B4 issue 46 by B4 Magazine

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’s s re es hi in K ds us e E 24 or B in LIN xf g az OFF O din ag N & a M HIP O Le RS

B4 MAGAZINE I S S U E 4 6 M A R C H 2 0 1 7

HUSSAIN MANAWER B4 meets this exceptional young poet, activist, and soon to be astronaut to talk World Records and values.

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Deliciously Different GORGEOUS MENU AVAILABLE

MAIN BBQ Garlic and herb marinated chicken breast with classic Caesar salad Peppered sirloin steak with super food salad of quinoa, broad beans, peas, kale and mixed seeds Chermoula marinated salmon steak with heritage tomato taboulleh Harissa, Halloumi and Mediterranean vegetable kebab (V) with taboulleh

BURGER BBQ Venison and apple burger, brioche bun, mixed salad and slaw Kids beef burger, brioche bun, mixed salad and ketchup

BURRITOS

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Vegetable, rice, beans and tomato salsa

AFTERNOON TEA Homemade fruit scone with jam, clotted cream and cup of tea

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OPEN DAY SUNDAY 30TH APRIL 2017 Kirtlington Park Polo Club, Gate 1 Akeman Street, Kirtlington, OXON, OX5 3JQ

1.30pm – 2.00pm KIDS POLO MATCH 2.00pm – 3.00pm DHE 12 GOAL FINAL 3.00pm – 3.30pm

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www.b4-business.com Contacts If you want to contact B4 Magazine Telephone: 01865 742 211 info@b4-business.com Publisher B4 Magazine is published by Designs On Ltd, PO Box 388, Kidlington, OX5 9EH Chairman Colin Rosser colin@b4-business.com Editor Richard Rosser editorial@b4-business.com Art Editor Keith Simpson studio@hothdesign.co.uk Assistant Editor Lorna Dodson assistanteditor@b4-business.com B4 Events events@b4-business.com Editorial contributors Olivia Lane-Nott Claire Thompson Travel Editor David Gambier Photography/ Videography Rob Scotcher Studio Photography Studio8 Telephone: 01865 842525 Subscriptions For free Subscription, please contact: Telephone: 01865 742 211 info@b4-business.com Each business with an Oxfordshire, Berkshire or Buckinghamshire postcode is entitled to one free copy per issue. For additional copies and for businesses outside of the three counties, there is an annual subscription charge of £25.

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welcome to B4 46 Welcome to a bumper edition of B4 with bags of great content for you to digest. Our lead article features Aaron Rudman-Hawkins of The Evergreen Agency who introduces us to his unique Search Engine Optimisation online video training course. SEO is a tricky art to master for the best of businesses so for Aaron to painstakingly develop this fantastic online course will be a godsend for many of you. You can also catch Aaron at Business in Oxford 2017 on May 11th. On the subject of BIO2017, we also feature another inspirational young man, Hussain Manawer, who is setting world records and will also be appearing at the event in May. BIO2017 is shaping up to be some event with over 600 delegates already booked in at time of going to press, the Wellness Area shaping up nicely and over 70 exhibitors and presenters already in place. Our friends at Oxford Bus Company and City Sightseeing have also come up trumps with bus services to and fron the venue. Make sure you clear the day because it’s a packed event with great networking opportunities throughout. We are making some changes at B4 in advance of our new website launching next month. We’ve never really tackled the key issues facing all businesses in Oxfordshire and our interview with Wenn Townsend’s Tony Haines, a long term supporter of B4, gave us the opportunity to start the ball rolling as Tony gives his opinion on some of the topics B4 will be tackling in the future. We are also recruiting B4 Ambassadors to help by giving their opinion on subjects such as transport and housing – see page 106 – and their collective voice will be reported on in future issues. Elsewhere in B4, Shaw Gibbs tell us why they are perfectly placed to advise international businesses, Wendy Hart of Grant Thornton talks about Value Maximisation and Gary Hunt of Focus assesses just how sexy pensions are! Unipart look to the future with their focus on digital technology and we feature Robert Peston’s attempt to sing Bohemian Rhapsody! We’ve had great support at B4 from Alison Haill of Oxford Professional Consulting and in this issue we get feedback from the team on the benefits Alison has brough to B4. We have our own contribution from Senior Designer, Keith Simpson, who gives ‘A Guide to Resolution’ and explains why we need your best pictures to make B4 sparkle! There are features on our first Platinum Dinner at Belmond Le Manoir, our B4 Classic Event at St Anne’s College in association with Conference Oxford and the first of our Travel Features with new Travel Writer, David Gambier.

Richard Rosser Editor

Richard is running the 2017 London Marathon in aid of Helen & Douglas House

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Meet the Writers

64-77. BIO Interviews Written by Abi Rosser

55. College & County Written by Mark Crampton Smith

88. House on the Hill Written by Keith Simpson

Sponsor him here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/richardrosser

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About B 4 Magazine B4 Magazine was established to provide Thames Valley businesses with a clear voice to raise their profile and to help businesses connect. Direct mailed to nine thousand business decision makers in once every two months, B4 is regarded a leading free distribution business publication in the region. B4 stands for Building Bridges Between Business and that is what B4 helps businesses to do, aided by our first class website at www.b4-business.com, monthly B4 Classic and Masterclass Events. B4 is funded by paid for display advertising and editorial. Underpinning B4 is a membership of over 600 of the Thames Valley’s leading businesses.

64-77. BIO Interviews Written by Rowan Ellett

news

legal

12 B4 News: Latest news from the B4 Network 15 IOG News: Latest news from the In Oxford Group

26 Breaking Up: Knights discuss how you can maintain a profitable business during a divorce. 30 Avoid an Expensive Divorce: Freeths take a look at why Mediation, Collaborative Law, and Arbitration are useful in smoothing the process.

lead

property 48 Census Data and the Property Market: Andy Williams of Carter Jonas explains why new detailed data is vital and how best to understand it. 51 Core Renovations: This new property renovations services has quality at it’s core Read on to find out more. 52 VSL & Partners: Check out the latest commercial properties from VSL.

16 SEO Success: A unique Search Engine Optimisation online video training course brought to you by The Evergreen Academy

55 Lettings Business: College & County explain why an ethical approach always wins over chasing short term profit.

venues 56 Newbury Racecourse: This popular racecourse announces new exciting hospitality options for 2017

finance advice 21

When People Collide: ACAS provide some value advice to employers and employees regarding workplace relationships and laws

23 Brand Voice: Haiku Consulting talk to us about how to find the voice for your brand that people will want to listen to. 25 Apprenticeships - Cost or Opportunity?: EY think about apprenticeships and the 3 imperatives which they have seen across businesses.

33 Advising International Businesses: Shaw Gibbs talk joining DFK International, expansions and global reaching expertise. 34 Wenn Townsend Accountants: B4 talks to Tony Haines about the cost of housing, the stresses of work and the changing world of banking. 38 More Than Just a Transaction: Grant Thornton discuss why ‘value maximisation’ is increasingly the focus for their growing advisory team. 41 Salary or Dividend?: Great advice from The M Group on which option is right for you and your business.

spotlight 79 Memories of 333?: Work has started on 333 Banbury Road, soon to become a new Sixth Form site for d’Overbroeck’s school.

42 Are Pensions Sexy?: FOCUS LLP talk about how pensions are being reinvented following the nightmare that was the ‘noughties’.

80 Unipart Goes Digital: As revenue and profits rise, the international logistics group has turned its attention to new technologies.

45 Manage Your Business Finances: Wellers Accountants give us some great advice on credit control, working capital, and dealing with late payments

82 Hussain Manawer: B4’s Richard Rosser met with this exceptional young poet, activist and astronaut to talk World Records and causes.

B4 contents 84 Coaching B4: The B4 team experiences first hand the enlightening talents of Alison Haill of Oxford Professional Consulting. 86 O X C: We meet with Founder Ed Rosser to introduce this exciting new Community for Young Creatives.

marketing 88 Resolution Resolved!: House on the Hill takes us through what photo resolution means and why it is so important for print.

99 Bike Oxford: Bike Oxford is a day of marked rides of 25, 50 and 80 miles starting and finishing at Oxford University Rugby Club.

health 100 Fit 4 Business: See where the B4 team are 2 months after introducing their “90-day challenge” plans last issue. 103 Prime Energy Fitness: B4 talks to Barry Grinham about this long-established and well-loved coaching and training business. 104 Prevention, Not Cure: B4’s Richard Rosser tells us about Jo O’Donovan’s sports massage service and how it can benefit athletes.

charity 107 Raising Awareness for Bloodwise: Find out how you can help raise awareness for Bloodwise and the great work that they do.

services 114 £2m of Support for Businesses: If you are a business owner or have a business idea you can access free support via Oxfordshire Business Support. 116 Facilities Management: Find out how Aston & James can save you money and enhance the service levels you are currently receiving.

corp. life 118 B4 Travel: Get the latest travel news from our new Travel Editor, David Gambier of Great Experience Travel. 120 B4 Travel: 48 Hours in... Madrid!: Richard Rosser gives us the low-down on what you can experience in Madrid in just 48 hours. 123 Group Offers at Bodleian Library: The Old Bodleian library launches its Group Offer to the Travel Trade. 124 Art at Work: Wiseman Gallery discusses the advantages of purchasing art for your business.

events 59 Business In Oxford 2017: Check out the latest news and interviews for this year’s event. 91

Oxfordshire’s Cultural Platform: Robert Peston, political editor of ITV News, appeared as a special guest speaker this event - Read on for more info.

csr 109 Give, Not Get: Read about Reciprocate’s new challenge to the business community.

it & comms

92 B4 Platinum Event at Belmond Le Manoir: Platinum Members experienced anevening of fine food in fine company, including World-famous chef Raymond Blanc.

110 The Private Cloud: CIS talk about the top 4 reasons your business should move to private cloud hosting.

94 B4 Classic Event at St Anne’s: Read our recap of this great event co-hosted by Conference Oxford.

97 Coming Up at Belmond Le Manoir: Check out the latest great events coming up at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

113 It’s All About... You!: You HR Consultancy recognise that your staff are your greatest asset and are pushing the boundaries of HR solutions.

127 Who Stole Banbury Road?: Introducing a brand new novel from Roger Watts: The Thieves Turnpike - A tale of corruption in Georgian England. 128 Aidan Meller Galleries: Read about this exceptional gallery on Turl Street in Oxford, featuring works from the likes of Warhol and Picasso. 130 Cook, Eat, Sleep, Le Manoir: Richard Rosser reviews his experience at Belmond Le Manoir including cooking in their own kitchen. 133 The Snooty Mehmaan: B4’s Matt Wright reviews this popular Asian restaurant in Oxford.

B4 Club Member's 135 Contacts 141

Seasonal Suppers with Passion for Food Event Caterers Passion for Food are gearing up for a busy wedding season, providing their culinary expertise in beautiful homes and venues across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. Philip Baker, Managing Director at Passion for Food, is delighted to announce that he will be joining forces again with Cate and George Bennett at Sandy Lane Farm in Tiddington, to offer the successful local ‘pop up’ Seasonal Supper after its success last year. A combination of freshly harvested organic vegetables, free-range, slow reared meat from the

farm and delicious seasonal three course menus created by the team at Passion for Food, offers customers a real treat, in the relaxed surroundings of the ancient threshing barn of Sandy Lane Farm. The first seasonal supper kicks off on Friday 12th May, tickets are available from Sandy Lane Farm. If you need a caterer for your wedding, canapé reception or corporate event, get in touch with the team at Passion for Food, you will not be disappointed. www.passion-for-food.co.uk

Seymour Taylor Celebrates 100 Years in Business One of the leading Thames Valley accountancy firms based in High Wycombe, Seymour Taylor, celebrates their Centenary this year. Seymour Taylor provide a full range of accountancy and business services and pride themselves on maintaining long term relationships with their clients. Central to this is the ‘Excellent Client Service’ which has always been at the heart of their business to help clients create and conserve their wealth. Seymour Taylor are also a member of MGI Worldwide, a top 20 international accounting network of independent audit, tax and accounting firms, which brings together the expertise of some 5,000 professionals in over 260 locations around the world. This membership enables them to keep abreast of important new developments, whilst

providing a seamless international service to clients looking for support abroad. It is an exciting year ahead for Seymour Taylor and a number of activities have been developed by the business to celebrate this important milestone. For their Centenary campaign Seymour Taylor are supporting local projects in the community as well as raising much needed funds for charities both locally and nationally. In January they launched two initiatives; delivering a minimum of 100 hours of corporate social responsibility and to raise £10,000 for charity. These initiatives will run alongside advertising, PR and social media.

year and are proud of all we have achieved so far as a business. Supporting charitable causes has always been important to us at Seymour Taylor but this year we felt we wanted to set ourselves an even bigger challenge for all of the team to get behind. We are looking forward to the different charity events and supporting the local community with CSR initiatives as well as celebrating our Centenary year”

Simon Turner Managing Director of Seymour Taylor said “We are really excited about our Centenary

www.stca.co.uk

Hop, Skip and a Putt to Stoke Park! Set within 300 acres of stunning parkland and only a short drive from London and Heathrow Airport sits the multi award winning Stoke Park. With over 1000 years of history (including incredible movie moments, think Goldfinger, Layer Cake and Bridget Jones’s Diary) Stoke Park provides a one stop solution to all your conference needs. Or if you fancy an incredible day out for your corporate golf day, Stoke Park provides a breathtaking back drop! Setting of the iconic golf battle between Sean

Connery’s James Bond and Goldfinger, the famous Harry Colt designed course at Stoke Park has just undergone a full bunker refurbishment, which has been widely praised by our members, guests and the media. At Stoke Park we pride ourselves on offering world class service, facilities and hospitality, in a stunning setting. For more information about events at Stoke Park please contact the team on 01753 71 71 71 sales@stokepark.com www.stokepark.com

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B4 Network news Complete Catering Based in the heart Ardington in Oxfordshire, our passionate team hold over 30 years in collective experience. Founded by Director Jonathon Krupnik-Kay and Executive Chef Simon Coomber, with recent success expanding the team with Events Manager Emily Smith. The company ethos is simple, freshly made food with locally sourced ingredients plated to perfection. Complete began the year with transforming the website, including fresh exciting menus and a

bespoke wine list thanks to The Oxford Wine Company. Venues Complete have had the privilege to work in include; The Connaught Rooms, De Vere listed properties, The Foreign Office and Worton Park. This year the team have had the pleasure of working with Oxford United Football team, Marshalls Jaguar Land Rover and Jack FM. “Our experience of Complete has always been

nothing short of excellent. They understand all elements of our event requirements and that turns into exceptional results.” Jack FM, February 2017 www.completecatering.co.uk

Experience Oxfordshire welcome newly refurbished Jurys Inn Oxford as partners city centre, has recently received a £10.8m refurbishment. With 240 stylish rooms, and 20 meetings and events rooms, Jurys Inn Oxford offers perfect facilities for overnight stays in the area, as well as for hosting any future events. Experience Oxfordshire, the Destination Management Organisation for the county, is now working with Jurys Inn Oxford to promote the hotel to the leisure and conference market. Jurys Inn Oxford, just a stone’s throw from Oxford

Julia Cook, Director of Sales at the Jurys Inn Oxford says “We are delighted to be partnered with Experience Oxfordshire, we look forward to showcasing our fantastic newly refurbished hotel and conference venue to all the many business

users both locally and further afield. We have spent over £11 million pound transforming the hotel: ‘Built to last and here to stay’” Jurys Inn joins a growing network of companies working together with Experience Oxfordshire to promote the county and grow and develop the visitor economy. www.experienceoxfordshire.org www.jurysinns.com/hotels/oxford

Run for Fun or run for charity at the Blenheim 7k Freeths solicitors are throwing down the gauntlet in competition for trophies at this year’s Blenheim 7k on 7 May. Sarah Foster, Managing Partner said: “As Oxford’s leading law firm, we’re proud to be the headline sponsor of the Blenheim 7k fun run for the fifth year running. This event is a real family affair (involving also a junior 1 mile run and a 4 mile wheelchair and buggy event) and raises much needed funds

for many local and national charities including Helen and Douglas House, Sobell House, Myeloma UK and SIA to name a few. We will also have staff running on the day in support of our firm’s nominated charity, the Alzheimer’s Society. Our involvement in helping such important causes is just one of the many reasons why we were recently ranked in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to work for. We wish all runners the best of luck on race day!”

Individuals and teams of runners of all ages and abilities can run for fun or choose their own charity to support. To enter and for details see www. blenheim7k.co.uk

2017 Oxford Trust Enterprise Awards

Lady Audrey Wood presents Innovation Award to Adaptix

The Oxford Trust’s annual Enterprise Awards recognise and celebrate the breadth of innovative companies and science entrepreneurs working

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in Oxfordshire. The 2017 event, which is run in partnership with Venturefest Oxford, will take place on 20th June at The King’s Centre, Oxford.

organisation that has spotted a gap in the market and created a new product (digital, life sciences or hard-tech) that benefits society and the economy.

The award categories are: Barclays Award for Innovation; Triteq Young Entrepreneur Award; and the Marks & Clark Best Tech Pitch. The Oxford Trust also presents a Lifetime Achievement Award. Given by Sir Martin and Lady (Audrey) Wood, founders of the Trust, it celebrates an entrepreneur who has had a major impact on science and enterprise.

Last year’s winners were Adaptix – who developed a portable x-ray machine that is transforming medical scanning globally. If you’d like to nominate your business for the Barclays Award for Innovation please email info@scienceoxford.com for an application form. www.theoxfordtrust.co.uk

The Barclays Award for Innovation is given to an

B4 Network news FREE Travel to BIO2017 We are happy to announce that Oxford Bus Company and City Sightseeing Oxford will be running complimentary bus services for Business In Oxford on the day of the event, Thursday 11th May 2017. With Oxford Bus Company travelling from Seacourt Park & Ride to The King’s Centre and City Sightseeing Oxford travelling from Oxford’s Railway station to The King’s Centre, it couldn’t be easier to get to this year’s “must-attend” business showcase and networking event. See timetable on page 78. Tickets are selling fast for BIO2017 so visit the website below to book yours today! See more information on www.businessinoxford.com

Great Britain’s finest young concierge puts on a great show Randolph Hotel’s Head Concierge, William Thomson, attended the 64th International UICH Annual Concierge Congress in Berlin in March, representing Great Britain in the Marjorie Silverman Award. This was a fantastic achievement in itself and although William, despite a hilarious entry video and infectious personality, didn’t win, he made the most of the trip. “The event was amazing and the networking of old and new friends was priceless. I managed to connect with over 700 fabulous concierge from around the world and the educational day was outstanding. William had the great pleasure of meeting Michael Romei who introduced the educational day ‘Creating Service Magic’ and William said that if he could bottle up Michael’s motivational voice it would be priceless. A big thank you to Thomas Munko of the Ritz Carlton, Berlin and the whole German section for executing the most amazing, historical, multicultural, informative and exceptional congress in Berlin. One of William’s highlights was watching the very well produced

documentary “Service through friendship” which was produced by two very talented individuals, director Claudia Hendricks and producer Jesse Van den Broek. He mentioned that the documentary conveyed exactly what we as a family strive for in life to make a change to peoples’ lives through ‘Service through Friendship’. The documentary featured three amazing concierges with different stories and lifestyles who are dedicated in making change whatever it takes. William admits that Anna Endrihovskaia from the new MOSS Boutique hotel, Moscow will be forever in his heart and looks forward to working with Anna to help enhance the educational aspect of Les Clefs d’Or international in the future. A massive ‘Thank You’ to my amazing General Manager, Mr Michael Grange, who nominated me for the ‘Young Concierge of the Year Award’; my inspirational President of the Les Clefs d’Or Great Britain; Mr Antony Lynch of the Hilton London Kensington; and all the members of the Great Britain section for all their support whilst preparing for the Marjorie Silverman Award.

Congratulations to Mr Simon Thomas, the Head Concierge from The Lanesborough Hotel, London who became the International President of Les Clef d’Or. A massive achievement and very well deserved. William will continue his building of connections to Oxford with the rest of the world and would encourage any concierge with guests visiting Great Britain and Oxford to get in touch with him and the team at the ‘Grand old lady’ the Macdonald Randolph Hotel.

Rowan’s Work Experience at B4

Thanks to Rowan Ellett for his help with this edition of B4. Rowan came on board for some work experience through an introduction from B4 member Claire Harvey at Pierre Victoire. Rowan and his mum Lisa conducted a review

for our sister publication, Living in Oxford, of Pierre Victoire as well as transcribing a lot of the Business in Oxford video interviews for this edition of the magazine. Rowan is currently finishing two years at college, after studying Journalism in the first year and is now close to completing the Creative Media Production course. Recently he has been applying for University to study Journalism. Rowan has chosen Falmouth as his first choice and hopes to have the opportunity to study there because he feels it would be a great place to be at University. He hopes to get

his name published one day. So what insight did Rowan’s experience give him into the world of publishing? “It has made me realise that there is a lot of admin work within this industry. I think this is useful to know because it tells you that you can’t just start at the top, but that you have to work your way up the ladder. This applies to any job, and I think a lot of people who forget about that and think they can just sail into a position when they actually have no experience in the area. There are no short-circuits.”

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IOG news New Members! We would like to welcome the following new members to the B4 network and thank all of our current members for their continued support: MEPC & Henry Stone Ltd. Some great new names to connect with and strengthen the B4 network. With some great events in 2017 and a great new B4 website to help you connect with the network, why not connect today? please call the office on 01865 742 211 for more details.

Business In Oxford 2017 Over 500 delegates have already booked in to attend and we confidently expect as many as 1,000 registered delegates by the time of the event on May 11th. Visit: www.businessinoxford.com for more information or to book your place. Use code BIO2017Freebie for your free ticket – please note free ticket offer expires on 24th March. Oxfordshire’s biggest business networking showcase. Connect with some of the county’s leading businesses and business leaders.

A Night to Remember Our inaugural B4 Platinum Dinner took place at the fabulous Belmond Le Manoir on 22nd February. Guests were treated to a champagne reception in the beautiful La Belle Époque conservatory and a surprise appearance by Michelin Star Chef, Raymond Blanc. The group of 40 Platinum Members then enjoyed a four course meal with sommelier selected wines, followed by coffee and Petits Fours. If you would like to become a B4 Platinum Member, please call the office on 01865 742 211 for more details.

Living In Oxford Awards We are proud to announce that the popular LIO Awards are returning this year. The Awards showcase Oxfordshire’s favourite businesses, with votes cast by the general public. The event will take place in November or December this year. Secure excellent profile for your business and the opportunity to win an Award – great profile for you beyond the Awards. To get involved call us today on 01865 742211.

B4 Platinum Event at Newbury Racecourse One of our most popular B4 Classic Events is back. On June 29th we will be returning to Newbury for an afternoon of racing and generally being spoilt by our fantastic hosts, Newbury Racecourse. Newbury are also on board as one of our growing band of B4 Platinum Members! To book your place, e-mail events@b4-business.com today! Please note this event is open to Platinum Members only (1 seat per Platinum Member) – non members can attend subject to a charge of £150+VAT.

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The Evergreen Academy SEO Success – A unique Search Engine Optimisation online video training course for small businesses, start-ups, independent companies and those looking to take back control of their business destiny. WRITTEN BY: AARON RUDMAN-HAWKINS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: THE EVERGREEN ACADEMY

It was a cold and wet afternoon in late October 2016, it was dark outside and I was just packing up to head home after a busy day running my digital marketing agency – The Evergreen Agency in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The phone rang, it was a new business enquiry, a lady by the name of Judy who runs a small business in the Thames Valley; she had just launched her company and was desperate to get her business seen on Google and for some enquiries to start rolling in. We spoke for twenty minutes or so; she told me all about her business, who her target customers were, what her unique selling point was. I then explained my approach to search engine optimisation to help and support small businesses like hers. I went into some detail about what is required; that you cannot expect results overnight and for any business to succeed online you must deserve to rank, and that accomplishing this is done with great content marketing and brand amplification. Judy was loving what I was saying and told me how refreshing it was to have someone be straight and honest, not to over-promise or try and baffle her with technical jargon that she didn’t understand. However, then came the crunch question, budget! Good quality SEO takes time and resources therefore a budget is something we need to establish early 16

in the conversation so both parties know what is feasible and achievable. Judy had no idea what SEO cost; so I gave her a few hypothetical scenarios and she was honest with me and said being a small business start-up there was no way she could afford the figures that would be required. She thanked me for my time and with that the call ended.

got me thinking, “ Itcould I create something better to respond to this evident customer need

”

Aaron Rudman-Hawkins, The Evergreen Academy

Off home I went; all evening I had a niggling feeling, about Judy and her predicament, what options did she have to get her business out there? She didn’t have the budget to work with my agency and - even though I am one of the more cost-effective SEO agencies in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley - so that pretty much ruled out that option. Maybe she could go down the freelancer route, often that is cheaper but you get no security and

you have to ask if you would you really trust your businesses livelihood to someone you don’t know from one of these “cheap” freelancer’s websites. I pondered, I wondered what resources exist online that could help Judy and others like her. That evening I sat in bed at my laptop scouring the Internet looking for viable options for self-learning. I discovered lots of out-dated and cheap courses that made outlandish promises about being at the top of Google overnight and many over-hyped paid guides that were all talk and ultimately no action. There is of course lots of information freely available on the Internet about SEO, but would Judy have any idea where to start, how would she know what was accurate vs. what was rubbish? No, that won’t work I thought. The only semi-viable options I stumbled across were paid day seminar type training sessions in London that taught you a part of SEO; they weren’t cheap averaging more than £400 per day in most cases, and anyway how realistic is it to take a day or multiple days out of running your business to trek all the way into London for a day’s SEO course. It got me thinking, could I create something better to respond to this evident customer need and help Judy as well as many others like her? Over the coming weeks, I was like a man possessed, constantly scribbling down notes, ideas and concepts, www.b4-business.com

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the coming weeks, I was “likeOver a man possessed, constantly scribbling down notes, ideas and concepts, listing everything small businesses, independents and start-ups need to know and do to succeed online if budget wasn’t a concern

”

Aaron Rudman-Hawkins, The Evergreen Academy

listing everything small businesses, independents and start-ups need to know and do to succeed online if budget wasn’t a concern. I mapped out the entire journey I would take one of my agency clients through from getting started to establishing their brand online, then onto content marketing and promotion. Effectively, all the key ingredients required that I would implement for a business paying my agency upwards of £12,000 per year. I have had great success over many years helping dozens of small businesses in the UK, United States and Australia reach the very top of Google so I knew what I was mapping out would lead to SEO Success regardless of the business type or industry. With the idea, firmly in my mind and mapped out on my massive whiteboard, I set to work…

Allow me to introduce:

SEO Success Online Video Training Course by The Evergreen Academy SEO Success is an easy-to-understand online video training course for small businesses that is the culmination of quite literally everything I know about SEO. With 20+ lessons across five modules it takes any business, independent company, start-up or marketer from the very start of their SEO campaign to SEO Success. I ensured that everything I was writing and recording was jargon-free and prepared, for the most-part, without any sophisticated marketing tools as I knew people like Judy wouldn’t have access to the various SEO tools a professional marketer like myself would use daily. During the five months it took me to write and record everything a small business needs to know to succeed online, I spoke with Judy on a number of occasions. Once I had mapped out the idea I told her what I was planning and that she was the true inspiration for it. She was thrilled and said she couldn’t wait to sign up once the course was available. We agreed that small businesses simply want to know how to get their business seen on Google, they want to learn and educate themselves as to best practice and, crucially have someone they can trust and turn to for that re-assurance and support as they learn. They want all that, without it costing them thousands of pounds every month. So, that was my task and I was determined to create the perfect solution for business owners so they could take back control of their business destiny and keep their hand-earned profits in their pocket each month.

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COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION NO SET UP COSTS NO RETAINER NO CONTRACT

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I truly believe “ that self-learning is the future of SEO for small businesses

”

Aaron Rudman-Hawkins, The Evergreen Academy

Join now by visiting: TheEvergreenAcademy.co.uk The SEO Success online video training course has the following embedded support: • 12-weeks agency email support direct with me as you work through the course material; • Lifetime access to our members-only Facebook group for on-going community support; • A 60 minute 1-2-1 consulting session with me to discuss any aspect of your online business, • Facebook Live updates and videos to keep you up to date with the latest SEO changes. The SEO Success training course is not only the most detailed and thorough SEO course for small businesses that exists on the market today, but it is the only course that comes with free Agency expert support and updates, giving you, the customer the support and confidence you need to learn, take control and grow your business online. The above support is in addition to all the following that you receive when you become a member of SEO Success by The Evergreen Academy. • 20+ Expert lessons taught by me that covers everything you need to improve your SEO yourself; • Bonus material that shows you some advanced agency techniques relating to competitor; research, website speed optimisation and much more; • Lifetime access to the course material, • On-going course updates to ensure everything taught is always up to date

www.b4-business.com

Save Thousands of Pounds

Strictly limited spaces

I truly believe that self-learning is the future of SEO for small businesses as it has already become far too expensive for most business owners to afford and remain profitable.

Every Academy member gets a free 60-minute consulting call with me to discuss their online business and 12 weeks’ expert agency support via email when they sign up and because of this I have had to limit the number of spaces available.

So, if you want to stop paying thousands of pounds of your profits a year to an SEO or Digital Marketing Agency, then I want to personally invite you to join SEO Success by The Evergreen Academy. You can visit the website to learn more about the SEO Success training course and the Academy. On the website I have detailed all the modules and lessons that are included within the course so you can see the unparalleled value being provided. You will also see various examples that highlight my expertise and track-record; as stated above, I have personally helped dozens of small businesses go from nowhere to the very top of Google within my agency and SEO Success breaks down everything I did for those clients so you can do it to, only without the large invoice.

TheEvergreenAcademy.co.uk I will be exhibiting and presenting at the upcoming Business in Oxfordshire show on the 11th May, so please come and say hello, if you would like more information relating to SEO Success. Presentation time: 15:15 – 16:15 in the “Future of the Digital Economy Pod”

TheEvergreenAcademy.co.uk Are you wondering whatever happened to Judy? Well if you go onto the website you will find a video she kindly recorded for us talking about what happened once she got access to the SEO Success training course.

 support@theevergreenacademy.co.uk  theevergreenacademy.co.uk

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WHEN PEOPLE COLLIDE When objects collide, momentum can be lost. But what about when people collide? Written by: Lorraine Williamson – Acas South East Senior Adviser

When objects collide, momentum can be lost. But what about when people collide? Differences between individuals at work can lead to lack of focus on the job, grievances, absences, loss of valuable employees and sometimes Employment Tribunal claims. The cost in terms of time, money and stress on managers and employees is considerable. Conflict at work takes many forms. It may be that two workers simply don’t get on; or that an individual has a grievance against their manager. Conflict may take the form of rivalry between teams; or it may be apparent by the lack of trust and cooperation between large groups of employees and management. However, when objects collide, momentum isn’t always lost. The same can be said for workplace conflict. How we react to this “collision” often determines the outcome. We could fight - react in a challenging way which may include shouting and losing our temper. More commonly, we could take flight – turn our back on what’s going on and hoping it all goes away.

accept conflict is part and parcel of working life. But because we know there are different effective strategies and techniques that are needed to support you and your organisation.

About the author Lorraine is a Senior Acas Advisor with significant insight into transition and change related to productivity and business growth. As a qualified workplace mediator, Lorraine believes in a preventative approach and the implementation of timely interventions at key stages to achieve results.

About Acas Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law. We support good relationships between employers and employees which underpin business success. But when things go wrong we help by providing conciliation to resolve workplace problems. We also provide good value, high quality training and tailored advice to employers. Our expertise is based on millions of contacts with employers and employees each year.

Alternatively, we could freeze – we might begin to deal with the issue but things drift or become drawn out through indecision. So how do you manage conflict so that it has a positive rather than a negative impact on your workplace? Face it – approach the problem in a calm and rational way with a plan. Our free advice, conflict resolution and training services have supported thousands to effectively manage conflict. Not because we have any delusions about changing the nature of conflict – Acas research reveals that many organisations www.b4-business.com

 01252 360 701 Acas south east – arrange a free advisory visit

 0300 123 1100 Acas helpline – for free and impartial advice

 0300 123 1150 Acas customer services – training events enquiries

 www.acas.org.uk - help & advice for employers and employees

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“The voice, Afghan matchmakers say, is more than half of love”1. It opens the dance of conversation, invites affection and has the potential to join people in shared purpose and enduring closeness. All skilful brand guardians get this. If your brand understands its true purpose and communicates it with a voice people love to hear, chances are, you'll have great success. So how do great brand voices happen and what help is at hand if you feel that yours needs a few lessons? Some great brand voices, like Pavarotti, are born. They are the birth right of a powerful founder whose own voice, values and personality guide the company from the start. Think Glastonbury Festival - the unlikely creation of Somerset farmer Michael Eavis in 1970. Overcoming massive challenges, Eavis and Glastonbury have remained in meaningful dialogue with their audience, making ‘Glasto' a global super-brand. To quote Simon and Garfunkel, it's “still crazy, after all these years”. And cool. But what happens when you find yourself at the helm of an established business and you're not sure how it sounds? Are you really speaking your customers' language? Are you inviting their loyalty and affection through loveable voice - or twisting their arm with manipulation? These problems are typically given to brand and communications consultants (I'm one of them). Our job is researching customer motivations and competitor differences and coming up with ideas on how to position the brand. We must differentiate, speak clearly and be true to the brand's personality. Some of this work can be truly brilliant. But, as with much consultancy, it depends critically on the skill of the individual. As we all know from watching Mad Men, even Don Draper has his off days! And Don didn't have digital to deal with.

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Brand Voice and how to find one that people love to hear

Written by Joy Le Fevre, CEO Haiku Consulting Photography by: Claire Williams Photography

So, enter the new world of linguistics and neuroscience - powerful new tools in the treatment of brand voice. They are bringing emotional metrics into play, upping the chances of getting Don Draper at his best and turning good copywriters into great ones. Keen to stay ahead of the curve on all things word-smithery, Haiku Consulting have partnered with Linguabrand, one of the pioneers in this area.

HOW DOES IT WORK? Linguabrand have invented a word crunching robot called Bob. He's an incredibly sophisticated algorithmic linguistic programme who listens deeply to business conversations. He understands how brands are speaking, what customers are saying and feeling about them, and how this compares with rival voices. Linguabrand then uses all of Bob's listening metrics to create a powerful voice that speaks directly to customers' psychology. It is a double whammy - very clever listening which hears how specific targets are feeling and then the right language guaranteed to get a response. One of Bob's specialities is metaphors. They are the most powerful kind of language as they turn words into pictures and hit us subliminally. They are how our minds and language are wired up. Personifying and calling this software ‘Bob', we created a metaphor. Get the picture?

ABOUT HAIKU Haiku Consulting is a strategic consultancy which works with businesses and their leaders to define and communicate their central purpose. It works with analysts like Linguabrand to deliver state of the art insights in the development of high impact brand voice and communications programmes. Call Joy Le Fevre on 07885 066163 or contact her at joy@haiku.consulting to discuss your brand voice questions. 1

Roberts (2003) Shantaram

 joy@haiku.consulting  07885 066 163  www.haiku.consulting

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Tax Cost or Talent Opportunity: Think Again About Apprenticeships Our previous pieces have set out our point of view on Brexit as one of a series of change drivers and heightened interest in culture within the climate of uncertainty. As we have continued to talk to and work with clients across Oxford and the wider Thames Valley three imperatives continually arise. Written by: EY’s Oxfordshire team

1. Scientific collaboration – The need for Universities to have sustainable funding models for research and also the ability to attract and retain the best talent (both researchers and students). Effective collaboration across and within borders is vital for R&D and innovation – which is as true for business as it is academia 2. International Trade – The need post Brexit to not only trade competitively and easily with the EU but also to develop a more effective relationship with the US 3. Talent – There are significant skills shortages and any new immigration ‘system’ needs to ensure that we recruit the skilled labour needed to fuel the Gross Value Add (GVA) growth that EY’s UK region and city economic forecast sets out to 2019. This is particularly true for the high valueadd, IP rich sectors in which we thrive In parallel to concerns about talent retention and attraction, the Apprenticeship Levy begins on the 6th April 2017 and could present the single biggest investment in learning for a generation. With annual funds estimated to be around £3BN per annum there is a clear intent to drive a step change in UK productivity. Our experience is that a number of organisations, at least initially, regard the payment of 0.5% of their UK pay bill as a bottom line cost. www.b4-business.com

What is less well known is the fact that apprentices can be at any age and study at any level from GCSE equivalent (Level 2) through to a Masters equivalent (Level 7). There is a clear need to challenge stereotypes about apprenticeships given that they will soon by in all professions at all stages, studying at all levels. There are also a range of benefits to consider which include: Individual Development – With University fees increasing, many young people are looking for apprenticeships for a lower cost means to learn while they earn Organisational Development – The levy presents an ideal means for organisations to review and address their talent requirements, developing training programmes of relevance in this age of digital disruption and process automation Talent Retention – During these times of uncertainty it is worth noting that 71% of those who complete an apprenticeship remain with that employer (source www.managers.org.uk) So, rather than a tax cost, this really is an opportunity for the business community to help address key elements of one of the areas of ongoing concern.

In order to maximise that opportunity, we would suggest that there are five key actions that need to be considered: 1. Calculate and understand your levy liability 2. Develop a detailed cost model and options appraisal 3. Build a robust plan beyond go-live which identifies your future skill requirements and develops a talent strategy that is aligned to those requirements 4. Design an apprenticeship programme from recruitment through to reward 5. Establish a bespoke network of training providers to ensure that your programme aligns to your future goals If you would like to hear more about our experiences across the talent agenda, please contact David Birch, Jess Giles or David Rutherford within the EY Team.

 dbirch@uk.ey.com jgiles1@uk.ey.com drutherford1@uk.ey.com  www.ey.com

BREAKING UP - HOW TO MAINTAIN A PROFITABLE BUSINESS DURING DIVORCE Many people try to avoid mixing work with family life, but if you are a business owner or have significant shares in a company and are going through a divorce, it can be inevitable that the line between your work life and personal life becomes blurred. Written by: Knights Professional Services

The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimates that 42% of marriages will end in divorce. So what significance does divorce have on a business and is it possible to exclude business assets from divorce proceedings?

in the case of a long marriage the courts may be less inclined to make such allowances, as the starting point when considering how matrimonial assets should be divided is always a 50/50 split, even where assets are in the sole name of one party.

Jackie Phillips, partner in the Family team at Oxford and vice chair of Resolution for Oxfordshire – a nationwide group of family lawyers with a code of practice promoting a non-confrontational approach to resolving family problems – has been working on behalf of families and individuals in Oxford for more than 15 years and explains how your divorce could impact your business.

“At the point of divorce the courts will want to ensure that after separation both parties will have their housing needs met and enough money to maintain their financial needs as far as possible. So even if one partner is the main breadwinner, there is likely to be a careful accounting exercise to ensure a fair outcome for the parties and for their children.

If you are a business owner going “through a divorce, it is important to consider how to protect your business assets. Jackie Phillips - Partner, Knights

”

“Divorce can be emotionally stressful and the ideal situation is that the resulting issues are dealt with pragmatically, quickly and without confrontation. If you are a business owner going through a divorce, it is important to consider how to protect your business assets. “On divorce or dissolution, business interests can be considered as matrimonial assets. In some instances it is possible to ring-fence some or all of the assets, for example, if they have been acquired prior to marriage, if they have been inherited, or if one party has made a stellar contribution to a business. However,

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES If you are entering into marriage, there are steps that can be taken to safeguard your business in the event of relationship breakdown. Jackie continues: “It is not very romantic, but it is worth remembering that your marriage certificate is a legal contract, and if you are both willing to sign this, then you should also both be willing to consider having a pre-nuptial or post-nuptial agreement to give clarity about what will happen to your business or assets, if your marriage unexpectedly goes wrong. It can save arguments, time and money later on. “If drafted correctly and fairly, the court will be inclined to enforce such agreements. If you intend to go down this route, it is important to ensure that your day to day arrangements reflect the agreement – in other words, keep your business assets and private assets separate. The court will be less likely to uphold a pre-nuptial agreement excluding your spouse’s interests in your business where the matrimonial home has been used to secure lending to the

www.b4-business.com

legal

L-R: Tara Scott, Jackie Phillips, Alexandra Smith and Eleanor Piddock

business, or where your spouse has been involved within the company. “Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements are on the rise, thanks to increased coverage in the press of celebrity divorces, cases where a business has grown substantially in value, or where couples want to take control of their finances for the benefit of their children’s inheritance or protect their carefully accumulated lifetime wealth. These agreements are no longer reserved for the rich and famous. “Succession planning can also be used to set out your intentions for the future ownership of the company, particularly if you hope for your children to inherit your business interests. This can serve as a useful tool in limiting the exposure of the company upon divorce.

DURING DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS

party will have any future financial claim against the other, excluding child maintenance – which could be beneficial if your business flourishes post-divorce. If business booms and you are providing ongoing maintenance then your ex-spouse can seek to increase these payments, likewise, if business is not going as well, you can seek to reduce payments.“

The courts will, where “ possible, avoid the sale of a business to pay divorce settlements so it may work out that your spouse acquires a greater share of the family home over taking money out of the company.

planning experts giving us unprecedented access to niche expertise and legal knowledge.“ Jackie's expertise includes advising on the breakdown of both married and unmarried relationships and resulting legal and financial complexities. The Family team in Oxford also includes solicitors Alexandra Smith and Eleanor Piddock as well as paralegal Tara Scott. Knights, the leading regional professional services business has offices in Oxford, Cheltenham, Chester, Derby, Hale and Newcastle under Lyme. To find out more about Knights see below.

”

Jackie Phillips - Partner, Knights

“The courts will, where possible, avoid the sale of a business to pay divorce settlements so it may work out that your spouse acquires a greater share of the family home over taking money out of the company. Where there is a significant imbalance of income you could be expected to pay your spouse monthly maintenance, or a lump sum known as a clean break order. A clean break order means that neither

www.b4-business.com

“Thanks to our range of professionals at Knights, we are able to support individuals and companies with a more efficient service as we find the boundaries of business and personal requirements become merged. Our Family team in Oxford works with our national team of professionals including corporate and commercial, pensions, tax, trust and estates

 jackie.phillips@knights1759.co.uk  01865 811 700  www.familysolicitorblog.co.uk www.knights1759.co.uk

 @Knights1759

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MEET THE TEAM Jackie Phillips PARTNER - FAMILY TEAM Jackie has over 25 years’ experience in advising on the breakdown of both married and unmarried relationships and all the issues that can arise from these including divorce, separation, dissolution of civil partnerships, the division of property and financial settlements including those with complex and high net worth assets, children issues, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements including the protection of pre-owned or inherited assets.  01865 811 765  07980 625 023  jackie.phillips@knights1759.co.uk

Alexandra Smith SOLICITOR - FAMILY TEAM Alexandra acts for mid to high net worth clients in financial matters upon divorce, pre and post nuptial agreements, disputes over children’s living arrangements, matters including parental responsibility and implications of The Children Act. Alexandra is a member of Resolution.  01865 811 780  07469 851 639  alexandra.smith@knights1759.co.uk

Eleanor Piddock SOLICITOR - FAMILY TEAM Educated at both of Oxford’s illustrious universities she trained within the business and qualified in 2016. Eleanor’s work includes divorce and cohabitation matters, financial dispute resolution and children matters.  01865 811 232  07793 960 518  eleanor.piddock@knights1759.co.uk

Tara Scott PARALEGAL - FAMILY TEAM Tara assists on various types of family related matters including divorce, cohabitation, child and finance matters.  01865 811 749  tara.scott@knights1759.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

pictured: Claire Colbert - Partner, collaborative practitioner, family lawyer and mediator.

How to avoid an expensive divorce

During my career as a family lawyer there has been a developing trend of options available to help resolve issues arising out of relationship breakdown without court intervention. In the last 20 years this has included the growth of family mediation, collaborative law and in more recent years arbitration. Written by: Claire Colbert Photography by: Tom Weller

There is regularly bad press regarding the cost of divorce and disputes about children. This is normally linked to high profile cases where journalists have seen or heard of the legal costs incurred in heavily fought court based litigation. Thankfully, this does not apply to the majority of people going through family breakdown. In my experience people are now looking for different ways to resolve their disputes so that they can avoid the trauma and costs associated with the traditional court battle.

How helpful is Mediation? Since April 2014 it has been compulsory for mediation to be considered, before a court application regarding children or financial issues can be made (except in limited circumstances). This compulsory stage is conducted by a qualified mediator and is called a MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting). This enables either or both parties to explore mediation as an option, whilst the mediator reviews the suitability of the case for mediation. Mediation cannot be made compulsory and is a voluntary process, but the MIAM itself is compulsory. As experienced mediators, myself and Rachael Oakes can provide mediation for all family law issues. As well as being a mediator, I also refer people to mediation and have done for many years. I have seen the benefits of having discussions facilitated between parties, face to face, where resolutions can

be reached and ideas and plans structured which would be much more difficult through either solicitor negotiation or the court process. The benefits of mediation are that the process is conducted to the parties timescale, is without prejudice, enabling parties to speak freely and is cost effective as the mediation hourly rate is often shared between the parties, rather than both incurring the legal costs of negotiating through their own solicitors. At the end of the mediation process, documents are completed

“

Resolving matters as quickly as possible is often in the best interest of all involved and arbitration allows the parties to select their choice of arbitrator to adjudicate between the parties

”

by the mediator which can, if necessary, then be converted into a court order by the parties’ solicitors who ensure that their client has independent legal advice before being bound to anything.

What about Collaborative Law? Collaborative law was an American legal concept brought over to this country in 2003. This approach is based on both parties having a lawyer who is collaboratively trained. The process is a series of four way meetings with both lawyers and clients present at all times. At the very beginning of this process each client will explain what it is they want to achieve and why it is important to them. These priorities will dictate and determine how matters are then discussed and moved forward. The benefit of this process is that both parties have their lawyer with them at all stages. The legal advice is "on tap" and obtained throughout the process unlike mediation where the mediator is not able to give legal advice. The consequence of this can be that the process can be more costly than mediation because the process is all done by face to face meetings and both lawyers’ hourly rates are charged. In some circumstances this gives parties the confidence to enable them to discuss matters that they would not have at mediation, and therefore this in itself can be invaluable. Agreements reached through the collaborative process can be converted into a court order. Unfortunately if the collaborative process is not successful the agreement to deal with matters in this way requires both parties to instruct new solicitors

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should they wish to issue court proceedings. This can be a great incentive to encourage people to try to resolve matters to enable them to retain their preferred solicitor. As a collaboratively trained lawyer, I know there are a number of benefits to this process and I see situations where this works for couples in specific circumstances where collaborative law is appropriate.

What are the merits of Arbitration? Arbitration is not new for a number of areas of law but is a growing alternative for family law disputes. The trend towards arbitration is largely as a result of the courts finding themselves under significant pressure from increased demand and pressure on their time. Resolving matters as quickly as possible is often in the best interest of all involved and arbitration allows the parties to select their choice of arbitrator (normally retired judges, barristers or senior lawyers) to adjudicate between the parties on the issues in dispute. This has been limited to financial issues but more recently has expanded to some Children Act matters. Our trained arbitrator Judith Speed has helped separating couples come to an amicable conclusion through arbitration. Parties commit to the arbitration process and to be bound to any award made by the arbitrator which is then sanctioned by the court in the

www.b4-business.com

normal way. Benefits of this option include judge selection, time and location control and the confidentiality of arbitration rather than the risk of media interest through the court process. There is a cost consequences as privately paying for an arbitrator over a number of days can be an expensive alternative to a free judge in the normal litigation process. It is also possible to use arbitration to deal with discrete issues that may be preventing other issues from resolving e.g. interim maintenance. Arbitration is different to negotiation and should not be confused with other options that exist including round table meetings, negotiations and private negotiation hearings where a retired judge or barrister is booked, outside of the court process, to assist the parties in trying to reach a compromise. The significant difference is that a solution cannot be forced by roundtable meetings, or private negotiation hearings, whereas the arbitration hearing binds the parties’ to the arbitrator’s decision and award. People often fear the cost and time likely be spent in dealing with the arrangements at the point of relationship breakdown, but these alternative options provide choice at what is often the most stressful time in their life. The above options all enable matters to resolve much quicker than an average court led case, which takes around 8 to 12 months. Out of court options enable people to control the timetable and how quickly things move forward as well as selecting when and who will

legal

decide if they cannot agree, which doesn’t happen in the traditional court process. Due to pressure on court time different judges may deal with each stage of the litigation, with limited continuity. This can also mean delay and additional costs to reach to a final resolution. Along with this there are a number of complimentary services that we can recommend including life coaches, therapy and counselling to enable parties to move forward with their own lives following a difficult and/or unexpected separation. If you need any advice or assistance concerning any of the issues relating to the breakdown of a relationship or the out of court resolution options available, So please do not hesitate to call.

 claire.colbert@freeths.co.uk  01865 781 182  www.freethsoxford.co.uk

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Shaw Gibbs is perfectly placed to advise international businesses In 2016, seeing a growing demand in clients expanding overseas and being approached by overseas businesses looking to set up in the UK, Shaw Gibbs joined DFK International, one of the world’s top associations of independent accounting firms and business advisers. With over 200 member firms, covering over 400 offices in 85 countries, and total fee income over £900 million, membership gives Shaw Gibbs access to extensive global reach and high quality expertise around the world. WRITTEN BY: PETER O'CONNELL

Being part of one of the accountancy profession’s most respected independent global associations provides the resources needed to advise firms looking to establish overseas offices. DFK membership also gives international businesses the assurance they need when they are looking for financial services in the UK. We work proactively with the network attending the international conferences and workshops to ensure we not only understand the local taxes and laws in foreign countries but additionally are able to meet and test our foreign counterparts to ensure they provide a consistent high level of service that is on a par with that of Shaw Gibbs. The Thames Valley is the largest area outside of London for international investment with Oxford being a key area in particular for business in the sciences, engineering, research and services field amongst others. On the back of this, the firm has built a strong knowledge base, with services being delivered by technical experts in areas of international corporate structures, international tax,

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cross border VAT, international accounting standards and international reporting standards. This is in addition to the basics of helping clients establish trading entities either in the UK or through the international association in overseas offices.

those clients where they are looking to make short hall visits to the UK. The aim is to ensure we provide services to our clients which are of the greatest convenience, technically competent, and fair and transparent pricing.

The firm also has the skills to maintain an outsourced finance function to its clients. This service is not only provided to international clients but also to local businesses. These outsourced services range from providing a full outsourced payroll function, something we are seeing an increased take up on due to the new complications of auto enrolment, through to bookkeeping and management accounts production. The firm can also offer services akin to that provided by a finance director, including; assisting with strategic planning, operational team and structure planning, internal control functions and financial forecasting.

If you are interested in finding out more about the services we can offer to international businesses or if you are interested in setting up either in the UK or overseas, please contact Peter O’Connell below.

To ensure we are best positioned to assist our international clients, we have also expanded our operation and opened an office in London to service

 peter.oconnell@shawgibbs.com  01865 292 245  www.shawgibbs.com

WENN TOWNSEND It’s time B4 tackled a few issues, don’t you agree? We need to get under the skin of some of the big problems facing Oxfordshire, most of which impact on businesses operating here and will do so in future issues through interviews and canvassing the opinions of our B4 Ambassadors (see page 106). Where better to start than with someone who always has an opinion, Wenn Townsend partner and long term B4 supporter, Tony Haines. Written by: Richard Rosser Photography by: Rob Scotcher

From the outside looking in, Oxfordshire is blessed in many ways, but try driving into the centre of Oxford at peak times or living here! Two massive barriers that businesses face when recruiting staff. Other issues we will tackle include social and welfare, business and personal finance, your conduct and how you handle yourselves at and out of work and much more. If you’ve got an opinion on something we should be focusing on, please do get in touch. But we get the ball rolling with Tony, who doesn’t pull any punches on a range of topics. Richard Thank you for joining us at B4, one of our longest standing supporters of the magazine Tony you’ve been with us since day one haven’t you? Tony Yes I have and I’ve always been a big supporter of B4. I’m delighted that you will be tackling a few of the issues I’ve been nagging you about for years! Richard One area where B4 has fallen short over the years is not tackling the issues facing businesses in Oxfordshire, so we’re going to be canvassing the opinion of the wider B4 network as to how certain issues they have to deal affect their businesses. These issues might include housing and the cost of living for staff in Oxfordshire. We just touched on, off camera, the IT and stresses and strains on the work force, the transport issues faced by all of us coming in and out of the city centre. Established in 1876, Wenn Townsend has seen it all. I know you 34

haven’t been here for the duration Tony (!), but you will have a good handle on a lot of these issues and also the uncertainty generated from Brexit. So, where would you like to start? How about housing? Have you experienced problems recruiting with the high cost of living in Oxfordshire?

Tony on the high cost of living in Oxfordshire Tony It’s very, very difficult. A lot of students from Oxford University and Brookes University fall in love with Oxford while they are here and want to stay here after they have qualified. They will then see that they can earn a lot more in London but, with new rail links connecting us to London in 45 minutes, they will live here and get the best of both worlds. This has a twofold negative impact: firstly, houses are occupied by non Oxford workers and secondly, it contributes to the net outflow of staff from Oxford to London. Richard Is there a significant difference in salary? Tony Yes, definitely. The problem Oxford’s always had is that it’s got London house prices and Oxford salaries. It’s a known fact that the salary multiple for an average house is 17, a couple of years ago it was 11! It’s clearly unaffordable and yes you can point the finger at the council or the building

developers and say they’re not doing enough and they’re not producing enough and not providing enough affordable housing for people on the one hand, but if you take a map of Oxford 60 years ago and overlay it on a map of Oxford, just Oxford within the ring road today, you will see there has been hardly any development because there is nowhere to build anything! The only real development that has happened is that properties have been divided into smaller units. Again this has a twofold negative effect…..more people in the centre of Oxford living in the same number of properties and an increase in stress levels with people living in smaller houses than they were previously used to. Richard So where’s the breaking point, what happens next ? Tony Bicester, Abingdon and Witney are dormitory towns for Oxford but also for London. . Developments such as Barton Park will test Oxford to the limit with no road widening, just traffic lights put in to help residents get in and out of the estate. I can’t see anything other than headaches and more pressure on the already over-burdened infrastructure. Richard With more residential development and commercial development in the centre of Oxford, for example with Westgate coming on stream later this year, can Oxford take the strain? www.b4-business.com

Tony No! Westgate will have fewer parking spaces and more magnets for shoppers like John Lewis. What do you think will happen in terms of traffic down the Botley Road and Abingdon Road and, most probably, Woodstock Road as well? It will come to a standstill and all of those people who visit over the first and second weekends won’t come back enthusiastically if they’ve had to sit, for a considerable amount of time, in traffic. They’ll go to High Wycombe or Reading instead.

twenty years ago. How do you help your staff at Wenn Townsend take this increased load?

Richard Yes, it’s a valid point.

The banks want to scrutinise more and throwing around unhelpful phrases like ‘we’ve had to stress test you’ or ‘you haven’t passed the stress test’ ........ these are customers that have been with the bank thirty or forty years, they have a track record and they should sail through any tests

Tony Because I know what I would do if I was one of those people. ‘It took forever to get there and I’m not going back!’ If you’re going to have developments in Oxford you need to put the infrastructure in place for people to be able to get to and from those places without a great deal of wasted time and that’s simply not happening. There’s all sorts of reasons why it probably won’t happen anyway so why are we allowing these large developments?

Tony on the stresses and strains of work Richard You touched on workplace stress earlier Tony and referenced IT as a key component in modern day stress and the need for staff to take on two or three times the workload of someone

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Tony We’ve got systems in place to help them cope if they do find they need additional support or help as any other organisation should. We make sure staff aren’t overloaded but, at certain times of the

The banks are even more “reluctant to lend than ever.

Tony Hanies - Wenn Townsend

”

year (for example January with tax returns) there are always more deadlines. The changes coming into line with online assessment will only add to everyone’s stress levels because we’re not expert form fillers on the whole are we? I wouldn’t go and

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do my own plumbing because it would cost me a fortune in the long run and I’d probably come home to a flooded house. But HMRC have the power to enforce this on us all and raise penalties and interest if we don’t do it. MORE STRESS!! Richard Tony you’ve been here for thirty years now and in that time you’ve been through various crises, economic downturns etc….. Have you ever sensed that the economic landscape has been as fragile now as it has been before? With the uncertainties of Brexit and issues with local housing and transport, bank finance, stresses on the workforce …. are things all coming to a bit of a climax or is that overplaying the situation? Tony I wouldn’t say its overplaying the situation because I think we need to get a grip with certain things and the unknown is always something that really affects the economy because it affects people and it has a marked effect on their productivity they don’t stop functioning but they become more cautious where there are uncertainties, it’s always the case. Welfare cuts are only just beginning to really bite. We haven’t seen anything like this for such a sustained period of time.

Tony on banks Tony The banks are even more reluctant to lend than ever. The banks want to scrutinise more and

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throwing around unhelpful phrases like ‘we’ve had to stress test you’ or ‘you haven’t passed the stress test’ ....... these are customers that have been with the bank thirty or forty years, they have a track record and they should sail through any tests. Bankers aren’t allowed to use their judgment from what I’ve seen. It’s pretty obvious that they have to go beyond that…there are so many boxes to tick and if you don’t tick one box then that’s it. Richard Computer says ‘no’. So where do you see us in five or ten years time with the proliferation of crowdfunding and other means of finance, new banks coming into the high street offering quicker decisions? Tony I would say some of the newer banks from the continent have come in to understand the customer and will do what they can to deliver what that customer needs. In my opinion the real problem is the big retail high street banks which have got these boxes to tick and you don’t get to see a bank manager anymore. Everything gets passed up, underwriters get involved and a lot of it gets refused to be quite honest at the moment. I’ve got a client who has more property than he will ever need but wants to borrow to fund a new acquisition. The banks say no…he has more security than they could possibly need but they’re not interested.

Tony on Europe Richard So, Tony let’s try and inject some positivity into this conversation. Tony Absolutely, let’s talk about Europe! www.b4-business.com

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Richard What Champions League or Brexit? We’ve touched on uncertainty throughout this conversation, but the big question mark is Europe. What are your thoughts?

so. I 100% respect the Governor of the Bank of England, he knows what he’s doing and I know some of his fellow Canadians have offered their support…we should take it.

Tony Bear with me on this one. Regarding the referendum, I think if the vote goes ahead and we end up staying nothing will change, but if the vote is to come out of Europe, then I suspect the Prime Minister, David Cameron, will have to resign, then there will be a fight for leadership. It wouldn’t surprise me if Theresa May became PM, because she’s kept everything quiet and nothing’s been said in the media about her thoughts …. she will probably give Boris Johnson a job in the cabinet to keep him quiet.

Richard Tony thank you for your time and we’ll catch up later in the year.

Getting back to now, what we are going into is more uncertainty. The generation before me knew what life was like out of Europe and a lot of them say the world was a better place for us. Being in Europe has aggravated a lot of people, being told what we can and can’t do, who we can and can’t let into our country etc…So a lot of the ‘leave’ voters were protesting…I think if we had a second vote we would have a ‘stay’ result because people are genuinely concerned what is around the corner. We’ve been told we will suffer as an example to other countries thinking about leaving and that’s a scary prospect. So as I said before when I was being facetious, hindsight is a wonderful thing and we’re entering into a period of massive uncertainty. I firmly believe that we have to get on with it, focus on what you’re good at and take advice when you need to. The government can dilute that uncertainty by being more robust than it is at present. We’ve got people negotiating our exit that don’t have the skills to do

Tony Thank you.

At Business in Oxford on 11th May this year, the day will conclude with a look at the Oxfordshire business community’s solutions for the problems the county faces. This will be called THE BIG IDEA and a panel of experts will debate some of the solutions put forward between now and the event. If you’ve got a solution to a problem you would like debated, e-mail editorial@b4-business.com and your idea will go into the hat.

 information@wenntownsend.co.uk  01865 559 900  www.wenntownsend.co.uk

More than just a transaction Wendy Hart, corporate finance partner at Grant Thornton Thames Valley on why ‘value maximisation’ is increasingly the focus for their growing advisory team. Written by: Wendy Hart

Despite new uncertainties around Brexit and the Trump administration, the deals market in the Thames Valley is continuing to thrive at an encouraging rate. Buoyed by the healthy concentration of high-growth tech businesses, our region is particularly fertile ground for mergers and acquisitions. Investors recognise this potential; outside of London, it has more private equity investment than anywhere else in the UK. The pool of capital available to be put to work is broad, with debt funds, family offices and other institutional investors active alongside corporate and private equity operators. It’s a positive trend that we’ve been seeing at Grant Thornton but we think the bar for deal making can be raised even higher in 2017 and beyond. Not simply for the number of deals happening, but the value attached to each and every business we advise. Selling your business is rarely an easy decision, nor something that’s decided overnight. It’s a journey that is embarked upon often many years earlier where a clear strategy is put in place to make the business as attractive as possible for sale. This is about value optimisation, not just a straight-forward transaction. It’s important to consider what factors an acquirer attaches value to. These could include the clarity of your focus, the business model it employs and the business’ scalability and resilience if the landscape changed quickly. It’s why we believe it’s vital to work with an advisor who really understands your business and has been on the journey with you for some time. They’re trusted and informed enough to be really honest about what’s best for you and

your business. Should you be thinking earlier about separating two divisions to allow for a better price at sale? Are there underlying issues that need addressing? We want to change the model for how shareholders choose their advisors. Often, a pitch process can fail to deliver the best value for a sale. Akin to estate agents valuing your home, do you want an advisor to tell you the highest

Selling your “ business is rarely an easy decision, nor something that’s decided overnight

”

Wendy Hart, corporate finance partner Grant Thornton

price (knowing that potentially, you could be disappointed)? Or someone to help you spot that damp patch and remedy it, avoiding any nasty surprises when the buyer’s survey is completed? My advice to businesses is always to keep your business in a condition that would allow you to sell it tomorrow, much like keeping your home well maintained. That means knowing up front what is important to buyers. It’s more critical than ever. The market is more sophisticated and the deals process is more robust than it ever has been. Strict due diligence

in the run up to a sale means that a lot can go wrong to make a deal fall through. Deals that used to take two months to finalise can now typically take four or five months as propositions are vigorously tested and finances are scrutinised. It’s something we’ve been taking seriously in our approach at Grant Thornton in the Thames Valley. We’re lucky enough to work with some of the region’s most dynamic, fast growth businesses. Sometimes, they’re dynamic and ambitious by their nature and that’s why they know we can help them. Other times, we challenge and help clients to become more dynamic in their approach, realising where the value can best be maximised and the path to get there. Our corporate finance team has gone from strength to strength. We’ve completed some great deals in the last three months and are excited about the businesses we will be bringing to market in the next six. Bolstered by the recent addition of Paul Etherington, an experienced partner with the firm, we’re excited to be embarking on an ambitious strategy to further grow our team at our bases in Oxford and Reading. Last year, Grant Thornton in the South enjoyed a successful year completing 19 deals. This year, we know we can help even more.

 wendy.e.hart@uk.gt.com  01865 799 938  www.grantthornton.co.uk

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Grant Thornton Deal Spotlight: The sale of Daniels Healthcare to Mauser Based in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, Daniels Healthcare Group employs over 80 people manufacturing and marketing a wide range of sharps containers supplying the majority of NHS hospital trusts in the UK along with many other customers in the healthcare sector. Having run the business for the last 24 years, owners Howard Simler and Maurice Hatton were looking to retire and hand the business over to new owners able to exploit the many opportunities to grow the business. Grant Thornton were already well-known to majority shareholder Howard Simler as a result of previous work done for him and were his first choice of partner to help find a suitable buyer for the business. The firm used its strong international network to approach potential buyers, enabling a seamless and joined-up process for all parties. The Grant Thornton team ran a competitive process to a well-researched shortlist of both UK and overseas based trade buyers, and as a result, MAUSER Group were selected as the preferred buyer for the business. MAUSER is a world leading company in rigid industrial packaging and Daniels product range fits naturally into their MAUSER WIVA Medical Waste Container System. Indeed, MAUSER were already well known to Daniels as a supplier of a range of large containers complementing Daniels own manufactured range. Wendy Hart, Partner, who led the deal, commented: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was delighted to be able to help Howard and Maurice achieve their twin objectives of retirement while securing a strong future for the business under new owners able to exploit its significant growth opportunities."

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Business Accountancy and Tax

Personal Financial Services and Tax

Choose The MGroup for efficient and friendly advice Accounts Systems Implementation

Preparation to Buy or Sell

Oxford office 01865 552 925 Witney office 01993 776 476 team@themgroup.co.uk www.themgroup.co.uk

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SALARY OR DIVIDEND – UNSURE OF THE ROUTE FOR YOU? For several years, dividends have proven to be very attractive but have lost some of their appeal following the changes announced in the 2015 Summer budget, and implemented from 6 April 2016. Written by: Darren Green

Salary and bonuses are tax-deductible for the company, so will currently save 20% corporation tax. But this saving does not fully offset the substantial costs of National Insurance contributions of making a payment through PAYE. From April 2016 there has been an increase in the tax charge levied on dividend payments, with the respective tax rates increasing to the following (an effective increase of 7.5% apart from the first £5,000 (£2,000 from April 2018 as announced in recent budget) of dividend income which will not be subject to an income tax charge)-

a £10,000 bonus or an £8,000 dividend (after setting aside £2,000 to pay the additional corporation tax). The calculation is very similar to Meredith’s but employees’ NIC will fall to 2% because of Graham’s salary levels. Option 1: Bonus (higher rate)

2016/17 (£)

Gross bonus to employee (as per Meredith above)

8,787

Less: Higher rate tax (40%) Employee’s NIC (2%)

3,515 176

Net income from bonus

5,096

Option 2: Dividend (basic rate)

2016/17 (£)

Dividend to shareholder (leaves company in same position)

8,000

Less: Tax thereon (32.5%)

2,600

Net dividend to shareholder

5,400

Saving by taking dividend

304

Basic rate band 7.5% (i.e. previous effective tax rate of 0% + 7.5%) Higher rate band 32.5% (i.e. previous effective tax rate of 25% + 7.5%) Additional rate band 38.1% (i.e. previous effective tax rate of 30.56% + 7.5%) To illustrate the impact of this change in taxation, we have included a couple of examples below:

Example 1: Income within basic rate band Meredith is a director of and shareholder in her consultancy company. She draws a basic salary of £25,000, and has negligible benefits in kind or other income, except for a £5,000 dividend she receives from her husband’s company. Her company has £8,000 spare to pay out, which will have to cover tax and/or NICs as well as the bonus or dividend – either way, she wants the company to be in the same net position. Option 1: Bonus (basic rate)

2016/17 (£)

Gross bonus including employers’ NIC @13.8% (Cost to company £8,000 after allowing for 20% corporation tax relief)

10,000

Less: Employers’ NIC (13.8%)

(1,213)

Gross bonus to employee

8,787

Less: Basic rate tax (20%) Employee’s NIC (12%)

1,757 1,054

Net income from bonus

5,976

Option 2: Dividend (basic rate)

2016/17 (£)

Dividend to shareholder (leaves company in same position)

8,000

Less: Tax thereon (7.5%)

600

Net dividend to shareholder

7,400

Saving by taking dividend

1,424

In the above example, the total cost of employers’ and employees’ NICs makes the bonus route far less tax-efficient.

Example 2: Higher rate taxpayer Graham runs his own company. The company’s profits support his usual £60,000 salary, and he has already taken a dividend of £5,000, that fully utilises the tax-free dividend allowance. Like Meredith, he is weighing up whether to take www.b4-business.com

While Graham would certainly have comfortably been better off taking a dividend in 2016/17, the current dividend regime reduces the net benefit, in this illustration to a more modest £304.

Are dividends still worth it? Below is a very quick summary of the main after tax incomes when comparing bonus with dividend and depending on the applicable main rate of tax these rates will not always apply (different rates will apply at the margins, around the NIC upper earnings limit and where adjusted net income exceeds the £100,000 limit and the taxpayer starts to forfeit the personal allowance): Tax Band

Salary / Bonus

Dividend

Difference

Basic rate (20%)

59.75%

74.00%

14.25%

Higher rate (40%)

50.97%

54.00%

3.03%

Additional rate (45%)

46.57%

49.52%

2.95%

Conclusion The above examples are deliberately simplified but illustrate that, although now reduced, there is still a healthy tax saving for basic rate tax payers in paying a dividend rather than a bonus but for Higher and Additional Rate tax payers the tax saving is a more modest 3%. In short, careful and tailored calculations will be required in order to determine if the dividend route will remain the right option and if you are unsure which is best for you then please contact Darren Green, Partner at The MGroup.

 d.green@themgroup.co.uk  01865 552925  www.themgroup.co.uk 41

Are Pensions Sexy?? The noughties were not kind to pensions. Before the Millennium, the word on the street was all about ‘contracting out’, the Equity markets were galloping forward and for those who were lucky enough to be in a Final Salary scheme (as they were called then), the guaranteed income they provided in retirement meant that they were regarded as ‘gold plated’. And then, just like the Filofax and the cassette tape, the arrival of the 21st Century saw the humble pension looking a little tired and it slowly got replaced by more exciting things. Written by: Gary Hunt Photography by: Jacqueline Cross Photography

It seemed like everything conspired against the Pension. Interest rate reductions throughout the 2000s meant that the income provided by pensions was perceived as poor value. Continued legislative changes made them more and more complicated and difficult Equity markets in 2000 and 2007 made investing hard work. Therefore, as flexible employment took hold, people simply decided to look elsewhere for their income in retirement, either through simply investing in different assets such as property, or different vehicles such as ISAs. But in 2015, pensions were reinvented. The new Pension Freedom rules made pension planning and distribution of the income more flexible than ever and only now are people starting to think that it may be time to be positive about pensions again. And what supports that even further is that lots of those ‘other things’ mentioned above are not quite so good as they were. More and more pressure is being placed on the Buy to Let market, with complicated and punitive legislation 42

putting pressure on Landlords and reducing returns, whilst Savings rates are crippling low risk investors with Cash ISAs paying less than 1%. If that isn’t enough,

of the great benefits “ One of being a Company Director was Dividends. The ability to pay yourself a Dividend rather than Salary and avoid National Insurance made them very attractive

”

Gary Hunt - Focus LLP

it was announced in the Autumn Budget Statement that many Salary Sacrifice arrangements are going to be taxed as if they were income, forcing Company

Directors to evaluate their salary package. This, of course, is on the top of the new Dividend Tax that was launched in 2016. All of this means that the humble pension plan has risen to the top of the pile again and the added flexibility it now offers means that it should be the ‘go to’ place for most people. And for Company Directors, this is more important than ever before. One of the great benefits of being a Company Director was Dividends. The ability to pay yourself a Dividend rather than Salary and avoid National Insurance made them very attractive. However, Dividend Taxation was introduced in April 2016 for the very first time and although Dividends are still better value than taking the money as income, this now means that Directors are looking for other ways to spend company money. The problem is, the Government is blocking more ‘salary sacrifice’ routes than ever before So, once again, up steps the pension. www.b4-business.com

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“

So, it seems pensions are back in fashion. Just like the humble LP, they have reinvented themselves after a difficult time away from the limelight and people are starting to think positively about them again. Does this really make pensions sexy? Well, probably not, but by providing the sort of flexibility and freedom that people need when planning for retirement, they are at least starting to look much more interesting again. Gary Hunt - Focus LLP

”

Company Directors should consider reducing the level of Dividends they are taking from the business and paying this money, as a Company contribution, into a pension. This is because pensions are now more flexible than ever. For example, you can now draw ALL of your money out of your pension from age 55, should you wish to do so (although in our experience, once people realise that they can have the money, they generally don’t take it! It’s just nice to know that it isn’t locked away). Then there are all these other factors to consider when investing company money into a pension • Growth on the funds is free from CGT and Income Tax.

expense, free of Corporation Tax, you can still have 25% free of all Income Tax when you take it out. This is an excellent time for Company Directors to evaluate their whole salary package. Many take money as Dividends simply because they want it out of the business, but by putting that money into a pension rather than taking it out as income or Dividends means that HMRC gets less Corporation Tax from your firm, less Dividend Tax from you and potentially less Inheritance Tax from your Estate as well. Don’t forget, if you make personal contributions, the Government will uplift these by up to 45%.

• The money in a pension is free from creditors on bankruptcy

And whilst this money can be paid in as a business

If you would like to discuss how you can use pensions

• The fund, on death, can be paid to anybody free of Inheritance Tax (IHT).

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to help support your overall long term finances, or you are a an Accountant or Solicitor and want to discuss how we can work more closely to benefit your clients, please do not hesitate to get in touch. A pension is a long term investment. The fund value may fluctuate and can go down. Your eventual income may depend on the size of the fund at retirement, future interest rates and tax legislation.

 Gary.hunt@focusllp.co.uk  01865 295 295  www.focusllp.co.uk

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How to financially manage your business effectively Written by: Debbie Austin

The need for a credit control function to prevent your business from running out of cash. Consider this intriguing scenario, you have a growing business, fast growing in fact, new customers are up and orders increasing. Then you look at your bank account and to your alarm it’s heading in the opposite direction, it’s draining! How can the business be growing while your cash position is depleting? How can you be profitable on one hand but on the verge of going out of business on the other? Thankfully this is a common conundrum, highlighting the importance of your cash position and the need to manage flows of money into and out of your organisation.

to keep up with payments going out (outflows). Without positive cash injections you won’t be able to cover your costs and any emergency payments that might arise. Therefore as a business owner a key part of your strategic focus should be in understanding the current state of your cashflow as well as what it will look like in 6 months time.

How to go about understanding your working capital position Your management accounts need to emphasise your working capital position. Quite simply, the working capital formula is calculated by subtracting your current liabilities (your debts and obligations

Cash withdrawals (out)

Cash injections (in) Goods sold

Raw materials/stock

Shareholders

Trade creditors Trade debtors Taxation Staff Wages Lease payments

Work in progress

Dividends

Working capital is the accounting term used to understand if you have enough money in the bank to meet your short term financial obligations. The principle works on the basis that you have money coming in (from customers) and cash going out (like rent, wages and taxation). As the diagram illustrates, you need to generate a regular amount of cash from customers (inflows)

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The issue of late payment Thankfully the solution to late payment lies in establishing a robust credit control function. Quite simply this is the system used by businesses to monitor and regulate the credit granted to customers. You can do this and improve your cash position by implementing the following: • Carry out credit checks before agreeing to take on customers • Create credit and payment terms that are specific to a customer’s ability to pay • Send invoices promptly to improve the likelihood of payment • Consider offering discounts for early payers • Identify invoices that need follow up and chase in a polite manner • Flag overdue invoices with customers • Implement stopping points with consistently late payers whereby no more business is done until debts are settled • Review the payment status of existing customers regularly As a takeaway, fast growth can seem very exciting and satisfying but it’s potentially fatal without careful cash management. Reviewing your working capital position regularly and implementing a credit control system will ensure growth is managed in a sustainable manner.

Purchase fixed assets

The importance of working capital

The resulting number provides an indication of how many times your business can pay off your short term debts and obligations with your current assets. If it's less than one, then you have a serious financial challenge that needs to be resolved with a cash injection.

due within a year) from your current assets (items that can be converted into cash in less than a year). A positive number means you’re in a position to meet your short term debts, but if it’s negative then you’re in financial trouble. From here you can then work out the working capital ratio as follows: Working capital ratio = business assets/current liabilities

 debbie.austin@wellersaccountants.co.uk  01865 723 131  www.wellersaccountants.co.uk

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P H O T O G R A P H Y

YOUR INVITATION TO B4 PLATINUM Platinum is the premier B4 membership package giving you the best of magazine, online, event, social media and B4 TV exposure By joining our Platinum group of Members, you can expect the highest profile throughout B4 and some excellent value added benefits only available to our Platinum Members. Not only will you receive 8 pages to use in B4 throughout the year, but B4 TV will feature your company in one of our B4 TV video interviews, a photo shoot and also benefit from the B4 Newsdesk where we will post your press releases to the B4 website and then through our social media accounts on Twitter and LinkedIn. You and your colleagues will also have access to B4 Classic Events as normal, in superb locations, but we are also adding the B4

Platinum ‘100’ Club as a value added extra just for our Platinum Members. Six excellent lunches or dinners in some of the region’s leading venues and restaurants. Read more inside. Platinum Members can also take advantage of our personal introduction service and will also receive invitations to review hotels, restaurants, cars and even star in fashion shoots! We sincerely hope you will consider joining B4 Platinum and look forward to hearing from you. Please call us on 01865 742211 or e-mail editorial@b4-business.com The B4 Team

B4 PLATINUM PACKAGE B4 Platinum Membership

Photo Shoot

All the benefits of B4 Membership including B4 Magazine Business Directory listing (highlighted as a Platinum Member), B4 website presence with access to post unlimited press releases, job vacancies, offers and events, plus access to all B4 events for up to 5 members of staff. Logo also included on Platinum logo spread in B4 Magazine.

Whether you need shots of your premises or new recruits, B4 will capture what you need and supply these to you in high resolution for your own use, as well as B4 articles.

B4 Magazine Exposure

We know you don’t always have the time to post your press releases to the B4 website, so we’re here to do it for you. Add us to your press lists and we will post your news direct to your account on the B4 website and then across our social media accounts too.

8 pages to be used during the year Select your preferred features from our new features list, either taken as single pages or a combination of single and double pages. See the new B4 Media Rate Card for the full list of features.

B4 TV interview We will interview key individuals, take footage of your premises and then edit for you to promote on your website and through your social media platforms. We post the video on the B4 website and also through our social media accounts.

Platinum ‘100’ Club Membership You will be invited, with other Platinum Members, to six lunches or dinners in some of the region’s leading establishments, including Oxford University colleges, leading restaurants and superb venues. All food and drink included. Additional tickets available for guests, but to Platinum Members only. (additional tickets available at £150+VAT per head)

B4 Newsdesk

B4 Editor Personal Introductions Do you need a personal introduction to another B4 Member? The B4 Editor Intro is a personal e-mail introduction to your key targets for B4 Platinum Members only.

Star in our Features From time to time we will invite Platinum Member companies to help us for our Corporate Lifestyle features including: hotel and restaurant reviews, car reviews and even fashion shoots! For more details see ‘Platinum Rates’ alongside.

CALL 01865 742211 AND BECOME A PLATINUM MEMBER TODAY

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R E V I E W S

V I D E O

N E W S D E S K

I N T R O D U C T I O N S

PLATINUM ‘100’ CLUB DIARY Eynsham Hall 22nd June

Randolph Hotel 12th October

Eynsham Hall is one of Oxfordshire’s great country houses. In the early 1700s, wealthy local landowner, Willoughby Lacey, chose to enclose a huge section of his land to create the ultimate space in which to entertain guests and to pursue the popular outdoor sports of the day. In 1981, the Hall became a dedicated conference and training centre and in 2005, the property was acquired by the Cathedral Group.

Located in Oxford’s city centre, Macdonald Randolph hotel is a landmark building with elegance and charm aplenty. The hotel has played host to prime ministers and presidents and the renowned Morse Bar is instantly recognisable as the watering hole of Colin Dexter’s world-famous detective, Inspector Morse. The hotel’s restaurant recently re-opened as Acanthus which together with the new Cartoon Bar, provides guests and residents of Oxford with a fantastic destination for lunch and dinner.

Newbury Racecourse

Divinity School 4th December

29th June

The university’s oldest teaching and examination room, dating from the 1500s, a masterpiece of English gothic architecture. Built between 1427 and 1483, it is the oldest surviving purpose-built building for university use, specifically for lectures, oral exams and discussions on theology. Public access is limited so this will be a wonderful opportunity to see inside this fantastic building.

Pembroke College 27th September Founded in 1624 to serve the common good through the promotion of scholarship and research, informality and distinction have always rubbed shoulders at Pembroke. The College’s student body is made up of some 360 undergraduates, around 30 visiting students on their Junior Year Abroad from US universities, and more than 270 postgraduates. The whole student body is active in College life, with wide participation in activities and events and an unusually active MCR (graduate student) community.

PLATINUM RATES Membership

Rate £

Platinum

Rate £

Platinum Membership

1,750

Total

9,200

Pages in B4 per annum

5,000

Reduced to

6,000

B4 TV interviews per annum

950

One off payment

6,000

Platinum ‘100’ Club Membership

1 Person

1,500

Quarterly

4 x 1,750

Photo Shoot

Included

Monthly

12 x 700

Included

B4 Newsdesk

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NB All figures stated exclusive of VAT at 20%

Andy Williams

Partner, Geospatial, Carter Jonas Oxford Until recently most data searches began with (and often ended with) the official census â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an incredibly rich data source, it can be used to provide established and authoritative data on a range of themes. It has its limits though, and because changes to population and infrastructure are moving so quickly, 2011 data is reaching the end of its shelf life. Written by: Andy Williams Photography by: Aurelian Langlais

Tracking key indicators between censuses is a good way to monitor phenomena such as transformations around our cities and major towns, but often events that gave rise to these things can be historic and have already been fully exploited by the competition. So where else can we look for fresh authoritative insights? At home and at work and whilst on the move, we are getting more and more demanding about the content we want to be able to access. From email, maps and music to films, news and weather the challenge of keeping up with the expectations of users is never ending. However the outcome of all these content demands is that we are creating richer and richer sources of data. For every journey that is taken, for every film that is watched, for every report that is read a log of the data used is created and stored.

This data presents itself to the property and land markets as an opportunity. A rich source of insights that go well beyond what was ever possible to extract from the official census and, if used correctly, could more accurately drive and support investment and business critical decisions. The risk of not using this data, of being behind the curve and relying on data from over 6 years ago is great; Now more than ever people in property need to keep challenging their established view of how they use data. The good news is that the range of tools available to process and present this data, as well as the sources of market data available, is growing. However, without expert advice, identifying the best data sources and then subsequently categorising, storing, viewing and interrogating complex data â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to generate new valuable business insights - can quickly become overwhelming.

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At Carter Jonas, we’ve been helping clients use a number of every day technologies such as mobile phone data and the data held by credit rating agencies to drive new and fresh insights into mobility and spending power. If you want to analyse the night time economy and specifically target 20-40 year olds, our teams, using our in house proprietary systems can tell you how many, what they spend, where they are and where they came from. Increasing the level of segmentation increases the cost, but the sample sizes available to the big mobile providers and credit reference agencies like Experian make their insight much more authoritative than a clipboard survey. Alongside those two data sources there are many others that, when combined in new and innovative ways on a platform like the one we have developed at Carter Jonas, can give insight to a variety of interesting areas, such as: • The percentage of your customers who visit a competitor before or after they have been to your premises • The daily rhythm and shifting spending patterns from morning to night and how this changes with factors such as the seasons and the weather • Commuting patterns, how they impact weekday retail and how you can predict changes to routes when new infrastructure is built or disruptions caused by factors such as train strikes or road closures

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property

These and an almost infinite number of insights are available to you at Carter Jonas. We have the expertise and the systems that allow you to ask the questions and receive the answers that might underpin your next big investment decision.

Andy Williams Before joining Carter Jonas in 2015 Andy Williams was an Army Geospatial Intelligence Officer working on such esoteric questions as ‘where is the least bad place to shoot down a plane over London?’. Since then he and his team of 12 data and mapping experts in Oxford have been adapting those thought processes to help clients of Carter Jonas across the UK with their property decisions.

Carter Jonas Carter Jonas LLP is a leading UK property consultancy working across residential sales and lettings, rural, planning, development, national infrastructure and commercial property. With a network of 36 offices across the UK, we employ more than 700 people, we are renowned for the quality of our service, the expertise of our people and the simply better advice we offer our clients.

 andy.williams@carterjonas.co.uk  01865 404 439  www.carterjonas.com

Smart Wireless Lighting – simple, wireless, intelligent. The intelligent lighting management system for individual lighting solutions from WILA is the easiest wireless lighting control technology in the market. Hereby collaborates WILA with its technology partner Casambi, who were awarded for their system technology as a „Control Product of the Year 2016“. Thus WILA customers worldwide can benefit from the highest lighting and operating comfort. Compared to standard lighting systems Smart Wireless lighting from WILA based on Bluetooth Low Energy reduces installation, energy and commissioning costs. Through eliminating additional control lines, as needed for DALI or DMX solutions, wiring costs are being reduced and system extensions or changes are possible without any cabling. Easy Planning, Easy Commissioning and Customizing and Simply Better System Technology For all details about Smart Wireless Lighting from WILA, please visit our website. www.wila.com @WILA_lighting #TrustWILA A Member of the Nordeon Group

property

NEW PROPERTY RENOVATION SERVICE HAS QUALITY AT ITS CORE A new service offers landlords a ‘one stop shop’ for improving their properties for the lettings market. Core Renovations, founded by veteran property manager Tina Doyle and a subsidiary of lettings agent College and County, helps landlords make improvements that will maximise the return on their investment. Written by: Karen David

Tina Doyle’s 20 years’ experience as a property manager in Oxford have equipped her with a deep understanding of what makes a property desirable. Her street-by-street knowledge of the city and instinct for what tenants need from a property are highly valuable to landlords, especially if they are new to the area or to the lettings market. “It is not always obvious what improvements you should make,” says Tina. “To maximise return on investment, the first rule is to understand what will appeal to the tenants you are targeting. A house that appeals to families will benefit from plenty of space and storage. A smart, two-bedroom apartment will attract young professionals, who may want a stylish, finished interior.” Oxford is a diverse city with many different communities, so it’s hardly surprising that many landlords simply don’t know where to start. Core Renovations has been created to help landlords to overcome these challenges. “I have spent the last few decades guiding people through the property renovation maze in this city

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and see a real need for a complete, end-to-end renovations service from a trusted, experienced supplier,” explains Tina. “At Core Renovations we handle everything for our clients," she adds. "We explore the market opportunities for their property and help to set a budget that is focused on their target yield, ensuring project costs are at the right point to maximise rental uplift with minimum spend. We then form a project plan and manage it through to completion of the work. If the client lives out of town, we can easily take on the whole project and ‘run with it’ on their behalf.”

and finishing on time within budget,” she adds. Core Renovations shares College and County's ethical approach to business and high quality standards of practice. “Launching Core Renovations is an exciting venture,” says Tina. “We’re sure to face challenges along the way, as the property lettings market is always changing. But facing a challenge head on is the essence of being a successful property manager, and it’s what I love the most about the job.” If you are thinking of improving your property for rental and want to maximise the return on your investment, contact Tina Doyle below.

When it comes to managing the work, Core Renovations provides the client with a single point of contact throughout the project and draws on the best contractors. “As you would expect, our experience over the years has given us a very extensive network of skilled, qualified professionals who we know well and are typically local to Oxford. As the pivotal point between the client and the contractor, we take great pride in ensuring the highest standards of service quality

 tina@corerenovations.co.uk  07711 719 048  www.corerenovations.co.uk

MERIDIAN HOUSE East Point Business Park TO LET 1,723 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4,599 sq ft Prominent high quality refurbished offices providing open plan flexible office space for the modern occupier. Available as a whole or on a floor by floor basis.

4220 NASH COURT Oxford Business Park TO LET 4,885 sq ft Nash Court is an extensively refurbished two storey office building providing high quality, efficient business space with dedicated parking for staff and visitors.

TRADE CITY OXFORD Sandy Lane West TO LET 3,715 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 25,883 sq ft Brand new trade and industrial units, designed to meet the needs of modern business. Nearby trade occupiers include: Travis Perkins, Speedy Hire & Electric Centre.

WINDRUSH COURT Abingdon Business Park TO LET Suites from 3,021 to 5,084 sq ft The offices are located in a detached two storey office block arranged around an open, central courtyard which provides fantastic natural light into the offices.

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

news Critical shortage of supply could stifle growth prospects for some businesses The VSL & Partners commercial property market report shows 2016 was a record year for the industrial market but with stock at the lowest ever recorded levels, this could stifle growth prospects for some businesses in the year ahead. Last year the Oxfordshire industrial and technology market had one of its best years ever, defying the instability caused by the Brexit referendum. The year provided the best take up levels in a decade and generated strong rental growth which was particularly impressive within the science and technology sectors.

2016 with Grade A rents at £27.50 per sq ft and new quoting rentals reaching £30 per sq ft.” says Richard Venables, director at VSL & Partners.

Office Take up by Sector (No. of Deals) 8%

Sectors

29%

Services

Science & Technology 17%

A34 Corridor Office Supply & Take Up 1000,000

Manufacturing 9%

900,000

21%

Other

Leisure

800,000 700,000

Office Take up by Sector (No. of Deals)

600,000

Finance Education

500,000 400,000

In the Q3 investment market8%Oxfordshire, and By Oxford in particular, Sectors remain on a 2016 Industrial Take Up Town (sq ft) 8% wish list for most institutions and property29% funds underpinned by the area’s Services 4% strong economic fundamentals. Science

300,000 200,000 100,000 0 2007

2008

2009 2010

Supply (sq ft)

2011

2012

Take Up (sq ft)

2013

2014

2015

2016

5 Year Av. Take Up

Take up at the end of 2016 reached 1,070,000 sq ft, the first time the million square foot barrier has been breached since 2006, representing a 38% increase in take up over the five-year average. Didcot was the main driver of transactional activity during the year with Bicester in a close second. The two towns recorded over 50% of the total take up during the year.

15%

17%

& Technology

Manufacturing Oxford The VSL 2017 market report provides an 11% analysis of the office and industrial 9% IT market for 2016 focusing on central Oxford and along the A34 ‘Innovation Abingdon 21% 9% Other 5% Corridor’. It gives 4% clear insight into supply, take-up Knowledge and rents and Didcot details forecasts for the year ahead. It also puts a spotlight onLeisure The investment Bicesterof Bicester 31% and flexible office markets, together with the continuing development Finance 23% with its ‘Garden City’ status. Thame Education Witney Other

Q3 2016 Industrial Take Up By Town (sq ft) Tom Barton, director at VSL explains: “Industrial supply has reached unprecedented low levels and at the end of 2016 total supply was almost identical to the previous year’s take up. With little hope of any new meaningful supply coming to the market during 2017, further rental growth is likely and the land release of smaller commercial plots will be key to meeting the projected growth of occupiers in the near future. “

15%

6% 11%

Oxford

9% Abingdon 5%

“Conversely, supply in the office market increased by 12% in 2016, not through new speculative building but through the release of buildings mainly to the East side of Oxford by larger corporates due to relocation or consolidation. Take up levels declined by 10% in comparison with 2014 and 2015, although they still sit above the five-year average. Office rents started to climb significantly in

Didcot 31% 23%

Bicester Thame Witney Other

Deals Done...

16 Avenue One, Station Lane, Witney 6,231 sq ft let to Toolstation

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28 Blacklands Way, Abingdon 4,003 sq ft let to UPS ltd

15 Chiltern Business Centre, Oxford 980 sq ft let to Ratio F&B Ltd

IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS Magnificent galleries and spaces of this iconic and historic central Oxford venue provide a stunning backdrop for corporate occasions for up to 900 guests. Our experienced and dedicated event managers will help you host a truly memorable corporate reception, dinner or exclusive out of hours event. contact e events@ashmolean.org t 01865 610406 w ashmolean.org/venuehire

Photography by Martin Phelps B446

property

At College and County we take a “longer term perspective. We have been in the lettings market for long enough to know that to grow a sustainable business, the focus must be on trust, fairness and quality of service

”

Mark Crampton Smith, Director - College & County

LETTINGS BUSINESS Why an ethical approach always wins over chasing short term profit. Written by: Mark Crampton Smith

The government’s promised ban on lettings fees to tenants is yet to get off the starting blocks, but it could hit lettings agencies hard if they are not prepared. Mark Crampton Smith of College and County explores why the ban highlights the need for a sustainable, long term approach.

for long enough to know that to grow a sustainable business, the focus must be on trust, fairness and quality of service. Today, our landlord clients and their tenants place higher expectations than ever on our ability to deliver a quality standard of service. And they expect us to take an ethical approach.

In the 2016 Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond said the ban on tenants’ fees will save 4.3 million households across the UK hundreds of pounds. The lettings agents who have charged high fees to tenants in the last few years, sometimes as much as £600 for signing a contract, are facing a big challenge when the ban takes effect. Their earnings from these fees, which can be up to around 30%, will disappear from their balance sheets unless they pass them onto landlords or absorb them in cost savings.

According to the English Housing Survey, almost half of 25-34 year olds (46%) rented privately in 201415, up from 24% a decade before. These are young professionals who are building their careers and growing families. They need quality housing, stable rental agreements and landlords they can trust.

So it’s not surprising that agents are warning in their droves that lost revenue will be switched to landlords, eventually leading to higher rents. While this may happen in some cases, it is hard to believe that landlords, who can easily shop around for agents, will simply accept higher fees. And, in a market that is straining under high rent prices, landlords will be far less able to pass cost increases onto tenants than they were even a year ago. At College and County we take a longer term perspective. We have been in the lettings market

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In Oxford, which suffers a perennial housing shortage and has yet again been declared the least affordable place in Britain, the proportion of rented properties has almost certainly exceeded the national average. Many private homeowners in the city have become landlords, renting out their homes as they downsize or move away from the area. These clients look for stable, quality tenants who pay their rent on time and look after their properties. Both landlords and tenants have more choice as new types of property services such as Purple Bricks are emerging to offer alternatives to the traditional providers. Local agents who maximise their fees for short-term profit will lose out to these new business models before too long. These are just some of the reasons why at College

and County we don’t fall into the trap of chasing high profits for short term gain. We are the only agent in Oxford which does not charge renewal fees as we want to reward and keep great tenants for our landlords, not turn them away. So, when we comply with the ban on tenants’ fees, our clients can be assured that we won’t be passing on hikes to landlords’ fees. And because our fees are set as low as possible to reflect administration costs, we won’t be facing a massive financial hit that could jeopardise our business. Looking ahead, we will continue our strategy to grow a sustainable business as one of Oxford’s leading lettings agents. To us, being on hand to guide our clients with a friendly approach and deep knowledge of the marketplace are all part of the service.

 info@collegeandcounty.co.uk  01865 722 722  www.collegeandcounty.biz

Newbury Racecourse introduces new hospitality options for 2017

Newbury Racecourse has introduced a new hospitality range ahead of a full year of racing in 2017. In response to increasing demand for hospitality offerings at events such as Betfair Super Saturday, Al Shaqab Lockinge Day, Thursday Nights Live and the Gold Cup Meeting, the Racecourse has designed three options to suit all budgets.

Aiming to create a simple yet memorable hospitality experience for visitors, the sporting venue’s packages reflect the diverse expectations of its expanding customer base. The Classic package entails traditional hospitality perfect for informal entertaining which is served in an exclusive suite in the Berkshire Stand. This is inclusive of a Champagne reception, a three course lunch (either plated or buffet), a selection of cheese and biscuits, fresh filter coffee and English tea with chocolate truffles and a pay-asyou-go bar. The Elite package is aimed at racing newcomers with the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes as well as a talk from the Racecourse’s tipster. The Champion option offers guests the very best in hospitality with a dedicated host throughout the day as well as a Champagne reception, a three course lunch, a selection of cheese and biscuits, brandy, tea and fresh coffee with chocolate truffles, a full afternoon tea, a bar inclusive of wines, beers and soft drinks and a tipster talk. Also on offer is the Royal Box Dining package which allows delegates to enjoy a premium hospitality experience in the historic Royal Box. This experience is enhanced by a four course

seated lunch and a classic afternoon tea. Tracy Skinner, Head of Sales at Newbury Racecourse, said: “By introducing new hospitality options we hope that we will be adding another layer to the rich experience on offer at Newbury Racecourse. We have tailored our packages in response to feedback from our clients to ensure that there is something for everyone, and we are thrilled to have already received enquiries”. Prices for these new hospitality choices range from £145 to £315 per person.

NEWBURY RACECOURSE Newbury Racecourse is more than 110 years old and combines heritage with everything a modern sporting and events venue can offer. The racecourse held its first race in 1905 and has long been one of Britain's leading tracks, staging up to 30 days of top class Jump and Flat racing annually, with at least one raceday in every month of the year. To match its distinguished sporting facilities, the racecourse boasts high quality events spaces. As a thriving events venue, Newbury Racecourse hosts a range of activities including weddings, concerts, conferences and award ceremonies for

20 to 1,000 attendees, from a wide spectrum of businesses and organisations. On a raceday, a private hospitality suite for friends, family or colleagues is the ultimate way to experience Newbury Racecourse. Coupled with exceptional views of the racing from the iconic Berkshire Stand, the venue’s awardwinning in-house caterer provides outstanding food and drink offering to guarantee a memorable raceday experience suiting a wide range of budgets. To add to its outstanding hospitality offering, the racecourse now has its own 36-bedroom hotel, The Lodge, which opened in June 2016. For further information see below.

 hospitality@newburyracecourse.co.uk  01635 40015  www.newburyracecourse.co.uk

“ By introducing new

hospitality options we hope that we will be adding another layer to the rich experience on offer at Newbury Racecourse

”

Tracy Skinner, Head of Sales at Newbury Racecourse

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venues

The Elite package is aimed “at racing newcomers with the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes as well as a talk from the Racecourse’s tipster.

”

Tracy Skinner, Head of Sales at Newbury Racecourse

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TO LET: Commercial property Contact our award winning agency team for more information

TO LET at Abingdon Business Park

TO LET: Fletcher House, Oxford

• Oﬃce properties from 1,189 sq ft • Range of modern suites available • High quality, fully refurbished space

• 6,900 – 14,000 sq ft Grade A oﬃces • Fully ﬁtted, true plug and play accommodation • Prominent location on the Oxford Science Park

TO LET: The HQ, Harwell Campus

TO LET: Quad One, Harwell Campus

• Office space from 2,000 – 20,000 sq ft • Fully refurbished to Grade A specification • Available early 2017 on flexible lease terms

• 690 - 25,016 sq ft Grade A oﬃces/laboratories • Available for occupiers’ bespoke ﬁt-out • Occupation available from Q3 2017

TO LET at Abingdon Business Park

TO LET: Orion House, Oxford

• Modern industrial properties from 2,558 sq ft • Range of business units and distribution space • Within close proximity of the A34, M40/M4

• 6,187 – 12,815 sq ft open plan oﬃce space • Refurbished self-contained oﬃces with parking • Prominent Oxford ring road location

Kevin Wood Head of Oﬃce kwood@lsh.co.uk 01865 587 707

John Greaves Director jgreaves@lsh.co.uk 01865 587 706

Charlotte Reaney Senior Surveyor creaney@lsh.co.uk 01865 587 701

Leo Silver Graduate Surveyor lsilver@lsh.co.uk 01865 587 709

Get in touch: oxford@lsh.co.uk

BUSINESS

““The biggest business-networking and showcase event in the county. N

BIO2017 TAKE THE DAY OFF AND PUT YOUR BUSINESS FIRST BIO2017 is all set to be an invigorating day for Oxfordshire businesses, with first class presentations, exhibitors and over 600 delegates from a wide range of Oxfordshire’s business set to attend. But it’s a packed day for you to get the most out of, with great talks and interactive sessions taking place throughout the day – SO CLEAR THE DAY IN YOUR CALENDAR AND DON’T MISS OUT! We’ve also got a gin and tonic lined up for you at the end of the day when you can unwind and continue the networking.

OVER 600 ATTENDING OXFORDSHIRE’S LARGEST BUSINESS NETWORKING AND SHOWCASE EVENT Business In Oxford 2017(BIO2017), the county’s largest business to business networking and showcase event, organised by B4 will take place on Thursday 11th May 2017 from 08:15 – 17:30 for local public and private sector organisations across Oxfordshire and beyond. The event, which will be held at The King’s Centre, Oxford’s largest conference centre, is set to showcase some of the UK’s most engaging keynote speakers, interactive and inspirational seminars and provide a variety of networking and exhibiting

opportunities for local businesses. Designed to Engage, Inform and Inspire Oxfordshire businesses, BIO was launched in 2014, sparking innovation and collaboration. Now, BIO is the biggest business-to-business networking and showcase event in the county, bringing together Oxfordshire’s most influential decision makers, leading business owners, senior managers, employees and entrepreneurs.

SPEAKERS & SPONSORS Key partners include Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire LEP, EY, James Cowper Kreston, Savvy Construction, Vodafone, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford Science Park, Oxford University, MEPC, Unipart, Henry Stone, Google Digital Garage and many more! See right hand page for full list of latest companies taking part.

HIGHLIGHTS There are many highlights for this year’s event. Speakers include Nik Powell, co-founder of Virgin Group; Mike Clare founder of Dreams; Antony David of Solid State Logic; Mark Beard of Beard Construction; Nick Coleman, Co founder of Snaffling Pig (as seen on Dragons Den); Mike Lawton of Oxford Space Systems and Lycia Lobo of Ashmolean Museum. Also making an appearance this year is Samuel Boateng as seen on BBC’s The Apprentice and the keenly awaited Hussain Manawer who is not only a world record holder making waves in royal circles and will soon be the first British Muslim in space. Delegates will enjoy a mixture of excellent presentations, networking and a wide range of exhibition stands. The latter includes a Wellness Area (see page 62) comprising fitness,

 BusinessinOx #BIO2017  business-in-oxford  businessinoxford.com

nutrition, physio and office environment advice; The Cocktail Service’s Pearson Chase who will be performing his unique mixology skills for your enjoyment; and don’t forget to experience City Mazes real life escape game. Find out more at the event! The post event drinks reception is also turning into something of an After Party as Tom Nicholson of TOAD (The Oxford Artisan Distillery) will be talking about Oxfordshire’s very own distillery opening next month in Headington, complete with a gin & tonic for each delegate together with pork scratchings supplied by Snaffling Pig …. now there’s two good reasons to stay the distance!

THE BIG IDEA Have you got a solution for Oxford? Perhaps something to ease congestion in the city centre, an bright ideas to provide more commercial office space or a top idea to make Oxford the best city in the world? If you’ve got that idea and you would like it debated in the closing session at BIO2017, e-mail info@businessinoxford.com

TRANSPORT Our good friends at Oxford Bus Company and City Sightseeing will also be providing a bus service to and from the event from Seacourt Park and Ride and Oxford train station respectively.

OVERVIEW TIMETABLE 08:00

09:15

General Breakfast Buffet

08:30

09:15

Speed Networking Round 1 with Carter Jonas

10:15

10:30

Refreshment Break

10:30

11:30

1st Bank of Seminars

11:30

11:45

Refreshment Break

11:45

12:45

2nd Bank of Seminars

12:45

13:45

Lunch

13:00

13:45

Speed Networking Round 2 with Cater Jonas

14:00

15:00

3rd Bank of Seminars

15:00

15:15

Refreshment Break

15:15

16:15

4th Bank of Seminars

16:30

17:00

Closing Ceremony

17:00

17:30

Closing Drinks

BIO2016 Testimonials here: www.businessinoxford.com BIO2016 Film here: www.businessinoxford.com

Oxfordshire LEP James Cowper Kreston Sobell House TOAD Henry Stone Unipart Ernst & Young The Evergreen Agency Oxford City Council Oxford Strategic Partnership Savvy Construction VSL & Partners Wellers University of Oxford Barclays The Cocktail Service Shaw Gibbs Indulge Media OXC Haiku Consulting The Digital Garage (Google) Payrolls Direct Oxford Innovation Hedges Oxford Science Park Paul Avins Enterprises Ltd Oxford Bus Company Oxford Brookes University Brookstreet des Roches Strategic Mentors Vodafone Snaffling Pig FSB VESTD Clarenco NCS Oxfordshire SPB Projects City Mazes MEPC Complete IT CIS Ltd City Sightseeing The Funding Network Hussain Manawer Rhodes House Mark Beard Blake Morgan Team GB John Kennedy Wildbore & Gibbons Carter Jonas Red Engineering Sharp Ahead Ashmolean Oxford Space System Oxford Product Design Conference Oxford Penningtons Manches

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER Over 600 tickets have already been sold and BIO2017 promises to be an event for all, certainly Oxfordshire’s ‘must attend’ business event. There are 100 special promotional free tickets available using the code BIO2017PROMO at www.businessinoxford.com on the tickets page. For more information about BIO2017 visit www.businessinoxford.com

 BusinessinOx #BIO2017  business-in-oxford  businessinoxford.com

BUSINESS

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BIO2017 HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Ask the Nutritionist, advice on how to get employees eating better Postural assessments and advice Find out what personnel training can do for you and your company Advice on office space solutions Get moving - fun ideas to get you and your company active Come and try Ping on a desk and Office Golf

TIMETABLED EVENTS 10.15 Break Welcome Seated massage Invigorate 11.30 Break Resistance band workouts 12.45

Lunch’n’Learn

Talks 12.50 Simple ways to decrease sedentary time during the working day 13.00 Personal Training & Private Group Training and the benefits that can be achieved for both individuals & company groups 13.10 Core stability and alignment 13.20 Goldilocks and the 3 chairs 13.30 Hydration for concentration and cognitive function 13.35 Raising the benefits of the sit and stand desk 3.00 Break The Club Lounge - relax, refresh and revive Pick-me-up smoothies Seated massage

MAIN CONFERENCE 11.45am 11.55am 12.05pm 12.15pm 12.25pm

Eating for workplace performance The benefits to individuals & companies of starting & following a training plan, plus how best to get started Increasing productivity and reducing absenteeism through workplace health initiatives Aston James, Workspace and Wellness Connected Self massage and stretching to do at work

Helen Money Nutrition

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Complete Massage Oxford

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Is your business fit for 2017? Our 90 Day Challenge team (see page 100) will be at the event to deliver some great advice for you and your business.

BUSINESS BUSINESS

WELLNESS TEAM

TOM ALDEN TLA Fitness

HELEN MONEY

Helen Money Nutrition

JOANNE O’DONOVAN Complete Massage Oxford

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Trevor, thank you very much for joining us today at B4. Could you give our viewers an overview of what you do here at Barclays? TREVOR Of course. I head up the corporate team for Barclays in the Thames Valley and we look after businesses from start up, right through to Aim listed companies and we have a staff of fifty people across the region. RICHARD What do you feel about business confidence at the moment, not specifically Oxfordshire, but generally, how do you feel the economy is doing?

vigilant and making sure that you don’t fall for some of the threats, that unfortunately are real and live at the moment. In terms of the internet, it is really useful because it’s very helpful in managing some of the other risks with exporting. For example, we have apps that will give you live foreign exchange rates, so you can manage the volatility in the exchange rate. We have an online platform which enables our customers to make payments to more than 90 countries. You can have a currency account in more than 20 different currencies and again that helps to mitigate the risks of trading internationally in addition to the cyber security risks that every business is facing. RICHARD Can you summarise your 5 top tips for exporting?

TREVOR We’re seeing some positive signs. The IMF growth forecast for the UK is positive, albeit not as strong as the World forecast that they’ve issued. The currency has been devalued since the Brexit vote, sterling something like 10%, the dollar 16%. Once we start to see some signs of recovery, we think this will be an opportunity for clients to start thinking about their exporting strategy. This is something we want to be talking to them about at BIO2017. RICHARD That leads us nicely into Business in Oxford. Thank you again for supporting the event for the second year. Could you explain more about your specific talk at the event? TREVOR What we’re very conscious of is that exporting for the first time or for people thinking about exporting more is that it can be quite daunting. Some of the legislation is complex, some of the risks associated with that are quite intimidating. What we’re going to do is talk about the things that Barclays can do to help people find new markets, to mitigate the risks (be they political, economic or commercial) and how we can support them through the whole process to make the journey as painless as possible. RICHARD You mentioned the risks of exporting but a lot of businesses are under threat from cyber-attacks. Is that particular threat magnified when you’re looking at exporting? TREVOR It is a real concern for customers. I’m not sure that it’s magnified by operating internationally. We spend a lot of time trying to make sure that our customers are always aware of the threats and the current things that we’re seeing in the industry. We hold regular cyber security clinics; we have a programme called Digital Wings, which enables our clients to share the information not only with their employees but their customers and families to raise awareness of the threats that are out there. It’s about being

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TREVOR Firstly, be strategic, thinking about the timing and preparation. Have you got the resources, have you got the expertise to take on perhaps a more complex business with partners in the world? Secondly, find the right partners and the right people. For example, thinking about the countries you want to go into and why you want to do that, and then making sure that you know you can trust the people on the ground because they’re your eyes and ears in that market place. Thirdly, assess and manage the key risks with exporting, and for me they fall into three categories: political, economic and commercial risks; we’ll talk through at BIO what people can do to mitigate those risks and what support is out there to help them. Fourthly, look at the logistics of trading internationally and thoroughly understand the route to market and what the risks are along the way. Finally, it’s about cash flow, as with any business keeping control of the cash is really important, so again we’ll talk about things we can do to support clients and also what government agencies and what support is out there for them. RICHARD Thank you very much for your time, we really appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you in May TREVOR Cheers Richard. For more information on Barclays please visit www.barclayscorporate.com and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Nick, thank you very much for joining us this afternoon. NICK My pleasure. RICHARD We’re looking forward to seeing The Cocktail Service at Business in Oxford where I’m sure you’ll be one of or if not the most popular exhibition and masterclass. Could you give us a little bit of background because I understand that The Cocktail Service are part of a wider group? NICK Yes, we have a Hospitality Company called ‘Eventuality Group’ which is made up of two strands of event bar company and a number of venues. We have The Cocktail Service which you have referred to and we have Bar Nation. Bar Nation focuses on public events, festivals & large scale bar contracts, concessions and sporting venues. The Cocktail Service, which we will come on to, focuses on providing bar services for corporate & private events, working with event planners & caterers and with events venues across the UK. In addition, we have a pub on St. Clements St, Oxford called ‘The Globe’ and a new venue opening soon just outside Oxford.

number of companies across Oxfordshire, running client & in-house events in their offices along with our cocktail ‘teambuilding’ master classes. We’ve certainly seen a growing interest in that side of the business and it’s really quite a fun activity and cocktail master classes really help to engage their staff and clients. RICHARD So team building with alcohol, it can’t go wrong surely! NICK No! It’s certainly a fun recipe, we just feel we’ve got a great team, great individuals and you’ll see some of the team at Business in Oxford demonstrating a snapshot of one of our cocktail master classes. As you said, it’s always going to be fun when a couple of cocktails are involved!

For more information on The Cocktail Service please visit www.thecocktailservice.co.uk and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

RICHARD And you reference sporting events. I understand you’re making an appearance at the Grand National, not personally but as a company? NICK Indeed, that’s an exciting new concept we have for Bar Nation called ‘The Village’. It’s made up of a number of premium drinks outlets, from one to twenty outlets, offering things such as craft cocktails on tap, craft beers & ciders as well as a ‘Bellini Bar’, say for example, offering 20 varieties of Bellini’s. RICHARD And I understand you’re probably getting involved in over 300 events this year? NICK Yes exactly, so across all that we do it will be north of 300 including the festivals, of which we now service up to 15 per annum. RICHARD As previously referenced, I am sure you will be very popular at BIO2017, but how do you engage with other local businesses and help them through the services you provide?

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We’re really lucky to work with a large number of companies across Oxfordshire, running client & in-house events in their offices along with our cocktail ‘teambuilding’ master classes. We’ve certainly seen a growing interest in that side of the business and it’s really quite a fun activity and cocktail master classes really help to engage their staff and clients. Nick Ford, The Cocktail Service

NICK The Cocktail Service specifically is the real focus of our company and, as I said, we’re really lucky to work with a large

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD John thanks very much for joining us today. JOHN Thank you Richard. RICHARD John F Kennedy, the brains behind the name ‘B4’. JOHN That’s very kind of you to say! RICHARD Thank you again for agreeing to support us at Business in Oxford. You’ll be taking control front of stage hopefully and keeping everyone in order. You have also presented at the last three Business In Oxford’s and your topic of choice is brands, which is your subject of expertise. Can you maybe just give us a little bit of background about you, what you do now and also what you’ll be talking about at Business In Oxford? JOHN My pleasure Richard. I will be talking about brand protection and the brand as a key element in both intellectual property and business strategy. So why brand is important, why we all interact with brands, and what you as a business need to do to protect your brand – but also to develop your brand. How have I got to this stage? Well, I originally started in professional services marketing and before that I actually read Geography at University, so it’s been a change, but actually I’ve been working in professional services and in leadership, strategy and management for many years. What interests me about Business In Oxford and why it’s such a fantastic event, both to chair at, to be involved with and to speak at is just the sheer mix of great businesses that are there, and the number of projects that are involved, its’s absolutely amazing. Year four, 2017, will be the biggest and best yet…. or so I’ve been promised! RICHARD So what makes a strong brand John, in your opinion? JOHN Authenticity and trust. Obviously visual identity is important, and people think of brands as a logo, but it’s actually what that logo means to you. There’s an awful lot of psychology wrapped up in branding; what do we trust, does that brand deliver, and is the service great? Sometimes, great brands are the most disappointing in their service, and that obviously disappoints us. We buy into the ethos of a brand, but brands, particularly in 2017 and beyond, have to be authentic and deliver from visual identity (great logo) all the way through to point of sale, and what you’re eating, driving and experiencing. RICHARD If we think, for example, a telecommunications

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company’s brand or logo is good but we have a bad experience with that particular company, does that really affect our impression of that logo? JOHN It does indeed. It certainly has an impression because we’re not complaining about the technical side of things quite often, we may well be complaining about the customer service side. The nature of brand is that we interact with the brand, but it’s also absolutely key to make sure the delivery of the service is excellent. Quality is part of what the brand should mean to us, but, actually, we’ve all had experiences where we think ‘this is a fantastic multi-billion pound brand, but I can’t use my telephone or my PC isn’t working; what’s going on, I can’t get hold of them’. It’s not necessarily that I’m criticising the technical delivery, I just can’t get hold of somebody on the phone to complain and that’s what I feel I need sometimes, when I’m let down by a bigger brand. RICHARD Mark Beard, at Beard Construction, is speaking at the same seminar session as you. I asked Mark what three elements he would take from what three brands to make up a super brand. I’m going to ask you the same question, without any research or preparation whatsoever! JOHN Absolutely, no problem. Very, very strong logo and identity, Coca Cola would be an excellent example of that; Ford cars possibly. Then the delivery; the constant delivery across every single platform of that image, but also the quality of the product. Finally, I suppose would be the consistency in going forward in terms of every touch point that I expereince. If I think of the overall brand, my experience of the overall brand, do I trust it to deliver? Do I trust that can of beer, coca cola, whatever, to be the same wherever it is in the world? Actually that is what the great brands do. Within that I would say B4, the network is a very strong brand because it delivers what anybody in the networking world would want, trusted relationships to build bridges between businesses. RICHARD This wasn’t rehearsed but John that was very kind of you to say that. I obviously agree with you 100%! Thank you again for your time, we look forward to you taking the chair at Business In Oxford 2017 and we look forward to your presentation. For the full article please visit www.businessinoxford.com For more information on Wildbore Gibbons please visit: www.wildbore.eu and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Piers, thank you for joining us this morning. You’ve been MD of Oxford Science Park for 9 months now so could you give us some background about you and where you were before OSP? PIERS I’ve been in the commercial property industry for just over 20 years, and I’ve actually been involved with business parks and science parks for the best part of 15 years. I was previously at Arlington who were most probably the market leaders in business parks and I helped take that business into science parks about 10 or 12 years ago. The business ended up being bought by Australian listed company, Goodmans. I was also involved in a management buy in buy out start up a few years ago, trying to put together a platform of science parks in the UK in key hotspots, ostensibly the strong university towns and obviously London. Ultimately it didn’t succeed, these things happen, but it left me free to join OSP which was under new ownership following a management buy out by Magdalen College. RICHARD And you joined at a very exciting time. PIERS A very exciting time. Following the buy out there was a desire to commit to new developments. The previous jv partner was quite a passive partner when the world changed with the recession so with Magdalen College back in control they were able to be masters of their own destiny and actually commit to new capital development.

prosper and grow and actually commercialise their research and development programmes. What we’re trying to do here is to try and foster an environment in which people can actually communicate with one another and they don’t just operate in silos …. they actually collaborate. This might be over an informal cup of coffee or a more formal conversation which leads into a commercial relationship being formed where the spoils can be shared. RICHARD So you really see the art of conversation as something you need to encourage? PIERS Definitely. We have two buildings here which help create that environment. The Magdalen Centre which is our innovation centre, has been on the park for over 25 years and then this building we are sat in at the moment, The Sadler Building, which was built around 10 years ago. The Sadler Building has more catering and conferencing facilities and it has most definitely helped foster that environment we are looking to create with the new development. People want to come here and it’s actually a place where people feel good about themselves and people do talk to one another. RICHARD Thank you again for your time and we look forward to seeing you in May. PIERS Thank you.

We actually started work on the new development about a month ago now, and that completes in March next year. So it’s a very significant milestone for us and will create a distinct change both in terms of architecture but also in terms of the head count on the park. RICHARD And the square footage? PIERS It’s a 63,000 square foot building over four floors. It’s state of the art so it can be retro fitted for a laboratory use. Generally, the demand we are seeing across the science park is quite often for laboratory type usage, a reflection of the bounce that seems to be coming through the knowledge economy at the moment. RICHARD You’ve kindly agreed to speak at Business in Oxford in May, so what can our delegates expect to hear from you?

For more information on Oxford Scice Park please visit www. oxfordsp.com and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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We have a very rich commercial ecosystem here, i.e. businesses that are innovative, entrepreneurial and wanting to prosper and grow and actually commercialise their research and development programmes. Piers Scrimshaw-Wright, Oxford Science Park

PIERS We have a very rich commercial ecosystem here, i.e. businesses that are innovative, entrepreneurial and wanting to

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Chris, thank you for joining us this afternoon for B4 TV and also for agreeing to speak at BIO2017 in May. Perhaps you could give our viewers a bit of background and an insight into what you did before Strategic Mentors.

3. Fulfilment: which gives meaning to the work you do and the life you live.

CHRIS Of course. I originally qualified as a chartered accountant. I did the whole professional route: I was in a firm; I became a manager within a firm; had a portfolio of clients across all different sectors of the industry…. Then I had what I describe as a mid life crisis in my mid 20’s. I was advising firms how to make their businesses better, businesses in the £0.5 to £30 million sales range. But I didn’t have commercial experience personally, so decided to set up my own business. I built an independent consultancy and it was a great lifestyle. It was very lucrative working with some fantastic people and a range of different industries and sectors, really stimulating.

RICHARD And as well as discovering the 3 F’s and talking a bit more about that at the event, I understand you’ve also found personal satisfaction in getting involved in a charity in Uganda.

But then I had a massive personal situation come at me from nowhere. My wife was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour and so, suddenly, all work and business related matters paled into insignificance. My wife needed a lot of personal care, essentially, 24 hour care by the end - it had to be me, I wanted it to be me. As hard as it was, it was really, really, special. A beautiful time. A terrible situation you wouldn’t want anyone to go through, but our time together was also beautiful. And then after she died, the reality is life goes on. I’d realized I’d built a job, not a business, and that it was much better do something smarter.

Designing a business with that purpose is our smarter way.

CHRIS Indeed. I talk about the 3 F’s, but the third one, fulfilment, is so easily overlooked. People spend so much time almost defining themselves by how busy they are and what they’re doing in their work and in their business. But, actually, in the end it’s fulfilment that we all really hanker for, that we all really want. One way to develop a deep sense of fulfillment is to make a difference to other people. Make a meaningful contribution. My partner has a connection with an area of Uganda. We realized we could make a meaningful difference there, so we set up a charity focused on funding the education of girls. We specifically support girls in Uganda because we can change the repeating cycle of family poverty in a single generation. We do it because it matters to us and love the impact it has but I also share the idea because it’s a fantastic way to develop the third F of fulfillment, making an impact and creating a legacy in a lifetime. And entrepreneurs can be ideally placed to make their own impact in the world. RICHARD Chris it’s been an absolute pleasure to meet you. CHRIS Thank you, you too.

You know what it’s like when someone finds out you’re running your own business. They always ask you the question ‘how’s business, how’s it going?’ and we always answer in the same way, we always say ‘it’s going great, we’re really busy’. It just struck me, since when was busy the purpose? Since when did that matter? And we’ve learned to wear busyness like a badge of honour. And having been through what I personally went through, it woke me up, it was like a realisation, being busy is not what really matters. I’d suggest that, actually, the reason we all have a business is for the same thing, the same reason. The same three reasons actually, what I call the ‘3 F’s’: 1. Financial security: otherwise you just carry stress and continue struggling 2. Freedom: otherwise you’d get a job

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People spend so much time almost defining themselves by how busy they are and what they’re doing in their work and in their business, but, actually, in the end it’s true fulfilment which we all really hanker for, we all really want. Chris Gardener, Strategic Mentors

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Alison, good morning, thank you for joining us on B4 TV. Alison, you talk and coach leaders in all sorts of fields and from all sorts of backgrounds. What in your opinion makes a great leader? ALISON If you’re leading other people, you need to be full of energy and enthusiasm for what you’re doing. Another thing I would say is communication and people skills because, actually, it’s not just how you talk to the media as much as how you talk to your own people and how you talk to stakeholders, in a big presentation, for instance. You’ve also got to be able to see the big picture, because we’ve often talked about small businesses and small businesses often start with someone who is very good in one technical field and for them to look at the big picture is quite a stretch. For individuals who head up a large organisation they are used to looking at the big picture, but many people I work with are new to leadership, new to even thinking about leadership, so they aren’t used to thinking about the bigger picture. RICHARD So are great leaders born natural leaders or do they become leaders? Can someone running that small business you referenced make a transition to being a Sir Richard Branson or a Lord Sugar. Is that possible? ALISON I think both. Lord Sugar didn’t start out as a big business leader, but he certainly had the qualities to become one. I certainly think you can uncover your leadership, I think everybody is a leader because, after all, you say you ‘lead’ your life, we don’t say ‘follow’ your life. So everybody is a leader in their own lives and when we are talking to other people, in a presentation for instance, we’re a leader in that moment because we’re the ones who have that information ready to spread to other people. So I think in lots of different situations in life we do lead even if we never think of ourselves as a leader. But in business you do lead more and if you are leading a company or leading a division or a department you do have to have that sense of bringing people with you. You have to be able to engage them and you have to be able to listen to them, so that you can engage them in a way that fits what they’re actually interested in. RICHARD A lot of what you do is unlocking the skills that we might not necessarily think we’ve got in our toolkit to help us become good leaders. ALISON Yes, absolutely. It’s about developing and refining your leadership communication. You know, because of the work you

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and I have done together, about the importance of communication because you can’t lead others if you’re not able to communicate. If you’re not able to speak well or listen to others, whether that’s your stakeholders or you are in a room full of people or it’s your one to one conversations with your own team, then you won’t be regarded as a good leader. RICHARD Would you say it’s true that someone who is heading up a company, not necessarily leading that company, who fails to recognise the importance of leading and suppresses their potential to lead and their leadership abilities, that they are ultimately damaging their business by not taking on the full responsibility of being a leader? ALISON Well certainly they are not optimising their potential if they do that. I wouldn’t say “suppressing” because in most cases I don’t think it would conscious. However, if they are not recognising their potential and ability to lead, and the company needs leadership, it will have a similar effect. RICHARD A bit like learning to drive and accessing the rest of the country, becoming a better leader enables you to improve your business with better leadership skills. ALISON Yes of course and as you say it’s the big picture, you know the whole country. RICHARD We’re very lucky to have you again at Business in Oxford this year. I think this is the 3rd consecutive year that you will be presenting. You’ve chosen to speak in the leadership seminar so what areas will you be touching on in the seminar? ALISON Last year I talked about advanced presentation skills, the ability to talk one-to-many to a roomful of stakeholders. It’s an essential skill for leaders but it isn’t the only important element of leadership communication! Knowing how to engage your team and your staff is equally vital. And today it’s a hot topic for that reason. So I’ll focus my talk on how to use a small amount of neuroscience to give a big boost to staff engagement. For the full article please visit www.businessinoxford.com For more information on Oxford Professional Consulting please visit www.opcoxford.com and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Nigel, thankyou for joining us today at B4 TV. Could you give our viewers a bit of an overview of what you do here at the Oxfordshire LEP

RICHARD And from the outside looking in Oxfordshire must look to most people a really buoyant and thriving economy, but obviously with growth comes growing pains.

NIGEL Yes of course. A Local Enterprise Partnership like ours represents business interests and supports businesses in growing which in turn helps the overall growth of the economy. We look at the breadth of opportunities and the factors that support those businesses, such as skills and finance also come under our remit. It’s really about working with the businesses to support the growth in Oxfordshire for the benefit of local communities.

NIGEL Yes, absolutely, there are clearly challenges. If you are looking at it in the context of the housing market we know there are clearly challenges in terms of new people coming to live and work in the area but, again, some of that’s about creating the pathway, the quality of jobs, the opportunity for people to have a choice where they live and where they work and the infrastructure around all of those key issues that we are working with partners to try and resolve, whether that’s new public transport investment around park and ride, new infrastructure investment in physical investment in places such as junction improvement, the investment that’s going in on the eastern arc to improve access around the hospital side coming into Cowley… there’s intervention in place but I think we recognise the scale of growth is quite transformational and we need to continue to work out how to get that investment to support it. I think the heartening thing for me is that business is responding very positively and the growth in those businesses is quite dynamic Our challenge going forward is keeping pace with that growth spurt. It’s a positive problem to have.

RICHARD How do you measure your success and how is Oxfordshire LEP doing? NIGEL If you look at this in the context of attracting investment into the county then we’ve brought several hundred million pounds in over the last 3 or 4 years to support infrastructure investments and the development of skills initiatives. We have helped support new facilities like innovation centres, but we go beyond that... it’s about how we support those businesses transition to look at new markets. The measurement is about how we can support growth. If you look at employment over the last four years, that’s grown on average about 7,200 new jobs per annum for the last four years. That’s quite significant over that period of time. RICHARD There are some major new developments coming to Oxfordshire over the course of next six to twelve months. What are your thoughts about those developments coming into Oxfordshire? NIGEL If you look at it in the context of growth overall we’ve got major development in and around the enterprise zones. We have a new enterprise zone in Didcot and the existing one at Harwell at Milton Park and have announced new Garden Towns both in Didcot and Eynsham over the last twelve months. There is also major development in the city centre, so if you look at the Westgate Shopping Centre opening later this year in October, but we’ve also got development proposals moving forward at Oxpens around the railway station, northern gateway and indeed on Osney Island so major development in and around the city, major development that supports the growth of the city both in terms of commercial, retail and indeed residential so a very strong market performance over the last 12 to 18 months and moving forward over the next 12 months there will be more of that growth.

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RICHARD You’ve kindly agreed to support Business in Oxford for the 3rd consecutive year this May and you will be starting the day with the opening session. What can delegates expect to hear from you, more of what you have talked about with me today or anything else in particular? NIGEL By the time we open up the event we’re going to be moving into an environment where the government’s Industrial Strategy will have been launched and we will be starting to have a dialogue around how Oxfordshire performs in that UK and international market. We demonstrated last year working collaboratively across the partners that are involved (with OxLEP) a very strong basis through which we can promote businesses and we can demonstrate what opportunities there are for those businesses to engage, so I’m looking forward to a very positive event which builds on the strength of the previous years. For the full article please visit www.businessinoxford.com For more information on Oxfordshire LEP please visit www.oxfordshirelep.org.uk and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Mark thank you for joining us today at B4. Perhaps we can start with an overview of Beard and what you do. MARK Very good afternoon Richard and many thanks for the invitation to the Business in Oxford event later on this year. We are a regional building contractor. A lot of the work we do is in the education field. We have four offices: Oxford, Swindon, Bristol and Guildford and we are delighted in Oxford to work with many of the Oxford University colleges. RICHARD I understand you’re celebrating a significant birthday this year. MARK Not personally (!) but the business is 125 this year and we are having a number of celebrations, but one of the things we have decided that is very close to our heart is that we want to give back to the community, so our plan is to raise 125,000 pounds for charity this year. RICHARD Fantastic! What sort of endeavours have you got in place to hit that target? MARK Well it’s very much ground up. The offices made their own choice of charities. In Oxford we are supporting Sobell House with various fun initiatives, bike rides etc…. RICHARD Going back to your core business, obviously we’ve had a very tumultuous 2016 with lots of events out of our control which has changed the landscape quite significantly. Venturing into London you can always judge how healthy the economy is by the number of cranes on the skyline. How do you feel the economy is doing at the moment? MARK I think the economy has done far better after the referendum than I feared.

There has been a bit of a downturn in London but the regions have remained reasonably buoyant. Oxford is also a great place to be building with a lot of work going on. RICHARD You referenced Business in Oxford which you have kindly agreed to speak as one of our key note guest speakers. The Beard brand is recognisable on many signs throughout Oxford and I understand branding is your topic of choice at the event. Could you maybe give us a bit of background about your presentation MARK I’m going to speak from a practical point of view rather than an agency stance regarding brands. I believe that the messages your company gives out and the actions on the ground have to be consistent so that your customers, suppliers and employees can trust and rely on you. RICHARD And how has your brand and logo evolved over time? MARK Intriguingly over ten years ago we went through a rebranding exercise. Prior to the current brand we were known for our orange cabins our orange vans and people knew us but didn’t particularly like the brand which was perceived to be a bit old fashioned. What we delivered as a service was perceived in a better way than the brand. Now, hopefully, both the visual brand and what we deliver are consistent RICHARD If a new business out there needed three vital pieces of advice from you for building their brand what would those three nuggets be?

a brand expert. But, speaking from a practical business perspective, the three things I would suggest are as follows. First of all, in terms of the visual side, try and keep it as clean and simple as possible. Secondly, bring into it the character of your own business so that your brand has personality. But, lastly, in my view the most important thing, is to make sure your brand and the actions you follow through on the ground are consistent, so that when people think of your company they have a very clear and consistent view. RICHARD And if I were to give you the power to create a super brand, drawing from the strengths of three well known brands that we all see everyday, what would those three brands be and why would you choose them? MARK Wow that’s quite a challenge Richard. I would say you would start off with a brand that had ultimate trust and that, in my view, is the John Lewis brand. Secondly a brand that is steeped in innovation and Apple very much falls into that category. Finally I think we ought to have a bit of fun and a brand that reflects fun and joviality is very much the Mini brand, maybe more of the 1960’s version than today’s brand though. RICHARD Excellent. You say you’re not a brand expert Mark but I’m sure we’ve all learned something today and we look forward to learning a lot more at the event in May. Thank you for your time. For more information on Beard Construction please visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

MARK Richard that’s the most intriguing question for someone you know is not

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Jeremy, good afternoon and welcome to B4TV. Perhaps you could start this afternoon by giving our viewers a bit of background about Payrolls Direct. JEREMY Payrolls Direct is a payroll outsourcing company and as part of the range of services we offer we process people’s pay and that is supported by our cloud based HRM system which employees and employers can access. RICHARD I understand you’re fairly new to Payrolls Direct but you have significant experience in this particular industry. JEREMY Yes I’ve spent over 15 years in human resources and payroll and working in house for many different types of companies including start-ups, charities and global companies, so I’ve got a lot of experience in making processes streamlined and efficient.

JEREMY Number One I would say the payroll help line. We are actually staffed from 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. The help line is open for employers AND employees. So if there are any employee tax code or time sheet queries, we can answer these on behalf of the employer.

RICHARD We’re all looking to try and reclaim as many hours for our own personal lives as possible and your aim is to help businesses recover hours spent trawling through payroll.

Number Two would be the cloud based HR system which can be accessed from anywhere, from any device so that means as an employer you can access all of your employee data in a secure place on the cloud. Employees can also access their data from their mobile phone, from their tablet and laptop and they can submit their timesheets and expenses all within a couple of minutes….they can also be approved and ready to pay in just a couple of minutes!

JEREMY Absolutely. None of us got into business to process employee paid transactions, to answer payroll queries and chase up unresponsive accountants, so I’m absolutely passionate about helping businesses become more lean and efficient so they can focus their time on the more important aspects of their business or in their personal lives.

Number Three is accuracy. We have a processing centre in Skipton in Yorkshire and we process pay for over 120 companies at the moment serving thousands of employees and our process is based on triple checking. We make sure that the pay gets checked on three separate occasions to make sure that it is all accurate……we aim for 100% accuracy.

RICHARD How easy is it to quantify the savings in terms of time and the investment that a company might have to make into your service?

RICHARD Brilliant. I appreciate your time and we look forward to seeing you at Business in Oxford where I believe you’ve also got an exhibition stand so that anybody that doesn’t manage to catch your presentation can come and have a chat with you afterwards. In advance of the event I presume anyone interested in your services can contact you via your website?

JEREMY There are ways to quantify it, it would be different for different businesses but you can quantify time spent on chasing up accountants for answers to payroll questions and any mistakes that have been made through doing payroll yourself. So that could quite often lead to HMRC fines for underpayment of wages, things like that. RICHARD Do you have a particular niche or a sector that you work in or is it really across the board, all shapes and sizes? JEREMY Any business that has a minimum of one employee can benefit from our services. I am very passionate about helping small businesses because having worked in a number of different sized businesses, I know that smaller businesses have a real need for this kind of leading edge outsourcing service and cloud based system that can help them streamline their businesses.

RICHARD So if you were to come up with three really compelling reasons for anybody reading to maybe have a bit of change from what they’ve done in the past and instead of trawling through payroll figures for themselves, outsource it to you, what would your top three reasons be?

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JEREMY Absolutely. At the event I will be giving out a time saving, time hacking Booklet, not just about payroll but some other useful tips. My landing page can also be accessed via the Business in Oxford website. RICHARD Excellent. Thank you very much for your time and we looking forward to see you in May. JEREMY Thank you.

For more information on Payrolls Direct please visit www.payrollsdirect.com and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Sue, good afternoon and welcome to B4 TV. Thank you for joining us this afternoon, perhaps you could give our viewers a brief outline of the services you provide here at James Cowper Kreston. SUE Thank you very much for the opportunity, Richard. James Cowper Kreston is a firm of accountants and business advisers. We offer, effectively, end to end services for businesses and individuals from basic book keeping and payroll services, right the way through to flotation advice and mergers and acquisitions for companies. RICHARD One of your known areas of expertise is in the technology sector? SUE We work for a large number of technology businesses throughout the South of England, but although people know us very much for that, we actually specialise in a lot of other areas and one in particular that we want to talk about at Business in Oxford is family businesses. The majority of businesses in the UK are family run and they have particular issues that people aren’t always aware of from the outside or indeed when they’re running the company. They can’t necessarily see those issues coming up, and when they do hit them, they somehow think they’re unusual in experiencing them, which isn’t the case at all. These are the sorts of things that we want to explore, the sorts of issues that we see coming up with our clients. With family businesses you have that intertwining of family relationships and business relationships and, sometimes, that can be to the detriment of both; the family and the business, and it’s how you keep those two elements apart that is key. It’s also thinking about succession planning. What happens, for example, if somebody’s looking to hand their business down to the next generation and the next generation would actually rather go and do something else; and yet it’s a business that’s been in the family for two or three generations? Do you sell it, do you bring someone in, how do you manage all of that succession and the emotions that go with it? I’ve certainly seen companies where, for various reasons, they’ve had to dispose of the business and the emotional anxiety that causes, in somebody that’s been part of the family, where it’s passed down as an inheritance, is very considerable.

SUE It can be very challenging. I think that the key thing in that Richard is to try and enable both sides, and all sides if there’s more than two, to see that you’re there as a facilitator to try to help them to achieve the objectives that they’ve actually got. Clearly, we’re not councillors, we can’t necessarily put together fractured relationships, but what we can do is try and help them to steer a middle ground to come out unscathed, or relatively unscathed, on the other side. It can be difficult because some of the issues that people have go back into childhood, and you can be sat there with people in their fifties whose difficulties at the boardroom table with each other actually stem back to some relatively innocuous, you would think, childhood incident. You have to be aware of that. RICHARD So you are, in effect, by default, almost becoming councillors. SUE You can’t become councillors, but what you are is a strategist and advisers in relation to the business. You focus on what’s good for the business. RICHARD Sue you mentioned that you’re coming to Business in Oxford, which is great, and we’re looking forward to seeing you there. With regards to the presentation, will it be just yourself and your colleagues illustrating how delegates can benefit from your advice, or will you actually be bringing in clients along to the event? SUE What we’re hoping to do is bring along a number of people with us, who have different views and different aspects, the issues and solutions to those issues, within family businesses. We haven’t quite finalised the line-up yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as we have. RICHARD Well, we’ll keep an eye out for news on the Business in Oxford website and I’m sure you’ll let us know as soon as you’ve got those names. We look forward to seeing you in May and thank you again for your time. SUE Thanks very much Richard.

For more information on James Cowper Kreston please visit www. jamescowperkreston.co.uk and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

RICHARD You mentioned emotion, and I was just about to ask you, when you go into a non-family business, you have probably still got those emotions, but they’re not as obvious. So when you’re walking into a room and you might encounter conflicting elements of the same family, is that very difficult to work around and come up with practical solution for everybody.

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Antony, thank you very much for joining us this afternoon.

RICHARD And without giving full preview of what you’re going to be talking about at the event in May, what can our delegates expect to find from you about the network.

ANTONY My pleasure. RICHARD We’re here at your Solid State Logic offices in Begbroke, Oxford and, as Managing Director, perhaps you could give our viewers some background about the business. ANTONY Solid State Logic was founded by Colin Sanders and was originally based in Stonesfield. We moved to this site in the late 80’s and we are probably the world’s leading manufacturer of mixing consoles for professional users including recording studios, broadcasters and post production and education. We make everything in the UK but we sell all over the world. More than 90% of our output is exported.

ANTONY Well I’m going to talk a little bit about innovation and how the serendipity of meetings is really important to the fleshing out of ideas and discovery of new things and I think that’s probably where networking comes into it, it’s the sort of meeting you hadn’t planned where things come into focus, where opportunities arise. I’ll talk a little bit about how this has been done quite effectively in Cambridge and perhaps what we can learn from them. RICHARD So, although the world around us is travelling at a fast pace, in terms of communication and connectivity, you still believe there’s a need for networking, which is good news for OTMN and B4!

RICHARD And how many do you employ here on site? ANTONY About 130 here and around 160 worldwide. RICHARD You’ve kindly agreed to speak at Business in Oxford in May where you will be talking about The Oxford Technology & Media Network, which you are, effectively, chairman of. You previously referenced the worldwide nature of Solid State Logic and it was on one of your many trips abroad that you had the idea of setting up the network. ANTONY Yes OTMN came about really when Tony Henderson and Claire Barry got together having swapped notes from our experiences all over the world and we joked that we would bump into each other at Paddington Station or at JFK in New York more often then we would ever see each other in Oxford. We realised that we all lived and worked in Oxford but never got together and that was the catalyst for the network launching in 2008. RICHARD I understand you now have in excess of 400 members? ANTONY Yes that’s correct and half a dozen events a year focusing on a range of topics that are of interest. We’ve covered things like cryptocurrency, including bitcoin. We’ve had visits to places like Audiomotion Studios who are motion capture experts. We’ve even had events here at SSL and looked at our mixing consoles, so we’ve done a range of things to do with all of the sort of businesses that circle around the media and technology sector.

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ANTONY Absolutely, I don’t think networking all has to be face to face, but I think there’s a lot to be said for being in the same room and actually having the opportunity to chat and to talk, so we mix the events with an opportunity to do exactly that. RICHARD Antony, it’s been a pleasure to meet you and we look forward to seeing you in May. ANTONY I look forward to it too. For more information on Solid State Logic please visit www.solidstatelogic.com and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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We joked that we would bump into each other at Paddington Station or JFK in New York more often than we would see each other in Oxford Antony David, Oxford Technology & Media Network / Solid State Logic

 01865 742 211  info@businessinoxford.com

BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Simon, thank you very much for joining B4. You have kindly agreed to present at BIO2017….so what’s the topic?. SIMON Well the topic is in two parts really. Firstly we’re talking about companies that want to potentially spin out of the University or have a brand new, technical idea. We will advise on starting up a business and moving through the stages of a business to the end game, which would be floatation or sale. The second part, which my colleague, Christina Nawrocki, is going to present deals with some more technical aspects such as The Patent Box and research and development tax credits because the government are very keen in supporting action and they like feeding money back in if they possibly can and in any way that they can to support that sort of business.

as the general ability to help people and their businesses. We find that if you are a small business owner, in particular, it’s a lonely place sometimes and we like to think certainly at the top level we provide financial director skills that will help business owners get to where they want to be without paying for a full financial director. We also do all of the routine work you would expect us to do….. the compliance work that any firm of accountants of our size and qualifications will do. But on top of that we would like to be part of the team which is where the Business in Oxford concept comes in. We would like our clients to breath and to run their business and do what they’re good at and let us worry about the aspects that we are good at RICHARD For those reading that don’t know that much about Wellers, you’re not just based in Oxford you have offices elsewhere…

RICHARD This is an area of expertise and lots of experience? SIMON It is an area of expertise that we have in the firm so yes the development tax credits and The Patent Box as well as other specific areas that help us to take companies from their creation to the end game, whatever that might be. RICHARD And in terms of delegates, potential delegates reading, who are you looking to get in to your talk at BIO2017? SIMON Anyone that has an idea that they think they want to take out into the real world and set up as a research and development company initially and then take that idea all the way through the stages of a business cycle. Someone that’s done it already and perhaps aren’t excited or inspired or enamoured with their accountants so far and might like to see what we can offer

SIMON No we have an office in Banbury and we have another office in Pimlico in London and we also have an office in Thame. We’re ‘loosely’ Thames Valley corridor stretching up to London, that’s how we would like to look at ourselves. The client base is varied also. Wellers started in 1942, dealing with just farmers and obviously we have developed the firm to focus on owner managed companies of all sizes. RICHARD If anyone reading would like to steal a march on the other delegates and find out more about what you’re going to be talking about and what you do here at Wellers, how can they get in contact with you?

SIMON I would like to say that I will be inspiring during my talk and in general! But as an accountant, I know we’re all like marmite, you’ve got to pick the one you like, so if any of the delegates see anything they like in me, then come and have a chat!

SIMON Well they can certainly call us - we have one national number now which all offices operate under which is 0333 241 6000. Please call and we offer anyone a free consultation which quite often develops into a longer conversation. If you want to float some ideas past us and get an idea of our views on setting things up then it’s worth that chat. It is vitally important to get the systems and the planning right at the start. We’re not saying that we won’t look at you two or three years down the line, but, inevitably, if we do come to the table after you have started in business then there are always kinks to iron out. If we get in right from the outset then the whole process is a lot easier.

RICHARD So BIO2017 for Wellers as a firm is an important date in the diary?

RICHARD Simon many thanks for your time and we look forward to seeing you in May.

SIMON An extremely important day. We have a very strong marketing department who focus our efforts now whereas before we used to be more scattergun many, many years ago but now we don’t go into anything half-hearted. We like to think we are taking this full on and showing that we have the technical ability as well

For more information on Wellers please visit: www. wellersaccountants.co.uk and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

RICHARD So you’re looking at BIO2017 as an opportunity to inspire potential clients and you’re going to be poaching business Simon! (laughs).

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Mark thanks for joining us this afternoon. So Carter Jonas have kindly agreed to sponsor the speed networking session at Business in Oxford this year ….. apparently that was my idea?!

MARK We’ve been involved since it started and we’re delighted to put our weight behind it and I think the innovations this year will take the event to the next level and you can see why it’s such an important date in the calendar.

MARK It was and a very good one as well might I add ! RICHARD So i wouldn’t necessarily associate Carter Jonas with speed networking sessions so tell me what was in my thinking?

RICHARD Excellent well I appreciate your time and we look forward to see you in May. MARK Thank you, looking forward to it.

MARK I think what you were thinking and what we latched onto was, as professional advisers in the city, we work with a huge range of clients and we spend our lives networking and therefore we think actually the idea was great, it was the perfect opportunity for us to get out amongst a huge variety of different people.

For more information on Carter Jonas please visit: www.carterjonas.co.uk and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

RICHARD But you’ve never actually participated in speed networking or even speed dating Mark yourself? MARK I can’t admit to taking part in either (laughs), but the idea was good! RICHARD What sort of businesses would you like to see join the networking sessions? MARK For us it’s property owning businesses or individuals who are connected to property owning businesses who are looking to invest or transact in any way. Anyone that touches property in their life is good for us. RICHARD But we don’t want to alienate any other businesses, so it’s a bit of a free for all, happy to have all shapes and sizes there? MARK Absolutely and property really does affect everyone – they have to live and work somewhere so there’s a connection with everyone out there. RICHARD And you’re compering I understand or you’re in line to potentially compere? MARK We will host yes and I am looking forward to moving people around from table to table.

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For us it’s property owning businesses or individuals who are connected to property owning businesses who are looking to invest or transact in any way. Anyone that touches property in their life is good for us Mark Charter, Carter Jonas

RICHARD Well I appreciate you supporting Business in Oxford again and how do you see it as an event, how do you see it has evolved over the past few years?

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BUSINESS

BIO2017 INTERVIEW RICHARD Mike thanks very much for joining us at B4. Now I have it on good authority that here at Oxford Space Systems you are experts in the art of deployable structures. I haven’t got a clue what that means so perhaps you could explain a little bit more!

challenge. So we’ve actually had to look way beyond even the UK and Europe for staff so my team is comprised of Italians, Mexicans, Indians, Polish …… we just need smart engineers from wherever we can get them.

MIKE Well every time we launch a satellite we have to stow it in a really efficient manner so it sits in the payload envelope, the tip end of the rocket. So things like antennas and solar panels – anything on the sides of the satellite we need on orbit needed to stowed. So these critical structures that bring a satellite to life which need to deploy once in orbit are deployable structures. So the art of designing and supplying a new new generation of deployable structures is what we do at OSS.

RICHARD And you go into schools and spread the word in that way I presume?

RICHARD And I understand you’re currently monitoring one of your products in orbit at the moment. MIKE Yes. We’re working on some quite revolutionary materials all designed to improve efficiency and reduce cost and complexity of deployables. But before the market will buy a new product we’ve got to prove it in space. OSS actually set a record in the space industry for designing and proving a new product. Our AstroTube boom -a new, highly flexible composite boom system was successfully deployed on orbit after just 30 months from blank sheet of paper. We’ll be flying this for the next 9 months, validating the analytical claims we’ve made about our new material. RICHARD I also understand the UK’s space industry is focused here, so we’re very fortunate to have such an important sector right here in Oxfordshire. MIKE Yes, space is one of seven sectors identified by the government as being strategically important to the UK economy and, fortunately, the focus of the UK space economy is driven out of the Harwell Campus, so this is space cluster UK where a lot of government’s support is pouring into companies and infrastructure to make sure we remain leaders in the space industry. RICHARD Lots of sectors that we deal with through B4 say that they’re struggling to get youngsters in through the ranks and encourage them to work with them. I understand you experience similar problems in your industry which is surprising. MIKE Yes I think space has become a victim of its own success. We’re trying to grow as quickly as we can but we need really smart talent to come in and fill those positions so actually making people aware that we have a space industry is probably one of the biggest challenges and then, of course, getting them to consider a career in space engineering over any other type of engineering is a further

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MIKE Yes I actually see the fact that we receive quite a bit of support by the government as almost a moral duty to get out there into schools, universities and colleges and almost evangelize about a career in engineering, so I love going to schools and I love demonstrating the technologies we’re developing and hopefully we are helping to inspire a new generations of engineers. RICHARD Tell me more about the product you have in space. MIKE Most people are familiar with carbon fibre, normally a solid rigid material, but if we play around with the way the fibres go together, the type of resin system used and then the way we bake it, we can make carbon fibre do some really interesting things, such as become so flexible we can roll it up like a tape measure. This means our AstroTube boom can be fantastically stowage efficient; in fact we have the world’s longest retractable boom for the size of spacecraft its on currently flying above us! Making the material tough enough to survive the space environment is another key area of intellectual property for OSS. RICHARD And you’ve kindly agreed to speak at Business in Oxford in May so I presume you will be talking more about products like this and everything else you do here at OSS. MIKE Whatever I can carry to the stage to demonstrate but, unfortunately, no rockets – we’re not allowed to light engines indoors but we’ll bring some great products along to hopefully inspire the delegates!

For more information on Oxford Space Systems please visit www. oxfordspacesystems.com and for more Business In Oxford videos check out www.businessinoxford.com

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Yes I actually see the fact that we receive quite a bit of support by the government as almost a moral duty to get out there into schools, universities and colleges and almost evangelize about a career in engineering Mike Lawton, Oxford Space Systems

 01865 742 211  info@businessinoxford.com

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FROM OXFORD RAILWAY STATION ROUTE/BUS NO: CITY SIGHTSEEING: OXFORD RAILWAY STATION > THE KING’S CENTRE Depart Oxford Railway Station, Stop R6 Arrive King’s Centre

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We are happy to announce that Oxford Bus Company and City Sightseeing Oxford will be running complimentary bus services on the day of the event, Thursday 11th May 2017. With Oxford Bus Company travelling from Seacourt Park & Ride to The King’s Centre and City Sightseeing Oxford travelling from Oxford’s Railway station to The King’s Centre, getting to BIO2017 could not be easier.

THE KING’S CENTRE OSNEY MEAD OXFORD OX2 0ES

READ MORE ABOUT BIO2017 INSIDE. SEE PAGE 59

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The biggest business networking and showcase event in the county.

spotlight

MEMORIES OF 333? Many of you will remember 333 Banbury Road when it was a leading conference centre in the area. It hosted a wide range of social events and business workshops, attended by delegates from across the country. However for a number of years the building sat empty, until work started in the spring of 2016 on development of a new Sixth Form site for d’Overbroeck’s school. Written by: Sarah Jex

Do you have memories of an event you attended there – possibly even one that was important in your life? If so, do let the school know as it is collecting favourite memories to share with students and staff as they move into their new home. Please contact d’Overbroeck’s Communications Manager, Sarah Jex on sarah. jex@doverbroecks.com or 01865 310000. You may have passed the site and noticed the twin cranes; one at 333 (recently taken down as building work nears completion) and one across the road at 376 where construction of a new Sixth Form Boarding House for d’Overbroeck’s has been taking place. If you would like to see 333 restored to its former glory and appreciate how sensitively the new Sixth Form has been designed to complement its environment, you will have the opportunity to look around on Saturday 9 September when the school is opening its doors to the public as part of Oxford Open Doors. Although, at the age of 40, d’Overbroeck’s is a relative newcomer in the world of independent schools, it has made its mark as a dynamic and happy place where students flourish and achieve very high levels of success in exams and in many other areas of personal or academic development. It is the only independent school in Oxford that is fully coeducational, from age 11 through to the Sixth Form.

Sami Cohen, the Principal, says of the school’s culture, “d’Overbroeck’s is very much of its time. Its ethos is firmly built on personal relationships, on a relative lack of stuffiness and formal hierarchies, on a strong conviction that the individual, every individual, lies at the heart of the school.” This is borne out by the students themselves who often comment how they feel staff recognise them from the very start as

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d’Overbroeck’s is very much of its time. Its ethos is firmly built on personal relationships, on a relative lack of stuffiness and formal hierarchies, on a strong conviction that the individual, every individual, lies at the heart of the school.

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Sami Cohen, Principal - d'Overbroeck's

separate personalities whose unique opinions play a vital part in the successful student-teacher relationships which produce both academic accomplishment and personal progression. Parents regularly comment on the social and academic confidence their son or daughter has gained; confidence that enables them to engage in discussion, put forward their own ideas and debate issues with enthusiasm and flair.

in sport, art, music and drama, as exemplified in the recent stunning whole school performance of “Sweeney Todd” at the Old Fire Station. d’Overbroeck’s has many distinctive features which define it as a modern-thinking school which puts its students first. For example, students and teachers call each other by their first names, reflecting the philosophy of working together and of shared values throughout the school. Based, until now, on two sites on the Banbury Road, the Sixth Form will be ‘moving on up’ to its new location at 333 Banbury Road which opens in September. Robin Badham-Thornhill, Chair of d’Overbroeck’s Governing Body, comments, “Having the new Sixth Form teaching and boarding facilities in one location will make a huge difference. It’s a real statement of intent and will be a very impressive Sixth Form centre. The school continues to go from strength to strength and the new buildings will provide more space and better facilities in which students can flourish and enjoy their sixth form education.”

 sarah.jex@doverbroecks.com  01865 310 000  www.doverbroecks.com

Students also have many opportunities to shine

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UNIPART

Goes digital As revenue and profits rise, the international logistics group has turned its attention to new technologies Written by: Lorna Dodson Photography by: Unipart

For the first time in history, technology is improving faster than people can use it. But according to Unipart Chairman and Group CEO John Neill, that’s a double edged sword. “Brexit may have caused many companies to pause in their investments, but one of the greatest challenges that companies face today is the disruptive and dislocating pace of change that will come from the integration of intelligent technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, billions of sensors and massive low cost computing power” he said. “During the past 30 years we have invested in developing our people to solve problems, eradicate waste and to develop innovative new products and services to meet the real and perceived needs of our customers. “Now, combining that creativity and motivation with the best technologies available, we will be able to enter new markets and provide innovative products and services for existing markets at a pace that we could not have dreamed of 30 years ago,” he said. The investment is paying off. Last year, Unipart grew its sales by nearly four percent to £747m. Profits grew to £27.5m and the company more than doubled its net cash balance to over £15m. Unipart was also rated

one of the safest companies in the world and came top of the league tables for responsible businesses in the UK. “2016 was a strong year for Unipart in which we continued with the development of our digital transformation across all parts of the Group.” said Neill. “The speed of current breakthroughs has no historical precedent. For the first time in history, technology is changing faster than the human ability to adapt to it. We are devoting significant resources to equip our organisation to be among the leaders in our sector at embracing and deploying these technologies.” One example of this investment was the acquisition of one of the UK’s leading technology companies, Instrumentel Ltd., which is a leader in the design and manufacture of telemetry systems. Instrumentel has successfully applied sensors in F1 and other combustion engines enabling accurate data collection at extreme temperatures. The application of Instrumentel technology will help to drive the digital modernisation of railways. For instance, ‘real time’ monitoring and diagnostics for remote locations can bring cost savings and efficiencies through applications such as predictive maintenance and energy metering.

Unipart also launched a new Digital Enterprise Management System providing a leading premium automotive manufacturer with a powerful sequencing and distribution centre management capability that has been deployed with speed and agility. This new system can now be rapidly customised for clients in multiple sectors. Unipart is also extending the provision of its Retailer Inventory Management System to Jaguar Land Rover retailers in a number of key markets. MetLase, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Unipart, has continued to innovate with its patented tooling techniques to create solutions to engineering problems. This has included creating “smart enabled tooling” which demonstrates MetLase’s Industry 4.0 capability to speed processes, reduce cycle time and provide predictive maintenance facilities. The focus on new technologies also won new business in Unipart’s manufacturing operations, which produce high tech fuel systems in clean room conditions. Unipart secured a seven-year contract to supply engine components for Ford cars being produced in China creating around 40 new jobs in Coventry. Unipart is now one of only a small number of companies in Europe to produce gasoline fuel rails for Ford and other car manufacturers.

John Neill, Group CEO - Unipart

2016 was a strong “ year for Unipart in which we continued with the development of our digital transformation across all parts of the Group John Neill, Group CEO - Unipart

”

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spotlight

That combination of “deep knowledge and

expertise in continuous improvement, coupled with highly skilled, highly motivated people who have access to the world’s best technology, is a formula for growth during a time when every aspect of industry is being disrupted

”

John Neill, Group CEO - Unipart

Last year, Unipart also established an Apple Authorised iPhone Repair Centre supporting Apple Service Providers in central London with same-day screen repair. The Unipart repair centre enables Apple Service Providers to provide authorised same-day service for their customers by facilitating repairs using express courier service. At the same London address, Unipart also opened an Apple Authorised Service Provider. The London Unipart Apple Service Provider offers repair and diagnostics service for the whole range of Apple products for walk-in and pre-booked customers. John Neill said that the Group’s achievements were due to the continued focus on driving mastery of The Unipart Way at every level of the business. “With The Unipart Way, we have one of the best business systems in the world for continuous improvement and innovation. We’ve also made a strategic commitment to enabling all our people to be the best at what they do through a programme that we call Gate to Great,” he said. “That combination of deep knowledge and expertise in continuous improvement, coupled with highly skilled, highly motivated people who have access to the world’s best technology, is a formula for growth during a time when every aspect of industry is being disrupted. The Unipart Way and our culture of customer service continue to deliver critical advantages in navigating uncertain times.”

 01865 778 966  www.unipart.com

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HUSSAIN MANAWER

In B4 Issue 45 I was fortunate to meet an exceptional young man – Hussain Manawer. He’s achieved more in a few years than many of us will in a lifetime and he’s certainly taught me a few lessons! Written by: Richard Rosser Photography by: Laura Bartholomew - laura@illustriousmusic.co.uk

You can experience first hand Hussain’s incredible talents at BIO2017 on 11th May, so if you haven’t yet got your ticket, make sure you do at www. businessinoxford.com. Not one to sit still, Hussain has been busier than ever of late setting world records (see below) and releasing a debut EP (see corresponding editorial). On Tuesday 21st March, poet, astronaut-in-training and mental health campaigner, Hussain Manawer and King’s College London’s Professor Dame Til Wykes set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the World’s Largest Mental Health Lesson. Over 500 schoolchildren from across the country descended on the world famous Hackney Empire and took part in a special interactive mental health lesson from Dame Til, covering depression, stigma, where to get help and how to maintain good mental health. After the lesson, Hussain Manawer performed a poem called ‘I’m Ashamed’ which is from his forthcoming EP to be released for Mental Health Awareness Week in May. The EP is a collection of poems produced with music and ‘I’m Ashamed’ is Hussain speaking on behalf of the world’s mental health. The event was hosted by 4Music presenter Maya Jama and featured special guests including Jonny Labey and Danny Boy Hatchard – EastEnders; Jordan Stephens from Rizzle Kicks; singer Sinead Harnett and face of YouTube Humza Arshad. Special video messages of support came from Piers and Susanna from ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Holly and Phil from ITV’s This Morning, Matthew Wright from Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff; Gary Lineker from BBC1’s Match

of the Day and ITV London News’ Nina Hossein. Hussain Manawer is a relentless campaigner to end mental health stigma, travelling the world and using poetry as a means to relate to difficult topics such as mental health. Hussain said: ‘We’re over the moon to set this GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. Growing up in this day and age can be difficult. Young people nowadays have new challenges to contend with like social media, body image and physical appearance and cyber bullying. Mental health education is crucial to help many get through the early stages of their life and I am a great believer in this being put on the national syllabus. But for now, I can claim to have set the record for the World’s Largest Mental Health Lesson but I’m not going to stop here.’ Professor Dame Til Wykes, is a world renowned Clinical Psychologist and academic specialising in involving people with mental health problems in research. She is Vice-Dean at King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience which is a global leader in mental health research and education. Dame Til said: ‘I am thrilled we have set this record. Mental ill health affects everyone and we know that most adult mental health has its roots in childhood and adolescence. We want to empower and educate young people to know how to manage their mental health and what to do if they are worried about it. Just as importantly we want to raise awareness and so help to reduce stigma and enable young people to provide support to others. It is often the stigma and discrimination

which prevents young people getting treatment early and we know that the earlier you get treatment the faster is recovery. Mental health should be on the curriculum to ensure this happens.’ The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS strict rules required participants to play close attention to the lesson; no mobile phones; no leaving their seats and paying attention at all times to the lesson. An army of independent stewards were present to ensure the rules were adhered to, as was GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Adjudicator Pravin Patel who was on hand to deliver the results of the attempt immediately after the lesson ended. The tension was palpable as Pravin and the stewards gathered for the official count. To meet the record there had to have been 400 people fully engaged in a 30 minutes lesson. When Pravin Patel read the results it had been exceeded by 138, with a final count of 538 participants. Hussain concluded: ‘When the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS adjudicator read the result the crowd went wild! But we couldn’t have done it without all the fantastic support we had, particularly the Hackney Empire, Maya Jama, the celebrities, Hussain’s House crew, Dame Til and King’s College London, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, but most of all, the cool schools and cool kids who know how important mental health is. It’s incredible, when I was growing up I wish we had something like this, something so insightful, engaging, educating, and entertaining. I think it’s beautiful that in 2017 we can all come together from different backgrounds, and hold such a historic event for such a meaningful cause’.

We want to “ empower and educate

young people to know how to manage their mental health and what to do if they are worried about it Professor Dame Til Wykes

”

www.b4-business.com

Wearing: Maddox Street by Gabicci

spotlight

Virgin EMI release ‘I’m Ashamed’ from performance poet Hussain Manawer, the debut track from his forthcoming EP ‘Am I Going Too Deep?’ (Released May 8th) Hussain is a unique character in the UK’s musical landscape. An accomplished poet and writer, and a passionate campaigner for mental health awareness (particularly amongst young people), he has given lessons on the effects of cyber bullying to over 400 school pupils. He is also a proud supporter of Samaritans, committed to their vision of fewer people dying by suicide and has addressed MPs at the House of Commons on their behalf. The Ilford native is also set to be the first British Muslim in space. He beat 30,000 other entries from over 90 different countries in the Kruger Cowne Rising Star competition to win a place on one of the first commercial space flights going up over 100km into the atmosphere. As part of his entry he performed a poem based on a suicide letter from a boy to his mother, and at the winners ceremony dedicated the trip to everyone in the world who has suffered from mental health issues. Written on the side of the M25, ‘I’m Ashamed’ was produced by music producer Moghul Veyron and comes at a time of political turmoil and unprecedented, international, humanitarian crisis. The track takes on this unstable global climate with a fusion of social commentary and artistic wordplay. “Reading the news and playing out my day-to-day, I feel a lot of emotions and more often than not, things have a tendency to weigh heavy on me. Performance poetry gives me the opportunity to capture my imagination in words. It allows me to express those feelings and abstract thoughts in a way that provides a release and helps me to make sense of things.” said Hussain Manawer. The track was released to coincide with Hussain’s event (see additional editorial alongside) at London’s Hackney Empire Theatre, where he (in collaboration with Kings College London) set the Guinness World record for the world’s largest mental health lesson. Professor Dame Til Wilks presented a lecture on dealing with depression and maintaining good mental health and Hussain finished off the event with a stunning 20 minute set of poetry. Guests on the day included Maya Jama and cast of BBC soap EastEnders. ‘I’m Ashamed’ is the first track to be released from Hussain’s debut EP “Am I Going to Deep”, set to be released on May the 8th to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week with a portion of the proceeds going to Samaritans.

Keep up to date with all things HUSSAIN MANAWER

 twitter.com/HussainsHouse  facebook.com/hussain.manawer  instagram.com/hussains_house

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OXFORD PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING:

COACHING THE B4 TEAM

As an individual I have been working with Alison Haill to help me develop my leadership communication skills, specifically in public speaking and team management. But a good team is as much about developing its members as the leader leading it, so last month, I asked Alison to help us raise our game as a team. Written by: Richard Rosser

RICHARD CEO What’s been your overall impression of the coaching experience with Oxford Professional Consulting (OPC)? Very positive in all aspects, both personally as CEO and from a team perspective. It’s very easy for an organisation of any size to ignore the fact that we are all different and have different trigger points, likes and dislikes. It’s important for us all to take these into consideration because it helps us to achieve more in the long run. What specific element of the coaching did you find most useful? Please be specific. We communicate better as a team. We don’t hide problems now but air them. Whether it is a work problem or a personal one, if colleagues understand what’s going on, I notice they work better as a team. Airing the problem helps us as individuals too - we make progress quicker. What aspect/s of the coaching have you taken into your job? We talk more so we establish quicker if there are niggles or concerns which might grow into problems – and nip them in the bud. We all react differently to news, rumour and information, which affects your mood and the team as a whole. So I have found it’s useful to get these niggles out in the open. Often we discover it’s a misinterpretation of facts or just mis-information

so we clear it up and it doesn’t fester. What benefits do you see for you personally/ professionally? Lots. The strength to tackle problems, find solutions and ensure everyone is on the same page. I’ve learnt I must check in and communicate more, little and often. Team members come up with solutions now instead of bringing me problems. This saves me 3-4 hours a week – about 15 hours a month. They’re suggesting ideas too – one of which might have a significant impact on our sales. What benefits do you see for the company? Please give details We’ve got more focus. The team is more engaged. They have more appreciation of the wider picture, that everyone is contributing to the growth of B4. They understand there’s a vision, something we can all be proud of.

KEITH SENIOR DESIGNER What’s been your overall impression of the coaching experience with OPC? I get the reason for doing it is looking at ourselves but actually it’s more beneficial than that as it makes us look at things in a lot more depth, making us look at our jobs more positively, getting the most out of it. Seeing what we are doing in a good way – it’s not just turn up, 9 to 5 and that’s it. What specific element of the coaching did you find most useful? Seeing things from other people’s viewpoint and taking other people’s needs into consideration. What aspect/s of the coaching have you taken into your job?

Seeing what we are doing as part of the wider context – seeing what we are contributing to. What benefits do you see for you personally/professionally? Please give details. I feel like I am doing something more worthwhile than I was before – seeing the end result. What benefits do you see for the company? Overall more confidence in what we do and more drive to succeed in what we are doing. We all realise we are contributing to something positive.

ROB DESIGNER/VIDEO/PHOTO What’s been your overall impression of the coaching experience with OPC? I think it is clear that Alison knows her stuff. She is very professional - she seems to get results out of people. Even quite difficult people like myself! Alison makes it engaging and focuses your mind when you are talking about your team in the sessions. What specific element of the coaching did you find most useful? I now manage how I react with my team. I think a lot more about how I can engage more effectively with my colleagues and I can understand how something in my head is normal but can be regarded as an insult or negative to others. I am now thinking about this more.

What aspect/s of the coaching have you taken into your job? I have more respect for my team and know how to act and conduct myself better. I have worked hard at improving my mannerisms – it has focused me more. What benefits do you see for you personally/professionally? Please give details. Makes me more professional and this is something I now take into account beyond work, and in my career. What benefits do you see for the company? Happier team, more productive and more consistent – not so up-and-down. www.b4-business.com

B4 Last year I attended a two-day people management workshop with other delegates, led by Alison. This opened my eyes to the techniques of managing with a coaching approach and I realised I could use these at B4 with the team. I was ashamed to admit that I had never done 1:1 appraisals and the first time I did these with my team it yielded fantastic results. One year on, team appraisals and 1:1 conversations are normal at B4. However, I wanted to do more to develop and understand my team as individuals so we could make a bigger difference to our performance.

you work with, what they like, what they’re good at, what they find difficult to do well no matter how hard they try. A football team will play to its strengths: it won’t put a goalkeeper up front – unless it’s a

“

Alison is expert in using DISC Profiling to develop teamwork so she profiled the entire team before facilitating a half-day with the team as a whole. Here’s what they had to say about their experience with Alison and her Team Coaching with DISC.

I was ashamed to admit that I had never had one to one team appraisals and the first time I did these with the team it yielded fantastic results Richard Rosser, B4 Editor

All of us, not just at B4, have different tastes in music, food and travel. We all find different things funny. We all like different TV programmes and we certainly get on well with different people. So it’s crazy not to take the time to understand the people

spotlight

”

desperate attempt to get a last minute equaliser or winner. Similarly, more reserved people don’t do well at sales (I struggle to get our designers to answer the phone!)

 alison.haill@opcOxford.com  01865 436 791  www.opcoxford.com

LORNA PRODUCTION MANAGER What’s been your overall impression of the coaching experience with OPC? Very good. It seems like Alison has a good understanding of people, how different people interact and how to get the most out of your working colleagues without making judgements. It is all about how we can work together and learn from each other effectively. What specific element of the coaching did you find most useful? Definitely the team sessions – both the original and the most recent. Going through that together puts you all on the same page. Nobody feels singled out. At the end, everyone is generally in a good mood and ready to work together going forward. What aspect/s of the coaching have you taken into your job? All of it! If I had to pick one thing then it would be that I can be a problem-solver above everything else – don’t complain, think of a solution! Positive energy to solve a problem rather than negative energy which makes it seem worse and doesn’t make the problem go away!

What benefits do you see for you personally/ professionally? I see the benefit of coaching more – my old mindset was to think I could do certain things and that was it. Now I think I and my colleagues can be good in multiple areas. I understand the team dynamic a lot more. What benefits do you see for the company? I think we are all a lot more goal oriented now, we can see how our actions affect others and how making life easy for others makes the whole team happier – outward facing I should think we are a happier team. We are more open with each other – if someone is down we will ask why, it’s no longer taboo to ask what the problem is…we are all here to help each other.

JESS EVENTS MANAGER AND SALES LEDGER What’s been your overall impression of the coaching experience with OPC? It was enjoyable. A team bonding experience. What specific element of the coaching did you find most useful? The DISC profiling was great – I really enjoyed it and it was very accurate. Things that I think that I lack were picked up so good to know I am aware of where I need to improve!

What aspect/s of the coaching have you taken into your job? I tend to shoot from the hip and I now focus more on detail, and question what I do. What benefits do you see for you personally/professionally? I gained confidence from having my strengths pointed out, things I wasn’t aware of as being strengths, so this is good to know and will give me more confidence going forward, both at and out of work. What benefits do you see for the company? As a team there is a massive difference between how we all are together – it is quite easily noticeable.

EMMA PRODUCTION ASSISTANT & JUNIOR DESIGNER What’s been your overall impression of the coaching experience with OPC? It was very informative and eye-opening – finding out things about myself that I didn’t know. What specific element of the coaching did you find most useful? Alison gave me points on how to improve my confidence.

What benefits do you see for you personally/ professionally? Alison talked about my future and how I can use the skills and ideas learned for the future…how I can develop my abilities to help me in more of a managerial position.

What aspect/s of the coaching have you taken into your job? I have tried to stretch myself using the ideas Alison gave us and to not limit myself to what I think I can do but to try and better myself. For example, I was asked to take photos at our dinner at Le Manoir and really enjoyed it

What benefits do you see for the company? It helps us work together and use our different strengths to our mutual benefit. The team has certainly been working better together since the session.

www.b4-business.com

Y O U N G C R E AT I V E S

Introducing

OXC's ED ROSSER

O X C is a new and exciting Community for Young Creatives which you will be seeing more of in B4. Ed Rosser is behind the initiative which will provide young creatives with a platform to share their ideas, promote their excellent talents or message, work and for the young readers to gain inspiration conducted through an interview format by Ed. In this first O X C interview, Ed sits on the other side to tell us more about his new venture and his plans for the future. Age: 20 Location: Oxford Industry: Clothing / Promotion

So where did it all start?

I set up The Oxford Clothing Company to target visitors to Oxford, but my target market changed after some celebrities started wearing my products and I gained a (still growing) following via social media. Reaching people out of Oxfordshire and even overseas made me want to turn into a street wear brand with a high end fashion twist. We have now rebranded to O X C, so although The Oxford Clothing Company is no more, I still have a growing range of clothes targeted at young creatives.

What was your inspiration behind O X C?

Ever since I started my business studies course at City of Oxford College, I have encountered a lot of talented young people and it has surprised me how difficult it is for young people, overall, to get a start in business and recognition for their undoubted talents. When I started The Oxford Clothing Company, I specifically targeted a group of young creatives to help with my promotion – videos, photography etc…. These included musicians, photographers, make-up artists, video producers and dancers. The response was not ‘how much am I going to get paid?’ it was ‘let me know where and when…. I want to be involved’. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many young people wanted to be a part of what I wanted to do and to do what they love…. money was never mentioned. This really showed the passion and drive to establish themselves. I started to realise I was building a small community of young creatives who not only wanted to work with me but also each other. I rebranded as O X C because I wanted to keep Oxford central to the brand and also listen to my customers who were shortening The Oxford Clothing Company to O X. The C not only now stands for Clothing, but also Creatives, Community and Connections, ‘A Community for Young Creatives’ From coming across all different types of talents and going through the stages of business start-up has inspired me to create this platform to accommodate these talents to shine on.

So what next?

Ultimately, I want to create a platform for young creatives to showcase their talents and work with each other by making connections through O X C. Where do young people go when they want to promote themselves

on an ever-growing platform which is there for them and not ridiculously expensive? O X C. From helping young creatives make one more step in their business careers, I also hope that it will motivate other young people to follow what they love to do by reading our articles and learning how others have gone about it and listening to their experiences. I have a growing portfolio of young creatives already lined up, whose talents will be showcased through my website, Instagram and a select few in B4 Magazine over the coming months. I can’t wait to introduce you to them! I am looking forward to working with even more great talents and hope that my platform can help them take those invaluable first steps in business and build a successful career. I want young people to be motivated to do what they love for a living, and if O X C can help make them take one step closer, then that’s my mission accomplished.

How can B4 and O X C help each other?

It’s great to get the exposure for O X C in B4, an already established network. For young creatives to have a connection to B4 is a fantastic step for them in their business careers. All I wanted to do before I was starting in business and still now was to soak up as much great information as I could from business leaders at regular events at the Saïd Business School, The Oxford Union, B4 events etc…. From networking I have met some valuable connections which I would never have got to do if I didn’t push myself to attend, with all the networking events B4 hold, it again is a fantastic opportunity for young people to meet new business owners, or new young creatives.

There is so much experience and knowledge in the B4 network that young creatives can benefit from, so this can only enhance the opportunities that I am trying to provide for my community. I am sure there is plenty that the young creatives can, in turn, offer the B4 network. A great opportunity for us all.

Follow  oxcuk.com  oxcuk  oxcuk

I started to realise I was building a “ small community of young creatives ” NEXT ISSUE: SAMANTHA SCARLETTE. Age: 27. Industry: Music / CLOTHING / RADIO. Location: NEW YORK

A GUIDE TO

RESOLUTION

OR, why we ask for a bigger picture from you! This brief guide will (hopefully) explain why we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use certain images for print, and what this Image Resolution thing is all about. We want you to look your best.

Let's say you have a space in a magazine that is 254mm x 203.2mm (3000 x 2400 pixels) landscape (imagine a typical 10 x 8 photograph). In a perfect world, and for your image to be usable for this space, it would need to have dimensions of at least 3000 x 2400 pixels or more, and with an image resolution of 300dpi. In our first example (right) we are given an image that is 352mm x 282mm (1000 x 800 pixels) at 72dpi. Looks big on screen doesn't it? Its resolution at its current size is not ok for print though. SO in order to get the resolution to where we need it, which is 300dpi, we would have to shrink this image on the page. IF we shrink to acheive the required resolution, this image would end up only 85mm x 68mm (322 x 257 pixels). Although it would be the correct resolution, it's obviously to small for the space.

Magazine space: 254mm / 3000 pixels

Magazine space: 203.2mm / 2400 pixels

Example 1: Images taken from websites (not good!)

Had to shrink image to 322 x 257 pixels to meet 300dpi Resolution now ok, but image dimensions too small.

Original: 1000 x 800 pixels - 72dpi

We ask you for a bigger picture! Magazine space: 254mm / 3000 pixels

Magazine space: 203.2mm / 2400 pixels

Example 2: Image too small (not good!)

Let's say again you have a space in a magazine that is 254mm x 203.2mm (3000 x 2400 pixels) landscape.

w Original: 1100 x 880 pixels - 300dpi Had to stretch image to 3000 x 2400 pixels. Became 180dpi. Image dimension now ok, but resolution too low.

In our second example to the left we are given an image that is 152mm x 122mm (1100 x 880 pixels) at 300dpi. So its resolution at its current size is fine, BUT we need to fill the magazine space, so the image would need to be stretched. IF we stretch the image to the required dimension of the magazine space 3000 x 2400 pixels, the resolution of the image will drop, the image would be the correct dimensions 3000 x 2400 pixels, but by stretching it, you will have lost image clarity and the resolution will have fallen to 180dpi, not usable for print and pixelation would occur on the picture. We don't want that.

We ask you for a bigger picture!

www.b4-business.com

Example 3: Image too big (perfect!)

have kept image clarity and the resolution will have risen to 300dpi, perfect for print.

Let's say again you have a space in a magazine that is 254mm x 203.2mm (3000 x 2400 pixels) landscape.

We DON’T have to ask you for a bigger picture!

In the third example below we are given an image that is 4000 x 3200 pixels at 200dpi so bigger dimensions but lower resolution than needed for print, BUT to fill the space, we can shrink the image. SO if we shrink the image to the required dimension of the magazine space 3000 x 2400 pixels, the resolution of the image will go up, the image would be the correct dimensions 3000 x 2400 pixels, and by shrinking the image you will

marketing

Obviously there are situations where an image is able to take a slight stretch without losing quality and this is sometimes fine. But to get the most out of your article, using the right image will have a much better end result and show you in the best light.

PUTTING IT SIMPLY! If we shrink an image’s dimensions on the page, the resolution of that image will rise, and oppositely, if we stretch an image on the page its resolution and clarity will go down. Just because an image appears big on a screen doesn’t indicate that it will be fine for print.

T C E F R E P

 01865 742211  studio@hothdesign.co.uk  www.hothdesign.co.uk

Magazine space: 203.2mm / 2400 pixels

Magazine space: 254mm / 3000 pixels

Had to shrink image to 3000 x 2400 pixels, which makes it 300dpi. Dimensions are perfect and so is resolution.

Image supplied: 4000 x 3200 pixels - 200dpi

OUR TEAM

Keith Simpson Senior Designer

www.b4-business.com

Rob Scotcher Designer Photo/Video

Emma Davis Junior Designer

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Letting Agency is right here in Oxfordshire.

breckon.co.uk

events

Broadcaster visits Oxford to talk at Experience Oxfordshire’s Cultural Platform - and sing Bohemian Rhapsody for Jericho Canal Trust. Robert Peston, political editor of ITV News, appeared at the Blavatnik School of Government yesterday, February 23, as special guest speaker at Experience Oxfordshire’s annual Cultural Platform. Peston was grilled by Financial Times columnist, Tim Harford, host of Radio 4’s More or Less programme, covering topics ranging from Brexit and the 2008 banking crisis to Donald Trump and Arsenal football team. Written by: Cath Nightingale Photography by: David Fleming

The event, which attracted more than 100 leading figures from Experience Oxfordshire’s Partner network, Oxford’s arts and local business community, is part of Experience Oxfordshire’s commitment to promoting culture in the county. The event was chaired by Richard Venables, of VSL & Partners, who is a Board Member of Experience Oxfordshire and OxLEP (Oxford Local Enterprise Partnership). Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government also joined the question and answer session, fresh from hosting talks with global leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire commented: “The annual Experience Oxfordshire Cultural Platform is part of our continuing commitment to promote culture in Oxfordshire. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate the thriving arts and culture scene, but also ensure that we continue to invest and promote this vitally important part of the visitor economy. It was a privilege to have such a high calibre and high profile panel join us at this year’s Cultural Platform and we are very grateful of their support.” www.b4-business.com

Representatives from Oxfordshire’s tourism, heritage and cultural sector were joined by councillors from local authorities across the county, as well as representatives from Oxford Economics and Oxford’s two Universities. The event was supported by VSL & Partners, Oxford City Council, Oxford Economics and Richardsons Chartered Accountants.

Robert was “ quite brilliant on

both stages, I never realised he had it in him

Canal at St Barnabas, the canalside church. While not quite achieving the decibels of Freddie Mercury, Peston received an enthusiastic reception from the 200-strong audience. Radio 4 listeners will be able to judge from themselves on today’s PM. Commenting on the evening, Robert Peston said: “It was wonderful being on a platform with Tim Harford and Ngaire Woods – I’m their biggest fans – and quite frankly I would have paid to sing Bohemian Rhapsody with Jericho Singers.” Tim Harford added, “Robert was quite brilliant on both stages, I never realised he had it in him.”

”

Tim Harford

After speaking at the Experience Oxfordshire Cultural Platform, Robert Peston kept a promise made to BBC Radio 4’s Eddie Mair and sang Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen’s famous rock anthem with the Jericho Singers at a musical celebration of the Oxford

 Kathryn.Manning@experienceoxfordshire.org  01865 686 434  www.experienceoxfordshire.org

“

As a firm, we have been delighted with the events that B4 host and have found that they have provided us with a great platform for our own business development – so thanks again and looking forward to working with you during the rest of 2017

”

Sue Staunton, Partner, James Cowper Kreston

Thank you again for “inviting me to a very

enjoyable evening, I found the whole evening very useful along with a lovely meal and company

”

Toby G Newman, Growth Advisor, Grant Thornton

B4 Platinum Dinner at

Belmond Le Manoir

New for 2017, B4 Platinum Dinners provide Platinum members with a more intimate opportunity to connect and experience some of Oxfordshire’s finest establishments Written by: Richard Rosser Photography by: Emma Davis

We couldn’t have picked a more spectacular inaugural venue than Belmond Le Manoir. Created by celebrated chef Raymond Blanc OBE, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons is renowned for offering one of Britain's finest gastronomic experiences. Situated in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Great Milton, it is also one of the country's most cherished manor house hotels, with 32 individually designed guest rooms and suites. The hotel received two Michelin stars in 1984, the first year of its opening, and, remarkably, has held them ever since. Surrounded by lawns, flower borders and orchards, the luxury hotel enjoys an idyllic, typically English setting. But beyond the eye-catching displays are vegetable and herb gardens that provide the

kitchen—and the acclaimed Raymond Blanc Cookery School—with ultra-fresh, organic produce, ensuring the Michelin-star restaurant remains at the cutting edge of culinary excellence. Guests met in La Belle Époque, Belmond Le Manoir’s private dining room, at the heart of the hotel, for Champagne du Manoir and canapés. The Provençal-style reception room, secluded walled garden, dining room and the new La Belle Époque Conservatory provided the perfect setting for our first Platinum Dinner. Overlooking the 15th century manor house and gardens, the Conservatory has a private entrance and provides a bright, open space for post-dinner aperitifs and receptions.

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events

les vins La Brise Marine 2015 Château de la Négly, Languedoc, France Zinfandel Juvenile 2015 Turley, Californie, États-Unis

le menu

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POIREAUX ET VINAIGRETTE À LA TRUFFE, LANGOUSTINE POÊLÉE Leek and truffle vinaigrette, seared langoustine FILET DE BARBUE, HUÎTRE, NOIX DE ST-JACQUES, CONCOMBRE, WASABI ET LÉGUMES DU JARDIN Fillet of brill, oyster, scallop, cucumber, wasabi, garden vegetables FILET DE BŒUF ABERDEEN ANGUS, SAUCE AU VIN ROUGE Roasted fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef,Braised Jacob’s ladder, red wine jus LES SAVEURS DE TIRAMISU, SAUCE ET CRÈME DE CACAO, GLACE AUX GRAINS DE CAFÉ Tiramisu flavours, cocoa sauce and coffee bean ice-cream CAFÉ PUR ARABICA, PETITS FOURS ET CHOCOLATS DU MANOIR

I thoroughly enjoyed last night’s Platinum event at Belmond Le Manoir. It was a delight to meet Raymond Blanc and other business leaders from Oxfordshire. What I like about B4 Platinum 100 Club events is how they are extremely effective at bringing key business people together with a view to forging on-going business relationships

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Leon Arnold, Partner and Head of Corporate (Oxford) at Freeths LLP Solicitors

“

It goes without saying that yesterday evening was a raging success, but I need to say it anyway. You know I’m a hard man to keep quiet! Thank you for inviting me. Well done for organising such a special event Richard Venables, Director, VSL & Partners

An early surprise for our guests with Chef Patron, Raymond Blanc, welcoming everyone to his magnificent establishment. “Welcome to Belmond Le Manoir! You must be doing well because we know Belmond Le Manoir is not cheap! So congratulations! It is wonderful to see lots of people that I know here - Bicester Village and Unipart and, of course , monsieur Colin Rosser who was one of the first people to invest in my business over 20 years ago. Thank you Colin. “You are all here with great expectations and we will provide this I am sure. Despite my accent I am an Oxford boy - I try hard to get rid of it! I feel part of Oxford and totally involved with the local community. To start with the restaurant was totally separated from the community - it was just an eaterie. But now we are just as important as any museum and any cultural attraction because we are part of Oxfordshire's culture. “We provide Belmond Le Manoir to our guests as a harbour from their busy lives. It is my job to set up the strategy of Le Manoir and to understand what the guests want tomorrow and it is FASCINATING what is happening today with the behaviour of the modern guest. www.b4-business.com

”

“They don't want, and you don’t want, that luxury full of gold and Swan Lakes and ancestors looking down at you in a disapproving manner….you want a place where you can be happy. Because there

The evening certainly was magnificent and the food incredible. Guests were also invited by Sales Manager, Sophie McWilliams, to tour the impressive kitchens and meet the staff behind the scenes.

Many thanks for a “ really lovely evening and

If you would like to find out more about B4 Platinum or attend one of the forthcoming dinners as a guest, please contact the B4 team on 01865 742211.

some really interesting conversations with guests which I will be following up. Food and venue delicious and some great company

See the full Raymond Blanc video at: https://youtu.be/82FYvR2nc8c

”

Miranda Markham, Community Relations Director, Bicester Village

are so many demands on your life that Belmond Le Manoir is the first place you want to come to rest and enjoy your family and friends….celebrate your life and celebrate your loved ones. “I wish you a magnificent evening….and it will be a magnificent evening. Thank you very much to B4 for choosing us and bon appetit!”

     

manoir.mqs@belmond.com +44 (0)1844 278 881 www.belmond.com @lemanoir @lemanoirauxquatsaisons @belmondlemanoir

MONDAY

20TH MARCH B4 CLASSIC EVENTS

Conference Oxford

hosted at St Anne’s College This was the first ever B4 event to be held in one of Oxford University’s colleges and we were privileged to receive the invite from St Anne’s and Conference Oxford. The prospect of gaining exclusive access to an Oxford college is always difficult to resist and we quickly filled our capacity of 75 guests. Guests were welcomed with a drinks and canapés reception served in Foyer B of the Ruth Deech Building followed by speeches from B4’s CEO, Richard Rosser, Jim Meridew, Domestic Bursar, St Anne’s College and Mike Naworynsky, Home Bursar, Pembroke College and Chairman of Conference Oxford. Kate Russell and Ana Bacharach of the St Anne’s conference team then escorted guests on a tour of the Ruth Deech Building, the Mary Ogilivie Building and the new Library Building. The feedback from guests was excellent and Jim Meridew commented, “St

Anne’s was delighted to host the B4 group of local Oxfordshire businesses. Showcasing what we can offer to the wider community and developing those business links is an important part of what we do.’ Marie O’Connor, Manager of Conference Oxford, who facilitated the event on behalf of B4 with St Anne’s, added, “Conference Oxford was pleased to host B4 members at St Anne’s College – the energy and enthusiasm from local businesses made for a fantastic evening and the wonderful hospitality provided by St Anne’s perfectly reflected the high quality of service and facilities on offer at each of our member venues. The collaborative spirit encouraged by B4 networking events is something we embrace here at Conference Oxford and is part and parcel of what makes us so successful in finding the perfect

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events

Companies in Attendance

venue for our clients’. Mike Naworynsky OBE, Chair of Conference Oxford also commented, “Oxford is open for business and Conference Oxford, the premiere venue-finding service in Oxford, represents spectacular College and University venues which are all perfectly placed to meet the growing demand for conferences, dinners and events of all types and sizes. B4 networking events provide the opportunity to connect with local business partners, suppliers and potential customers which is enormously useful.'” It’s easier than you think to hold your event in the world-renowned surroundings of the University of Oxford. Conference Oxford represents 63 of the most wonderful historic and modern venues in Oxford, including the colleges of the University, museums, libraries and iconic buildings. They offer a free one-stop enquiry point to help you find the perfect venue for your conference, celebratory dinner, awards ceremony, party or wedding. This dedicated, friendly team of professionals will provide you with all the information, advice and support necessary to ensure a memorable and successful event that will create a lasting impression. Set in five acres of tranquil leafy grounds, St Anne’s College has been an active member of Conference

Oxford for over 20 years and offers excellent facilities for residential conferences, day meetings, dinners & parties. St Anne’s can trace its origins back to 1878 and the formation of the Association for Education of Women in Oxford, later known as the Society of Oxford Home-Students. St Anne’s became a full College of the University, complete with Royal Charter, in 1952, and was one of the first women’s College’s to admit men in 1979. Today it is one of the largest Colleges in Oxford admitting both undergraduate and graduate students, from almost 70 different countries, to read for degrees within the University of Oxford. With a team of experienced professionals on hand, the conference team take care of those final details which help all events run smoothly from the initial enquiry through to your important event CONTACT DETAILS

    

st-annes.ox.ac.uk/conferences-bb 01865 274 800 enquiries@conference-oxford.ox.ac.uk 01865 276 190 conference-oxford.com

ADS Advertising & Design Aidan Meller Gallery Alberon Ashmolean Museum Blake Morgan Blue Pebble Consulting Bongo IT Breckon & Breckon College and County Conference Oxford David Parry Employment Law Finance.work Freeths FSB Haiku Consulting Ltd Heart of England Lewis Silkin LLP Lucy Group Ltd Mulholland Landscape Consultants Orchestra of St John’s Oxford Active Oxford Duplication Centre Oxford Event Hire Ltd Oxford Garden Design Oxford Professional Consulting Oxford United Football Club Oxford University Event Venues Pembroke College Rhodes House Richardsons Chartered Accountants Solid Structures STL Communications Strangebrew That Event Company TLA Fitness Two One Services Unipart Wellers Accountants You HR

Forthcoming B4 Events May 11th: Business in Oxford at The King’s Centre (see www. businessinoxford.com) May 23rd: B4 Classic Event at Christ Church Jun 22nd: B4 Platinum Dinner at Eynsham Hall Jun 29th: B4 Platinum Event at Newbury Racecourse Aug 21st : B4 Classic Event at Bombay Sapphire Distillery Sep 7th: B4 Classic Event at Rhodes House Sep 27th: B4 Platinum Dinner at Pembroke College More to be announced soon!

www.b4-business.com

news Coming Up at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons Tuesday 25th April 2017 An Evening with Prue Leith, CBE Relish an evening with cookery doyenne Prue Leith, founder of Leith’s School of Food and Wine, influential restaurateur, cookery writer, novelist and television personality. Having owned an acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurant herself, Prue is currently a judge on Channel 4’s My Kitchen Rules. Share the highlights of her extraordinary life over dinner at Belmond Le Manoir with a rare insight into her award-studded culinary career. Includes: Champagne Laurent-Perrier reception with canapés / Four-course dinner with accompanying wines, coffee and petits fours. Price: £205

Wednesday 3rd May 2017 Bluebell Walk at Harcourt Arboretum Part of the University of Oxford since 1963, this beautiful 130-acres of woodland contains the best collection of trees and shrubs from around the world. Visiting the Arboretum in springtime is the perfect attraction for a magnificent bluebell walk; one of the best in the UK. Seasonal highlights include the meadows, wildflower, Rhododendrons and some of the oldest Redwoods in Britain. Join us for an enchanting walk on a carpet of flowers and a unique blend of garden and nature, before returning to Belmond Le Manoir for a spring lunch. Includes: Tea and coffee on arrival / Transportation and tour of Harcourt Arboretum / Champagne Laurent-Perrier reception with canapés / Three-course lunch with accompanying wine, coffee and petits fours. Price: £180

Various times The Raymond Blanc Cookery School Let us nurture your natural love of food and provide you with the skills you need to translate this love into beautiful and imaginative cuisine. From half-day introductions to residential programmes, dinner party master classes to children's courses, there's something for everyone. We are proudly the first Michelin starred kitchen in the UK to have its own cookery school and it remains the best centre of culinary knowledge. The Raymond Blanc Cookery School is a must for anyone with an enthusiasm for the finest cuisine. Each course provides a hands-on opportunity to develop your culinary skills in a practical and supportive learning environment, as well as being a holiday in the most luxurious and beautiful surroundings. Under the guidance of the school's director, Mark Peregrine and his expert team of chefs, each aspect is driven by ethical, environmental and seasonal values, wherever possible. For more information about the courses offered, please visit www.belmond.com/le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons-oxfordshire/ raymond-blanc-cookery-school

 manoir.mqs@belmond.com

www.b4-business.com

 +44 (0)1844 278 881  www.belmond.com

 @lemanoir

 @lemanoirauxquatsaisons

 @belmondlemanoir

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events

Bike Oxford

Brought to you by the team behind the successful and wellregarded Bike Bath event, Bike Oxford is a day of marked rides of 25, 50 and 80 miles starting and finishing at Oxford University Rugby Club, Iffley Road, and taking in the best scenery of Oxford and the surrounding countryside. B4, sponsors of the 50 mile route, spoke to event organiser, Richard Best, about what makes this event so special.

“The event has really matured over the years and we are delighted that this year we will have over 1,500 cyclists taking part, making Bike Oxford one of the biggest cycling events outside of London. The incredible aspect of the event is that we have cyclists of all abilities taking part, from first timers through to Olympic silver medallist, Bryan Steel which is a real feather in our cap. Bryan was around at the very start of the golden era of cycling for great Britain and his presence will be a real boost and a massive statement for just how far the event has come.” Richard is also keen to stress how the event is bringing together a wide range of communities. “A lot of hard work goes into planning an event like this and that’s testament to the team behind the scenes. However, without the local business community, Oxford University and specifically Oxford Rugby Club (to whom we are making a contribution for allowing us to hold the event with them), Oxford City and Oxfordshire County Councils, the cycling www.b4-business.com

community, in particular Cowley Road Condors and President Cheryl Reid and club stalwart Jonny Revis, and twelve different charities who have signed up, Bike Oxford simply wouldn’t happen so I take my hat off to everyone who is supporting the event in whatever capacity. The spirit between the parties is vital and underpins the event. “Cycling is on the national agenda and is a key sport for getting individuals more active. If you’re a complete novice or not even ridden a bike before, why not get involved? For businesses, it’s a great way to bring employees, clients and other contacts together. Families are using it as one of the few events that families can do together – other than walking and surfing. “We are also promoting local food and drink companies – Hook Norton Brewery and Oxford Fine Food who are well known for the Oxford Blue Cheese which the riders love to eat during the race! Thanks also to The Cotswold Bakery who supply us

with flapjacks.” With up to 30% of the riders being female, Bike Oxford has one of the highest female participation rates for a bike event in the south of England and Richard adds, “We have worked hard to make sure it is female friendly. I’d also like to single out one very special lady without whom we wouldn’t make any progress and that’s Alison Drummond from Oxford City Council’s events team. Alison has been very supportive since day one so a big ‘thank you’ to her for all of her hard work.”

 info@iconiccyclingevents.co.uk  0845 388 0037  www.bikeoxford.co.uk

THE B4 90 DAY CHALLENGE In the last edition of B4 we introduced the 90 day challenge where four of us embarked on a programme of healthy eating, a balanced diet and regular sports massage. Nearly two months on and we get an update from the support team and the participants themselves. You can meet the support team at this year’s Business in Oxford (see p62-63) where they will be on hand with expert advice for you and your team.

90 DAY CHALLENGE

THE TEAM Complete Massage - Joanne O’Donovan It’s been great checking in with the participants on a regular basis. Everyone seems to be enjoying the treatments and feeling good as a result. There have been a few niggles. Ed with some back pain, which was quickly remedied with some massage and postural stretches. Colin had some inflammation around the hip muscles. Dry needling was effective at reducing the discomfort. Richard has experienced some quite tender legs, from all the running, but I’ve noticed them being much looser as the challenge has progressed. Abi has been feeling good, no issues so far. Colin and Richard both seem to be standing taller. Consistency of exercise, relaxation and nutrition is important to retain balance in the body.

 www.sportsmassageoxford.com  07511 593 356  sportsmassageoxford@gmail.com

TLA Fitness - Tom Alden Two months into the 90 Day Challenge and I am pleased to say there have been improvements across the field. Where Richard is concerned, the energy and focus have both gained momentum and also Richard’s running strength has improved down to his various strength training programmes. Abi has certainly gained better core strength and stability down to having increased functional and stability training on various new apparatus. Ed has unfortunately not committed time to training and therefore hasn’t reaped the maximum benefits. In order to gain strength and size, it requires strength training and a detailed nutrition plan, i.e. eating a lot! I am still very keen for Ed to get on board more in April and for him to continue with boxing training as he has a very good eye for this. Ed sometimes lacks motivation and control and therefore boxing will be the perfect combination for him. Colin has, in my eyes, been on good form despite having a stiff hip halfway through the programme. The additional resistance and training I feel has improved Colin’s posture and range of movement and I would like to see this continued on alternating days throughout.

 www.tlafitness.com  07554 400 401  tom@tlafitness.com

Helen Money Nutrition - Helen Money Richard has done well. The first 4 week focus was weight loss, which he achieved. The focus is now on making sure Richard is properly fuelled as his training intensifies. Richard’s diet plan has increased in calories and carbohydrate to provide energy for the longer runs, to ensure he recovers well and minimises risk of injury. I have also written Richard a 3 day carb load diet and nutrition race plan for the marathon. This has been done in advance so that he can practice running on the planned breakfast and the amount of carbohydrate targeted per hour. Rather than being given a diet plan, Colin has been set targets. From a list of 14 targets Colin has to achieve a minimum of 8 every day. These are things such as eating 5 portions of vegetables a day, 3 portions of

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FIT4BUSINESS @ BIO2017 whole grains, a handful of nuts etc…. all linked to dietary patterns that support long term wellbeing. Colin has done well and over achieved on most days. This has also resulted in Colin eating less unhealthy snacks. Ed has been written a diet plan but for lunch has just given guidance and expected to create his own combinations. This is to encourage him to get creative, take responsibility and to plan ahead. Over the first half of the challenge Ed has made changes, his diet is now healthier and he thinks more about food choices. However, I think Ed can step this up over the next 6 weeks and I am looking forward to seeing the results both in how he looks and feels. Abi now has a much better structure to her diet, eating little and often. She is also eating a greater variety of foods and trying new ones. The new diet has energised Abi and helped improve mood. The next step is to get Abi creating her own healthy meal and snack recipes. Well done Abi!

 www.helenmoneynutrition.com  07961 394 201  helen@helenmoneynutrition.com

THE PARTICIPANTS Colin Rosser, 76

Richard Rosser, 49

Although I like to think I am in reasonable shape, I know there is more that I could be doing, so the idea of ‘the 90 day challenge’ had a lot of appeal. I eat a lot of fruit but I snack far too much. Helen Money, our nutritionist, showed me some excellent new ways of eating more healthily. My favourite snack is now raw carrot and houmous! I eat nuts instead of biscuits and am much the better for it.

I have really enjoyed the challenge. I’ve gone down four notches on my belt which is a real confidence builder and a clearly visible sign I have lost weight. I treat myself less and crave things like apples whereas before it would have been chocolate! My lung capacity has improved, I can do more without feeling tired and my capacity to do more exercise during the week without feeling knackered has increased. Jo has also kept me as limber and relaxed as possible. The food plan was a little tricky to get used to but after a while it’s second nature. I’d never consider having a sandwich for lunch – I’ve all but cut out bread and can’t remember the last time I had a beer! Oh yes, Madrid! (see pages 120 - 121). Ok I completely fell off the wagon but it was Ed’s birthday! Will you forgive me Helen?

Regarding exercise, I already do 3 lots of 15 minutes in a normal week on the cross trainer with warm ups and stretches before. Tom Alden our trainer, has shown me the way to improve my posture with stretch bands and they are certainly having the desired effect combined with my existing routine and additional upper body exercises.

Edward Rosser, 20

Abi Rosser, 16

I’ve struggled to be honest. I’ve not applied myself as much as I would have liked but one of the main benefits has been giving up smoking which has really helped me. I haven’t 100% kicked it but I can see a life without cigarettes whereas before I couldn’t. The food has been surprisingly tasty but I need more of it. I’ve really enjoyed the boxing on a Monday night. It’s something I think I am good at anyway so I want to do more of it. I’m sleeping better and more relaxed than I have ever been. I know I can get there, I just might need more than 90 days!

I have lots more energy, more motivation to want to go to the gym and eat healthier. I have discovered a real passion for boxing – it’s a great way to relieve stress! I have eaten more apples in the past two months than I thought existed, my skin is better and my metabolism has quickened. I can’t see a life without exercise now, I’m hooked. I am a lot more confident about how I look and how I am with other people. I am more open to talking than I was previously and this is all a direct result of the healthier eating and exercise.

BIO2017 WELLNESS AREA Don’t miss the wellness area at BIO 2017 (see pages 62-63), there will be talks and fun activities running through the day with advice on how to stay healthy and keep employees healthy.

Helen Money Nutrition

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Complete Massage Oxford

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health

Originating in London, Barry’s passion for fitness began whilst at school. With a particular love for weight-lifting and power-lifting, he progressed to competition level, winning his first weight-lifting championship in 1968. With such a love for sport, he realised he’d like to begin his career as a PE teacher and following his training in Kent, he moved to Oxfordshire in the 1980’s to teach at local comprehensive schools, beginning to build Prime Energy Fitness on the side. As Prime Energy Fitness went from strength to strength, Barry decided to leave the teaching profession to concentrate on developing and expanding his business which is now in its fourth decade. Now based in the Oxfordshire village of Kirtlington, Prime Energy Fitness offers an assortment of sports and fitness services - personal training and classes, charitable sporting events and gym facility management, all of which Barry and his team operate to the highest standard in order to deliver a first rate service. With almost 50 years of experience in the industry, Barry is an expert in his field and has worked with a variety of individuals, groups and businesses with members from less than a year old to over 80. His aim is to teach fitness in a fun, enjoyable way to encourage a healthy lifestyle, whatever the age, and with the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside on his doorstep and the city close by, Barry can often be seen running his training sessions in nature’s gym – the great outdoors. He often takes his clients to some of his favourite places - Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds and University Parks. Running was, and still is, one of his favoured forms of exercise, having completed numerous marathons all over the world including, London, Paris, New York and Chicago. Although no longer participating in the marathons himself, he offers his advice and knowledge at training sessions and talks to groups of novice runners, preparing them for the big day.

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A list of famous faces have undergone Barry’s training sessions, including: champion jockey Richard Dunwoody, chefs Raymond Blanc and James Martin, Ryder Cup captain Darren Clark, Formula 1 driver Eddie Irvine and his biggest fan, former F1 boss Eddie Jordan says he’s “The best trainer around!”. As an avid supporter for local and national charities, including, Clic Sargent, The Amber Foundation and Muscular Dystrophy UK, you will often find Barry participating in a host of events throughout the county. Over the years he’s formed a team of over 100 runners to take on Oxford’s famous Town and Gown run. Barry also enjoys a challenge on two wheels and has completed long distance bike challenges across different continents. He has also organised fundraising events such as the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire’s Olympic Challenge, bringing together 18 local businesses to take an a variety of challenges to raise money for local communities. He plans to repeat this event in 2018, plus adding another fitness challenge to be announced soon by the incoming High Sheriff. Watch this space… To contact Barry, please find the Prime Energy Fitness HQ details below:

   

Barry@primeenergy.org 01869 352 000 www.primeenergy.org www.facebook.com/primeenergyuk

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BARRY GRINHAM PRIME ENERGY FITNESS

Having always been a lover of sport and fitness, Barry began Prime Energy Fitness in the 1980’s with a goal of laying down a foundation of fitness for the individual, group or company. It’s now recognised as the longest established personal training and fitness company for the Home Counties. Written by Kirstie Phipps - Prime Energy Fitness Limited Photography by: Jacqueline Cross Photography

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PREVENTION NOT CURE Having benefited from Joanne O’Donnovan’s support over the past two years in preparation for The London Marathon, I know from experience how vital sports massage and remedial massage therapy is, not just to help prepare for a large and physically challenging event, but also to help your body cope with the stresses and strains of modern life. So with tape recorder on my back as Joanne worked my aching calves, I conducted my first back to face interview lying on a massage couch! Written by Richard Rosser

Photography by: Rob Scotcher

Joanne O’Donovan, MISRM, has 9 years experience as a massage therapist. She studied at the Oxford School of Sports Massage (formerly Pulse Training Solutions), where training is of the highest standards in anatomy and physiology and practical application of massage, muscle energy techniques and soft tissue release.

related to stress relief – a circulation boost, more of a relaxing treatment. Indian head massage which is another good stress reliever … it’s quite energising as it gets oxygen to the head. That’s what a lot of businesses enjoy. The client is seated and fully clothed. It’s what I will be doing at Business in Oxford in May.

She has played hockey for Kidlington Ladies HC for over 15 years and is a keen runner and triathlete. Therefore, she is very aware of what injuries can occur during sporting activity as well as how occupational and life stresses can impact on the body to stop us feeling and performing at our best. She is committed to providing a professional and effective service to clients.

“The majority of my clients come to me for sports and remedial massage which attracts a wide range of clients – business people who do little or no exercise right the way through to a lady I treat who runs 70 miles a week.”

Joanne worked as team Sports Massage Therapist for Oxford Rugby League for 2 seasons and, currently, she is a member of the Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage, who set the standard for practitioners in the UK. But it was on a night course where it all really started for Joanne. “I studied Swedish massage on a night course when I was working for Barclays Bank, which was, ironically, pretty stressful. I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do so I did the Swedish massage course with a view to doing it as a new career. I just treated friends and family to start with.” Joanne studied at Oxford School of Sports Massage, a level 5 course in sports and remedial massage and started her business in February 2010. “I had a part time job on the side and then just built up the current base over time. I then moved to offices above a tattoo shop that a friend of mine ran in Kidlington in 2012 and then moved to Vida Health and Fitness at London Oxford Airport in August last year, which has been great for my business.” Joanne has worked alongside associates at various times in her business and currently has Justine Elliott taking some of the increased load, taking on Saturday appointments so that Joanne can focus on hockey. In terms of the treatments, Joanne explains more. “I started of with Swedish massage which is more 104

Joanne not only treats a mixture of clients she also treats, in equal measure, clients looking to prevent injury as well as those with injuries. “A lot of people come to see me who have a niggle and have finally decided to come in and get it checked out or others are undertaking a new exercise regime or a spring marathon, half marathon and triathlons start creeping in a bit more now as the nights get lighter. I get a lot of clients in March when they’ve hit training too hard and they need some help with fatigued muscles… they need a bit of a boost. “I do try and encourage clients to come in regularly throughout the year to help prevent injuries, but it’s not always possible as everyone is so busy. I have a lot of clients who really benefit from regular sessions and it really helps with their performance…there’s nothing worse than training for something like the London Marathon and having to pull out with a niggling injury that could have been prevented. “A lot of people will do nothing through the winter when it’s dark, but there’s always the gym or go on the internet….there are some amazing lights and reflective clothing you can buy for winter runs / bike rides! Doing nothing for long periods of time isn’t beneficial to your body so I would always advocate some exercise, even if it’s negligible compared to what you might do in the summer.” On the flip side of not doing enough, some people overdo it and don’t listen to their bodies, as Joanne elaborates. “Exercise is great for you but some people don’t rest when they should do…it’s counter-

productive when you have an injury and think you can train through it. They don’t want to stop and they don’t want to miss the event they’ve been training for. Colds are another issue – you can’t train when you have a cold, it’s very bad for you and you have to rest. But balance training with the right nutrition and massage and you will have a much better chance of taking part in the events you have entered and generally having a more healthy lifestyle.” Sports massage isn’t exclusively for those that run and jump on a bike. As a member of the Institute of Sport & Remedial Massage, Joanne says they are trying to change the name to soft tissue therapy, as she explains further. “I could also call myself a soft tissue therapist which would hopefully not put up so many barriers to customers. We want to educate people on what we do, it’s not so much sports massage, its more Remedial massage so where a chiropractor might treat the spine and the bones we treat the soft tissues the muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia (the tissue that packs in all the muscles). People often have more issues with fascia then with muscle. People might think they have muscle strain but quite often it’s the fascia.” Joanne can be booked for 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute consultations. Book 5 and get the 6th free. If you have any queries, please e-mail Joanne through the website and she will be pleased to respond with friendly advice. From personal experience, I can’t sing Joanne’s praises highly enough. If she can help my ageing body cross the London Marathon finish line twice (and hopefully a third time) then she can help anyone!

CONTACT DETAILS

 info@ sportsmassageoxford.com  01865 236 966  www.sportsmassageoxford.com

www.b4-business.com

health

JOANNE’S TOP 10 TIPS TO KEEP YOUR BODY PERFORMING ALL YEAR ROUND 1. Get your mind right. You can get great books on Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which can help you change negative thinking patterns. Stress and anxiety have adverse effects on your body. 2. Have regular breaks from the computer (every 30 mins if possible). If you can’t leave the desk, perhaps set a notification on the computer to reset your working posture. 3. Drink plenty of water. Little and often. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. 4. Stretch… This should not be painful. If you are grimacing, it’s not relaxing. Your body reacts negatively to a painful stretch, making it contract more, defeating the point. 5. Look after your spine. Gentle mobilisation in the morning and evening is good. Try Yoga or Pilates which help activate the core and improve all round mobility. 6. Can you sit on an exercise ball at your desk? This means you can’t slouch and keeps core muscles stimulated. 7. If undertaking a new fitness goal, ease into it, gradually increase time/effort. Too much, too soon is the cause of many injuries that I see. 8. Do strength training. It’s great for weight loss and toning up. Whatever your sport, strength training can help your body activate those weaker areas, such as core and glutes, and help your body deal with impact from the ground. A personal trainer can provide sports specific programmes. 9. Have regular massages. Even if your body feels OK, taking time out can really help you de-stress and get some space to think or wind down. 10. Sleep… This is when your body recovers and repairs. Poor sleep can contribute to stress and weight gain. Listen to your body! It gives you warning signs all the time. Niggles can turn into long term injury stopping you altogether, so get it checked. IBS, headaches, skin complaints and colds can all be stress related.

JOANNE’S TOP 10 NIGGLES – NOT HERS, HER CLIENTS!

I have a lot of clients who “really benefit from regular

sessions and it really helps with their performance…there’s nothing worse than training for something like the London Marathon and having to pull out with a niggling injury that could have been prevented

”

Joanne O’Donnovan, Complete Massage Oxford

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Upper back pain Neck tension Lower back pain Shoulder pain Tennis elbow Knee pain Achilles tendonitis Calf tension Hip pain Foot pain

Many of these common complaints are due to poor posture. When the muscles and bones are not in good alignment they can’t function well. Another reason is too much time being sedentary, such as long periods at a desk or on the sofa. This often leads to ‘laziness’ in certain muscles, so we lose functional movement patterns and more dominant muscles get overloaded.

www.b4-business.com

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WE’RE APPOINTING B4 AMBASSADORS

Got an opinion on the burning issues affecting Oxfordshire? We will be appointing B4 Ambassadors, a select group of Oxfordshire’s leading business women and men who will be asked to comment on a wide range of issues, from housing to transport, from ﬁnance to social issues affecting their staff and their businesses.

B4 Opinions….coming to B4 soon

charity

RAISING AWARENESS FOR BLOODWISE We are harnessing the power of our networks to raise £10k for Bloodwise over the next 6 months by encouraging our friends and family to take up a challenge for #TeamCiro in support of Bloodwise! Written by: Natasha Palladino Photography by: Bloodwise

We are working hard to have as many conversations as we can with family and friends about blood cancer and the work that Bloodwise does. Our aim is to raise awareness about the advances that have been made in this field, in particular over the last 10 years, thanks to the money that has been invested in research - but most importantly - what still needs to be done. Medical research into blood cancer gifted us 9 years with my dad, after his initial Lymphoma diagnosis back in 2007. We are acutely aware of the fact that in the not too distant past his prognosis would have looked much bleaker. In his 8 years post treatment, my dad has been able to live a full and active life and was given the opportunity to witness and enjoy all the milestones of my sister and I’s journeys into adulthood. Although his relapse has come as quite a shock, we are confident that the advances made in the treatment of blood cancer since 2007 will once again gift us many more years with our dad. I have been fascinated by how far things have come for blood cancer patients in such a short space of time and I am passionate about ensuring people are www.b4-business.com

made aware of just how life changing their donations to charities like Bloodwise can be. The money we raise won’t directly impact my dad’s future, but it will allow other families like ours to be gifted precious extra time with their loved ones. Hopefully, one day, our efforts will have contributed to making blood cancer a thing of the past.

BLOODWIDE: RESEARCH WILL BEAT BLOOD CANCER

At any one time we have over £90 million invested in research. We’re currently funding over 1,000 researchers and clinicians across over 220 active research projects, as well as countless more awards to train the research leaders of the future. Support Team Ciro: TextGiving code: Text ‘CIRO61’ to 70070 with the amount you’d like to donate. Visit the Team page here: www.justgiving.com/ companyteams/TeamCiro

The Eastwood family knew it back in 1960, and so do we. That’s why we’ve invested over £500 million in world-class blood cancer research since 1960 – research which has changed the lives of blood cancer patients. We fund the research that benefits patients most – we don’t just do research for research’s sake. But we still invest in curiosity. We'll fund that spark of an idea, because those sparks can lead to breakthroughs real, tangible discoveries that’ll change the world.

 support@bloodwise.org.uk  0207 504 2215  www.bloodwise.org.uk

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THE BEAR & RAGGED STAFF CUMNOR

Wining, Dining and Superb Accommodation 4 Miles from Beautiful Oxford

Not only does the Bear and Ragged Staff serve fantastic food throughout the week, its conversion to a Country Inn means it is now in a position to offer a full suite of services to the discerning traveller whether on business or just looking for a home away from home for a few days. We also cater for Private Parties, Weddings, and you can even hire the entire venue for exclusive use. Our food ethos can be summed up very simply: Local where possible, seasonal and absolutely fresh, prepared in our own kitchen. e Bear's food offering is mainly British with a modern twist and prepared with loving care and attention. e Bear also has a comprehensive selection of wines, real ales and beers available for all palates. We welcome children of all ages, and have a beautiful private garden and free off-road parking.

TO BOOK A TABLE OR ROOM CALL 01865 862329 TO HIRE THE VENUE FOR PARTIES, WEDDINGS AND MORE PLEASE ASK FOR JEREMY du PLESSIS, GENERAL MANAGER

Food served : Monday to Saturday: Lunch 12pm-2.30pm & Dinner 6pm-9.30pm, Sunday all day: 12pm-9pm

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

csr

‘Give not get’: Reciprocate’s new challenge to the business community One year on from its start, Reciprocate, the network of responsible Oxfordshire businesses, now comprises 51 member businesses, and as Oxfordshire Community Foundation is fully funding its administration, there is no subscription fee for joining. Andy Street speaking at Saïd Business School

Reciprocate Chair, Richard Venables

“

Business can make a real difference to its community, and many businesses are already actively engaged in this process

”

Richard Venables, Reciprocate Chair Representatives from members Clark Howes, Royds Withy King and Lucy

In another change, Richard Venables has recently taken over as Chair following the excellent start made by Tony Stratton. Richard explains: “Most business organisations request a subscription to assist with the administration, and companies scrutinise the value of what they will ‘get’ from parting with their money. We are now flipping this round to say come and join Reciprocate, but let us know what you can ‘give’ to your community.” In February, Reciprocate ran a highly successful speaker event at Saïd Business School with Andy Street, outgoing Managing Director of John Lewis. Andy’s talk reflected on the benefits of a holistic ethical business structure in creating a happy and fulfilled workforce. Jayne Woodley, CEO of Oxfordshire Community Foundation (OCF), commented: “This was a fantastic event attended by around 200 businesspeople from around Oxfordshire. OCF is looking forward to working closely with all of our existing and new members to develop what we are calling an ‘impact pledge’– which may involve volunteering activity, in-kind or financial support for the charitable sector, or CSR initiatives of the company’s choosing.” At the same time, Reciprocate will continue to offer further network meetings with interesting keynote speakers.

a coordinated way to address some of the problems revealed in its Oxfordshire Uncovered report. Along with new Chair Richard Venables, Reciprocate has developed a five-point plan for the coming year that is specifically aimed at assisting member companies to develop effective CSR activity. These five areas are:

1. Signposting – connecting businesses with the many existing community networks in Oxfordshire and providing best-practice resources

2. Volunteering brokerage – helping businesses understand what they would like to get out of employee volunteering and coordinating volunteering opportunities for them within recommended charities

3. Work opportunities and experience – inspiring businesses to adopt a more open and inclusive approach to employment potential and work experience

www.b4-business.com

“My aim is to involve businesses throughout Oxfordshire and expand the Reciprocate membership. We will be using Responsible Business Week, which commences from the 24th April, to collect impact pledges from our existing members and help them make a tangible difference to their local community.” To find out more, please get in touch with Reciprocate using the details below.

4. Reciprocate Encounters – providing free professional skills workshops in businesses’ specialist areas for employees or volunteers working in the charitable sector

5. Board involvement – encouraging directors OCF recognises that there are many business organisations who already ‘give’ substantially to their community, and is hoping to build on these efforts in

Richard Venables says: “Business can make a real difference to its community and many businesses are already actively engaged in this process. Reciprocate is a unique vehicle whereby Oxfordshire Community Foundation identifies the area of key need and seeks to match business resources in terms of both fundraising or personnel involvement to give something back.

and senior employees to represent the voice of business on a diverse range of boards and committees across the county

 reciprocate@oxfordshire.org  01865 798 666  www.ReciprocateOx.org

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Top 4 reasons your business should move to private cloud In the last few years, Cloud Computing has been one of the major Information Technology buzz terms that has brought unbelievable promise to the IT world. Its interest has brought about extensive inquisitiveness and awareness of public cloud services with mainstream brands all having ‘A Cloud’. Written by: Gareth Johnson

Pooled resources for computing, shared amongst different users, have been proven to have great benefits in the constantly evolving field of IT. However, fear of inadequate security and uptime assurances amid IT decision makers have outshone those benefits. The aim of private cloud is to lessen or even eradicate those fears by providing each user with segregated cloud platforms. Your data, rather than being stored off somewhere in the cloud, you'd be able to identify a cluster of servers in a datacentre and state exactly where your data is on those servers thereby appeasing any concerns for security. It's a win-win solution for both parties that has the capacity to create tremendous benefit, including better uptime, predictable IT costs and dependability/reliability. It is also more cost-effective than a conventional IT infrastructure and allows the consumer to benefit from the performance and protection of enterprise level hardware an organisation would never buy within its in-house IT department. CIS consider the following top 4 reasons your company needs to reassess its IT infrastructure as well as explore private cloud computing benefits.

1. Segregated platform implies improved security. Very similar to a co-located or dedicated server, your private cloud's security is dependent on several factors. Nevertheless, if you've got the correct physical security, software for anti-virus and rules for firewall primed, we guarantee that your data is as secure as if it were just right beside you in your office. Identifying Cloud providers who adhere to ISO27001 or the Cyber Essentials Security (CES) program, provides an assurance that the data you host is being handled in a secure, professional manner.

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2. It offers better flexibility when switching from physical to virtual servers. Of all the benefits Cloud computing offers, this one is the most fascinating. The ability to spin up and bring down a server in just a few minutes is extremely powerful and of great use. There's no need to waste effort sizing a hardware server when you can create a virtual one instantly. If you need more RAM, more space on your disk or more CPU (processing power); no need to worry. Cloud computing enables you to change resources within a few minutes, completely removing the need for a right sized physical server with headroom built in for you to ‘grow into’.

3. Make use of your hardware completely with better resource management. The worth of your physical server hardware is significantly increased by Virtualisation. Rather than have five servers that utilise on average, 10% CPU, why not virtualise the five servers on one physical server and share the resources. When this happens, rack space and power usage are reduced and the management remains easy. In addition, the process enables you to create copies of your servers and get them working faster than they would alone on the hardware as the virtualisation process has been built with software that interacts at every level with the operating system.. With the appropriate tools for resource management installed on your server, allocating resources to the server can be done automatically when needed or removed from idle servers in times of low usage. This is an extremely powerful and well-organised way to manage servers.

4. You save money and time when you switch to private cloud computing.

Not only will you be getting all the tremendous benefits of virtualisation and security, it is actually more cost-effective and less stressful compared to buying dedicated servers or hosting your own servers. Your company will benefit from virtualisation if you have over two servers. Further benefit comes from private cloud computing with devoted SAN and physical host servers if your organisation has multiple servers or server storage systems. Whilst public Cloud transformed IT in the mainstream, the private cloud is bringing the benefits to the everyday IT user and to organisation who want to move away from a traditional hardware owned capex invested model.

In Conclusion: Switch to Private Cloud Computing to Save Money, Time, and Sleep Well. Although the concept of private cloud computing is still fairly new, the technology it is based on has been in existence for some time, a reflection of a military system using mainframes and terminals. In addition to offering some great benefits of shared computing resources and virtualisation, it preserves the safety and dependability of a regular dedicated server. Private Cloud isn't for everybody however, a managed datacentre operator such as CIS is capable of transitioning you to private Cloud computing at an affordable cost enabling you to completely enjoy all of the great benefits private cloud offers, get in touch!

 Gareth.johnson@cisltd.com  01367 700 555  www.cisltd.com

www.b4-business.com

it & telecomms

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Your award winning agent is right here in Oxfordshire.

breckon.co.uk

IT’S ALL ABOUT… YOU! At You HR Consultancy it really is all about the people! You HR provide a refreshingly agile approach to Human Resources (HR) and Organisational Development (OD), providing you with a professional yet flexible, no-nonsense approach to help you perform at your best. Written by: Jenny Haken

Recognising that your staff are your greatest asset, You HR Consultancy love to push the boundaries of HR solutions. They’re innovative, intuitive and creative, knowing how to engage people to get the right results! Founded in 2010 by Jonna Mundy, a fellow member of CIPD and expert HR and OD practitioner, the Consultancy works primarily within SMEs and NfPs. Whatever your organisation size or type, their mission is to take away the stress of all things HR related and help your business thrive. Most importantly, they’ll make sure your team are motivated, engaged and empowered, because a positive workforce is a productive one.

“

Their thinking is outside the process box when it comes to applying great people solutions. Their belief in their brand is untouchable, their reputation unbreakable – we refer to them as our very own HR Star Trek Voyager, boldly going where others may not dare to venture Dominic Wright, CEO

”

Their focus is always the same, on what works best for ‘You’, their clients. Providing everything that you would expect from an HR consultancy and more, their services can be bought as a retained package (just like having your own HR team!), or on a Pay as you Go basis across the four service lines, covering: • Core Transactional HR ranging from Recruitment solutions, Policies/Process, Contracts, Conflict Resolution, Workforce Planning • People and Organisational Development covering Coaching and Mentoring for Managers, Accredited ILM (Institute of Leadership Management) Development Programmes, Performance Acceleration • Organisational Change, speaks for itself really, supporting clients whatever www.b4-business.com

their transformational journey may be. Consultation with staff is key and the Consultancy prides itself in having a 100% success rate in all change managed along with any employee relations case work undertaken – an impressive achievement! • And last but by no means least… the cog that keeps all the other wheels turning – Workplace Wellbeing! Demonstrating the value of nurturing your staff, their wellness and work life

Community projects You HR Consultancy are firm believers in giving back to the local community. They have chosen an inspiring charity partner to work with; Community Albums. Striking a deep chord within community groups, giving them a voice through music and media. You can see more about what they do and some of their amazing projects by visiting: www.youhrconsultancy.co.uk/community

We Listen, Understand, Action and Achieve Based in Fugro House, Wallingford, our door is always open and the coffee machine is always on, so pop in and see us! Check us out on social media, click on our website to find out how… www.youhrconsultancy.co.uk Our client base is expanding and would love to discuss how we can help you and your business realise its full potential. Get in touch with our Business Development guru Naomi Alcantara using the contact details below.

    

naomi@youhr.co.uk 07809 901 397 /youhrconsultancy /youHRconsult /youhr

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£2m of Support for Oxfordshire Businesses If you are a business owner, or have a new business idea, you can access free support via Oxfordshire Business Support which includes free Business Workshops and access to ‘Growth’ and ‘Start-up’ business grants. WRITTEN BY: LISA NORGATE-BARNES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: OBS

About Us Oxfordshire Business Support (OBS) is a free at point of service run by OxLEP to help grow Oxfordshire’s economy. It is Oxfordshire’s Growth Hub, part of a national network of publicly funded growth hubs. The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) is responsible for championing and developing the Oxfordshire economy. OxLEP has recently been successful in applying for ERDF 2014-20 funding worth £2million* to help deliver the OBS service and will use this funding to offer the following support to any businesses based in Oxfordshire: • Grants for start-ups and growth businesses • Workshops for start-ups and established businesses • Extended Network Navigator team specialising in Digital and Creative, Business Resource Efficiency, Investment, SME, Social Enterprise • Dedicated start-up advisors The programme will run until 2019 and will be funded by BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) and ERDF (European Regional Development Funding).

across Oxfordshire. These grants can be used to support a wide range of projects which include: • • • • • •

New Websites and Website Development Branding Business Coaching Print & Marketing Collateral Social Media Development New Systems & Process

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New businesses and those with a new business idea can also access a grant to help launch and grow their new business enterprise. You can check if your business, or start-up idea, is eligible via the OBS ‘Grant Eligibility Checker’ on the OBS website.

How the Grant Works

As part of the ERDF “funding, OBS have £200,000 worth of grant funding to allocate. OBS is able to offer grants to both established and start-up businesses across Oxfordshire

”

Heather Martin, Interim Business Support Manager

The first step will be to check your eligibility on the OBS website. The formal grant application process will open from early summer 2017. Grants are between £1,000 and £5,000. They will need to be match funded by the business, with the grant being one third of the overall project cost. For example, if your project cost is £3,000 then you could be awarded £1,000 in grant funding. The project will need to be paid for in full by the business and upon proof of payment being received by OBS the grant will be awarded to the successful applications.

Free Business Workshops

Business Grants As part of the ERDF funding, OBS have £200,000 worth of grant funding to allocate. OBS is able to offer grants to both established and start-up businesses

as a result of the grant support.

Grant applications should demonstrate how the funding will support the growth of the applicant business. Also part of the application success criteria will be how the business plans to create new jobs

OBS are also offering a wide range of half-day business training workshops across the whole of Oxfordshire.

www.b4-business.com

There are two programmes of workshops available; one designed for start-up businesses, the other for those businesses who have been trading for longer than 12 months. Subjects include topics such as Digital Marketing, Sales, Business Planning and Finance. Any business in Oxfordshire can access these programs of workshops to support their business growth. All of the workshops are free to attend and can be accessed by multiple employees within the business. OBS will also be running two free quarterly networking events across the county. One will be to support those established business looking to grow and the other to support new start-ups or those with a new business idea. Full details of all the workshops and how to book are available on the OBS website.

Additional Support

towards its business goals. Network Navigators support is free for all Oxfordshire businesses. If you have recently started a business, or have a new business idea, then you can also access free support and advice from our team of Start-Up Advisors.Oxfordshire Business Enterprises (OBE)

will meet “withOuryouNavigators face to face and discuss your business needs and help you develop an action plan to drive your business towards its business goals

”

services

European Regional Development Fund * The project has received £2 million of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.

What to Do Next? If you would like more information on any of the services offered via Oxfordshire Business Support, or would like to apply for a grant or book on a workshop please visit their website for full details or contact us below.

Heather Martin, Interim Business Support Manager

As well as the Grants and Free Workshops OBS also offer support via their Network Navigators and OBE advisors. The OBS team of Network Navigators can guide you along your business journey and signpost you to additional support that may be available to your business. The OBS Navigators will meet with you face to face and discuss your business needs and help you develop an action plan to drive your business

www.b4-business.com

are a not for profit organisation funded via OBS. They provide free and impartial advice on a wide range of business issues, from self-employment to forming a limited company and from marketing to book-keeping. You can arrange a free face to face meeting with an OBE advisor via their website at www.oxonbe.co.uk

CONTACT DETAILS

 heather.martin@oxfordshireLEP.com  01865 897 181  www.oxfordshirebusinesssupport.co.uk

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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT FROM CLEANING AND JANITORIAL

Let us brighten up your day...

Get your office squeaky clean...

It’s the little things that brighten up your day; that first cup of coffee in the morning, an ice cold Coke on a hot summer’s day, a mid afternoon treat to see you through until home time... Whatever brightens up your day, with over 400 products in our kitchen and break room range, you’ll find your perfect little pick me up.

With everything you need to wash, polish, scrub, dust, brush, disinfect and hoover, we have the range to keep even the harshest of germs at bay. With over 550 cleaning and washroom related products, we have what it takes to ensure your office remains squeaky clean, safe and germ free.

As well as all of the above, we have a further 3,000 products available within our broader Facilities Management category. Other areas we specialise in include materials handling and access, storage and shelving, premises and maintenance, waste management, PPE, safety and security, and packaging and postroom.

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www.b4-business.com

services

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

TO CAPPUCCINOS AND SNACKS

Energise your workforce... The health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 litres, or half a gallon. A hydrated worker is much more efficient, bright, productive, energetic and less prone to sickness. Our range of water coolers offer the perfect solution to keep your workforce hydrated. It’s not only your employees who will feel the benefit; customers and other visitors will appreciate it too. When thinking of installing a water cooler in your office, there are two main options which we provide: Bottled or mains fed coolers. Whatever option you choose, your water will be filtered to remove the harsh chemicals and impurities, such as chlorine often found in tap water. We also serve it hot! Our range of instant water heaters boil the exact amount of water you require, so minimal wastage! Water boilers are more efficient than a kettle so in the long term not only will you reduce your impact on the environment, but you will also save money on your electrical bill. A great statement for your CSR policy.

www.b4-business.com

 sales@aston-james.co.uk  01993 706 900  www.aston-james.co.uk

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Welcome to what will be a new regular feature of B4 Magazine – The B4 Travel Section. As a reader of B4 for many years and a longterm travel industry professional with more than 35+ years in the business, B4’s Richard Rosser has asked me to become the new section’s ‘Travel Editor’. Written by: David Gambier

TRAVEL NEWS FEATURE Brexit, Trump – big issues for everyone, but the travel industry particularly 2016 was a year of momentus events – notably with the UK’s decision to hit the Brexit button, and our friends across the Pond electing Mr Trump to the office of President of the USA. These were both major earthquakes and challenges to the way of life that we have all become used to. Whatever side of the arguments we were on, it’s too late now to change anything. We don’t have any option but to adapt to a very unpredictable presence in the White House, and whilst the business statistics seem to demonstrate that the UK economy has weathered the immediate post-Brexit shock and appears to be ‘prospering’, we would be wise to hold back judgement on the final impact until we have a clearer idea of what is going to come out of Mrs May’s negotiations. In the case of the USA, most travel industry observers have commented on a drop-off in enquiries for holidays since Mr Trump was elected. We are certainly seeing this with our own clients coming into the Great Experience Travel office in Witney. There is a general sense that America has become less welcoming to visitors, so this is a good time to look elsewhere – notably north of the border to Canada. Obviously, as far as most people’s real travel experience of the US is concerned – once you have gone through the horrors of US Immigration, which, even pre-Trump was the least attractive aspect of any trip to the States -, the Americans are great hosts, and the country still remains an incredible place to visit, even if you have to be a little more careful what you say to whom. If you go to New York, Boston or large parts of California, and you say that you think that ‘The Donald’ is doing a great job, a really great job, then you have to expect to be the subject of a degree of ridicule for your views. However, if you

head south or into the middle of this vast and hugely diverse country where ‘God, Gun and Country’ are the order of the day, then don’t be surprised to find that nearly everyone you meet will be talking about ‘fake news’, and praising the President as the best thing that has happened to America for a generation. In the case of the travel industry post-Brexit, the situation is a lot less clear cut. It’s fair to say that as an industry, we were predominantly pro-Remain, and Brexit has certainly left us with quite a few headaches. The most obvious impact on our industry has been on the exchange rate, where the depreciation in Sterling from June 24th onwards has added 10-15% to holiday costs. As well as reducing spending power when overseas, this is now feeding through into a considerable increase in prices for the holidays themselves. Many issues remain to be resolved as negotiations progress – critically whether we will still subscribe to the ‘open skies’ policy that has been fundamental to the growth of the airline industry, and especially the operating methods of the ‘low-cost/no-frills’ airlines over recent years. This is linked to a pan-European approach to air traffic control arrangements, where Britain has been at the forefront of practical and technical developments. A looming problem area becomes the status of the ‘overseas representatives’, who still play a major role in many people’s holiday experience. If you are a skier, and enjoy a ‘chalet holiday’, expect to see considerable changes as to how these work in the years ahead. Leading ski tour operator Inghams has already started divesting itself of a number of its chalets on the basis that these will no longer be cost-effective to operate without many of the benefits of free movement of goods and staff, common taxation arrangements etc., if we head for the ‘hard Brexit’ door that seems to be likely.

from the current situation. Whilst going overseas on holiday has become more expensive for us, the price of coming here has been reduced for foreign tourists coming to the UK. However, there is evidence that the market that tends to be most sensitive to movements of this kind, namely the number of American visitors coming to the UK when the Dollar is strong, is not increasing in the way that it has in the past. The view of many observers is that the prevailing atmosphere in the US has created the impression that Europe is a hotbed of terrorism and danger, so better avoided. A complex area is that of regulation – the perception has been created that we will be freed from burdensome Brussels-generated regulation as soon as we are out of the EU. In the case of the UK travel industry, our businesses are probably the most heavily-regulated of any in Europe, which means that we must bear much higher costs for bonding, liability insurance and financial protection arrangements than our European counterparts. However, as in many industries, it is HM Government, and its agencies such as the CAA’s interpretation of different EU Directives that has led to this situation – not the actual Directives themselves. We would love to see a reduction in regulations, or the regulations applied in a similar fashion to the way that they are applied across the EU, as this would certainly help bring some of our prices down. However, we are not holding our breath for this. As with all other industries, we’ll have to adapt to survive, but adapt, we will, as everyone loves a holiday! In the next edition of B4, I’ll be looking at the impact of the ‘disrupters’ on our business – the rise or AirBnB, and just how much can you trust TripAdvisor and comparison websites.

Obviously, there are some pluses, or potential pluses

TRAVEL NEWS Update on the changes of regulations on laptops, tablets and mobile phones There has been a lot of coverage in the press in respect of the new regulations introduced recently by

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the American aviation authorities, followed in short order by the UK, covering the carriage of laptops, tablets and mobile phones on selected routes on flights to/from a list of designated countries - Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Tunisia.

Although the regulations appear to be clear – namely that any portable device just a bit larger than the size of a postcard needs to go into your hold baggage, rather than be taken with you into the cabin -, there is still a lot of confusion as to how the regulations will

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The idea behind the section is that it should be as interactive as possible. Although I will be writing regular features picking up on different aspects of travel industry business news, latest developments and destination guides, it is also hoped that other readers will provide their own input to the section that we can build upon. At different stages, Richard will be inviting other B4 members to contribute to a feature on their favourite holiday destination and memories – “B4 Member Travel Favourites” - , as well as their own personal views of what to do with 48 hours in a particular city – “48 hours in...”. For this first edition, Richard is sharing his own experiences on a recent trip that he made with members of his family to the Spanish capital, Madrid.

be applied and who it will actually affect. In practical terms, unless you are a business traveller or working for an NGO, it is unlikely that you will be flying to Lebanon, Saudi, Jordan or Tunisia, and if you are you will have to adapt to the special regulations that are in force anyway, such as when you fly to Israel and have to identify your baggage on the tarmac. In the case of Egypt, there is currently still a flight ban in place to Sharm el Sheik, which was the main destination in the country for British tourists, even though similar bans have been lifted by nearly all other EU countries. However, the restrictions will apply on flights to scheduled flights to Cairo and

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In the case of other topics for me to write about, in the months ahead this will hopefully come from readers asking for information and advice, so it’s currently planned that I will be writing articles on summer holiday ideas, skiing, going on safari, taking a longhaul trip to Australia and New Zealand, and ‘money no object’ holiday ideas. However, if there are other topics that readers would like me to write about, then they can contact me directly through our website, and I will be happy to work this into the plans for future editions. If you want to see more about my background in the travel industry, then take a look at the About Us section of our website, www.greatexperiencetravel.co.uk.

charters to the other Red Sea resort of Hurghada. They will also apply on all flights to Turkey, which is where the new regulations are likely to have the biggest impact. The cabin ban applies to devices larger than 16cms x 9.3cms x 1.5cms. This means that whilst most smart phones will be exempt, even small-sized tablets, Kindls and all laptops are going to need to go into the hold. How this will be applied to people travelling with hand-baggage only is yet to be clarified, and likewise, how and when this will be checked upon, given that you are not required to show your boarding card at the security check at most airports is still ‘up in the air’. If you are flying

to any of these destinations, especially in the near future, our recommendation would be to play it safe, and put as much as possible into your hold baggage, and wait and see how everything develops. As has been widely-argued, if there is a danger in what’s allowed on board aircraft and where it can be stored, then this is a risk to every airline and destination, so there is a lack of logic applying regulations to six countries only. As regulation of this type tends only to go in one direction, the inevitable logic is that the ban will end up being extended across all flights, so what this space for more information

MEMBER ZONE In forthcoming editions of B4, Richard will be inviting specific readers will be invited to give their answers to a series of probing travel-related questions, but in keeping with what Donald Trump can do, responding in 140 characters or less. As Travel Editor, I get to set the ball rolling: Favourite childhood holiday memory and why:…Going to Switzerland for first time aged 10,

looking out of the hotel window and immediately falling in love with the mountains. Favourite holiday destination now:…Never lost my love of mountains, so would be Austria, Germany and Switzerland, whether walking in the summer, but particularly skiing. It’s what got me into travel in the first place.

Favourite meal you’ve eaten on your travels:… Has to be a single fresh shitake mushroom grilled on charcoal grill in a tiny backstreet restaurant in Nagano Japan, sprinkled with sea salt. An unforgettable taste explosion. Favourite hotel experience:…Probably breakfast at Les Chevaliers in Gruyere Switzerland, but waking up to view of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House from Quay West is pretty tough to beat. Favourite places you’ve still got on your bucket list:…Would love to visit Namibia. I’ve organised lots of trips for clients, who’ve shown me great photos to whet the appetite. After that it’s Cappodochia in Turkey to stay in a cave! Favourite item to take with you on your travels:...Apart from lovely wife, Debbie, and/or beautiful daughter, Daniella, has to be my travel alarm clock. Never like to rely on hotel receptions, and haven’t worked out the alarm function on my phone yet.

48 HOURS IN... Based on personal experience, we are interested in readers’ advice and suggestions as to what to do in 48 hours in a particular location. For this edition of B4, it’s overall Editor, Richard Rosser, giving his ideas for what to do with 48 hours in… Madrid.

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48 Hours in…

Madrid Up at 4am, drive to Gatwick from Oxford for a 7.30am flight to Madrid, taxi to the Novotel, taxi to Plaza Mayor for lunch, another taxi to Vicente Calderon stadium (home of Atletico) de Madrid for a stadium tour, back for a snooze, back out to the wonderful Mercado de San Miguel for drinks and something to eat, sleep, up for breakfast, back to Mercado de San Miguel for a pre match drink, walk to the match to see Barca 2-1 Atletico, bus back to Plaza Mayor, back to the hotel, out to Ten Con Ten (great recommendation Duncan!) for dinner, back to the hotel to sleep, up at 5am, Happy 20th Birthday Ed, taxi to airport for a 7.30am flight back to London! Phew!!!! WRITTEN BY: RICHARD ROSSER

It certainly was a whirlwind weekend but one not to forget as three generations enjoyed a wonderful time in the fantastic city of Madrid. Ever since I heard this was Atletico de Madrid’s last season at the famous Vicente Calderon, I knew it was one to try and get to. As it happened, the day we came back to England was Ed’s 20th Birthday so it seemed a fitting trip to organise and ensured Christmas and Birthday presents were ticked off in one go!

Although it was an early start from Dad’s house in Bletchingdon, it took little over an hour to Gatwick (yes I have been keeping an eye on the post for THAT letter but it hasn’t come yet!) This weekend was to mark the end of a 60 day dry spell and the lure of a Wetherspoons was too much to resist (avert your eyes Mr Alden!) as I tucked into possibly the best beer I have ever had….at 6.30am! Of course it had to be San Miguel… a recurring theme that weekend!

Restaurant Ten Con “ Ten another of Duncan’s recommendations, was stunning. Super sassy, stylish and packed full of Madrid’s beautiful people, it was a wonder we got in!

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San Miguel. “ Mercado Imagine Oxford’s Covered Market in a modern glass style with lots of different food and drink stalls inside… very impressive and very packed.

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The flight was smooth and, well, to be honest, I zonked off and woke to brilliant sunshine as we left the plane. A short cab ride into Madrid and we were checking in to the impressive Novotel, kindly arranged by David Gambier, our new Travel Editor! Three grown men in one room isn’t a great idea, but it was fine for 48 hours! We unpacked – how the old man manages to fill a family case for such a short trip always defies logic, but he’s not going to change now, is he? – and made our way to Plaza Mayor. The epicentre of Madrid is always impressive, my last visit was for my stag do some 20 years before. We settled on a restaurant and proceeded to feast on excellent food and a few beers. Somehow I managed to burn the side of my face, but, hey ho, I’d be white as snow again within 48 hours so no harm done! Ed then came up with the brilliant idea to go to the stadium where the game versus Barcelona would take place the following afternoon. More by luck than design, we timed it perfectly to go on a stadium tour, including the club museum, pitch and changing rooms. We even came out of the underground tunnel to roars from the crowd – well, soundtrack actually, but after a couple of liveners, I didn’t know any different! After the obligatory exit through the gift shop and a new Fernando Torres shirt for Ed – I’m sure he’s the only person in the world to have five of his shirts

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now! – we made our way back to the hotel for a kip, only to be back out at 8pm for dinner. A good friend of mine, Duncan, had recommended Mercado San Miguel. Imagine Oxford’s Covered Market in a modern glass style with lots of different food and drink stalls inside….very impressive and very packed. We followed with dinner and then retreated to the hotel after a very busy day. We were fairly slow to rise the following morning, our day of relative rest sandwiched by two pre 5am starts, so we were entitled to it. We ventured downstairs for breakfast and then took our time to get back to San Miguel (Mercado and beer!) and a leisurely walk to the stadium to savour the pre match atmosphere. The red and white stripes of the home team were everywhere and the mood was akin to a carnival, certainly more joyous than your average English game….aside from the odd bang of a rocket (and they were whoppers, I can assure you). The game was cagey….goalless at half time. The second half saw Barca take the lead through Rafinha on 64, Godin equalise on 70 only for the inimitable Messi to poach the winner on 87. For my money, Neymar was like liquid gold….an unbelievable player who moved as freely and skilfully as any player I have had the pleasure to see (and given that standard fare normally revolves around Oxford United, then that’s

not that difficult!) One big difference watching football in Spain as opposed to England, aside from the pre match atmosphere and the standard of football was the appreciation for proven, quality players….when the names of Suarez, Neymar and Messi were announced pre match, they all received polite rounds of appreciation which you would never hear in England. We got the bus back to the centre, changed and downstairs to watch the start of the Real Madrid encounter at Valencia. I could see Ed was struggling and might have preferred to stay and watch the game, but we managed to convince him to come out and he wasn’t disappointed. Restaurant Ten Con Ten another of Duncan’s recommendations, was stunning. Super sassy, stylish and packed full of Madrid’s beautiful people, it was a wonder we got in! Ed was still in his Torres shirt but it helped that it was the black away one – red and white stripes would have stood out a tad! It was a perfect way to end a truly memorable weekend and Ed even had a birthday cake. Happy 20th Birthday Ed!

Thanks to Great Experience Travel for your help.

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Bodleian Library launches its Group Offer to the Travel Trade The aim of the Bodleian Libraries is to provide an excellent service to support the learning, teaching and research objectives of the University of Oxford; and to develop and maintain access to Oxford's unique collections for the benefit of scholarship and society. With the newly opened exhibition galleries, shop and cafe in the Weston Library, we can now show some of the collections to our visitors and finally have the facilities to provide a warm welcome to groups.

The Old Bodleian is the oldest part of the Bodleian Libraries (which now include 28 University faculty libraries around Oxford) and holds more than 12 million printed items, as well as outstanding special collections including rare books and manuscripts. Our guided tours around library's most historic areas, including the atmospheric Duke Humfrey’s Library and grand Divinity School are very popular for individual visitors, but we are now able to offer group tours together with coffee & pastries or afternoon tea. On the 6th March the Bodleian hosted a launch event attended by travel and tour operators from around

Types of tours on offer

the country. The event included a presentation and guided tour followed by lunch in the Weston Library café, a walking tour around Oxford, afternoon tea at the Randolph and a night at Jury’s Inn. Hayley Beer-Gammage, CEO of Experience Oxfordshire welcomed the guests to Oxford, along with Alice Ogilvie, Head of Venue Services at the Bodleian. Alice explained: "The Bodleian Library has always been popular with visitors to Oxford from all over the world - but with the additionl of our splendid new Weston cafe, exhibition rooms and shop, we are able to provide a warm welcome to groups, offering them a tour of the Old Library followed by a cream tea.

Working with Hayley and her team at Experience Oxfordshire, we are looking forward to attracting new generations of groups which will be very good indeed for the local tourism economy and beneficial too for the on-going success of the Bodleian itself." To find out more about our tours and teas options, or to book your tour, contact Cath, our Tours Coordinator below

 tours@bodleian.ox.ac.uk  01865 287 400  www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

(All tours are up to 13 people per tour)

MINI TOUR | 30 mins | £70

STANDARD TOUR | 60 mins | £100

EXTENDED TOUR | 90 mins | £180

Times: Mon – Sat – 16:00, 16:40 Sun: 12:45, 14:15, 14:45, 16:00, 16:40

Times: Mon – Sat – 10:30, 11:30, 13:00, 14:00 Sun: 11:30, 14:00, 15:00

Times: Tues – 11:30, Thurs: 14:00 | Sun: 11:15, 13:15

What you’ll see: Divinity School & the Duke Humfrey’s Library.

What you’ll see: the Mini Tour areas plus Convocation House and Chancellor's Court.

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What you’ll see: the Standard Tour areas plus Radcliffe Camera and either the Underground tunnel or the Old Library Upper Reading Room.

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Art at work

A positive choice for business identity as well as the workplace. There are many of us attracted to the idea of owning art. It represents a way of engaging with different ways of looking at the world as well as the purely aesthetic pleasure it brings. Purchasing art is a confident form of self-expression as an art collection reflects the interests and values of the owner and the same concept can most definitely be applied to the art purchased for a company. Sarah Wiseman Gallery offers an art consultancy service to private individuals as well as public and corporate clients. With considerable experience of the contemporary art world, we have the expertise and creativity to rise to the challenges of a great variety of projects. Representing a diverse group of around 40 artists and being in possession of an enviable contact list of talented artists from all over the UK, we are in a position to guide you to the ideal artwork for your space. An art collection represents an enhancement of business identity in several ways. Expertly and carefully chosen artworks displayed in the workspace conveys a memorable message to the wider world on the positioning of the company- one of a clear corporate culture, forward-thinking and involved. Moreover, you may be surprised at how very specific artworks can be in reflecting the brand values of a business. Says gallery director Sarah Wiseman: â&#x20AC;&#x153;For a company specialising in engineering or research for example, we would seriously consider the work of Steven MacIver. His work is highly sophisticated and technically precise, exploring the power of the line in painting and the space it creates within the two-dimensional plane. A company wishing to place focus on a historically important local connection would perhaps be interested in the landscape paintings of Oxfordshire by Peter Kettle. Stylistically contemporary and striking yet classical in composition and form, the works evoke perfectly what makes Oxford uniqueâ&#x20AC;?

Christopher Farrell 'Reaper' Acrylic on Linen, 98cm x 123cm

Art in the workplace is not only an important asset in terms of the value it adds to your business profile. As reported in the Guardian*, recent research shows that an inspiring working environment, reflecting creativity and individuality, also boosts staff productivity and wellbeing. The traditional thought is that a bland, impersonal work environment devoid of possible distractions encourages employees to get on with their work. However, studies in the psychology of working environments* have shown that a workspace enriched with art has a positive influence on work rate, lowers stress and the number of sick-days. Furthermore, the more involved people are in enriching their working environment, the greater the benefits. Through the process of making their workspace more personal, staff are able to realise a part of themselves in that space. We spend the majority of our lives at work and art is an invaluable tool to create an environment for happier employees. At a time when people often seek the opportunity to

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Christopher Farrell 'St Pauls from the Tate' Oil on Linen, 101cm x 132cm

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Purchasing art for your business has many advantages. It communicates a sophisticated engagement with the wider world and, chosen with consideration and a discerning eye, enhances your business identity, making a visual statement of the brand values your company represent. Studies show that art in the workplace also brings numerous benefits for employees, including increased productivity and wellbeing. Written by: Johanna Gullberg - Sarah Wiseman Gallery

Peter Kettle 'Port Meadow III' Mixed media on canvas, 120cm x 160cm

work from home, it is only natural that some companies look for ways to encourage staff to stay in the office. Sarah Wiseman Gallery recently completed a project for a private clinic in London where we placed a large collection of gallery artist Christopher Farrell’s luminous cityscapes. It is a perfect example of how art adds value to a business in a variety of ways. The paintings are bold and bright, resolutely contemporary in style which reinforces the company’s position at the forefront of science, offering the absolute latest in their specialty of healthcare. Additionally, the urban composition mirrors the location of the clinic in the midst of a bustling London neighbourhood. Also, as Sarah Wiseman points out, “in our role as art consultants, we took the newly refurbished workspace into consideration when making our suggestions. It was important that the form and colour of the artworks complemented and enhanced the architecture and décor, reinforcing their brand identity from an aesthetic point of

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view. We were very pleased to involve the staff of the clinic who all had a say in which paintings they preferred and where to place them.” Another aspect of our brief was to provide a neutral talking point for visitors to the clinic. The ever changing London skyline of Christopher Farrell’s paintings is a fascinating subject and present an engaging focal point in a waiting room for example. Whether you are seeking to establish an art collection for your business or simply looking for a small number of artworks to brighten up the office, Sarah Wiseman Gallery will listen closely to your requirements and present carefully considered suggestions. Art is a valuable asset and we will work collaboratively with you to source the most appropriate and inspiring artwork to suit your needs. *Kirstie Brewer, “Art works: how art in the office boosts staff productivity” *Research by Dr Craig Knight, University of Exeter, director Identity Realisation research.

Steven MacIver 'Brodgar (Phthalo, Violet & Black) on Gold' Oil, Gold Leaf & Gloss on Canvas, 100cm x 80cm

Recent research shows “that an inspiring working

environment, reflecting creativity and individuality, also boosts staff productivity and wellbeing Sarah Wiseman

”

 info@wisegal.com  01865 515 123  www.wisegal.com

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WHO STOLE BANBURY ROAD? The Thieves Turnpike - A novel by Roger Watts. A tale of conspiracy and crime in Georgian Oxfordshire Written by: Roger Watts

Oxfordshire is not only at the centre of England but also at various times throughout its history, it has been a centre of government. Some colleges of the university have not been found wanting when it came to providing our Monarchs and politicians with advisors. Where power, money and influence are established and located, so it is that intrigue and conspiracy are often positioned in close proximity. A new novel “The Thieves Turnpike” unfolds the scheming of conflicting corrupt and criminal elements regarding a proposed road between Banbury and Oxford during the Georgian mid-eighteenth century. The establishment of turnpikes or toll roads was considered an effective means of financing development and was essential to the growth of Britain, her trade and her empire. The story tells of a time of upheaval, of Highwaymen, Thief Takers, Magistrates, Government and Crown against the background of extreme poverty, easy virtue and abuse; a nation addicted to Gin. The roads through Oxfordshire were linked by Coaching Inns and eleven of them that feature in the story still exist today as pubs. When you have the time, visit these inns and retrace the steps of the characters in the book as they moved about the county. Europe at the time was in turmoil, Britain and France were at war with each other more often than not as they jockeyed with each other for colonial domination in the America’s and India. Similarly, each of these nations supported different elements in the War of the Austrian-Hungarian Succession. England’s King George was also the Elector Prince of Hanover and supported the Austrians against Frederick the Great of Prussia who in turn was supported by the French. Britain began to expand its navy to control the seas, the French and the Prussians www.b4-business.com

developed their land armies to be the major powers in Europe, not forgetting the Spanish, Russians, Dutch and the Swedes; it does appear that history repeats itself even if it manifests differently today.

Featuring Real Oxfordshire Coaching Inns: The Blue Boar, Chipping Norton Ye Olde Reindeer Inn, Banbury The Holt Hotel, Nr. Steeple Aston The Bear, Woodstock The Turnpike, Yarnton The Eagle and Child, Oxford The Crown, Cornmarket, Oxford The Chequers, High Street, Oxford The Bear, Blue Boar Street, Oxford The Mitre, High Street, Oxford The White Swan, Covent Garden, London “The Thieves Turnpike” written by Roger Watts is published by New Books Limited in conjunction with The In Oxford Group and is available for purchase at each of the inns highlighted in the book and shown above, on-line from www.newbookslimited.com and at all good book shops. Title: The Thieves Turnpike, ISBN 978-0-9955809-0-9 Author: Roger Watts Publisher: New Books Limited, www.newbookslimited.com

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AIDAN MELLER GALLERY Aidan Meller gallery on Turl Street offer private collectors access to the best examples of original work by the world's masters from John Constable to Millais, Picasso and Warhol. Written by: Tamsin Huxford

The gallery, exceptional outside London for the quality of work exhibited, is located in the heart of Oxford’s city centre. Featuring rare original work from internationally acclaimed artists, Aidan Meller has earned a reputation as one of the foremost galleries in the UK. Amongst the most popular exhibitions launched in 2016 were The Bloomsbury Set, Calder and Miro, School of Paris, and Old Masters. Other shows featured work from artists including John Constable, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol. These exhibitions represent an important milestone in the twenty year old gallery's history, as Aidan Meller

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began its evolution towards specialisation exclusively in unique and rare works from internationally acclaimed artists. “The outstanding original artworks that we select are a pleasure to present to our clients." Aidan said. "Each work that we exhibit has its own unique history. It’s really exciting to delve into that, and for our clients to feel part of that story.” Drawing on twenty years as Director of the gallery, Aidan Meller offers expert art consultancy services in addition to an exciting programme of events and monthly exhibitions. Meller's consultancy service and ‘Spotlight Talks’ is the

perfect complement to the specialist work exhibited. 'Spotlight Talks' at the gallery, and appointments at the Director's private home provide clients with a unique opportunity to receive one-to-one advice from the Director. Located just thirty minutes outside the city centre in the rolling hills of the Oxfordshire’s countryside, Meller’s Elizabethan manor, a treasure trove of historical and artistic merit, is the perfect setting for viewing ancient and modern masters alike. Whether the client wants to discuss starting a collection, sourcing something specific, or talking through art as an investment, catering for the interests of the individual collector is the guiding principle of this service.

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For select clients wishing to develop their knowledge of art history as they sew the seeds of a private collection, the gallery also offers tours of the Ashmolean collection, or famous local arthistorical landmarks such as the Pre-Raphaelite murals at the Union. In addition to private appointments, Aidan Meller gallery regularly holds large scale Private Views and events, to illustrate and illuminate an exhibition, or to introduce a particular department with a guest speaker. Private Views at the gallery offer clients the opportunity to explore an exhibition further, through an evening viewing and talk. Invitations are distributed on a monthly basis to existing and prospective clients who wanting to develop their knowledge, or to discuss building an art portfolio over a glass of prosecco. The gallery’s programme of events is engineered not only to benefit individual clients but also to contribute to the artistic life of the local community in Oxford, and to bring important artwork to a wider public. Recently, Meller has presented art history talks at local primary and secondary schools, bringing original artworks by famous artists to inspire students to get involved in art. This year, the gallery held an exhibition exclusively for the work of selected Oxford High School students, awarding prizes for the most outstanding work. Events within the local community

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has afforded opportunities for the gallery to partner with prestigious organisations including the Arts Fund, and, on an ongoing basis, the University of Oxford Art History Faculty.

work that “weEach exhibit has its

own unique history. It’s really exciting to delve into that, and for our clients to feel part of that story Aidan Meller

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experience art for the impact that it can have; how art can help us see the world a bit differently. It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to work with art on a daily basis in the heart of a city filled with art historical treasures.” Aidan Meller gallery, located on Turl Street, a few paces away from the Bodleian Library, is open to all seven days a week. Private appointments are available directly in the gallery, with an art consultant. For clients who live further afield, the gallery email newsletter and blog at aidanmeller.com provide a virtual resource to keep up to date with the gallery and to discover more about the works on show.

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“By setting up a gallery I wanted to create a platform to give people the opportunity to experience great art from international level artists.” Aidan said. "It’s great to be able to share the work that be exhibit with clients inside the gallery on Turl Street, but also with art lovers more widely in Oxford”. Hailing from a collector’s background, “art has always played an important role in my life”, Aidan said, "but the inspiration to set up a gallery came when I went travelling in Europe in my early twenties. I saw so much incredible artwork during that time. I also made friends with a group of artists who helped me to

     

oxford@aidanmeller.com 01865 250 550 aidanmeller.com /aidanmellergallery /aidanmeller /aidanmeller

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Cooking, Eating & Sleeping at Belmond Le Manoir – well someone’s got to do it! Having previously enjoyed the delights of Belmond Le Manoir’s private dining experience at the B4 Platinum dinner, I returned to, arguably, the country’s leading hotel and restaurant to complete a long-awaited hat-trick – to cook, eat and sleep at Belmond Le Manoir….and I even got to keep the spoils! Written by: Richard Rosser Photography by: Rebecca Boast

So it all started at 8.45am in the main hotel where Tina and I met Maria and Tim, our colleagues for the day. It turned out that Tim had attended nearly as many cookery classes as I had had hot dinners and Maria (from Pakistan) was bolting on our Afternoon Tea Course to a week long course at Le Cordon Bleu in London…..so if there was a pecking order, I was bang smack at the bottom of it! Our tutor for the day was the impressive Mark Peregrine, delightfully accompanied by the charming ‘Becca’ Boast. Mark is head tutor of The Raymond Blanc Cookery School with over thirty years’ experience and began his career working as an apprentice at Raymond Blanc’s first restaurant, Les Quat’Saisons, where Belmond Le Manoir’s Executive Chef tutored him for five years between 1979 and 1983 on all aspects of haute cuisine. Following spells at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary, his own pâtisserie, the Pastry Shop, in London (which supplied to Harvey Nichols, John Lewis and The Wallace Collection), as well as organising a professional pâtisserie course for the culinary arts in Boston, USA, Mark returned to Belmond Le Manoir to teach me how to make scones…what a comedown! I must admit, as luxurious and welcoming as Belmond Le Manoir always is, I was slightly nervous

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as we made our way through the kitchens where staff were busy preparing for the day ahead. Mark began with his thorough introduction to his impressive background and his place of work. There were no rules, no regulations, just a simple message to ‘enjoy ourselves’, placing us all at ease…apart from Tim who had obviously heard it all before….sixteen times to be precise!

in making macarons accompanied by blue (yes blue) tea and lemon drizzle cake which came in very handy when the lemon tart mixture came back into play. The conclusion of our day in the kitchen was the decoration of the cake stand complete with Mark’s versions of what we had cooked during the day, a certificate presentation and a team photo! An experience we will never forget.

I admitted to Mark at the end of the day that although I love cooking, given the choice, afternoon tea wouldn’t have been top of my list of must do’s, mainly because I didn’t really see me putting what we learned into practice. But I was pleased to say I was wrong, not that I see myself pushing for a place on the Great British Bake Off anytime soon, but because the techniques we learned on the day will apply to other ‘occasions’ in the kitchen. Mark’s instruction was thorough, mixing the letter of the law with gut instinct in clearly digestible measures…the fact that I didn’t cock anything up is testament to Mark’s crystal clear delivery and no doubt he can’t wait to get that very fact on his glittering cv!

Tina and I then checked in to The Dovecote to get ready for dinner. As beautiful as our two floor accommodation was with the most stunning bathroom on the ground floor and a spiral staircase up to the bedroom, all we could worry about was how the hell were we going to fit any more food in? We were like two ocean going container ships that had just stocked up and the decks were full. Cakes, tarts, bread rolls, lemon drizzle cake….the lot! Given that I was supposed to be on a strict diet for 90 days I had well and truly blown my calorie allowance by 10.30am. But worry no more….by 8pm we were enjoying a glass of champagne and by 8.30pm we were savouring the first of five courses (see alongside) of Belmond Le Manoir’s finest food and accompanying wines.

Following the most sumptuous of lunches prepared by the wonderful Becca, Mark took us on a tour of the gardens so we could gain an appreciation of the hard work which goes on behind the scenes which lie behind the scenes! We returned for a masterclass

If we were ships, we would have sunk by 9pm, but we soldiered on and enjoyed every last delicious mouthful, although we did end up sharing the

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corp. lifestyle

les vins Givry 1er Cru 2014 Domaine François Llump, Bourgogne, France Aloers 2014 Celler Credo, Catalunya, Espagne Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011 Clos des Brusquières, Vallée du Rhône, France Jurançon 2014 Clos Thou, Sud-Ouest, France

were “noThere rules, no regulations, just a simple message to ‘enjoy ourselves’, placing us all at ease

”

roasted pineapple dessert!

the day before.

Back to bed and a pathetic attempt to watch the football – I had to give in to sleep.

So we went around the roundabout and back to Belmond Le Manoir….yes there was laughter as Tina returned to the kitchen, but we had the last laugh as we enjoyed tea later that evening with the kids, cake stands and all! As we were clearing, Abi and Ed confirmed that it was now ‘safe to take my chef’s jacket off!’

We woke early for a busy day back in the real world, not before breakfast in the room with birds singing and the sun shining…it was idyllic. We had been fortunate to experience all the very best that Belmond Le Manoir has to offer and we were very proud of our day’s work in the kitchen. One thing demonstrates just how proud we were of our day’s work….we went back to the kitchen the next morning after breakfast to collect our certificates and the scones, bread and tarts that we had made in the class and, along with our ‘RB’ (I can call him that now I’ve grafted in his place for a day!) jackets, headed home, chuffed with our endeavours. OK home isn’t that far away, but anyone who has driven that endless junction between the Thame services and Bicester will know just how long that drive is. ‘Tarts!’ shouted Tina as we approached the junction. “Tarts?” I replied, somewhat bemused. “We’ve forgotten the tarts…” I think the last time I heard that was in a cab after a two for one cocktails night out at Southampton University some 30 years ago, but Tina was quite obviously referring to the chocolate and lemon tarts we had diligently ‘made’

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Thank you to Belmond Le Manoir and the team behind the scenes for a fantastic experience.

     

manoir.mqs@belmond.com +44 (0)1844 278 881 www.belmond.com @lemanoir @lemanoirauxquatsaisons @belmondlemanoir

les saveurs de mars FILET DE FLETAN CONFIT, FONDUE DE POIVRON ROUGE, PERSIL, BEIGNET DE CHORIZO ET POULPE Confit Cornish halibut, red pepper fondue, parsley, chorizo beignet and octopus RISOTTO DE CHAMPIGNONS SAUVAGES, CRÈME DE TRUFFE Risotto of wild mushrooms, truffle cream SOLETTE POÊLÉE, NOIX DE STJACQUES, CHOU-FLEUR, AMANDES ET JUS DE VOLAILLE Pan-seared Cornish sole, scallop, cauliflower, almonds and turkey jus FILET DE BŒUF ABERDEEN ANGUS, SAUCE AU VIN ROUGE Roasted fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef, Braised Jacob’s ladder, red wine jus ANANAS RÔTI ET SON SORBET, BABA AU RHUM Roasted pineapple and its own sorbet, rum baba

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Video is an increasingly effective means of absorbing information and that’s why we are developing B4TV to capture the latest news from our members. So to get your message and personality across, call B4 and we’ll do the rest. All you’ve got to do is make sure you don’t fluff your lines... a touch of foundation wouldn’t go amiss either!

 @b4businesstv  @b4magazine  @b4magazine

corp. lifestyle

The

Snooty Mehmaan Thai or Indian?... Indian or Thai?... right, it’s definitely Indian… oh, but I really fancy a Thai… oh decisions, decisions! This is where the Snooty Mehmaan comes into its own, with only a few pages separating the two countries, and what’s more you can mix and match between courses – great for those of an indecisive nature… erm, I think. Written by: Matt Wright Photography by: Rob Scotcher

So, we mixed a traditional curry accompaniment (you simply have to have poppadums whenever available; it's the law!) with Thai starters of salt & pepper squid and duck wraps. Having already had a couple of gin & tonics to start the evening (my partner was on a Slimming World diet and these counted towards less 'sin' points), we were already feeling rather ‘upper class’… almost snooty one might say?! In keeping with our new-found elevated status, I plumped for the Meen Columbo, an award-winning dish from the 2014 Tiffin Cup. I did have to look this up afterwards, being described as, ’an annual competition to find the best South Asian restaurant in the UK with nominees put forward by their local MPs and the finalists participating in a cook-off event held in the House of Commons.’ Wow, how upper class is that then?! It was delicious; pan-fried sea bass marinated with salt & chilli, and served with various accompaniments including the spectacular deep-fried battered aubergine (I didn’t bother counting how many ‘sin’ points that might be!) My partner opted for Malai Jhinga; king prawns sautéed in coconut milk and simmered in garlic-scented lime curry, which she pronounced, between mouthfuls, as ‘divine’.

Then, purely in the interests of “ research, we surveyed the dessert

menu – something I very rarely do in a traditional Indian restaurant, but as this was no ordinary restaurant, I felt it was my duty to do so

”

I managed to sneak in a lovely glass of the Chardonnay alongside my main course, whilst my partner stuck with the colonial theme, remaining firmly on the gin trail. Then, purely in the interests of research, we surveyed the dessert menu – something I very rarely do in a traditional Indian restaurant, but as this was no ordinary restaurant, I felt it was my duty to do so. Unfortunately, a plethora of chocolate-themed desserts (lots of sin points there!) tempted us both back into the fray, so when we downed tools a few minutes later, we were happily replete. Asad, the owner, visited the tables afterwards to check everything was OK, and we found out he was about to set off to participate in a food festival in the Punjab on Tuesday. And hopefully to secure some new ideas for next year’s Tiffin Cup… yes please!

 info@thesnootymehmaan.co.uk  01367 242 260  www.thesnootymehmaan.co.uk

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Divinity School – Robert Fairer

A Grand Venue

Ask about our special reduced rate for events booked and held before 31.07.17, quote ‘B4March17’

Presentations & Award Ceremonies | Private Celebrations | Dinners & Drinks receptions Contact our events team Email events @bodleian.ox.ac.uk Call 01865287199 Visit www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whatson/venue-hire

Need To Freshen Up Your Image? For all your Graphic Design, Photography. Video & Print needs

Call us on 01865 742211 www.hothdesign.co.uk

The B4 Members Club Welcome to the B4 Memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Club. In this section youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find some exclusive content for B4 Members.

Contents: 136. Meet The B4 Members 137. B4 Events 139. B4 Testimonials

Meet the B4 Members B4 is proud to welcome the following new members to the network.

Complete I.T. BUSINESS SECTOR : IT Services Complete I.T. are an IT Support Provider based in Oxford with 5 more offices throughout the UK. We have over 24 years’ experience in supporting over 400 SME businesses across many different industries. Our team of over 140 is largely made up of technical experts who are dedicated to ensuring our clients infrastructures are enabling them to meet their business goals

Tel: 01865 593 012 www.complete-it.co.uk

Henry Stone Ltd BUSINESS SECTOR : PRINT SERVICES

Tel: 01295 819 300 www.henrystoneprinters.co.uk

Bike Oxford BUSINESS SECTOR : EVENTS Brought to you by the team behind the successful and well regarded Bike Bath event, Bike Oxford is a day of marked rides of 25, 50 and 80 miles starting and finishing at Oxford University Rugby Club, Iffley Road, and taking in the best scenery of Oxford and the surrounding countryside.

Tel: 07808 161 394 www.bikeoxford.co.uk

Element Studios

Luna Branding

MEPC

BUSINESS SECTOR : PROPERTY

BUSINESS SECTOR : MARKETING

BUSINESS SECTOR : BUSINESS PARKS

Element Studios offers interior architecture and design for commercial and large domestic projects. This means we see the bones of a building and create new working and living environments. The team are renowned for bespoke spaces that are imaginative, cutting edge and as beautiful as they are functional.

We are branding experts who bring passion, imagination and skill to every project. Our expertise is in combining strategic insight, powerful creative design and applying your brand to web, print and digital. If you want a fresh, independent view not restricted by conventional thinking get in touch. We are a vibrant agency that move quickly, strategically and creatively.

Milton Park is a premium Business Park in the South East of England. It’s a place where collaboration and interaction are actively encouraged and diverse ingredients come together to create a vibrant small town.

Tel: 07887 407 456 www.elementstudios.co.uk

Tel: 01367 705 055 www.lunabranding.co.uk

Tel: 01235 865 555 www.miltonpark.co.uk

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www.b4-business.com

B4 Events  Upcoming B4 Classic Events and Masterclasses. WHO

WHEN

WHERE

WHAT

Business in Oxford 2017

May 11 @ 8:15 am 5:30 pm

The King’s Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES

We are very excited to announce that the biggest business networking and showcase event in the county returns for a 4th year at a brand new venue for 2017! We will be at The King’s Centre in the centre of Oxford on Thursday, May 11th from 8:15am, starting with a networking breakfast with the official opening of the event following at 9am. www.businessinoxford.com

B4 Classic Event at Christ Church

May 23 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Christ Church, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DP

In association with Conference Oxford and Christ Church, B4 would like to invite members to enjoy a wonderful evening at this iconic location. Guests will be served canapes and drinks in the College’s Undercroft Bar and will also have the opportunity to explore the stunning surroundings. Can register any time: Platinum Members and their guests only Can register after 21st April: Gold Members and their guests Can register after 28th April: All others. www.b4-business.com

Platinum Dinner at Eynsham Hall

June 22 @ 6:00 pm 11:00 pm

Eynsham Hall, North Leigh, Witney, OX29 6PN

Event includes: Champagne Reception, Three-course dinner, Sommelier selected wines, Coffee and Petits Fours, Guest speaker To book tickets at £150+VAT per head please call 01865 742211.

B4 / MGroup 2017 Golf Cup

June 28 @ 12:00 pm 4:00 pm

Frilford Heath Golf Club, Oxford Rd, Abingdon, Oxon OX13 5NW

Make sure your business is on the tee! Call the events team on 01865 742211 to find out more. Please note there is a charge for this event. For further details plese call 01865 742211 or Email: colin@b4-business.com

Platinum Event at Newbury Racecourse

June 29 @ 4:00 pm 11:00 pm

Newbury Racecourse, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5AW

This is a fun and relaxed event where you can mingle with other businesses in a friendly atmosphere whilst enjoying great food and drink on behalf of Newbury Racecourse, and enjoy watching and betting on the races taking place that evening. This event is limit to 30 PLACES ONLY so please register your interest ASAP. B4 Platinum Members only. www.b4-business.com/event/a-day-at-the-races/

B4 Classic Event at Bombay Sapphire Distillery

August 30 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke Mill, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7NR

What’s included in this event: Host to guide you through the distillery. Complimentary drink in the Mill Bar and Networking with other B4 members. For more information and to book your place here: www.b4-business.com/b4-events/

B4 Classic Event at Rhodes House

Sept 7 @ 6:00 pm 8:00 pm

Rhodes House, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RG

We are delighted to welcome you back to Rhodes House following the successful events held in the previous 5 years. Join other B4 Ambassadors, Members and their guests at this stunning venue, home of the Rhodes Scholars.. For more information and to book your place here: www.b4-business.com/b4-events/

Platinum Dinner at Pembroke College

Sept 27 @ 7:00 pm 11:00 pm

Pembroke College, St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DW

Event includes: Champagne Reception, Three-course dinner, Sommelier selected wines, Coffee and Petits Fours, Guest speaker To book tickets at £150+VAT per head please call 01865 742211.

Platinum Dinner at Macdonald Randolph Hotel

Oct 12 @ 7:00 pm 11:00 pm

Macdonald Randolph Hotel, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LN

Event includes: Champagne Reception, Three-course dinner, Sommelier selected wines, Coffee and Petits Fours, Tour of Duke Humfrey’s Library To book tickets at £150+VAT per head please call 01865 742211

B4 Members, do you have events coming up that you would like shown here, please call us on: 01865 742211 www.b4-business.com

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Zoom with a view Held in the stunning grounds of Oxfordshire’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace is without a doubt the UK’s most picturesque triathlon. With its sprint and super sprint distances, this is the perfect challenge for those dipping a toe into the world of triathlons. And if you don’t fancy getting your feet wet, why not take on the team relay with a couple of mates instead? Every penny raised will go towards vital blood cancer research.

Saturday, 3 & Sunday, 4 June 2017 bloodwise.org.uk/blenheim

B4 Testimonials What our members have to say about the B4 Network

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

"B4 offers unrivalled opportunities to discuss business with representatives you might not otherwise discover in relaxed surroundings." Phil Southall | Managing Director | Oxford Bus Company

"B4 works to a very high standard to provide interesting events for networking and showcasing businesses to each other. Through well organised networking events and presentations, B4 provides excellent opportunities to develop relationships with local businesses." Alice Ogilvie | Head of Venue Services | Bodleian Libraries

"Venturefest Oxford is all about connecting entrepreneurs with the right people to help grow their business. B4 takes that one step further and offers a platform for all businesses in Oxfordshire to connect and does it really successfully."

"We have hugely benefitted from our partnership with B4, they have managed to raise our profile in the local area and are a pleasure to work with." Amy Dobson | Sales & Marketing Manager | Bombay Sapphire Distillery

"B4 has helped Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons connect with our local business community very effectively as well as build some excellent new relationships along the way."

"Since working with B4 our presence in Oxfordshire has seen a marked increase. This has helped us to expand our target audience, raising our profile with local businesses in and around Oxfordshire."

Peter Osborne | Marketing | Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

Richard Marsh | CEO | CIS

"Quite simply, without B4 we wouldn’t have met, worked and partnered with some of the people we now act for."

"B4 has provided us with an excellent platform to promote the responsible business agenda to Oxfordshire companies."

Tony Haines | Partner | Wenn Townsend

Frank Nigriello | Director of Corporate Affairs | Unipart Group

"B4 has helped us build relationships with new businesses around Oxfordshire and made businesses aware of us."

"In a very diverse and fast-moving business community, B4 is one of the most important communication channels for sharing the information that builds relationships and drives success for local businesses. I am delighted that my firm is associated with B4."

Lynn Shepherd | Executive Chair | Venturefest

"B4 have clearly taken the time to understand what we are trying to do as a business and have given us great support in getting our message across." Derek Rodgers | Managing Partner | Gardner Leader

"The team at B4 seem to know everyone in Oxfordshire! They never fail to put you in contact with someone useful. Their events are interesting and engaging, and the publication is packed full of relevant stories. But it is the individual service that really makes the difference to building our local network. Richard even facilitated the introduction to my rescue cat, Poppy!"

Nikki A Wood | Events Manager | the Oxford Union

David Birch | People Advisory Services | Partner Ernst & Young LLP

Elaine McKechnie | Head of Marketing | Oxford Innovation

WILSON PARTNERS ACCOUNTING. TAX. ADVISORY

"B4’s Business in Oxford is the only annual event that combines lead players in all sectors of our region’s business." Matthew Smart | Project Officer | University of Oxford

"Partnering with B4 enables us to connect with other businesses in the local area and share our news and updates with a wider online audience." Katie Finch | Kempton Carr Croft

"Doing great business is about connecting with really good people and B4 has helped us do just that!" Ross Wilson | CA FIoD | Wilson Partners Limited

"As one of the leading independent schools in Oxford with a strong interest in our role in the community, B4 has provided an important link for us with the business leaders in the area." Peter Talbot | Bursar | d’Overbroeck’s

www.b4-business.com

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INVISIBLE HEARING AIDS WAX REMOVAL HEARING ASSESSMENT HEARPLAN

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WE HELP YOU TO HEAR THE BEAUTY OF LIFE OUR NEW GENERATION OF HEARING TECHNOLOGY HELPS YOU FIND A HEARING AID THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

Contact Whitley Stimpson for a FREE consultation. Banbury Office: +44 (0)1295 270200 High Wycombe Office: +44 (0)1494 448122 Bicester Office: + 44 (0)1869 252151 Witney Office: +44 (0)1993 700010

Email: enquiries@tripphearing.co.uk Tel: 01865 910 202 Web: www.tripphearing.co.uk

C HA RTER ED A C CO UNTA NTS A ND BUSINESS A DV ISO RS

PARTNERS IN YOUR PROGRESS

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CLINICS NOW AVAILABLE IN OXFORD ABINGDON CHIPPING NORTON GORING

I need help with public speaking.

In my position I should be upbeat and confident but I’m not a natural extrovert. In fact I feel very nervous and I’m afraid it shows. Do you want to be a confident effective speaker? Contact us for expert help. Oxford Professional Consulting E: alison.haill@opcOxford.com T: +44 1865 436 791 W: www.opcOxford.com

Discover more oxfordsp.com

B4 contacts contacts directory

ADVICE.........................................................................................................141 BUSINESS SERVICES..............................................................................141 CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES...............................................142 EDUCATION...............................................................................................143 FINANCE......................................................................................................143 HEALTH & LEISURE..................................................................................143

ADVICE ACCOUNTING Wenn Townsend P Tony Haines Partner 01865 559 900 OXON www.wenntownsend.co.uk Grant Thornton UK LLP P Wendy Hart Managing Partner 01865 799 899 OXON www.grant-thornton.co.uk Grant Thornton UK LLP P Jim Rogers Assurance Partner 01189 559 114 BERKS www.grant-thornton.co.uk The MGroup P Richard Clayton Partner 01865 552 925 OXON www.themgroup.co.uk Wellers P Debbie Austin Partner 01865 723 131 OXON www.wellersaccountants.co.uk

Gracechurch Wealth Management LLP A Richard Lawrance Independent Financial Adviser 01908 209 220 BUCKS www.gracechurchwm.com Auditel A Chris Bourke Cost Management Specialist 01865 774 387 OXON www.auditel.co.uk Seymour Taylor A Simon Turner Managing Director 01494 552 125 BUCKS www.stca.co.uk

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

Oxford Professional P Consulting Alison Haill Executive Coach 01865 436 791 OXON www.oxfordprofessionalconsulting.com

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RTS Breakthrough Solutions 07789 405 079 BERKS www.rts-breakthroughsolutions.co.uk Sandler Training 01608 611 211 OXON www.oxford.sandler.com Active Education and Training Ltd 01865 594 325 OXON www.oxfordactive.co.uk Neil Urquhart - Business manager 01295 780 928 OXON Leading Edge Coaching 01488 638 119 OXON www.leadingedgecoaching.co.uk

LEGAL

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

BUSINESS ADVICE

Haiku Consulting G Joy Le Fevre 07885 066163 OXON www.haiku.consulting Strategic Mentors 01993 771 728 OXON www.strategicmentors.co.uk Ernst & Young 01189 281 100 BERKS www.ey.com/UK/en/home Hilltop Consultancy 01844 237 450 BUCKS www.hilltopconsultancy.co.uk

BRONZE

AMBASSADOR

HR..................................................................................................................143 IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS.........................................................143 MANUFACTURING.................................................................................144 MARKETING & DESIGN...........................................................................144 PROPERTY & BUILDING.........................................................................144 R&R............................................................................................................145

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

Whitley Stimpson Ltd G Jonathan Walton Director 01494 448 122 BUCKS www.whitleystimpson.co.uk

Wilson Partners A Allan Ian Wilson Managing Director 01628 770 770 BERKS www.wilson-partners.co.uk

GOLD

Two One Services 07730 927 888 OXON www.facebook.com/twooneservices

Clark Howes 0808 271 3099 OXON www.clarkhowes.com

Shaw Gibbs A Peter O’Connell Partner 01865 292 200 OXON www.shawgibbs.com

Hunter, Thomas & Company 01865 245 511 OXON www.hunter-thomas.co.uk

James Cowper Kreston P Andy Cowie Marketing & Business Development Director 01189 590 261 OXON www.jamescowperkreston.co.uk

Whitley Stimpson Ltd G Stuart Haigh Director 01869 252 151 OXON www.whitleystimpson.co.uk

PLATINUM

Knights P David Beech Chief Executive Officer 01865 811 700 OXON www.knights1759.co.uk Hedges Law P Nicola Poole Managing Director 01491 839 839 OXON www.hedgeslaw.co.uk Freeths LLP G Sarah Foster Managing Partner 01865 781 000 OXON www.freeths.co.uk Gardner Leader LLP G Derek Rogers Managing Partner 01635 508 080 BERKS www.gardner-leader.co.uk BrookStreet Des Roches LLP Paddy Gregan G Partner 01235 836 655 OXON www.bsdr.com Blake Morgan LLP A Stephen Schneider Senior Associate 01865 248 607 OXON www.blakemorgan.co.uk

Brethertons A Marie Parkinson Marketing Executive, Client Services 01295 661 425 OXON www.brethertons.co.uk Turpin & Miller LLP A Emily Boardman Partner 01865 770 111 OXON www.turpinmiller.co.uk Penningtons Manches LLP Richard Smith A Partner 01865 722 106 OXON www.penningtons.co.uk Lewis Silkin 0207 0748 494 OXON www.lewissilkin.com David Parry Employment Law 01993 848 247 OXON www.parryemploymentlaw.com Blandy & Blandy 0118 951 6800 BERKS www.blandy.co.uk

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

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

CHARITIES The Oxford Trust G Jude Eades Head of Communications 01865 810 013 OXON www.theoxfordtrust.co.uk Helen & Douglas House A Hugh Thompson Head of High Value Partnerships 01865 799 150 OXON www.helenanddouglas.org.uk

141

Oxfordshire Community Foundation A Jayne Woodley Chief Executive 01865 798 666 OXON www.oxfordshire.org

Security Exchange 01491 683 710 BERKS www.securityexchange24.com

Bloodwise 020 7504 2231 OXON www.bloodwise.org.uk

Chiltern Railways P 020 7333 3113 OXON www.chilternrailways.co.uk

Sobell House 01865 857 067 OXON www.sobellhouse.org

Headington Carriers P Peter Barrett Managing Director 01993 811276 OXON www.headingtoncarriers.co.uk

CLEANING SERVICES Excel Dry Cleaners G 01865 511 773 OXON www.exceldrycleanersofoxford.co.uk WH Mobile Valeting 07979 480 886 OXON www.whvaleting.com

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OxfordshireLEP P Richard Byard Director of Business Development 01865 261 433 OXON www.oxfordshirelep.com Reciprocate G Tony Stratton Chairman 01865 798666 http://reciprocateox.org

MOTOR Ridgeway Jaguar 01865 590 777 OXON www.ridgeway.co.uk Ridgeway Maserati 01865 590 777 OXON www.ridgeway.co.uk

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

PERSONAL ASSISTANTS SmartPA 07392 332 606 OXON www.smartpasupport.com

SECURITY Executive Alarms Ltd A John Keown Director 01865 435 435 OXON www.executive-systems.co.uk

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TRANSPORT

Findlay Chauffeurs A Claire Hickson Managing Director 0845 644 7099 OXON www.findlaycs.com London Oxford Airport 01865 290 710 OXON www.londonoxfordairport.com Hilltop Chauffeurs 07825 500 852 OXON www.hilltopchauffeurs.co.uk

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

CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES CATERING SERVICES Oxford Fine Dining P Sue Randall Managing Director 01865 728 240 OXON www.oxfordfinedining.co.uk Complete Catering G Jon Kay Managing Director 01235 820 840 OXON www.completecatering.co.uk Lamb Catering A Emma Tasker Events and Marketing Director 01865 772 446 OXON www.lambcatering.co.uk The Cocktail Service 01865 251 431 OXON www.thecocktailservice.co.uk Elegant Cuisine 01865 391 888 OXON www.elegantcuisine.com

CONFERENCE VENUES Rhodes House P Isabelle Barber Business Development Manager 01865 282 599 OXON www.rhodeshouseoxford.com Westwood Country Hotel P Merilyn Macleod Sales, Event & Marketing Manager 01865 735408 www.westwoodhotel.co.uk The Feathers P Dominic Bishop General Manager 01993 812 291 OXON www.feathers.co.uk Bombay Sapphire Distillery G Amy Dobson Sales and Marketing Manager 01256 890 090 BERKS distillery.bombaysapphire.com Oxford Brookes University Conference Services G Becky Rossiter Conference Sales and Marketing Manager 01865 484 612 OXON www.brookes.ac.uk Stoke Park G Nick Downie Head of Communications 01753 717 171 BUCKS www.stokepark.com Pembroke College A Ellen Brady Head of Events 01865 276 484 OXON www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/Conferences Hartwell House Hotel A Matthew Johnson General Manager 01296 747 444 BUCKS www.hartwell-house.com Venue Services, Bodleian Library A Alice Ogilvie Head of Venue Services 01865 277 224 OXON www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk The Examination Schools Kay Hogg A Events Manager 01865 276 905 OXON www.examschools.ox.ac.uk Howbery Business Park A Donna Bowles Estate Manager 01491 822 305 OXON www.howberypark.com Egrove Park A Martin Garside Conference Manager 01865 422 757 OXON www.sbs.oxford.edu/conferencing Ashmolean Museum 01865 288 364 OXON www.ashmus.ox.ac.uk

Macdonald Windsor Hotel Beverley Molmans A General Manager 0844 879 9101 BERKS www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk Blenheim Palace Hospitality 01993 813 874 OXON www.blenheimpalace.com/hospitality Conference Oxford 01865 287 378 OXON www.conference-oxford.com The Oxford Union 01865 241 353 OXON www.oxford-union.org Exeter College 01865 279 600 OXON www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/conferences Malmaison 01865 268 400 OXON www.malmaison-oxford.com Oxford Town Hall 01865 252 195 OXON www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk The King’s Centre 01865 297 400 OXON www.kingscentre.co.uk The Tythe Barn 01869 321 442 OXON www.thetythebarn.co.uk

EQUIPMENT HIRE Oxford Event Hire A Kieran Lynch Owner 01865 760 158 OXON www.oxfordeventhire.co.uk Startech Productions A Roy Naraine 01865 722522 OXON www.startechproductions.co.uk ACDiSCO 01865 875 519 OXON www.acdisco.com BHK Rentals 01993 703 327 OXON www.bhkrentals.co.uk

EVENTS Business in Oxford 2017 P 01865 742 211 OXON www.businessinoxford.com Henley Highwayman 0118 988 6041 OXON www.henleyhighwayman.co.uk Oxfordshire Business Awards OXON www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk Venturefest 01865 810 025 OXON www.venturefestoxford.com

www.b4-business.com

B4 contacts West Oxfordshire Business Awards 01993 220 690 OXON www.woba.org.uk

EDUCATION Abingdon & Witney College 01235 216 394 OXON www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk Corpus Christi College 01865 276 708 OXON www.ccc.ox.ac.uk

MORTGAGE ADVICE Focus P Nick Walker Partner 01865 295 295 OXON www.focusllp.co.uk

HEALTH & LEISURE FITNESS

Oxford International Study Centre 01865 201 009 OXON www.oxintstudycentre.com

TLA Fitness A Tom Alden Founder 07554 400 401 OXON www.tlafitness.com

Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Centre 01865 288 845 OXON www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/faculty-research/ entrepreneurship

Prime Energy Fitness Ltd Barry Grinham 01869 352 000 OXON www.primeenergy.org

Stagecoach Theatre Arts 0800 915 0199 OXON www.stagecoach.co.uk

Cherwell Boathouse Punting 01865 552 746 OXON www.cherwellboathouse.co.uk

FINANCE

ADVICE Focus P Phil Casey Partner 01865 813 315 OXON www.focusllp.co.uk Brewin Dolphin 01865 255 750 OXON www.brewin.co.uk Oxford Capital Partners 01865 860 760 OXON www.oxcp.com Finance.work 01869 354 041 OXON www.finance.work

BANKING Barclays Corporate Banking Trevor French P Head of Business and Corporate Banking 0800 015 4242 OXON www.barclayscorporate.com HSBC 0845 850 174 OXON www.hsbc.com NatWest 01865 305 175 OXON www.natwest.com

GOLF Frilford Heath Golf Club P Alistair Booth Director 01865 390 864 OXON www.frilfordheath.co.uk Kirtlington Golf Club A Gary Quainton Golf and Pro Shop Manager 01869 351 133 OXON www.kirtlingtongolfclub.com

HEALTH CARE Clinic95 P Maria Hardman Business Manager 01865 241 661 OXON www.clinic95.com Tara Tripp Hearing Care P Vincent Tripp Practice Manager 01865 910 202 OXON www.tripphearing.co.uk Diamond House Dental Practice 01865 559 521 OXON www.diamondhouse.co.uk Clinic on the Green 01869 351 345 OXON www.cliniconthegreen.com Linda Flanigan Hypnotherapy 07866 360 359 OXON www.lfhypnotherapy-oxfordshire.co.uk

SPORT INSURANCE Focus P Nick Jones Partner 01865 813 307 OXON www.focusllp.co.uk

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Oxford University Rugby Football Club Tim Stevens Club Administrator 01865 432 000 OXON www.ourfc.org

Bike Oxford 07808 161 394 OXON www.bikeoxford.co.uk Oxford United Football Club 01865 337 500 OXON www.oufc.co.uk Oxfordshire Cricket 07790 102 130 OXON www.oxoncb.com North Oxford Lawn Tennis Club 01865 513 560 (Clubhouse) OXON www.northoxfordltc.org.uk Oxford Rowing Club 01865 242 576 OXON www.oxfordrowingclub.org.uk Milton Keynes Festival of Running www.mkrun.co.ukk

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

HR HR CONSULTANTS You HR 07703 719 464 OXON www.youhrconsultancy.co.uk

RECRUITMENT e-volveHR 0800 634 5240 OXON www.e-volvehr.co.uk Gold Star Recruitment 01993 225 075 OXON www.goldstarrecruit.co.uk Allen Associates 01865 335 600 OXON www.allen-associates.co.uk Avatar Recruitment 01295 724 570 OXON www.avatarrecruit.co.uk Nicola Gardiner Executive Search 07900 912 941 OXON www.nicolagardiner.com Thompson & Terry Recruitment 01235 797 177 OXON www.thompsonandterry.co.uk

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS TELECOMMUNICATIONS Orange Stripe Telecommunications A Nigel Pursall Managing Director 0845 241 7772 OXON www.orangestripe.co.uk STL Communications Ltd A Philip Donigan Sales Director 01993 777 113 OXON www.stlcomms.com

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

IT SERVICES Computing Information Systems (CIS) Ltd P Richard Marsh Director 01367 700 555 OXON www.cisltd.com The Cabling Company G David Jackson Sales Director 07796 140 348 OXON www.thecablingcompany.com Simeio A Ollie McGovern Founder 07795 235 995 OXON www.simeio.co.uk JP IT Solutions 01672 552 340 OXON www.jpitsolutions.co.uk Attenda 01784 211100 MIDD www.attenda.com iHub 0203 019 0000 www.ihub.co.uk Security Exchange Ltd. 01491 683 710 BERKS www.securityexchange24.com Storm Internet 08447 366171 OXON www.storminternet.co.uk Bongo IT 01865 988 217 OXON www.bongoit.co.uk

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WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT

DESIGN

Alberon P Tim Ault Managing Director 01865 263 220 OXON www.alberon.co.uk

House on the Hill P Keith Simpson Senior Designer 01865 742 211 OXON www.hothdesign.co.uk

Torpedo Group Limited A Iain Lewis Director 01865 733 710 OXON www.torpedogroup.com

MANUFACTURING Unipart P Frank Nigriello Director of Corporate Affairs 01865 383 339 OXON www.unipart.com Owen Mumford G Jarl Severn Director 01993 812 021 OXON www.owenmumford.com WILA G Claire Styles Director 01235 773 500 OXON www.wila.co.uk

MARKETING & DESIGN ADVERTISING B4 Magazine P Richard Rosser Managing Director 01865 742 211 OXON www.b4-business.com Living In Oxford Magazine Colin Rosser P Chairman 01865 742 211 OXON www.inoxford.com Focal Point Advertising Solutions 01256 767 837 HAMP www.focal.co.uk

CORPORATE IDENTITY Recognition Express P Andy Olejnik Managing Director 01295 257 611 OXON www.re-oxfordshire.co.uk Strangebrew P Phil Strachan Director 07770 753 975 BERKS www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk BrandAsylum 01235 828 508 OXON www.brandasylum.co.uk Luna Branding 01367 705 055 OXON www.lunabranding.co.uk

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

MARKETING Experience Oxfordshire P Hayley Beer-Gamage Chief Executive 01865 252 409 OXON www.experienceoxfordshire.org Marketing Sense A Jo Sensecall Director 01865 883 579 OXON www.marketing-sense.co.uk Heart of Business A Jackie Jarvis Director 07801 293 022 OXON ADS 01993 885 125 OXON www.adsoxford.co.uk Oxford Digital Marketing 01865 575 955 OXON www.oxforddigitalmarketing.co.uk

MEDIA/DIGITAL The Evergreen Agency P Aaron Rudman Hawkins 01869 242 222 OXON www.theevergreenagency.co.uk Imageworks 01865 865656 OXON www.imageworks.co.uk Indulge Media 01865 686 093 OXON www.indulgemedia.com Epic Media Services 07916 005 942 OXON www.epicmediaservices.co.uk

OxUniPrint A Ian Wilton Managing Director 01865 844 918 OXON www.oxuniprint.co.uk

PUBLIC RELATIONS Papa Romeo PR A Claire Thompson Managing Director 07811 339 577 OXON www.paparomeopr.com Spriggs David A Karen David Partner 01865 512 662 OXON www.spriggsdavid.co.uk Escapade 01189 207 675 BERKS http://escapadepr.com HeadOn PR 07920 792 183 GLOU www.headonpr.co.uk Spacecraft Consulting 01295 811 781 OXON www.oconsultancy.com Fluent 01865 426 862 OXON www.fluentagency.co.uk Luxe PR 020 7368 3330 LDN www.luxepr.com Present3r 07790 670 234 www.present3r.com

PROPERTY & BUILDING ARCHITECTURE John Hallam Associates A John Hallam Director 01608 646 969 OXON www.johnhallamassociates.co.uk Adrian James Architects 01865 203 267 OXON www.adrianjames.com Oxford Architects 01865 329 100 OXON www.oxford-architects.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Studio8 P Clark Wiseman Managing Director 01865 842 525 OXON www.studio-8.co.uk

PRINTING Henry Stone Ltd P Mark Scurr Production Director 01295 819 390 OXON www.henry-stone.co.uk

BUSINESS PARKS Oxford Innovation Ltd P Jo Willett Marketing and Business Development Director 01865 261 400 OXON www.oxin-centres.co.uk The Oxford Science Park G Piers Scrimshaw-Wright Managing Director 01865 784 000 OXON www.oxfordsp.com

MEPC B 01235 865 555 OXON www.mepc.com Begbroke Science Park A Caroline Livingstone Managing Director 01865 283 700 OXON www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk Bloxham Mill 01295 722 800 OXON www.bloxhammill.com

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENTS VSL and Partners P Richard Venables Director 01865 848 488 OXON www.vslandp.com Carter Jonas P Scott Harkness Partner 01865 511 444 OXON www.carterjonas.co.uk Lambert Smith Hampton (Oxford) A Kevin Wood Director 01865 200 244 OXON www.lsh.co.uk Lambert Smith Hampton (Reading) 01189 606 909 BERKS www.lsh.co.uk

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

ESTATE AGENTS Breckon & Breckon P Keith Stacey Managing Director 01865 244 735 OXON www.breckon.co.uk Wallers of Oxford 01865 435 175 OXON www.wallersofoxford.co.uk Savills 01865 339 705 OXON www.savills.com

LETTING AGENTS Breckon & Breckon P Greg Barnes Director 01865 201 111 OXON www.breckon.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

B4 contacts North Oxford Property Services P Robin Swailes Director 01865 311 745 OXON www.nops.co.uk Finders Keepers P Frank Webster Director 01865 302 308 OXON www.finders.co.uk Lucy Properties A Ian Ashcroft Managing Director 01865 559 973 OXON www.lucyproperties.co.uk College and County A Mark Crampton-Smith Owner 01865 722 722 OXON www.collegeandcounty.biz Premier Letting A Charles Bartlett Partner 01865 792 299 OXON www.premier.uk.com Short Let Space Ltd. 01993 811 711 OXON www.weeklyhome.com

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS Kempton Carr Croft G Rob Kerrigan Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer 01628 771 221 BERKS www.kemptoncarr.co.uk Kemp & Kemp A Steven Sensecall Partner 01865 240 001 OXON www.kempandkemp.co.uk Solid Structures 01608 690 858 OXON www.solid-structures.com Forge Engineering Design Solutions Ltd 01865 362 780 OXON www.f-eds.co.uk Ian Bridge Consultancy Ltd 07917 881 465 OXON www.ianbridge.com Mulholland Landscape Consultants 07734 253 579 OXON www.mulhollandconsultants.co.uk RED Engineering 01869 355 600 OXON www.red-eng.com PMS Oxford 01865 407 554 OXON www.pmsoxford.co.uk Element Studios 07887 407 456 OXON www.elementstudios.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

PROPERTY SERVICES Savvy Maintenance & Renovations P Stephen Dunne Director 01865 920 020 OXON www.savvy-group.co.uk Bicester Roofing G Michael Staniford Managing Director 0870 264 6454 OXON www.bicesterroofing.co.uk Darke & Taylor Ltd 01865 290 000 OXON www.darkeandtaylor.co.uk The Rooflight Company 01993 833 155 OXON www.therooflightcompany.co.uk A1 Plumbing & Heating 01865 327 732 OXON www.a1ltd.co.uk Oxford Garden Design 01993 813 721 OXON www.oxfordgardendesign.co.uk

R&R ACCOMMODATION Macdonald Randolph Hotel Michael Grange P General Manager 0844 879 9132 OXON www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk The Manor at Weston on the Green G Adam Treloar Front of House Manager 01869 350 621 OXON www.themanorweston.com The Bear & Ragged Staff A Mark Greenwood Landlord 01865 862 329 OXON www.bearandraggedstaff.com Eynsham Hall 01993 885 238 OXON www.eynshamhall.com Conifers Guest House 01865 763 055 OXON www.conifersguesthouse.co.uk Spirit Health Club 0207 973 7540 OXON www.langhamhotels.com

The Mews at Sopwell House 01727 864477 HERTS www.sopwellhouse.co.uk/rooms-suites/ mews-suite/ Old Swan & Minster Mill 01993 774 441 OXON www.oldswanandminstermill.com

ARTISTIC & CULTURAL Orchestra of St John’s A John Lubbock Artistic Director 07765 252 489 OXON www.osj.org.uk Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra 01865 987 222 OXON www.oxfordphil.com

CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT Newbury Racecourse P Tracy Skinner Head of Sales 01635 40015 www.newburyracecourse.co.uk Sam Strange Magic A Sam Strange Owner 01865 742 211 OXON www.samstrangemagic.co.uk

ENTERTAINMENT Oxford Playhouse 01865 305 305 OXON www.oxfordplayhouse.com New Theatre Oxford 01865 320 756 OXON www.atgtickets.com/oxford Wychwood Brewery 01993 890 800 OXON www.wychwood.co.uk James Sadler Balloon Experience 0845 116 8899 OXON www.oxfordballoonexperience.com

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

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

RESTAURANTS Deliveroo G Sophie Riley Community Manager South East 07494 178 083 OXON www.deliveroo.co.uk Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons 01844 278 881 OXON www.manoir.com Pierre Victoire 01865 316 616 OXON www.pierrevictoire.co.uk Café Aloha 01865 792 696 OXON www.cafealoha.co.uk Al-Andalus 01865 516 688 OXON www.tapasoxford.co.uk Marco’s at Mercure Eastgate Hotel 01865 248 332 OXON www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/restaurants /marcos-oxford Mezzeto 01865 559 668 OXON www.mezzeto.com Cosmo 01865 297 575 OXON www.cosmo-restaurants.co.uk

SHOPPING FOOD & DRINK SUPPLIES Laurent Perrier UK P David Green Regional Account Manager 01628 475 404 BUCKS www.laurent-perrier.co.uk

Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa 01869 241 204 OXON www.bicesterhotelgolfandspa.com

The Oxford Wine Company Ted Sandbach A Managing Director 01865 301 144 OXON www.oxfordwine.co.uk

Holiday Inn Oxford 0871 942 9086 OXON www.hioxfordhotel.co.uk

TOAD 01865 767 918 OXON www.spiritoftoad.com

OXC 07837 244 826 OXON www.instagram.com/oxcuk Blackwell's 01865 333 536 OXON www.blackwell.co.uk Daisies Flower Shop 01865 554 882 OXON www.daisies-flower-shop.co.uk Bicester Village 01869 323 200 OXON www.bicestervillage.com

Royal Oxford Hotel 01865 248 432 OXON www.royaloxfordhotel.co.uk

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SWINDON MEETING AND CONFERENCING ROOMS Our Swindon Campus is a perfect venue for meetings and conferences.

• • • •

Rooms for up to 96 people Overhead projectors Flipcharts & pens Free WiFi

• • • •

Tea & coffee facilities Onsite café Parking facilities Easy access to the M4

Rate

Price (excl VAT)

Hourly Half day Full day

£30 £100 £190

conferences@brookes.ac.uk - www.brookesconferences.com

Oxford

Philharmonic

Audio Visual Services Event and Show Support Presentation Services

Orchestra

Orchestra in Residence at the University of Oxford

Thursday 13 April, Sheldonian Theatre, 7.30pm

Maundy Thursday MOZART Clarinet Concerto, Requiem Mass Mark Simpson clarinet Sophie Junker soprano Rowan Hellier mezzo-soprano William Blake tenor, David Shipley bass The Choir of The Queen’s College, Oxford Owen Rees conductor

Sunday 23 April, Sheldonian Theatre, 7pm

Maxim Vengerov MOZART Concertone for Two Violins* Violin Concerto No. 5, ‘Turkish’* BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4 Maxim Vengerov violin/director* Natalia Lomeiko violin Marios Papadopoulos conductor

Saturday 27 May, Sheldonian Theatre, 7.30pm

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