B4 Issue 36 by B4 Magazine

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B4 MAGAZINE ISSUE 36 AUGUST 2015

KEEPING YOUR FOCUS Focus Oxford LLP celebrating 25 years. Read more inside

DANESFIELD HOUSE

W W W . B 4 - B U S I N E S S . C O M

TOURISM FEATURE

NEWBURY SHOWGROUND

B U I L D I N G B R I D G E S B E T W E E N B U S I N E S S E S

Welcome to B4 in print

on-line

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re holding it right now. High quality, printed bi-monthly and circulated to 9,000 business decision makers throughout the Thames Valley.

With the new site launching in June, the B4 website provides B4 Members with a great platform to promote their business by giving them access to upload unlimited press releases, event details, job vacancies and offers.

How it could help your business: This magazine lands on the desks of key decision makers. Having an editorial or advert in here could gain you potential clients.

How it could help your business: The B4 website attracts over 6,000 unique visitors every month. Sharing your content and having your business listed on the B4 site is bound to attract some attention!

Get started today By becoming a B4 Member you immediately join over 600 other businesses across the Thames Valley benefiting from the following as part and parcel: B4 Magazine: Business listed in the B4 Magazine Business Directory. B4 Website: Business listed in the B4 Website Business Directory and ability to upload unlimited content as above. B4 Events: Access to B4 Events at no extra charge - Members can even bring guests. B4 Social Media: Member tweets and mentions are re-tweeted through the B4 Twitter accounts.

What is B4, you ask? ‘B4’ stands for ‘Building Bridges Between Businesses’ and that is just what we do. So how do we do that? Well we provide you with 4 very clear platforms as follows:

events

social

High quality networking events that B4 Members can attend in some stunning locations. A great opportunity to meet other members and guests interested in joining B4.

We promote B4 news through our B4 Twitter accounts and also post out your news, giving you excellent added reach.

How it could help your business: Our events always have an interesting focal point to them, whether it be an activity like our Day At The Races or a tour around Williams’ F1 Collection. We make networking a wholly enjoyable experience.

How it could help your business: Our accounts in all areas have a total follower count of over 9,000. Tweet us and we’ll re-tweet you - A great way to get yourself seen.

B4 Interested in becoming a B4 Member? Call 01865 742211 today with membership starting at just £250+VAT for 12 months.

Residential Letting 路 Property Management

B4 platinum & gold members We would like to thank our B4 Gold & Platinum Members for supporting the B4 Business network. To find out more about joining them and over six hundred B4 Member companies, please call us on 01865 742 211.

PLATINUM MEMBERS THAME

GOLD MEMBERS

With annual memberships just £250+VAT*, entitling you to a business directory listing and unlimited press release, event, job vacancy and offer uploads, it’s no wonder our membership is increasing daily. Members are also invited to events in all B4 areas, up to 12 per annum. Call us now on 01865 742 211 to book your membership or e-mail sales@b4-business.com for more details. The B4 Website – the most efficient way to network your business from your PC!

*Quoted rate is per company entitling selected employees to attend B4 events. The Ambassador scheme is separate and subject to a different charge of £250+VAT for the first Ambassador.

contributors

PICK OF THE B4 PLATINUM AMBASSADOR CONTRIBUTORS

Everything for the Workplace

121

106

112

102

118

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Publisher B4 Magazine is published by Designs On Ltd, The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford, OX3 0BT Chairman Colin Rosser colin@designs-on.co.uk Editor Richard Rosser editorial@b4-business.com Art Editor Keith Simpson artwork@b4-business.com Sub Editor Lorna Dodson assistanteditor@b4-business.com Features Editor Matt Wright matt@b4-business.com Proofreader Sue Rosser B4 Events Tina Rosser events@b4-business.com Editorial contributors Sarah Airey Olivia Lane-Nott Rhys Danino Phil Strachan Rachel Warren Jo Sensecall Helen Money

welcome to B4 36 It’s the summer holidays and thoughts turn to beaches, sun and suitcases. But let’s face it, with wi-fi part of our everyday oxygen, no matter wherever we are, and mobile signals reaching the deepest depths of the darkest forests, we’re never really far from the office. But in this issue of B4, to get you in the mood for relaxing, we throw the spotlight on tourism and hospitality, an often undervalued element of the region’s economy. Kicking off the feature is new Experience Oxfordshire Chief Executive, Hayley Beer, who recently welcomed Prime Minister, David Cameron, to a reception at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney. There, Mr Cameron underlined his commitment to supporting tourism and this issue of B4 gives you lots of reasons to follow his lead. Welcome to Danesfield House who lead the tourism and hospitality feature, giving you the perfect opportunity to see what delights this fascinating property has to offer. We also have features on Newbury and District Agricultural Society, Belmond Le Manoir, Malmaison, Stoke Park, Corpus Christi College and the extraordinary fundraising efforts of CLIC Sargent at Windsor Racecourse. We have an extensive feature looking back at the extremely successful Business in Oxford 2015 and a preview of 2016’s event in April next year. Finally, it’s our 10th Birthday in 2016. We’re not going to be date specific so we can keep the celebrations going all year long! We already have some great events to look forward that you can read more about in this issue, so if you’re not a B4 Member yet, we think you’ll be giving it serious consideration! Look out also for our new website launching in August. Enjoy B4 36.

B4 Photography Rob Scotcher

Contacts If you want to contact B4 Magazine Telephone: 01865 742 211 info@b4-business.com

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www.b4-business.com

Meet The Writers

48. Malmaison Written by Hannah Talbott

86. Carter Jonas

Studio Photography Studio8 Telephone: 01865 842525

Subscriptions For free Subscription, please contact: Telephone: 01865 742 211 info@b4-business.com Each business with an Ox fordshire, Berkshire or Buckinghamshire postcode is entitled to one free copy per issue. For additional copies and for businesses outside of the three counties, there is an annual subscription charge of £25.

© Designs-on Ltd and B4 Magazine. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate and correct in every way, the publishers cannot be held responsible or liable for any inaccuracies or errors within the publication. Information reproduced from this publication is permitted with the express permission of the publisher and the advertiser, where relevant. All information is correct at time of going to press.

B4 Magazine is printed by

THAME

Richard Rosser Editor

Written by Olivia Lane-Nott

Welcome to B4 issue 36. Speaking of journeys, be sure to check out the great accommodation and restaurant reviews we have in this issue such as Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Malmaison Oxford, Danesfield House Hotel, The Royal China and more! In this ‘Tourism & Hospitality’ feature we also bring you some great facts and figures from Experience Oxfordshire (Oxfordshire’s own Tourism and Cultural Agency) and a look at Berkshire’s Newbury Showground and The Royal County of Berkshire Show – a 30+ year old annual event that is not to be missed. Be sure to read our run-down of the recent ‘Business In Oxford 2015’ as well, starting on page 58, for some key insights from local businesses at this year’s successful event. See you next time. Lorna Dodson Sub Editor

About

109. Holiday Health Tips Written by Helen Money

Magazine

B4 Magazine was established to provide Thames Valley businesses with a clear voice to raise their profile and to help businesses connect. Direct mailed to nine thousand business decision makers in once every two months, B4 is regarded a leading free distribution business publication in the region. B4 stands for Building Bridges Between Business and that is what B4 helps businesses to do, aided by our first class website at www.b4-business.com, monthly B4 Classic and Masterclass Events.

121. Alberon

B4 is funded by paid for display advertising and editorial. Underpinning B4 is a membership of over 600 of the Thames Valley’s leading businesses.

Written by Sarah Airey

WHY NOT FOLLOW B4 MAGAZINE ON

lead 14 Happy Birthday FOCUS Oxford LLP: Celebrating 25 years of success

26 Prime Minister at Cultural Platform: See what he had to say at this event organised by Oxfordshire’s Tourism and Cultural Agency, Experience Oxfordshire 30 The New Era Project: Lady Margaret Hall has been undergoing some major changes 33 Egrove Park, University of Oxford: Business or Leisure; always a comfortable and affordable stay 35 Diner des Protégés: Celebrate 30 years of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons with Raymond Blanc and his brigade 38 So You Want Profile?: See how The In Oxford Group and B4 can help you expand your business profile

news 10 B4 Members’ Events 11 Upcoming B4 Events 12 B4 Members’ News 89 News from Henmans Freeth

43 Serviced Apartments in Oxford: See what Short Let Space can offer you in the business accommodation market

67 Business Speed Dating: Chinese businesses seek UK partners on Buckinghamshire ‘speed dating’ day

44 The Newbury Showground and The Royal County of Berkshire Show: Read about the annual flagship event of the Newbury & District Agricultural Society, held since the 1980s

86 Meet The Experts at Carter Jonas: Get stuck in and discover some interesting things they’ve witnessed in their careers

47 Bespoke Events: Corpus Christi may be just the venue for you - Read all about them here 48 The Oxford Mal: A prison-turned-hotel with a restaurant and rooms which you’ll be happy to lock yourself away in 51 News from Iffley Blue 52 Redevelopment at Newbury Racecourse: Read about one of the biggest projects ever to take place at a British leisure destination 55 The CLIC Sargent Windsor Race Evening: Recap this great evening hosted by Eddie Jordan and joined by One Direction singer Liam Payne

feature 19 The B4 Tourism & Hospitality Feature 21 Circling The Dreaming Spires: Take a look at a City Sightseeing tour through the eyes of B4’s Isabelle Saers 22 Danesfield House Hotel: RRead about all that this Luxury Hotel has to offer, the perfect opportunity to mix business with pleasure

spotlight

57 The Royal China: Read our review of one of the most authentic and prestigious Chinese restaurants in London

93 The International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers: Jane Mitchell of Penningtons Manches has been awarded a fellowship at this prestigious institution 98 Exceptional Business Growth at CIS: Catch up with all the great goings-on at Computer Information Systems so far this year 117 The Oxford Martin School Project: WILA transforms this Oxford institution with their lighting expertise

advice 68 Summer Budget 2015: Grant Thornton asks whether it’s all about Compliance for mid-sized businesses 70 Court of Protection: Valuable advice from Henmans Freeth 78 Darbys Private Client Team: Advice on estate planning for the future for business owners 96 All Change for Transparency, Please: BrookStreet Des Roches discuss the small business, enterprise and employment act 2015

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B4 101 Who’s afraid of the Home Office?: Brethertons discuss the immigration issues which seem to be constantly in the news lately 102 Franchising: Hedges Law talks to us about this golden but risky opportunity

contents

finance

property

80 Kick Start Your Business: The M Group discuss how crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending can help small firms grow

74 Latest Properties from VSL & Partners 83 Oxfordshire’s Housing Dilemma: Strutt & Parker look a why prices in Oxford are growing faster than that of any other city in the UK

health 109 A Holiday in the Sun, A Lifetime on the Tum: Tips for staying healthy abroad, even if you’re surrounded by luxury, from Helen Money Nutrition

services 105 Aston & James: Everything for the workplace - Aston & James have got what you need

sports

charity

95 Oxford University Rugby Football Club: Read all about their intrinsical link with The Rugby World Cup

112 A Pink Ribbon Event: Rhys Danino of City Audio Visual interviews Lucy Johnston of Breast Cancer Care

105 Rock Solid: B4’s Richard Rosser tackles Brookes Sport’s climbing wall with... Success?

events

marketing

58 Business In Oxford 2015: Recap this year’s successful event and take a look at what the future holds 77 The Oxfordshire Business Awards 2015: Announcing the winners of this great event 85 Double trouble for Twin Town Challenge 2016: Brendon Cross tells B4 just why he is organising a second Twin Town Challenge 90 One St Aldates reaches NAPHIA Summit: Sunshine state welcomes top dogs and lead sponsor to Hollywood

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technology 118 The Heart of the UK Internet: Nominet run the .UK domain name registry keeping the UK internet secure and trusted. Read more here! 121 Is Your Website Mobile?: Alberon talks to us about how a mobile-friendly website should be your top priority in these times

73 Become Content Centric: Jo Sensecall and Rachel Warren of Marketing Sense share their top 5 tips for clever content marketing 111 Dress To Impress: Tips from Zest on how to change how your brand is perceived 114 A Ghost in the Machine: We take a look at some of the marketing techniques high-end French manufacturer Devialet are employing

contacts 123 9

B4 diary

In Association with Carter Jonas

Event Organiser

Venues

Date

Old Prison Exercise Yard, Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AY

26th 28th Aug 2015

Corpus Christi College, Merton Street, Oxford, OX1 4JF

1st Sep 2015

Time

Event Details

TBA

Open Air Cinema: Grab your popcorn, pull up a beanbag and settle in for a great movie under the stars. Films are to be shown on a giant outdoor screen, and there are blankets to keep you warm if it gets a bit nippy. This time featuring Selma, Amelie, and Back to the Future. Tickets can be purchased at www.cultscreens.co.uk

6.30pm

The Thames Valley British Red Cross Lecture 2015. Given by award winning journalist Peter Taylor, entitled “Terrorism from the IRA to Al Qaeda and ISIL”. Tickets £20. For further information telephone Paula Falck on 01235 552680 / pfalck@redcross.org.uk or book online www.redcross.org.uk/ corpuschristi Warren Clarke Memorial Golf Day: Join our host Dennis Waterman and his fellow celebrities for a great day of golf and entertainment in memory of Warren Clarke. £540 per team of three. For more information please contact events@ helenanddouglas.org.uk

Bicester

4th Sep 2015

O3 Gallery Oxford Castle, Oxford, OX1 1AY

29th Aug 13th Sep 2015

TBA

Oxford Art Prize Exhibition: In June 2015, artists of all ages grabbed their sketchbooks, paper, boards and canvases to capture Oxford’s unique culture, natural beauty and heritage through their own artistic talent. Entries are to be exhibited throughout the city, with some on display at an exhibition within the O3 Gallery from the 29th August. www.o3gallery.co.uk

Dorchester Abbey, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, OX10 7HZ

7th 13th Sep 2015

7.30pm 9.30pm

Music in the Abbey Festival: Tchaikovsky, Eugene Onegin; Purcell, Dido and Aeneas; Papagena female Vocal Quintet; Derek Paravicini Jazz Quartet; Maki Sekiya piano; Rising Stars Operatic arias and ensembles; Karavai Balalaika ensemble. Tickets from Oxford Playhouse 01865 305305.

9.30am 4.30pm

Christmas Festive Exhibition with cooking & presentation demonstrations - plus an abundance of samples - from over 50 local & national suppliers. See our new Christmas products, learn how to give your favourites a festive twist and be inspired by recipe ideas. Pre-register your attendance at: www.philipdennisoxford.eventbrite.co.uk

10am 4pm

Aston and James are celebrating 25 years of business, and in doing so would like to say thank you. That is why we are putting on this event. As a thank you to our customers and to highlight everything we can do for you now and in the future, so come down on the eighth of October for information, fun and freebies. Contact aaron@aston-james.co.uk for more details.

Kassam Stadium, Grenoble Rd, Oxford, OX4 4XP

29th Sep 2015

TBA

Witney Lakes Resort, Downs Road, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 0SY

8th Oct 2015

Modern Art Oxford, 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, OX4 1SA

22nd Aug 18th Oct 2015

11am 6pm

Modern Art Oxford presents two major solo exhibitions. Kiki Kogelnik is an acclaimed Austrian artist who worked in New York in the 1960s. Fly Me to the Moon presents an array of work and is her first solo exhibition in the UK. American artist Josh Kline creates a menacing environment with teletubbies in swat gear and a reimagined inaugural speech by Barack Obama. Contact: info@modernartoxford.org.uk / +44 (0)1865 722 733

10th Nov 2015

10.30am 11.15am

‘Breaking Big’ Workshop: With ten practical steps to business success, understanding the big picture and future proofing your business: Get clear about your business vision and its effectiveness; Stand out from the crowd; Find and exploit your competitive edge; Focus your marketing on the right customers; Manage and support the best people for your business. www.businessdoctors.co.uk/events

Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL

B4 Members can feature their events on this page, subject to availability – please get in touch for your complimentary listing.

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B4 10th Birthday Year Yes we’re 10 next year and to celebrate we have some great events already lined up for 2016. Combined with the new B4 website launching in August, there’s never been a better reason to join B4. Here’s what you can look forward to:

January 2016

B4 Classic Event at Hartwell House Hotel & Spa

B4 is pleased to announce that our first 2016 event will be held at the magnificent Hartwell House Hotel, set in 90 acres of landscaped parkland near Aylesbury. Hartwell House is no stranger to people of influence: its most famous resident was Louis XVIII, exiled King of France, who lived here with his court for five years. Learn more about this fascinating venue from the enigmatic Jonathan Thompson, Hartwell’s General Manager who is always the perfect host. www.hartwell-house.com Oxford Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8NR

February 10th, 2016

B4 Platinum & Gold Members only at Ashmolean Museum

Having enjoyed a wonderful B4 Classic Event at this iconic venue in the heart of Oxford several years ago, this will be a more intimate occasion strictly for B4 Platinum and Gold Members. Following a welcome drinks reception, guests will be split into smaller groups and taken on behind the scenes tours of this incredible museum, before reconvening for drinks, canapés and networking. Founded in 1683, what started as a single room of paintings and curiosities grew into an institution of superlatives. It is home to the biggest collection of Raphael drawings; the most significant collection of Anglo-Saxon artefacts apart from the British Museum; and the greatest Chinese collection in the West. In 2009, the museum’s interior was entirely redesigned in a £61 million project that not only doubled the gallery space but fundamentally rethought the way in which the collections were displayed. www.ashmolean.org Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2PH

February 25th, 2016 B4 Classic Event at Weston Library incorporating the 2016 Living in Oxford Awards B4 were fortunate to be asked to stage one of the first events at this recently refurbished venue in the heart of Oxford earlier this year. In 2016, as for this year, the event will also host the Living in Oxford Awards, a separate event which takes place in the final hour of the evening. The Weston Library began its life as the New Bodleian Library, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and constructed in the 1930s. Its recent renovation has brought it in line with the modern standards and requirements for a 21st century library by creating high quality storage for its valuable special collections at a level that conforms to the British Standard for these materials; developing the Library’s facilities for the support of advanced scholarship; and expanding access for the public to national and international treasures through new exhibition galleries and other facilities. Take a tour of the historic old Bodleian Library or explore the newly renovated Weston Library. www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG

See more events on page 40 & 110 www.b4-business.com

Executive Security Services Moves Forward With New Project Director CCTV is crucial in both the prevention and detection of crime. The installation of CCTV systems are increasingly incorporated in home security and commercial security systems. In particular we are seeing a rising demand in the industry for IP CCTV systems due to the equipment picture quality, reliability and flexibility. Executive Alarms have recently completed a large project upgrading and installing an IP CCTV system at a local authority depot using the latest software and equipment from Avigilon. Executive Alarms Ltd are also pleased to announce that Jason Thomas is now our new project director,

with over eighteen years experience in the security industry specialising in integrated security systems, access control and intruder alarms. Jason is currently managing several large projects across Oxfordshire involving ACT access control and AXIS IP CCTV equipment. Jason is also working on another project that takes Executive further afield securing new generator sites across Wales, this involves point to point perimeter beam security integrated with monitored IP CCTV. Across all of the Executive Fire & Security departments, we strive to deliver excellent customer service, peace of mind and satisfaction at affordable prices. We offer free no obligation

quotes to all and strive to meet each individual security requirement. Further to the installation of our products we also maintain a comprehensive 24/7 365 days a year callout service. For further information on the products and services we provide, please contact us on 01865 435435 or www.executive-systems.co.uk

Learn, Eat, Enjoy! With Brookes Restaurant Cookery and Wine School courses and Team Building sessions. dishes from around the world. Wine courses allow you to taste and learn about grape varieties and receive a world renowned qualification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. For more information about the courses available, please visit: restaurant.business.brookes.ac.uk/school Whatever your level of expertise, you can develop your cookery and wine knowledge by attending a range of Saturday and evening courses that are run by Brookes Restaurant. Learn how to bake different types of bread as well as create many

Why not have your next team-building session at Brookes Restaurant? As a group, you will learn how to cook three unique dishes and end the day by eating them together with your choice of a soft drink or a glass of wine. For more information, give the

team a call on 01865 483 803. Brookes Restaurant also offers over 25 engaging and interactive courses to enhance your professional development, ranging from basic practical skills sessions to management and leadership courses. For more information visit: restaurant.business. brookes.ac.uk/training You can also sign up for the Brookes Restaurant monthly email by emailing: restaurant_bookings@ brookes.ac.uk

Digital developments for the Oxfordshire Cotswolds West Oxfordshire District Council’s tourism team, who are responsible for promoting the area as the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, are recognising the value of digital marketing and undertaking various projects to develop their digital channels this year. The Oxfordshire Cotswolds website is being

updated and optimised for mobile devices and will relaunch with a brand new look later in the year. With visitors to our website doubling in the last year, and 12.2 million hits in 2014, we are ensuring that we make the most of the latest technology and features. www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org

Storm Internet Ltd. wins “Best Business Use of Cloud” award

TORM INTERNET Judging criteria for the “Best Business Use of Cloud” award at the 17th Internet Service Providers Association (ISPAs) awards included innovation of the cloud solution as well as the benefits and ROI that the cloud solution could bring to the end user. The ISPA judges were particularly impressed with Storm Internet’s case

study which showed exactly how businesses can rely on their cloud provider, with IPv6 support and additional RIPE addresses in particular getting the judge’s attention. Storm Internet are quickly becoming well-known and are revolutionising the hosting industry with the launch of StormCloud Private, their new private cloud initiative, bringing down the cost of private cloud compared to the current industry standards, backed by their outstanding support. Salim Benadel, CEO and founder said, “StormCloud Private was only

launched in March so to be honoured with this award in such a tough category is a huge achievement and a testament to the entire Storm team. They worked tirelessly on the launch of StormCloud Private and continue to provide our customers with outstanding support, ensuring their websites are always up and running. This is a brand new award at the ISPAs so to be the first hosting company to win this really is an honour.” For more info please contact Carlene.Whitehead@ storminternet.co.uk or telephone 0800 817 4727.

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news

The Cyber Security Centre Trusts Alberon Oxford software and web developers, Alberon, have recently completed a new website for the University of Oxford’s Cyber Security Centre. The site, to raise awareness of the dangers of cyber-crime, provides specific areas for visitors and partners to provide news, advice, and details of projects and upcoming events, as well as to share information with others. Its responsive design will adapt to fit any screen size.

David Hobbs, Site Administrator for the Cyber Security Centre said: “We are very pleased with the outcome and the site should become an invaluable resource”. Tim Ault, Managing Director of Alberon commented: “At Alberon we take the issue of website security very seriously, so it was particularly rewarding to be trusted with creating this vital resource.”

You can trust Alberon to create secure websites for confidential information and payments. Find out more www.alberon.co.uk email info@ alberon.co.uk or tel 01865 794009.

Imbibe launch new digital channel to support constant publishing model content from the magazine to the website after publication, but will now be publishing content directly to the new digital media platform on a daily basis.

Imbibe magazine is the UK’s leading publication for on-trade drinks professionals. Traditionally, Imbibe has led with print media and added

This strategic shift to a constant publishing model, coupled with the emergence of mobile as a dominant content consumption platform and user demands for content to be supplied in small bite sized chunks has acted as a catalyst for the creation of the new Imbibe.com website.

renowned Sommelier Wine Awards, Obergine were appointed to design and craft the new platform for Imbibe. Obergine is an award winning digital marketing agency whose clients include Pan Macmillan, Boswells of Oxford, Concha y Toro, Porsche Club Great Britain, Oxford University Press and the University of Oxford. Contact: Jeremy Anderson Tel: 01865 245777 Email: info@obergine.com

Building on the success of the internationally

Yellow Submarine wins funding of £35,000 from NatWest’s Skills and Opportunities Fund Oxford charity Yellow Submarine has won funding of £35,000 from NatWest’s Skills and Opportunities Fund to help create an engagement hub in West Oxfordshire. The fund seeks to support community and charity initiatives that help people achieve qualifications, get into work or set up their own business. Toby Staveley, CEO of Yellow Submarine, said: “This

funding is an enormous boost. It will help us set up a café and learning centre that will provide much needed training and jobs for people with learning disabilities in Oxfordshire. Everyone involved is so excited as this will make a huge difference to a group of enthusiastic people who want to work but are desperately short of opportunities.” The NatWest judges said Yellow Submarine’s project provided a broad range of activities for young people

with learning disabilities, had a good mix of funding in place and would leave a sustainable legacy. Applications for the next round of funding open on Monday 24 August. To find out more visit skillsandopportunitiesfund.natwest.com

ThinkSee3D making sense of 3D Technology

ThinkSee3D has a dedicated team of 3D printing experts whose goal is to help organisations make sense of 3D technology and to cut through the hype to find the real business cases and advantages of this remarkable technology.

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We not only advise you, we make 3D printing work, either by 3D printing objects for you or by supplying and supporting your own 3D printing platform. We innovate too. We are on the cutting edge of a number of application development projects working with educationalists, academics and university spin-outs developing completely new and innovative uses of this technology in engineering, ecological research, education and archaeological research. Our academic collaborators/clients include the University of

Oxford, University of Cambridge, UCL, Think Tank Birmingham, Northumbria University and the British Museum. Services available: On-demand 3D printing, 3D printer sales and support, 3D printing materials, 3D printing seminars and education, 3D printing consultancy, arranging lease contracts for 3D printing platforms, 3D scanning from 2D photos and video. For more information please visit www.thinksee3d.com or call 01865 699099.

Focus Oxford LLP Celebrating 25 Years

Established in 1990 and celebrating it’s 25th Anniversary in 2015, FOCUS is one of the region’s largest composite firms of Independent Financial Advisers and Independent Insurance Consultants. This is the story behind their success. WRITTEN BY: LINDSEY STRIBLING PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JACQUELINE CROSS PHOTOGRAPHY & CAROLINE WALKER*

How it all started

The Partners

In 1990, at the height of a recession and with interest rates at a record high, three friends (and business colleagues) decided to go it alone and set up their own company. On 1st August 1990, FOCUS was born. Situated in Seacourt Tower from day one, that first day saw the three founding Partners (Gary Hunt, Nick Walker and Steve Ilott) and two staff sat on deck chairs as they had no office furniture.

Gary Hunt has spent his whole working life in the Oxford area as an Independent Insurance and Financial Adviser and many of his clients have been with him for many years. Today, Gary specialises in the design and implementation of employee benefit schemes and providing individual financial planning solutions. His role within the Partnership also means a good deal of time spent on strategic planning and looking at FOCUS’s position within the industry and its ever important presence in the local area.

Since then, the company has grown to comprise of six Partners and a team of 28 support staff, all providing professional advice and a first class, personal service to both individual and corporate clients.

Nick Walker heads up the Mortgage Division at FOCUS. Having worked for both English and American Banks from 1978, Nick then moved into broking within the Financial Services Industry in 1984. In his career, Nick has arranged over 10,000

Nick Jones - Partner

Phil Casey - Partner

mortgages for clients ranging from multi-million pound bespoke arrangements through to first time buyers and shared ownership schemes. He is a regular commentator on mortgage issues within the industry and is regarded by many as an authority in his subject areas. Steve Ilott began working as an Independent Insurance Broker in 1976. Throughout his career, Steve has specialised in complex commercial risks. He has considerable experience in all areas of commercial insurance but particularly in the bioscience and life-science sectors. Steve has significant experience and knowledge of medical malpractice insurance, professional indemnity and directors and officers liability insurances. In 1992, Phil Rouse joined FOCUS as a Partner.

Gary Hunt - Partner

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*photo by Caroline Walker

B4 lead

Phil spent eleven years with a major UK bank progressing to various senior positions culminating in Area Business Development Officer as well as key positions in Insurance Companies and Brokerages specialising in development work, pensions and investments. The values that the Partners strived for from the outset remain in place today – a fully Independent, composite firm of independent financial advisers and independent insurance consultants that prides itself in maintaining excellent, long-term client relationships. Having started in the insurance industry in 1986, Nick Jones joined Focus in 1994 and became a Partner in 1999 – Nick recognises this as the biggest achievement within his working life. His role at FOCUS

Nick Walker - Partner

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extends to cover Commercial SME Insurances, as well as taking responsibility for the Personal Motor and High Value Home Insurance Department. Whilst maintaining his client relationships, Nick also takes responsibility for developing professional partner and insurer relationships to further develop an already successful General Insurance Business. Phil Casey joined FOCUS as a Partner in 2001. Prior to this, and having started his career in banking, Phil progressed to a senior management position in the pension product provider sector. Today, Phil is the pension specialist at FOCUS and has over twenty five years’ experience in the field. Phil is authorised to give advice at every level of complexity and has overall responsibility for the pensions advice FOCUS give as a practice. Working in

Steve Ilott - Partner

both the corporate and individual retirement markets, Phil ensures the FOCUS clients get the most rigorous and up to date advice possible.

The Focus Team FOCUS is a close-knit organisation, with the feel of a family unit, encompassing both the Partners and support team. During the 25 years of trading, there has been 5 weddings, the birth of 14 children and 5 grandchildren – not to mention several house moves!

Continued overleaf

Phil Rouse - Partner

PROTECTING ASSETS, INCREASING WEALTH Established in 1990 and celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, FOCUS is one of the region’s largest composite firms of Independent Financial Advisers and Independent Insurance Consultants. Based in Oxford, FOCUS provides bespoke solutions for all your financial and insurance needs. Our team of experts deliver professional advice and a personal service to both individual and corporate clients.

INDEPENDENT INSURANCE SERVICES - EXCLUSIVE TO YOU AND TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS FOCUS is a truly independent insurance intermediary providing a broad range of services to our extensive private client base: • Bespoke Home Insurance • Motor Insurance • Travel Insurance • Commercial & Business Insurance

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISERS PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL ADVICE & A PERSONAL SERVICE With a wealth of experience in all areas of financial planning, we provide bespoke advice to both private clients and companies: • Retirement Planning • Mortgages • Investments • Protection • Employee Benefit Schemes

Regulated directly by the Financial Conduct Authority, we offer independent advice and first class service - providing a complete solution for total peace of mind.

WWW.FOCUSLLP.CO.UK 01865 295 295 FOCUS Oxford LLP is a limited liability partnership trading as FOCUS Independent Financial Advisers and Independent Insurance Consultants, ‘FOCUS’ is a trading name of FOCUS Oxford LLP and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FOCUS Oxford LLP is entered on the Financial Services Register (www.fca.org.uk/register) under reference 594369. Registered in the UK No. OC380471 Registered address: 1 Golden Court, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1EU. Partners: G.D.Hunt, S.C.Ilott, N.S.Walker, P.A.Rouse, N.H.P.Jones, P.K.Casey.

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25 Years - What has that meant? FOCUS has seen many changes in the industry over the past 25 years – regulatory bodies being just one of them. From FIMBRA, via the PIA, the FSA to the FCA, the ability to adapt to change has proved vital in remaining successful in such a highly regulated industry. FOCUS continues to be forward-thinking in this area, constantly reviewing and updating working practices to ensure that it remains not only legally compliant, but as importantly, in a position to provide its clients with the most up to date and appropriate solutions. Remaining Independent has been, and continues to be a key driver in taking FOCUS forward. This means that clients are offered the most appropriate solutions to their needs, without being restricted to just some areas of financial planning advice or certain insurance companies. FOCUS is, and will remain, a whole of market practice. Allied to Independence is having a composite insurance, mortgage and financial planning brokerage. Being able to provide solutions in all areas, for both personal and corporate clients remains key to the ongoing success of the company. Diversification has also provided a safety net during the mortgage crisis in 2007/8, allowing FOCUS to remain a successful company overall.

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Client relationships matter to FOCUS. Many clients have been with the company since it was formed in 1990, recognising the value the firm places on excellent customer service. Seacourt Tower has been the home of FOCUS from day one. Starting out with offices on the 6th floor before moving up to floors 8 and 9 in September 1999 and then back downstairs to a much bigger space to bring everyone back together again – and allow room for expansion - on the first floor in February 2012. Technology has changed dramatically. From paper files and written correspondence to electronic trading and emails, FOCUS has embraced these changes. Whilst adopting a modern approach – including a brand new website launched last year, clients are still treated as individuals – if a letter is preferred to an email, then that’s the way business is transacted.

Community Matters The ethos at FOCUS has always been to work hard – and play hard. This extends from the business world into the local community with the aim of giving back to those who do not benefit from the privileges that we sometimes take for granted. Having supported Helen & Douglas House on a number of occasions throughout their history, FOCUS became a Corporate Partner in 2014. This has seen the Partners and team raising funds through a number of events including The Monster Race,

Santas On The Run, a Business Bake-off challenge and the Oxford Rainbow Run. The support for Helen & Douglas House is set to continue with a number of events, including three of the FOCUS team tackling Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2016. In addition, FOCUS is one of the main sponsors for the Special Effect Twin Town Challenge 2016 – and will also be particiapating in the event itself.

The Future FOCUS would firstly like to thank their clients for the past 25 years and making the firm the success that it is today. The future is about maintaining the values that have made FOCUS what it is today, whilst adapting to the ever changing world of insurance and financial planning, and continuing to deliver the best possible solutions and service to its clients. Regulated directly by the Financial Conduct Authority, FOCUS offers independent advice and a bespoke service in all areas of mortgage, financial planning and insurance needs – providing a complete solution for total peace of mind.

CONTACT DETAILS mail@focusllp.co.uk 01865 295 295 www.focusllp.co.uk

Think Rhodes for Business... For full information on exclusive use, meetings, seminars, team building and conferences please call 01865 282599 or email events@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

Rhodes House, Oxford, OX1 3RG

Telephone 01865 282 599 events@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk www.rhodeshouseoxford.com

B4 tourism

& hospitality feature Welcome to the B4 Tourism & Hospitality Feature. Here you can expect to find great insights into the changing face of tourism and hospitality within the Thames Valley, with great pieces from Experience Oxfordshire, Saïd Business School, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Newbury and District Agricultural Society, and many more. This issue’s lead article is brought to you by Danesfield House Hotel.

Contents 21 22 26 30 33 35 38 43 44 47 48 51 52 55 57

City Sightseeing Danesfield House Hotel Experience Oxfordshire Lady Margaret Hall Saïd Business School Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons The In Oxford Group Short Let Space Newbury and District Agricultural Society Corpus Christi College Malmaison Oxford Iffley Blue Newbury Racecourse CLIC Sargent Royal China

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Hayley Beer-Gamage - Chief Executive Experience Oxfordshire

Tourism in the Thames Valley “Tourism is big businesses in Oxfordshire! Each year Oxfordshire welcomes over 26.5 million visitors to the County, who spend over £1.8 billion in the local economy and the sector supports over 31,000 jobs which is nearly 10% of the workforce. “Experience Oxfordshire is the Destination Management Organisation for Oxfordshire and we work beyond traditional tourism, we look at the whole visitor economy and this encompasses every part of a potential visitor’s trip to the County. It includes attractions, accommodation, retail, transport, events, information provision and much more. “If Oxfordshire is to be a competitive destination then we need to shout loud and proud about the fantastic product we have across the whole County – we have wonderful history and heritage, a globally recognised city famous for its Universities and Colleges, fantastic English Countryside, world renowned shopping in Bicester Village, contemporary cultural attractions and experiences and much more of course. “Our proximity to London is an opportunity as we have great public transport access in and out of the capital. If we can communicate this effectively to overseas markets then this could have a significant impact on business, we want visitors to increase their length of stay – currently on 2.5 million of our visitors stay overnight. If we

increase this the visitor spend will increase and have a significant impact on the economy. “Key to this wonderful destinations success is partnership and Experience Oxfordshire is a partnership organisation. We want to collaborate with local businesses to grow and develop the visitor economy so that businesses benefit. Through reducing duplication and producing economies of scale we aim to provide the voice for the sector. The future of the sector is promising if we work together, we need to ensure we are a destination of distinction that is effectively promoted to the domestic and international markets. We don’t just want visitors to visit once we want them to return. “Working with organisations such as B4 helps us to promote Oxfordshire but we know full well that B4 operates beyond our beautiful county and we welcome collaborations with other counties so that we can all work to our mutual benefit. This feature includes some fantastic editorial on businesses in Oxfordshire and beyond. They all deserve our full support to ensure that Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley and the United Kingdom continue to thrive as a key tourist destination and that we continue to build their profile.” Hayley Beer-Gamage Chief Executive Experience Oxfordshire

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City Sightseeing

Oxford

A very popular way amongst tourists to experience Oxford, the beautiful University City, is to take a ride in the City Sightseeing bus. It is definitely one of the most efficient ways to see as much as possible, with its hour-long route and 20 stops at the landmarks and historical sites. WRITTEN BY: ISABELLE SAERS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: STUDIO8

Even though I have lived in Oxford for nine months now, going on the guided bus tour with City Sightseeing was surprisingly informative. Regardless if you are a tourist, visiting Oxford for a couple of days, or if you, like me, have spent months or even years in this lovely city, the bus tour will teach you more interesting things about it. The double-decker bus allows you to sit either downstairs or upstairs, and if you choose to sit on the upper deck, you can either do it under or without a roof. With the English weather in mind, this is very advantageous since it might be sunny one minute and the next one it is pouring down. Seated on the upper deck of the characteristic red bus, my friend and I enjoyed the sun while the recorded commentary, which was available in ten languages, told us anecdotes about the places we passed. On some departures, there is also a live guide who compliments the audio guide, but we

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only had access to the audio. That guide was rather brief, but it was enough since we got the most important details and facts.

“Even though I have

lived in Oxford for nine months now, going on the guided bus tour with City Sightseeing was surprisingly informative

”

Some of the most popular stops of the tour were Christ Church, Sheldonian Theatre, Queen’s College, Trinity College and Castle Unlocked. A big advantage by going with the City Sightseeing buses is that you

can jump off at any stop, explore the sight and later jump on the next bus to continue the tour. The ticket is either valid for 24 or 48 hours, which is convenient if you visit Oxford for a weekend and want to have time to experience it. You are also provided with a leaflet with a map of the route, timetables for some of the bus stops and offers regarding some of the sights along the route. When the circuit was complete and my friend and I had seen all the stops, from Oxford Railway Station to Randolph Hotel, we were both amazed with how much we actually had missed during our time here and how many new things we had learnt about our beloved city.

CONTACT DETAILS info@citysightseeingoxford.com 01865 790522 www.citysightseeingoxford.com

Danesfield House

Situated between the towns of Marlow and Henley in a glorious secluded setting amidst 65 acres of manicured formal and informal gardens with exceptional views of the River Thames and the Chiltern hills beyond, stands the spectacular Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, a luxurious country retreat created twenty five years ago from a magnificent family home to become one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. WRITTEN BY: CHERYL MARNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: COLIN CLAY

The main house completed in 1901 is a unique dazzling bright white building featuring striking Italian Renaissance style architecture with castle style turrets, tall chimney pots and an impressive 30 metre high clock tower. Internally the house boasts an airy lavish feel to include a vaulted panelled Grand Hall complete with Minstrel’s Gallery and a large reception room with original hand painted murals replicating a dining room in the Palace of Versailles seating up to one hundred guests comfortably for a stunning banquet or wedding celebration. A beautiful south facing terrace at the rear of the hotel overlooks the established topiary, gardens and river beyond. The gardens open to visitors and highly commended by the National Garden Scheme are home to rare and exotic trees and plantings all of which are a feature of many publications. The gardens are also renowned

for their collection of Pulham Stone, the only other collections larger can be found in gardens of Buckingham Palace and Sandringham House.

“This quintessentially British

hotel offers seventy eight luxury bedrooms in total, beautiful private dining rooms and relaxing reception areas and lounges, the hotel also has the added benefit of a luxury Spa for residents and hotel guests

”

The site upon which Danesfield House sits today is steeped in history, the first property being built in 1664. Danesfield House on completion in 1901 was a private family home until 1941 when it was requisitioned as a base to develop the intelligence section of the Royal Air Force, known as RAF Medmenham and remained in the hands of the RAF until 1977. Danesfield House Hotel opened on the 1st July 1991 and as this independently owned hotel embarks on its 25th year, it is celebrating the completion of the first phase of a major redevelopment programme. Phase One sees an investment of £2m and the complete regeneration of twenty four bedrooms to become sixteen luxurious rooms to include duplex suites all situated in a private courtyard setting. This complex redevelopment of the Grade 2 listed stable courtyard started with the planning process. Local

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“Danesfield House offers the perfect opportunity to mix business with pleasure

”

tradesmen to include Henley based Jex Construction as lead contractor have encountered numerous hurdles to complete the transformation, including the removal of internal chimneys each weighing a total of 32 tons. Removing these allowed the design team led by renowned Hampshire based interior designer Elizabeth Warden to reconfigure the layout of the rooms. The original chimney pots were then repositioned on the outside ensuring the roof line in the courtyard remained in keeping with the main house and as was built in 1901. Once the new layout had been created a team of skilled local tradesmen started the 2 year and a half year task of renovation. The new stable courtyard wing brings state of the art technology, design led bathrooms and exquisite soft furnishings together. Each new room takes on an individual identity with variations in layout and size, although all benefit from underfloor heating, air conditioning and remotely controlled showers

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and the latest Phillip’s smart tv solution. To round it all off, 24 hour butler service to each of the new suites is also provided. This quintessentially British hotel offers seventy eight luxury bedrooms in total, beautiful private dining rooms and relaxing reception areas and lounges, the hotel also has the added benefit of a luxury Spa for residents and hotel guests. Spa Illuminata Danesfield House is housed in its own wing with a separate entrance, and emanates timeless luxury in keeping with the rest of the magnificent, country house hotel. A sanctuary of elegance and calm awaits, offering guests an escape from the busy lifestyles and hectic schedules of modern life. Spa Illuminata Danesfield House uses luxury La Vallee, Darphin and Aromatherapy Associates products in a wide range of indulgent treatments. These range from holistic massages and Reiki to anti-aging facials and

skin polishes, an array of luxury beauty treatments are also available. The serial award-winning Spa facilities encompass a beautiful 20-meter swimming pool, with breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside, a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, a fully equipped Matrix gymnasium, Zen Fitness Studio with a varied fitness class offering, a Pommery POP Nail bar, and eight tranquil treatment rooms including a VIP Suite to accommodate VIP packages and couples treatments and thriving membership scene. For guests visiting London the hotel’s sister spa, the ultra-exclusive Spa Illuminata Mayfair offers an array of world class, cutting edge treatments and an oasis of calm in Central London at one of the capitals most prestigious addresses on South Audley Street. As the UK’s Flagship day spa for cult Parisian skincare brand Darphin and the Swiss super luxury product house Bellefontaine. A beautiful boutique including perfumery, men’s fragrance and unique

Danesfield House Hotel and Spa is situated within 65 acres of landscaped gardens overlooking the River Thames

• Luxury Spa with a relaxed, informal and a ‘come as you are’ atmosphere • Exclusive Spa Membership available from £127 per month with no joining fee • Spa days available from £75 per person • 20m Indoor swimming pool • Matrix Gym with countryside views • Gift vouchers available for the hotel and spa • Dining at Danesfield House is run by Executive Head Chef Billy Reid • Modern British food served in the surroundings of the Oak Room, the Orangery and in the warmer months outside on our sun-drenched terrace

Contact 01628 891010 for more details or see www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk

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Meetings and events are “managed by a dedicated

Operations Team ensuring a smooth, efficient, attentive and super discreet service complete with high tech equipment and mouth-watering food and beverage offerings

”

accessories complete the story at London’s Luxury day spa. Perfectly placed for M40, M4, M3 and 22 miles from London Heathrow International Airport, Danesfield House offers the perfect opportunity to mix business with pleasure. Affordable corporate luxury starts with a total of eight meeting rooms offering the perfect environment to host conferences from two to one hundred delegates, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout, bespoke meeting packages and flexibility of meeting rooms and public spaces offer the opportunity for creativity within a working environment. Delegates can enjoy outdoor activities provided by specialised team building companies to include country pursuits and river activities. Meetings and events are managed by a dedicated Operations Team ensuring a smooth, efficient, attentive and super discreet service complete with high tech equipment and mouth-watering food and beverage offerings.

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For a more private experience the hotel can be hired on an exclusive basis for corporate events, weddings and family occasions, allowing guests the hotel accommodation, public areas and grounds for a minimum period of 24 hours. Michelin Stared Executive Chef Billy Reid and his brigade combine the very best produce to create a smart and approachable modern British dining experience in The Restaurant at Danesfield House. An extensive A’La Carte menu offering traditional and modern cuisine along with a daily market menu provide a guests the opportunity to relax, enjoy and remember. The Restaurant at Danesfield House is a double AA Rosette winner with a new and exciting concept allowing guests to decide on dining from the same menu choices in the beautiful Oak Room, the sunny Orangery or al fresco dining and afternoon tea on the glorious private Terrace soaking up summer sunshine or embrace the secluded beauty of the

grounds with a picnic hamper. Our most striking Cocktail Bar, walls adorned with tapestry is the most perfect setting to enjoy an aperitif, maybe one of the sixty cocktails on offer or the chance to choose from the extensive Condé Nast Johansens award winning wine list of over three hundred wines along with 30 exceptional wines by the glass. Danesfield House Hotel and Spa is quite simply a luxury country house hotel with a charm and character that cannot be compared.

CONTACT DETAILS enquiries@danesfieldhouse.co.uk 01628 891 010 www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk

Speakers of the Cultural Platform left to right: Judy Niner, Chair of Cogges Heritage Trust, Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire, David Cameron, Prime Minister, Richard Venables, VSL & Partners Ltd

Prime Minister champions Tourism and Culture at Experience Oxfordshire’s Cultural Platform The week after the Government announced its new Five Point Plan to boost tourism right across the UK - spreading the benefits of one of our fastest growing sectors beyond the capital - The Prime Minister spoke at a platform event organised by Oxfordshire’s Tourism and Cultural Agency, Experience Oxfordshire. PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JACKIE CROSS

An audience of local businesses representing Oxfordshire’s tourism, heritage and cultural sector were joined by local councillors, together with Oxfordshire’s young representatives of the National Youth Parliament. After speaking to the invited audience, the Prime Minister did a walkabout in the beautiful grounds of Cogges Manor Farm, meeting local families enjoying hands-on Magna Carta themed games and activities. The Prime Minister has a special interest in Magna Carta and the history of democracy in the U.K.. David Cameron said: “I was delighted to mark the anniversary of Magna Carta in the heart of my constituency, alongside so many people from business and the local community. Experience

Oxfordshire does a fantastic job to promote cultural tourism, improving the visitor experience and boosting the economy – and today was just one example of that. As I said in my speech, we need to cherish our history, learn from it, and share it with others. Increasing the number of tourists we draw to attractions outside London is crucial to that. That’s why we launched our Five Point Plan to boost tourism last week – and why Cogges Manor Farm was the perfect place to reaffirm my commitment to that.”

Hayley Beer-Gamage said: “We have been delighted to welcome the Prime Minister here today at our Cultural Platform. The value of tourism and the visitor economy to Oxfordshire is £1.8 billion and each year we welcome over 26.5 million visitors to our great destination. Culture is an integral part of our offering to visitors: we are proud of our Magna Carta heritage and are sure that visitors will enjoy exploring the legacy of the Charter across the many fantastic venues we have in the County that are celebrating it this year.”

The recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of Experience Oxfordshire, Hayley Beer-Gamage also spoke at the Cultural Platform, highlighting the value of our cultural heritage to the growth of tourism, especially in our county so rich in heritage assets.

The event was sponsored by Hedges Law, a legal firm founded in Oxfordshire in 1789 and VSL & Partners Property Developers, longstanding supporters of cultural development in Oxfordshire.

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David Cameron speaking at Experience Oxfordshire Cultural Platform

Melissa Maple and Nicola Poole from Hedges Law, David Cameron, Prime Minister, Richard Venables, Tom Barton and Andrew Lockhart from VSL & Partners Ltd

Richard Venables of VSL and Partners said: “VSL and Partners are delighted to sponsor this very special event which brings together Oxfordshire’s cultural community and its supporters. We firmly believe the economic well-being of the area is intrinsically linked to its cultural diversity which is why we are long term supporters of Experience Oxfordshire. The Cultural Platform is an opportunity to step out of our daily routine and reflect on the local cultural community.”

we’re now working with Experience Oxfordshire to promote the collaboration of tourism and culture alongside Oxfordshire business. With so many of our clients having a personal and professional interest in leisure, culture and tourism in the county, this was the perfect opportunity to bring them together. We are delighted to have had David Cameron’s presence today, an exciting bonus for the many local children who came along to enjoy the day’s activities.”

Nicola Poole of Hedges Law said: “Established in 1789, and one of the oldest law firms in England, Hedges Law welcomed the opportunity to be a part of this event to celebrate the Magna Carta anniversary. With our history of local community involvement throughout four centuries of trading,

Oxfordshire’s residents and visitors are fortunate to be able to see an original Magna Carta at the Bodleian’s new Weston Library in an exhibition until 20 September 2015. In an election year, the celebration of the birth of democracy is an inspiration for young people and Oxfordshire is engaging young

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Confirmation of the Magna Carta and of the Carta de Foresta of Henry III – copyright of the Bodleian Library

people in a variety of projects. Many of the young people at Cogges today are part of Find Your Voice, a partnership project between the Oxfordshire County Council Library Service, the Houses of Parliament, arts and cultural organisations, and up to 200 young people, with a focus on the arts and encouraging young people to become more active citizens.

CONTACT DETAILS hayley.beer-gamage@experienceoxfordshire.org 01865 686 436 www.experienceoxfordshire.org

BROWNS OXFORD

We have been serving simple, classic and freshly prepared dishes in elegant surroundings since the first Browns opened in 1973. Described by many as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a great example of proper foodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, we use the best ingredients and cook fresh to order. We also think a sense of place is important. Our resrtaurants are places where you can relax, enjoy a drink, a fine meal and good conversation. Our staff truly know how to look after you, leaving you free to enjoy the food and the atmosphere. www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

B ROW N S O X F O R D 5-11 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HA t: 01865 511995 e: oxford@browns-restaurants.co.uk

B ROW N S R E A D I N G Unit 5A, The Oracle Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG t: 0118 9503137 e: browns.reading@mbplc.com

Enjoy Champagne moments with Browns every Friday Chilled bottles of Mercier Champagne for only £24.95. Get your evening off to a spectacular start. XII

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The New Era Project at Lady Margaret Hall First impressions of LMH have changed considerably over the years. When the first students arrived in 1879 the College consisted only of the villa at the end of Norham Gardens. It still forms part of the College and is now called Old Old Hall. WRITTEN BY: GEMMA SHEPPARD

After 1910 the rather more grand Talbot building provided a more imposing façade. During the 1960’s things changed again with the addition of new buildings creating the college’s first quadrangle but the scheme envisaged by Raymond Erith was not completed, leaving a rather austere and incomplete entrance to the college. That was until 2014 when work began on the second and final phase of the College’s new Era project. They are now close to completing the sequence of spaces that will in the future form the new entrance and transform the way the College is perceived. The new Donald Fothergill building on the left and the new Clore Graduate Centre on the right will enclose a new open and welcoming quadrangle. In addition in this second and final phase of LMH’s New Era project the college will be providing facilities that will include: • A new self contained centre for postgraduate students • a new Porter’s Lodge and reception area • 42 additional study bedrooms • Additional seminar, reception and teaching spaces

The focus in these buildings is the support of the College’s postgraduate students. LMH has approximately 180 postgraduate students, who come from all over the world and work in an exciting array of different disciplines. They are the scientists, researchers, university teachers, and highly trained professionals of the future. They go on to make a truly outstanding contribution to society in medicine and law, business and education, science and the arts. After graduating many stay on and work in Oxford and Oxfordshire. Although postgraduate studies have been a growing part of Oxford University over recent years this work is not part of a plan to increase student numbers. The two new buildings, when completed, will enable the college to offer accommodation to all of it’s postgraduate students for at least one year and will provide excellent living and working spaces. They will also provide a social and residential centre for graduate students right in the heart of the college, a facility offered by few other colleges. The new entrance, Porters’ Lodge and quadrangle will serve the whole College community. The construction now nearing completion will conclude an enormous effort under the leadership

of Principal Dr Frances Lannon which has seen the facilities at the college improve and the consolidation of LMH’s beautiful and peaceful location. If you’d like to have a look for yourself, watch out for opportunities to visit the College on Open Days, during Oxford’s Open Doors weekend, as part of the National Garden Scheme, or just as a private visitor (present yourself at the Porters Lodge to enjoy a stroll around the grounds). Although education and research are at the heart of the College you might also like to enquire about hosting a meeting or event there – see their website for details http:// conference.lmh.ox.ac.uk/ The College is looking forward to opening the new buildings in Spring 2016.

CONTACT DETAILS enquiries@lmh.ox.ac.uk 01865 274 300 http://www.lmh.ox.ac.uk

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“The two new buildings,

when completed, will enable the college to offer accommodation to all of it’s postgraduate students for at least one year and will provide excellent living and working spaces

”

Gemma Sheppard - Events Co-ordinator and Administrator

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Oxford Parkway opening 26 October

This autumn you can travel to London from our brand new station at Oxford Parkway. With over 800 parking spaces and table-topping punctuality, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the smarter way to London. To find out more, go to chilternrailways.co.uk/mainline

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Egrove Park, University of Oxford: Business or Leisure; always a comfortable and affordable stay Enjoy 20% off our accommodation if you quote B415 when booking!* WRITTEN BY: VERITY DONOVAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DAVID FISHER

Set in 37 acres of parkland, Egrove Park, part of the University of Oxford is the perfect place to stay. We have 63 executive style bedrooms set in a relaxing and convenient location. Located just off the A34 and Oxford Ring Road, the bedrooms at Egrove Park are perfect for on-site residential events, delegates attending events at our Park End Street venue and bed and breakfast accommodation for business and leisure travelers to the region. The venue is located just two miles from Oxford city centre, with an excellent public transport bus service and easy access to Oxford’s tourist attractions. We offers plenty of free car parking and all rooms have en-suite facilities, a large desk area and are equipped with a telephone, internet connection, television, tea and coffee making facilities, and other essentials to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

There are a wide variety of rooms, from the Clifford Barclay lecture theatre seating up to 110 delegates to a selection of flexible classrooms and sixteen syndicate rooms most of which seat six to ten delegates. The bar is the perfect place to meet up with fellow delegates, whilst the dining room offers catering for a variety of functions including breakfast, buffet lunch and dinner or private dining. We are one of the UK’s leading conference, meeting and event providers with high quality function and event spaces and superb bar and entertainment facilities. We have two unique and diverse world class venues to choose from, each equipped with the latest audio-visual facilities and having a dedicated, friendly team on hand to take care of your every last detail. Our Park End Street venue is located in the heart of Oxford city centre, offering immediate access to the train station adjacent to the venue.

Egrove Park has a range of fantastic leisure facilities, including an all-weather surface suitable for tennis or football, a snooker room, two squash courts, a gym and a sauna. Outside is a croquet lawn, and the extensive grounds are ideal for walking and jogging.

With the addition in 2012 of the West Wing, following a £28 million investment, our Park End Street venue offers a wide variety of conference, meeting and exhibition facilities, finished and furnished to the highest of standards and with stunning architecture.

Our purpose-built centre offers a first-class venue for business meetings of all kinds, whether you need a secluded setting in which the board can discuss strategy, or residential conference facilities to suit the larger events.

Highlights include three oak-panelled Harvard-style lecture theatres each seating up to 76 delegates, three large flexible classrooms, and 18 boardroom style seminar rooms.

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At the heart of the West Wing is the Club Room with a bar, lounge space, terrace and views across private gardens, which is the perfect space for refreshments, a drinks reception and networking. The Club Room offers a wow factor to any event, with exotic rugs and leather Chesterfields adding a classic touch to the design. Gala dinner or buffet dining is available in three second-floor private dining rooms with panoramic views over Oxford’s dreaming spires. We also offer the following at both venues: • Bespoke wedding reception packages including a night’s stay at Egrove Park. This includes up to 4 menu options, evening buffet and drinks packages all tailored to individual requirements • Corporate Christmas dinner packages: plated or hot buffet options • Private functions • BBQs • Wine tasting • Teambuilding exercises: treasure hunts or “It’s a Knockout” For more information on all our services or to book a room please contact Sara Nema. *Room booking subject to availability

CONTACT DETAILS conference@sbs.ox.a.cuk 01865 288846 www.sbs.oxford/conference

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Diner des Protégés To celebrate 30 years of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc OBE has been welcoming back members of his brigade to host a series of Diner des Protégés at his two Michelin Star Oxfordshire restaurant. Throughout 2015, guests joining the Diner des Protégés evenings have been fortunate to savour the acclaimed chefs’ signature creations during an evening of gastronomic excellence. B4 were invited to enjoy the return of Adam Simmonds in July. WRITTEN BY: RICHARD ROSSER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: GREAT BRITISH CHEFS

The food of Belmond Le Manoir has been reflected in each menu, which includes an introductory course from Raymond Blanc, as well as one from Executive Head Chef Gary Jones and Pastry Chef Benoit Blin. To date, chefs that have so far taken part include Michael Caines MBE, Ollie Dabbous, Martin Burge and Paul Heathcote MBE. Those yet to take part can be seen in the side panel. On a beautiful July evening, we were welcomed to Le Manoir’s private events garden for a LaurentPerrier champagne reception by Monsieur Blanc, the ultimate host, charismatic and attentive at all times. Delighted to be reunited with his former colleagues, Monsieur Blanc said, ‘For a teacher, there is no greater joy and pride than to see one’s students reach the peak of their chosen career. Teaching and training is one of the most important things to me, I love to pass on what I know and I am very excited to be welcoming back my protégés to Le Manoir for this fantastic series of events.’ Le Manoir has maintained Two Michelin Stars for 30 years and the food remains the focus of every guest’s visit. The quality of the food stems from the freshness and purity of its ingredients, with the two acre kitchen garden producing 90 types of vegetables and over 70 varieties of herbs which are used in the kitchens. As we made our way into the private dining room, there was a sense of excitement that was, I am sure, shared by all of the guests, anticipating a masterclass of fine dining and wine. We were not to be disappointed. The menu was exciting, vibrant, refreshing and intoxicatingly beautiful in its presentation. 34

Le Menu Scallop Tartar, eucalyptus, tapioca, green strawberries Terrine of garden beetroot, horseradish sorbet Confit of salmon, gooseberries, green tomatoes, smoked lard Free-range hen’s egg, watercress purée, Jabugo ham, toasted hazelnuts Roasted veal fillet, sweetbreads, sunflower seed, ash Yellow Peaches, almonds, sweet cicely Manjari chocolate and raspberry crumble

Accompanying Wines Côtes de Provence 2011 – Domaine de La Courtade, Provence, France Chardonnay 2013 – Vignoble Guillaume, Franche-Comté, France Givry 1er Cru Clos du Clas Long 2012 – Domaine François Lumpp, Bourgogne, France Ruster Aubruch 2012 – Feiler-Artinger, Burgenland, Autriche

Each dish was passionately introduced by Adam or Monsieur Blanc. I am sure Adam won’t object to my observation that his mentor stole the show with his boundless enthusiasm for Le Manoir’s contributions as well as Adam’s – he really was the pièce de résistance in this celebration of all things current and past. Make sure you celebrate with Le Manoir….. a truly special and unique institution.

About Belmond Ltd. Belmond Ltd. is a global collection of exceptional hotel and luxury travel adventures in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. Established almost 40 years ago with the acquisition of Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Company owns and operates 45 unique and distinctive hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations. From city landmarks to intimate resorts, the collection includes Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg; Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro; Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya; and Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara. Belmond also encompasses safaris, six luxury tourist trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, three river cruises and ‘21’, one of New York’s most storied restaurants. Continued overleaf

CONTACT DETAILS manoir.mqs@belmond.com 01844 277 484 www.belmond.com/lemanoir @lemanoir

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Forthcoming Diner des Protégés Eric Chavot: Wednesday 16 September Bruno Loubet: Wednesday 21 October Alan Murchison: Wednesday 25 November The Diner des Protégés evenings include a champagne Laurent-Perrier reception with canapés and a signature dinner with accompanying wines, coffee and petits fours. The evenings are priced at £225 per person. For further information, visit www.belmond.com/lemanoir or call the events team on 0184 427 7484.

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The 2015 p u C p u o r B4/MG

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B4 feature

It’s a busy summer for Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons Raymond Blanc’s two Michelin star restaurant and hotel Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons still has an exciting schedule of summer activities and events to complement Raymond’s own seasonal diary.

New for 2015 – summer garden tours for nonresidents In answer to the wealth of requests for this, Le Manoir has introduced garden tours for nonresidents. The tours are available between Monday and Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). The tours start at 10:00am with coffee, tea and biscuits in the lounges followed by a tour of the gardens at 10:45am (£30.00 per person). A summer evening tour is also available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until September. Tours begin at 6:30pm and guests receive a glass of champagne by the Glass House (£50 per person).

Summer events at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons In one of the classic sporting moments of all time, Sir Matthew Pinsent led Great Britain’s coxless four to victory at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Mere milliseconds ahead of the Canadian Champions, the win earned Pinsent’s place in Olympic history. Guests joining An Audience with Olympic Champion Matthew Pinsent, CBE on 9 September will enjoy fascinating stories from his extraordinary career, a champagne Laurent-Perrier reception and a four

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course dinner with accompanying wines, coffee and petits fours. Priced at £235 per person. A Year in the life of Downton Abbey with Jessica Fellowes on 15 September will see Jessica Fellowes, niece to Julian Fellowes the creator of Downton Abbey, share her insights into the inspiration behind the show – her family. Ms Fellowes book, A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey, elaborates on the social climate of the early 20th century. By looking at favourite characters and the world they lived in, the book examines how the year 1924 unfolded at the country estate. The afternoon includes a glass of prosecco, three course lunch with accompanying wines, coffee and petits fours and a signed copy of A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey. Priced at £135 per person. The 2015 Le Manoir summer concludes with the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Gala Dinner on 25 September. Guests will end the summer in style by raising a glass with Raymond Blanc and LaurentPerrier’s David Hesketh, and enjoys a unique range of fine champagnes from this esteemed, family owned house each perfectly paired with Raymond’s specially designed menu. Priced at £275 per person.

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons prepares for The Raymond Blanc Festival of Music This autumn, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons will once again host the much anticipated Raymond Blanc Festival of Music in the intimate setting of the

neighbouring 12th century St Mary’s Church. The 2015 festival will offer music aficionados the ultimate opportunity to witness esteemed jazz artists Courtney Pine CBE and Madeleine Peyroux in almost complete privacy. Now in its 24th year, The Raymond Blanc Festival of Music is well established, showcasing many internationally acclaimed artists from the worlds of opera, classical music and jazz. This unique event, available for a select audience, is a rare chance to get close and personal with some of the highest calibre artists in the music industry. Guests will have the once in a lifetime opportunity to mingle with the artists after their performances. Guests will be welcomed with a Champagne Laurent-Perrier reception, served with canapés, before being led on a torch lit walk to St Mary’s Church for the evening’s concert performance. Guests will then return to Le Manoir to enjoy dinner created by Raymond Blanc and Executive Head Chef Gary Jones for the occasion, with selected wines from the cellar, coffee and petits fours. Courtney Pine will perform on Wednesday 30 September and Madeleine Peyroux will perform on Thursday 1 October 2015. The evening begins at 6.45pm and dinner is served at 9.15pm. Tickets start from £350 per person. For further details and reservations, telephone 01844 277484 or email events.mqs@belmond.com

So You Want Profile? The In Oxford Group have built up an impressive portfolio of events over the past eight years, all of which can give your business excellent profile and alignment with some of the county’s leading brands, not to mention some international organisations who can help lift your profile. With events ranging from the 2015 Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards, a black tie dinner for 300 guests now in its 5th year, to more intimate B4 Business Lunches for up to 25 carefully selected guests or from hosting B4 Classic events at your venue for up to 250 guests to Business in Oxford which this year attracted over 400 businesses with up to 64 businesses presenting in the day long event at Saïd Business School. We can help you to connect with businesses you need to connect with and take away the worry of organising events from you. If you would like to find out more, contact the Events Team at B4 on 01865 742211. Here’s an overview of the events you can get involved with:

T H E

OX F O R D S H I R E

RESTAURANT

AWARDS

Date:

Tuesday 6th October, 2015 at Oxford Town Hall 6pm to 11.30pm

Event Overview:

300 guests gather in the Town Hall Assembly Room for a Laurent-Perrier sponsored champagne reception and then proceed to the main hall for a three course meal prepared and served by the students of City of Oxford College. The meal is followed by the Awards at 9.30pm, culminating in the announcement at 10.45pm of the 2015 Oxfordshire Restaurant of the Year.

Sponsorship:

AWARDS 2016 Date:

Thursday 25th February 2016 at Weston Library

Event Overview:

The inaugural event took place at Weston Library and was an integral part of a B4 Classic Event with over 200 guests attending. The Awards were relatively informal, with 150 guests seated in the main hall at Weston Library to witness 15 Awards presented to category winners including Oxfordshire’s Favourite Event and Oxfordshire’s Favourite for Kids.

Sponsorship:

Category Sponsorship - £500+VAT

Category Sponsorship - £1,000+VAT Present the winner with their certificate Receive 4 VIP tickets to the Awards ceremony in Spring 2016 Your logo on all certificates See your logo on all Awards collateral, on and off line

There are three Awards sponsorships still available which include: Web and programme profile; two tickets to the Awards; logo on all certificates; presentation of your sponsored Award.

Overall Awards Sponsorship - £2,000+VAT Other:

This event is black tie. Present the overall Living in Oxford ‘Number One’ trophy presented to the business receiving the most public votes across all categories. This could be a restaurant, an attraction, a hotel or a charity. Every business is in with a chance of winning this prestigious Award. Receive 10 VIP tickets to the Awards ceremony in Spring 2016 Your logo on all certificates as main sponsor See your logo on all Awards collateral, on and off line – the Awards will be known as: The Your Business Living in Awards Other:

This event is not black tie. Seats are arranged theatre style and the ceremony will last approximately one hour.

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B4 feature

BUSINESS

Monthly throughout 2016

Event Overview:

B4 Classic events have gained a reputation for high quality with not only first class venues hosting our members but senior business decision makers from the region’s leading companies attend B4 Classic events and can enjoy excellent canapés and fine wine. Each event is different with the focal point being a speech by the host or an interactive experience at the venue.

We have been fortunate to attract representatives not only from a wide range of sectors to the two annual events so far, we have also welcomed businesses of all sizes. Business in Oxford is certainly an event for everyone.

Sponsorship:

Host an event - £0

Other:

Thursday 21st April, 2016 at Saïd Business School

Event Overview:

Having been established in 2014, Business in Oxford has certainly secured itself a place in Oxfordshire’s business calendar as a must attend event for anyone looking to engage, be informed and derive inspiration from the myriad of businesses living and breathing in Oxfordshire.

There is no charge to host a B4 event on the basis that our hosts cover the costs of room hire, drinks and canapés whilst we organising the guests. Events can be tailored to show off your event at its best.

For ticket, sponsorship, programme advertising and presentation opportunities, please call the team on 01865 742211 or visit the event website at: www. businessinoxford.co.uk . Some packages outlined below:

events

Bronze Sponsorship - £750+VAT

Date:

Monthly throughout 2016

One full page feature in the event programme mailed out with B4 prior to the event. Present one 12 minute slot in your chosen themed POD. Your presentation will be video’d for you to use for your own promotional purposes. One full page feature in the post event edition of B4 Magazine mailed out to 9,000 Thames Valley businesses.

Event Overview:

Align yourself with a fabulous venue and promote your business to up to 250 B4 members but let us do the hard work. If you are interested in profiling your business at a B4 Classic Event in 2016, call the events team today. You can even use the event as the perfect opportunity to invite your guests.

Sponsorship:

Sponsor a B4 Classic event - £3,000+VAT The charge includes: 30 guests for you to invite 2 page profile in B4 Magazine after the event 2 bespoke banners promoting your brand at the event Pre event invites printed with your logo and sent to B4 Members and other targets Badges printed with your logo Event video edited for you to use on your website Event programme with welcome from your company and useful company information for guests to take away 5 minute speech at the event Official photographer to take photos which you can use after the event All food and drink included

Overall Event Sponsorship - £7,500+VAT Comprehensive coverage in the pre event programme circulated with B4 Magazine and also the post event edition of B4 Magazine. Event will be known as “Business in Oxford 2016 brought to you by XYZ” wherever possible. Also enjoy the benefits of Gold and Silver sponsorship including exhibition stand in main reception, sponsorship of one POD and ability to present in four PODs. Other:

Host a B4 Classic Event

Date:

Sponsorship:

events

The event will take place throughout the day, commencing at 8.30am and closing at 7pm.

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Sponsor a B4 Classic Event

April 21st, 2016 Business in Oxford 2016, Saïd Business School The 3rd Annual Business in Oxford event will build on the success of the first two years, showcasing a wide range of Oxfordshire based businesses. Presenting in a series of themed PODS, the event is fast paced, with ample opportunities for networking. This event will be free to B4 members in 2016. For more information visit www.businessinoxford.com. Saïd Business School, Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HP www.sbs.ox.ac.uk

May 2016 B4 Classic Event at The Compleat Angler We will be returning to this stunning riverside location for the second time in May next year. Located on the banks of the River Thames with unparalleled views of the Marlow Weir in the heart of Buckinghamshire, you’ll find the world-renowned Macdonald Compleat Angler. Situated just 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport and 5 minutes to Maidenhead with fast train connections into London, you can be in the city in just over an hour. There are plenty of reasons to indulge in this picturesque and popular part of England, not least the opportunity to see rowing Olympians train on the River as part of the nearby Marlow Rowing Club. And, if you’re in the area on business or at a board level strategy meeting in one of our new high-tech meeting rooms, you’ll also be connected by free, unlimited WiFi powered by The Cloud. Marlow Bridge, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1RG www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-compleat-angler

June 2016 B4 Classic Event at Henmans Freeth The B4 Classic Event at leading law firm Henmans Freeth will provide B4 members with a unique behind the scenes experience at one of the regions largest law firms. Henmans Freeth have a national reputation for handling commercial and personal matters for a wide range of individuals, businesses, institutions, and third sector organisations. Clients face complex challenges in various environments and they come to Henmans Freeth because they need lawyers that have the experience and expertise to solve problems quickly and successfully. More than half of the partners are acknowledged as legal experts within their fields. The firm prides itself on giving clients consistently excellent service wherever and whenever they need it. Henmans Freeth, 5000 Oxford Business Park South, Oxford OX4 2BH www.henmansfreeth.co.uk

See more events on page 40 & 110 40

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B4 feature

events

Sponsor a B4 Masterclass

events Sponsor a B4 Business Lunch

Date:

Monthly throughout 2016

Date:

Monthly throughout 2016

Event Overview:

The B4 Masterclasses were launched in 2015 and provide our members with a unique opportunity to promote their business to interested B4 members. These events will, on the whole, be staged prior to B4 Classic Events in 2016 but we can discuss your exact requirements with you.

Event Overview:

We have run a number of informal Business Lunches over the years but with increased demand for these events, we have set them up as a monthly opportunity for our members in 2016.

Sponsorship:

We handle everything – all you need to do is tell us how many people you want to attend and we will source the venue, promote the lunch, find the guests and cover the lunch in B4 Magazine and even provide you with a video of the lunch.

Sponsor a B4 Masterclass - £1,750+VAT The charge includes: 10 guests for you to invite 1 page profile in B4 Magazine after the event 1 bespoke banner promoting your brand at the Masterclass Pre event invites printed with your logo and sent to B4 Members and other targets Badges printed with your logo Masterclass video edited for you to use on your website Masterclass programme with welcome from your company and useful company information for guests to take away One hour presentation Official photographer to take photos which you can use after the Masterclass All food and drink included

Sponsorship:

Sponsor a B4 Business Lunch - £1,000 to £1,750+VAT depending on numbers The charge includes: 2 guests for you to invite 1 page profile in B4 Magazine after the event 1 bespoke banner promoting your brand at the Lunch Pre event invites printed with your logo and sent to B4 Members and other targets Badges printed with your logo Lunch programme with welcome from your company and useful company information for guests to take away Decide on the theme for the lunch Official photographer to take photos which you can use after the Lunch All food and drink included

CALL THE B4 EVENTS TEAM TODAY ON 01865 742211 www.b4-business.com

A perfect venue... Conferences, Seminars, Meetings Facilities include: • Fully modernised meeting & conference facilities • Excellent road & rail links • Separate meeting & break out rooms • Also suitable for seminars & exhibitions • Free wifi available • Ample free parking

events@frilfordheath.co.uk

...for a productive day Your Special Day Greet your guests in our elegant Skelton Suite with a glass of champagne and canapés. Enjoy the exquisite facilities exclusively for the day and enjoy the wedding breakfast of your choice in our spacious clubhouse. Come and meet our wedding co-ordinator to talk about your plans weddings@frilfordheath.co.uk

...for a perfect day Golf Days Includes: • Unlimited golf – play all 3 of our Championship Courses • Home cooked food served in the Clubhouse

SUMMER PACKAGE from

£85

per person

Until 31st October 2015

events@frilfordheath.co.uk

...for a golf day

Venue for England Golf Week, August 2015

Frilford Heath I Abingdon I Oxon OX13 5NW 01865 390864 www.frilfordheath.co.uk events@frilfordheath.co.uk

Qualifying School Venue

FRILFORD HEATH GOLF CLUB

news

Short Let Space Serviced Apartments in Oxford Short Let Space is expanding its provision of short let property in Oxford by opening its own brand of Serviced Apartments in Oxford. The first units opened in May in the recently converted Premier Place building near the Oxford Business Park. The aim is to provide high quality, value for money serviced apartment accommodation suitable for stays of several nights to many months. Managing Director Kelvin Fowler identifies the importance of a city the size of Oxford having a supply of professionally operated Serviced Apartments to address the needs of the business accommodation market. Kelvin comments “the well advertised websites like AirBnB and Holiday Lettings have promoted a huge rise in the supply of furnished short let accommodation, almost to the point of oversupply. However, we concentrate on the provision of professionally managed short let accommodation for both the leisure and business travel market’. With one bedroom apartment rates from £80 per night, Short Let Space Serviced Apartments are all furnished and equipped to a high standard, within

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easy reach of the Oxford Business Park, BMW, ring road and East Oxford. The apartments offer excellent value for money and space compared to equivalent hotel standard accommodation. They also offer flexible booking terms and corporate account facilities. For reservations contact Short Let Space on 01993 811 711. Short Let Space are currently seeking long term apartment lease options in city centre developments to further expand its Serviced Apartment provision. Please contact Kelvin Fowler below.

CONTACT DETAILS stay@shortletspace.co.uk 01993 811 711 www.shortletspace.co.uk/oxford-serviced-apartments

NADAS, The Newbury Showground and The Royal County of Berkshire Show

NADAS Newbury and District Agricultural Society is a not-for-profit organisation that has been promoting excellence in agriculture for over 100 years. Formed in 1909 with the aim of providing an annual event to replace the demised local Horse Show, today the Society is a registered charity established with the purpose of promoting agriculture, horticulture, rural crafts and education in these fields. Most noted for organising the Royal County of Berkshire Show, which makes a significant contribution to these purposes, the Society also delivers an extensive education programme in schools throughout Berkshire, North Hampshire and South Oxfordshire, runs an annual ploughing match, a ‘junior countryside day’ and local farming competitions to promote best practice in the industry.

The Royal County of Berkshire Show The Society staged the first Newbury Show at Enborne Gate Farm on 28th September 1909 and has run this annual Show ever since with brief gaps during

the two World Wars and in the farming depression of the early 1930’s. The Show has been held in various venues around Newbury and developed into a two-day Show in 1976. Since 1984, when the Society purchased its current home, Newbury Showground, at the intersection of the M4 and A34 the event has gone from strength to strength. Now properly known as the Royal County of Berkshire Show, it is a highly respected agricultural and rural event ranking in the top ten agricultural shows in the country. The show, which this year will be held on the 19th and 20th of September, attracts over 60,000 people, who come to see all that is best about Berkshire, as well as the best farming livestock from around the country. There will be over 2,000 animals competing, culminating in a magnificent parade of livestock. The best local chefs will battle it out to produce Berkshire’s signature dish; the daring Kangaroo Kid will thrill crowds with his daredevil quod-bike stunt show in the main arena, and everyone will be able to join in ‘have-a-go’ activities throughout the showground. You could ride a Segway, try-out your football skills with Reading United, or compare vintage farm machinery of yesteryear with a state-of-the-art GPS-controlled harvester. And you won’t need to miss

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B4 feature The Royal County of Berkshire Show (RCBS, still widely known by its previous name ‘the Newbury Show’) is the annual flagship event of the Newbury & District Agricultural Society (NADAS) and has, since the 1980s, been held at the Newbury Showground, NADAS’s permanent site in a fabulously accessible location at the junction of the M4 and A34. Not only a brilliant day out for the entire family, RCBS remains one of the country’s premier agricultural shows, still with the very best of the nation’s farming livestock as a central attraction, and a significant opportunity for businesses to build brand awareness and reach new customers, whether as exhibitors or sponsors. Outside the dates of the RCBS, the Showground is available for hire, as a whole, or in sections and has the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of events. WRITTEN BY: DAREN BOWYER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MATTHEW WEBB

“Attracts over 60,000 people, who come to see all that is best about Berkshire” Daren Bowyer, Chief Executive

the Rugby World Cup, either, as we’ll be showing it on big screens! The Show is also a shoppers’ heaven with over 600 stands offering a diversity of food, crafts and gifts not available on any high street, representing the best of Berkshire produce alongside some more exotic treats. So, it is very much an event for all ages.

Visit The Showground is easily accessible with plenty of free parking (or treat yourself to the best spots for a small charge). Tickets on the gate will be £20 for adults, £16 for concession and £7 children (under 5s, free): but there are significant

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discounts for buying early through the website: www.newburyshowground.co.uk/show/index or local shops.

premier events. Sponsor packages are available to suit all budgets. Contact Chief Executive Daren Bowyer to find out more. CEO@newburyshowground.co.uk.

Exhibit

Hire the Showground

Want to show off your wares? We still have a small number of spaces available for trade-stands – or book early for next year (and benefit from a discount!). Contact Natalie in the Show office: office@newburyshowground.co.uk or 01635 247 111.

150 acres of beautiful Berkshire downland, right next to the M4 and A34, with a network of permanent internal roads but otherwise a blank canvas on which to design your event. See www. newburyshowground.co.uk/society-pages/hiringthe-showground or contact us for more details.

Sponsor With a footfall of 60,000+ over two days, this is a superb opportunity to develop brand awareness through association with one of the Thames Valley’s

CONTACT DETAILS office@newburyshowground.co.uk 01635 247 111 www.newburyshowground.co.uk

ThE BEAR & RAggEd STAFF CUMNOR

Wining, Dining and Superb Accommodation 4 Miles from the Mayhem of Oxford

Not only does the Bear and Ragged Staff serve fantastic food throughout the day, its conversion to a Country Inn means it is now in a position to offer a full suite of services to the discerning traveler whether on business or just looking for a home away from home for a few days. Our food ethos can be summed up very simply, local where possible, absolutely fresh, prepared in our own kitchen. e Bear's food offering can best be described as eclectic, mainly British food, prepared with loving care and attention in well equipped kitchens, beautifully presented and served by well trained floor staff. And all this with a wine list carefully selected for quality and value.

TO BOOK A TABLE OR ROOM CALL 01865 862329 Food served all day: Mon-urs 12:00 - 21:30. Fri-Sat12:00 - 22:00 & Sun 12:00 - 21:00

28 Appleton Road, Cumnor, Oxfordshire, OX2 9QH 01865 862329 enquiries@bearandraggedstaﬀ.com www.bearandraggedstaﬀ.com

B4 feature

Bespoke events

at Corpus Christi College Founded in 1517, Corpus Christi is a small intimate venue nestled in the heart of Oxford city centre. Corpus Christi offers 5 beautiful multi-purpose meeting / function rooms, each able to seat up to 25 people for either conferences or dining. WRITTEN BY: HANNAH TALBOTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY: NICHOLAS REED

Corpus Christi has â&#x20AC;&#x153; a cutting edge and

experienced Conference team who will closely liaise with each client to fulfil their bespoke requirements

â&#x20AC;?

As a new addition to the College, the MBI Al Jaber auditorium is situated in the south-west corner of the College and is built into the bastion of the ancient City wall. The Auditorium can hold up to 120 guests - it is a purpose built Lecture Theatre which can also be used as a large meeting room. Tiered seating can be removed to create a large floor space which can also be used for wedding receptions or music events. Adjacent to the auditorium is the MBI Al Jaber Foyer, with room for up to 60 guests. This is an ideal breakout space for conferences. The Foyer is also very popular for drinks receptions, as is the Handa Terrace directly above the auditorium which is an ideal location for wedding receptions and social events. The Handa Terrace is a rooftop terrace with beautiful views over the stunning Christ Church Meadow and can hold up to 100 guests. Corpus Christi also features a few smaller rooms perfect for meetings. There is the Rainolds Room, with room for up to 60 guests, an elegant room suitable for meetings, buffets or drinks receptions. Or how about our Seminar Room, a purpose designed

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teaching room fulling equipped with data projector, screen and whiteboard, and holding up to 20 guests. Cosier still we have the Fraenkel Room, holding 12 guests, which is a purpose designed meeting room ideally suited for small seminars and meetings, and the Morelli Room, holding 10 guests, in a boardroom style configuration. Corpus Christi has a cutting edge and experienced Conference team who will closely liaise with each client to fulfil their bespoke requirements, and who are driven to ensuring that each client is treated as an individual whose personal needs take precedence. For more information on what Corpus Christi can do for your meeting or event, please contact Hannah Talbott, Conference & Accommodation Manager, at the details below. CONTACT DETAILS hannah.talbott@ccc.ox.ac.uk 01865 276708 www.ccc.ox.ac.uk

Malmaison Some time ago, I enjoyed sampling the delicious menu on offer in the Brasserie at Malmaison, an iconic hotel in the centre of Oxford. But though I have lived in Oxford for over 15 years, I had never experienced being a guest in this wonderful venue, which was, until the late 90’s, one of Her Majesty’s Prisons. WRITTEN BY: HANNAH TALBOTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY: MALMAISON

I was able to check in without any hassle and was promptly escorted to the suite by the manager on duty. Room 402, our Duplex Suite, is located in the New Road section of the hotel, overlooking the Castle Mound. Extensive development and refurbishment to the complex, which was completed in 2005, has meant this über-stylish hotel is now in stark contrast to HMP. Before my partner arrived, I explored the room. Crossing down the stairs into the bedroom area I had to resist the urge to jump onto the King size bed! Instead I ended up in the most amazing bathroom and went for a luxurious ‘swim’ in the large, free-standing, cast-iron bath. I decided I had better get out before falling asleep, draped myself in one of the thick, fluffy robes and discovered what

other delights the room had to offer. The shower was a separate, mosaic tiled room with mood lighting and an enormous monsoon shower head. The room was well equipped, with a minibar downstairs, large flat-screen TV, free WiFi and my favourite gadget of all - a Nespresso machine. Upstairs there was a large sofa, another flat-screen TV, and a welcome card from the hotel. By this time my partner had arrived, and so before heading to dinner we stood and relaxed on the balcony and were treated to an impressive full-costumed display of the play Titus Andronicus. Following such culture, and despite our dinner reservation my partner still found time to check his emails and do a little work...

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B4 feature

“We discovered the main

‘cell block’ with its stunning view, which offered an amalgam of stylish design and the original unique features of the prison

”

The management had kindly booked us a table at the Brasserie. We were warmly greeted by the restaurant manager, and shown to our table where we were offered a glass of Prosecco,which was a lovely start to the meal.

‘cell block’ with its stunning view, which offered an amalgam of stylish design and the original unique features of the prison.

We chose from the summer menu,which had a pleasant yet small selection of light dishes. I knew I was onto a winner as soon as I saw the Wye Valley asparagus Benedict with crisp Bayonne ham, a warm poached egg & truffle hollandaise sauce. Believe me, I couldn’t have been happier. We were both delighted with our main courses, of tuna sashimi Niçoise and New York strip steak layered flatbread salad respectively. There was a general buzz about the restaurant as diners enjoyed their food, and waiters delivered their service attentively. We were offered dessert, but we opted instead to stroll out into the private courtyard garden at the rear of the Brasserie to enjoy our drinks.

“I can say that Malmaison is

The balmy evening, fascinating location and delightful conversation made us forget the time. It was late, and the environment atmospheric when we decided to explore the main hotel. We discovered the main

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We then found our way back to our suite, ready for a good night’s sleep in the expansive bed under

a place of pure indulgence, and I can only recommend it to anyone visiting, or indeed those living, in Oxford

”

crisp, white sheets. We were drifting off to sleep when suddenly - in the middle of the night - we were disturbed by the shower, which had turned itself on, not just a trickle, but water flowed forcefully out of the shower head. Less than a minute later it turned itself off. A little haunting whilst staying in a former prison was certainly interesting, but less

disturbing than things that go bump in the night! We had asked for breakfast in bed, and at 10:30 sharp as requested, there were two attractive picnic baskets outside our door with a newspaper of our choice draped over the top. The hotel offers only continental breakfast in the room, and we enjoyed the various pastries and cereal that were tucked in to the hampers. Thank you to Mal and Emma for a wonderful experience. Having now sampled the delights of Malmaison Brasserie and the hotel, I can say that Malmaison is a place of pure indulgence, and I can only recommend it to anyone visiting, or indeed those living, in Oxford.

CONTACT DETAILS eventsdesk@malmaison.com 0871 943 0350 www.malmaison.com/Oxford

Can you trust your food preparation staff with your reputation? Food-safety training from Oxford City Council As a food business, your reputation with your customers not only rests on the quality of the food you provide, but also on the rating of the food-hygiene standards you receive. In a growing business therefore, it is essential to ensure that your staff understand the principles of good hygiene in all aspects of food handling in order to comply with the law. Oxford City Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Environmental Health Officers have been successfully delivering CIEH accredited food hygiene courses for over 30 years and are highly experienced for meeting the training needs of the catering community.

At Oxford City Council we can offer you and your staff:

Assured compliance with food safety standards CIEH accredited training courses at Level 2 and 3 95% pass rates Courses lead by highly-trained Environmental Health officers Course material available in a variety of languages Bespoke training available Competitive rates A convenient city-centre location

To find out more visit www.oxford.gov.uk/foodhygiene E: foodhygienetraining@oxford.gov.uk T: 01865 249811 Building a world-class city for everyone

news Fiesta Flamenca at Iffley Blue After the hugely successful Brazilian night at Iffley Blue, and the subsequent Blues night with a Billie Holiday tribute, Manager Lara Avincola is delighted to announce the up-coming Spanish evening on September 4th. Combining Chef Alex Turner’s authentic Spanish Tapas menu, with music of this calibre, the evening will be one not to miss. The evening will be marked by joy, colour and passion, when the stunning Anita La Maltesa and renowned guitarist Ramon Ruiz will take to the stage with their vibrant show, Fiesta Flamenca! Between them, they have performed in high-class venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House, as well as Anita being somewhat a YouTube phenomenon! A fabulous display of flamenco dance and guitar combined with Latin American songs, expect all the traditional characteristics of flamenco: hand clapping, footwork, jaleo, singing, dancing, passion, authentic costumes and virtuoso guitar playing. These artists love to share with the audience an underlying musicality and soulful sound that is an integral part of their expression. A night not to miss, please book early to ensure your place, tickets including foor £19.95. Tel 01865 332112, or email us here at reservations@iffleyblue.co.uk

Our 5th Tutored Wine Tasting Our 5th Tutored Wine Tasting of carefully selected wines took place last month, on the evening of Friday 8th May. Neil Gladding, from the Oxford Wine Company, took 20 guests on an oenophilic journey through both well-known and lesser known grape varieties, accompanied by canapés served by Iffley Blue’s ever-attentive waiting staff. All this before a sumptuous 3-course evening meal, specially chosen to enhance some of the wines previously tasted, all for only £25 per person. No wonder our guests were impressed... “Another great experience – I really learnt a lot and will definitely be attending again!” – Claire Sharlott “Always a great night with the team of Oxford Wine Company in attendance” – Dobsy “A lovely selection of wines, which left me wanting more!” – Sonia Robinson Oh, and as usual, we have added the favourite wines, as voted for on the evening, to add to our wine list. These were as follows: Meursault, Domaine Christian Bellang, Burgundy, France Round Stone Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson, New Zealand The 6th Wine Tasting Dinner will be on August 1st – as usual, numbers will be strictly limited to a maximum of 20 people to ensure everybody has chance to taste the wines properly. Please book early to ensure your place, tel 01865 332112, or email us here at reservations@iffleyblue.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS

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timspittles@hawkwellhouse.co.uk

01865 794 009

www.hawkwellhouse.co.uk

www.iffleyblue.co.uk

Redevelopment

at Newbury Racecourse In 2012 Newbury Racecourse and David Wilson Homes agreed to a landmark re-development deal to build 1500 homes around the site, in one of the biggest projects ever to take place at a British leisure destination. As of the summer of 2015 around 300 homes have been finished. WRITTEN BY: ANDY CLIFTON, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

The western end of the site is almost complete, with a brand new horsewalk and refurbishment of the racecourse stables finished last year. The new state-of-the-art Rocking Horse Nursery, Stable Staff Lodge and Owners & Trainers car park are due to be completed in the autumn. Elsewhere on the site, relaying of the internal road network is taking place with the rebuild of the main car park to the east of the racecourse now well underway, at a cost of £1.2m. The first stage of this is now complete with space for 700 cars. In mid-July Newbury Racecourse submitted detailed planning proposals for the ‘heartspace’ of the racecourse that forms part of the major ongoing development project across the whole site. The next phase of residential development is in the Central Area, which will see the construction of 360 apartments and is due to commence later this year. A new £6.7m access bridge from the north of the site is well advanced and is expected to be open in time for the three day bet365 Festival, featuring the Hennessy Gold Cup, in late November. This will make a huge difference to the ease of getting in and out of Newbury and will become the major route into the racecourse, reducing traffic loads into all of the car parks, including a new main public car park at the Eastern end of the racecourse, which is now virtually complete. The racecourse has now completed a detailed review of potential improvements to the racecourse infrastructure, focused on enhancing the racing experience at the same time as generating improved financial returns for the business in the long term.

These proposed development works include:

Phase One • A new west entrance and Horseman’s Club facility, with a bar for owners and trainers and a dining area and patio, which will double as a new events venue on non-racedays; • Two new entrances to create a more attractive and customer-friendly arrival experience; • A new, more modern administration office immediately above the Horseman’s Club; • A new pre-parade ring with new saddling boxes adjacent; • An expansion of the existing parade ring to include a completely new winners enclosure within the parade ring, enhanced viewing for the public and improved facilities for television broadcasters; • Repositioned pavilion suites on the site of the existing saddling boxes; • Landscaping around the grandstands;

Phase Two • Refurbishment of the Berkshire Stand and Pall Mall building to provide improved facilities for both racing and conference customers Subject to planning consent being granted, Phase One will commence in January 2016 and be completed over a two year period. CONTACT DETAILS info@newburyracecourse.co.uk 01635 40015 www.newburyracecourse.co.uk

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B4 feature

A detailed review of â&#x20AC;&#x153; potential improvements to the racecourse infrastructure, focused on enhancing the racing experience at the same time as generating improved financial returns for the business in the long term

â&#x20AC;?

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eFeathers is an inviting country retreat that combines historic charm with a fun personality. Named Oxfordshire’s Restaurant of the Year 2012, it currently holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of gin (167 varieties). “e Gin Experience” menu is £75 per person for seven courses.

MARKET STREET, WOODSTOCK, OXFORDSHIRE, OX20 1SX. TELEPHONE: 01993 812 291. WWW.FEATHERS.CO.UK

B4 feature

The CLIC Sargent Windsor race evening hosted by Eddie Jordan Sporting legends and One Direction singer Liam Payne joinedCLIC Sargent Patron Eddie Jordan to host the 10th anniversary CLIC Sargent Windsor race evening WRITTEN BY: CLIC SARGENT PHOTOGRAPHY BY: VIC CASAMBROS

Champion jockey AP McCoy, former Ireland rugby union star Brian O’Driscoll and golfing pro Paul McGinley attended The CLIC Sargent Windsor Race Night helping to raise an incredible £650,000. AP McCoy said: “Being a jockey is tough and you take some knocks along the way, but it’s nothing compared to what young people and children with cancer go through. “The work CLIC Sargent does to help them and their families cope with cancer treatment and get the most out of life is amazing.” Racegoers met Emily Davies, 25, from Sutton Vallance, Kent who has been supported by CLIC Sargent for the past two years. Emily was diagnosed and treated for thyroid cancer in 2013, and again when the cancer returned in 2014. Emily said: “My parents live five hours away, www.b4-business.com

so when I was being treated at the Royal Marsden in London, Lara from CLIC Sargent was a massive support.

“Knowing that there’s always someone there for you makes a massive difference.”

You cannot help but be “touched by the stories of

Eddie Jordan said: “You cannot help but be touched by the stories of the young people and children with cancer that CLIC Sargent supports, which is why I am a proud and long-term supporter of this fantastic charity.”

the young people and children with cancer that CLIC Sargent supports, which is why I am a proud and long-term supporter of this fantastic charity Eddie Jordan

”

“She was always there to talk things through and explain things. She even visited me wearing a Geiger counter when I had to be in a lead-lined room for four days after my radioactive iodine therapy.

B4 would like to thank Barry Grinham of Prime Energy Fitness for the invitation to this event. Barry is pictured centre with Tony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and Brian O’Driscoll. To find out more about CLIC Sargent events see below. CONTACT DETAILS joanne.pugh@clicsargent.org.uk 0208 752 2834 www.clicsargent.org.uk

B4 feature

Royal China Fulham

Birthdays are special occasions so Ed and I ventured up to London to meet the girls in Fulham for a meal at The Royal China, one of six of The Royal China Groups most authentic and prestigious Chinese restaurants in London, including the luxurious and critically-acclaimed Royal China Club WRITTEN BY: RICHARD ROSSER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ROYAL CHINA GROUP

Based in prime areas of London, the restaurants are centrally located on Baker Street, as well as in Bayswater, Fulham, Harrow-on-the-Hill and Canary Wharf. The restaurants all have elegant décor, contrasting rich golden hues with striking red and black features. Ed was particularly taken by a rather lavish armchair although he’d have done well to get it back on the bus to Oxford! The capacity of the restaurants varies in size from 55 to 150 covers with the restaurant we visited being the smallest in the group. It’s certainly family friendly with a beautiful outside patio (or ‘outside garden’ as one of the kids referred to it – yes the penny did drop, eventually!), ideal for dining al fresco. Lacquered murals depicting an ornate Chinese illustration create a focal point within each of the five restaurants and in the Fulham restaurant this covers one entire wall, while textured gold walls run along the other. The large window frontage and windows to the rear of the restaurant create a light and airy space. The restaurant seats fifty five, while the patio seats twelve. This Royal China is the only restaurant in the group to sell dim sum in the evening. The group is renowned for its Dim Sum, which is served daily from Noon until 5pm in all restaurants and includes Steamed Seafood Dumplings with Spicy Sauce; and Pan-fried Fillet of Duck Breast Rolls. Each restaurant has a dedicated Dim Sum Chef, as well as a Head Chef. The Royal China restaurants offer traditional Hong Kong Chinese dishes, while the Royal China Club provides an exclusive experience by combining European ingredients within the authentic Chinese cuisine.

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The Royal China restaurants have the same à la carte menus. In addition, each restaurant dedicates a full page to signature dishes created by the restaurant’s individual Head Chefs. These dishes are changed frequently, while the seasonal dishes are changed four times a year. Set seven-course tasting menus are also available in all Royal China restaurants. Our meal was superb (see inset) with excellent service and ice cold Tsingtao to accompany for me, whilst Tina and Ed had a birthday glass of champagne or two.

Our Meal Quarter Crispy Aromatic Duck Deep-fried Baby Squid with Spicy Salt Steamed Chilli Pork Dumplings Sautéed Beef with Oyster Sauce Sautéed Chicken with Peppers & Black Bean Sauce Crispy Noodles with Beef / Chicken in Black Bean Sauce Sweet & Sour Fillet Fish

China Group restaurants Royal China Club, Baker Street The Royal China Club is the premium restaurant within the group, offering a first-rate experience. While it is the smaller of the two restaurants on Baker Street, its intimate setting gives it an exclusive and elegant ambience. Designed by Stiff + Trevillion, a large aquarium containing lobsters, crabs, fish and seafood creates a focal point, while a sleek black granite bar runs along the length of the room.

The dining area seats 86 guests, while an elegant private banqueting room to the rear of the restaurant accommodates up to 22 guests. Royal China, Baker Street The second restaurant located on Baker Street is the largest restaurant within the Royal China Group, seating 150 guests. With its open-plan dining room and signature Chinese décor, the Royal China on Baker Street restaurant offers a relaxed and vibrant space, perfect for larger families and groups of friends dining together. Royal China, Canary Wharf Following an extensive refurbishment in spring 2011, the restaurant is contemporary in design. The restaurant accommodates 130 people, while the large alfresco terrace overlooking the Thames seats 80 guests. Royal China, Queensway This popular dim sum restaurant has been open for business for 20 years and recently underwent a total refurbishment. It was the first Royal China establishment to be opened in London. Royal China Harrow-on-the-Hill Royal China-Harrow-on-the-Hill, which seats 70 people, has an elegant décor with contrasting rich golden hues, plus striking red and black features.

CONTACT DETAILS info@royalchinagroup.co.uk 020 7731 0081 http://rcguk.co.uk/

Business In Oxford 2015 Not just an event – a platform for integration, innovation and business growth. Sharing knowledge, experience, expertise and enthusiasm. Thank you to all of our sponsors. CONTRIBUTORS: MATT WRIGHT, JOHN KENNEDY, MATTHEW SMART, JO SENSECALL, NICK STEAD PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ROB SCOTCHER

There are numerous business conferences throughout the year which are opportunities to listen and learn to “experts” or network with potential clients. Business In Oxford 2015 aspired to be both a knowledge sharing platform and to provide both insights and opportunities. Building on the 2014 event the energy and enthusiasm was evident from the very start of the day. The Saïd Business School had just been awarded a prestigious prize for its Entrepreneurial MBA - effectively sending the message to the BIO 2015 delegates and indeed the world that it was the best business school within 3000 miles. Business In Oxford takes place in one of the leading global knowledge centres in the world – Oxford.

Oxford is facing its challenges and moving forward in terms of infrastructure, business growth and entrepreneurial thinking. BIO 2015 showcased some of the best businesses and enabled great networking on many occasions throughout a beautiful June day. The challenge for us all as sponsors, speakers, delegates and business people is to use the platform to share ideas, create business and drive our businesses forward, lead our teams more effectively and connect to similarly driven colleagues for greater growth and profitability.

65 for more information or call the team on 01865 742211. Here are some highlights from our reporters who attended the various presentations during the day – thank you to them all for their time. We weren’t able to cover all presentations but if you would like to get involved as a reporter for BIO 2016, please do get in touch.

‘Art & Culture’

As a business event it was a success – as a platform for continued innovation it is still creating opportunities and connections and will continue to do so over the coming years.

Speaker: Tish Francis, Co-Director, The Story Museum. Reporter: Matt Smart, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, University of Oxford (www.admin.ox.ac.uk/researchsupport/impactke/ keit)

To get involved in 2016’s event, see pages 62-

Pulling together arts and business is a passion

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B4 events

for Hedges Law. Arts sponsorship brings kudos. There are 700 UK music festivals this year, with Oxfordshire expecting 50,000 spending visitors. In 2016 ‘Shakespeare Oxford’ will see 37 theatre companies perform every play. Why not sponsor one? Add Shakespeare’s sharp quotes to your company’s message, and boost your branding impact.

generate 50% of districts’ income.

Fine art yields about 10% annual return. Masters like Picasso auction for millions. Business syndicates buy art as investments that showcase companies’ ethos and passion. Art and Culture enrich us, and business.

Speaker: Nicky Atkin, Contract & Procurement Specialist, Oxford City Council. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www. nobleword.co.uk)

‘The Future of Oxford’

Public sector procurement can be a complex process, but initiatives such as disaggregated contracts and quick payment schedules are designed to help.

Speakers: Mark Fransham, Social Research Officer, Oxford City Council; Richard Venables, Director, VSL & Partners; Helen Marshall, Director, CPRE. Reporter: Matt Smart, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, University of Oxford (www.admin.ox.ac.uk/researchsupport/impactke/ keit) What makes Oxfordshire desirable? Businesses need connectivity. 40% of the region’s industrial buildings are vacant. Our Business Parks developed from airfields, and need accessibility. Plans to increase Oxford’s 58,000 homes by 50% reflect pre-2011 figures of 1,500 more immigrating inhabitants per year. Affordable housing may mean reducing the value of residents’ homes, but Governmental ‘New Homes Bonuses’ could

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Oxford Direct Services. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk)

Sir Patrick Abercrombie designed London’s post-war reconstruction, and conceived of the Green belt, planning for commerce, while conserving natural beauty and resources. Sir Patrick lived in Oxfordshire.

Any revenue generated is invested in Oxford to create a ‘world class city for everyone’.

‘Public Sector’

Central government funding will cease in 2018, so the Oxford Direct Services division has been established by Oxford City Council to generate income rather than cutting services or staff.

South East Business portal: Procurement opportunities for over £5,000 have to be shown here, as well as on ‘Tenders Direct’. European Procurement Rules were revised in Feb 2015: Any spending over £180k needs to be advertised in an official EU journal... although Oxford hasn’t been inundated with overseas bids to date. Encouraging local suppliers: Currently 25 of Oxford City Council’s top 100 suppliers are local to Oxfordshire, and there are requirements for a quote of local tenders depending upon contract size.

‘Public Sector’ Speaker: Tracey Vigor, Business Sales Executive,

Offering 6 sectors to leverage on existing capabilities: 1. Building maintenance, 2. Highways (e.g. drains) 3. Motor transport workshop (e.g. fleet servicing), 4. Commercial waste (e.g. green recycling), 5. Environmental (e.g. pest control), 6. Street cleaning (e.g. graffiti).

‘Public Sector’ Speaker: Dipak Mistry, Development Manager, Oxford City Council Culture. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk) Investing in culture promotes higher level skills, fosters new partnerships and is a cost-effective way to help grow your brand. Culture develops over time: It is not an instant fix. Culture represents ‘bang for your buck’: Private investment represents c.20% of arts funding, so for every £1 your business puts in, the government is contributing £4. Culture presents opportunities; e.g. the Museum of Oxford Event (Sep 2015) provides opportunities for technology companies.

‘Public Sector’ Speaker: Shamus Donald, Chairman, Oxford Town Team. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk) Oxford Town Team is essentially a private organisation working with Council. Business Improvement Districts ‘BIDs’: Oxford doesn’t have one (yet) but there are 210 active BIDs in the UK, which are 5-year privately-funded partnerships with government.

(OxLEP) is a credible driver in promoting business growth at grass roots level upwards. One of 39 LEPs: Local Enterprise Partnerships were set up to promote engagement between businesses, councils, and colleges. Oxfordshire is vibrant: The population has grown +10% over the last 10 years, which is set to continue along with against the backdrop of low unemployment and market-leading institutions. OxLEP has 4 core initiatives: 1. People. 2. Place, 3. Enterprise, 4. Connectivity.

‘University of Oxford’ Speakers: Dr Anne Miller, James Murray, Leah Thompson, Mim Saxl, Prof Susan Bright, Dr Russell Layberry, and Dr Anne Augustine, University of Oxford; Andrew Goff, Head of OU Consulting, Isis Innovation. Reporter: Matt Smart, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Team, University of Oxford (www.admin.ox.ac.uk/researchsupport/impactke/ keit) Oxford University files more patents than any other UK University. Its software incubator hosted 40 enterprises since 2011. 20 have incorporated. Rated No.1 in Europe, Saïd Business School’s ‘Launchpad’ has 600 networked business participants. Energy prices affect customer relationships. University-built technologies provide real-time environmental monitoring at a fraction of the cost of traditional meters. ‘Agile-ox’ works with businesses, Councils and community, shaping a sustainable Oxfordshire. The University delivers business training, worldleading academic consultancy, and R&D-boosting research equipment. Contact enterprising Uni people through eship.ox.ac.uk or the Uni’s Innovation and Partnership portal.

‘LEP’ Speaker: Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive Officer, OxLEP. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www. nobleword.co.uk)

‘LEP’ Speaker: Phil Shadbolt, Board Member, OxLEP. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www. nobleword.co.uk) Oxfordshire Business Support offers online and telephone support for both start-up and established businesses. Online and Telephone support: Businesses can access help online via the Oxford Business Support website, or over the phone via the ‘Triage’ service. Network Navigators: Around 10 who are experts in their field. Extensive range of products: From free starter seminars (how to write a business plan) through to Innovation Support Vouchers (£1.2m already allocated, with typically £25k match-funded).

‘LEP’ Speaker: Richard Kennell, Board Member, Oxfordshire Skills Board. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk) Oxfordshire Apprenticeships and O2i (Opportunities to Inspire) are designed to help with apprenticeships. They are funded through Oxfordshire’s City Deal, and offer online help (www.oxfordshireapprenticeships. co.uk) with finding the right apprentice through to help with funding (£1,500 grants available).

O2i (Opportunities to Inspire) are volunteers from businesses providing advice to young people on career choice options.

‘Your Brands’ Speakers: John F. Kennedy, Managing Director, Wildbore & Gibbons; Phil Strachan, Founder and Owner, Strangebrew; Anthony Lloyd, Managing Director, Fallowfields County House Hotel; Rickie Sehgal, Chairman, Crises Control; Chandni Lodhia, Senior Marketing Executive, Transputec. Reporter: Jo Sensecall, Owner, Marketing Sense (www. marketing-sense.co.uk) Your brand is the value of your business so build it, make it stand out and protect it! Take control of your brand – perception is reality so what does your brand stand for and why should people choose your brand? A brand is more than just a logo or a name – no one buys a logo, they buy what that logo stands for. Your brand makes you stand out against your competition and become the go-to brand.

‘Future Business Value’ Speakers: Wendy Hart, Corporate Finance and Strategic Advisory Partner, and Mark Bishop, Assurance Manager, Grant Thornton. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www. nobleword.co.uk) Corporate Finance valuations are not an exact science, but they are an art. Standard business valuation: Equity value = enterprise value (profit number ‘EBITDA’ x multiple) + cash - debt. Focus on what drives value: Both now and in the future; e.g. corporate giants who fail to plan are just as susceptible to failure; e.g. Kodak. The Change Equation: For change to work, the Cost of change (resistance factors) < Dissatisfaction with the status quo x Clarity of vision (what the world will be like afterwards) x Simplicity of the way ahead (how easy to arrive at change).

A net contributor to finances, Oxfordshire LEP 60

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‘Smart Oxford’

‘Tourism & Hospitality’

Speakers: Sebastian Johnson, Manager, Oxford Strategic Partnership; Dr Bryan Marshall, Research Fellow, Nominet; Philip Shadbolt, Owner and Founder, Zeta Group; Tony Hart, Network Navigator, OxLEP. Reporter: Nick Stead, Business Development Manager, Storm Internet (www.storminternet.co.uk)

Speaker: Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive, Experience Oxfordshire. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk)

Speaker: Sam Pace, Estate Manager, Oxford Castle Quarter. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk)

Hotel City Centre accommodation remains a constraint on overnight stays, given the profitability of overnight versus day tripper visitors.

A 24-hour Oxford involves businesses working together to encourage a seamless visitor experience, converting daytime visitors into nighttime ones.

Oxford’s competitiveness has fallen dramatically: It has now fallen to the 7th most-visited destination behind London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Liverpool (although it’s still ahead of Cambridge!).

Oxford has 9 million visitors annually, however most of these are day visitors - if each one could stay a little longer and spend £10m = £90m increase.

Smart Oxford Project - Tackling growth challenges via: Smart: Parking, Ticketing, Signage & Apps & making @OxfordSmartCity. Oxford is growing because of success, but growth brings challenges. Smart Communications, Data Analysis & Transportation management are helping to deal with these challenges and keep Oxford successful. Oxford Strategic Partnership: Combining capabilities to address big issues for Oxford as a “living laboratory” and share what works with other Smart Cities.

‘Confidence, Motivation, Impact’ Speakers: Alison Haill, Owner, Oxford Professional Consulting; Thomas Alden, Founder, TLA Fitness; Angus Grady, Managing Director, Customeyes Media; Charles Wilson OBE, Director, Bosideon Consulting. Reporter: Jo Sensecall, Owner, Marketing Sense (www.marketing-sense.co.uk) Anything is achievable if you commit, from standing up and delivering a presentation to rowing the Atlantic! Confidence and success are business boosters when presenting, online in your LinkedIn profile and leading a team. Body language and your visual appearance give you confidence when presenting by hiding that you are nervous. Your LinkedIn profile is a mini-website, so make sure it is good – would you be recognised as a potential client by your photo? Add descriptions of what you actually do and a value proposition, not just your job title. Create leadership, good followership and motivation at every level in a business - just like they do in the military.

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In the past, Oxford has assumed that ‘visitors will come’ and hasn’t invested or promoted itself as a destination in a more competitive environment; e.g. 10-15yrs ago, visitors were planning a 10-14 day trip to the UK v now, they are planning a 7 day trip to Europe. Oxford needs to improve its digital platform - it needs to be a year round destination with a worldclass welcome for customers; e.g. only 15% of international investors ever leave London!

‘Tourism & Hospitality’ Speaker: Brendam Hattam, General Manager, Westgate Centre. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk) The Westgate redevelopment is a major step forward to promoting Oxford as a shopping destination in its own right. Westgate is currently not a “place where you want to spend a long time”. When it was opened, Westgate ranked 19th in the UK as a shopping destination, but is now ranked 49th (behind Walsall & Wolverhampton). October 2017 scheduled opening: The new Westgate Centre will be will be about 2.5x larger at 800,000sq ft, with 100 retailers & restaurants (many of them new), opening for 18 hours a day. The new Westgate will start to ‘interact’ with you when you enter; e.g. discounts on price and ride, offers in restaurants, click & collect enabled.

Oxford has been awarded the ‘Purple Flag for Excellence’ for safe nightlife for the 2nd year in a row. Oxford needs to challenge perceptions. Visit the Oxford Castle Quarter to find out where Oxford began, and when visitors arrive, ‘We’re all about telling stories and providing a world-class visitor welcome’.

‘Tourism & Hospitality’ Speaker: Emma Righton, Managing Director, Righton Group Limited. Reporter: Matt Wright, Writer, Noble Word (www.nobleword.co.uk) Business (and academic) tourism remains a big draw, hence the need to promote closer links with the Universities to help visitors ‘fully understand their environment’. Changing model from short-let to serviced accommodation: UK serviced apartments generate £500m revenue p/a and are ideal for business visitors, but require higher standards & attention to detail. Knowledge is paramount: “We aim to offer a visitor experience beyond the normal so they have a full understanding of where they’re staying”. Righton Group feels the need to differentiate themselves from Airbnb: However, Airbnb do not offer dedicated services which Righton is capable of offering, so it is essential to differentiate in this Sharing Economy. CONTACT DETAILS editorial@b4-business.com 01865 742 211 www.businessinoxford.com

Thursday 21st April, 2016 11am to 6pm Platinum sponsors

The 2016 event will build on the success of the first two years. There will be a full programme of inspirational presentations plus ample opportunity to network with other delegates and engage with exhibitors. What is more, the event will be free to attend as a delegate so look out for the presentations as we announce them and be sure to register for your preferred POD as each will be limited to a capacity of just 60. There will be sixteen PODS and we will be running four simultaneously in four time slots or BANKS. So, guests will only be able to pick a maximum of four PODS in the different BANKS or come and go as they wish â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perhaps attending a POD in BANK One and then not returning until BANK Four in the afternoon. Twelve of the PODS will take place in the Harvard Lecture Theatres with one POD in each BANK being staged in the Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre. There will also be an opening presentation in the Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre and a closing drinks reception. For ticket, sponsorship, programme advertising and presentation opportunities, please see more details in this brochure, call the team on 01865 742211 or visit the event website at: www.businessinoxford.co.uk We hope you enjoy the event but we are always open to ideas for improvement.

Richard Rosser - B4 Events

Business In Oxford 2016 Timeline Sponsorship booking closes 30th November, 2015 Programme Issued with B4 February 2016 Sponsors Drinks March 2016 Event 21st April, 2016

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Sponsorship Opportunities Rate

Tickets for sponsor-only events

BIO Presentation Tickets

BIO Lunch Tickets

Banners and literature at event

Programme Presence

Post-event review presence

Presence on website

Post-event video

Overall Event Sponsor (1 only)

In addition to all other benefits below, the Overall Event Sponsor will also enjoy the benefits of Gold and Silver sponsorship and can also present in three other PODs subject to availability. The Overall Event Sponsor will also address the audience in Opening and Closing sessions in the Nelson Mandela Lecture Theatre.

£7,500

10 for all presentations

Yes

One intro page, one double page editorial and one full page advert. Logo on cover of programme.

4 pages

Event will be known as “Business in Oxford 2016 brought to you by XYZ” wherever possible

Yes

2 pages

Yes

2 pages

Yes

1 page

Yes

1 page

Yes

1 page

Yes

1 page

Yes

1 page

Yes

Platinum Opening Session Sponsor (1 only) £4,000

30 for opening session and 4 for all presentations

Yes

One full page editorial and one full page advert

Platinum Closing Session Sponsor (1 only) £4,000

30 for closing session and 4 for all presentations

Yes

One full page editorial and one full page advert

Lunch Sponsor (1 only) £1,000

2 for all presentations

Yes

One full page advert

Gold POD Sponsor (16 only)

See over for suggested POD themes. Named sponsorship of POD and one 12 minute presentation.

£1,500

10 for your presentation and 2 for all other presentations

Yes

One full page editorial and one quarter page advert

Silver POD Sponsor (10 only) £1,000

2 for all presentations

Banner only in exhibition areas

One full page advert and one quarter page advert

Bronze POD Sponsor (48 only) £750

8 for your presentation and 2 for all other presentations

Yes

One full page editorial

Wine Reception Sponsor (1 only) £1,000

2 for all presentations

Yes

One full page advert

All sponsorship, exhibition, presenting or programme enquiries, please call 01865 742211 www.b4-business.com

POD Themes Accounting

All aspects of accountancy from planning for a future business sale to tax, internal controls to the basics of setting up your own business.

Apprenticeships

Are you running a scheme and want to connect with local businesses? Or perhaps you have students looking to gain vital ‘real life’ experience.

Art & Culture

Introduce local businesses to the world of Art & Culture – engage speakers from local institutions or give delegates the latest advice on investing in art.

Brands

From protecting to developing our brand or perhaps you’re a local brand that wants to tell us you’re here and why you chose Oxfordshire.

Business Growth

All aspects of nurturing your business to help it grow. From advice to premises, inance to negotiating red tape.

Digital Marketing

Video for your business, social media, SEO, web design and build and other fancy stuff to get your business one step ahead of the competition on line.

Energy

What is the energy of the future? Energy efficiency in your business. Planning to curb your costs.

Food & Drink

Local suppliers, learning about fine wine and other tipples and advice on selecting the right food for your business.

Health

Getting fit, eating right and getting your workforce doing the same. Fit to work not fit to drop.

From recruiting to relieving of duties, codes of conduct to employee rights and getting the best out of your team.

Innovation

Fantastic innovation in Oxfordshire and ways innovation can help your business.

Law

Criminal, property, litigation, corporate, personal, contracts and more.

Office Management & Efficiency

Every aspect of creating a more profitable and efficient workspace for your business.

Pitch Your Idea

Got an idea? We need four great ideas and then we’ll find the right panel for you to pitch your idea to.

Property

Buying, selling, renting or leasing. From commercial to residential to the future of property in Oxford.

Public Speaking & Motivation

Struggle with public speaking? Need some motivation? Look no further.

Retail

With the threat of the web, why bother? Retail is tough but we hear from local success stories who prove what can happen when you get it right.

Science

Oxfordshire is a hotbed for scientific discovery. Discover more here.

Smart City

What your city is doing to help your business in the future.

Tourism & Culture

Oxfordshire is a magnet for tourists every year. How are we benefiting and what could we do to benefit more?

16 themes will be selected from the above list. By booking either sponsorship of one of these or booking to present under one of these themes activates the theme. Other themes could include: Business Angels, Business Parks, Charity, Construction, Education, Event Management, Finance, Green, Manufacturing, Motor, Profitability, Public Sector, Sport, Technology, Travel, WWW. 64

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Business In Oxford 2015 Feedback Great slots - I managed to sit in on two. Very good timekeeping and Q&A. Lovely venue, food, people. Well done. Clare Coull - Marketing Manager, White October Congratulations on pulling together such a complex event, please tell your team that they were very well organised. Lynne Cairns - Companies Connected Another huge success - thank you and the team so much for such a successful day yesterday. The organisation was excellent, catering perfect, and the PODs that I attended were really stimulating and fruitful. Well done! Councillor Bob Price - Leader, Oxford City Council Just to say again what a successful event Business In Oxford was. The 12-minute format for presenters is terrific - gives listeners four good speakers who have to keep their presentations sharp and to the point (which is a useful discipline as I discovered myself). Great lunch and final drinks reception too for networking. Thank you! Great day and great networking. I really enjoyed it. Well done! Alison Haill - Oxford Professional Consulting Thanks to Richard and the team for hosting a fantastic Business In Oxford event and kicking off the Oxfordshire Business Festival. Mark Beer - Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Thank you so much for the guest invites offered. It was a brilliant event, such a positive vibe. Many people will be very sorry they didn’t attend. Well done to everyone involved, I know how much work these events take. Tracey Lee - Adapt Communications Well done for yesterday…another triumph. Richard Venables – VSL & Partners I just wanted to send a quick email to say thank you so much for the invitation for yesterday’s event. It was a brilliant day and the talks were fantastic! Thank you very much. Laura Harris - Branch Manager, Secondsite Recruitment Just a quick e-mail to thank you for putting on the event yesterday, I really enjoyed it and it was great meeting some of the other members as well as attending the very interesting talks. James Jones – Digital Account Manager, WMP Thanks for getting me an invitation for the Business In Oxford event yesterday, it was a great event, the speakers were inspirational and I look forward to next years. Elliott Ketcher Business Development - STL Communications Limited

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CLIENT SUPPORT AUDIT ACCOUNTANCY CHARITIES COMPANY SECRETARIAL CONSULTANCY FINANCIAL PLANNING FORENSIC ACCOUNTING MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTS PAYROLL TAXATION TRUSTS

OXFORD 30 St. Giles, Oxford OX1 3LE Tel . 01865 559900 email . information@wenntownsend.co.uk CIRENCESTER 5 Gosditch Street, Cirencester GL7 2AG Tel . 01285 659778 email . partners@wenntownsend.net ABINGDON 10 Broad Street, Abingdon OX14 3LH Tel . 01235 548700 email . abingdon@wenntownsend.co.uk www.wenntownsend .co .uk

B4 spotlight

Chinese businesses seek UK partners on Buckinghamshire ‘speed dating’ day Senior representatives of some 15 Chinese business descended on Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire on Tuesday 26th May where they hoped to meet the partner of their dreams – a UK business with which to collaborate or enter a joint venture. WRITTEN BY: NICK DOWNIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ANGUS THOMAS

The UK – China CEO Dialogue event introduces UK businesses seeking Chinese joint venture partners, investors or opportunities to export their goods and services to Chinese businesses hungry for brands that will succeed in China, the largest consumer market on earth. The meeting took place in May at Stoke Park – the luxury Country Club and Hotel of family-owned International Group, which has hosted the event in conjunction with PwC since 2014 – and also in November in Beijing, where it is hosted by Mr Zhu Xinli, founder and Chairman of one of the largest fruit juice producers in China, Huiyuan Group. The programme is supported by UK Trade & Investment, China-Britain Business Council and the China Entrepreneur Club. Attendees gathered for a panel discussion in the morning and spent the afternoon in one to one cycles of ‘speed dating’ meetings to explore how they might work together in the future. Sir Tom Troubridge, PwC partner and Chairman of PwC’s China Business Group, says: ‘Everyone agrees that there is immense potential and mutual benefit of Chinese and UK companies www.b4-business.com

working together through joint ventures and collaborative partnerships, but that doesn’t mean it’s a straightforward thing to achieve. Barriers of expectation, culture and language can slow things down. ‘Bringing people together in this way compresses a process that might take years into just one day. We have seen great results from these speed dating events in the past and would encourage both private sector companies and government agencies to run, sponsor or support similar meetings.’ UK businesses attending this year’s event included cider makers, shortbread producers, healthcare providers, a marina business and an international hotel group. They met Chinese representatives from businesses focused on retail, food & drink, media, real estate and private equity. Hertford King, Chief Executive of International Group, says: ‘We are delighted to be hosting the CEO Dialogue here at Stoke Park for the second time. This event is very special, giving UK and Chinese business leaders a regular opportunity to meet face to face. Only this type of dialogue builds the friendships and trust which lead to successful

business collaborations that normally take years to achieve. ‘Our company International Group has been active in China for over three years. We are currently working with our partners and clients on seven major projects, with a total investment value of over £2 billion in the leisure and health sectors. By helping facilitate an event such as this, we hope to encourage further collaborations between Chinese and British companies and strengthen relationships. We are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.’ Mr Zhu Xinli, Chairman of Huiyuan Group, says: ‘UK China CEO Dialogue originated from a long history of investments and trading between China and the UK. It follows the globalisation of the world’s economy and establishes a platform for the entrepreneurs from the two nations in a refreshing and effective way.’ CONTACT DETAILS ndownie@stokepark.com 01753 717 176 www.stokepark.com

Summer Budget 2015 Is it all about Compliance for mid-sized businesses…. Earlier this month we heard the first budget of the Conservative Government since its Coalition with the Liberal Democrats in 2010. The Chancellor has been strategic and political in past budgets and, given he has recently been touted by some as the next Conservative leader, this was no different. He set the agenda for the next 5 years in order to deliver the promises made to the country in the Conservative Manifesto. WRITTEN BY: JAMES TITHERIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ROB SCOTCHER

The Conservatives showed their commitment that during this parliament they will seek “…to move from a low wage, high tax, high welfare economy to a high wage, low tax and low welfare economy”, and in doing so will wipe out the £37bn deficit by 2019-20. So it was not surprising that the Chancellor went on to explain his plan for £17bn of measures to help achieve this, by proposing to raise £5bn from tackling tax avoidance, tax planning, evasion and compliance as well as addressing imbalances in the tax system. The balance then coming from the much talked about £12bn in welfare reform. To achieve its objective of raising £5bn from tax, the Government has pledged to invest a further £800m over the term of this parliament. During the term of the Coalition Government, the focus was on making sure large businesses ‘are paying their fair share of taxes’. This was highlighted by their involvement with the OECD and the UK’s early adoption in the UK of the Diverted Profits Tax, widely endorsed by many OECD members, and its transparency agenda, through Country by Country Reporting.

Focusing on the red tape, we remain of the view that businesses spend too much time and resource trying to understand the complex 17,000 page tax code. We were pleased to see that the Budget implemented our Agents of growth recommendation that the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) should be put on a permanent statutory footing. This is most welcome, however simplification of a complex tax system will take time although to date it has produced some excellent analysis and recommendations. Having spent many years working alongside businesses, whilst they strive for compliance across all taxes and in multiple territories, the reality is that this is extremely difficult to achieve, even with dedicated in-house tax resources or experienced finance teams given complex tax systems. To achieve this, MSBs rely heavily on their professional advisors as opposed to in-house tax resources to ensure they are able to maintain compliance: whether it’s understanding the tax consequences of entering into new contractual arrangements; establishing operations in a new country; or simply maintaining compliance in the territories in which they continue to operate as the tax rules change.

Now looking ahead for the next five years, whilst large businesses will continue to face scrutiny through HMRC’s Business Risk Review and Know Your Customer initiatives, the shift in focus will be ensuring compliance by small and mid-sized business (“MSBs”). Interestingly the Government talked about tackling “non-compliance” for MSB’s but tackling “avoidance” by large corporates.

Notwithstanding the external pressures coming from Governments, the increased media attention in relation to the word “Tax” has raised awareness of businesses and their Boards, with greater expectation put on finance teams to ensure compliance on all taxes (employee, sales, corporation etc.) across multiple territories. As a result, does this mean that the finance teams approach to tax will change? In my view, the answer to this question is a resounding ‘yes’ as businesses attitude towards tax develops.

What does it mean for mid-sized businesses...

My key message…

Our Agents of growth research has shown that midsized businesses (MSBs) have strong ambitions for growth, that could add an extra £50 billion to the UK economy over the next five years if current productivity challenges are tackled. In the run up to the Budget we identified three priorities to unlock this growth and productivity: tackling skills gaps, boosting exports and reducing red tape (including the complexity of the tax code). 68

For me, I would ask myself: a. h ave our commercial arrangements in that country changed such that our tax obligations may be different; or b. does the previous tax advice remain correct as of today, in light of the ever changing tax landscape in which we currently operate.

So what next… Having reassessed their compliance position as of today, MSBs should think strategically about their tax profile both in the UK and internationally in light of the increased tax transparency agenda (such as information from intermediaries proposed in the Budget by the UK government). Accordingly, in my view, some of the key points to consider would be: a. h ow would international governments adopting locally some of the OECD initiatives to raise revenue (such as the UK Diverted Profits Tax and Country by Country reporting legislation) impact shareholder returns? b. how would a change in the OECD definition in tax treaties of creating a taxable presence in international territories impact my business model and tax compliance obligations? c. how can my current team and their advisors support me in maintaining tax compliance internationally? What is clear from the Chancellor’s budget is that whilst focus by the UK Government may have previously been on large multi-national organisations, resource is now being invested in HMRC to ensure the country’s MSBs are given their fair share of attention!

As Lance-Corporal Jones from Dad’s Army would say to Australia after the first test of the 2015 Ashes in Cardiff - “Don’t Panic” - and it is worthwhile saying businesses don’t have only 72 hours like Greece to agree a plan to become compliant. CONTACT DETAILS As businesses seek to maximise shareholder returns, maintaining relationships with tax authorities who are looking to raise revenue, and avoiding tax penalties, by being proactive on compliance is a great start.

info@grant-thornton.co.uk 01865 799 899 www.grant-thornton.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

B4 advice

Focusing on the “ red tape, we remain

of the view that businesses spend too much time and resource trying to understand the complex 17,000 page tax code!.

”

James Titheridge, Grant Thornton

James is a senior manager in Grant Thornton’s Thames Valley practice. He joined the fast growing team this year from PwC and has spent the last 15 years advising international organisations on group restructuring, M&A, tax efficient debt funding structuring and tax governance. As a result of his experience James has developed an extensive knowledge of both UK taxation and the challenges and complications of businesses operating internationally.

www.b4-business.com

Photograph by: Rob Scotcher

James Titheridge…

Court of Protection It does what it says on the tin! An increasing number of people and families need decisions to be made for individuals who, for one reason or another, lack capacity to look after their own affairs. That may be due to an individual having lost capacity due to dementia or similar illnesses (which in an ageing population is becoming more common) or for example where an individual has survived brain injury, is living with long term degenerative disease or suffering from mental illness. Accordingly, more and more people may find that they come into contact with the Court of Protection in connection with a family member. WRITTEN BY: VERONICA COWDREY, KATHARINE RILEY & MELANIE WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: HENMANS FREETH

The Court of Protection’s origins are historic, but in its current form it derives its statutory authority from the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The Court is made up of nominated judges who make what are usually one-off decisions in relation to people who lack capacity, either in relation to their property and financial affairs or welfare matters. The Court makes these decisions based on evidence before it in what it judges to be the best interests of the protected person. The subject matter of applications coming before the Court covers a wide spectrum; for example where the person should live, who should look after their financial affairs, whether the authorisation of a care plan is lawful even though it constitutes a deprivation of liberty. It may also authorise a will to be signed on their behalf, property to be bought or sold, or gifts to be made from their assets. The Court can appoint a “Deputy”, who is usually either a relation or an independent professional person, to manage either financial and property matters, or welfare matters (or both) for the individual who lacks capacity.

governing all applications, contentious (i.e. where someone opposes the Order sought) or noncontentious. However, the processing of a routine unopposed application, such as an unopposed appointment of a Deputy for property and financial affairs, is relatively straightforward provided the Court rules on such matters as the service on interested parties and taking out the Deputy’s bond

The outcome of “ Court of Protection

litigation may be costly and life changing. It is therefore essential that specialist legal advice is taken as soon as possible

”

Henmans Freeth Solicitors

All the decisions of the Court have the incapacitated person at their centre, but some applications highlight the protective nature of the Court’s jurisdiction by seeking to bring to an end a situation where the person is the victim of financial abuse. For instance, applicants may ask the Court to revoke a power of attorney where the attorney has abused his power, or for the removal of a Court appointed Deputy for similar reasons. The Court of Protection has its own formal rules

(insurance) are properly followed. No attendance at Court is necessary and usually there is an order that any legal costs where a solicitor’s assistance has been sought, and expenses such as the Court application fee, are to be paid from the assets of the incapacitated person. Since 2011, straightforward routine unopposed cases have been transferred to authorised court officers with the result that over

three quarters of all applications made to the Court of Protection are not decided by judges. Contentious applications, where the Order sought is opposed by another person closely resembles litigation in the civil courts with strict time limits, formal exchanges of evidence and directions being given by the Court for the process, resulting in a final hearing. Compromise by way of mediation is encouraged, but if this is unsuccessful such a case will proceed to a full hearing, resembling a civil trial. The outcome of any litigation is uncertain and should be approached after consideration of expert legal advice. Such advice will focus on the risk on costs as well as outcomes. In the Court of Protection, there is a general rule that the costs of an application concerning property and financial affairs should be paid by the person the application is about. However, the judges have discretion to depart from this rule if they consider it appropriate taking into consideration a number of factors including the behaviour of the parties before and during the conduct of the application. Parties may be ordered to pay some or, exceptionally, the entire costs of the case including those of the other parties. Two cases with different outcomes illustrate contentious applications made to the Court with the aim of protecting a person it was believed lacked capacity and was, or was at risk of being, financially abused. In one case we acted for a client who had sadly suffered a personal injury. They had been awarded a large sum of compensation and a family member

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B4 advice

Melanie Williams, Director

had been appointed as Deputy for property and financial affairs. Our client suffered lasting physical disabilities but had been able to leave the family home as an adult and married. Unfortunately the relationship with the family member deteriorated, but the family member continued in their role as Deputy. Our client wished to buy a property with their spouse where they could live together. Unfortunately, a large part of his compensation had been invested in the home where the family lived while our client lived in a much smaller property. It was a concern that the Deputy was not acting in our client’s best interests but was instead using funds as a resource for the family. We applied on our client’s behalf for an independent Deputy to be appointed in place of the current Deputy which was unopposed. However there followed complex litigation to obtain reimbursement of the award from the previous Deputy, including sale of the property, which was necessary to enable our client to buy a suitable home. Initially the family member refused to compromise but we were finally able to achieve a settlement with them only days before the final hearing. In another recent case, our client, a sibling was concerned that a family member, who had a mental illness, but had, with their parents’ assistance, lived independently in their own property, would become unable to cope with their property and financial affairs following their parents’ deaths. There was a concern that a neighbour was trying to persuade them to sell their home at an undervalue to a relative. The sibling also had a record of threatening to sell or mortgage their property at times when their condition

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Katherine Riley, Senior Associate

was more acute. The mentally ill sibling opposed the application on the basis that they said they had capacity (despite medical evidence to the contrary which they did not answer). A third sibling did not choose to be a party to the application. A hearing was required at which the Court of Protection found an acceptable and creative solution: it proposed an Order whereby, if the mentally ill sibling wanted to sell their property, they would have to provide evidence to the Court that they had capacity, that the sale was not at an undervalue and was at arm’s length, and on that basis no appointment of a Deputy was made. This arrangement was formalised by a restriction with the Land Registry. Our client was very happy with this solution as their concern was that their sibling could lose their home, not the day to day management of their financial affairs, and our client was not required to take on the responsibility of being a Deputy while protection was afforded against financial abuse or imprudence in respect of the property.

accident or illness are incapable of managing their own affairs and where there is nobody else suitable to act on their behalf. The Court of Protection is referring cases to Jane Maitland and Melanie Williams asking them to act as Deputy for a person where there is no family member or friend able to act on the client’s behalf or where the circumstances indicate that the client’s affairs should be dealt with by a Professional Deputy. Henmans Freeth’s expertise in dealing with complex or delicate family situations, disputed estates and a wide range of business, agricultural and landed estates means that Jane and Melanie bring a wide range of experience to this work.

In all but the most routine of applications, the outcome of Court of Protection litigation may be costly and life changing. It is therefore essential that specialist legal advice is taken as soon as possible if you are concerned that issues concerning the welfare or assets of a vulnerable person have arisen.

Contact Jane Maitland and Melanie Williams, details below.

Henmans Freeth is delighted to announce that in May 2015 Jane Maitland and Melanie Williams were appointed by the Court of Protection to their panel of professional deputies. The Court of Protection maintains a list of approved professional deputies for clients who through age,

Jane Maitland heads the Oxford Private Client Department of 15 lawyers and Melanie Williams heads a team of four lawyers who specialise in the Court of Protection, Personal Injury Trusts, Wills and Trusts for the Disabled and Financial Management.

CONTACT DETAILS welcome@henmansfreeth.co.uk 01865 781000 www.henmansfreeth.co.uk

events

‘Experience the beauty of Rhodes House’

B4 PLATINUM & GOLD MEMBERS ONLY COGNAC TASTING 5PM - 6PM

RHODES HOUSE Thursday, 10th September 2015 6:00pm - 8:00pm South Parks Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3RG, United Kingdom Dress code: Smart business casual Any enquiries should be directed to B4 Events 01865 742211 or events@b4-business.com

REGISTRATION Please register for the event here: https://www.regonline.com/ B4OXRHODESHOUSE2015

ABOUT OUR HOSTS A hidden delight situated in the heart of Oxford, Rhodes House is a beautiful venue steeped in history. For nearly a century Rhodes House has been the gathering place for Rhodes scholars and distinguished guests. Now you can join other B4 Ambassadors, Members and their guests at this stunning venue, home of the Rhodes Scholars. Director, Peter Anderson, was delighted to welcome B4 back to Rhodes House following the successful events held in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. ”We have formed an excellent partnership with B4 over the past few years and this is an event we always look forward to as it gives us the opportunity to welcome the B4 community and some of our close contacts to share a wonderful evening together. We look forward to welcoming you all back in September.” This event is open to all B4 Ambassadors, members their guests and non-members in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. www.rhodeshouseoxford.com

To find out more about B4 please visit WWW.B4-BUSINESS.COM t: 01865 742211 e: events@b4-business.com a: The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford, OX3 0BT

B4 marketing

Become content centric Jo Sensecall and Rachel Warren of Marketing Sense share their top 5 tips for clever content marketing to help SMEs to maximise the value of high quality content across all marketing platforms. WRITTEN BY: JO SENSECALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: RAY ROBINSON

Life without access to a smart phone, computer or tablet is difficult to contemplate. We have access to information 24/7, wherever we are and on whatever device we have with us at that time. Digital and social media are part of everything that we do and play a key role in how we experience brands. Customer engagement is a critical feature of the buying process and firms now need multiple touch points to position their brand where their customers spend time, both on and off line, targeting them with relevant content to promote quality brand engagement and drive sales. Content continues to be the most important element of online marketing whatever the size of a business or its marketing budget. Writing blogs and white papers and using them as a basis for social media posts and in newsletters is a cost effective way of building brand awareness. But as with all marketing, businesses need an effective content strategy to deliver the desired result which requires an investment in time to research and write the right content for your target audience and to post it where they are most likely to read it. Over the years, Marketing Sense has worked with clients to drive their content strategy, acting as a catalyst to make sure that good, creative content is written on a regular basis. For many business owners identifying the right subject matter is one thing, finding the time to write a blog is quite another issue. Bringing these together using the right tone of voice and then maximising the use of the content across different channels on a regular basis is the ultimate goal.

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Based on our experience, here are 5 tips to help your business become more content centric. 1. Educate, don’t sell Customers are really not that interested in promotional content, so try not to sell. They are more likely to read and respond to quality content like thought leadership pieces, guides to best practice or hints and tips. 2. Be visual Visuals are vital to online success. Digital technology gives us the ability to bring our stories to life visually through the use of videos, infographics and imagery. Businesses should aim to incorporate visual elements in every single Tweet, Facebook post, blog or newsletter.

5. Measure and review A simple analysis of the content’s message (what topics are the most effective for engagement); format (blog v white paper v Facebook post); distribution channel (newsletter or social media platform); and customer engagement (responses, enquiries, visits to website, social media activity), will allow businesses to get maximum return. By using these 5 tips, businesses will make better use of their content. But compelling, relevant and useful content alone is not enough. It is all about having a content strategy that uses it in the most effective way as part of an integrated marketing campaign or plan to drive more traffic, increase social engagement, generate leads and ultimately to increase sales.

3. Get social Use social profiles like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn to disseminate your content in a way that resonates with the target market of each social networking platform. For example, LinkedIn can be used for more serious, thought leadership articles whereas Twitter will raise awareness and provide links back to your website.

B4 Reader Offer

4. Repurpose, recycle and reuse One blog can go a long way! To maximise the value of the content that you produce, use it across all platforms over a period of time by ‘repurposing’ it. Use key points from a blog on Twitter; include a précis in your newsletter; and post your personal views on it on LinkedIn, all with a link back to the original blog of course.

CONTACT DETAILS

Marketing Sense is offering B4 readers a special summer content offer. We will research and write a blog along with 20 Twitter posts and 5 Facebook posts for just £200. Contact Jo or Rachel below.

results@marketing-sense.co.uk 01865 883 579 www.marketing-sense.co.uk

VARIOUS UNITS Oxford Industrial Park TO LET 9,000 – 40,221 sq ft A high quality secure industrial estate with a range of units available which will be comprehensively refurbished to a high standard

STANTON HARCOURT ROAD Eynsham FOR SALE 2.44 acres (0.99 hectares) Development site with existing buildings suitable for refurbishment or redevelopment (subject to planning)

3 OMEGA Southmead Industrial Estate, Didcot TO LET 29,770 sq ft Self contained high bay distribution/ production premises with independent fenced and secure yard with ample HGV parking

BUILDING ONE Abingdon Business Park TO LET 27,697 sq ft Headquarters office facility, prominently located on Abingdon Business Park, a mixed use high technology and office campus set within 50 acres of landscaped grounds. To be comprehensively refurbished.

unrivalled local and regional expertise Richard Venables rvenables@vslandp.com Tom Barton tbarton@vslandp.com Duncan May dmay@vslandp.com

news VSL Announces Sale of Abingdon Business Park to Rockspring Oxfordshire commercial property consultants VSL & Partners has advised Rockspring Property Investment Managers and XLB on the acquisition of Abingdon Business Park - the first single estate purchase in Oxfordshire in over four years. Abingdon Business Park comprises 393,000 sq ft of office and industrial space across five buildings, as well as land for development. The park is currently 72 per cent let to approximately 45 tenants including UK Mail, Orchid Cellmark and Taylor Wimpey. XLB, which currently works on behalf of Rockspring at Cambridge Research Park, will also act as asset and development managers at Abingdon Business Park. Rockspring Property Investment Managers, on behalf of its UK Value 2 LP fund, has acquired the business park from Standard Life Investments. The purchase price of £36.4m reflects a net initial yield of 7.2 per cent. Richard Bains, Rockspring partner and fund manager of the UK Value series said: “We intend to capitalise on the opportunity to modernise the asset, reduce vacancy and drive rental growth through re-gearing and extending existing leases and developing the remaining land.

their appetite for office and industrial accommodation in the county.

“The addition of Abingdon to the UK Value 2 portfolio further broadens the fund’s exposure to the South East office market, which we believe continues to offer compelling market dynamics and rental growth potential.”

“For Rockspring this acquisition adds another long-term asset to the portfolio with plenty of opportunity to add capital value through further development. It also offers strong rental growth potential given the low supply and strengthening demand for commercial premises in the county. Following on from the sale we have now been instructed as joint letting agents along with Lambert Smith Hampton.”

VSL director Tom Barton said: “This is notably the biggest investment sale in Oxfordshire for over four years and is yet another example of investors increasing

VSL & Partners acted for Rockspring jointly with CBRE, and Standard Life Investments was advised by DTZ.. www.vslandp.com

Deals Done... Here are a selection of the transactions which we have completed in the last quarter:

17 Nuffield Centrum, Abingdon

Suites G & H, Abingdon

216 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford

Letting of 8,966 sq ft high office content industrial unit to

Letting of 6,063 sq ft refurbished office suites at

Letting of a 550 sq ft A2 retail unit to Butler Sherborn.

As New Upholstery.

Abingdon Business Park to Gigaclear.

1 Witan Park, Avenue Two, Witney

229 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford

135 Milton Park, Abingdon

Letting of a modern refurbished industrial unit

Letting of prominent A1 retail unit to Moda in Pelle.

Letting of 30,212 sq ft to South Oxfordshire District Council & Vale

of 7,022 sq ft to Travis Perkins.

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of White Horse District Council .

M A I N

S P O N S O R

Tuesday 6th October, 2015 The Town Hall, Oxford

TICKETS ON SALE NOW Your ticket includes: Pre dinner Laurent-Perrier champagne and canapĂŠ reception Pre dinner aperitif courtesy of the Cotswolds Distillery Wine courtesy of The Oxford Wine Company 3 course meal sponsored by Aldens Students from City of Oxford College will be preparing and serving your food Post dinner liqueur courtesy of Cognac Frapin Coffee courtesy of Bean Bags Coffee Presentation of Awards with special guests Dress Code: Black Tie

Ticket price: ÂŁ80 + VAT

To buy your tickets and to enter the 2016 Awards visit the website at:

www.oxfordshirerestaurantawards.co.uk or call 01865 742211

news

Another amazing night at Oxfordshire Business Awards Jane Reeve (Marketing Manager) and Paul Lowe (Operations Director) at Darbys Solicitors have been working hard again, alongside the Sponsors Committee to put on yet another amazing night at the Oxfordshire Business Awards. More than 500 business people met for a night of celebration on Friday 19th June at The Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford. On the night there were 15 Awards, including the prestigious Oxford Products Business of the Year Award. The

Awards were presented by radio presenter Toby Anstis. Paul Lowe said: “It’s an incredible event, we’ve had a great response from everyone and Toby Anstis is a great host, it’s great to have him back. But most importantly it’s just great to celebrate Oxfordshire businesses.”

Videos and photographs from the evening can be seen on the Oxfordshire Business Awards website : www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk If you are interested in joining the Sponsors Committee as a sponsor for the 2016 Oxfordshire Business Awards, please contact Jane Reeve, contact details below.

The Oxfordshire Business Awards really is the number one night of the year for businesses in Oxfordshire!

The Winners THE OXFORD PRODUCTS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Darke & Taylor THE FOUR PILLARS CULTURAL EVENTS & TOURISM AWARD Winner: Crocodiles of the World Finalists: Hook Norton Brewery and Oxford Preservation Trust THE HEART FM MARKETING EXCELLENCE AWARD Winner: Fostering & Adoption, Oxfordshire County Council Finalists: One Man Band and Reg’s Café THE OXFORDSHIRE APPRENTICESHIP OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Darke & Taylor Finalists: Mondeléz International and British Gas Business THE OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY INNOVATION AWARD Winner: Cobalt Light Systems Finalists: Independent Futures and Zeta Specialist Lighting CONTACT DETAILS

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jreeve@darbys.co.uk

THE SHAW GIBBS YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Lee McQueen, Raw Talent Academy Finalists: Daniel Weston, Mathews Comfort Financial Services and Charlotte Pimm, Woozelbears

THE SHAW GIBBS BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Shaun Jardine, Brethertons LLP Finalists: Sue Randall, Oxford Fine Dining and Ben Prior, Active Education Group

THE OXFORD TIMES CHARITY & COMMUNITY AWARD Winner: Yellow Submarine Finalists: Cowley Road Works and Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre

THE RIDGEWAY DIGITAL INNOVATION AWARD Winner: Hunts Finalists: Passle and SpecialEffect, Twin Town Challenge 2014

THE OXFORDSHIRE LEP NEW BUSINESS AWARD Winner: Fidelis Market Consultants Finalists: KFP Total IT Solutions and Oxford Space Systems THE BLUE LAW BY DARBYS SMALL BUSINESS AWARD Winner: Raw Talent Academy Finalists: Webexpenses and Ue Coffee Roasters

THE OWEN MUMFORD EXPORT AWARD Winner: Zinc Ahead Finalists: WMP and Meech International THE INCHCAPE MERCEDES BENZ OF OXFORD RETAIL AWARD Winner: Burford Garden Centre Finalists: Tutu Delicious and SS20 THE HAYS EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: SOHA Housing Finalists: Polythene UK and West Waddy ADP

THE NATWEST LARGE BUSINESS AWARD Winner: Grundon Waste Management Finalists: Ability Matters Group and Polythene UK 01865 811 218

www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk

Darbys Private Client Team Estate planning for the future for business owners WRITTEN BY: JANE BEDFORD PHOTOGRAPHY BY: STUDIO8

Dealing with a bereavement is an extremely difficult time for a family and, if a business is left behind, this can be made even more challenging. Darbys’ Private Client Team can assist with all aspects of estate planning and have the relevant expertise to advise business owners to make sure matters are left in order following death. After a bereavement, the team are also able to support those left behind with practical advice on what needs to be done going forward. What will happen to your business following your death? No two businesses are the same and so Darbys’ Private Client Team will provide a bespoke service specific to your needs and the needs of your business. The Team will find out your objectives, whether this is to minimise inheritance tax, safeguard assets, or provide for either the continuation or liquidation of your business following your death, and will work with in conjunction with the firm’s Corporate and Employment Teams, as required. The rules following your death will differ depending upon which type of business is run – are you a sole trader, a partner in a partnership, or a main shareholder of a private limited company? A partnership, for example, will automatically end on the death of a partner unless alternative provisions are put in place by a partnership agreement. If you are the main shareholder of a private limited company, would you want your spouse to inherit your entire estate outright following your death and so become the main shareholder? Your spouse may not have had any involvement with the business during your lifetime and so it may be more appropriate to consider a cross option agreement to give the other shareholders first refusal on your shares. This is often funded by a life insurance policy. Estate planning covers three important areas: Wills, inheritance tax planning and provision for loss of capacity.

Make a Will It is vital if you own a business to have a Will. The intestacy rules may not distribute your estate how you would wish and can cause chaos for your business. For example, without a Will, the administrators of your estate may not be able to collect debts due to the business until a Grant has been obtained. Thought should be given about whether or not you would want your business to continue after your death. If you would like it to continue you ought to think carefully about the specific provisions that go into your Will and the powers that your executors and trustees are given. Inheritance Tax Planning Business property relief can apply to an interest in a business to provide either 50% or 100% relief from inheritance tax. However, factors can negate the relief and so part of the estate planning process is to check that the relief should apply. The inclusion of a trust in your Will may be efficient planning for inheritance tax purposes. Rather than leave business assets to a spouse which are already exempt from inheritance tax, it could be advisable to leave business assets to a discretionary trust. A discretionary trust, accompanied by an appropriately thought out letter of wishes, is a flexible way to leave assets for your trustees to deal as they see fit following your death, to benefit your family in a tax efficient way. Make a Lasting Power of Attorney It is not just Wills which ought to be carefully drafted if you own a business; Lasting Powers of Attorney are also a key part of full estate planning. We now recommend business owners to draft separate Lasting Powers of Attorney, one for personal use and one for business use. This enables different attorneys to be appointed and guidance specific to your business to be included. They must be compatible with a partnership agreement which is in place or with the Articles and Memorandum of Association for a private limited company.

Darbys’ Private Client Team The Team is headed up by Susan Floyd. Susan is a Solicitor who has been qualified for nearly 30 years and she has a wealth of experience in all areas of private client work. Specialising in Wills, trusts and tax planning and the administration of estates. Daniel Boyle, Associate Solicitor is coming up to nine years qualified. Daniel has recently joined from well-regarded regional firm Clarke Wilmott. He has also dealt with all aspects of private client work but is specialising in Wills, trusts and tax planning. Jane Bedford, Associate Solicitor coming up to five years qualified. Jane has experience of all types of private client work but specifically deals with the administration of estates and trusts. Rachel Carrington is a Solicitor coming up to one year qualified. Rachel deals mainly with the administration of estates. Richard Biddle is a trainee Legal Executive who also deals mainly with the administration of estates. Rebecca Longland is a chartered Legal Executive who deals with Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work, general care advice and NHS continuing care claims. William Mumford is a Paralegal who assists with the estate administrations in the team. To speak about estate planning please contact our Private Client Team below.

CONTACT DETAILS It is incredibly important that these documents are entered into now, when you have capacity, and registered as soon as possible. This means they are valid and ready to be used if necessary.

The registration process can take at least three months so delaying registration is not advised. If a Lasting Power of Attorney is not in place and you lose capacity then an application to Court for a deputy to be appointed must be made. This is a time consuming and costly process, however, and can be avoided with the completion instead of a Lasting Power of Attorney.

info@darbys.co.uk 01865 811700 www.darbys.co.uk

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B4 advice Team headed up by Susan Floyd

The Team l-r: Jane Bedford, Richard Biddle, Susan Floyd, Daniel Boyle and Becky Longland

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Crowdfunding, and peer-to-peer lending can help small firms grow It was recently reported that net lending to small companies in the first quarter of 2015 saw an increase in comparison to the same period in 2014 but also that approval rates for small businesses remain below 80% in comparison to 88% for medium sized businesses WRITTEN BY: DARREN GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SHUTTERSTOCK

Profitable and successful small businesses need access to finance to start up and grow, and any lack of this will act as a brake on the economic recovery. Many small businesses still feel they have too few lending options other than the big four banks.

attract traditional private equity, and which are unwilling to give away large slices of equity to business angels. Two such options are crowd funding and peer-to-peer lending.

equity away. Crowdfunding is therefore more usually suited to start-ups and early stage businesses - show your idea or business to potential investors, who if convinced, will contribute a sum to your venture.

How does it work and which is the right option for me?

The early days of crowdfunding originated in the United States and was a method by which a business or individual could post a funding requirement online and numerous people could contribute small amounts which together, would make up the total i.e. peer-to-peer lending. Often the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rewardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for their

However, is this view perception or reality? The fact is there are other forms of finance available to those small businesses which are too small to

Crowdfunding is equity related and Peer-to-Peer lending is generally debt related and so interest is charged and the loan is repaid rather than giving

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B4 finance

contribution was not in fact equity in a business, but another type of reward such as a copy of a film which was being produced with the funds or tickets to an event. But in some cases, the reward would be a share in the business itself. There have been some famous successes in the US with huge amounts of money raised, but there has also been some negative press for peer-to-peer funding. Usually, however, these were all generally either equity or rewards. In the last few years, the concept of peer-to-peer debt has arrived (although it has to be said that its nothing new, with groups of individuals funding business, whether it be equity or debt which has existed for years). The difference with the new models is that they use the internet, and often also include a “bidding” system where funders can choose the interest rate which they wish to offer to a business seeking debt funding. Over the last few years, the systems have become more business orientated and numerous sites have been launched in the UK. They have quickly gained traction and become a part of the overall funding landscape. How much funding would Peer-to-Peer provide? The amount of funding available from peer to peer funding sites ranges considerably and can be as little as £10,000 or as high as several million pounds. Which type of business would use Peer-toPeer debt funding?

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It is generally only more established businesses which would be successful in sourcing peer-to-peer debt funding as the business needs to be generating cash flows in order to make the loan repayments. It is not un-common for funders to spread their funding across many different businesses as one method of reducing risk.

information about your business in order to clearly understand it and deal with possible areas of risk. They may ask you to provide warranties (guarantees) over some of the information you provide which can have a financial impact on who is giving the warranty if the information subsequently turns out not to have been accurate.

“The amount of funding

The funders will also be looking for a carefully considered business plan which will also incorporate a certain level of financial forecasts looking at the short to medium term.

available from peer to peer funding sites ranges considerably and can be as little as £10,000 or as high as several million pounds. Darren Green, M Group

”

There are many aspects to consider when seeking finance; and this will always involve consideration of both short-term cash requirements and long-term strategic goals. Remember to take proper advice when receiving funds of any kind into your business whether via peer-to-peer funding or any other form of alternative business funding. Whatever your circumstances, let us do some of the hard work to ensure the best route for you. Please contact us below;

Finding a Peer-to-Peer funder When you have found possible funders, you need to make sure that you appoint suitably qualified professionals (normally a corporate finance accountant and a lawyer at the minimum) who can advise and work with you through the process. There may be a due diligence process carried out by the funders and this is where they request lots of

CONTACT DETAILS m.crossfield@themgroup.co.uk 01865 552925 www.themgroup.co.uk

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B4 property

Oxford and its “ environs are constrained by the green belt and lack of space within sustainable locations, therefore developing any site requires expert knowledge and approach

”

Oxfordshire’s Housing Dilemma The telegraph recently ran an article entitled “Britain’s newest property problem child - and it’s no longer London. Rocketing house prices and not enough homes - welcome to the UK’s hottest housing market”. It was referring to our very own Oxford, and whilst it may be a little sensationalist, it cites values surging by £41,700 on average over the past year; £2,800 more than the rise in London over the same period. WRITTEN BY: GEORGE FOX BA (Hons) MSc.

But why are house prices in Oxford growing faster than that of any other city in the UK? Quite simply it is a supply and demand issue – when supply is limited and there is high demand, the consequence is an augmentation of prices.

within Oxford and the surrounding towns and villages is core to our business. Whether be brownfield or greenfield we are eager to speak to landowners who believe that their land may have development potential.

While this ‘phenomenon’ is grabbing headlines, house prices in the UK as a whole have risen faster than any other developed country over the last 35 years – hardly a contemporary issue. But it does boil down to the under delivery of housing stock; short term economic conditions have had a knock on effect upon the industry’s ability to increase supply to meet demands and projected demands.

Oxford and its environs are constrained by the green belt and lack of space within sustainable locations, therefore developing any site requires expert knowledge and approach. Strutt & Parker’s Development & Planning department in Oxford has a team of experienced town planners and chartered surveyors, including valuers, who specialise in the development process from conception to completion.

It would be wrong to say that it is a UK-wide problem however, as demand is very much focused in specific areas, like we see in Oxford. To alleviate this problem, homes need to be built where needed and need to be the right type of homes to meet demand. Ultimately developers are only going to build what they think they can sell, so the issue lies with finding available land – which in Oxford is incredibly difficult. The number of households is set to dramatically increase over the next twenty years, which will only succeed in fanning the fire even more. For the Planning and Development team at Strutt & Parker identifying suitable sites for residential development

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While the planning process has arguably got simpler with the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), planning is certainly no walk in the park. In depth knowledge of the planning system and proven experience of successful application and appeal processes is crucial when considering representation for a potential site. Becoming more routine is the need to engage with the community on developments – residents want to be informed and involved in the process that will ultimately have an effect on their lives.

Strutt & Parker’s Planning and Development team have an unrivalled knowledge of the complete process, not just the technical planning aspects but also the commercial acumen to ensure that clients are appropriately represented and obtain consents that are not only appropriate but also viable. Our strong national profile and extensive database of builders ensures that marketed sites get the widest possible exposure and therefore achieve the best possible value. We are always interested to speak to landowners who have potential development sites or who are in need of any planning advice, so please contact the team if you require assistance and we will be able to provide you with a tailored and commercially astute service. For details of how Strutt & Parker can assist in unlocking the potential of your property interests, please contact a member of the team below.

CONTACT DETAILS oxford@struttandparker.com 01865 366 666 www.struttandparker.com/offices/oxford

Presentation is paramount when selling or letting your home, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why we employ our own in-house professional photographer to ensure that we get the best possible results. Just another way that Breckon & Breckon goes the extra mileâ&#x20AC;Ś

breckon.co.uk

A network of eight offices across Oxfordshire

B4 events

Double trouble for Twin Town Challenge 2016 Driving 50 £500 cars from Witney to Le Touquet in 2014 was mad, so taking 100 cars in 2016 must be completely bonkers. Brendon Cross tells B4 just why he is organising a second Twin Town Challenge. WRITTEN BY: JO SENSECALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SIMON WILLIAMS

Late May bank holiday 2014 and 50 cars costing less than £500 departed from Cornbury Park to travel to Witney’s twin town of Le Touquet and in so doing raised £130,000 for SpecialEffect. The Twin Town Challenge is the brainchild of Brendon Cross, MD of STL Communications and Vice President of Special Effect, and in 2016 he’s doing it all again, only this time taking 100 cars. Why are you doing it again? Obviously I want to raise a huge sum of money for SpecialEffect to enable them help even more people with disabilities to join in with video games, but it is also because so many of the TTC14 participants had so much fun raising money for charity that they wanted to do it all again. It seemed logical to take twice as many cars and to raise twice as much money! Our fundraising target for TTC16 is £250,000 and the good news is that our very generous sponsors have covered the cost of the event, so every penny (and euro!) raised by the teams goes straight to SpecialEffect. What did that much money mean to SpecialEffect? The Twin Town Challenge has been the ultimate game changer for this small charity. The funds raised by TTC14 have been used to employ additional specialist staff and to provide extra expert support to the young people with disabilities that they help. SpecialEffect has also extended the centre, so that it is big enough to host groups of disabled young people and their families, and equipped it with additional specialist equipment such as eye gaze www.b4-business.com

technology. The team even went back to LeTouquet to work with some children there. Is it a race? No it’s not. TTC16 is a series of point based challenges that are guaranteed to ensure teams have lots of fun and once in a lifetime experiences. The icing on the cake is raising lots of money for SpecialEffect. What sort of things will teams be doing over the weekend? We’re still putting the finishing touches to the itinerary, but we’re leaving from Blenheim Palace which will be a spectacular VIP depart and heading for Brands Hatch for some fun on the circuit before crossing to France with Eurotunnel. There will be a Civic Reception in Le Touquet on Friday night and a series of challenges in and around Le Touquet on Saturday. On Sunday we head to Criox en Ternois circuit which for many was the best day of TTC14, with all the cars driving round the track. That evening there’s a street party in Rue de Metz, which is closed just for us, with live bands and a ‘money can’t buy’ auction. On Monday we head back to Blighty and a farewell tea party at Abbott Diabetes in Witney. What do businesses get out of entering an event like TTC16? As with most things, the more you put in, the more you will get out of it, but a quick list includes teamwork, staff engagement, publicity, raising money for charity, networking, once in a lifetime experiences, increased awareness, social media, PR and lots, lots

more. Last year one of the participants said it was better than a breakfast club to meet new people and businesses! How much does it cost to enter? Businesses or groups of individuals can enter a team of up to four people for £995. You’ll need to purchase a car for less than £500 and insure it, although TTC16 can provide you with event insurance that includes cover for the race tracks for £250. We will feed you six times over the course of the weekend but you will need to cover other meals, drinks, accommodation and fuel. And finally, what happens if a car breaks down? We’re taking a team of mechanics from KJ’s in Witney with us who will sort out most problems, but if your breakdown is terminal, then you’ll be returning to the UK on the back of a pick-up truck! We recommend that cars should have European roadside assistance cover just in case. TTC16 will take place from Friday 27th May 2016 to Monday 30th May 2016. Places on the starting grid are filling fast, so see below for more details and to enter.

CONTACT DETAILS support@twintown16.co.uk 01993 220 666 www.twintown16.co.uk

Meet the Experts Lynsey Pickett

Richard Harris

Title: Senior Negotiator Team: Residential Lettings

Title: Associate Partner Team: Building Consultancy

How many years’ service at CJ/property industry experience: I’ve been in the industry for six years and at Carter Jonas for two years. I started off in one of its London offices and transferred to Oxford as I’m from the county

How many years’ service at CJ/property industry experience: After 12 months working in London I joined Carter Jonas in 1996 in the York office before moving to the Oxford office in 2001

Describe your typical client: Landlords with small and big portfolios across Oxfordshire, and applicants looking for long term rented accommodation Brief overview of what you do for your client: For the landlords, I find them a suitable tenant for their property and carry out all the negotiations; for applicants we reference them, take deposits and draw up all tenancy agreements and paperwork related to the tenancy What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen in your job? A couple was moving from Australia but didn’t want to relocate until they had found somewhere to live. So rather than sending a video of the potential rental property, they asked me to do the viewing using FaceTime! I had to open cupboards whilst juggling my iPhone! And finally, what you’ve learnt? Adapt yourself to who you’re dealing with; and make sure you have at least 3G when doing a FaceTime viewing!

Describe your typical client: My clients range from private individuals and commercial businesses, to property and investment companies, and large public sector organisations Brief overview of what you do for your client: I provide Building Surveying advice on a range of property matters with a particular emphasis on Dilapidations for both Landlords and Tenants, Party Wall and Neighbourly Matters, Planned and Preventative Maintenance and Insurance Reinstatement Assessments. I also undertake Commercial and Residential Property Acquisition Surveys as well as Design and Project Management of Refurbishment and New Build contracts on a variety of commercial and residential building types. My particular area of interest is historic building restoration and I have been privileged over the years to advise clients on the purchase, repair and restoration of some wonderful and varied listed and traditional buildings What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen in your job? Climbing into a roof void in a redundant hospital building and discovering a colony of over 50 long eared brown bats hanging from the rafters. Needless to say I left them to their darkened reverie undisturbed And finally, what you’ve learnt? To be respectful and polite, and to listen and understand your client and their requirements

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B4 spotlight

Whilst property is the connection for Carter Jonas’ experts based in its 85+ people strong Oxford office, we dig a little deeper, and uncover some interesting things they’ve witnessed in their careers. WRITTEN BY: OLIVIA LANE-NOTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY: AURÉLIEN LANGLAIS

Johanna Hooley

Tom Forman

Title: Sales Manager Team: New Homes

Title: Surveyor Team: Commercial Agency

How many years’ service at CJ/property industry experience: I started my property career in 1983 and have worked at Carter Jonas for two years

How many years’ service at CJ/property industry experience: I joined as a graduate six years ago

Describe your typical client: All my clients are small to medium property developers who have new home sites across Oxfordshire. For example, the beautifully built houses at One Oxford Hill, and the highly successful development at The Buttercross, both in Witney

Describe your typical client: I work for a variety of private, institutional and public sector clients, all with unique objectives

Brief overview of what you do for your client: I work with the client from the development stage right the way through to completion. Clients ask my knowledge of the area, how to market the houses, what mix in terms of apartments and houses, number of bedrooms, prices etc and what else is going on in the area. Also I provide lots of pricing work for future developments, and when marketing the new homes I carry out the viewings, right the way through to the negotiations What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen in your job? In one month, for one development, without the buyers even viewing the houses, I sold to people in Singapore, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, China, and Spain! And finally, what you’ve learnt? Never to presume; that most objections can be overcome, be it from the developer or the purchaser; and if you don’t know the answer, be honest and find out

CONTACT DETAILS

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oxford@carterjonas.co.uk

01865 511 444

Brief overview of what you do for your client: I wear two hats: one advising landlords on leasehold and freehold disposals of commercial property including office, industrial and retail properties, providing recommendations on how to achieve best value and subsequently implementing the chosen strategy. With my other hat, I provide strategic advice to tenants on their occupational properties and carry out relocations, acquisitions, lease renewals, rent reviews and re-gears What’s the most unusual thing you’ve seen in your job? As a graduate I once turned up with a colleague to inspect an industrial unit only to find it to be a former ‘couples’ club and fitted out as such; I kept a tight hold of my car keys! And finally, what you’ve learnt? It’s a small world so it’s worth being fair and honest with everybody If you need professional property advice, get in touch to see how we can help you.

www.carterjonas.co.uk/oxford

Corporate AS A COMPANY, HOW DO YOU SAY ‘THANKS’ TO YOUR STAFF, YOUR CUSTOMERS OR SUPPLIERS? WE HAVE THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU. vouch have been providing fantastic offers to the general public for over three years now, great places like:

with more vouchers coming up for sale weekly It’s a great way for you to buy a voucher at a 50% discount (at least) and say ‘thanks’ to someone for their hard work. Corporate vouch offers you the opportunity to buy 12 vouchers for the price of 10* Just call 01865 742211 quoting ‘Corporate vouch’ and we can put a package of vouchers together for you. To see the full range of vouchers, see the www.vouchoffers.co.uk site Follow vouch on Twitter or sign up for the e-newsletter at www.vouchoffers.co.uk

giving you much more for less *the credit you get for the two vouchers you don’t pay for is equivalent to the average of the 10 vouchers you do pay for.

news

Pictured: Jane Maitland and Melanie Williams

Lawyers from one of the UK’s top ranked private client practices are appointed to the Office of the Public Guardian’s new deputy panel Henmans Freeth Solicitors’ UK top-ranked private client practice is delighted to announce partner and head of private client department in Oxfordshire, Jane Maitland, and private client director, Melanie Williams, have both been appointed to the Office of the Public Guardian’s Panel of Deputies. Their recent appointment comes after a rigorous selection process by the OPG. The OPG only appointed 68 Deputies, to cover regions throughout England & Wales, from nearly 500 applicants. The OPG is an executive agency, sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, which protects people who do not have the mental capacity to make health and finance decisions for themselves. Jane Maitland, head of Henmans Freeth’s private client practice in Oxford, says: “We are delighted to be appointed to the Office of the Public Guardian’s Panel of Deputies. We have for over many years acted as Deputies for clients who for reasons of accident, injury, illness, age or infirmity are not able to look after their own affairs. The appointment complements our private client work

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providing estate planning advice for individuals and families often in complex and difficult situations and the work of our Clinical Negligence Department where we assist with managing the substantial personal injury awards achieved for clients who are often unable to manage their own financial affairs. Our experience and expertise will prove invaluable in safeguarding the wellbeing and finance of those who need it most. Our private client practice has a national reputation that has been built on having legal experts in their field. This recent appointment by the OPG is testament to our experience and knowledge of this area of law.” The private client practice of 25 contentious and non contentious lawyers at Henmans Freeth advises on a broad mix of complex trust and estate planning for clients with landed, businesses and foreign estates (Europe, US, Asia etc); the management of the property and affairs of those who are incapable of managing their own; legacy administration for national UK charities; acting as independent administrator in disputed estates and probate and estate administration. In the recent edition of the Legal 500 directory,

Henmans Freeth Solicitors received stellar reviews and has been ranked in the top tier of firms in the South East in five of its practice areas – private client, clinical negligence, agriculture and estates, charities, and commercial property. The firm has also been ranked as a regional heavy weight and is recommended in the legal directory for thirteen other areas of law. The Legal 500 is widely recognised as the most authoritative research guide of the leading law firms operating within the UK. The legal directory conducts over 50,000 interviews each year in order to identify the leaders in the legal sector. After many months of thorough research, Legal 500 has pin-pointed Henmans Freeth’s private client practice, as having the most capable, expert practitioners at the top of their game.

CONTACT DETAILS welcome@henmansfreeth.co.uk 01865 781000 www.henmansfreeth.co.uk

One St Aldates tech firm reaches NAPHIA Summit across the pond. Sunshine state welcomes top dogs and lead sponsor of NAPHIA Summit to Hollywood. WRITTEN BY: JON GARDNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JON GARDNER & DAVID FISHER

Margaret Hewitt, Centre Director

One St Aldates based Aquarium Software, with offices in the UK, Ireland and the USA, continues its impressive global expansion plan and announces the sponsorship of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) Summit. Following on from a successful co-sponsorship of the event in 2014, Aquarium is scaling up its involvement and investment this year to be lead sponsor when doors open on the 2015 Summit in Hollywood, Florida, from May 26-28. The NAPHIA Summit is a springboard for Aquarium’s continued expansion into pet insurance and other niche insurance markets in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe and the Far East. Once described as “…a fledging tech firm with promise”, on the back of major client wins, Aquarium is now preparing to take its seat at the top table and sees Oxford retaining an important role and point of presence from which 90

Mark Colonnesse, Aquarium VP Sales and Marketing (oxford)

“The NAPHIA Summit is one of the most significant gatherings of North American industry leaders and we are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s event,” said Mark Colonnese, Aquarium’s Oxford-based VP Sales and Marketing. “Aquarium is already a global business and our assets deployed in the US market reflect that. NAPHIA remains a key plank of our US pet strategy as a consequence, and the growth of our US presence and the industry more generally both serve to further underscore the importance of the summit. As we continue to make great moves in the global insurance technology marketplace, I see our One St Aldates base as being critical to accessing the City of London and world insurance markets, without the preclusive cost of an EC1 headquarters.”

Summit as a stellar opportunity to discuss new pet insurance initiatives, as potential investors are starting to sit up and take serious notice of the sector.

Aquarium Software announced last year an ongoing transatlantic partnership with leading pet insurance brand Pets Plus Us. With a track record developing

to expand its operations further. The Oxford firm has rapidly become a global player in the insurance technology sector and the pet insurance technology specialist sees the NAPHIA

The NAPHIA Summit is one of “ the most significant gatherings of North American industry leaders and we are proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s event

”

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B4 events

Mark Colonnesse, Aquarium VP Sales and Marketing (oxford). Photo by Jon Gardner

systems for UK insurers, Aquarium could offer Pets Plus Us an adaptable platform and cost-effective solutions, aimed specifically at the complexities of the pet insurance market. Spreading this good news will be a hot topic at the NAPHIA summit, because while data mining, anti-fraud and customer journey initiatives have been applied in regular insurance for years, it has not been widely applied to pet insurance - until now. “There is an argument that pet insurance has been underestimated in terms of its potential, both for growth and fraud,” added Mark. “It is becoming clear the product needs treating with the same intellectual rigour and methodology (and the same software) as any other General Insurance (GI) line, now that is happening, the industry’s tails are up and investors are starting to prick up their ears. All in all, the NAPHIA Summit 2015 has a lot to talk about.”

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One St Aldates, managed by Oxford Innovation the UK’s leading operator of business and innovation centres, can support up to 16 growing companies in 6,000 sq. ft. of serviced offices with offices available from just 75 sq. ft. to 1,170 sq. ft. To contact Aquarium Software please call +44 (0)161 927 5620 or visit www.aquarium-software.com. Businesses interested in finding out more about office space solutions or to arrange a visit to One St Aldates, please contact Margaret Hewitt, Centre Director, below.

CONTACT DETAILS m.hewitt@oxin.co.uk 01865 261 475 www.onestaldates.co.uk

About Oxford Innovation Oxford Innovation is a leading operator of business and innovation centres that provide office and laboratory space to companies throughout the UK. The company also provides innovation services to entrepreneurs, including businessplanning advice, fund raising, coaching and mentoring. For more information: www.oxin-centres.co.uk 91

B4 spotlight

“I am extremely honoured to have been offered a fellowship of the IAML as it is the world’s leading organisation of international family lawyers and fellowships are by invitation only.

”

Jane Mitchell, Partner, Penningtons Manches

First Oxford family lawyer is awarded a fellowship of the prestigious International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Jane Mitchell, the head of family law at Penningtons Manches in Oxford, has become the first lawyer in Oxford and the Thames Valley to be awarded a fellowship of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML). The IAML is a worldwide association of practising lawyers who are recognised by their peers as the most experienced and expert family law specialists in their respective countries. This prestigious appointment is especially noteworthy given that only a small number of UK family lawyers outside London are fellows of the IAML. Jane Mitchell said: “I am extremely honoured to have been offered a fellowship of the IAML as it is the world’s leading organisation of international family lawyers and fellowships are by invitation only. To be eligible, candidates must demonstrate that they are among the leading family lawyers in their respective countries, as well as having significant international experience. “Membership of the IAML allows family lawyers across the world to share in best practice and enables those handling international family law cases to obtain legal assistance of the highest calibre in other jurisdictions. Where there are complex cases involving cross-border issues, specialist lawyers are able to turn to one another, ensuring the best possible result for the client.” Since it was founded in 1986 the IAML has grown steadily, both in terms of the countries represented and the overall membership. There are now 52 countries represented and more than 690 fellows worldwide.

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Five other Penningtons Manches partners are fellows of IAML - Anna Worwood, Gill Rivers, James Stewart, Jane Craig and Louise Spitz – all of whom are based in London. In addition to acting in many of England’s leading reported cases, the firm’s family department has long been regarded as one of England’s preeminent family teams and has led the way in the introduction of non-adversarial alternatives to court such as mediation, arbitration and collaborative law.

International family law and Oxford A culturally and ethnically diverse city with a worldfamous university and internationally recognised medical and clinical research institutions, it is not surprising that nearly 30% of Oxford’s residents were born outside the UK and that there are an estimated 4,000 short-term international migrants visiting the city. Just under two thirds (62%) of graduate students and 40% of academic staff at the University of Oxford come from outside the UK. The growth in the number of overseas families in Oxford and the steady rise in the number of transnational marriages and relationships involving Oxford residents has resulted in a substantial increase in the number of cases with an international element. The Penningtons Manches Oxford family team has been at the forefront of acting in international cases ranging from jurisdictional disputes and financial proceedings involving multiple assets abroad to international pre- and post-nuptial agreements and difficult cases involving the international movement of children.

Says Jane: “The growth in a number of Oxfordbased cases with an international dimension has made it vital for family practitioners to understand the complexities involved in dealing with modern day cross-jurisdictional matters. Family lawyers who deal with international clients must remain informed of the latest legal developments so that they can provide sound and cost-effective advice. My fellowship of the IAML will provide me with on-going relationships with some of the leading lawyers in the world.” Jane Mitchell has been also named 2015-2016 Oxford Family Law ‘Lawyer of the Year’ by Best Lawyers International. Only one lawyer in each practice area and location is awarded this accolade. A further 23 Penningtons Manches partners across the firm have been listed in Best Lawyers International 2015 including six members of the family team. Jane is a long-time resident of North Oxford and lives with her husband and three children. Information about the IAML can be found at: www.iaml.org For more information on Jane Mitchell and the Penningtons Manches family team, see below:

CONTACT DETAILS jane.mitchell@penningtons.co.uk 01865 722106 www.penningtons.co.uk

Oxford University Rugby Football Club Presents

2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP DINNER Q & A session with OURFC & Rugby World Cup Legends: Joe Roff – RWC Winner for Australia in 1999, OURFC Captain 2007 Anton Oliver – RWC for New Zealand 1999 & 2007, Varsity Match winner 2008 Gareth Rees – RWC for Canada 1987, 1991 & 1995, Blues in 1992 & 1993 Hugo MacNeill – RWC for Ireland 1987, OURFC Captain 1983 Hosted by: Tyrone Howe –RWC for Ireland 2003, OURFC Captain 1995

Anton Oliver

Gareth Reese

Hugo MacNeill

DATE:

FRIDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2015

VENUE: TIME:

IffleyRoad Rugby Ground, Jackdaw Lane, Oxford 4.45pm - Pavilion opens for Argentina v Georgia 6.45pm - Marquee opens for pre-dinner drinks 7.30pm - Sit down to dinner 9.15pm - Q & A session with OURFC RWC players £750 (ex. VAT) for a table of ten, £900 (inc.VAT)

PRICES:

Joe Roff

Three course dinner with ½ a bottle of wine per head, auction, raffle etc.

For enquiries & to reserve tables, please contact Fergus Taylor on: (01865) 432000 or 07899 792745 fetaylor.taylor@gmail.com

WWW.OURFC.ORG

B4 sport

Blues vs Russia 2015

Oxford University Rugby Football Club and the Rugby World Cup Oxford University Rugby Club (OURFC) and the Rugby World Cup (RWC) have been intrinsically linked since the first event was held in New Zeeland and Australia, way back in 1987 when All Blacks Captain David Kirk lifted the trophy at Eden Park Auckland. David Kirk’s next rugby appearance after the final, was for OURFC at Exeter in October of the same year, after he had taken up a Rhodes Scholarship to study for a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Worcester College. WRITTEN BY: TIM STEVENS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: OURFC

In total thirty-one former Oxford Blues have taken part in the seven RWC’s to date, representing ten different countries, with six having achieved RWC triumph as members of winning squads, the last OURFC player to appear was Simon Danielli who represented Scotland in the 2011 event. Perhaps the most decorated OURFC/RWC representative is Gareth Rees, who represented Canada in the first four RWC’s – 1987, 1991, 1995 & 1999 – whilst also completing a Masters at Oxford from 1993 to 1995. On Friday 25th September OURFC are delighted to be hosting a Rugby World Cup Dinner, where five of our ‘legends’ will be back in Oxford as special guests to conduct a Q & A session which we are sure will be interesting, entertaining and at times revealing! For more details of the dinner, please see the information on the accompanying page. Whilst the game of rugby has changed exponentially since professionalism was introduced in 1995, both Oxford and Cambridge have managed to retain their place as a breeding ground for talented, academically gifted rugby players. Since the start of the new millennium the following players have studied at Oxford and then moved in to the professional game, but as you can see not just as players:

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• Kevin Tkachuk, Blues in 2001, 02 & 03 went on to play for Glasgow and represent Canada. • Anton Van Zyl, Blues in 2003 & 04 went on to play for the Golden Lions & Western Province in Super Rugby and then Stade Francais in the French Top 14. • Ali James, Blues in 2004 & 05 currently the head physio at Wasps, having formerly played professionally for Gloucester. • Alex Cheesman, Blues in 2008, 09 & 10 currently playing for the Cornish Pirates in the Championship and also capped at England 7’s.

• Ricky Lutton, Blues in 2007, 08 & 09 currently playing for Ulster in the Pro-direct league and also represented Ireland A. • Sean Morris, Blues in 2008, 10 & 11 currently playing rugby league for London Bronocs in the Kingstone Press Championship. • Tom Mitchell, Blue in 2011 currently the England 7’s Captain. • Will Rowlands, Blues in 2012 & 13 currently playing for Wasps in the Premiership. • Sam Egerton, Blues in 2011, 12, 13 & 14 currently part of the England 7’s squad.

• Tom Tombleson, Blues in 2005, 06 & 07 currently the Head of Strength & Conditioning for the England senior XV and also capped at England 7’s.

• Gus Jones, Blues in 2012, 13 & 14 currently playing for London Welsh in the Championship.

• Oliver Tomaszczyk, Blues in 2006 & 09 currently playing for Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership.

• Matt Janney, Blues in 2011, 13 & 14 currently part of the Georgia at 7’s squad.

• Kevin Davis, Blue in 2007 went on the play for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby and currently playing for Ealing in the Championship. • Wayne Thompson, Blue in 2008 went on to play for Bristol in the Premiership and Championship.

CONTACT DETAILS tim.stevens@sport.ox.ac.uk 01865 432 000 www.ourfc.org

All Change for transparency please, The small business, enterprise and employment act 2015 - What does it mean for your business In March 2015 the Department for Business Innovation & Skills announced that measures designed to make “the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business” had become law. This was The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015, which received Royal Assent on 26 March 2015, and will come into force over the next 12 months.

WRITTEN BY: PADDY GREGAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: AMY ELLER

It followed Government consultations on enhancing the transparency of company ownership, increasing trust in business and reducing red tape for UK companies. This article will look at the key practical implications for those readers and advisers involved in managing any changes in corporate governance and practice. Directors’ duties apply to shadow directors Shadow directors will be subject to the general statutory duties that apply to directors under the Companies Act 2006. This is entirely logical but is now enshrined in legislation. Bearer shares abolished The creation of bearer shares (where title is evidenced by possession of a certificate) is prohibited and existing ones need to be surrendered for registered shares before the end

of the year. Bearer shares not so surrendered and exchanged will be compulsorily cancelled. Bearer shares are unusual in terms of normal businesses. However, if your company has issued bearer shares then you need to act now! Abolition of corporate directors – in October 2015 Using a company to act as a director will be prohibited, although certain low risk exceptions for subsidiaries are being debated. Take care as existing corporate directors will automatically cease to be directors one year and a day after this part of the Act comes into force in October 2015.

determining whether someone is unfit to be a director, including culpability, materiality of past conduct, track record, misconduct overseas and breach of sectoral regulation as well as general directors’ duties. The intention is to minimise risky business decisions being made. We shall see! Director appointment disputes – in October 2015 Companies House will write to all newly appointed directors to make them aware that their appointment has been filed on the public register and explain their statutory duties. The aim of this provision is to get falsely appointed directors’ details removed from the register.

We fear that this is going to catch many unawares! Disqualification of directors to be made easier – in October 2015 There will be more factors to be considered when

We shall see if this simple approach works to reduce this facet of ‘identity theft’. Registered office disputes – in October 2015

company will be required to regularly maintain and keep available for public inspection a “PSCEvery register, which is a register of persons having significant control. The principal objective is to prevent corrupt individuals from hiding behind secret companies. ” Paddy Gregan - BrookStreet des Roches

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B4 advice

Paddy Gregan

Companies House will have new powers to tackle the unauthorised use of a registered office.

Companies House to satisfy the obligation to maintain its statutory information.

Striking off procedure shortened – in October 2015 Striking off a company from the register will be shortened to approximately two months.

We move into the era of electronic record keeping!

This is a positive change to shorten a simple process. New register of persons having significant control – in January 2016 Every company will be required to regularly maintain and keep available for public inspection a PSC register, which is a register of persons having significant control. The principal objective is to prevent corrupt individuals from hiding behind secret companies. The information will need to be filed at Companies House annually; there will be very limited exceptions to this rule. Option to keep certain statutory books at the central registry – in April 2016 Private companies will have the option to elect to keep information only on the register at

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Abolition of annual returns – in April 2016 Companies will simply be required to deliver a confirmation statement that there have been no changes to information on the record, or if so, update the same accordingly. This will be a welcome change and relaxation to the current process. New statement of capital requirements for companies – in April 2016 Companies will be required to specify the aggregate amount unpaid on the total number of shares, which is expected to be easier to comply with. Challenges A short implementation timeframe will create a challenging period for many companies. Companies with issued bearer shares or corporate directors must take action soon but the provisions dealing with the PSC register are likely to be the most burdensome. There will be little time between publication of

guidance on the meaning of significant control in October 2015 and the requirement from January 2016 to start keeping a PSC register, and just three months before the obligation of having to file the PSC register information at Companies House applies in April 2016. Companies should begin addressing their concerns as soon as possible, while staying abreast of the new provisions and guidance. Conclusions and Actions A number of commentators have noted and the UK Government has itself expressed, the change to transparency of UK company ownership and control is significant with the UK is leading the way internationally; clearly pushing for “international recognition of the need for change” and “ambitious global outcomes”. Whether the UK will be considered a welcome market leader in this area will be seen over the coming months as the Act’s reforms are implemented. CONTACT DETAILS paddy.gregan@bsdr.com 01235 836600 www.bsdr.com

Exceptional Business Growth and Enhanced Management Team at CIS WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER: LUKE BROADHURST

Exceptional Business Growth at CIS 2015 is turning into another busy and successful year for Computing Information Systems Ltd (CIS), which is seeing further strong business growth and the establishment of an expanded Management Team. Leading the way in Oxfordshire as the “one to watch” for growing IT & Cloud businesses, CIS has increased its team to 21 with further plans underway to increase to 35 during 2016, and in excess of 50 staff by the end of 2017. “To say CIS is growing is an understatement. We are working with increasing numbers of local and national businesses who need IT & Cloud services delivered in a cost efficient and business-focused manner.” said Richard Marsh, CEO at CIS. CIS has substantial plans to increase the size of its headquarters based in Faringdon, Oxfordshire to compliment the recent move and increase in space at its Herefordshire-based branch office.

plans to keep CIS growing successfully and in partnership with an ever-expanding client-base. • Neill Lawson-Smith is the CIS Chief Information Officer. He is focused on developing and delivering innovative and competitive IT solutions for our clients. • Ross Wilson has been appointed CIS Head of Sales and Marketing. He brings over 30 years of experience in IT solutions sales, working with clients from every conceivable background, size and requirement. • Matt Grantham is the CIS Operations Manager. He will be ensuring that the Technical Team delivers projects on time and on budget, whilst maintaining high standards in support and project delivery. • Daniel Hadland is the CIS Technical Manager. Daniel will be ensuring the technical quality of the solutions that CIS delivers to its clients. He will also be managing our Enterprise Cloud Systems to make certain they are constantly available and working at optimum performance.

“CIS recently celebrated 25 years of IT Services in Oxfordshire. With the skills, technology and know-how developed over all these years, we are well positioned to ensure that Cloud technology is helping our clients maximise the efficiencies available.“ said Neill Lawson-Smith, CIO at CIS.

• Ashley Baker has been appointed Financial Controller at CIS. Ashley will be ensuring that the administrative systems are efficient, accurate and working with our clients to make sure trading with CIS is straightforward.

Introducing the CIS Management Team

How can we help your business?

• Richard Marsh is the new CIS Chief Executive. Richard is strategically driving the company with

CIS understands how critical IT systems are to businesses in today’s market.

Basic systems like Email and Internet access are expected to work without interruption, and often the resiliency and reliability of Servers and Workstations can be overlooked or underestimated. We appreciate that IT issues cost businesses in real financial terms both in ability to conduct business and reputation. Our Technical Staff are able to fully analyse and appraise our clients’ entire IT systems, and pinpoint any areas where service could be interrupted or perform slower than needed. Our strength lies in our ability to propose clear and unambiguous answers to address these potential problems, bearing in mind that cost and efficiency are key to meeting business expectations.

What’s the next step? A one-to-one conversation, without obligation, is the most effective way to find out how we can assist you best. Ideally we would discuss your business IT issues and challenges. By understanding your business and its IT needs, we can help set out in plain English the opportunities and efficiencies available. Please find out contact details below:

CONTACT DETAILS solutions@cisltd.com 01367 700 555 www.cisltd.com

The CIS Team

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B4 spotlight

L to R: Neill Lawson-Smith CIO and Richard March CEO

To say CIS is growing is an “ understatement. We’re working with more

L to R: Matt Grantham, Ashley Baker, Daniel Hadland & Ross Wilson.

and more local and national businesses who need IT & Cloud services, along with providing bright career prospects for those with a passion for IT

”

Richard Marsh, CEO at CIS

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S E M A H T

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DIGITAL

Proud to print this issue of Thames Print, 19 East Portway Industrial Estate, Andover SP10 3LU t: 01264 359 359 e: web@thames-print.co.uk w: www.thames-print.co.uk

Part of the THAMES Manufacturing Group

B4 advice

“Did you know that the

Home Office can turn up at your premises to review your personnel files, to check that you are not employing illegal workers?

”

Debra Wetters, Immigration Specialist, Brethertons

Who’s afraid of the Home Office? Immigration issues seem to be constantly in the news at the moment. A new Immigration Bill announced on 21 May indicates that immigration regulations will be tightened still further. Whether or not these rules will actually help businesses remains to be seen. WRITTEN BY: DEBRA WETTERS

The UK already has a significant skills shortage in certain sectors, most notably engineering, IT and in some areas of medicine, and the new rules indicate an intention to make it even harder for businesses to recruit from outside the EU, even into these areas. Is this a good thing? Highly skilled migrants, who need to be educated to at least degree level before being able to be recruited, surely have much to contribute to the UK. Additionally, the rules relating to illegal working are going to be tightened. Businesses are already under important duties to check that their employees have the right to work in the UK, and getting it wrong can be extremely costly and can result in imprisonment for company representatives. Did you know that the Home Office can turn up at your premises to review your personnel files, to check that you are not employing illegal workers? It can issue fines of up to £20,000 per illegal worker, almost immediately, where you have got things wrong, and many businesses are being closed down as a result of these fines. Within the last 3 years, the Home Office has issued £1.7million of fines. So what should you be doing, and not doing? The first thing to remember is that you need to

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be careful not to racially discriminate against your employees. Don’t only check the employees who look like they may be foreign. Don’t only employ UK nationals, or EU nationals, in order to side step the problem. Treat everyone the same. Your new employee needs to be able to prove to you that they have the right to work in the UK. You need this on your adverts and you should not employ anyone until you have carried out a three step process to make sure you are not breaking the law. Firstly, you need to ask your new employee to bring with them, on their first day, documents to prove that they have the right to work in the UK. Details of what documents you can review are set out on the Government website www.gov.uk as these will depend on the nationality and immigration status of your new employee. The most important things is not to let them start work without doing this. Secondly, you need to make sure that the document and the employee look as though they go together. The Home Office wants you to pretend to be that Immigration Officer you see at Passport Control. Look for discrepancies in the name, or anything else that may show you that this is a fraudulent document.

Thirdly, you need to take permanent copies of the documents, date these and mark on them when and where you saw the document. The Home Office guidance will show you how. You then need to keep the copies for up to 2 years after the employee has stopped working for you, just in case you get that visit from the UKVI. If all of this is news to you and your business, we would recommend you carry out an Immigration Audit as soon as possible and we can help you with this. Likewise, if you are having problems with recruiting skilled staff, we can help you to navigate the rules, to find the people you need for your business. Contact our immigration specialist solicitor, Debra Wetters below.

CONTACT DETAILS debrawetters@brethertons.co.uk 01869 255432 www.brethertons.co.uk

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“Franchisees, you need to

look at what you actually stand to get for your fee or premium, including training, stock, and other tangibles

”

David Engwell, Hedges Law

David Engwell

Franchising A golden opportunity, but with plenty of pitfalls As a Dispute Resolution solicitor, I tend to be a bit pessimistic. After all, I mostly see business situations where something has gone wrong. In recent months, I have seen an unusually high number of franchise disputes land on my desk. Ideally, I’d like a time-machine and the chance to offer some pretty candid advice to my clients (both Franchisees and Franchisors) before they enter into a Franchise Agreement (FA). That’s not possible, so I’ll give it my best warning shot here. Financial Projections and other pre-contract statements Franchisors will often put together a Financial Projection for potential Franchisees. These need to be carefully prepared, and read in context. Franchisees, you need to look at what you actually stand to get for your fee or premium, including training, stock, and other tangibles. You also need to be sure of the value of the brand you’re buying into. You should dig around for more information on the financials and the Franchisor’s track record,

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and ideally speak to other existing franchisees for a more realistic appraisal. As a Franchisor, you could ask your Franchisees to sign a ‘non-reliance’ statement where they state they are not relying on any other statements, including your Financial Projection, other than the FA itself. However, attempts to limit or exclude liability for misrepresentation will be subject to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, and could later be ruled unenforceable. Better not to take the risk; you should take care to ensure that the figures used in any Financial Projection are accurate. If they are not accurate (some are wildly optimistic) you are likely to end up with a disappointed Franchisee or, worse, you could face legal action for misrepresentation. Both are bad for business. The Franchise Agreement (FA) An important point to remember is that FAs are usually drawn up by a lawyer acting for the Franchisor. Contracts are rarely neutral documents, so each

party should seek legal advice before agreeing a final version and signing. I would always attempt to negotiate any contract, but don’t be surprised at being rebuffed by the Franchisors who tell you it’s “non-negotiable”. There are some standard clauses and topics covered in the FA. Make sure you ask the right questions, some of which are: Duration - how long will it last and how will it be renewed? Fees - there are usually Management Service Fees (MSF). Can you afford to pay them? Training - know what to expect and what expenses will be incurred. Operation Manual – Franchisors need to make sure that this is delivered and kept updated.

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B4 advice

“I would always attempt to

negotiate any contract, but don’t be surprised at being rebuffed by the Franchisors who tell you it’s “non-negotiable”

”

Toby Walker Hedges Law

Toby Walker

According to the British Franchise Association , franchising contributes some £13.7 billion to the UK economy, with over 39,000 franchises employing some 500,000 employees. For the Franchisor, it offers a method of upscaling for the business starter who has laboured to create a business that works. For the Franchisee, it offers an alternate route to becoming a business owner, without the management skills or specialised knowledge which would otherwise be required. Franchisees often benefit from nationwide advertising campaigns undertaken by the Franchisor, and all the perks that come with an established brand. WRITTEN BY: TOBY WALKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY: JACKIE CROSS

Supplies - is there a minimum purchase commitment? If so, can you afford it?

not to do with market conditions but instead with the relationship between the Franchisor and Franchisee.

Assignment/Sale - if the Franchisee wants to sell the Franchise, what needs to happen?

Although each party to a FA usually has the right to start Court proceedings if the FA terms are broken, the majority of disputes can be resolved by settlement negotiations. In securing settlements where the relationship has completely broken down, it is important to know what each side usually wants:

Termination - under what conditions are each side able to bring the FA to an end? Territory - this needs to be clearly defined. It can take the form of a postcode, but you may need a more detailed map. Personal Guarantees (PG) – will the individual be committing to underwrite the liabilities of the Franchisee towards the Franchisor? PGs are often used where the Franchisee will be trading as a limited company. What happens if it goes wrong? Franchises, like all businesses, have a success rate and some will fail. Often the problems that arise are

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• Franchisors generally want their business protected and don’t want ex-Franchisees using their brand or Intellectual Property in competition. They may also want money for loss of future fees. • Franchisees usually want a clean break, and knowledge that they can get on with their lives without fear of being sued.

Toby Walker is a Dispute Resolution Solicitor and David Engwell is a Director and Head of Business Services at Hedges Law. If you would like to discuss franchising or if a dispute has arisen in your franchise business please contact Toby on 01865 594271 or David on 01865 594174. Hedges Law has been providing exceptional legal advice and representation to individuals and their businesses for over 225 years. The Business Services Division at Hedges Law provides the full range of corporate and commercial services required by individuals and their businesses. Clients return again and again, testament to the superb personal care each and every one of them receives. CONTACT DETAILS

The starting point for the resolution of disputes will be the FA, so all the more reason to make sure each side is happy with the FA at the outset. Prevention is better than cure!

info@hedgeslaw.co.uk 01865 594 265 www.hedgeslaw.co.uk

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THE PERFECT MATCH

F O R YO U R M U S I C & YO U R H O M E BeoSound Moment is a new intelligent, wireless, music system that integrates your music and streaming services into one, bringing the music listening experience back into your home.

b an g - ol u f s e n .com

BEOSOUND MOMENT

Ba ng & Olufsen of Oxford 6 S o u th Parad e, Sum m ertown, Oxford OX 2 7 JL Tel: 0186 5 511241 Emai l : oxford@ba ng-olufsen.com We b: www.ba ng-olufsen.com /oxford

Rock Solid

B4 sport

A lamb to the slaughter, a lemming throwing itself off a cliff. I was these and more. Lorna in the office had mentioned nobody had stepped forward to do the Climbing Wall review. No wonder. It wasn’t a cosy dinner for two, a night’s stay in a posh hotel or tickets to see Shakespeare in the park. WRITTEN BY: RICHARD ROSSER

But I walked blindly into it. Not really giving this particular review much ‘mental preparation’. After a long day at work I walked, literally, around the corner from our offices in Headington to the Brookes Centre for Sport. I’m not one for heights but had seemingly blocked this out. I wasn’t nervous, no sweaty palms. I honestly didn’t know what I was letting myself in for. I arrived at reception and explained why I was there. “Oh! You’re Richard!” As if I had some sort of target on my head. “Yes, I’m Richard.” I replied, with the vague stirring of a butterfly in my stomach. “Alistair will be with you shortly.” And sure enough, there he was, bang on time. We made our way to the Climbing area of the Brookes Centre for Sport. Yikes! Alistair showed me the ‘free wall’ – no ropes – which faced on to the 6 metre wall (with ropes) and then walked me through into the larger wall, a vast 11 metre structure which belied the height of the building. How on earth did they fit that in there?!?!?! We started on the free wall. I’d say it was about 4 metres high with a cushioned landing in case I came off, which, I’m pleased to say, I didn’t. Nor did I come off on the 6 metre wall which afforded me the safety of the rope attached to Alistair below, or ‘belaying’ as it is known! Each wall has various foot and handholds in different colours. On my first ascent I was able to choose any on the way up but this was followed by having to stick to certain colours which are graded according to their difficulty. It was tough work. I was soon fairly drenched in sweat but was converted. Even when we went through to the 11 metre wall, I wasn’t anxious in the slightest. I didn’t make it to the top – I got just over half way – as my strength was sapping. I’d conquered my fears and slightly annoyed with myself I didn’t do better on the 11 metre wall. I will return and at £7 for a session, it’s no wonder the climbing centre sees up to 100 guests pass through daily. According to Alistair it’s one of the only climbing centres for some distance and following my 40 minute intro, it’s not difficult to see why. One tip – make sure you’ve got climbing shoes on as you’ll need them for grip. Thanks to Alistair and the team. CONTACT DETAILS climb@brookes.ac.uk 01865 484 370 www.brookes.ac.uk/brookes-sport/brookes-sport-headington/climbing-wall/

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105

Everything for the Workplace

We are a local business... Over the past 25 years, Oxford have won the boat race 14 times and our local population has grown by approximately 20%. Aston & James have also built a wealth of experience, knowledge and an outstanding reputation through working in partnership with local businesses, just like yours. So much so, that we recently won the West Oxfordshire Small Business Award. We believe in building relationships to get to know you and understand your business. This allows us to develop and implement relevant and suitable solutions, along with a great selection of products, delivered in a way that’s best for you. This is why we are well on our way to fulfilling our mission of becoming Oxfordshire’s leading workplace solutions provider.

From our 1st visit to the showroom to “completion of the project, nothing was too much trouble. A friendly, happy and caring company is hard to find these days.

”

Margaret Powell, OX10

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“Once again Aston & James has proved to be a trusted name in office furniture provision.” Julie Emery-Priest, OX15

We are very proud to contribute towards our successful and thriving local business network. As keen supporters of home-grown talent, we have recently engaged with Abingdon & Witney College to take on some apprentices. All of our staff, including the five family members still within the business, adopt a personal approach to service. Everything we do is designed to deliver total consistency throughout your experience and to nurture a relationship with you. Even though we are your local choice, we have the network to deliver our services nationwide. If you operate from multiple locations, we have you covered. If you are looking for dependable experts in business supplies, you need not look further afield. Here is a summary of our most valued services:

Stationery Over 16,000 products, delivered next day, with savings and service tailored around you and your business’s unique requirements.

www.b4-business.com

B4 services

If you are looking to save money and enhance the service levels you are currently receiving, then use the local choice, Aston and James. WRITTEN BY: DARREN ASTON

Facilties Management From cleaning and janitorial, to cappuccinos and snacks, we can brighten up your day and keep your office squeaky clean.

We supply consumables for every machine, and we can turn your old printer cartridges back into cash.

“It is always a pleasure

to do business with Aston & James. The service we receive is excellent with extremely helpful and courteous staff, prompt deliveries and competitive prices.

www.b4-business.com

We have the range and the knowledge, so you can put your feet up and let us do all the hard work.

Machines & MPS

Ink & Toners

Jane Dean, OX28

Furniture

”

We will help you choose the best device for your office, and even if technology lets you down, we won’t.

Print Connecting you with your customers through a multitude of print services and capabilities.

Gifts & Workwear Let us help you create a winning campaign with promotional gifts, or get advertising on the move with our range of personalised clothing.

Eco Solutions We can recycle your paper up to 20 times and stop your used cartridges ending up in a landfill. To find out more about our services, please get in touch. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

I would like to say how “helpful the girls are at Aston & James. Every time I call nothing is too much trouble and I always get a prompt response. Clare Evans, OX5

”

Shredding Protect yourself using our shredding products or services to ensure you don’t lure identity theft towards your business.

CONTACT DETAILS sales@aston-james.co.uk 01993 706 900 www.aston-james.co.uk

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B4 health

A holiday in the sun, a lifetime on the tum Holidays are a time to relax, unwind and enjoy new things including the local foods. Generally people expect to put on a few pounds while away, it really is quite easy to put on half a stone over a 2 week holiday. And this is often the reason people I see have become overweight. They put on a few pounds on holiday, don’t lose it when they return, add a bit at Christmas, then a few more pounds on the next holiday… over the years weight creeps up. How do those holiday calories all add up? Well for example a cheeky croissant in addition to our normal breakfast, we’re on holiday so why not have an ice cream or scone and cream mid-afternoon? A pre-dinner drink, a couple of glasses of wine with dinner and maybe an after dinner liquor (especially if it is a free ouzo or the likes). Add in a starter and a dessert and that is a staggering extra 1750 kcals a day; 7 lbs over 2weeks. Croissant 260 kcal Magnum Ice cream 260 kcal Cocktail 200 kcal Starter 200 kcal Dessert 500 kcal ½ bottle wine 250 kcal Port/cream liquor 80 kcal www.b4-business.com

How can this be avoided without taking away the fun? Indulge in the things that you enjoy and make your holiday, but don’t eat just for the sake of it. Consider diminishing returns on enjoyment; the first mouthful may be fabulous but are you still enjoying the tenth mouthful? So think about portion size. Upping exercise will help offset some of the addition calories - a leisurely swim will burn around 422 kcals an hour and walking 230 kcals. Also make an effort to lose the weight when you return. Helen Money Nutrition offers private consultations at The Bosworth Clinic, Cassington and Corporate Wellbeing workshops. Helen works with clients in all aspects of diet but has a particular interest in performance nutrition – be it sports nutrition or in the work place.

“Add in a starter and a dessert and that is a staggering extra 1750 kcals a day; 7 lbs over 2weeks.

”

CONTACT DETAILS helen@helenmoneynutrition.com 07961 394 201 www.helenmoneynutrition.com

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June 30th, 2016 The 10th B4 Golf Cup at Frilford Heath Golf Club Our 2015 event featured 40 teams of 2 fighting it out for the coveted B4 Golf Cup trophy. InTouch CRM were victorious on a gorgeous July day on Oxfordshire’s premier golf course, Frilford Heath. We return in June next year. Make sure your business is on the tee! Call the events team on 01865 742211 to find out more. Please note there is a charge for this event. Frilford Heath Golf Club is located to the South of Oxford on 500 acres of glorious undulating Heathland and is one of the best venues in the south of England; rarely can a golf club offer three championship golf courses (Red, Green and Blue) that allow the opportunity to revel in their classical or modern challenge. The original Red Course was laid out in 1908 by five times Open champion JH Taylor measured 721 yards less than today’s 6915 on its par 72. Frilford Heath Golf Club has a thriving membership and welcomes visitors who come to enjoy some of the best golf around, a warm hospitality and excellent catering facilities. www.frilfordheath.co.uk Frilford Heath Golf Club Ltd, Oxford Road, Abingdon, Oxon, OX13 5NW

September 2016

B4 Classic Event at Rhodes House

This is the 5th annual B4 Classic Event at Rhodes House, a hidden delight, right in the heart of Oxford. Fashioned after a Cotswold mansion with colonial influences, Rhodes House has been the gathering place for Rhodes Scholars and their distinguished guests for nearly 100 years. Prestigious alumni include students who achieved fame in leadership, science and sport such as Edwin Hubble, Howard Florey, Bill Clinton, Bob Hawke, Naomi Wolf and Bill Bradley, to name but a few. Now Rhodes House is available for others to walk the same boards and enjoy this historic venue. Rhodes House is the perfect location for both corporate and private events. The event will be preceded by a cognac tasting for Platinum and Gold Members only. www.rhodeshouseoxford.com Rhodes House, South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3RG

October 2016

B4 Classic Event at Stoke Park

Founded in 1908, Stoke Park is the perfect place to enjoy life in a five star and friendly atmosphere, providing a unique combination of the traditions of an exclusive club and the best of today’s sporting, leisure, entertaining and hotel facilities in one of the most convenient locations in Britain: only 35 minutes from London and 7 miles from London Heathrow. Stoke Park is a 300 acre private estate and offers 49 exquisite bedrooms and suites (5 AA Red Star Hotel); 3 Restaurants and bars including Humphry’s, fine dining (3 AA Rosette); 27 hole Championship golf course; 13 Tennis courts; 11 treatment room spa and nail bar and Indoor swimming pool. The B4 Classic Event in October next year promises to be one to remember. www.stokepark.com Stoke Park, Park Road, Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, SL2 4PG

See more events on page 40 & 80 110

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B4 marketing

Dress To Impress: How Is Your Brand Being Perceived? First impressions are everything. Digital has transformed marketing, making it possible for your brand to reach thousands of users instantaneously. Your company has never been more visible. WRITTEN BY: THOMAS BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: KELLY-ANN HOGAN

But with visibility comes perception. Walking down the high street, this is never clearer. We are all predisposed to judgement, snapshot conclusions based on sense, message, text, his eyes, her smile, the wrinkles in the back of your shirt. We perceive these things and make instant assessments, often unknowingly, informing our understanding of what that message means, who that person is, why they chose to leave the house wearing those clothes today. Your brand is your message, but it is also how that message is communicated, and how it is perceived. Digital is no exception. With online’s potential for increased traffic, your brand message is more important than ever. The Internet trembles with the voices of a thousand competitors, all clamouring over one another for attention. Visibility is one thing, but what is your audience saying when they see you? How are you being represented? What can you do to be heard over the crowd, to engage your audience and turn them into consumers? Creativity. Examine how your competitors are engaging their audience and angle for a different approach. You’re not like them and you know it. So step back. Stand out. Don’t be afraid to think a little differently. Confidence is compelling.

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Authority. Don’t tell people why they should be buying from you. Show them that you’re an expert. Demonstrate understanding and passion for your business profession. Authority will establish you as a thought leader, your brand as a figurehead. Business will naturally follow.

Visibility is one thing, “ but what is your audience

saying when they see you? How are you being represented?

”

Zest Digital

Shareability. Tell your customers a story. Who are you, and what makes your brand so special? You don’t need a narrative, just a strong set of brand values and positive consumer experiences. Stories are innately shareable. From Facebook to Twitter, satisfied customers will do your marketing for you. Agency help. Choose carefully. We have established how important your brand message is. The right agency will help you to define this message through a meticulously managed project strategy. A dedicated account manager should ensure clear communication channels, coordinating a skilled team with a track record of helping brands to capitalise on online opportunities.

This is our approach at Zest Digital, connecting our clients to their customers through strategies specifically tailored to each audience. Our creative culture drives your innovative content. Talking to your customers in their language, we spark conversations. By identifying key influencers and utilising our media contacts, we help your brand to achieve maximum exposure to its most valuable markets. We achieve results. We were recently recognised by our peers as a Top 5 Independent Agency (under 25 employees) through industry voice, The Drum. As a commercially-focused and goal-orientated team, our paramount aim is your success, communicating your brand message clearly and effectively to your customers. What does your audience see when they glance your way, and what are you doing to change this? To find out how our digital approach can benefit your business, contact Alex Minchin at Zest below.

CONTACT DETAILS alex@zestdigital.com 01865 684999 www.zestdigital.com

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A Pink Ribbon Event This article will be following a different tack from those I’ve previously written. You’re already familiar with our bread-and-butter work over the summer months and, rest assured, that work remains ongoing. Here, I’ll be posting an interview I conducted with Lucy Johnston of Breast Cancer Care. WRITTEN BY: RHYS DANINO PHOTOGRAPHY BY: BREAST CANCER CARE

As you may know, BCC are one of the several charities whom we support here at CAV. Their roster of fundraising ideas is quite staggering. This article, however, will focus on their most recent event - a nocturnal sponsored walk across London, for which we supplied the staging and sound. In the wake of the largest walk yet, I hoped to catch up with Lucy and determine how the whole show pulls together.

took in the sights, too.

Rhys: What was the inspiration behind running an overnight event? Lucy: We already hold daytime Pink Ribbonwalk events across the country and have been doing these walks for 11 years. We thought is was time to give our supporters an exciting new challenge, and where better than a night time jaunt through the capital? CAV furnish us with our staging and sound for all our walking events (except those in Scotland); you’ve seen the attendance across those! We’re lucky to have a committed team at BCC, and we really relish putting on walks for our supporters, both for fun and to raise vital funds for people affected by breast cancer.

So, how do you motivate people to stay up all night and go for a twenty-mile yomp? Honestly, not much motivation is required: we had almost 1,300 walkers across the three circuits! We timed the shorter walks to coincide with the last evening trains, and the first trains home for the twenty-milers. It was a pleasure to see some old faces, and plenty of new ones! It’s the participants that make the event so special - they really put their hearts into it. We had folks in fancy dress, folks in body paint … a sight to behold.

Most of your events are in rural areas, or more verdant settings such as Blenheim Palace how did planning a central London event compare? Once we had the route planned, it was no different to the others. Our walkers have a choice of a five, ten, or twenty mile circuit. London may seem sprawling, but a twenty-mile walk takes you past myriad intriguing sites! Our twenty-milers took in the South Bank, Tower Bridge, and the City. I tell you, the City of London is surprisingly calm and quiet at night! From there, the route took in the West End, past Parliament, back across the Thames, and ended at the Royal Parks - plenty to keep your eyes occupied. Rest assured, the shorter circuits

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You had fantastic weather for it! It was perfect - we were very lucky. The sunset over the Thames was particularly lovely: a mix of orange and pink, which happen to be our charity colours! It was a warm day, sure, but as the night pressed on, the temperature dropped a little, making for some ideal walking conditions.

At all our walks, we provide motivation through the energetic warm-up sessions (a necessity for all athletics, walking included). This time, we were pleased to welcome some stalwart celebrity supporters - Andrea McLean, Penny Lancaster, and our celebrity Ambassador, Lisa Snowdon - for that extra push. But, as I said, the walkers themselves are what make the walk so rewarding and fun. You had an impressive target - £300,000. How well did you do? That’s for us to reveal later! We’re still collecting donations whilst participants chase up their sponsors. We’ll have more information at the end of the month. What’s next for the fundraising? I’ve seen a charity swim along the Thames advertised

here in Oxfordshire. Are swims the next big thing? I’ll pass that on to the rest of the fundraising team! Myself, I only manage the Pink Ribbonwalks, but there are plenty of methods by which we raise funds: cycling, a triathlon, Tough Mudders, skydives… You’d never catch me on a Tough Mudder. People are willing to do that? You’d be surprised - people really are willing to go the extra mile for us! I’ll stick to the Ribbonwalks, thanks. We’ll be seeing you again for those - how many have there been now? We’ve held 41 Pink Ribbonwalks over 11 years and raised an incredible £10.5 million to help support people affected by breast cancer, it’s been a real pleasure running them. CAV have been an integral part of the Ribbonwalks from our very first such event, over at Blenheim Palace back in … 2005, if memory serves. You’ve been here for the long haul! to be frank, I can’t imagine doing these walks without your input - the work you’ve done for us has been invaluable. Long may it continue! It was a pleasure speaking to Lucy; her enthusiasm for the cause was clear, and we look forward to continuing our support at walks both locally and further afield. More information on the Pink Ribbonwalks, and BCC at large, can be found at www.breastcancercare.org.uk

CONTACT DETAILS info@cityav.co.uk 01865 722800 www.cityav.co.uk

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B4 charity

“We’ve held 41 Pink Ribbonwalks over 11 years and raised an incredible £10.5 million to help support people affected by breast cancer Lucy Johnston, Breast Cancer Care

www.b4-business.com

”

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Devialet Phantom Is there a ghost in the machine? Phil Strachan, of business and brand alchemists, Strangebrew, highlights how high-end French manufacturer, Devialet, has employed disruptive technologies to ensure that its revolutionary and groundbreaking new Phantom audio system shakes up the industry and stands out from the crowd. WRITTEN BY: PHIL STRACHAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DEVIALET

Devialet Expert Le 200

“The instant I saw and heard Devialet’s Phantom I realised that it was something very special indeed – and something that no one could dare to describe as bland. I don’t know about a ghost in the machine, but for absolute certain the Phantom sound system has an authentic and very original heart and soul and it doesn’t skip a beat. Put quite simply, the incredibly talented and skilled team at Devialet took the rule book, tore it up, threw it away and re-wrote it completely. What has resulted is nothing short of spectacular - Phantom is so aesthetically distinctive and appealing and aurally incomparable thanks to the breakthrough and highly disruptive technologies pioneered by Devialet. Phantom underlines the achievements of Devialet as the perfect example of a brand pushing the boundaries and boldly and powerfully launching and establishing itself on a platform of mould-breaking disruptive technology in a well-established market” – Phil Strachan. My introduction to the Phantom sound system was in mid - February in the specially constructed demo room in Devialet’s just newly opened concession in Harrods. This was courtesy of a welcome invitation from Alina Kozlovskaja, who has managed this very high - end audio system concession, which enjoyed a period of 6 months UK distribution exclusivity for the revolutionary Phantom system, since it opened for business.

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It will come as no surprise to learn that since the opening of the Harrods concession in mid-February, stocks of Phantom have consistently been sold out long before being delivered to Harrods. Also, it is no exaggeration to say that since its announcement, Phantom has created quite a stir within the industry and has been receiving rave reviews in both the industry and the more mainstream press by those welcoming the substantial breakthrough in sound quality and performance that it represents. No surprise either that the level of exposure and volume of praise and acclaim that the Phantom system has received has been attracting attention and also visits and custom from global superstars from overseas who have been keen to sample first-hand the Phantom experience and to be among the first to own and enjoy the performance levels delivered.

certainly a real game-changer and the audio system industry will never be the same again.

With both Alina and Devialet’s UK Country Manager, Joachim Fritsch, being in attendance at the recent British Grand Prix Ball at Blenheim Palace, the striking parallels between Devialet’s Phantom system and Formula One did not escape me. Both represent the ultimate in breakthrough performance made possible only by innovative leading edge technology packaged in cutting edge and highly aesthetically appealing design. Both push the boundaries in their respective fields – with absolutely spectacular results.

The Phantom multi-room system, so complex on the inside but simply beautiful on the outside, has variously been described by the often cynical audio press as being the most significant innovation in audio amplification in the last 40 years, as the being the most significant audio product since the Apple iPod and as being the iMac of the audiophile market. Powerful words and praise for a powerful package – and the comparative references to Apple clearly indicate the very high level of respect and reverence that Devialet is being afforded. But then again, Phantom should come as little surprise to the established competition and the audio press

With the introduction of its breakthrough disruptive technologies, Devialet’s Phantom system is most

As has been widely reported in the audio industry business press, Phantom, which comes in 2 variants - Phantom and Silver Phantom - truly represents stunning and jaw-dropping performance in a tiny futuristically designed and aesthetically very pleasing package that defeats the laws of physics. It is said that seeing is believing but in the case of the Phantom multi-room system, it really has to be seen and heard to be believed – and you really will still be left finding it hard to believe your ears. Industry insiders have been left almost speechless, such is the enormity of the impact of the innovative disruptive technologies that Devialet has brought to market in the form of Phantom.

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B4 marketing

Phantom 750 Watts - 99dB

Silver Phantom 3000 Watts - 105dB

“Phantom is aesthetically distinctive and appealing and aurally incomparable thanks to the breakthrough and highly disruptive technologies pioneered by Devialet

”

Phil Strachan - Strangebrew

writers as Devialet, a relative newcomer to the industry having only launched in 2007, has from day one represented a revolution in hi-fi. This is thanks to its patented and highly innovative and disruptive ADH (Audio/Digital Hybrid) amplification technology combined with its breakthrough Heart Bass Implosion technology which delivers the best of both worlds – the power of a compact digital unit with the quality and emotion of analogue.

produces no less than an incredible 3000 watts at peak performance!

The Devialet brand and company was the realisation of the vision, passion and determination of founder, Pierre – Emmanuel Calmel, to set new standards in music listening and the ADH technology , developed further to miniaturise it for the Phantom products, was the fruit of 10 years research and development and the creation of almost 100 patents. Little wonder that in only 8 years, Devialet has become the most awarded business in the history of the audio industry.

The immensity of the impact that Devialet is having within the industry due to the breakthrough disruptive technologies it has created and unleashed in Phantom cannot be overstated. Phantom has been described as defying physics and as being a technological tour de force that is set to haunt the long-established stalwarts of the industry for some long time to come. This is most particularly the case given that the audio industry is used to state of the art performance costing huge amounts of money and being delivered through big woofer boosted speakers. It simply seems incredible that Phantom, with its relatively miniscule footprint, can deliver in such a big way – but it really does, having been cited in the audio business press as delivering the power and quality of speakers 20 times its size.

To hear Phantom playing tracks you have heard many times before is a real eye opener because you suddenly experience a depth of sound clarity and quality that you will have never heard before – and which you would never expect you could get from such an amazingly compact unit. The combination of the sound quality, the immense power and the faithful reproduction of the original recording will simply take your breath away. The Phantom unit produces a very respectable 750 watts output but for only £300 more, the identically sized Silver Phantom

One very telling review concluded that “no other system on the market puts out this kind of sound for this kind of money” – while another stated quite simply that Phantom “delivered better quality than the luxury customer has ever heard before – at a not out of reach price point”. And this is the wonderful thing – incredibly, a single Phantom with its cutting edge technology, stunning ‘form follows function’ design, revolutionary sub-woofer design, prodigious power and unrivalled sound reproduction, costs a very affordable £1390 in Harrods and a Silver

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Phantom costs £1690. Although delivering the performance and quality of systems costing perhaps ten times the price, Phantom is therefore both accessible and affordable for discerning customers. To put this into perspective, I paid almost as much back in 1989 for a Denon stack system paired with Mission speakers which was highly regarded at the time but which the Phantom simply kicks into touch in performance terms. Clearly, Phantom is very far from bland as a result of the Devialet brand’s innovative and disruptive technologies but don’t just take my word for it – Hearing and seeing is believing, so take a trip to Harrods and sample the Phantom and Devialet experience for yourself. Alina Kozlovskaja, who manages the Devialet concession in Harrods, can be contacted below and she will be pleased to arrange for you to have a demonstration of Phantom in the demo room within the concession. As with will.i.am, Sting, Rick Rubin, Kanye West, Karl Lagerfeld and many others, you will simply be blown away by the experience. CONTACT DETAILS harrods@devialet.com 0207 225 6533 www.devialet.com

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Conference @SaïdOxford Your future is our business The combination of stunning spaces, impressive technology, delicious food and unbeatable locations makes Saïd Business School, the centre for Oxford’s conferencing

• • • •

Professional and friendly custom service and dedicated AV support Accessible central England location with world class attractions of Oxford Excellent transport links Wide variety of meeting room and lecture theatres

Park End Street

Egrove Park

• State-of-the-art facilities

• Rural, parkland setting

• City centre location

• All year round residential availability

XXXXXXXXXXX

To find out more about our facilities across these two sites: www.sbs.oxford.edu/conference Email conference@sbs.ox.ac.uk Telephone 01865 422757

B4 spotlight

The Oxford Martin School – Oxford University The Oxford Martin School project involved the refurbishment and adaptation of Basil Champney’s Old Indian Institute. The Oxford Martin School is an interdisciplinary research school where leading academics undertake research into the problems of the 21st century, from climate change to fuel poverty. WRITTEN BY: PETER LE MANQUAIS PHOTOGRAPHY BY: WILA

Architect Berman Guedes Stretton’s brief asked for the highest quality collaborative working environment and Consulting engineers Hoare Lea Oxford were responsible for the M&E design including the specification of the lighting. A number of LED & T5 luminaires were specified not only to enable a light and inspiring environment for the users but the selection of luminaires was also important in contributing to the building’s sustainability credentials whilst being sympathetic to the existing beautiful architecture. WILA supplied a number of the luminaires on the project for various areas including the 160-seater lecture theatre, cafe area and the main BAND Pendant Halo LED luminaires which are installed throughout the entrance area, corridors, pod offices and open plan office areas. The design had to comply with the Universities Lighting Philosophy document which outlines the design and installation requirements for lighting control and luminaries. For Office areas the criteria

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calls for 2 - 3W/m2/100 lux depending on whether recessed or suspended.

prismatic diffuser and can be manufactured to meet specific lengths.

The BAND luminaires are featured throughout and create striking visuals as you navigate through the building.

Various recessed and surface mount LED Downlights were also installed including the Tentec Zono and Flat Lights. Micronic pendant luminaires; indirect/ direct with micro prismatic cover and linear prisms for ceiling illumination were installed in the offices along with the recessed Ingenic 600x600 square luminaire with central curved micro-prismatic optic and high efficiency reflector.

Produced using extruded rolled aluminium the Pendant direct/indirect Circular LED fittings have a polycarbonate satin opal diffuser and are supplied with a DALI driver in the ceiling rose. The luminaires have an overall diameter of 1000mm with a width of 46mm & depth of 115mm. All RAL colour finishes are available, on this particular project RAL 9016, Traffic White was specified along with 3000k LED’s, (4000k is also available). Within the Lecture Theatre and Open plan office areas the LINIC60 LED luminaires were installed as continuous profiles finished in an antique bronze colour. This is a high performance slim line linear fitting which can be recessed, surface mounted or pendant, supplied with either an opal or micro-

The result is a high quality installation balancing the existing architecture with a sympathetic design.

CONTACT DETAILS vy.pettit@wila.co.uk 01235 773 500 www.wila.com

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The Heart of the UK Internet Technology and the internet are embedded in our lives. While you may use it every day, you may not know is that the heart of the UK’s internet is actually located right here in Oxford. At Nominet, the not-for-profit company responsible for the smooth running of the UK’s internet infrastructure, we run the .UK domain name registry keeping the UK internet secure and trusted, and an R&D programme that explores how developing technologies can be harnessed to make a social or economic contribution.

Domain Names The web is a global tool. People and businesses from all around the world use it, so it’s important that the UK maintains its own individual presence to stand out from the crowd. Nominet’s role is to maintain the .UK family of domain names. Perhaps the best known is .co.uk, which is the number one domain for British businesses online. It is currently the largest second level domain (a domain name with two dots after the business name e.g. http:// www.example.co.uk/) in the UK. We also run .org. uk, .me.uk and .ltd.uk, among others. A year ago we introduced .uk, a shorter domain, meaning businesses and individuals can register their name right before the “dot”. This change, which took place on the 10th June 2014, is the biggest modification of the UK namespace since its inception. To sit alongside .uk, we also launched .cymru and .wales domain names, to give Wales its own place on the internet. Of course, it’s not always smooth sailing online. Occasionally, there may be disagreements over who has the rights to a certain domain, or an individual might register a domain name in an attempt to discredit a company or confuse consumers. To help combat this, Nominet runs a service called the Dispute Resolution Service, or the DRS for short. The DRS’s function is to offer an efficient and transparent way of resolving these domain disputes, through mediation or by asking an independent expert to make a decision, without having to go to court. The service is estimated to have saved

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businesses a total of £7.5 million in court costs last year. The DRS even sees its fair share of celebrities. Just last year, we helped popstar and ex-JLS boyband member, Aston Merrygold, reclaim www. astonmerrygold.co.uk from somebody who bought the domain name with the sole intention of selling it back to him.

Cyber Security Every time somebody uses a browser to look at a website or send an email, their computer generates a DNS query. The DNS translates the domain name into an IP address to find the correct computer. We process four billion DNS queries every day and our experts originally developed our new data visualisation tool, turing by Nominet, as existing network tools couldn’t process the volume or nature of internet traffic crossing our systems fast enough. It quickly proved invaluable, helping us to track down malicious activity over the internet and there was an evident gap in the market. We have developed the technology into turing, a new tool for network administrators, cyber analysts and DNS data experts.

two-way communications at relatively high-data rates over long distances and urban environments. The available set of TVWS frequencies varies, so the database that Nominet has developed performs complex calculations and tells devices which frequencies they can use in that area, at what power and for how long. We are currently involved in a number of projects related to TVWS, here in Oxford, we have been pioneering this technology to power the Oxford Flood Network, providing wireless connectivity for the flood sensors. Together with Love Hz, we are exploring the potential of the Internet of Things to help create an extensive, localised, early warning system for floodprone areas for the first time in the UK. We are also working with local authorities and universities in Oxford, as part of the Smart City Project Board, to transform Oxford in to a smart city. On 18 September, we will be hosting the Smart Oxford Challenge to find great ideas to make Oxford a better, smarter city. We are looking for creators and technologists with ideas for connected products or digital services. If you have an idea you’d like to submit, go to www.smartoxfordchallenge.uk. See further data online at www.nominet.org.uk

R&D We also have a strong focus on research and development, developing technology that might shape the internet of the future. TV white space (TVWS) is the name given to the parts of wireless spectrum that were freed up as part of the digital TV switchover in the UK. It can create

CONTACT DETAILS nominet@nominet.org.uk 01865 332 244 www.nominet.org.uk

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B4 technology

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The finest classical music Serving the community ‘Music in the Abbey’ Festival Dorchester, 7-13 September

60% of searches are made from mobile devices That’s one reason Google now ranks mobile-friendly websites higher. Don’t get left behind. Get your website mobile-ready. Visit www.alberon.co.uk/mobile-friendly, call 01865 794009 or email mobile@alberon.co.uk

www.osj.org.uk

the software and web solution specialists

Discover... SUMMER EVENINGS AT THE CASTLE

With warmer weather and longer days here at last, where better to while away the leisurely summer evenings than in the historic surroundings of Oxford Castle Quarter. With a fantastic range of bars and restaurants and a host of exciting events throughout the season – from food festivals to Shakespeare - come and discover summer at the Castle.

www.oxfordcastlequarter.com

B4 technology

Is Your Website Mobile? The World has gone mobile and your website must be mobile-friendly, or be left behind. Oxford based software and web specialists Alberon lead the way. WRITTEN BY: SARAH AIREY

Mobile technology has completely changed how and where we use the internet. No longer chained to the desktop, we access the web from anywhere using mobiles. Holidays are booked, gifts bought, homes and jobs sought. All from the comfort of the sofa, the discomfort of the daily commute, or even the bath. Good news for the consumer. And good news for your business too. As it means that your website – the shop window for your business – can be busy at work 24/7. But only if your site is just as mobilefriendly as your prospective customers. In 2014, 76% of the adult population in the UK accessed the Internet every day. Over 58% used a mobile device1. Since April Google has been ranking mobile-friendly websites higher for searches made on mobiles. With Google processing an average of 40,000 searches a second, websites that aren’t mobile-ready will quickly lose their position. Compelling reasons to make sure that your website has moved with the times, and works just as well on a mobile phone or tablet as it does on the desktop. If it doesn’t, not only will it fall

www.b4-business.com

down the rankings, but visitors having a frustrating experience will simply go elsewhere. A mobile-friendly website has to be compatible with the myriad of devices available. Tim Ault,

popular option, and is usually quicker and generally less hassle than developing a separate mobile site. Being one of the first developers in Oxfordshire to use responsive design, we are adept at creating mobile friendly websites for our customers.”

“76% of the adult

If you’re aren’t sure how mobile-friendly your website is, or how it looks on mobile devices, visit www.alberon.co.uk/mobile-friendly to find out.

population in the UK accessed the Internet every day in 2014. Over 58% used a mobile device.

”

Alberon has been designing and building websites and software solutions for organisations in Oxford for over 12 years. The company has all the technical expertise and digital design skills to get you mobile-ready with a bespoke solution tailored to meet the unique requirements of your organisation. Get in touch for more details. 1

Managing Director of software and web specialists Alberon says: “We can take your existing website and adapt it so that it’s ‘fully responsive’ to automatically configure to display on the device that it’s being viewed on. This ensures that your visitors get a seamless experience when accessing your website from a mobile device. This is a

Office of National Statistics

CONTACT DETAILS info@alberon.co.uk 01865 794009 www.alberon.co.uk

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Travel in Luxury, Comfort & Style Weddings Corporate Events Airport Transfers Special Events Executive

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B4 contacts directory

ADVICE...........................................................................................................................................123 BUSINESS SERVICES...................................................................................................................125 CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES...........................................................................................125 EDUCATION..................................................................................................................................126 FINANCE..........................................................................................................................................126 HEALTH & LEISURE.......................................................................................................................126 HR............................................................................................ .......................................................127

ADVICE ACCOUNTING Wenn Townsend P Tony Haines Partner 01865 559 900 www.wenntownsend.co.uk Grant Thornton UK LLP P Wendy Hart Managing Partner 01865 799 899 www.grant-thornton.co.uk Grant Thornton UK LLP P Jim Rogers Assurance Partner 01189 559 114 www.grant-thornton.co.uk Fish Partnership P Paul Laird Partner 01628 527 956 www.fishpartnership.co.uk The MGroup P Richard Clayton Partner 01865 552 925 www.themgroup.co.uk Wellers P Stuart Crook Partner 01865 723131 www.wellersaccountants.co.uk Whitley Stimpson Ltd G Jonathan Walton Director 01494 448 122 www.whitleystimpson.co.uk Wellers A Stuart Crook Partner 01865 723 131 www.wellersaccountants.co.uk Wilson Partners A Allan Ian Wilson Managing Director 01628 770 770 www.wilson-partners.co.uk Whitley Stimpson Ltd A Stuart Haigh Director 01869 252 151 www.whitleystimpson.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

Shaw Gibbs A Peter O’Connell Partner 01865 292 200 www.shawgibbs.com BDO LLP A Simon Brooker Lead Partner 0118 925 4488 www.bdo.uk.com Gracechurch Wealth Management LLP A Richard Lawrance Independent Financial Adviser 01908 209 220 www.gracechurchwm.com Auditel A Chris Bourke Cost Management Specialist 01865 774 387 www.auditel.co.uk Seymour Taylor A Simon Turner Managing Director 01494 552 125 www.stca.co.uk

contents

PLATINUM

GOLD

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS....................................................................................................127 MANUFACTURING........................................................................................................................127 MARKETING & DESIGN................................................................................................................127 PROPERTY & BUILDING...............................................................................................................128 R&R..................................................................................................................................................129 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY..........................................................................................................131

BUSINESS ADVICE

LEGAL

Splash Resolution Consulting A Jonathan Lane Director 07503 891 331 www.splash-rc.co.uk

Darbys Solicitors P Simon McCrum Managing Partner 01865 811 700 www.darbys.co.uk

Business Doctors A Martin Vessey Managing Director 0845 219 7077 www.businessdoctors.co.uk Hilltop Consultancy 01844 238 692 www.hilltopconsultancy.co.uk Oxford Professional Consulting 01865 436 791 www.oxfordprofessionalconsulting.com Quantuma Restructuring 01628 478 100 www.quantuma.com RTS Breakthrough Solutions 07789 405 079 www.rts-breakthroughsolutions.co.uk

Richardsons Accountants 01844 261 155 www.richardsons-group.co.uk

Sandler Training 01608 611 211 www.oxford.sandler.com

Rees Russell 01993 702 418 www.reesrussell.co.uk

Action Coach 01183 400 351 www.actioncoach.com

Russell Whitlock Accountancy 01865 481 625 www.rw-accountancy.co.uk

Active Education and Training Ltd 01865 594 325 www.oxfordactive.co.uk

Clark Howes 0808 271 3099 www.clarkhowes.com

Endeavour Consulting 07711 825 005 www.endeavour-consulting.co.uk

Harmonea 01844 274 808 www.harmonea.co.uk

VCA Consulting 01993 883751 www.vcaconsultinguk.com

Tamesis Partnership www.tamesispartnership.co.uk

Dragon Associates 0207 495 4401 www.dragonassocs.com

MHA MacIntyre Hudson 01908 662 255 www.macintyrehudson.co.uk

The Entrepreneurs Mentor 01865 593933

Xero www.xero.com/uk

G AMBASSADOR

Hedges Law P Nicola Poole Managing Director 01491 839 839 www.hedgeslaw.co.uk Henmans Freeth G Malcolm Sadler Senior Partner 01865 781 000 www.henmansfreeth.co.uk Gardner Leader LLP G Derek Rogers Managing Partner 01635 508 080 www.gardner-leader.co.uk BrookStreet Des Roches LLP Paddy Gregan G Partner 01235 836 655 www.bsdr.com B P Collins A Chris Hardy Partner 01753 889 995 www.bpcollins.co.uk Blake Morgan LLP A Michael Stace Partner 01865 248 607 www.blakemorgan.co.uk White & Black Legal LLP A Phil Thompson Partner 0845 201 3147 www.wablegal.com Brethertons A Karina Ray Key Client Manager 01295 661 425 www.brethertons.co.uk Field Seymour Parkes Penelope Garden Associate 0118 951 6312 www.fsp-law.com

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Turpin & Miller LLP A Emily Boardman Partner 01865 770 111 www.turpinmiller.co.uk

Helen & Douglas House A Hugh Thompson Head of High Value Partnerships 01865 799 150 www.helenanddouglas.org.uk

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

TRAVEL

Oxford City Council P 01865 252 845 www.oxford.gov.uk

Penningtons Manches LLP Richard Smith A Managing Partner 01865 722 106 www.manches.com

Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds A 01865 743 442 www.charitablefunds.org.uk

OxfordshireLEP P 01865 261 433 www.oxfordshirelep.com

City Sightseeing P Jane Marshall Transport Manager 01865 790 522 www.citysightseeingoxford.com

Family First Solicitors Ursula Rice A Managing Director 01865 311 112 www.familyfirstsolicitors.co.uk Lewis Silkin 0207 0748 494 www.lewissilkin.com David Parry Employment Law 01993 848 247 www.parryemploymentlaw.com

BUSINESS SERVICES ARCHIVE & STORAGE The Archive Centre A David Coulton Owner 01296 425 744 www.thearchivecentre.com

AUDIO VISUAL Bang & Olufsen P Mark James Director 01865 511 241 www.bang-olufsen.com City Audio Visual P Peter Gunn Director 01865 722 800 www.cityaudiovisual.co.uk

BUSINESS CONSULTANTS Quest TGO Ltd 0203 394 0123 www.quest-thegreatoutdoors.co.uk

BUSINESS SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT Aston & James Office Supplies Ltd P Darren Aston Director 01993 706 900 www.aston-james.co.uk

CHARITIES The Oxford Trust G Jude Eades Head of Communications 01865 810013 www.theoxfordtrust.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

Oxfordshire Community Foundation A Jayne Woodley Chief Executive 01865 798 666 www.oxfordshire.org RAF Benevolent Fund A Emily Fry Regional Director, S. England 01296 656 586 www.rafbf.org.uk The Ley Community 01865 373 108 www.leycommunity.co.uk Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research 020 7504 2231 www.beatingbloodcancers.org.uk British Red Cross, Thames Valley 01235 552 680 www.redcross.org.uk

CLEANING SERVICES Excel Dry Cleaners G 01865 511 773 www.exceldrycleanersofoxford.co.uk Pinewood Cleaning Services 01993 862 866 www.pinewoodcc.co.uk

DOMESTIC SERVICES Busy Offices 01494 672 233 www.busyoffices.net

GAS & ELECTRIC British Gas Business Services P Martin Orrill Head of Energy Technology and Innovation 0845 485 3528 www.britishgas.co.uk/business DCResponse G Paul Anderson Managing Director 01993 708 855 www.dcresponse.co.uk

HEALTH & SAFETY Shawcity Ltd 01367 899423 www.shawcity.co.uk

West Oxfordshire District Council A William Barton Business Development Officer 01993 861 000 www.westoxon.gov.uk/business Oxford City Council A Environmental Development Helen Burkhalter Business Development Manager 07770 347463 www.oxford.gov.uk

MOTOR Ridgeway Jaguar 01865 590777 www.ridgeway.co.uk

NETWORKING GROUPS B4 Magazine P Richard Rosser Editor 01865 742 211 www.b4-business.com MD2MD 01865 600 800 www.md2md.co.uk

SECURITY Executive Alarms Ltd A John Keown Director 01865 435 435 www.executive-systems.co.uk Security Exchange 01491 683 710 www.securityexchange24.com

TRANSPORT Chiltern Railways P 020 7333 3113 www.chilternrailways.co.uk Hilltop Chauffeurs G Nathan Thomas Driver 07825 500852 www.hilltopchauffeurs.co.uk Findlay Chauffeurs A Claire Hickson Managing Director 0845 644 7099 www.findlaycs.com Teletrax Limited 01235 856 054 www.teletraxltd.co.uk

Short Let Space Ltd. 01993 811 711 www.weeklyhome.com

CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES CATERING SERVICES Passion for Food A Philip Baker Managing Director 08452 969 226 www.passion-for-food.co.uk Lamb Catering A Emma Tasker Events and Marketing Director 01865 772 446 www.lambcatering.co.uk Oxford Fine Dining 01865 728 240 www.oxfordfinedining.co.uk Elegant Cuisine 01865 391 888 www.elegantcuisine.com Philip Dennis Foodservice 01993 700 030 www.philipdennis.co.uk

CONFERENCES Lady Margaret Hall P Anna Killough Head of Conference Services 01865 611 079 www.lmh.ox.ac.uk Oakley Court Hotel P Richard Smith Sales Manager 01753 609 988 www.principal-hayley.com /theoakleycourt Williams Conference Centre P 01235 777 735 www.williamsconferencecentre.com The Feathers P Dominic Bishop General Manager 01993 812 291 www.feathers.co.uk Stoke Park A Nick Downie Head of Communications 01753 717171 www.stokepark.com Heythrop Park Resort A Tracy Norcup Sales Manager 01608 673 372 www.heythroppark.co.uk

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Pembroke College G Huw Edmunds Head of Conferences and Events 01865 276 484 www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/Conferences The Examination Schools Kay Hogg A Events Manager 01865 276 905 www.examschools.ox.ac.uk Howbery Business Park A Angela Andrews Marketing & Lettings Manager 01491 822 305 www.howberypark.com Four Pillars Hotels A Chris Green Group Marketing Manager 0800 374 692 www.four-pillars.co.uk Egrove Park A Jill Grieveson Conference Manager 01865 422 757 www.sbs.oxford.edu/conferencing The Forbury Hotel A Peter Farquhar General Manager 01189 527 770 www.theforburyhotel.co.uk Macdonald Windsor Hotel Beverley Molmans A General Manager 0844 879 9101 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk Exeter College 01865 279 600 www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/conferences Malmaison 01865 268 400 www.malmaison-oxford.com Oxford Town Hall 01865 252 195 www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk The King’s Centre 01865 297 400 www.kingscentre.co.uk Malmaison Reading 0118 956 2300 www.malmaison.com

BHK Rentals 01993 703327 www.bhkrentals.co.uk

EVENT MANAGEMENT Jazz Donkey A Muffy Dawson Managing Director 01993 898400 www.jazzdonkey.com The Active Network 08700 841 480 www.regonline.co.uk

EVENTS Newbury and District Agricultural Society G Daren Bowyer Chief Executive Officer 01635 247111 www.newburyshowground.co.uk Oxfordshire Registration Services A Jacquie Bugeja Head of Registration and Coroner’s Services 0845 129 5900 www.oxfordshire.gov.uk Venus Awards A Tara Howard Founder & Managing Director 01202 559039 www.venusawards.co.uk Venturefest 01865 810 025 www.venturefestoxford.com

Venue Services, Bodleian Library A Alice Ogilvie Head of Venue Services 01865 277 224 www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk Donnington Valley Hotel A 01635 551 199 www.donningtonvalley.co.uk Blenheim Palace Hospitality 01993 813 874 www.blenheimpalace.com/hospitality

Oxford International Study Centre A Benjamin Llewelyn Principal 01865 201 009 www.oxintstudycentre.com Buckinghamshire New University 0800 565 660 www.bucks.ac.uk Corpus Christi College 01865 276 708 www.ccc.ox.ac.uk

FINANCE ADVICE

Business in Oxford 2015 P 01865 742 211 www.businessinoxford.com Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards P 01865 742 211 www.oxfordshirerestaurantawards.co.uk

Critchleys 01865 261 100 www.critchleys.co.uk

Oxfordshire Business Awards www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk

NGI Finance 01993 706 403 www.ngifinance.co.uk

VENUES

Herbert & Webster 01865 407 755 www.herbertandwebster.co.uk

EQUIPMENT HIRE Oxford Event Hire A Kieran Lynch Owner 01865 760 158 www.oxfordeventhire.co.uk

Rhodes House P Isabelle Barber Business Development Manager 01865 270 918 www.rhodeshouseoxford.com

Millie Miles A Lorna Miles Director 01869 351 603 www.milliemiles.co.uk

Danesfield House Hotel A Anthony Cox General Manager 01628 891 010 www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk

Santander Corporate Banking 0845 607 0666 www.santander.co.uk Metro Bank 0345 08 08 500 www.metrobankonline.co.uk NatWest 01865 792 348 www.natwest.com Barclays 0800 015 4242 www.barclayscorporate.com Clydesdale Bank 0844 736 2616 www.cbonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Ergowealth A Brian Page Managing Director 01494 616 522 www.ergowealth.com

Oxford Castle Quarter P Sam Pace Operations Manager 01865 201 657 www.oxfordcastle.com

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Hartwell House Hotel A Jonathan Thompson General Manager 01296 747 444 www.hartwell-house.com

BANKING Lloyds TSB Commercial A Tim Hanley Senior Manager, Oxford Group 07970 566 065 www.lloydstsbbusiness.com RBS Corporate Banking A Donald MacDonald UK Head of Deposits & Director, Professionals 07768 427379 www.rbs.co.uk/corporate.ashx

MORTGAGE ADVICE Focus A Nick Walker Managing Director 01865 295 295 www.focusllp.co.uk

HEALTH & LEISURE FITNESS TLA Fitness A Tom Alden Founder 07554 400 401 www.tlafitness.com Prime Energy Fitness Ltd G Barry Grinham Owner 01869 352 000 www.primeenergy.org Cherwell Boathouse Punting 01865 552 746 www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk

GOLF Frilford Heath Golf Club P Alistair Booth Director 01865 390 864 www.frilfordheath.co.uk Kirtlington Golf Club A Gary Quainton Golf and Pro Shop Manager 01869 351133 www.kirtlingtongolfclub.com Rye Hill 01295 721818 www.ryehill.co.uk The Oxfordshire Golf Club 01844 278300 www.theoxfordshire.com

HSBC 0845 850 174 www.hsbc.com

www.b4-business.com

B4 HEALTH CARE

RECRUITMENT

Clinic95 P Maria Hardman Business Manager 01865 241 661 www.clinic95.com

Secondsite Recruitment A Laura Harris Branch Manager 01865 203 356 www.secondsite.co.uk

Linda Flanigan Hypnotherapy 07866 360 359 www.lfhypnotherapy-oxfordshire.co.uk

myFD Recruitment 01865 339 313 www.myfdrecruitment.co.uk

SPORT

Digital Oxford www.digitaloxford.com

Newbury Racecourse P Tracy Skinner Head of Sales 01635 40015 www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk Reading Football Club Limited P Sir John Madejski Chairman 0118 968 1100 www.readingfc.co.uk Oxford University Rugby Football Club A Tim Stevens Club Administrator 01865 432 000 www.ourfc.org North Oxford Lawn Tennis Club 01865 513 560 (Clubhouse) www.northoxfordltc.org.uk Oxfordshire Cricket 07790 102130 www.oxoncb.com

WELLBEING Helen Money Nutrition A Helen Money Owner 01865 339 672 www.helenmoneynutrition.com

Allen Associates 01865 335 600 www.allen-associates.co.uk Crossland Employment Services 01235 841 506 www.crosslandsolicitors.com Gold Star Recruitment 01993 225 075 www.goldstarrecruit.co.uk

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS TELECOMMUNICATIONS STL Communications Ltd A Philip Donigan Sales Director 01993 777113 www.stlcomms.com

DATABASE MANAGEMENT InTouch CRM P James White Managing Director 0845 310 9973 www.intouchcrm.co.uk

EMAIL MARKETING ClientMailer 01865 339 406 www.clientmailer.com

HR CONSULTANTS

IT SERVICES

HR2You 07789 711 997 www.hr2you.co.uk

Computing Information Systems (CIS) Ltd P Richard Marsh Director 01367 700 555 www.cisltd.com

Gazella HR 01865 339 411 www.gazellahr.co.uk MB HR Support Ltd 01993 882 744 www.mbhrsupport.co.uk Spires HR 01865 880 391 www.spireshr.co.uk Right Hand HR 0844 880 4582 www.rhhr.com

www.b4-business.com

Nominet G Sally Ockwell Brand & Marketing Manager 01865 332211 www.nominet.org.uk Simeio A Ollie McGovern Founder 07795 235995 www.simeio.co.uk

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Bluespires IT A Richard Fuller Owner 0845 528 505 www.bluespires.co.uk

Method and Class A Robyn North Digital Marketing Consultant 01280 821 840 www.methodandclass.com

Flex Information Technology Paul Horseman A Director 0333 101 7300 www.flex.co.uk

White October 01865 706 017 www.whiteoctober.co.uk

The Cabling Company A David Jackson Sales Director 07796 140 348 www.thecablingcompany.com Storm Internet 0800 817 4727 www.storminternet.co.uk QPQ Software Ltd 01235 522 516 www.qpqsoftware.com

MANUFACTURING MEDICAL GOODS Owen Mumford G Jarl Severn Director 01993 812 021 www.owenmumford.com

LIGHTING

Security Exchange Ltd. 01491 683 710 www.securityexchange24.com

WILA G Claire Styles Director 01235 773500 www.wila.co.uk

AgilityWorks 08445 610 930 www.agilityworks.co.uk

The Zeta Group 01869 322500 www.thezetagroup.com

SECURITY Dionach 01865 877 830 www.dionach.com

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT Sophos 01235 559 933 www.sophos.com

WEB OPTIMISATION SERVICES

MARKETING & DESIGN ADVERTISING B4 Magazine P Richard Rosser Managing Director 01865 742 211 www.b4-business.com Living In Oxford Magazine Colin Rosser P Chairman 01865 742 211 www.inoxford.com

Zest A Alex Minchin Director 0843 289 161 www.zestdigital.co

Focal Point Advertising Solutions 01256 767837 www.focal.co.uk

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

Recognition Express P Andy Olejnik Managing Director 01295 257 611 www.re-oxfordshire.co.uk

Alberon A Tim Ault Managing Director 01865 263 220 www.alberon.co.uk Torpedo Group Limited A Iain Lewis Director 01865 733 710 www.torpedogroup.com Olamalu A Christoph Corvin Director 01993 764 566 www.olamalu.com

CORPORATE IDENTITY

Strangebrew P Phil Strachan Director 07770 753 975 www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk Bicester Vision P 01869 324 244 www.bicestervision.co.uk Clear & Creative 01865 204 200 www.clearandcreative.co.uk

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BrandAsylum 01235 828 508 www.brandasylum.co.uk

DESIGN Blink Design A Keith Simpson Senior Designer 01865 742 211 www.on-the-blink.com One Hat Design A Steve Legge Owner 01993 702 075 www.onehatdesign.com Apt-Art 01865 372 981 www.aptart-design.co.uk Kingdom Signs Ltd 01235 812 299 www.kingdomsigns.com

FRAMING Isis Creative Framing 01865 203 420 www.isiscreative.co.uk

FREELANCE COPY WRITING & EDITING Noble Word A Matt Wright Owner 07500 531 485 Nicholas Newman 01865 762 710 www.nicnewmanoxford.com

MARKETING Experience Oxfordshire A Martin Walker Head of Marketing and Development 01865 252409 www.experienceoxfordshire.org Marketing Sense A Jo Sensecall Director 01865 883 579 www.marketing-sense.co.uk Obergine A Jeremy Anderson Director 01865 245 777 www.obergine.com Hutchhouse Ltd G Ben Hutchins Creative Director 0845 467 8089 www.hutchhouse.co.uk Heart of Business A Jackie Jarvis Director 07801 293022

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Oxford Digital Marketing 01865 575 955 www.oxforddigitalmarketing.co.uk

Amberley Court Associates Ltd 07767 424 000 www.amberleycourtassociates.co.uk

MEDIA

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Oxford Media Factory A Chris Smith Director 01865 552 678 www.oxfordmediafactory.co.uk

Papa Romeo PR A Claire Thompson Managing Director 07811 339 577 www.paparomeopr.com

CustomEyes Media 01442 876038 www.customeyesmedia.com

Spriggs David A Karen David Partner 01865 512662 www.spriggsdavid.co.uk

VSL and Partners P Richard Venables Director 01865 848 488 www.vslandp.com

Antonia Taylor PR A Antonia Taylor Director 07968 775 571 www.antoniataylorpr.com

Carter Jonas P Scott Harkness Partner 01865 511 444 www.carterjonas.co.uk

Esplin PR A Louise Esplin PR Consultant 07775 678 237 www.esplinpr.co.uk

Lambert Smith Hampton (Oxford) A Kevin Wood Director 01865 200 244 www.lsh.co.uk

The Buzzworks A Sarah Airey Proprietor 01993 813 848 www.thebuzzworks.co.uk

Lambert Smith Hampton (Reading) 01189 606909 www.lsh.co.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY Studio8 P Clark Wiseman Managing Director 01865 842 525 www.studio-8.co.uk Hills & Saunders A Richard Shymansky Photographer 07878 162 452 www.hillsandsaunders.co.uk Nikreations Photography 07929 305 247 www.nikreations.co.uk John Waine Photography 01869 324753 www.johnwainephoto.co.uk Vic Casambros 07727 127591 www.vcasambros.com

PRINTING Advent Colour P Mike Ackerman Sales Director 01264 359 359 www.advent-colour.co.uk Blueprint Imaging A Martin Matthews Managing Director 01993 892 360 www.blueprintimaging.com OxUniPrint A Ian Wilton Managing Director 01865 844 918 www.oxuniprint.co.uk Hunts A Simon Froud Account Manager 01865 853 633 www.hunts.co.uk MRD Digital Print 01865 715 181 The Oxford Duplication Centre Cheryl-Lee Foulsham A Managing Director 01865 457 000 www.theduplicationcentre.co.uk

Spacecraft Consulting 01295 811 781 www.oconsultancy.com Harvest PR 0239 244 9655 www.harvestpr.co.uk HeadOn PR 07920 792 183 www.headonpr.co.uk Stature PR 0207 100 0855 www.staturepr.com

PROPERTY & BUILDING ARCHITECTS John Hallam Associates A John Hallam Director 01608 646 969 www.johnhallamassociates.co.uk

BUSINESS PARKS Oxford Innovation Ltd P Jo Willett Marketing and Business Development Director 01865 261 400 www.oxin-centres.co.uk

Begbroke Science Park A Peter Dobson Managing Director 01865 283 700 www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk Pure Offices 01865 811110 www.pureoffices.co.uk

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS

Meeson Williams Phillips 01865 349011 www.meesonwilliamsphillips.com Marriotts 01865 316311 www.marriottsoxford.co.uk

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SERVICES Oxford Innovation Ltd P Jo Willett Marketing and Business Development Director 01865 261 400 www.oxin-centres.co.uk Bracknell Enterprise & Innovation Hub A Shelley Furey Centre Manager 01344 388 000 www.bracknell-hub.co.uk

DEVELOPMENT The Trevor Osborne Property Group P Trevor Osborne Chairman 01225 832 302 www.topgroup.co.uk

ESTATE AGENTS Breckon & Breckon A Keith Stacey Managing Director 01865 244 735 www.breckon.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

B4 scottfraser A David Blythman Managing Director Sales 01865 759 500 www.scottfraser.co.uk scottfraser A Marc Hatcher Senior Branch Manager 01993 705 507 www.scottfraser.co.uk Strutt & Parker A Miles Collison Partner, Development Land & New Homes 01865 366 660 www.struttandparker.com Pink & Black Property Consultants A Claire Moloney Director 01865 515 919 www.pinkandblackproperty.com GP Residential 01865 246 399 www.gpresidential.com

LETTING AGENTS Breckon & Breckon P Greg Barnes Director 01865 201 111 www.breckon.co.uk North Oxford Property Services P Robin Swailes Director 01865 311 745 www.nops.co.uk Righton Group Limited Emma Righton A Managing Director 01865 311 696 www.rightonstay.co.uk Finders Keepers A Frank Webster Director 01865 302 308 www.finders.co.uk scottfraser A Andrew Greenwood Group Managing Director 01865 760 055 www.scottfraser.co.uk Lucy Properties A Ian Ashcroft Managing Director 01865 559 973 www.lucyproperties.co.uk College and County A Mark Crampton-Smith Owner 01865 722 722 www.collegeandcounty.biz

www.b4-business.com

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Premier Letting A Charles Bartlett Partner 01865 792 299 www.premier.uk.com

Macdonald Randolph Hotel Michael Grange A General Manager 0844 879 9132 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS

The Bear & Ragged Staff A Mark Greenwood Landlord 01865 862 329 www.bearandraggedstaff.com

Kemp & Kemp A Steven Sensecall Partner 01865 240 001 www.kempandkemp.co.uk Forge Engineering Design Solutions Ltd 01865 362 780 www.f-eds.co.uk Thameside Surveying Ltd 01628 421 504 www.thamesidesurveying.com Ian Bridge Consultancy Ltd 07917 881465 www.ianbridge.com

PROPERTY SERVICES Savvy Maintenance & Renovations A Stephen Dunne Director 01865 920 020 www.savvy-group.co.uk EIFLA A Nigel J Blanchard Founder & CEO 0844 7767 187 www.eifla-3d.co.uk Cordant Security A Edward MacFarlane Managing Director 01895 201 800 www.cordantservices.com Darke & Taylor Ltd 01865 290 000 www.darkeandtaylor.co.uk A1 Plumbing & Heating 01865 327 732 www.a1ltd.co.uk

R&R

The Royal Oxford Hotel A Tom Crampton-Smith Owner 01865 248 432 www.royaloxfordhotel.co.uk Fallowfields Hotel & Restaurant G Anthony Lloyd Managing Director 01865 820 416 www.fallowfields.com Eynsham Hall 01993 885 238 www.eynshamhall.com Conifers Guest House 01865 763 055 www.conifersguesthouse.co.uk Spirit Health Club 01865 888 444 www.spirithealthclubs.co.uk The Burlington House 01865 513 513 www.burlington-hotel-oxford.co.uk

Java & Co 07736 950 673 www.javaandco.co.uk

CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT Sam Strange Magic A Sam Strange Owner 01865 742 211 www.samstrangemagic.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT Oxford Playhouse 01865 305 305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com

FOOD & DRINK SUPPLIES Laurent Perrier UK P David Green Regional Account Manager 01628 475 404 www.laurent-perrier.co.uk The Oxford Wine Company Ted Sandbach A Managing Director 01865 301 144 www.oxfordwine.co.uk

GALLERIES

The Langham Hotel 0207 973 7540 www.langhamhotels.com

Wiseman Gallery A Sarah Wiseman Owner 01865 515 123 www.wisegal.com

ARTISTIC & CULTURAL

RENTAL ACCOMMODATION

Modern Art Oxford A Hannah Evans Communications Manager 01865 813 826 www.modernartoxford.org.uk

Lower Mill Estate A Red Paxton Marketing and Sales Director 01285 869 489 www.lowermillestate.com

Orchestra of St John’s A John Lubbock Artistic Director 07765 252489 www.osj.org.uk

ACCOMMODATION

Ashmolean Museum 01865 288 364 www.ashmus.ox.ac.uk

Hawkwell House Hotel P Tim Spittles General Manager 01865 749 988 www.hawkwellhouse.co.uk

The Old Fire Station 01865 263 988 www.oxfordphil.com

The Oxford Hotel P Debbie Priestley General Manager 01865 489 988 www.pumahotels.co.uk/hotels /the-oxford-hotel

COFFEE SHOPS

Oxford Philomusica 07775 904 626 www.oxfordphil.com Rachel Ducker www.rachelducker.co.uk

RESTAURANTS Browns, Oxford P Simon Stonehouse General Manager 01865 511 995 www.browns-restaurants.co.uk Browns, Reading P 0118 950 3137 www.browns-restaurants.co.uk Browns, Windsor P 01753 831 976 www.browns-restaurants.co.uk The Red Lion P 01865 726 255 www.redlionoxford.co.uk

Acuity Arts www.acuityarts.co.uk

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A LEADER IN LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE THAMES VALLEY Blake Morgan provides exceptionally talented lawyers with a breadth of expertise, offering our clients a wealth of solutions here in the Thames Valley. We have expertise in working with corporates, owner managed businesses, families and individuals, public sector and charities.

To discover more about our services, please visit: blakemorgan.co.uk Address: Seacourt Tower, West Way, Oxford, OX2 0FB Tel: 01865 248607 Address: Apex Plaza, Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 1AX Tel: 0118 955 3000

info@blakemorgan.co.uk

Blake Morgan LLP (registered number OC392078) is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with its registered office at Harbour Court, Compass Road, North Harbour, Portsmouth PO6 4ST. It is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. A full list of its members is available at all of its offices.

B4 The Oxford Kitchen G Gregory Martine General Manager 01865 511149 www.theoxfordkitchen.co.uk

Blackwell’s P David Prescott Managing Director 01865 382 500 www.blackwell.co.uk

4500 Miles From Delhi A Nav Kandola Owner 01865 244 922 www.milesfromdelhi.com/oxford

Bicester Village P 01869 323 200 www.bicestervillage.com

The Snooty Mehmaan A Asad Ahmed Director 01367 242 260 www.thesnootymehmaan.co.uk L’Ortolan A Sally Albin Marketing Manager 0118 988 9107 www.lortolan.com Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons 01844 278 881 www.manoir.com Pierre Victoire 01865 316 616 www.pierrevictoire.co.uk Café Aloha 01865 792 696 www.cafealoha.co.uk Marco’s at Mercure Eastgate Hotel 01865 248332 www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/restaurants /marcos-oxford

Clements and Church 01865 511 212 www.clementsandchurch.co.uk Riche de Fleurs 01993 869 202 www.richeflowers.com Stella and Dot 07763 743783 www.stelladot.co.uk

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE Oxford Instruments Plc A Lynn Shepherd Group Director of Communications 01865 393 378 www.oxinst.com Oxford Technologies A Stephen Sanders Business Development Director 01235 544 871 www.oxfordtechnologies.co.uk

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SHOPPING The University of Oxford Shop P 01865 247 414 www.oushop.com

B4 partners

Official E-mail Marketing Partner

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THE ALL NEW JAGUAR XE. XE FROM £295 A MONTH + VAT ON JAGUAR CONTRACT HIRE* Get ready to rewrite the rules. With its F-TYPE inspired design, the new XE is now at Ridgeway Oxford and it’s going to be a wake-up call for every other car in its class. With an engine range that delivers thrilling performance and impressive efficiency, the new XE will redefine the sports saloon. Contact us today for more information. *Business users only. Initial rental in advance of £1,770 +VAT. 36 Month term. VAT at 20% may be payable. Model pictured (including optional metallic paint) from £302.49 a month +VAT, plus initial rental in advance of £1814.94 +VAT. BIK from £174 a month.**

RIDGEWAY JAGUAR CUMNOR HILL, OXFORD OX2 9PL

RIDGEWAY.OXFORD.JAGUAR.CO.UK 01865 565421

HOW ALIVE ARE YOU? Official fuel consumption for the Jaguar XE range in mpg (1/100km): Urban 24.4-64.2 (11.6-4.4); Extra Urban 46.3-83.1 (6.13.4); Combined 34.9-75.0 (8.1-3.8). C02 Emissions 194-99 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. Based on an XE Saloon 2.0D Prestige 4dr standard specification, with a mileage of 10,000 miles per annum, non-maintained. Excess mileage charges (at 9.7p per mile). Must be returned in good condition to avoid further charges. Contract Hire subject to status. This promotion cannot be used together with other manufacturer’s promotions and is subject to availability at participating Retailers only for new vehicles ordered by 30th June 2015. Jaguar Contract Hire is a trading style of Lex Autolease Limited, Heathside Park, Heathside Park Road, Stockport SK3 0RB. **Based on the same model and specification as described above, for a 40% tax payer. Vehicle shown is XE Saloon 2.0D Prestige 4dr standard specification with optional metallic paint.