B4 Issue 39 by B4 Magazine

s rd ar 15 a Ye 20 Aw e e a th th di of in Me tle ed al Ti at ci e in an is m Fin rpr No er nte d E an / nt E Sa t SM s Be

B4 MAGAZINE ISSUE 39 FEBRUARY 2016

WE CELEBRATE OUR 10TH BIRTHDAY IN STYLE The B4 team were chuffed to receive a certificate marking the magazine’s 10th Birthday from Prime Minister the Rt Hon David Cameron MP. Read more inside.

BUSINESS IN OXFORD 2016

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

DANESFIELD HOUSE HOTEL

ECO & SUSTAINABILITY FEATURE

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 Building Bridges Between Businesses

Face-to-face

Networking Events in stunning locations throughout the year

Upcoming events: 25th Feb: B4 Classic Event at the Weston Library, featuring the Living In Oxford Awards 21st Apr: Business In Oxford 2016 at Saïd Business School 30th Jun: The B4 / MGroup Golf Cup 2016 at Frilford Heath Golf Club

• Upload unlimited content: Press Releases, Events, Jobs, Offers, all filterable by category and region • Subscribe to content you are most interested in with our ‘My B4’ feature • Make connections with over 600 other B4 Members and receive reviews & recommendations

Visit www.b4-business.com to register for all events or call 01865 742211 for more information

Find Us: www.b4-business.com

B4 MEMBERSHIP

Brand new interactive website for you to connect with the network

• Attracts over 6,000 unique visitors every month

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@b4magazine @b4berkshire @b4bucks

/b4magazine

/ b4businesstv

If you would like to join B4 and take advantage of the great avenues for exposure and networking that we offer, here are some packages to get you started:

INDIVIDUAL 

STANDARD 

• • • •

• For businesses with 2 or more employees • All of “Individual” benefits plus: • A separate company profile on the website as well as your personal profiles • Your company listed in the printed magazine directory • Bring up to 5 colleagues and guests to any B4 event • Make connections and send private messages on the B4 website

Ideal for sole traders Grants access to all B4 networking events Ability to post content on the website Your own personal profile on the website

from £100+VAT for one year

from £250+VAT for one year

What we do: B2B Networking -

Increase your business’ profile How we do it:

High Quality Magazine Exposure, shining a spotlight on your business • Great editorials from experts in their fields • An in-depth directory of great businesses in your area (see pages 94-99 in this issue) • The latest business news from B4 and its growing network of members • Distributed bi-monthly to over 9,000 business decision makers in the Thames Valley

Daily Social Networking and e-newsletters to keep you in touch and up to date • We share B4 Members’ content on our social media platforms • Subscribe to the weekly B4 newsletter for the latest on news and event • • • •

200+ likes on Facebook 500+ followers on LinkedIn 7,000+ subscribers to the newsletter 8,500+ followers on Twitter

Latest B4 Members:

GOLD  • • • • • • •

For businesses looking for some extra exposure All of “Standard”, plus: Special gold styling on the website to make your content stand out A photo next to your magazine directory entry A special Gold name badge for you at B4 events A page in our annual standalone printed directory, “Who’s Who” A double page interview / editorial in B4 Magazine

from £1,250+VAT for one year

Special Offer Use the coupon code “b4issue39” online until 31st March 2016 for a 10% discount on your membership. www.b4-business.com For more information please call us on 01865 742211.

ON THE

PLATINUM MEMBERS

HILL

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.

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.

Your NEW B4 Website is live After a few stops and starts we are proud to announce the new B4 website has now launched! The new website brings not only a fresh look, there are also a lot of great new features for you to explore such as (but not limited to):

MY B4

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CONNECTIONS

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“My B4” is where you can completely tailor your B4 experience. See the content you’re interested in without having to search through all the rest.

Build your connections by adding people through the B4 site. You can message your connections and introduce them to other connections.

By using tags, you can choose which content you would like to see in your “My B4” feed. When you create your own content, these are the tags you enter to get your content to appear in other users’ feeds.

As you browse the site, particularly the “Directory” pages, you will see the icon opposite: Clicking this will send a connection request to the user which they can either decline or accept. You will be notified once a user has accepted your connection request.

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Of course, you can see all available content (not restricted to what you have subscribed to) by just browsing the website as normal.

RECOMMENDED & REVIEWS MESSAGING  You can send direct messages to any of your connections by visiting “Messages” and choosing “Compose” from the menu there. Alternatively you can send an enquiry to a company without being connected to any of its users. To do this simply visit the company profile page and click this button:

 Enquire

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Want to show a person or company that you appreciate what they do, without writing a review? Head over to their profile page and click the “Recommend” button, shown opposite: Now your logo or photo will show up in their “Recommendations” box on their profile, letting others know that you support this person or company.

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Have a bit more to say about a person or company that you recommend? How about leaving them a nice review? Reviews are visible on their profile and are subject to Moderation by the Company Admin. Visit a person’s or company’s profile and click this button to leave a review

 Review

COMPANY MEMBERS 

B4 EVENTS 

Want someone else to post on behalf of your business? Don’t want to be the moderator of your company’s account? Not to worry, you can easily pass the admin account to someone else after they’ve “joined” your business. Visit your “Manage Company Profile” page and check out the “Company Members” tab here you can add users and admin users to your business.

Registering for B4 events now could not be easier. All registrations now take place on the B4 website itself - No having to remember your login details for an outside website.

Once added, your new user can start posting content on your company’s behalf.

Simply log in, head to the B4 events page, pick the event you’d like to attend and “buy” a ticket (most events are free).

In each issue from here on, we’ll be running a series of “tutorial” pages in B4 Magazine to familiarise everyone with the new website and to make sure all visitors get the most out of their B4 experience.

www.b4-business.com

Contacts If you want to contact B4 Magazine Telephone: 01865 742 211 info@b4-business.com Publisher B4 Magazine is published by Designs On Ltd, The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford, OX3 0BT Chairman Colin Rosser colin@b4-business.com 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 events@b4-business.com Editorial contributors Olivia Lane-Nott Rachel Warren Jo Sensecall Claire Thompson B4 Photography Rob Scotcher 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.

welcome to B4 39 Welcome to the eco and sustainability issue including some excellent articles from Saïd Business School, College & County and Aston & James. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Brookes University and Bicester Vision who also feature, making their first appearance in B4. What better way to treat yourself after doing your bit for the environment than unwinding in the luxury and splendour of Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, this year celebrating its 25th year as one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World? That rather puts our milestone in the shade, but never mind! We’re proud to have hit our 10th birthday this year and the B4 team enjoyed a well deserved break from the office at Eynsham Hall, courtesy of Experience Oxfordshire Chief Executive, Hayley Beer-Gamage, to receive a certificate marking our 10th from Prime Minister the Rt Hon David Cameron MP. We would also like to congratulate Hayley on being elected as the new Chair of the Tourism Society, which you can read more about inside. The rest of this issue is packed full of interesting and colourful content as usual. Make sure you are prepared as The MGroup ask if you are ready for Auto Enrolment, CIS discuss Data Protection and British Gas warn us of the dangers of gas safety errors. Simon Brooker of BDO also tells B4 about a worrying drop in business confidence in the Thames Valley. It was fantastic to hear that Oxford has been shortlisted fot the 2016 European Capital of Innovation Award and you can find out more about the stiff competition we face in the final nine. Welcome to James Cowper Kreston for their first B4 article. Sue Staunton spoke to B4 about the firm’s growth in Oxford and its wide-ranging strengths. We also welcome Whitley Stimpson to B4 and discover more about the firm’s growth in its specialist sectors, David Parry who tells us what to expect in the world of employment law in 2016 and we also meet the team at Harwell Innovation Centre where ‘Space’ is the New Year theme. Exams, I am sure, have sent the fear of God into most of us at some time in our lives, so it was with an element of trepidation that I went to meet with Anna Munday at the University of Oxford’s Examination Schools in the heart of Oxford. Having discovered that this wonderful venue will play host to over 200 events this year, including the Varsity fencing match and OxCon 2016 (Oxford’s very own Comic Con), the exam fears certainly took a back seat. You will also have received a supplement promoting Business in Oxford 2016 taking place on 21st April at Saïd Business School. There will be 80 presentations in total at this event but if you would like to present in one of the 29 as yet unconfirmed presentations alongside some of Oxfordshire’s leading businesses, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

B4 Magazine is printed by

Meet The Writers

50. Carter Jonas Written by Olivia Lane-Nott

58. Whitley Stimpson Written by Claire Thompson

66. Oxford Innovation

Enjoy B4! © 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.

s rd ar 15 a Ye 20 Aw e e a th th di of in Me tle ed al Ti at ci e in an is m Fin rpr No er nte d E an / nt E Sa t SM s Be

www.b4-business.com

Written by Kelly Lea Richard Rosser Editor

About

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.

90. Strangebrew

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 Phil Strachan

WHY NOT FOLLOW B4 MAGAZINE ON

lead

45 New Face of Tourism in Oxfordshire: Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire, becomes the new Chairman of the Tourism Society.

18 Danesfield House Hotel: Read about all that this Small Luxury Hotel has to offer, the perfect opportunity to mix business with pleasure.

52 James Cowper Kreston: B4 meets with James Cowper Kreston to reflect on the firm’s growth in Oxford. 58 Whitley Stimpson Outperform: Papa Romeo PR talks to Whitley Stimpson about the firm’s growth in its specialist sectors. 65 A Team of Excellence: Penningtons Manches extend the reach of their top-ranked clinical negligence and personal injury teams.

feature 23 Responsible Business Education: SaÏd Business School has decided to invest heavily in sustainable engineering. 24 5 Star Loop Paper: Let Aston & James introduce you to this great 100% recycled paper made from your office waste.

news 12 B4 Members’ News 15 Knights’ News 49 Henmans Freeth’s News

26 Change From Within: Read all about Bicester Vision’s strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility.

venues 57

Oxford Castle Quarter: As this historical venue embarks on its 10th anniversary year visitors can expect an exciting events programme.

28 The Sustainable Venue: Oxford Brookes University’s new building achieves the BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for sustainability. 30 CSR and Residential Lettings: College and County explore some of the issues around CSR and Ethical Letting.

85 The King’s Centre: Read about Oxford’s largest, most flexible, multi-purpose event centre in the heart of the city.

spotlight 39 The Capital of Innovation: Oxford has been shortlisted for European Capital of Innovation Award 2016! Read more here. 41 Inspiring The Future Workforce: Rebecca Moore of O2i talks to B4 about how meeting professionals and employers at a young aged benefits us.

87 Blenheim Palace: Consider this magnificent setting for private and corporate events and activities, whatever the size and style.

finance 50 Automatic Enrolment: Top tips from The M Group on how you can best prepare f or Automatic Enrolment.

www.b4-business.com

contents

advice

r&r

technology

42 Professional Relationships: Some tips from Henmans Freeth on how to get the best out of a professional relationship.

74 The Grand Hotel: Read The R & R Collection’s review of this stunning and famous Eastbourne hotel.

6 The Brand New B4 Website: It’s finally here! Read about all our great new features.

46 Your Workers Could be at Risk: New research from British Gas shows a frighteningly large percentage of businesses do not take gas safety seriously.

82 Corporate Heaven: Stoke Park has been one of seven of the best hotel venues to hire in the UK - Find out why!

37 Data Protection: Join CIS at this year’s Business In Oxford as they discuss the importance of encryption in protecting your data.

61 Employment Law in 2016: David Parry goes over some of the main changes that will affect businesses.

63 Data Centre and UPS Trends 2016: DCResponse share several key trends that they expect to see this year.

73 Business Confidence Drops: BDO’s latest Business Barometer shows some surprising trends. Find out more here.

66 International Space Hub: Read about the hubs being set up at Harwell Oxford Campus thanks to the European Space Agency (ESA).

Workplace Changes in 2016: Blake Morgan outline what employers need to know about the implementation of three major changes.

77 Cyber Scandal: Don’t make the same mistake as this company - Read these tips from CIS on how to protect your customer’s data.

88 I Hate Presenting!: Advice from Alison Haill of Oxford Professional Consulting on how to overcome your dislike of public speaking.

81 Make Website Security a Priority: Alberon warns that if website security is not kept up to date you could put your business in peril.

marketing

events

90 Take Action for Your Brand: Phil Strachan of Strangebrew talks about how to stand out from the crowd by thinking ‘brand’ not ‘bland’.

11 B4 Members’ Events: Check out the latest events from our B4 members. 16 B4’s 10th Birthday: B4 was recently awarded a certificate by PM David Cameron, more details here! 32 Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards 2016: Read on the find out how you can get involved with this year’s awards. 57

property 50 How Much Space Could You Get?: The latest research from Carter Jonas shows Oxford ranks strongly for renting office space. 68 VSL & Partners: Check out the latest properties and news from VSL.

Oxford Castle Quarter: As this historical venue embarks on its 10th anniversary year visitors can expect an exciting events programme.

70 2016 at the Examination Schools: Find out more about the exciting events being held at this multi purpose central Oxford venue. 86 Game Changing Legacy: Read up on the history and fundraising of Twin Town, a 4-day motoring challenge. 93 Shakespeare in Oxford 2016: The latest event listings from Oxford Shakespeare for Summer 2016.

www.b4-business.com

contacts 94 9

contributors

COMPANIES TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THIS ISSUE

ON THE

B4 partners

Official E-mail Marketing Partner

Official Events Software Partner

Official Cloud Partner

Official Photographer

Official Transport Partner

Official Stationery Partner

HILL

Visual Design Partner

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B4 diary

In Association with Carter Jonas

Event Organiser

Bodleian Libraries U N I V E R S I T Y O F OX F O R D

Venues

Date

Proscholium, Bodleian Libraries, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG

1st Feb 3rd Apr

Sarah Wiseman Gallery, 40/41 South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JL

Sandler Training, 20A Cheriton House, Cromwell Business Park, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5SR

5th Mar 2nd Apr

17th Mar

Time

Event Details

All day

Easter Rising: responses and reflections, 1916-2016. A display to mark the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising, using the Bodleian Library’s extensive collections of contemporary political and literary papers.

All day

A selected group from Jamaica Street Artists will exhibit a diverse and compelling range of paintings, celebrating the rich connection between the gallery and one of the largest and most dynamic creative-led studios in the country. www.wisegal.com

9.30am 11.30am

Business Leaders Masterclass: An opportunity for business owners and managing directors to come together, share best practices and learn new strategies and tactics for growth. With a proven track record of working with entrepreneurial businesses, the session will demonstrate some of the unique techniques and behaviours which empower companies to succeed. These behaviour changing skills can set companies apart from the rest when striving to win new business. Visit http://oxford.sandler.com/eventcalendar to register.

An intelligent alternative to run-of-the-mill activities. Open to everyone, this Victorian Murder Mystery event is a fantastic night out with friends or perfect for a work social evening! Oxford Castle Unlocked, Oxford Castle Quarter, Oxford, OX1 1AY

The Bunker, West Venture Building, New Greenham Park, Newbury, Berkshire, RG19 6HN

25th Mar

7pm - 9.30pm

Collecting clues and interrogating inmates will require cooperation and creativity. Guests will need to choose their allies carefully as traps and tricks are more common than the truth among criminals. Includes a glass of house wine. A cash bar will also be available to guests during the evening. Call 01904 261 262 to book. www.oxfordcastlequarter.com

An important free seminar around the new EU Data Protection Regulation coming into practice in 2016. Learn how to avoid the fines that come with data breaches. 31st Mar, 26th May

9.45am - 2pm

Your IT helps make your business a success and we believe the Cloud can help you achieve your goals more efficiently, helping your business to grow whilst being more cost-effective and Ultra-Secure. More info here: www.cisltd.com/eu-data-protection-event

Kilimanjaro

Sep 2016

TBC

Conquer Kilimanjaro: Conquer the world’s highest freestanding mountain having trekked through jungle, moorland, highland desert and ice! £3,800 minimum sponsorship. £345 registration fee required. Email events@helenanddouglas.org.uk for further info.

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

www.b4-business.com

R&D tax boost for small companies Small businesses investing in expensive research and development can now claim more tax relief. The two-year plan, which is a response to an HMRC consultation, is aimed at increasing the take-up of research and tax relief through raising awareness of the relief amongst small businesses and making it easier for them to apply. Stephen Payne, a director of Whitley Stimpson explained: “The tax relief, which encourages companies to invest in costly new product

development, helps companies reduce the amount of corporation tax they pay on profits by offsetting them against research and development.” Statistics for 2013/14 show more than 15,000 small and medium sized businesses claimed the relief, an increase of about 19 per cent from the previous year, but the Government now wants to go further. Stephen said: “The new rules affect companies with a turnover of under £2 million and fewer

than 50 employees and should help them to plan their finances effectively.” Stephen can be contacted at Whitley Stimpson email stephenp@whitleystimpson.co.uk or call 01869 252152.

Charity has Alberon Onside capture and maintain client details and progress. The new web-based system can be accessed from anywhere via the internet, opening it up to nonoffice based users. Alberon, Oxfordshire’s leading software and website developers, has completely overhauled the database for charity, Onside, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged adults. Alberon developed purpose-built software to

The database can be used to search and assign support to individuals based on a host of criteria, including location or area of expertise. Progress can be tracked and reported on, and the data is easily downloaded and shared to demonstrate results. Invaluable support for funding applications.

Rosie Turner, Operations Manager at Onside says: “The new database has given us more time to analyse the figures rather than spending time compiling them. This makes us more proactive and effective”. Find out how Alberon software solutions can improve efficiency and productivity for your business. Email grow@alberon.co.uk, phone 01865 794009 or visit www.alberon.co.uk/ software-solutions

First residents move to Richmond Witney Just 18 months after work started at the new £30million Richmond retirement village at Witney in Oxfordshire, and the first residents have now begun to arrive. Seventeen of the properties in the first phase of Village Apartments are now occupied, with more people moving in throughout February. “It’s wonderful to welcome our first new residents to Witney”, said Paddy Brice, managing director of Richmond Villages, “and we hope everyone settles in to their new home quickly and enjoys the new

life this exciting and growing village community will be able to offer.” One of the first to arrive at Richmond Witney is Sue Ramsden, 67, who is already getting comfortable in her new home and meeting her new neighbours: “I am probably considered a bit young for this step but calculating the costs of moving house, I couldn’t see the logic of making two moves over the next 10 - 20 years. Having now made the move, I am exceedingly glad that I didn’t leave it until I was any older. I feel thoroughly relaxed and comfortable with my decision and the

surroundings. From living at the bottom of a lane and have no passing traffic to being able to see passing activity is a joy and makes me feel less isolated than I was. Having someone always on call is also very comforting,” says Sue. www.richmond-villages.com/witney

Newbury Showground: Better than Ever

After years struggling through the planning jungle, Newbury and District Agricultural Society is about to see its long held dream of a major permanent

building at the Newbury Showground become a reality. The new 3200 m2 building is primarily for showing cattle at the Royal County of Berkshire Show (17-18 September) – a not for profit agricultural show that remains one of the region’s best family days out. But for much of the rest of the year the building, like the Showground, will

be available to hire for a whole range of events or activities. And it is still not too late to have a trade stand at the Royal County of Berkshire Show or to join our growing band of sponsors proud to associate their brand with this prestigious event. To find out more contact us at 01635 247111 or visit the website: www.newburyshowground.co.uk.

www.b4-business.com

news

Exciting News! Andrew Nellist joins Hedges Law January 2016: Specialist family lawyer Andrew Nellist joins Hedges Law to head up their growing Family Team. Andrew brings with him a wealth of experience in dealing with divorce and children issues for a wide range of clients including well-known personalities and sports stars. He also specialises in dealing

with divorces involving the complex division of businesses, farms and pensions. With offices in the centre of Oxford and in Wallingford for over 225 years, Hedges Law looks after the legal affairs of our clients and their businesses throughout their lives. www.hedgeslaw.co.uk

Ken Norman of Brethertons named charity fundraiser of the year

Brethertons is delighted to announce that Ken Norman, Key Client Manager has been named ‘Charity Fundraiser of the Year’ in the Oxfordshire Employee of the Year Awards, organised by Plus One Personnel.

The judges applauded Ken for his larger than life character whose infectious personality, enthusiasm and energy has helped raise more than £30,000 for a diverse range of charities; as well as commending him for the long term value he offers charities through training and the upskilling of their staff. Deborah Atkins, Partner and chair of Brethertons’ Charity committee said: “We are delighted that Ken has won this award. He’s a member of our

twelve strong, hard-working charity team, and still finds time to help other good causes outside of work. The winners of the Awards were announced on Thursday 28 January at the Oxford Belfry. For more information on Brethertons and its broad service offering, visit www.brethertons.co.uk

Complete Catering “Wishing clients old and new a prosperous 2016 and we look forward to working with you” A busy end to 2015 it was for complete catering which saw us deliver some 6000 plates of food throughout the Christmas period. We catered many a corporate party including North Oxford Property services Christmas party,Savills at Worton park and many many more.

Jon & Simon of Complete said “We would like to take the opportunity to thank all our clients that used our services in 2015 and look forward to designing great events alongside our amazing food in 2016. We will soon be launching our new website and also Drayton park Golf club and Worton Hall two of the venues we work in continue to grow and look forward to a busy 2016 with both.

The message for 2016 is as always, great food, great events, Complete Catering. www.completecatering.co.uk

Whitley Stimpson’s Rising Stars Leading accountancy firm Whitley Stimpson is continuing its investment in young talent by welcoming thirteen new starters to join their offices in Banbury, Bicester and High Wycombe, while also celebrating exam success. Jake Bignell, Frances Mitson, Katya Gorkina, Sharan Sondh, Jamie Abbotts, Steve Tompkin and Chris Leaver have joined the firm and will receive tuition on the well-established and respected Whitley Stimpson training and development programme, whilst studying for their ACA/ACCA qualifications. Whitley Stimpson also welcomed Natasha Muller, Joanna Goodsell (both High Wycombe), Janette Scotchbrook, Jacqui Foster, Stephen Axcell (Banbury), Naomi Willis (Bicester) and Diana Hawker.

www.b4-business.com

“We are delighted to be welcoming the thirteen new starters to the business, where they will bring real benefits for our clients and the teams they will work within” says Human Resources Manager, Tracy Williams. www.whitleystimpson.co.uk

A proud sponsor of WOBA 2016 Now in their sixth year, the West Oxfordshire Business Awards are an important part of the business community’s calendar, recognising the region’s most successful companies. Owen Mumford is proud to be sponsoring the Innovation category again. The award recognises enterprises that have successfully demonstrated innovation; celebrating the implementation of new ideas, which deliver real value to the business or the community.

Andy Vardé, Owen Mumford’s Director of Research and Development is actively involved as a member of the judging panel and will also present the winner with their Award at the Finals on 18th March 2016. He said: “The Innovation Award recognises outstanding companies which make a difference by following through on their ideas. As a medical device business with innovation at the heart of our corporate strategy, we are committed to supporting like-minded enterprises.”

http://woba.org.uk

Adey Steel Group work on Facebook London Offices Adey Steel recently won the contract to design, detail, manufacture and install the structural steelwork package that supports the concrete frame of the new Facebook offices. The heavyweight complex structure included 2 plate girder transfer beams each weighing 22 tonnes and a 20 tonne fabricated ‘C’ column that allows the open ground floor lobby area of the offices to remain uninterrupted. Andrew Adey, Managing Director of the Adey

Steel Group said: “It has been a pleasure for our business to be involved in this high profile project, it forms another outstanding example of the scale and quality of complex steelwork we produce as a business. Its testament to each of our teams involved, from design and detailing, fabrication and projects to the installation crews, congratulations go to each one of them.” For more information on the Adey Steel Group, please visit: www.adeysteelgroup.co.uk

Local resident and founder of Big Easy calls on Gardner Leader to open third restaurant One of the fastest growing, award winning solicitors in the South-East, Gardner Leader, has helped local resident and founder of wellknown restaurant chain, Big Easy, secure a third restaurant in the fantastic Canary Wharf, London. Negotiations have been in the pipeline since 2013 although the complicated construction process has been years in the making. Depending on

square footage, it can cost from £1.5m to over £3m to open a new restaurant. Now the Big Easy in Canary Wharf is open and the iconic site can be seen and enjoyed in the central part of the prestigious Canary Wharf basin location. Gardner Leader has enjoyed working with Big Easy and is looking forward to future projects. The firm is predicting a 50% rise in revenue from 2012 following its recent expansion across Berkshire and

recently appointed Catherine Wilson as Finance Director to manage its four person finance team and to work with teams across Newbury, Thatcham and Maidenhead. www.gardner-leader.co.uk

Indulgence Oxford is coming to a venue near you! Sophie Wadey, Events Manager is helping Indulgence Boutique Catering to develop new business in Oxford and the surrounding areas.

Indulgence is delighted to announce that it has added 3 more venues to it’s portfolio of venues in Oxfordshire.

‘Indulgence Oxford has an amazing portfolio of venues in Oxfordshire including; Aynhoe Park and the Bodleian and Weston Libraries but I am delighted to announce that we have just added the spectacular Natural History Museum to the growing list of venues where you can be Indulged by providing our exceptional levels of food and service.’

‘In addition we are now offering catering at Exeter College for weddings and external events and we are working with Newington House in Stadhampton who have recently opened their doors for the first time to host corporate events and a handful of exclusive weddings.’ To have a chat about our exquisite food and flawless service, please contact Sophie at Indulgence Oxford. www.indulgenceoxford.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

news

Simon McCrum and David Beech

Darbys deal sees Knights set to recruit 100 professionals in 2016 KNIGHTS Professional Services is further underpinning its position as the fastest-growing commercial law firm in the UK, following the acquisition of Darbys Solicitors.

As part of Knights’ plans to grow its national team by a further 100 professionals this year, 50 of the new recruits will be based in Oxford.

Now one of the UK’s top-70 law firms, Knights today announces its commitment to recruit 100 new professionals in 2016.

David Beech, CEO at Knights, said the acquisition of Darbys is the first in Knights’ journey to create a firm that can thrive in a competitive sector and become a leading regional professional services businesses in the UK.

Projected to reach a turnover of £40 million, Knights now employs more than 300 professionals across seven offices in Stoke on Trent, Chester, Cheltenham, Derby, Hale, Oxford and Colchester. The acquisition was principally funded with the backing of Allied Irish Bank (AIB) (GB) who, in the last 18 months, has become Knights’ established banking partner. It further builds on AIB’s support of key transactions, including consolidations, in the legal sector. Mike Rogers, senior relationship manager at AIB (GB), said: “Allied Irish Bank (GB) is delighted to have assisted Knights in this deal. This exemplifies our commitment to help business owners achieve their goals and the value our customers place on their business relationships with us.”

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“This is our largest acquisition to date and will see Knights adapt to the ever-changing legal and professional services industry,” he said. “We have a long-term plan to invest in more professional services so we can grow our portfolio and deliver an even better service to our clients. “Regional accountancy groups, tax specialists and real estate advisory organisations located outside of the major cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, are the main focus, but we remain a flexible and adaptable business that can respond to the needs of the changing market place.

clients with legal services being part of a wider offering. “Future acquisitions and the recruitment of 100 talented professionals who seek to join a functional business and cohesive culture are integral to our ambitious growth plans. We are a modern business which is interested in investing in quality people that share our vision to move away from the equity partner model.” The acquisition is seen as one of the biggest transactions within the regional legal scene in the last 12 months, creating one of the largest independent professional services firms in the UK. www.knights1759.co.uk

“This deal has allowed Knights to achieve its targets a year early. Now is the time to be looking forward at how we can provide integrated solutions to our

L to R: Lorna Dodson, Keith Simpson, Emma Davis, Sue Rosser, Richard Rosser, Colin Rosser, Prime Minister the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Rob Scotcher, Jess Kimber, John F Kennedy and Edward Rosser

Ten Years of B4 David Cameron celebrates the visitor economy with Experience Oxfordshire at Eynsham Hall’s Grand Unveiling and presents B4 with a certificate to mark our 10th Birthday WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY: EXPERIENCE OXFORDSHIRE

Experience Oxfordshire held its first networking event of 2016 at Eynsham Hall on 15th January, with over 150 local businesses and organisations in attendance as well as the Rt Hon David Cameron, Prime Minister and MP for Witney. The informal event offered Experience Oxfordshire partners a chance to meet other businesses from across the visitor economy sector and network, as well as an opportunity to catch up with the Experience Oxfordshire team. The event was also the grand unveiling of Eynsham Hall’s £2.5million refurbishment to the local industry. After speaking to the invited audience, Mr Cameron took the opportunity to speak with many of Experience Oxfordshire’s Partners and local businesses and also present B4’s Richard and Colin

Rosser with a celebratory certificate on behalf of Experience Oxfordshire congratulating them on their 10 years in business. The event is part of a series of annual events and programmes that Experience Oxfordshire runs for their partners. On the event David Cameron MP said: “It has been a pleasure to attend today’s event here at the stunning, newly refurbished Eynsham Hall and to speak with local businesses. I am passionate about the tourism sector – as shown by the drive I have given to the government’s plans, including the excellent “GREAT” campaign – and I am extremely proud to see the sector doing so well here in Oxfordshire”.

“I was delighted to hear of Experience Oxfordshire’s plans for the future and to see true public and private sector collaboration. I would urge any business with an interest in the visitor economy to get involved with Experience Oxfordshire and the great things they are doing. I will watch how this further develops with much interest and my support for the sector remains strong”. Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire added; “This has been a fantastic start to the year to have the Prime Minister in attendance, showing how collaboration is key to success. At Experience Oxfordshire we are delighted to see so many of our Partners and Ambassador’s here today to celebrate with Eynsham Hall and make exciting plans for

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events Photograph by www.experienceoxfordshire.org

the year ahead. We are an ambitious organisation who are looking to engage and grow the visitor economy across Oxfordshire and we are delighted to be receiving so much support. We have only touched on some of the exciting plans for the year ahead today and there is much more to come!”. Shaun Bowles, the General Manager of Eynsham Hall who welcomed everyone to the event said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the work recently completed at Eynsham Hall, especially the new main hall bedrooms which are a real credit to the hotel. It’s also incredibly warming to receive such strong support from Experience Oxfordshire and fellow members.”

site and much more. The aim is to expand B4 beyond the Thames Valley, online only, providing a network of B4 online communities around the country. But for now, it’s a time to reflect on ten great years and thank the team including Keith Simpson (Senior Designer), Lorna Dodson (Assistant Editor), Rob Scotcher (Designer), John Kennedy (Consultant and creator of the B4 name) and all of the companies that have supported and contributed to B4 over the past ten years. Thank you everyone and we hope to see you at B4 events in 2016 to thank you in person.

Richard Rosser, Chief Executive of B4 said; “We are tremendously proud to receive this award from Experience Oxfordshire and the Prime Minister to mark the 10th anniversary of B4 magazine. On behalf of the team I’m delighted to receive this honour and recognition of our work.” B4 was launched in 2006, with the initial idea being to provide Oxfordshire businesses with a compendium of business newsletters once a quarter. Soon after, a website was launched together with the first networking event at Malmaison, the launch for B4. B4 has since expanded into Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, although the core remains in Oxfordshire. The eagerly awaited new B4 website will, fingers crossed, have been launched by the time this article is in print and the new site will provide members with some excellent new features including: messaging between members; recommend, review and introduce members; register for B4 events on the

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Hayley Beer-Gamage , Richard Rosser, Prime Minister the Rt Hon David Cameron MP and Colin Rosser

Danesfield House Hotel and Spa Imagine having an entire Luxury Hotel to yourself: luxury guest rooms, ornate ceilings and impeccable staff dedicated to only your event, exclusive use includes all facilities of the house and the hotel becomes yours for a minimum period of 24 hours to include all accommodation, public areas and hotel grounds

The house is steeped in a unique history from being built in 1901 as a private family home to 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 and Spa finally opened as a hotel on 1st July 1991 with 2016 to be a year of celebration to commemorate our 25th anniversary as one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. As we embark on our 25th year, we celebrate 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 and suites all situated in a private courtyard setting. The new rooms bring 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 from duplex suites to dual aspect rooms, all benefitting from underfloor heating, air conditioning and remotely controlled showers and the latest Smart TV solution. Meetings and event space required? Look no further than Danesfield House Hotel and Spa, just 40 minutes from West London, situated in the heart of the Buckinghamshire countryside and perfectly placed for M40, M4 and M3 motorways.

Danesfield House offers a fabulous opportunity to mix business with pleasure. The hotel and estate is situated in sixty five acres of stunning gardens and grounds, approached via a tree lined private drive with ample complimentary parking and private helicopter landing facilities for helicopter transfers. Offering affordable corporate luxury whilst maintaining the buildings charm and grandeur, our private rooms are diverse and adaptable with plenty of natural daylight. The house offers flexible event space, with beautifully appointed and decorated function suites all boasting views across glorious gardens and courtyards. Danesfield House offers the perfect retreat for day and residential conferences and for a rather special experience. Enjoy hosting an event in privacy and style as the hotel can be used for corporate events, family occasions and weddings, transforming the event into an unforgettable and something out of the ordinary experience. Exclusive use offers unrivalled flexibility, discretion and the freedom to create a bespoke event with a more relaxed feel, should you crave exclusivity or need confidentiality managed by a dedicated Operations Team ensuring a smooth, efficient, attentive and super discreet service, appreciated by guests that often include influential executives and celebrities. For meetings ranging from 2 – 100 guests we offer fully inclusive bespoke meeting packages. Events are serviced in one of the eight meeting

rooms, complete with high tech equipment and healthy, seasonal food and beverage offerings giving the opportunity for creativity within a working environment in a style to suit the event. Residential delegates have the opportunity to end the working day with drinks in the exquisite cocktail bar or soaking up the early evening sunshine on our South Facing terrace overlooking the River Thames. Team-building activities enhance the overall working experience with various fun or mind challenging games, these include country pursuits and river activities that can be enjoyed inside the house or within the stunning grounds, overseen and adapted by our specialised team building company and ensuring delegates feel motivated and inspired! Whether it’s a small meeting, a board retreat or a residential conference for a large group, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Our highly experienced Private Events Managers liaise closely with each client to make sure that every event is tailored to suit each client’s specifications. For anyone planning an event, be it a wedding, a party or a corporate event has a vision, a vision of their event being the best ever and one their guests never stop talking about, this is our vision too. Filming, product launches and photo-shoots are a popular request within the grounds. Car clubs and associations enjoy the benefit of ample parking, we offer valet parking and our car park even has

Whether it’s a small meeting, “a board retreat or a residential conference for a large group, customer satisfaction is our top priority. Our highly experienced Private Events Managers liaise closely with each client to make sure that every event is tailored to suit each client’s specifications.

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Seasonal Events Mother’s Day… Visit Danesfield House on March 6th and treat her to our traditional Afternoon Tea with all the trimmings, while our resident pianist provides the perfect musical accompaniment to a memorable Mother’s day treat. We’ll have a complimentary caddy of our own exclusive Danesfield House Tea for her to take home, plus a £25 voucher she can redeem against one of our luxury Spa Illuminata treatments. We think she deserves it. Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea £40 per person. Call 01628 8901010 to book or email enquiries@danesfieldhouse. co.uk for more information.

Our Mother and Daughter Spa Day… Sometimes we need an excuse to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time together. And this is it - our extra special Mother and Daughter Spa Day includes full use of all Spa Illuminata facilities, including our newly equipped gym, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi. You should find plenty of time to take a leisurely dip our beautiful swimming pool and relax back on a lounger. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy a luxurious treatment from our signature menu , followed by two-course spa lunch and a visit to our Pommery Nail Bar. Plan your visit for Mother’s day itself - book early to avoid disappointment - or give this pampering Mother’s day treat as a voucher. Mother And Daughter Spa Day package £180 per person. Includes full use of spa facilities, signature and nail treatment and two-course lunch. Call 01628 891881 to book or email spa@danesfieldhouse.co.uk for more information.

Easter Events… Grown-ups like Easter Eggs too, that’s why we’ve given our Easter guest promotion a overwhelmingly chocolatey theme. Join us for a two-day Easter break between 25th and 28th March and we’ll make sure there’s a luxury chocolate egg waiting for you in your room. But best not eat it all at once, as your stay also includes a delicious three-course dinner in our restaurant, followed by a chocolate themed Danesfield House Afternoon Tea the following day. With an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday and giant games to play in the hotel grounds, there’s something for everyone – including our newly equipped gym and luxury Spa should you decide you’d rather relax and get away from the Easter bunny. Call 01628 891010 and quote ‘Easter offer’ when booking. Price from £295 per person based on two people sharing a double classic room, includes breakfast.

Easter Sunday Lunch - Sunday 27th March Celebrate Easter in the warm and welcoming surroundings of our Oak Room or Orangery restaurant, where Executive Chef, Billy Reid will be cooking up a delicious three course Sunday lunch to enjoy with friends and family. Sunday Lunch £45 per person. Afternoon Tea £35 per person. Both subject to availability. Call 01628 891010 to book.

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

water and power to enable the cars to be cleaned and sparkle once here. The film crew and photoshoots enjoy all of our different areas within the 65 acres, from the sunken water garden, woodland hideaway to the most beautiful backdrop of the River Thames or house to enhance their images.

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 a 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

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 Restaurant at Danesfield “House is a double AA Rosette

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 Vallée, 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 breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, a fully equipped Matrix gymnasium, Zen Fitness Studio with a varied

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winner and allows guests to decide on dining in the beautiful Oak Room, the sunny Orangery or al fresco dining on the glorious Terrace from the same menu choices, alternatively take Traditional Afternoon Tea on the Terrace soaking up summer sunshine or indulge in a mouth-watering picnic within the grounds.

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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 accessories complete the story at London’s Luxury day spa.

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Dining at Danesfield House is run by Michelin Stared Executive Chef Billy Reid and his brigade combining the very best produce to create a smart and approachable modern British dining experience. 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 and allows guests to decide on dining in the beautiful Oak Room, the sunny Orangery or al fresco dining on the glorious Terrace from the same menu choices, alternatively take Traditional Afternoon Tea on the Terrace soaking up summer sunshine or indulge in a mouth-watering picnic within the grounds. Taking everything into account Danesfield House Hotel and Spa not is not only an exquisite luxury hotel with a beautiful Spa, it is an exceptional meetings and events venue guaranteed to leave an unforgettable feeling of pure joy and indulgence with each and every guest.

CONTACT DETAILS enquiries@danesfieldhouse.co.uk 01628 891 010 https://danesfieldhouse.co.uk

B4 eco &

sustainability feature Welcome to the B4 Eco & Sustainability feature. Being Green can undoubtedly be difficult at times, but it is a responsibility each and every one of us holds. Here you can expect to find some great insights into the challenging world of sustainability and CSR within the Thames Valley, with great pieces from Said Business School, Bicester Vision, College & County and more.

Contents 23. 24. 26. 28. 30.

Sa誰d Business School Aston & James Bicester Vision Oxford Brookes University College & County

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Saïd Business School’s Environmental Philosophy Aims to Deliver Responsible Business Education During the design of the Thatcher Business Education Centre, SaÏd Business School decided to invest heavily in sustainable engineering to produce a building which is both closely controlled thermally, and energy efficient. WRITTEN BY: VERITY DONOVAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DAVID FISHER

The structural foundations of the building consist of 220 twenty-five metre long concrete piles, each of which contains a geothermal coil – taking advantage of the stable thermal conditions deep underground. The combined effect of these piles is that 65% of the cooling load and heating load for the building is provided freely from the ground. This stable temperature is either raised or lowered by traditional heating and cooling plant, ensuring that the rooms are kept comfortably warm or cool depending on the season. The flood risk in the West of Oxford is such that the building design had to mitigate the impact of the building through rainwater management. The water is ‘harvested’ from the roof, filling large tanks which provide the water for flushing the WC’s in the building, and also for the irrigation of the gardens. The roof also provides space for the solar-thermal panels, which provide a large contribution of warmth to the hot water systems. The balance of the flat roof is sedum planted, providing a green natural habitat to aid biodiversity. The central University estates department has an expert Carbon Reduction team, which has been working very closely with SaÏd Business School to improve environmental performance of the main building. Technology has developed considerably since the building opened in 2001. During 2015 we have delivered a number of initiatives to improve the energy efficiency, notably the installation of 152 photovoltaic solar panels on the flat roof, which have delivered in excess of 40,000kW of free energy already since installation. In addition, more than 50% of the light fittings in the building have been replaced with low-energy LED fittings, which automatically detect occupancy. Combined with the installation of electric vehicle charging points, and the move towards use of electric service vehicles, the SaÏd Business School is sending a clear message – investment in energy efficient buildings and operations is crucial to the delivery of responsible business education. Saïd Business School also houses world-class conference facilities with the latest in audio-visual www.b4-business.com

technologies. The impressive Thatcher Business Education Centre opened in 2012 and offers a wide variety of conference, meeting and exhibition facilities, finished and furnished to the highest of standards and with stunning architecture. 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. At the heart of the Thatcher Business Education Centre 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. Our award-winning catering team is an intrinsic part of the services we offer at the Business School. They hold a CateringMark award, which demonstrates our commitment to sourcing local British produce, sustainable products and sustainable fish. We were the first Business School to achieve this.

During 2015 we have delivered “a number of initiatives to improve the energy efficiency, notably the installation of 152 photovoltaic solar panels on the flat roof, which have delivered in excess of 40,000kW of free energy already since installation.

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The catering department also holds an independent environmental policy to reduce usage of energy, gas and water. All food waste is monitored, recorded and recycled for composting. All of this reaffirms our message to deliver a responsible business education. The environmental philosophy of The School demonstrates our commitment to becoming a world-class business school. For further information on our services please contact us below.

CONTACT DETAILS Conference@sbs.ox.ac.uk 01865 288 846 www.sbs.ox.ac.uk

Recycled paper made from your waste

5 STAR LOOP PAPER 100% recycled paper made from your office waste Revolutionary service from Aston & James WRITTEN BY: GEMMA MALLON

Businesses in the UK consume a significant volume of paper. The UK office paper market is worth an estimated £500m annually and the average office worker prints off over 1,500 sheets of paper each month. We consume over 550,000 tonnes of office paper in the UK every year. That’s over 1.1m pallets or 25,000 containers of paper. Such demand requires the deforestation equivalent to an area the size of Oxfordshire (2605Km2) every 2 years. Office paper (and envelopes) still represent up to 15% of a company’s stationery consumption. The UK market is dominated by virgin paper; it represents over 90%. Virgin paper is paper manufactured by cutting down trees, albeit generally a harvested crop. It takes approximately three tonnes of wood pulp to create one tonne of office paper. The majority of the paper we use in the UK is imported, sometimes from as far away as Australia and Brazil. This is the paper that ends up in your stationery cupboard. It’s an incredibly wasteful process. The manufactures of virgin paper consume vast amounts of water, energy, CO2 and Timber. In fact, the Pulp & Paper Industry is the 3rd largest industrial polluter in the World. The majority of office paper waste that we throw away can be recycled, but in the UK only 7.5% reaches a recycling facility. Devastatingly, over 80.6m tonnes of printing and writing paper enters the waste stream each year.

Solution Aston & James consider your waste paper to be a valuable resource that can be recycled back into office paper. In partnership with their suppliers, they’ve

created a ‘closed loop’ paper solution called 5 Star Loop office paper. In contrast to the production of virgin paper, 5 Star Loop office paper uses 83% less water, 72% less energy, 100% less timber and 53% less CO2.

The Paper Closed loop or circular economy refers to the process in which the paper is produced. Most recycled paper still contains a percentage of wood pulp; which is used to create virgin paper. A closed loop solutions means that the recycled paper is made from 100% waste paper and no other materials. Aston & James’ 5 Star Loop office paper, has been awarded the Blue Angel accreditation and EU label, amongst others. Within the UK, compared to other European countries, consumers prefer their paper to have a higher whiteness level. The whiteness of Aston & James’ 5 Star Loop office paper is CIE 135 (whiteness OBA levels). Which is the highest level of whiteness achievable without using optical bleaching agents. UK Standard C Grade office paper is typically 145 to 150 CIE; therefore 5 Star Loop office paper has an excellent whiteness without the use of environmentally harmful bleaching agents. Available in A4 80gsm, by the ream, box or pallet; 5 Star Loop office paper can be used on laser, copy and inkjet machines.

How is 5 Star Loop Office Paper created? The pulp used to create 5 Star Loop office paper is made from 100%

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post-consumer waste paper. Instead of being used and then thrown away into landfill, your waste paper is collected in special bins. It is transported back to the paper mill using their existing transport network and is made into 100% recycled paper that can be brought back to use again, and again and again. The paper can be used and recycled up to 20 times.

5 Star Loop office paper is the ideal choice for those wanting an excellent quality product which helps protect the UK environment, saves energy and precious resources. By participating and contributing your waste paper you are helping to avoid UK landfill, protecting the UK environment and, saving energy and resources.

Taking part in the recycling process presents an opportunity to contribute positively towards the environment. In contrast to the ‘linear’ (take, make, dispose) economy, 5 Star Loop office paper epitomises the ‘circular’ economy (reduce, reuse, recycle), where your paper waste is treated as a resource and recycling becomes ‘business as normal’ in the quest towards zero waste.

Benefits to you

How does it work Aston & James place 5 Star Loop bins in your offices, for you to throw your waste paper and envelopes into. They then collect the office paper waste for FREE when they deliver your stationery. Aston & James then recycle the waste paper, which is then collected back in reams of 5 Star Loop office paper. Which can then be sold back to you. Here is a link to a video which explains the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB0W8YXOW0U Or you can access the video here by using a QR reader.

Benefits of solution 5 Star Loop office paper is a 100% recycled closed loop paper. Closed loop (circular economy) refers to the process in which the paper is produced. As the process is closed, meaning the paper is created completely from recycled waste, it means that 83% less water, 71% less energy, 100% less timber and 53% less CO2 is used compared to standard virgin copier paper.

• FREE waste paper collection, with price benefits for participating • Best quality brightness for recycled paper without using harmful bleaching agents • Enables you to tick CSR policies • Helps towards ISO14001 • Meets UK regulation ‘your waste your responsibility’ TEA • Reduces landfill costs • Positive contribution to environment • Enhances brand perception (to staff, suppliers and customers) Aston & James value their customers and want to offer them the best possible solutions for their business. Not only does this recycled paper tick the box on quality, but it also has the added benefit of taking what would have been waste and giving it a new life.

What’s next? Contact Aston & James today to find out more about this revolutionary service. You can also request a paper sample. Contact us below for more information. CONTACT DETAILS sales@aston-james.co.uk 01993 706 900 www.aston-james.co.uk/5-star-loop-paper

“The majority of

office paper waste that we throw away can be recycled, but in the UK only 7.5% reaches a recycling facility. Devastatingly, over 80.6m tonnes of printing and writing paper enters the waste stream each year

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CSR – the case for developing a strategy for change from within Often the appetite for adopting a strong Corporate socially responsible approach to doing business is driven by shareholder expectations and the cultural norms that exist within an industry sector. To drive long term profitably by adapting work practices, that are seen to do good and adhere to the law, cannot be a bad thing. I would like to build a case that proposes that the best kind of CSR delivers this change and long term benefit by starting at the core of the organisation. WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHY BY: GRAEME LAWS

It would be easy to make a team, put them in a room to scour best practice and build a policy that will meet the needs of shareholders, appear to tick the legal and ethical boxes. The harder route is to look at the fundamental purpose of your business existence, identify what is at its very core and then build a sound ethical model based on that central premise. At Bicester Vision we have done just that thing. When I joined the organisation in 2015 I was challenged by the board to review its guiding principles and adapt them to meet the new world that Bicester has become in recent years. I spent time with every member and got to understand their business approach, personal motivations and reasons for existing. I probed them on the good, bad and general observations about being part of this partnership organisation. My insight reassured that the three pillars that have

supported Bicester Vision were still solid; planning for change, supporting businesses and working with government. However, there was an inner core of insight that I delivered too – the partnership members were concerned about the impact of new higher volumes of people that would be moving to Bicester – as homes were built, where would they work? It appeared that we as a partnership had an inner desire to help those people when they arrived – if we could. But how could we in our small organisations affect such change – after several meetings the answer became obvious. As a Bicester focussed public and private sector partnership our core guiding principle ought to be one based on job creation. With the foreknowledge, that over the next few decades the town will double in size, we should be looking at how we can support any initiative to grow local businesses. So we are tapping into LEP streams to access subject matter experts to support local businesses. Where there

is a centralised pool of experts it is down to the individual regions to draw upon it. We are keen to attract new employers to the town as they too will be able to utilise this new talent that will be arriving. We will be a prominent sponsor at this year’s Business in Oxfordshire 2016 event (April 21st at Said Business School) where we will present, through our partners, a compelling case for moving your business to Bicester. We are developing a Bicester Business Incubator too. This will provide a safe, managed, space where great ideas can be turned into new, thriving businesses. We want to bring sole traders, micro businesses and entrepreneurs together to work and collaborate – and through serendipitous encounters and organised workshops let business ideas flourish and new collaborations prosper. We are also working with the schools and colleges

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“ We want to bring sole

traders, micro businesses and entrepreneurs together to work and collaborate – and through serendipitous encounters and organised workshops let business ideas flourish and new collaborations prosper.

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in Bicester to develop work ready students that are engaged, motivated and energised to get out into the world of work and start earning. The Technology

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Studio in Bicester has recently appointed a very inspirational Director – Richard Brown. We are fully supportive of his approach and have been very impressed with is visionary aims for nurturing talent. He and the team at Activate Learning will be developing cohorts of student with skills in supply chain & project management, eco-construction and business model engineering. These are exactly the skills that the Bicester in the next 10 years will need. Skills ready, talented students able to walk straight into well paid, local jobs. These examples provide a degree of insight into how we, Bicester Vision, have responded to the perceived needs of the community and come good on our responsibilities to the environment and the business community. As Partnership Manager my role is to hold these threads together and furthermore to seek out new conversations and possible collaborations. If I can

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go home each evening knowing that what I have done today I would want to do tomorrow, then Bicester Vision has succeeded in creating a workforce wellbeing programme that trickles down to its own employees as well as the wider community. Furthermore, as a spokesperson for the partnership and business evangelist for Bicester town, if I do not believe in this approach, how could I convince others of the benefits. Bicester, in the coming years, will be the place to come and do business. As any economist will tell you; a place where there are successful businesses operating in a prosperous area – is a place where growth and job creation is sure to follow. CONTACT DETAILS info@bicestervision.co.uk 01869 324 244 www.bicestervision.co.uk

‘THE’ Conference & Event Venue The construction of the John Henry Brookes Building (JHBB) at the Headington Campus is the most significant project in the history of Oxford Brookes University. The building incorporates a number of sustainable features that have helped it achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. WRITTEN BY: BEATRIZ PÉREZ-LÓPEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LEE ATHERTON

In January 2011, construction work began on the University’s landmark new building. Set at the heart of the Headington Campus, it has been designed for the future of higher education and is transforming the experiences of students and the entire University’s community. Designed by architects Design Engine the building has won a number of awards, including RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Regional, National and Sustainability Awards, Oxford Preservation Trust New Building Award and the award in the Student Experience category of the 2014 Education Estates Awards.

Green credentials The building has achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and featured the lowest total emissions of all the projects in the RIBA National awards. It is impressively ‘green’:

-600m2 of rooftop photovoltaic cells: the solar panels contribute towards the supply of electricity to the John Henry Brookes Building and the Abercrombie extension and reduce, by approximately 4%, the buildings’ carbon emissions.

is then distributed to facilities in the building and re-used to flush toilets.

-1,700m2 of wildlife-friendly sedum roof: the flow of water is reduced as the green roof controls the flow and absorbs it. Controlling the flow of water from the roofs decreases the stress on the local sewer system during periods of high rainfall. Additionally, a green roof can help towards managing the temperature of the building

-Combined heat and power plant: reducing the energy consumption of the John Henry Brookes and Abercrombie buildings by around 16%. The plant has been sized to provide the building’s heat requirements and work with the electrical demands of the building. Using this kind of system is also considered extremely efficient as producing the heat and electricity on-site generates less CO2 emissions than using electricity from the national grid.

-Highly efficient building management system (BMS) controlling rainwater recycling systems: to manage the run-off of rainwater from the roof of the John Henry Brookes Building there is a storage tank under the Central Courtyard. Around 50% of the run-off rainwater is collected, helping reduce this flow into the local sewer system. This grey water

-Passive ground cooling system, drawing fresh air to the theatre from under the building’s Piazza.

Sustainable meeting and conference facilities The modern and spacious building boasts over 20 meeting spaces; from a large lecture theatre

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seating 320 delegates to executive boardrooms. Audio-visual facilities have been integrated in all the meeting spaces, while the 320-seat lecture theatre offers cinema-quality projection and a live-streaming capability. The John Henry Brookes Building is also home to two stylish catering venues, The Terrace and The Lounge. The Lounge offers a contemporary function venue in Oxford with a capacity for up to 50 guests. It is a modern space perfect for parties and dinners and the decor reflects the relaxed and innovative character of the John Henry Brookes Building. The Terrace is light and airy during the day thanks to its glass walls, which give uninterrupted leafy green views over Oxfordshire. In the evening, The Terrace comes alive with lighting that mimics the stars in the night sky making it a truly magical party venue in Oxford. Seating from 100 to 260 guests, The Terrace is an ideal venue for large parties or celebrations.

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The John Henry Brookes Building meeting spaces and catering venues are available to hire through the Conference Services team. Oxford Brookes University currently holds the ISO 14001 accreditation for environmental management systems and has implemented many initiatives to demonstrate its commitment to environmental sustainability: • In 2003 Oxford Brookes was awarded the first Fairtrade University in the world award; • 100% of coffee and tea sold by the catering department is Fairtrade; • Oxford Brookes was the first University to become Marine Stewardship Council accredited; • Three Oxford Brookes University campuses have received the Green Flag Award; • Received official recognition from the Carbon Trust for continuing work to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions;

feature

Oxford Brookes is particularly proud of the work it has done on sustainable travel, sustainable procurement policy and sustainable food policy and has been chosen by the Carbon Trust to pilot a scheme that will calculate and reduce carbon emissions. Oxford Brookes Conference Services strives to minimise the environmental impact of every event they host and are deeply committed to being one of the greenest venues in Oxford.

CONTACT DETAILS conferences@brookes.ac.uk 01865 488 400 www.brookesconferences.com

CSR and Residential Lettings.

College and County have as “green” a pool car as we can. Ideally would have wanted an all-electric one, but there was nowhere convenient to charge it!

Mark Crampton Smith from College and County, award winning Residential Letting agents from Oxford, explores some of the issues around CSR and how Ethical Letting makes sense for every-one. WRITTEN BY: MARK CRAMPTON SMITH

At a time when increasing numbers of people are renting their home, I believe the Private Rented sector and the agents acting therein have significant Corporate Social responsibility on both a macro and micro level. On a micro level, the way we conduct our business has significant impact on individuals and families. The Letting agent effectively manages the contractual relationship between the landlord and the tenant. Not only must we ensure that our client, the landlord is compliant with a growing raft of legislative demands, but we must be certain that the occupants of the property we are managing understand their responsibilities to behave in a tenant like manner. Just in the last few years the legislation impacting on the sector has increased exponentially. It is increasingly difficult for individual Landlords letting one or two properties to keep up with the changes and their implications. For example, from February this year, an estimated five million New tenancies a year will require checking for “Right to Rent” making it a criminal offence to sign a tenancy agreement without the Landlord, or the agent acting for him or her, establishing that the applicant has a legal right to reside in the UK, and keeping the requisite documentation as proof. This creates a minefield for the unsuspecting landlord not only in confirming validity of documentation, but ensuring there is no exposure to anti-discriminatory legislation should they appear over zealous in their drive to comply with the new law.

With an estimated 28% of Oxfords population living in rented accommodation, many landlords and tenants are not aware of recent changes in the law. Since October 2015, The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015 place new requirements on Landlords to ensure that not only do they have appropriate detection in place, but that it meets the correct BS standard and is sited in the correct place in the property. It is clear that Landlord insurers will take a keen interest in compliance with the new requirements before agreeing settlement in relevant claims. Local restrictions on property usage and the extension of the licensing of Houses of Multiple Occupation, continues to confuse well intentioned Landlords, and seems to have done little to increase affordable accommodation for families. Very few people from outside Oxford are aware that planning permission is required to change the use of properties from occupation by a family to occupation by three or more people comprising two or more “households”. Letting agents also have responsibilities on a macro level. At a time when there is a chronic shortage of housing in the UK and in the South East in general and Oxford in particular, we must ensure that our observations of the market are available to both local politicians and media. When rents are rising faster than inflation, and property values are driven up at more than 20% per annum it is easy for politicians in search of votes, and parts of the media in search of glamorous headlines, to portray investor landlords and agents as responsible

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Local restrictions on property usage and

the extension of the licensing of Houses of Multiple Occupation, continues to confuse well intentioned Landlords, and seems to have done little to increase affordable accommodation for families

â&#x20AC;?

Mark Crampton Smith

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for all the malaise in the system. It is much easier than finding a sustainable solution to the supply and demand imbalance. In this climate it becomes even more important for landlords and their agents to conduct themselves with absolute integrity, and ensure that all our policies and practices are a product of first principles and our CSR commitment. So what does being Ethical mean in practice? We have had to closely examine all that we do to ensure that it complies not only with the law, but also with best practice as defined by industry bodies such as the Association f Residential Letting Agents and the property Ombudsman. For over four years now we have had no renewal fees for tenants; something that is much appreciated by those who are intending to stay long term in a property. We have ensured that copies of all our documentation is available on our website, and have constantly updated our FAQs, we ensure that all our fees are

Mark Crampton Smith

entirely transparent and do not engage in taking a fee from contractors that some of the larger agents have recently been exposed for. Most importantly, we try to ensure that all our customers have an experience that exceeds their expectations, and constantly seek feedback to monitor progress towards achieving the same. Having declared our commitment to Ethical Letting for over ten years now, we have been fortunate to have been able to recruit a staff team who buy into the concepts implied and are able to constantly evolve our CSR policy and practice. We have also been able to attract Landlords who are committed to best practice and all that an Ethical approach to residential lettings implies. I believe that this central pillar of our business model will give us sustainability in the long term.

CONTACT DETAILS info@collegeandcounty.co.uk 01865 722 722 http://www.collegeandcounty.biz

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TUESDAY 11TH OCTOBER

Sponsorship Opportunities Get involved with the 2016 Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards After the success of the Awards in 2011 to 2015, we are looking forward to the 2016 Awards. The Awards have certainly captured the imagination of the local restaurant community and this year’s Awards promise to be even more prestigious than before as we move to arguably Oxfordshire’s finest venue following its £80 million refurbishment, Weston Library in the heart of Oxford. So why not enter, secure your ticket and join in the fun or, if you’re looking for your company to be associated with the Awards, choose one of our fantastic sponsorship packages.

How the Awards work We are delighted to once again have Alain Desenclos as the Chairman of our Judging Committee for 2016. He brings with him twenty six years of experience as Maître d’ at Le Manoir, one of Europe’s finest restaurants. An independent review panel has been appointed from a wide range of backgrounds to critically review each restaurant that enters the Awards. The reviews will then be used by the judging committee to base their decision for the final nominations. The aim of the Awards is to raise the profile of Oxfordshire’s many excellent restaurants, but the Awards have also given the Oxfordshire public the opportunity to vote for their preferred restaurants across a number of carefully considered categories.

Timetable Applications close

29th April 2016

Reviews conducted

1st January to 31st May 2016

Public Vote

1st March to 30th September 2016

Nominees announced

1st July 2016

Awards

11th October 2016

in association with

www.oxfordshirerestaurantawards.com

Options 1 Overall Restaurant Awards Sponsors - £7,500+VAT SOLD Includes 20 tickets to the Awards ceremony, Awards known as The 2016 Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards with your logo underneath or alongside and the words MAIN SPONSOR.

2 General Sponsorship Opportunities All of the following sponsors will receive 2 tickets to the Awards, logos on promotional material and name in the programme alongside the relevant sponsor package: Champagne reception - £1,500+VAT Category sponsors - £1,000+VAT* *will also present the Award to each winner alongside one of our guest presenters Categories are subject to change but at present will be drawn from the following: Asian

Public Vote

Trainee Award

Award for Excellence

Restaurant of the Year

Gastronomic Restaurant

Brasserie / Gastro Pub

Sustainable Restaurant of the Year

Living in Oxford Magazine Editor’s Choice

Best Service Award

Traditional Pub

Best College Dining Room

Express / Deli / Café

Chef of the Year

Award of Distinction / Beyond the Call

3 Product or Service sponsors: We already have an established group of Product and Service sponsors, but if you would like to enquire about providing your product or service for the Awards, please get in touch. As the value of the products and services varies from sponsor to sponsor, we structure each Product or Service sponsor package on an individual basis. All Cash or Product / Service Sponsors will have their logos • In the Awards programme • On the promotional backdrops on the night of the Awards • On all certificates • On the Awards website together with a 150 word profile

4 Tickets: We only have 3 tables of 10 at £1,500+VAT remaining at the time of writing.

Interested in sponsoring the 2016 Awards? Get in touch! t: 01865 742211 e: info@oxfordshirerestaurantawards.co.uk

Main Sponsor

The Government recognise â&#x20AC;&#x153; that these reforms place Employers at the very heart of pension provision, and can only succeed with their support. To aid the transition and to ensure maximum impact and minimum disruption to Employers, it is recommended that employers prepare for these reforms in advance

â&#x20AC;?

Photograph by www.studio8.me

Darren Green, Partner at The M Group

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Automatic Enrolment Are you ready? Over the first two quarters of 2016 it is anticipated that around 27,000 UK employers will take the required steps to help their workforce save for retirement. The Government estimates that about seven million people aren’t saving enough for their retirement. As a result, it is (and has been) putting the responsibility on employers to help encourage more people to save. WRITTEN BY: DARREN GREEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: STUDIO8

The Government are doing so by requiring all employers to automatically enrol ‘eligible employees’ into a ‘qualifying pension scheme’. For larger Employers, this requirement has been in place for some time, however, the regime is now impacting on smaller businesses at an ever increasing rate. It is expected that around 770,000 UK Employers will enrol their workforce into a qualifying scheme throughout 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. From 1 May 2017 to February 2018, it will then be the turn of ‘New’ Employers (currently estimated at 533,000 Employers) to enrol their employees into a qualifying scheme. Eventually, all Employers will be required to contribute a minimum of 3% of each employee’s ‘qualifying earnings’. Every employee will eventually be required to add their own 4% contribution and 1% tax relief will also be added to meet a minimum 8% contribution. However, the minimum contributions will be phased in, rising from 1% initially to 2% in April 2018 and 3% a year later in April 2019 for Employers and 1%, 3% and 4% respectively for employees. The Government recognise that these reforms place Employers at the very heart of pension provision, and can only succeed with their support. To aid the transition and to ensure maximum impact and minimum disruption to Employers, it is recommended that employers prepare for these reforms in advance and key measures are in place designed to minimise the burden on Employers. Consequently, and particularly if you are a small business this requirement is yet another hurdle to overcome and many owners may be

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wondering how this will impact on them. If a Pension Scheme isn’t something you have in place or are unsure of the steps you need to take to implement one, this can be a very daunting time. However, there is help at hand and many businesses owners will be looking to source and recruit help with the implementation and planning of the reform to ensure the transition will be as smooth and as stress free as possible. The following steps summarise what action Employers need to be taking: • Nominate a point of contact to The Pensions Regulator • Know your Staging date (this can be checked at www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/staging • Assess your workforce (not all workers will be ‘eligible jobholders’) • Review your pension arrangements (do you have an existing scheme which meets the requirements or will you need to set up a new scheme) • Communicate the Changes (workers must be written to) • Automatically enrol eligible jobholders • Contribute to your workers’ pensions (1% now rising to 3% by April 2019) • Register with the Pensions Regulator and keep records (this must be completed within 5 months of the Staging date) And don’t forget to… • Budget for the cost increase • Review your systems • Keep track of age and earnings of your workforce

Qualified Accountant and Partner, Darren Green at The M Group, indicates that the impact of these reforms can be managed and with proper planning, steps can be put in place alongside existing remuneration strategies, he quotes “if auto enrolment is approached in the right way, then Employers can reduce the cost burden by phasing in contributions as part of an Employees ‘remuneration package’ which will help manage the cost burden but beware of trying to reduce the impact by encouraging employees to ‘Opt out’ as this is strictly not permitted and will result in a fine! ” So, over the coming months and into next year, regardless of your size or the amount of time you have been in business, you will be required to automatically enrol all ‘eligible employees’ into a ‘qualifying pension scheme’ as a compulsory measure. Ultimately, this is something that will affect the whole business and demands a professional approach with financial and remuneration planning at the forefront to help reduce the impact of these reforms on your business. For more information and help with your financial planning, you can contact Darren Green, Partner at The M Group.

CONTACT DETAILS team@themgroup.co.uk 01865 552 925 www.themgroup.co.uk

DISCOVERY SPORT

INACCESSIBLE JUST BECAME ACCESSIBLE

DISCOVERY SPORT TD4 SE FROM £299.98 A MONTH +VAT ON LAND ROVER CONTRACT HIRE*

Discovery Sport 2.0L TD4 150HP Manual 4WD SE 5DR

The Discovery Sport has impressed the world since its launch. Now with a new EU6-compliant Ingenium diesel engine delivering up to 57.7mpg with CO2 as low as 129 g/km, it’s about to become very popular with business users everywhere.

Monthly Contract Hire Rental*

Ridgeway Land Rover Faringdon Road (A420), Cumnor, Oxford, OX2 9QY 01865 565949

Contract Duration

www.ridgeway.landrover.co.uk

Initial Rental In Advance Excess Mileage (pence per mile) Annual Mileage

£299.98 + VAT £2,699.82 + VAT 9.3p + VAT 10,000 49 Months

Business users only. VAT payable at 20%. Model pictured (including optional metallic paint) from £345 a month +VAT, plus initial rental in advance of £2,063 +VAT.

Official Fuel Consumption Figures for the Discovery Sport TD4 150HP Manual 5 Door in mpg (l/100km): Urban 50.4 (5.6), Extra Urban 62.8 (4.5), Combined 57.7 (4.9). CO2 emissions 129 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. *Important Information. Based on a Discovery Sport 2.0L TD4 150HP Manual 4WD SE with standard specification, non-maintained. Vehicle 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 31st March 2016. Contract Hire is provided by Land Rover Contract Hire, a trading style of Lex Autolease Limited, Heathside Park, Heathside Park Road, Stockport SK3 0RB. Model shown is the Discovery Sport 2.0L TD4 180HP Manual 4WD SE 5DR with optional metallic paint.

technology

CIS discuss Data Protection At Business In Oxford 2016, CIS will be discussing the new EU Data Protection Regulation coming into practice this year, why it’s important for your business to take note and how you can avoid paying the heavy fines liable if you do not follow this new regulation. WRITTEN BY: LUKE BROADHURST

The presentation will include: • Proposed EU Data Protection Regulation – data breaches, data loss and the consequences • How your business can comply with the Regulation and minimise fines in the event of a breach • Securing your data to stop breaches occurring • How we can help The New EU Data Protection Regulation In March 2014, the European parliament voted by an overwhelming majority in favour of legislation to protect the security of its citizens’ data. The resulting legislation is due to come into force in 2016 with penalties of up to 100m Euros or 5% of annual turnover per data breach. What is Data Encryption? Encryption is widely agreed to be the best form of data security available, since it renders any stolen data absolutely useless to unauthorised parties. If, following the worst-case scenario of a hack into your systems, you’re able to prove that personal data was subject to technological protection measures such as encryption, there’s no need to even notify affected data subjects of the breach.

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Why your business should be concerned Whatever the size of your business, a significant loss of personal data represents a catastrophe of mammoth proportions and proves terminal for many. As well as sanctions imposed under this legislation,

The ultimate answer to “being compliant is using Data Encryption. This stops any unwanted access to your data, even if your data falls into the wrong hands. Data Encryption can help you to avoid heavy fines and keep your data extremely secure

”

there’s the cost of notifying anyone whose data has been compromised and the subsequent loss of customer confidence and reputational damage to the business. Whilst ‘traditional’ crime figures continue

on a downward trend, cyber-crime statistics are rising dramatically. No MD or business owner wants to find themselves in the position of the Talk Talk CEO who had to announce to her entire customer base that all of their personal information was now potentially in the public domain! SMEs in the firing line Although media reports centre on the highest profile hacking cases, small and medium-sized enterprises are a particular target for hackers. Some view them as the “soft underbelly” of the UK’s fight against cybercrime, with a higher tendency to have inadequate security measures and sometimes lacking in the technical expertise needed to implement top grade counter measures to protect their systems. This is where we at CIS come in. As a Sophos partner and with highly-trained, experienced and qualified technical engineering staff, we’re able to provide you with the knowledge and expertise needed to keep your data private and safe. CONTACT DETAILS solutions@cisltd.com 01367 700 555 www.cisltd.com

OXFORD EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF INNOVATION

Wishing the Oxford iCapital16 team every success with

ON THE

the bid. From all of us at House on the Hill and B4

HILL

House on the Hill were proud to be asked to design the bid website oxfordicapital16.com for the Oxford iCapital16 team. See more at hothdesign.co.uk Â For all your print web and design requirements, contact House on the Hill on 01865 742211

spotlight

Oxford shortlisted for European Capital of Innovation Award 2016 Oxford is one of nine major cities named as the finalists for the European Capital of Innovation Award 2016. Oxford is up against a shortlist of large cities, many of which are also capital cities. WRITTEN BY: MATTHEW PEACHEY

The shortlist, which was announced on 21 January 2016 by the European Commission, includes Amsterdam; Berlin; Eindhoven; Glasgow; Milan; Paris; Turin, and Vienna. A prize of £950,000 will go to the city that is judged to be creating the best “innovation ecosystem”, connecting citizens, public organisations, academia, and business. The winning city is expected to build on its success by scaling up its most successful projects that support innovation. The winner and two runners-up will be announced in April The shortlist was selected from nearly 40 bids, by a panel of independent experts, for outstanding track records in innovation. Oxford’s bid was developed by the City Council with a team of partners from the County Council, the two universities, the Low Carbon Hub, the Student Hub, the Hospital Trust, local businesses and other community organisations. If the bid is successful, the Oxford partnership will focus its activity in developing the following five areas: • Inspiring a new generation of science and technology talent from all backgrounds • Mainstreaming ultra-low carbon technology across the entire community • Pioneering transformative and replicable smart city solutions in health and mobility. • Helping more people to become civic/social www.b4-business.com

entrepreneurs who will improve lives in the city and society as a whole • Growing our rich mosaic of innovation spaces to both keep pace with, and support, the flow of ideas spinning out of our ecosystem. Councillor Bob Price, Leader of Oxford City Council, said: “We are delighted to have reached the shortlist in this very competitive field. The fact that Oxford is up against major cities like Paris and Berlin demonstrates the strength of the bid, our local economy and our local partnerships. We are aiming

Oxford has a complex and “ thriving innovation ecosystem where technologies and people converge to develop new, innovative solutions to global challenges.

”

to be Europe’s ‘Learning City’, for a year, and to fund over 100 young people from Oxford to work with colleagues from other countries on innovative projects that will benefit our community and our economy. We share many of the same challenges as other mid-sized cities in Europe, in transport, the environment, community integration and healthcare, and aim to foster a two-way sharing of knowledge across Europe for everyone’s benefit.”

Professor Ian Walmsley, Hooke Professor of Experimental Physics and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at the University of Oxford, said: ‘Oxford has a complex and thriving innovation ecosystem where technologies and people converge to develop new, innovative solutions to global challenges. The University of Oxford plays an important part in this, alongside other local institutions, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and citizens. “The European Capital of Innovation 2016 competition will strengthen these partnerships across the city. This will enable the region to share with and learn from other innovative cities around Europe that deliver real impact for people in the region and across the continent, by providing new opportunities and better quality of life.’ In addition to the City Council, Oxford’s iCapital 2016 bid was funded by Oxford University; Oxford Brookes University; Oxfordshire County Council; Venturefest Oxford; Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership; InOxford, and The Oxford Trust.

CONTACT DETAILS economicdevelopment@oxford.gov.uk 01865 252 021 http://oxfordicapital16.com

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

Interactions with employers transform and inspire our future workforce

spotlight

Students are inspired at CareersFest

As a young teenager, I was incredibly shy. If our home phone rang, I refused to answer it. When a stranger arrived at the house, I would hide upstairs. My parents were concerned. However, I was also fortunate. During my teenage years, I had several interactions with local employers and professionals that changed me forever. WRITTEN BY: REBECCA MOORE

Left: ‘City of Oxford College’ - A student learns about the construction industry. Right: L to R: Rebecca Moore, Enterprise Coordinator for O2i and Helen Haines, Project Director at O2i at CareersFest 2016, sponsored by O2i.

When I was 14 we had a ‘Take your Daughter to Work Day’. I went to the Port Authority. I operated a crane, worked in the office and patrolled the harbour on a boat, wind and saltwater sweeping back my hair. After that, my dad was selfemployed as a labourer and he began taking me into customer’s homes so I could see what his job involved. He also took me to his regular accountant meetings where I was soon on first name terms with the secretary and would assist in sorting paperwork. Through an old teacher, I gained experience as a classroom assistant, helping the very young children to read. I slowly gained confidence. I attended two week’s work experience in a local office, where I was immediately made a receptionist and introduced to the team. There was no way I would lose face by being too embarrassed to answer the switchboard phone. I still remember terror rippling through me as I answered it for the first time, stated the company name - exactly as I’d be told to. The mild terror continued for a day or two, before it became a reflex to reach for the phone when it rang, and I even adopted a rather grand telephone voice. I was by no means alone in my early fears. Many www.b4-business.com

young people have similar concerns and confidence issues about the world of work. Interactions with local employers and adults who were not my parents or teachers certainly helped me and indeed, research shows that young people who have four or more interactions with business are five times less likely to end up Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). I’m absolutely certain that engaging and inspirational interactions can do likewise for Oxfordshire’s future workforce. It’s the main reason I now work for O2i Opportunities to Inspire - a service provided by the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership – which offers an online portal where volunteers from business can discover opportunities in local schools to inform and inspire young people. To further reinforce the relationship between education and employers, O2i recently launched the O2i Adviser programme, part of the nationwide network from the Careers and Enterprise Company. The network will match one volunteer adviser to each secondary school, strategically supporting the school’s senior leadership team to engage employers and businesses. As O2i Project Director Helen Haines says, ‘Through the Adviser network, O2i is supporting Oxfordshire’s young people to gain employability skills and determine their own futures’.

If you would like to help young people determine their futures - and gain the skills to do this effectively - O2i will be thrilled to hear from you. As for me? I now regularly host and attend network events speaking – in front of large groups of people – about my work. In my private life, I’ve even done a turn of stand-up comedy, not a drop of shyness in sight. I have so much appreciation for the professional adults who gave their time – directly and indirectly - to support and nurture my confidence and skills during my early years. I only hope I can do likewise for a young person one day, too. Is there a way you could inform and inspire our future workforce? If you’re interested in volunteering in local schools, or keen to work strategically with leadership teams, contact Rebecca below and follow us on Twitter (O2iOx) and Linkedin (o2i-opportunities-toinspire).

CONTACT DETAILS info@o2i.org 07500 950 570 www.o2i.org

Professionals

getting it right, getting it wrong Duncan Crine, head of the Dispute Resolution department at Henmans Freeth in Oxford, has dealt with professional negligence cases - for both Claimants and Defendants - for over 20 years. Here he gives some tips on how to get the best out of a professional relationship and what to do when things go wrong. WRITTEN BY: DUNCAN CRINE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: TOM WELLER

Everyone in business turns to professionals for advice from time to time. They may be a member of one of the long established professions (eg accountants, auditors, solicitors, barristers, surveyors and architects) or from an emerging profession (eg IT services). They will probably have years of training under their belt (and armfuls of qualifications) but what really matters is the expertise and experience they can bring to business-critical decisions and transactions.

initial letter of engagement and in providing regular updates to their clients.

When things go wrong, it is natural to look back and ask why. Sometimes, this leads doubts as to whether the business has really had the best advice from its professional advisor and, if not, what should be done.

While professionals are not mindless computers, they are not mind-readers either. If you want the best from your professional advisor, it is vital to give them the full picture. They are on your side. If in doubt, mention it. A decent professional should be able to sort the wheat from the chaff.

“I wouldn’t start from here” - setting off on the right foot Difficulties may come to light late in the day but the seeds of the problem may have been sown early in the relationship. The client knew what they wanted to achieve. The professional knew what they could (and could not) deliver. Unfortunately, the two didn’t quite match but, due to unclear communications, they didn’t realise it until it was too late. This gap between expectation and delivery often emerges, or matters, only once things have gone wrong. So it is vital for both client and professional that things are clear from the outset, and that any changes are noted as the matter goes along. That is why good professionals take great care over their

“Tell me what I need to know, not just what you want me to hear” - instructions In the IT world, they sometimes use the acronym GIGO (“garbage in, garbage out”) to refer to the fact that the output of a system is determined by the input. There is something in this, too, for dealings between a professional advisor and their client.

“Don’t blame me” – merits and prospects Most legal disputes do not end up in court. Nonetheless, whether you are a client thinking about bringing a claim against your (possibly former) professional advisor, or a professional facing such a claim, a lot of time and worry will be saved by thinking about the issues as a court would do. That way, you can make a realistic assessment of the merits, prospects and value of the claim, and a cool headed, commercial decision about the cost/ benefit of pursuing (or defending) it. The key ingredients of a professional negligence claim are:

Duty and breach: what was the professional required to do, what duties did they owe to the client, and did they breach those obligations? The claimant will need to prove, on the balance of probability, that there has been a breach of contract or other duty. Duties may be spelt out in the contract, or imposed by the court (as implied contractual duties or under what is known as tort). Broadly speaking, the court expects professionals to exercise the care and skill of a reasonable (not perfect) professional person providing services of a similar kind in similar circumstances. Causation, loss and damages: this is often the main area of contention, because duty and breach alone do not automatically result in compensation. The court must also be satisfied that the professional’s error or omission has legally caused loss which is recoverable. There are complex rules – including remoteness of damage, reasonable foreseeability, contributory negligence, failure to mitigate and loss of chance – which will affect this. Costs and limitation: although it is often said that costs “follow the event”, the court will not always give the winner their legal costs and, even then, the amount awarded will normally be less than the total. Settlement offers can be made which affect how the court decides the costs. Bear in mind that many professionals are obliged to carry professional indemnity insurance. Watch out for time limits on when a claim can be made through the court.

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advice

While professionals “ are not mindless

computers, they are not mind-readers either. If you want the best from your professional advisor, it is vital to give them the full picture. They are on your side. If in doubt, mention it. A decent professional should be able to sort the wheat from the chaff.

”

Duncan Crine, Head of Dispute Resolution, Henmans Freeth

Protocols and ADR: The court will expect you to abide by its Pre-action Protocol for Professional Negligence before beginning any court action, and to try to resolve the dispute by Alternative Dispute Resolution (eg mediation). “Time for action” – pursuing or defending a professional negligence claim If contemplating a claim, from either side, the first step is to preserve all the relevant documents (both paper and electronic) and make a chronological note of what has happened. Then, think about the above factors but also keep firmly in mind cost/benefit – is there enough at stake to justify pursuing/defending the claim, can you afford a dispute, is it worth the management time and is your opponent worth the fight? If the answer to all those is yes, it is time for action: instruct a good specialist lawyer to advise you on merits/prospects of the claim and on how to get the best outcome. Contact Duncan Crine on the details below.

CONTACT DETAILS duncan.crine@henmansfreeth.co.uk 01865 781 054 www.henmansfreeth.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

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

spotlight

Experience Oxfordshire’s Chief Executive elected Chairman of the Tourism Society Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire, has recently been elected as the new Chairman of the Tourism Society. She was elected during the Society’s board meeting held in London on December the 9th, and takes over from Sandra Matthews-Marsh who held the position for two years. Hayley Beer-Gamage

WRITTEN BY: EXPERIENCE OXFORDSHIRE

The Tourism Society is the leading professional membership body for people working in all sectors of the visitor economy with over 1200 members UK and Worldwide. Hayley was elected to the board of Directors in 2012 and took on the role of Vice Chairman in 2013. On being elected chair she said: “It is an absolute honour and privilege to be elected as Chairman of the Tourism Society and I look forward to working with the board and the members of the Tourism Society to lead this organisation into a new phase of ambitious growth.”

Hayley also commented “I am extremely proud to now be leading two extremely important organisations in the Tourism Sector and I am privileged that both the board of Experience Oxfordshire and the Tourism Society have put their faith in my hands. However key to success in both organisations is partnership working and team work and I am delighted to be working with such great partners, members and boards and have such wonderful teams supporting me. I very much look forward to growing these organisations during 2016 and beyond”.

“The Society supports its members through an ambitious programme of events and by bringing together a vibrant network of tourism professionals. I am passionate about continuous improvement in tourism and the visitor economy and as Chairman I aspire to engage the organisation across the whole of the industry and aim to develop and secure the Society’s position as a leading organisation in this sector.” Hayley Beer-Gamage joined Experience Oxfordshire earlier this year following 16 years’ experience in the industry, predominantly in Destination Management. Prior to her current role, Beer-Gamage was Director of Tourism Services for the Oxfordshire Cotswolds and has represented Local Authorities and destination management in various capacities over the years including being a Director on the regional tourist board Tourism South East and Chair of the South East Destination Managers Forum. This new appointment is further recognition of her long standing commitment to the industry. www.b4-business.com

“ I am extremely proud to now be leading

two extremely important organisations in the Tourism Sector and I am privileged that both the board of Experience Oxfordshire and the Tourism Society have put their faith in my hands

”

CONTACT DETAILS press@experienceoxfordshire.org 01865 686 434 www.experienceoxfordshire.org

British workers could be at risk as hundreds of thousands of small businesses risk gas safety errors - One in five small businesses admit that they have experienced gas health and safety issues - 17% admit they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have appliances serviced regularly - More than 40% would take the dangerous decision to switch off electrics if they smelled gas at work British workers could be at risk from the dangers of gas and carbon monoxide, according to new research from British Gas. In a survey of senior managers with responsibility for energy at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), 20% said their business had experienced health and safety issues with its boilers or gas appliances.

Ensuring gas appliances, gas pipework and flues are maintained in a safe condition is a legal requirement for all employers under the Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998. Landlords must also complete annual safety checks and provide on-going maintenance. But 17% of businesses admitted they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have their gas appliance checked at least once a year by a qualified gas engineer.

Of the 509 senior managers surveyed nationwide, one in five admitted that they had experienced health and safety issues (e.g. gas leak, carbon monoxide leak or an unsafe appliance) at their current or previous business premises. These businesses suffered lost trading hours (14%), lost revenue (11%) and had to buy a new boiler or appliance (14%).

The research also revealed a lack of understanding about gas safety. When asked what they would do immediately if they smelled gas on their business premises, 41% of those surveyed said they would switch off the electrics. This is extremely dangerous, as it could spark a gas explosion. 16% would try to work out which appliance was leaking gas, while 1% even said they

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would shut all windows and doors to keep the gas inside the building. More than one third (36%) of respondents admitted that they didn’t have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted on their business premises. Businesses are advised to install an alarm if the boiler or gas appliance is near somewhere that is habitable, where people work or rest or near a bedroom. Vincent Thomas, Field Service Manager at British Gas Business, said: “It’s crucial that businesses take gas safety seriously. I’ve seen some alarming stuff over the years in all different types of businesses – from factories to nursing homes. When something goes wrong it can stop a business in its tracks and have a serious effect on finances, staff and customers. “Our engineers visit over 1,000 businesses every week, and find that many customers don’t think about the risks of carbon monoxide and gas leaks at work the same way as they might at home. It’s absolutely essential to get any commercial gas appliance regularly serviced and maintained.” www.b4-business.com

British Gas has a national network of qualified business service and repair engineers who provide support to 27,000 businesses across the UK. Last year the company fixed 26,600 broken boilers and gas appliances and completed 27,000 service visits.

British Gas’ simple checks to stay gas safe: • Maintain and service your gas appliances and pipework on an annual basis • Any gas service, installation or repair should be carried out by a Gas Safe Registered engineer that is qualified to work on commercial gas appliances and pipework • Keep a record of any gas work carried out • Take out a service plan if your business relies on heating or gas appliances • Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your property. If you are a landlord you can buy them online and have it delivered direct to your tenants to install themselves with minimal effort. • Look for signs of staining, soot or discoloration on, or around your gas boiler, fire or water heater.

advice

These can be signs of carbon monoxide. Keep vents in doors, walls or windows clear to ensure gas fumes can safely escape your business. • Know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be similar to the flu. • If you notice anything wrong, stop using the appliance immediately, open windows and doors to ventilate your business and call the Gas Emergency Services Helpline on 0800 111 999 (24hrs). You should also seek medical advice. For more advice on gas safety visit: www.britishgas.co.uk/business/gassafety ABOUT THIS GAS SAFETY RESEARCH: All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 509 SME senior managers plus who have responsibility for electricity/ gas supply and have gas boiler/ heating system on their business premises. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st - 9th September 2015. The survey was carried out online.

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news One of the UK’s top ranked family law practices continues its expansion with the recruitment of a specialist family law partner Henmans Freeth Solicitors’ top-ranked family law practice is delighted to announce that it has recruited an outstanding family lawyer into its rapidly expanding family law department. Claire Colbert joins the family law team as a partner having previously worked at Blake Morgan Solicitors in Oxford. She is a specially accredited family lawyer, a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel, and a qualified mediator. Claire has advised clients for over 15 years on all aspects of family law, developing particular expertise in advising on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown with international dimensions, family businesses and pension considerations. In addition, Claire has a wealth of experience of dealing with cases involving children and applications to remove them from the jurisdiction. Claire also advises on pre and post marital agreements, cohabitation agreements and applications under the Children Act. She has experience in dealing with Child Maintenance Service appeals (formerly CSA) and can assist parents dealing with school appeals for primary and secondary school places. This includes giving advice during the application process, drafting the appeal documentation and assisting with preparation for the tribunal hearing.

Our family law team has a national “ reputation that has been built on having legal experts in their field that exceed clients’ expectations

”

The family law team at Henmans Freeth advises on a broad mix of family law cases for clients who can have issues involving businesses, trusts, and pension assets both here in the UK and abroad. Due to the strength of the Henmans Freeth tax and trust, property and company law departments, the family law team is able to ensure that all aspects of specialist advice is available under one roof. Rachael Oakes, national head of Henmans Freeth’s family law practice in Oxford, says: “We are delighted to welcome Claire to the firm. We have continued to see an increase in demand for specialist family law advice from separating couples looking for expert understanding and supportive guidance. Claire’s experience and expertise in the field of family law will prove invaluable as we continue to develop the team and provide our clients with a premier service that has a national reputation built on having legal experts in their field that exceed clients’ expectations.”

Claire Colbert, Partner

CONTACT DETAILS

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rachael.oakes@henmansfreeth.co.uk

01865 781181

www.henmansfreeth.co.uk

How much office space can you rent for £500,000 a year?

West End - Prime - 3,922 sq ft Victoria - 6,452 sq ft Midtown - 6,667 sq ft City - Prime - 7,143 sq ft City - Fringe - 7,692 sq ft Southbank - 8,000 sq ft Battersea - 8,696 sq ft Hammersmith - 9,091 sq ft Chiswick - 9,524 sq ft Docklands - 11,111 sq ft Stratford - 13,333 sq ft Reading - 13,889 sq ft Maidenhead - 14,286 sq ft Cambridge - 14,286 sq ft Heathrow - 14,493 sq ft Guildford - 15,873 sq ft Slough - 18,519 sq ft Croydon - 18,868 sq ft Oxford - 20,000 sq ft Crawley/Gatwick - 20,408 sq ft Watford - 22,222 sq ft Basingstoke - 27,778 sq ft

Half a million a year is the typical rent paid by many small to medium-sized businesses in the south “east of England, with a turnover of around £5-10 million and a staff compliment of up to 100. Our latest research shows just how far that will stretch should corporates choose alternative locations beyond prime Central London.

”

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property

As London & South East office costs spiral, Oxford ranked strongly for renting half a million in rent per annum Office occupiers spending half a million pounds per annum on grade A office space in Oxford can afford more than five times the amount of space than in London’s West End, according to the latest research from Carter Jonas, the UK property consultancy. WRITTEN BY: OLIVIA LANE-NOTT

An annual rent of £500,000 secures just 3,922 sq ft of space in the West End, compared with 20,000 sq ft in Oxford which is ranked 4th out of 22 in terms of office affordability. Darren Yates, head of research at Carter Jonas, said: “Half a million a year is the typical rent paid by many small to medium-sized businesses in the south east of England, with a turnover of around £5-10 million and a staff compliment of up to 100. Our latest research shows just how far that will stretch should corporates choose alternative locations beyond prime Central London. “London is becoming more polycentric in terms of its major business hubs, with places such as Stratford, Battersea, Victoria and Croydon emerging as viable locations which offer better value to occupiers, and with businesses looking further afield to hubs such as Oxford and Cambridge. At the same time, significant infrastructure improvements are making these areas increasingly accessible.”

Jon Silversides, partner, commercial agency, Carter Jonas’ Oxford office, said: “Increasingly, tenants are questioning the need to retain all their business functions in Central London as office rents continue to increase in the wake of declining vacancy levels and limited choice. While established areas such as London’s West End and the City will remain the location of choice for many large

“

Of the locations surveyed, Basingstoke offered the best value for occupiers, followed by Watford, Crawley/ Gatwick, and Oxford, providing between five and seven times as much space, compared with the most expensive locations in Central London.

”

quoting rentals of £25.00 per sq ft as the norm, albeit put into context these still fall considerably below Reading and Cambridge at £35.00 psf upwards. Oxford’s City and business parks continue to attract both locally grown and global science, technology and commercial businesses, and tap into the exceptional talent pool we have in this great county. “A great illustration of how much space occupiers can obtain for £25 per sq ft in Oxford is 4050 Chancellor Court at the Oxford Business Park which we’re marketing. It comprises a prominent two storey office building totalling 18,040 sq ft which our client Legal and General has completely refinished to provide top quality accommodation.” The cost pressures on occupiers are expected to continue in the medium term, as a result of continued rental growth and the business rates revaluation adding to this from April 2017. For commercial property advice, whether you are a landlord, investor or tenant please contact Jon Silversides below.

Further afield, office affordability improves further still, with locations such as Reading and Maidenhead offering 13,889 sq ft, 14,286 sq ft respectively for £500,000 per annum. Of the locations surveyed, Basingstoke offered the best value for occupiers, followed by Watford, Crawley/Gatwick, and Oxford, providing between five and seven times as much space, compared with the most expensive locations in Central London.

global firms, rising office costs combined with falling availability mean that many corporate occupiers are now considering more cost-effective alternatives which are now emerging as vibrant commercial hubs in their own right.

Jon Silversides, Partner, Commercial at Carter Jonas’ Oxford office

4050 Chancellor Court at the Oxford Business Park which totals 18,040 sq ft and is being marketed by Carter Jonas at £25.00 per sq ft

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CONTACT DETAILS “Oxford has seen office rents increase in the past 12 months, together with a reduction in tenant incentives as landlords hold out for stronger terms. Around Oxford we are now starting to see office

oxford@carterjonas.co.uk 01865 517 000 www.carterjonas.co.uk

James Cowper Kreston B4 met with James Cowper Kreston’s business services partner, Sue Staunton, to reflect on the firm’s growth in Oxford and focus on the firm’s wide-ranging strengths which stretch far beyond the technology sector widely regarded as its forte. ARTICLE BY: RICHARD ROSSER WORDS BY: TOVE LARSSON

As a business services partner, Sue is responsible for the delivery of accounting and auditing services to clients across a range of sectors and at different stages of development. She works with a number of clients on the development and implementation of their corporate strategies. Having joined the firm over ten years ago, Sue and the rest of the team are currently capitalising on the firm’s strengths and firmly entrenching its position as one of the county’s leading accountancy firms. “We came to Oxford on the basis of our technology specialism, which has continued to grow dramatically.” Explains Sue. “However this is only part of what we do, with a strong practice acting for owner managed businesses, charities and educational establishments offering the full range of services they require at all stages of their lifecycles. We also act for a significant number of private clients, many of whom feature in The Sunday Times ‘Rich List’. “We have grown dramatically over the period we’ve been in Oxford and now have a team, comprising a large number of very enthusiastic and professional, creative people. ‘Creative’ isn’t a word which you would normally associate with accountants, but we pride ourselves on our proactive approach to problem solving for our clients and we work with them to deal with issues they are facing and ensure that they are compliant with relevant legislation. “Many of the businesses that we work with are fast growth businesses. Initially they need little support other than working capital. As they grow, there will be a need to raise funds and provide financial information to investors and that’s where we come in. The next stage is to recruit an in house financial director and, eventually, a finance team.” James Cowper Kreston’s involvement with technology companies has given them experience to handle every stage of a company’s evolution, from inception to flotation. They know the ‘end game’ so they know the best and most efficient way to get there, as Sue continues. “We can help these companies get it right from the start because we know what is expected from them in terms of corporate husbandry and governance if they are going to be successful. “We have been ‘parachuted’ in to scenarios where a company wants to float but they don’t have the correct infrastructure, so this has to be built retrospectively. That can be a particular issue if time constraints are involved. We are good at what we do and will move heaven and earth to get the job done, irrespective of the time factors involved, but it’s always better for the board’s blood pressure to do things in a more measured way and that’s what we are helping our clients to do.” 52

The firm is part of the fabric of the science and technology community across London and the Thames Valley as well as here in Oxfordshire and have immersed themselves in that community in many ways, as Sue explains. “At the end of last year, for example, we judged at the national finals for the Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (Biotechnology YES) because we are committed to the sector ,and want to help entrepreneurs at the earliest stage of their journey to understand the issues they will have to deal with as they set up a business.”

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British Motor Heritage, based in Witney. Established in 1975 to support owners and the market place by putting genuine components for classic British cars back in manufacture, using original tools, where possible, the company is the largest organisation of its type in the world

”

Sue Staunton, Services Partner

So that’s the technology side of things, but as Sue explains, the firm is about a lot more than just technology. “We have some excellent clients that are owner managed businesses, two in particular that are firmly linked to the Oxford community. Firstly, British Motor Heritage, based in Witney. Established in 1975 to support owners and the market place by putting genuine components for classic British cars back in manufacture, using original tools, where possible.,the company is the largest organisation of its type in the world. It’s a fascinating company with very interesting people who are passionate about what they do and we love working with them because they are so immersed in their business. Forget about computerisation, these guys are highly skilled workers. “The second company, MGR Foamtex , based in Thame, is Europe’s largest manufacturer of advanced passenger seat upholstery systems, providing innovative market leading products to many of the world’s leading airlines. This is another interesting company that has grown dramatically over the last few years and has, again, a fascinating story to tell.”

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Dealing with family businesses, succession planning is also a key strength of the firm and, as Sue explains, the same issues occur time and time again. “It may well be that a son or daughter really doesn’t want to be in the family business, a business which has value and requires management. How do you manage that, something that has been the income generator for the family for a number of years, if not generations? One solution is to bring external management in, but how can the transition period be best managed?

sometimes may not be fully aware of the corporate governance requirements and their responsibilities, especially as legislation changes. “One of our many roles is to help them gain more of an understanding and keep up to date and our specialist charity team run training sessions for inexperienced governors and trustees to familiarise them with the potential hazards of running a charity or being a governor. The red tape can quite quickly become very complex and if things aren’t carried out properly, it is the board of governors that are held to account.

“This is where our experience comes to the fore. We have significant experience of this sort of work, helping clients to implement the right strategies. In some cases we will have partners sitting in on the board meetings of such companies as external observers to bring a different pair of eyes to the table, to see different angles. Family businesses can be quite volatile so to have an impartial observer in the room can often be a beneficial move.

“In the firm, many of us are involved with charities and not for profit organisations in a more personal capacity. Steve Clarke, one of our partners, is one of the founders and trustee of Festival Spirit which takes young adults with life limiting conditions to music festivals. They’ve been to Glastonbury, Wilderness and many more giving them the most amazing experiences. Andrew Smardon, one of our

“Sibling rivalries can easily rip the heart out of a business if you’re not careful and everything can collapse, over something relatively minor. It might even be rooted in something going back to childhood and can seem petty, but this is where our experience is vital to step in and mediate and bring everyone into focus so they leave the family outside the Boardroom.” As part of its commitment to family businesses, the firm are sponsors of the Thames Valley Family Business of the Year Award at this year’s Family Business Awards. This is a new award category created by James Cowper Kreston to recognise the great family businesses in our area and reflect the firm’s work in this sector. Another of the firm’s specialist areas of expertise is working alongside Charity and Education clients. Experience shows that the people involved in these organisations, such as governors and trustees, www.b4-business.com

part of its commitment “toAsfamily businesses, the firm are sponsors of the Thames Valley Family Business of the Year Award at this year’s Family Business Awards.

”

Sue Staunton, Services Partner

managers, is on the board of the Poetry Society and I am one of the Trustees of the Oxford Playhouse. As an office we have a key charity that we support voted for by our staff and the current charity is Yellow Submarine which supports people with learning disabilities and autism.”

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“These experiences are vitally important for our development as a firm and our people, to experience real life scenarios and problems faced by charities which we can then use to help advise our clients.” As a firm, James Cowper Kreston has the technical capability and experience to deliver most of the services of the big accounting practices. The firm works with many clients with international operations (some 20% of its corporate clients are in an international group). Unlike such firms, however, because of James Cowper Kreston’s size (some 200 staff and partners) it has a flexibility that means services can be tailored directly to ‘clients’ needs and a cost structure commensurate to that of a regional, not national, firm. Clients also receive a lot of partner time, Sue continues, “A lot of the senior team have also been involved in running businesses, including our own, which helps give us the ability to see a situation from our client’s perspective. That’s massively important and brings us a slightly different dimension to what we do. “Finally, on the private client side, we have an in house private client tax department that acts for a number of significantly wealthy people. They understand what’s important to such clients and we ensure we do our job to make them compliant and avoid them getting in the headlines for the wrong reasons.” Find out more about the James Cowper Kreston team overleaf.

CONTACT DETAILS info@jamescowper.co.uk 01865 861 166 www.jamescowperkreston.co.uk

spotlight

Meet the Team

Sharon Bedford

Sue Staunton

Nick Rogers

Mike Farwell

(Business Tax Partner)

(Business Services Partner)

(Corporate Finance Partner)

(Business Services Partner)

Sharon heads up James Cowper Krestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business tax team. She concentrates on tax planning and helping clients manage their tax liabilities. She delights in helping clients develop tax strategies which are commercially right for their businesses.

Sue joined James Cowper Kreston as Partner in 2004, having worked in an international accounting practice for many years, latterly as a National Client Service Director. Her client base is diverse and Sue advises many privately owned businesses across a range of sectors working closely with them on the development and implementation of their corporate strategies, as well as being Audit Partner on many. She has a specialism in working with technology businesses and their stakeholders, from their earliest days of spinout through to floatation and, as a result of her experience, heads James Cowper Krestonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology team.

Nick has 20 years of experience in corporate finance, dealing with company disposals, IPOs and management buyouts. He has specialist experience with entrepreneurial, fast-growing businesses. Also, as a former owner of his own business that was sold, he has experienced the sharp end of transactions.

Mike qualified with a big 4 firm in the City and worked in Australia for 2 years before joining James Cowper Kreston.

Having gained extensive experience in Big 4 firms, Sharon moved to James Cowper Kreston in 2002 and now advises a varied portfolio of companies, including many in the technology sector. She is experienced in a wide range of taxation issues including; R&D Tax Credits, Patent Box, EIS, Share Schemes and M&A transactions. She has a particular expertise in advising on international tax issues and having worked abroad herself, Sharon has a good understanding of the challenges of international business. Sharon frequently represents clients with HMRC and has experience of the Tax Tribunal. www.b4-business.com

She also has a great deal of experience in working with businesses in financial crisis to establish strategies to assist them to move forward successfully.

Nick is a fully qualified corporate financier, having been awarded the corporate finance qualification of the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England & Wales (ICAEW) - an award introduced by the Institute to recognise a high level of expertise and experience in corporate finance. He is also a member of the ICAEW corporate finance faculty. Nick is also a member of our Technology team.

He is an experienced auditor who has also worked on secondment in industry as the financial controller of the subsidiary of an American parent. Mike works with a variety of clients, and has specific expertise with international companies, charities and professional services firms. He is head of our Charities and Education team and has a diploma in charity accounting. His clients in this sector include national charities, independent schools and academies. He is a director of a number of companies, including acting as trustee of a several charities, and is also the chair of an audit committee.

An impressive historical venue with a 21st Century culture

venues

Oxford Castle Quarter offers an unrivalled blend of past and present, with its impressive history sitting comfortably alongside its 21st century culture. WRITTEN BY: LOUISE ESPLIN

As Oxford Castle Quarter embarks on its 10th anniversary year, visitors can expect an exciting programme of outdoor entertainment and eating experiences in 2016. The historic site has recently been acquired by The Westgate Oxford Alliance, a joint venture between Land Securities and The Crown Estate, which is currently transforming Oxford’s Westgate Centre. The Alliance is keen to celebrate The Castle Quarter’s unique standing in the community and sees the area as an extension of its regeneration work in the city’s west end. In recent years, Oxford has been named one of the most romantic cities in the world, alongside Paris, Rome and Barcelona, and Oxford Castle Quarter is claiming a large piece of that romanticism for itself! It holds secrets of love and tragedy inside its ancient walls dating back almost 1,000 years to when there was a Norman castle and a county gaol on the site. Remains of the castle are still there today, overlooked by St George’s Tower and the Castle Mound. By night the illuminated castle walls set an impressive scene for wining and dining at one of the venue’s wide selection of restaurants and bars. By day you can enjoy coffee, have lunch, or stroll in the peaceful squares and gardens, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre. It is a striking social and cultural development, unique to the city, which has certainly captured the imagination of the people of Oxford. In 2015 it was

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voted Oxfordshire’s favourite attraction in the Living in Oxford Awards, beating off stiff competition from some of the county’s leading venues and attractions. Winning was particularly rewarding, as the awards are voted for entirely by the public. In addition to this accolade, it was also voted Oxfordshire’s overall favourite attraction and the Quarter is hopeful that its efforts over the past year will lead to them matching this success in 2016.

“ It is a striking social

and cultural development, unique to the city, which has certainly captured the imagination of the people of Oxford

”

Oxford Castle Unlocked is very much an integral part of the site, successfully bringing one of the city’s oldest historic assets to life, and has now established itself as a must-see experience as well as a leading corporate venue. It is operated by Continuum Heritage Attraction, working closely with Oxford Preservation Trust. The Castle Quarter has been home to the Oxford Shakespeare Festival for the past two years and will be back again, marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare in 2016. As

part of the outdoor entertainment programme, the Festival performers will make the most of the historic Castleyard’s imposing backdrop to entertain audiences over the summer. Also on the outdoor experience agenda, and building on last year’s success will be an open air cinema, with another great line-up of films planned on a giant outdoor screen under what will hopefully be fine and starry nights. Food excellence lies at the very core of The Castle Quarter, with an excellent and varied cuisine on offer at its resident restaurants and bars. But the eating experience will go even more diverse again this year, as the site plays host to the Bitten Street food market on the first Saturday of the month between March and October. Voted one of the UK’s Best Street Food Markets by The Telegraph, there will be epic food that never disappoints, from some amazing food trucks and stalls, all accompanied by music and games evoking a fun and festive atmosphere. Oxford Castle Quarter has long been a beautiful landmark in Oxford and it looks like even more exciting times lie ahead for this architectural and cultural gem.

CONTACT DETAILS oc@topgroup.co.uk 01865 201 657 www.oxfordcastlequarter.com

Sector specialists continue to outperform Claire Thompson of Papa Romeo PR talks to Martin Wyatt and Andy Jones, directors at one of the region’s leading independent Chartered Accountancy practices, Whitley Stimpson, about the firm’s growth in its specialist sectors. WRITTEN BY: CLAIRE THOMPSON

Members of the Whitley Stimpson Team with speakers at an ABC event

Whitley Stimpson is one of the leading independent accounting and business advisers in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, with offices in Banbury, Bicester and High Wycombe. The firm is constantly growing in size, stature and reputation, being ranked in the top 100 practices in the country as well as being shortlisted for the British Accountancy Awards the last 2 years. And that is down to their expertise and experience in general accountancy, tax and business advice and their strength in a number of key sector specialties. “We offer the deep knowledge of a sector specialist combined with the commercial strength of a full service accountancy firm and work with a range of specialist sectors from agriculture to healthcare and service charge accounting. The most spectacular growth though has been seen in the education sector, following the launch of our specialist education team in 2013. In that time we have gained an enviable reputation as one of the region’s leading providers of audit, accounting and financial advice to the education sector and we are now working with over 80 academy schools.

Martin Wyatt and Dr Fiona Hammans

Our dedicated education team, which has grown to ten members, is the leading education team in Banbury and one of the largest in Oxfordshire. The team acts for a broad range of schools and academies, providing advice on finance and governance in addition to the annual audit and compliance reporting to the Department for

“ Our dedicated

education team, which has grown to ten members, is the leading education team in Banbury and one of the largest in Oxfordshire.

”

Education. Clients include local and regional multiacademy trusts, SEN schools, studio schools and free schools. We have seen a fourfold increase

in our fee income from this sector over the last 2 years and are set to further increase over the next 12 months as we continue to win business from many top 50 accountancy firms. We provide a significant investment to each of our education clients, providing them with a comprehensive support service as they progress through the academy conversion process. This enables them to be correctly structured and setup from a governance and finance perspective, so that they can focus on delivering the best results and education for their pupils. Our directors and senior staff also provide a considerable amount of ongoing time, often free of charge, to our education sector clients by attending regular trustee / governor meetings. We have also assisted a number of our academy school clients in securing additional funding and development grants, as well as advising them on strategic ventures and mergers with other schools so as to enhance the facilities and education they provide.

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spotlight

“ The most spectacular growth though has been seen in the education

sector, following the launch of our specialist education team in 2013. In that time we have gained an enviable reputation as one of the region’s leading providers of audit, accounting and financial advice to the education sector and we are now working with over 80 academy schools.

”

Andy Jones and Martin Wyatt

Our specialist education team has established a regular event for academy school business managers, our Academies Brunch Club or ‘ABC’, which enables business managers and others involved in the Academy sector to come together to share common insights, experiences and knowledge amongst each other. We invite a range of guest speakers so that business managers and others can learn first-hand from experts from a legal and financial perspective, but also from those working directly in schools on the challenges they face on day-to-day basis. We have also organised a range of other events for academies, focused on ensuring academy governors and head teachers are kept abreast of the latest developments and emerging issues within the sector, as well as enabling them to share experiences with each other. Those attending these events come from a range of local and regional schools, including London, as well as schools as far afield as Sussex, Dorset and Yorkshire.

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With the growing number of academies across the UK, we recognised there is often a strong need for heads, governors and staff to receive greater support beyond finance and governance advice, to help with the effective running of their academies. So in September 2015, as part of our continued investment and innovation in the education sector, we launched a new venture, Inspire2Educate Ltd, with Dr Fiona Hammans as CEO, who has many years of headship and strategic experience within schools and academies. Inspire2Educate provides head teachers, governors and staff with bespoke advice. This advice covers areas including mock Ofsted inspections, employee management, leadership appointments, governor training, capital project management and legal support. Working alongside Dr Fiona Hammans is an extensive team of exceptional consultants who are nationally expert in their fields. Inspire2Educate’s core aim is to ensure the company’s consultants become an extension of school and academy senior teams, providing great value for money and supporting continued school improvement.

With Fiona at the helm and the expert team of consultants she has recruited, we are very confident Inspire2Educate will be very successful in making a difference where it matters, to help ensure children and pupils receive the best possible start in life.” Whitley Stimpson would be delighted to help with any area associated with creating and developing academies and would be happy to offer a free consultation. For further information please contact Martin Wyatt or Andy Jones below. For information regarding Inspire2Educate please contact info@inspire2educate.co.uk or visit inspire2educate.co.uk.

CONTACT DETAILS academies@whitleystimpson.co.uk 01295 270 200 www.whitleystimpson.co.uk

advice

As part of the “ Government’s drive to

reduce the pay gap, it has announced that Regulations will be introduced whereby it will be compulsory for all organisations with at least 250 employees to publish information about the difference in pay between men and women employed by them

”

Employment law What to expect in 2016 The world of employment law is constantly evolving and this year will be no different. This article sets out some of the main changes that will affect businesses in the course of 2016. WRITTEN BY: DAVID PARRY PHOTOGRAPHY BY: VICKY PHOTOGRAPHY

National living wage With effect from 1 April 2016, all employees aged 25 or over will be entitled to be paid at least £7.20 per hour. The Government has stated that this rate will increase to £9 by 2020. Over this period, businesses of all sizes will also be caught by the pensions autoenrolment duties so will need to take these liabilities into account when considering pay rises.

overtime, but staff required to work it if offered) should be taken into account. The issue of voluntary overtime (i.e. no obligation to provide overtime and no obligation to work it) was left open but a recent Northern Ireland Employment Tribunal case decided that it also needs to be taken into account. Although not binding on Tribunals in England, it is likely that, at some point, they will follow that case.

Gender pay gap reporting Although it is over 40 years since the Equal Pay Act came into force, there remains a significant difference in pay between the genders. Currently, most employers who lose an equal pay claim at the Employment Tribunal will be required to conduct an equal pay audit. As part of the Government’s drive to reduce the pay gap, it has announced that Regulations will be introduced whereby it will be compulsory for all organisations with at least 250 employees to publish information about the difference in pay between men and women employed by them.

In essence, an employee on holiday is entitled to be paid what s/he would have earned, had s/he been at work.

Holiday pay There were a number of important cases in 2015, in particular relating to whether commission and overtime should be taken into account when calculating holiday pay. The case of British Gas v Lock was heard at the Employment Appeal Tribunal in December and is expected to give further guidance as to how commission should be taken into account. The case of Bear Scotland decided that nonguaranteed overtime (i.e. no obligation to provide

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Public sector exit payments There have been a number of well-publicised cases where public sector employees have received a large payoff, only to resurface elsewhere in the public sector shortly afterwards. With effect from April 2016, a new law will provide that, where a public sector employee earns more than £80,000 a year, they will be required to repay some or all of the exit payment if they return to work in the public sector within 12 months. In parallel, the Government will introduce a law capping such payments at £95,000. As at the date of writing this article, no date has been set for this new law. Reform of strike laws With trade unions beginning to flex their muscles again in recent times, the Government will bring into force several reforms, including:

• As well as a requirement for there to be a majority voting in favour of strike action, there must also be a turnout of at least 50% of the workforce. • In “important public services” (e.g. health, transport, prisons) there must also be a 40% majority of those eligible to vote – in other words, if there are 1000 employees, at least 500 must vote and at least 400 must vote in favour of strike action. • Businesses will be able to use agency staff to cover for those out on strike. About David Parry Employment Law David Parry Employment Law is a law firm based in Witney that advises businesses in all aspects of employment law. David has specialised in employment law for over 25 years and has spent the whole of his professional life in Oxfordshire. His reputation is built upon providing clients with excellent, pragmatic and prompt advice in plain English. If you would like to discuss any employment issue affecting your business on a free, no-obligation basis, please do not hesitate to contact David.

CONTACT DETAILS david@parryemploymentlaw.com 01993 848 247 www.parryemploymentlaw.com

CONFERENCE CENTRE RACE DAY HOSPITALITY & PUBLIC TOURS The Williams Conference Centre is home to the largest private collection of Formula One cars in the world. Housing more than 40 of the team’s seminal race cars, the collection charts the team’s 30+ years of motor racing history.

INFORMATION AND ONLINE BOOKING: WILLIAMSF1.COM

WILLIAMS CONFERENCE CENTRE GROVE OXFORDSHIRE OX12 0DQ

technology

What’s in store for 2016

Data Centre and UPS Trends 2016 2016 is here and data is more important than ever to your business! When it comes to uninterruptible power supply, there’s not much DCResponse don’t know about the industry. We share several key trends that we expect to see in 2016. WRITTEN BY: RACHEL WARREN

Significant increase in data storage In 2016, we predict more! More customers, more devices, more content, all means more data. According to Cisco’s Global Cloud Index, annual global Data Centre IP traffic will reach 8.6 zettabytes (ZB) by the end of 2018, up from 3.1 ZB per year in 2013. Not sure what this means? According to Cisco, if the 11oz coffee on your desk equals one gigabyte, a zettabyte would have the same volume as the Great Wall of China. As activities increase, Facility Managers will be looking to meet the increased computer, storage and power demands in the most efficient and effective way.

IF THE 11OZ COFFEE

ON YOUR DESK

EQUALS ONE GIGABYTE

A ZETTABYTE would have

hours, and the recovery process can take months. Downtime is costly, London Economics stated that SME’s can lose up to £44,000 an hour due to power outages and other disturbances.

– 9kW which has a minimal energy wastage of only £375 a year. Switching from an old to a new UPS not only saves energy but also can have a ROI within 2-3 years.”

Are you wasting energy and money on an old or inefficient UPS system? Keeping energy costs down is a major focus for organisations and will continue to play a part in their goals. Driven by rising energy costs, green legislation and corporate social responsibility, Data Centre efficiency works hand in hand with being environmentally friendly.

Replacing your old UPS system is the path towards a more green Data Centre and provides one of the biggest payoffs in terms of efficiency.

“

An old or inefficient UPS system can waste your business thousands of pounds a year. An old system on average achieves only 67% efficiency vs. a new one with 95% efficiency

”

We work with our clients to achieve the very best PUE in their Data Centre - a measurement defined by the Green Grid that determines a Data Centre’s efficiency. If you have an older UPS, taking the time to invest in the latest technology could save you tens of thousands of pounds compared to maintaining your current system. Down time is not an option In today’s 24/7 business world, customers expect on-demand access to services, and connectivity is vital. Losing power for as little as a quarter of a second can trigger events that may keep IT equipment in your business unavailable from 15 minutes to many www.b4-business.com

Jack Ogden, Commercial Director at DCResponse adds “An old or inefficient UPS system can waste your business thousands of pounds a year. An old system on average achieves only 67% efficiency vs. a new one with 95% efficiency. As an example a 10 kVA – 8kW UPS has a energy wastage that is the equivalent of £3,460 per year vs a new 10kVA

The Cloud With servers, data, applications and services hosted from The Cloud this will be a key consideration for businesses when looking at their IT infrastructure. There are pros and cons of The Cloud and it doesn’t suit everyone. Business owners need to consider the tradeoffs of cost, security, availability, and maintenance, and choose a solution that works best for their needs, ultimately the risks and rewards need to be finely balanced. DCResponse DCResponse is a British company based in Witney, Oxfordshire offering 24-7 maintenance for the mechanical and electrical infrastructure of computer rooms / Data Centres as well as an excellent range of power protection products and services tailored to a broad spectrum of industries and sectors. Our main aim is to provide protection for clients’ critical data, equipment and premises from the abnormalities of the power supply.

CONTACT DETAILS sales@dcresponse.co.uk 01993 708 855 www.dcresponse.co.uk

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

spotlight

“An exceptionally

high-quality department and a standout firm in Oxford. They are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of breadth and experience.” Jane Mitchell

Richard Money-Kyrle

Penningtons Manches’ highly ranked team offers individuals access to excellence The Oxford office of Penningtons Manches LLP has considerably strengthened its offering for individuals since Manches joined forces with Penningtons in October 2013. While the family and private client teams in Oxford have been highly ranked by the legal directories, Chambers UK and The Legal 500, for many years, the combined firm has now extended the reach of the top ranked clinical negligence and personal injury teams in Basingstoke, Guildford and London to the Oxford and Reading offices. The Penningtons Manches clinical negligence and personal injury team, comprising seven partners and more than 20 qualified lawyers, is not only recognised by both Chambers UK and the Legal 500 as a leading firm in the South East but is also one of the UK’s largest teams. With particular expertise in complex and serious injury cases across a wide range of specialisms including brain injury, cerebral palsy, birth injuries, fatal accidents, travel and cosmetic surgery, the firm is accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). The reputation of its lawyers as leaders in their field is also recognised by Headway and the Spinal Injuries Association. Oxford-based clinical negligence partner, Richard Money-Kyrle, grew up in Wallingford where his father was a GP. Specialising in acting for patients injured by medical mistakes, Richard has seen a sea change in the attitude of the NHS to litigation in the last year. He says: “With the introduction of the statutory duty of candour - where medical staff are required to tell patients when they have been harmed as a result of a medical error - and the determination of successive governments to put the patient first, the NHS is starting to encourage openness when patients are injured by medical mistakes. This recognition that patients deserve answers and should not be made to feel guilty by asking for www.b4-business.com

much needed financial support is a welcome sign of the changing attitudes inside and outside the NHS. “The state’s safety net of benefits and support cannot meet the needs of injured people. A severely disabled person who needs 24 hour care can spend over £100,000 a year on carers alone. When the costs of therapies, specialist equipment, adaptations to housing and loss of earnings are added, it’s easy to see how the cost of support to minimise the effects of injury can exceed £10 million over a lifetime.” The wider personal injury team includes the new chief assessor to the Law Society’s personal injury accreditation scheme, Warren Collins, who specialises in brain and spinal injury cases, however caused, and is a dual qualified US attorney. Strong family law team with international expertise The Oxford family team comprising partners Jane Mitchell and Ruth James, barrister Camini Kumar, and two associates, also goes from strength to strength. In 2015, Jane became 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. According to Chambers UK 2016, the team is an “impressive group of family law specialists with a strong track record in children matters and complex financial cases”. A client interviewed by Chambers UK said: “An exceptionally high-quality department and a standout firm in Oxford. They are head and shoulders above the rest in terms of breadth and experience.” The third service for individuals offered by the Oxford office is private client where the Penningtons Manches team is primarily focused on wealth succession, estate planning and administration. It has significant expertise in cross-border estates, offshore trust work and contentious probate.

CONTACT DETAILS info@penningtons.co.uk 01865 722 106 www.penningtons.co.uk

Sandie Alcock with David Zolesi, Mike Kearns and Celestino Gomez at Harwell Innovation Centre, Oxfordshire.

International space hub created at Harwell Innovation Centre Space is the New Year theme at Harwell Innovation Centre with three international space industry companies all setting-up base due to the presence of the European Space Agency (ESA) at Harwell Oxford Campus in addition to public and private sector commitment to sector growth. WRITTEN BY: KELLY LEA PHOTOGRAPHY BY: RIC MELLIS

The UK Space Agency alone is making an extra investment of over £200 million in Europe’s space programme to play a leading role in Europe’s Mars mission, to give UK researchers access to the $100 billion International Space Station programme in addition to investment in telecommunications for the development of a low-cost flexible satellite. This supports the UK’s ambition to grow a £30 billion space industry by 2030*.

in Europe. The mission of Kayser Space is the development of integrated applications in Space. Furthermore, building on the expertise acquired

over the years by Kayser Italia within the Life Sciences Space, develop spin-off in non-space system, with ground-based systems. • NEPTEC UK – originating in Canada, this spaceflight engineering company made Harwell Innovation Centre its European Headquarters one year ago and has since expanded within the centre to take additional office space following contract wins from the ESA and UK Space Agency (UKSA)

The three space industry companies at Harwell Innovation Centre, are: • GMV – originating in Spain, the company operates on an international basis providing space customers with mission analysis and systems engineering, satellite navigation systems, ground segment, data processing and a number of space applications.

Managing Director of Kayser Space, David Zolesi, said: “The UK vision of the space market makes it a very good place to establish a business and the Harwell area is the place to be. We are in the presence of excellent scientists already established with space industry experience and there is more scope in the UK for design and build of commercial applications beyond the space sector.”

• Kayser Space – a family run business originating in Italy, Kayser Italia has set-up a UK sister company to further secure its presence

Celistino Gomez, GMV Country Manager, UK, added: “GMV already has 1,100 employees spanning Europe, the US and Asia, however, we feel it is

David Zolesi

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B4 collaborations in addition to our neighbours on both sites. The Harwell and Culham teams look forward to hearing more about the exciting projects they are involved with in addition to accommodating their future growth.” NEPTEC UK currently employs eight people and has successfully established its services in the UK over the past year in addition to doubling its headcount. They plan to continue this growth in 2016 and will be hiring additional staff. Mike Kearns, Managing Director of NEPTEC UK, comments: “We have taken additional space at Harwell Innovation Centre gradually over the last six months. It’s extremely advantageous for an SME to be able to expand at a rate that’s suitable for the business without upfront investment.”

Celestino Gomez

important to have a presence in the UK due to the increase in support towards space from the government and private sector with a clear strategy mapped out for future growth.”

GMV and Kayser Space are both currently recruiting for a range of roles including systems engineers in addition to telecommunications engineers and GMV is keen to strengthen ties with UK universities to further research.

certainly seem to be the best locations in the UK for space industry companies and I know that our customers are already talking to each other about future collaborations in addition to our neighbours on both sites.

”

Harwell Innovation Centre, on the Harwell Oxford Campus near Didcot, opened in 2000 with support from the UK Atomic Energy Authority. The site has a long history of scientific innovation and entrepreneurship stretching back to its foundation as an airbase during World War II, when it was the test site for several military innovations. Harwell Innovation Centre provides serviced offices, virtual offices and a range of conference and meeting room facilities, all designed to allow customers’ to focus on the growth and day to day running of their business. The centre is managed by Oxford Innovation.

Mike Kearns

Sandie Alcock, concludes: “All three companies have echoed the same reasons for locating their UK businesses at Harwell Innovation Centre, which comes down to the calibre of employees we have in the area, the flexibility we offer our customers and of course the space industry businesses already located at Harwell and Culham. Oxford Innovation hopes to attract more space industry companies throughout 2016 as the UK’s space industry continues to grow.” For further information about Harwell Innovation Centre, visit: www.harwell-ic.co.uk Sandy Alcock

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“Harwell and Culham

About Harwell Innovation Centre

Harwell Innovation Centre, located at Harwell Oxford Campus near Didcot and managed by Oxford Innovation, has just over 25,000 sq. ft. of office space ranging from 100 sq. ft. to 1,700 sq. ft with a current occupancy of 99 per cent. Serviced offices are available to let at short notice meaning space is always becoming available and the centre’s flexible approach means businesses can take more space within the centre or at Culham Innovation Centre, as they expand or take less space.

Sandie Alcock, Centre Manager, Harwell Innovation Centre and Culham Innovation Centre, said: “Harwell and Culham certainly seem to be the best locations in the UK for space industry companies and I know that our customers are already talking to each other about future

technology

*Figures taken from UK Space Agency / Gov.uk news story: https://goo.gl/znwHn1

About Oxford Innovation Harwell Innovation Centre is managed by Oxford Innovation, the 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 business-planning advice, fund raising, coaching and mentoring. For more information: www.oxin-centres.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS harwell@oxin.co.uk 01865 838 500 www.harwell-ic.co.uk

Managed by

OXFORD INDUSTRIAL PARK Various Units TO LET 9,000 – 40,221 sq ft

BUILDING 4220 NASH COURT Oxford Business Park TO LET

LL Y

RE NOW FU RB IS H

A high quality secure industrial estate with a range of units available which will be comprehensively refurbished to a high standard.

4,885 sq ft Two storey self-contained office building.

3 OMEGA Southmead Industrial Estate, Didcot TO LET 29,770 sq ft

BUILDING ONE Abingdon Business Park TO LET

T RE PRE O B FU HE E RB NS IS IV HE EL D Y

Self contained high bay distribution/ production premises with independent fenced and secure yard with ample HGV parking

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.

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

news Technology and innovation is set to be a key driver for commercial property growth in 2016 Oxfordshire’s commercial property market is on a new wave of technology and innovation-led growth says Richard Venables, a director at leading commercial property consultants VSL & Partners. VSL reports that continued demand within the technology and innovation sector is shown by the volume of transactions for 2015 amounting to approximately 40% of take-up or 200,000 sq ft of commercial space. Richard explains: “Despite the continuing fall in supply and limited pipeline development in both the industrial and office markets, development activity is now focusing on the technology and innovation sector with developments such as the newly announced £90m Oxford Technology Park at Kidlington.” VSL has been appointed to market the 20-acre park, on behalf of Hill Street Holdings, which will create 430,000 sq ft of development space of bespoke accommodation for high-tech and research and development organisations. Richard said: “The site is expected to attract pharmaceutical, biotech and high performance engineering firms who want to enhance their research and development and production capability, in a format where they can have total freedom on how their space is configured. “While inward growth is predicated on the commercialisation of high-tech products, growth in this sector has spin offs for other businesses so it’s good news for the overall economy.” Other initiatives set to benefit high-tech companies include the Science Vale UK Enterprise Zones at Harwell and Milton Park as well as Didcot Enterprise Zone, which was launched in 2015. Businesses within these zones will benefit from business rates concessions for 5-years in addition to simplified planning legislation. Meanwhile, another range of initiatives is set to further strengthen growth including Oxford’s bid for the European Capital for Innovation for 2016, where Oxford is one of nine cities in Europe invited to tender for this title and the

Architects image of Oxford Technology Park from Langford Lane frontage

proposals to redevelop Oxford’s West End into a new quarter of the city. Richard says: “Oxfordshire is home to some of the newest and fastest growing businesses in high performance engineering, biotechnology and medical instruments, and these positive steps for growth in this sector provides the opportunity to unlock the region’s full potential. “We are working in an optimistic era driven by greater co-ordination with public and private sector commitment to growth and with new working collaborations between the city and county councils, the University of Oxford, Brookes University and the Oxford Local Enterprise Partnership. One of the ambitions of this collaboration is to create the conditions that make Oxford and Oxfordshire the location of choice for the world’s leading science and technology businesses.” In the last few months VSL has completed deals at Oxford Industrial Park to oilfield service company Baker Hughes and Oxford University spin-out company First Light Fusion. Acting on behalf of another of the university’s spin-out company’s this should read companies Genomics, VSL agreed a 9,000 sq ft letting at King Charles House in Oxford City Centre. This recent activity further underpins the current momentum of emerging growth within this sector. VSL & Partners produces market reports providing a valuable insight into commercial property market activity in the Oxfordshire region. For further information or to speak to one of VSL & Partners’ experts, please call 01865 848488 or visit www.vslandp.com

Deals Done...

2-2a High Street, Abingdon Investment sale of 1,826 sq ft of ground floor retail

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King Charles House, Oxford Letting of 8,702 sq ft to Genomics Plc

First Floor, Pony Road, Oxford 4,918 sq ft let to Race Hut Ltd

Oxford Examination Schools: A busy 2015 and an even busier 2016!

B4’s Elisabeth Scheuringer met with Anna Munday, Event Manager at the University of Oxford’s Examination Schools, to find out more about the exciting events being held at this multi purpose central Oxford venue in 2016 and some well deserved accolades received last year. WRITTEN BY: ELISABETH SCHEURINGER

It’s a new and exciting year at this iconic central Oxford venue and there’s a new look team, video and brochure as well as some new events coming in 2016, as Anna explains. “I joined the team nearly a year ago and Claire Knowles joined as Events and Facilities Assistant shortly after me. The Examination Schools is a very flexible venue with 16 different rooms ranging in size from 10 to 440 delegates, so there really is space to accommodate many different kinds of events. We have just launched a new video, a new brochure and a quarterly postcard campaign that will be going out to local businesses with some excellent deals.” (As promoted in the profile box). “We are trying to be more creative with our Day Delegate Packages, listening to what our customers want, hence the complimentary walking tour 70

package which runs from May. We can come up with other packages to suit the client but this is a specific promotion we are running which will really add something special to a meeting or event. “We are hosting OxCon 2016, Oxford’s very own Comic Con, on 5th and 6th of March. It’s really captured the imagination and the demand has been massive – it has really surprised the organisers. There will be 40 different stands, people will come dressed up in costumes, combined with comic related talks given by academics – it will be a very interesting mixture!” Also in 2016, the Examination Schools will welcome the Varsity fencing match. “Again taking place in March, the fencing match will be another big event for us which shows the versatility of the venue.”

Anna adds that the venue has played host to many conferences, meetings, drinks receptions and even held wakes and memorials, a type of event you wouldn’t normally associate with the Examination Schools. The Examination Schools enjoys significant levels of repeat business due to its central location and room capacities, one of the most long-lasting being the Oxford Farming Conference, as Anna continues. “The conference has been coming to the Examination Schools for over thirty years - hundreds of people from the farming industry come together in early January for a series of cutting edge faming talks and it’s a fertile environment for ideas and discussions about what is happening in the world of farming.”

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Underlining The Examination School’s popularity as a venue combined with its excellent levels of customer service, the venue was recognised with a number of accolades in the last twelve months, explains Anna. “We were delighted to receive a Customer Service Excellence accreditation at the end of 2015. This is an accreditation that commercial companies are awarded as well as charities, government councils, The Environment Agency, The Immigration Service and so on. We were assessed as a venue over

wine, 1,000 glasses of prosecco and over 10,000 lunches. We had the Magna Carta for an event, Queen Nor of Jordan, Princess Anne and many other dignitaries.” Anna’s colleague, Kay Hogg, Senior Event Marketing Manager, oversees the Examination Schools and The Sheldonian Theatre and concludes “We do use both venues for certain events, for example where there is an opening or closing ceremony where

“ We are hosting OxCon 2016, Oxford’s very own Comic Con, on 5th and 6th of March. It’s really captured the imagination and the demand has been massive – it has really surprised the organisers.

”

two days on over one hundred criteria, and will continue to be assessed each year to ensure our high levels of customer service” A stunning 96% of our customers have said that they are satisfied with our service, which is excellent! We were also awarded with Bronze accreditation for the Green Impact Awards for recycling, waste management and how sustainable we are as an organisation.”

The Sheldonian is more suitable by virtue of its 750 seat capacity. We are both more than happy to assist you with your event, whatever it may be and certainly between the two venues have the room and facilities to ensure your event is a success.”

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Promotions Offer 1*: Book a meeting room at the Examination Schools during 2016 and pay only £29 & VAT per person. Meeting room hire includes: • room hire • AV: laptop, projector, screen • WIFI • flipchart • sandwich lunch • 3 x tea, coffee and biscuits • delegate stationery • mints and water *Offer is valid from 29 February to 13 December 2016 for meetings of 20 - 100 delegates. Applicable to local businesses only.

Offer 2: Receive a complimentary guided walking tour (for up to 25 guests) when you book a meeting room at the Exam Schools from May until the end of 2016.

Offer 3: CONTACT DETAILS

With over 200 events taking place at the venue in 2015, including a talk given by chess master Garry Kasparov and an event hosted by The High Sheriff, there’s never a dull moment at the Examination Schools, as Anna elaborates. “Last year we served over 100,000 teas and coffees, 2,500 glasses of

events

anna.munday@admin.ox.ac.uk 01865 276 905 www.examschools.ox.ac.uk OxfordExamschools @Exam_Schools

Book a meeting room with us before 20 December 2016 and receive free bacon rolls on arrival for your delegates. Applies to meetings of up to 100 people.

grow your business At Alberon we’re all about helping you do what you do even better. We work with you to design and deliver a website or bespoke software that makes your organisation more effective. Our technology is designed to work for you, and we’ll be on hand to ensure you continue to get the best results. For more than 10 years, we’ve been making businesses, schools and charities in Oxfordshire more efficient and profitable. We can do the same for you. Call 01865 794009 or email grow@alberon.co.uk

the software and web solution specialists

www.alberon.co.uk

advice

“ Most businesses

today must offer flexible working to some degree in order to attract and retain the right people.

”

Business confidence drops in the latest Thames Valley Business Barometer survey The Thames Valley Business Barometer is a twice yearly survey tracking trends in economic confidence and business performance across the region. Simon Brooker, BDO’s Senior Partner in the Thames Valley, takes a look at the latest results WRITTEN BY: SIMON BROOKER

As the Thames Valley Business Barometer enters its 5th year it does so against the backdrop of increasing uncertainty in the UK economy. On the face of it, the indicators are positive. Employment is up, interest and inflation have been low for some time and we have greater political stability than at any time this decade. Confidence in the UK economy should be high. However, indicators appear to tell a different story. According to BDO’s national Business Trends Report for December 2015, business confidence in the future of the UK economy is hovering just above the long term trend. The BDO Optimism Index – which predicts growth six months ahead – sits at its lowest level in over a year and while the Output Index – which reflects companies’ actual experience of orders for the coming three months – is higher, both are on a downward trend. The gap between businesses’ relatively strong expectations for the first quarter of 2016 and concerns for the six months ahead points to expectations of a continuing slowdown in the rate of economic growth this Spring. The results from the latest Thames Valley Business Barometer survey seem to support the national picture. The enormous surge in business confidence witnessed in 2014 has dropped over the last 18 months from a peak of 90% in Spring 2014 to 56% in the latest survey, while the percentage of businesses seeing an increase in turnover over the preceding six months has fallen from 82% to 65% over the same period.

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Half of businesses surveyed had seen an increase in profitability, 58% had seen an increase in headcount, while three quarters of respondents expect their turnover to increase in the next six months. So why the mixed picture? Taken in isolation the indicators paint a positive picture, however all of them are on a downward trend. In December we discussed the survey with business leaders on the Thames Valley Business Barometer Panel and asked them whether they felt that confidence had fallen. Many argued that times are good and that we might be seeing a new norm forming; one where confidence is relatively high but is no longer increasing. Factors such as slowing growth in China, tensions in the Middle East, low global commodity prices and a possible rise in UK interest rates are certainly influencing some businesses and may be causing a more cautious approach. The EU referendum appears to be of concern to many businesses, with the region in line to be particularly affected by any decision to leave with so many European headquarters here and such a high demand for skilled labour. Flexible working In this survey we looked at flexible working and found that 75% of those surveyed already operate a flexible working policy. Most businesses today must offer flexible working to some degree in order to attract and retain the right people. Indeed, improved staff retention was by far the main driver for introducing a flexible working policy and was the main benefit experienced.

While most businesses in the region operate with a degree of flexibility, flexible working is more than just about hours worked. Companies are increasingly incorporating flexibility into the workplace itself, changing the way in which office space is utilised and allowing them to reduce their operating costs. Technology plays a crucial part in enabling this. Indeed, young people entering the workplace today have been brought up with mobile technology and expect to be able to work from wherever they are and not be tied to a desk. When we looked at the downsides of increasing flexibility the main issue by far concerned managing staff. With people moving away from working “nine to five”, five days a week and increasingly working away from the office, traditional management practices and methods of evaluating productivity and effectiveness must adapt too. The Thames Valley Business Barometer is a collaboration between national accountancy and business advisory firm BDO LLP and marketing firm C8 Consulting, supported by a panel of local business leaders. For a copy of the full report, or to find out how to get involved in future Barometer surveys, contact simon.brooker@bdo.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS simon.brooker@bdo.co.uk 01189 254 400 www.bdo.co.uk

The Grand Hotel John Bugeja tells us why Eastbourne’s Grand Hotel is so special.

I have the good fortune to travel quite a lot on business and my wife and I have also enjoyed one or two exotic holidays in recent years, so we are accustomed to the shiny stainless steel and glass perfection that typifies modern 5 star hotels in places like Singapore and Dubai. The Grand Hotel does not fit this mould. The oldest part of the hotel was built in 1875 with a couple of wings added in later years. The contrast between the The Grand’s period charm and the open plan style of modern hotels definitely works in the Grand’s favour. It takes a few minutes to mentally ‘change gear’ in order to evaluate the Grand properly. The Grand looks absolutely magnificent with its brilliant white masonry and Victorian architecture. The front of the hotel, which actually used to be the back of the hotel when the entrance was on Compton Street until the 1950s, incorporates a sweeping drive and an entrance porch which was added relatively recently but is ‘in character’ with the rest of the hotel. As we arrived, we were met by a liveried concierge and we were shown to our reserved parking space. The concierge was the first member of staff we met and he set the bar high in terms of standard of service. Thankfully, this standard was maintained throughout our stay. Located on the seafront, the hotel enjoys tremendous views of the coastline and is

a short walk from the town centre with its theatres, restaurants and shops. The hotel’s Chatsworth and Concourse lounges look out to sea and are very comfortable and relaxing, but the main feature is undoubtedly the Great Hall where, in years gone by, an orchestra used to play and broadcast on the radio on a regular basis. Live music still represents an important part of The Grand’s appeal with a string quartet making regular appearances throughout the year. Sticking with the musical theme, we discovered that Claude Debussy had stayed at The Grand for several months with his mistress Emma, who was pregnant with his child, and completed his greatest symphony, ‘La Mer’, whilst in residence. During our tour of The Grand, we were shown Debussy’s room on the fourth floor, along the corridor from our own suite and enjoying wonderful views of the seafront. The tour itself covered all aspects of the the Grand’s facilities. Our own suite had not yet benefitted from the rolling refurbishment programme that had been completed in other parts of the hotel, and to be honest, before we had seen the refurbished rooms we were a little concerned that any insensitive modernisation might have detracted from The Grand’s old-world charm. We needn’t have worried; the newly refurbished rooms retained all of the historic

charm and appeal but were beautifully presented with well integrated modern bathroom fittings and a lighter touch to the décor in the bedrooms. We were shown the function rooms and meeting rooms, which included a grand ballroom that was truly worthy of the name. The Grand is able to accommodate several functions and conferences simultaneously without the other guests even being aware of the activities in progress elsewhere in the hotel. In addition, The Grand caters for those looking to relax and receive a little pampering in the spa, those of a more energetic persuasion in the gym and those whose sporting aspirations are a little more sedate in the snooker room. There are two restaurants in the Grand. One, the Garden Restaurant, described as ‘traditional’, was particularly familyfriendly, and the other offering a finedining experience – the ‘Mirabelle’. We booked for dinner in the latter and found the experience delightful. The waiters were efficient, professional and very engaging. They managed to combine the formality one expects in a fine-dining establishment with a friendly, relaxed charm which put guests at ease and enhanced the overall experience. Our waiter was happy to discuss the menu, explaining how the dishes were prepared

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11 k s 22 .u te 4 co ra 5 7 n. st 86 tio be 1 e r ll 0 se llec Fo ca or co dr se an ea er pl .th w w w

collection

and gave advice when requested. The menu was extensive with an excellent selection of starters, mains and deserts available on the standard dinner menu. In addition, there was a tasting menu and a selection of a la carte courses that could be combined with the standard menu for a supplementary charge. The standard menu looked so good that we were happy to stick to that. My starter of venison sausage and mustard mash, following our waiter’s recommendation, was excellent. My wife also enjoyed her smoked salmon and quail egg salad starter. Our mains were just as good. I found the goose breast absolutely excellent with a crispy skin and moist, tender meat. My wife’s salmon fillet and risotto was also first class, beautifully cooked and seasoned. We enjoyed an excellent bottle of house merlot and sparkling mineral water to accompany our meal. The wine waiter unobtrusively topped up our glasses whenever they reached a quarter full. I finished with sticky toffee pudding which was delicious and somewhat lighter than is often the case – almost a soufflé consistency. Overall, we were delighted with both the food and the service. Unlike some fine-dining experiences, the dishes were not overly fussy but beautifully presented and of a sensible size to satisfy a healthy appetite.

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Back to our suite in relaxed mood, we found temperature a little warm so opened the patio doors. The cool breeze and sound of the sea completed a very enjoyable day at the Grand. After a good night’s sleep we were ready for breakfast. This was served in the Garden Restaurant and included an extensive buffet of hot and cold dishes as well as an a la carte option. An excellent start to the day!

Highlights The composer Debussy completed the famous “La Mer” in his suite at The Grand Hotel back in 1905

The Hotel celebrated its 140th anniversary last year

The staff maintained their excellent standard of service as we checked out and very helpfully allowed us to leave our car in the reserved parking space all morning as we explored the town.

On the last Sunday of the month Shelly Van Loen and the Palm Court Strings play a concert for afternoon tea guests.

In summary, The Grand is a beautiful hotel in the traditional style. The rooms are very comfortable and well appointed and the restaurants were both first class. Perhaps the strongest feature of The Grand is, however, the quality of the staff on hand to engage with guests. They were amongst the best I have ever encountered and ensured our short stay was truly memorable for all the right reasons.

The Grand, Eastbourne King Edwards Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 4EQ

See more about the R&R Collection at: www.therandrcollection.co.uk 75

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technology

5 million records including children’s personal data from the company Vtech has been hacked Another serious cyber-hack story has ascended. Vtech, the makers of toys and e-learning applications for children had its database hacked several weeks ago. WRITTEN BY: LUKE BROADHURST

The hacked database contained customer names and addresses including those of young children. The method that was used to hack this database is known as SQL Injection which is a well-known hacking method that could have been easily prevented by Vtech. What information got hacked? The breach didn’t include any financial information but it did include: name, email, encrypted password, secret question, and answer for password retrieval, IP address, purchase history and mailing address. Reports say that Vtech has suspended 13 websites after the hacking of its Learning Lodge app database. Your business is a target... It’s important to note that this attack is just one of three thousand attacks that happen every day. Every business is being targeted and highlighted in the media for not protecting data. Destroying your businesses reputation and credibility in a heartbeat. www.b4-business.com

If you hold data on your clients, employees, or data hosted around your business then you are a target. It’s time to take your data security seriously.

“

With the new EU Data Protection Regulation just around the corner and forthcoming heavy fines for data breaches, it’s time now that businesses took their data protection seriously.

”

“A breach on Vtech, which includes children’s data is simply unacceptable, it goes to show just how unprotected many small, medium and large businesses actually are. With the new EU Data Protection Regulation just around the corner and forthcoming heavy fines for data breaches, it’s time now that businesses took their data protection seriously.” Richard Marsh, CEO, CIS.

What to do? CIS Is holding a free seminar around the impact of the EU Data Protection Regulation coming into force in 2016. Encryption is a way of ensuring stolen data is unreadable and therefore cannot be used. Learn how to protect your data by applying industry best practises. Seminar Location The seminar is held at the Bunker which is located at the West Venture Building (The Bunker), New Greenham Park, Newbury, Berkshire, RG19 6HN. Please contact us on the contact details below.

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

Be ready for workplace changes in 2016 The coming year sees the implementation of three major changes that all organisations need to be aware of. Here, three specialists from Oxford law firm Blake Morgan outline what employers need to know. WRITTEN BY: JAMES SIMPSON, JON BELCHER & ALLAN BRIDDOCK

Private sector could be hit by huge gender pay gap claims James Simpson is a partner in Blake Morgan’s Employment team Following the failure of voluntary initiatives, the Government is shortly to introduce legislation requiring all organisations (private or public sector) with 250 or more employees to publish information on gender pay. The legislation will require employers to collect and publish information about gaps in pay. Whilst it has been confirmed that “bonuses” are likely to be included in “pay”, the precise details of how “pay” will be calculated or how and what information must be reported are not available. If a detailed approach is adopted, employers may be required to provide a breakdown of any “gaps” by grade and type of role, taking into account a range of pay and benefits. This legislation requires some forethought. The practicalities of reporting mean that employers may need to consider how they collate and record pay data this can sometimes be difficult with disparate pay systems. Job evaluations may also be necessary so that detailed pay comparisons can be drawn between similar roles. If any gaps are identified, remedial action can also take time to implement, and perhaps in a legally privileged environment. This is all very difficult to do at short notice.

implemented, and there is little information about when they will take effect. The latest reliable rumours are that implementation might be in October 2016, and even then there could be a significant period of grace or a staged approach. We can help organisations plan for and navigate the risks posed by these new regulations.

It’s time to get ready for major data protection changes Jon Belcher is a senior solicitor in the commercial team In January 2016 a new data protection law is expected to be agreed for the whole of Europe. Businesses will have two years to adapt to the new law, which will come fully into effect in early 2018. The new law will replace the existing Data Protection Act in the UK, as well as similar laws in each of the other EU member states. It will apply to the processing of all personal information, including data about employees and customers, and so is likely to affect all organisations. Whilst there is much that is familiar in the new law, it does represent a significant strengthening of the data protection rules and so businesses will need to start getting ready for its implementation soon.

Eye-wateringly high awards in recent public sector cases are a warning of what could be about to hit the private sector. Asda is already facing a significant claim.

There are key changes to what businesses must do when dealing with personal information, from the initial collection of data through to its use, storage and destruction.

The legislation follows from a yet to be reported on consultation in July 2015. Although it required regulations by 26 March 2016, they have not yet been

There will be a greater emphasis on transparency, by explaining to individuals how their information will be used and notifying the authorities if things go wrong.

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Businesses relying on consent to process information must ensure that consent is specific and informed. Organisations will need to demonstrate compliance with the new law by keeping records and, for organisations that process large amounts of personal data, employing a Data Protection Officer. There are additional rules for outsourcing processing activities to a contractor and exporting data outside of Europe. Finally, the new law carries much tougher penalties if businesses get it wrong. As well as providing a mechanism for individuals to claim compensation, the new law gives regulators the power to fine businesses up to £20m or 4% of their total worldwide turnover for serious breaches.

advice

At this stage commercial organisations could just publish a statement stating what they have started to do to ensure there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in the supply chain and improve on it over the years; but they also could front-load the work and produce a comprehensive statement that just needs to be updated each year. A common theme we have found is surprise at how much work and duediligence is required to prepare the statement. It is not just a question of looking at the first-tier supply chain, but also to consider whether to go to second, third or even fourth tier suppliers; examining procurement policies to ensure they do not encourage modern slavery or human trafficking; and in-house training, to name but a few.

“Following the failure of voluntary initiatives, the Government is shortly to introduce legislation requiring all organisations (private or public sector) with 250 or more employees to publish information on gender pay.

”

James Simpson, Partner in Blake Morgan’s Employment Team

Allan Briddock is head of the immigration team

Despite early reservations, it does appear that the requirement to prepare the statement might actually have an effect on modern slavery. Certainly none of the organisations we have been advising are aware of or in way would support human trafficking or modern slavery in their supply chains, but this new requirement will make commercial organisations actually look. Who knows what they might find?

In 2016 we will start to see the first ‘transparency in supply chain statements’ required under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Only time will tell whether the Modern Slavery Act will be viewed as trailblazing legislation or just another level of bureaucracy.

The statements are required from all commercial organisations with an annual turnover of more than £36m to provide the statement, which should detail the steps they have taken to ensure suppliers do not use slave labour or engage in human trafficking.

About Blake Morgan

Businesses must show they comply with anti-slavery laws

This will have implications for many companies whose turnover is under the £36m threshold if they are suppliers to larger businesses. Although the first statements are technically due on 31 March, the government has indicated that publication within six months will be acceptable. We are therefore likely to see the first statements over the summer. It will be interesting to see how companies and other organisations respond to the new requirement. At Blake Morgan we have been advising a variety of commercial organisations, from a major European airline to charities, and we have seen a variety of different views. Although all organisations we have talked to have said they would like a ‘better than merely compliant’ statement, many other factors will affect how extensive the statement will be.

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Blake Morgan is a £78 million, Top 50 UK law firm providing a breadth of legal services across the private and public sectors with geographical dominance across southern England and Wales. The firm has six offices: Cardiff, London, Oxford, Portsmouth, Reading and Southampton. With a long heritage and committed client base the firm’s 130 partners and their teams – in excess of 1,000 employees – provide a depth of expertise in their key sectors. The firm has ambitious plans for growth to deliver more developed and broader services to its clients both in the south of England and Wales and more widely across the UK. The firm aims to deliver exemplary service to its clients and to make a difference through teamwork, integrity and innovation.

CONTACT DETAILS info@blakemorgan.co.uk 01865 248 607 www.blakemorgan.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

technology

Make Website Security A Priority Alberon, Oxfordshire’s leading software and website developers, warns that if website security is not kept up to date you could put your business in peril. WRITTEN BY: SARAH AIREY

According to Alberon even a shiny new website can be vulnerable to breaches in security. Regular security updates are a must or your website is at risk of hacking by cyber criminals and fraudsters. Last year’s massive breach in security at TalkTalk demonstrates just how damaging this can be for a business. Not only was the company’s reputation damaged, but the site had to be closed down for days while it was made secure. Hackers are constantly working on new ways to breach your security. As technology is always being improved and functions added, the hackers follow suit by looking for new loopholes and vulnerabilities in the coding. Their automated ‘bots’ scour the internet looking for weakness, and they don’t make a distinction on whether you are a small family business or an international bank. If your website is insecure, they can break in. Once in, hackers can irretrievably damage your reputation by stealing customers’ details, launching phishing attacks, sending massive amounts of spam, or running blackhat SEO campaigns. They can bring your site down and destroy your business. Despite the risks, many organisations and especially SMEs, can have a raft of reasons not to put website security to the top of their ‘to do’ list. Can you relate to these excuses? “I haven’t got the time” “I have other priorities” “I will get it done next month” (and next month never comes) “We don’t have the expertise” “We can’t afford the website downtime”

“We are sorry we didn’t send the spam, there was a breach in our security” “Our site has been temporarily withdrawn by our internet provider due to a cyber-attack” “It isn’t our fault”, might be the theme, but security breaches are preventable. Even if you have a new site, you should plan how you are going to maintain security and keep it up-to-date.

“ Once in, hackers can irretrievably damage

your reputation by stealing customers’ details, launching phishing attacks, sending massive amounts of spam, or running blackhat SEO campaigns. They can bring your site down and destroy your business.

”

Alberon’s team of web developers are on hand for advice and to do the job for you, even if the company didn’t design your site. If you are thinking of getting a new site developed, Alberon can be trusted to design and build a creative, imaginative and practical solution which is ring-fenced with robust security in place. However big your business, your website security is too important for its future to be left to chance. For more information or to discuss a new website , please see the details below.

Then think about the excuses you might have to make: “We are sorry your bank details were hacked” “We thought your confidential details were secure” “We had a new website done last year, we thought it was fine” “We are sorry, our website is a little out of date, some customer details have been hacked, but customer security is a priority and we will resolve the situation as soon as possible” www.b4-business.com

CONTACT DETAILS hello@alberon.co.uk 01865 794 009 www.alberon.co.uk

Corporate Heaven at Stoke Park! ‘Seven of the best Hotel Venues to Hire in the UK’ – Event Magazine (September 2015) WRITTEN BY: NICK DOWNIE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: COURTESY OF STOKE PARK

With its 9 beautiful meeting rooms, set within Stoke Park’s Palladian Mansion and all with stunning views of the 300 acre private estate, meetings and events held there will not fail to impress. Each room not only provides a professional, five star atmosphere for board meetings, training seminars and conferences, but has the added benefit of giving these events a breath-taking backdrop.

much more, your experience at Stoke Park promises to truly wow!

Combine this with a dedicated Events team who will oversee every detail of your event, award winning cuisine prepared by their Executive Chef, Chris Wheeler, a Conference and Banqueting team who will make sure the experience on the day runs like clockwork , all the additional facilities including 49 Luxurious bedrooms, award winning Spa, 27 Hole Championship golf course, 13 tennis courts, 3 restaurants (Humphry’s – 3 AA Rosettes) and

Championship golf course, 13 tennis courts, 3 restaurants and much more, your experience at Stoke Park promises to truly wow!

Stoke Park hosts a number of corporate events including: golf days, tennis and spa days, day and 24-hour conferences, awards and gala dinners,

49 Luxurious bedrooms, “ award winning Spa, 27 Hole

”

incentive and team bonding days and Christmas parties. Stoke Park has a full range of activities and

incentive ideas which also include: golf and tennis clinics, cocktail and cookery master classes, laser clay shooting, wild goose treasure hunt or even group studio sessions in the gym, such as; Boxercise, Tai Chi or even a company bootcamp! Recently awarded the Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality award at the Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2015, Stoke Park is the perfect place to escape and hold your business meeting, conference or company away day in a truly unique and breath-taking setting, in one of the most convenient locations in Britain: only 35 minutes from London and 7 miles from London Heathrow. For your corporate golf day, Stoke Park’s famous 27 hole Championship golf course is undisputedly one of the finest parkland courses in the country. Created in 1908 by eminent golf architect Harry Colt,

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the Stoke Park course has been the inspiration for many of the world’s most famous holes, including their 7th tee which was the inspiration for Augusta’s infamous 16th. The course itself has seen many impressive rounds in its prestigious history, including the first PGA Matchplay tournament in 1910 and James Bond’s epic golfing duel in the 1964 classic 007 movie ‘Goldfinger’. The course has won many awards and accolades over the years, including ‘Top 100 Courses you must play in the World’ - Golf World, ‘Best of the World’- The Golfer, ‘Sheer Class’Today’s Golfer, ‘Unique and Outstanding’- Golf World and ‘Four Best Golf venues near London’ – C&IT Magazine.

Over the past 12 months Stoke Park has been fortunate to win many awards and press accolades which include being included within the ‘Ultimate 100 Best British Hotels 2015’ by The Sunday Times,

By choosing Stoke Park as your venue, you and your guests are assured world class service, incredible sporting facilities and an unforgettable experience.

winner of the ‘Ultimate Members Club 2015’ at the 59 Club Awards, Winner of the ‘Best Event organised by an In House Team’ at the EVCOM Awards, Winner Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality

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For your corporate golf day, “Stoke Park’s famous 27 hole Championship golf course is undisputedly one of the finest parkland courses in the country.

”

r&r

Award- Bucks Business Awards 2015 and wonderful press accolades such as ‘Top 12 Best Luxury Hotels in the UK’- The Independent ,‘Best Tennis Hotel in England’- Red Magazine, ‘Top 10 Best Family Hotels in England’ – The Daily Telegraph, ‘Top 8 Best Spa Hotels in the UK’ – Harper’s Bazaar, ‘Britain’s Best Afternoon Tea’ – The Daily Telegraph and ‘Ultimate Stay and Play Venue’ – Today’s Golfer. For more information about events at Stoke Park, please contact our Events Team below.

CONTACT DETAILS info@stokepark.com 01753 717 171 www.stokepark.com

Are yOu cOmmiTTing TO yOur 2016 gOALS? TLA Fitness offers Personal Training, Studio classes and Outdoor Bootcamps An exciting fitness provider in the heart of Oxfordshire • Personal Training • Private groups • corporate training • Studio classes • yoga & Pilates • TrX & Kettlebells • Bootcamps • cardio & Strength • motivation & commitment

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A great place to be

venues

The King’s Centre Oxford’s largest, most flexible, multi-purpose event centre in the heart of the city with an auditorium to seat 1,000, has opened its doors wide We would like to introduce you to The King’s Centre. Many have said that it is Oxford’s best kept secret. WRITTEN BY: SUE EDRIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: TIM PARTRIDGE

The King’s Centre is Oxford’s largest and most flexible multi-purpose event centre, with spaces suitable for 1 to a 1,000 people, right in the heart of the city. Our largest room can seat up to 1,000 (theatre style) and also has the flexibility to accommodate Cabaret style events , host concerts for over 1,000 and trade show/exhibition events for over 60 exhibitors. The Centre also has 10 further spaces, of various sizes, providing almost unlimited flexibility. Our spaces are used for an incredible range of events including: Award Ceremonies; Board meetings; Concerts, Conferences, competitions, charity dinners and Conventions; Dance shows; Exhibitions and Examinations; Graduation ceremonies ; Mediation meetings and Managers meetings; Product Launches, Private dinners and Parties; Staff away days and Seminars; Training events, Team building days and Thanks-giving celebrations; Wedding receptions and workshops. There is a suitable space for all. The Centre is located just a 10 minute walk from Oxford Rail station and 6 minute walk from the cities efficient and frequent Park and Ride service, but we can also offer some complimentary parking. For larger events, arrangements can be made for shuttle services direct from park and ride to our centre. Our Location means that we are a perfect alternative to London and Birmingham venues, Oxford being just an hour away on the train from each. First Great Western now offers a Return Ticket from London to Oxford for £30.00. (www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/ offers/conferences ) We also welcome the link from www.b4-business.com

Oxford Parkway to Oxford Rail by Chiltern Railways, increasing accessibility. Here at The King’s Centre, we believe that some of the best work gets done over good food. Our Head chef, who has worked in several leading restaurants, can bring the most amazing foods to the table. He has the ability to create innovative healthy menus of your choosing. Whether a working lunch or a sit down dinner, the dishes are delicious and inspiring and give a boost to any event. We are constantly looking to improve our Green credentials, so far we: • Solar Panels. We have 2 solar panel installations. Since their installation they have generated 50 MegaWatt hours and 101 MegaWatt hours respectively, which combined is enough to power an average home for almost 46 years! • Recycling. We recycle material wherever possible and have separate bins for recyclables and landfill. All of our paper cups are recyclable. • Transport. We have a green travel plan, developed in association with Oxford City Council, which encourages non-car modes of transport wherever possible . We do have on site parking available, but we encourage car sharing. The train station is just a 10 minute walk from The King’s Centre and the Oxford Cities Park and ride bus stop 6 minute walk away. We also have a staff bicycle onsite to enable staff to ‘nip out’ rather than use vehicles! • Water. The taps in the toilet area switch themselves off and we also have an Envireau rainwater recycling system for using rainwater from the roof to flush the toilets.

• Catering. We use Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar and locally sourced and seasonal products where possible. We have two plumbed-in water coolers that are available for client use to avoid the use of replacement plastic bottles. Here are a few of our large events that are open to those interested. British Dyslexia International conference 10th – 12th March 2016 www.bdadylsexia.org.uk White October Events - National 21st – 22nd April www.whiteoctoberevents.co.uk Venturefest - Local 29th June www.venturefestoxford.com To find out more contact sue to arrange to come and see us for a tour, and sample of Max’s beautiful refreshments, or see our website. OFFER: 10% off room hire rates, just quote ‘B4 Issue 39’ when booking!

CONTACT DETAILS Suee@kingscentre.co.uk 01865 297 400 www.kingscentre.co.uk

events

Game changing legacy When STL’s Brendon Cross decided to organise a car rally to Le Touquet in 2014, no one knew just what a monumental impact it was to have on a small Charlbury based charity called SpecialEffect WRITTEN BY: JO SENSECALL, MARKETING SENSE PHOTOGRAPHY BY: SIMON WILLIAMS

In May 2014, 50 cars costing less than £500 left from Cornbury Park to drive to Le Touquet via Brands Hatch. They spent the weekend undertaking 12 fun challenges, danced the night away to a live band in a closed street in the middle of Le Touquet, drove around Le Mans and Croix en Ternois circuits and managed to raise the most money SpecialEffect had ever received… until the same event takes place again in May this year that is! The Twin Town Challenge has been a real game changer for SpecialEffect. Most importantly, the charity benefitted from the £130,000 raised by TTC14 but this support escalated as the contacts made on the Twin Town Challenge brought wider gains, as Dr Mick Donegan, founder and CEO of SpecialEffect, explains, “The legacy of Twin Town Challenge has continued to blossom long after the event itself. We are entirely dependent on donations to carry on our work, so events like this are our lifeblood.” The charity uses technology to enhance the quality of life of people with physical disabilities by adapting games consoles and using eye gaze technology to help children and adults to play computer games. The money from TTC14 enabled SpecialEffect to establish a games room for young people to visit and to take on more specialist staff to meet the rapidly growing demand for their support and services. David Cameron, MP and Prime Minister, opened the new games room on 12th February watched by organisers, teams, sponsors and supporters of the Twin Town Challenge. He said, “I am so proud of this charity and what they have achieved. I’ve seen for myself the impact of 2014’s Twin Town Challenge on SpecialEffect and I can’t wait to see what this year’s event, the largest in the charity’s short history, will actually lead to.” 86

Dr Mick adds, “Another huge boost from TTC for SpecialEffect is the engagement with local companies who usually adopt larger national causes. A prime example is Abbott Diabetes Care who, as the largest employer in West Oxfordshire, became engaged with the charity via their support and participation in the event and have subsequently adopted us for fundraising support from their 600+ employees.”

And so it continues with TTC16 aiming to double the money raised. Brendon Cross, the organiser of Twin Town Challenge, said, “TTC14 raised £130,000 with 50 cars, so this year we are taking 100 cars and hope to raise £250,000. Not only is it a great weekend but, as one of the participants in 2014 said to me, it was the best fun they’d ever had raising money for charity and the best networking event too!”

Other local companies who have taken SpecialEffect as their charity of the year or as their adopted charity as a direct result of TTC include DC Response, Shawcity and Brethertons Solicitors.

There are still a few places left on the starting grid – all you need is a £500 car!

But Twin Town has been far more than just about money. The relationships formed by the charity with businesses and individuals have resulted in volunteering opportunities, in donations of expertise and referrals of people who need help. As an example, one of the TTC14 teams met a young man called Jake at the 2015 Grand Prix. Jake has severe Cerebral Palsy and it was his dream to play a racing game, which subsequently came true in the games room at SpecialEffect that the TTC made possible. Another legacy of TTC14 has been the relationship formed with a specialist school in Le Touquet where technology from SpecialEffect is being used to help autistic children. In recognition of their achievement, the TTC Team with SpecialEffect were delighted to win the 2014 Oxford Charity Awards “Working Together Award” for the business and charity event of the year. Says Dr Mick, “We’re incredibly grateful to Brendon and all of the TTC teams, sponsors and supporters. The aim of our charity is to help people to have fun, so it’s fantastic when supporters can be promised a great time raising money for us in return.”

The Twin Town Challenge 2016 takes place from 27th – 30th May. The 100 cars will depart from Blenheim Palace before enjoying laps around Silverstone and Abbeville circuits, 12 awesome challenges, a street party with live bands, a civic reception on the beach and a money can’t buy auction. Find out more or book you team at www.twintown16.co.uk

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

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venues

Blenheim Palace A masterpiece of 18th century Baroque architecture set in more than 2000 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped Parkland and award-winning Formal Gardens, Blenheim Palace provides a magnificent setting for private and corporate events and activities, whatever the size and style. WRITTEN BY: MOLLY STIRTON

Blenheim Palace is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Marlborough, and is home today to the 12th Duke and Duchess of Marlborough and their family. Sir Winston Churchill was born inside the Palace in November 1874, adding another illustrious page to its rich history. The Palace is surrounded by over 90 acres of Formal Gardens including the Water Terraces, Rose Garden and the Duke’s private Italian Garden, and the landscaped Parkland with the “finest view in England”, Vanbrugh’s Grand Bridge and the Column of Victory make Blenheim Palace a unique and aweinspiring setting for your event. Matching exceptional service to this incredible setting, the Blenheim Palace Team consists of dedicated and experienced event planners that take great pride in their attention to the finest details ready to help bring your vision to life. The team will put together a bespoke package to match your needs and ensure that your event runs smoothly, living up to your every expectation. Celebrations & Events At Blenheim Palace there is a selection of spaces available for an unforgettable celebration, whatever the occasion. From Champagne and canapés to dinner and dancing, the Palace boasts more than six venue options for up to 300 guests. Available spaces inside the Palace include the magnificent Great Hall, ornate Saloon and grand Long Library for dinner

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and drinks receptions, and the Water Terraces with its informal atmosphere for live music and dancing. The elegant Orangery is also available for all aspects of a private event and the intimate Marlborough Room provides an impressive backdrop for drinks receptions and dinners for up to 60 guests.

At Blenheim Palace “there is a selection of

spaces available for an unforgettable celebration, whatever the occasion

”

For celebrations on a much larger scale it is possible to construct marquees on the South Lawn of the Palace. Marquees are hugely versatile and are suitable for various elements of your event. From drinks receptions to dining and entertainment for hundreds of guests, each marquee is created to suit your needs. Conferences, Meetings & Team Building A building immersed in military history, from John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough for whom the Palace was built, to his famous descendant Sir Winston Churchill who spent much of his formative years there, Blenheim Palace is a truly inspirational setting for corporate meetings, conferences and

events. A number of different venues are available, including the Campaign Rooms, Marlborough Room, Spencer-Churchill Room and Gallery Room. These rooms are all private spaces that can accommodate between six and 250 guests, for any kind of corporate event, from business lunches and dinners to conferences, exhibitions and product launches. Blenheim Palace also offers a huge range of fun and engaging team building activities and exercises, designed to motivate staff and strengthen relationships within your company. Popular activities include ‘The Marlborough Assignment’, ‘Historifix’, archery, falconry, ‘It’s a Knockout’ and The Blenheim Palace Treasure Hunt. Whatever event you are planning, Blenheim Palace guarantees an unforgettable experience in the most magnificent setting. Get in touch with the Events Team for more information and to make an enquiry.

CONTACT DETAILS sales@blenheimpalace.com 01993 813 874 www.blenheimpalace.com

You’re not alone if you hate it! When you are public speaking or presenting, you are being judged as a recent You Gov survey revealed. It says the biggest mistakes by colleagues in a presentation are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Not being prepared enough: 42 per cent Speaking for too long: 42 per cent Speaking too quickly: 41 per cent Not speaking clearly enough: 40 per cent Relying too much on a slideshow: 31 per cent Not having a clear point: 30 per cent Not being enthusiastic enough: 29 per cent Not acknowledging the audience: 22 per cent

The survey also revealed that 51 per cent of UK adults are not confident in their own public speaking skills and 22 per cent of people whose jobs require giving presentations or talks lack confidence.

Are you a reluctant presenter or do you hate it? Either way, you probably avoid presenting and public speaking. Or you do it but play safe with downcast eyes, reading your notes. Maybe you scuttle off the platform as soon as possible.

Playing safe in this way probably means your body language says much more than you suppose. People won’t listen to what you say attentively because your awkwardness grabs their attention instead. Because you won’t engage them, they won’t know what you really care about or what your real purpose is - why you do what you do. If you leave people in the dark on these things, they can’t support you! This is true whether you’re keeping things from your team, from your family or from the wider community. So, Rule Number 1 for those who lead or follow is: share the information, communicate your hopes and fears. If you lead, share the vision too. All this makes your communication skills better. Especially if you take note of feedback.

Presenting is a key skill The ability to present information and ideas with confidence is an essential in business, whether your audience is one person or many. Depending on personality, some find this much more difficult than others. If you’re not a natural extrovert, networking and presenting may be more

of an effort. Or you may have an outgoing personality but something makes you a nervous presenter. Good verbal communication is central in all of the following key situations in the workplace: • • • • • • •

public speaking presentations chairing meetings participating in meetings appraisals coaching your team telephoning

The central skills used will be the same: speaking and listening, and maybe some writing as back-up. Reading too – if you read too fast and miss stuff, communication can’t take place - but more of that in a future article. “You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.” Lee Iacocca

Vital skills for your career Claire Rowland, director of marketing at QHotels, says: “These softer skills are often overlooked

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advice

I hate presenting! Another day, another professional who is reluctant to present but the job requires it. WRITTEN BY: ALISON HAILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY: ROB SCOTCHER (INSET)

in the workplace, but are actually vital in career development. Not only does having more confidence in speaking help get your message across more effectively, it allows you to demonstrate your knowledge in a subject area and improve leadership skills.”

one sitting. You can leave them thinking “What a missed opportunity to dispel our anxieties, show us what plans you have, excite us about the project!” So it’s worth getting better at presenting and public speaking. Here are 3 tips to focus on:

Q Hotels have hired Tony Blair’s former speechwriter, Phil Collins, to help staff improve speaking skills. They will be working on these ingredients for a perfect speech:

Public Speaking Tip 1: get into the zone

• • • •

Before you start, get into the zone. See yourself as a leader in this moment, on this subject. Lead the way with real belief and they will follow. See it as your job to inspire people to believe in you and your information.

A strong core message and argument, Memorable phrases Confident delivery, Authentic personality which shows in your belief for your subject

Public Speaking is a big opportunity

Public Speaking Tip 2: believe in your message

Call it presenting or giving information, it’s a big opportunity. If you have a huge audience it is a huge opportunity. You can convince many at once. You only need to prepare for one occasion. You can take questions once, not over and over again.

Believe in the value of your message: let your belief and enthusiasm shine through.

But, conversely, you can also disappoint many at

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Whatever the context, you need to believe in your message and in the point of what you are communicating. You need to feel enthusiastic about it. Then let that show.

Public Speaking Tip 3: hone your message Before you start, hone the message to its bare bones – to a short simple sentence or group of 1-3 sentences. What do you want to say and why. Then build it up with examples. If you are a reluctant presenter contact us. Our system has been transforming reluctant presenters into confident ones over the last 30 years. Oxford Professional Consulting are international experts in Presenting Skills Coaching and Leadership Communication for business.

CONTACT DETAILS You could be heading a huge multinational or a team of just 3. Equally, you could be the team’s expert in IT or another skill which others want to master, or the trainer at the front of the group.

alison.haill@opcOxford.com 01865 436 791 www.opcoxford.com

Time to take action - Time to Think Brand - not bland! If you really want to stand out from the crowd and have a successful, profitable and sustainable business, you have to Think Brand – not bland. Strangebrew’s Phil Strachan explains how this is the key to your business being clearly recognised as the ‘go to’ choice in your market. WRITTEN BY: PHIL STRACHAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY: CARLI ADBY OF ADBY CREATIVE

and joining the hordes of blands masquerading as brands but ultimately only destined to become another example of the bland that time forgot. To stand out from the crowd, every business needs to know what it stands for and needs to be seen to stand for in order to succeed – and this needs to be identified and firmly established before any logo or website designs are begun.

Actions speak louder than words and that’s precisely the thinking behind the ‘Think Brand – not bland’ Breakthrough Conference that I am running at Heathrow on the weekend of 23rd and 24th April. I felt that a Conference on Brands and Branding, and in particular one targeted at the SME market, was both well overdue and much needed so I decided that it was down to me to take action and do something about it. The timing also makes great sense given the fact that my ‘Think Brand – not bland’ book is due to go to press very shortly. I am really pleased to say that the speaker line-up assembled for this event includes the entrepreneur, international speaker and bestselling author, Daniel Priestley, whose keynote presentation will cover how you can stand out from the crowd by becoming what he calls a Key Person of Influence in your market. Anyone who has seen and heard Daniel speak before will know the immense value of the content he delivers - and anyone who has not seen and heard him speak before simply needs to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. Clearly, if you can establish expert status in your market and therefore be perceived as being a key person of influence, it will help you to ensure that your business will stand out from the crowd and be seen to be outstanding and that is what makes Daniel’s session at the Conference so particularly relevant and exactly why I invited him to join me. I have been fortunate enough to have seen and heard him speak and to have talked with him on quite a number of occasions and there will be the opportunity for some attendees to join Daniel and other speakers over lunch during the course of the weekend. However, establishing yourself as a key person of influence, as the ‘go to’ expert in your particular sphere of operations is only one way of ensuring that your business does not end up becoming lost and drowning in a sea of sameness and becoming just another very anonymous blot on an already overpopulated blandscape. The speaker line-up at the ‘Think Brand – not bland’ Breakthrough Conference also includes Nick James of Seriously Fun Business who will cover how to increase your brand awareness and get your message out to more people. All in all, the assembled speakers 90

Daniel Priestley Daniel Priestley started out early as an entrepreneur at age 21 and built a multi-million dollar event, marketing and management business before the age of 25. A successful entrepreneur, international speaker and best-selling author, Daniel has built and sold businesses in Australia, Singapore and the UK. Daniel is the founder of Entrevo, which runs a 9 month growth accelerator programme for small enterprises, working with over 500 entrepreneurs each year to develop their businesses. Entrevo has offices in the UK, USA, Singapore and Australia. Daniel uses campaigns to help raise up to $100,000 for charity each year and is connected to some of the world’s most known and celebrated entrepreneurs and leaders. With a passion for global small business, Daniel is the author of the three best-selling books Key Person of Influence, Entrepreneur Revolution and the newly released Oversubscribed.

We were all born an original – so why should we want to copy anyone else? There is simply no point in being seen to be just AN Other anything. Whatever business you are in, you need to rise above commodity status and you need to stand out from the crowd if you are to firstly be noticed and secondly to be chosen ahead of your competitors. The fact is that people buy products and services – but they choose, and are willing to pay more for, brands because they stand out and they stand for something that they can relate to and wish to be associated with. Be a distinctive brand – not distinctly bland The message is clear. Jumping on the blandwagon (or just staying on the blandwagon if you are an established business that needs to take a long, hard, fresh look at itself and how it is perceived) and risking becoming another example of the bland that time forgot is no way forward. Now is the time to take action, the time to Think brand – not bland. See Special offer on the page opposite for B4 members wishing to attend the ‘Think Brand not bland’ Breakthrough Conference. Call Phil Strachan of Strangebrew to find out how his special cocktail of London quality Branding, Identity and Graphic Design at Glasgow prices could be of value to you and your business. Think Brand – not bland! Just do it – because you’re worth it!

will cover a very wide range of different ways to ensure that your business will stand out from the crowd by deliberately thinking Brand – not bland. As those of you who have read my articles before will know, I advise strongly against any business taking the risk of just jumping on the blandwagon

CONTACT DETAILS phil@strangebrew.co.uk 07770 753 975 www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk

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marketing

‘Think Brand – not bland’ Breakthrough Conference Special offer for B4 members Take action now! – Go to www.TBNBConference.co.uk and book to attend the ‘Think Brand – not bland’ Breakthrough Conference. NB - If you are a B4 Member, insert the promotional code ‘B4 Member’ before the 18th of March in order to qualify for a 50% discount on the attendance fee for the 2 days. Please note that other Early Bird booking options are available but that numbers are strictly limited.

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Travel in Luxury, Comfort & Style For over 6 years, Hilltop Chauffeurs have been providing our clients with experienced chauffeurs and impeccably maintained executive car hire. We take pride in being a fully licensed operator, with a team of highly skilled and CRB checked drivers, so you can rely on us to provide the utmost in professional services. As a result, we have built an excellent reputation based on our commitment to quality, safety and service.

01865 595262 | 07825 500852 www.hilltopchauffeurs.co.uk hilltopcars@live.co.uk

Hilltop Quarter Ad 37.indd 1 Music Director

Marios Papadopoulos MBE Artist in Residence Maxim Vengerov

Oxford

Philharmonic

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In Residence at the University of Oxford

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La Cucina, The Rickety Press, Mission Burrito, Mamma Mia Pizzeria, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, 4500 Miles From Deli and many more

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2016 artists include:

Renée Fleming Nigel Kennedy Marios Papadopoulos Ivo Pogorelich Vadim Repin Sir András Schiff Maxim Vengerov Long Yu Pinchas Zukerman

01865 980 980 oxfordphil.com

news Oxford’s year-long celebration to mark 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare The game is afoot for Shakespeare Oxford 2016 as we no longer need to wait with bated breath for Oxford’s Shakespearean expertise and creative innovation to burst forth. New partnerships, new ideas and new events, inspired by Shakespeare will be seen in Oxford’s libraries, parks, concert halls, theatres, galleries, museums, schools, carnivals and night clubs, providing a dish fit for the Gods!

The Programme

will look at this life-in-death paradox of the author, his world, and his plays. DANCE The talented members of Pegasus Youth Dance Company take inspiration from A Winter’s Tale, Twelfth Night and King Lear to take us on a journey through a variety of dance styles to explore the question, Nature or Nurture? Later in the year, don’t miss site specific performances from English National Ballet as part of Dancin Oxford. TOURS & VISITS In April, watch the Shakespeare Birthday Parade as Oxford Preservation Trust invites you to visit The Painted Room in Cornmarket Street, the Inn where Shakespeare is reported to have stayed. In the same week, a walking tour is offered by Tom MacDonell to help you to find out more about Shakespeare’s connections to Oxford - town, gown and shire.

THE COMPLETE WORKS The Festival has set Oxford’s theatre community a challenge to present all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays (or versions inspired by them) at indoor and open air venues across the city over the year. Highlights include two contrasting productions of King Lear, The Globe Theatre’s Two Gentlemen of Verona, radical reinterpretations of Macbeth, a new play exploring immigration inspired by Pericles and a Hiphop Richard II. Theatre directors: go to our website to find out how your company can join in. LIBRARY PROJECTS Enjoy a variety of innovative experiences in Oxford’s public libraries and at The Weston Library, part of a new Arts Council funded project, Shakespeare Wanted: Dead or Alive. The programme includes excerpts from Romeo and Juliet by English National Ballet, a participatory touring Sonnet Booth, Assassination Animations, a Big Shakespeare Read, ‘Sonnet Parcel’ school projects, lots of drama, talks and film showings – all coming to a library near you! EXHIBITIONS The flagship exhibition, Shakespeare’s Dead opens at The Weston Library on 22nd April, on the eve of Shakespeare’s death 400 years ago. The exhibition, curated by Dr Emma Smith and Professor Simon Palfrey, explores how Shakespeare surrounds his perennially dramatic theme of death with the curiously contradictory quality of affirming life. It

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BOOKS & VIDEOS Every month investigate a new aspect of Shakespeare with free videos, infographics, quizzes, blogs, and research, on Oxford University Press’s Illuminating Shakespeare website www.oup.com/shakespeare. Also keep an eye out for the Shakespeare Book of the Month on Blackwell’s website and new books including Mapping Shakespeare’s World on The Bodleian Library’s website. MUSIC Transport yourself to Shakespeare’s world with cornets, shawms, curtails and sackbuts in Silver Sounds and Moody Food at St Mary’s Church. If you prefer opera, don’t miss Shakespeare at the Opera at The North Wall Arts Centre. For something different, The Food of Love Project at SJE Arts includes local bands, Brickwork Lizards,

English Faculty, talks usually run at 1pm on a Wednesday at The Weston Library and some will include interventions by Theatre Directors and actors, bringing scholarship to life in unusual ways.

FILMS Independent cinema, the Ultimate Picture Palace presents a film season, Shakespeare Fast and Loose including 10 things I Hate About You, My Own Private Idaho and West Side Story. CARNIVAL Look out for larger than life Shakespearean characters promenading through East Oxford as Cowley Road Carnival takes the theme All the World’s a Stage on 10th July. SCHOOLS & FAMILIES Discover wonderful Shakespeare-linked artefacts by downloading the enriching resource pack at The Ashmolean Museum and join in with Shakespeare Week family activities in March. The Festival also offers a Sixth Form Conference, workshop and performance opportunities for Secondary School plays, animation and sonnet workshops for Primary Schools and carnival puppet-making for all. THE FESTIVAL TEAM The festival is coordinated by Jacqui Ibbotson of Oxford Arts Consultants and is supported by the Bodleian Libraries, the University of Oxford English Faculty, Blackwell’s, Oxford University Press, Oxfordshire County Library Service, Experience Oxfordshire and Oxford Preservation Trust. Further support is provided by a grant from Arts Council England and sponsorship from HMG Law. A wealth of Oxford’s cultural organisations are contributing to the programme, welcoming Oxford’s residents, students and visitors to this city-wide celebration.

TALKS In a series of talks entitled Speak the Speech, internationally reknowned Shakespeare scholars including Sir Jonathan Bate, will enrich your understanding and enjoyment of Shakespeare. Presented by Oxford University’s

Details of all the plays, talks, exhibitions, concerts and other events can be found at: www.shakespeareoxford2016.co.uk @ShakespeareOx16

contacts directory

ADVICE...........................................................................................................................................94 BUSINESS SERVICES....................................................................................................................95 CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES..........................................................................................95 EDUCATION..................................................................................................................................96 FINANCE........................................................................................................................................96 HEALTH & LEISURE......................................................................................................................96 HR...................................................................................................................................................96

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 723 131 www.wellersaccountants.co.uk James Cowper Kreston G Andy Cowie Marketing & Business Development Director 01189 590 261 www.jamescowperkreston.co.uk Whitley Stimpson Ltd G Jonathan Walton Director 01494 448 122 www.whitleystimpson.co.uk Whitley Stimpson Ltd G Stuart Haigh Director 01869 252 151 www.whitleystimpson.co.uk Wilson Partners A Allan Ian Wilson Managing Director 01628 770 770 www.wilson-partners.co.uk

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 Richardsons Accountants 01844 261 155 www.richardsons-group.co.uk Rees Russell 01993 702 418 www.reesrussell.co.uk Russell Whitlock Accountancy 01865 481 625 www.rw-accountancy.co.uk Clark Howes 0808 271 3099 www.clarkhowes.com Harmonea 01844 274 808 www.harmonea.co.uk Tamesis Partnership www.tamesispartnership.co.uk MHA MacIntyre Hudson 01908 662 255 www.macintyrehudson.co.uk Xero www.xero.com/uk

PLATINUM

GOLD

G AMBASSADOR

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS....................................................................................................97 MANUFACTURING......................................................................................................................97 MARKETING & DESIGN................................................................................................................97 PROPERTY & BUILDING...............................................................................................................98 R&R.................................................................................................................................................98

BUSINESS ADVICE SR Consulting A Jonathan Lane Director 07503 891 331 www.splash-rc.co.uk Business Doctors A Martin Vessey Managing Director 0845 219 7077 www.businessdoctors.co.uk Wakefield Group 07817 821 190 www.wakefield-group.com 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 Sandler Training 01608 611 211 www.oxford.sandler.com Active Education and Training Ltd 01865 594 325 www.oxfordactive.co.uk Endeavour Consulting 07711 825 005 www.endeavour-consulting.co.uk VCA Consulting 01993 883751 www.vcaconsultinguk.com The Entrepreneurs Mentor 01865 593933

LEGAL Knights (Legal) P David Beech Chief Executive Officer 01865 811 700 www.knights1759.co.uk 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 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 Turpin & Miller LLP A Emily Boardman Partner 01865 770 111 www.turpinmiller.co.uk Penningtons Manches LLP Richard Smith A Managing Partner 01865 722 106 www.manches.com Lewis Silkin 0207 0748 494 www.lewissilkin.com David Parry Employment Law 01993 848 247 www.parryemploymentlaw.com

ARCHIVE & STORAGE The Oxford Duplication Centre Cheryl-Lee Foulsham A Managing Director 01865 457 000 www.theduplicationcentre.co.uk

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B4 The Archive Centre A David Coulton Owner 01296 425 744 www.thearchivecentre.com

BUSINESS SERVICES AUDIO VISUAL Bang & Olufsen P Mark James Director 01865 511 241 www.bang-olufsen.com

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

BUSINESS CONSULTANTS

HEALTH & SAFETY

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

Shawcity Ltd 01367 899423 www.shawcity.co.uk

BUSINESS SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

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

Oxford City Council - Direct Services P Tracey Vigor Business Sales Executive 01865 252814 www.oxforddirectservices.co.uk

CHARITIES

OxfordshireLEP P 01865 261 433 www.oxfordshirelep.com

The Oxford Trust G Jude Eades Head of Communications 01865 810013 www.theoxfordtrust.co.uk Helen & Douglas House A Hugh Thompson Head of High Value Partnerships 01865 799 150 www.helenanddouglas.org.uk Oxfordshire Community Foundation A Jayne Woodley Chief Executive 01865 798 666 www.oxfordshire.org 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 WH Mobile Valeting 07979 480886 www.whvaleting.com

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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

contacts

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

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

CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES CATERING SERVICES Aldens Specialist Catering Butchers G Matthew Alden Managing Director 01865 728227 www.aldenoxford.co.uk Complete Catering G Jon Kay Managing Director 01235 820840 www.completecatering.co.uk 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 Oxford Brookes University Conference Services G Beatriz Perez-Lopez Conference Sales and Marketing Manager 01865 484612 www.brookes.ac.uk Pembroke College G Huw Edmunds Head of Conferences and Events 01865 276 484 www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/Conferences Stoke Park A Nick Downie Head of Communications 01753 717171 www.stokepark.com The Examination Schools Kay Hogg A Events Manager 01865 276 905 www.examschools.ox.ac.uk Howbery Business Park A Donna Bowles Marketing & Lettings Manager 01491 822 305 www.howberypark.com Egrove Park A Martin Garside Conference Manager 01865 422 757 www.sbs.oxford.edu/conferencing The Forbury Hotel A Duarte Mendes General Manager 01189 527 770 www.theforburyhotel.co.uk Macdonald Windsor Hotel Beverley Molmans A General Manager 0844 879 9101 www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk The Oxford Union 01865 241 353 www.oxford-union.org

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

EQUIPMENT HIRE Oxford Event Hire A Kieran Lynch Owner 01865 760 158 www.oxfordeventhire.co.uk BHK Rentals 01993 703327 www.bhkrentals.co.uk

EVENT MANAGEMENT Jazz Donkey A Muffy Dawson Managing Director 01993 898400 www.jazzdonkey.com

VENUES Oxford Castle Quarter P Sam Pace Operations Manager 01865 201 657 www.oxfordcastle.com Rhodes House P Isabelle Barber Business Development Manager 01865 270 918 www.rhodeshouseoxford.com Danesfield House Hotel A Anthony Cox General Manager 01628 891 010 www.danesfieldhouse.co.uk Hartwell House Hotel A Jonathan Thompson General Manager 01296 747 444 www.hartwell-house.com Venue Services, Bodleian Library A Alice Ogilvie Head of Venue Services 01865 277 224 www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk Blenheim Palace Hospitality 01993 813 874 www.blenheimpalace.com/hospitality

EDUCATION

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

Corpus Christi College 01865 276 708 www.ccc.ox.ac.uk Oxford Chelt Wine School 01865 238 042 www.oxfordcheltwineschool.com

FINANCE ADVICE Ergowealth A Brian Page Managing Director 01494 616 522 www.ergowealth.com Critchleys 01865 261 100 www.critchleys.co.uk NGI Finance 01993 706 403 www.ngifinance.co.uk

BANKING RBS Corporate Banking A Donald MacDonald UK Head of Deposits & Director, Professionals 07768 427379 www.rbs.co.uk/corporate.ashx HSBC 0845 850 174 www.hsbc.com

Metro Bank 0345 08 08 500 www.metrobankonline.co.uk NatWest 01865 305 175 www.natwest.com Barclays 0800 015 4242 www.barclayscorporate.com Clydesdale Bank 0844 736 2616 www.cbonline.co.uk

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

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

Richmond Village Witney G David Reaves Head of Marketing 01865 484612 www.richmond-villages.com Linda Flanigan Hypnotherapy 07866 360 359 www.lfhypnotherapy-oxfordshire.co.uk

SPORT 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 G 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 Oxford City Football Club 07817 885 396 www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk

WELLBEING 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

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

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

HR HR CONSULTANTS HR2You 07789 711 997 www.hr2you.co.uk MB HR Support Ltd 01993 882 744 www.mbhrsupport.co.uk Right Hand HR 0844 880 4582 www.rhhr.com

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

www.b4-business.com

B4 Allen Associates 01865 335 600 www.allen-associates.co.uk

QPQ Software Ltd 01235 522 516 www.qpqsoftware.com

Crossland Employment Services 01235 841 506 www.crosslandsolicitors.com

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

Gold Star Recruitment 01993 225 075 www.goldstarrecruit.co.uk

AgilityWorks 08445 610 930 www.agilityworks.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

IT SERVICES Computing Information Systems (CIS) Ltd P Richard Marsh Director 01367 700 555 www.cisltd.com Nominet G Sally Ockwell Brand & Marketing Manager 01865 332211 www.nominet.org.uk DCResponse G Paul Anderson Managing Director 01993 708 855 www.dcresponse.co.uk Simeio A Ollie McGovern Founder 07795 235995 www.simeio.co.uk Flex Information Technology Paul Horseman A Director 0333 101 7300 www.flex.co.uk The Cabling Company A David Jackson Sales Director 07796 140 348 www.thecablingcompany.com

www.b4-business.com

The Oxford Knowledge Company 01865 322 100 www.oxford-knowledge.com

WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT Torpedo Group Limited A Iain Lewis Director 01865 733 710 www.torpedogroup.com White October 01865 706 017 www.whiteoctober.co.uk White Chilli Creative Studio 07980 143 475 www.white-chilli.co.uk Alberon 01865 263 220 www.alberon.co.uk

MANUFACTURING Unipart G Frank Nigriello Director of Corporate Affairs 01865 383339 www.unipart.com Owen Mumford G Jarl Severn Director 01993 812 021 www.owenmumford.com WILA G Claire Styles Director 01235 773500 www.wila.co.uk

MARKETING & DESIGN

contacts

CORPORATE IDENTITY Recognition Express P Andy Olejnik Managing Director 01295 257 611 www.re-oxfordshire.co.uk Strangebrew P Phil Strachan Director 07770 753 975 www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk Bicester Vision 01869 324 244 www.bicestervision.co.uk Clear & Creative 01865 204 200 www.clearandcreative.co.uk BrandAsylum 01235 828 508 www.brandasylum.co.uk

DESIGN House on the Hill P Keith Simpson Senior Designer 01865 742 211 www.hothdesign.co.uk One Hat Design A Steve Legge Owner 01993 702 075 www.onehatdesign.com

SIGNAGE City & County Graphics G Grant Shergold Director of Sales & Marketing 01865 823161 www.cityandcountygraphics.co.uk

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

FREELANCE COPY WRITING & EDITING Noble Word A Matt Wright Owner 07500 531 485

ADVERTISING

MARKETING

B4 Magazine P Richard Rosser Managing Director 01865 742 211 www.b4-business.com

Experience Oxfordshire P Hayley Beer-Gamage Chief Executive 01865 252409 www.experienceoxfordshire.org

Living In Oxford Magazine Colin Rosser P Chairman 01865 742 211 www.inoxford.com

Marketing Sense A Jo Sensecall Director 01865 883 579 www.marketing-sense.co.uk

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

Heart of Business A Jackie Jarvis Director 07801 293022 Oxford Digital Marketing 01865 575 955 www.oxforddigitalmarketing.co.uk

MEDIA CustomEyes Media 01442 876038 www.customeyesmedia.com

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 Vic Casambros 07727 127591 www.vcasambros.com

PRINTING 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

PUBLIC RELATIONS Papa Romeo PR A Claire Thompson Managing Director 07811 339 577 www.paparomeopr.com Spriggs David A Karen David Partner 01865 512662 www.spriggsdavid.co.uk Esplin PR A Louise Esplin PR Consultant 07775 678 237 www.esplinpr.co.uk Spacecraft Consulting 01295 811 781 www.oconsultancy.com Promote PR 01628 630 363 www.promotepr.com

HeadOn PR 07920 792 183 www.headonpr.co.uk Bridgett Solutions Ltd 01784 205 025 www.bridgettsolutions.co.uk

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 Caroline Livingstone Managing Director 01865 283 700 www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk Pure Offices 01865 811110 www.pureoffices.co.uk

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS VSL and Partners P Richard Venables Director 01865 848 488 www.vslandp.com Carter Jonas P Scott Harkness Partner 01865 511 444 www.carterjonas.co.uk Lambert Smith Hampton (Oxford) A Kevin Wood Director 01865 200 244 www.lsh.co.uk Lambert Smith Hampton (Reading) 01189 606909 www.lsh.co.uk Meeson Williams Phillips 01865 349011 www.meesonwilliamsphillips.com

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

scottfraser A Andrew Greenwood Group Managing Director 01865 760 055 www.scottfraser.co.uk

DEVELOPMENT

Lucy Properties A Ian Ashcroft Managing Director 01865 559 973 www.lucyproperties.co.uk

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

R&R ACCOMMODATION Hawkwell House Hotel P 01865 749 988 www.hawkwellhouse.co.uk Jurys Inn Oxford P 01865 489 988 www.jurysinns.com/hotels/oxford

College and County A Mark Crampton-Smith Owner 01865 722 722 www.collegeandcounty.biz

The Manor at Weston on the Green G Adam Treloar Front of House Manager 01869 350621 www.themanorweston.com

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

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

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

scottfraser A David Blythman Managing Director Sales 01865 759 500 www.scottfraser.co.uk

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS

scottfraser A Marc Hatcher Senior Branch Manager 01993 705 507 www.scottfraser.co.uk

Ridge and Partners LLP G David Walker Partner 01993 815101 www.ridge.co.uk

Strutt & Parker A Miles Collison Partner, Development Land & New Homes 01865 366 660 www.struttandparker.com

Forge Engineering Design Solutions Ltd 01865 362 780 www.f-eds.co.uk

Conifers Guest House 01865 763 055 www.conifersguesthouse.co.uk

Ian Bridge Consultancy Ltd 07917 881465 www.ianbridge.com

The Langham Hotel 01865 888 444 www.spirithealthclubs.co.uk

SIAD Ltd 01865 712627 www.siadltd.com

Spirit Health Club 0207 973 7540 www.langhamhotels.com

Hamptons International 01865 578500 www.hamptons-international.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 P Managing Director 01865 311 696 www.rightonstay.co.uk Finders Keepers A Frank Webster Director 01865 302 308 www.finders.co.uk

PROPERTY SERVICES Savvy Maintenance & Renovations P 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 Brendan Musgrove Managing Director 01895 201 800 www.cordantservices.com Darke & Taylor Ltd 01865 290 000 www.darkeandtaylor.co.uk

Bespoke Hotels Limited 07867 987 679 www.bespokehotels.co Eynsham Hall 01993 885 238 www.eynshamhall.com

ARTISTIC & CULTURAL Orchestra of St John’s A John Lubbock Artistic Director 07765 252489 www.osj.org.uk Ashmolean Museum 01865 288 364 www.ashmus.ox.ac.uk Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra 01865 987 222 www.oxfordphil.com

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

A1 Plumbing & Heating 01865 327 732 www.a1ltd.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT

GALLERIES

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

Aidan Meller Galleries G Aiden Meller Proprietor 01865 727996 www.aidanmeller.com

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

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

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

contacts

The Oxford Kitchen G John Footman Executive Chef 01865 511149 www.theoxfordkitchen.co.uk 4500 Miles From Delhi A Nav Kandola Owner 01865 244 922 www.milesfromdelhi.com/oxford The Snooty Mehmaan A Asad Ahmed Director 01367 242 260 www.thesnootymehmaan.co.uk Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons 01844 278 881 www.manoir.com

RESTAURANTS

Pierre Victoire 01865 316 616 www.pierrevictoire.co.uk

The Red Lion P 01865 726 255 www.redlionoxford.co.uk

Café Aloha 01865 792 696 www.cafealoha.co.uk

Deliveroo G Xavier Collins Community Manager South East 07494 178083 www.deliveroo.co.uk

Marco’s at Mercure Eastgate Hotel 01865 248332 www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/restaurants /marcos-oxford

Thaikhun 01865 591 960 www.thaikhun.co.uk

SHOPPING Blackwell’s P David Prescott Managing Director 01865 382 500 www.blackwell.co.uk Bicester Village 01869 323 200 www.bicestervillage.com Stella and Dot 07763 743783 www.stelladot.co.uk

ON THE

HILL

B4 is designed by House on the Hill t: 01865 742211

Discover ...

WHERE OXFORD BEGAN… Experience a unique combination of outdoor entertainment and dining choices in a stunning location for a special day or evening out

www.oxfordcastlequarter.com www.b4-business.com

JAGUAR XE

RULE THE ROADS FOR LESS

Jaguar XE Prestige from £289 a month +VAT on Jaguar Contract Hire* Get ready to rewrite the rules. With an engine range that delivers thrilling performance and impressive efficiency of up to 75 mpg and CO2 as low as 99 g/km, the Jaguar XE redefines the sports saloon. Ridgeway Jaguar Cumnor Hill, Cumnor, Oxford, OX2 9PL 01865 565421 www.ridgeway.oxford.jaguar.co.uk

XE SALOON 2.0D (163) PRESTIGE 4DR MANUAL Monthly Jaguar Contract Hire Rental* Initial Rental In Advance Excess Mileage (pence per mile) Annual Mileage Contract Duration

£289 +VAT £1,734 + VAT 9.1p +VAT 10,000 36 Months

Business users only. VAT payable at 20%. Model pictured (including optional metallic paint) from £298 a month +VAT, plus initial rental in advance of £1,783 +VAT.

Official fuel economy figures for the Jaguar XE 163PS Prestige in mpg (l/100km): Urban 64.2 (4.4); Extra Urban 83.1 (3.4); Combined 75.0 (3.8). CO2 Emissions 99 g/km. Official EU Test Figures. For comparison purposes only. Real world figures may differ. *Important Information. Based on an XE Saloon 2.0D Prestige 4dr standard specification, with a mileage of 10,000 miles per annum, non-maintained. 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 31st March 2016. Contract Hire is provided by Jaguar Contract Hire, a trading style of Lex Autolease Limited, Heathside Park, Heathside Park Road, Stockport SK3 0RB. Model shown is an XE Saloon 2.0D 180S Prestige 4dr with optional Italian Racing Red metallic paint.