B4 Magazine issue 20

B4

Magazine

ISSUE 20 SUMMER 2011

A DVIC E P R

•

•

www.b4-business.com

CO N F E R E NC E

N ET W O R K I N G

•

•

E DU C AT IO N

•

CO M M U N I C AT I O N

H E A LT H •

•

M A R K ET I NG

P R O P E RT Y

•

R & R

•

H R

•

I T

Bridle Insurance With their refreshing ‘can do’ approach to insurance, we meet the team at Bridle

Chiltern Railways New Managing Director, Rob Brighouse, talks to B4 about Chiltern’s progress and exciting future

To The Point PR Don’t Panic! It’s only PR and you’ll learn to love it

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

meet oxfordshire

Residential Letting · Property Management

Don’t get left out Now over 400 members. see page 145.

D E S I G N

&

P R I N T

With annual memberships starting at £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.

Call us now on 01865 742211 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 Membership for up to 5 employees. Rate increases for 6 to 20 employees to £375+VAT per annum, £500+VAT for 21 to 50, £900+VAT for 51 to 100 and £1200+VAT for over 100 employees. Ambassador scheme is separate and subject to a separate charge.

B4

hw

01

1

D

is

ashe

rs - Marc

h2

www.b4-business.com Contacts If you want to contact B4 Magazine Telephone: 01865 742211 info@b4-business.com Publisher B4 Magazine is published by Designs On Ltd, The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford, OX3 0BT Chairman Colin Rosser colin@designs-on.co.uk Editor Richard Rosser editorial@b4-business.com Art Editor Keith Simpson artwork@b4-business.com Assistant Editor Hannah Howell assistanteditor@b4-business.com Editorial contributors Annette Kamphausen Barbara Richardson Cameron Leitelmayer Charlene Llonch Claire Thompson Eloise Porter Emma-Louise Pritchard Erica Conlan Gail Buckle Rebecca Langford Sarah Airey Sophia Noll Tracey Jefferies B4 Photography Rob Scotcher Charlene Llonch Tamara Taboas Studio Photography Studio8 Telephone: 01865 842525

Welcome to B4 Welcome to Issue 20.

It’s hard to believe that B4 is five years old already. With 20 issues, almost 750 articles and well over 400 B4 web members, we are extremely grateful to all of our customers, members, contributors and suppliers for supporting B4. Special mention to our designer, Keith Simpson. Without Keith’s creative genius, we wouldn’t be where we are with B4 and looking to expand into new territories – see page 84. For a full list of individuals and organisations we would like to thank, please see page 66.

B4’s evolution has been achieved against the backdrop of a depressed economy at a time when advertising and profile have slipped down the agenda for many businesses. However, we have seen a rise in pagination reflect the increasing popularity of B4 as a medium through which businesses can not only secure excellent profile, but, more importantly, win business.

We’re not into openly publicising business wins, many think we should, but to hear from customers that they have connected through B4 is all we need to know. Let’s hope we can carry the winning formula as we expand into Berkshire and beyond and continue to reinforce B4’s position in Oxfordshire as a truly positive catalyst for business.

Inside

40. Golden Years More Awards success for scottfraser

Issue 20 is our biggest yet and hopefully it’s packed with lots of great editorial for you to get your teeth stuck in to.

Highlights include a celebration of our 5th birthday party at a resplendent Blenheim Palace, an interview with the supremo behind Oxford Castle, Trevor Osborne, also celebrating a 5th birthday and an engaging chat with racing driver, Jason Plato.

We also drop in to meet the new GM at the prison, Malmaison’s Mark McSorley, and Chiltern Railways’ recently appointed Managing Director, Rob Brighouse. Michelle Dickson, Director of Oxford Playhouse, outlines plans for some unusual locations for theatre and Magna Carta’s Dean, David Faulkner, tells B4 why more students are turning to his private college.

46. 5 Already!

We catch up with Oxford Castle’s Trevor Osborne

Jarl Severn of Owen Mumford welcomes B4 to the headquarters of one of Oxfordshire’s largest employers and explains the importance of staying connected to the local community.

Partnerships are essential in every business, and B4 Platinum Ambassadors, St Clare’s Oxford demonstrate this in their recent partnership with Oxford City FC.

Subscriptions For free Subscription, please contact: Telephone: 01865 742211 info@b4-business.com

Finally, congratluations to Buildbase’s Dave Robertson. B4 Platinum Ambassador Dave took on the challenge of cycling from London to Paris and, in his words ‘breezed it’. That level of arrogance has now earned him a place in our bike ride from Paris to Oxford next year – sometimes, Dave, it’s best to keep your mouth shut!

A great partnership comes to life

Enjoy B4!

Each business with an Oxfordshire postcode is entitled to one free copy per issue. For additional copies and for businesses outside of Oxfordshire, there is an annual subscription charge of £25.

Put Together in Oxfordshire B4 is all about Oxfordshire. Designed, produced and printed in Oxfordshire.

© 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.

42. St Clare’s & Oxford City FC

Richard Rosser Editor

About

B4

Magazine

B4 Magazine was established to provide Oxfordshire businesses with a clear voice to raise their profile and to help businesses connect. Direct mailed to three thousand business decision makers in Oxfordshire every quarter, B4 is regarded as Oxfordshire’s leading free distribution business publication. 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, quarterly B4 Ambassador events and monthly workshops.

B4 is funded by paid for display advertising and editorial, although some editorial is granted without charge at the discretion of the Editor. Please call us to find out how you can get involved.

WHY NOT FOLLOW B4 MAGAZINE ON

80. A Friendly Platform Why more students are choosing Magna Carta College

B4 Contents 17

B4 LEAD 18 Bridle Insurance: With ambition at heart, we find out about Bridle's evolution and ambition for the future.

99 A Keen Eye: We meet Tamara Taboas.

B4 NETWORKING

B4 NEWS 9 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 45 87

B4 MARKETING

83 The Business Wealth Club: Time to Start Attracting an Abindance of Sales, Profit and Success.

B4 News Bottle Visit Oxfordshire Oxford Inspires Charitable Funds The Social with Glooo VSL IoD OTCN Oxford Innovation WILA Macmillan Cancer Support

B4 COMMUNICATION 49 Borderless Businesses: How technology companies are having to keep up with demand for innovation.

B4 ADVICE

B4 SPOTLIGHT

50 The Agency Workers Regulations 2010: Henmans advise on significant changes for the use of temporary workers.

46 5 Already!: We catch up with Oxford Castle's Trevor Osborne.

58 Owen Mumford: One of Oxfordshire's most established and largest companies opens its doors to B4.

66 Happy 5th Birthday!: B4 celebrates in style at Blenheim Palace.

84 B4 Berkshire: More about our expansion.

103 Fifth Gear: We meet the colourful Jason Plato.

108 A United Experience: Kelvin Thomas talks to B4 about developments off the pitch before the new season.

54 Attention All Employers!: Andy Harris of Shaw Gibbs outlines the legals requirmenets for employee pension schemes in 2012.

62 The Business of Keeping Secrets: The importance of keeping a lid on the secrets of your success and how to protect them.

96 The Sleeping Giant: We put faces to names at Lloyds.

128 Innovation That Delivers Real Business Value: How would you define an entrepreneur?

B4 CONFERENCE 57 Egrove Park: The lady behind the success of this perfectly placed venue.

100 Oxford Examination Schools: A building to fear for many has lots to offer for everyone.

120 Not a Lot of People Know That‌.: Tracey Jefferies meets Lady Margaret Hall's Bill Kemp.

B4 PROPERTY 45 Golden Years: More Awards success for scottfraser.

124 The Italian Tile Renaissance: How firm ties are repaing rewards.

21

91 Engineers With Vision - Part 8: Your mobile handset as an extension of your office phone system.

B4 R&R 115 The Bull at Burford: Formidable!

116 Lower Mill Estate: Great family weekend fun.

118 The Vineyard: Fine food and incredible wine - a celebration in style.

126 Cockadoo: A great find.

B4 EDUCATION 42 St Clare's pitch in at Oxford City FC: A great partnership comes to life.

80 A Friendly Platform: Why more students are choosing Magna Carta College.

B4 PR 64 Don't Panic: It's only PR and you'll learn to love it.

B4 IT 68 Oxford Knowledge Company: Complementing Expertise.

107 Are You Intouch?: How a local firm is benefitting from inTouch CRM.

66

112

107 B4 HEALTH

B4 TRAVEL

B4 CULTURE

61 Peak Performance For Your Business: Getting the balance right.

72 Haddenham & Thame Gateway into London: Rob Brighouse, Chiltern's new MD, talks to B4.

75 Playing House: We meet Oxford Playhouse's Director, Michelle Dickson.

B4 CHARITY 88 Making The Difference: Buildbase's cyclists return triumphant

B4 SERVICES 53 Furnishing Your Future Success: Aston & James deliver their office furniture solution.

76 Flying High: The people that bring you B4 in the post are certainly going places.

104 Oxford City Sightseeing Tours: Hop aboard the famous red bus for a tour around Oxford.

B4 ACCOMMODATION 92 The Crazy Bear: Delights aplenty in Beaconsfield.

111 OSJ: Bringing World Class Classical Music to Oxford.

B4 EVENTS 79 Major Stanley's: If you love rugby, this is for you!.

95 Henley Festival 2011: Bursting at the seams, Henley Festival 2011 was quite simply brilliant.

112 Unlocking Potential: We meet the new man at Mal. 122 I Could Get Used To This: A night at Reading Mal

For all contacts see page 131

0,/721 3$5.

62 08&+ 025( 7+$1 -867 $1 2)),&(

‡ )OH[LEOH DFFRPPRGDWLRQ IRU ZRUNVWDWLRQV ‡ 5DQJH RI RIÀFH VL]HV LQ VWDWH RI WKH DUW EXLOGLQJ ‡ /RFDWHG DW KXE IRU 6FLHQFH %LRWHFK FRPSDQLHV ‡ %URDGEDQG ,7 DQG WHOHSKRQ\ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH LQ SODFH ‡ ([FHOOHQW WUDYHO OLQNV D UDQJH RI DPHQLWLHV RQ WKH SDUN ‡ &RPPXQLW\ RI G\QDPLF FRPSDQLHV DQG LQGLYLGXDOV ‡ ([FHOOHQW FRQIHUHQFH DQG PHHWLQJ IDFLOLWLHV IRU SHRSOH

Milton Park Innovation Centre 99 Milton Park, Abingdon, OX14 4RY

t: 01235 854000 e: miltonpark@oxin.co.uk www.miltonpark-ic.co.uk

Milton Park Innovation Centre is managed by Oxford Innovation on behalf of MEPC

WWW.MILTONPARK-IC.CO.UK

News Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

John Hoy appointed to the board of Visit England John Hoy, Chief Executive at Blenheim Palace, has been appointed to the board of Visit England – the National Tourist Board for England.

within the County through the emergence of Visit Oxfordshire and through the merger with Oxford Inspires to create “Experience Oxfordshire”.

The appointment was confirmed last month by John Penrose, the Minister for Tourism and Heritage, and was one of three new faces onto the Board which is chaired by Lady Cobham. John has been very actively involved in tourism within the county since taking up his post at Blenheim Palace in 2003 and he has been one of the people driving tourism delivery

“I am honoured to be invited onto the Board of Visit England” said John “and I look forward to fully contributing towards the national picture for tourism whilst also doing my best to represent Blenheim Palace and Oxfordshire.” Exciting times for tourism! www.blenheimpalace.com

Networking Women launch their first conference for Women in Business collaborative approach to business networking with five groups across Oxon - has put together their first Conference with this in mind.

Designed to give a complete overview of all aspects of setting up and running a business, the Conference will take place at The Oxford Centre on 15th September from 9.30am – 4.30pm..

In the current economic climate with the spending cuts in full swing, individuals throughout the UK are thinking about setting up their own businesses. Networking Women – a

Lisa Cherry, co-founder of Networking Women said; “Our Conference is designed to cater for all business needs whether they are a woman starting out in business or a fully fledged female

entrepreneur.”

Sponsors keen to support this initiative for women in business include: Natwest, Harris Lipman, B-Line Business Supplies, Jennings, TBAC, B4 and Chilli Promotions.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR READERS OF B4 – Book before 31.8.11 for just £75. A saving of over 20%!!

Quote BF11.

For further information and to book a place, please visit www.networkingwomen.org.uk

Introducing Osbornes Insurances Oxford Ltd Osbornes have been in business as Insurance Brokers in Thame since 1971. Specialising in all aspects of Commercial Business and High Value Household but still with time for all their personal clients and their needs, Osbornes now have a second office in Chipping Norton, but their clients are based throughout the UK and abroad.

Managing Director, Bill Fletcher, is one of the most experienced brokers in Oxfordshire and has been in insurance for over 40 years, including broking for

34 years.

“The company's philosophy is, and always has been, that the client comes first and our responsibility is to them. As the sole owner I have overseen the company’s expansion into the present day professional business. I can give my clients expert advice from wide ranging experience in many sectors and I feel we add a lot of value to our clients and the service they receive.” www.osbornesins.co.uk

Youngster’s Initiative Reaps Rewards Bloxham pupil, Ed Rosser, wondered why, on a recent visit to the Oxford United FC club shop, there wasn’t a poster of his favourite team’s crest to hang on his bedroom wall. He thought he’d do something about it and approached United Chairman, Kelvin Thomas (see also page 108), to propose getting some posters designed and printed.

www.b4-business.com

The completed posters have been signed by members of the United first team and will go on sale in the Club shop soon. Commented Kelvin. “It shows tremendous initiative and determination that Ed has gone to great lengths to get these posters produced. They look great and I’m sure they’ll sell well. As a reward, we had Ed here on a week’s work experience, and he loved every minute, interviewing players and finding out how the Club works.”

9

Residential Sales Mark Charter 01865 404406 mark.charter@carterjonas.co.uk

Offices throughout the UK including 5 in London

Residential Lettings Christopher Way 01865 404425 christopher.way@carterjonas.co.uk

carterjonas.co.uk

News Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

Ian Wenman on Board with Meeson Williams Ian Wenman has taken a position on the Board of Meeson Williams as non-executive director.

rent in excess of £2m, including advising on the sale of the Windrush Industrial Park in Witney.”

“Over the last 25 years I have had the joy of working with small businesses and watching them thrive. I have known Meeson Williams throughout this time and recognised the same vital ingredients; a client list which would be coveted by much larger firms and an exciting portfolio of projects.” remarks Ian. “Taking the last 12 months, through a difficult market they acquired, let and sold over 650,000 sq ft of buildings for clients and conducted rent reviews and lease renewals on properties with a cumulative

“The groundwork has already been put in place for the next stage of growth, which includes the formation of Meeson Williams PBS offering building surveying and town planning services as well as being elected as the regional representative for the national network independent surveying practises called PAI. “ www.meesonwilliams.com

Local Solicitor Raises £25,000 For Help For Heroes An Oxford solicitor has raised over £25,000 for charity by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – despite not reaching the summit due to illness.

A 20-man team ran the 22 miles to the foot of the mountain with Chris on a stretcher, and he was rushed by ambulance to the nearest hospital.

Chris Kane, a partner at Oxford law firm, Withy King, recently embarked on the 5,895 metre Tanzanian mountain challenge in aid of Help for Heroes, a national charity which helps wounded service men and women.

“I am feeling much stronger now and am very thankful to those who came to my aid. I’d like to thank all the firms that have supported me, especially under the circumstances! I am proud to have been able to raise £25,000 for such a worthy cause.”

If you’d like to make any last minute donations contact Chris Kane on 07976 573 013, email chris.kane@withyking.co.uk or visit www.bmycharity.com/kilimanjaroJune2011

He was on the final leg of the journey at 16,000 ft, just 4,000 ft from the summit, when he became seriously ill and lost consciousness. Doctors are unsure whether Chris was suffering from a tropical virus or the effects of altitude sickness.

Chris Kane, a partner in Withy King’s Corporate Dispute Resolution team, on Mount Kilimanjaro, before he became ill.

The Oxfordshire Business Awards Dinner The 2011 Oxfordshire Business Awards Dinner took place on Friday 17th June. The Dinner was a sell out and was attended by 500 guests including winners, finalists, sponsors and other Oxfordshire businesses. The audience was entertained by compere Garry Richardson. Paul Lowe, Chairman of the Oxfordshire Business Awards, said “It was a truly great evening with dancing into the early hours”. “2011 has been another fantastic celebration of the breadth and depth of talent in the Oxfordshire business community.”

Excitement grew throughout the evening as to who the winners were. Notable names to be successful

www.b4-business.com

were Mike O'Regan, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Kelvin Thomas, Oxford United, winner of The Shaw Gibbs Young Business Person Award, Paul Lindley, Ella's Kitchen, winner of The Shaw Gibbs Business Person Award and Allmakes Limited who were the overall winner of The Blenheim Palace Business Of The Year Award.

For further information about the Oxfordshire Business Awards 2012, please contact Awards Secretary Jane Reeve jreeve@darbys.co.uk or Awards Chairman Paul Lowe plowe@darbys.co.uk

11

£38 £38 FROM

..50 50

News Wavecave The Wavecave is a combination of a top of the range surfboard bag and a tent. By utilizing the innovative design features of the product the tent part can be erected within minutes – perfect for the beach or campground. The Wavecave is suitable for travelling with either surf or kitesurf gear providing full protection for your boards and a shelter for two for any occasion.

Marta and Jez began evolving the idea having spent years travelling the world camping and surfing. Marta, with her background in Product Design, came up with the innovative solution and Wavecave was born.

Now back in the UK, with production in Indonesia, the pair are poised to take on the extreme sports industry. www.wavecavesurf.com

New Oxfordshire Support Group for Prostate Cancer Patients Launched

With thirty-five members already active, the group is in the process of establishing a website, and plans to hold at least four meetings a year. In due course the group will be supporting awareness events in

the county to remind men of the existence of the condition and to seek early treatment when they spot any possible symptoms.

B4 Ambassador, Dave Beesley (pictured), who is himself living with Prostate Cancer commented.

“This is a lifeline for patients like myself. We need to give this new group all the support it can get.”

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

The Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group, initiated by patients and staff of the Churchill Hospital, is open to all prostate cancer sufferers and their families in the County. It will provide a relaxed social environment to enable those affected, and their families, to meet in comfortable surroundings and, if they wish to, discuss any of the issues arising from a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

For further information please email secopcsg@btinternet.com or telephone George Goldsmith 01235 763486.

Also see www.oxonpcsg.co.uk.

Changing perspectives in nanotechnology recent report.

Although self-replicating nanomachines which first popularised nanotechnology are a far-fetched idea – “ as viable as time-travel” according to expert Mark Welland of Cambridge University –industrial applications of nanoparticles are rapidly developing. Sunscreens and bacteriocidal clothing represented early uses, but paints, drinks containers, medicines and medical diagnostics are recent applications. However there are concerns that nanoparticles will disperse in the environment and become as harmful to humans as asbestos.

Nanotechnology (manipulating matter on molecular scales) is not the catastrophic branch of science, which many had feared, suggests a

The debate has become more intense, with a globally recognised report this year by Gardea-

Torresday of Texas University on the implications of nanoparticles entering the food chain. Some relief from these worries is however provided from results of medical testing in a significant paper by Wohlleben in the June edition of the nanotech journal Small, which concluded that materials incorporating nanoparticles were no more dangerous than those without. This debate could rival that over GM crops in the coming years.

For more details see http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/s mll.201002054/full. For information about nanotechnology research in Oxford, see http://research.chem.ox.ac.uk/johnfoord.aspx

B4 Bike Ride: Paris - Oxford - 1st - 4th June 2012 It’s all Dave Robertson’s fault (see article page 88)! We’ve all decided to get nice new bikes and ride 270 miles from Paris to Oxford next June, arriving back at Oxford Castle on Monday 4th June. We have a team of 10 so far, but the more the merrier!

www.b4-business.com

It’s all in aid of our fantastic 2012 Preferred Charity which will be revealed in December this year.

If you want to make a donation, sponsor or join the team, then please call Richard 01865 742211 or e-mail richard@inoxford.com.

13

Launch Your Career in WEB !

O X F O R D

BA/BSc WEB DEVELOPMENT* 2 Year Degree or exit 1st Year with a SAE Diploma

re i u q n E line On AY! D TO

Power the future of E-Commerce *Validated by Middlesex University

Realise your potential with SAE Institute!

Call now for a Campus Tour or register for our next Open Day Sunday 4th September 2011 // 11.00 am - 3.00 pm

http://oxford.sae.edu Call: 01865 787150

News Vale House – pioneering the way for in dementia care For most of us, the thought of losing our ability to care for ourselves or losing our memory is unimaginable - yet for one in three of us, this will happen in our lifetime. You may already have been affected by dementia through a family member, work colleague or a friend.

In Oxfordshire, there is a major shortage of specialist care homes to look after those affected by severe dementia. Vale House is one charity that wants to change that.

This year, Vale House has embarked on a major project - to build a state of the art care home at Sandford on Thames.

The appeal chairman, Richard Dick of W Lucy & Co would like to invite the business community to join his Appeal Committee to help bring this project home. For more information, please visit www.valehouse.org.uk or telephone 01865 794096.

Oxon-LEP Priorities 8 months since the establishment of the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, its Chairman, Dr Martin Dare-Edwards, describes the challenges and actual progress made on the Oxon-LEP’s priorities…

The Oxfordshire LEP (Oxon-LEP) was created as a single-county entity recognising this county's economic uniqueness with a predominance of SME's. With zero expenditure budget, wholly voluntary resourcing from business leaders, and some limited “officer” support from Oxfordshire

County Council, our prioritisation to the most important actions to support regrowth of the economy has to be 'brutal'!

All our decisions and activities are tested against our 'Touchstone' being to “increase the number of sustainable, high-value-adding jobs in Oxfordshire”.

The latter descriptor means a lot more than just 'high technology' jobs - a more appropriate interpretation is “jobs that create more jobs”. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/lep

HR2YOU Advice Page Coming in B4 Issue 21, Sarah Morris of HR2YOU answers your questions about HR. If you have any queries you would like Sarah to respond to, please e-mail her at Sarah@hr2you.co.uk.

Be sure not to miss this great new feature next issue!

Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique Scoops Prestigious ‘Best Bridal Retailer 2011’ Awards In a high-powered presentation by TV fashion guru John Scott on 14th March 2011, over 600 guests from across the UK, Continental Europe and the US joined forces to celebrate the best of the best in all things Bridal and the much coveted award of Best UK Bridal Retailer was awarded to Ellie Sanderson Bridal Boutique.

Winning this award is such a massive achievement as it is less than four years since the ELLIE SANDERSON business launched their first shop in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire followed by their

www.b4-business.com

second boutique in Oxford town centre in 2010.

When asked how she felt about winning this award for Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire owner / founder Ellie Sanderson commented: “I am still floating on cloud nine after winning this fabulous accolade last Monday evening. The Bridal Buyers Awards is a bit like the Bridal Oscars so to win this after only three and a half years of trading has left us all very proud". www.elliesanderson.com

15

Grand designs...

New Grand Voyager Limited On the Road Price: £35,995.00 Customer Deposit £8,924.00 Amount of Credit £27,071.00 41 Monthly Payments of £499.00 Optional Final Payment £9,403.00 Total Amount Payable £38,786.00 Duration of contract 42 Months Rate of Interest (Fixed) 3.97% Representative 4.4% APR Miles per annum: 10,000 Excess mileage charge: 12ppm Vehicle shown is US specification for illustration purposes FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES IN MPG (L/100KM) FOR GRAND VOYAGER CRD LIMITED: EC COMBINED 33.6 (8.4),EC EXTRA URBAN 40.4 (7.0), EC URBAN 25.7 (11.0). CO2 EMISSIONS (G/KM) 222

Promotion available on new Grand Voyager models registered between 1st July and 30th Sept 2011. 25% deposit required. With Chrysler Horizon you have the option to return the vehicle and not pay the final payment, subject to the vehicle not having exceeded an agreed annual mileage and being in good condition. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Jeep and Chrysler are registered trademarks of Chrysler Group LLC. We work with a number of creditors to provide finance to our customers, including Chrysler Group Financial Services. Chrysler Group Financial Services, PO BOX 108, Leeds LS27 0WU. Prices and specification correct at time of going to press (25/07/11).

New Grand Cherokee OTR price for Grand Cherokee 3.0 V6 CRD Limited £36,795 Customer Deposit £9,206.00 Amount of Credit £27,589.00 36 Monthly Payments of £499.00 Optional Final Payment £13,484.00 Total Amount Payable £40,653.64 Duration of contract 37 Months Rate of Interest (Fixed) 5.77% Representative 6.2% APR Miles per annum: 10,000 Excess mileage charge: 12ppm Vehicle shown is US specification for illustration purposes FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES IN MPG (L/100KM) FOR THE JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE RANGE: URBAN 27.4 (10.3), EXTRA URBAN 39.2 (7.2), COMBINED 34.0 (8.3). CO 2 EMISSIONS (G/KM) 218 Promotion available on new Grand Cherokee models registered between 1st July and 30th Sept 2011. 25% deposit required. With Chrysler Horizon you have the option to return the vehicle and not pay the final payment, subject to the vehicle not having exceeded an agreed annual mileage and being in good condition. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Jeep and Chrysler are registered trademarks of Chrysler Group LLC. We work with a number of creditors to provide finance to our customers, including Chrysler Group Financial Services. Chrysler Group Financial Services, PO BOX 108, Leeds LS27 0WU. Prices and specification correct at time of going to press (25/07/11).

CHRYSLER OXFORD Shipton on Cherwell, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 1JH Tel: 01865 376000 • www.chrysleroxford.co.uk

news STOP PRESS BOTTLE has been announced as a finalist for the Consultancy of the Year Award (Boutique category) at the PR Week Awards 2011. The winner will be announced at October's award ceremony.

BOTTLE Win the digital award for groundbreaking HistoryTM Foursquare campaign BOTTLE is celebrating this morning after scooping ’Best Use of Location-Based Tools’ for its work with TV channel HISTORY at the prestigious CorpComms Digi Awards 2011 held in London last night (6 July 2011).

BOTTLE was appointed in February by the TV channel to drive social media support for the launch of HISTORY’s new partnership with location-based social network, foursquare.

The tie up - a first between foursquare and a UK television channel, was aimed at encouraging people to engage with the HISTORY brand by

‘checking-in’ via foursquare at London’s famous landmarks and historic sites as well as the lesser known parts such as bars and cafes, monuments and streets.

Paul Sutton, Head of Social Communications at BOTTLE says: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award for our HISTORY campaign. Online activity is becoming increasingly important within PR. To receive this recognition from a judging panel that includes highly respected industry peers is extremely satisfying, and proves that BOTTLE is an agency with a credible social media stance.”

BOTTLE named as a Top Consumer Agency

The industry magazine listed the Top 50 Consumer UK Agencies.

understand the needs of our consumer clients, and work with them to produce effective and strategic consumer campaigns. There’s no point in creating a traditional print-led media relations campaign to reach 15 year old girls; they’re on Facebook or in the local shopping centre, not reading The Guardian!”

Claire Cairns, Director & Founder of BOTTLE PR says: “We’re thrilled with this recognition. We really

Founded in 2004, BOTTLE has evolved from a traditional public relations agency to an all-

Oxford-based public relations consultancy, BOTTLE, has been named as one of the UK’s top Consumer agencies, according to trade bible PR Week.

encompassing communications agency. BOTTLE has a portfolio of national consumer brands from Poundland, DYLON, The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys and musicMagpie.co.uk.

This year has also seen BOTTLE named as the top PR Agency outside London by The Recommended Agency Register as well as scoop two awards, including Best In Events, at the RAR Awards.

Expert View: Why Microsoft Should Be Terrified Of Google+ In this article, Paul Sutton, BOTTLE’S Head of Social Communications, explains Google+ and predicts its future.

“There's been an incredible amount of social commentary about Google+ over the last few weeks. But I think we've all missed the point: for Google, there's an awful lot more at stake than whether or not it can beat Facebook.

Google has a suite of online collaboration tools that are second to none: GMail, Google Docs, Calendar, Chrome, YouTube, Picassa, Reader, Blogger and the most progressive mobile OS, Android. It recently announced the launch of the Chromebook, a new type of computer that does nothing but browse the

www.b4-business.com

web. Add Google+ to this and you now have social networking, photo storage direct from a mobile, and video messaging. And that's what G+ is really about: integration and collaboration. Does Google want to compete with Facebook? Sure it does, but what it really wants to do is to own the cloud.

And never mind Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn, that’s very bad news for Microsoft. While Apple has iCloud, Microsoft hasn’t made any significant innovations in years and, chiefly, is falling a long way behind in the race for mobile supremacy. If I were Bill Gates, I’d be investing some of my $56 billion fortune back into my company pretty sharp.

Wouldn’t you?”

www.bottlepr.co.uk

17

Finding Companies Outstanding People The Career Boutique prides itself on the personal relationships it has with its clients.

Our reputation is built on professionalism, integrity and trust.

01235 854 046

www.TheCareerBoutique.com

news Meet Oxfordshire

meet oxfordshire

To better reflect its county-wide focus, Visit Oxfordshire’s conference bureau, formerly known as Destination Oxford, is undergoing a rebrand to become ‘Meet Oxfordshire’.

A new website is underway, www.meetoxfordshire.com and is due to be launched in the autumn.

Meet Oxfordshire provides a free venue-finding service to businesses to source stimulating and

memorable settings for business occasions of every kind, from single meeting rooms to large conferences, as well as providing great ideas and locations for incentive meetings. Accommodation options as well as a number of other support services can be included to make the organisation of any business event as simple as possible. The Meet Oxfordshire team can be contacted on 01608 731802, enquiries@destination-oxford.com

New range of services from Oxford TIC As well as providing information, attraction tickets, walking tours and souvenirs to visitors and residents the Tourist Information Centre in Oxford, which is now the hub information centre for Visit Oxfordshire, has introduced some new services:

and local businesses as well as a hamper service of hampers filled with local produce. Both the corporate gifts and hamper service can be tailormade to suit businesses’ requirements and price range. Information on the gift and hamper service is available from Brenda Eden at Visit Oxfordshire, tel: 01865 252300.

It now offers a range of corporate gifts for visitors

Tourist Information Centre Breaks New Records Oxford Tourist Information Centre goes from strength to strength in terms of visitor numbers and breaking records.

In the last financial year over half a million visitors were welcomed at the Tourist Information Centre on Broad Street. This was an increase of 30,000 people compared to 2009/10, which was already regarded as a record-breaking year. And the visitors are spending more too, with revenue to date this year 25% above budget, bucking the trend of Information Centres across the country.

Visit Oxfordshire News The creation of a joint organisation with Oxford Inspires, the cultural development agency for the county, is on track.

As well as the tourism and cultural teams continuing in their own specialised areas of work, there will also

be joint projects to ensure that Oxfordshire businesses can achieve maximum impact, whether in the tourism or cultural arenas. By working together Oxford Inspires and Visit Oxfordshire will help ensure that Oxfordshire maintains its reputation as a world-class destination.

How do I get involved?

Whether your business is aimed at the leisure or business tourism market, full information on how to become a partner of Visit Oxfordshire can be found at www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com/corporate. Partnership packages range from just £100 to £10,000 per annum, and all levels include membership of Tourism South East.

and related services, with the opportunity to buy into additional activity and services throughout the year. Therefore, partnership can be tailored to specific businesses’ needs, providing the flexibility to better target their activity.

For more details on how your business can join Visit Oxfordshire please contact Susi Golding – sgolding@oxford.gov.uk or Jo Butler jbutler@oxford.gov.uk

Visit Oxfordshire partners benefit from a number of marketing opportunities

www.b4-business.com

www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com

19

21st August - www.flytothepast.com - Oxford's Air Show

THINK SMARTER, FLY OXFORD • SUMMER SERVICES TO JERSEY & GUERNSEY WWW.DISCOVERJERSEY.COM • PRIVATE CHARTER FROM 4 SEATS TO 15, 200MPH TWINS TO 600MPH JETS • REGIONAL AIRLINER CHARTER FOR CONFERENCES, EVENTS, FROM 20-100 SEATS • HELICOPTER SERVICES (22 MINS TO LONDON) • SIGHTSEEING & TRIAL TRAINING FLIGHTS • OXFORDSHIRE’S AEROSPACE HUB WITH OVER 20 BUSINESSES EMPLOYING 800 PROFESSIONALS

www.oxfordairport.co.uk 01865 290600

news Oxford Inspires is the cultural development agency for Oxfordshire. We work with partners in business, local government, with Arts Council England, The University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University to create new opportunities for arts and heritage organisations, nurture new festivals and spectacular events and to engage as many people as possible in exciting cultural experiences. We collaborate with cultural organisations across the county to support their ambitions, help them to reach a wider audience and to raise Oxfordshire’s profile as a cultural destination nationally and internationally.

When the going gets tough, the tough support the Arts! would “almost always” or “frequently” buy a product sponsoring arts or cultural events over one that does not. Even more revealing was that almost half (48%) of Americans with an interest in arts and cultural events indicated that they would hold a “higher” trust in companies that sponsor these events to those who do not, while only 16% of Olympic Games enthusiasts claim a “higher” trust in their sponsors. Food for thought for their British counterparts?

In 2009, the soon to be Chancellor George Osborne said “If we are to see sustainable economic growth, the creative industries will have to play a leading role.” This is not about choosing between a concert or a fire engine, a play or a local hospital. The arts are at the heart of our culture, our communities and our economy. On an investment of only 7p per £100 of public spending, the arts play a key role in tourism, education, cultural accountability and community cohesion. They help business engage with their staff and their customers and help local organisations contribute, in an enjoyable way, to the life of the local community.

MINI Plant Oxford supporting MESH festival

Everyone knows that the straitened times in which we live demand hard choices. Central and local Government, hard-pushed to manage the Balance Sheet of UK PLC, cut expenditure in areas that have the least impact politically and, all too often, that includes culture and the arts. The consequence is not only the loss of many small cultural providers, but also a material reduction in the drive and motivation of the remaining organisations who have to spend a disproportionate amount of their time searching for new funding streams. Time that would be better spent working creatively to deliver more great experiences, more often, for the benefit of their local community audiences.

The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire us, fostering creativity, goodness and joy. They help us express our values, build bridges between cultures and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion or age. When times are tough, the arts are salve for the ache. In the USA, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated that a high concentration of the arts in a city leads to a higher civic engagement, more social cohesion, higher child welfare and lower poverty rates. A vibrant arts community ensures that young people are not left to be raised solely in a pop culture and tabloid market-place.

So, if times are really tough, why on earth should the business community want to invest in supporting culture when shareholders, customers and consumers are all demanding value with the subsequent pressure on costs and margins? There are two powerful reasons – customers and staff.

In Oxfordshire we are fortunate to have Oxford Inspires, the county’s cultural development agency. It works to bring together businesses and cultural organisations based on mutual needs and objectives. Engagement with business is led by the members of its Corporate Council, all local business leaders whose companies have benefited from engagement with local arts organisations.

“Lucy Properties is extremely proud of its Oxford heritage. We want Oxford to continue to be a place where people want to work and live and strongly believe that culture and the arts is a vital part of that equation.” Ian Ashcroft “As a major Oxfordshire law firm Blake Lapthorn always regarded our involvement in the community as an important role for the firm. By supporting cultural events, not only does this provide opportunities for us to meet with existing and future clients, but it also provides opportunities for our staff to become involved.” Jonathan Lloyd-Jones “Supporting community projects is a key objective for MINI Plant Oxford. Being a good neighbour and giving back something to the local area is a responsibility, whatever the size of business and whether that’s in kind or pure financial support.” Rebecca Baxter “CPM is the proud sponsor of the Thame Arts & Literature Festival. It is the symbiosis of art, literature and commerce that delivers such a professional festival and we welcome the opportunity for our firm and our staff to share in the cultural life and experience of our town.” Martin Ryan For more information regarding Oxford Inspires and the way that it helps businesses effectively use sponsorship to achieve their corporate goals, contact Kathelene Weiss, Director, Oxford Inspires 01865 815525 Kathelene.Weiss@Oxfordshire.gov.uk .

A recent study by Performance Research (a leading USA research company), stated that over half (56%) of consumers with an interest in the arts say they

www.b4-business.com

www.oxfordinspires.org

21

It’s a beautiful day for PR

Welcome to BOTTLE’S new look We deliver vivid PR campaigns, relentless media relations, strategic communications advice and successful social communications.

Whatever your sector - from accountancy to FMCG - is our first question. If you know your audience, we know how and where to reach them.

Website:

ZZZ ERWWOHSU FR XN

Follow:

TTelephone: elephone:

KWWS WZLWWHU FRP ERWWOHBSU P ERWWOHBSU

IDFHERRN FRP ERWWOHSU IDFHERRN FRP ERWWOHSU

Email: Ema mail:

EULQJLWRQ#ERWWOHSU FR XN EULQJLWRQ#ERWWOHSU FR XN OLQNHGLQ FRP FRPSDQ\ ERWWOH SU OLQNHGLQ FRP FRPSDQ\ ERWWOH SU

news Living up to their name When Tracy Hoodless named her recruitment agency “Champion” thirty years ago, she was undoubtedly setting her aims high.

But after three decades running this successful business, and a string of industry awards, the name clearly fits. But for many local charities the name was even more prescient. Since setting up her Oxford-based company Tracy has donated around £1 million pounds to causes close to her heart.

Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds, which supports the John Radcliffe, Churchill, Horton and Children’s Hospitals as well as the Cancer and Heart Centres was one of several local charities to receive major donations at the recent dinner held to celebrate Champion’s thirty years in the business.

Matthew Pinsent was the guest of honour, but the real star was unquestionably Tracy who handed out cheques totalling over quarter of a million pounds to the assembled charities.

Tracy explained: “I am delighted to be able to donate to these worthy charities who work tirelessly for the benefit of so many including the young, the disabled and the infirm in our community.”

This generosity is simply incredible, and we would like to thank Tracy and all her team for their exceptional support over many years. This most recent donation of £120,000 – for heart and cancer causes at our hospitals, will make a huge difference to so many patients - young and old. Thank you Champions Tracy Hoodless with guest of honour Matthew Pinsent

Staff and supporters go extra mile and Jess – who had never run a marathon before - managed to complete the 26.2 miles in just 3 hours and 37 minutes – finishing in the top 1% of runners.

Inspired? Sign up for the Oxford Half Marathon on September 25th at oxfordhalfmarathon.co.uk and set up a justgiving page for your chosen Charitable Funds cause. Do call us on 01865 743444 to find out more.

Jessica Webb completes the grueling London Marathon

It’s been a busy few months for Jessica Webb.

The Heart Centre nurse rounded off 2010 by saving the life of a man having a heart attack in her local supermarket. Hailed by local press as the “saviour in the salad aisle” Jess went on to receive the Chief Constable’s Commendation award from Oxfordshire Police. The experience prompted her to enter the London Marathon

COMING UP: Sunday 18 September - Children’s Hospital Abseil - £10 to enter.

Wednesday 5 October “It’s all about the Image”

A team of cardiac clinicians recently tackled the famous Three Peaks challenge. Led by cardiothoracic surgeon Rana Sayeed, the group of ten kicked off by climbing Ben Nevis’s 4,406 feet, complete with blizzards at the top. They then scaled Scaffel Pike in the Lake District followed by a 3,560 Snowdon peak and a 3,560 foot peak. All this in under 28 hours whilst raising over £5,000 for the Heart Centre Campaign.

And in June dozens of people took part in our heart and cancer abseil – amongst them Brian and Audrey Berryman, with a combined age of 175!

– a stylish evening at the Electric Salon in Oxford, supporting the breast cancer imaging appeal.

Saturday 15 October – Black-tie dinner at Wadham College for Cancer Centre – Fine food and wine in the glorious surrounding of Wadham

The Oxford couple have both had bowel cancer and 88 year old Audrey explained: “I thought this is something I can do and something I should do, as a small thank you for the wonderful treatment we have both received.”

Brian, a former WW2 pilot, added: “I’m really proud of Audrey. The wet weather made it all quite demanding – but she was like something out of the SAS the way she came down that wall.”

He added: “People have been very, very generous and kind. It shows how warm-hearted the people of Oxfordshire are and how much they appreciate the hospital services they have.”

The event looks set to raise £25,000 for the Heart and Cancer Centres. Our next cancer and heart fundraiser is a three mile sponsored walk on October 30th. Or you could abseil for the Children’s Hospital on Sunday 18 September. Why not enter a team of staff from your company for one of these events?

College with guest speaker Michael Barratt.

Sunday 30 October - It’s Not Just a Walk in the Park – Support your local cancer and heart centres at a gentle three miles walk through Oxford University Parks.

To find out more about our events go to www.orhcharitablefunds.nhs.uk or email charity@orh.nhs.uk or call 01865 743444. Why not join our Facebook page and hear all our latest news? Search under ORH Charitable Funds.

www.b4-business.com

23

the social

In association with

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

Reasons why Glooo thinks Social Media in Oxfordshire is important.....

The website was the first social media tool for the masses. There are lots of ways to get your name out there and most of them cost money. Social media allows you to take advantage of the many ways to connect with other businesses and your clients ...the best bit is that it doesn't cost you a penny … ..except your time!

Question: “When was the last time you got a free advert to promote to a worldwide audience equivalent to a TV ad?”

Relationships We all understand the benefits of relationships. When I first joined Facebook a few years ago, I quickly learned that I had inadvertently become a member of a secret society. Other Facebook friends would give me acknowledgment as we met with an unspoken understanding that we shared a common interest, and used a medium that could deliver so much more to us as a group.

Question: “When was the last time you wrote a hand written letter to a business associate and posted it?”

Resource Social networking sites are great places to learn and find solutions to business problems. The old adage of a problem shared is a problem halved is the mantra and reason for joining social network groups on Linkedin, Facebook or Twitter.

Question: “When was the last time you went to library to reference a book?”

Communication Social media has created two-way dialogue. History has taught us that with new ways of communicating to the masses with new ideas, new possibilities and opportunities will present themselves. This all means that your business can communicate exactly to the places you want to, and that your business can be

Pictured: Chris Jones of Glooo

heard by the people that matter.

Question: “When was the last time your business made a cold call?”

These are some reasons why we think social media is important. Glooo are by no means social media experts but we understand the implications of social media and can help you to measure its success and find you new clients.

I'll leave you with 4 thoughts: • The Queen has a website, a You Tube channel, a flickr and Twitter account • Barack Obama won an election and still uses Facebook to deliver key messages to the masses of the US • The Fallowfields Hotel and Restaurant in Oxfordshire has over 13,777 Twitter followers - see below!

• Your biggest competitor is doing something with Social media! www.glooo.co.uk

Top 10 Social Networkers in Oxfordshire

#

Followers

Company

#

Followers

Company

#

Followers

Company

1

4814

University of Oxford

1

176550

Oxfam

1

256136

University of Oxford

2

3820

John Wiley & Sons

2

46414

Lotus Renault

2

117701

Sophos

3

3030

Oxfam

3

29677

Williams F1 team

3

58920

Oxfam

4

2570

Sophos

4

21288

University of Oxford

4

11691

Lotus Renault

5

1935

Amey

5

13777

Fallowfields

5

10613

Oxford Brookes

6

1617

Oxford Brookes

6

5522

Travelodge Hotels UK

6

4644

Williams F1 team

7

1427

Apuit

7

5089

Jack FM

7

3478

Jack FM

8

1260

Unipart (Group)

8

3968

Oxford Brookes

8

4262

Solid State Logic

9

889

Research Machines

9

3809

Thames Valley Police

9

2111

Malmaison Oxford

10

744

Taylor Francis

10

3573

Oxford City Council

10

551

CPM

www.b4-business.com

25

NEW BARCLAY HOUSE Botley, Oxford TO LET

3,000 – 11,000 Sq Ft Modern refurbished offices with comfort cooling with excellent access to Oxford and A34.

2ND FLOOR - RAMSAY HOUSE St Ebbe’s Street, Oxford TO LET/FOR SALE

18,800 Sq Ft Unique opportunity to purchase a large office in Oxford City Centre

CHILBROOK Oasis Park, Eynsham TO LET

Ground floor 15,380 sq ft First floor 6,351 sq ft Total 21,731 sq ft Refurbished air conditioned offices

GLENMORE CENTRE Langford Locks, Kidlington TO LET/FOR SALE 1,000-3,000 sq ft

A range of office and industrial buildings to be developed

unrivaled local and regional expertise Richard Venables Tom Barton

rvenables@vslandp.com tbarton@vslandp.com

news Oxford City Centre remains the top choice for office locations.

In the first six months of 2011 we have recorded a total of approximately 61,000 sq ft of office transactions. Approximately 50% of these have been in Oxford City Centre which still proves the strong influence of the University of Oxford. We have previously mentioned the attractive rental offers available at ring road locations but this is in stark contrast to the competitive terms achieved for city centre offices. We have recently completed the sale of Ebor House comprising 10,000 sq ft on behalf of Oxford City Council. We achieved considerably in excess of the quoting

price of £2.3million having received eight bids for this property.

Within the industrial market we are likely to see the first speculative development return to the market later this year. Our clients Glenmore acquired a site of 1.8 acres at Langford Locks in Kidlington earlier this year and have just submitted a planning application for a range of office and business units from 1,000 sq ft upwards. We are confident that a quality product in this accessible location will be very appealing.

Deals, Deals and more Deals…..

Here are a selection of deals VSL and Partners have completed in the second quarter of 2011.

Willow Court, Minns Business Park, Botley – Acquisition of 6,870 sq ft on behalf of Dehns Patent Attorneys.

Ebor House, Oxford – Disposal of 10,000 sq ft office building on behalf of Oxford City Council to IFES/UCCF.

7 Blacklands Way, Abingdon – Letting of 8,140 sq ft to ATM Solutions.

Arena 14, Bicester – Letting of industrial unit to Kleeman Lifts.

Unit 14 Oakfield Industrial Estate, Eynsham – Letting of 10,075 sq ft industrial unit to Kathrein UK Limited.

ABC House, Standlake – Sale of industrial building comprising 10,490 sq ft to OES Medical.

Unit 1 Hanborough Business Park, Long Hanborough – Letting of 4,500 sq ft to Oxford Cryogenics.

Second Floor, Golden Cross Court, Oxford – Letting of office suite of 650 sq ft to Adecco.

Units 1-4 Oxford Industrial Park – Letting of 45,000 sq ft to OGM Limited.

www.b4-business.com

www.vslandp.com

27

*OFF THE RECOMMENDED RETAIL RETAIL PRICE

** **CLOSED CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY DAY

© BICESTER VILLAGE 2011

08/11

news Drink or Drive?

Well, the IoD is planning an opportunity for both, as a great way to round off the summer season - though clearly not at the same time!

Drink – at the ‘Late Summer Social’ evenings that surely lie ahead… Then it rains for three months. Until, come September when we’re all thinking we’ll never feel warm again, out pops the sun! Just in time, we’re hoping, for Oxfordshire IoD’s Late Summer Social!

So, come and enjoy the best time of the season with fellow directors from the Oxfordshire region at the Summertown Wine Café on Tuesday 13th September at 19:00.

Following on from the success of our Winter and Spring events, we’ve organised another evening of outstanding company and excellent food. It’s an informal social event that provides a great opportunity to meet fellow directors, find out more about what each of us does, and share our collective questions, knowledge and experience. There’s a particular focus on young and new directors, but all members are encouraged to attend – we hope to see you there!

Every year it’s the same: we get some unseasonably warm weather in April or May and everyone gets over-excited! Jumpers are packed away, out come the T-shirts and shorts (for the adventurous), and we all start talking about the beautiful weeks, sun-filled weekends and long, lazy

Summertown Wine Café, 38 South Parade, Oxford OX2 7JN £24 for IoD members; £30 for non-members (inc. VAT)

Drive – at the IoD ‘Formula Fast Challenge’ If speed’s more your thing, then come and join the Oxfordshire branch of the IoD on Wednesday 30th November at 18:00 – 22:30 for an adrenaline-fuelled go-karting event with the latest state-of-the-art karts, fantastic facilities and a great location!

The evening will consist of a Le-Mans Endurance team event where several drivers share a kart competing as a team in a longer race – complete with qualifiers, driver changes and pit-stops. There’s no need to attend as a group: we’ll be putting the teams together at the event, so it’ll be a great oportunity to get to know some new people from the region!

After the racing, you’ll have a chance to meet and hear from the hottest new female racing driver and sports talent in the UK: Alice Powell. Alice learnt to drive a car at the age of six, started karting at eight and went on to become the youngest ever female driver in the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship and the World’s first female Formula Renault Champion last year at the age of just 17. Alice will be sharing the fascinating story of her racing career whilst you work up the appetite for the delicious buffet which follows.

Formula Fast Karting, Banbury, OX16 3JU £54 for IoD members and their guests; £60 for non-members (inc. VAT) Details on how to book and the full events programme can be found at: www.iod.com/oxfordshire or contact the IoD Branch Administrator – Rebecca Upright at admin.oxfordshire@iod.net

www.b4-business.com

www.iod.com/oxfordshire

29

There Is More To Life Than Increasing It’s Speed.

(Ghandi)

Let us help you with your work/life balance The MGroup has the resources to handle the financial routines of your business to allow you to deal with the priorities.

• Accountancy • Business Development • Registered Auditors • Computer Solutions • Taxation • Corporate Finance • Software Development • Financial Services

Visit our website www.themgroup.co.uk or call 01865 552925 Cranbrook House 287 / 291 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7JQ Tel: 01865 552925 Fax: 01865 557732 Website: www.theMgroup.co.uk

news Picture © Imaging Essence

An OTCN message to Mary

Lotte Duncan at the 2010 Thame Food Festival.

With fashion guru Mary Portas tasked by the Government to advise on ways to ensure the future vitality of our High Streets, OTCN members across Oxfordshire have much to say. Asked what they would say to Mary, OTCN’s lead contacts in Oxfordshire’s market towns came up with a number of specific and detailed suggestions – all of which we’re sending on to the ‘Queen of Shops’ – but two strong themes emerged.

We believe two things are making a real difference, and contributing to our market towns avoiding the worst effects of the recession and the abovenational-average numbers of empty shops that afflicted so many. They are hard work and partnerships working. Hard work because a lot of the positive promotional events and activities we’ve seen have been driven by volunteers; business people by day, who’ve given their time and skills to their chamber or business group and their town. Partnerships working, because many of the best and most sustainable examples have seen businesses and local council teams working together.

It’s a source of huge encouragement to be able to say that the range and sheer number of initiatives in Oxfordshire’s market towns is now too many to name individually. In summary, we have music, literary and arts festivals; local and international markets, events that draw on the strengths of a town’s traders, from weddings to health & beauty, local produce and much more.

As a result we have a great deal to say in our ‘Message to Mary’. To readers of B4 who are keen to support the towns they’re working in for commercial businesses or live in the locale as residents, we can say your support now and in the future as sponsors, partners, players or simply as visitors, makes a huge difference too.

You can keep up to speed with the initiatives in our market towns via www.otcn.co.uk or by following us on twitter with otcniain

...and an international perspective OTCN is as busy as ever with new initiatives and a growing membership.

Force India F1. See www.oxfocus.co.uk

• We’re entering phase 2 for the Oxfordshire International Trade Forum which – thanks to our friends at Lloyds TSB Commercial – sees us working with public and private sector partners and with export and import businesses to boost the county’s record in this key area (see www.otcn.co.uk/internationaltrade).

• We’re adding new business networking initiatives to our thriving events network at www.otcn.co.uk/events_network.htm - Leaderfest from MD2MD and The Meet & Mingle Network are just the latest.

• Our high profile speaker-networking event OxFocus in partnership with Charles Russell LLP and The Learning Ladder has a strong line up for the remainder of 2011, including Harley-Davidson, Westminster Group plc, and

www.b4-business.com

• And we’re strengthening links with our fellow groups the CBI, IoD, FSB and Oxfordshire Chamber as an ever stronger voice for business in our county. If your Oxfordshire business has issues and challenges we can help with, we’d love to hear from you.

31

intouchcrm intouchcrm

intouchcrm

news Innovation Centre’s First Occupier Graduates To Premises on Milton Park We required a purpose built facility to accommodate our current and future growth and Milton Park has configured and equipped a bespoke office and laboratory for us in the Science Campus. Our employees are very happy working at Milton Park and it is an attractive location for our new staff to work.”

James Dipple, Managing Director for MEPC Milton Park, added: “Being able to relocate what was a fledgling company when it first joined Milton Park elsewhere onsite, highlights the diverse property portfolio we have on offer and the expertise we have in managing and facilitating any occupier growth on the estate.”

For more press information, please contact Stephen or Jenny at SRF on 01252 850540, or email jenny@communicationmatters.co.uk

Picture shows from left to right: Debbie Rushton, Centre Manager for the Milton Park Innovation Centre, and Andy McLeod, CEO of Claresys, with James Dipple, Managing Director for MEPC Milton Park.

The Innovation Centre’s first ever occupier, Claresys Ltd, a developer and supplier of uniquely capable lenses for incorporation into surveillance and vision systems, is graduating to larger premises at Milton Park.

Claresys joined the Innovation Centre, based inside building 99 at Milton Park, in January 2009 and has experienced sustained growth throughout this period, leading to the move to the Science Campus at building 154 on the estate.

Debbie Rushton, centre manager for the Milton Park Innovation Centre, said: “Here at the centre we will be sad to see Claresys go. As one of the first occupiers at the centre, in its very early days, the team here has got to know Claresys very well.

“I hope there will be lots of opportunities to work with Claresys in the future, in many different ways in the Oxfordshire business community. The Innovation Centre will continue to enjoy working with and supporting the growth of companies currently here and look forward to welcoming the next generation of success stories.”

Andy McLeod, CEO of Claresys, said: “One of the reasons we originally chose Milton Park as the location for our business was due to the range of flexible accommodation it has to offer, with the Innovation Centre being the ideal starting point.

“We are now recruiting to double our existing headcount, increasing our investment in assembly and test facilities and resourcing a major new contract.

Milton Park Purchased by MEPC in 1985, Milton Park is a thriving commercial environment and one of Europe’s largest business and science parks. Nearly 200 occupants employ over 6,500 people to work at Milton Park. Close to the M4 and M40 and with fast rail links from Didcot Parkway to London, Bristol, Oxford and Reading, Milton Park is an ideal location for national and international business.

For more information, please visit: www.mepc.com/miltonpark Oxford Innovation Oxford Innovation is a leading operator of business and innovation centres that provide office and laboratory space to companies throughout the UK. The company also provides innovation services to entrepreneurs, including business planning advice, coaching and mentoring.

Oxford Innovation also manages three highly successful investment networks that link investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding from £20,000 to £2m.

During the last five years, the investment networks have helped over 90 companies raise £19.5m.

For more information, please visit: www.oxin.co.uk Claresys Claresys develops unique lenses for incorporation into surveillance and vision systems and sells these to law enforcement agencies worldwide. Claresys products typically offer significant improvements in ease of installation and operational flexibility over conventional lenses. Optics are the front end of any visual surveillance system and are the point at which the worlds of the observed and the observer meet. Claresys lens solutions tip the balance in favour of those wishing to obtain good quality intelligence and evidence.

For more information, please visit: www.claresys.com

Milton Park Innovation Centre Experience Record Month The Innovation Centre at Milton Park, one of Europe’s largest business and science estates, has experienced a record month with 17 companies moving in and out of the centre, the equivalent of a company move every two days.

Between 10 June 2011 and 10 July 2011, the Milton Park Innovation Centre has attracted 8 new companies onsite, three organisations have relocated within the centre because they needed more space and three businesses have graduated to other premises on the Milton Park estate.

www.b4-business.com

James Dipple, Managing Director for MEPC Milton Park, said: “The Innovation Centre acts as the perfect incubator for fledgling companies. Start-up businesses are given the support to be able to succeed and so expand to other offices on the Milton Park estate. Our strategy is to encourage start-up and small businesses into an environment which allows them to focus on their own corporate goals while we take care of their premises. Obviously this strategy in turn provides us with a steady stream of companies who need to expand into other office locations on our estate.”

www.oxin.co.uk

33

ABOUT

BRIDLE

Bridle Insurance has a long history, which can trace its origins back to 1969, when Joe Bridle started the business in a Lyndhurst shed deep in the New Forest, Hampshire. The company has grown steadily and is now a multi-million pound business serving customers from all corners of the British Isles.

With forty years experience as specialist brokers to the Civil Engineering, Plant and Construction industries, Bridle has developed valuable and long term relationships with most UK insurers operating in these sectors. These enviable partnerships allow Bridle to access specially negotiated facilities and very advantageous rates with excellent levels of cover and security.

The success achieved in these areas has allowed the company to expand into other sectors and it now has some very large accounts in food wholesale supply, shops and offices, commercial and residential property, manufacturing, fashion and reprographics. Bridle also has a vibrant and fast growing personal lines unit which can provide surprisingly competitive quotes from a large panel of car, van, household and travel insurers.

Bridle’s fleet department is able to provide competitive rates, tailored to individual customer requirements, can quote for any combination of vehicles, and has excellent facilities for cars, minibuses, performance vehicles, trucks and vans.

A competitive Leisure and Sport Insurance division is also part of the Bridle offering where a large and wide ranging portfolio is being developed.

Bridle can also offer a very competitive car and van leasing facility to augment their insurance divisions.

Whether you are looking for a car, van, tipper, minibus or pick up. Bridle would be confident they could save you money with their attractive finance packages.

Take the right path to Bridle Insurance. www.bridleinsurance.co.uk

34

www.b4-business.com

B4 LEAD

BRIDLE

INSURANCE Over the past twelve to eighteen months there has been a definite shift in the desires of larger local businesses to be visible in the local community, despite aspirations to develop on a national scale. This is certainly true in the case of leading local UK insurance intermediary, Bridle Insurance. Richard Rosser met with Bridle’s effervescent Chief Operations Officer, Neil Fox, to gain an insight into this exciting company’s vision for growth.

Every so often B4 has the pleasure of connecting with a local business which simply takes your breath away and mesmerises by virtue of its speed and efficiency of operation, does what it says it’s going to do, and has often already done it! Such is the case with Bridle Insurance who are making a lot of people in the UK insurance intermediary market sit up and take notice.

Fresh, positive and with an unassailable ‘can do’ approach to everything they do, Bridle are a smooth operation, handling policy negotiations and transfers efficiently and professionally. Quite simply, Bridle are a joy to work with and it’s not difficult to see why their young, but experienced and highly dynamic management team have the confidence and determination to grow so quickly.

Neil Fox & Stewart Donald head up the Bridle operation. They are on a mission and evolving the Bridle brand well ahead of schedule by pressing full steam ahead on a programme of organic growth and acquisition which would leave the feint-hearted breathless. It’s become standard practice to this

Witney and relocated the business. The purchase of CFN gave us our FSA Authorisation, a number of Insurer Agencies and a client bank to work with. We started trading on 1st May 2009. On day one there were six of us, then, very quickly, there were eight.”

“The next acquisition was Bridle Insurance, which completed on 1st June 2009. This is the brand that we’ve decided to take forward. This was a much bigger book of business than CFN and was based in Lyndhurst, in the New Forest. We could see the potential and felt that with proper management we could make this a really exciting proposition.”

Retaining the Bridle brand was a strategic decision given Bridle’s well respected name within the insurance industry, and the trust of a large and fast growing client bank. The Bridle acquisition was the real spark for Neil and Stewart to believe they have a business with very real potential.

Neil continues “when we acquired the Bridle business we initially retained the premises in Lyndhurst. Unfortunately the building was not suitable for our expansion plans and although picturesque, Lyndhurst was not a practical location

Services (July 2010) and Harrington Adams (March 2011). All have been absorbed into the Group under the Bridle name.”

“Southampton Insurance Services was a natural fit for our Eastleigh centre. AHS was based in Swansea and again was a book of business that was portable. After 3 months we integrated the business into our Witney operation. The same applied to Abbot & Harrington Adams. Abbot was originally a Leicester based broker and Harrington Adams a prestigious city of London broker, specialising in insuring the cars and homes of London city employees. Both were also absorbed into Witney in smooth and seamless transfers.”

“It’s always interesting when you’re acquiring new businesses as everyone is different, unfamiliar software systems, different working practices and modus operandi, cultures etc.... Although it’s been challenging, we’re really pleased how easily they have all integrated. Whatever problems we have encountered we have overcome, and that dilutes any fears about future acquisitions.”

“We’re constantly looking and offer vendors

“Fresh, positive and with an unassailable ‘can do’ approach to everything they do, Bridle are a breath of fresh air” impressive duo and seemingly there are always acquisition discussions included on a high profile and extremely busy agenda.

Neil recounts the story so far: “We embarked on this high speed journey when we purchased CFN Insurance Services in May 2009. Prior to that we were both already employed in insurance for seventeen years with a large Personal Lines Broker.

We worked our way up literally from the first rung of the ladder to Senior Management positions. We believed we could do things a little differently and the time was right for us to make a break. We have a vision and a viable business plan.”

“CFN Insurance Services became available in April 2009. The company was based in Brentwood, Essex and was an internet based book, which meant it was portable. We secured an office in www.b4-business.com

for one of our main centres. Following an exhaustive search we are delighted to have recently re-located to a 6,000 sq ft. open-plan, air conditioned building within the prestigious Chandlers Ford Business Park near Eastleigh.”

The move follows a similar relocation to larger premises for the Bridle Witney operation in May of last year. Bridle management rightly feel that being able to offer state of the art facilities will enable them to continue to attract the most talented local insurance professionals. People who will be needed to drive the business up to the next levels.

Neil goes on to say: “Our staff numbers have increased five-fold and in the last 15 months we have completed on a further 4 acquisitions; AHS Insurance Services (June 2010), Abbot Insurance Services (July 2010), Southampton Insurance

numerous options. We’re quite happy if we’ve got the right business to offer an upfront price and we can tailor-make a package to a vendor. The Managing Director of Southampton Insurance Services has remained with us, so we’ve demonstrated our willingness to work with a vendor post acquisition.”

Although it crossed my mind that Neil and Stewart were enjoying a real life game of monopoly, Neil stresses that they are not just building the business on acquisition. “We are also experiencing strong levels of organic growth. We are active in the local communities where we’re based, particularly so in Oxfordshire. We know we need to build our profile, and know how important it is to look after our local businesses’ insurance needs.

35

“ competitive, professional and personal”

the way forward...

We’ve got it covered MOTOR car & van insurance

A review of your existing insurance arrangements will not take long, and we will probably save you money without compromising your cover.

Even if your policy is not due now, please contact us and we will provide you with the best advice and a competitive quotation.

Call or email us today!

HOME buildings, contents & residential let insurance

www.bridleinsurance.co.uk

FLEET from 3 to 300 vehicles

LIABILITY public & employers

SHOPS newsagents, florists, cafes, grocery stores

Bridle Insurance Deer Park House Range Road Witney OX29 0YN

OFFICES

T 0845 034 9648 E info@bridleinsurance.co.uk

home or business premises

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

It is abundantly clear, talking to Neil and experiencing the Bridle way, that they want to do things professionally, showing great care and consideration for their client at every stage of the process. Equally important to Neil and Stewart is the desire to connect and engage with the local community, clearly demonstrated by their sponsorship of Oxford United FC and the inaugural West Oxfordshire Business Awards in March 2011.

In terms of the services Bridle provide, they cater for every type of policy, although two clear distinctions would be personal lines and commercial. Personal lines being private car, household, travel insurance etc... But you won’t see Bridle’s logo appearing on price comparison websites, the anathema to Bridle’s ethos, explains Neil. “We won’t ever make our products available on price comparison sites; for us it’s about working with local clients and providing a good service, and a competitive and transparent offering.

Bridle are being creative in their offering, recognising that not all of their Personal Lines policies suit certain niche customers. We have a new Personal Lines facility for prestige homes and vehicles. When we say ‘prestige’, it’s for high-value homes and performance vehicles, but we’ll also cater for modified vehicles, kit cars, Japanese imported vehicles, American cars, classics and campervans. Really anything that’s a little bit more niche and bespoke and that you can’t necessarily buy online easily. That has just launched, and it’s a very promising foray into a new market – we’re experiencing some real growth in this area already.

“The majority of this niche business comes from the relationships that our team have with the owners’ clubs, websites, forums, motor dealers etc... We get a lot of referrals for Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, the premium brand vehicles.”

Bridle’s profile is increasing all of the time, and with that Bridle itself becomes a very attractive target for larger operators, as Neil confirms. “Indeed, our phone rings fairly regularly with the usual suspects asking whether we’re ready to sell, or whether we’d like to become part of a larger group. Even at this www.b4-business.com

early stage, some of the offers that are being put on the table are, although pleasing and very flattering, are not a serious consideration with so much still to achieve.

“A key focus for us is our independence – we’re not going to join one of the Networks or one of the major consolidators. We believe our independence gives us control of our business and it gives the client a better choice.

Bridle are providing insurance solutions for more and more Oxfordshire businesses every day “Acquisition Targets know we’re independent. They also value their independence and know that’s what we offer. They know that their clients are going to be well looked after, and that their clients are always going to be given that independent point of view, which is not something that others in the industry are always able to provide.

“We always deal with local suppliers. It’s important to us, from ordering our stationery, to our office furniture. It’s all sourced and purchased locally. We want to raise our profile in Oxfordshire and we feel that we should be insuring every independent business in Witney where we’re based. At a recent B4 event, we met Print Design Focus from Witney who now have our printing contract, and B-Line from whom we purchased our new office furniture.

Dealing locally helps our local profile, no end, and the business we place with local firms undoubtedly reaps rewards – even B4 are using us now!”

The Bridle team enjoy what they do. They’re professional and hard-working, but the emphasis in the office is also on having fun. “The team are very committed, and there’s a great opportunity for

them to succeed, which they can see. It really is a hard working office and it’s a great place to work – they’ll always go that extra mile for us. We set ourselves new sales and retention targets to achieve as a team. The hardest thing in our industry is to win the client in the first place. If you give them an excellent service and a competitive offer at renewal they should stay! We would always hope to retain over 90% of our client base on an annual basis.”

Bridle also ensure their staff are well trained. Staff training is threefold: on the job training to experience the new challenges which present themselves every day; all staff are also actively encouraged to sit the Chartered Insurance Institute Examinations and, finally, Bridle provide staff with structured training as part of the FSA requirements, so they’re fully trained in TCF (Treating Customers Fairly).

Inventive, personable, reactive: Bridle are on the top of their game and they have actions to complement their admirable plans. Certainly the whole ethos of the company is that Bridle is here for the long term. With a tradition spanning back forty years, there’s no reason that, albeit under new ownership, Bridle can’t materialise into a real force over the next few years, as Neil underlines.

“Our vision is to grow. We would certainly hope to be in the top 100 independent brokers in the UK next year, and the launch into the top 50 UK brokers should only take us a further 12 months.

We anticipate a very exciting time with further acquisitions planned, but we have managed to double the size of our book of business organically.

We know exactly where we want to be in five, ten and even in twenty years time. We’re very clear on where we want to take this model, and to what size we want to get to – we consider ourselves a serious player now but we want to be, quite simply, one of the largest and best run independent brokers in the UK.” www.bridleinsurance.co.uk

37

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

B4 LEAD

CLIENT SUPPORT We can offer independent advice in all areas of financial services.

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

GOLDEN YEARS

The scottfraser Lettings and Management team celebrated a triple gold win at the Sunday Times Letting Agency of the Year Awards in June 2011, hot on the heels of a double win for the Sales team at the Estate Agency of the Year awards in December 2010.

Winning gold in the following categories and shortlisted for Best Overall UK Letting Agency, scottfraser’s achievement is unparalleled at the awards this year: • Best UK use of Technology and Online • Best Central Region Small Lettings Agency • Best UK Small Lettings Agency The Sunday Times event, in conjunction with the Estate Agency of the year awards, is now in its seventh year and is widely recognised as the most important in the industry calendar. Sold out, it attracted agents representing over 4,000 branches nationwide and this year received record entries with the addition of several new specialist categories. The winners were presented with their awards by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.

Following the submission of initial written entries, telephone interviews and mystery shopping each of the winners is subjected to rigorous scrutiny by a panel of independent industry experts, including current ARLA

without their hard work and dedication winning such awards would just not be possible.”

The judges commented: “This Oxford based agency is superb. scottfraser is an independent agency which successfully dovetails a very personal service with highly technological systems and processes. Strong believers in excellent communication, they reinforce this approach with thorough local knowledge, highly trained staff and close customer contact… …The website is very well designed and informative and it has clearly been designed with the customer journey in mind. Robust and imaginative use of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn along with useful and easy to read blogs and news items with commentary have proved invaluable for clients…. …They present themselves as local experts and the judges could see no reason to disagree. scottfraser is a well respected and profitable agency which knows its market and

“We are absolutely delighted with the result both for our team and for our customers” president, Susan Hughes-Thomas. The judging process is overseen by the Property Ombudsman, Christopher J Hamer.

Andrew Greenwood, scottfraser Group MD says “We are absolutely delighted with the result both for our team and for our customers.

It is always pleasing to know that our contribution to the lettings industry is not only appreciated by our customers but commended by such established and well respected industry experts. We would like to thank both our customers and the scottfraser lettings team for their commitment to the company as

40

adheres to the very high standards it sets for itself.”

The full judges’ comments may be found at scottfraser.co.uk/awards/ For more information about scottfraser’s award success or to talk to us about letting or selling your property please contact our Business Development and Marketing Manager, Rachel Law by telephone on 01865 759929 or by email at rachel@scottfraser.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

B4 PROPERTY

“…They present themselves as local experts and the judges could see no reason to disagree”

www.b4-business.com

41

ST. CLARE’S PITCH IN AT

OXFORD CITY FC

Oxford International College, St. Clare’s, is supporting Oxford City Football Club (OCFC) in the development of their new Community Arena, which is set to open in October 2011. St. Clare’s is assisting with this major new development project, which will expand the facilities at Court Place Farm Stadium. Report by Claire Thompson The sensational new development will include a 3G, or third generation full size artificial grass football pitch, which is a synthetic turf that looks and feels like natural grass. It is layered with quartz sand and rubber granules, has increased shock absorption and can be used in all weather conditions. The development will also incorporate a pavilion with six dressing rooms, a first aid physio room, and also six floodlit

development will see OCFC refurbish the existing clubhouse to incorporate classrooms for the club and other local groups.

The agreement with St. Clare’s and Oxford City FC will bring the College’s league fixtures to the venue and their students will assist with coaching sessions with Oxford City Casuals, the club’s five teams for players with learning disabilities.

stands for Creativity, Action and Service. The students are awarded points for involvement in these three areas, which contributes to the final mark achieved in the Diploma.

St. Clare’s has been teaching the International Baccalaureate Diploma longer than any other school in the country, over 30 years. More than 40 different nationalities are represented including a

Photography: www.tamarataboas.com

“This year for the first time, the College has achieved a 100% pass rate for the IB Diploma, with an average points score of 35.80 out of a possible maximum score of 45 points” netball courts, which are being built to international standard. New parking provisions are being created for 83 vehicles with separate, disabled parking and cycle racks. Phase II of the

42

The key driver for St. Clare’s association with the club lies in the College’s specialism in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and more specifically the CAS element of the Diploma, which

significant number of local day students. St. Clare’s is ranked the best sixth form college in Oxfordshire and the 11th best independent sixth form in the country, according to the league tables issued by

www.b4-business.com

B4 EDUCATION

“We are delighted that St. Clare’s has taken this decision and it is great that they are coming here as part of the community to help”

the Government in 2011.This year for the first time, the College has achieved a 100% pass rate for the IB Diploma, with an average points score of 35.80 out of a possible maximum score of 45 points. The average percentage pass rate for all IB schools and colleges worldwide is about 80% which is a clear indication of the quality of the students at St. Clare’s and their commitment to hard work.

“There are three main benefits for St. Clare’s in developing this new relationship with Oxford City Football Club. Firstly, our students get to play at the state of the art sports facility here in Oxford City. Secondly, it gives our students the opportunity to interact and build relationships with the players and supporters of the club, a commitment which supports our mission to promote international understanding” explains Kevin Hennessy, Head of the CAS Programme at St. Clare’s.

“Thirdly, this links in perfectly with the community service component of the IB Diploma which involves students taking part in 50 hours of community service over the two-year course.

Our students will be able to fulfill this element by assisting with coaching the Oxford City

Casuals. They will help coach the team on Sunday mornings and support competitive matches throughout the year. Our relationship with OCFC provides the unique opportunity to combine the sports and community service activities within the same initiative.”

Kevin goes on to say: “We are all very excited about the new 3G surface, the pavilion and about bringing our league fixtures to the club which will not only be our training ground but also our home venue.”

Colin Taylor, volunteer Managing Director of Oxford City Football Club describes how the timing of the new development is particularly appropriate: “Excitement is mounting for OCFC’s launch of the new Community Arena, which is rapidly taking shape just as we start to celebrate the club’s 130th season. The project has taken almost 4 years from conception but now that the www.b4-business.com

framework for the new pavilion has been completed, carpets for the pitches have been laid and the six netball courts are currently being tested for slip resistance, we can actually start to see the finished product, which is going to be a massive boost for local participation in sport. We are very grateful for the numerous donations and excellent fundraising efforts by members and supporters of both OCFC and all the county netball clubs. Significant funding and excellent support for the project has been gained from many organizations including the Football Foundation, Sport England, England Netball and more locally the Oxford Sports Council, Oxford City Council and Oxford University. The success of this project has been a great team effort and is a splendid example of what can achieved by everyone working together and being committed to making things happen. The choice of Berinsfield based Facilitas SMC Ltd as main contractor has also been a major positive and together with A.P. Thompson Ltd from Kingston Bagpuize who constructed both the football pitch and netball courts clearly demonstrates the benefits of utilizing local skills and expertise.”

“We are delighted that St. Clare’s has taken this decision and it is great that they are coming here

as part of the community to help.” Said Brian Cox, OCFC Chairman. “Going back a few years, some of St. Clare’s students played for the Oxford City Youth team. With over 35 teams of all ages Oxford City is a true ‘grass roots’, non league football club and so it’s a real life experience in which these youngsters can get involved. We are joining forces with lots of members of the community and it is fantastic that the College will be part of this.”

All of the above paints a picture of a College, which has a strong commitment to the community, is providing a very high standard of education and care to its students, whilst embracing internationalism and academic excellence as its core values. www.pitchero.com/clubs/oxfordcityfc www.stclares.ac.uk

43

news

WILA lighting at the Nomura investment bank in the City of London.

WILA lights up London with the largest LED office lighting installation in the world!

Leading lighting fixture manufacturer, WILA, based at Grove Technology Park, Wantage, is going from strength to strength with a world first - the completion of the largest LED office lighting installation in London.

Known as a company that produces high quality light fixtures for public and private sector organisations, WILA has been involved in lighting the Nomura investment bank. Located in the City of London, this leading bank was looking for a highly efficient building scheme which promoted the best in sustainable technologies, yet was practical for the day to day needs of a busy trading floor.

With lighting accounting for up to 33% of a building‘s total electricity consumption in commercial buildings*, it is no wonder that careful thought was taken over the type of lighting to be used on the 8,000 metre trading floor. Peter Le Manquais, technical director at WILA, and his design team, worked closely with Roger Dangell, director 2

www.b4-business.com

of Meit Associates, to overcome a wide variety of technical and physical challenges to create a bespoke light fixture. The end result was a highly energy efficient solution which provided optimum light levels and worked around the limitations of the building’s structure. The fixture was designed in WILA’s Wantage design studio and has now set the standard for future LED commercial installations worldwide.

same time span.

Although LED lighting technology is usually used because it is highly energy efficient, in the case of the Nomura investment bank, the light sources’ aesthetics and long lamp life were also key considerations. With a trading floor operational for long working days, maintenance is an issue. Thanks to the creative lighting fixture solution from WILA, the new lighting at Nomura (which measures over 2km if the fixtures are put end to end!) will run for over 17 years** before it will need maintenance.

This is compared to traditional fluorescents, which would need lamp replacements seven times in the

* Source: Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform, Energy Consumption in the United Kingdom 2009 Update, Pub. URN 08/456 ** Based on 15 hour days for five days a week for 51 weeks of the year.

It seems that all the work was worth it. The designer of the world’s largest LED office lighting installation, Roger Dangell, concludes: “The longevity and reliability deliver huge operational cost benefits to the client, I’m really pleased with the light quality – I think it’s one of the best illuminated office spaces I’ve seen.’

For more information contact: Cally Elston, Marketing Manager, cally.elston@wila.co.uk www.wila.com

45

5 ALREADY!

Richard Rosser met with Oxford Castle developer, Trevor Osborne, on the fifth anniversary of the opening of the Oxford Castle development by Her Majesty The Queen. Words by Barbara Richardson.

Although the recent celebration at Oxford Castle marked the five-year anniversary of the opening of the development by Her Majesty The Queen, the involvement of site developer, Trevor Osborne, began in 1997. For the first few years, there was, of course, no manifest evidence of direct progress on site but the time was spent building partnerships and agreeing how the development was to progress.

There were many guests at the recent party also present when the Castle was opened officially, including Debbie Dance of The Oxford Preservation Trust. The relationship between the Trust and the developers may not always have been completely harmonious, but it stood the test of time and made a major contribution to the successful outcome.

Trevor Osborne says, “We didn’t ever have difficulties in resolving our differences. I was probably more of a conservationist than Debbie at times and, vice versa, she was often more commercial than me. It’s been important to understand one another’s position.” Together with Oxfordshire County Council, South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and English Heritage, these organisations formed a partnership from which, at the start of the project, each of the parties desired a different outcome. This was an apparently competitive situation but quickly the partnership developed to become complementary rather than competing. The strength of the partnership became the clarity about each other’s aspirations. Introducing a bank into the mix, as well as all the construction and management professionals, gave the developers an unwieldy management challenge. Their role was to exercise their skill in team management to bring the various aspirations into a commonality of understanding.

The longevity of the partnership has been selfevident. Trevor puts this down to the degree to which the various members of the partnership team became friends in the process, with mutual respect for each other’s contributions and roles. “I hope this is the case, anyway, as it certainly is for me,” he says. “We each played our part and supported one another in achieving what is Oxford Castle today.”

Inevitably, the recession has taken its toll on initial predictions of value for the finished development.

46

Along with every other commercial enterprise in the country, Oxford Castle has gone through a very difficult time: some of the tenants have changed and it has generally been a tough trading environment. However, Trevor is confident that the property remains a very good long-term investment. Any shortfall in value in the last five years has obviously been a disappointment to the company but they attribute this only to the trading environment and nothing else. They are confident that things are now starting to turn up again.

“It’s about place-making which is not an art, it’s not a science, it’s not a business, it’s all those things; a creative process of responding to people’s emotions” Tough times often require tough measures and these difficult trading conditions have driven them to look hard at the parts of the scheme that work best, particularly event management. “The goal, eventually, is to have an event location which is not supported financially so much by me and the income from tenants. Open public event spaces will be capable of standing on their own feet. That will be a real signal that the City has accepted Oxford Castle as a major venue completely,” says Trevor. If any City enterprise is planning an event which would run best in the open air, in a good environment, free from traffic, this is the place to do it with excellent, reliable professional event management.

A particular success of the scheme is of, course, Malmaison hotel. Trevor confirms it has the highest occupancy of any hotel in Oxford and certainly in the Malmaison Group, which is known for its excellent hotels. “I think they have weathered the storm and exceeded expectations despite the recession. This is a great compliment to (former) GM, Andrew Creese, and reflects the Malmaison insight into what their customers require from a

property of character.” Andrew has since moved on to Dubai and has been replaced by Mark McSorley – see page 112.

Oxford Castle is already running the Festival for Gardens and Horticulture, the Food Festival and the Christmas Market, all of which will continue. Events will be directly managed until professional management companies start to take over, allowing the current management to take a more strategic role. This has already happened with the Christmas Market where an entrepreneur has signed up to run the Market for five years whilst the current management takes care of the periphery to ensure an excellent context for this popular event.

Trevor is quick to list the successes of the Oxford Castle project - the best hotel in Oxford; public events space, providing the opportunity for people to engage with this part of the Oxford scene; a vibrant set of tenants – only one is currently moving out and already there is someone wanting to move in. This is a pretty impressive list which stands despite the current economic climate.

When asked for his outstanding memories, Trevor is equally clear. The list is headed, as one would expect, by the Royal opening which he describes as a highlight event.

He is also delighted with the large number of awards won by the scheme. “The best one was the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Heritage Award – the project won best regeneration project and best project in all categories nationally. This was particularly special as I had been a judge on that award committee for six years, a long time ago.” Trevor describes what he saw as the challenge here in an interesting way. “It’s about place-making which is not an art, it’s not a science, it’s not a business, it’s all those things; a creative process of responding to people’s emotions and how they respond to being in certain places,” he says.

By his own admission, Trevor is fascinated by his work and has tried out several ideas here and elsewhere. He admits some have been more successful than others but, as he concludes, “that’s the nature of pioneering!” www.oxfordcastle.com

www.b4-business.com

B4 SPOTLIGHT

“Tough times often require tough measures and these difficult trading conditions have driven them to look hard at the parts of the scheme that work best, particularly event management�

www.b4-business.com

47

MAGDALEN: Great School,Great Venue Located in the heart of Oxford, with stunning facilities and ample parking to host conferences, corporate events, wedding receptions or parties, Magdalen College School is the perfect choice for your next event.

Call Emma Bellenie on 01865 242191 or email ebellenie@mcsoxford.org to find out more or to arrange a no obligation visit. www.mcsoxford.org

B4 COMMUNICATION

BORDERLESS BUSINESSES

Despite numerous challenges facing UK start-ups, there is one area where younger small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have a distinct advantage over larger/more established counterparts: Technology. There have been dramatic changes to the technology landscape in recent years – the boom in ‘smart’ devices and the proliferation of mobile broadband – and start-ups have the benefit of building their business on a ‘greenfield site’, allowing them to make use of this arsenal of business tools, without the hindrance of sprawling legacy infrastructure or dated management attitudes. Of course, not all SMEs are brand new start-ups, but they are typically more free of legacy baggage than longer, more cumbersome rivals.

Martin Lyne, SME Director at Orange, writes for B4

It used to be the case that technology companies would have to lead businesses by the hand towards innovation. Now, we’re having to run to keep up with the hunger for apps, mobile services and mobile bandwidth. A recent study suggested that by 2015 nearly one billion smart phones will be in use, almost double that of 2010. At Orange, we offer a wide range of devices to the UK’s SMEs, from oneman-bands to established companies, and we’ve seen significant growth in this market. In particular, over 75 per cent of our small business handsets sold are smartphones.

However, it is not just technology which is changing. Culturally, there have been seismic shifts in the way we expect to work. In the current business environment, it would be judged as backward to limit staff by having them working a 9am to 5pm day. Employers now realise the value of allowing their staff to work whenever and wherever they have their best ideas, and employees expect to be offered this level of flexibility. The trade off being that staff can bring greater flexibility to their working day in return for better results. The explosion of mobile technology makes this approach possible by allowing people to work productively from anywhere, be it from their home or from a beach.

This approach can be especially liberating for SMEs who relish the flexibility a mobile workforce can offer. We’re seeing a record number of smaller

www.b4-business.com

companies growing very effectively out of a period of decline that saw jobs and revenue falling away from many established big businesses. The more fleet of foot, innovative, entrepreneur-lead businesses have been able to use their agility – and technology – to dodge the potholes of the economy and respond more quickly to change and opportunity.

the user to retain the local reputation which often makes SMEs so attractive to customers, while at the same time reaching a much larger customer base.

Boundaries of time are also being broken down – if somebody has a brilliant idea on their way home from picking up their kids, or while watching a football match, they can be ‘working’ within seconds.

“Employers now realise

Perhaps most importantly for SMEs, mobile technologies have broken down the borders around ambition. Companies in the past have been hampered by factors such as the size of their office, the length of their lease, the number of staff they can accommodate at a desk or factors such as, the availability of software licences and hardware. A move to true mobility removes all of these obstacles. A business without wires and a dependency upon physical infrastructure can grow at any rate, in any place.

the value of allowing their staff to work whenever and wherever they have their best ideas

”

It is not just our conceptions of the physical boundaries of work that businesses are pushing but also our personal ones. The mobile worker is now truly mobile and businesses using this to their advantage – by reaching out to communities of customers, partners and suppliers, as well as reducing the cost of the physical office infrastructure – are feeling the benefits. We recently launched Pocket Landline, which provides businesses with a local landline number which rings directly through to their mobile. This allows

Mobile technologies and the start-up/SME community are inextricably linked. As one grows, the other sees true potential and responds. Both want to grow in a flexible, responsive and limitlessly scalable way. Both have a passion and a will to succeed that mean they are always working. SMEs don’t stop having moments of inspiration because the clock tells them too. Likewise we operate a network which must be there for our users whenever and wherever inspiration strikes. www.orange.co.uk/business

49

THE AGENCY WORKERS REGULATIONS

2010

After The Bribery Act, The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (‘the Regulations’) are next on the list of “Things to do” for a busy employer. The Regulations will make significant changes to how temporary workers are used and engaged.

The Regulations will require that temporary workers are treated equally with permanent employees. Some entitlements, known as the ‘Day 1’ rights, will apply immediately once an assignment starts. The core equal treatment rights then apply once the agency worker has completed a 12 week qualifying period.

When The Regulations will come into force on 1 October 2011. They are not retrospective and accordingly agency workers will only begin to accrue towards the 12 week qualifying period from 1 October 2011.

Who is protected?

The Regulations apply to ‘agency workers’ who are assigned to do temporary work for ‘hirers’ through ‘temporary work agencies’. All the parties to a typical temporary worker relationship including any intermediaries will therefore be caught.

To be protected, an agency worker; must be supplied by the agency to work “temporarily” under the supervision and direction of the hirer pursuant to either; a) a contract of employment with the agency; or b) any other form of contract to perform work or services personally for the ‘agency’.

The drafting at b) is already controversial because it can be argued that agency workers are contracted to perform work or services personally for the ‘hirer’,

50

not the ‘agency’. If this argument is successful, it would significantly reduce the amount of workers protected by the Regulations.

have caused any infringement, liability for the breach will fall to the hirer. This will be a question of fact for the Employment Tribunal.

Genuine ‘outsourced’ (ie managed service contracts) arrangements or agency workers who are genuinely in business on their own account will fall outside the Regulations. Therefore, the ‘status’ of a worker remains a contentious area where the level of control and right to substitute will be important deciding factors.

So good communication between the agency and the hirer in relation to the terms of employment of the agency worker and comparable permanent employees will be critical. It will also place further importance on job mapping. Recording working time and reasons for absence will also be important.

Who is liable?

The ‘hirer’ will be liable for the breach of ‘Day 1’ rights. However liability for breach of the core requirements falls to the agency unless it can establish the ‘reasonable steps’ defence. This defence relies on the agency taking reasonable steps to obtain relevant information from the hirer

The rights The Day 1 rights require that agency workers have access to the same ‘collective facilities’ as permanent staff – this covers canteens, restrooms, nurseries, and other facilities and includes access to the hirer’s job vacancies.

“So good communication between the agency and the hirer in relation to the terms of employment of the agency worker and comparable permanent employees will be critical” about the terms of comparable permanent employees and then acting reasonably when setting the agency worker’s terms. If, in light of the steps taken by the agency, the hirer is found to

For the core rights, the agency workers will need to complete a 12 week qualifying period on a particular assignment and there are detailed rules on how the 12 weeks accrue. These cover how the

www.b4-business.com

B4 ADVICE

“Recording working time and reasons for absence will also be important”

clock will continue to tick in certain circumstances and events which cause the clock to be ‘suspended’ or ‘reset’ to zero.

It does not matter how many hours per week the worker does; if an agency worker works as little as an hour in a week, the whole week will count.

The clock continues to tick during breaks due to pregnancy, childbirth or maternity (which takes place during pregnancy and up to 26 weeks after childbirth) and any breaks for maternity, adoption or paternity leave.

Events which ‘suspend’ the clock include: • taking legally due holiday or other rest breaks • up to 28 weeks of sick leave or jury service • a break caused by a planned and regular shutdown of the workplace or a strike or other industrial action • a break of less than 6 weeks for any other reason subject to the anti-avoidance rules.

The clock is ‘reset’ to zero if: • the agency worker starts a new assignment with the hirer or a different hirer (there are rules regarding ‘connected’ hirers); or • there is a break of at least 6 weeks between assignments with the same hirer.

There are anti avoidance provisions which will apply if assignments are structured in a way where the

www.b4-business.com

most likely explanation is that the hirer and or agency intended to prevent the accrual of the core rights. If caught, in addition to equal treatment applying, the Employment Tribunal can award a penalty of up to £5,000.

There is one exemption to the Regulations; the ‘Swedish Derogation’. This is of considerable interest to organisations which are high users of temporary workers. To apply, in addition to employing the agency worker on a permanent contract, the agency must agree to pay between assignments. The rate of pay is calculated by taking the highest level of weekly pay in a ‘pay reference period’ covering the previous 12 weeks or if the assignment is less, the period of the assignment.

The actual pay must not be less than 50% of this amount for at least 4 weeks, subject to national minimum wage.

Other provisions must be met and again, there are slightly different anti-avoidance measures aimed at preventing abuse. Even so, this derogation is likely to be very common in high use sectors.

Pay and benefits The entitlement, on accrual of the 12 weeks qualifying period, is to equal treatment with a comparable permanent employee in relation to the basic working and employment conditions that are ‘ordinarily included’ in the contracts issued by the hirer to workers in that category. The terms covered include:

• key elements of pay, which includes, basic, overtime and shift pay; bonuses and commissions are also included if they are payable directly by reference to the workers output: • duration of working time • night work • rest periods • rest breaks • annual leave • paid time off for ante natal appointments It is helpful to know what is excluded (non exhaustive): • contractual sick pay, pensions and maternity/paternity pay • redundancy and notice pay • most employment related benefits • discretionary, non contractual bonuses or bonuses paid by reference to company rather than individual performance.

The Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) has published its final guidance on the Regulations. The Guidance is useful reading for anyone who needs to understand the scope and application of the Regulations. It is available on the BIS website.

For further details about this matter, please contact Victoria Brown, employment department, on 01865 781000 or email victoria.brown@henmansllp.co.uk.

51

GZhZVgX] h]dlh i]Vi i]Z g^\]i d[[^XZ Zck^gdcbZci XVc ^cXgZVhZ egdYjXi^k^in Wn +"&+ L]Zi]Zg ndjÉgZ add`^c\ [dg V X]V^g dg V XdbeaZiZ d[[^XZ gZ[^i! djg XdbeZi^i^kZ eg^X^c\ VcY egd[Zhh^dcVa hZgk^XZ l^aa bV`Z dgYZg^c\ d[[^XZ [jgc^ijgZ [gdb 6hidc ?VbZh V \gZVi YZX^h^dc# L^i] dkZg '& nZVgh d[ ZmeZg^ZcXZ XdbeaZi^c\ XdbeaZm egd_ZXih [gdb d[[^XZ gZ"[^ih VcY YZh^\c i]gdj\] id gZadXVi^dc! ndjg YZY^XViZY XdchjaiVci l^aa gZbdkZ i]Z ]ZVYVX]Z [gdb i]Z egdXZhh Zchjg^c\ i^bZhXVaZh ! WjY\Zih! eaVcc^c\ VcY ^chiVaaVi^dc VgZ Vaa id ndjg Wg^Z[#

3 3 3 3 3

;jgc^ijgZ H]dlgddb Cdl DeZc D[[^XZ >ciZg^dg HeZX^Va^hih ;gZZ YZa^kZgn VcY >chiVaa Vcnl]ZgZ ^c i]Z J@ D[[^XZ ;jgc^ijgZ GZbdkVa GZXnXa^c\ HZgk^XZ ;G:: Ign 7Z[dgZ Ndj 7jn dc djg gVc\Z d[ d[[^XZ X]V^gh#

%&..( ,%+.%% lll#Vhidc"_VbZh#Xd#j`

B4 SERVICES

FURNISHING YOUR FUTURE SUCCESS

A workplace is about more than just desk, chairs and computers. Lighting, layout, ventilation, colour, space and the overall look and feel of an office impacts more on productivity than often realised. B4 Platinum Ambassadors, Alan and Darren Aston, Directors of Witney Based Office Supplies Company, Aston & James, explain why office furniture can make a huge difference.

“As specialists in office planning and design, we combine great ideas and fresh thinking with a cost focused approach to create your ideal office environment. We have a comprehensive range of furniture which combines the very latest in innovative design, to bring you the practical office space design solutions to suit your budget.” Explains Alan.

“We’ve witnessed the transformation new office furniture can give to a business. Over the years, the average office will build up so much rubbish, and getting new furniture in provides the perfect excuse for a major spring clean and a good clear out.

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

“Our furniture not only looks good, it is highly practical, providing space saving solutions which gives your new office a clean, professional, look.”

will help you select the ideal range to create the environment you require.” Concludes Darren.

studies and site surveys right through to design and installation.

The Aston & James Total Office Solution: However big or small your project, Aston & James will work to your brief, your budget and your timescales, providing a total solution to your office requirements, in just six steps:

3. Office Design Aston & James planners use the latest technology to optimize every inch of your workspace, to create imaginative inspiring work spaces that meet your objectives ahead.

“innovative design, to bring you the practical office space design solutions to suit your budget”

With a professional team of planners, designers and installers, Aston & James have the knowledge and expertise to complete any brief in line with your objectives and create a great environment to work in. By working with the world’s leading suppliers, they bring together the very best in quality and style with service that really is second to none.

1. Consultation Your Aston & James representative will meet with you to discuss and define your requirements, objectives and budgets to get a genuine understanding of your brief. A proposal will be drawn up for your approval.

“We supply a diverse range of furniture from simple seating, storage and desking to call centre furniture.

Our specialist brochures and extensive knowledge

2. Project Management Your dedicated project manager will co-ordinate your project from start to finish from feasibility

www.b4-business.com

4. Non-disruptive Refurbishing a work environment needn’t be disruptive. Aston & James’ combination of careful planning, sensitivity and attention to detail means they get the job done with the minimum amount of disruption to you and your team.

5. Quality Furniture Aston & James’ range of quality office furniture brings you functional, comfortable contemporary pieces from the world’s leading manufactures. Our specialist product brochures will help you make the perfect choice.

6. Installation The final piece of the jigsaw – seamless installation to your timescales. Aston & James will deliver, install and remove your old furniture quickly and efficiently, you won’t even know they’re there. www.aston-james.co.uk 53

New pension requirements As you may have heard, from 2012 it will become a legal requirement for all employers to provide and contribute to a pension scheme for their employees. The Pensions Act 2008 provided the basic framework for the new laws: u Employers will be required to automatically enrol eligible employees into a pension scheme u Employers will be required to contribute to a pension for all employees who join and stay in the pension scheme u The Pensions Regulator will police and enforce these new laws u Even if you have an existing employer pension scheme, you may have to make changes so that it complies with the new laws u Employers can either use their own pension scheme (existing or new) to comply with these new laws or rely on a Government built scheme - the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) scheme We are expecting that most employers will want to keep control of their employee benefits package rather than rely on someone else who knows nothing about their business, to do it for them (as with NEST).

How and why we got here There will be more pensioners in the future and those pensioners will live longer. This will clearly put a massive strain on the State pension system.

To alleviate this burden, the Pensions Acts 2007 and 2008 made changes to the Basic State Pension, the State Second Pension (formerly SERPS) and introduced new employer duties for pensions.

The Pensions Act 2008 laid out the foundations for automatic enrolment, however when the new coalition Government came into power, a review group was set up to examine automatic enrolment. This group presented its

54

recommendations to the Department for Work and Pensions in October 2010.

Employer requirements From October 2012, employers will be required by law to: u Automatically enrol all their eligible employees not already in a good quality pension scheme into a Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme (QWPS) within one month of becoming eligible u Pay contributions for every employee who does not opt-out of the QWPS

“There will be more pensioners in the future and those pensioners will live longer. This will clearly put a massive strain on the State pension system�

Timing The employer duties will be staged in over 4 years from 2012. Larger employers will have their duties imposed first, smaller employers last. Any employer with less than 50 employees will have their staging date set depending on the last two digits of their PAYE reference number.

Qualifying Workplace Pension Schemes (QWPS) The amount of contributions that will be paid in order for a scheme to be treated as a QWPS is being phased in from 2012 and will range from a total of 2% to 8%. This will be from 1% to 3% for employers and from 1% to 5% (gross) for employees. If the employer chooses to contribute the full amount, there will be no obligation for the employee to contribute at all.

www.b4-business.com

B4 ADVICE

ATTENTION ALL

EMPLOYERS!

Andy Harris, Head of Financial Services at Shaw Gibbs, talks about the legal requirements to provide employee pension schemes for 2012.

Quality Qualifying Workplace Pension Schemes (QQWPS) Employers can avoid much of the administration burden associated with automatic enrolment by setting up a QQWPS where the total minimum contribution is 11% of qualifying earnings, of which: u At least 6% must come from the employer u There is no option to phase in contributions u Automatic enrolment dates can be postponed for up to 90 days allowing a sweep up of eligible employees all at once at the employer’s convenience NEST Employers who do not have, or who will not set up, their own QWPS will have the option of using NEST. This scheme is designed to be low cost and is specifically aimed at low to medium earners and ‘micro’ employers. There will be certain restrictions applying to NEST: u There will be a general ban on transfers in or out u There will be an upper contribution limit (currently £4,200 each year) u Limited retirement options u Limited investment options The above mentioned review group has proposed a number of amendments to the above requirements, but none of these proposals suggest radical changes.

www.b4-business.com

What to do next Employers with an existing pension arrangement – check if the current scheme ‘qualifies’. If it does then you need not take any action; if not, you need to decide whether to adjust it or to start again with a new qualifying scheme.

Employers without an existing pension arrangement – at some point in the not too distant future you will need to set up and pay into a pension scheme for your employees, eventually 3% of ‘qualifying earnings’.

“Employers without an existing pension arrangement – at some point in the not too distant future you will need to set up and pay into a pension scheme for your employees” If you are already considering setting up a scheme, perhaps for staff recruitment and retention purposes, you should ensure that it qualifies or at least that it can be adjusted to qualify in due course. To arrange a free initial consultation to discuss how these changes will affect your business, please contact Andy Harris on 01865 292200.

Shaw Gibbs Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. www.shawgibbs.com

55

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

Qualifying Earnings The contributions will be based on a percentage of band earnings between £5,035 and £33,540 (qualifying earnings) at 2006/2007 levels. These amounts will be increased in line with earnings to 2012 and beyond. Qualifying earnings include basic pay, bonuses, overtime, commissions and certain statutory benefits such as sick pay.

We outgrew our home... i 1st S onsultatial a t of e achturday ion m 10a m - onth 2pm

65

...thankfully, Shaw Gibbs helped us make our next move!

Mortgages For a FREE, no obligation chat to discuss the options available to you, please call our team on 01865 292170 www.shawgibbs.com *Our typical fee is ÂŁ495. Your home may be repossessed *if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

oo

18

k

C a ll 0

SAT SUR URDA Y G F FinaREE Ta ERIE S ncia x or In lC

29 2

home

1 70 t o

b

B4 CONFERENCE

EGROVE PARK B4 is about not only raising the profile of businesses but also the people who make them work. Think about who you do business with and I will wager you are dealing more with people you like than not. Egrove Park, Saïd Business School’s executive education centre has its fair share of assets, but, arguably, the jewel in the crown is Conference Manager, Jill Grievson. Richard Rosser reports for B4.

Situated in 37 acres of parkland, less than five minutes from Oxford City Centre, Egrove Park is a specialist executive centre, completely in tune, in great part thanks to Jill, with the needs and priorities of executives. Egrove offers a first-class venue for small scale strategy meetings all the way to larger conference facilities for larger management teams. Easily accessible by road and rail, with ample free and secure parking, Egrove is arguably Oxfordshire's most complete conference venue.

When I first started to talk about Egrove to Jill, I can assure you, she made no mention of her pivotal role. But as each question passed, it became crystal clear that the service Jill provides her customers with ensures they keep coming back.

Jill opened by emphasising why Egrove is such a popular venue.

“I think one of the real advantages of our location is that we’re so close to the centre and all the attractions of the city centre, yet you don’t have the city centre distractions. Because our surroundings are so peaceful, delegates can get on with what they are here for. They have the space to think.

“We refurbished our lounge and common room at the end of last year, so even though we have an iconic, listed 1960’s building, we have made sure the interior is comfortable and inviting.”

Jill continues to promote the multitude of benefits Egrove enjoys, but I ask her directly, how much is the experience of Egrove down to you? A rather hesitant Jill replies.

“our strengths are meeting and greeting, getting to know the clients, and finding out what they want. They don’t need to tell me more than once, and they’re looked after” “Well, I am the conference department, if you like. Over the years I’ve got to know my clients, and our strengths are meeting and greeting, getting to know the clients, and finding out what they want. They don’t need to tell me more than once, and they’re looked after.”

www.b4-business.com

I ask Jill what her repeat custom is like. “They keep coming back year after year, I presume, because of that. We get a lot of repeat and word of mouth business, and many people have said that ‘I like to come to you because I don’t have to worry about anything, I know that you will remember things that I’ve forgotten, before I’ve even forgotten them!’ I think that’s a strength of ours, building up a relationship with the client. The client will always deal with the same person, obviously, me and that’s a key factor for the clients. They have someone dedicated to their event or conference or meeting. They ring me up and I get whatever they need sorted, sorted.”

Jill can make arrangements for clients to do whatever they want, whether it’s booking a meal in an Oxford college, so they get the traditional feel, or organising walking tours, and transport to take them wherever they want to go.

So if they want to get to Oxford, or Blenheim Palace, it’s something that Jill can arrange. “We arrange trips for clients, or give them advice on where they can go, so they get the whole package, whatever they want really.”

With dedicated IT support and a ‘Meet and Greet’ service to make sure everything on the technical side is in order, Jill leaves no stone unturned.

“Although we’re not a dedicated conference centre, we are dedicated to training, and to supporting clients and whatever their needs may be. So we feed them well, we make them comfortable, and the clients seem to like the ‘Honesty Bar’, and the informality of having something like an Honesty bar.”

Conference Rooms at Egrove range from the Clifford Barclay Lecture Theatre to a variety of seminar and conference rooms suitable for groups from 18 to 90 people. Jill has some clients in residence for up to two weeks, so the facilities need to be first class to keep delegates fresh and receptive to training.

There are sixteen syndicate rooms, most of which seat from six to ten people, all in close proximity to the main conference rooms. These can be used as break-out rooms or as self-contained meeting rooms.

With 63 study bedrooms, networked internet access throughout, laundry and dry cleaning services, what more could a delegate need? For those looking to stretch their legs, Egrove also has an all-weather surface suitable for tennis or football, a snooker room, two squash courts, a gym, multi-gym, treadmill, rowing machines, resistance machines, a sauna and even a croquet lawn – and if you’ve still got something in the tank after that lot, go and jog around the 37 acres!

What more could you need? Just ask Jill! www.sbs.ox.ac.uk

57

OWEN MUMFORD

There is an obvious world of difference between a garage in Oxford and two substantial manufacturing sites in Woodstock and Chipping Norton with overseas operations in France, Germany and the United States but the story which connects them belongs entirely to Owen Mumford Ltd, designers and manufacturers of medical devices used by healthcare professionals and consumers all over the world. Richard Rosser met with the group’s Managing Director, Jarl Severn. Words by Barbara Richardson.

The two UK manufacturing locations represent, geographically, one of the core values of this extraordinary company; to stay local. “We intend to expand but it’s reassuring for our associates (employees) that the intention is to retain our local presence here in Oxfordshire.” says Jarl at the group’s head office in Woodstock.

In employment terms, these manufacturing sites represent the steady and some might say, dramatic growth of the company from those small beginnings. “Over the last 10 years, we’ve tripled in size and our average annual growth rate during that period has been 15%. Jarl is targeting a £70 million turnover this financial year, up from £60 million last year.

Including temporary staff and contractors, the company employs around 700 people across its head office and export division in Woodstock, a manufacturing facility in Chipping Norton and offices in France, Germany and the USA. In addition, they plan to open up a new sales office in Shanghai, China next year so this is very much a global company, dealing with global customers offering exciting career opportunities to associates. This makes Owen Mumford one of West Oxfordshire’s biggest private employers and they are certainly one of the most respected in their field.

Working for a private company has attractions, as Jarl explains, “We are governed by our own ambitions and objectives, as opposed to those of a third party so we know what we want. We have encouraged a culture of clear and transparent communication - people know where we’re going and why.”

Due to their exceptional growth over the last few years, Owen Mumford has been adding to its payroll every year. For every £10 million turnover we need approximately another hundred people.”

This growth also creates opportunities for those within the company to be promoted. There are typically between 30 and 50 positions listed on the careers page on the company’s website at any time.

But before we get carried away by the excitement of a successful and growing business, let’s go back to that garage in Woodstock. In 1952, Thomas Owen, Ivan Owen and John Mumford established a new business in a small lock-up garage owned by Ivan’s father, Thomas. Their first product was an improved version of the Macintosh Laryngoscope, closely followed by the Oxford Inflating Bellows and the Radcliffe Humidifier.

58

www.b4-business.com

B4 SPOTLIGHT

The idea for the new revolutionary device came originally from discussions with world renowned experts within the field of Diabetes. In the early days, to determine whether a diabetic needed insulin, they would prick their finger with a needle to draw a blood sample which was smeared on to a test strip to check the glucose level. The process was crude and not only painful for patients but also posed a risk of cross-contamination from needlestick injury.

Owen Mumford saw that they could offer a solution to help patients take blood samples safely and painlessly.

“Due to their exceptional growth over the last few years, Owen Mumford has been adding significantly to its payroll every year” In 1978, Autolet, the world’s first automatic lancing device was introduced which led to a growth in blood glucose monitoring for diabetes. Years later, Owen Mumford makes millions of blood sampling products, each designed with patient safety and comfort in mind. Unistik 3, one of their most recent developments in this area, won a Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2008.

So, the simple but revolutionary device introduced in 1978, opened up a completely different business proposition for Owen Mumford and one they have followed enthusiastically with significant results. Their exceptional growth has been driven by the development of a strong portfolio of intellectual property related to their ground-breaking medical devices; they currently hold, or have applied for, over 100 self-developed patents, developed in two main fields of operation: capillary blood sampling and drug delivery.

Drug delivery came about when Owen Mumford saw the opportunity to provide a solution for diabetics afraid of injections but relied on them for insulin. Advanced technology meant that at the touch of a button, a specially designed autoinjector automatically inserted an ultra fine syringe needle into the skin without the person seeing it, thereby injecting the drug and addressing the needle phobia. Clearly, by making the process of injecting insulin less daunting patient compliance is encouraged providing a win-win situation for both users and healthcare professionals.

Diabetes is serious. If left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney failure. Diabetes UK reported in 2010 that most experts agree the UK is facing a huge increase in the number of people with diabetes. In 1996, 1.4 million people were diagnosed in the UK but by 2010, the figure had doubled to 2.8 million. In 2025, it is estimated that over 4 million people in the UK will have diabetes and that the global figure will be 285 million but this is expected to rise further to 438 million people by 2030.

Added to this increased incidence, more countries are now diagnosing diabetes at a much earlier stage. Linked with awareness that early treatment improves outcomes and reduces overall cost, Owen Mumford is well-placed to maximise its diagnostic and treatment devices in the area of diabetic care.

Another significant part of Owen Mumford’s business is being driven by the increasing delivery of biologics, that is, biological drugs, so-called because they are made from living organisms. As more pharmaceutical companies move towards this aspect of medicine, Owen Mumford is spending a significant amount of its R&D budget in this area. Patients are increasingly being encouraged to self-medicate and this is where auto-injectors have come into their own and where Owen Mumford hopes to lead the way with www.b4-business.com

delivery of biologic medicines.

Compliance is key, medical professionals say, to successful treatment so, when patients rely on the injection of drugs to stabilise their condition, it is essential they comply with the medical professional’s instructions and do so regularly. But as well as being good for the patient, compliance reduces healthcare costs associated with repeat consultations. “Our strategy is driven by whether the patient will find the product easy and as painless as possible to use and so we continue to improve our designs to ensure they always offer such benefits.” adds Jarl.

Despite being very well informed about how their products are viewed and used by the end-user, the company does not sell directly to patients. Half of Owen Mumford’s business sells products to around 6,000 hospitals, private clinics and distributors. The other half sells devices to around 30 pharmaceutical or diagnostic companies worldwide. Some companies commission Owen Mumford to tailor-make products for their own portfolio while some pharmaceutical companies use Owen Mumford’s range to deliver their drugs.

In fact, Owen Mumford is associated with some of the world’s biggest healthcare companies which is why stringent quality control is of ultimate importance. Drugs can cost hundreds of pounds a time which means hundreds of thousands of their medical devices are responsible for delivering millions of pounds worth of drugs every day. Customers with multi-million dollar franchises are reliant on the products working perfectly – every time and Owen Mumford does whatever it takes to make sure its products meets exacting standards at every stage of the process; from design through to delivery.

The bar is forever being raised by their customers. Jarl says, “We say to associates that clients will make huge demands on us as a manufacturer and that it’s up to us to meet their requirements while always offering a world-class service. We’ve got some of the world’s biggest healthcare companies regularly coming to see us at Woodstock and Chipping Norton with very high expectations and we thrive on the opportunity to meet and even exceed them.“

“We’ve got some of the world’s biggest healthcare companies regularly coming to see us at Woodstock and Chipping Norton with very high expectations and we thrive on the opportunity to meet and even exceed them” This rigorous experience has clearly produced a muscular, well-grounded, privately-owned company, looking forward to celebrating 60 years in business in 2012 with every likelihood that the company will be around for another 60 years. The upcoming anniversary has triggered the production of a plan called the 2020 Vision which is the company’s ambitious target for a turnover of £250m within the next 10 years.

Concludes Jarl, “Our founders, Ivan Owen and John Mumford, still take an active interest in the company today and this is important to us. Their experience combined with the latest in innovative thinking from our new designers and engineers makes Owen Mumford a very strong prospect for the 21st century and makes us confident of achieving our 2020 Vision.” www.owenmumford.com

59

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

Over the next 20 years, they expanded into aluminium moulds for the plastic injection moulding industry as well as acting as moulders for the automotive and other industries. And then, by chance during a random conversation in the late 1970s, they stumbled upon an idea for a revolutionary medical device. This was to change the company’s profile dramatically and by the late 1990s, Owen Mumford’s product portfolio had become 100% medical-based.

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

B4 HEALTH

PEAK PERFORMANCE FOR YOUR BUSINESS: GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT It’s common knowledge that a poor work/life balance is detrimental to our health. With increasing emphasis on corporate responsibility, many businesses are investing in healthcare programmes for their employees. A balanced diet and exercise regime ensures individual well-being but is also a wise business investment. Rebecca Butler reports for B4.

According to a recent report, businesses can gain 11% more revenue per employee and 28% higher shareholder returns with effective healthcare programmes in place (Towers & Watson, 2010). Employers can benefit from 26.8 % less sick leave and a 26.1% reduction of health costs (Chapman, 2005). Nutritionist, Helen Money, and Bespoke Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Provider, Tom Alden, of TLA Fitness, have recently combined forces to help businesses achieve this.

As former Associate Director of F & C Asset Management, Helen has personally experienced the stress of juggling long hours, boardroom battles and exhaustive business trips with family life. With a BSc Honours degree in Human Nutrition now under her belt, she has turned her attention to offering nutritional advice, diet analysis and menu planning, both one-on-one and to businesses in Oxfordshire and London. Helen conceives nutritional balance in corporate terms: “By investing your calories wisely...you can get a return from it.”

A healthy lifestyle involves more than caloriecounting, also ensuring that calories contain essential vitamins and minerals: “If you invest that calorie wisely then you’ll be able to function at a much higher operating rate in a range of things...from your energy and exercise to your cognitive function, to...the way you look...And yes,

www.b4-business.com

diet affects your sleeping patterns too.” With shiny hair and skin aglow, Helen clearly benefits from her own advice.

“Those who get the absolute most benefit are those who are balancing their nutrition with their training... ” Calories invested must balance with calories expended on your nutritional balance sheet and it is with this in mind that Helen has teamed up with Tom Alden of TLA Fitness in Oxford. Regular exercise not only promotes weight loss but also helps us to absorb nutrients more effectively by increasing heart rate and blood flow. A former HM Royal Marine, Tom has had a very different lifestyle to your average businessman from teaching recreational diving in South East Asia to recently topping Mont Blanc. This experience, combined with his diploma in Personal Training and Sports Therapy (PTST), has taught him the benefits of training in the great outdoors rather than a confining gym environment. Tom avails of Oxford’s

many parks and open community spaces to conduct circuit training and core-workout sessions.

One of the largest MOD-sponsored companies, AirTanker in Carterton, employ Tom to train all staff, from pilots and engineers to HR and sales execs.

Tom describes the benefits to AirTanker: “As well as going back into the workplace on a high, they’re getting more work productivity and are getting on well as a team.” Tom agrees with Helen that combining physical activity with a healthy diet is key. “Those who get the absolute most benefit are those who are balancing their nutrition with their training... [With] those that are not working on the nutritional side of things, you do still see a great change, but maybe not in terms of how they look physically.”

Helen personally uses Tom to help her practice what she preaches. “I use Tom as a trainer because I’m less likely to do it without him...With a busy life, it’s easy to make excuses not to exercise.” She keeps in touch with her clients via email to ensure that they also remain on track with their nutrition.

See Helen and Tom present at future B4 events or to find out more about their combined corportae package, contact Helen and Tom via their websites. www.helenmoneynutrition.com www.tlafitness.com

61

THE BUSINESS OF KEEPING SECRETS The success of a company can involve closely guarded trade secrets and confidential information.

But if they are breached, what are your rights and how can you protect them?

“The most effective way to protect your confidential information is for both parties to sign an agreement detailing confidentiality responsibilities”

“Restrictions which are particularly wide or ‘blanket’ type clauses are unlikely to be enforceable”

Richard Baxter

Mark Emery

Chris Kane, a partner in the Corporate Dispute Resolution team at Withy King Solicitors in Oxford, discusses the issues.

As a business, what practices do I need to be wary of?

There is a growing trend for employees to leave their jobs, or contractors to finish their contracts, and walk away armed with confidential information collected from their time with the company. If that information is them misused, the fall-out could impact significantly on the employer, in some cases causing considerable damage and leading to a loss of business. Depending on the nature of the information, wrongful use by a former contractor or employee can also amount to an involuntary breach of data protection laws by the employer, particularly where personal details of customers are involved.

62

What can I do to protect the business?

A good place to start is reviewing all contracts of employment and contractor agreements to make sure they include express provisions to protect confidential information and also restrictive covenants to give guidelines on their behaviour after they leave the company, particularly in relation to contacting your customers. The law generally offers an implied degree of protection depending on the nature of the information concerned. So, while it’s far better to cover these issues in a contract, the absence of express provisions would not necessarily prevent a business from taking action to prevent misuse of a database or confidential information.

What are my options?

If a breach can be proven, the level of loss can be gauged by profit lost by the innocent party, or

through profit gained by those misusing the data.

In some cases it could be possible to obtain an injunction to prevent ongoing use of the information if damage is likely to be extensive.

The bottom line is that you should look to protect your position wherever possible but should not be put off taking action to protect your interests when you believe your confidential information or other property rights have been affected.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS At the end of an employment period, the requirement for strict confidentiality only applies to information where access is so restricted it amounts to a trade secret. If this is the case, many employers look to rely on restrictive covenants to protect their business interests after the relationship between the employer and employee has ended.

www.b4-business.com

B4 ADVICE Restrictions protecting ‘legitimate business interests’ can be valuable for minimising the risk of losing your clients and abusing confidential information. But the restriction must not be more widely drafted than necessary. Carefully considered restrictions tailored to the employee’s specific circumstances, give employers the best chance of being able to enforce those restrictions.

Mark Emery, a partner in Withy King’s Employment team in Oxford, explains: What are ‘legitimate business interests’?

They can cover issues such as trade connections, brand goodwill, relationships, processes, development strategies, plans and information

agreement.

Are there any other advantages to using covenants?

have a signed agreement protecting your confidential information before you actually share it.

What about intellectual property?

Covenants may not always be upheld, but can become an important part of negotiations when it comes to terminating an employee’s contract. They are generally effective at deterring your staff from joining your competitors and clauses can be included in the covenant to make sure any new employer must be made aware of the terms of the covenant before their new arrival starts work. This can be an effective tactic as the new employer is unlikely to want to run the risk of liability of breach of contract and may encourage the employee to respect the terms of the covenant.

Confidentiality restrictions are particularly important in protecting the intellectual property rights of a business and avoiding possible patent applications.

Make sure this is considered in your agreement to protect and keep what is rightly yours.

What should I look for in a confidentiality agreement?

In general terms, these should:

“There is a growing trend for employees to leave their jobs or contractors to finish their contracts and walk away armed with confidential information collected from their time with a company

”

Chris Kane

relating to price and maintaining a stable workforce.

Commercial Contracts

How do I maximise my chances of being able to enforce the covenant?

When negotiating a commercial contract, it’s essential to consider the repercussions of the disclosure of your confidential information to another party and the restrictions that should be in place to prevent it from happening.

You’ll need to make sure it’s carefully drafted. Also, be mindful of making the restrictive covenant clause limited in terms of scope and duration, to provide enough protection as ‘reasonably necessary’ in the circumstances. Restrictions which are particularly wide or ‘blanket’ type clauses are unlikely to be enforceable.

If your employee has taken independent legal advice on the terms of a restrictive covenant, either before signing their employment contract or when entering into a compromise agreement, you will have a better chance of persuading the court that the restrictions are enforceable, as the employee would have been made aware of the terms of the covenant before putting their name to the

www.b4-business.com

Richard Baxter, a partner in the Corporate team at Withy King in Oxford, comments: What steps do I need to take?

The most effective way to protect your confidential information is for both parties to sign an agreement detailing confidentiality responsibilities. This can either be a stand alone document or could be incorporated into the main commercial contract. If used at the start of the process, a stand alone document can prove invaluable to pre-contract negotiations. You should always make sure you

• define what your confidential information is (a restriction can only apply to information that is truly confidential and is not already or does not later come into the public domain); • state how it will be used and that it may only be used for this purpose; • dictate the circumstances that the other party may disclose your confidential information (this is typically to their employees who are directly involved in the project).

Certain legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act could affect the validity and strength behind your confidentiality restrictions. This is often particularly relevant in the public arena, so if your business deals with public procurement issues or other matters related to the public sector, specialist legal advice can give you peace of mind to know that that your confidential information is protected. www.withyking.co.uk

63

DON’T PANIC IT’S ONLY PR AND YOU’LL LEARN TO LOVE IT A new kind of PR agency is open for business in the Oxford area. To The Point PR (www.tothepointpr.com) is a strategic communications company aimed at established SMEs and well funded start-ups. It provides PR where clients can tailor their spending on a month by month basis. Its founders say it is transparent, accountable PR - No long notice periods, No hidden charges. They call it pay-as-you-go PR.

Behind the business is former B4 editor, Simon Green and City high flyer Sameer Mahomed. Richard Rosser spoke to Simon and Sameer about the company and their six golden rules of good PR. Business journalist turned PR entrepreneur, Simon Green, says PR makes many businesses nervous and has worked hard to get itself a bad name. He wants to change its image and remove the fear factor.

“Journalists and businesses of all shapes and sizes tend to see public relations as a necessary evil and every bit as evil as it is necessary,” he says.

“I was a journalist for 25 years before moving into PR in 2005.

Seeing life from the ‘dark side’ was a real eye opener. I quickly realised how valuable, how vital and how rare journalistic skills are in a PR agency.”

“If you are not getting your name or your product in the papers, on the radio, on TV or online then you are wasting your money” “The love hate relationship between journalists and PR agencies is a strange symbiotic affair. They are two sides of the same coin and need each other. Seventy per cent of what we consume in the media is PR driven. And the burgeoning power of the internet means the influence of PR is growing.”

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

The relationship between a business and its PR agency can also

64

B4 PR be wobbly. “Too often companies fork out money after being seduced by flashy PR presentations and a lot of promises. But measuring the results of a PR campaign is tricky. Many firms - especially those who need to spend wisely and see PR as a luxury - get their fingers burned. It does not have to be that way,” he says.

COVERAGE, COVERAGE, COVERAGE Bottom line - PR is about media coverage. If you are not getting your name or your product in the papers, on the radio, on TV or online then you are wasting your money.

To get coverage you need to tell journalists stories. They are NOT - repeat NOT - interested in a lovely press release which tells them how great you are. They want news. That’s what we give journalists. We are a PR agency but get calls from journalists saying: “I need a story. What have you got?’

That is really important.

SIX PR POINTERS 1

Get the key messaging right: Journalists never admit to liking PR. But they need PR. That 70% rule means most news stories begin in the imagination of a creative PR executive. You will get good coverage if your business is part of a strong news story. But make sure your PR agency is getting your key messages across. At ToThe Point PR we spend a long time working with our clients on key messaging. It is the foundation of a strong campaign. We believe PR editorial is ten times more powerful than advertising copy - even if the messages are the same.

2

Think about thought leadership and news reaction: If you know your business you can talk about it to the media - this is ‘thought leadership’. How many news stories or features are related to your business? You probably see one every day. The real PR skill is to make your business part of the news agenda. A good PR agency will know what newsdesks are planning before it appears in the media. To do this you need a close relationship with a lot of journalists. To The Point PR is staffed by people with journalistic backgrounds. We know a lot of journalists and they know us.

Simon met his business partner, Sameer Mahomed, while heading the PR campaign for companies funded by Dragon, James Caan. Sameer oversees his investment portfolio.

“We hit it off straight away and realised we both saw the value for start-ups and SMEs in good straightforward PR where the client felt in control of the budget,” says Sameer.

“Every day I was looking for innovative ways to grow businesses. It’s all about building their profile to attract customers. Simon and his team were coming up with some great, original ideas and was able to engage the media by putting his clients at the centre of the news agenda.”

“At To The Point PR we concentrate on businesses which need PR but are afraid of it getting out of control. They need PR but don’t know how to go about it. We take the risk and when we ‘deliver’ for clients its money well spent - a return on their PR investment.

We know how to react to a news story. How to make our clients part of the news agenda and then make them the news story. The ‘news reactive’ or ‘hitchhike’ is the lifeblood of good PR.

3

Survey the landscape: Journalists love surveys: Good surveys which give them good headlines and provide strong news stories. Make sure if you are at the centre of a survey created by your PR agency it gets you coverage.

Surveys are expensive - make them count. To The Point PR knows how to make a survey ‘fly’.

4

The ‘L’ word rocks: ‘L’ is for launch. Getting the launch of a new product, service or even a business right is a vital. You can waste thousands with a ‘big bash’ which keeps the people you invite happy but if it doesn’t result in a shed load of coverage - forget it. Think hard and consider all the options for a launch - often less is more.

5

Who are you targeting?: Ensure any campaign you pay for is well targeted. Think regional, think local, but make sure your PR agency tailors its messaging correctly if you want to ‘go national or even global’. Find out how your Agency builds its media lists and contacts. To The Point PR shares its media lists with its clients. It won’t kick-off a campaign until the client is 100% happy with the media targets it intends to hit.

6

Don't be anti Social-Media: Using the web to get your message across is vital in any PR campaign.

But it needs to work alongside traditional media. The two feed off each other. Make sure you use an agency which understands both and gets the mix right. We have a strong track record in building social media campaigns, Viral marketing and what we call hijacking the blogosphere.

But PR should go further, there is an amount of search engine optimization (SEO) you can create in a well written news release but companies should work closely with an effective SEO agency. To The Point PR has close relationships with a range of businesses which can enhance a PR campaign.

Getting wise to PR. Sameer Mahomed, Simon Green and Jessica Lui. To.The.Point’s research whiz.

To find out more about running an ‘accountable’ campaign with To the Point PR call: 0845 055 9696 or email info@tothepointpr.com or visit: www.tothepointpr.com You can also call Simon Green direct on 07702 108 455 65

HAPPY

5

TH

Yes it’s been five years already. With 20 issues under our belt and over 700 articles appearing in B4 Magazine, it’s about time we thanked a few key people who have helped establish B4 as Oxfordshire’s leading free distribution business magazine.

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

Here are a few pictures from our 5th Birthday Party celebration at Blenheim Palace, superbly hosted by John Hoy and his team. If we’ve not mentioned you below, please accept our apologies, but thanks to all of the following for their support of B4 over the past 5 years:

66

Keith Simpson, Andrew Creese, Tracey Jefferies, Blenheim Palace, Clark Wiseman, Jenny Woyand, Hannah Howell, Studio 8, City Sightseeing, Colin Rosser, Chris Fulton, Darbys, Tina Rosser, Buildbase, BGP, The Career Boutique, Tony Bullock, Shaw Gibbs, John Kennedy, Bottle PR, B-Line, Simon Howson-Green, Stones, Richard Venables, Jayne Woodley, Lloyds Commercial, Chiltern Railways, Tony Haines, Mike Warren, Lady Margaret Hall, Richard Clayton, Miele, Orange Stripe, VSL, Wenn Townsend, Iain Lewis, London Oxford Airport, Trevor Osborne, Rob Jones, The Oxford Knowledge Company, Zoe Naylor, Sarah Airey, Reya El-Salahi, Breckon & Breckon, Gail Buckle, Malmaison, Bridle, Oxford United FC, Rhodes House, inTouch CRM, Barclays Corporate, Williams F1, Sue Rosser, Aston & James, Jean-Pierre Morilleau, Charlene Llonch, Visit Oxfordshire, Dave Beesley Macmillan, Electric Hair, Steve Hartley, Adam Flynn, Barbara Richardson, Orange, Oxfam, Grant Thornton, Roger Watts, The Oxfordshire GC, St Clare’s Oxford, Rob Scotcher, Air Business, Mark McSorley, Conference Centre Oxford, Brendan Caffrey, Studley Wood GC, Barclays Bank, Erica Conlan, Southfield GC, Sir John Madejski, Meet Oxfordshire, Emma Connolly, Cotswold Wildlife Park, Frilford Heath GC, Martin Gubb, CETA, Oxford Castle, Brooke Wiseman, Katie Avis-Riordan, James White, Magna Carta College, University of Oxford Shop, Karen David, Shani Farrant, Sue Edwardson, James Lyon, Simon Sayce, John Hoy, Simon McCrum, Sarah Wiseman, The MGroup, Eranga Hadirampela, Blue Print, Kimberley Manning, Paige Tully, Lucy Howard, Torpedo and everyone else who has helped us get to 5! Thank you!

www.b4-business.com

NEXT EVENT If you would like to attend the next B4 Ambassadors Event at The Miele Experience Centre on Thursday 20th October (6pm to 9pm), then please e-mail events@b4business.com to book your place. Numbers limited to 180.

WHO’S INVITED? B4 Ambassadors and Members are invited plus one guest each, but we have a strict policy on guests in so far as guests can only come to one event, thereafter they must be members.

www.b4-business.com

67

OXFORD KNOWLEDGE COMPANY

COMPLEMENTING EXPERTISE The Oxford Knowledge Company is unique in its approach to IT. With a carefully selected team, made up exclusively from bilingual, Microsoft Certified Professionals, the company is a world away from the complications that the profession is renowned for – look at them as more of a friendly spirit than a demon of jargon. Hannah Howell reports for B4.

Increasingly, today’s IT Managers are finding themselves being called upon to be more involved in shaping their organisation’s strategic vision. This often means that alongside running the vital day-to-day elements of their departments to keep their organisational systems running, they must also focus on the IT ‘bigger picture’.

Although this strategic shift is hugely positive, the recognition that IT structures are so integral to success has unsurprisingly had the byproduct of extra work for the IT Managers.

Recognition rarely arrives without hard work, and IT Managers are often finding that they

The Oxford Knowledge Company often works with organisations that already have in-house IT Managers. Rather than displacing these managers, the experts act their best friends by providing extra resources or specialist expertise and experience where required. The Oxford Knowledge Company assigns a Lead IT Consultant to the company; their job is to really ‘get to know’ their client’s IT and business needs so that they can offer the best proactive advice and support, or reactive support when necessary.

Knowledge Company, computer downtime has been significantly reduced and there has been a notable upturn in IT efficiency – across all Maccaferri sites.

Additionally, if needed the company can also provide a support desk which is available 24

Working in parallel also helps The Oxford Knowledge Company to learn about the best

“David helps with the server and network ‘housekeeping’ and assists with any other key technical tasks such as reviewing and checking the event logs and systems. A second pair of eyes to review the finite details is really helpful and often detects potential issues before they escalate. We tend to work in parallel.”

“They speak my 'IT' language and their consultative approach means that we work as a kind of partnership which gives me 'peace of mind'” have to increase their responsibility and input.

time-intensive

For the Oxfordshire headed, UK division of Maccaferri – designers and suppliers of engineered solutions to the construction industry – a restructure and efficiency drive of its IT department meant that the company’s IT Manager was in urgent need of additional technical expertise and support.

Maccaferri found the answer to its IT provision needs by means of its own Managing Director – The Oxford Knowledge Company, who are an established and experienced member of the Microsoft Partner Network with GOLD competency.

68

hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure customers can always address problems as soon as they arise and lose as little as possible working time.

So, how has the Oxford Knowledge Company complemented Maccaferri’s IT Department in terms of support up to this point?

Much of this support is managed and implemented remotely - although Lead Technology Consultant David Hughes attends the client’s site in Oxford regularly each month.

Chris Prevett, IT Manager for Maccaferri, also notes that since working with The Oxford

way to serve their client’s IT and business needs.

For a company as large as Maccaferri, a trustworthy security system that is easy to manage separately is a pre-requisite. The Oxford Knowledge Company was able to consult on, undertake the installation of, and roll out a secure endpoint protection solution (security software to the rest of us).

This style of long-term support that the company provides to Maccaferri, enables their relationship to grow to the level where Chris feels comfortable trusting system decisions to Oxford Knowledge Solutions in the event of his absence, which is a resounding statement of

www.b4-business.com

B4 IT their competency. As well as providing essential day-to-day support, The Oxford Knowledge Company consults on and undertakes special projects for Maccaferri.

The move from their original, Kapersky system, to the new Symantec EndPoint Protection system involved rolling out the new software onto all desktops, notebooks, and servers with minimum interruption to daily functionality of the system for individual users which was achieved using a central console. Maccaferri’s IT Manager Chris says of the transition: “Throughout the antivirus migration, our system productivity was unaffected. It was very much business as usual.”

This success has tempted Maccaferri to consider other methods of IT management such as virtualisation (making physical servers virtual – saving space and money).

“The Oxford Knowledge Company’s IT expertise really empowers my ability to strategically steer Maccaferri’s infrastructure. In fact, virtualisation is something i’m strongly considering for the group’s future IT infrastructure. Replacing multiple physical servers with one or two virtual ones will not only reduce risk of breakdown and operational costs, but will also expedite our business processes and offer even greater data protection” – Chris Prevett “Virtualisation will greatly enhance network performance today and future-proof Maccaferri’s server infrastructure for tomorrow; growing alongside its business. Adding extra capacity virtually rather than physically is as simple as flicking a switch – its also really cost effective” – David Hughes.

“Since working with The Oxford Knowledge Company computer downtime has been minimised and there’s been a notable upturn in IT efficiency – across all Maccaferri UK sights” Chris has been so overwhelmed by the success of Maccaferri’s complimenting expertise that he concludes: “I’ll be using the Oxford Knowledge Company’s services more and more – especially to take us into the virtualised environment and potentially, into the realms of cloud computing!”

David Hughes - Technology Consultant

www.maccaferri.co.uk www.oxford-knowledge.com 69

WOODSTOCK ROAD, CENTRAL NORTH OXFORD

A period Grade II listed Georgian house requiring some general updating throughout and providing the opportunity to create a personalised family home. The accommodation is arranged over four floors set out with the entrance hall, sitting room, open plan kitchen/living/dining room on the ground floor, large utility room and cloakroom in the basement, two bedrooms and a shower room on the first floor and master bedroom with ensuite bathroom on the second floor. To the exterior is a long gravelled driveway to the front providing off road parking and to the rear is a mature west facing garden.

Guide £950,000

WOODSTOCK ROAD, NORTH OXFORD

A beautifully presented detached family house built in 1928 and extended and much improved by the present owners to create a light and spacious home. The accommodation is arranged over two floors set out with the entrance hall, cloakroom, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, study and conservatory on the ground floor, master bedroom with ensuite, bathroom, shower room and six further bedrooms. To the exterior of the property is a driveway to the front leading to a carport and garage. To the rear is a good size mature garden mainly laid to lawn with tree and shrub borders.

Guide £950,000

STONESFIELD, NORTH OXFORDSHIRE

Evenlode is a most attractive and substantial family house, which is believed to date back to the mid 18th century. The house enjoys an enviable location on the edge of the village, on the edge of the Blenheim Estate. The house includes a wonderful spacious drawing room, kitchen and an adjoining cottage.

On the first floor lie three bedrooms including a magnificent master bedroom suite and two further bedrooms. On the second floor is a fourth bedroom. To the south of the main house is a double garage, which has full planning permission to be demolished and replaced with a two bedroom coach house and additional paddock.

Guide £1,500,000

Mayfield Hou se, 2 5 6 B a nb u ry Roa d, Su m m er tow n, O xford OX2 7DE

01865 318013 www.pennyandsinclair.co.uk

NORHAM ROAD, CENTRAL NORTH OXFORD

A substantial detached house built in 1880 to a design by F. Connell with good size family accommodation, arranged with entrance, kitchen, open plan dining room and conservatory, drawing room, sitting room and w.c on the ground floor, family room, swimming room, sauna, shower room, w.c, and separate studio apartment. On the first floor is the ensuite master bedroom with dressing room, ensuite second bedroom and a laundry room, on the second floor are two ensuite bedrooms, two further bedrooms and a bathroom and large attic room. To the exterior there is parking and south facing gardens to the rear with a 100ft swimming pool.

Guide £6,750,000

GOOSEY, NEAR FARINGDON.

A charming Grade II listed farmhouse with origins dating back to a 1400 -1450 Medieval hall with later additions over three centuries including a box framed extension dating from 1580-1600, a three storey stone built extension c. 1680 - 1700 and a two storey coach house added in 1801. The property now requires general renovation and updating throughout with a medieval dining room and a fine William and Mary drawing room, in all providing spacious accommodation.

To the exterior there is ample off road parking, a detached garage, out buildings, mature south west facing gardens with a small orchard and a pony paddock.

Guide £1,000,000

BANBURY ROAD, SUMMERTOWN

A beautifully presented substantial family house extending to approximately 2458 sq ft, presented in excellent order throughout, having been extensively improved to create a light and airy house with spacious contemporary finishing's. The accommodation is flexible and arranged over three split level floors set out with entrance hall, kitchen/breakfast room, dining room, sitting room, w.c, utility room and rear lobby on the ground floor, drawing room, two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor and a further three bedrooms and bathroom on the second floor. To the exterior is an off road parking space and a mature garden.

Guide £985,000

Contact: 01865 318013

www.pennyandsinclair.co.uk

Having blossomed under the leadership of ex-Chairman Adrian Shooter, who spent a significant portion of his forty one year career building Chiltern Railways into one of the foremost companies in the rail network, Rob was appointed as MD earlier this year. One of his first tasks was to oversee the launch of the new, much faster, Chiltern Mainline service between Birmingham and London.

I met Rob at Haddenham and Thame Parkway, managing to steal half an hour of his valuable time. It’s clear Rob is well received by Chiltern employees, on first name terms with those he came into contact with during our interview, always asking how things are, always looking to improve. If his staff are happy, his customers are happy.

The sun helps the dreariest of places take on a revitalised glow, but this is a station with a community feel, a gentle buzz, a welcoming atmosphere, and that doesn’t happen overnight, it’s nurtured through staff, through customer feedback and through best practice.

“this is a station with a community feel, a gentle buzz, a welcoming atmosphere, and that doesn’t happen overnight, it’s nurtured through staff, through customer feedback and through best practice” As his local station, Haddenham and Thame Parkway is probably the station Rob frequents the most, and it’s one he is keen to promote as a shining example on his line. “First of all, the road access to Oxford to and from this station is excellent, in many respects it’s a much easier journey for many Oxfordshire residents than from Oxford city station. Oxford city centre congestion is a massive issue for commuters as we all know, but here, it couldn’t be easier.

“We have a huge, 450 space car park, and even at peak times, there are spaces. You can get to the station in approximately 35 to 40 minutes from Oxford and know you’ll have a space. Access from the car park to the station is straightforward, and, once you factor in the reduced distance to London from here, the overall journey time is practically the same as from Oxford city centre.

Photography: Charlene Llonch

“In fact, this is probably the quickest way to get into the centre of London, to Marylebone station, which, unlike Paddington, is right by Baker Street and the Jubilee line, so you can get the Jubilee line straight into Canary Wharf and the centre of London. We are currently undergoing a major upgrade of the route, which will be complete at the end of August, by which time, our fastest train time will be 40 minutes to Marylebone station.”

72

After a brief intermission to get a shot of Rob pictured with a Chiltern train in the background – you have to be quick, they don’t hang about – during which Rob reinforces the community feel by bumping into a local parent for whom Rob’s daughter does some babysitting, Rob continues to dish out the plaudits.

“We have excellent staff and a very secure car park, which is currently manned, with CCTV coverage. Another aspect of the station I am personally very proud of is Little Italy. I met (the owners) Simon and Katrina many years ago when they were selling their coffee from a

mobile cart. I approached them one day and asked if they’d like to help me design a new station, so they came and helped me design the layout that you see today, to accommodate their new coffee bar.

If you get here and have to wait for a train, this is a very welcoming place with a pleasant atmosphere to help you pass the time.”

With a population of 5,000, the village of Haddenham is a very popular location for London workers looking for a slower pace of life, but within striking distance of the City. “It’s the perfect environment to raise a family, and we provide the efficient route into work, providing that vital work / life balance. It’s a model emulated by Bicester and even Banbury, where commuters can see they can get in to work often more quickly than living in London itself. Not only that, but Marylebone is so well connected that once in London they can get around very efficiently.” It’s also perfectly placed for trips to Wembley Stadium.

In fact, statistics show that commuting from Haddenham and Thame to the City compared to commuting from parts of London are actually quicker.

Rob also stresses the importance of Evergreen 3, a new line between Bicester and Oxford, together with the construction or reconstruction of stations at Bicester Town, Islip, Water Eaton and Oxford. As Manager of Evergreen 2, Rob is well placed to oversee the next phase, which will radically improve journey times into London. This will firmly establish towns such as Leamington Spa and Banbury as London commuter towns, and even Warwick Parkway will fall into this bracket.

Rob is reveling in his new role. So is it a bright future for Chiltern, not just Haddenham and Thame Parkway? “It’s very exciting actually. We have a new service to launch under a tight deadline (by the end of August) and then we have to educate the public about the Chiltern offer, we have to tell them how we can make their life easier. Then, crucially, we have to look after our core network, Banbury southwards into London, and offer a top notch service. We’re adding more trains and increasing the trains’ lengths, and that is to give the capacity to match the growth in demand.”

One of the current myths Rob is keen to dispel is that Haddenham and Thame will regularly be closed at the weekends from early September, once the new service is operational. “It’s been a necessity to get the engineering work completed, but it has sown a seed for some that this is a weekday only station. It’s not ideal running bus replacement services, but needs must. From 5th September, Haddenham and Thame will be, very much, a seven day a week station.”

“From August, Haddenham and Thame will be, very much, a seven day a week station” With petrol prices squeezing every household, the stress of a busy motorway and the inevitable traffic jams getting to work, not to mention the hassle finding car parking spaces and throw in the odd run in with a ‘tail-gater’ and it all adds up to us asking why we put ourselves through the daily commute by car? Traveling by train is effortless, and Chiltern Railways have made taking the train a pleasant experience. Just think of all that time waiting in a car? Can you grab a stool and ask Katrina for a latte? Thought not. www.chilternrailways.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

B4 TRAVEL

HADDENHAM & THAME GATEWAY INTO LONDON Since winning the franchise in 1996, Chiltern Railways has run scheduled passenger services along the M40 corridor from London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill. A key stop on the busy route in to and out of London is Haddenham and Thame Parkway. B4’s Richard Rosser met with recently appointed Managing Director, Rob Brighouse, to fully appreciate the growing significance of one of Chiltern’s busiest stations.

www.b4-business.com

73

WANT TO BECOME A B 4 MEMBER?

Come along to our monthly presentations to find out more about the benefits of B4 Membership. Already a B4 member but need to get the most out of the B4 website? This presentation is also for you.

Find out: a. How to use the B4 site – uploading press releases and event details direct to the site and update your details b. The full benefits of B4 membership c. Sign up to a no obligation trial membership d. Find out about the new B4 website and our exciting new developments for new territories Also hear presentations from selected B4 Members, as detailed below.

When: 9.30am to 11.30am on the dates below Where: The Visitors Room, Malmaison, Oxford Castle.

Want to come?: Reply to events@b4-business.com to book your place.

PLEASE NOTE: There is no charge for this event. Open to all existing B4 Members and those interested in becoming a member.

Schedule of forthcoming B4 presentations: Thursday August 25th Presenting alongside B4: Presentations by Studio 8 and Magna Carta College and one slot still available

_____________________________________ Thursday September 29th Presenting alongside B4: Oxford Digital Marketing, Orange Stripe & Helen Money Nutrition & TLA Fitness (combined presentation)

_____________________________________ Thursday October 20th Presenting alongside B4: inTouch CRM, Concise Training and Old Swan and Minster Mill

_____________________________________ Thursday November 17th Presenting alongside B4: Kemp and Kemp and two slots still available

_____________________________________ Thursday December 15th Presenting alongside B4: Syncro PR and two slots still available.

Interested in promoting your business alongside us at future monthly workshops in 2011 or 2012?

Contact editorial@b4-business.com or call 01865 742211. Presentation slots only open to B4 Members!

B4 CULTURE

PLAYING HOUSE

71 years ago Oxford saw the opening of Oxford Playhouse, the last pre-war theatre in the UK to be set up. Since then the Playhouse had flourished, and has seen the likes of Sir Ian McKellen, Rowan Atkinson and dame Judi Dench perform on its stage.

Now, in 2011, the Playhouse is as great as ever, and open to the kinds of theatre that the original founders never dreamt of in 1938. Not only do they host hundreds of conventional plays, workshops and schemes within the theatre itself, but have now taken to putting on plays on boats, in pubs, and even in your own home. Intrigued? (And maybe a little confused?) Well, me too.

Eloise Porter of B4 talks to Michelle Dickson, Director of the Playhouse, to find out more.

With a strap line of ‘A Playhouse for Everyone’ Michelle is a firm believer that “it’s really important to try and have at least one thing in every season that will appeal to every single person.” And with theatre, workshops, dance, music and talks, put on by amateurs, local companies, students and professionals, I think it’s pretty safe to say that they’ve got it covered.

Now, back to those plays in peculiar places, what does that entail? “It’s about putting theatre in front of people who might not find their way into The Playhouse, so it’s a way of taking what we do and finding different ways to present live performances.”

So where do we go if we want to experience this different kind of theatre? Well, pretty much anywhere, it seems. A boat, a garden, a pub or even a rugby pitch, and autumn this year does not disappoint for The Playhouse’s Plays Out scheme.

“Coming up we’ve got 3 Sisters, which is going to be actually set on a barge, and in the Angel and Greyhound pub in St Clements, we’re hosting Poetry, Pie and a Pint.” Sounds like a pretty good combination to me. And, if you like, they can even come to you. “We had a show a while ago called Henry and Elizabeth that toured to people’s houses. So you’d invite ten or so people , then the actors would show up and do the show in your house... which is a very interesting experience.” www.b4-business.com

Underpinning everything at Oxford Playhouse, says Michelle, is the simple desire to put on great theatre. But there’s also a corporate side. “It’s an opportunity to create brilliant relationships where I really hope and think that it’s a meeting of minds, we can offer and contact thousands of people, and a lot of businesses are interested in working with us to do something very directly within the community as well as raise their profile.”

With programmes sold in their hundreds, sponsors of the Playhouse have plenty of opportunity to communicate with the audiences, as well as the opportunity to use the Playhouse as a setting for meetings, corporate entertaining and meals, accompanied, of course, by a nice play. Good, eh?

Not only do the sponsors themselves get something out of the Playhouse, but they also help to provide 700 people each year, who might not otherwise be able to come, with free tickets so that they have the opportunity to take some time out and come to the theatre.

Still got an excuse for not dropping in? Well, with a new, contemporary and understandable system, for all of us not fluent in the language of theatre, reasons not to are running thin on the ground.

Even the atmosphere in The Playhouse is effervescent, and, it must be said, infectious.

Despite the huge range of other things going on at

The Playhouse, they still find the time to put on a great variety of fantastic plays, every week of the year.

So what is Michelle particularly looking forward to in the upcoming season? “We’ve got Simon Callow (of Four Weddings and A Funeral) coming in to do Dr Marigold and Mr Chops, Dickens’ short stories, he’s a world class actor, and it’s a great opportunity to see someone at the top of their game performing, and then later in the season we’ve got a South African show, Woyzeck on the Highveld, from the company who created the horses for War Horse. They’re puppeteers, and they’re absolutely amazing. I’m really excited for that show particularly; it’s going to be an special occasion.”

With their multitude of events, it seems like Oxford Playhouse really is a Playhouse for everyone, from traditional shows for classic theatre lovers, to shows especially geared to the young folk of Oxford, and with their OPT in! scheme for under 25s (that’s cheap, and sometimes free, entry) it’s hard to say ‘no’. So why not head on over and see what they’ve got to offer? My bet is that there will be at least something that catches your eye. www.oxfordplayhouse.com

75

Since its early days Air Business has been a formidable presence in the International Mailing Industry. Their unique and intelligent approach to mail has earned them an impressive customer portfolio, and with their recent acquisition of Quadrant Subscription Services (QUADRANT), the skies seem to have no limit for Air Business.

publishing industry, creating a combined total of over £35million in sales.

The incorporation of Quadrant Subscription Services, one of the UK’s premier subscription and publishing services bureaus, shows Air Business Group to be continually expanding at an impressive rate. With the deal being tendered for long-term retention of QUADRANT’s previous owners (Reed Business Information) as a client, this deal seems set to propel Air Business towards even greater horizons.

Quadrant seems just as passionate about the opportunities the new partnership will open for both companies. Stuart Lacey the Managing Director of Quadrant enthuses that: “I know that this acquisition will truly benefit both groups, and our collective clients, as we continue to grow together to deliver high quality customer services for the publishing and wider industry.”

With a significant market share as provider of global distribution logistic services (including international and UK mail delivery and courier services, mail fulfilment, data management, circulation audits, and exhibition handling), the company has maneuvered itself into an enviable position with the procurement of Quadrant. Adam Sherman, Air Business Group MD said of the collation: “We firmly believe that QUADRANT is an excellent match for our organisation, each of us possess high quality services that complement the other perfectly without crossover, affording greater choice of complimentary services to our customer base.”

Air Business is no stranger to a successful incorporation of companies, as shown by their 2009 assimilation of Jordans and Co. International – a mail and fulfillment provider based in Witney, Oxfordshire. This move positioned Air Business as one of the UK’s leading mail and distribution providers for the

Air Businesses’ past successes have paved the way for their new partnership to be a triumph and is: “just another logical step towards [our] goal” – which can only be world domination!

The move will most certainly be equally beneficial for both companies. Over the past six years Air Business’ new management team has secured marketleading growth. Their successful formula is primed for application to new partnerships – an exciting prospect for all involved.

Whilst financial improvements are always welcomed it is its more volatile sibling, customer service, which has solidified Air Business’ market authority.

The group’s successes in this field ensure: “...consecutive selections for strategic partnerships with the publishing industry’s largest and most respected trading bodies the PPA and FIPP” priming Air Business’s growth for even greater heights.

Since 2004 Air Business has seen five times growth; such financial successes are largely attributed to the group’s outstanding standards of customer service, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and retention based on wider

FLYING HIGH Since 2004 Air Business has seen five times growth

76

www.b4-business.com

B4 SERVICES

Hannah Howell talks to Loraine Hirst and Phil Holland about Air Business’ most recent acquisition, how this will affect their company, their new colleagues and about plans for the future.

customer base selection. By incorporating the founding principles of their company’s successes without becoming blinkered by economics, Air Business has developed an enviable talent for success.

Air Businesses’ successful formula for expansion is based on an unquenchable thirst to provide an unrivalled, one-stop publishing service. The fact that the company is not blindly driven by profits but instead focuses on acquisitions that will improve their service as well as being a sound financial investment is shown by Phil’s enthusiasm for Quadrant’ integration into the group: “We see Quadrant as complementary to our core distribution business in that they are the next link in the publishing supply chain providing subscription and data base management. This enables the new group to cross sell and provide publishers with the complete range of fulfillment & distribution services, to both sets of existing and prospect clients.”

expansion because: “Our new acquisition Quadrant maintains offices abroad in both Philippines and St Louis, Missouri in the United States, which may act as spring boards for new business opportunities in the Americas and Southeast Asia”.

Air Businesses’ successful formula for expansion is based on an unquenchable thirst to provide an unrivalled, one-stop publishing service

The integration of Quadrant is an exciting prospect for the company – it has experience in subscription management and associated database fulfillment services for a wide variety of published media reaching back to 1972. With a current database managing over 200 titles, equating to approximately 3million live customer records, Quadrant covers all areas of business, consumer, financial and scientific publishing. This market share is though not limited to the UK: “local multi-channel (telephone, email and web) Customer Services are available across the UK, USA and Asia Pacific…providing 24-hour live system availability.” With their systems available worldwide Quadrant has opened the doors for Air Business to expand their overseas operations.

Air Business has become and remains a dominating presence in the world of publishing. With their continued expansion and acquisition successes, it is exciting to wonder what route Air Business Group will take next - but as the fastest growing company in the magazine distribution market - it seems inevitable that their next giant’s stride will reverberate within the industry just as much as the last.

Although Air Business already operates global mail-services, investment in overseas expansion remains risky for any company. Loraine explains how the acquisition of Quadrant will help them to achieve their goal of overseas

www.airbusonline.com

www.b4-business.com

To find out more about Air Business' services, call Phil or Loraine on 01727 890600.

77

E X H I B I T I O N & D I S P L AY AY G R A P H I C S P U L L - U P B A N N E R S P O P - U P D I S P L AYS A Y S P VC VC B A N N E R S P O S T E R P R I N T I N G VA M O D U L A R PA PA N E L S O U T D O O R S I G N A G E C A N V AS PRINTS F I N E A RT R T P R I N T I N G P H OTO OTO G R A P H I C P R I N T I N G

01993 892360 w w w. b l u e p r i n t i m a g i n g . c o m

B4 EVENTS

MAJOR STANLEY’S

Oxford University is just as renowned for its murky history and secret societies as it is for its intellect. Not to be outdone by the colleges, Oxford University Rugby Football Club reveals one of its own during preparations for the famous Varsity Match against Cambridge University. Hannah Howell writes for B4.

Since 1894, the legendary enigma that was Major Stanley has influenced rugby both within the University and on a national scale: The first Stanley’s Match does not appear on fixtures until 1914 and was subsequently cancelled due to the war; but when the Major R.V. Stanleys XV was eventually released for the first time in 1919, it welcomed onto the field rugby legends William Wavell Wakefield and Thomas Anthony Voyce. With future England greats and RFU

Selection for Major R.V. Stanleys XV side is regarded as a great honor, yet the man behind the team appears never to have played a game of rugby.

With (probably) its 90th anniversary approaching this November, the Stanley’s match will for the second year return to its traditional afternoon kickoff after seven years of evening play.

Attendance to the match skyrocketed last year with hospitality bookings seeing an increase from 15 tables in 2009 to 26 tables in 2010 – and this year

Blues in ’95 and played for Ireland and the British Lions, are beginning to escape the clubhouse.

November’s event will begin around 1pm with a curtain-raiser match between Magdalen College School and Rugby School’s 1st XV teams. The popularity of such prestigious curtain raisers has encouraged the club to invite more teams to open professional matches. However, currently the pitch is not able to handle a huge number, so increasing the frequency of these exciting youth games is a

“With future England greats and RFU Presidents donning the famous white shirt of the Stanley’s XV for its first game, traditions began to spring up around the fixture - in true Oxford University style” Presidents donning the famous white shirt of the Stanley’s XV for its first game, traditions began to spring up around the fixture - in true Oxford University style.

By far the most public part of OURFC’s preparation for December’s Varsity match, the Blue’s match against Stanleys XV in November is the only chance for the public (and the prying eyes of the Cambridge University Rugby team), to witness OURFC’s season progress.

Famed for its exciting level of play, the match in 1955 saw 44 points scored, with one try coming from interplay passing which included every Oxford player and lasted 1 minute 22 seconds!

www.b4-business.com

looks likely to be just as successful as OURFC has organised capacity for up to 40 hospitality tables.

long-term project for the club, and will also help encourage young rugby players.

The corporate hospitality event on the day is traditionally a hub for local Oxfordshire businesses and University Alumni, as well as current students and local residents. This year the club has decided to place more family focus on the event and plans to include a guest speaker, auction and a prizedraw.

With attendance rising from 1,300 in 2009 to 2000 in 2010, numbers seem set to increase further this year to around 3,000 spectators. The club’s two stands plus pitch-side standing areas will easily accommodate the ever-growing crowd, and promises a hugely exciting match with a fantastic atmosphere!

Last year’s speaker, former Blues coach Lynn Evans, was a huge success and especially popular with the younger rugby enthusiasts. This year the club is aiming to invite a former Blue with a bit of a name, and whispers of Tyrone Howe who captained the

Tickets for hospitality and stand seats are available from OURFC now. www.ourfc.org

79

B4 EDUCATION

A FRIENDLY PLATFORM Maybe I’m getting old, maybe I miss being a student – it was some time ago, mind – but the atmosphere at Magna Carta College in Summertown is, without a shadow of a doubt, friendly, welcoming, warm and genuine. This is epitomised by its Dean, Professor David Faulkner. Richard Rosser talks to the David about why Magna Carta is becoming an increasingly popular choice for students. Words by Eloise Porter.

Not one to hide his light under a bushel, David is upbeat about what his College can offer but mindful of the fact that he can’t offer everything that more established Colleges and Universities can. But, he is also quick to point out that not everyone wants the playing fields, the big numbers, the, at times, impersonal feel of a big College. With that trademark glint in his eye, David is not only a fun and engaging Dean, but he’s well aware that with pressure on the system, Magna Carta’s stock is rising, and rising fast.

still being able to partake in activities at the University Student Union, of being able to experience the Oxford student social scene, and just living and breathing in Oxford. The Oxford experience is a big deal for students and Magna Carta can provide almost everything they need, as David elaborates:

“It’s a fact that all of the young kids who want to go to university probably want to go to Oxford and Cambridge, Harvard, Stanford and Yale etc…. That’s fine, if they’ve got what it takes, but they’ve got to be in the top 0.01% to make it. Not only do they need the brains, they also need the funds. But it doesn’t stop there: Intelligence and a healthy bank balance are great, but they also need contacts or luck, or a combination of the two.”

“Private colleges are, on the whole, much smaller concerns than your run of the mill Universities. That appeals to many. Being one of 10,000 students on a huge campus can be a frightening prospect if you are more of an introvert. It’s a bit of a fight to develop your own social network quickly. Some people do it extremely effectively, but others get a bit lonely, because at University you don’t get schooled in the same way you do at school where you’re with the same partner all the time and you can develop friendships. At University, you have to go out and you have to develop friendships in a much larger group, and many 18 year old kids find that quite daunting.

It’s the media’s job to whip up a storm during the mildest breeze, but, if you believe everything you read, some 200,000 students missed out on their first choice college or university. David knows that

“In a private college, that’s not the case. At Magna Carta, you would get to know everybody in your year very quickly and you would have mentors and tutors who would make sure you got the best

that most students at UK universities will be British students, and there will be a smattering of international students from China, India and so forth. In the private sector, there is a much wider spectrum, and the British students will be in the minority. Now some people might think that’s a disadvantage, but to others, that’s a distinct advantage, because you’ll meet people from all over the world. When you actually get a job and travel, there will be people in each continent who you can go and visit and have a chat with about old times and so forth and maybe even do business with them.

“So we’ve got: it’s cheaper, nearly all private colleges are cheaper than the universities, we don’t have the vast overhead so we can afford to be a bit cheaper, it’s more intimate, in terms of better mentoring and so forth, it’s international, and, you can get into a private college which doesn’t have a quota, unlike a University, which has a quota set for it. So that’s three good reasons why coming to a private college is great, and add on that the degree is just as good as the University one; it’s the same, it’s the same piece of paper. If we’re validated for the University of Wales, you have a degree from the University of Wales. There’s no way of telling if

Photography: Alex Faulkner

“Private colleges are, on the whole, much smaller concerns than your run of the mill Universities. That appeals to many” Magna Carta can accommodate 500 of these students and go some way to solving the problem.

“It may be a drop in the ocean, but so far as each individual is concerned, it’s not. It means they can do a university BA from Wales, and we’re just in the process of completing our validation with the University of Gloucester. That will cost each student between £5,000 and £6,000 for a degree from a listed UK University. It’s exactly the same degree as somebody who actually got into that university.“ This is why more and more students are applying to Magna Carta as their first choice. They can see the fringe benefits of coming to Oxford to study, of

80

opportunities and gave you advice that related to your personality, on a much more intimate basis.

It’s like being part of a family, rather than being part of a nation or a town, shall we say. I’ve had students who have come from big colleges such as LSE tell me that ‘nobody knew who I was, I didn’t really meet anybody, and I just went to the lectures, wrote the appropriate assessments, got the degree and came away. But, really they didn’t know I was there, and I didn’t really know the essence of the University.’ Great to get a degree from LSE, but isn’t University about the experience?

you did it at Magna Carta college or at Newport or Cardiff or wherever, and the same will apply for Gloucester. “ Want to find out more about Magna Carta College?

Open Week – 22nd to 27th August To find out more about the Magana Carta MBA course, please see our website: www.magnacartacollege.org

“There is also the international aspect. It is a fact

www.b4-business.com

“you would have mentors and tutors who would make sure you got the best opportunities and gave you advice�

www.b4-business.com

81

Space to spread your wings.

Living with nature.

Imagine a place where you can be as free as a bird... a breathtaking residential nature reserve with 550 acres of unspoilt countryside to enjoy.

Welcome to Lower Mill: an exclusive community of sustainably-built second homes, nestling in a tranquil setting in the very heart of the Cotswolds. Relax in true luxury. Breathe in awe-inspiring scenery. Unwind in outstanding spa facilities. Enjoy time as a family.

Be part of community living at its finest.

Lower Mill lets you live life as nature intended.

On-site private spa

4-8 Beds £425,000 to £1.25 Million

Luxury vacation homes in the Cotswold countryside.

For more information or to make an appointment

01285 869 489 www.lowermillestate.com NB. Please note that the vacation homes may not be occupied in the period 6th January to 5th February each year as they are vacation homes and not principal places of residence. You must have a first home in order to buy one of our properties. Vacation homes are built in the context of neighbouring properties.

Sun House | £550,000

B4 NETWORKING

TIME TO START ATTRACTING AN ABUNDANCE OF SALES, PROFIT AND SUCCESS… This September sees The Business Wealth Club running two of their highly popular Open Day events in Oxford on the 6th & Reading on the 7th.

Renowned for bringing World Class Speakers to audiences across Oxfordshire and Berkshire, this time is no exception with the World’s Best Selling Author & Authority on The Law of Attraction, Michael Losier flying in from Canada for 1 week and spending 2 days at The Business Wealth Club.

So why is now the best time to be learning about how to Apply The Law of Attraction in Your Business and Life?

“With so much negativity and talk of Recession in the News it can be easy to start focusing on scarcity rather than opportunity” say Business Wealth Club Founder Paul Avins.

“I first saw Michael speak nearly 3 years ago and his practical approach just made so much sense to me and I knew then I wanted to attract him to visit the UK to speak for our Members and Guests.”

Who is Michael Lossier & why should you invest time to listen and learn from him?

He’s the best selling Author of two books – The Law of Attraction – The Secret behind the Secret now published in 28 languages around the world.

His Second book: Law of Connection is in 21 countries and has become the definitive guide to understanding human communication.

Enjoying the international exposure the movie: 'The Secret' brought to the subject of Law of Attraction, Michael's Business flourished as many fans of The

www.b4-business.com

Secret wondered how to apply the Law of Attraction. Michael was quickly branded as the 'how-to' guy for the Law of Attraction.

Michael’s approach also caught the attention of Oprah Winfrey and he was subsequently interviewed four times on her radio show Oprah and Friends on XM radio around this subject, leading to his own radio show on her network for 12 months.

“With so much negativity and talk of Recession in the News it can be easy to start focusing on scarcity rather than opportunity” He has been interviewed on TV & Radio shows across the USA, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the UK and many more.

It’s taken a while but Michael finally felt the timing was perfect for him to teach his approach to British Business Owners who are looking for answers to questions like: Q How do I attract more high paying customers?

Q How can I attract new customers when my competition keeps dropping it’s prices?

Q Why do I always seem to recruit negative and disruptive team members?

Q How can I stop worrying about money so much?

Q How can I be sure things will get better and we will make more profit in this tough economy?

So what will you learn when you attend one of the Open Days on the 6th or 7th of September?

Michael guarantees you’ll leave knowing: • Why and how Law of Attraction works in the real world!

• Why you are attracting negative things and how you can start attracting what you desire.

• The three-step process for deliberate attraction that will free you from worry once and for all.

• The secret to becoming more abundant in your business and your life.

• You will also take home strategies for maintaining good language, positive thoughts, and a 30-day strategy to help integrate the Law of Attraction into your Business life.

To book your place simply go to www.TheBusinessWealthClub.com/opendays or call the Ticket Line now on 01869 278900 (ticket price £20).

83

B4 BERKSHIRE The success of B4 in Oxfordshire has undoubtedly helped us gain a secure foothold in Berkshire and obtain the backing of some of the county’s leading businesses. The ‘model’ we have established in Oxfordshire, with printed magazine, web based business directory and quarterly Ambassador events, is the model we will establish in Berkshire, but, in reverse. We will also be running monthly workshops which have been so well received here in Oxfordshire (see page 74).

The website will be launched in October at a drinks event at Millennium Madejski Hotel at the Madejski Stadium, followed by the magazine launch in January, which will be at two open drinks evenings at Malmaison in Reading on 18th and 19th of January.

We are also enlisting the support of Reading College and students working on related courses who will be supporting the production of B4 Berkshire. By working on a live publication, students will be able to demonstrate their skills in design, photography, journalism, admin and even sales, whilst at the same time gaining credits for their courses. “It really is a very positive scenario for everyone.” Commented Jane Slade, the College’s Programme Manager for Visual Arts. “B4

84

approached us back in April with an idea to allow students to work on the new B4 Berkshire Magazine. The students see the opportunity of working on a real publication as an invaluable experience which they simply cannot afford to miss out on, and we are looking forward to not only the students working with B4, but it’s also an excellent opportunity for the College to connect with Berkshire’s business community.”

We are also hoping to announce the appointment of a B4 Berkshire Operations Manager shortly who will be the face of B4 Berkshire and co-ordinate sales, production and the B4 Berkshire events.

Having secured the support of Reading College, we have since received confirmation of support from Reading Football Club, Malmaison Reading (see page 122) and The Millennium Madejski Hotel. A key supporter of B4 in Oxfordshire has been the Institute of Directors, and we are delighted to have enlisted the support of the IOD in Berkshire, through Chairman Ross Wilson. Ross is also the Chairman of his own firm of Business Consultants (Wilson Partners), and has been very supportive of our plans to launch.

“As Chairman of the Institute of Directors for Berkshire with strong links to my fellow Chairman

Ian Wenman in Oxford, it is clear that B4 Business has already done much in helping business people in Oxfordshire to build relationships with each other. This is of course a crucial ingredient in business and particularly in the challenging environment in which we now operate.

“As Chairman of Wilson Partners Limited, which specialises in the SME sector and specifically helping growing businesses with their business journey, I welcome anything which might give businesses an even greater voice and a platform through which they will be able to raise the profile of their businesses for their own benefit as well as that of our collective business community.

“I eagerly look forward to seeing Berkshire benefitting from B4 being launched in our area.”

Leading Thames Valley law firm, Pitmans LLP, were next to committ as B4 Platinum Ambassadors for Berkshire, and Managing Partner, Christopher Avery, commented as follows on the forthcoming launch.

"Pitmans LLP are excited about the launch of B4 Magazine in Berkshire. We firmly believe that it will fill a much needed gap in the market - bringing venues, businesses and clients together. We look forward to the first edition and to seeing B4 build bridges in Berkshire".

www.b4-business.com

B4 SPOTLIGHT

As B4 celebrates its fifth birthday this issue, we have been busy laying the foundations for B4 in new territories. B4 Berkshire will go live in January 2012, preceded by a new B4 Berkshire website in October, unveiled at a launch event at The Millennium Hotel, Madejski Stadium, on October 6th. Here we give B4 readers a taste as to how B4 has been received in Berkshire.

Lloyds Commercial Banking has enjoyed excellent profile in B4 Oxfordshire, and Thames Valley Senior Business Development Manager, Derek Beards, gave his thoughts. “B4 has already achieved a great presence in the Oxfordshire business community, with highly successful networking events, a fantastic business magazine and website. I am looking forward to seeing B4 achieve a similar presence in Berkshire. Lloyds Commercial in Thames Valley are pleased to be considering working as a partner with B4 Berkshire to help demonstrate our commitment and support for the SME community locally.”

Michael Stace, Partner with Morgan Cole, also gives his support. "The Partners and staff at Morgan Cole LLP wish B4 every success with its new venture into Berkshire. We are certain that the magazine and the B4 events will become regular fixtures amongst the business community as they have done so in Oxfordshire. The excellent network is beneficial to the business community and will be a welcome addition for those of us in the Berkshire region."

The host of our first ever B4 Berkshire event in October, Ruraigh Whitehead, General Manager of Millennium Madejski Hotel, recognises the very different proposition B4 offers. “It is normal to receive countless approaches from various media

www.b4-business.com

chasing advertising spend. But B4 is very different in many ways. B4 oozes quality and its track record is impeccable. However, what is unusual and particularly refreshing about B4 is its approach in terms of giving complimentary memberships and earning a reputation for wanting to prove itself in a new market. It is obviously a well respected magazine in Oxfordshire and we greatly look forward to its launch in Berkshire. We are certainly looking forward to the launch event for the website in October at our Cilantro Restaurant.”

Jonathan Read, Director of Sales & Marketing at Penta Hotel Reading, worked with B4 during his time at The Belfry in Oxfordshire. “I changed companies in 2009 to head up sales and marketing for a new and exciting hotel chain just coming to the UK called Penta. Obviously this required and still requires us to be active within the local area to help establish the product. There are plenty of newspapers and journals in the Berkshire area but none that create the look and feel of B4 which I became so used to whilst based in the Oxford area. B4 uniquely offers a range of products that gives the readership good quality, newsworthy items that are unbiased but at the same time giving companies the opportunity to leverage their loyal readership by engagement through sponsorship and advertising. This worked well in Oxford and I

am keen to be part of B4 Berkshire!”

The last word goes to Reading FC’s Commercial Director, Pat Coyne. It is a wonderful endorsement of B4 Berkshire that such a high profile business has seen fit to back our expansion plans, and we look forward to launching the website at the stadium in October.

“It is vital that Reading FC embraces the business community as well as the wider community of Berkshire. This is why we are supporting B4 Berkshire and wish the B4 team every success in launching what is already a first class magazine in Oxfordshire. We have every confidence that B4 will prove to be an exceptionally useful tool in helping Berkshire businesses connect and raise their profile.”

Do you have a presence in Berkshire and want to be involved? Call us now on 01865 742211.

Interested in helping B4 to launch in other counties? Call us now or e-mail editorial@b4business.com.

www.countdown.b4-business.com

85

J>; ?D E EN N< <E EH: C7 7=7 =7P?D;

RESTAURANT REST AURANT

AWARDS A WARDS ??D 7IIE9?7J?ED M?J> L?I?J EN<EH:I>?H; D 7IIE9?7J?ED M?J> L?I?J EN<EH:I>?H;

AT A T TH THE TIME OF GOING TO P PRESS E TI MRESTAURANT AWARDS AD EO F GO I NG TO RESS SOLD 216 OF TICKETS WE HAD SO LD 21 6O F 300 TI CKETS G GO O ON, HAVE HAVE A N NIGHT IGHT OUT….YOU OUT….Y DESERVE IT Monday 1 2th Sept ember 12th September 6pm - Apéritif 7 .30pm - Bon Appetit 7.30pm 9pm - Edge of your Seat 11pm - Lights Out! 11pm

A;JI 9 ?

J

H K E =;J O <EH:$9EC ?DEN $ M M M

J 7

7 M 7 H : I I F E D I E H

Category Sponsors

Brought to you by

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

news 100+ Club members Special Event On 15th September at Malmaison, a very special event is taking place to thank 100+ Club businesses for their support and for them to meet other members. See 3rd news item for more details.

Macmillan would welcome the support of companies in sponsoring this event.

It is an opportunity to support a very worthy cause and raise your profile in the business community. There are a number of sponsorship opportunities from £250 and £500 and even the option of sponsoring the whole event. To know more about these options, please call B4 Ambassador Sarah Morris, pictured, from HR2YOU (also a Corporate Ambassador for Macmillan Cancer Support) on 07789 711 997.

New Macmillan Teenage and Young Adult Nurse brings hope for young Cancer Survivors in Oxfordshire Macmillan are proud to announce a brand new post for 2011 based at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford designed specifically to help young cancer survivors deal with the lifelong effects of both their cancer and the treatments they received. Cancer at a young age has long term consequences that can be profound and these individuals need to be supported as they grow up. The role is designed to help these vulnerable youngsters achieve good outcomes and good quality of life during this crucial period of their lives.

and do some fundraising for us this year. We simply can’t do this without you so please join in by joining the 100+ Club today. Simply call 01869 322279 and ask for Julian or email JKnowles@macmillan.org.uk and we’ll send you your pack which has everything to get you started.

Posts like these can only be supported by fundraising activities like the 100+ Club, Macmillan’s Centenary Corporate challenge, which is why we’re asking B4 members and Oxfordshire businesses to make a special effort to sign up

When the time is right, you can do something to help. We can all be part of the team. We are Macmillan Cancer Support.

One in three of us will get cancer. It’s the toughest fight most of us will ever face. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you need a team of people in your corner supporting you every step of the way. That’s who we are.

Macmillan Cancer Support and B4 Magazine invite you to join the 100+ Club they have cancer and one in three of us will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in our lives.

• Macmillan Cancer Support provide financial, advisory and care services to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

• 2011 is Macmillan’s Centenary – what better time to support a well-loved charity?

The Macmillan 100+ Club, which encourages 100 Oxfordshire business to pledge to raise £1000 for Macmillan in 2011, offers sound business benefits to our customers and partners who take part: We call on all businesses to make a real difference in 2011!

In a break with tradition, B4 are proud to announce their first ever charity partnership. We are supporting Macmillan in 2011 for the following reasons: • Every week, 58 people in Oxfordshire will be told

www.b4-business.com

• Engage your community to build stronger relationships and demonstrate your corporate values whilst securing valuable PR and media coverage.

• Work with your staff to develop better team relationships, enhance skills for personal development or boost staff morale and retention

• Drive sales by creating incentives and sales promotions for your customers to increase their loyalty to your brand Every company which signs up will receive: A bespoke 100+ Club Fundraising Pack containing everything needed to get you started. Your logo on a specially developed B4 website page to provide networking opportunities. A quarterly newsletter to hear about your fellow 100+ Club members fundraising efforts and exploits! An invitation to a special networking event at the end of the year to celebrate reaching Macmillan’s £100,000 target.

Why not make 2011 the year your company makes a real difference to Oxfordshire families, and has fun taking part in a great challenge?

For more information please email: oxfordshire@macmillan.org.uk or call: 01869 322279.

www.macmillan.org.uk

87

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE BUILDBASE’S CYCLISTS RETURN TRIUMPHANT After 306 miles and 22 hours in the saddle the 9-strong team from Buildbase has returned triumphant from a charity cycle ride from London to Paris. Gail Buckle reports for B4.

The four day cross-channel cycle ride, which started on 6 July, ended with celebrations under the Eiffel Tower as the team completed the challenge to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care.

“No one had gone through the barrier of doing 80 miles in a day, gone to bed, got up and done another 80 miles either. Nothing prepared us for the numbness in our backsides from four days in a row in the saddle!”

David Robertson, central regional director at Johnson’s Buildbase in Cowley, had completed over 1,500 miles in training to prepare for the challenge and was determined to succeed. The Buildbase team recently lost a long-serving staff member to cancer, which made the challenge even more pertinent for them and added to their motivation to help make a difference for the charity.

88

Crowned ‘king of the hills’ by his fellow team mates, David says: “It was an experience of emotional highs and lows. The most physically challenging and painful moments were at the beginning of the course in Kent as we tackled hill after hill on hairpin bends. There was a lot of woodland so we just couldn’t see the horizon – it felt like it would never end!

“No one had gone through the barrier of doing 80 miles in a day, gone to bed, got up and done another 80 miles either. Nothing prepared us for the numbness in our backsides from four days in a row in the saddle!

“One of the most memorable highs was cycling that final stretch all the way down through the Champs-Élysées and past the Arc de Triomphe with a police escort, complete with sirens blaring. This drew a crowd as people started coming out of the bars and restaurants that lined the streets, clapping and cheering – it was a very emotional moment. When the Eiffel Tower came into view we knew we had made it.

Before they reached the last five-mile stretch of the ride in Paris the Macmillan organisers gathered the 100 cyclists together and made a speech to thank everyone for their contribution to the charity’s work. David says: “It was a chance to stop and think about the charity we had done this for and the people who would benefit – everyone had a tear in their eye at this point.”

Another poignant and humbling moment was during a rest break in France as the cyclists paused at the Somme war memorial. On top of the emotional highs and lows the weather threw all sorts of challenges at the team of riders too – from the heat of sunshine in the UK, to intense rain showers and strong headwinds in France.

www.b4-business.com

B4 CHARITY

David says: “During the four days you can’t describe the feeling of comradeship that was forged –100 people became one big team. Everyone encouraged everyone else. As well as the banter a lot of competitiveness came through too. At one point a few of us from the Buildbase team found ourselves at the front of the field, ahead of the elite cyclists. Determined to stay ahead for the rest of the stretch we averaged 24 to 29 miles per hour on the last 10 miles so they couldn’t catch us! There was a lot of joking in the bar that evening.

our team too. The slowest cyclist in our team said he would have given up on the first day had we not taken it in turns to fall back and ride with him. The banter between everyone helped spur us on – we had a lot of laughs together.”

“The sense of teamwork that came

Congratulating the team, Julian Knowles, Macmillan Fundraising Manager, Oxfordshire said: “I just wanted to say how impressed I was with the team completing their recent Paris cycle ride, and for them to raise an impressive £25,000 is phenomenal. That takes them much closer to their overall goal and is sufficient to fund our Macmillan Cancerline for enough time to help over 2,350 people. An amazing achievement! Well done to all of the team and continued good luck to them with all their future fundraising endeavors.”

out of the challenge was phenomenal for our team too. The slowest cyclist in our team said he would have given up on the first day had we not taken it in turns to fall back and ride with him.

The banter between everyone helped spur us on – we had a lot of laughs together”

The Buildbase team of staff and suppliers will have raised around £25,000 for Macmillan from the ride, bringing them closer to the group’s overall fundraising goal of £250,000 for the charity.

It’s not too late to support the team’s efforts. Donations to Macmillan can be made online at the company’s JustGiving fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/buildbase-london2paris Asked if he would do it again – David replied “for the right charity and with time permitting I would seriously consider it” – watch this space. www.macmillan.org.uk www.buildbase.co.uk

“The sense of teamwork that came out of the challenge was phenomenal for

www.b4-business.com

89

B4 COMMUNICATION

ENGINEERS WITH VISION PART 8 – YOUR MOBILE HANDSET AS AN EXTENSION OF YOUR OFFICE PHONE SYSTEM

Our Engineers with Vision series continues in this issue of B4 Magazine focusing on how mobile phones can be connected as an extension of your office telephone system. This type of functionality is commonly referred to as Mobex, short for Mobile Extension also referred to in this article as OneStream Mobex.

A OneStream Mobex device is an intelligent GSM gateway linked to your telephone system. It allows any cellular device to be connected as an extension of your telephone system via the Mobex unit. By connecting mobile devices the Mobex allows members of staff to be connected and accessible even when they are away from the Office.

In essence, when your desk phone rings, the Mobex unit makes your mobile ring simultaneously.

This is different to external call forwarding which is a standard feature on a telephone system. The phone which answers the call first establishes a voice path with the incoming call and the other phone will stop ringing. The Mobex unit can ring more than two handsets if this is a requirement, however two is normally sufficient. It’s immediate, seamless and personalised, and means you are never out of reach. Unanswered calls can be forwarded to the voicemail of the office phone system or the mobile provider, depending on configuration. During the conversation the call can be transferred back into the telephone system to any extension rather than ask the caller to hang up and call again.

www.b4-business.com

The Mobex feature is the perfect solution for a busy office environment to keep users connected and contactable. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, your desk phone and your mobile handset are seamlessly operating as one across your office telephone system. It means you’ll be up to date, have the right information at hand and are able to speak to people when it really matters.

“Mobex allows members of staff to be connected and accessible even when they are away from the Office” The OneStream Gateway device combines several technologies in a single box and can also be connected to older analogue systems using ISDN or analogue lines to supercharge a legacy system with no need to upgrade. The OneStream device adds functionality to older systems, including additional functionality as follows – a VoIP Gateway for connection to SIP Trunking service providers for low cost VoIP Calls, VoIP Gateway for connection to branch offices or homeworkers, GSM Gateway to enable calls to be made directly over mobile

phone networks. Mobile Extension also enables calls to be routed to mobile or remote workers and send and receive SMS messages using the built in SMS application which is accessed via a Web Browser. OneStream also has a built in minute management feature to prevent overspend of GSM calls, plus a simple web interface for configuration of the Mobex device.

The articles we have featured in B4 over the last couple of years have been an invaluable source of information to B4 readers. We have covered a variety of topics from voice over IP, key features of a modern telephone system, real time statistics, CRM integration including full database on your mobile device, and we trust this Mobex OneStream topic will also be of interest.

On September 29th OrangeStripe will be presenting in partnership with SuperOffice CRM at the B4 workshop held at Malmaison in Oxford.

We will be showcasing the award winning benefits of the SuperOffice CRM solution and its integration with the Samsung OfficeServ telephone system. Look out for Press Releases on both the B4 Magazine and OrangeStripe websites. Alternatively we will be pleased to visit you to discuss any telephony or CRM requirements you may have. Please call or email us on 0845 241 7772 or enquiries@orangestripe.co.uk.

91

THE CRAZY BEAR No doubt many B4 readers have enjoyed the flamboyant Crazy Bear in Stadhampton. If there’s a venue in Oxfordshire which screams decadence, then The Crazy Bear is it, and then some. The Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield opened in 2008, the culmination of a master plan which was some years in the making. But my word was it worth the wait. Richard Rosser reviews for B4.

I’d completely forgotten about Old Spice until I saw their new advert on TV recently. Unearthed from the same envelope as Brut and Victor Kiam, Old Spice, for the younger readers, is an aftershave you used to give your grandfather. The new advert depicts a chap on a boat, then on a horse challenging you to imagine, to dream….and what you imagine comes true.

Well, imagine the most opulent, glitzy, lavish, sumptuous (I need a Thesaurus, quick), ah, that’s the word, ostentatious venue for a night out and you won’t be wide of the mark with The Crazy Bear in Beaconsfield. This place is knock your socks off top notch. It takes your breath away. Never before have I been so transfixed. Every glance, every feature, every reflection unearths yet more wonder, yet more extravagance, yet more creativity and bundles of class.

“Every glance, every feature, every reflection unearths yet more wonder, yet more extravagance, yet more creativity and bundles of class” The owners, who it goes without saying have invested their heart, body and souls into this magnificent hotel, restaurant and bar, have also had a lot of fun.

Expect plenty of leather, original antique and bespoke statement furniture,

92

Swarovski crystals, 24 carat gold and much more.

Inside, it’s an Aladdin’s Cave. Young boys on their bikes across the road looked on as if they were at the gates of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Roped off with striking red chord linking to gold stands, this is the place everyone wants to see inside. The pictures herein do much more justice to The Crazy Bear than words ever could.

We stayed in Room 5, up the stairs above the bar (we couldn’t hear a thing), with a free standing copper bath (the water came from somewhere in the ceiling – incredible), and a massive wet room. The floor was leather! I’d never seen anything like it. The bed – boy was that comfortable. After a night in the wonderful Thai Restaurant (there’s a choice of Thai, English and, soon, a Japanese), I didn’t stir once in easily the most unbelievable bed I have ever slept in – both to look at and sleep in!

The food matched the décor on all levels. We had the ten plate tasting menu, giving us a rounded appreciation of the chef’s repertoire. Accompanied by a bottle of Chablis, this was perfection. Staff were attentive and knowledgeable, in fact, I found myself expecting something to go wrong, it was all too good.

Even going to the loo was exciting with a waterfall cascading in front of... OK, too much information, but again, full marks to the owners for their imagination and keeping the experience alive wherever you are in the building.

If Thai’s not your thing, then there’s a full English menu with something for everyone. Choose from Beluga caviar with vintage Krug in an intimate crystal

www.b4-business.com

B4 ACCOMMODATION

studded leather booth, or snack on Aberdeen Angus mini burgers out on the terrace beside the pool.

The Crazy Bear is also a wonderful conference venue. Many companies, looking to align their brands with such an inspired setting and encourage creative thinking, enjoy the use of The Crazy Bear’s meeting and private dining rooms for brainstorms, presentations, press conferences, and day and overnight meetings. We took a peek in the magnificent Hunting Lodge and splendidly furnished Library. There can’t be a better destination to mix business with pleasure!

“Many companies, looking to align their brands with such an inspired setting and encourage creative thinking, enjoy the use of The Crazy Bear’s meeting and private dining rooms” Fully deserving of its place on Conde Nast’s best hotels in the world, this may not be the Taj Mahal or the Grand Canyon, but it is a place for the bucket list, a must before you pop your clogs. And, if you did happen to pop your clogs when you were there, I don’t think you’d have an issue! What a way to go!

Conferences: from 2-150 people. Day delegate rates start from £40.

GARDEN

PARTY

The Crazy Bear Group are also renowned for their parties and each year celebrate the August Bank Holiday (Sunday 28th) at their hotel in Stadhampton.

This year, performers will include none other than Mica Paris, Boy George, Lemar, Rose Royce, Manouche, Jay Strongman and Roxy Velvet.

With fire shows, magicians, dancing until late, not to mention the incredible Thai banquet and barbecues, this is a non-stop extravaganza. From 2pm until midnight, your feet won’t touch the floor.

www.crazybeargroup.co.uk Tickets from £65. VIP tables also available.

See www.crazybeargroup.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

93

PARTIES FUNCTIONS MEETING CONFERENCING

B4 EVENTS

HENLEY FESTIVAL 2011 As the Summer fades away and we reflect back on yet another cloud-covered, rain-soaked few months, there is one event in the summer calendar which never fails to impress – Henley Festival. Hannah Howell reports.

This year at Henley Festival was no different to any other for impressing the seasoned guests the phantasmagorical array of art and music, never one to disappoint, again outdid itself.

While the daylight hours provided enough opiates for the eyes, lasting well into the evening with Fire Sculptures by Dan Peppiatt (which thankfully were not too close to the Ice Artists); the music that emanated from the floating stage on the opening night attracted an altogether different crowd of enthusiasts…

Famed for its variety of music, this year’s headline act was hot on the heels of 2010’s heartthrob – Ronan Keating. 2011’s candy, Tom Jones, has continued a trend at Henley for attracting lust-filled, panty-throwing women to the banks of the river – perhaps it is just as well the acts are surrounded by water!

With a sell-out crowd of 5,000 on the opening Wednesday night, you would be forgiven for thinking that that’s all the festival had on offer that evening. Tom Jones is a huge presence alone, yet for those not easily seduced by his tones the musical acts on offer in the evening, both early and late, seemed perfectly timed to break for dinner at Roux on the Riverside. With daily 6pm performances on the Band Stage and early Salon performances at 7 and 7.30pm, the evening schedule seemed designed to enable guests to enjoy every aspect of Henley without being forced to choose between dinner and entertainment.

www.b4-business.com

Roux on the Riverside is yet a unique and spectacular element of the festival that should not be missed. As the largest a la carte restaurant in Europe, with 1,000 covers, tables were fully booked for Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

By far the greatest feat of this restaurant though is that it only exists for the Festival using just a field kitchen!

“This year’s Henley Festival was, not surprisingly, a huge success and with the range of artwork and music on offer growing both in number and in quality year by year” Never one for underwhelming guests, the festival’s visual art installations had such variety that even those with a slightly suspicious approach to art could not fail to be won-over. Life-size, bronze animal sculptures by Cemmick and Wylder were complimented by Kate Denton’s elegantly formed human figures; and for those who prefer something with a little more history, six Salvador

Dali sculptures were on sale. One, the six-metre high Alice in Wonderland sculpture (on sale for £1.5million), helped to emphasise the influence that Oxfordshire’s art has had on world-renowned artists.

Inside, when the clouds were feeling venomous, the Galleries contained just as much visual opulence as the lawns. The Art Markets, in both the Long and the Riverside Galleries, had a variety of 3D and painted artwork on offer. Simon Cattlin’s aviation and skyscape oil paintings made the clouds outside seem a little less monstrous, and with works by Amanda McGregor exploring the freedom of spirit, we almost began to forgive the rain for driving us inside.

Aside from the canvas work, the 3D art on offer for purchase ranged from the ‘simple and elegant jewellery with modern, minimal aesthetics’ by Mette Høj; to the impossible furniture sculpture by Derek Pearce.

This year’s Henley Festival was, not surprisingly, a huge success and with the range of artwork and music on offer growing both in number and in quality year by year, Henley Festival is that rare combination of a wonderful day out and a thoroughly enjoyable evening of music and fantastic food – everyone is looking forward to next year already! www.henley-festival.co.uk

95

B4 ADVICE Lloyds TSB Commercial looks after small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and is part of the Group’s overall drive to increase lending to SMEs. With impressive statistics showing that net advances by the Group to SMEs grew by 2% in the lead-up to June this year - compared to an industry wide reduction in the same area - Lloyds TSB Commercial’s approach to SME lending is showing hugely positive results.

The SME market is hugely important for Oxfordshire and the South East as there is less reliance on manufacturing and more reliance on service based industries. This focus it seems has been hugely beneficial for the area in the aftermath of the economic crisis. Less reliance on manufacturing based industry has meant that lower levels of unemployment have been seen in the area, and along with a consistent demand for property, the local economy has seen demographics rest among the best performers in the country.

Lloyds Banking Group approves eight out of ten requests for loans and overdrafts, with the first half of 2011 showing £6.7 billion of committed gross lending going to SMEs. In this article we talk to Lloyds TSB Commercial’s team for Oxfordshire about what they do to help SMEs in the local area through financial backing, coupled with some pearls of wisdom.

different opportunities. They range from International Managers, who can help with imports and exports, to sector specialists who look after the specific market sectors where they believe customers will be looking for, and will benefit from, additional, specialised knowledge and skills from the team.

“The diversity in this sector includes property specialists who focus exclusively on either development or investment for residential and commercial property, among a huge variety of specialisations.

“Whatever move you want to make, the team is loaded with the knowledge to point you in the right direction. Our doors are completely open and we can understand these sectors better than anyone else”.

Stewart Currie is the Business Development Manager for the area. His team is the first port of call for SMEs in their relationship with Lloyds TSB Commercial, whether they are start-ups or simply feel they need some better guidance.

He said: “In our SME Charter we promised to help 100,000 UK businesses start up every year until 2012. The total number of start-ups supported since the Charter launched is 167,000.”

SUPPORT ACROSS

OXFORDSHIRE With a combined customer base of 30 million, the Lloyds Banking Group’s mixture of iconic brands and high-quality, committed people is recipe for a successful future. Despite challenges presented by the ongoing economic recovery, Lloyds TSB Commercial is very much open and raring for business - nowhere more so than right here in Oxfordshire.

David Atkinson is the newly appointed Area Director for Lloyds TSB Commercial in Oxfordshire. Here he talks to us about why his team of eight senior managers and fifty-six relationship managers are perfectly primed to deliver a superior service to their customers.

David said: “We are delighted with how the year has started and I think our success is down to our can-do attitude. We have a through the cycle approach to credit and our lending opportunities; we absolutely want to lend money to SMEs and we also focus on helping to support people who have business ideas but don’t necessarily want to borrow money.

“Experts across the team are primed to assist customers who need help with

Stewart’s team of four covers both Oxfordshire and Berkshire. They maintain a wider team focus on specialised knowledge for their customers. This is especially true when it comes to Healthcare Banking Consultant, Claire Wilcox, who is accredited for large healthcare deals with doctors, dentists, vets and care-homes among others. The team believes that only by delivering specialised, individually tailored knowledge to their customers can businesses truly flourish.

The importance that the team as a whole places on face-to-face, specialised knowledge for their customers is a unique selling point amongst other lenders.

Nigel Brooks, Senior Manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial in Oxford, who heads

“Whatever move you want to make, the team is loaded with the knowledge to point you in the right direction. Our doors are completely open and we can understand these sectors better than anyone else” www.b4-business.com 96

a team of nine relationship managers, said: “We have the funds to lend to businesses through Project Merlin. We also have managers based in local branches and have unique offerings, such as Chris Barr, who is our Personal Commercial Banking Manager. His presence enables the owners of businesses to have their own personal banking manager who is part of our business team.”

“With team members located in all the prime locations in Oxfordshire, this enables the team to be able to cover as much of the area as possible to make it easier for customers to get the help they need when they need it.

“All our managers are located in key branches to create ease for our customers, and we are all mobile so we can cover other parts of Oxfordshire should it be needed.”

Karl Leitelmayer, Senior Manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: “I like to think our team are always looking at new ways to help our customers. Recently we launched the Monthly PricePlan, which is new to the SME sector, and we have also been the lead bank with the Business Mentoring Scheme.”

Keen to take businesses from start-up through the growth phase and into Dave Atkinson

Karl Leitelmayer

“We are delighted with how the year has started and I think our success is down to our can-do attitude”

Paul Gaskins

maturation, the team pride themselves on understanding the growth sectors better than anyone else in the industry.

The success that they maintain in this area is due in no small part to the expertise offered by Paul Gaskins, SeniorManager. Having worked in the local area for the best part of twenty years, Paul heads a team with similar local credentials that facilitates a deeper understanding of the local market.

Key sector support in the local area includes larger property transactions and anything that has connections to dental, pharmaceutical, optician, care-home and healthcare- based industries. Whilst Paul’s team can focus on these clients with unparalleled expertise the rest of the team are free to focus on other SMEs, which is beneficial for all involved and means that smaller customers are not at risk of being sidelined by larger ones.

If your business would like to discuss how Lloyds TSB Commercial can support you, please contact Karl Leitelmayer on 07970 566065 or email Karl.leitelmayer@lloydstsb.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

97

B4 MARKETING

A KEEN EYE Tamara Taboas first moved to England from Spain a year ago to learn English with her long-term goal to further her career prospects in Marketing. After spending some time living in Brighton, Tamara relocated to Oxford when she discovered that the city could provide her with more than English Language; it could provide her with a business. Oxford, despite being renowned for its intellectual progressiveness, seemed to Tamara to have ignored the financial importance of online, visual media advertising and promotion.

The disparity between which businesses were flourishing and what businesses seemed to be failing highlighted to Tamara one major difference: online presence.

During the early days of her career in Spain, Tamara saw first hand the resoundingly positive effect that exploiting a company’s visual online presence to the customer has on profit. Whilst working for a number of successful and wellknown companies in Spain, including First Agency Press, Europa Press, Lime XL Marketing and Agora News Communication (an online press agency), Tamara was introduced to the already widespread use of online video as a cost effective marketing tool. Having personally witnessed the positive impact on physical visitor traffic that online visual media generated for businesses, restaurants and events, Tamara saw a market gap in Oxford for this method of advertising.

Businesses that do not exploit the potential that their own web-address provides them may find site traffic to be good but will not necessarily see their profits increase. Tamara suggests that this is because the mature generation of shop and restaurant owners do not understand that progressing past the basics of text-dominated websites towards a visual media based presence is both uncomplicated, inexpensive and can deliver huge rewards. Unwillingness, Tamara says, is usually accompanied by a fear

A client of Tamara’s will not find their businesses bathed in artificial light with catchy jingles playing over doctored images; what they will discover is a delicately assembled, artistically focused documentation of their business.

Tamara emphasises the fact that her aim is to transport the customer into the company, not just physically, but also emotionally. She intertwines individual profiles on staff with shots of the local area and interiors to create an “Experience Video.”

For all businesses, Tamara believes that it is just as important to film behind closed doors as it is to film front of house. Potential customers become privy to the real experience and not a carefully prepared façade projected by traditional video advertising. Tamara explains that, when customers can see aspects of a business such as the kitchen and staff, they understand exactly what type of experience they can expect to receive, stripped of the typical advertising blurb.

Tamara’s ultimate aim is “to have one video for every place in Oxford” and as she creates her videos to such a high quality - without the accompaniment of a huge bill (the average video costs around £300) - this does not appear an unconquerable task. Tamara’s only hurdle seems to be that people do not realise the potential online video presents to businesses. Video based media for businesses

“What Tamara does differently is to create cost-effective videos with minimal interruption to the everyday workings of her client’s businesses

”

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

of price. But once these misconceptions have been overcome, it is easy to see that budget constraints do not universally hamper a smaller business’ ability to rival their larger competitors online.

When people think of video advertising, says Tamara, they think of huge cameras, lights, actors, and the whole circus that comes with a huge bill. What Tamara does differently is to create cost-effective videos with minimal interruption to the everyday workings of her client’s businesses. She provides an honest snapshot of a working day using a handheld HD video camera and no additional staff. www.b4-business.com

promotion is an on-trend, modern and widely used medium for advertisement and promotion throughout Europe, especially in Spain where Tamara began her career.

Her approach has been so successful that Tamara has already been commissioned to create videos for restaurants including: ‘Shanghai 30’s’, ‘Saffron’ and ‘4,500 miles from Delhi’. Most recently, Tamara has also worked in partnership with witneyshopping.co.uk to create videos for featured companies. www.tamarataboas.com

99

OXFORD

EXAMINATION SCHOOLS Examination Schools, University of Oxford has a new face. Hannah Howell talks to Kay Hogg, Events Manger, about the vast opportunities for meeting and event hosting hiding behind the imposing clipsham stone frontage of Oxford’s most feared building.

After extensive restoration work to the stone façade of the building, completed in April of this year, Examination Schools, University of Oxford has reaffirmed itself as an architectural gem on the High Street.

Behind the heavy doors lie architectural and artistic wonders as far as the eye can see. But, by far the most impressive feature of the building, is the trio of expansive meeting rooms that crowns the sweeping marble staircase leading to the first floor.

The feeling that many of the world’s greatest thinkers have traversed the corridors and perspired with worry in the grand examination rooms available for hire, cannot fail to fill clients with a tinge of excitement - and encourages many customers to return time and time again.

With such grand history and enchanting architecture, Examination Schools, University of Oxford is quickly becoming the premier location for event hosting in the centre of Oxford.

Aside from the impressing aesthetics, the 13,000 square foot of meeting space available to hire (the largest in the centre of Oxford), presents itself in a multitude of versatile dimensions. The spaces available range from the imposing imposing North, South, and East Writing Schools, which can accommodate between 200 and 450 people with a theatre style setup, to the ten smaller meeting rooms which can hold between 10 and 120 people - so

100

there is never any shortage of space!

“We have various types of conferences coming in. Repeat bookings are popular and show us how best to help our clients as their events develop. For example, if an event went well in one room we could then give them the best advice on how to expand or reorganise to better accommodate their experience”.

“With such grand history and enchanting architecture, Examination Schools, University of Oxford is quickly becoming the premier location for event hosting in the centre of Oxford

”

Kay explains that one of the unique appeals of the Examination Schools for event hosting is, with no permanent furniture arrangements in any of the rooms, set-up can be tailored to the requirements of each individual booking.

The Schools has the facilities available to provide for a variety of events, but is especially suited to day meetings (AGM’s, sales conferences, seminars and workshops), large sized academic and corporate conferences, exhibitions and

www.b4-business.com

B4 CONFERENCE

“An additional benefit of booking with the School is that all necessary presentation equipment is already hardwired into meeting rooms, allowing customers to focus on the event in hand and not on technology issues”

large gala dinners (200 people+). An additional benefit of booking with the School is already hardwired into meeting rooms, allowing customers to focus on the event in hand and not on technology issues.

Built between 1876 and 1881, the School is reputed to rest on the site of the first Inn in England - The Angel Inn - and brought the Schools’ architect, Sir Thomas Jackson, to prominence. Currently the Schools is embarking on a gentle conservation programme to restore the Grade II listed building back to its original state - extensive research has been done to identify the perfect colour (a dark green) for the interior walls. The level of expertise being applied to the renovation of the building permeates through every aspect of the Schools’ ethos and is reflected in the high levels of positive feedback and customer testimonials that the venue regularly receives.

paintings on display depict the Schools’ use as a hospital during WWII, and, in the basement you can still see signs leading to ‘The Resuscitation Room’.

Above these basement rooms lies a spacious Quad that leads out from the ground floor meeting room area. The Quad is another architectural marvel with further capacity for event functions. A large graveled area behind the lawn is reserved for a marquee, enabling events to be held outside. Hosting of drinks parties and networking events are popular in the summer. All catering at the Examination Schools can be done through the venue’s exclusive catering company, Charlton House.

Oxford Examination Schools is a wonderful discovery in the heart of Oxford that provides an unparalleled opportunity for hosting unforgettable events: “It is something different, a real hidden gem.” www.examschools.ox.ac.uk

Paintings bequeathed by the University lining the walls of the School add an element of historical grandeur to the impressive interior. Some of the

www.b4-business.com

101

Findi Finding ding Co ompa anie es Companies Outstandi Outstanding ding Peop People oplle op

01235 854 046

www.TheCareerBoutique www.

Boutique.com

B4 SPOTLIGHT

FIFTH GEAR

As a 19 year old female, it may not come as a surprise that I am not the most avid of motor racing fans. I’ve spent my years tottering around in my mother’s heels and wearing head to toe pink, but have I been missing out?

BTCC champion Jason Plato shows us why there’s so much more to being a race car driver than just screeching wheels and the smell of burning rubber.

Not only is Jason Plato the most successful touring car driver in the history of the sport, riding high on 64 wins, but he is also the straight talking presenter of Channel 5’s Fifth Gear, and the founder of his own personal marketing company, Brand Pilot. Eloise Porter reports.

Even after a difficult start to the season, Plato still has his sights set high, and not just in terms of his fight as a driver to get to grips with the new regulation changes. With his television profile, and status as a brand ambassador for various wellknown organisations, Plato aspires to become the

some knowledge to try and get out of that situation.

We should be teaching things that could actually save lives.” With such a sensible and practical standard, it’s hard not to agree. And with 30,000 spectators turning up to every touring car race, as well as a TV package on the way, Plato looks set to strike a chord within the driving world, different to his usual tune as a BTCC champion.

If you don’t yet know Mr. Plato then flick over to Channel 5 and take a look at Fifth Gear, the frank motoring show that reviews cars for what they are.

And, as recently proved creates quite a stir in the industry with their recent appraisal of the McLaren

on that car last year, in my mind it’s the best supercar that’s ever been made. Their (McLaren’s) car is great, but not anywhere near as good as the Ferrari. It’s one of the things we always do, our ethos on Fifth Gear is that we’re always 100% blatantly honest, and we don’t have a hidden agenda.”

The skill in his hands not only extends to the steering wheel, but also to the pen and paper. As a columnist for The Sun, Jason writes online for the newspaper, as well as featuring as a guest writer for The Times. He is also the Director of his very own marketing company, Brand Pilot, which aims to look

“I’ve got a passion for wanting to improve the knowledge of all young drivers.

I think we need to change the driving test and bring it up to date” ‘Jamie Oliver of motoring’, and revolutionise a withering and dated driving test system. “I’ve got a passion for wanting to improve the knowledge of all young drivers. I think we need to change the driving test and bring it up to date, I think we need to educate young drivers in a different way. It’s got to be seen to be cool to not be quick on the roads.”

So what does the new Jamie Oliver think that needs to be changed within the driving test itself?

“Rather than teach young drivers what is being taught now, we should teach them things like how to get out of a slide, and what to do when you come across water or ice, so then if they’re in a position where something goes wrong, they have

www.b4-business.com

MP412C and Ferrari 458 Italia which had some surprising results: the McLaren pulled up short. So what does a firsthand account of the event actually sound like? Well, this: “So we actually did a backto-back test, as well as doing the standard review on the McLaren. And it was an amazing day’s worth of filming, with some very interesting results, which were surprising. It bucked what the industry was thinking, and bucked what a lot of car journalists have written about, and for us that’s great news because Fifth Gear is the only car show on TV where we’ve got professional car drivers who know what they’re doing. I don’t want to knock McLaren at all, but they enter into the arena, and are going up against the might of Ferrari, and I did a review

after sponsors involved in motor racing. They also work with all different sorts of athletes. “We’re gearing up for the 2012 Olympics, where there’ll be some young, up and coming athletes, where we’ll be looking after their brand, PR, and brand awareness, as well as providing a support service for their sponsors.”

Is there anything this man doesn’t do? Well, whatever the case, it seems like Jason Plato will be one to watch over the next few years.

Follow Jason Plato on Twitter @jasonplato For more information on Brand Pilot go to www.brandpilot.co.uk

103

OXFORD CITY

SIGHTSEEING TOURS What’s the best way to see Oxford? On foot is good, but relax on an open top bus for the best of both worlds - it’s a great way to relax and you can enjoy a fantastic view of some wonderful attractions.

City Sightseeing tours are, for a multi-national franchise company, refreshingly locally minded when it comes to their Oxford based tours. In this article, Hannah Howell speaks to Jane Marshall from Oxford City Sightseeing about the tour and how the busses are used for much more than just ferrying knowledge-hungry tourists around the city.

Oxford, as many residents will be aware, is transformed in the summer months into a city buzzing with tourists hungry to experience the ‘Real Oxford’. Whilst wondering under the Bridge of Sighs and discovering the Turf Tavern is a wonder unto itself; it is impossible to deny yourself the

can have a ‘hop-on-hop-off’ experience.

There is only one route, which Jane explains: “is designed so that people can make the most of the City by getting off and walking around to give them an enhanced, first hand experience. The stops are all situated so that people can disembark, wonder through the smaller streets, and then get back on the bus to find out more. The Bus Tour also enables City Sightseeing to deliver visitors to the other attractions, restaurants, shops etc around the city benefiting other business's.”

The tour operates in up to 13 languages, with the most recent additions being Russian, Cantonese

attractions, customers are able to go home with a much richer experience of Oxford than they might have had. The company also sells a combined walking tours ticket from Trinity gates for those who prefer to remain grounded.

As well as trying to promote local tourism in attractions citywide, Oxford City Sightseeing Tours also help local charities by lending out their busses free of charge. Jane recently lent one to The Cowley Road Carnival and a breast cancer charity, both of which were huge successes.

Most recently, on July 14th, Jane lent one of the busses to Ernest Young on behalf of The Prince’s

“The stops are all situated so that people can disembark, wonder through the smaller streets, and then get back on the bus to find out more” wonderfully obscure nuggets of history from the Oxford City Bus Tours if you want to delve further into the City’s past.

Even the most well informed Oxonian could not fail to be impressed by the confusion of fact and myth that engulfs the University and the labyrinth of Oxford’s streets. The revelation of ‘Oxford Time’ (five minutes behind Greenwich Mean Time) is just one example of the many unique facts surrounding the City’s historical intricacies that the tour covers.

Departing every fifteen minutes from one of nineteen stops in the city, tour tickets are valid for either a 24-hour or a 48-hour period so customers

104

and Mandarin. Jane has found in her experience that: “Some cities only offer an English translation and assume people can speak English. Most people can speak some; but we find that they really appreciate sitting and relaxing while listening to a tour in their own language, without having to concentrate on translating.”

Oxford City Sightseeing customers are able to experience the City by both land and water as joint tickets are offered with the Oxford River Tours. This offer also applies to the hugely popular Unlocked Experience in the Oxford Castle and Oxford walking tours that operate from Trinity gates. Jane believes that by operating in conjunction with other local

Trust. They spent four hours driving around the city collecting donations for the charity and raising the profile for both City Sightseeing and The Prince’s Trust.

Tours begin departing from Oxford Train Station at 9.30 every morning and run until 6 pm between April and September. Operating year-round, the busses are also available for corporate hire upon request with tours being tailored to your individual specifications if possible. Tickets start at £13 for an adult, £6 for a child and £33 for a family of five (standard 24hr ticket). www.citysightseeingoxford.com

www.b4-business.com

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

B4 TRAVEL

www.b4-business.com

105

Banqueting and Events

Exceptional Summer Marquee Offer Marquee available for one week only w/c 12th September 2011 at Weston Manor Hotel Rate Just £995 +vat That’s a saving of £3,305 +vat!

We are delighted to offer B4 Magazine Readers an exclusive offer.

TheȱMarqueeȱsetȱinȱtheȱbeautifulȱgardensȱofȱWestonȱManorȱhotelȱcateringȱforȱ200ppxȱisȱavailableȱtoȱ hireȱatȱaȱreducedȱrateȱforȱanyȱdateȱbetweenȱMondayȱ12thȱȬȱSundayȱ18thȱSeptemberȱ2011ȱinclusive.ȱȱ Available for Corporate meetings, Team Building, Summer Parties, Family Fun Days Barbeques, Private Dining, Breakfast meetings, Product Launches For more details of this fantastic offer ask to speak to Les Wood

Tel: 01869 350621 events@westonmanor.co.uk

www.westonmanor.co.uk Weston-on-the-Green Oxfordshire OX25 3QL

B4 IT

ARE YOU INTOUCH?

Local business GHM Communications provides organisations with communications solutions and technologies. They are a leading supplier to the care industry and have been recognised in various awards such as National Comms Awards and Oxfordshire Business Awards. In the four and a half years they have been using intouchcrm at the heart of their business, they have grown alongside its developments and new functionalities.

Neil McManus, Director of GHM Communications explains that they have seen two main benefits: It helps them provide better customer service and also drives new business to their door.

“For GHM, intouchcrm is at the heart of our business intelligence. We use it to record every single aspect of our interactions with customers.

Every phone call is logged, every outbound email and its results can be viewed by any user, plus details of any technical faults are also maintained in the system. In short, intouchcrm is a vital tool

minutes and resolved the problem within a total of 4 hours. It’s powerful information for us to communicate to our customers but also helps us plan our internal resources more efficiently.

The other main benefit we see from intouchcrm is the ability to drive new business. We use the email marketing tool to send campaigns to prospective customers and have found it highly effective. We ran a campaign in June targeting the care homes industry and within a week of sending the campaign, hits to our website increased tenfold.

The great thing about intouchcrm is that you can

customisable screens and information, to custom fields for database information. As it’s a web based system, there’s no need to buy or download expensive software and you can access your information and the system 24/7 anywhere you have an internet connection. We don’t do nasty contracts or minimum tie in periods either. You can choose a free account or one of our more feature rich paid accounts starting at just £12 per user per month and benefit from integrated CRM, email marketing, autoresponders, campaign reporting, shared calendars and tasks, SMS and survey marketing and much more. Intouchcrm is quite

“intouchcrm is at the heart of our business intelligence.

We use it to record every single aspect of our interactions with customers”

for us - from the office based team through to our engineers out on the road accessing it via their laptops. All of this helps us improve our customer service and makes us more accountable to customers in delivering against our service level agreements. It can be difficult in the service industry to demonstrate the investment and results of our time spent on any one issue but intouchcrm solves that for us. We can easily identify and demonstrate that a particular customer may have called us 15 times in one month, we responded to the issue each time within the promised 15

www.b4-business.com

prove that those hits were as a direct result of the email campaign. The campaign reporting tool provides a wealth of analysis and even calculates the ROI of your marketing. The system has certainly made our sales pipeline a smooth process – its helped us identify which prospects are interested in what we have to say and offer.”

Intouchcrm helps a wide range of businesses like GHM Communications all over the UK and internationally. It provides any business with the ability to tailor it to suit their own needs, with

simply email marketing and CRM made easy.

For more information on how intouchcrm could help your business please go to www.intouchcrm.co.uk/B4711 and see the exclusive deal we’re offering B4 readers.

GHM Communications offer a click to dial service from Intouchcrm so if you want to find out more about how you can integrate your CRM package with your phone system go to www.ghmcommunications.com/B4offer.aspx

107

B4 SPOTLIGHT

A UNITED EXPERIENCE Since Oxford United’s return to the football league in May of last year, the club has gone from strength to strength, swiftly becoming the Second Division club to follow. In anticipation of the next season, which we all hope will bring great success for the team, Hannah Howell and Cameron Leitelmayer talked to the club’s Chairman, Kelvin Thomas, about exciting developments in the club’s hospitality sector and their continuing charity and community efforts.

With the recent signing of seven new players to the club, including Michael Duberry and Jon-Paul Pittman, boss Chris Wilder is still hinting at more signings to come - its hard not be excited about what The Yellows are going to do next season!

Whilst we all wait in anticipation for the next season to begin, Kelvin Thomas reveals the new and exciting changes that have been made to the club’s hospitality packages and how every fan can now have the ultimate U’s experience: Currently the club has 28 glass-fronted boxes, all with outside seating and individual catering available for matches (ranging from sandwiches to a three-course meal). With a substantial amount of these boxes already privately booked for the whole of next season, the club has decided to introduce a new type of ticket that makes hospitality more affordable and more approachable to everyday fans.

“Kelvin reveals the new and exciting changes that have been made to the club’s hospitality packages and how every fan can now have the ultimate U’s experience” The club’s new ‘Corporate Ticket’ is a combination of the standard fan ticket and a corporate box. This means that instead of buying a box exclusively for the entire season, fans are able to come and enjoy hospitality for just a single game – the perfect opportunity to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or just for a wonderful day out!

In addition to this new ticket, the club has also started the Platinum Club. “Membership to the Platinum Club opens doors to a wide range of networking opportunities without having to commit to purchasing a full-season box.”

By joining the Platinum Club members will have access to a range of perks, including non-matchday networking events, and a host of

108

exciting speakers planned for the upcoming year. The Platinum Club also works in conjunction with other clubs who host similar events so, alongside a healthy dose of team rivalry, corporate guests, “can spend time with other corporate members of the football club, giving them a chance to talk and get to know each other in a relaxing environment while watching football.”

The changes that Kelvin has made to corporate hospitality for the upcoming season will encourage all types of fans to come together and celebrate their love for Oxford United, which will be endlessly beneficial to the club.

In addition to these changes Kelvin is in the early stages of forming a relationship between the club and BMW, specifically their near neighbors at Oxford Mini. “The relationship is developing very well and we are hoping to have Mini seats in the dug-outs – but in blue and yellow of course!”

Oxford United and Kelvin’s drive to help benefit the local community reaches further afield than just our manufacturing industry: “We have a classroom upstairs in the stadium. It looks out onto the pitch and is used on a daily basis for lessons by different schools, which is great for the kids. We also have community officers that go out into local schools promoting healthy living programs; and we also work with a lot of charities such as Oxfordshire Mind and some of the homeless charities. We actually have an Oxford Homeless Football Team who recently played the Homeless World Cup!” For the younger fans Kelvin explains the types of exciting opportunities that the club has on offer for them: “We have kids coming to do the Guard of Honour before the game where they line up with flags as the players run out onto the pitch. We also do Saturday Specials were the kids can come in and do a training session in the morning and then watch the match in the afternoon so we generally have around 2-300 younger fans around on any match-day.”

With all the exciting changes to both the team and the hospitality packages for match-days it seems as though the next season for Oxford United is going to be jam-packed with both old and new members of the Yellow and Blue Army. We wish the team the very best for the upcoming season – let Oxford United reign supreme! www.oufc.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The changes that Kelvin has

Photography: Oxford Mail

made to corporate hospitality for the upcoming season will encourage all types of fans to come together and celebrate their love for Oxford Unitedâ&#x20AC;? www.b4-business.com

109

Photography: Ian Oliver

B4 CULTURE

BRINGING WORLD CLASS CLASSICAL MUSIC TO OXFORD John Lubbock, Founder, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Orchestra of St John’s (OSJ) talks to Sarah Airey about the Orchestra’s forthcoming concerts in Dorchester Abbey and the Ashmolean.

John Lubbock’s creative energy and enthusiasm is inspirational. Amazingly, he founded the Orchestra of St John’s while he was still a student at the Royal Academy of Music, in 1967, single-handedly gathering around him a group of distinguished musicians. Since then, John has taken the OSJ to all the world’s great concert halls including the Royal Festival Hall and Albert Hall in London, Carnegie Hall in New York, the Musickverein Vienna, the Philharmonie in Berlin and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

Their reviews are testament to the unique quality that John and the OSJ bring to the music. From the Sunday Times: “There is something very special about Lubbock's commitment to the music he conducts and how he communicates its gist to an audience, finished with the loving care Beecham once brought, an unforced warmth and radiance of orchestral timbre. The results are spellbinding.”

John says: “The most common remark audiences make after one of our performances, especially of a familiar piece, is that it was as if they were listening to it for the first time.” John attributes this to their way of working, “Everyone is engaged in the creative process. The players aren’t sitting there being told what to do by the Conductor. The OSJ is very collaborative and, because the players are completely engaged, they give 110%. The performances are always spontaneous and fresh.”

The OSJ has established a proud reputation of seeking out young talent and working with top class musicians at the beginning of their careers. The list of those who have worked with the OSJ reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of classical music, including

www.b4-business.com

renowned musicians Dame Felicity Lott, Sir John Tomlinson, Dame Felicity Palmer, Sir Thomas Allen, Sally Matthews, Sir Simon Rattle, John Lill, Yuri Bashmet, Tasmin Little, Stephen Isserlis and James Galway. This year the tradition continues. The OSJ recently played with Mark Simpson at the Ashmolean. Mark is the only person to have won both BBC Young Musician of the Year and BBC Proms Young Composer of the Year. John says, “Mark is a wonderful clarinettist and a very promising composer.” John is looking forward to working with another bright young talent on October 12th, also at the Ashmolean, “Christine

to hear world class music at the regular proms concerts held at the Ashmolean, itself a world class institution. The concerts are held in the atrium, surrounded by exhibits, taking inspiration from the Museum’s collections and introduced by members of the curatorial team. However, the highlight of the OSJ year is the Orchestra’s own festival, Music in the Abbey, at Dorchester over the weekend of 16-18 September. This year the programme includes Pelléas et Mélisande by both Fauré and Sibelius and John is “particularly looking forward to the Mahler Kindertotenleider and my leader Jan Schmolk playing the Beethoven Violin Concerto.”

“The OSJ is very

In time to buy your tickets for the festival, the OSJ has launched the Conductor’s Circle. Members not only receive 20% discount on every ticket on all of the OSJ’s Oxfordshire concerts they will also be invited to attend exclusive events and meet John and OSJ musicians, presenting a magnificent opportunity to see the classical stars of the future.

collaborative and, because the players are completely engaged, they give 110%” Sjolander is a young mezzo soprano from Sweden about to launch a wonderful career and will be singing the title role of Dido in a complete performance of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.”

Christine has been studying at the Birmingham Conservatoire with John’s wife, Christine Cairns, herself a mezzo soprano.

To join the Conductor’s Circle, for the full programme of concerts and to buy tickets for Dorchester Abbey and the Ashmolean visit www.osj.org.uk, telephone the Box Office on 0845 6801926, or buy from Blackwell’s Music Shop, 23-25 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3AX. Telephone: 01865 333586.

OSJ string quartet will be playing at Malmaison for the In Oxford Restaurant Awards on 12th September, prior to the festival at Dorchester Abbey.

We are privileged that John and the OSJ have made Oxford their home, giving us the opportunity

111

UNLOCKING

POTENTIAL

Hannah Howell meets Mark McSorley, General Manager of Malmaison Oxford, whose lifelong passion for hotels and pristine service has earned him the coveted reins of the Old Gaol. Here he speaks about his plans for the hotel, its largely untapped potential for events, and what it was that cultivated such passion for hotels in him.

Growing up in Ireland, Mark was first introduced to the life of an hotelier when his sister took him to visit her partner’s hotel in Dublin. The impression that the encounter had on Mark was one of boyhood wonder, “at that stage in my life I was wowed. Here was someone who was driving a sports car and who had a fantastic life.” Yet it was not merely the rewards that attracted Mark to follow in his mentor’s footsteps: “I just loved the buzz in the hotel” he explains. “I just loved the fact that there were so many different things going on under one roof, and so many different businesses going on under one roof. Be it within the hotel operations, accounting, maintenance, front office, house-keeping or events management, and of course, also the experience from the guest’s side, the whole thing just intrigued me.” “Since the day that I walked into that hotel in Dublin, The Herbert Park Hotel, I just fell in love.” Love is perhaps a necessity for

Major. It was here that Mark had his initiation with food and beverage. Serving drinks from the ‘No. 10 Bar’ to the people living in its namesake was perhaps a sign of great things to come. A year later, Mark returned to Ireland with the wind still firmly in his sails, applied for and was accepted to the prestigious Shannon College of Hotel Management where he had his first opportunity to diversify his hotel experience.

A yearlong Swiss education in traditional customer service at the Lausanne Palace & Spa Hotel encouraged Mark to exemplify the style back home. This is perhaps why Mark talks with surprising enthusiasm, for sleep covets, about his time working as a Night Manager at The Churchill Hotel in London.

This experience further widened Mark’s scope of customer understanding. Whereas native customers would sleep during the night Mark was faced with a lobby filled with foreign customers who were for all intensive purposes nocturnal. “Working nights in

unparalleled experience. “Switzerland was fantastic, a real opportunity to learn the real traditional way of service and how it should be done, the Swiss are renowned for their service.” However, it has not always been easy to achieve desired service levels, as Mark discovered whilst working in the Bahamas with Sandals: “Working with an island workforce was challenging to say the least. Their mentality is very different to European, British, and Irish mentality. If you ask someone to do something, it doesn’t mean it will actually be done, 99% of the time it won’t be done full stop. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to learn how to develop my people management skills.”

Since coming to work at Malmaison two months ago Mark has been keen to project his high service expectations onto the Hotel.

This for Mark means ensuring that each customer is getting the most out of the rate paid. To emphasise the importance of this ethic Mark has recently installed espresso

“The crux of Malmaison’s, and especially Mark’s pricing ethic is to squeeze every last drop of value out of the rate being paid rather than tweaking them” this job, long hours and cranky guests spring to mind, but Mark’s enthusiasm is evident by the gusto with which he has assumed his role at Malmaison Oxford.

Gathering hotelier experience from around the globe, Mark has learnt extremes of service and people management from tropical beach resorts and palatial Swiss spas. His variety of experience has enabled him to gain a firm grasp on a diverse range of hotel management styles and skills all of which he is putting to use in Malmaison.

Beginning his career in The Herbert Park Hotel, Dublin, Mark then went to work in The Imperial Hotel, a favourite with John

112

London was extremely adventurous and a real eye opener. Its an amazing thing, especially the summer time in London.

London has a very big Middle Eastern draw to it so in the summer time it is full of Middle Eastern guests…especially The Churchill Hotel because it is owned by the Prime Minister of Qatar…the lobby is full of people, of posers basically, just hanging around waiting to be seen in the hotel - so working as the night manager there was a real treat.”

The breadth of experience that Mark has gathered during his worldwide positions has lead to the conclusion that both service and value are of the utmost importance for an

machines into all of the hotel’s suites. This type of unique selling point ensures that as a ‘Boutique Lifestyle Hotel’ Malmaison is constantly providing a service that outstrips their star-rated competitors for value at every turn. As a company, both Malmaison and Hotel du Vin are not ‘rated’ in the traditional sense. Mark explains: “To be honest, nowadays its complete nonsense. What people perceive in value, and how it is rated, is completely different to what was done years ago and what it was thought that people wanted. At the end of the day we have some fantastic hotels out there that don’t have swimming pools or 24hr room service, but who offer better service than many so called 5* hotels. So, we don’t go

www.b4-business.com

B4 ACCOMMODATION down that route because we charge out rates according to the quality of products and the service that we deliver. If we were to put a label on it, it may restrict people’s perception about what our hotel is valued at and places us in a bracket.”

The crux of Malmaison’s, and especially Mark’s pricing ethic is to squeeze every last drop of value out of the rate being paid rather than tweaking them, a policy which ensures the hotel is constantly improving. The pricing ethic is definitely not limited to room rates. It extends to the brassiere (open all week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) bars and meeting spaces, culminating in an experience which is exceedingly enjoyable and priced to fit the experience.

Malmaison has always had a firm grasp on the quality of their food - their infamous ‘Mal Burger’ is a shining example. Yet Mark, with the help of his much applauded Head Chef Russell Heeley, has taken freshness to a new extreme: “We have a herb garden on the roof terrace where we grow herbs which we use as much as we can in our dishes and drinks instead of buying in - our mojitos and mint tea are made with fresh mint from the garden here. Its all about embedding our home grown and local attitude into the hotel, the chef smokes all his own meat and fish in the back garden with a smoker he built himself.

We also have a little greenhouse up on the roof terrace to grow our bell peppers and tomatoes. Unfortunately the volume means we can’t use it for everything, but we try to as much as we can.” Both the herb garden and the greenhouse is viewable from the roof terrace so each customer can see exactly where their food is coming from, in fact, you can sit right next to it! The roof terrace is a fantastic place to visit. Everything served in the hotel is sourced from within a 15-mile radius, (except for the steaks that come from Aberdeenshire), this approach ensures a benefit for both the local community and diners alike.

Mark emphasises that the bar and brasserie facilities at Malmaison are very welcoming to the general public, there is no need to be a guest there to enjoy the diverse range of food and beverage available.

To finish, I asked Mark what he thought the best dish was at Malmaison: “The duck here is amazing, and probably my favourite dish on the menu. But again, things change, the food here is very seasonal and the summer menu is coming in next week so I’m sure there will be a new favourite.” www.malmaison.com www.b4-business.com

113

Photography: Rob Scotcher

The facilities that are currently offered by the hotel for meetings and events are undoubtedly some of the most desirable in Oxford, and with this idea Mark’s project for the next year is to expand on the individuality of the building and of course its fantastic location. In, what is a great reinvention of the space, the Exercise Yard (where previous inmates were permitted to roam), is hoping to see a semi-permanent marquee erected in the near future.

The marquee will have a glass dome roof to ensure plenty of natural light, and will have capacity for around 250-300 people. This will open the hotel up for weddings (ball and chain anyone?) and AGMs – so watch this space! Currently the hotel already has fantastic meeting facilities including five private dining cells in the brasserie, one of which opens out onto the al-fresco bar, and a commodious upstairs Visitors Bar, which is perfect for meetings, presentations and parties alike.

Regina Hotel Baglioni, Rome

Luxury with an Italian touch A stay at any Baglioni hotel comes with the promise of Italian hospitality tailor-made to suit your every need and more.

milan, venice, florence, punta ala tuscany, rome, london, aix-en-provence, saint paul-de-vence, champillon-epernay, mirambeau, bort lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;etang-auvergne www. b agl io ni hot e l s . c o m

B4 R&R

THE BULL AT BURFORD Having previously met The Bull’s owner, Jean-Marie Lauzier and his wife Clare on neutral turf, it wasn’t a surprise to discover that their allegedly ‘superb’ restaurant wasn’t quite what we were led to believe. It was infinitely better……Jean-Marie, you do yourself a disservice!

Ironically, on the Sunday evening that Tina and I took the children along to ‘I’d love to live here’ Burford (as it is commonly referred to in our household – in fact, I think up until recently, I firmly believe the kids thought that was Burford’s real name!), the ebullient Monsieur Lauzier was taking a well-earned break.

His glorious and immaculate restaurant was, however, in the safest of hands. Joe, Jean-Marie and Clare’s son, hosted us like a seasoned maître d’ he clearly wasn’t – he was in charge, but with

and that is half the battle.

ice cream and sour poached rhubarb batons

The other half is the quality of the food. OK the kids weren’t too enamoured with the beetroot and cream brioche, which in my opinion was delicious, but, thereafter, the delivery, presentation and taste of everything put in front of us was quite simply amazing. From the warm walnut and raisin bread, to the perfectly cooked scallops; from Tina’s delectable guinea fowl to Abi’s (yes you guessed it for those of you familiar with our reviews) enormous sirloin steak; and, finally, from Ed’s

The Caramel Experience: caramel parfait, crème caramel, a caramel mousse, warm caramel soufflé and a banana caramel ice cream A trio of homemade sorbets each served with their own compote – inventively presented on a tray, a vibrant mix of bright colours and incredible tastes.

We didn’t have the caramel dessert, but I have since met someone who did, and when you go to

“Showing you give a hoot about your customers’ enjoyment, respecting their privacy and making sure you deliver” age aggravatingly on his side, this young man was not far from the finished article.

Bright, engaging, knowledgeable, in fact everything you would like from your host, Joe was, as they say, ‘worth the ticket price alone’.

That was certainly true of the team at The Bull.

Awareness is vital in any restaurant. Showing you give a hoot about your customers’ enjoyment, respecting their privacy and making sure you deliver. This was a well drilled team, making sure our experience was one we would never forget,

www.b4-business.com

tender chicken breast to my monkfish in the most heavenly cream sauce, we were all knocked out by the exceptional taste, dazzled by the creative presentation and mesmerised by the intoxicating aromas emanating from our plates.

“No room for dessert?” Challenged Joe. This was one chap who wasn’t going to take no for an answer. For our starters and mains, I have given you an overview of the food we enjoyed, but get this for dessert, the real theatre at The Bull:

this heavenly restaurant, you must try it. Or go for the soufflé or sorbets – in fact, if our experience is anything to go by, you just can’t go wrong at The Bull.

A special occasion it need not be, just make sure you go and experience food which is truly divine.

Thanks to Joe, Jean-Marie, Clare and their amazing team. www.bullatburford.co.uk

Rhubarb crumble soufflé with lemon meringue pie

115

LOWER MILL ESTATE In Issue 18 of B4, we reported on the luxurious Gloucestershire retreat of Lower Mill Estate. Back then in October, although still a delight, we couldn’t fully appreciate the diversity of what is now a weekend home to hundreds, plus a lucky few renters who get to experience just what convinces so many to invest in a second home at Lower Mill.

The Red Arrows are based at Kemble, and judging by the height some of them were roaring overhead, that’s not far from Lower Mill.

Mesmerising, I don’t know what it is about planes flying in formation that makes grown men crane their necks, grab their cameras and yearn to see a ‘loop the loop’ – I did, on and off for nearly an hour.

It was a lavish sideshow, nearly as magnificent as the décor of our rented house. In October, the four of us, plus Abi’s friend, Elena, had enjoyed a cosy weekend, with mad jumps into the ice cold spa ‘eco pool’ and long walks with the dog. This time around, we had returned in numbers. Our good friends Steve and Zoe, plus their children, Yasmin

116

and Seb, had joined us. The girls, however, had reinforcements and went down on the Friday evening with two French exchange students, Alice and Iloé Fleur.

Steve, Seb, Ed and I, together with the dog, left for Lower Mill on the Saturday morning. Well, by the time we’d got everything in (and Seb nearly ended up on the roof), we were in Gloucestershire just after 12 – Steve’s local knowledge of the route through Bourton meaning we got there well ahead of my schedule.

We went straight to the Spa, where the girls were having a manicure in the beautiful treatment rooms and Zoe and Tina were reclining by the pool. Back

in October, the outdoor pool, almost an exact replica of the indoor pool (but outside, obviously!), was off limits. This time it was open, but lurking to the left of the indoor pool was the dreaded ‘eco pool’, the scene of an ice cold dare back in October and, you just knew, the scene of more ‘walking the plank’ episodes at some stage this weekend.

Steve was already changed and escorting the eager Seb to the pool but I had to get the dog in to the house and, before he burst in a maelstrom of teenage adrenalin, get Ed set up on FIFA 2011 in the house. Back at the spa, the women had gone for their ‘well deserved’ treatments, suffice to say, their description. I was thrown in the deep end to try and repair some frayed Anglo-French relations,

www.b4-business.com

B4 R&R

which didn’t take long. We were off to the eco pool, and if I remember rightly, it was my ridiculous suggestion.

This time around, Steve talked us into actually swimming. Abi went under, so did Yasmin and

tend to, didn’t notice the girls creep in at nearly 6pm – they were so excited to see a shop open past 5.30pm! Four near exits, and an assortment of mugs, key-rings, drinks coasters and other Union Jack emblazoned memorabilia later, and the poor couple could shut up shop, leaving four very happy

more sedately I hasten to add.

After a frenetic first three hours, Sunday was a lazy day, with another visit to the spa. Actually, it wasn’t that lazy! I spent most of the morning pulling the girls around the pool, jumping in that freezing pool

“it was a great weekend, a fun weekend, without one second of TV and lots of family fun” Steve let me down by spending a good five minutes in there. Still cold, still painful but refreshing to say the least. I’d had a cold the previous six weeks, one of those annoying hacking coughs that just won’t go away. Well, it’s now at the bottom of the eco pool! It literally went – every cloud does have a silver lining!

We’d all worked up an appetite and headed back to the house for lunch, and then it was off to Cirencester for a trip to the shops. The French girls were obsessed with shopping – their poor future boyfriends / husbands! Just 20 minutes away, Cirencester has a good range of chains and some great independent shops, but one poor unsuspecting couple, who had a late customer to

www.b4-business.com

eleven year olds to natter in Franglais about their acquisitions.

It was almost time for dinner and a relatively early night – we were all whacked out and some of us had an early start!

“7am!!!!! GET UP!!!!! Girls, you’ve got 5 minutes to wash, get changed and packed!!!!” We’d slept through the alarm and the girls had to be back in Oxford for 8am. Luckily, they’d packed already, in a fashion, and we were able to get out of the door by 7.30am. By hook or by crook, we got back to the centre of Oxford for 8.15am and the coach was waiting to go back to France. A quick about turn and I was on my way back to Gloucestershire – a tad

AGAIN! And frankly being anything but lazy. We enjoyed lunch in a nearby village and then returned, just as the afternoon sun was thinking about setting, for a pleasant walk around the estate.

In just over 24 hours, we’d managed to pack a fair amount in. Although we hadn’t relaxed as we had always promised we would, it was a great weekend, a fun weekend, without one second of TV and lots of family fun. Lots of laughter and lots of play.

And that’s what Lower Mill Estate was made for. www.lowermillestate.com

117

B4 R&R

THE VINEYARD We last featured The Vineyard in Issue 9 of B4, almost three years ago, so a return visit was long overdue. In the very capable hands of Executive Chef, Daniel Galmiche, regarded by many as ‘the king of contemporary French cooking’, we knew we could expect something out of the ordinary. By Richard Rosser.

Next time we’ll be looking for a sign above the table – ‘Official B4 Review table’ – given this was our third visit and third time at the same table. As for the experience? Well, it just keeps getting better at The Vineyard.

Our guests, Steve and Zoe, were new to The Vineyard and weren’t quite sure what to expect, but we’d tried to reassure them that the seven course Tasting Menu wasn’t a quick way to increase the wasitline but an incredible and intoxicating journey through a mesmerising array of tastes, textures and colours.

With Tina and Zoe celebrating their birthday, it was a celebratory experience in more ways than one.

As we arrived at this fabulous five star oasis, just outside of Newbury, in Stockcross, the enormous pond which forms the epicentre of this magnificent 118

retreat was lit by a striking fire display, controlled I hasten to add. It was a wonderful site in the setting sun of a late July evening. A glass of champagne to celebrate the, ahem, thirty year olds’ birthday seemed in order, and what better place to toast than a table aside the impressive pond.

We’d briefed our guests not to indulge too much during the day, so having devoured the olives which accompanied our champagne, and an exchange of presents, we were led by our waiter to the dining room. As you would expect from a five star hotel, luxury abounds and the walk through the tastefully decorated bar precedes the entrance to what is most certainly a breathtaking setting for any restaurant. You almost feel as though you are flowing down a corkscrew on to the restaurant floor, where a handful of tables are spaciously arranged, adjacent to the pond where the faltering light

served to enhance the dancing flames.

Five star hotel, seven course tasting menu, superb surroundings. You’d expect a polished performance wouldn’t you? Those who haven’t had the good fortune to visit before now might presume dining at The Vineyard would be a slightly overpowering and intimidating experience. Don’t. It’s relaxation personified. Staff are engaging and warm but still unbelievably knowledgeable and keen to enter into conversation, not only about the food or the wine (whichever is their speciality), but also about them.

When you are educated about a wine which accompanies a particular course of a seven tiered menu, it is interesting to learn about the education of the sommelier and the route they have taken to your table.

I don’t think restaurants can afford to employ www.b4-business.com

“The food? You only

TASTE

have to glance at the Tasting Menu to understand why this is all so special.”

DE-VINE Crab scented with light lime mayonnaise and tomato jelly Wine: L’Apres Midi, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2009 ~ Caramelised foie gras and mango terrine, mango chutney and coconut foam Wine: Mon Plaisir, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2006 ~ Scallop soufflé, wild mushroom sabayon Wine: Ma Belle Fille, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2007 ~ Steamed fillet of sea bass, mussel broth infused with lemongrass, braised leeks Wine: La Carriere, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2007 ~ Slow cooked fillet of Scottish beef, oxtail stuffed potato, light red wine sauce, bone marrow Wine: Le Caprice, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2007 Les Pavots, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2007 ~

robots, staff need to enhance the experience, and The Vineyard has it spot on. Staff know when to let the table breathe and when conversation is required and it’s a balance they all execute to perfection.

The food? You only have to glance at the Tasting Menu to understand why this is all so special. If you are a fussy eater, you simply can’t be persnickety when entering into a Tasting Menu.

You have to invest, in more ways than one I hasten to add, in the experience. You have to give yourself to those that know best, and that definitely means leaving the wine choices to the sommelier. Don’t necessarily look at The Tasting Menu. Let it surprise you, listen to what your waiter is telling you that you have been served and then enjoy. Obviously, if you have any particular allergies, that’s not necessarily the best www.b4-business.com

course of action, but this is one more example of the diligence of The Vineyard as all guests are asked at the time of booking if they have allergies.

The tasting menu is fabulous and priced at £99, however, The Vineyard also offers a great value set lunch menu for £23.

Dive in, immerse yourself in the experience. It’s one you’ll never forget. A special occasion isn’t the only reason to visit The Vineyard, in fact, it’s probably best not to go for a special occasion, as the experience will soon make you forget why you went there in the first place (I forgot the cake!) www.the-vineyard.co.uk

Roasted apricot with rosemary, iced nougat, peach coulis ~ Dark chocolate layers, caramel mousse, passion fruit jelly, caramel ice cream Wine: Point Blanc, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2007 or Seasonal farmhouse cheese platter, quince jelly, fig cake, raisin and hazelnut bread Wine: Point Blanc, Peter Michael Winery, CA, 2007

£99.00 119

NOT A LOT OF

PEOPLE KNOW THAT...

It’s quite possible that you’ve driven, cycled or walked past the discreet entrance to Lady Margaret Hall without realising.

This Oxford College welcomed its first students in 1879 and over 100 years later, is still preparing students from all backgrounds, to live and work in a fast moving, complex and global society that is hungry for knowledge communication and integrity. Tracey Jefferies reports.

An integral part of the College today is the conference facilities, which appeal to companies and organisations from the UK and across the world. Refurbished in 2010 and just a fifteen minute walk from the centre of Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall boasts state of the art facilities in a superb location. Combined with ample on site parking for delegates, this is truly one of Oxford’s most suitably equipped conference venues.

unique heritage. Unsurprisingly, older buildings present unique and interesting challenges to film crews. Luckily, Bill has a strong events background, combine this with can-do attitude and he can usually find a way to make the almost impossible happen, although he was at pains to stress, not at the expense of the day-to-day College activities.

Television viewers became used to indentifying Oxford landmarks visited by Inspector Morse. These days, we’ve switched our attention to his successor, Lewis and his droll sidekick DS Hathaway. Bill was

quoted as one of the key factors attracting conference organisers - except from the conference facilities themselves. One is used to seeing carefully manicured gardens in such settings, but at Lady Margaret Hall they also prefer to encourage areas of wild flower gardening. This seemingly relaxed approach echoes the calm, tranquil air of the College throughout the grounds, both outside and in.

2010 was a particularly exciting year as the new

“The facilities themselves can accommodate anything from a small meeting or seminar, up to a large AGM or conference, all supported by excellent on-site catering, leisure facilities and accommodation” “I’ve now worked at Lady Margaret Hall for eighteen months. Being charged with raising the profile of the College conference facilities and generating profitable revenue has been a thoroughly enjoyable challenge and although we’ve enjoyed some impressive results there is still so much opportunity out there”, explains Bill Kemp, Head of Hospitality Services.

The history of Oxford and its stunning architecture continues to draw interest from across the world.

Visitors and filmmakers alike are drawn by a very 120

quick to investigate filming opportunities and keeneyed viewers might have spotted several shots of the College in recent episodes. Also keen to build strong links with the local community, Bill is in negotiation with various groups and has some very exciting projects up his sleeve.

The facilities themselves can accommodate anything from a small meeting or seminar, up to a large AGM or conference, all supported by excellent on-site catering, leisure facilities and accommodation. The spacious gardens are often

Pipe Partridge building was made available for the first time, complementing the existing facilities. This introduced a fully equipped ‘raked’ lecture theatre for 160. This theatre space is especially interesting for anyone wanting to host a music event; it even comes supplied with it’s own piano, secretly hidden from view when not required. Stunningly designed in the neo classical style, this addition to the existing facilities includes a beautiful dining room with French windows overlooking new gardens, a seminar room and the Junior Common Room suite suitable for a range of functions. The Pipe Partridge www.b4-business.com

B4 CONFERENCE

FACILITIES n n n n n n n n n

Excellent presentation and seminar rooms for 15 to 160 delegates Full range of AV equipment 300 single delegate bedrooms (185 en suite) Ethernet access available in all rooms and wireless in most Elegant reception and dining rooms Beautiful grounds Car parking College Bar On site catering

building complements the existing Talbot and Eleanor Lodge lecture and seminar rooms and other meeting / reception rooms.

Where required, coffee and tea, pastries or biscuits can be made available in seminar and function rooms at any time during conference hours. For more formal events, the majority of meals are served in the College Dining Hall, a traditional setting with a capacity of 250 delegates. Dinners and reception entertaining are also possible in various elegant function rooms, including the Old Library, Committee Room, Deneke Common Room and Jerwood Room.

In terms of accommodation, Lady Margaret Hall offers over 300 bedrooms on site, almost two thirds of which are en suite. Rooms are available in buildings from different periods of the Colleges history, and the character of these buildings is reflected in the style and interior design. These bedrooms are available to book on a B&B basis at very competitive rates.

www.lmh.ox.ac.uk

www.b4-business.com

121

I COULD GET USED TO THIS… “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” said Sir Winston Churchill. Mal Life gives you the very best, an affordable indulgence, a treat for the senses and best of all, is on our doorstep. By Tracey Jefferies

My mobile phone rang minutes after I’d unpacked my weekend bag: “Sorry I must have a poor signal, it sounded like you’re staying in Reading for the weekend, 45 minutes from where you live!” exclaimed my London-based sister. She was right on both counts. However, it’s often said that a change is as good as a rest and an invitation to review any Malmaison establishment is not something any sensible person would decline.

In 1832, talks were held in Bristol to discuss building a rail link between Bristol and London. At the time, Bristol had important trading links with America and

visiting Reading and is reputed to be the oldest surviving railway hotel in the world. Mal dare to be different. Taking unique old buildings, steeped in history and transforming them to luxurious hotels is their signature design and Malmaison Reading is no exception.

Arriving by car is almost as effortless as travelling by train, with discounted parking available just across from the hotel. The impressive white stone exterior exudes grandeur worthy of Winston Churchill, who stayed there under its original ownership. Once across the threshold, you are at once enveloped and seduced by the plush furnishings and luxurious colour palette, the effortless

“Partaking of champagne cocktails before dinner is not a regular event at home, but it seemed rude not to when confronted by so many bottles of Veuve Clicquot in the bar

”

they were keen to avoid the long delays caused by transporting goods the last few hundred miles from Bristol to London on the canals. In 1835 a bill was passed by Parliament to build a rail link, which passed through Reading. The Great Western Hotel was built opposite the train station in 1844 for people

122

marriage of chic interiors designed with comfort in mind. A dimly lit reception area – a very minor grumble, if you’ve succumbed to wearing glasses like I have, you’d be advised to have these at the ready – is manned by friendly, polite and efficient staff. My room wasn’t ready and they couldn’t have been

www.b4-business.com

B4 R&R

“Mal Life – a company phrase -

could be defined as escapism at an affordable price”

more apologetic, making sure I was comfortable in the lounge area with a perfect Americano and bitesized cake to sweeten the delay. I was sharing the weekend with my daughter Charlotte and she had yet to arrive, so relaxing with a selection of quality, glossy magazines really wasn’t an issue.

Our room had everything you could possibly want.

A well-stocked bar, flat screen TV and DVD/CD player, a selection of beauty products to relieve the weary traveller, and perhaps the most important items as far as we were concerned, an ironing board & iron; Charlotte leaves everything to the last minute and usually arrives with a suitcase bursting with a selection of clothes to wear, all un-ironed.

She’ll hate me for writing that!

One vital ingredient of a girlie weekend is shopping and Malmaison Reading is perfectly placed to overindulge. Just a few minutes walk from the hotel is the Oracle Shopping Centre, with the usual selection of familiar brands, nearby a full-range

www.b4-business.com

John Lewis and a central walkway just heaving with shops. We decided to work up an appetite for dinner by squeezing in a couple of hours of retail therapy and were spoilt for choice.

Mal Life – a company phrase - could be defined as escapism at an affordable price. We definitely felt miles away from our daily lives and routine.

Partaking of champagne cocktails before dinner is not a regular event at home, but it seemed rude not to when confronted by so many bottles of Veuve Clicquot in the bar. With appetites heightened by our shopping frenzy we moved to the adjoining brasserie-style restaurant. In my experience, extolling the virtues of local produce is nothing new, but including the profile of many of their local food producers and contact details on every menu is and made interesting reading. We nibbled on delicious artisan bread and black olive tapenade, the combinations of which were perfectly balanced, before heading straight for the main courses. The red mullet with crushed peas

caught my eye immediately. My daughter, with her love of champagne and all things decadent, chose the lobster linguini. Both choices were deemed a success. We skipped dessert but shared a selection of cheeses. Oh boy, was this a treat for cheese lovers. A wide choice was wheeled on a trolley to our table, from which (with guidance from our knowledgeable waitress) we choose a selection; the Camembert in Calvados is imprinted on my memory. We sipped a deliciously light and sensible priced rosé wine throughout, Chilean Valdivieso 2010, which I can highly recommend.

A return visit to the shops next morning, followed by a light lunch and a chick-flick at the nearby cinema concluded a highly successful and relaxing weekend away. Sans the girlie film, I think even Winston would have approved.

Malmaison are supporting B4 Berkshire - see page 84. www.malmaison.com

123

THE ITALIAN TILE RENAISSANCE Minoli, the Oxford based tile distributor, has specialised in Italian ceramic and porcelain tiles for over 50 years and they remain confident that their loyalties are not misplaced.

The Italian tile industry has been going through recovery and resurgence, driven by both the pressure of emerging competition and the ambition of the regions’ manufacturers to retain leadership in terms of style, quality and environmental credentials.

became the subject of an EU investigation, initiated after a complaint lodged by the European Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Federation (CET).

Earlier this year, the European Commission agreed to impose provisional import duty increases on Chinese ceramic tiles, ranging between 26% and

margins across the building and home improvement sectors, importers may now turn to Turkey or Indonesia as alternative sources of low cost products.

The reaction of the Italian industry has not however been to fight their ground on price alone. Ever-

“Our long-standing relationships with some of the most pre-eminent manufacturers in Italy is once again proving of great advantage” “The relentless influx of cheaper imported tiles from China has long been of grave concern. With claims of illegal pricing and market dumping, it recently 124

73% depending on the company, for a period of six months. The tariffs could be extended for up to five years but, as recessionary pressures squeeze

eager to innovate and dictate fashion, leading manufacturers have looked for new ways to differentiate and add value. www.b4-business.com

B4 PROPERTY

“Ever-eager to

Managing Director, Jonathon Minoli explains: “Our long-standing relationships with some of the most pre-eminent manufacturers in Italy is once again proving of great advantage.

“Quality tiles are no longer regarded as just functional floor covering or wall sealant. In the endusers’ eyes they have become a design statement and todays’ Italian tiles are the ideal focal feature for contemporary homes, throughout bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces and beyond.

“As a distributor, our dealings with the public are limited so we listen to our professional developer, house builder and architect clients. Our role is to then select from a factory’s output the tiles most www.b4-business.com

likely to be in tune with our clients’ wants and needs and in turn, those of their customers.

Ecolabel certification - the European mark of environmental quality.

“It’s also about bringing new products to market, those that inspire and create a step-change in style and fashion. Whilst we don’t manufacture tiles ourselves, we can influence the design process, especially through those manufacturers with which we have long-standing partnerships”.

In summary, Jonathon Minoli commented: “The Italian tile industry remains remarkably resilient and forward thinking. Through the development of accreditations like ‘Ceramic Tiles of Italy’, constant investment in R&D and trend-setting design credentials, they have found an inimitable way of protecting their unique reputation in the market.

Every year I attend CERSAIE - Bologna's annual International Tile Exhibition - and the raft of fresh products, exciting new styles and inter-firm camaraderie, never ceases to impress.”

The latest innovations in Italian tile production feature throughout Minoli’s contemporary collections, the most recent of which was launched in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary.

Demonstrating cutting edge technology, many ranges also meet the stringent requirements of

www.minoli.co.uk

125

Photography: Scotts Photography

innovate and dictate fashion, leading manufacturers have looked for new ways to differentiate and add value”

COCKADOO

Head 5 miles southeast of Oxford, and you’ll find the picturesque little village of Nuneham Courtney, former property of the likes of Cardinal Wolsey and home to a stunning arboretum, gorgeous manor house, and, more recently, the up and coming oriental restaurant, Cockadoo. Eloise Porter reports.

Once an old, worn out pub, plagued by neglect, the building is now host to the modern and beautifully presented cuisine that draws customers from across Oxfordshire and beyond.

Boasting clients such as Ian Botham and Samantha Cameron, and host to all sorts of

126

events, from wine tasting to evening entertainment, it seems that Nuneham Courtney could well be the new place to be.

‘For our wine tastings we invite people over from France, to bring half a dozen or so wines and we

do a different dish for every time. Often we also have different food companies in to accompany the wine tasting’. Entertainment, too, is of a high quality, and, with the likes of Ian Gallagher, singer at the London Palladium, Buckingham palace, and even Andrew Lloyd Webber’s wedding party in

www.b4-business.com

B4 R&R

“We’ve done all of the traditional stuff before, so we wanted to do something a little bit modern, and a little bit different, especially with our presentation.”

control of the microphone, the events put on in the restaurant are a constant hit. Next on the schedule?

Chinese Elvis. No, we don’t know what that is either, but boy does it sound entertaining.

But with hundreds of people whizzing past very day, and the exterior of an old pub, Cockadoo has had a hard time of it trying to find people to come and sample their delicious food and wine. Even if you’re not passing through, which, let’s face it, is the perfect time to treat yourself to some great Chinese food anyway, the restaurant is hardly a trek from Oxford itself, and, so it seems, well worth the trip.

The entertainment aside, it is undeniably the food that attracts the Cockadoo customers. Advertising opportunities for Cockadoo are, however, thin on the ground – glitzy and alluring signs outside are, unfortunately for the restaurant, off the cards, due

www.b4-business.com

to the building’s listed status and its situation in a precious conservation area. But with recently renewed menus the food is better than ever, and is far from your bog standard Chinese that you’ll find just around the corner; not only prided on its great taste, but also the extra care put into the presentation. ‘We’ve done all of the traditional stuff before, so we wanted to do something a little bit modern, and a little bit different, especially with our presentation. We like to think of ourselves as a modern Oriental restaurant.’

The kitchen boasts chefs of an excellence calibre, but also the capacity to instruct, on-site, chefs from external locations and organisations under the Cockadoo name. In possession of microphones and with the space to host plenty of guests, business meetings and conferences are well within the boundaries of the restaurant, and what better way to struggle through a dull business meeting

than in the company of some delicious food? The restaurant also has plenty of parking space, so whilst you guzzle away inside, outside your car can rest safe and happy, ready to transport home their content, and, most likely very full, owners.

So at this point you’re probably thinking, idyllic setting, gorgeous interior and tasty, contemporary food, surely there’s a catch? Well, sorry to disappoint, but alas no! The prices are more than reasonable and the restaurant even grows their own produce, with squashes, tomatoes courgettes thriving in the vegetable patch. Sustainable and scrumptious? I think it’s safe to say that Cockadoo have got it covered. www.cockadoo.co.uk

127

128

www.b4-business.com

Photography: www.studio-8.co.uk

B4 ADVICE

INNOVATION THAT DELIVERS REAL BUSINESS VALUE How would you define an entrepreneur? If you were beamed down from space and exposed to a snapshot of business editorial and media at large, you’d be forgiven for thinking this term applied to the majority of business owners. A true entrepreneur is so much more. Tracey Jefferies reports.

One of the best definitions is by Greg Watson: “Entrepreneurship is more than simply starting a business. The definition of entrepreneurship is a process through which individuals identify opportunities, allocate resources, and create value. This creation of value is often through the identification of unmet needs or through the identification of opportunities for change. Entrepreneurial success is simply a function of the ability of an entrepreneur to see these opportunities in the marketplace, initiate change (or take advantage of change) and create value through solutions.”

challenges. One of the major benefits of TRIMIT is the lack of customisation required. Before, manufacturers and wholesalers had two choices, pay for bespoke software that would probably be out of date very quickly, or buy an off-the-shelf product that would still require tailoring and regular upgrades. Microsoft Dynamics NAV and the TRIMIT solution already covers most requirements of a company, thereby minimising the need for customisation”, Duncan explained.

Duncan Fergusson is the embodiment of true entrepreneurship. As Managing Director of Sci-Net, Duncan has been swift to adapt to change and take advantage of opportunities, creating a sustainable business model that has developed over 18 years:

Business Management n Elimination of manual, double work and separate systems n Handling of item variants throughout the solution from sales, purchase to production and expedition n Reducing thousands of Bill of Materials to hundreds n Advanced product configuration to deliver customisable products n Container tracking and management n In-depth reporting and key figure statistics n Fast and precise information available for all users

“Sci-Net specialise in implementing and supporting finance and enterprise business solutions for businesses throughout the UK. As a company, we don’t believe in adopting every new trend in business management software. Our own business has been built on firm foundations that allow for and promote innovation, but only when a case has been proved for delivering real business value. We use the term ‘solutions’ rather than software because it better describes what we do.

Before we start a project we spend a great deal of time understanding what a client needs to achieve, their ‘pain points’ and seek to establish if there is not only a better more efficient way, but also one which leads to a real return on investment.”

TRIMIT is a software product set built within Microsoft Dynamics NAV to revolutionise the furniture, fashion and manufacturing industries and one that Sci-Net is now focusing their attention on: “We already work with clients from the wholesale, fashion, furniture and manufacturing industry and therefore have a really good understanding of what they need to achieve operationally and the associated costs.

TRIMIT is a really simple - industry specific - solution for complicated

The benefits of TRIMIT include:

“We worked hard to secure our partnership with TRIMIT. They only work with companies that can demonstrate experience and a really good understanding of business solutions for the fashion, furniture and manufacturing industries. Our credentials as a leading Microsoft Dynamics NAV Gold Partner, Sage Partner and Sage Developer were important but as important, was our collaborative approach to working with our clients. We’re not interested in quick fixes; we only invest our time and efforts in building long term, productive relationships.”

The opportunities for TRIMIT in the marketplace are vast and with Duncan at the helm it looks likely that Sci-Net will be taking full advantage, initiating change and delivering long-term value for some time to come. www.sci-net.co.uk

“We’re not interested in quick fixes; we only invest our time and efforts in building long term, productive relationships” www.b4-business.com

129

The First step to a healthier Lifestyle The best corporate deals Fantastic student memberships Friendly, qualified staff Membership to suit you!

• Cardio theatre • Free weights • 30+ classes per week • Jacuzzi • Sauna and steam room • Sunbeds • Personal Training • Injury Clinic • Nutritionist • Massage therapy • Beauty clinic • Powerplate

6 High Street Oxford OX1 4AB T: 01865 251261 E: oxford@bourtonmill.net W: www.bourtonmill.net Opening Times: Monday - Friday 6.30am - 10.00pm.

Saturday & Sunday 9.00am - 7.00pm. Bank Holidays 10.00am - 6.00pm

B4 Contacts ACCOUNTING

myFD Recruitment t: 01869 354041 w: www.myfdrecruitment.co.uk

Wenn Townsend Tony Haines Partner

Business Fit Club t: 0800 731 7022 w: www.businessfitclub.co.uk

t: 01865 559900 w: www.wenntownsend.co.uk

Concise Training t: 01865 522658 w: www.concisetraining.net

ADVICE

The MGroup Richard Clayton Partner

Darbys Solicitors Simon McCrum Managing Partner

Shaw Gibbs Peter Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell Partner

t: 01865 811700 w: www.darbys.co.uk

t: 01865 292200 w: www.shawgibbs.com

BrookStreet Des Roches LLP Paddy Gregan Partner

Wellers Stuart Crook Partner

t: 01235 836655 w: www.bsdr.com

t: 01865 723131 w: www.wellersaccountants.co.uk

Henmans LLP Julia Iball Managing Partner

Grant Thornton Wendy Hart Managing Partner

t: 01865 781000 w: www.henmansllp.co.uk

t: 01865 799899 w: www.grant-thornton.co.uk

Manches Richard Smith Managing Partner

t: 01993 822817 w: www.vjhancockandco.com Charles Russell Llp t: 0845 359 0090 w: www.charlesrussell.co.uk

t: 01865 722106 w: www.manches.com Hedges Law t: 01491 839839 w: www.hedgeslaw.co.uk Withy King Mark Emery

BUSINESS ADVICE Jamesons Insolvency & Business Recovery t: 01993 707860 w: www.jamesons.co.uk Oxford Professional Consulting Alison Haill Managing Director t: 01865 436 791 w: www.oxfordprofessionalconsulting.com The Business Wealth Club Paul Avins Founder & CEO t: 01869 278900 w: www.thebusinesswealthclub.com Sci Net t: 01869 349949 w: www.sci-net.co.uk The Clarkson Alliance t: 01865 355580 w: www.theclarksonalliance.com

www.b4-business.com

City Audio Visual Peter Gunn Director t: 01865 722800 w: www.cityaudiovisual.co.uk Bang & Olufsen t: 01865 511241 w: www.bang-olufsen.com

LEGAL

t: 01865 552925 w: www.themgroup.co.uk

V J Hancock & Co.

AUDIO VISUAL

t: 01865 792300 w: www.withyking.co.uk White & Black Legal LLP t: 0800 035 2656 w: www.wablegal.com Morgan Cole t: 01865 262600 w: www.morgan-cole.com

BUSINESS AWARDS West Oxfordshire Business Awards t: 07772 085578 w: www.woba.co.uk

BUSINESS CONSULTANTS The Profitable Hotel Company Stuart Harrison Owner t: 01993 706632 w: www.profitablehotelcompany.co.uk Kelly Associates t: 01865 761738 w: www.kellyassociates.co.uk Advanced Stress Consultancy t: 07884 353628 w: www.advancedstressconsultancy.co.uk Thinking Business t: 07703 129821 w: www.thinkingbusiness.org Insight Oxford t: 01865 596 771 w: www.insightoxford.co.uk

BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS Institute of Directors Ian Wenman Chairman t: 07770 893834 w: www.iod.com OTCN t: 01865 893354 ext 464 w: www.otcn.co.uk

BUSINESS SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

BUSINESS SERVICES ARCHIVING AND STORAGE Ardington Archives Janet Gibbons Director t: 01367 718710 w:www.ardingtonarchives.co.uk

B-Line David Beesley Chairman t: 01865 594550 w: www.b-line.co.uk Aston & James Office Supplies Limited Director t: 01993 706900 w: www.aston-james.co.uk

131

HILLTOP CHAUFFEURS P R I VAT E

F L Y I NG

ABROAD?

L E T

DR I VE

US

H I RE

YOU

A L L MA J O R A I R P O R T S C O V E R E D - C A L L N OW F O R A Q U O T E WWW . H I L L T O P C H A U F F E U R S . C O . U K T . 01865 595262 M. 07825 500852 HAVE

A

N I CE

F L I GHT !

B4 Contacts Bayswater Framing Simon Beesley Managing Director t: 01865 351000 w: www.bayswaterframing.co.uk

CHARITIES Macmillan Julian Knowles Fundraising Manager t. 01869 322279 w: www.macmillan.org.uk Oxford Inspires Tony Stratton Chairman t: 01865 815525 w: www.oxfordinspires.org Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Charitable Funds Graham Brogden Head of Community Fundraising t: 01865 743442 w: www.charitablefunds.org.uk Oxfam Joss Saunders Legal Advisor t: 0300 200 1292 w: www.oxfam.org.uk

DISTRIBUTION Air Business Ltd Adam Sherman Group Mamanging Director t: 01727 890 620 w: www.airbusonline.com

Isis Chauffeurs t: 01993 709023 / 07545 601515 w:www.isischauffeur.co.uk Hilltop Chauffeurs Nathan Thomas Owner t: 07825 500852 / 01865 595262 w:www.hilltopchauffeurs.co.uk

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PAVY Ltd t: 01865 349014 w: www.pavy.co.uk

INSURANCE CETA Insurance Ltd Sandie Schofield Managing Director t: 0845 4583071 w: www.lowerpremium.co.uk Bridle Insurance Neil Fox Chief Operations Officer t: 0845 0349648 w: www.bridleinsurance.co.uk Osbornes Insurances t: 01844 214316 w: www.osbornesins.co.uk

TRAVEL City Sightseeing Jane Marshall Transport Manager t: 01865 790 522 w: www.citysightseeingoxford.com London Oxford Airport James Dillon-Godfray Head of Marketing and Development t: 01865 290 600 w: www.londonoxfordairport.com Visit Oxfordshire Joanne Butler Tourism Team Leader t: 01865 252200 w: www.visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com

CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES

ROBIN Grant Hayward Local Business Partnership Coordinator, Oxfordshire t: 01865 251946 w: www.ocva.org.uk/robin

LOCAL GOVERNMENT West Oxfordshire District Council William Barton Business Development Officer

Conference Centre Oxford Alexandra Stardelova Marketing Executive

The Ley Community Steve Walker Programme Director

w: www.westoxon.gov.uk/business

t: 01865 797979 w: www.conferencecentreoxford.co.uk

NETWORKING GROUPS

Pembroke College Daren Bowyer Home Bursar

t: 01865 378600 w: www.ley.co.uk Footsteps Foundation t: 01865 858382 w: www.footstepsfoundation.com CLIC Sargent t: 03003 300803 w: www.clicsargent.org.uk Ucare t: 01865 767777 w: www.ucare-oxford.org.uk

B4 Magazine Richard Rosser Editor t: 01865 742211 w: www.b4-business.com Opendoorz Cathy Dunbabin Director t: 01865 339434 w: www.opendoorz.biz

DEBT COLLECTION

TRANSPORT

Total Credit Management Clive Taylor Director

Chiltern Railways Rob Brighouse MD

t: 01993 832266 w: www.totalcreditmanagement.co.uk

t: 08456 005 165 w: www.chilternrailways.co.uk

CONFERENCES

t: 01865 276484 w: www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/Conferences Ashmolean Museum Bénédicte Montain Head of Commercial Events t: 01865 288364 w: www.ashmolean.org The Oxford Centre Andrew Lund-Yates General Manager t: 01865 797979 w: www.the-oxford-centre.co.uk Cotswold Wildlife Park Reggie Heyworth Managing Director t: 01993 823006 w: www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

133

npower Business Class Networking Club

Home of the region’s business leaders, entrepreneurs and decision makers

The platinum Business Class Club offers the following benefits:

Oxford United along with Football League sponsors npower, are proud to announce a unique opportunity for businesses to network at director level in an exciting, professional and informal environment, to develop long-term commercial relationships.

– Exclusive Business Class Members welcome pack – Hot/cold buffet served before every game – Classified listing on OUFC Business Links page on official website – Ticket in prime half way line seats for all home league games – Priority for all away game tickets – Hosted suite – Waiter/waitress service – Matchday Programme and team sheet – Classified listing on OUFC Business Links page in every matchday programme

To find out more call us on:

01865 337 517

– Two places at FOUR formal networking breakfasts per season with keynote speaker, club officials, etc.

– OUFC Business Links plaque for the workplace – Name on Business Class ‘Wall of Honour’ – Seat at the Club’s End of Season Awards Dinner (one per membership) – 10% discount off all Oxford United commercial solutions – Monthly business e-newsletter – Exclusive conferencing discounts at the stadium Price: £1,399.00 plus VAT

B4 Contacts Egrove Park Jill Grievson Conference Manager

Heythrop Park Resort t: 01608 673470 w: www.heythropparkresort.co.uk

t: 01865 422757 w: www.sbs.oxford.edu/conferencing

De Vere Milton Hill House t: 01235 831474 w: www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/milton-hill-house

Four Pillars Hotels Chris Green Group Marketing Manager t: 0800 374 692 w: www.four-pillars.co.uk Kassam Stadium Rachel Harwood General Manager t: 01865 337602 w: www.thekassamstadium.com Lady Margaret Hall Bill Kemp Head of Conference Services t: 01865 611079 w: www.lmh.ox.ac.uk Magdalen College School Emma Bellenie Events Manager t: 01865 242191 w: www.mcsoxford.org Malmaison Mark McSorley General Manager t: 01865 268400 w: www.malmaison-oxford.com Meet Oxfordshire Julie Archer Managing Agent T: 01608 659900 W: www.meetoxfordshire.com Williams F1 Conference Centre Brendan Caffrey Conference Centre Manager t: 01235 777900 w: www.rbswilliamsf1conferences.com Blenheim Palace Hospitality t: 01993 813 874 w: www.blenheimpalace.com

Exeter College t: 01865 279600 w: www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/conferences/

EVENTS Oxford Fashion Week w: www.oxfordfashionweek.com Fly to the Past t: 01865 516124 w: www.flytothepast.com Abacus Events James McIntyre t: 07976 073186 w: www.abacuseventsgroup.co.uk

VENUES Blenheim Palace John Hoy Chief Executive t: 01993 810501 w: www.blenheimpalace.com Oxford Castle Jean-Pierre Morilleau General Manager t: 01865 201657 w: www.oxfordcastle.com Rhodes House t: 01865 282599 w: www.rhodeshouseoxford.com

Oxford Event Hire Kieran Lynch Owner t: 01865 760158 w: www.oxfordeventhire.co.uk

EDUCATION COLLEGES

The Oxford Union t: 01865 241353 w: www.oxford-union.org

Magna Carta College David Faulkner Dean

The Examination Schools Kay Hogg Events Manager

t: 01865 593131 w: www.magnacartacollege.org

www.b4-business.com

Begbroke Science Park Peter Dobson Managing Director t: 01865 283700 w: www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk

FURTHER EDUCATION Oxford & Cherwell Valley College Sally Dicketts Principal t: 01865 550550 w: www.ocvc.ac.uk

6TH FORM DAY AND BOARDING COLLEGE St Clare’s, Oxford Paula Holloway Principal t: 01865 552031 w: www.stclares.ac.uk

SCHOOLS Bloxham School Nick Irvine Marketing Director t: 01295 724332 w: bloxhamschool.com

TUITION Oxford International Study Centre t: 01865 201009 w: www.oxinstudycentre.com

FINANCE

EQUIPMENT HIRE

Eynsham Hall t: 01993 885200 w: www.eynshamhall.com

t: 01865 276905 w: www.examschools.ox.ac.uk

OXFORD UNIVERSITY

BANKING LloydsTSB Commercial Dave Atkinson Area Director w: www.lloydstsb.com Coutts and Co t: 01865 389039 w: www.coutts.com

IFA’s Optimum Wealth Management t: 01865 511098 / 07836 572467 w: www.optimox.co.uk

MORTGAGE ADVICE Mortgage Choices t: 01993 862888 w: www.mortgage-choices.com

135

B4 Contacts NGI Finance t: 0870 8504484 w: www.ngifinance.co.uk

HEALTH AND LEISURE FITNESS Bourton Mill Gavin Peck Manager t: 01865 251261 w: www.bourtonmill.net Esporta Andy Wheeler Sales Manager t: 01865 318300 w: www.esporta.com TLA Fitness t: 07554 400 401 w: www.tlafitness.com Bainton Bikes t: 01865 311610 w: www.baintonbikes.com

GOLF The B4/MGroup Golf Cup t: 01865 742211 w: www.b4-business.com Frilford Heath Golf Club Alistair Booth Director t: 01865 390864 w: www.frilfordheath.co.uk North Oxford Golf Club Bob Harris Managing Director t: 01865 553977 w: www.nogc.co.uk The Oxfordshire Golf Club Tim Pettifer General Manager t: 01844 278 300 w: www.theoxfordshiregolfclub.com Studley Wood Golf Club Ken Heathcote Managing Director t: 01865 351122 w: www.studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk

HEALTHCARE Monica Franke t: 07970 119721 w: www.monicafranke.com

www.b4-business.com

Oxford Radcliffe Private Healthcare Alex Barnes Assistant Director, Private Patients t: 01865 221033 w: www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/ privatehealthcare

HR CONSULTANT HR2You Sarah Morris Owner t: 07789 711997 w: www.hr2you.co.uk

SPORT Alchester Rugby Club t: 01789 764061 w: www.alcesterrfc.co.uk/contact-2.asp Chipping Norton RUFC t: 01608 643968 w: www.chippingnortonrugbyclub.co.uk North Oxford Lawn Tennis Club t: 01865 513560 (Clubhouse) w: www.northoxfordltc.org.uk Oxford United Football Club Kelvin Thomas Chairman t: 01865 337505 w: www.oufc.co.uk Oxford University Rugby Football Club Tim Stevens Club Administrator t: 01865 432000 w: www.ourfc.org

WELLBEING Helen Money Nutrition Helen Money Owner t: 01865 339672 w: www.helenmoneynutrition.com

LEISURE Enstone Flying Club www.enstoneflyingclub.co.uk 01608 678204 Jason Plato www.jasonplato.com

HR

TRAINING Sandler Training t: 01608 611211 w: www.uk.sandler.com

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS DATABASE MANAGEMENT InTouch CRM James White Managing Director t: 0845 310 9973 w: www.intouchcrm.co.uk

IT SERVICES Nominet Lesley Cowley OBE CEO t: 01865 332211 w: www.nominet.org.uk Oxford Knowledge Company Mark Salisbury Director t: 01865 322100 w: oxford-knowledge.com Oxford Home IT Support Richard Hilsdon Managing Director t: 01865 594020 w: www.homeitsupport.biz

MOBILE PHONES Everything Everywhere Martin Lyne SME Marketing Director

RECRUITMENT

w: www.everythingeverywhere.com

The Career Boutique Katherine Dales Managing Director

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

t: 0845 5204010 w: www.thecareerboutique.com

Surefire Digital Rob Jones Director

Kenyon Consulting t: 01993 201700 w: www.kenyon-consulting.co.uk

t: 020 3239 8055 w: www.surefiredigital.co.uk

137

Bringing Golf & Business Together SESSIONS ARRANGED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR WOMEN & MEN 6.00pm to 9.00pm ALL ABILITIES ARE CATERED FOR FROM COMPLETE BEGINNERS TO EXPERIENCED GOLFERS STUDLEY WOOD •GOLF CLUB• OXFORDSHIRE’S HIDDEN GEM

These events offer local businesswomen and businessmen separate opportunities to learn and play golf whilst having plenty of opportunity to network with local businesses.

Agenda 6:00pm 6:30pm

8:00pm

Arrive for Tea & Coffee Golf Lessons - Try your hand at various golf activities if you are new to the game or pick up new tips and skills for golfers Food served in the clubhouse

TEL: 07789 711997 FOR MORE DETAILS Location Studley Wood Golf Club, OX33 1BF To Book: 1) Email sarah@studleywoodgolfclub.co.uk to reserve a place or complete and return booking form 2) Send payment by cheque.

£30.00

use which includes of all equipment, food PGA tuition and

. . . networking through Golf

B4 Contacts TELECOMMUNICATIONS Orange Stripe Telecommunications Nigel Pursall Managing Director t: 0845 241 7772 w: www.orangestripe.co.uk

Clever Business Websites t: 01865 989 899 w: www.cleverbusinesswebsites.co.uk Evucan Web Solutions www.evucan.com 0845 862 4400

EMAIL MARKETING WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT Blink Design Keith Simpson Senior Designer t: 01865 742211 w: www.on-the-blink.com Chris Fulton Design Chris Fulton Owner t: 07745 033707 w: www.chrisfultondesign.co.uk Torpedo Group Limited Iain Lewis Director t: 01865 733710 w: www.torpedogroup.com Olamalu Christoph Corvin Director t: 01993 764566 w: www.olamalu.com Momentum Solutions t: 01865 793520 w: www.momentumws.co.uk

WEB OPTIMISATION Oxford Digital Marketing Simon Wallace-Jones Co-Founder t: 01865 600 508 w: www.oxforddigitalmarketing.co.uk Studio8search Nicola Wiseman Director t: 01865 842525 w: www.studio8search.com

ClientMailer www.clientmailer.com 01865 339406

MANUFACTURING LIGHTING WILA Group Ltd Mike Collett Chief Executive Officer t: 01235 773500 w: www.wila.com

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Miele Company Ltd Zoe Naylor Financial Controller t: 0845 365 6600 w: www.miele.co.uk

MEDICAL GOODS Owen Mumford Jarl Severn Director t: 01993 812021 w: www.owenmumford.com

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE Science Oxford Dominic McDonald Head of Public Engagement and Business Networks t: 01865 728953 w: www.scienceoxford.com

Zest Alex Minchin Director

Mirada Medical Simon Nita

t: 0843 289 0161 w: www.zestdigital.co

t: 01865 261410 w: www.mirada-medical.com

Glooo Chris Jones Director t: 07814 046747 w: www.glooo.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

MARKETING & DESIGN ADVERTISING In Oxford Magazine Colin Rosser Chairman t: 01865 742211 w: www.inoxford.com

CORPORATE IDENTITY Recognition Express Andy Olejnik Managing Director t: 01295 257611 w: www.re-oxfordshire.co.uk/

DESIGN ADS t: 01993 885122 w: www.adsoxford.co.uk Orchadis Media t: 01865 339 429 w: www.orchadis.com

FREELANCE COPY WRITING AND EDITING Stoneleigh Associates Erica Conlan Proprietor t: 07837 480 432 e: erica.conlan@stoneleighassociates.com Wordsmith TM t: 01993 811579 w: www.wordsmithtm.co.uk

MARKET RESEARCH / TELEMARKETING Lingo Su Copeland Manging Director t: 01865 886340 w: www.lingotelemarketing.com

MARKETING The Project Managers Peronel Barnes Director t: 01865 751531 w: www.the-project-managers.com ClientMailer t: 07788 677512 w: www.clientmailer.com Marketing Initiatives Business t: 0845 116 2347 w: www.themib.co.uk

139

2011 / 2012 Oxfordshire Sports Fixtures Brochure Featuring fixtures for your club

Contact 01865 742211 or e-mail editorial@b4-business.com for details about featuring your Club and advertising opportunities

B4

Distributed as an insert to B4 Issue 21 in October and through participating Clubs

The B 4 Christmas Dinner

B 4 Dedicated e-Newsletters Get your message to over 6,000 e-mail addresses through B4

Wednesday 21st December, 2011 The B4 Christmas Dinner at Pembroke College It’s only 5 months away!

Book Now - Tickets £50+VAT Book by calling 01865 742211 or e-mail events@b4-business.com Capacity 190 Call 01865 742211 for more details or e-mail richard@inoxford.com

Book one of our dedicated weekly e-Newsletters for £250+VAT OR, feature your message on our weekly B4 e-Newsletter for £100+VAT Call 01865 742211 for more details or e-mail richard@inoxford.com

B4 Contacts Kai Communications t: 07966 234757 w: www.kaicommunications.co.uk AWM Marketing t: 01367 244996 w: www.awm-marketing.com Tamara Taboas t: 07909018654 w: www.tamarataboas.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Studio 8 Clark Wiseman Managing Director

PUBLIC RELATIONS

BUILDERS MERCHANTS

Bottle PR Claire Cairns Managing Director

Buildbase David Robertson Central Regional Director

t: 01865 882988 w: www.bottlepr.co.uk

t: 01865 787763 w: www.buildbase.co.uk

GB PR Gail Buckle Owner

BUSINESS PARKS

t: 01865 742940 w: www.gbprconsultancy.blogspot.com

Grove Technology Park Robert Lamplough Chairman

t: 01865 842525 w: www.studio-8.co.uk

The Buzzworks Sarah Airey Proprietor t: 01993 813848 w: www.thebuzzworks.co.uk

Lyon Photography t: 01865 481550 w: www.lyonphotography.co.uk

Tracey Jefferies Tracey Jefferies Founder

t: 01865 893303 w: www.jennings.co.uk

PS Unlimited t: 01865 930167 w: www.psunlimited.co.uk

t: 01865 820183 w: www.traceyjefferies.co.uk

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS

Barbara Richardson Barbara Richardson Managing Director

VSL and Partners Richard Venables Director

t: 07949 011203 e: barbara.alchemy@gmail.com

t: 01865 848488 w: www.vslandp.com

Syncro PR Claire Thompson

Carter Jonas Scott Harkness Partner

Print, Design and Focus Sue Carter Director

t: 01865 886344 w: www.syncropr.com

t: 01865 511444 w: www.carterjonas.co.uk

t: 01993 774543 w: www.printdesignfocus.co.uk

To The Point PR t: 0845 055 9696 w: www.tothepointpr.com

Oxford Innovation Ltd Jo Willett Sales and Marketing Director

The Goodhead Group David Holland Chief Executive

WEB PERFORMANCE

t: 01865 811127 w: www.oxin.co.uk

t: 07773 316 204 w: www.bgprint.co.uk

Studio8search t: 01865 842525 w: www.studio8search.com

Meeson Williams Ltd t: 01865 349011 w: www.meesonwilliams.com

The Oxford Duplication Centre t: 01865 457000 w: www.oxfordduplicationcentre.co.uk

Obergine t: 01865 245777 w: www.obergine.com

DEVELOPMENT

PRINTING Lynx DPM Dee Patel Managing Director t: 01865 891989 w: www.lynxdpm.com

Blueprint Imaging Martin Matthews Managing Director t: 01993 892360 w: www.blueprintimaging.com Banbury Litho t: 01295 220488 w: www.banburylitho.co.uk

PROPERTY & BUILDING ARCHITECTS Riach Architects Douglas Riach Principal t: 01865 553772 w: www.riacharchitects.com Ridge and Partners David Walker Partner

t: 01235 772992 w: www.grovetechpark.com Jennings Mike Jennings Managing Director

The Trevor Osborne Property Group Trevor Osborne Chairman t: 01225 832302 w: www.topgroup.co.uk

ESTATE AGENTS Breckon and Breckon Keith Stacey Managing Director t: 01865 244735 w: www.breckon.co.uk

t: 01993 815000 w: www.ridge.co.uk www.b4-business.com

141

M AC D O N A L D R A N D O L P H H OT E L , OX F O R D

FESTI V E PA RT Y NIG HT S

HAVE A FREE £50 LUNCH ON OSBORNES Yes there is such as thing as a free lunch All that is needed is for you to call Bill Fletcher and ask him to quote for your business insurances (or those of your clients).

Bill guarantees to either beat the existing Insurer’s premium or the cover.

If Osbornes fail this challenge they will pay £50 towards your lunch at a Restaurant of your choice, but how about at one of his present clients in Oxford such as Gees Restaurant or Quod.

The small print – Business insurances only with premiums over £500 and not motor insurance unless a Fleet policy.

Whether with family and friends, or colleagues from work, the Macdonald Randolph Hotel has party nights, festive menus, and special events to help celebrate the Festive season.

Festive Restaurant Menu from

New Year’s Eve Ball Packages from

£24

£135

PER PERSON

PER PERSON

It is as easy as that C H R I S T M A S PA RT Y N I G H T S F RO M

£32

Osbornes Insurances Oxford Ltd. Insurance House, North St. Thame Oxon OX9 3BH Bill Fletcher Direct Line: 01844 214316 Email: bill@osbornesins.co.uk

PER PERSON

Quote booking reference B4 Call 0844 879 9132 to book your party now! or email events.randolph@macdonald-hotels.co.uk www.MacdonaldHotels.co.uk/Randolph

ABACUS

events

we make it happen

Abacus Events organise B2B Trade Fairs and Networking Events across Oxon, Bucks, Berks and Wilts We welcome people from all business sectors and will try our best to introduce them to new contacts Our passionate approach ensures that all exhibitors and visitors make lasting contacts and sales

Visit our website for full details of forthcoming events s Event Management s Business Trade Fairs s Corporate Events s Team Building Events s Fundraising

www.abacuseventsgroup.co.uk Contact: James McIntyre Mobile: 07976 073186 james@abacuseventsgroup.co.uk

B4 Contacts Penny & Sinclair James Penny Director

scottfraser t: 01865 761111 (Headington office) w: www.scottfraser.co.uk

Malmaison Reading t: 0118 956 2300 w: www.malmaison.com

t: 01865 318013 w: www.pennyandsinclair.co.uk

Bluestone Letting and Management t: 01869 327577 w: www.bluestonelm.co.uk

The Vineyard t: 01635 528 770 w: www.the-vineyard.co.uk

College and County t: 01865 722722 w: www.collegeandcounty.biz

The Crazy Bear Beaconsfield t: 01494 673086 w: www.crazybeargroup.co.uk

PROPERTY SERVICES

The Bull at Burford t: 01993 822 220 w: www.thebullatburford.co.uk

scottfraser (Witney) t: 01993 705507 w: www.scottfraser.co.uk

INTERIOR FURNISHING AND DECORATION Jill Treloggen Interiors Jill Treloggen Owner t: 01993 700515 w: www.jilltreloggen.co.uk Lewis Building Technology t: 01865 782424 w:www.lewisbt.co.uk Minoli Tiles Jon Minoli Managing Director t: 01865 778225 w: www.minoli.co.uk Coco design t: 07970 118 252 w: www.coco-design.co.uk Cocoon t: 07966 197 634 w: www.cocoondesign.co.uk Lucy Properties Ian Ashcroft Managing Director t: 01865 559973 w: www.lucyproperties.co.uk Marriotts t: 01865 316311 w: www.marriottsoxford.co.uk

LETTING AGENTS Breckon and Breckon Greg Barnes Director t: 01865 201111 w: www.breckon.co.uk Finders Keepers Frank Webster Director

Chris Lewis Fire & Security Chris Lewis Managing Director t: 01865 782444 w: www.chrislewisfs.co.uk frontdoorz Sonia Kearns Director

Cockadoo t: 01865 341030 w: www.cockadoo.co.uk Browns t: 01865 511995 w: www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

t: 01865 339444 w: www.frontdoorz.co.uk The Homebuyer Centre t: 01865 589 529 w:www.thehomebuyercentre.com

R&R ACCOMMODATION Macdonald Randolph Hotel Michael Grange General Manager t: 0844 879 9132 w: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk Ethos Hotel Simon Walshaw Co Managing Director

RENTAL ACCOMMODATION Lower Mill Estate t: 01285 869489 w: www.lowermillestate.com

ARTISTIC AND CULTURAL Henley Festival t: 01491 843400 w: www.henley-festival.co.uk Oxford Playhouse Michelle Dickson Director t: 01865 305313 w: www.oxfordplayhouse.com

t: 01865 245800 w: www.ethoshotels.com

Oxford Philomusica t: 07775 904626 w: www.oxfordphil.com

Apartments in Oxford t: 01865 254000 w: www.oxstay.co.uk

Orchestra St John e: orchestra@osj.org.uk w: www.osj.org.uk

The Royal Oxford Hotel Tom Crampton-Smith Owner

GALLERIES

t: 01865 248432 w: www.royaloxfordhotel.co.uk

Wiseman Gallery Sarah Wiseman Owner

t: 01865 302308 w: www.finders.co.uk

Westwood Hotel t: 01865 735408 w: www.westwoodhotel.co.uk

t: 01865 515123 w: www.wisegal.com

Intelligent Property t: 01865 920107 w: www.intelligent-property.co.uk

The Burlington House t: 01865 513513 w: www.burlington-house/.co.uk

CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT

Kemp and Kemp t: 01865 510000 w: www.kempandkemp.co.uk

Conifers Guest House t: 01865 763055 w: www.conifersguesthouse.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

Sam Strange Magic Sam Strange Owner t: 01865 742211 w: www.samstrangemagic.co.uk

143

Promoting your business Working life is stressful enough without worrying about print deadlines and the quality of your company brochures. We know how important it is that your publications are of the highest quality.

Getting everything right takes technical know-how, careful planning and a flair for logistics. After 30 years in the business, these are skills that are second nature to us.

Experienced staff, tried-and-tested production processes and investment in up-to-theminute technology all ensure we deliver an end-product you can be proud of.

So relax. Whether it’s a print run of 100 or 100,000, you can rely on us to deliver, to time and to spec – every time. Take the easy option and give us a call.

Litho Print

Digital Print

•

•

Large Format Print Banbury Litho Ltd., Unit 1 Vantage Business Park, Wykham Mill, Bloxham Road, Bloxham, Banbury, OX16 9UX

The colour print supplier of choice

Tel: 01295 220 488 www.banburylitho.co.uk

Debt Recovery Does your company or business have any bad debts up to six years old?

If so, contact Oxfordshire’s leading Debt Recovery Company today!

Total Credit Management offers debt collection services on a strictly no collection no fee basis

Contact us today for free advice

s Staff training in credit management

07970 871353 01993 832266 clive@totalcreditmanagement.co.uk

Credit

total

s Outsourced credit control services

s Debt recovery on a no collection no fee basis s Tracing services

Management

Member of the Institute of Credit Management Holders of an Office of Fair Trading Licence

www.totalcreditmanagement.co.uk

HeZcY^c\ bdcZn dc EG ^h V XebZ hiZe# BV`Z hjgZ ndj \Zi i]Z g^\]i gZijgc dc ndjg ^ckZhibZci ^c EG

Id I]Z Ed^ci EG ^h V higViZ\^X Xdbbjc^XVi^dch V\ZcXn l]^X] heZX^Va^hZh ^c EG XVbeV^\ch [dg HB:h VcY lZaa [jcYZY hiVgi"jeh#

LZ ]VkZ V higV^\]i [dglVgY! igVcheVgZci! VXXdjciVWaZ VeegdVX] id EG# LZ WZa^ZkZ Xa^Zcih cZZY id hZZ kVajZ [dg bdcZn# Djg gZXdgY h]dlh lZ XVc YZa^kZg dc i]^h Xdbb^ibZci#

Djg \dVa ^h id \Zi djg Xa^Zcih i]Z g^\]i XdkZgV\Z ^c i]Z g^\]i bZY^V# LZ ZchjgZ djg Xa^Zcih WZXdbZ i]Z hidgn i]Vi _djgcVa^hih lVci id iZaa#

Id I]Z Ed^ci EG/ H^beaZ VcY Z[[ZXi^kZ EG#

Id ]ZVg bdgZ VWdji i]Z lVn lZ XVc eaVc VcY ZmZXjiZ V EG XVbeV^\c [dg ndj VcY id aZVgc VWdji djg XdbeZi^i^kZ eVnbZci higjXijgZ XVaa/

&.*+ &++ /,/, dg k^h^i djg lZWh^iZ/ mmm$jej^[fe_djfh$Yec

B4 Contacts ENTERTAINMENT Pegasus Theatre Dominique Cadiou Development Director t: 01865 812160 w: www.pegasustheatre.org.uk

FOOD & DRINK SUPPLIES LM Champagne t: 07919 133476 w: www.LMchampagne.co.uk

RESTAURANTS 4500 MIles From Delhi Nav Kandola Owner t: 01865 244 922 w: www.milesfromdelhi.com/oxford Cherwell Boathouse Restaurant t: 01865 552 746 w: www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk Le Manoir t: 01844 278881 w: www.manoir.com Saffron t: 01865 512211 w: www.saffronrestaurantoxford.co.uk The Mission Mexican Grill Jan Rasmussen Owner t: 01865 202016 w: www.missionburritos.co.uk Old Swan & Minster Mill t: 01993 774441 w: www.www.oldswanandminstermill.com Adlestrop Kitchen t: 01608 658 070

RETAIL SHOPPING University of Oxford Shop t: 01865 247414 w: www.oushop.com

Bicester Village t: 01869 323200 w: www.bicestervillage.com Witney Shopping t: 01865 742211 w: www.witneyshopping.co.uk

WHY NOT JOIN THEM? 300 members and rising.

Walton Street Cycles t: 01865 311610 w: www.spoke.co.uk

MOTOR Chrysler, Jeep & Dodge t: 01865 376000 w: www.chrysleroxford.co.uk

Become a B4 Member or Ambassador and in return, we’ll give you: • Presence in the B4 online and magazine directories • Access to the B4 site to upload unlimited press releases, event details, offers and jobs • Invites to the last B4 Ambassador Event in 2011 at: The Experience Centre at Miele Memberships for just £250+VAT per annum for companies with up to five employees*

It’ll be the smartest move you’ve made this year! see www.b4-business.com for full details NOW!

B4 Is Designed by

E-mail: studio@on-the-blink.com Telephone: 01865 742211

www.b4-business.com

*rates increase as employee numbers increase: 6 – 20 employees £375+VAT, 21 – 50 £500+VAT, 51 – 100 £900+VAT, 100+ £1200+VAT Ambassador rate £500+VAT per annum.

Please call us for Platinum Ambassador rate details. VAT at 20%.

Tel: 01865 742211.

145

Meetings bbyy the hour fr om from just £25

Your Y our Ev Event, ent, Y Your our Way Way stand that there is no such thing as a standard ev ent.

At Four Pillar Pillarss Hotels, w wee under understand event. ou – a meetings, conf conferences erences and ev ents offer off ering that we’ve You events offering So w e’ve created Meetings Four Y can be tailored to suit yyou. ou.

T akee , ffor ak or instance perfect when yyou Take, instance,, our meetings b byy the hour option – perfect ou simpl simplyy need a meeting room that’s that’s fully-equipped fully-equipped and con convenient, venient, b but ut without breaking the bank.

Star Startt with the basic package then add whatev whatever er yyou ou like like from our rrange ange of optional extr extras. as. shire and the Cotsw With vvenues enues in Oxfordshire Oxf Oxfordshire, ordshire, Gloucester Gloucestershire Cotswolds olds ranging ranging from a contempor ar y lakeside lakeside resor ty in a pr ime Oxford Oxford city location, there is contemporary resortt to a proper property prime bound to be something to suit yyour our taste and b udget. budget.

For more infor inf ormation, visit information,

www.meetingsfouryou.co.uk www.meetingsf www .meetingsfour .meetingsf our you.co.uk or call 0845 600 70 71

W Which hich o off these these two two w will ill help help y you ou get get to the the top top of of Google?

Google?

Answer? o odmtips.com/b4-baby dmtips.com/b4-baby

Oxford Digital Marketing Internet Internet Marketing Marketing Training Training & Coaching Coaching

01865 57 59 55

Coming Soon

B4 HANDBOOKS UNIQUE ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Inside this issue of B4 Magazine you will find our first B4 Handbook, Oxfordshire Venues 2011. This is the first of a series of Handbooks to help you find the right contacts for your business, venue for an office celebration or education for your children.

Forthcoming Handbooks for 2011/12 include: Oxfordshire Who’s Who, Oxfordshire Education 2012 and the return of our invaluable Celebrations guide.

Contact us now for unique advertising opportunities.

CONTACT US E editorial@b4-business.com T 01865 742 211

Don’t Miss Out!

BES T

D AN

TIC APPLIANC EB MES R DO

which.co.uk

AWA R DS 2010

German quality, style and expertise.

Oxfordshire address.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to buy a domestic appliance or planning a new kitchen, visit the Miele Experience Centre in Abingdon.

Try out our entire range and experience the quality and style that epitomises Miele.

And as well as great product advice we also run cookery demonstrations and courses to help you get the most out of your Miele or learn new culinary skills.

For more information or to book an appointment please call 0845 365 6610 or visit www.miele.co.uk/showrooms Experience Centre Abingdon, Fairacres, Marcham Road, Abingdon OX14 1TW

Win a Miele Steam Oven www.miele.co.uk/draw

FOREVER BETTER