique offices and 35 staff, all looking to change the market place and provide a commercially and financially aware service which is an integrated M&A advisory model. To be recognised as a game changer is important for the Greenaway Scott Group.”

Providing us with a brief overview of the legal industry within Wales currently, Nigel states that there are a variety of challenges in many different aspects, but also opportunities. As with any everchanging industry, there is conflict over some of the advances being made, as Nigel alludes to.

“As we are a multi-disciplinary firm, our industry crosses traditional law firms and traditional accountancy firms, the traditional firms tend to be large and set on a specific model and course that we believe is not flexible enough for the challenges ahead.

“In the UK, the ability to work as a multi-disciplinary Group is still relatively new and so we are at the

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fore-front of this change in the market place. As with all change, some people prefer to stick with the older approach and some believe change is long overdue.”

What differentiates Greenaway Scott from other competitors and marks it out as the best possible option for its clients is its expertise in all sectors of the market, as Nigel is keen to point out.

“There are very few approved professional bodies that are multi-disciplinary in the UK and certainly in the mergers and acquisitions market, we are one of a very limited number of corporate finance boutiques that are able to advise on the entire deal process from financials and valuations through to legal.”

Regarding the internal culture with Greenaway Scott, Nigel comments on the fact that staff buy into the working culture of the Group. Giving his staff the freedom to develop themselves personally is one of the key factors in ensuring that all staff within the business are able to perform at their highest level.

“Crucially, our staff are bought in to our model.

Many have left large and traditional accountancy or legal firms having become disillusioned with the ivory team approach. Our team is dynamic and keen to develop but are also aware of the fact that we are a new and different business model seeking to change the status quo. We encourage our team to develop their business acumen as well as their legal and financial skills.”

In his concluding comments, Nigel signs off by predicting what the future holds for Greenaway Scott Group. He hints at future acquisitions which will help accelerate the business growth, with there being a lot of positivity buzzing around the future of the company.

“Moving forward, we are looking to make acquisitions into our Group and continue our accelerated growth trajectory. The acquisitions will need to fit into the ethos of the team, and also the model of providing a professional advisory service in the mergers and acquisitions market place.”

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Company: O’Connor and Associates Contact: John D. O’Connor Contact Email: john@joclaw.com 201 Mission Street, Suite 710 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (+1) 415-693-9960 Fax: (+1) 415-692-6537 Website: www.joclaw.com

Super Lawyer O’Connor and Associates is a San Francisco, California-based law firm established in 2006 that provides a tailored approach to complex business litigation. Recently, a spokesperson for the company took time to profile the principal of O’Connor and Associates, John O’Connor, revealing more about his exceptional success over the years. ounded in 2006, O’Connor and Associates is a San Francisco, California-based law firm that provides a tailored approach to complex business litigation. In addition to an active trial practice in intellectual property and general business disputes, a busy subspecialty of the firm’s practice is in attorney fees dispute consulting and expert witness services.

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John O’Connor, the principal of O’Connor and Associates, is a versatile, highly experienced, complex-case trial lawyer, and has for over 25 years devoted a significant portion of his practice to attorneys and attorney fee disputes, both as an expert witness and as a litigator, bringing a depth of expertise as an expert witness only an experienced litigator can offer.

O’Connor has tried a wide variety of cases in federal, state and arbitration courts throughout the United States, including professional liability, attorney fee and law firm buy-out cases, as well as a diverse litigation mixture including intellectual property, construction, employment, tort, civil rights and business claims. This experience allows him to identify inefficiency in litigation management.

“John O’Connor has been retained on over two hundred occasions to provide written and/or oral opinions to a Court or Arbitrator assessing the reasonableness of attorney’s fee requests.”

Although O’Connor has been involved in a significant amount of legal fee review, negotiation and litigation since 1977, his involvement in legal fee dispute work increased significantly in 1989.

In that year, he was the partner at Tarkington, O’Connor and O’Neill, a San Francisco-based law firm in charge of working with failed and failing financial institutions on behalf of the United States governmental agencies, FDIC, FSLIC, RTC and NCUA, and the United States government. During that time, the firm performed extensive work for a failed California bank in government receivership

and was subjected by the insurance carrier to numerous legal fee audits in an unsuccessful attempt to force the government to release the carrier from its obligations. At that point, O’Connor necessarily became immersed in the various billing standards prevalent in the community.

During those years of legal fee disputes, O’Connor spent the majority of his time dealing with the developing field of legal “auditing” and related litigation. As a result, he gained a wide knowledge of auditing practices, prevailing billing standards, and approaches employed by legal fee experts, auditors, and litigators.

Since 1990, John O’Connor has been retained on over two hundred occasions to provide written and/ or oral opinions to a Court or Arbitrator assessing the reasonableness of attorney’s fee requests. Due to his growing expertise in the legal fee and auditing issues, during the years 1991 through 2001, John consulted with numerous law firms throughout the United States who were seeking advice on audit criticisms levelled against their practices, almost invariably involved in large fee disputes. O’Connor also consulted on numerous occasions with fee payors in fee disputes.

As this area of the firm’s practice has grown significantly over the past five years, O’Connor has built a team of specially trained associates and research assistants to aid his analysis and opinions by thoroughly evaluating and charting the disputed fees at issue, allowing John to opine on voluminous billing records efficiently and timely.

As an expert witness and consultant, O’Connor has reviewed the billings of lawyers preparing for and/ or trying large, complex cases across the United States, including class action suits and intellectual property matters with legal fees in the multiple millions of dollars at issue.

John O’Connor has been consulting and lecturing across the United States through the auspices of NALFA, the National Association of Legal Fee Analysis, a professional association for the legal fee analysis field. NALFA has recognized John O’Connor as the “Nation’s Top Attorney Fee Expert” in 2017.

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Company: Maravela|Asociatii Contact: Alina Popescu Contact Email: alina.popescu@maravela.ro Address: 6A Barbu Delavrancea Street, Building C, Ground Floor, 1st District, Bucharest 011355, Romania Telephone: +40 21 310 17 17 Website: www.maravela.ro

A Sterling Reputation Within Healthcare Maravela|Asociatii is an internationally recognized and repeatedly awarded Romanian business law firm, offering the full spectrum of legal advisory, litigation, insolvency and taxation services. Alina Popescu explains a bit more about the company and the services it provides. aravela|Asociatii is led by seven partners and a multidisciplinary team of 25 professional staff members. The firm’s clients include large international corporations, private investors, sound local companies and public authorities. Dealing with a large client base, the legal team must be incredibly versatile and as a result, the staff speak many languages, including English, French, Italian and Romanian. Alina tells us about the experience that the team possess, as well as alluding to the fact that each member of staff is hand-picked, all of which contribute to the success of the law firm.

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“Here at Maravela|Asociatii, our highly experienced partners have been involved in some of the largest projects, transactions and disputes under Romanian jurisdiction and in the CEE region. Partner coordination and mentorship is supported by the rigorous work of carefully selected attorneys who unite thorough legal knowledge, with the essential capacity of evaluating the key risks triggered by matters brought to our attention, and the ways to solve them.”

Working together, the team unite to secure the best result for their clients. Alina describes what the internal culture is within the firm, going into detail about how all staff are well equipped to provide the best possible service to clients.

“In relation to our success, we pride ourselves with sound corporate values and culture. All of our proven and repeatedly recognized skills and expertise are dedicated to our clients’ best interests, and we fully understand that legal advice should always translate into profitable business and positive results for our clients.

“The focus of our employees has always been on our clients, and the representation and defence of their interests.”

“Moreover, our highly specialized professionals are often called to provide contributions to international legal publications of outstanding reputation, authoring legal literature on various areas of practice and being interviewed by numerous business publications. Our team members are constantly attending specialized professional events.”

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Providing us with a brief overview of the industry with Romania currently, Alina refers to the fact that there is a stream of new firms popping up, creating tremendous pressure on the services provided.

“There are a lot of new business law firms on the market, either independent or spin-offs from other reputed business law firms. This creates a tremendous pressure on the services provided, in terms of both quality and fees.”

Moving towards the future, Alina comments on the future goals of the company, and what its overall mission is. Striving to provide high quality services and secure the best result for clients are all goals for staff, and it is the team at Maravela|Asociații’s constant involvement with its clients which will help it become the leader in the legal industry, within Romania.

“Since its foundation, Maravela|Asociații has consistently provided high quality services to its clients, in a timely manner, being equally known on the market for its high standards of client service.

“Furthermore, the firm’s partners are thoroughly involved in client work and this elevated degree of partner implication is highly appreciated on the market. Furthermore, our high-quality work is one of the reasons we have an impressive client retention rate and we expand our client portfolio consistently.”

Ultimately, the future looks very exciting for Maravela|Asociatii, as it looks to reach the targets that it has set itself and further build on its ongoing success. Discussing the future plans for the firm, Alina mentions that the firm is planning to consolidate its position within the market, as well as venturing into new areas, both within the legal industry and geographically.

“Looking ahead, we plan to consolidate our position on the market and preserve our brand image, that of a highly professional and ambitious business law firm. As our work volume increases continuously, we are consequently expanding our team of professionals.

“As for our future, we welcome the possibility of exporting our business model to other jurisdictions, but more information will follow, when the time comes.”

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Company: FMConsult Contact: Dallas McGillivray Contact Email: dmcgillivray@fmconsult.co.uk Address: FMConsult, 2nd Floor, 10 Arthur Street, London, EC4R 9AY, UK Phone: 0207 220 9073 Website: www.fmconsult.co.uk

Providing Excellent Compliance Solutions FMConsult is a specialist compliance, collective investment schemes, operational risk and investment risk management consultancy that services a whole host of financial services firms; primarily in the wealth management and asset management arena. We spoke to Managing Director, Dallas McGillivray to find out more about the achievements of the company. stablished in 2004, FMConsult has made it its mission to provide solutions to clients so that they can continually meet regulatory requirements. Headquartered in London, the firm also has offices in Ireland and USA, with associates in Italy.

international asset management company, holders of CF10 & CF11 positions, Compliance Officer of Retail entities, Senior Compliance Banking executive and an international bank derivative trader/risk analyst. We are not a tick-box compliance shop.

Discovering more about a firm that has been selected in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards as the Most Outstanding Compliance Consultancy 2017 – UK, the company provide risk and compliance solutions that enable senior management of financial services firms to demonstrate that they and their firm are currently, and will continue to be, aligned with regulatory requirements. Essentially, the company majors on the wholesale firms and funds industry but also has the capacity and experience to assist retail and market infrastructure companies.

Dallas tells us a bit more about the team working at the company, and the services that they offer.

“Additionally, the firm have a set of values which provide clear direction, helping us to become a leader in the compliance industry. Our values are the provision of professional independent Regulatory Consulting Services to management teams which focus on new or existing business models, and develop usable solutions to complex challenges. Furthermore, the company anticipate the regulatory impact of regulatory policy and organisation change, as well as aim to create innovative solutions and importantly represent value for money for our clients.”

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“FMConsult is an independent regulatory, product development, operational and investment risk consultancy committed to assisting clients in aligning financial services processes with regulatory requirements.

“Throughout the company, our highly experienced team have first-hand knowledge in asset management and wealth management financial institutions which provides us with the all-round expertise you would require from a consultancy.

The three directors alone have circa 80 years of regulatory experience.”

With the firm servicing the wealth management and asset management sectors, as well as UCITS & AIFM Management companies, there are a lot of activities which arise for the company to provide independent advice. FMConsult has a number of international clients that do business with the firm because they are looking for solid support and advice, with some being asset managers and brokers across different jurisdictions. As a result, it is important that the firm is able to reach out to its clients, and Dallas explains what differentiates the company from its competitors within the industry.

“Distinguishing ourselves from others, FMConsult provides a risk based methodology and approach to its compliance activities provided by experienced compliance & risk resources. Resources consist of previous Global Compliance & Operational Risk Director, Head of Monitoring Services for

Working thoroughly in all aspects of the industry, the FMConsult team are constantly striving to meet the everyday needs of their clients. Keeping an eye on developments within the market, the team are able to keep clients apprised of day to day regulatory matters.

Regarding the internal culture within the firm, Dallas alluded to the experience of the team, discussing how the team share their pool of knowledge with each other and with clients, before explaining how this will help FMConsult in the future, hinting at a possible expansion.

“Within the company, the team is very experienced and is working with clients on a daily basis.

The culture is derived from hard work providing regulatory expertise. The future is growing as more clients seek us out to undertake work for them in a variety of tasks. We have added to the team this year and most likely will add again in the new year.”

Signing off, Dallas outlined FMConsult’s overall mission for the future, and after suggesting there may be possible expansion in the works, it is clear the company is well on their way to achieving their aims.

“Ultimately, our mission is to provide compliance solutions that enable the senior management teams of financial services firms to demonstrate that they and their firm are currently, and will continue to be, aligned with the UK and other regulatory requirements.”

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impact economy Company: Impact Economy SA Email: office@impacteconomy.com Web Address: www.impacteconomy.com Address: Rue de Chantepoulet 25, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland Telephone: +41 22 400 00 01

Making Impact Investible Impact Economy is an independent and privately held impact investing and strategy firm headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and are committed to making impact investible. We invited Investment Group Lead, Mr. Tobias Roederer to talk us through the techniques the firm employs to achieve this goal. mpact Economy’s goal, ‘making impact investible’ means identifying or designing solutions for companies and professional investors that have substantial financial upside, while making a positive impact on society and the environment. Tobias discusses how the firm works to achieve this, drawing on the experience of its dedicated team to create products which meet clients’ needs.

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“Here at Impact Economy, we focus on identifying and shaping transaction-based business models to turn good ideas into great investments. We are looking for scalable solutions that have the potential to contribute to major sectoral changes and innovation.”

The Impact Economy team has conducted numerous advisory mandates and investment transactions over the past years. As for those who choose to work with Impact Economy, Tobias informs of who their clients are and how they benefit from the company’s services.

“...we focus on identifying and shaping transaction-based business models to turn good ideas into great investments. We are looking for scalable solutions that have the potential to contribute to major sectoral changes and innovation.”

“Here at the Impact Economy, we support high net worth investors, family offices, companies and financial aggregators in planning, developing and implementing new engagement strategies that build on marketable strengths. Our experience, vast networks, broad sectoral expertise, and proven processes enable us to create customized solutions for our clients. In the current low-interest rate and increased regulation climate, there is a need to identify and develop novel solutions that offer a healthy return on investment to attract investors; moreover, investors increasingly look for social impact as well as a financial return.”

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Recently, Impact Economy found success for a second consecutive time in the Global Excellence Awards. Taking time to discuss the win, Tobias highlights what it means for the company to have been recognized for their hard work and dedication to their industry.

“There are no shortcuts in executing an ambitious project like the one just mentioned. You have to constantly go the extra mile. Being recognized for the work is a compensation we are delighted to accept next to our bonus, of course.”

Looking to the future, Tobias believes that the structural changes in the global economy and the ever-increasing attention paid to extra-financial impacts provide exciting prospects for impact investing, and makes it clear that his firm remains committed to continuing being a pioneering force in the industry. Impact Economy has a number of exciting projects coming up which have the potential to be at the forefront of the impact investing sector.

“At Impact Economy, we have just successfully finished the pilot phase on a pioneering project in South Asia that aims to show that a significantly more efficient production process, which leads to better working and environmental conditions in the textile and garment industry, makes both economic sense and is practically feasible. Now the focus is on scaling the approach in a large number of Asian textile and garment factories.”

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Contact: Marcel Lauer Contact Email: mlauer@grandhill.eu Company: Grand Hill Consulting, 868, Desembargador Westphalen Street, 6th Floor, Curitiba, 80230-100, Brazil Telephone: 0055 41 3078 4455 Web Address: www.grandhill.consulting

Strategy, Management & Legal Grand Hill Consulting is one of the most successful restructuring boutiques in Brazil. Senior Partner at Grand Hill Consulting, Marcello Lauer took time to profile the successful firm. rand Hill Consulting is one of the most successful restructuring boutiques in Brazil. It is guided by excellence in performance and the exclusive Perennial Vision methodology®. The methodology is applied to provide tailor-made solutions for corporate reorganizations, corporate governance, strategy, funding structuring and complex processes of change, based on the premise that long-term survival is ultimately the main goal of organizations.

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“We start from the premise that long-term survival, except in exceptional cases, is the ultimate goal of organizations” Marcello Lauer - Senior Partner of Grand Hill Consulting After a long and exhausting impeachment process faced by Brazil in 2016, which caused the worst economic scenario in decades and led to a record number of judicial recovery requests, the country continues to face important political challenges and uncertainties. Nevertheless, there are significant signs of recovery in economic activity.

The stabilization of economy, however, will not be enough to give companies some breathing space, since debtor’s capacity to pay has not improved and banks are less willing to roll over debts. As a result, the number of requests for judicial reorganization tends to stabilize given the gradual easing of credit conditions and decline in interest rates, but companies must demand specialized turnaround management and structured credit operations throughout 2017.

According to Marcello Lauer, Senior Partner of Grand Hill, “In Brazil, the combination of the economic scenario and the complex business dynamics with a normative context involving controversial issues, the proposed amendment of Law 11 101/2005, as well as the relations with the New Code of Civil Procedure have made the laws for corporate reorganization. These relations are even more relevant and necessary, since they create a challenging environment for legal professionals, in which the reflection on important economic, financial and legal issues that permeate the processes of corporate reorganization in Brazil, must be fostered at higher and more productive levels”.

In this context, Grand Hill Consulting combines both legal and management strategies in the development of tailor-made solutions that are based on its exclusive Perennial Vision methodology.

These are guided by the technical quality and philosophy aimed at full customer service, which include the provision of individualized and reserved services, generating reciprocal benefits with results and generation of wealth.

The Perennial Vision model is intended to define the hierarchical balance of the company’s three fundamental drivers: Long-term survival / Return / Growth. These three fundamental drivers provide continuous addition of value, capture of relevant opportunities, performance leaps and the achievement of a single level of final results, strengthening the company, ensuring stability and promoting harmony among those involved. To do so, it combines solutions in Strategy, Corporate Structure, Operation and Capital Structure and Results.

Lauer details the Perennial Vision Methodology: “We start from the premise that long-term survival, except in exceptional cases, is the ultimate goal of organizations. The combination of measures involving a strategy focused on key success factors and best corporate governance practices for crisis management creates a management model with mechanisms that result in the best performance of the organization. Lastly, we focus our work so that organizations become prepared for long-term survival, show continuous existence for several generations in charge, which means success and long-term performance, achieved through profitable growth and preservation of integrity.”

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Company: Lewis Visuals Ltd Contact: Genevieve Wells Address: Cambridge House, 8 East Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7RX, UK Phone: 01252 714 985 Website: www.lewisvisuals.co.uk

Specialising in Residential Architectural Design Lewis Visuals is a youthful multi-award winning Architectural Practice based in Farnham. We spoke to Genevieve Wells as we look to find out more about the success of the company. ewis Visuals provides expert services throughout Surrey and all over the country. The company offer an integrated approach to architectural design and combine all elements from conception to completion of each project; ranging from individual residential dwellings to entire developments. Lewis Visuals achieve an excellent success rate with planning applications.

“Fundamentally, our company vision and mission is transforming lives through design. We achieve this by gathering comprehensive briefs from our clients to understand their requirements and give them design options to consider. Our cost-effective solutions are the result of our extensive technical knowledge to meet the latest building regulation standards, combined with the latest most innovative and sustainable products on the market.”

For homeowners who change with the times, Lewis Visuals can help them see the potential in your home. Through well thought out design, staff can reinvent the space to produce a functional building that performs successfully and allows the client’s home to change and grow with a person.

Genevieve tells us a bit more about the clients and what work the company does with its clients.

Discussing the internal culture within Lewis Visuals, and alluding to the youthful nature of the company, Genevieve explains how she and her team are able to ensure that all of her staff are best equipped to provide the best possible service to clients, which is a key aspect of the firm’s overwhelming success.

“Being a youthful team, we are keen and enthusiastic to enhance our knowledge and experiences throughout architecture. All team members conduct a personality profile called DISC, using this we establish their bespoke roles to formulate individual career progression. We hold regular team meetings where we openly discuss and contribute to the development of the business. Each team member has key roles and they are valued in the business.”

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“All of our designs are customer centric, we listen and interpret client needs to translate into a development that meets the requirements of the building and the people using it. Our progressive designs are cost effective and achieve the code for sustainable homes and new developments.

Projects are skilfully managed to ensure completion is within deadline and on budget.”

Outlining the firm’s overall mission, Genevieve explains what steps the firm takes to achieve this.

Regarding how the team integrate innovation into every aspect of the work that she does.

“Each team member has Monthly catch-ups and quarterly appraisals with myself. These meetings cover their strengths, weaknesses, career progression, training required, qualifications and most importantly how I can help them.

“Additionally, regarding the success of the company, I am only as good as my team. We are a tight knit family, and we love coming to work, and training the team definitely pays off. We all have to do a minimum of 35 hours per year of continuing professional development, and we are constantly training and keeping on top of the latest innovations, systems, materials and techniques, it is what keeps us fresh, young and trendy.”

In her concluding comments, Genevieve predicts what the future holds for the firm, outlining the company’s plans going forward, highlighting marketing materials, SEO and networking as the key to moving into the next direction.

“Moving forward, in the next 3-5 years, we will develop the four main parts of our business. Private clients, developer clients, off the shelf outbuildings

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Specialising in Residential Architectural Design

and property development. Much of our work is the renovation and extensions of existing dwellings for the general public. These range from major extensions and refurbishments to large properties, the modest single storey extension, enlarging a kitchen or creating an open living environment. We aim to grow more into the higher luxury end of the market. “Building on our success, we already have repeat business with many large well-known developers and we aim to nurture these business to business relationships. Lewis Visuals have designed a range of standardised self-build outbuildings. They are an affordable and eco-friendly approach to the market. We want to put a mark on what we do in the industry. Also, we have recently launched other offices in Ascot, Guildford, Forest Row, Brighton, Dorset and Devon, and aim to develop these further and expand our mission and vision across the country. “Lastly, the staff want to continue improving our sustainable designs and property developments.

Plus, we have been looking at growing the construction/build side of the business.�

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Company: Horev & Co Law Office Contact: Karin Horev Contact Email: karin@horevlaw.com Phone: +972-3-6240110

Providing TailorMade Solutions for Your Business Horev & Co. Law Office is a boutique law firm offering its clients individually tailored legal services in various commercial fields. We profile the firm as we look to explore the secrets behind its success of being featured as Most Outstanding Boutique Commercial Law Firm 2017 – Israel. n the last few years, Horev & Co has grown to become an internationally recognized practice providing representation to a clientele of local and international individuals and business organizations.

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During recent years, the thorough and results oriented firm was known to be one of the leading boutique law firms in Israel for technology transactions. Operating on a variety of areas of law, Horev & Co focus mainly on practice areas of corporate and commercial law, primarily representing high-tech and international companies in all stages of operations and providing day-to-day consultation in various areas of law.

However, the legal team specialise on international transactions as their recent acknowledgements highlight, as well as licensing and intellectual property, strategic alliances, private equity, including representing the company, the founders and the investors. Additionally, there is also a valued focus on project finance, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, technology and other commercial and corporate matters.

“... the company has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial law, and has acted as lead counsels in a wide variety of complex international transactions with very large international entities, contributing further to the sterling reputation of the firm.”

Client satisfaction is at an extremely high level, with the team placing an emphasis on proving exceptional customer satisfaction as well as gaining the best results. The firm assist clients in all aspects of commercial activities by managing each transaction with a well-considered balance of legal and commercial expertise and business creativity.

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Boasting a wealth of knowledge, expertise, the team relies on almost 20 years of experience, and the client base is rapidly expanding, meaning there is positivity buzzing through the team at the firm. The clientele comprises of reputable international, high-tech and technology oriented companies, and also includes representing start-up companies from inception and private investors within the financial rounds.

Building trust is an important aspect of the firm’s success, and Horev & Co identify their relationships with start-up companies as long-term strategic partnerships, as the team understand the unique challenges which present themselves for both companies, founders and investors. Focusing on the client, important to Horev & Co is their clients’ short and long-term success.

Furthermore, the company has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial law, and has acted as lead counsels in a wide variety of complex international transactions with very large international entities, contributing further to the sterling reputation of the firm. Not just content with being the best in technology services, the firm includes outsourcing, cloud services and SAAS system and software acquisitions, system development and implementation, licensing and various services agreements.

Horev & Co’s services also include technology based joint ventures and strategic alliances, teaming arrangements and other technology licensing in a wide range of industries.

Essentially, when clients do business with the firm, they can expect the highest professional standards, and the personal and direct involvement of the firm’s partners ensures the provision of high-quality, responsive, accessible, business oriented and effective legal services.

Ultimately, above all, Horev & Co combines legal excellence with a practical and innovative business approach, providing its clients with an advantage within the legal industry, and therefore marking the firm out as the best possible option for clients.

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Company: Vantage BioTrials Inc. Contact: Viken Bartekian, Vice-President, Corporate Development Contact Email: viken@vantagebiotrials.com Address: 100 Blvd., Alexis Nihon, Suite 405, SaintLaurent, Quebec, H4M 2N9, Canada Phone: 001 514 564 3466 Website: www.vantagebiotrials.com

Gaining the Best Results Vantage BioTrials is a full-service clinical trial management organization based in Canada, with operational capabilities across North America, Latin America, and Europe. We invited the team at VBT to tell us more about the company and the services that it offers, as it features in our 2017 Global Excellence Awards as the Most Client Focused Clinical Trial Management Firm – Canada. antage BioTrials boasts a wealth of knowledge and experience with its expertise running the gamut of therapeutic areas, however, the company’s strength lies within its lean management strategies and operations for conducting clinical trials in the most efficient, targeted fashion, ensuring the best results for clients every time. For this reason, the company has won numerous industry awards over the last 10 years of operations, and are happy to count AI’s “2017 Global Excellence Award as the Most Client Focused Clinical Trial Management Firm – Canada” among them. The team tells us about the firm’s overall mission and what steps they will take in order to achieve this.

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“Firstly, here at VBT, our mission is to use innovative clinical trial management strategies for the life science industry with a focus on patient safety & advancing new therapies to market,” explains Viken Bartekian, VP of Corporate Development. “We understand the importance of speed in healthcare, and put in place different strategies to utilize the best technologies and processes so that ground-breaking therapies can get to patients faster.”

“Secondly, we integrate innovative thinking in everything we do, and everyone we employ or work with, by putting a big emphasis on gaining efficiencies in the quality management of clinical trials, especially since they’ve become more complex over the years and the emergence of new technologies has left our industry scrambling to make sense of the best options or tools to use. We view Quality Management in clinical trials as a versatile process, with an emphasis on re-thinking protocol design to minimize its complexity, eliminating unnecessary procedures and refining data collection tools and methods.”

“Ultimately, it provides us with a key to better decisionmaking to ensure we focus on relevant activities to bring about faster, less costly studies while maintaining high levels of quality and safety for trial participants.”

Distinguishing itself from its competitors, the organisation’s lean operational model helps it to stand out as the best possible option for clients throughout the industry, something the team at Vantage BioTrials is keen to point out.

“Alongside our lean operational model, our process excellence is something we value and teach all our

employees, from the most junior to the most seasoned.

This way, we become the best option for our clients to run their clinical trials, whether it be a phase I (first in human) through a phase IV (observational-type) study,” explains Vatche Bartekian, President of Vantage BioTrials.

With regards to the future of the clinical trials and the medical industry, the team predicts what developments will arise within the global corporate landscape, and they tell us what they will do to adapt to these advances.

“Interestingly, because of innovations that have increased the value and power of data in trials today, clinical trials of the future are already becoming smaller, faster, and involve fewer participants. With more patient involvement, input and continued progress in the areas of technology platforms, recruitment strategies, and building partnerships, we expect to see more responsive and flexible trial designs, making it possible for studies to make adjustments to protocols in response to trial data and refine and improve outcomes in the midst of a trial.”

“Due to our current and flexible operational model, Vantage BioTrials is already poised to take on these challenges and ensure positive trial outcomes are realized. Essentially, this is what is needed to get life-saving treatments to patients, and in the drug development world, it is the only thing that should truly matter.”

Having mentioned how Vantage BioTrials is ready to adapt to new challenges, it is clear that there is a lot of positivity buzzing through the team and the staff at the company. Subsequently, in their concluding comments, the team is clearly excited about an annual clinical trials conference and the ways in which they are going about improving it.

“Looking ahead, we are currently working on expanding and improving an international annual clinical trials conference which we host called “Canada Talks Pharma”. This conference series invites the essential thought-leaders of our industry to come together and discuss latest challenges and solutions for conducting clinical trials and encourages networking to connect people with the right solutionsproviders. Our 3rd annual Canada Talks Pharma event will take place in Toronto during the month of May 2018.”

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Company: Berry Head Hotel Contact: Edward Bence Contact Email: edwdben@aol.com Address: Berry Head Road, Brixham, Near Torquay, Devon, TQ5 9AJ, UK Phone: 01803 853225 Website: www.berryheadhotel.com

Love to be by the Seaside The Berry Head Hotel is a luxurious establishment situated in six acres of gardens and woodland nestling at the water’s edge. We spoke to Edward Bence to discuss the enjoyable, uninterrupted stunning views across Torbay. olding 32 bedrooms of which the majority overlook the nearby sea, the Berry Head Hotel also provides conference facilities for up to 200 people, as well as function facilities for up to 250, and an excellent a la carte restaurant alongside a bustling Brasserie.

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The hotel is a popular destination for both corporate and leisure guests, and is constantly kept busy by non-resident food and beverage business. The team’s highly professional brigade of chefs, focus on using fresh local produce and fresh fish direct from the Brixham market.

Edward explains to us that the welcome and reception that a guest receives on arrival is vital to ensure that they leave having had a memorable experience.

“In order to guarantee that guests feel at home immediately when they first enter the hotel, the presentation of the business both internally and externally is vital. All areas are kept constantly clean and tidy and are checked regularly throughout the day. First impressions are the lasting ones’ “Additionally, our reception and front desk staff receive regular training in customer care and attention to detail. Above all else, considerable care is taken in the recruitment process to ensure that employees are of a caring proactive disposition as you cannot coach sincere care.”

Furthermore, after discussing what the customer service is like, Edward tells us what technology is utilised in order to ensure clients enjoy the best possible experience at the hotel. He comments on Social Media and the online profile of the hotel.

“With regard to technology, we embrace social media and we use the services of experienced internet marketers to ensure that we keep an ongoing online profile which is consistently refreshed.

“However, we do not operate direct bookings on line as we prefer to have a personal contact with our customers, so that we can find out exactly what they are seeking.”

Adopting a personal approach, the hotel and its staff can definitely provide the best possible service to its guests. Edward notes that managers at the hotel are regularly on hand as they look to seek personally whether guests are enjoying their stay.

“Essentially, we believe in working very closely with all our guests. Managers are regularly on hand to gauge customer reaction to our product using a direct personal approach. We operate a check back system on all food served and log all responses, acting where necessary and appropriately to ensure that the guest receives a satisfactory experience.

“Always looking to improve, we operate quality circles within the hotel, identifying areas for improvement or development. The team encourage and respond to online feedback, and provide guest questionnaires which are analysed closely. The hotel maintains a High Director/Management profile at all times with a very visible presence.”

The hotel industry can be competitive, and it is the ocean views and spectacular locations which contribute to the venue’s sterling reputation, as Edward goes on to explain to us.

“The hotel has the fortune to be in a stunning location and has a historical significance, having been built as a military hospital in the Napoleonic Wars. That all helps considerably however, on its own is not enough.

The building and its location deserves to be cared for, and deserves to be special. I view our role as being very much custodians of a very special place and endeavour to ensure that we employ special people “We have regular customers who visit the hotel up to six or seven times each year. They have become extended family together with our very committed senior staff. The location is a major positive towards the success of the business, but contributing massively to that success are the people that work for us, the care we put in, and of course the location.”

Looking ahead, Edward comments on what the future holds for the business, and what exciting developments there are on the horizon for the hotel.

“Moving forward, we are constantly seeking to upgrade and develop the business both at the Berry Head, and also its sister hotel; Hannafore Point Hotel and Spa in Looe, Cornwall. There is a programme of continuous refurbishment in both hotels and we are currently looking to add a self-catering option.”

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A Vision to be the Best Company: Mpilo-ende Fortified Foods (Pty) Ltd Contact: Miss Phumzile Manana, Managing Director Email: info@mpilo-ende.co.za Email: phumzile@mpilo-ende.co.za Address: P O Box 5909, Durban, 4000, South Africa Phone: +27 (0) 10 035 2335 (Tel) Phone: +27 83 486 0896 (Mobile) website: www.mpilo-ende.co.za

Mpilo-ende (long life) Fortified Foods is a Level 1 BBBEE in terms of the South African government empowerment policies. Managing Director Phumzile Manana gives us an insight into the success of the company. pilo-ende is the founding member of the Africa Food Manufacturers Association, whilst also an active member of the United Nations Systems Standing Committee on Nutrition, and an associate member of the National Food Alliance (SA Chapter) which is the initiative of the South African Health Department and GAIN.

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Mpilo-ende is a food manufacturing company that is 100% black women owned and a professionally managed, and has identified food processing as a niche within the food manufacturing industry.

This niche is recognised for its role in combating malnutrition, hunger and curbing poverty for Food Security (especially in the continent of AFRICA where more than 320 million go to bed hungry each day), whilst also promoting nutrition and health in general food consumption.

Basically, the company manufactures grain processed food products (agro processing) for regional markets (AFRICA) distribution, as well as other strategic global markets.

Phumzile explains a bit more about the firm and its products.

“Our fortified food products are used by various governments, food and humanitarian aid organisations, blue chip retail and wholesale groups, as well as for potential contract manufacturing for market specific export food products (ready to eat meals) to war torn and much impoverished African states, and to international food consuming markets.”

Outlining the overall mission of Mpilo-ende, Phumzile tells us what steps the company plans to take in order to reach its targets, as well as explaining how this helps the company differentiate itself from its competitors.

“Here at Mpilo-ende, our overall mission is to transform the agriculture (primary), and agro-processing (value add) industry in Africa for the greater benefit of the continent, by changing the lives of its citizenry, through socio-economic development programmes, geared towards placing South Africa at the fore front of Food Security activism in the region (AFRICA).

“Given the strengths and opportunities within the agroprocessing industry, we have developed a vision 2020 in setting ourselves apart from major competitors.

“Vision 2020 aims to enhance better choice through dynamism, competitiveness, and ensuring safety and quality of the food we produce, by introducing a transparent and scientific system of standards in the country.”

Referring to the competitiveness of the industry and the influences outside of it, Phumzile explains. As a black owned company, the company face many challenges, however the staff work hard to overcome the issues within the market.

“With the with the advent of democracy in South Africa and the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Policy (BBBEE), our company has been much more biased towards creating an enabling environment for primary agricultural stakeholders (co-operatives and farmers in general) to thrive, so as to ensure that we sustain a solid value chain in terms of unlocking market offtakes for them, whilst also ensuring consistent supply of raw materials for our agro processing (value add) operations, so as to establish and also sustain diverse markets demand of our products.”

Phumzile then talks about operating within the fastpaced market, explaining what techniques they employ in order to stay ahead of any emerging developments, including building relationships and ensuring there is trust between the company and its partners. As well as referring to the challenges externally, Phumzile mentions what the internal culture is like within the company and how teamwork helps them stay ahead.

“Within the industry, our company has formed strategic alliances with R&D institutions in the country, so as to ensure that our food products become a solution and best addresses social challenges faced by the most impoverished of our societies in Africa.

“All our staff members subscribe to a standard business practice/s, based on our Corporate / Business Ethics, that we considered our DNA for all to adhere to when engaging with our stakeholders and clients alike. We ensure an in-depth induction of all our staff members, so as to ensure they become direct company ambassadors.”

Ultimately, looking forward to the future, Phumzile is clearly excited about what is ahead for the company.

Mpilo-ende is hoping to become one of that major listed food manufacturers in the global market, with Mpilo-ende projecting a turnover of no less than $1 Billion in the near future.

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Company: Sartorius Stedim BioOutsource Address: 1 Technology Terrace, Todd Campus, West of Scotland Science Park, Glasgow, G20 0XA, UK Phone: 0141 946 4222 Website: www.biooutsource.com

Full Steam Ahead for Sartorius Stedim BioOutsource Sartorius Stedim BioOutsource (BioOutsource) is one of the world’s leading providers of contract testing services to the biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, offering an extensive range of services to support the testing of biologic drugs and vaccines throughout development and manufacture. We profile the firm to learn more and explore how it came to win The UK’s Leading Contract Test Services Provider – 2017 in our prestigious 2017 UK Excellence Awards. ounded in 2007, Glasgow-based BioOutsource has since flourished to become a pioneer in its industry.

The company was the first to develop validated, off-the-shelf cell-based potency assays (bioassays) to substantiate product safety and efficacy similarity per the European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines. After reporting 40% yearover-year growth in 2015, the company became part of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) group.

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Since inception, BioOutsource has continued to strengthen its expertise, expanding its industryleading, off-the-shelf bioassay portfolio, and thereby, reinforcing its global thought leadership standing as it grew alongside the biosimilars market. Over the years, the pioneering company engaged in more than 200 biosimilar development programs with over 50 developers worldwide.

Operating in such a competitive and vital field, BioOutsource has to work hard to ensure it stays at the forefront of emerging market developments and is constantly providing clients with the service and solutions they need. The biopharmaceutical industry is constantly changing to react to the demands of providing better healthcare solutions. The emergence of cellular therapies and personalised medicines is an exciting new area that although still in its infancy will without doubt drive significant changes in the way drugs are developed and brought to market. Biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins, continue to drive the biopharmaceutical sector due to their targeted therapeutic focus and potent action. However, these life-saving therapies are often out of reach for patients, due to the high treatment costs associated with biologics.

Biosimilars, a lower-cost version of the original branded biologicals, represent the next frontier in drug development Biosimilar development is product-specific, requiring technologically complex, sophisticated, and lengthy biological processes, from batch to batch, that must ultimately demonstrate fingerprintlike similarity to the innovator product. Very

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few market participants currently have both the technical expertise and capabilities to fulfill the burgeoning demand, however, BioOutsource works with them to offer them an experienced team with strong scientific capabilities, leading technologies, and regulatory compliant processes in place are crucial to project success, but service excellence is key to long-term sustainability. CROs must develop strong relationships with their customers for continuous growth, and as such this is the firm’s constant focus.

One of the biggest challenges of working in a fast growing contract testing organisation is being able to align resources to support business growth.

Building and retaining strong client relationships through delivering excellent customer service is critical to support this. Over 80% of BioOutsource’s business comes through repeat work from its existing client base, and as such customer loyalty is very important to the firm’s success, and acts as testimony to the level of excellence it provides.

Looking to the future, while not losing sight of its core expertise (bioassays), BioOutsource is tapping available growth opportunities by leveraging SSB’s extensive bioprocessing technology platforms, global presence, and wide customer reach. The company combined its deep biosimilar understanding and leading-edge expertise in bioassays with the group’s broader capabilities and expanded geographical footprint to offer a complete product and service combo. For instance, the company utilizes Sartorius Stedim Cellca’s cell line CHO Expression Platform to optimize biosimilar cell line development and SSB’s single-use technologies and value-added services to respond rapidly to changing technology capabilities and market needs. It has also expanded its biological safety testing and chemistry portfolio.

Thanks to these additional capabilities, BioOutsource can piece together a fuller picture to its customers, providing complete structural and functional analyses to ensure that their product is, in fact, demonstrating fingerprint-like similarities to the biological reference product at all stages.

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Company: Rushcliffe Care Group Contact: Karen Noon Contact Email: reception@ rushcliffecare.co.uk Address: Epinal Way Care Centre, Hospital Way, Loughborough, LE11 5JY, UK Phone: 01509 219 605 Website: www.rushcliffecare.co.uk

Maintaining Privacy, Dignity and Self-Esteem Rushcliffe Care Group aim to provide each patient, resident and young person with the ultimate care within one of their homes, providing individual care based on their philosophy. Karen Noon explains a bit more about the services that the Group offers. ushcliffe Care Group offer a varied service of 17 differing nursing home sites, alongside two mental health hospitals and a specialist school for autism, with over 1000 staff members stretching across four different counties. Karen starts off by telling us what she believes differentiates Rushcliffe from its competitors, and marks themselves out as the best possible option for prospective patients.

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“Throughout the entire company, staff have a local understanding and are very proactive in their work, whilst always being quick to provide a response when needed. Additionally, we have an approachable and visible management team which oversee the entire company.”

Looking into Rushcliffe’s overall mission, the company want to deliver exceptional services and care to a high standard, using the staff’s ideas and skillset at every opportunity. Karen reveals how it feels to have been selected in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards as the Leading HR Specialist 2017 in Healthcare and what it means to her and Rushcliffe.

“To have been selected for this award is both brilliant and very exciting, but also it helps us to breed positivity throughout the company. It is a real boost to our reputation and is recognition for the brilliant work that staff do.”

“...operating in the industry at the moment has seen us dealing mainly with healthrelated patients, both physical and mental.”

Providing us with an overview of the health industry currently, in respect of both mental health and physical health, Karen tells us what specific challenges and outside influences there are which the Group are having to deal with.

“Essentially, operating in the industry at the moment has seen us dealing mainly with healthrelated patients, both physical and mental. Both funding and appropriate choices are the challenges

we work within, all in conjunction with the Local Authorities and Health services.”

Working within the fast-paced health industry, Karen tells us what techniques Rushcliffe employs in order to stay ahead of emerging developments and adapting to new legislations which may be changed.

“Important to keeping on top of the new changes in the health industry, we get involved at grass roots level, often working in partnership with councils and health departments in which the team work hard to ensure that local needs are addressed.”

Describing the internal culture in the firm, Karen mentions how she ensures that all staff are well equipped to provide the best possible service to clients. If staff are able to do something, they will and never shy away from their responsibilities.

“Fundamentally, within the company, a can do, will do culture is embedded into the team, enhanced by our recognised training centre which underpins our services and allows us to respond to the often-fastmoving changes which affect our industry.”

Regarding what the future holds for Rushcliffe, Karen is clearly excited and predicts future growth and breakthroughs in certain aspects of mental health and better education facilities for those who need them.

“Looking ahead, there will be future growth in both mental health provision and educational facilities for high end autism. However, we would not be able to be where we are without the staff. We would like to thank our enduring staff who always give 100%.”

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Company: Himalayan Bank Ltd. Contact: Atma Ram Gautam Contact Email: atma.gautam@ himalayanbank.com Address: HBL Corporate Office, Kamaladi, Kathmandu, P.O. Box 20590, Nepal Phone: 00424 6218 19 Website: www.himalyanbank.com

Shaping for the Future When the banking industry in Nepal was in an infantile stage, Himalayan Bank Limited (HBL) revolutionized the sector by introducing ATM service.

We profile the firm as we look to find out more about it and its success. stablished in 1993, HBL was the first bank to launch a credit card service in Nepal. The team always stick to the vision and mission of catering to the need of their esteemed clients. Ingrained in the vision of the team is the idea of becoming the leading bank in Nepal, which all staff work towards.

Providing premium products and services to the customers, this ensures attractive and substantial returns to the stakeholders of HBL.

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Running concurrently alongside its vision is the Bank’s mission, of similar pretence, in the country.

There are two components in the mission of the Bank; being the preferred provider and Quality Financial Services; therefore, the team at HBL believe that the mission will be accomplished only by satisfying these two important components with the focus being on the customer. The Bank always strives positioning itself in the hearts and minds of the customers.

One of the pioneers in Nepal’s banking industry, HBL was founded in joint venture with Habib Bank Limited of Pakistan. Under the leadership and guidance of renowned personalities of that time as the founder members, HBL began banking services from Employees Provident Fund Building, popularly known as Sanchayakosh Building at Thamel in Kathmandu.

“Extending guarantees to correspondent banks covering exposure of other local banks under our credit standing with foreign correspondent banks, the team believe that they are obviously the leading finance institution in the banking sector of Nepal.”

Holding a proud legacy of introducing new banking services within the country, HBL is the first bank in Nepal to introduce ATM and Tele-banking services.

Innovative in nature, the bank is able to stand out in the financial industry, and has been a leader on

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several fronts, enabling others to follow, rather than be the follower.

Operating as a client focused bank, at HBL, the team understands the needs of individuals as well as institutions. Subsequently, staff design innovative products which cater to the needs of its valued clients. HBL is known for its innovative approaches to merchandising and customer service, with its services ranging from deposit products to loan, remittance, card and ancillary services, meaning the Bank offers a wide range of choice to its customers.

HBL, which had initial authorized capital worth Rs240 million and initial paid up capital worth Rs60 million at the time of inception, today has the highest deposit base and loan portfolio amongst private sector banks. Extending guarantees to correspondent banks covering exposure of other local banks under our credit standing with foreign correspondent banks, the team believe that they are obviously the leading finance institution in the banking sector of Nepal.

Furthermore, all of its branches are integrated with banking software Globus. This makes it convenient for customers as the team are able to provide ‘Any Branch Banking Facility’, Internet Banking and SMS Banking, something relatively new to Nepal.

Importantly, HBL is not just limited to banking industry. It has developed exclusive and proprietary online money transfer software, HimalRemitTM. The Bank is among the top three remittance service providers in the country, and has ties with financial institutions based in the Middle East and Gulf region. HBL, today, stands as the biggest inward remittance handling bank in Nepal.

Boasting a sterling reputation, the team have pioneered several products and services in Nepal and innovation continues to be the order of the day. As done previously, the team at HBL feel as though they stand a good chance of introducing new products and services to the banking industry of Nepal which will eventually benefit the entire financial sector.

Looking ahead, with a strong capital base, quality human resource and strong governance in place, HBL can only move forward and upward.

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Company: Icon Relocation Ltd. Contact: Simon Johnston Contact Email: Simon.

Johnston@iconrelocation.com Address: Icon House, Fernbank Centre, High Street, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 2QY Phone: 01892 600 500 Website: www.iconrelocation.com

People, Not Packages ICON Relocation have one of the most experienced management teams in the industry, with over 100 years of management experience in the relocation sector. We spoke to CEO, Simon Johnston who has been selected in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards.

CON Relocation aims to be the benchmark relocation company in the UK as judged by its clients and relocating assignees.

It is this independence which gives the company the flexibility to be highly responsive and tailor its services and solutions to make process changed quickly and accurately, all of which reflect the clients’ changing requirements and expectations.

Simon explains the beliefs behind the firm’s focus and dedication towards its clients.

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“Essentially, we at ICON Relocation believe that, after your dreams and your health, where you live and those you live with are the most important part of your life. That is why our entire focus is to get every relocation right for our clients anywhere in the world.

We care about this so much that we are dedicated to defining the industry standard for relocation services at every level of provision.”

Every single client that ICON Relocation works with is treated as an individual. Simon explains that the team at ICON listen to the client, working out what exactly is required to meet their needs, operating on a first name basis and treating the client as a friend.

“All of us at ICON Relocation share a commitment to that mission. We treat our clients not as a package but as a person, working out the best relocation plan in every case - for everyone, every team, every family - on the basis of where our clients are and, literally, where they need to be. Our clients do the talking, ICON Relocation does the listening and planning and together we do the moving.”

“We have spent decades to become the world leader in understanding what relocation means to real people in real situations...”

Believing in their own methods, the team at ICON Relocation are aware that relocating is not always easy. Some people are reluctant to move, however, the team ensure that the client is able to move along with their hearts, as Simon mentions, before commenting on the exceptional personal service which clients receive, having access to vital information on a daily basis.

have spent decades to become the world leader in understanding what relocation means to real people in real situations, because settled staff do great work in their new location.

“Every service is supported by industry leading assignee platform allowing for our clients and assignees to obtain vital information in real-time, 24/7.

This includes access to ‘live’ rent map highlighting average rent for any location in the UK, digital home search agenda allowing full interaction with the schedule, as well as quick access to a wealth of vital information to support the relocation experience.”

Fundamentally, the unique and dynamic approach implemented by the team has allowed ICON Relocation to be one of the most award-winning relocation companies in the UK, holding a range of prestigious global awards from our clients, partners and industry bodies. Simon is keen to talk about these qualifications and certifications.

“As holders of the EuRA Quality Seal since 2008, (the world’s first accreditation program for relocation service providers), on the advisory board of ARP (Association of Relocation Professionals) as well as TIRA, the world’s largest relocation network group plus a USA based management company, global awareness and training is at the heart of company & staff development.”

Ultimately, customer satisfaction is what helps drive ICON Relocation forwards, as they take on the feedback that they receive, good or bad, and act on it to improve their services, meaning a customer can relocate in an exciting way, “Basically, we love the feedback we receive from those we have helped to relocate because their words echo our mission is to make life’s journeys an inspirational delight rather than a hassle or distressing uncertainty. As a business, we make sure our relocation team’s mindset is not focused on a balance sheet, but on relationships. We have found that is the most profitable way to get along, and to make lifelong friends with our clients and those we move. Many of them go on to use us as individuals, knowing that we will make a great job of any move, leading to us believe there is an exciting future ahead.”

“Anyone can relocate a person, moving hearts and minds is the art. That is what we do best. We

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Company: Straitons Whitelaw Contact: Heiko Schröter Contact Email: heiko@straitons.com Address: 22/F 3 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong Phone: +852 5808 9696 Fax: +85 3831 4942 Website: www.straitons.com

Straitons Whitelaw: A Language of Quality Straitons Whitelaw has developed from a company formation agency to a boutique law firm providing comprehensive legal, tax consulting, and corporation services from their offices in London, Hong Kong and Malta.

Managing Director, Heiko Schröter provides us with an overview of the company’s services. ounded in 1925 in London, Straitons Whitelaw specialise in offering secure, fast and comprehensive hand-tailored on and offshore structure based solutions for clients. Furthermore, the firm consults its clients in all terms of international cross trading, fundraising and funding solutions, and also incorporates companies with nominee directors and shareholders on request worldwide. Heiko goes into detail about which aspects of law the firm places a strong focus on, and what steps it takes in order to achieve success.

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“Here at Straitons Whitelaw, our focus is on German speaking corporate customers who value a comprehensive professional expertise and physical presence on site in our different locations.

We achieve the required constant monitoring of the legal conditions in the different jurisdictions and the quick adaptation for our customers by the use of the most modern technologies. Also, we are in constant contact with our reliable competent partners in all jurisdictions offered by us and can thus guarantee that all solutions offered by us are full legal compliant.”

With staff working towards the same mission, Straitons Whitelaw possess an ambition to find and realise the best customised solution which best solves the problems of its clients. Confidentiality is of the highest priority for its clients, and the firm has made this the fundamental principle of all its business activities. Heiko and the team understand and value that the needs of each client is as individual as the client is himself, something which he feels sets the company apart from its competitors, as well as the vast experience throughout the company.

“What distinguishes us from our competitors in the market, is the vast experience and knowledge Straitons Whitelaw has to offer to the clients, combined with German native speakers in all offices, even in our Hong Kong office. The in-depth understanding of German commercial and tax law allows us to provide opportunities and efficient, yet compliant, solutions to our clients who are active in the German market. Additionally, the truly individual handling of each clients and understanding his individual needs, with a bespoken structured

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solution delivering the best possible results for the client, while our competitors often just use standard mass-market products.”

Interestingly, Heiko explains how being a part of the offshore consulting and formation industry has benefitted the firm in recent years, and he outlines some of the challenges and issues that Straitons Whitelaw has had to overcome in order to establish its position as a leader within the industry.

“Being a part of the offshore consulting and formation industry, had in the past seen challenges caused by legal changes and restrictions.

Especially in recent years, we are challenged by unfair media coverage, leading to declining demand for the services provided by us. At the same time, a deep restructuring of the offshore consulting and formation industry took place which resulted in many providers withdrawing their offers from the market. This process goes hand in hand with an ever-increasing regulation and restriction, while at the same time increasing the demands placed on the consulting and formation agencies. In particular, the extended reporting requirements consultants have to fulfil on offshore consultations are seen by many customers as a blatant interference in their freedom of business movement and decisions.”

Offshore consulting and formation is well-known as a very fast paced market, which requires constant monitoring and implementation of new legal regulations in various jurisdictions. At the same time, Straitons Whitelaw must pay close attention to keep up with its customer goals. This requires intensive communication between all involved parties, even its local partners in the respective jurisdiction. Straitons Whitelaw has set up an internal reporting system that transmits the information about all necessary changes directly to the executing parties to address this problem.

With the offshore consulting and formation industries ever evolving, there are many developments in which Straitons Whitelaw will have to overcome. Heiko predicts what trends will arise within the industry, and how customer expectations are continuously rising, but this is a challenge that Straitons Whitelaw will embrace and work hard to adapt to.

Straitons Whitelaw: A Language of Quality

“Looking ahead, the current trend shows that both potential and existing customers place increasing value on confidential, highly individualized and comprehensive advice. This trend is increasingly gaining ground, as the increasing restrictions are becoming more and more known. In addition to the highest possible confidentiality, another focus is on the most un-bureaucratic business location, which requires as little as possible administrative effort and, if possible, no further time and resources of the company. “Ultimately, at the same time, the customers expect an absolutely professional service, whereby the accessibility also plays a strong role. For the future, therefore, on the supplier side, those who have integrated all these focal points comprehensively into their range of incentives will prevail.�

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The Client Comes First Company: Legal Acumen Contact: Amreen Afzal Contact Email: amreen@legalacumen.co.uk Address: Vancouver House, 111 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8LB, UK Phone: 0121 452 5037 Website: www.legalacumen.co.uk

Legal Acumen are a reputable firm that is authorized by the OISC to provide immigration advice and services in all categories of Immigration and Asylum & Protection matters. The team at Legal Acumen provide us with an in-depth overview of the inner workings within the company. stablished in the UK, the main areas of expertise for Legal Acumen are Immigration and Asylum, Employment, Contracts and Civil related matters. The firm provides expert advice and representation to both business clients as well as lay representatives, and prides itself on its expertise in the different areas of law that staff undertake. The team tell us about Director, Amreen Afzal, her background and she has helped Legal Acumen become the force in the industry that it is today.

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“Firstly, our Director and Lead Legal Consultant, Amreen Afzal, has a unique background in that she is a non-practicing barrister, who initially read Mathematics at The University of Birmingham and won the Frank Downton prize for her outstanding performance in a research project which she undertook at The University of Birmingham. This background has helped shape Legal Acumen’s success. Under the guidance of Ms. Afzal, we are able to analyse problems and solve them by thinking outside the box.

“Secondly, we appreciate that our clients are individuals and do not have the same problems as each other, and there will always be a differing variant in a client’s unique circumstances that requires a different solution or advice in order to achieve optimal results for our clients. We view all our clients as individuals and we provide a personal touch to help and guide them through what sometimes can feel like a legal minefield for our clients. Our ability to solve our client’s unique problems by providing no-nonsense advice and offering solutions that are both practical and sensible, as well as support and representation throughout the process has led to our success.”

“Our objective is to ensure our client’s best interests are being served at all material times, and we go the extra mile for our clients in order to ensure we do this.”

Resulting in its ongoing success, the team starts off by explaining what differentiates Legal Acumen from its competitors within the legal industry, commenting on the team’s honesty and openness with their clients.

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“If a legal solution does not exist, then we will be honest and explain to our client why they do not qualify for an application that they may wish to make. If an alternative application exists or other steps can be taken to achieve a similar outcome then we will also suggest this. We do not believe in giving false hope to our clients because this is not in our client’s best interest. Our clients appreciate honest, sensible and practical advice. This differentiates us from our competitors and marks us out as the best possible option for our clients.”

What makes the firm unique is its passion, and the way the team goes the extra mile for its clients.

The team refer to the firm’s high levels of customer satisfaction, highlighting repeat business as a sign of this relevant success.

“So far, our firm has thrived on repeat business as well as recommendations made by clients who have used our services: we think this speaks for itself. Ms. Afzal’s desire to achieve the optimal result for our clients has led to us being selected for, and winning in the 2016 Global Excellence Awards as the Best for Immigration Law and Asylum & Protection Advice 2016, which has been a proud moment for us. To be selected for the 2017 Global Excellence Awards as the Best for Immigration Law and Asylum & Protection Advice 2017 is a great honour for us, and we appreciate all the positive and supportive comments that our clients

The Client Comes First

have provided us over the years as we grow from strength to strength.

“It is important for us to ensure that we ascertain the needs of our clients, before we provide solutions to their problem or matter. Our objective is to ensure our client’s best interests are being served at all material times, and we go the extra mile for our clients in order to ensure we do this.”

With regards to the future of Immigration law, it is fast paced and has ever changing rules which require constant updating of legal knowledge in order for Legal Acumen to fully serve its clients, as well as provide sound advice. The firm are regulated by the OISC and are accredited by the Law Society, and the team sign off by telling us about what impact Brexit will have on the firm and the industry.

“Brexit carries further uncertainty and challenges to the Immigration rules and laws, and it is important for the company to fully support and advise its European clients who naturally feel unsettled by the imminent rule changes that will come into fruition after Brexit. Also, we expect that there may be an increase in Tier 1 applications and Tier 2 due to Brexit, but time will tell.”

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Company: OAK Group Holdings Contact: Gareth R Brown, Group Chief Executive Officer Contact Email: contactus@oakbh.com Address: PO Box 17169, Al Seef District, Kingdom of Bahrain Website: www.oakbh.com

Big Business with a Big Future OAK Group Holdings is an international conglomerate of specialist services companies delivering Renewable Energy and Pipeline Infrastructure projects. Gareth R Brown, Group Chief Executive Officer gives us an insight into the success of the Recognised Leader in Renewable Energy Solutions in the Middle East 2017.

AK Group is an end-to-end solutions provider, as well as a transaction and capital sourcing specialist. The company, has received industry recognition with consecutive annual awards for achieving value-add results through its delivery of energy utilities and infrastructure services, and solutions throughout the GCC.

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Regarding its clients, OAK Groupworks with O&G majors across the Middle East as well as Governments and Government Subsidiaries via long-term PPP Concession Agreements designed to provide environmental services as well as cleanenergy by processing Waste-to-Energy. Gareth starts off by telling us what differentiates his firm from its competitors, before outlining what steps the company will take in order to achieve this.

“Firstly, in separating ourselves out from the crowd, OAK Group’s strategy is to increase its ownership of revenue generating assets within the green-clean energy production space with particular focus on Government backed Public-Private-Partnerships.

OAK Group invests into the research and development of in-demand technologies with robust business planning which is underpinned by comprehensive feasibility analysis, identifying whether projects are bankable or not. Bankable projects which pass the OAK Group Acid Test are assured economic and commercial success and therefore typically attract serious investment interest.

“Working towards achieving our mission, OAK Group employs highly trained and skilled. Local Nationals and British Field Engineers with International Accredited Degrees, Chartered in Engineering and Certified Project Managers and has developed Trademarked Technologies to specifically meet with clients’ needs as well as Patents pending on its indemand and proven Intellectual Property.”

Referring to the achievements of OAK Group, Gareth explains how it feels to be recognised with this award, how it feels, and what techniques the firm uses in order to maintain its high levels of success.

“Fundamentally, OAK Group remains humbled to receive this award but it further reinforces OAK Group’s position within the market for this solution and bears testimony to the company’s strategy and drive towards bringing key thought led solutions to the market.

“Within this ever evolving industry, OAK Group invests into the research and development of in-demand technologies with robust business planning which is

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underpinned by comprehensive feasibility analysis.”

Providing us with an overview of the industry, Gareth explains what external factors there are which may be affecting the industry, particularly highlighting the oil industry and its struggles. However, Gareth does hint at an upturn in fortunes for many companies.

“OAK Group recognizes the fact that the depressed oil commodity index has had a challenging affect in the industry but it’s showing strong signs of an upturn recovery. However, this encourages innovation from Owners and Operators as they look to achieve Capital and Opex savings. OAK Group therefore sees this as opportunistic to be innovative with its services solutions. Governments in the GCC are looking to redress and balance their deficits and this has triggered a paradigm shift.”

An exciting company to work for, Gareth provides us with an overview of the internal culture within OAK Group, describing how the staff are well equipped to provide the best possible service to its clients.

“As a think-tank and technology based solutions provider, OAK Group encourages a collaborative working environment fostering creative, thriving thinkers. OAK Group maintains a lean-team of experts with contrasting skills and experiences where it is important to respect each other’s different attributes and ways-of-thinking. There is no monocracy but value continually welcoming the contributions of all team members thereby creating an empowering culture which is healthy and fulfilling.”

Looking ahead, there looks to be a very exciting future for OAK Group, as it remains focused on particular models which Gareth alludes to. There is a lot of positivity running through the team as they believe they have unearthed something special in terms of solutions.

“Moving forward, OAK Group remains focused on introducing a Distributed Power Model to the Middle East converting landfilled-waste into Electricity. Such megawatt scale renewables approach will allow OAK Group to place investment funds into Project Companies, which in turn will generate revenue from the sale of clean electricity, direct to Governments around the region. OAK Group is on target to construct the first waste-to-energy plant within the Kingdom of Bahrain scheduled for commissioning in Q3 2018.

“Ultimately, we believe this is a game-changing solution and approach meeting the challenging economic conditions evident in the GCC today but will bring about enormous environmental and public health benefits.”

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Royals Don’t Worry Company: Royal Crown Insurance Company Ltd Contact: Anthie Zachariadou Contact Email: anthie@ royalcrowninsurance.eu Address: Royal Crown House, 20 Mnasiadou Str., P.O. Box 24690 1302 Nicosia, Cyprus Phone: 003572 2885555 Website: www.royalcrowninsurance.com

Royal Crown is a private non-life insurance company, active in Cyprus as an insurance company, and for 20 years before as agents of Royal Insurance.

We spoke to Anthie Zachariadou to find out a bit more about the firm and the secrets behind its success. ince 1999, Royal Crown have been operating in Cyprus and is now a Global Partner of the RSA Network, providing a wide variety of insurance products in the property and casualty sectors. Working towards a clear vision, Anthie outlines the overall mission of Royal Crown, telling us about the new spin on innovation that staff provide.

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“Here at Royal Crown, our main mission is to ensure that our clients enjoy the right protection for their particular needs. Being in safe hands in terms of being insured is enjoying the insurance cover as described in the insurance contract. Both insurance professionals and insured clients should have first and foremost as priority is the content and the wording when working on an insurance policy. That will enable the insurance company to fulfil its obligations, in the event of a claim, in a fair and just manner, which is one of our priorities.

“Innovation” for us, is not finding new ways of insuring people, but rather to maintain the traditional principles of insurance. Good faith, transparency, integrity and substantial communication with our clients is our way of being innovative, in a continuously evolving and complicated financial environment.”

Operating within the fast moving insurance industry, Royal Crown must employ certain techniques which enable the company to stay ahead of any upcoming developments, and anticipate advances which may have a big effect on the market. Anthie talks about the firm’s quest to seek out new products.

“Working within an ever changing industry means the firm has to constantly evolve and adapt. As such, we are always on the lookout for a market niche for insurance products. In Cyprus, slowly but steadily, a number of compulsory insurance requirements have been legislated, especially in the sector of professional indemnity insurance, and we aim to be ready and willing to offer the particular product to potential clients immediately.

“Furthermore, we have also developed new products, for example a cyber risks liability policy, an environmental liability policy and a policy covering renewable energy sources at construction and operational stages. Also, we employ advancing technology and the social media to the best of our advantage. We have created a smartphone app, an insured portal and are constantly updating our website in order to properly inform our clients on our products and activities, and are active on Facebook

and Instagram both for advertising purposes and accessibility.”

Attracting clients and giving the best service is an integral aspect of achieving success in the insurance sector. Therefore, the firm must be able to differentiate itself from others, and Anthie explains what Royal Crown and its staff to in order to mark themselves out as the best possible option for clients.

“Essentially, we are a private, small-to-medium enterprise, with only 40 employees and a wide network of associates and agents. This means we are available and willing to come into personal contact with our clients, unlike the competition which includes multi-national companies, huge public companies and bancassurance. We are accessible 24/7, via all social media, our clients have the mobile numbers of the members of our management team, and we do not even have a call centre.”

Regarding what the future holds for Royal Crown, Anthie is confident about what is on the horizon, and cannot speak highly enough of her team and the partners that the company deals with. She is careful to preach about the uncertain and inconsistent nature of the insurance industry, but Royal Crown appear to be thoroughly prepared for every eventuality.

“Looking to the future, our plan is mainly to continue being a reputable and trustworthy company. We can boast an excellent team, and we are lucky enough to collaborate with experienced and qualified staff and associates and to enjoy the support of the most major European reinsurance companies. Of course, in the insurance industry, major losses can occur at any time and unexpectedly, and that might have an effect both on results and underwriting philosophy, so at times, one needs to go with the flow whilst deciding on possible operation or administrative changes.

“Ultimately, we are not a company that aims for greatness in terms of numbers, and we would never compromise our firm belief in quality practices and procedures, correct pricing, transparency and integrity, for the sole purpose of acquiring a higher market share. Our aim for the future is to continue servicing our existing clients as always, and enjoy their trust and confidence. Perhaps, introducing new or adapted products that would satisfy emerging insurance needs, and continue being profitable through the application of conservative underwriting practices.”

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IMPERIAL HEALTHCARE

Company: Imperial Healthcare FZ.LLC Contact: Usama AlMaki Contact Email: coo@imperialhealth.org Address: Suite 101, Block A, Bldg 27, Dubai Healthcare City, PO. Box: 505133, Dubai, UAE Tel: (+97) 04 439 3737 Web Address: www.imperialhealth.org

Unrivalled Care in Dubai Imperial Healthcare Institute is a centre for clinical excellence located in the heart of Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC). The team at Imperial Healthcare give us an insight into the success of Dr. Vinod Gauba, Founder and Medical Director of the practice, with the centre featuring as Best Clinical Care Centre in Dubai. mperial Healthcare is dedicated to providing excellence in clinical care, by adhering to the highest International clinical standards and delivering world class expertise in an integrated multi-specialty environment.

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With its caring nature, and innovative practices, the centre aims to promote excellence in clinical research and education. Imperial Healthcare looks after the whole family, not just the individual, which is seen as one of the major reasons for its success. Staff are treated like a team, and with a strong working environment it is clear that employees feel valued, respected and have opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Maintaining a vision of being one of the leading clinics in Dubai, Imperial Healthcare are known for operating to the highest standards and accepting nothing less than meeting the expectations of its patients, with a track record of exceeding them. The team at Imperial Healthcare are well renowned for their commitment to quality healthcare and services, with each employee possessing a caring attitude that is embedded in the company culture. Professor Vinod Gauba tells us how it feels to have been selected as the Best Clinical Care Centre in Dubai, and what industry awards do to help organisations and businesses such as his.

“What sets the firm apart from its competitors, along with its quality standard of health care, is its innovate and unique treatment solutions.”

“Having been selected for this award, we are thrilled and honoured. We have been providing healthcare in the UAE for over 40 years and have witnessed the evolution of healthcare in the country and understand the unique needs the diverse population of the UAE, and the region, requires. Our Centre of Excellence in Ophthalmology is well recognised as a leader in the region and a pioneer of many innovative treatment solutions. Such industry awards help motivate us to work harder and keep innovating to remain an industry pioneer and leader.”

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What sets the firm apart from its competitors, along with its quality standard of health care, is its innovate and unique treatment solutions. The team talks us through the centre’s process and approach to new patients and new health issues.

“Imperial Healthcare is well recognized for its comprehensive Ophthalmology diagnostic and treatment solutions along with pioneering innovative techniques such as SupraLASIK™, the unique non-surgical solution to vision correction; and SupraLIFT™, the non-surgical treatment to get rid of eye bags. This reward is a testament to our diligent, ethical and uncompromised approach to providing the highest standard of eye care available.”

Regarding the future, the team are visibly excited about what the future holds for Imperial Healthcare, hinting at future expansion into different countries and new solutions which will develop along with technologies.

“Ultimately, Imperial Healthcare Institute is a regional hub for specialized eye care in Dubai Healthcare City. It is dedicated to providing excellence in clinical care by adhering to the highest International clinical standards, and delivering world class expertise in an integrated multi-specialty environment. The facility provides day care surgery, outpatient diagnostics and treatments for a variety of surgical and non-surgical eye conditions from eyelid rejuvenation through to complex trauma and sight threatening diseases.

“Moving forwards, the organization has its foundations in the United Arab Emirates since 1978 with the latest facility in Dubai Healthcare City inaugurated in 2008.

A new operation has been launched in Abu Dhabi earlier in 2017. Two more centres are to be opened in Oman and Africa by early next year.”

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Company: inSite Contact: Tanya Beetge Contact Email: tanya@insiteeducation.co.za Address: 46 Forneby Street, Highveld, Centurion, 157, South Africa Phone: 0027 084 2205 110 Website: www.insiteeducation.co.za

Imagining the Impossible inSite Education is an all-in-one consultant for multi-platform communication and marketing campaigns. We spoke to CEO, Zeldeen Muller, and Tanya Beetge gives us an insight into what makes this exciting firm so successful. nSite offers all clients a highly personalised, efficient and effective service offering, at extremely competitive rates. Nothing the company does is generic, and everything the team does is unique, timely, and provides maximum impact.

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Rather than merely fulfilling instructions or requests, inSite goes out of the way to suggest better alternatives, and to recommend new approaches. Staff’s aim is to provide a holistic communication offering, and put simply, the firm finds the best solution for clients.

Zeldeen explains to us how it feels to have been selected in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards as South Africa’s Most Innovative Communications Consultancy in 2017, before going on to explain what this means for the firm.

“Winning this award is a highlight for us. We are proud to be internationally recognised once again for inSite’s hard work. It is an honour to be publicly endorsed by a global entity as an innovative company. It is the ability to satisfy our clients and deliver on every expectation that makes this team stand out.

“Fundamentally, inSite’s awards are not just markers of a successful company but rather a well-deserved round of applause for the hard-working team behind the scenes, and without these individuals, none of the company’s successes would have been possible.”

Within the education industry, there are constantly new solutions being developed and the firm helps its clients adapt and improve their own products. Tanya outlines the firm’s overall services, stating how the team helps clients.

meaning staff are well versed in their own products and are prepared to answer any questions clients may have.

“Client engagement, anticipating client needs, and proactive management of all projects: these are the values we live by. We constantly engage with our clients throughout every project to ensure we exceed expectations.

“An innovative company, we constantly develop tools and processes in-house to allow us to be more efficient. These tools are then offered to clients who have a similar need, and a range of new products and services have been developed in this way.

“Every new employee also experiences an ongoing process of mentoring and education. Training includes cross-skilling to ensure that we always have a specific skill on hand if one our employees is in a meeting or unavailable.”

Summarising, inSite are communication consultants with a difference. Tanya alludes to the never-ending determination that staff and the team have to go above and beyond for its clients, and they are always looking for the next big solution which will benefit customers.

“At inSite, we imagine the impossible and then we make it happen. We live and breathe innovation, and no matter what the project, our goal is always to find creative methods to help you reach your target market. Regardless of the subject or medium, we can create a marketing or communication campaign that works for you and your audience. Also, we are constantly researching and brainstorming new ways to communicate effectively.

“Want to say something? At inSite, we help clients say it. Whether to clients, employees, colleagues or an industry; whether online, with posters, slides, videos, apps, SMS, email, or anything else you can imagine, whether you know how to say it or not. We can write it, we can design it, we can build it and even host it.

Plus, we can do it faster and with a bigger smile than anyone else.

“It is because of our never-ending determination to go above and beyond that we have won so many awards for our clients over the years.”

“Essentially, our goal is to help clients really reach people with their campaigns, so that they actually listen and understand.”

“Ultimately, 2017 has been a year of rapid expansion for inSite. We believe that this trend will continue in 2018, as we have already been approached by several large potential clients who are interested in engaging our services next year. Most of all, we are very excited to meet with them in January 2018, and the future looks rosier than ever.”

Regarding the internal culture within inSite, Tanya explains how the team ensure that staff are best equipped to provide the best possible to clients. A lot of the work is done internally rather than outsourced,

Over the last twelve months, there has been rapid expansion within inSite. Tanya predicts that 2018 will see further growth, both internally and externally, and that there are exciting times ahead for inSite.

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Company: TJP Austroexpert Steuerberatungsgesellschaft m.b.H. Contact: Thomas Jungreithmeir Contact Email: thomas.jungreithmeir@tjp.at Address: Palais Collalto, Am Hof 13/Stiege 2/DG, A-1010 Wien Vienna, Austria Phone: 0043 1 890 30 32 200 Website: www.tjp.at

TJP Austroexpert: Professional, Diligent and Experienced TJP Austroexpert offers a wealth of experience and dedicated, professional staff in order to provide its clients with the very best tax advice and consultancy.

Thomas Jungreithmeir provides us with an overview of the company as it is a Recognised Leader in Tax Advisory Services 2017 – Austria.

JP Austroexpert is a versatile and adaptable tax consultancy, supporting a wide range of clients across the taxation and accounting market. The tax compliance practice concerns not just Austrian companies and private clients, but also groups of multinational companies respectively holdings as well as trusts. In order to support this array of clients, the firm places an emphasis on its cover-all tax advisory services granted to diplomats, expat managers and individuals.

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Independently of its tax compliance practice, the firm also offer specialist strategic tax planning services.

Being a member of the TJP Group, the team have strong experience across the acquisition market, including M&A, real estate deals, tax due diligence, tax valuation and private equity, and also in complex individual taxation questions, and both national and international restructuring.

Placing a firm emphasis on the client, Thomas outlines the firm’s overall mission and what steps the company takes in order to achieve, highlighting how ensuring client satisfaction is ingrained in the company ethos.

“According to our credo, continuous tax advisory is more than performing book-keeping and pay-rolling; central to our role is keeping our clients informed about changes in the tax environment and about of optimization potentials.”

Featuring in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards as the Recognised Leaders in Tax Advisory Services 2017 in Austria, is a feature of the firm’s success and he tells us how it feels to have been selected in the awards.

“To be listed among the firms selected to be granted this award is a great honour for our company. This award is a wonderful way to show to our clients and workforce that our hard work is being appreciated internationally.”

A sign of a successful company is a productive working environment in which staff feel comfortable in their qualities and well-equipped to answer any queries clients may have. Ensuring staff are trained and well equipped to provide the best service, Thomas talks to us about the education employees receive as an integral part of the company culture.

“Importantly, the management of our firm relies upon a flat hierarchy, giving every employee the opportunity to be part of relevant business processes, thus enhancing their intrinsic motivation. A regular education of our

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workforce is an essential part to maintain the high level of excellence of our consultancy services.”

As well as ensuring staff are educated accordingly, there are many other techniques that the company employs, with Thomas highlighting the need to keep in contact with clients and understand their needs, helping the firm to exceed their expectations.

“In order to stay ahead of emerging developments, we follow a variety of strategies. An important way to stay up to date is that we always stay in close contact with our clients who are working in several fields of businesses. Also, we do not only maintain close contact to colleagues in the tax advisory business, thus observing our competitors but also in the field of legal and business consulting via our networks and regular contact with the tax authority.”

Regarding the specific challenges or outside influences affecting the tax markets, particularly in Austria, Thomas is keen to emphasise that experience and knowledge are vital to succeeding in the market, and this will only become more of a demand in the future.

Luckily, TJP Austroexpert has a depth of expertise amongst its ranks.

“The tax advisory industry in Austria consists of classic tax advisory as well as auditing. There are about 2.000 registered tax consultancy offices in Austria, whereas about 20-25% of the annual total turnover is estimated to be incurred by the “big four.” The Austrian tax law system comprises a wide range of regulations, which are subject to regular and fast changes.

“Hence, people working in the industry are required to have a substantial expertise and the ability and willingness to adapt to changes in legislature and an overall working environment rapidly. Recent developments in digitalisation are expected to affect the industry cutting jobs by about 25-30% within the next ten years, particularly in the field of auditing and book- keeping.”

Ultimately, Thomas signs off by predicting what the future holds for TJP Austroexpert, citing staff’s attitude of demanding improvement as a key aspect of the company going forwards.

“Currently, we consult several complex M&A deals and cross-border tax reorganizations on, and we are constantly looking to build our expertise and portfolio of clients by taking on new projects.”

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Company: 247 Property Services Limited Contact Name: Danielle Budding Address: 71 Netherhall Road, Doncaster, DN1 2QA, UK Phone: 01302 637 688 Website: ww.247propertyservices.co.uk

Available All Year Round 247 Property Services is an independent letting agency with over 1000 properties under its management. We invited Danielle Budding to give us an insight into the services that the company offers.

47 Property Services ensures it takes great care in looking after both the landlords, clients and occupiers, taking great pride in its work and always ensuring all parties are satisfied with the services it provides.

The team take great pleasure in giving a helping hand to people who just need someone to take a chance and help them begin a new chapter in their life. Danielle explains the assortment of services that the company offers, and what stringent techniques it employs to ensure that clients and landlords are well protected.

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“Being adaptable and versatile, we are a managing agent whom offer a variety of services, ranging from valuation to 3D scans, and we also offer tenant find only services which include the tenancy agreement, vetting, inventories and all other requested paperwork.

“Additionally, we also offer an eviction service to help sole landlords to do the eviction in a correct and legal manor. Completing stringent checks, we ensure our clients are suitable for the property and must pass all vetting checks. We are the only Estate Agency in Doncaster who can offer Reposit to clients, which allows occupiers to move into the properties for less money but still covers the landlord for a substantial amount. Reposit is a trust based policy scheme which allows the occupier to pay the equivalent to a week rent straight to the scheme which is non-refundable, but is cheaper than paying hundreds of pounds for a deposit.

“Furthermore, Reposit covers the landlord for up to six times the weekly rental figure which is paid by the occupier, Reposit chase the occupiers for payments and all the landlord does is sit back and wait for the claim to be processed, the waiting time is only 30 days. We also have a 3D camera which allows clients to have a 3D Virtual Tour on a property without leaving their home, this tour is available on our website. This gives landlord maximum exposure on properties as pictures do not always do justice.”

Coming from humble beginnings, Danielle alludes to the growth of the company, acknowledging how being available on a constant basis benefitted the firm greatly with regard to customer satisfaction. With technology having a more important role to play every day in almost every industry, 247 Property Services is utilising technology to expand it clients base and make itself even more available to clients.

“When 247 Property Services first begun we only had one property which then allowed us to become known

and increase our portfolio as an agency. We first opened our doors in 2007 in a small one room office, being available 24 hours a day seven days a week allowed us to become well known as we were and still are the only agency who work round the clock, by taking our work equipment allowing us to gain access to our internal systems including emails to internal and external clients. We have a 24/7 maintenance pager system which is kept by our maintenance team, which allows them to be notified if any emergency takes place during closing times.

“Perspective and existing clients can also request a free valuation via the website which is convenient if they are looking for a fast an easy valuation, they can also request a valuation where an agent attends the property meeting the client for a more in-depth valuation.”

Differentiating itself from other organisations, 247 offers a variety of services that many other estate agencies do not, including the aforementioned Reposit and 3D Virtual Tours. Looking after clients, Danielle refers to the charging fees, or lack of, in some respects, which benefit its customers, as well as the company’s track record of finding the right people for the right place.

“Separating ourselves from our competitors, we offer a service which allows us to teach our clients how to use the 3D scanner, this will be done by trained agents at 247 property services. We do not charge landlords set up fees until the property is occupied this is to ensure the client does not suffer loss whilst the property is still unoccupied. Also, this gives them the opportunity to take the property back off the market from 247, for them to do as they feel best regarding letting the property.”

Ultimately, building trust and maintaining relationships with new and existing clients are integral aspects of the company’s success. Gaining business through word of mouth is something which sets the agency up very well for the future, and there is a lot of positivity buzzing through the team moving forwards.

“Lastly, 247 Property Services often go out of our way to ensure clients have the best possible experience in using a letting and managing agent for their properties, this may also bring repeat business and new business as clients will talk confidently of us, which does happen I might add, as clients we have very good relationships with recommend us as a managing agent.”

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Company: Aviation Selection Consultants Contact: Margie Burns Contact Email: margie@ aviationselectionconsultants. com Address: Block B, The Crescent Building, Northwood, Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland Telephone: 00 353 (0)46 907 7710 Website: www. aviationselectionconsultants. com Website: www. aviationcoachingalliance.com

Recommended Professionals Aviation Selection Consultants (ASC) was set up with a mission to make psychometric and psychological assessments and employee wellbeing more accessible to all aviation companies, in particular for highly stressful jobs such as pilots and air traffic controllers. We profiled the firm and invited Margie Burns to tell us more about the firm and what makes it so successful. stablished in 2012, ASC’s goals are simple, to help its aviation clients select the best candidates cost effectively without compromising on quality or standards. The aviation industry has become very reliant on pilots to self-fund their training. This has a particular set of consequences, going as far as many pilots with a licence not making the transition from flying small aircrafts to jet aircrafts used by airlines such as A320 or B737-800 aircraft. In fact, 50% of licenced pilots are found unsuitable for flying jobs with airlines. This is largely due to the fact they tend not to undergo a thorough assessment before training. Margie outlines what services the company offers within the aviation sector.

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“At ASC, we provide independent assessment for those considering funding their pilot training, so that they can make a more informed decision about whether they should invest in becoming a pilot or not or in fact which route they should take to becoming a pilot, as there are different options available. We provide this service to airlines globally, some flight training schools that want to do things right, and also the military. We also provide the training on how to use a competency base approach to pilot selection so that the client’s own staff are trained to carry out the assessments to airline standard. At this stage, ASC has exported its services into 16 different countries, spanning four continents.”

“...we provide independent assessment for those considering funding their pilot training, so that they can make a more informed decision about whether they should invest in becoming a pilot or not...”

With regard to innovation, ASC must be adept at adapting quickly and prioritise innovation, the aviation industry is very dynamic, with new technology popping up every day, constantly changing and if people do not have the flexibility and innovation to change and improve, then they will not survive in the industry.

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At ASC, the team started out by developing its own pilot specific personality assessment, which takes into account modern day stressors such as burnout, which is often a precursor to depression.

This was a joint collaboration between Margie, who came up with the concept, and Peter Rhodes, the psychologist highly experienced in test development. They had worked together on several pilot assessment projects in Europe and the Middle East, after Peter had trained Margie in Occupational Testing, at Level A & B with British Psychological Society approval. Margie explains what the firm has gone on to do since.

“Since then, we continue to enhance our range of courses by listening to our clients. In fact, ASC has developed the first pilot wellbeing programme in the world which has already been proven scientifically to improve overall health, fitness, wellbeing, ability to deal with stress and importantly decision-making skills. Given that 80% of all air accidents are caused by human error and while some of that may be as a result of poor communication, essentially it is mostly as a result of poor decision-making impacted by stress and fatigue. Subsequently, we set up a separate website to focus on everything related to mentoring, coaching, wellbeing, stress awareness.”

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Operating in a boutique nature and with a firm philosophy, there are many things which help ASC stand out amongst the industry, including the fact that the team are highly focused in all aspects of aviation, and boast a wealth of experience which Margie alludes to.

“Crucial to our success, our team boast a wealth of aviation experience. Each member with an average of 20 years aviation experience in their particular field. We have backgrounds in pilot recruitment, pilot training, coaching, assessments, psychology, nutrition, sports etc. We live by our motto ‘costeffective’ solutions without compromising on quality or standards, and are driven to make an impact and play our part in making the skies safer for all.”

Working within such a fast-paced market like Aviation, it is vital the ASC employ techniques which help it to stay ahead of emerging developments which typically arise. The team are always looking for new solutions and Margie comments on the fact that they are ready to deploy accessible and innovative solutions at any time.

“Constantly being on the move, I present regularly at international aviation conferences so it keeps me up to date with what is happening. We are also ready to launch online programmes for pilots which will accessible via our YouTube station, along with

an app that is currently in the Beta stage. The main route to the market today is utilising social media platforms.”

Staff at ASC come to work with a true vision in mind, which is helping clients select the best products and candidates. Margie mentions the open environment in which employees work together and learn from each other on a regular basis.

“The team are all experts in their field and everyone learns from each other. Innovation is important so all and any ideas on how to improve are encouraged. The internal culture is one of mutual respect, professionalism and certainly friendship, as I have worked with and collaborated with all the team in some capacity before setting up Aviation Selection Consultants.”

Moving forward, there are exciting times on the horizon for ASC, with Margie referring to her belief that the firm is about to achieve huge success. She hints at new contracts which will help the company cement itself as a leader within the aviation industry.

“Looking ahead, I believe we are on the cusp of huge success with ASC. We expect to be announcing details of some very exciting contracts with International Airlines in the coming weeks.”

Ultimately, Margie signs off by predicting what developments there are on the horizon for ASC, and how the firm will adapt around these and build on the solid foundations already built. With the experience amongst the team, the issues and challenges which may arise throughout the industry will be embraced and overcome by ASC. “Regarding the future of the Aviation market, there is a constant reference to pilot, technician and engineer shortages. In fact, it is reported that over the next 10 years 255,000 new pilots are required and a similar number for engineers. You could argue that in fact there are pilots available but not suitable. As a company, we are doing what we can to address the perceived shortage of pilots. I also feel that the aviation industry needs to compete with the likes of Goggle and Amazon to attract in the next generation of airline pilots.

“Having wellbeing programmes in place, in my opinion is crucial and we have developed a remarkable programme which has already proven its weight. It is worth mentioning that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) which is a UN Organisation has set up a working committee/board to look at how we target schools etc and attract in the next generation of aviators.”

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Company: Brum Costa Abogados Contact: Leonardo Costa Contact Email: lcosta@brumcosta.com Address:Dr. Alejandro Schroeder, Montevideo, 6537, Uruguay Phone: +598 2 601 7777 Web Address: www.brumcosta.com

Brum Costa: Specialists in Finance and Tax Law Brum Costa Abogados specialises in customised consultancy services in management of financial risk and compliance, regulatory advice on banking and financial issues, tax compliance and prevention of money laundering.

We profile the firm looking to see what the future holds for the firm. rum Costa is a boutique law firm, providing legal services to national and overseas companies requiring personalized advisory services on banking and compliance, commercial, labor, tax, civil and administrative law, as well as advice on high-complexity cases that require a global vision of the client’s needs.

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Aiming to always exceed clients’ expectations, Brum Costa is a professional firm operating with the goal of assisting customers and partners in the developments of their business, as well as providing innovative and high added value services.

Monitoring trends and staying ahead of any advances, the team of professionals are constantly updated of the changes experienced by the market and legislation by assisting courses, seminars and postgraduate studies.

Moreover, many of its professionals are assistant professors or university professors, which contributes heavily to the firm keeping track of developments.

What differentiates the boutique law firm from its competitors, is its ability to mark itself out as the best possible option for clients. Throughout the legal process, there is always personal, ongoing contact between partners and clients, which is essential to the firm’s success, as clients really feel that their own individual case matters. Additionally, this caring nature strengthens professional relationships and builds mutual trust.

“...the team of professionals are constantly updated of the changes experienced by the market and legislation by assisting courses, seminaries and postgraduate studies.”

Currently, the industry in Uruguay is divided into five large corporate law firms that provide comprehensive services, including accounting advice. These firms are complemented by medium size legal services companies, such as Brum Costa, which focuses on personalized customer services. The company has experienced exponential growth within the past three years, but maintains the feature of a specialized legal advice boutique, dedicating also to general regulatory

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compliance, with a strong imprint in the legal aspects according to international standards on transparency.

With the industry continuing to evolve, there are many challenges that the team at Brum Costa may face. Essentially, the main challenge which Brum Costa faces is to continue providing quality services accompanied by corporate advice. As part of this plan, the firm intends to grow along with its clients´ businesses, as partners in their projects.

Furthermore, legislations are constantly changing and firms are always having to adapt to upcoming developments. Despite the firm is placing an emphasis on legal changes, the team mainly focuses on the changes that its customer´s businesses experience, in the development of new ventures and new technologies. Particularly, Brum Costa keeps track of what regulatory authorities worldwide are projecting for corporate, financial and tax businesses.

Regarding the internal culture within the firm, teamwork is a crucial part of the company’s achievements.

Ensuring that all staff are equipped to provide the best possible service to clients, team is made up of specialists all operating in different branches of Law, allowing to provide clients with a comprehensive view from the different edges of the topic.

Looking ahead to what the future holds for Brum Costa, the firm will aim to maintain and uphold its reputation, continuing to assist clients in every possible way.

Building on its achievements of being selected in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards as Uruguay’s Leading Adviser in Tax Law – 2017, the company will look to continue to be recognized in the upcoming years, and be able to win it in other areas.

Ultimately, being recognised for this award is something that Brum Costa will look to capitalise on as the team looks to cement themselves at the top of tax advisory and financial industries.

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Company: HornerSalus Ltd Contact Name: Chris Horner Telephone: 020 8954 6333 Website: www.hornersalus.com

Keeping You Safe HornerSalus Ltd are an event safety consultancy that provides advice, guidance, documentation and other services to various creative industry clients from live events, fashion, design, hospitality and sports. We spoke to Chris Horner to find out a bit more about the company and the services it offers. stablished in 2010, HornerSalus has since flourished and today the firm supports and assists a wide variety of clients, ranging from large industry leaders to sole traders, as well as various other companies and organisations, including venues, nightclubs, charities, art galleries, production houses, trusts, property developers, museums and start-ups.

project really helps to define our output, and keeps us refreshed whilst always looking for ways to improve the services we offer. Having the requisite knowhow to provide best service to our clients, old and new, is certainly high up there in terms of what should be provided, and as such we are regularly improving our knowledge base, attending training courses and preparing ourselves for changes in regulation and practices.”

To support these clients, the firm works hard to ensure excellence and offer them the very highest standard of service. Chris tells us more about his business and the ongoing strategy that has contributed to the company being named Best for On-Site Safety Management in the UK in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards.

Additionally, maintaining and building relationships are prerequisites for the team when approaching a new project and client. Chris ensures right from the start that the outcome meets the needs of everyone involved, and as such he is keen to highlight his belief that is it important to listen and understand expectations of others.

“As a niche consultancy, we have a non-typical approach to health and safety which is often met with intrigue, as new clients can be quick to judge based on the typical health and safety officer stereotypes.

However, we are always very thorough and the team are able to communicate effectively with businesses such as venues, corporates, individuals, security firms, designers and local authorities, to ensure cohesive understanding. Fundamentally, at HornerSalus, we overcome any issues when faced with ominous challenges from our clients, as opposed to taking the easy route and simply saying no.”

“Throughout every project, we always aim to develop a one to one and personable relationship with new clients. We meet with them, listen to their requirements and work with them to identify a suitable solution, being mindful of their budget and any other constraints. Furthermore, we pride ourselves on being accurate with timelines and deliverables, whilst constantly being accountable and transparent, leaving the client free to enjoy their event safe in the knowledge that they are in capable hands.”

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“...maintaining and building relationships are prerequisites for the team when approaching a new project and client.”

Thanks to this client focused approach, communication is key to the success of the company, and as such Chris is eager to go into further detail about this and the other techniques that he believes are essential to achieving success in the industry, discussing customer service, experience and constant training.

“Customer satisfaction is vital in the events industry, as word of mouth is key and typically leads to strong relationships, which can then become selfpromoting. Ensuring sustained performance levels with a mindset of only being as good as the last

Looking to the future, HornerSalus, is keen to build upon its current success and grow even further. As such, the future looks exceptionally bright for the company, as Chris proudly concludes.

“Since inception, we have grown organically, working at our own pace and making each project our own. The plan was never to be a certain size or have a certain turnover, but to continue to support our existing clients and the new ones we acquire every week with a great service. There is a huge amount of enjoyment in the work we do, as there are almost always results to be achieved, whether that be a successful event, design installation, licence renewal, fashion show, venue capacity increase, car launch, ISO achievement or a one off never done before stunt. If the majority of our work was to provide policy documents for example, or to review a host of third party credentials then I am sure we would not have the same sense of achievement!

Lastly, we have been very lucky to be part of many high-profile projects and continue to be.”

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Website: www.omcabogados.com.pe

Providing the Best to Clients OMC Abogados & Consultores (OMC Abogados) is a firm that provides legal assistance to companies in the private and public sector. We profile the business and speak to the team at OMC to find out more about the success and ambition of the law practice.

MC Abogados provides multiple services ranging from IP services, constitution of company, drafting contracts and regulations for staff, planning and tax advice, resolution of commercial disputes and everything that involves the legal defence of the assets of its clients.

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Amongst its clients, the firm boasts companies who are engaged in textile trade, chemical and pharmaceutical laboratories, electrical appliances, automotive, personal care, health, food, tourism, logistics companies and foreign trade among others.

The team tells us more about the business and their ongoing strategy, describing what techniques the firm employs which helps it in reaching the targets the company sets itself.

“Firstly, here at OMC Abogados, we are dedicated to providing legal assistance to all who need it, mainly in Peru, and the majority of Latin American countries.

We seek to generate confidence in the service we provide through the exposure of our knowledge in the field, and for this we turn to the use of any platform of social networks as possible, our own website and online or printed publications in specialized media.

Additionally, integral to the operation of our business is Communication.”

Constantly being updated on the information and new legislations within the country of Peru are key factors in the law firm’s success. The team explain what challenges the practice has faced throughout its time in Peru, and how they have affected the company.

“One of the challenges that we are facing is the international consolidation. We have a huge market that requires our attention, especially in the market of Asia and India, as well as European and American market which is where we aim our efforts.”

Integral to the success of OMC Abogados is the happy working environment within the firm, something the team alludes to, as they also talk about how staff respect each other and in order to reach everyone’s individual and joint goals, employees must work together.

“Throughout the practice, we have developed a good working atmosphere. The relationship with the staff is of cordiality and respect. We are all aware that in order to achieve the goals we need to give the

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best of each, as well as work together to achieve our objectives.”

Furthermore, following on from discussing the happy relationship between staff, the team tell us about their approach when undertaking a new client and project, detailing how they ensure right from the start that the outcome meets the needs of everyone involved.

“When approaching a new project, our policy is to convene a meeting with the client and discuss their case, know the background and delve into details and then analyze them and propose possible solutions. We always provide personalized attention.

The dialogue is permanent throughout the process, it is a way of confirming that we are on the right track and not diverting our efforts in irrelevant aspects.”

Regarding the team’s thoughts on the state of the industry currently, they highlight what particular issues and developments are affecting it, and therefore OMC Abogados. The team talk about how, like most industries, including the legal industry is ever changing and so every law firm must adapt to meet the demands of clients which are increasing at a rapid rate.

“Like all dynamic markets, changes are frequent, modernity demands of companies for rapid adaptation, otherwise they are intended to be competitive and disappear.

“Thus, the rules that govern the life in society or on the way to make businesses also suffer changes. One way to understand and prepare for it is to participate in international conferences of the specialty, in this way the knowledge is updated plus the experiences that other colleagues have passed, helps to develop new strategies to face these situations.”

Signing off, the team conclude that everyone at OMC Abogados will continue to produce develop their best work, looking to achieve their goals and receive achieve greater recognition of its name around the world, as it expands the brand and attract more business.

“Ultimately, there are always goals to fulfil and once they have been achieved we set a new one. What we hope to achieve is greater recognition of our name beyond the Peruvian borders and be a reference for Latin American firms.”

1712AI90

Company: Taylor Hampton Solicitors Limited Contact: Daniel Taylor Contact Email: sandra. nascimento@taylorhampton. co.uk Address: 218 Strand, London, WC2R 1AT, UK Phone: 0207 7427 5970 Website: www.taylorhampton.co.uk

Providing the Best to Clients Taylor Hampton is recognised as a leader in defamation, privacy, phone hacking and internet litigation. We invited Daniel Taylor to tell us more about the success of the high-profile firm. aylor Hampton is a specialist London based Media Law firm directly opposite the High Court specialising in Reputation Management, Libel, Privacy and Copyright. Daniel starts off by talking about just a few of the well-renowned landmark cases that the firm has been involved, alluding to the extensive success that the legal team has achieved.

T

“Upholding our strong reputation, we have been at the forefront of media law for 10 years and have been involved in landmark cases in the law of libel, including the case of Thornton v Daily Telegraph, which led to the establishment of the threshold of seriousness test under the new Defamation Act 2013.

“Additionally, we were also involved in the landmark case of Bruno Lachaux v Independent & Others, where the Court of Appeal held that whether or not serious harm had been caused to a claimant’s reputation could be proved by a process of inference from the seriousness of the defamatory meaning.”

Interestingly, the team at Taylor Hampton has also been at the forefront of the phone hacking case litigation from its inception, including the landmark case of Gulati v MGN where record damages were awarded against Mirror Group Newspapers in respect of phone hacking.

“...developing trends within the media industry, we have been fortunate to have worked on some of the most important landmark cases over the last few years.”

Daniel outlines the firm’s overall mission, looking to draw on the extensive experience within the firm and securing justice for the variety of clients that the team work with. This leads him on to discuss how this relevant experience helps the firm differentiate itself.

“Firstly, Taylor Hampton’s mission is to provide a first-class service backed up by years of experience in dealing with the media. Members of the firm have worked in house in the media, as well as extensively for Claimants.

“Secondly, what differentiates the firm is that its members have direct experience of acting on behalf

of both Defendants and Claimants, which gives a unique perspective in handling claims.”

Having achieved a huge amount of success, Daniel explains how it feels to have been selected in the 2017 Global Excellence Awards as the Most Outstanding Reputation Management Expert 2017 – UK. “Throughout the company, we are really pleased to be recognised as the Most Outstanding Reputation Management Expert 2017- UK in our area of specialist competence. It is a recognition of the landmark cases the firm has been involved with over the last few years.”

Providing us with a brief overview of the legal industry, Daniel points out that due to news now widely being reported online as well as in print, reputations are becoming damaged within seconds and so it is changing the whole media landscape.

“Regarding the media industry, the nature of actions is changing from predominantly hard copy of newspaper articles to that of internet based reputation management, where reputations can be damaged in seconds.

“Moving along with the developing trends within the media industry, we have been fortunate to have worked on some of the most important landmark cases over the last few years.”

Regarding the future of Taylor Hampton, the law firm will look to capitalise on its ongoing success, with Daniel commenting on the team’s mission to further satisfy its large client base. Dealing with high-profile clients and other businesses, has led Daniel to believe that there is a positive outlook for Taylor Hampton.

Going forwards, we hope to be at the forefront of landmark cases in our field going forward. Taylor Hampton represent a range of clients, from A-list celebrities to small and large businesses. We pride ourselves on listening to our clients’ personal and/ or commercial objectives, and ensuring that these objectives are met at every stage of our instructions.

“Ultimately, even now, the firm is at the forefront of the phone hacking litigation and continues to be heavily involved in ongoing phone hacking claims against News Group and Mirror Group Newspapers, having acted in the landmark claim of Gulati v News Group Newspapers which led to the highest awards to date of privacy damages at trial.”

Acquisition International - December 2017 41

1712AI93

Company: Star Mountain Capital, LLC Contact: Brett Hickey Contact Email: Brett.Hickey@ starmountaincapital.com Address: 135 East 57th Street 25th Floor, New York, 10022, USA Phone: 001 646-787-0275 Website: www.starmountaincapital.com

Scaling Star Mountain to Reach Success Star Mountain Capital is a specialized asset management firm focused on investing in the large and underserved U.S. lower middle-market of companies with typically between $3 million and $15 million of EBITDA. We invited Brett Hickey to tell us more about how the firm came to win the coveted title of Most Outstanding Specialised Asset Management Firm - New York in our renowned 2017 Global Excellence Awards. ounded in 2010, Star Mountain’s differentiated business model includes a custom-built media and technology platform and brings proven, large market resources to smaller businesses as a value-added lender and investment partner. Brett discusses the firm’s investment focus and how this sets it apart from other asset managers in the market.

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“Approximately 90% of all businesses in the United States have less than $100 million in revenue, are typically owner-operated, and are not controlled by large private equity sponsors. We call these companies the ‘Growth Engine of America,’ since this niche is where most job creation and economic impact is created. Star Mountain is built to specifically address the challenges and opportunities of investing in these established smaller U.S. companies.

“Our culture at Star Mountain is one of the most important drivers of our success.

The real secret sauce of any successful organization is how its people operate, think and collaborate.”

42 Acquisition International - December 2017

complementary verticals providing Star Mountain with distinctive origination, underwriting and portfolio management capabilities: Direct Investments, Strategic Primary Fund Investments and Secondary Fund Investments. Brett outlines the firm’s investment focus and how it works to ensure strong returns for its investors.

“Here at Star Mountain, our mission is to create superior risk-adjusted financial returns for investors and to create substantial positive economic impact and job creation by investing in and helping build smaller businesses, a mission that led us to trademark - Investing in the Growth Engine of America®.

“Additionally, there are approximately 200,000 established businesses in the United States that have between $10 million and $150 million in annual revenues. Many of these businesses are seeking value-added debt and equity investment partners to help achieve their objectives. Star Mountain’s strategy of having partners in five cities, in addition to engaging industry advisors and operating partners in more than 20 additional cities throughout the United States, provides us with ample coverage to create superior risk-adjusted financial returns for our investors, and to also create substantial positive economic impact and job creation by investing in and helping build smaller businesses.”

“To help us achieve this, our distinctive platform provides enhanced origination, underwriting and portfolio management capabilities and allow us to provide investors with diversified, scalable and feeefficient access to this large and underserved market where we believe superior risk-adjusted returns are available due to the market inefficiencies. Part of our value-added platform comes from our strategic investor and advisor relationships, who also provide Star Mountain with more than just capital.”

The firm invests into private, established small and medium-sized businesses through three

Technology is creating substantial changes in the way everyone in every industry does business,

Scaling Star Mountain to Reach Success

although the rate of implementation and change varies. The impact of technological disruption in the alternative investments industry, while it has occurred at a slower pace than other industries, is no different. Brett talks us through Star Mountain’s approach to embracing the latest technological developments and how the firm works to always offer a truly cutting-edge service.

“A common misconception is that you must be a large firm to have a technology strategy. As an innovator and investor in established private small and medium-sized businesses, technology for Star Mountain is at the core of our operating model with values such as innovation, collaboration and investment in long-term growth. From the beginning, we invested in technology to build our competitive advantage, including adding a full-time Chief Technology Officer as a partner, to invest in the sustainability, scalability and user experience for the benefit of our stakeholders. Star Mountain has invested into technology and systems out of the belief that technology can provide significant competitive advantages in sourcing investment opportunities, underwriting, monitoring investments, adding value to portfolio companies, managing risk and investor reporting.”

Although technology and a strong investment approach have been vital to the success of Star Mountain, Brett is also keen to outline how the

firm’s collaborative, supportive internal culture has also played an important part in driving the firm to the strong position it is in today.

“Our culture at Star Mountain is one of the most important drivers of our success. The real secret sauce of any successful organization is how its people operate, think and collaborate. I like to call it ‘cultural capital’. Point to any successful company, and often, you will find an abundance of strong cultural capital sustaining it.

“Great cultural capital inside companies is like a fingerprint; no two are the same, and what works for one may not work for another. But we believe they all share certain characteristics. They have aligned individual goals with that of the company – an alignment of interests – that in our case is accomplished by including 100% of our employees in the carried interest of our funds. Other things are more esoteric – a desired sense of purpose, passionate focus on technology to improve our operations, and support of outside-the-box thinking about what we do. Also, we focus on the things that make Star Mountain a comfortable and engaging place to work, like fresh and healthy food, standing desks, lots of windows and sunlight, etc.

“Personally, I believe this nexus between business and purpose is where most successful organizations thrive. In fact, a truly great corporate

culture is the greatest single asset of a truly great business. Organizations that focus on creating the most cultural capital possible are usually the ones that end up with the most sustainable, scalable and rewarding businesses over time.”

Overall, Brett is optimistic about the future of Star Mountain as she details the developments that the company has in store.

“Looking ahead, we are very excited by what the future holds for our business. We have a large market to execute against but that is what we were built for, which can be summarized by four core elements. First, we invest defensively in established, smaller companies with low leverage. Secondly, we get paid for work where we concentrate on more labour-intensive loans to private businesses that have complex capital needs, such as financing an acquisition. Third, we help these companies grow, employ more people and create value in their communities and the economy. Lastly, with respect to team, our most important asset, we focus on high quality people who want purposeful and engaged lives – we find these people maximize long-term value as aligned partners in what we do.

“All of these developments will help us to ensure that Star Mountain continues to grow and prosper, providing our investors and the firms we invest in with the support they need to grow and succeed.”

Acquisition International - December 2017 43

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44 Acquisition International - December 2017

1711AI68 AXIA Ventures Group Ltd

We aim to provide our clients with expert advice, innovative solutions and outstanding execution, by offering a highly effective and customized approach to each and every client.

Our entrepreneurial ethos and close industry ties set us apart from other advisors in the region.

Acquisition International - December 2017 45

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46 Acquisition International - December 2017