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B4 MAGAZINE ISSUE 55 NOVEMBER 2018 S U P P O R T E R S
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THE CAREER BOUTIQUE From the world of luxury yachts and fine wine, we meet The Career Boutique’s new recruit, Simon Gray
OWEN MUMFORD
W W W . B 4 - B U S I N E S S . C O M
BIO2019 AT MINI PLANT OXFORD
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Magazine One word sums up B4 Magazine: Quality. Not only is B4 Magazine designed to the highest possible standards, the print finish is excellent and the magazine oozes style and sophistication. In terms of content, B4 covers a wide range of businesses from mainstream as well as niche sectors, providing our readers with excellent insight, opinion and advice. B4 is published bi-monthly and distributed to 3,000 business decision makers in Oxfordshire and beyond with a growing number of multi copy outlets.
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Not only do we use Twitter and LinkedIn to promote everything B4, the real news we push out to the world is YOUR news. So if you post a press release on the B4 website, we’ll post it out to a network approaching 20,000 connections. Why not use us for specific campaigns where we can schedule your messages to go out to our growing networks? An increasingly effective platform for B4.
SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS AND RISING
Website Connect on line with the growing network of B4 members through our excellent new website and post unlimited press releases, events, offers and job vacancies. You can also recommend and review other members, introduce members to each other, not to mention we will post any articles you have in B4 Magazine on the website. Get recognised as a business or an individual, build your following and establish yourself in the B4 community.
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B4 Classic Events: High quality sums up B4 events. Superb venues, excellent hospitality, access to some of Oxfordshire’s more exclusive locations and great networking. B4 Classic Events are not to be missed opportunities to relax and develop your networks. B4 Dinners: Connect with senior representatives from some of Oxfordshire’s leading businesses in some of our most spectacular locations. A great way to build and cement invaluable business relationships. Business In Oxford: Oxfordshire’s leading business to business networking and showcase event. Approaching in excess of 700 delegates with over 80 exhibitors and 50 presenters at BIO2018, make sure BIO2019 is on your radar. www.businessinoxford.com
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Video Video is proven as one of the most effective means of absorbing information and that’s why we use B4TV to capture the latest news and interviews with our members. Get to know our members and find out more about what makes them a success with B4TV. To get your message and personality across to our growing network and beyond, contact B4 and we’ll do the rest. All you’ve got to do is make sure you don’t fluff your lines...
BLAVATNIK LAUNCH 17TH JAN 2019 For more information please see www.oxvoice.co.uk
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Richard Rosser Chief Executive & Editor
welcome to 55 Welcome to B4 Issue 55 and to new recruit to a recruitment firm, Simon Gray of The Career Boutique, who tells us why he’s turned his back on the life of luxury yachts and fine wine for a new role in recruitment.
Colin Rosser Chairman
Senior Designer
Production Manager & Assistant Editor
Rob Scotcher Design & Photography
Official HR Partner
We hear from two of Oxfordshire’s largest employers in the shape of Owen Mumford’s Jarl Severn and Unipart’s Frank Nigriello. Jarl talks about the importance of partnerships and Frank looks at the work of a new organization, The Ideas Network. Doing business in the right way will be a growing theme with B4 in 2019 and we continue this series highlighting the great work that our B4 members are doing with the wonderful Grant Hayward of Collaborent. Thank you Grant for your support this year.
Lorna Waterfield
Official E-mail Marketing Partner
It’s been a busy year shaping the future of B4 with some bright ideas leading to some great new initiatives and this issue is packed full of innovation, great ideas and a look to the future. Platinum Members Chapman Robinson and Moore spotlight G-Smatt Europe who are certainly demonstrating the power of technology with their innovative smart media glass. Databasix give us a much needed update on GDPR – no, it won’t go away so pay attention! Carter Jonas look to the future with how they’re investing in the future of their business…the next generation.
Keith Simpson
PARTNERS
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Find out more inside about the growing success of Oxfordshire Voice and we are delighted to announce that BIO2019 will take place at MINI Plant Oxford on 6th June. A great brand, a superb venue and we already have some excellent speakers lined up for next year. Thank you to all of our members, readers and contributors for your support in 2018. If you thought this year was busy, you’ve seen nothing yet! 2019 promises to be a great year for the B4 community as we build on the foundations laid in 2018 with Oxfordshire Voice, NXT and our Knowledge Bank Masterclasses coming thick and fast. If you’re not yet part of the B4 community, then why not get in touch or join us at one of over one hundred events planned for 2019?
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Have a great Christmas and a superb 2019!
Emma Davis Marketing Executive
ON THE
Enjoy Issue 55
HILL
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Richard Rosser Editor
More about B4 Ed Rosser NXT
p6. B4 Platinum, Gold, New & Renewing Members p8. B4 Recent Events p10. B4 Events Calendar p12. B4 Masterclasses p15. B4 Classics & Dinners
p16. B4 Explore p17. B4 Membership p18. B4 Connectors p20. B4 Advisory Board p21. NXT Board p24. B4 Good News
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Contents 30 Investing in the Future: Carter Jonas talks about how investing in your business’ future always comes back to the team you employee.
46 Preserving Burford’s History: Read about how Barclays and Hall Construction worked together to preserve a piece of Burford’s history.
32 High Stakes: CIS talk about how the war against cybercriminals has reached a critical point for businesses.
48 Budget 2018: Wellers summarise the 2018 Budget and discuss whether it was a missed opportunity.
34 Technology Focus: FOCUS ORM discuss how, if you run a tech or scientific business, the insurance advice you need is far from standard.
lead 22 The Career Boutique: B4 welcomed Simon Gray, new addition to The Career Boutique team, to B4 HQ to chat roles, lifestyle and the future.
36 Partnerships in Business: Medical device innovators Owen Mumford talk about why partnerships are key to future success. 38 Digital Economy Trends: IN2030 discuss the potential impact of digital technology on the business landscape of the future.
advice 50 Not Like You: Diane Wilkinson of Connecting to Excellence explains how a big pitfall for managers is assuming their team thinks like them.
40 The Private Cloud: Richard Marsh takes a look at whether the private cloud has had its day.
legal 42 Raise Your Game, Not Your Voice: Let Freeths’ family team help ease stress and anxiety in your relationships this Winter.
news
education
24 News from the B4 Community 88 Latest news from Finders Keepers 98 Latest news from Sobell House
53 A Problem-Solving World: d’Overbroeck’s talks about how it aims to prepare students for a global, problem-solving world.
the future 27 The Future is Bright: Chapman, Robinson & Moore talk about G-Smatt’s smart media glass and how it will change the face of buildings. 29 Making Data Protection Easy: With GDPR looming over all of our heads, Databasix talks about how it needn’t be such a daunting undertaking.
property finance
54 Meet The Team: Meet the team at Lambert Smith Hampton and hear about this multidisciplinary property consultancy firm.
45 Wealth and Legacy: Royds Withy King talk about managing your legacy and under standing the value of your family’s assets.
56 Commercial Properties: Check out the latest commercial properties from VSL & Partners.
B4 events
recruitment
58 A Night to Remember: Read our recap of the B4 Dinner at Blenheim Palace which took place on 30th October 2018.
93 Attracting Talent: Thompson & Terry Recruitment discuss attracting talent in Oxfordshire’s competitive employment market.
60 The Finance Lunch: B4 Members got together with Wenn Townsend to discuss all things finance, read the recap here. 63 Oxfordshire Voice: Read the latest news and developments from our Oxfordshire Voice initiative. 69 Cowley Road Carnival: Cowley Road Carnival are proud to announce Oxford Business Park have joined as sponsors for 2019. 71 BIO2019: BIO2019 is on its way - Read on for date and venue announcements and how you can get involved. 75 Open the Right Doorz: Opendoorz networking events can help you open the right doors to great business connections
spotlight
marketing csr 80 Better Business: Collaborent talk about why and how the way you do business can improve your business. 82 Jail & Bail: B4 Members help to raise over £11,000 in just one day for Helen & Douglas House. 84 3 Peaks, 3 Teams, 3 Charities: Oxfordshire businesses are taking part in the Trifecta Challenge to raise money for 3 very worthy charities.
95 Never Compromise: Read about ads creative solutions and their dedication to providing results driven, integrated marketing solutions. 97 Be a Thought Leader: Cerub PR’s in-depth knowledge of media landscape ensures its clients are recognised as industry experts. 99 3D Tours: The Plastic Goldfish Company launch their brand-spanking-new 3D venue and property tours. 101 SeeLocal: SeeLocal talk about how online advertising doesn’t need to be hard.
76 Finders Keepers: B4 welcomed Paul Rushworth of Finders Keepers to B4 HQ to talk about Paul’s progress and plans for the future.
services
78 Top Tier: Freeths have been acknowledged as a Top Tier firm in The Legal 500.
103 Facilities Management: Aston and James can save you money and enhance the service levels you are currently receiving. 105 Investing in Oxford: Oxford Direct Services deliver a wide range of services to local businesses, read on to find out more.
corp.life venues 89 Winter Dinners: Saïd Business School offer fantastic dinner and functions over this Winter period, read on to find out more. 91 Web Whizzes Move In: Howbery Park welcomed digital marketing agency Zanzi Digital to their solar-powered business park.
107 Hotel du Vin: B4’s Richard Rosser had the pleasure of visiting Hotel du Vin, read about his experience here. 109 The Art of Discovery: Designer Kathryn Croxson shares her insights into what inspires shoppers.
Contacts 110
Platinum & Gold Members PLATINUM
Everything for the Workplace
2019 BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Become a part of the B4 Network today. Call 01865 742211, or visit www.b4-business.com
BLENHEIM PALACE FORUM 31ST JAN ‘19 For more information please see www.oxvoice.co.uk
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B4 Classic Event at Rhodes House 6th September
“ B4 Masterclass with Jonna Mundy - 14th September
It was a great event and the restaurant on the rooftop of the Ashmolean is wonderful. Thank you to all that were involved
”
Michelle Pont, Travel Counsellors
RECENT B4 EVENTS
B4 Dinner at Macdonald Randolph Hotel 20th September
B4 “
A great evening again from the B4 Team
”
B4 Dinner at The Cherwell Boathouse - 2nd October
you to the “B4Thank team and Town
Hall for an excellent evening. Great location, great company and interesting discussions as ever
”
Tim Wraith, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Sobell House
John Kennedy
“
What a lovely evening! Thanks to Ashmolean for their wonderful hospitality and fascinating exhibition
B4 Masterclass with Cathy Dunbabin - 5th October
”
Ruth Hawkins, BH&O
B4 Classic Event at Freeths in aid of Silverlining - 4th October
8
www.b4-business.com
Another great “event from B4 -
the tour was really interesting and as always the catering totally hit the spot. Great to meet faces old and new
B4 Classic Event at TOAD - 24th October
”
Tim Wraith, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Sobell House
“
Really enjoyed my first B4 event, what a superb exhibition and great to see everyone too. Thank you!!
B4 Dinner at Blenheim Palace 30th October
”
Regina Lally, Databasix UK Ltd
B4 Masterclass with Grant Hayward - 26th October
“ B4 Classic Event at Divinity School 29th October
Thanks for a great evening. Fantastic food and wonderful company
B4 Classic Event at Ashmolean Museum - 7th November
”
Tim Wraith, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Sobell House
B4 Masterclasses, Social Media Day 9th November
“
Thank you for a lovely evening, some very interesting people to chat to.
”
Helen Fallon, Owner/Director at Global CTS Ltd
B4 Classic Event at Oxford Town Hall - 21st November
www.b4-business.com
9
B4 Events Calendar MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
15
16
17
18
11:00 – 12:30 B4 Welcome Brunch New B4 Members Only B4 HQ
18:00 – 20:00 OV Launch Event OV Partners Only Blavatnik School of Government
12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with David Greenaway B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
23
24
25
30
31
January 2019 14
21
22 12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with James White B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
28
29
16:00 – 19:00 OV Forum OV Partners Only Blenheim Palace
February 2019 1 12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with Lucy Walker B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
4
11
5
6
7
8
13:30 – 17:00 OV Board Meeting OV Partners Only B4 HQ
18:00 – 20:00 B4 Classic Event B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome Hilton Garden Inn Abingdon
12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with James Hunt B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
12
13
14
15
18:00 – 20:00 B4 Masterclass with John Knights B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome Unipart House
11:00 – 12:30 Explore B4 Non B4 Members Only B4 HQ
12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with Mark Carrington B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
Calendar Key
Oxfordshire Voice Events
10
NXT Events
B4 Masterclasses
B4 Classic Events
B4 Welcome / Explore Events
B4 Dinners
www.b4-business.com
B4 MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
19
20
21
22
09:30 – 11:00 OV Think Tank OV Partners Only B4 HQ
16:00 – 19:00 OV Forum OV Partners Only St Catherine’s College
12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with Emma Browning B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
February 2019 18
March 2019 1 12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with Paul Essery B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
4
11
5
12
6
7
8
18:00 – 20:00 B4 Classic Event B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome Whately Hall Hotel
12:00 – 13:00 B4 Masterclass with Ian Roberts B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
13
14
15
20
21
22
11:00 – 12:30 B4 Welcome Brunch New B4 Members Only B4 HQ
16:00 – 19:00 OV Forum OV Partners Only Weston Library
12:00 – 13:30 B4 Masterclass with Jo Spencer B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome B4 HQ
18:00 – 20:00 B4 Masterclass with Alison Haill B4 Members & Nonmembers welcome Unipart House
18
19
Events Highlights B4 Masterclass with David Greenaway Date: Friday 18th January, 2019. 12pm-1.30pm. Venue: B4 Offices, The Moat, Northampton Road, Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire OX25 3QL Masterclass with David Greenaway: The Inbound Sales and Marketing Revolution An overview of Inbound Sales and marketing and how businesses can embrace this new methodology and remove the need to be salesy and pushy. Target audience: Small – medium, companies, companies that are using the old sales and marketing methods with diminishing results.
For further events and to register online, see: www.b4-business.com/events www.b4-business.com
11
B4
B4 Forthcoming Events
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B4 Masterclasses are a great opportunity to learn and share expertise with B4 Members. There is a hidden wealth of knowledge within our community which deserves to be promoted. Hosted by B4 at our offices, Masterclasses run for 90 minutes and include networking, refreshments, presentation and Q&A.
B4 Masterclass with David Greenaway: The Inbound Sales and Marketing Revolution Date: Friday 18th January 2019. 12:00pm - 1:30pm. B4 HQ. An overview of Inbound Sales and marketing and how businesses can embrace this new methodology and remove the need to be sales-y and pushy. Target audience Small – medium, companies, companies that are using the old sales and marketing methods with diminishing results.
B4 Masterclass with James White: Sales Essentials to Achieve Amazing Results Date: Friday 18th January 2019. 12:00pm - 1:30pm. Unipart House. What does it take to achieve amazing sales results? Do you feel frustrated when you get to the end of each month and feel ‘We should have achieved more or ‘we are not hitting the targets we should be’? James White is a Sales Mentor and Trainer who has been selling for over 20+ years and within this masterclass James will outline his unique 12 stage ‘How winning in sales is like falling in love’ model which defines the exact steps you need to take to get better sales results!
B4 Masterclass with Jackie Jarvis: How to Have Natural ‘Stress Free’ Sales Conversations Date: Friday 25th January 2019. 12:00pm - 1:30pm. B4 HQ Many talented professionals and business owners with great products and services prevent sales happening through lack of sales activity, poor communication and follow up. Sales lost that could have been won. Fear getting in the way. Fear of being too sales-y, too pushy, fear of not being good enough or being rejected. Jackie promises to: Take away the stress; Turn dislike or fear into confidence and ease; Share an authentic, comfortable, effective way of having sales conversations.
B4 Masterclass with Helen & Douglas House: Business for Good Date: Friday 1st February 2018. 12:00pm - 1:30pm. B4 HQ. A piece of research conducted by the financial services organisation, reported that most A piece of research conducted by the financial services organisation, reported that most consumers think businesses should support charities. When faced with a choice between two companies that offered products and services for the same price, 82% said their decision would be affected by whether a company engaged with charities and its local community. Find out how ‘Business for Good’ can not only improve your business, but also your wellbeing and personal life.
Please note • Masterclasses are free of charge for B4 Members, but pleas e note there is a £30+VAT fee for non-attendance if you do not let us know at least 72 hours in advance. • Non-member tickets are £30+VAT with no cancellation fee. • Places are strictly limited to 12 guests. • Some Masterclasses take place at the B4 HQ and others at Unipart House, please check the venues and timings for each Masterclass.
ST CATHERINE’S COLLEGE FORUM 21ST FEB ‘19 For more information please see WWW.OXVOICE.CO.UK
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B4 Masterclasses are your opportunity to share your expertise with your fellow B4 Members. There is a hidden wealth of knowledge within our community which deserves to be promoted and that includes you. We also conservatively estimate there are in excess of 20,000 employees in the B4 community – so plenty of potential customers and beneďŹ ciaries of your wisdom!
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WHAT YOU RECEIVE As a B4 Masterclass speaker, we provide you with the following: ✓ Pre-event Knowledge Bank video where you present a 5 Top Tips video (maximum 2 minutes) at the B4 studios which we will use to promote you in advance of your Masterclass ✓ Pre-event headshots for your own use ✓ Pre-event promotion of your Masterclass through social media, newsletters and the B4 website ✓ Pre-event promotion in B4 Magazine ✓ The opportunity to engage with delegates BEFORE the event to establish if they have any points they would like you to cover ✓ The Masterclass itself – a 90 minute learning experience including refreshments and all facilities provided with the compliments of B4 ✓ Up to 12 potential customers for you to impress and engage with ✓ Design of a FACT SHEET with your input to give to the delegates on the day ✓ Post-event survey sent to delegates, with the results shared with you ✓ Post-event recap in B4 Magazine if your current membership package includes a page in B4 Magazine
WHAT IS A B4 MASTERCLASS ? Hosted by B4 at our ofďŹ ces, Masterclasses run for 90 minutes and include networking, refreshments, your presentation and Q&A. Not only will we provide you with the platforms to promote your expertise, we will also manage the whole process for you. We will provide the location, the refreshments, the AV support and marketing of your masterclass so you can focus on preparing your presentation for a new group of potential customers.
VALUE OF B4 MASTER CLASS ÂŁ1,250+VAT
TERMS
Interested in hosting a B4 Masterclass? Contact us below for more information Masterclasses cannot be booked until your membership has been paid in full. B4 must approve your PowerPoint presentation at least 2 weeks in advance for quality assurance. B4 is not responsible for how many guests attend a Masterclass. Attendance is free for B4 Members and ÂŁ30+VAT for non-Members.
The Stables at The Moat, Northampton Rd, Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire, OX25 3QL 01865 742211 info@b4-business.com www.b4-business.com @b4magazine b4-magazine
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B4 Classics & Dinners Upcoming B4 Classic Events B4 Classic Event at Hilton Garden Inn Abingdon Date: th February 2019 @ 6:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: Hilton Garden Inn Abingdon, Marcham Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1TZ
B4 Classic Event at Whately Hall Hotel Date: 7th March 2019 @ 6:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: Whately Hall Hotel, 17-19 Horse Fair, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 0AN
B4 Classic Event at Weston Library Date: 17th June 2019 @ 6:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 3BG
B4 Classic Event at Bombay Sapphire Distillery Date: 15th August 2019 @ 6:00pm to 8:00pm Venue: Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke Mill, London Rd, Whitchurch RG28 7NR
B4 Classic Event at Rhodes House Date: 26th September 2019 @ 6:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: Rhodes House, S Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3QY
B4 Classic Event at Divinity School Date: 28th October 2019 @ 6:00pm - 8:00pm Venue: Divinity School, Bodleian Library, Broad Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 3BG
Please note • Classic Events are free of charge but pleas e note there is a £30+VAT fee for non-attendance if you do not let us know at least 72 hours in advance. • It is not appropriate to leave flyers, business cards on tables, or banners at the venue. Any found will be disposed of. • Flash photography and/or video will be taken at these events.
More events being confirmed soon! Register for all of the above at www.b4-business.com
Upcoming B4 Dinner Events B4 Dinner at Thatcher Business Education Centre Date: 19th March 2019 @ 7:00pm - 10:30pm Venue: Thatcher Business Education Centre at Saïd Business School, Park End St, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 1HP Join B4 Members and Guests for a wonderful evening of fine dining in the impressive Thatcher Business Education Centre (TBEC), Saïd Business School. Conference@OxfordSaïd is one of the UK’s leading conference, meeting and event providers. Located in Oxford we have high quality function and event spaces along with superb bar and entertainment facilities. Enjoy award winning catering and private dining with panoramic views over Oxford’s dreaming spires. Dinner will be prepared on a live cooking table – a 5 course tasting menu with each dish cooked in front of guests and explained throughout. Menu: Handmade sourdough bread and butter / Seared scallop with parsnip, apple and hazelnut / Crispy confit duck with roasted beetroot, fennel and orange gel / Pan fried seabass fillet with roasted cauliflower, cauliflower puree, pak choi and ponzu dressing / Slow cooked beef cheeks with roasted shallot risotto, salsify and watercress pesto / Roasted rhubarb & buttermilk jelly with white chocolate & pistachio Tea, coffee & petit fours
Please note • The dress code for this event is “smart”. • Platinum members are entitled to a number of free tickets – Please get in touch with us to check your allocation. • Non-Platinum member and guest tickets are £150+VAT per head. • Places are limited to 40 guests so please book early to avoid disappointment.
More dinners being confirmed soon! Register for the above at www.b4-business.com
WESTON LIBRARY FORUM 21ST MAR ‘19 For more information please see WWW.OXVOICE.CO.UK
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If you’re thinking about joining the B4 community and want to find out more about how you can get the most out of your membership, come and say hello at our brand new offices in Weston-on-the-Green.
At our Explore B4 days you will get the opportunity to: 99 Meet the B4 team and find out what we all do to help you get the most out of B4
Richard Rosser Chief Executive
Lorna Waterfield Production Manager
Keith Simpson Senior Designer
Rob Scotcher Photographer & Videographer
Emma Davis Marketing Executive
99 H ear how you could get the most out of a B4 membership with a short presentation which will also outline future developments and initiatives 99 Meet other potential members and some of our B4 Connectors who can tell you how they have benefited from B4 99 Get a headshot in our photo studio – with our compliments to use for your own promotional purposes 99 Enjoy light refreshments with our compliments
Timetable Explore B4 meetings take place once a month between 11am - 12.30pm. Visit www.b4-business.com/events for upcoming dates. 11:00 - 11:10
Networking and drinks with other guests
11:10 - 11:20
Tour of B4 HQ and meet the team
11:20 - 11:45
Have headshots taken in the B4 Studio
11:45 - 12:30
Chat about B4 over tea, coffee and refreshments
Location B4 HQ, The Stables at The Moat, Northampton Rd, Weston-on-the-Green, OX25 3QL
Who can attend? Non-members who are interested in finding out about the B4 community. We will be running the Explore B4 days on a regular basis so if you would like to bring your colleagues (up to 3) then please do so and you can get headshots for everyone.
Interested? Visit www.b4-business.com/events for upcoming ‘Explore B4’ dates.
PEMBROKE COLLEGE FORUM 23RD MAY ‘19 For more information please see www.oxvoice.co.uk
B4 Membership B4 has created a trusted community of businesses who have helped, and continue to help, each other grow. At its core, B4 provides the following to its community of members: Connections: Making trusted, long-lasting, mutually beneficial connections within the business community. These connections might be for business transactions, to overcome business challenges or create solutions to perpetuate growth; Profile: Increasing your business profile and gaining wider exposure for the services you offer; Knowledge: Sharing your expertise with the community and gaining knowledge from the community in return; Benefits: Perks
B4 and offers to brighten your day and for B4 to make your time as a member even more enjoyable; Progress: By bringing together the local business community and local government in a connected and collaborative environment (Oxfordshire Voice), we aim to be the catalyst for solutions to the challenges facing Oxfordshire businesses: transport, skills shortages, social & environmental issues and housing. There are a variety of ways to get involved with B4 and experience all of the great benefits on offer. Take a look at the membership options below to find a package which best suits your needs.
Membership Options & Perks Silver Membership
Gold Membership
Platinum Membership
Raise your profile via...
Raise your profile via...
Raise your profile via...
PPDirectory listing in each issue of B4 Magazine PP5% discount on any further advertising within the
PPDirectory listing in each issue of B4 Magazine PP1 x double page in the magazine PPLogo in the front of the magazine PP10% discount on any further advertising within the
PPDirectory listing in each issue of B4 Magazine PP6 x pages in the magazine PPLogo in the front of the magazine PP15% discount on any further advertising within the
magazine
PPPersonal and company profile pages on www. b4-business.com
PPUnlimited uploads to the B4 website for press releases and more
PPRetweets on Twitter when mentioning @ b4magazine
PPLikes on LinkedIn when mentioning B4 Magazine PP5 professional headshots in the B4 Studio for 1 employee
Make connections via... PPAccess to B4 Classic Events PPAccess to B4 Dinners on application (subject to separate charge)
PPAccess to NXT events for employees under 30 years old
PPAccess to a Welcome Brunch at B4 HQ PPIntroductions to other attendees before B4 Classic Events
Share your knowledge via... PPParticipation in Oxfordshire Voice surveys forming a report on business opinion for local government
Benefit from... PPSelected content posted on the B4 website will be shared via social media to an audience of over 20,000 PPUse of B4 logo (subject to terms and conditions) PPSubscription to weekly B4 e-newsletters PPSubscription to bi-monthly B4 Magazine PPAccess to all Knowledge Bank videos and articles when live PPAccess to free high res. photos from B4 events available on Flickr PPAccess to up to 50 Masterclasses
magazine
magazine
PPPersonal and company profile pages on www.b4-
PPPersonal and company profile pages on www.b4-business.
business.com
com
PPUnlimited uploads to the B4 website for press releases
PPUnlimited uploads to the B4 website for press releases
and more
and more
PPRetweets on Twitter when mentioning @b4magazine PPLikes on LinkedIn when mentioning B4 Magazine PP5 professional headshots in the B4 Studio for 2
PPRetweets on Twitter when mentioning @b4magazine PPLikes on LinkedIn when mentioning B4 Magazine PP5 professional headshots in the B4 Studio for 4
employees Make
employees
connections via...
Make
PPAccess to B4 Classic Events PPAccess for 1 guest to 1 B4 Dinner on application PPAccess to NXT events for employees under 30 years old PPAccess to a Welcome Brunch at B4 HQ PPIntroductions to other attendees before B4 Classic Events
PPNominate 1 x charity, social enterprise, school, or sports club to receive a free “+1” B4 Membership Share
club to receive a free “+1” B4 Membership
your knowledge via...
Share
your knowledge via...
PP1 x How To video filmed in the B4 Studio PP1 x Masterclass for up to 12 guests PPParticipation in Oxfordshire Voice surveys forming a
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O X F O R D S H I R E
Powered by
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connector
proud to connect the B 4 community
connector
proud to connect the B 4 community
Michelle Arnold
Tim Ault
Mandy Biddle
Daren Bowyer
Cath Convery
Individual Banking Manager Handelsbanken
Managing Director Alberon
Business Development Manager ads creative solutions
CEO Cumberland Lodge
Learning Lead Explosive Learning Solutions
David Croydon
Simon Drake
Stephanie Duncan
Andrew Elder
Stewart Elliston
Owner Hilltop Consultancy
Managing Director Macdonald Randolph Hotel
Head of Marketing Blenheim Palace
Marketing Director Bongo IT
Principal BD Manager Freeths
Daren Elsley
Brianna Elsley
Mark Emery
Howard Feather
Sarah Foster
Accounts & Business Development Mayfield Press
Owner Buzz Digital Marketing
Partner Freeths
Business Growth Enabler NatWest
Managing Partner Freeths
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Emma Gascoigne
Marie Giraud
Alison Haill
Andrew Hancock
Maria Hardman
Communications Consultant Big Foot Communications
Commercial Events Manager Ashmolean Museum
Founder & Owner Oxford Professional Consulting
Creative Director BrandAsylum
Principal Dentist Clinic 95
Grant Hayward
Alan Hine
Tony Hobbs
Ed Hollingshead
James Hunt
Founder & Director Collaborent
Owner AR Hine Associates
Managing Director Chapman, Robinson & Moore
Co-Founder WebBoutiques
Owner Everyman Legal
Jackie Jarvis
Freddie Jewson
Helen Joy
Zena Kennedy
John Kennedy
Owner Jackie Jarvis
Owner Frederick Jewson
Director ANPR Consulting
Owner Two One Services
Consultant
www.b4-business.com
Connectors are individuals in the B4 community who have shown their support and loyalty for B4 in one of a number of ways. They may have introduced another company to the B4 community or they might just be great at introducing guests to the community at B4 events. After all, there’s nothing worse than standing on your own at an event to convince you the community you’re thinking about joining is just one big clique. Or they might do both! So thanks to all of our Connectors for their support for B4 and our growing community of members. If you would like to find out more about becoming a Connector, call the B4 team today.
A: The Stables at The Moat, Northampton Rd, Weston-on-the-Green, Oxon, OX25 3QL E: info@b4-business.com T: 01865 742 211 W: www.b4-business.com
Olivia Lane-Nott
Joy Le Fevre
Julie Macken
Victoria Marcham
Jamie Miller
Director Spacecraft Consulting
Director Haiku Consulting
Deputy Queen Bee Neve’s Bees
Business Development Manager Knights
CEO Headway Oxfordshire
Helen Money
David Mulholland
Jonna Mundy
Lucy Nash
Marie O’Connor
Owner Helen Money Nutrition
Director Mulholland Landscape Consultants
CEO You HR Consultancy
Solicitor Royds Withy King
Head Conference Oxford
Alice Ogilvie
Rob Panting
David Parry
Michael Pawley
Bob Price
Head of Venue Services Bodleian Libraries
Communications Manager Oxfordshire LEP
Owner David Parry Employment Law
Director Proficio Solutions
Ex-Leader Oxford City Council
Ian Roberts
Grant Shergold
Gavin Smith
Chaz Snell
Owner Cashflow Creators
Local Business Manager Metro Bank
Operations Director Pizza Pilgrims
Commercial Photographer The Plastic Goldfish Company
Jo Spencer
Phil Strachan
Claire Thompson
Lucy Tulloch
Richard Venables
Lucy Walker
Owner Strangebrew
Managing Director Papa Romeo
Owner Lucy Tulloch Coaching
Director VSL & Partners
Community Fundraising Manager Helen & Douglas House
Michael Wellborn
James White
Diane Wilkinson
Paul Wood
York Woodford-Smith
Managing Director CIS
Owner James White Sales Success
Executive Team Coach Connecting to Excellence
Managing Director Indulge Media
Director Five on a Bike
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Owner Spencer Insurance
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B4
B4 Advisory Board Phil Southall Managing Director - The Oxford Bus Company | www.oxfordbus.co.uk
Phil is the Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company and three other Go Ahead subsidiary companies and is responsible for around 270 vehicles and 800 staff. He has worked for GoAhead group companies for 12 years in Oxford and the North East of England. Oxford Bus Company and its sister companies Thames Travel, Carousel Buses and City Sightseeing (Oxford) are well known for their innovation and environmental awareness. Phil has led a number of innovative projects in Oxford, most recently the demand responsive ‘Pick Me Up’ service. Phil is also President of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, a Non-Executive Director of Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Vice-Chair for the Confederation of Passenger Transport South East Region. He has 20 years commercial and operational management experience in the bus industry including periods working with the TAS Partnership and First Group prior to joining Go-Ahead Group.
Katherine Bertram Founder The Career Boutique
John Kennedy
Orhan Ertughrul EVP Europe G-Smatt Europe Media
Richard Venables Director VSL & Partners
Wendy Ball Head of Events Ashmolean Museum
Darren Aston Managing Director Aston and James
Colin Rosser Chairman B4
Richard Rosser CEO B4
Jonna Mundy CEO You HR
Lorna Waterfield Production Manager B4
Grant Hayward Founder & Director Collaborent
Richard Marsh
Tony Hobbs Managing Director CRM
Stewart Elliston Freeths Principal Manager, Business Development
Helen Fallon Director Global CTS
Toby Newman Growth Advisor Grant Thornton UK LLP
Greg Barnes Director Breckon & Breckon
Nicola Poole Managing Director Hedges Law
James White Owner James White Sales Success
Andy Cowie Marketing & Business Development Director James Cowper Kreston
Jarl Severn Managing Director Owen Mumford
Gavin Jones Group Finance Director Owen Mumford
Edward Rosser Founder B4 NXT
Dominic Hare Chief Executive Blenheim
Jo Stevens Managing Director Oxford Centre for Innovation
Bob Price
Cheryl-Lee Foulsham Business Manager Oxford Duplication Centre
Jayne Woodley CEO Oxfordshire Community Foundation
Sebastian Johnson Head of Innovation & Inward Investment Oxfordshire LEP
Claire Thompson Managing Director Papa Romeo Public Relations Ltd
Tim Wraith Corporate Partnerships Manager Sobell House
Phil Strachan Owner Strangebrew
Frank Webster Director FC Webster Consulting
Ian Roberts Owner Cashflow Creators
Frank Nigriello Director of Corporate Affairs Unipart
FREETHS FORUM 27TH JUN ‘19 For more information please see WWW.OXVOICE.CO.UK
O X F O R D S H I R E
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NXT Board Brianna Elsley
Edward Rosser
Emma Davis
Owner / Founder Buzz Digital Marketing buzzdigitalmarketing.co.uk
Founder NXT b4-nxt.com
Marketing Executive B4 / NXT b4-business.com
I’m Brianna and my business is called Buzz Digital Marketing. I’ve always had an interest in marketing, and I decided to start my business with a real focus on delivering strong social media activity, with campaigns that deliver a solid ROI. Alongside this, I offer website development and SEO, to really help businesses tackle digital marketing from all angles. I focus a lot of my attention on your audience, what are they wanting to see, what will engage them, and this helps me to build a digital strategy that is right for your business. I put together bespoke, tailored packages, taking into consideration your monthly budget and what your business needs.
Edward founded NXT which aims to engage the next generation of 30 year old’s and under. Edward strives to create value for each individual in attendance at NXT events by providing expert knowledge from valuable presentations to take away with them and implement into their own career, as well as broadening their networks with like minded youngsters.
James White Sales Mentor and Trainer James White Sales Success jameswhite.business
Emma Roby Marketing & Business Development Assistant Freeths LLP freeths.co.uk
I’m a marketing and business development professional assisting the head of business development and lawyers within the firm on strategic business development initiatives. My responsibilities include, but are not limited to, event management, maintaining the firm’s CRM database, direct mail and email campaigns, development of our online presence, and designing marketing collateral.
My name is James White. I have had 20+ years working in senior marketing and sales roles including 14 in running my own software and sales training companies. I have generated over £7.5m in new sales and revenue in the last 10 years and I have sold at all levels across a range of different industries.
Emma has gained expertise in design, marketing and social media in her role as Marketing Executive for B4. Emma is responsible for B4’s many social media accounts, developing the overall layout and production design for printed materials, assisting in event co-ordination as well as carrying out a variety of administration tasks.
Alice May Manager Whitley Stimpson Ltd whitleystimpson.co.uk
I have worked in private practice since 2013 and fully qualified with ICAEW at the end of 2016. I predominantly work with small to medium sized businesses, taking care of their accounts and taxation needs and offering business support and advice. I love meeting and building relationships with new people. My network of trusted contacts have proved invaluable to date – offering support, guidance and keeping me up to date on their areas of expertise.
Richard Rosser CEO B4 b4-business.com
Marie Giraud Events Sales and Communications Manager Ashmolean Museum ashmolean.org
Marie joined the Ashmolean’s events team a year ago. She promotes and sells the Museum’s iconic space and backdrops to corporate clients, and is keen to build her network by meeting other young professionals in the City.
Richard has been Chief Executive Officer of B4 since 2006. While dealing with customers at all levels, Richard’s role is to co-ordinate the overall strategy of B4 and develop new products. A publisher, event creator and coordinator, his experience and contacts are valued by an ever increasing and impressive portfolio of clients.
Isabel Protheroe Frederick Jewson DOP Frederick Jewson frederickjewson.co.uk
Frederick live and breathes film, constantly striving to push the boundaries of what is possible within the camera. aiming to create the content possible. With extensive ambitions and an unequivocal passion for his art Frederick is well on the way with his journey.
Legal Assistant Freeths LLP freeths.co.uk
I work in the Court of Protection team at Freeths Solicitors. I am passionate about the work that I do and improving the opportunities for the clients. I am really excited for the future of NXT as I believe it will provide a great platform for under 30’s to network in Oxford and the future generations of local business leaders.
For more information please see: WWW.B4-NXT.COM
Rob Panting Communications Manager OxLEP oxfordshirelep.com
Oxfordshire-based public relations and communications professional with over 15 years’ experience, working within the media and as a part of teams for several national organisations.
Join us for a special event after BIO2019 at MINI PLANT OXFORD on Thursday 6th June, 2019
SIMON GRAY
THE CAREER BOUTIQUE We welcome The Career Boutique’s latest addition to the team, Simon Gray, to the B4 offices to find out more about his career to date and how he hopes to grow the already well established recruitment agency’s brand. Written by: Richard Rosser Photography by: Rob Scotcher
Simon has come from a luxury yachting background having previously worked with high end profile clients both in build and charter of “super yachts”, and the wider industry. He also worked on the marina side of the business partnering with luxury car brands, wine, spirits etc…. to develop high end events with a view to marketing and, ultimately, supporting the sale of yachts and marina berths. But some things are quite clearly more important to Simon than super yachts and a world surrounded by luxury, so why the change? “I joined The Career Boutique more out of a personal, lifestyle choice. I met my wife eight years ago and started a conscious transition of travelling less and moving to Oxford – I couldn’t be further from the sea, so this was a challenge for me. I decided to look for great companies in Oxfordshire and already knew Katherine (Bertram, owner of The Career Boutique) and that she was making a positive impact with the companies she worked with, so it was a logical fit to join her and build on this. “I have a multi-part role, focusing on business development and looking at how we can grow the brand, interact and engage with businesses in Oxfordshire. For example, we run a series of free to attend HR Forums, Seminars and Workshops with our partners Crossland, Migrate UK and Emma Browning that are well attended and the feedback is that we deliver great value and insight, so I would like to see us build on these and bring more local companies to the table, to join in the discussions on topical HR & recruitment issues. This, along with developing strong relationships to really understand where businesses struggle so that we can develop a recruitment-based support framework, will deliver greater value. That is really
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part of the over-arching philosophy Katherine and I deeply believe in, we want to support the growth of businesses in the area – and that doesn’t just mean directly through a recruitment-led service; for example we help our clients advertise some of their jobs directly via social media and professional networks without any charge.” Katherine was the cover feature of a previous edition of B4 where she outlined her plans for the future, including appointing someone in Simon’s role and Simon is excited with the challenge ahead. “Katherine has achieved much of her initial plan since that article in a relatively short period of time and the company is doing very well, working with some fantastic brands in
With B4’s new initiative, Oxfordshire Voice, one of the key areas under the spotlight is skills and the difficult recruiting in Oxfordshire, so what are Simon’s top three reasons for coming to live and work in Oxfordshire? “Firstly, from a careers perspective there are so many well established organisations and also startups that are securing funding for research and they are being commercialised through some of the companies in the science and technology sectors, so there is a significant skills requirement in the area.” “From a personal point of view, it’s a great place to live in terms of your welfare, your health and the countryside with the green belt surrounding Oxfordshire, which is a huge attraction.” “Finally, housing, despite being at the higher end of the market, the quality of housing available can support the jobs which are being created to support this longer term growth. There is the balance to be made with the overall cost of living, which is an issue that needs addressing, but this is not in itself unique to Oxford.” Good luck to Simon and The Career Boutique for the future and Simon, if you do start to miss the world of super yachts, we’ve got canals all around Oxfordshire and you can always give punting a go!
the immediate area and further afield. My job is to take that a step further and interact and engage with the companies in the Oxford area on a greater scale. Many of these companies are enjoying a step change in their development and despite the political uncertainty, we are seeing emerging and organic growth, the associated recruiting to support that and we are well placed to assist them. They are sticking to their growth plans and will still need people, so the future is bright for the region.”
contact@thecareerboutique.com 0845 520 4010 www.thecareerboutique.com
www.b4-business.com
B4 lead
“
I have a multipart role, focusing on business development and looking at how we can grow the brand, interact and engage with businesses in Oxfordshire
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Simon Gray - The Career Boutique
www.b4-business.com
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B4 Community News Virtual Assistant Business In May this year, I officially launched my Virtual Assistant business, where I provide freelance PA, secretarial and administrative support to Professional Service Consultants. The focus of my business is driven by my own background, where I worked for several years as a PA and practice secretary in a global management consultancy firm. Key areas where I provide support include in assisting with project-management, monitoring of the sales pipeline, undertaking research, and in secretarial and admin support such as email
management, producing presentations and proposals, drafting correspondence, invoicing and expenses. My aim is always to understand my clients’ goals, so that I can ensure to manage their time and priorities as efficiently as possible, thus supporting them in bringing their true value to their business. I’m really pleased to have become a member of B4 and I’m looking forward to meeting other members at future events. https://clairegabbey.co.uk/
Engage your employees by supporting an important local cause Employee volunteering has been proven to increase staff engagement, and can make a positive difference in local communities. Despite its reputation for education and learning, parts of Oxfordshire have some of the lowest literacy rates in the country. By working in partnership with local schools, your employees can make a positive impact on children’s learning - and feel more motivated in the workplace. The ARCh Company Volunteer Scheme is an innovative collaboration between Oxfordshire businesses and the charitable sector. Employees spend time in schools each week, reading with children who have fallen behind with their reading
in a bid to improve their literacy. Employers signing up to the scheme choose the number of staff members they want to take part in the programme, and pay a small fee for each. The rest is managed by ARCh. It assists with the volunteer recruitment process, provides full training, and works closely with the volunteers to ensure their time in the school is beneficial for both the employee and the children they work with. Please contact Jane Rendle or Elaine Adams for further information: info@archoxfordshire.org.uk | 01869 320380 | www.archoxfordshire.org.uk
Cancer in the Workplace at Maggie’s Oxford for line-managers and members of HR teams covering the experiences and needs of people with cancer in the workplace. The aims of the session are to discuss some of physical, practical and emotional aspects of living and working with a cancer diagnosis and to think about how to provide a supportive working environment. We also touch on the range of information and support available at Maggie’s. The next session at Maggie’s is on Wednesday 16th January from 8.30am to 10am, run by a member of our professional team. To book a free place for you or someone in your team, please visit www.maggiescentres.org. There are over 500,000 people with cancer working across the UK. This figure is expected to double by 2030 as more people survive a diagnosis of cancer. In seeking to return to work,
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employees, their managers and colleagues each face different and complex challenges that can have significant impact in the workplace. Maggie’s Oxford offers an information session
www.b4-business.com
B4 Blenheim: First keys handed over for affordable homes
The first new residents have moved into Blenheim’s ground-breaking affordable housing scheme at Long Hanborough.
Two of the initial phase of 11 homes available for affordable-rented and shared ownership are now occupied, with more people due to move in over the coming weeks. The initial phase will be followed by a further 48 affordable homes at the site over the next couple of years. Priority is being given to local residents with urgent housing needs as well as key workers such as teachers and nurses. Blenheim is working with West Oxfordshire District Council in the partnership which will eventually see them offering at least 300 affordable homes, Blenheim will retain full or part ownership and manage the dwellings.
Matthew Neilson, Blenheim’s Head of Property and Development, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be welcoming the first new residents at Long Hanborough. There is an urgent need for this type of property throughout the region and we are looking to roll these schemes out at all our developments both now and in the future, allowing them to evolve as housing needs change.” Read more at www.b4-business.com/pressreleases
Carter Jonas Welcomes Five Graduates To Oxford Team Carter Jonas, the national property consultancy, has expanded the team in its Oxford office at Mayfield House, Summertown, by welcoming five new graduates. The appointments include Georgia Croucher, James Murphy and Jamie Rutter in the firm’s commercial team as well as Sophie Heritage in Planning & Development and Samuel Head in the firm’s Rural division. Mark Charter, Partner and Head of Carter Jonas’ Oxford office, said: “Carter Jonas, through both its graduate scheme and apprenticeship programme,
is committed to encouraging and nurturing new talent and it is a pleasure to welcome these five to the team. As a business, we aim to deliver the best possible results for our clients. In doing so, we place a great deal of importance on our staff and their training and personal development and the same goes for all our graduates. Over the coming months they will be exposed to a wide range of work, different clients and exciting projects and I have no doubt that with the right support, they can play an important role in supporting our future development.”
Read more at www.b4-business.com/pressreleases
Gardner Leader crowned the Best in Business Gardner Leader solicitors are celebrating after winning two awards on one night – the overall Newbury Weekly News ‘Best in Business award’ and the best in ‘Customer Service award’. The law firm, based in Newbury, Thatcham and Maidenhead, was crowned the ‘winner of all winners’ after beating a record number of entries for the coveted title of overall Best in Business. Judges were particularly looking for an organisation
that is a proud ambassador of working life in the West Berkshire and North Hampshire region. Gardner Leader, which has increased its turnover from £3m to £7.7m and doubled its staff numbers to over 130 in recent years, was recognised for achieving great things in the last 12 months including their financial standing, community relations and sustainability. Read more at www.b4-business.com/pressreleases.
Business in Oxford 2019 to take place at MINI Plant Oxford Having enjoyed excellent events at Saïd Business School and The King’s Centre over the past five years, BIO is moving to a fantastic new space at MINI Plant Oxford on Thursday 6th June 2019. As Oxfordshire’s leading business networking and showcase event, BIO has become a must
www.b4-business.com
attend event for Oxfordshire businesses wanting to connect and learn. Having attracted in excess of 2,000 delegates and 250 exhibitors since its launch in 2015, there’s no denying that BIO is deserving of its status. Find out more at www.businessinoxford.com
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B4 Community News
B4
BrookStreet des Roches Senior Partner Retires the region was cemented. During his long career, Hugh’s professional practice encompassed a broad range of real estate work, overseeing many of the firm’s key clients including Nuffield College, Animal, 3M, Cable & Wireless and Vodafone. He was involved in a number of significant HQ relocations, including Oxfam’s move to its current location on the Oxford Business Park.
Law firm, BrookStreet des Roches, announces the retirement of its Senior Partner, Hugh Blaza, on 7 December 2018. Hugh served as the firm’s Managing Partner for ten years from 2008 to April 2018 when he handed over the reins to Philip Shaw. Hugh and Charlie Seaward joined BrookStreet des Roches in 1997 bringing to the firm a significant number of real estate clients. With the arrival of Martin Billings from Morgan Cole in 2000, the firm’s reputation as the ‘go to’ real estate firm in
The recent 2019 publications of the two main independent legal directories, Chambers UK and the Legal 500 UK saw BrookStreet des Roches ranked as top-tier in the field of real estate and gain rankings for an unprecedented number of its lawyers and teams in other practice areas including intellectual property, real estate litigation, healthcare work, construction, commercial litigation and corporate/commercial work. Hugh said “I have had a very rewarding and interesting career in the law and I am immensely proud of my work for BrookStreet des Roches. At a time of huge change and disruption in the legal services industry, I have seen the firm grow from a small, niche commercial property firm to a first-
rate commercial firm, with an excellent reputation for every service it offers. I have been privileged to work with a great team of colleagues and clients and I have enjoyed forging relationships with many wonderful people in the business community over the years”. Away from the office Hugh is a keen writer and musician and plays guitar in The Prairie Clams, a country and western trio. He will be devoting a significant amount of his newly-found freedom in pursuing his musical muse but intends to remain in touch with his colleagues in the firm and in the business community. Philip Shaw, Managing Partner, said “I cannot overstate Hugh’s contribution to the direction, culture and growth of the firm and would like to thank him for his dedication and unwavering service. He leaves the firm in great shape for an exciting future. We wish him all the best for a happy retirement and look forward to giving him a fine send off.”
The Oxford Soap Company is proud to announce the opening of its store in The Covered Market The luxury, handmade soap company opened its doors in November with owner, Ervin Tomkys Valteri, cutting a bar of soap to mark the occasion accompanied by his wife, Emily, and the Cllr Mary Clarkson. “I am so happy and excited that the store has opened,” says Ervin. “So much work has gone into this moment: creating the design and building the store interior, getting the word out, building our social presence and hand-making the products to stock the shelves. I want to thank my family, the council and The Covered Market for helping bring this to life and I hope that Oxford’s shoppers are as
delighted by the store as I am.” The store hopes to attract local shoppers with its unique, natural recipes especially designed to suit Oxfordshire’s hard-water along with tourists looking for gifts for the festive season. Ervin, who makes all the products by hand in Oxford, will create soaps onsite in his in-store, open workshop. Hero products include ranges with English sourced essential oils such as English Lavender and the rare English Melissa oil as well as new bath salt products.
For more information please contact Gemma Tuck on gemmalouisetuck@gmail.com / 07701 046 500
Blenheim Apprentice nominated for award Two recently graduated apprentices from Blenheim have been nominated for awards. Shepherd Apprentice Tom Pritchard-Pitts and Marketing Apprentice Niamh O’Sullivan have both been nominated for the ‘Intermediate Apprentice of the Year’ award at the 2019 Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards.
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The annual awards recognise the efforts of apprentices, schools, training providers, employers and apprenticeship ambassadors throughout the county. Read more at www.b4-business.com/pressreleases.
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B4 future
has the power “toLight captivate; be that gathering round a campfire, or the lights dimming on a stage and an expectant hush descending upon the audience. But imagine the impact if a building could have that effect of drawing people together and then entertaining or informing them
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THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT Light has the power to captivate; be that gathering round a campfire, or the lights dimming on a stage and an expectant hush descending upon the audience. But imagine the impact if a building could have that effect of drawing people together and then entertaining or informing them; this is the reality of G-Smatt Europe’s architectural grade, smart, media glass. Huge changes are taking place in our expanding, densely populated urban areas. Cities function 24/7 and the IoT is impacting on how we use these spaces for work, rest and play and the data generated will be critical for the management and utilisation of these urban spaces. As increasing numbers utilise these areas, it is glass media facades that are going to facilitate new and powerful ways of communicating up-to-date transport information, weather warnings and emergency services advice alongside memorable entertainment experiences. As with all new technologies it takes time for people to understand and embrace the potential, but already architects, designers and app-developers are developing ideas to transform the digital cityscape, including:
Architectural Design – A sophisticated media façade allows an architect to create an aesthetically beautiful design using both the physical form and the additional medium of light. Buildings could change colour throughout the day, or architects could create stunning visual illusions and merge the structure seamlessly into its environment. It also gives buildings the power to share externally experiences that previously have only be accessible to those inside eg whilst a work of art is being created in a gallery, its actual production could be shared on the exterior for those outside to witness.
for more creativity. Imagine a car launch where a vehicle would appear to be ‘driving’ around the city, using the media facades on buildings and smaller, temporary, pop up installations. Consumers could be encouraged to “Take a photo of the car at a particular site and win a prize”.
Interactivity & Integration – An app has already been created that allows people to ‘throw’ digital fireworks onto the side of a building as part of New Year celebrations. It is not unfeasible to foresee a time when the media façade could react to the presence of individuals enabling them to receive a personalised message.
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So, with an eye-catching product and thriving business there is no doubt that for one Oxford based company there really is a bright future ahead. For more information & video links: www.g-smatteurope.com/products/events
Architectural gaming, where the game takes place on a building could breathe new life into an area that is deserted after office hours. Installing a glass façade upon which teams of players could interact and play games would drive regeneration as food and retail outlets would pop up to support the new game playing visitors, creating new energy and a new hub. The potential for this technology is already understood in the events and retail sectors, where the company’s G-Tainers; a combination of smart glass within a steel modular system, provides a truly memorable experience for audiences and shoppers. The glass may pulse in time to music, mimic the movement of customers, display eye-catching art, or deliver high impact brand advertising.
Digital Signage – Glass façades are ideal for classical, image based advertising, but there is scope
Ertughrul who recognises that this success hasn’t happened without a lot of support not only from his staff but also other business experts. “When trying to grow a new company it’s essential that the basics like best practice in accountancy are covered off. Chapman Robinson & Moore have become a highly trusted, strategic partner for our business.”
crm@crmoxford.co.uk 01865 379 272 www.crmoxford.co.uk
Established in 2017, G-Smatt is led by Orhan 27
B4
B4 Community News Jeff Koons to hold major exhibition at Ashmolean A major exhibition of the work of Jeff Koons (b. 1955) will be held at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, in spring 2019. Curated by Koons himself together with guest curator Norman Rosenthal, the show will feature seventeen important works, fourteen of which have never been exhibited in the UK before. They span the artist’s entire career and his most well-known series including Equilibrium, Statuary, Banality, Antiquity and his recent Gazing Ball sculptures and paintings.
Dr Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean, says: “In showing Jeff Koons at the Ashmolean, the world’s oldest public museum where the collections range from prehistory to the present, this exhibition will provoke a conversation between his work and the history of art and ideas with which his work engages. I am sure it will also provoke conversations among those who see it.” Read more at www.b4-business.com/pressreleases
Oxford Visitor Information Centre wins Top Tourism Award Oxford’s Visitor Information Centre has been named Information Service of the Year at last night’s Beautiful South Awards for Excellence which were held at the Grand Hotel Brighton, while Experience Oxfordshire’s ‘Oxford Official Walking Tours’ was awarded Highly Commended status for Guided Tour of the Year. The awards recognise and celebrate excellence in the tourism sector and inspire other businesses to reinvest and raise standards in quality, innovation and customer service. “The Oxford Visitor Information Centre plays a pivotal role supporting visitors on their arrival to
Oxfordshire. Our award-winning team advise and inspire visitors to explore and experience what the City and County has to offer. The Visitor Information Centre welcomes nearly half a million visitors each year and the team do a great job promoting the County as a must-see visitor destination. Everyone at Experience Oxfordshire is extremely proud that the Oxford Visitor Information Centre has been recognised for the excellent service it provides to our visitors. We are also delighted to see our Oxford Official Walking Tours programme recognised in this way as it’s testament to the product development that we have been undertaking in this area to give great
visitor experiences,” said Hayley Beer-Gamage, Chief Executive of Experience Oxfordshire. www.experienceoxfordshire.org
Blenheim Launches £50,000 Bursary for Local Charities & Projects Blenheim is launching a bursary of up to £50,000 which will be made available to local charities and projects in 2019. The bursary will be available to all charities and organisations based within a 20-mile radius of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Interested parties will be able to submit applications until January 31st 2019. Successful candidates will be notified by the end of February
with funds being made available from April 1st. Blenheim’s Stephanie Duncan said: “As part of our 10-Year Plan we are committed to doubling our charitable contributions to the community and the new charity bursary will enable us to allocate funding for charities and community projects going forward.” Read more at www.b4-business.com/pressreleases.
Legal 500 Ranking Success for Moorcrofts LLP Corporate Law firm, Moorcrofts, is celebrating after being named one of the top tier law firms in the region by leading industry directory, The Legal 500 UK edition. The directory annually provides a full, in-depth and comprehensive analysis of law firms across the
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UK, listing only the best performing in the industry. Moorcrofts feature prominently in the SouthEast category for Corporate and Commercial, Employment, IT and IP Law. Read more at www.b4-business.com/pressreleases.
www.b4-business.com
B4 future
“ And even
if none of this makes sense right now, it will once they’ve worked with you!
”
Kellie Peters & Regina Lally - Databasix
Making data protection easy and relevant to your business – now there’s a bright idea! Unless you’ve been living under a rock for most of 2018, you’ve probably heard about the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and how it’s created a huge amount of head-scratching, head-burying and headaching for many businesses. Written by: Paul Kromer, BonMots Creative Copywriting
Why? Because there’s a lot to think about and even more expertise required knowing how to apply it properly. Oh, and you might as well throw in the fact that, for most people, it’s also a pretty dreary topic …
Introducing Databasix UK Ltd… Not for Databasix though, an approachable and enthusiastic people-focused data consultancy based at south Oxfordshire’s Harwell Campus and recipient of the inaugural Vale4Business Small Business of the Year award. Headed up by two self-professed data chicks, Kellie Peters and Regina Lally revel in ‘bringing people and data together’ – helping organisations embrace data protection to improve their efficiency and decisionmaking around the GDPR. And, ultimately, make their business lives easier. Because once companies start to see how and why data is so important to what they do, that’s when it all begins to make more sense and recording it accurately then becomes a benefit rather than a burden.
Does the GDPR involve your business? Well, if you have staff or customers or suppliers, then the answer is a resounding yes. There are very few instances where data collection and protection won’t apply to business, and it’s a common myth that it www.b4-business.com
Photography by: Kelly-Jo Photography
only applies to big companies or organisations that do direct or email marketing. In fact, it’s all about showing accountability and demonstrating how you look after the personal data you’re responsible for; and it should be a part of your organisation’s culture as a way of working. As well as the need for compliance, it can also have a big impact on your professional reputation and your credibility with customers. It’s as much about transparency and building trust as it is about building useful data for your business metrics. Because, quite simply, if people don’t trust you with their personal data, they’re unlikely to want to continue using your products or services.
How Databasix can help you
or remotely/online); • Providing ad-hoc practical advice and phone support. And even if none of this makes sense right now, it will once they’ve worked with you! There are plenty of useful resources to be found too on the Databasix website (www.dbxuk.com/ blog/) and their social media (https://twitter.com/ DbxUK), as well as a Data Protection Masterclass to look forward to in April 2019.
Who says data protection has to be confusing, avoided or downright boring?
Do you recall the famous “There are known knowns… known unknowns… and unknown unknowns…” speech?
If you could do with some data protection guidance and like the idea of it being easy and relevant to your business, give Databasix a call. They’ll love you all the more for it and will open your eyes to what you’ve been missing.
Well, one of the first ways Databasix can help companies is by helping them work out what level of input they need.
You might even enjoy it…
Help and support can then range from any to all of the following: • Conducting comprehensive in-house audits (usually for when a business doesn’t know where to start); • Writing tailored data protection policies; • Implementing policies and cataloguing clear data mapping; • Delivering data protection training (either on site
Kellie.Peters@dbxuk.com Regina.Lally@dbxuk.com www.dbxuk.com @DbxUK
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Carter Jonas APC Away Day
Peter Fry
I’m proud to say that “ we hold our employees in the same high regard that we hold our clients Peter Fry - Partner
”
WHY INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE MAKES BUSINESS SENSE Many years ago in my leaving speech from one of the big, global surveying firms, I said to my soon to be ex colleagues “Never forget, this firm is only as good as it is because it has you all working for it. It’s not the other way around.” Written by: Peter Fry - Partner, Commercial team, Carter Jonas Oxford
This statement is something that I hold dear and as an ethos it is one of the key factors that attracted me to Carter Jonas. I’m proud to say that we hold our employees in the same high regard that we hold our clients. We recognise that the people who deliver the service are key to a successful business and good
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Photography by: Aurelian Langlais (portraits)
people are a precious commodity. This is one of the reasons that we invest so heavily in our graduate scheme and apprenticeship programme. As a firm we face the same challenge as any professional football club in attracting and retaining star players, but in the same way, we also look to recruit good
people at the start of their careers to grow and nurture the potential stars of tomorrow. To qualify as a chartered surveyor graduates must pass the Assessment of Professional Competence, the dreaded APC. Twice a year the Royal Institution
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B4 future Carter Jonas APC Away Day
As a firm we face the “same challenge as any professional football club in attracting and retaining star players, but in the same way, we also look to recruit good people at the start of their careers to grow and nurture the potential stars of tomorrow Peter Fry - Partner
”
Graduates l-r Jamie Rutter, Sophie Heritage, Georgia Croucher and James Murphy
Samuel Head
cost of our time “is anTheinvestment in the future, for which the returns are not only rewarding but beneficial to our business Peter Fry - Partner
of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) gather panels of ‘assessors’ who interview the candidates after, generally, an initial two years of on-the-job training. Over the course of the hour, the hopefuls will be grilled on their professional knowledge, experience and ethics. It can be brutal, as it is an oral exam there is nowhere to hide, and there is no escape until the hour is up. I know from bitter experience how tough it is to pass without support from experienced colleagues and a structured training programme. As a consequence, once I finally achieved my letters I have endeavoured to help those at the beginning of their careers, so they don’t have to go through the anguish of a referral. I am proud to say the training and support programme at Carter Jonas is one of the best of any firm I have worked for. Trainee surveyors in the main hub offices rotate through a series of placements in different teams in order to give them as wide a range of experience as possible. As well as being supported throughout this process, in the run up to the final test they are provided with tailored guidance and advice on how to present to the panel. This process includes mock interviews and constructive feedback to help ensure they are fully prepped.
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”
The resultant pass rate amongst our commercial surveying graduates is much higher than the 65% national average, consistently above 90%. But success doesn’t come without effort, both Partners and trainees can spend hours together, over and above the four days a year of training courses we run. The cost of our time is an investment in the future, for which the returns are not only rewarding but beneficial to our business. If graduates have a varied and interesting two years of rotation they are more likely to identify the path that they would like to pursue once qualified. Additionally, having been supported and valued throughout their training period, they’re far more likely to stay at Carter Jonas rather than walk away once qualified. Our clients also recognise as a strength the firm’s commitment to training. Having recently been instructed by MEPC as letting agent for Silverstone Park, Roz Bird, Commercial Director at the Park cited our investment in recruitment and our graduates, as well as our efforts to attract more women into the property industry, as one of the key factors that secured our appointment. The consideration for equality and diversity within their workforce makes business sense to MEPC.
Finally, along with all of the good business reasons in doing what we do, there’s no denying the buzz that we get from hearing our graduates say “I passed!” It’s the same sense of pride one feels after taking the stabilisers off a toddler’s bike and watching them wobble a bit, straighten up and then peddle nonchalantly off into the future.
This year the Oxford team has welcomed five new graduates: Georgia, James, Jamie, Sophie and Samuel, and I wish them every success as they continue on their journey to professional qualification.
Peter.Fry@carterjonas.co.uk 01865 404 406 www.carterjonas.co.uk
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High Stakes:
Cybercrime and the $600bn dollar question The war against cybercriminals has reached a critical point and businesses should ready themselves for an attack every 14 seconds, says Neill Lawson-Smith FBCS, MD of CIS Ltd In its 2014 list, Eighty Moments That Shaped the World , the British Council ranked Sir Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Wide Web at number one, stating, “The fastest growing communications medium of all time, the internet has changed the shape of modern life forever.” But back in 1989 when the idea was first floated, it would have been difficult to imagine the profound effect that it would have upon us all. Indeed, the notion that it would also have negatively affected some 2bn people and become a $600bn drain on the global economy might have even seemed far-fetched. Yet, the ubiquitous nature of the net means the rewards on offer to cybercriminals are high, with attacks coming thick and fast. As many as 40,000 new methods now occur every day as latest government figures point to businesses having to face up to a cyber attack every 14 seconds. Such dynamism from hackers demands a careful and considered response, but with some big brand casualties falling foul of cybercriminals in the past year, many firms feel they are staring into the abyss. Take British Airways (BA) for example. The recent hack that exposed more than 380,000 customer details was caused by just 22 lines of malicious code. This, just one of some 945 data beaches that saw more than 4.5bn data records compromised in the first half of 2018 according to Gemalto. Now, these are big numbers and being brought ever more sharply into focus by news headlines and new regulations such as the GDPR. But if the big brands are busy issuing apologies to customers and having their tails clipped by the regulators, what can small to medium sized businesses realistically achieve when it comes to keeping cybercriminals at bay? Well, firstly it’s not a problem you should tackle alone. Advances in technology have brought new threat combinations and multiple methods of attack. These mean that firewall and antivirus
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solutions in isolation are no longer sufficient to defend a business and its IT systems against hackers. In today’s threat landscape, staff must be vigilant at all times. Cybercriminals still bait them by masking weapons within what look like trusted emails and websites when phishing for their details. However, new dangers lurk around every corner. More than two thirds of attacks are now fileless, or zero-footprint, where hackers can gain entry without having to place malware on your system to get in. These stand a much higher chance of slipping the net as they use legitimate applications and your own operating system against you, meaning antivirus solutions are more likely to miss them.
Firewall and “ antivirus solutions in isolation are no longer sufficient to defend a business
”
This is a minefield where the best cyber security practitioners come into their own, cutting through the noise to offer advice and solutions that understand your needs and seamlessly align with brand goals. Last year, we witnessed the disruption caused to the NHS and other firms by the WannaCry ransomware which went on to affect some 300,000 computers in more than 150 countries when self-replicating worms took advantage of unpatched IT. Yet, such instances, where IT systems are locked by cybercriminals until a ransom payment is made, can be guarded against by engaging experienced IT practitioners to advise on the appropriate measures and tools. Doing so could help prevent you from becoming part of an £8.9bn statistic next year. The good news is that by heeding such advice and combining new tools and technologies that
work together to provide coordinated multilayered protection across the entire business, firms can proactively protect their networks, detect emerging threats, and react to any potential breaches. This is known as Unified Threat Management (UTM) and brings major benefits for customers as this technology harnesses new preventative solutions using the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). These technologies act as enablers, adding new levels of intelligence to IT security systems that mean they can learn hacking techniques to outwit cybercriminals before problems occur. This happens in real time 24 hours a day, ensuring ‘evergreen’ IT systems that are always up to date and offer the best in protection. Modern day enterprises need this, with IT systems being a mix of cloud, mobile devices and remote working. Such flexibilities complicate security issues within the modern workplace and mean that UTM is a necessity when tackling increasingly sophisticated adversaries. Moreover, the application of UTM alongside expert advice when reviewing your technology assets, will enable you to optimise your IT estate by mitigating risk and cutting business costs. This, in turn, will increase the productivity of staff and save you time as you go about daily tasks safe in the knowledge that systems and data are protected.
For an informal chat around this and any other IT issues you may have, please get in touch.
solutions@cisltd.com 01367 700 555 www.cisltd.com www.b4-business.com
B4 future
technologies act as enablers, adding new levels “of...These intelligence to IT security systems that mean they can learn hacking techniques to outwit cybercriminals before problems occur. This happens in real time 24 hours a day, ensuring ‘evergreen’ IT systems that are always up to date and offer the best in protection.
”
www.b4-business.com
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Howbery Park
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS If you operate in a hi-tech, scientific or medical environment, the insurance advice you need is far from standard, it is specialist. The UK is a global leader in science and innovation and there are now more than 100 science parks across the country. Written by: Paul Monaco, Commercial Insurance Director - FOCUS Oxford Risk Management Ltd
In Oxfordshire alone, ground breaking research has meant investment of over £1 billion in recent years making the region one of the top BioClusters in Europe. It is home to hundreds of early stage and large organisations involved in drug discovery, medical device, research and development, contract research, manufacturing and consulting services. Oxford and the surrounding area is home to a significant number of science and business parks including Milton Park, Oxford Science Park, Harwell, Culham, Begbroke, Cherwell Innovation & Howbery Park, amongst many more housing some of the fastest growing businesses in the UK and Europe. The University of Oxford is ranked first in the world in clinical, pre-clinical and health, and counts 23 Nobel Prize winners in medicine and chemistry among its graduates. FOCUS are experts in providing insurance advice and solutions to companies the hi-
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tech, scientific and medical environment and are proud to support many of the businesses located on such science and technology parks.
have always believed “ We that it is important to support start-up and early stage companies in these sectors and build long term relationships with them Paul Monaco, FOCUS ORM
”
Almost twenty years ago FOCUS began working with academics, scientists, investors and business advisors in this sector. We have close relationships with Oxford Innovation, Oxford University Innovation and Oxford Sciences Innovation and have established ourselves as the specialist local broker within this industry group.
We have excellent connections with many of the region’s science and technology business parks and regularly visit our clients on site to learn about how their business is growing so that we can adapt and adjust their insurance program accordingly.
Why talk to FOCUS? FOCUS is one of only a handful of insurance brokers able to deal with the needs of these unique industries. We have special arrangements with a number of insurers who are able to provide bespoke cover for businesses in these sectors. We have always believed that it is important to support start-up and early stage companies in these sectors and build long term relationships with them as they continue their journeys into larger organisations, sometimes with overseas representation. We enjoy working relationships with all the leading insurers and partner with many of them uniquely
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B4 future
Milton Park
“
FOCUS were recommended to me by one of our investors, and they did not disappoint. Personalised advice, competitive quotes and excellent communication make them an ideal partner for small business and technology-based companies
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Dr Rajarshi Banerjee, CEO, Perspectum Diagnostics Ltd
Oxford Science Park
to ensure our clients benefit from appropriate protection and risk management solutions which are also affordable, especially important at the early stage of the company’s life cycle.
One of our success stories Perspectum Diagnostics Ltd was a ‘spin-out’ from the University of Oxford formed in 2012 after a ground-breaking study demonstrated the potential of T1 mapping to predict liver fibrosis. Perspectum’s mission is to develop and deliver digital technologies for the better care of patients with liver disease. Their technology is powering new approaches to liver disease management by enabling new therapies and supporting earlier and more accurate diagnosis of liver disease. Every product and service is designed with patients at the heart. Perspectum’s technology is convenient, non-invasive and supports patient engagement in their care by providing clear and understandable results. All their services are delivered rapidly through a secure cloud-based portal.
www.b4-business.com
Paul Monaco
FOCUS was initially contacted in 2014 by the cofounder and CEO Dr Rajarshi Banerjee from an introduction by Oxford Innovation to advise the company on its insurance needs, having started recruitment and operations at the Oxford Centre for Innovation in New Road, Oxford. We put in place a cost-effective programme to meet their early needs including Asset Protection, Employers and Public Liability insurance, Directors and Officers Liability insurance and Group Business Travel insurance. The company has grown rapidly through a series of successful funding rounds. Perspectum runs and is involved in several ongoing clinical trial programmes in the UK and Overseas for which FOCUS has been providing advice and arranging insurance. In April 2017 Perspectum moved into larger premises in Beaver House, Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford and have now surpassed the 100 employee milestone. They also now have subsidiary companies established in the US and Singapore enabling them to reach out globally and their technology is available in over 160 sites around the world. Again we have been able
to assist them with their global insurance needs through our insurer network. We are proud to be associated with such a great company and wish them continued success. To discuss how we can help you please contact FOCUS.
paul.monaco@focusorm.co.uk 01865 953 120 www.focusorm.co.uk
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Simplitude™ Pro HIV (1&2)
PARTNERSHIPS IN BUSINESS Oxfordshire-based Owen Mumford have been at the forefront of medical device innovation for over 65 years, creating solutions under the Owen Mumford brand that improve the delivery of healthcare and home health treatments for people around the world. The company’s products span devices from those that make blood testing more comfortable, to solutions that make it easier to administer lifesaving medication. Owen Mumford’s Managing Director, Jarl Severn, discusses why partnerships are important for the company and what makes an ideal partner. The medical device industry in the UK is a highly competitive market. As a result, in addition to developing and manufacturing devices under the Owen Mumford brand, we have a large number of established partnerships with pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies where we design and develop products across multiple therapy areas, which are then sold under the partner’s brand. Building on the success of these partnerships, we are now applying the knowledge and experience we have acquired in this area to establish strategic alliances with like-minded companies to market their products under the Owen Mumford brand. We have found that these strategic partnerships provide a winwin situation for both parties, opening up business opportunities and building on existing market access. A good example of a strategic alliance working in practice is our recent collaboration with Atomo Diagnostics, a product design and manufacturing company based in Sydney, Australia.
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Atomo specialises in the development of integrated rapid test devices, including the innovative HIV
Owen Mumford has a “ track record of successful
commercialisation, an International network of distributors and knows how best to take a product to market
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John Kelly, Atomo’s founder and chief executive officer
product, Simplitude™ Pro HIV (1&2), commercialised throughout Europe by Owen Mumford. This is the world’s first rapid diagnostic test for HIV with a builtin safety lancet, blood collection unit and test strip
which delivers a result in 15 minutes. Unlike standard, multi-component rapid test kits, Simplitude™ Pro HIV (1&2) integrates the features and functionality in a single handheld, easy-to-use device. John Kelly, Atomo’s founder and chief executive officer explains, “The partnership with Owen Mumford is a perfect strategic fit, our companies having complementary skills and capabilities. In addition, Owen Mumford have a track record of successful commercialisation, an International network of distributors and knows how best to take a product to market.” Having shared values, drive and ambition was very important for us, and we could see that innovation provided by Simplitude™ Pro HIV (1&2) was going to be key to the treatment of HIV in Europe. It’s important to understand that there is a misconception that HIV has disappeared in Western
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B4 future
Having shared values, drive and ambition “was very important for us, and we could see that innovation provided by Simplitude™ Pro HIV (1&2) was going to be a key to the treatment of HIV in Europe.
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John Kelly, Atomo’s founder and chief executive officer
Tania Mackenzie, our Senior Product Manager Diagnostics, Owen Mumford
Jarl Severn - Managing Director - Owen Mumford Limited
Simplitude™ Pro HIV (1&2)
countries and that Africa is the area that is most affected. In reality, HIV is a growing problem particularly in Eastern Europe and hence the launch in the European market is highly significant. John Kelly confirms, “Owen Mumford are a long established, respected company. We have been impressed by their professionalism and expertise, as well as its pan-European sales infrastructure. Our partnership means that people in Europe will now have access to simpler, safer HIV rapid testing.” Atomo and Owen Mumford collaborate closely, despite our head offices being separated by more than 10,000 miles! Although Atomo has a UK sales office in Bloxham, Oxfordshire, close to our Woodstock head office, most of its senior personnel are based in Australia. However, neither the distance nor the time difference have been obstacles to the partnership, with our teams communicating regularly; indeed, we are now exploring further strategic opportunities for
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collaboration in the future. In addition to this new partnership, Owen Mumford have many ongoing partnerships, including working with seven of the 10 most successful pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies, many smaller organisations and numerous distributors. Tania MacKenzie, our Senior Product Manager Diagnostics sums up our approach. She says, “At Owen Mumford we have worked hard to build a reputation for developing and delivering full-service solutions in partnership with manufacturers and distributors. We provide a custom-made service for device development from concept through to manufacturing, including design, QA compliance, commercialisation and full regulatory approval.” Within diagnostics, innovative medical devices, particularly those delivering remote and selfdiagnostics are in demand, resulting in significant
opportunities to bring life-changing products to a world population of more than seven billion. We believe that partnership is the most effective way to deliver our mission to provide innovative solutions that exceed expectations, encourage compliance and improve quality of life. Making a World of Difference, to a World of People, and in doing so support the growing needs of our global population.
info@owenmumford.com 01993 812 021 @OwenMumford www.owenmumford.com
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Trends for a Digital Economy A new organisation called The Ideas Network 2030 was launched in Oxford recently to look at some of the trends that will emerge over the next decade. Here, Frank Nigriello, one of the founder members of IN2030, discusses the potential impact of digital technology on the business landscape of the future. Written by: Frank Nigriello, Director of Corporate Affairs, Unipart Group
Many businesses today are concerned about the impact of digital technologies on the economy. In particular, business people may be trying to plot a route map for their own businesses while considering the external impact that the digital economy has on their future decisions. That’s not surprising. Thomas Friedman in his book Thank You for Being Late described the pace of technological change as accelerating faster than our ability to adapt. Although many companies are striving for digital transformation, there are significant barriers. In a recent YouGov poll, almost half of respondents believed UK businesses will be digitally transformed within the next three to 10 years. But up to a third of workers in small companies fear their companies will not ready. So what does it take to be ready for digital? Most businesses that have begun the journey recognise that the change required is far greater than implementing technology. It requires new ecosystems, relationships and business models that optimise the value created using digital technologies. But it is not enough to master one field of technology. It is critically important to understand “convergence” or the benefits gained from integrating technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and virtual reality to deliver greater value for the customer or to eliminate waste in an organisation. There are three trends that have far reaching implications for an emerging digital economy. Recognising their significance may provide additional opportunities or help to avoid threats. The first is the data driven economy. A cliché that
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has emerged in the past few years is that data is the new oil. That clearly is not a valid analogy as oil is finite and data is not. Data, unlike other resources, is not hard to move, it becomes more useful the more it is used, and has more varieties than other resources; for instance pictures, words, sounds and moving images. We’ve just spent a good deal of time worrying about how personal data is managed and stored thanks to GDPR. That thinking is already extending to other forms of data. Concerns about data and its management have led to calls for increased regulation.
It is critically “ important to understand “convergence” or the benefits gained from integrating technologies. Frank Nigriello
”
So far, the EU has been the regulatory superpower in the digital space. The US by contrast has been moving in the opposite direction over cross border data flows and rolling back net neutrality. Global regulation of data and its use will become more important. For instance, antitrust authorities may no longer focus on size of organisations alone, they may consider the breadth of a company’s data assets. Even relatively small companies may control vast data assets. Facebook, for instance, in 2006 had only150 employees but already ‘owned’ a considerable amount of user data.
Data also is not confined by geographies. If data becomes a currency rather than a representative form of currency, data credits can be exchanged for other resources – like goods and services. Forms of data may be more valuable than physical items as data can be whizzed into a 3D printer and result in physical products being produced anywhere at very low cost. Global borders may be less relevant as the commoditisation of data is not impacted by traditional physical boundaries like mountains and rivers. That means that a fundamental aspect of our global economy – national and physical borders – could change accordingly. Borders today differentiate between public and private, they define nations and identity. What happens if they erode? You may be able to draw a line in the sand, but it’s hard to draw lines in the cloud. A second trend is the automation of nearly everything. As with data, automation is likely to become far more pervasive as machines exchange data with each other and with their users. This is not just about moving physical items, it includes human machine interface, artificial intelligence, machine learning and much more. Automated decision structures such as artificial intelligence have also raised questions about ethics. Oxford Brookes is currently engaged in developing new thinking around this complex area. Predictions are that automation will have an impact on over two thirds of jobs that exist today. Depending on what you read, automation will either create or destroy jobs or, in some cases, both. Siemens’ new automated plant in Yorkshire, for instance, is expected to create some 1,000 new jobs and 1,700 additional jobs in the supply chain.
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B4 future
Automation Could Eliminate 73 Million U.S. Jobs By 2030 Potential number of displaced jobs due to automation by 2030*
236m
120m 73m 30m
China
India
United States
Meanwhile automation is seen to be displacing people in other organisations in roles like sales, customer service and professional services. Automation will also have a direct impact on skills. As we change the way we work, we will change the way we prepare to work and even how we define work. Learning today is still largely the focus of only a quarter of a person’s life. We may need to think differently about the need for self-created learning – wisdom and knowledge that is codified through experience – and the way in which we can architect learning to deliver not just skills, but the ability to manage change, risk and ambiguity. We may find that we need to know less, but need to be able to find out or access knowledge faster. But how will we be sure the knowledge that we access is valid? Just Google that question and you get 70 million results. They can’t all be valid. It’s estimated that by 2025, nearly half the workforce will be freelance and part of the gig economy. Many companies are now considering their organisational structures to plan the right operating models for the future. In a society in which the ‘haves and have nots’ are increasingly polarised, the game may change significantly. Insurers, lawyers, and accountants may find themselves replaced by artificial intelligence, which can be used effectively for large elements of rulesbased systems. Similarly, software developers, who are at a premium today, may also find themselves replaced by programming packages that are as easy to use
www.b4-business.com
Japan
18m
17m
Mexico
Germany
*Rapid automation scenario. Source: McKinsey
as PowerPoint, requiring no specialist skill other than creativity. We may find that we can automate processes on the fly by simply asking the future Alexa or Siri to connect devices to work together.
services sold. Creativity, rather than capital, may determine those organisations that are the new wealth creators, and investment yardsticks may be forced to extend to intangible assets like culture.
Conversely, tradesmen and those delivering personal services are likely to be in higher demand; it is unlikely that a robot will fix your plumbing, cut your hair or deliver care to those who need it. But how are we developing those skills for the future in our current educational systems?
Ironically perhaps, in a digital future, the way we assess value may be incompatible with the values that we hold and the factors that drive innovation.
It’s estimated that “ by 2025, nearly half the
workforce will be freelance and part of the gig economy. Many companies are now considering their organisational structures to plan the right operating models for the future. Frank Nigriello
Understanding the impact of these global changes on a local basis could significantly influence the way in which we plan our services, our connections and the way we invest in developing talent for the future. Frank Nigriello is one of the founders of The Ideas Network 2030. For more information please visit the website: http://ideasnetwork2030.com/
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The third factor that impacts global economics and local decision making is the way we measure and value growth. GDP, the measure of national income, has been a trusty yardstick for giving us a view on growth in the past. But in a world in which borders have become less important, people have become more adaptable, and technology plays a stronger role in decision making, those who evaluate economics based on GDP may need to think again. Those who value companies based on quarterly results may face the same issues. Our digital economy could be based on value to society rather than absolute growth of goods and
frank.nigriello@unipart.com 01865 383 339 www.unipart.com
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Has Private Cloud had its day? From the days of MSN Messenger, iTunes, Gmail and AOL. We have always been consuming Cloud Computing. However, over the last few years there is no doubt that Cloud Computing has revolutionised the business sector. Any organisation that is considering their growth and scalability must establish the right Cloud computing model for them. If your business is considering moving its IT Infrastructure to the Cloud then you need to understand the choices available and the benefits of each, you should also understand why Public is the future of Cloud computing and why Private is probably not your best option. Written by: Richard Marsh Photography by: Rob Scotcher
My name is Richard Marsh and I have worked in the IT sector for the last 18 years, in that time I have gained an excellent understanding of the fast-paced world of Information Technology. Having held positions in large enterprises as well as SMEs, Private Cloud Hosting Providers and MSPs, more recently I have been contracting for numerous banks in the UK. With this experience, I would like to instil some of my findings on the benefits of Public Cloud vs Private. Firstly, you should know by now, but simply put, Cloud is a virtualised datacentre which is made available to you either in a dedicated or shared environment. Cloud Computing, often known as ‘Infrastructure as a service’ (IaaS), is typically cheaper than hosting your own infrastructure at your own premises. The choice in 2018 into 2019 is Public or Private. If you asked me this question 10 years ago, Private would have been my next word, now it would be Public. Private Cloud is typically a tailored solution to customers. These providers have more than likely invested tens if not hundreds of thousands of pounds in the infrastructure to support the services. These MSPs will want to ‘sweat their assets’ for as long as they can and could be tempted to leave hardware for longer, meaning the underlying infrastructure you are consuming could be aged and not in line with current technologies. Public Cloud offers a rental service which is consumed over the internet typically under a “pay as you go” model. Customers will partner with an MSP to configure and create the infrastructure to support your business. The 40
top Cloud providers in the UK are Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Google. Hardware is current, and constantly upgraded and reviewed, as is software, security of course is paramount with updates happening instantly. So how do you compare these two options? In my experience, it comes down to 4 factors:
Price Typically, Public Cloud is cheaper than Private Cloud. This is due to the scalability and granularity of the offering. For instance, Amazon Web Services will notify you if you are spending too much on services that you are not utilising. Also, with Private Cloud hosting providers, costs are typically much higher as you are paying for staff to “keep the lights on” with your services. Businesses are now comparing their IT spend with buying groups to ensure they are spending a similar cost per head as other business in that sector. However most Private Cloud Providers are still trying to commit clients into multi-year contracts, completely the opposite of Public Cloud. Public Cloud bills by the hour/day or month, ensuring whatever the business needs, it gets, without complex and tricky billing models.
Service Public Cloud allows you to couple the infrastructure scale that Amazon or Microsoft provides with the in-depth technical knowledge of multiple partners. This gives you the best possible service as you allow these partners to provide the skillset against your infrastructure hosted within Amazon or Microsoft. Private Cloud will typically bind you to that provider, limiting the potential growth of your organisation to the knowledge set of the provider. We are all
moving to a ‘self-serve’ model where individual users consume through apps and web portals, just like at a McDonald’s, we self-serve. Everybody can install apps and use software in a browser, consuming Public Cloud and SaaS services. With many applications now being delivered via a browser in a true SaaS model, we no longer need Private Cloud hosted desktop environments nor lots of support with it. Office 365, Xero, Sage Cloud all prime examples.
Support As with service, Support is limited with the Private Cloud provider to their own support agreements. Whereas Public Cloud providers can provide Global Support 24 x 7. You can also contract with local Service Providers to elevate the support requirements to suit your business. This separates out the infrastructure from the business intelligence, allowing you to contract with the best providers and not the ones who also provide you the Cloud infrastructure.
Security Hardware and Software is likely to be out of date using a traditional MSP’s Private Cloud. The increasing rate of IT change doesn’t fit with the Private Cloud model, service providers will want to ‘sweat their assets’ for as long as they can. As a consumer of Private Cloud, you risk being on an old platform, that doesn’t deliver what you would get in terms of performance or security if you were to go to Public Cloud. Since the security of the Public Cloud providers is so high, wouldn’t you rather trust your business data in the hands of providers where they are also hosting some of the largest banking platforms in the world?
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B4 future
People buy “ outcomes, and
those outcomes are delivered with more speed, efficiency and less cost in Public Cloud. In my opinion Private Cloud has had its day.
”
Richard Marsh RCM Consultancy Ltd
In summary Private Cloud was the enabler, but as technologies have evolved, so has consumption, and with it, the IT delivery model. In 2018 and beyond, nobody will care what hardware they run on (do you know now?), or what the security solution is called. People buy outcomes, and those outcomes are delivered with more speed, efficiency and less cost in Public Cloud. In my opinion Private Cloud has had its day, except for the outdated or bespoke solutions that will soon catch up. For the last year, and more recently I have been working within the UK banking industry. Most of whom are migrating or due to embark on a Public Cloud migration plan. With the explosion in digital banks such as Redwood and Monzo, even the most heavily regulated industries are being allowed by the FCA to adopt Public Cloud. I am helping organisations architect, plan, deliver and migrate to the cloud. If you are looking at how the Cloud can help your business, please feel free to contact me on the details below
Richard Marsh RCM Consultancy Ltd
info@rcmconsultancy.com 07970 097 446 rcmconsultancy.com
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HOW TO RAISE YOUR GAME THIS CHRISTMAS AND NOT YOUR VOICE way to improve emotional intelligence and for people who aren’t ready to talk yet reading books can provide a lot of information that can really help people. • • • •
Why good people do bad things - Debbie Ford Lasting Love - Gay & Kathlyn Hendricks Feel the Fear and do it anyway - Susan Jeffers 5 love languages - Gary Chapman
Head of the Family Team – Partner, Lawyer and Accredited Mediator
• Couples bond when they have a shared interest. Find something you can do together which you both enjoy and book doing it into the diary so life doesn’t take over. • There are some really great books out there that offer some fantastic advice, guidance and ways to develop better skills. This can be a good
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• The Grass isn’t always Greener! A number of clients I have met in the last few years have become dissatisfied with their life/marriage due to the impact of social media. It is easy to compare our lives to perfect pictures and videos posted online, but often there is more to every image than we see. What may appear to be a perfect life, may just be a series of “perfect posts”. • Children can become skilled at divide and conquer of parents! When there is a difference of opinion about any issue, it is important that neither parent undermines or criticises the other in front of the children. Make sure those discussions happen in private and children know that parents support each other and communicate about issues and decisions.
Rachael Oakes
• In my work both as a lawyer and a mediator I never fail to be amazed by how different language can create such different responses. Language is a tool that can be used to help couples improve their communication with each other and their family. For example, saying “I’m right – you are wrong” will mean that the issue being discussed just gets stuck. To be able to move forward these types of discussions a couple need to listen to each other and then use different approaches to try and find a solution. One way forward is to ask questions like - what needs to happen for us to find a solution to this together? What options are there for us to be thinking about to try and reach an agreement? Can I do anything differently?
and talk about the differences to create a united parenting front can reduce arguments.
Claire Colbert Partner, Lawyer and Accredited Mediator • Different parenting styles can cause arguments. Trying to work together to parent your children,
It is easy to compare “our lives to perfect pictures and videos posted online, but often there is more to every image than we see.
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Claire Colbert, Partner, Lawyer & Accredited Mediator
Joanne Thomas Lawyer and Associate • Communicate with each other. Tell your spouse how you are feeling. People cannot read minds, so do not assume your spouse knows what you
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B4 legal
The Christmas season is approaching and can be a time of real stress and anxiety for couples who might already be talking about whether they are going to stay together. We are often asked whether there are any common themes we come across as family lawyers working with couples going through separation and divorce. We thought that rather than write an article about divorce we could instead share some of the lessons we have all learnt along the way in the hope it might in some way help you, your family or your friends. Written by: Rachael Oakes, Claire Colbert, Joanne Thomas, Gemma Webber-Nicholls & Tom Burgess Photography by: Freeths Solicitors
want from the relationship. Be bold enough to tell each other how you feel, and be brave enough to do so at an early stage. • It is OK to access professional guidance to help you overcome difficulties in your relationship. Counselling can give an independent perspective and gaining this support early on can often be the key to getting a marriage back on track.
remind the people we love, that we care. • Share household chores; does it need to be one person’s role? That can cause arguments and upset. Marriage is a partnership and sharing chores can help avoid resentment.
• In a busy world it is easy to forget the good times you have had together, particularly once the excitement of the honeymoon period has faded. Take time out to look through old photos, reminisce the good times you have shared together and remember what made you fall in love with each other in the first place.
partner in a time of need is often a trigger for questioning the future of your relationship. If seeking a separation or divorce is what you decide is right for you then we can help. We can provide you with all of the information you need to be able to make informed decisions about what you want to do, when and how. We will support you every step of the way. If you would like a confidential discussion about your options then please call us on 01865 781 181.
Differences of “ opinion about money,
Tom Burgess Lawyer and Associate
the burden of too much responsibility, or feeling excluded from financial decisions, are recurring themes when relationships come to an end.
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Tom Burgess, Lawyer & Associate
• Talk about managing your finances as much as you can and agree a shared approach. Differences of opinion about money, the burden of too much responsibility, or feeling excluded from financial decisions, are recurring themes when relationships come to an end.
Gemma Webber-Nicholls Lawyer and Senior Associate • Make time for each other. Life can get busy, and feeling unwanted or neglected can cause feelings that are often difficult to repair. • Little gestures can make a difference, even a note or text message can be well received and
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• If one of you has an issue with one of the other’s relatives or friends, discuss it and try to find a way to manage it. One partner failing to get along with the other’s family or friends is frequently a key reason for the breakdown of a relationship. • If one of you is going through a difficult time – for example with illness, bereavement or stress at work – they need to be able to talk about it and be listened to. Feeling unsupported by your
rachael.oakes@freeths.co.uk 01865 781 181 www.freeths.co.uk/legal-services/ individuals/family-law/
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“no ordinary developer� contact: 01865 318525 www.robinswailes.com
B4 finance
A NEW WAY FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO MANAGE THEIR WEALTH AND LEGACY In a world where technology is rapidly changing, and wealth and assets are becoming increasingly fragmented, managing your legacy and understanding the value of your family’s assets is not simple. Gone are the days where the family home and a few investments in the latest pharmaceutical company are the sum of a family’s wealth. Legacy planning now has to accommodate information about your business interests, intellectual property, social media, betting and credit accounts, online investments, cryptocurrencies, blogs, domain names, online books and other original works, increasingly complicated inheritance tax laws, capital gains tax and strict landlord obligations on property portfolios. Tom Gilman from Royds Withy King’s Private Wealth team says, “Bereaved families I advise often have to deal with a fragmented estate where the executors are not clear on where or what assets there are and what their value is. Digital assets, investment in unusual collectables and online investments all contribute to a very complicated pot. This is where Life Safe comes in.”
Life Safe® - a unique portal for your life and your legacy Life Safe is a secure portal to store all your important documents available exclusively to Royds Withy King clients. You can consolidate all your personal www.b4-business.com
documents in one place that your loved ones can access in the event of any issues. It can also be used to provide a total wealth overview helping you and your family keep track of bank accounts, investments, property portfolios, pensions, collections, intellectual property and much more.
“Life Safe helps our
clients with complex wealth structures gain a complete wealth overview and to manage their legacy”
their affairs are left in good order for beneficiaries and use Life Safe as an invaluable hub to store important information for their family. For example, if copies of passports are needed urgently or details about the mortgage are required, my clients and their partners will know exactly where to find these important documents. They can even do so on the move with mobile access.” For more information about Life Safe and to find out more about Private Wealth and the specialist services Royds Withy King’s experts offer, contact Tom Gilman and the team on 01865 792 300 or email on privatewealth@roydswithyking.com
Business owners can also use Life Safe to store documents relating to their business interests such as share certificates, loan note certificates, service contracts and shareholders’ agreements. Tom says, “Life Safe helps our clients with complex wealth structures gain a complete wealth overview and to manage their legacy. They can leave detailed notes and visual records of their assets to make sure
privatewealth@roydswithyking.com 01865 792 300 roydswithyking.com/privatewealth
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Barclays Hall Construction Preserving Burfords History When the 80 year-old Burford Laundry was destroyed by fire in 2014, the simplest option for its new owner, builder Phillip Hall, would have been to apply for permission to redevelop the site for housing.
Phillip, though, knew how important the laundry was to the town and to the people who worked there, and was determined not to take the easy option. “We could have replaced it with housing and earned a decent return, but the laundry has been here a long time; it’s part of Burford and I knew that local people would have been very upset if we had done that,” said Phillip, managing director of Hall Construction Ltd. The decision to spend the next four years and £1.5m on rebuilding a modern, streamlined laundry on the footprint of the old building was even more surprising given that Phillip had no background in the industry and had only owned the laundry for a year or so. “If you ask most builders if they would buy a laundry and run it, they would think you were mad,” he admitted. “We went further than that, rebuilding it and carrying on the business after the fire caused a huge amount of damage.” The story began when Hall Group Ltd, supported by Barclays, bought the 1.5-acre Tannery Yard site from the company’s then-landlord in 2012. As well as the home of Hall Construction, Tannery Yard included a number of buildings that the company began renting out – and the Burford Laundry.
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“We became the laundry’s landlord but made sure that if the owner decided to sell up we would have the first option on buying it,” Phillip explained. “In the event he ceased trading shortly after we took on the site and so we bought the business, took over the staff and found ourselves running a laundry, which was a bit of a challenge for a company which specialises in extensions and renovations to listed or period Cotswold buildings.” Challenge or not, Hall Laundry Services continued to service hotels, pubs, restaurants, bed and breakfast concerns and a number of Oxford colleges, as well as domestic customers, and continued to build on its well-deserved reputation. The group began a programme of improvements and renovations, but in March 2014 a huge blaze tore through the building. Although staff managed to keep the Witney Street concern open for business the following day, it was clear that a massive rebuilding programme would be needed. “We were determined that the Burford Laundry would recover from this setback and so we found sub-contractors to look after our laundry clients and set about planning an even better, more modern business on the same site,” Phillip recalled.
At this stage the company’s relationship with its bank would become crucial, and with Relationship Director Tony Bullock leading the way, that support was unwavering from day one.
“
We were determined that the Burford Laundry would recover from this setback and so we found sub-contractors to look after our laundry clients and set about planning an even better, more modern business on the same site
”
Philip Hall - Hall Construction Ltd
“I have been with Barclays since I set up as a selfemployed builder in 1977,” he explained. “They were the obvious choice when I set up Hall Construction Ltd in 1983 and the company has stayed with them ever since. They have always supported the business, provided sound advice and given me the backing I needed.”
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B4 finance
“
A lot of credit has to go to Tony Bullock and Barclays for the way the bank supported us at the time of the fire and during the rebuilding work
”
Philip Hall - Hall Construction Ltd
While the building was insured, such negotiations are rarely swift, and Barclays provided additional funding to make sure that rebuilding work could get underway as quickly as possible. Phillip estimates that the bank provided rolling support of between £500,00 and £750,000, while the insurance payout took more than a year to finalise. The one positive in the story was that Hall Construction’s expertise in looking after old buildings gave it a head start when it came to planning the renovation work on the laundry. Over the years the operation had spread from the main building to a series of random sheds and barns attached around the outside, making for a less-than-ideal throughput and giving Phillip’s expert team the chance to reconfigure the whole process following the fire. The result, which finally began operating fully this summer, is a modern, better organised and much more streamlined laundry which takes up less space than the original building while at the same time freeing up an impressive 2,000 square feet of usable office space inside it. Burford Laundry now has increased capacity and employs 14 people using state-of-the-art equipment and offering the same level of service that has
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impressed customers for almost 85 years. “It’s been a hell of a journey, but we got there and I am very proud of what we have achieved,” said Phillip. “A lot of credit has to go to Tony Bullock and Barclays for the way the bank supported us at the time of the fire and during the rebuilding work. They have always taken a real interest in what we were trying to do, and I am sure taking the time to understand the business was key to their support.” Phillip’s support for Burford is perhaps even more remarkable since he was born in Manchester, although his parents moved to the area in the mid-1960s. He trained as a stonemason, which led to a career specialising in extending and restoring listed and historic Cotswold stone buildings, firstly on his own and now at the helm of Hall Construction. Following the fire, Hall Construction moved exposed brick floors from the tannery to the laundry, where they give the building an impressive entrance. “I am proud of what we have done and delighted that we have been able to preserve something that was such an important part of the town,” Phillip commented.
phall@hallconstruction.co.uk 01993 822 110 www.hallconstruction.co.uk
antony.bullock@barclays.com 07766 360 104 www.barclays.co.uk/business-banking
The views expressed in this article are the views of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Barclays Bank PLC Group nor should they be taken as statements of policy or intent of the Barclays Bank PLC Group. The Barclays Bank PLC Group takes no responsibility for the veracity of information contained in the third party guides or articles and no warranties or undertakings of any kind, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information given. The Barclays Bank PLC Group takes no liability for the impact of any decisions made based on information contained and views expressed. Barclays Bank PLC is registered in England (Company No. 1026167) with its registered office at 1 Churchill Place, London E14 5HP. Barclays Bank PLC is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register No. 122702) and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Barclays is a trading name and trade mark of Barclays PLC and its subsidiaries.
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A summary of the Budget 2018 - was it a missed opportunity? The key announcements from the Chancellor’s latest Budget briefing. Written by: Stuart Crook
The UK and the EU continue to acknowledge that a no deal Brexit is a distinct possibility, albeit one they both want to avoid. The issue of a potential Northern Irish border has stalled discussions and appears to have handed control of the negotiations to the EU side of the table. Did Philip Hammond miss a trick in his annual budget to wrestle power back?
will also remain at the same level in 2020/21.
No deal planning doesn’t just have to be about borders and logistics. The Chancellor could have also set out a post Brexit no deal vision. He could have stated an ambition to eliminate tariffs on manufactured goods, to enhance tax relief on business investment and further reduce capital gains tax.
Furthermore the rules were tightened in that for shareholders to benefit from the relief they will also have to be entitled to at least 5% of the distributable profits and net assets of a company alongside meeting the existing conditions already in place. This could impact on employees who have acquired shares through share schemes, such shares typically having restricted rights attached to them. As always, planning your exit well in advance is advisable and this should begin earlier following these changes.
Why do this? The EU would then have realised the prospect of a very competitive economy and tax jurisdiction close to its shores in the event of a hard Brexit. As a bargaining tool it might have made them more likely to compromise and so provide greater negotiating power for the UK. Below is a summary of the main news from the Budget impacting on individuals and SMEs:
1. Personal tax highlights Despite plenty of speculation pre-budget, Entrepreneurs’ relief is not being withdrawn. The minimum qualifying holding period will be extended from 12 months to 24 months for gains arising on or after 6 April 2019. The personal allowance will rise from April 2019 to £12,500 from the current threshold of £11,850. This comes in one year earlier than was originally announced. As an example, a typical basic rate tax payer could benefit from a £130 per annum reduction in their tax bill. The personal allowance will be frozen in 2020/21 and then increase in line with the CPI thereafter. The higher rate threshold will increase in April 2019 to £50,000 from the existing £46,350. Again this is a year earlier than was originally planned and
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These tax savings came with a hike in the threshold at which National Insurance Contributions (NICs) fall from 12% to 2% however, thereby offsetting some of the gains from raising the higher rate income tax threshold.
The IR35 rules that currently apply to the public sector will be extended to the private sector. This is particularly relevant to consultants, freelancers and contractors. This is an anti-avoidance measure aimed at preventing individuals who in reality are employees but operate through a personal service company for tax benefits. The changes won’t come into force until April 2020 to provide sufficient time to prepare. Elsewhere: • The lifetime allowance for pension savings will increase in line with the CPI measure of inflation to £1,055,000 in 2019/20. • Duties were frozen on fuel, beer and spirits. • Air Passenger Duty will rise in line with inflation from April 2020. • The national living wage will increase to £8.21 from the current level of £7.83 an hour.
2. What the Budget means for SME businesses The annual investment allowance (AIA) will increase from the current
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B4 finance
level of £200,000 to £1 million. This will be effective from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020 providing businesses with a two year window in which to maximise this tax relief for qualifying investment. The writing down allowances available on expenditure qualifying for and included within the special rate pool will reduce from 8% to 6% from April 2019. This will therefore reduce the rate at which a business will obtain tax relief for expenditure on special rate qualifying assets. This is only likely to be an issue for SME businesses with existing assets given investment in any new special rate assets are likely to be covered by the increase in the AIA. Planning for your capital investments should form part of your annual accounts review.
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Given Philip Hammond finished his speech with the exclamation of, “the end of austerity” this won’t likely be achieved through spending cuts. Therefore readers should perhaps prepare themselves for the prospect of further tax rises coming in the future. Stuart Crook - Wellers
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However this will be subject to a £5m threshold meaning gains up to £5m will not be restricted. Business rates are to be cut by a third for smaller retail properties, specifically those with a rateable value below £51,000. This will apply for two years as of April 2019.
3. What still needs to be addressed, but wasn’t in this Budget Britain’s national debt stands at £1.78trn. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) we have long term liabilities of £5trn and assets of £3trn. That equates to a negative net worth of around £2trn! If the UK is to pay down its debt and further reduce the interest bill which still costs the government £43bn a year, then the Chancellor will have to eliminate the budget deficit which stands at £25.5bn. Given Philip Hammond finished his speech with the exclamation of, “the end of austerity” this won’t likely be achieved through spending cuts. Therefore readers should perhaps prepare themselves for the prospect of further tax rises coming in the future.
Significantly for some early stage businesses there are changes to the research and development (R&D) tax relief. For a qualifying loss-making company under the SME scheme, the amount of repayable R&D tax credits will be restricted to three times the company’s total PAYE and NICs liability for that year. This could be particularly problematic for qualifying organisations with few or, no employees. As of 1 April 2020, a 50% limit will be applied to companies on the proportion of annual capital gains that can be relieved by brought forward capital losses.
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stuart.crook@wellersaccountants.co.uk 0333 241 6000 www.wellersaccountants.co.uk
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Why can’t people in my team be more like me? Ever paid someone what you think is a compliment, only to find they take it as an insult? We tend to think others are just like us. Unsurprisingly, they’re not so it’s common to see misunderstandings arise in teams. Written by: Diane Wilkinson Photography by: Emma Shipperley
Similarly, when we find someone irritating it’s tempting to imagine that it’s their fault. Especially if they don’t seem to have much concern for other people or their feelings. But blame and resentment aren’t helpful in a team environment. And sometimes the things we find annoying in others can give us a clue about ourselves.
brave enough to go out of our comfort zone to do something differently to get the impact we want. It’s not either or, it’s both and!
The choice-impact model What impact do I have on others?
So - for example - I find myself getting annoyed when people keep changing the time of a meeting. But it’s something I used to do myself, without even thinking about it. It’s so easy to see the impact other people’s choices have on us, without seeing the impact of our own actions on others. We can shrug our shoulders and walk away. Or we can stop, think, and ask ourselves, “What do need to do or say differently?” We need to listen to the other person’s feedback to understand how what we said or did came across to them. To have the impact that we want, we may need to move out of our comfort zone and change our behaviour in a way that can seem difficult. That’s what the choice-impact model is all about. It’s about making the most of our strengths and being
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B4 advice
“ We tend to think
others are just like us. Unsurprisingly, they’re not so it’s common to see misunderstandings arise in teams
”
The choice-impact model in practice Consider those Lastminute.com people. The ones who wait to do something right up to the day before the deadline. Who procrastinate, do something else, take a break and still avoid the main thing they wanted to do. And then, somehow, manage to finish a week’s work in a matter of hours. On the other hand, you have Mr/Ms Organised who has every single action meticulously timetabled into their diary to avoid the (otherwise inevitable) last-minute panic.
“ To begin with this can
seem difficult, or strange. But it will get easier, and it will definitely improve team working
”
Ms Lastminute.com may find Mr Organised’s rigidity frustrating, while Mr Organised may find Ms
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“ So, if people don’t
always respond in the way we expect it isn’t necessarily their fault. Instead we can stop and listen to feedback - and act on it
”
Lastminute.com’s chaos unpredictable and stressful. But we have to recognise, our way isn’t necessarily the right way and although we are very different, both approaches come with strengths. We need to learn how to work effectively with each other by recognising the impact our preferred behaviour has on the other person, and alter what we do in order to get the response we would like. To begin with this can seem difficult, or strange. But it will get easier, and it will definitely improve team working.
So, if people don’t always respond in the way we expect it isn’t necessarily their fault. Instead we can stop and listen to feedback - and act on it. This is how we can shift from being a ‘good’ leader to a ‘great’ one and turn a team from high performance to peak performance. And I speak from experience. To see how we could help you and your teams work better together, get in touch. We would love to hear from you!
connecting
!"
excellence
TEAM FACILITATION AND EXECUTIVE COACHING
diane.wilkinson@connectingtoexcellence.com 07764 574 700 www.connectingtoexcellence.com
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B4 education
Preparing students for a global, problem-solving world Written by: Andrew Gillespie, Director of Studies Photography by: David Tett
The world in which we will work is changing rapidly. With new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, many jobs we do now will not exist in the future and new jobs will be created. The way we work is also changing – organisations are less hierarchical, more agile and more decentralised. In this new environment there is much more demand for people who can think critically and creatively, work well with others and view everything through a global lens. At d’Overbroeck’s, we aim to help students develop these skills and others they will need for the next stage of their education and careers. Our use of first name terms between staff and students is thought of by some as unusual but in fact reflects a belief that teachers and students are working together towards the same goals and this is the collaborative approach adopted by many organisations, particularly in knowledge economy. As an independent school, we are fortunate to be able to accommodate small classes which encourage discussion. In every lesson we want students to feel comfortable asking questions, working with others, listening to others and sharing ideas. Teachers can then respond to the individual needs of students rather adopt a “one size fits all approach”. We believe in active learning. We all learn best when we are applying our understanding, not just memorising things. Through a range of activities, paired work, or problem-solving tasks, students learn how to use the knowledge they have. What does it mean? How can it be used in another context? We want students to be able to work through unusual situations and learn to deal with the unfamiliar. We www.b4-business.com
help them not only solve problems but define what it is that needs solving - they learn to frame the issues themselves. This approach influences the tasks we set, the way we teach and the feedback we give which also helps students to identify their strengths and areas for improvement. In the Sixth Form, our Plus Programme allows students to study beyond A level and undertake further reading, discussion and research which will prepare them well for studying their chosen subject at university. In addition, our mix of UK and international students allows everyone to benefit from different perspectives.
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We all learn best when we are applying our understanding, not just memorising things
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we believe young people need in today’s world. At d’Overbroeck’s we offer a variety of Scholarship awards for Sixth Form study. In keeping with our ethos of preparing students for the wider world, we are delighted to announce two new awards for 2019 entry: Journalist/Blogger and Photographer/ Film-maker. These awards will help students to develop skills which will set them ahead in the digital world as it evolves still further. Successful candidates will have access to mentors working in journalism, digital media, film and other related fields and will be encouraged to submit their work and ideas to the school’s blogs and social media channels as well as accessing work experience with d’Overbroeck’s partners in journalism and visual media. To apply or for further details on general admission from Year 7 to Sixth Form, contact Senior Registrar, Lynne Berry, on 01865 688600 or lynne.berry@doverbroecks.com (scholarship application deadline – 10 January 2019).
Andrew Gillespie, Director of Studies, d’Overbroeck’s
And lastly, we aim to help students become mentally tough so they are open to feedback, so they are not defensive about where they need to improve, so they don’t give up when they don’t immediately succeed, so they are not worried about making mistakes, so they have the self-confidence to persevere and succeed and are willing to take risks. d’Overbroeck’s Founder’s favourite quote was, “Well made heads not full ones”, and this is exactly what
Senior Registrar, Lynne Berry lynne.berry@doverbroecks.com 01865 688 600 www.doverbroecks.com
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LAMBERT SMITH HAMPTON:
MEET THE TEAM
Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) is a multidisciplinary property consultancy firm with a deep heritage in Oxford. Having been located in the city for 25 years, the national firm prides itself on its unrivalled knowledge of the local and regional property markets. B4 checks in with the now 15-strong team at Midland House, Botley, to find out more. Written by: Nic Bulley
Photography by: Rob Scotcher
Agency
Property & Asset Management
The five-strong Agency team is led by Head of Office, Kevin Wood MRICS and covers all sectors of commercial property and development. Significant instructions include advising on the 710 acre Harwell Campus, Oxford Business Park, Abingdon Business Park and Westcott Venture Park. In addition, the team has advised on a number of high profile acquisitions on behalf of occupier clients including Trip Advisor’s new headquarters on Oxford Science Park as well as Smeg’s new office and customer experience centre on Abingdon Business Park. The team is also immersed in the burgeoning Science and Tech economy in Oxfordshire, advising occupiers such as PsiOxus Therapeutics and Oxford NanoImaging on their office, research and development, and laboratory requirements.
Colin Theobald FRICS heads up the department which comprises four Surveyors, two Facilities Managers and an administrator. Collectively, the team manages commercial property located in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and the wider Thames Valley region together with a number of properties on the South Coast. Clients include property funds, developers, private and public sector investors, some of whom the team has acted on behalf of for more than 15 years. Nationally, the team manages over 7,000 properties comprising 23m sq ft, collecting £685m in rent and £114m in service charge per annum.
Valuation The Valuation department comprises a team of two RICS registered valuers, Charlie Mason MRICS and Dan Rushton MRICS as well as graduate, Robert Sloman. Charlie heads up the department deploying an extensive range of skills across multiple sectors including Trade and Leisure and, more recently, caravan sites. Other notable cases the team has tackled include a national newspaper print-works, a state-of-the-art yacht racing facility and a portfolio of Devonshire farms.
Tom Morgan
Susie Wigham
Lease Advisory John Greaves MRICS and John Williams FRICS have advised landlords and tenants across Oxford for over 25 years on all matters concerning lease restructuring, rent reviews and lease renewals, as well as providing lease consultancy advice. Clients include ITV, Tui Travel, Wolsey and Nationwide.
Building Consultancy Our five-strong team of Building Surveyors operate across the Thames Valley, with Rob Friend MRICS based in the Oxford office. The team, provides advice to developers, investors, funds and occupiers across all aspects of the
Simon Butler
Alison Carter
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At present it appears that any concerns or uncertainties surrounding Brexit are not having a detrimental impact upon demand, although clearly this could all change next year Colin Theobald
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Charlotte Reaney
Rob Sloman
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B4 property
property lifecycle, from the initial acquisition or construction, through to repairs, maintenance, enhancement and adaptation, and finally onto the disposal of the building. By focusing on a collaborative approach with Agency colleagues, the team has provided clients such as SODC, Smeg, Trip Advisor, PsiOxus Therapeutics and Oxford NanoImaging with early advice on the whole office acquisition process all the way through to the project management of the fit-out. On the Landlord side the team is currently involved in a number of significant instructions at Westcott Venture Park, Abingdon Business Park and Oxford Business Park
Market Snapshot – Kevin Wood, Head of LSH Oxford Office “The Oxford commercial property market is increasingly becoming driven by demand from expanding occupiers within the Knowledge Economy. The majority of office and industrial property is currently being taken up for laboratory, R&D or office functions and there seems to be no signs of this reducing. Off the back of this demand, prime office rents have now been firmly established above £30.00 per sq ft and rents of £40.00 per sq ft have been achieved at Harwell Campus. Demand for new accommodation is very apparent, not just purely office stock but also hi-tech Science Warehousing – essentially light industrial accommodation which is versatile and can be used as offices,
Dan Rushton
Charlie Cordery
laboratories or R&D space. The key will be in supplying the next phase of accommodation to satisfy the demand in the market. At present it appears that any concerns or uncertainties surrounding Brexit are not having a detrimental impact upon demand, although clearly this could all change next year. However the Science and Tech sector appears robust enough to cope, with increased funding from The University and Private Institutions (such as OSI) we only envisage this to further increase demand. There is also increasing press and noise surrounding the development of the Oxford to Cambridge corridor, improving transport infrastructure and development opportunities between these two regions. This will have a positive impact on the economic growth of the region and should further encourage business development between Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.”
Footnote LSH Oxford’s team are extremely well placed to provide advice on all aspects of commercial property with unrivalled geographic presence combined with in-depth understanding of the markets , offering what no other advisor can – scalable local expertise.
Jemima Hurd
Rob Friend
01865 200 244 www.lsh.co.uk Ellie Hutson
www.b4-business.com
John Greaves
Kevin Wood
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155 BROOK DRIVE Milton Park, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SD TO LET 18,689 sq ft A detached high specification hybrid building providing flexible high office content accommodation, fitted to an extremely high quality.
142 PARK DRIVE EAST Milton Park, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SR TO LET 41,000 sq ft Is a brand new building ready for laboratories, research & development, manufacturing all with office space above. High quality, unique flexible space creating a superb environment.
OFFICE SUITES Oxford Business Park, OX4 2SU TO LET 1,800 sq ft to 35,000 sq ft Modern offices to let on the established Oxford Business Park in landscaped surroundings. On site facilities include gym, nursery, premier inn and the adjoining Oxford Retail Park.
NETWORK OXFORD TRADE CITY Sandy Lane West, Oxford, OX4 6FF TO LET 4,685 sq ft Brand new industrial, trade, hi-tech unit, in a new development of small industrial units in Oxford. Just 200 yards from Oxford Ring Road.
unrivalled local and regional expertise Richard Venables rvenables@vslandp.com Tom Barton tbarton@vslandp.com Duncan May dmay@vslandp.com
news Oxford BioMedica expands into former Royal Mail sorting office The former Royal Mail sorting office in Oxford, renamed OxBox is to be given a new lease of life after being taken over by a rapidly expanding biotech company. Oxford BioMedica has taken on the 84,000 sq. ft. OxBox development at Oxford Business Park on a 15-year lease in what is one the largest deals in Oxfordshire so far this year, according to commercial property agents VSL. The sorting office, formerly known as the Oxford Mail Centre, closed its doors to its 450 workers in June 2009, moving Royal Mail’s sorting operations from the city to Swindon. The firm will move into the office space immediately and will also start working on a two-phase fit out of the building funded by its £20.5m share placing secured earlier this year. This will see the installation of 45,000 sq ft of clean rooms, offices, warehousing and laboratories with space left over for future expansion. Once open, the facility will more than double the Group’s bioprocessing capacity. The plan is to open the new offices and warehouse by the first quarter of next year with the additional GMP suites being ready a year later. Up to 100 highly skilled jobs will be created, adding to the company’s existing 400-strong workforce. The move comes just three years after Oxford BioMedica relocated from The Oxford Science Park to its new headquarters building at Windrush Court, the former British Biotech headquarters building, which provides circa 70,000 sq. ft. of laboratories and offices. Oxford BioMedica also operates from Harrow House which provides predominantly laboratories and they have a separate manufacturing facility at Yarnton.
VSL Director Andrew Lockhart said: “This is fantastic and exciting news not just for BioMedica but for Oxford as a whole. This facility has been vacant for almost 10 years and an investment of this scale by a local company represents a huge vote of confidence in the local economy and its burgeoning biotech sector.” VSL has had a successful long-term relationship with BioMedica for more than 15 years and has not only identified and negotiated terms for the acquisition of new buildings but also advised on rent reviews and business rates appeals to manage costs. Oxford BioMedica was founded in 1995 as a spinout from the University of Oxford’s Department of Biochemistry and has since developed into a leading gene and cell therapy company as it continues to develop its LentiVector delivery platform.
for our capacity expansion programme. With the finances secured earlier this year, we are now able to accelerate our investment in the new facility which, once on stream, will have the capacity to meet the expected long-term demand for lentiviral vectors.” The move is also a welcome boost for landlord DTZ investors which refurbished the building following the departure of Royal Mail. Christian Birrell of DTZ Investors said: “We took advantage of the departure of a long-standing tenant to completely repurpose the facility and are delighted it will provide an important new base to support Oxford BioMedica’s ground-breaking science and technology offering.” For further information, please contact VSL on 01865 848 488 or visit www.vslandp.com
Chief Executive Officer John Dawson said: “We are delighted to secure this new facility in Oxford
Deals...
Suite N Windrush Court Abingdon Business Park 3,606 sq ft LET to Hitachi High Tech Analytical Science Ltd
www.b4-business.com
4 Cherwell Business Centre Kidlington 2,731 sq ft LET to Howden Joinery Properties Ltd
Hanborough House Wallbrook Court, Botley 3,281 sq ft LET to HSBC Bank PLC
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B4 events
B4’s NIGHT TO REMEMBER IN THE SALOON AT BLENHEIM PALACE What an unforgettable and privileged night B4 members and their guests enjoyed in the incredible surroundings of The Saloon at Blenheim Palace in October. Sixty guests enjoyed a champagne reception in the Great Hall before the Saloon’s doors opened to reveal beautifully set tables, complete with Halloween table decorations supplied by event stylist, Tina Rosser (of TJR Event Styling and Management) and B4’s oldest member, an immaculately dressed skeleton. Photography by: Rob Scotcher
Blenheim Palace’s Chief Executive, Dominic Hare, addressed the guests following a delicious three course meal served with fine wines alongside a roaring fire, all in great company. Dominic highlighted the progress his team have made since he was appointed CEO whilst refreshingly admitting that some targets were still to be achieved in a challenging environment. Dominic added, “We were very proud to welcome the best of Oxfordshire business to the Great Hall and Saloon of the Palace. Hosting the B4 Platinum dinner is a signal honour and it was an immensely enjoyable occasion for us. We took the opportunity to share some of the challenges we face as well as our successes and we had a great deal of kind and supportive feedback. Thank you Richard, Tina and the B4 team.” 58
B4’s Richard Rosser added: “Thank you to Dominic Hare and the team at Blenheim Palace for a first class evening hosted in the incredible Saloon. Food and service were excellent and it was fantastic to see so many B4 Members in attendance. All in all a hugely successful evening with excellent introductions made and existing relationships built on.” The Saloon has now been transformed as part of Blenheim Palace’s Christmas Light extravaganza…..which is WELL worth a visit. Take in the Palace and the Light Trail, not forgetting the Christmas Market with some great local product on sale.
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Companies Represented at the B4 Dinner
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OCT About The Saloon The Saloon is the palace’s State Dining Room, with walls and ceilings painted by French decorative artist Louis Laguerre. The room is still used by the Duke of Marlborough and his family every year for their Christmas dinner and is perfect for dinner or a drinks reception, and offers a unique and luxurious venue for your celebration. Combine the Saloon with the Great Hall for a drinks reception for up to 250 guests or dinner for up to 150 guests.
About Blenheim Palace
to discuss your next event requirements. From single table decorations to complete event management and planning, Tina has a wide range of experience to suit all occasions. Contact: 07824 154 642.
Scan to see the event photos:
A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, Blenheim Palace provides an awe-inspiring experience for visitors. Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough and his family and the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting a long and diverse history. Enter the Palace and explore the gilded State Rooms and priceless collections set against striking stonework, and experience the beauty and magnificence of this Grade I listed building.
About TJR Event Styling and Management TJR Event Styling and Management are experts in event planning and management. Having worked on successful projects in the past including the Oxfordshire Restaurant Awards, Business in Oxford and private weddings and celebrations, contact Tina
www.b4-business.com
sales@blenheimpalace.com +44 (0)1993 810 530 www.blenheimpalace.com @BlenheimPalace
Artesian Blake Morgan Blenheim Palace Breckon & Breckon BrookStreet des Roches Carter Jonas Chapman, Robinson & Moore CIS Ltd Connecting to Excellence CQR Consulting Ltd Critchleys Ellard Outloud Focus ORM Freeths Grant Thornton G-SMATT EUROPE HMG LAW LLP Solicitors James Cowper Kreston Jennings Jurys Inn Knights PLC London Oxford Airport Metro Bank Moonlite Newbury Racecourse Owen Mumford Oxford Fine Dining Rhodes House Ridge & Partners Sandra Homewood Funerals Shaw Gibbs Sobell House Think Inspire & Create Tilney Unipart Group Wellers Wenn Townsend
Feedback from Attendees “Truly impressive event. Thank you Richard Rosser and the amazing team at Blenheim Palace. The palace is a valuable and vital supporter of B4 and Oxfordshire Voice.” Simon Howson-Green, Independent Consultant “Fantastic, thank you so much to B4 / Blenheim Palace and of course all of the hospitality team members for a truly memorable evening ” Darren Jeffs, Sandra Homewood Funerals “Such a privilege to be hosted in this wonderful venue. Thanks to all at B4 and the Blenheim Palace team.” Greg Barnes, Breckon & Breckon “Fantastic evening and venue. Thank you B4 and the Blenheim Palace hospitality team.” Tanya Warner, Blake Morgan
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TO PROVIDE & PROTECT The B4 finance debate brought to you in association with Wenn Townsend In B4 Issue 54 we introduced the finance debate with Tony Haines, Partner at leading Oxfordshire accountancy firm, Wenn Townsend. In October we had the first of a series of Finance Lunches where we discussed how we can engage with local banks to find out more about the way they operate and de-mystify the banking process.
B4’s Colin (CR), Richard (RR) and Edward Rosser (ER) were joined by Tony Haines (TH) and also Sally Addis (SA) of Addis Law to discuss the most productive ways of engaging with local banks and how Oxfordshire’s businesses can learn what they need to do to access finance and what the banks are doing to protect our hard earned cash.
careful, but without finance, how are businesses expected to grow?
So what do we want to know? Tony’s key concern is that the banks change the lending criteria too frequently.
SA “For someone to open a new business account can take three months or even longer. One of the new High Street banks like Metro is working hard to open accounts for customers on the same day and I expect the other high street banks are looking at that and thinking they might need to try to do the same. There are very rigorous controls to go through because of money laundering and that’s understandable, but the lack of efficiency from many high street banks in this area should be something they look at.”
SOURCING FINANCE TH “A number of my clients get so far down the road when applying for finance and then the rules and criteria seem to change. They want to know your affordability and seemingly want as much security as you have to provide to cover loans, especially commercial property loans.” TH “So that’s the first question we want to ask – what are your criteria for lending and if this changes, why does it change? If we can get the banks to tell us what they’re looking for, then we can educate the business community. This doesn’t need to be confrontational. We are looking to help both sides of the equation work more efficiently. What doesn’t help is when a bank changes the criteria for, seemingly, no justifiable reason and that leaves a sour taste in the mouth. I might be wrong – that’s why we need the banks to give their side of the story.
“The Chancellor yesterday hailed the end of austerity so does that mean lending becomes more relaxed, but still with clear guidelines? It is vital to be able to rely on banks to stick to their lending criteria and not change it half way through negotiations.”
TH “The business community should be told more about these processes so their expectations are managed.” SA “People are very frustrated with the banks. They do not understand why there is so much bureaucracy – the form filling and box ticking they have to go through. I assume it is the procedures the banks have to go through for anti-money laundering checks.” TH “Yes but criteria change.”
the revenue has a list of banks that they will accept a tax calculation from but trying to get that form out of the bank can be quite difficult. “Many years ago, I went into a particular bank because I tried to do something and couldn’t get through on the phone. So I went into the branch and told the lady what my problem was. She asked me to wait and came back five minutes later. She gave me a number to call from a phone IN THE BANK and told me they would help. I told her I had already done that and she said she couldn’t help me. I was back to square one! “I’m keen to ask the banks why they seem to have a policy to close as many branches as possible – I thought a bank was there to serve its community and not just its shareholders. Summertown used to have a number of banks and building societies that have vanished. The community is quite elderly in Summertown and I worry about their ethical policy.” CR “Why don’t the banks get together – one branch for all? All pay in to that one branch? I think that’s a good idea!”
BANK FRAUD TH “Another issue I am keen to get to grips with is fraud which is a massive issue which the elderly population is particularly exposed to…..how are the banks protecting them? The fraudsters have access to your accounts – it’s frightening how much information they have on you.”
SA “Do you think it’s an excuse?” “Most people think that banks give you an umbrella when the sun is shining and want it back when it’s raining. In the 1980’s you would get 3 or 4 credit card offers from the banks every week – now you don’t get any and we understand that the landscape has changed and banks need to be a lot more
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TH “I don’t know, but we do a lot of private client work and the banks request SA302’s from the revenue. The revenue won’t give the forms to us so the individual has to get them from the revenue. That feels like we’re not providing a service. Now
RR “So we want to know how we’re going to get finance, how we can trust banks to protect our money and what the policy is on access to our money?” CR “It is the most frustrating experience trying to
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B4 events
get through to a bank with their security procedures yet a fraudster can seemingly walk into my online account and take what they want.” SA “I heard recently of someone who had her e-mail account hacked by someone masquerading as her builder telling her, in his writing style, that he had new account details and she paid the new account (the fraudster). She didn’t get her money back – it was 10’s of thousands of pounds and it wasn’t the bank’s fault – it was hers - but that goes to show how easy it is to be tricked into losing your money.” TH “This sort of fraud can only be stamped out by businesses and banks telling people but it seems like the banks are stepping away from these sorts of problems. Contactless is now an issue – just tap and go. Ed, what’s your view as a 21 year old?” ER “It’s easy to spend money – it’s quite frightening to be fair. It’s equally frightening how other people can spend your money without you knowing about it…until it’s too late! People in London go around with a PDQ machine scanning people’s bags to get money which is scary.” RR “I saw someone being interviewed on TV saying ‘if I have to put my pin in I feel like I am spending money but I don’t if I can tap.’ He ultimately runs out of money but it’s rather a worrying approach to take.” ER “Despite all of these methods of helping us to bank, I still don’t feel like I have a good handle on my finances and it is a huge concern. TH “If you had an e-mail (asking Colin) from the bank to say an employee’s details had changed would you check it?” CR “Of course and I would expect that sort of
www.b4-business.com
instruction to come from the employee. But society is becoming increasingly lazy and communication between people is on the decline. We rely and trust technology and it ultimately causes problems.”
the partner at Wenn Townsend who is responsible for Practice Development.
Thank you to Metro Bank for accepting our invitation to meet with B4 Members in December – read Issue 56 to read more about the outcomes of the discussion.
Colin graduated from Southampton University with an honours degree in engineering and has spent the last 45 years of his life in Print and Publishing. He was chairman and Chief Executive of Goodhead Print Group which went public in 1985 and had a record turnover of £75 million in 1989. He is the current chairman of B4.
ABOUT THE ATTENDEES Sally Addis, Addis Law Sally Addis is a versatile business lawyer with a background of working in the City of London and Hong Kong. She has more than 25 years of experience in corporate, commercial and IT law. Sally started her legal career in London working for top city law firm Herbert Smith Freehills before moving to work in Hong Kong. She returned to work in London before she set up Addis Law in 2011. Addis Law has continued to flourish and currently acts for a wide range of clients: large corporates, SMEs, charities and private individuals. Addis Law supports M&A and other transactions but also handles a wide range of commercial contract work covering all sectors but with a focus on IT and technology.
Tony Haines, Wenn Townsend Tony qualified as a chartered accountant with Wenn Townsend and has been a partner for over 14 years. Tony’s particular expertise is in corporate reorganisation and financial restructuring, working with UK subsidiaries of overseas holding companies and with those in the manufacturing sector. He is also a specialist when it comes to property, IT and media issues. With a particular interest in all things IT, Tony is an authority on system design and analysis, and is
Colin Rosser, B4
Richard Rosser, B4 Richard has been Chief Executive of B4 for 12 years. While dealing with customers at all levels, Richard’s role is to co-ordinate the overall strategy of the Group and develop new products. A publisher, event creator and co-ordinator, his experience and contacts are valued by an ever increasing and impressive portfolio of clients.
Edward Rosser, NXT Ed launched NXT in 2018 and is looking to expand its offering in 2019 whilst developing his own retail business, OXCUK which he launched in 2016. OXCUK specialises in clothing which Ed sells through the ASOS marketplace with clients all over the world.
information@wenntownsend.co.uk 01865 559 900 www.wenntownsend.co.uk
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Promotional Feature
O X F O R D S H I R E
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Become part of Oxfordshire’s Future Success A unique collaboration between the public and private sectors to provide solutions to the key challenges facing Oxfordshire businesses Oxfordshire Voice has the potential to speak for more than 30,000 Oxfordshire businesses
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Thank you to the following for their support:
Confirmed Oxfordshire Voice Gold Partners
Nick Jones Focus Managing Director
Dominic Hare Blenheim CEO
Mark Charter Carter Jonas Partner
Andy Cowie James Cowper Kreton Marketing & Business Development Director
Tony Hobbs Chapman Robinson & Moore Managing Director
Jarl Severn Owen Mumford Managing Director
Sarah Foster Freeths Solicitors Managing Partner
Jim Rogers Grant Thornton Practice Leader
Stuart Crook Wellers Partner
Julia Cook Jurys Inn Sales Director
Nigel Tipple OxLEP CEO
Phil Southall Oxford Bus Company Managing Director
Samuel Kabiswa Oxford City Council Economic Development Manager
Richard Venables VSL & Partners Director
Bev Hindle Oxfordshire County Council Strategic Director for Communities
Neill Lawson-Smith CIS Ltd Founder / MD
Frank Nigriello Unipart Director of Corporate Affairs
Will Axtell Penningtons Manches Partner, Corporate
Tom Allen Cazenove Head of Oxford Office
Tony Haines Wenn Townsend Partner
Oxfordshire Voice Partners:
Jonna Mundy You HR Consultancy Owner
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Dan Brown COEL Director
Brendan Hattam Westgate General Manager
Tim Boswell - Editor, BBC Grant Hayward - Director, Collaborent Jayne Woodley - CEO, Oxfordshire Community Foundation Piers Foster - XIST2
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See www.oxvoice.co.uk for more about the following OV News: 1st Oxfordshire Voice forum at Unipart: “Delivery Of Fast Broadband Still Too Slow” Are sluggish data speeds hampering Oxford’s aspirations to become a ‘Smart City’? Broadband providers in Oxfordshire are continually failing to serve companies across the region effectively or efficiently and they need to get their act together – fast. Read the full news release at www.oxvoice.co.uk/ov-news/
2nd Oxfordshire Voice forum at Pembroke College: “Oxfordshire must take a more holistic approach to recruitment or lose the best workers to other regions” Businesses and recruitment agencies in Oxfordshire aren’t doing enough to attract the best, much needed, new employees to the region. Employers need to be more creative and sell the advantages of a living in Oxfordshire alongside the benefits and opportunities of the actual job. Read the full news release at www.oxvoice.co.uk/ov-news/
Connectivity and your business – Digital solutions for innovative businesses in Oxfordshire Unipart House, Friday 15th February, 2019 See page 6 of this promotional feature for more information.
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Introduction In September 2017 the B4 focus group at Rhodes House concluded that B4 (see more on pages 18 and 19) was well placed to represent a significant proportion of Oxfordshire’s business community, to voice its concerns and to work together to create solutions for the challenges that all businesses face. Following a year of planning, Oxfordshire Voice (hereafter OV) will officially launch in January 2019, a partnership of business people, elected officials, legislators and budget holders working together to create real opportunities for growth in the region. OV’s aim is to be a body that promotes Oxfordshire’s vibrant and dynamic business community. There is so much development, innovation, growth and potential in Oxfordshire. Having a single body and consistent message will help to educate those in and beyond Oxfordshire through the use of co-produced and shared promotional videos, advertisements, social media and a dedicated website which will help to develop and promote what Oxfordshire has to offer to potential investors. Oxfordshire is one of the UK’s leading growth areas and OV will play a key role in supporting future growth. Oxford was top of the 2017 Demos-PwC Good Growth for Cities Index and In the recent 2018 Arcadis ‘Investing in Britain report, Oxford was named after Edinburgh as the second best city in the UK for Growth Potential.’ However, although Oxfordshire’s economic track record is excellent, we face many challenges ahead to mantain and improve this performance. The ground-breaking OV collaborative partnership is bringing the local business community around the table with the local authorities (Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire LEP) to do the following: 1. Provide a forum for exploring and raising a greater awareness of the key challenges to all Oxfordshire businesses 2. Seek input and views from businesses on how to address the challenges facing them including progress updates on plans and policies for dealing with these challenges 3. Work together to create solutions for the benefit of all public and private sector organisations Whilst OV is not a lobbying group, its many partners know that collaborating will help create a better future for Oxfordshire. By supporting OV you will be helping to shape the economic future of one of the UK’s most vibrant economic regions. Contact the OV team on 01865 742211 or e-mail info@oxvoice.co.uk to find out more. Richard Rosser - CEO B4 66
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SOLUTIONS If one or more Targets become Local Government policy that would consitute success
To find out more about joining Oxfordshire Voice as a partner, visit www.oxvoice.co.uk and click on the promotional brochure on the home page. Oxfordshire Voice will launch officially at The Blavatnik School of Government on Thursday 17th January 2019.
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Connectivity and your business – Digital solutions for innovative businesses in Oxfordshire Unipart House, Friday 15th February, 2019 Are you worried about how connected and digitally innovative your business is, now and for future opportunities? Join Oxfordshire businesses in this follow up to the first Oxfordshire Voice forum where we will be discussing what digital connectivity and solutions are available now and what we need to put in place to bring Oxfordshire in line with some of the most connected and innovative regions in the world. If you are serious about connecting your business and using innovative digital solutions, you should attend this event. To receive the link to register for the Conference and to keep up to date with latest Oxfordshire Voice announcements, register for the OV e-Newsletter at:
www.oxvoice.co.uk/register-your-interest/ Event brought to you by: O X F O R D S H I R E
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B4 events
The Arlington team at the launch of Carnival 2019: from left, Nicoale Kerry, Dan Williams and Louise Bridge
OXFORD BUSINESS PARK TO SPONSOR CARNIVAL 2019 Arlington, owners of the Oxford Business Park, will be sponsoring the Cowley Road Carnival for 2019 for the first time. The Carnival is the city’s, and one of the region’s, biggest community events drawing regular crowds in the region of 50,000 people and second only to Notting Hill Carnival in the country. The event received the Oxfordshire Business Award for tourism and best cultural event in 2017.
“The Carnival brings in the region of £900,000 to the area and with an audience of around 50,000 carnival-goers and hundreds of participants in the event, including many of the local schools.”
Cowley Road Works, the charity behind the organisation of the Carnival, which will be held on 7 July 2019, works year-round on a series of events and activities which engage, train and provide opportunities for individuals and groups within the community, including some of the most disadvantaged. This work culminates on Carnival Day when the Cowley Road is transformed with costumes, colour, music and food as the community comes together in one huge celebration.
sponsor for Carnival 2019. Working with Arlington, and the Oxford Business Park, will bring exciting new opportunities for us to work together to benefit the community.
Micaela Tuckwell, Executive Director of Cowley Road Works said: “We are thrilled to announce our first major sponsor for Carnival 2019. Working with Arlington, and the Oxford Business Park, will bring exciting new opportunities for us to work together to benefit the community through joint initiatives throughout the year, culminating in Carnival Day 2019 on 7 July. “What is more, we hope that we can encourage more of the businesses at the Oxford Business Park to become involved over the coming months. www.b4-business.com
We are thrilled to “ announce our first major
Micaela Tuckwell - Executive Director, Cowley Road Works
”
The Carnival also receives funding from Oxford City Council, the High Sheriff Community Integration Fund, the Patsy Wood Trust, Oxford University, and a grant of £86,000 for inclusive arts opportunities for artists of all ages with disabilities living in Oxfordshire. Sponsors for 2018 included the Indonesian Embassy, Oxford Brookes University, MINI Plant Oxford, Bounce, Stagecoach Oxfordshire and Daily Info.
www.arlington.com
Dan Williams, Development Director at Arlington said: “The Cowley Road is a key route between Oxford Business Park and the City Centre, and we are delighted to be given the opportunity to support our local community and the Cowley Carnival through this exciting initiative”. Carnival 2019 will have the theme ‘Space is the Place’, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings in July 1969 and in celebration of Oxfordshire’s world standing in space technologies.
www.cowleyroadworks.co.uk www.cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk
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B4 events
Opendoorz Open the right doorz, and get naked! A powerful professional network is integral to business growth and development and this comes from building strong and meaningful relationships with quality businesses. Note the strong and meaningful – this is not about the odd drink and exchange of business cards! Written by: Cathy Dunbabin & Sonia Kearns
Opendoorz directors Cathy Dunbabin and Sonia Kearns (who do actually love a glass or two of fizz!) have many years of experience, expertise and have built a business for those who genuinely want to develop themselves, their team and grow their business by taking their networking activity seriously. Business rarely knocks on your door - being able to build a solid referral network is essential in today’s market. The emphasis should be targeted focussed and valuable. Quite honestly a professional support network of those you trust is behind every truly successful enterprise. Opendoorz is all about easing this path to success ... At Opendoorz the emphasis is on Business Owners and Partners doing just that; building a trusted network of introducers, strategic partners, suppliers, mentors and friends, offering expert guidance, inspiration and a dose of laughter and fun along the way.
The honest opinion… “We have been to many business networking events and have always struggled with the calibre of attendee’s, however this all changed when we first experienced Opendoorz. It was like a first clear breath of fresh air. The ability to be in the same room with like-minded business owners all of whom have the same outlook is priceless.” Anneli Thomson MD Sandler Training “If I need some advice on how to deal with a challenging client or I would like to explore a new idea then I have the perfect forum to discuss honestly, openly and without prejudice, it truly is the perfect solution for my business. Sharing ideas, learning new practices, receiving feedback, www.b4-business.com
developing your business – all within a supportive yet challenging environment – that’s the Opendoorz way.” Andy Holt MD OSX “It only took one meeting as a guest and I was hooked. Having tried many frankly awful networking groups, I was struck by both the people and the approach: professional with a great dynamic.” Alun Williams Director Luna Branding Ltd
Networking really “ can open up so many opportunities; new introductions, business growth, personal and business development, trusted suppliers, collaborators and is a proven way for professionals to develop, grow and retain connections
”
company Opendoorz run a 1 day Naked Networking Workshop that covers all you or they need to know; how to build strategy into each event, confidence in attending, how to start meaningful conversations, develop valuable relationships and ultimately gain new business opportunities. Getting naked is a great place to start!
The naked truth… A wonderful opportunity to learn practical networking skills in a supportive environment. Bert Corbyn-Smith – Sobell House Networking is a really powerful and effective way to build long lasting relationships in business. NakedNetworkerz has given me a solid foundation to build my business on. Adele Fowler – Optimum Body “If you’ve been sceptical before about attending a networking group or a workshop, then give the Opendoorz approach a go – we think you’ll find us different! And we will keep our clothes on – promise!” Cathy & Sonia
Networking really can open up so many opportunities; new introductions, business growth, personal and business development, trusted suppliers, collaborators and is a proven way for professionals to develop, grow and retain connections. Anyone can network but just because you can walk into a room confidently doesn’t mean you can network purposefully. It is a skill that can be learned, refreshed and improved. Whether you’ve been doing it for years or want to get your team proficient in representing your
cathy@opendoorz.biz sonia@opendoorz.biz
01865 565 333 www.opendoorz.biz
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Welcome to Paul Rushworth, Managing Director, Finders Keepers Paul Rushworth joined Finders Keepers (FK) in 1991 and has been passionately involved in all aspects of residential property letting and management ever since. He started his FK career in North Oxford and has gone on to manage various FK offices including Witney, Abingdon and Banbury as well as setting up and managing the Bicester office back in 2007. Paul previously oversaw all of the offices outside of the Oxford ring road including Bicester, Witney, Abingdon & Banbury prior to taking up his current role as MD in April 2018. Richard Rosser met with Paul at the B4 offices to find out more about Paul’s progress and plans for the future. Written by: Richard Rosser
“It’s been a very busy six months and the first month in particular was quite tough. I found going from an operational role to a more strategic role quite challenging. But, suddenly, the penny dropped and it’s been brilliant. For me it’s all about the staff and they have all been fantastic. “I was 24 when I joined FK back in 1991 and I have pretty much managed all of the offices before becoming MD in April. “One of the highlights of the year for FK is our Property Intelligence conference which was held at Keble College on 12th September. It was our 9th annual conference and they are a key part of our event programme. We had four speakers with Maxine Allington of Inspired Investment (the search and acquisition division of FK) discussing who should be investing, David Rickwood of Shaw Gibbs was assessing the tax implications of being a landlord, Richard Bowser from Property Investor News Magazine gave an overview of the UK Property Investment Market and Dr Caroline Livingstone of Culham Science Centre was looking at the 76
implications of business growth in research and innovation. It was fascinating to learn how Culham have 8,000+ jobs so we should all be buying investment properties in South Oxfordshire! Maxine
has been “ aThere raft of new
legislation and we are obviously aware of the new Tenant Fee Ban which is coming in Spring 2019.
”
was giving some great examples of properties she has acquired for investors and one in particular in the Lion Brewery which was for sale at £1 million,
but she managed to acquire it for £695,000. The first lettings viewing secured a £2,500 per month tenant and a very happy landlord.” I asked Paul what his views were about the shortage of housing stock in Oxfordshire and the implications for the working population. “Interestingly for us we have found that people have been struggling to sell their properties over the summer and therefore a lot of properties have come back on to the rental market, so we actually have quite a lot of stock at the moment. It’s also interesting for us to see that a lot of people that are renting in North Oxford are now moving out and they are renting in the villages where you get a lot more property for your money. We are also seeing significant movement into places like Bicester where rents are 25% less and it’s a 10 to 15 minute commute into Oxford (traffic permitting – Ed) so it’s a win win! The trains have been a huge plus for commuting to and from Bicester and the M40 is very good and has helped the move many people have made towards Banbury, perhaps working for www.b4-business.com
B4 spotlight
We started with a “ blank piece of paper
and we set up four working teams who are all working in different areas of the business to bring together all of the ideas from the staff. We then prioritise these ideas, work out what we want to implement and that will form our business plan for the next few years.
”
Jaguar Land Rover or they are making the reverse trip, like I do, which means an early start. The traffic is an issue but we have to look on the bright side – I just start earlier in the day.” With new lettings regulations now in place, I asked Paul how he has felt the impact. “There has been a raft of new legislation and we are obviously aware of the new Tenant Fee Ban which is coming in Spring 2019. I think it’s a good thing and whilst it is still being finalised, there have been a lot of good aspects coming through like the Energy Performance Certificates (you have to be band E or above), smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, Right to Rent, there are all sorts of things going on and I think it’s great for the industry. I believe making the industry more professional can only be a good thing. We have 105 staff, 90% of them are professionally qualified and that’s what you need – you need a professional organisation, you need to have client accounts, you also need to be bonded……we are also with the Property Ombudsman and all of these things are really important to help protect www.b4-business.com
the customers.” In terms of developing FK, Paul explained to me how his staff are helping with innovation in the business. “We started with a blank piece of paper and we set up four working teams who are all working in different areas of the business to bring together all of the ideas from the staff. We then prioritise these ideas, work out what we want to implement and that will form our business plan for the next few years. It covers innovation and IT, growth of the business, customer and brand and it’s all about the culture and the people of FK. We have our core values, which is vitally important for us. These include being expert, being dynamic, being scrupulous and these are values that all of the staff focus on all of the time to make sure that we are a step ahead of the competition.” FK have always been very high profile in the local community working closely with local charities and other great initiatives. Paul expands on some more exciting plans for the future. “We hold client events across the whole year and have held these
at great venues including the Playhouse and the Sheldonian. Other events planned include a tour of MINI, which we had to double the ticket allocation for as it was oversubscribed. We have the charity shoot for people who have never shot before. It’s a fun event where our guests get the opportunity to try something they’ve not tried before and we raise money for Cancer Research. I must admit to being hooked myself!” Thank you to Paul and good luck for the future.
paul.rushworth@finderskeepers.co.uk 01865 311 011 www.finders.co.uk
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OXFORD’S LEADING LAW FIRM IS ACKNOWLEDGED AS A UK ‘TOP TIER’ FIRM FOR ITS LEGAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE Freeths Solicitors has received stellar reviews in this year’s publication of the UK’s leading legal directories, The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners. In addition, The Times has commended Freeths for inheritance and succession (private client) and family law in their recently published Best Law Firms 2019 supplement. Freeths are one of only 24 firms in the country to be commended in these areas of work. Written by: Emma Roby Photography by: Freeths Solicitors
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www.b4-business.com
B4 spotlight
Freeths has, yet again, received great reviews in the Legal 500 (the Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession 2019 edition). It has been ranked in the Top Tier of law firms in the south east in eight of its practice areas: family law; contentious trusts & probate; private client (Wills, trusts & probate); commercial property; clinical negligence (claimant); agriculture and rural estates; charities; and professional negligence. Seven Partners are listed in the elite “Leading Lawyers” list, which is the Legal 500’s guide to outstanding lawyers nationwide. Lawyers listed include Rachael Oakes (family law), Nigel Roots (charities), Sarah Foster (contentious trusts & probate), Iain Davis (agriculture & estates), Duncan Crine (professional negligence), Jane Maitland (personal tax, trusts and probate, agriculture and estates) and Carolyn Lowe (clinical negligence).
to be acknowledged again “asIta istopgreat tier law firm. As Oxford’s and
Oxfordshire’s leading law firm, these results are testament to the high quality advice we provide.
”
Sarah Foster, managing partner at Freeths
In addition, seven lawyers are recognised as “Next Generation Lawyers” for their experience, expertise and ability to provide a high quality service to clients. In total, 34 lawyers based at Freeths’ Oxford office are recommended by Legal 500 for their legal expertise. Freeths also ranked Top Tier by the Chambers and Partners 2019 Guide to the UK Legal Profession for clinical negligence; agriculture and estates; family; and private client wealth including disputes (High Net Worth). Six Partners are individually recognised as leaders in their field for their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, effectiveness and client service. Lawyers listed in Band 1 include, Iain Davis (agriculture and rural affairs), Samantha Leigh (agriculture and affairs), Carolyn Lowe (clinical negligence), Rachael Oakes (family), Duncan Crine (professional negligence), Nigel Roots (private wealth law – HNW guide). Sarah Foster is ranked as an Eminent Practitioner in professional negligence and private wealth disputes (HNW guide). Sarah Foster, managing partner at Freeths, says: “It is great to be acknowledged again as a top tier law firm. As Oxford’s and Oxfordshire’s leading law firm, these results are testament to the high quality advice we provide to our private individuals and business clients. This can be evidenced from the client and professional advisor testimonials in both, the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners”. Both directories also gave stellar reviews on the firm’s highly regarded corporate & commercial, property litigation, employment, and commercial dispute management teams for their legal expertise and experience.
See what the Legal 500 directory says about their top-ranking teams:
lawyers’ at Freeths LLP”…”Oakes is recommended as being ‘hugely impressive, formidable, very good with clients and well respected by the judiciary’.
Private Client – Tier 1 Freeths LLP has a ‘hugely experienced and knowledgeable team, but without the expense of a London firm’. National private client practice head Nigel Roots ‘runs a team of excellent individuals who deliver great results’.
Agriculture & Rural Estates – Tier 1 Freeths LLP attracts praise for its ‘excellent grasp of agricultural law’, with clients singling out practice head Iain Davis (‘approachable, very knowledgeable and supremely efficient’), Samantha Leigh (‘highly knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile’) and the ‘hugely efficient’ Sarah Duffy as key figures among the sizeable team.
Contentious Trusts and Probate – Tier 1 ‘A top-flight firm with a national profile’, Freeths team is ‘a really good option for serious contentious litigation’. Sarah Foster heads the practice and is noted for her ‘wealth of experience in the field, which she can draw on to secure good results for clients’.
Clinical Negligence – Tier 1 The clinical negligence practice at Freeths LLP consists of ‘high-quality advisers’.
Charities – Tier 1 Freeths LLP is ‘a very personable firm that does not baffle clients with legal terms and always has their interests in mind’. The charities team is praised for its ‘strong breadth of experience’.
Professional negligence – Tier 1 Freeths LLP’s professional negligence practice is praised for its ‘clear understanding of facts and legal issues, sensible legal advice, and welldrafted legal documents’.
See what the Chambers and Partners legal directory says about their top-ranking teams: Clinical negligence – Tier 1 ‘This is a very ably led team that handles cases at the highest level of complexity successfully. They are quality players in the field’.
Agriculture and estates – Tier 1 “…the lawyers are ‘always efficient with their responses’ and offer ‘goodvalue service’.”
Family – Tier 1 ‘The lawyers are keen to innovate and ensure that they offer the best service they can’. Private client wealth (High Net Worth) – Tier 1 Freeths’ lawyers ‘have a clear understanding of their clients’ needs and aims, and are relentlessly focused on achieving those aims’.
Commercial Property – Tier 1 Freeths LLP’s real estate team provides ‘excellent service including prompt responses and well-considered, clear advice’.
Family – Tier 1
welcome@freeths.co.uk 01865 718 000 www.freeths.co.uk
‘Star solicitor’ Rachael Oakes heads the ‘team of driven and passionate
www.b4-business.com
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OXFORDSHIRE COMPANIES LEAD THE WAY WITH BETTER BUSINESS Why and how the way you do business can improve your business Written by: Grant Hayward
Growing evidence shows that companies placing “purpose” at the heart of what they do can lead to stronger and more profitable business. Building upon articles in previous issues of B4, we take a closer look at what that means and more ways in which some B4 members are adapting to this new environment placing them in prime positions as employers of choice, preferred suppliers and attractive to investors Dominic Hare - Blenheim
Seacourt printing
The evidence
Better Business
A recent Harvard Business Review Executive survey suggested: “Organisations that embody Purpose see significant, measurable results”: Evidence set out in that report and Building The Case for A Connected Britain from Business In The Community suggests:
New B4 member, Seacourt, has created a company that they, collectively; the team at Seacourt, its clients, suppliers and all stakeholders are proud of and truly believe in. They are all passionate about what they do, believe in their journey and have a shared ethos, working to the Triple Bottom Line of Environment, Society and Profit, something they also believe is the future and how all businesses need to work. They deliver this as Planet Positive Printing™.
• Employees are 1.4x more engaged, 3x more likely to stay with the organisation and most young people want to join a purposeful business • Customers - 89% believe they will get the highest quality products/services from such companies and are prepared to pay more for sustainable goods with 72% recommending them. • Performance - Purpose is considered a driver for innovation and transformation with an increasing number of examples of higher returns for shareholders. This is reinforced by evidence that investors are also seeking ways for their money to have social and environmental impact as well as a return on investment.
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Keen to share the benefits of operating in this way, Seacourt took a leading role to establish “Better Business”, designed and funded to help Oxfordshire businesses become environmentally sustainable. It addresses the challenge faced by many SME’s that recognise sustainability has strong commercial advantages but need some simple action steps. Commenting on this collaborative project with Oxfutures, Low Carbon Hub, Oxford City Council,
the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, Cherwell District Council and Bioregional, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Managing Director of Seacourt, Gareth Dinnage explained “Better Business offers a roadmap that enables firms to take important steps towards sustainability, from addressing energy use and printed communications to financial investments, recycling and transportation”.
A growing movement More and more businesses understand the benefits, opportunities and necessity to explore and develop their purpose. I was delighted to hear Dominic Hare, Chief Exec of Blenheim speaking earlier this year at a B4 event, about the shift it has made placing Purpose at the heart of the organisation. He went on to explain that not only was it the right thing to do, but it was also good for business, reiterating that the organisation is very much a business.
www.b4-business.com
B4 csr Gareth Dinnage with EMAS award
lives of people in Oxfordshire, with the help of the Oxfordshire Community Foundation.
B4 Values The B4 Network continues to grow and is becoming a Go To community for businesses operating, or keen to evolve, in this way. It’s therefore exciting to be involved in helping develop B4 Values with members who understand that success isn’t achieved by a ‘quick win’ or with a hard-sell approach. The B4 community encourages authentic ethos, collaboration and reciprocation and B4 Values will underline the importance of trust, integrity and honesty to the B4 community. The ways in which members trade, look after their workforce, the environment and local communities are fundamental to their success as well as all stakeholders. So, if you would like to share your experiences of working in ways like this or developing your business in this direction, or would just like to connect, please contact me at Grant Hayward, Collaborent Ltd.
Wonky Foods
Grant Hayward
Blenheim has a very clear published purpose “to be the lifeblood of the local economy, to enhance the lives of the people of Oxfordshire, to share this magnificent Palace and to conserve and protect it for future generations”. Many may not view it as a typical business, but some of the ways in which it is delivering on that purpose can inspire other businesses to develop new and creative ways to satisfy their own stakeholders. A good example is the support it has extended to other local, purposeful businesses such as The Wonky Food Co., embracing the ethical food producer into its supply chain, also providing mentoring support to the management team there. Director of Wonky, Ashley Cavers explained “we started our journey within walking distance of the palace, so we are delighted it is among our first customers. People come from all over the world visit Blenheim, so being in their shop is a great way to spread the word about our products and of our wider efforts to help tackle the global problem of food waste.” Ashley and I were also among a small group of www.b4-business.com
local businesses and social enterprises that the management team at Blenheim took as guests to the recent Meaning Conference in Brighton as yet another way of supporting the local economy to hear bold ideas about how to be a better business. Those invited have supplier relationships with Blenheim, or are working with them on opening up job opportunities for disadvantaged people.
Heather Carter - Blenheim
For more information visit: Seacourt www.seacourt.net Better Business www.betterbusinesspack.com Blenheim www.blenheimpalace.com/estate/ press/ten-year-plan.html Wonky Food Co www.wonkyfoodco.com Reciprocate:ttps://reciprocateox.org
Blenheim’s Operations Director Heather Carter says: “Going to the conference with local like-minded people was a great way to connect and build our relationships whilst learning new things, meeting some interesting people and being inspired to think differently.” All of this forms part of Blenheim’s 10 year, 10 point plan and it is working with Oxford Brookes Business School to measure and monitor their performance and also, admirably, publish progress transparently. Blenheim is also collaborating with other like-minded local businesses as a member of Reciprocate, working together to improve the
grant@collaborent.co.uk 07768 603 312 www.collaborent.co.uk @granthayward uk.linkedin.com/in/grantjhayward
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Thank you to the B4 Community for your donations On Thursday 20th September Helen & Douglas House locked up 9 ‘guilty’ supporters who were arrested and charged with their ‘terrible’ crimes (entirely fictitious, of course) as part of their Jail & Bail fundraiser. These criminals were banished to the cells of Oxford Castle and Prison, only to be released if they could raise £999 in bail money. They beat their target and raised a massive £11,099 in just one day. The prisoners were picked up from the Holiday Inn in a police van, escorted to Oxford Castle and Prison at 0900 and taken to the crypt by the prison guard, who locked them up with their only means of communicating being a phone and laptop. In order to get themselves released from prison, they had to reach their bail money of £999 each. The 9 ‘guilty’ supporters/Oxfordshire businessmen included: Daren Elsey – Mayfield Press, Richard Rosser – B4, Chris Atkins – Holiday Inn, Mike Foster – Chapman, Robinson & Moore Accountants in Oxford, Howard Feather – Nat West, Neil Holdstock – Oxford Round Table, Simon Bassett – Royds Withy King, Sean Curran - Forcepoint, Nick Wilkinson – Trustee of Helen & Douglas House. To raise the money for bail, each inmate, needed to be very resourceful, using their contacts to help and asking local businesses to fundraise on their behalf; every penny really counts.
£1,750 on the day – far exceeding my expectations. Your messages of support were a huge boost to me as I toiled away in insufferable conditions (you try spending the day sandwiched between Daren Elsey and Simon Bassett)!” “Well Done Richard! I am glad they let you out ! :) x” Placi Espejo “Well done Richard, terrific event to raise money for a very worth cause.” Anonymous “I’m a bit late sponsoring you so I do hope they’ve let you out now. Well done for raising such a lot of money.” Emma Gascoigne
“Just a little extra to help you out.“ Cheryl Foulsham, Oxford Duplication Centre “Well done Richard - good job.” Julie Macken, Neve’s Bees
The money that each ‘inmate’ raised will go to Helen & Douglas House to help local terminally ill children. The individual who raised the most amount of money was released first, but they were also rewarded with their very own set of engraved handcuffs.
Fabulous cause. “What’s the gruel like?! ”
B4’s Richard Rosser added, “It was an enjoyable way to raise money for such a great cause. Thank you to the 58 fantastic people who helped me raise
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“Amazing thing your doing! Well done everyone. x” Tina Rosser, Wife! “Looking good in black and white.” Darren Aston, Aston & James “Well done Richard.” Jo Spencer, Spencer Insurance Brokers “Top notch Rich-mate.” John Arney “Hope you enjoyed your stay! Well done!” Kathy Nakra, Heythrop Hotel “Well done Richard.” James Shand, vfd net
“Thank you for a delicious B4 dinner on Thursday.” Catherine Richmond, Worden Richmond
They were also featured on the Helen & Douglas House Facebook Live feed at 2pm in a desperate plea to raise enough money to be released.
Nicola Wilson from Helen & Douglas House said “We had an amazing day. I would like to thank Oxford Castle and Prison for allowing our inmates to be incarcerated there, to Thames Valley Police for arresting them and our 9 amazing supporters who have volunteered to be locked up to help local terminally ill children and for being such good sports. We need to raise £3m every year and cannot do this without the generous support of the public through fundraisers like this.”
fantastic cause - well done Richard & co.” Danielle Parker, Blake Morgan
“A worthy cause to be locked up for! Hope they don’t lose the key! Good luck!” Linda Flanigan “Hope the dinner this evening goes well and good luck with the jail stay!” First Base (Barry Jessup & Doug Higgins) “So so tempting to leave you in there .... but given that it’s for such a good cause, I had to donate! Good luck - looks like you should be out by early afternoon!” Sarah Foster, Freeths “Need you out before dinner tonight!!” Richard Dorey, Digitizelectric Limited
Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, Coconut PR
“Need to get you out somehow! Especially for such a great cause.” Nancy, Philip & the Milton Park team
“Disappointed you’ve met your bail so quickly but great effort and wonderful cause.” Lee Baker, Wenn Townsend
“We need to get you out so you can make the dinner! Hope your stay wasn’t too harsh.” Michael Wellborn, CIS Ltd
“Keep him locked up!” Stewart Elliston, Freeths Solicitors
“When the sardines follow the tractor they ask whether to be or not be is the sign of a good design!” Chris Jones, Boys & Girls Promotions
“Well done, Richard! See you at the next B4.” Lucy Eckley, Build Your Brand Story “Well, this is the best thing I’ve seen all day! Such a
“I thought about leaving it until 4.05pm but it is such a good cause... Well done Richard :)” Helen Joy, ANPR Consulting
www.b4-business.com
B4
“Fabulous cause. What’s the gruel like?!” Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, Coconut PR “Good luck Richard. I’ll bring you some food if they don’t let you out.” Sebastian Johnson, Oxfordshire LEP “Great stuff Rich!” Tim Gentles, Drillboard “Can we lock him up again afterwards?” Tim Ault, Alberon “I would stay - sleep and 3 good meals a day ! Well done Doug and all at IMEurope.” Douglas Ashby
Will double the “ donation if they don’t let you out ” David Parry, David Parry Employment Law
“Good luck inside, watch out for big Gloria on D Wing!” Andy Cooke “Fantastic cause - well done! (The things people do just to have the day off...!)” Sarah Wyatt, Juicy Designs “Well done Richard, great Charity to be helping! Good Luck.” Richard Marsh, Independent Consultant “As it is for a good cause, you deserve to be released.” Anonymous “You do a wonderful job and help so many in so many ways - pleased to help.” Phil Strachan, Strangebrew
“I’m sure you’ll reach your target as it’s such s great cause. Great idea for fundraising too. Best wishes, Victoria.” Victoria Glancy, Libreea “Well, if it’s for a good cause....” Nigel Allen, Carbon Colour “Well done and good luck Richard - a fantastic cause which I’m also proud to support annually every Christmas.” David Lamont @ Blandy & Blandy LLP “We can’t do enough to support Helen and Douglas House, which provides a critically important level of support to families at a time when they need it most.” Anonymous “So tempting to leave you there but that would be too mean.... Cathy & Sonia xx” Cathy Dunbabin, Opendoorz Ltd “Great work. A brilliant cause.” Mike Naworynsky, Pembroke College “I thought you loved bars?” Dominic Hare, Blenheim Palace “So much I want to say, Richard. But common courtesy restricts me to just wishing you luck and well done supporting a worthy cause :-)” Jarl Severn, Owen Mumford
www.b4-business.com
“£20 to keep him behind bars!” Simon Drake, Macdonald Randolph Hotel “Great cause Richard, you have mine and Focus Oxford Risk Managements support.” Nicholas Jones, Focus ORM “Will double the donation if they don’t let you out.” David Parry, David Parry Employment Law “Good luck Richard! Let us know if you need to be rescued! Best wishes Mike & Alexandra” Alexandra Roman Fashion “Good work!” David Mulholland, Mulholland Landscape Consultants Ltd Ian Roberts, Cashflow Creators John Verdin, Cherwell Boathouse William Thomson and the Concierge Team, Macdonald Randolph Hotel If you would like to donate to Helen & Douglas House go to hdh.org.uk. If you are interested in getting involved in a future Jail & Bail fundraiser for Helen & Douglas House contact nwilson@helenanddouglas.org.uk.
“I can’t find the (-) button on the donation so think I may have donated rather than subtracted to prolong your stay...damn. Never mind, good luck Richard and a great cause.” Greg Barnes, Breckon & Breckon “Please accept this donation from all of us at Webboutiques. Hope you make your target. Best regards.” Ed Hollingshead “Good luck!!” Michelle Arnold, Handlesbanken
“When I asked for a photo you managed to call my bluff... fair play to you! Looks like you will be out in time to watch Eastenders :)” Kieran Lynch, Oxford Event Hire
csr
“What a great cause. Have you been allowed to make your one phone call?” Olivia Lane-Nott, Spacecraft Consulting
fundraising@helenanddouglas.org.uk +44 (0)1865 799 150 www.helenanddouglas.org.uk @HelenAndDouglas @HelenAndDouglasHouse Helen&DouglasHouse
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3
Peaks, Teams, Charities The Trifecta
There’s a buzz going around Oxfordshire about business leaders teaming up with charities to pull off a fantastic charity challenge. What you’ve heard is true, and it’s called the Trifecta! Written by Michael Wellborn, CIS
The Trifecta 3Peaks Challenge is about business leaders leading charity in Oxfordshire. It’s about charity leaders and business leaders participating in a common challenge so they walk away changed from their time together. Charities are always looking for more innovative and “business modelled” solutions to help generate the efficiencies and resources needed to serve their beneficiaries and businesses are looking for ways to spread their success and impact well beyond simply making money. The Trifecta Three Peaks Challenge does just that, creating synergy by meaningfully joining business and charity leaders. On May 10th 2019, the challenge will take three teams of seven Oxfordshire business leaders and pit them against the National Three Peaks challenge - a punishing 24-hour assault on the largest peak in each of the three regions of the UK: Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike, and Mt Snowdon. The Trifecta came about by three people deciding they would do the personal challenge for fun and it soon became evident that many other people would like the personal challenge too. With so much interest, the trio decided they could likely raise some money for charity. Now the Trifecta is headed by three Founding Charter Sponsors (below) and three very involved and worthy Oxfordshire charities (below). There are many other very kind and generous sponsors helping to make this charity challenge happen, and honourable mentions should certainly go to Warpline Films in Didcot, and XIST2 in Faringdon, without whom this charity challenge would not have taken off
Founding Charter Sponsors Oxford PharmaGenesis Oxford PharmaGenesis is a HealthScience communications consultancy to the healthcare industry, professional societies and patient groups. We have always made Corporate Social Responsibility a key part of the company culture at Oxford PharmaGenesis and we are delighted to be one of the founding partners of the upcoming Trifecta challenge. “This will almost certainly be the most physically demanding 24 hours of my life,” said Dr Richard White (COO), “But it’s going to be worth it to support these three fantastic organizations.”
B4 B4 stands for Building Bridges Between Businesses and is a business networking group with a difference. Richard Rosser (CEO) said, “We understand that business success comes from building long lasting and trusted relationships with your local community and fellow businesses, and what better way to show our support and belief in these values than sponsoring the Trifecta challenge and helping these extremely worthy charities.”
CIS Ltd CIS Ltd is an IT company with a difference. We know great IT is just as much about people as it is about technology and at CIS we are proud to focus on the people that work for us, as well as the people we work for. With our decades-long place in the Oxfordshire business community, it is important to demonstrate our social commitment. Neill Lawson-Smith (CIO) said, “We are thrilled to be participants and founding members of the Trifecta Challenge and look forward to supporting the event in 2019 and raising awareness for the amazing work these organisations do.” 84
www.b4-business.com
B4 csr
The Charities
“
This will almost certainly be the most physically demanding 24 hours of my life Dr Richard White - Oxford PharmaGenesis
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The Oxford Children’s Hospital Built around the needs of children and their families, with the clinical areas grouped together under one roof, The Oxford Children’s Hospital based at the John Radcliffe in Oxford is bright and happy with indoor and outdoor play areas, sensory rooms and even a school. Eleanor Jones (Head of Fundraising) said, “It is only through the support of the local community we are able to help support a new parents’ accommodation and the amounts raised by the Trifecta challenge will make a real difference helping to provide a safe, comfortable space for families to stay when they need it most”.
Headway Oxfordshire Headway Oxfordshire has been supporting those affected by brain injury across Oxfordshire for over 30 years. We improve the lives of those affected – including their families and carers – via a range of high-quality support services. Jamie Miller (CEO) said, “As the public purse continues to draw tighter, it is the charities that are meeting the real world human need within our communities. The organisations that came together in a partnership to support the Trifecta Three Peaks Challenge understand this. It’s these forward thinking and committed individuals and organisations that will make our community a fairer and better place to live”.
The Mulberry Bush School The Mulberry Bush School’s objective is to provide specialist services to meet the needs of emotionally troubled and traumatised children, their families and communities. John Diamond (CEO) said, “I would like my physical journey across the Three Peaks challenge to reflect and celebrate the struggle with adversity these children have overcome. It will no doubt be difficult and arduous, and I hope, like the children, I will be able to find the inner strength to complete the task and along the way use it as a fundraising opportunity to further support our important work.” If you are interested in taking part in the Trifecta please visit www.t3pc.org. Not sure your knees will be able to take it but still want your organisation to be part of this event? We are also looking for companies interested in sponsoring the event. Please contact Ellie Collins at ellie.collins@pharmagenesis.com or call Michael Wellborn on 01367 248494 to find out about how you can get involved. www.t3pc.org www.pharmagenesis.com www.cisltd.com www.b4-business.com www.hospitalcharity.co.uk www.headwayoxford.org.uk www.mulberrybush.org.uk www.warpline.co.uk www.xist2.com
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“
The B4 offices are wonderful. There’s such a lovely atmosphere and I was warmly welcomed when I attended a masterclass given by Grant Hayward, which was superb. As a firm, it provides us with a great location to visit for learning and presenting. Gayle Curry - Partner - BrookStreet des Roches LLP
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A great space to work and learn in. Visiting B4’s offices is a fantastic experience and I’ve learned so much from the B4 masterclasses. I’m looking forward to more visits to B4 in the future – I’m always guaranteed a warm welcome. Chris Mitty - Operations Director, Letting & Management Breckon & Breckon
AWAY DAY OR VANITY PIC? The Meeting Room Seating up to 12, the meeting room is the perfect place to brainstorm and plan for your future success. Leave the preparation to us so all you need to do is ‘turn up and do what you do best. We will provide refreshments as you require throughout your visit, hot and cold drinks, wide screen TV to hook up to your laptop and wi-fi.
The Studio Whether it’s a new headshot for your B4 or LinkedIn profile or you want to shoot a series of training videos, we have the equipment and the expertise on site to capture and edit whatever it is you want shot, as long as it’s not the boss!
“
We visited the B4 offices for an away day with the team who meet from all parts of the UK. We couldn’t have asked for more. Whatever we needed was provided…and some. It’s such a relaxing environment but we were still incredibly productive and I would say it was easily one of our most positive team away days. We will certainly be going back. Thanks B4. Jo Stevens - Managing Director, Oxford Innovation, Innovation Centres
“
I have had the pleasure of visiting B4’s offices on a number of occasions, both for meetings and presenting a masterclass. It’s a fantastic space for all your meeting and training needs and the B4 team always make me feel very welcome. The meeting room really does come alive and I really enjoyed presenting and the interaction with the B4 members. James White - Sales Mentor and Trainer
THE STABLES powered by
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? Please call us on 01865 742211 to find out more about our facilities, or why not book an appointment to see for yourself
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www.b4-business.com The Stables at The Moat, Northampton Rd, Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire, OX25 3QL
news FK Fun Days in 2018 our teams told “usWhen that they wanted to take part in fundraising activities every year we were more than happy to provide them with the support to organise their own activities in 2018. They’ve done an amazing job, raising nearly £7,000 for local and national charities close to their hearts.
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Paul Rushworth Managing Director
TeamFK ready to take on the Culture Crawl
We have always encouraged our team to help raise funds and awareness for charities as part of our corporate social responsibility. In the past this was a bit disjointed and so in 2009 we introduced a structured ‘Charity of the Year’, where every one of our eight offices would support the same charity for one year. Since then, we have supported a different charity every alternate year (so that we are not asking our clients for donations every year) including Sobell House Hospice, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, BOB Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation. In 2017 we asked our team for feedback and one of the points raised was that they missed doing team building, fundraising activities in our ‘off’ years, so in 2018 they were invited to organise their own fundraising events for their chosen charities. They have certainly risen to the challenge:
TeamFK at the end of the OX5RUN
info@finderskeepers.co.uk 01865 311 011
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Oxford Children’s Hospital We had a team of 22 people taking part in the OX5RUN in March. They ran (or walked!) around the five mile course at Blenheim Palace to raise awareness for the Oxford Children’s Hospital and they also raised more than £2,000.
Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres We had a team of people taking part in the Oxford Culture Crawl this year and in order to reach their target they organised bake sales, hosted a quiz night in May (which was so popular that a second one was held in November) and even had a ‘guess the baby name’ sweepstake. They raised just under £2,500 for our local cancer caring centre.
Cancer Research UK We hosted a charity dinner in Summertown’s Xi’an restaurant in June and later in the year we organised
TeamFK delighted to complete the Oxford Half
another ‘Finders Keepers Charity Shoot’, which was a great success. These events raised more than £1,000 for CRUK.
Sobell House Hospice Our Senior Marketing Manager is a keen baker and organised a bake sale at her local leisure centre – “wrong audience” you might think, but people were more than happy to replace their calories and donate more than £400 to Sobell House.
Katharine House Hospice Our Banbury Office Manager is a keen runner and set up a team to take part in the Oxford Half Marathon. The team was a mix of regular runners and more sporadic runners who enthusiastically accepted the challenge. They raised just under £1,500 for their local hospice.
TeamFK quizzing to raise money for Maggie’s
www.finders.co.uk
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B4 venues
Christmas Dinners and Functions from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford Dinners and functions set against beautiful backdrops with exceptional cuisine. Written by: Verity Donovan
Photography by: David Fisher
As well as offering state of the art award-winning conference facilities, we also offer a wide range of functions- including plated dinners, sit down buffet dinners, gala dinners, awards ceremonies, themed dinners and Christmas parties. The focus of the award-winning catering team at Oxford Saïd is on the quality and standard of the food offering, with locally sourced British produce, and sustainably sourced fish. Oxford Saïd holds the Soil Association’s Food for Life Catering Mark. We were one of the first business schools to achieve this, which is something we are immensely proud of. The catering team are fully equipped to deal with any allergen or dietary requirements and are consistently finding new and innovative ways to accommodate these requirements such as the ‘free from’ range and a fully inclusive Vegan day delegate rate (DDR) package. We believe food and drink are essential to the success of any function. Our catering team offer a wide range of functions both indoor and outdoor, for example, the popular BBQ and High Tea menus.
Christmas Parties – Prepare to be Shaken and Stirred This Year! • Exclusive use of either of our unique and stunning venues on the night of your party with bespoke tailored packages to suit all budgets: • Exceptional, attentive service : Hospitality Manager on hand throughout your event • Drinks packages and bar options available • Discreet security As well as our standard Christmas party nights we are now also offering a Casino Royale themed evening with all the trimmings!
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This fabulous package is fully inclusive for a minimum of 80 up to 250 guests and includes: • Casino Royale themed decoration/lighting/music • Black tie • 3 course plated dinner • 1 drinks package per person (themed cocktails and mocktails) • Full cash/contactless bar running throughout the evening 6-11pm in the Club room • Disco • Casino tables and croupiers (fun money and a prize for the best score on the night!)
Park End Street venue –In the heart of the City of Oxford Enjoy the stunning views of Oxford’s dreaming spires in the Pyramid dining room. We offer private dining from 40 guests up to 250 guests. Dedicated AV technicians are available for speeches and music if required. Entertainment is also available pre or post event at an additional charge. The Club Room with a bar, lounge space, terrace and views across private gardens, is the perfect space for a seasonal drinks reception and networking. We are currently offering a post-event package, which includes spiced cider or a non-alcoholic alternative, in order to wind down after a busy day.
pre or post event at an additional charge. The Common Room areas with a bar, lounge space and views of the grounds, are the perfect spaces for a drinks reception and networking. The Nautilus dining room can seat up to 60 guests. The courtyard can be used exclusively for pre or post dinner drinks and summer outdoor functions such as BBQs. The Rosemary Stewart Lounge is a small private dining room ideal for intimate dinners for up to 30 guests. The floor to ceiling windows showcase the beautiful grounds and woodland areas of Egrove Park. Plated dinner menus vary on a regular basis in keeping with seasonal changes. Wine is included with the meal and will be selected to compliment your menu choice. We also offer: • Teambuilding • Experience weekends • Training and networking events • Conference facilities • Residential conferences – current 20% discount if you book and hold an event before the end of 2018 – visit our Promotions Page.
The Garden Room: a brand new addition to the main building with lovely views of the private gardens. Dining for 60 delegates
Egrove Park Venue – In a parkland setting The Dining room enjoys spectacular views of the 37 acres of grounds that surrounds Egrove Park. We offer private dining from 40 guests up to 108 guests. Dedicated AV technicians are available for speeches and music if required. Entertainment is also available
conference@sbs.ox.ac.uk 01865 288 846 www.sbs.oxford.edu/conference
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B4 venues Zanzi Digital’s team are the latest arrivals at Howbery Park
We met at a “ business networking
event”, said Ned, “And after sharing an office for a while, found that we had the perfect mix of skills and experience to merge our two companies into one digital marketing agency, and Zanzi was born.
”
WEB WHIZZES MOVE IN AT HOWBERY PARK Written by: Susan Bouffler
Digital Marketing Agency, Zanzi Digital, has relocated its office to Howbery Business Park. Managing Director, Jayne Reddyhoff, and CEO, Ned Wells, who both have a background in business consultancy and senior management in blue chip organisations – Jayne with Logica and Oracle, and Ned as former Head of Digital Strategy at a large web development agency – formed Zanzi in 2014 by combining their two separate businesses. The team of digital marketing strategists specialise in identifying bespoke solutions to help their customers grow online, whether that’s selling more products, generating more leads or growing their membership. “We met at a business networking event”, said Ned, “And after sharing an office for a while, found that we had the perfect mix of skills and experience to merge our two companies into one digital marketing agency, and Zanzi was born. We now have a great team with expertise in all the different aspects of digital marketing.” “We found that we shared the same business vision and values as well,” explained Jayne. “And our skills are complementary. I specialise in e-commerce and online sales, whereas Ned’s experience brings a focus on lead generation and digital marketing
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strategy, which means we can provide a complete package to help our customers achieve their online ambitions.“ Away from the office, Jayne gives occasional lectures in Digital Marketing to Post Graduates at Oxford Brookes University’s Business School, while Ned is a Business Ambassador for businesses in the region with South Oxfordshire District Council. Donna Bowles, Howbery Park Estates Manager, said: “We have a number of different types of digital marketing business on the park, and Zanzi makes a great complement. As well as national organisations, Zanzi also works with local businesses such as Didcot-based Pryors, the executive car business, and we’re looking forward to seeing them continue to grow their customer base from their new home in The Stables.”
a sustainable, contemporary working environment for its tenants. Set in beautifully landscaped grounds near Wallingford, Howbery Business Park’s offices offer unrivalled views across Oxfordshire’s picturesque countryside. The park provides office space for a wide range of businesses, offering both short-term lets and larger, long-term bases in bespoke office builds. Owned by HR Wallingford, Howbery Business Park has a diverse range of businesses on site including major occupiers such as the Environment Agency. The park has planning permission to create 74,000 sq. ft. of new office space. For further information about development and tenancy opportunities at Howbery Business Park, visit howberypark.com.
To find out more about Zanzi Digital, go to: https://zanzidigital.co.uk/
About Howbery Business Park Howbery Business Park is the UK’s first solarpowered business park and prides itself on creating
info@howberypark.com 01491 822 411 www.howberypark.com
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If you want to reach your sales targets consistently, you’ll need a Sales Mentor.
HE WON’T REACH THE TOP OF HIS GAME WITHOUT A MENTOR AND NEITHER WILL YOU. My name is James White and I am a Sales Mentor and Trainer. I work with successful companies who want to get even better sales results.
Do you want to achieve better sales results? Take my Sales Success Test and see whether you have everything in place to achieve consistent sales success:
www.salessuccesstest.co.uk www.jameswhite.business
hello@jameswhite.business
0800 046 1651
@jameswhitesales
B4 recruitment
“ My biggest advice is to
focus on retention before focusing on recruitment. In my experience, once a staff member has handed in their notice, even if you are able to negotiate, it’s often already too late.
”
How to Attract Talent in Oxford’s Competitive Employment Market Written by: Ben Thompson, MD, Thompson & Terry Photography by: Rob Scotcher
As a recruiter, networker, and business owner, I am consistently working with businesses, large and small, who all seem to share the same difficulties when recruiting talented employees. Although the severity of these difficulties depends on the location, seniority, and type of vacancy, the challenge itself always seems to remain. ‘The Digital Age’ has given candidates increasing access to potential employment opportunities. They are able to compare vacancies and employers, using sites like Glassdoor.co.uk to read real employee reviews on various businesses. This makes it even more difficult for employers to stand out, especially in Oxford’s competitive employment market. It is no longer enough to offer a strong salary and a good pension, candidates demand flexibility, recognised training, and a really clear (almost guaranteed) career path as a reward for their hard work. My biggest advice is to focus on retention before focusing on recruitment. In my experience, once a staff member has handed in their notice, even if you are able to negotiate, it’s often already too late. Retention can be achieved in a variety of ways. A client of ours openly admits that he pays every employee £2k more than they would achieve with their closest competitor. Another offers substantial shares to senior staff members, and another offers flexible working plus up to 20 performance-based pay rises per year (ranging from £50 - £400 each). Most recruitment consultancies, ours included, will be able to give you an indication of the salary and www.b4-business.com
benefits structure that would be appropriate for any given role. Additionally, we advise our clients to go one step further and offer a clearly defined career path with the view to retaining employment.
for you. I would ensure that you negotiate terms (not just the fee) so you (and the agency) split the risk if the candidate doesn’t work out and only pay if their search is successful.
As a small business owner myself, I appreciate that we aren’t all able to compete and at some point most businesses will need to recruit to replace, or indeed to grow, which is a challenge we are ‘enjoying’ here at Thompson & Terry. All of our team receive a strong basic salary and commission structure, combined with pre-defined pay rises and a guaranteed promotion for every 3 quarterly targets achieved. This has been instrumental in how we have attracted and retained talent; our employees are certain on their goals, and have a constant carrot to work towards. Additionally, each of our team (me included) enjoy regular coaching sessions to ensure that our personal goals are aligned to the goals of the business.
Our approach is to only send candidates to clients that we would personally employ ourselves. As a result, 78% of the first candidates we submit are successful, and 93% remain employed after 9 months. We are always happy to offer free advice on how best to recruit for your business, so please get in touch if that would be useful.
Another area to consider is the method of sourcing candidates. It’s no longer enough to post an advert and wait for applications. Whilst we do advertise most of our roles on mainstream and specialist sites, we find more success in taking a head-hunting approach. If you have the time and expertise, I would recommend advertising vacancies digitally, via LinkedIn, your website, and a targeted Facebook campaign, focusing very much on the benefits discussed earlier in this article. I would also normally recommend talking to a specialist agency, who will be able to directly approach and interview candidates
ben@thompsonandterry.co.uk 01235 797 177 http://thompsonandterry.co.uk
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HELPING INDIVIDUALS DEVELOP SKILLS & NETWORKS Join us for a special event after BIO2019 at MINI PLANT OXFORD on Thursday 6th June, 2019
Engaging the next generation
b4-nxt.com ï… B4NXT
B4 marketing
Aerial Photography at Beggars Barn in Oxfordshire
The ads Digital Team - (L-R) Molly, Reece, Ben and Oli
Aerial photography of the ads offices using our drone at the Blenheim Palace Sawmills, Combe
Never Compromise On Quality Here at ads, we are dedicated to providing results driven, integrated marketing solutions that are tailored to each client’s specific needs. Whether we are working with a well-known organisation or start-up business with a small budget, we approach every single client with the same, energy, creativity, honesty and attention to detail – meaning we never compromise on quality. Written by: ads Photography by: ads
Established in 1988, we work closely with small to medium size businesses in Oxfordshire and beyond, with several of those still doing business with us today – which we believe is a testament to our dedication, trustworthiness and marketing expertise. Adding to that, our commitment to investing in our team means we always strive to reach new heights. With two of our team members, Debbie and Nikki, recently achieving their CIM Certificate in Marketing, and Oli obtaining a CAA drone licence, we are proud to keep to our promise of investing in our staff. Over recent years, the digital age has truly taken off; you’ll struggle to find someone who doesn’t use social media or owns a smartphone. Therefore, we put a large amount of our focus on all things digital and we couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come. Our digital department launched in 2015 with Ben, who joined ads as a Digital Marketing Apprentice. Ben’s passion for all things digital led him to pursue a career within the sector. With the digital industry being as competitive as it is, Ben saw the apprenticeship as the perfect opportunity to get his foot in the door and a strong base to excel his career. After his year of extended learning, growing his knowledge and expanding his experience and passion, he joined the ads team on a full-time basis. Now, almost four years later Ben heads up the ever-growing digital team. Throughout the proceeding years, the digital team has grown from strength to strength, Molly joined on completion of a BA(Hons) Digital Media Design degree. Followed by Oli a year later. As of September 2018, the team of three became four,
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with Reece joining as a Digital Marketing Executive, whilst also specialising in content writing. With digital trends changing like the weather, we ensure we do everything we can to keep up with the latest technology. As of summer, 2018, we have two fully qualified commercial drone operators on the team. Both Ben and Oli hold a CAA licence for commercial operations, ads offer bespoke drone services. It’s predicted that by 2019, 80% of all internet traffic will be video. With 52% of consumers saying that watching a video about a product or service makes them more confident in online purchasing decisions. It’s no wonder why the demand for video content is so high. Drone technology is something that will stand your website or social media out from the crowd. From stunning aerial shots to high-resolution images, drone videography and photography will provide you with breathtaking content, from a different perspective, that cannot be captured with any other equipment. With the ability to shoot in 4k, from 400 feet in the air, you can be sure your content will be unique.
content will again, stand out from competitors. Photo and video will allow your audience to be immersed in the content, giving them the opportunity to interact with it in ways other media wouldn’t allow. After a successful campaign with a local car dealership, the possibilities of 360° photography and cinematography are truly impressive. With the ability to adapt the media to different sectors, the opportunity for exciting content is endless. It’s not only digital that we specialise in. With a huge amount of experience in media planning & buying, in-house graphic design and event management, we have the firepower to help all businesses grow. Whether that is securing airtime on the radio or producing a beautiful brochure, that’s tailored to specific details, there is no task we’ll shy away from. ads welcome you to join us for a coffee and chat at our office in the beautiful West Oxfordshire countryside, located at the Blenheim Palace Sawmills. With exciting opportunities on the horizon and new propositions set to be launched soon, this setting is idyllic for creating and exploring new ideas.
At ads, we have the flexibility to offer drone packages that best fit our client’s desires. With services such as full pre-production planning, as well as being fully insured, it really couldn’t be easier to introduce drone work into your business. We also offer a range of 360° photography and videography services that complement our growing service propositions. Much like drone work, 360° content is unique, it’s something that your audience isn’t used to seeing, meaning your
sales@adsoxford.co.uk 01993 885 122 www.adsoxford.co.uk @ADSOxford
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imagery design . print . finish
high quality 10 colour B1 litho print...
Imagery is a second generation family run business based in Birmingham successfully delivering print and related services for more than 26 years. With an unsurpassed wealth of accrued knowledge, Imagery is a reputable, successful business that welcomes the opportunity to be considered as your printing partner. We aim to provide all our clients with the highest quality print at a competitive price, contact the team and see what we can do for you...
imagery 1-3 Prince Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham B30 3HB
T: 0121 486 1616 W: www.imageryuk.com
B4 marketing
ARE YOU READY TO BE A THOUGHT LEADER? Cerub PR is an award winning PR company specialising in working with CEOs and business leaders. Cerub’s dynamic approach combined with its in-depth knowledge of the media landscape, ensures its clients are recognised as industry experts. Written by: Ceri-Jane Hackling
Did you know that you’re a thought leader? Many business owners don’t see their own knowledge as particularly interesting or insightful and would baulk at the idea that they could call themselves a ‘thought leader’. If you want to reap the benefits of standing out in a crowded marketplace, put aside your misgivings and consider the following:
You know more than you think you do It’s easy to assume that the industry expert quoted in the article or interviewed on the radio programme has views that are more important than yours. The truth is that all that separates you from them is the fact that they have found a way for their voice to be heard and you haven’t. You’re both professionals in the same industry – the difference is that you just haven’t built a platform for spreading your message yet. Journalists call on experts who have made themselves known to them, or publish articles from experts who have pitched an interesting idea. There’s no mysterious, magical equation that gives them more right to be in the spotlight than you, they just put themselves forward.
Your expertise is valuable When you are surrounded by people in the same industry as you who all have a similar knowledge base, speak in similar terms and have a common understanding, it’s easy to assume that the knowledge you have is obvious. It’s only when you start discussing ideas with people outside your industry and viewing things from the perspective of your potential clients that you realise your views and expertise have value.
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Sometimes it helps to take a step back and try to see your knowledge from an outsider’s perspective. It’s difficult to do, but you’ll realise that your knowledge is valuable.
It’s all about the angle As a PR agency, we know it’s all about finding the best angle for stories, especially when pitching thought leadership articles. If you want to present
Sometimes it helps to “take a step back and try
to see your knowledge from an outsider’s perspective. It’s difficult to do, but you’ll realise you know more than you think you do.
”
Cerub PR, Managing Director Ceri-Jane Hackling
yourself as a media friendly, knowledgeable expert, you need to adapt the way you view the information and skills you have. For example, very few people would be interested in an article which talks about how great your company is but if you were to pitch an article with your opinions about an issue directly affecting your clients or the industry you work in and your thoughts on how they can address those issues, you’d suddenly find people were interested.
Expand your reach Don’t limit yourself to your industry-specific media and think widely when it comes to the topics you can comment on. For example, if you run a marketing company you’ll probably specialise in a few different
industries so you’ll have an inside track on the kinds of topics these markets will be interested in. We previously helped a marketing agency gain exposure with pharmaceutical companies, one of their key audiences, securing a 2,000 word commissioned article in a leading market title offering advice on how pharmaceutical companies could improve their marketing strategies. Another client specialises in crowd management and we have successfully secured columns for him in a variety of magazines outside the specific security media discussing the issues that venues and transport hubs - for example - need to be prepared for. As a result he is now a regular speaker and panellist at industry conferences. Think about your target audiences and what media they are reading and tailor your approach to appear in those titles. Positioning yourself as a thought leader is one of the most effective ways to stand out among your competitors and build a reputation as a knowledgeable and authoritative representative of the business. It will help you to demonstrate why you’re the best at what you do and lead to customers associating you and your brand with quality and expertise.
hello@cerubpr.co.uk 01494 463 922 www.cerubpr.co.uk @cerubpr
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news Charity of the Year Partnerships at Sobell House One great way to support local hospice Sobell House is to choose them as your companies Charity of the Year. It’s always a great way to connect with a local charity and motivate and inspire your colleagues. One local business doing just that is Opus Energy, who are based here in Oxford on the Banbury Road in Summertown. a helping hand to. Giving back to the community that has allowed us to thrive is a no-brainer. Q. Have your staff risen to the challenge and what have they been doing? They have! We’ve had everything from carnivalthemed fundraising days to serious athletic feats – including running the Oxford Half Marathon and taking on the Three Peaks challenge. If there’s anything we’ve learned this year, it’s that our team members like to give it their all, and that extends to supporting Sobell House.
The Opus Enrrgy Team
Q. Please tell B4 a little bit about Opus Energy and the impact they have had on the energy industry over the past 16 years? Opus Energy is an energy supplier that provides gas and electricity exclusively to businesses, as well as buying renewable power back from small business generators. It’s been an exciting few years for us we started here in Oxford in 2002 and we’re now the sixth largest supplier to businesses in the UK.
type of service for our customers. Small business owners are some of the hardest working people in the UK, and we want to do more than just keep their lights on – we want to support them and help them to make their business successful. Q. Why did Opus Energy choose Sobell House as their Charity of the Year? It’s really thanks to the people who work at Opus Energy that we’ve chosen to support Sobell House. We knew we wanted to support a local charity, so our Oxford team members put it to a vote and Sobell House came out on top as the charity of choice.
Q. And lastly, what message would you like to give to the local business community considering supporting Sobell House? Making decisions for your business is tough, and there’s rarely one right answer, but deciding to support Sobell House is an easy choice. They have a fantastic partnership team who will work closely with you to ensure your business and its employees have ample opportunity to get involved and give back. If you are interested in forming a partnership with Sobell House and would like to know more please contact Tim Wraith their Corporate Partnerships Manager
Many of our colleagues have been touched by the work that Sobell House do and will personally attest for the fantastic support and service they offer. Those of us who’ve visited the hospice have been blown away by the dedication of the team – the hard work, love and attention that goes into their day jobs is truly humbling. Anything we can do to help them keep up the good work is well worth our efforts. Three Peaks Challenge
To give you an idea of our size, over 340,000 business sites across the country get their electricity or gas from Opus Energy, and many of these are small, independent businesses and also charities like Sobell House Right now, we’re really focused providing the right
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Q. How important is it to the business to partner with a well-known local charity? When a business has been somewhere for as long as we have, you begin to feel like a real part of the community. Opus Energy is a company that’s powered by its people, and so it makes sense that our employees tell us which charity they want to give
tim.wraith@sobellhospice.org 01865 857 066 / 07527 849 748 www.sobellhouse.org
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B4 marketing
Christ Church, Oxford
The Plastic Goldfish Company Available in 3D in a venue near you Known for often taking an unconventional approach, Chaz Snell of The Plastic Goldfish Company is pushing the envelope as he launches their brand-spanking-new 3D venue and property tours. Written by: Aisha Kellaway (Scarlet Roo Ltd) Photography by: Plastic Goldfish Co.
B4 members will likely be familiar with The Plastic Goldfish Company. Photographer Chaz Snell has solidified his reputation amongst Oxfordshire businesses with his no-nonsense approach to tackling a commercial photography brief and capturing images that don’t just look nice, but deliver on the job they have to do. Capturing People, Places, Events and Spaces, The Plastic Goldfish Company have a solid track-record in shooting interior and exterior stills that showcase properties and venues of all shapes and sizes. But a still image, no matter how good, has its limitations. Not one to ever let limitations hold him back, Chaz has always loved experimenting with the latest tech and pushing his kit to the limits. The latest addition to the Plastic Goldfish toolbox allows him to produce crystal-clear, fly-through 3D tours, creating an immersive experience second only to walking through a venue yourself. Tours are compatible with VR headsets (including Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear), but you can also view them on desktop and mobile devices making them accessible to anyone, anywhere. This is a bit of a game changer for conference and event venues, as potential hirers can “walk through” the venue and understand its layout and scale, all from the convenience of their office or home (and with research showing that virtual tours heavily increase booking enquiries, everyone’s a winner). They’re also valuable in showcasing accessibility — enabling elderly or disabled visitors to understand www.b4-business.com
where the stairs and lifts are, and helping them to see how they will reach the loos and other facilities. The Plastic Goldfish Company can also fully integrate your tours into Google Street View, helping your venue stand out in Google’s search results and attracting more visitors to your website. The Plastic Goldfish Company have also found a ready market in the hospitality sector, with hotels, bars and restaurants eager to convey and show off their atmosphere and facilities using a combination of stills and a 3D tour. “We can drop room plans and photos into the tour, so with a tap on the screen, people can see areas dressed up for different occasions, like a wedding or a product launch”, says Chaz. “Visitors can even download a sample menu or make a booking enquiry as they take the virtual tour, so your marketing is actually embedded in the VR experience itself”. With only 1 in 10 hotels and restaurants currently making the most of the technology available, it’s an easy way to gain a competitive advantage. Education facilities, especially universities and private schools attracting international students, are also seeing potential with the new tour offering as parents and students are keen to see where they’ll be studying, boarding and view facilities such as laboratories, libraries and refectories. “A virtual tour means that parents, regardless of whether they’re in Johannesburg, Beijing or Dubai, can check out the boarding houses and feel reassured about the environment where they’re sending their kids” explains Chaz.
Marketing aside, virtual tours give all visitors peace of mind through providing added transparency — you can open your doors, digitally, to anyone with a screen, anywhere in the world. The tours make for a natural complement to The Plastic Goldfish Company’s existing service offering of property and venue stills. And, while Chaz is enthusiastic about this new addition, you’ll still be able to hire The Plastic Goldfish Company for individual portrait and team shoots, along with event photography where Chaz will blend with the crowd and capture on-brand images that capture the moment.
Learn more about The Plastic Goldfish Company and their 3D tour offering here: plasticgoldfish.co.uk/ virtual-tours/
hello@plasticgoldfish.co.uk 01865 809 449 plasticgoldfish.co.uk
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B4 marketing
SeeLocal
We understand that online advertising is really hard without the know-how or time, and it can be so easy to blow your budget without seeing any results, but it doesn’t need to be! Written by: Lucie Mason. Marketing & PR Executive, Seelocal
Businesses of all sizes often say, that they’ve struggled to keep track of their advertising campaigns because they simply don’t have the time or the expertise to keep up with how each different ad on each different platform is performing. So we thought, why not create a platform that’s easy to use, helps businesses to engage with their customers and boosts results! At SeeLocal, we’re a bunch of friendly marketing whizzes, who have created a simple, effective, affordable solution to help businesses to run successful, online ad campaigns across multiple websites and social media platforms. Our aim is to help businesses in any industry, with any budget, to target their potential customers online with ease. We track every ad sent through our platform, and can show these ads on a variety of networks simultaneously, such as Social Media, Google and Bing. Not only that, we’ve also made it easy for you to see your campaign results for yourself, with an online dashboard that you can log in to and view your campaign at any time, from any place. This gives you real-time results so you can see how many people are clicking on your ads, which websites and social media platforms they are showing on as well as how many people are engaging with your page. We’ll also give you some insight to your specific www.b4-business.com
customer demographics – how old are they, what devices are they viewing your ads on and more! Simply sit back, and watch your clicks mount up and your enquiries fly in.
your campaign if it’s not delivering the results we’re expecting, so your campaign can then be reoptimized before re-launching. This protects your budget from being wasted on a campaign that isn’t giving you any results – how awesome is that!
Our mission is to make “it easy for businesses to
A number of businesses across the UK already use SeeLocal to generate new leads and enquiries and have had great results! We work with brands from a variety of industries, such as health and fitness, education, hospitality and many more.
successfully use online advertising to engage with relevant local audiences John Hones, Founder of SeeLocal
”
To celebrate the latest launch of our platform, we are offering £50 free ad credit exclusively to B4 readers! Quote “B450” at checkout to redeem your credit and get started.
So, how does it work? SeeLocal will create a set of display ads in the best performing sizes across multiple networks and devices that are tailored to your branding. The sophisticated targeting platform will show the ads to the target audience on relevant websites in the postcodes and areas of your choice which will lead users to a page on your website or to a SeeLocal, conversion optimised landing page. But what about if a campaign doesn’t generate any success? Well, luckily for you we’ve created some clever artificial intelligence, completely unique to SeeLocal. CampaignGuard™ will pause
®
seelocal campaigns@seelocal.co.uk 01295 983 900 www.seelocal.com
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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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B4 services
If you are looking to save money and enhance the service levels you are currently receiving, then use the local choice, Aston and James. Written by: Darren Aston
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.
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sales@aston-james.co.uk 01993 706 900 www.aston-james.co.uk
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B4
B4 Dinner at
THATCHER BUSINESS EDUCATION CENTRE 19th March 2019, 7pm - 10.30pm Thatcher Business Education Centre, Saïd Business School, Park End St, Oxford, OX1 1HP Join B4 Members and Guests for a wonderful evening of fine dining in the impressive Thatcher Business Education Centre (TBEC), Saïd Business School. Conference@OxfordSaïd is one of the UK’s leading conference, meeting and event providers. Enjoy award winning catering and private dining with panoramic views over Oxford’s dreaming spires. Dinner will be prepared on a live cooking table – a 5 course tasting menu with each dish cooked in front of guests and explained throughout.
Please note: The dress code for this event is “smart”. Platinum members are entitled to a number of free tickets – Please get in touch with us to check your allocation. Non-Platinum member and guest tickets are £150+VAT per head. Places are limited to 40 guests so please book early to avoid disappointment.
More dinners being confirmed soon! Register for the above at www.b4-business.com
B4 services
INVESTING IN US investing in Oxford Written by: Fernanda Costa
Oxford Direct Services (ODS) is a social enterprise delivering a wide range of services to businesses from building and grounds maintenance to fleet and waste management. All profit generated is reinvested back into the community via Oxford City Council, their sole shareholder.
• Building repairs and maintenance • Environmental cleansing • General civil engineering • Landscaping, grounds maintenance and tree work • Commercial motor transport services • Pest control.
The company has built on over 20 years’ experience working as part of Oxford City Council for a mixture of public and private sector organisations, as well as individual customers from across Oxfordshire. Their staff is certified and DBS (Disclosure and Barring Services) checked for the services they deliver. Moreover, most of them live locally so they genuinely care about this part of the world.
They have a transparent pricing policy and Service Level Agreement which means you only pay for what you use, with no upfront costs or monthly fees and hidden charges. So if you want to have a discussion about what they can do to help you, you can contact Tracey (details in the box below) for more information.
Besides saving you the hassle of managing multiple suppliers, ODS provides a dedicated account manager to be your one point of contact and tailor their services around your needs. What they offer:
Matt Holmes, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust “We have been using Oxford Direct Services for our line painting and other road related services for many years. The teams deal with us quickly and easily and the returned work is of a very high
• Major projects • Commercial recycling and waste management
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standard. All in all a very cost effective and reliable service.” Michele Morley, Oxford Brookes University: “Oxford Direct Services offer a professional service, a real focus on customer needs and a refreshing approach to understanding and delivering our changing waste management needs.”
What their customers say:
tracey.tupman@oxfordds.co.uk 01865 252 814 www.oxforddirectservices.co.uk
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Providing a local service to Oxfordshire organisations for over 20 years
Copy Right Systems (CRS) have been providing a LOCAL service to the Oxfordshire business community and beyond for 22 years. Our local showroom allows you to come and experiment with products and evolving software that streamlines admin tasks and minimises your IT involvement, resulting in greater efficiencies and reduced costs. We offer the Kyocera and Sharp brands which has just seen Keypoint Intelligence – Buyers Lab (BLI) choosing Kyocera as the ‘most reliable colour copier multifunctional product brand’ & Sharp the ‘most reliable Monochrome multifunctional brand’. For greater peace of mind, CRS have engineers constantly within Oxfordshire which means rapid response from a familiar face when we do need to attend site. Our core print solutions are complimented by a range of screen and collaborative meeting space products as well as the innovative Skywell atmospheric water generator! Contact us for a site visit and free consultation
@CRSdocuments
Tel: 01235 555531
www.copyrightsystems.co.uk
O X F O R D S H I R E
Powered by
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BLAVATNIK LAUNCH 17TH JAN 2019 For more information please see www.oxvoice.co.uk
B4 corp.life
HOTEL DU VIN HENLEY We enjoyed a welcome break at the fabulous Hotel du Vin, a cosy retreat in the heart of Henley, snuggled alongside the banks of the River Thames. Written by: Richard Rosser
The beauty of a Hotel du Vin is that you feel like you’re checking into a beautiful house, not a hotel. It’s all very relaxed but sophisticated at the same time, with friendly staff on hand to welcome us and show us to our room. But we were running late – now there’s a surprise! – and we had to make our dinner reservation for 8pm. So what do you do when eating at the hotel of wine? Indulge! That’s what we did, starting with a glass of champagne followed by smoked salmon for me and duck liver parfait for Tina…..followed by the wine, two whole bottles of it! Sacré bleu! So in the red corner, to accompany Tina’s partridge, a bottle of Malbec (Catena, 2016)…and in the white corner, a bottle of Chenin Blanc to help me with my whole guinea fowl. Superb wine with super food… an excellent combination. Somehow we even managed to squeeze in desserts with a healthy serving of lemon tarte and a mighty chocolate mousse which all but defeated Tina. That was a meal and a half and saw us off to a wonderful night’s sleep…it was that good I even took a picture of the manufacturer’s label…which reminds me! Our replenishing stay at Hotel du Vin ended with a light breakfast and a brief walk along the banks of the Thames and as we headed back to Oxford we resolved to return and ensure we spent more time in the picturesque Henley.
ABOUT HOTEL DU VIN HENLEY Behind the classic Georgian architecture of this
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old brewery, you’ll be welcomed warmly into this tranquil haven. The inspired re-incarnation of this cluster of historic listed buildings has created one of the most striking hotels in Henley-on-Thames. A former brewery for 300 years, we’ve enhanced its charming, original period detail while adding our own contemporary sparkle. Escape to the sanctuary of one of our 43 beautifully furnished rooms and suites, where you’ll find a custom-made bed, hand-sprung mattress, soft Egyptian cotton bed linen, fluffy towels and robes, monsoon shower or roll top bath. Take a leisurely lunch al fresco in the central courtyard or sample some hearty, seasonal dishes in our trademark bistro. Enjoy a glass of the finest fizz in the light and airy Champagne bar or your favourite tipple at the pewter topped bar, with over 600 wines to sample in the wine cellar. Visit our cosy cigar bothy or relax on our comfy sofas for a nightcap under low beams in the Snug. You can even celebrate a private party, family celebration or wedding in a unique function room at Hotel du Vin Henley.
tuck shop selection of sweets, pads, pencils and audio visual equipment. Support your meeting with a range of packages on request and make sure not to miss out on our fantastic menus. And when the day is done, unwind in style with colleagues in our light and airy Champagne bar, with a toast to teamwork, or entertain clients in the bistro.
ABOUT HENLEY Nestled in a valley in the Chilterns, you’ll find the delightful 12th century market town of Henley-onThames. A world-renowned centre of rowing thanks to the Royal Regatta, Henley has a quaint atmosphere, quirky independent shops and a peppering of museums and galleries. Furthermore, the annual Festival of Music and Arts is always a cultural treat for the diary.
MEETING ROOMS AT HOTEL DU VIN At Hotel du Vin we’re here to make sure your meeting or event is the best it can be. Our expert events team are here to make sure everything runs smoothly. We offer truly individual and inspiring rooms and a range of flexible packages - all supported with your own dedicated events organiser, plus free wi-fi, the
eventsdesk@hotelduvin.com 01491 877 579 www.hotelduvin.com
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“Stress-free ordering process, service was second to none, equipment is high standard & you can return dirty! I have no problem recommending OEH”
Call Two One Services for all your sales and marketing solutions! Two One Services consultancy provides sales and marketing solutions through appointment setting, new business development, and the generation of sales leads through various marketing channels such as social media. For further information, please contact Zena Kennedy Sales and Marketing Consultant Tel: 07730 927 888 E-mail: twooneservices@outlook.com
B4CONNECTOR
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businessinoxford.com
01865 760 158 hello@oxfordeventhire.co.uk www.oxfordeventhire.co.uk
OxfordEventHire_B4_Advert93x136.5+0mm.indd 1
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B4 corp.life
The Art of Discovery - Designer Kathryn Croxson shares her insights into what inspires shoppers. It’s easy to forget what drives our emotional connection to brands. Data marketing strategists would have us believe online shopping alone fulfils all our desires. But what happened to the magic of discovery through connection? The art of discovery seems to have been lost on brands that are focused purely on consumer behaviour data rather than their imaginations. There’s no debating online shopping dominates, but to neglect customers desires for social and experiential experiences would be a missed opportunity. Having a sense of discovery is imbued with power. It also implies curiosity and ultimately ownership. Discovery ignites a passion for learning, creativity, and imagination. It also fuels customers’ loyalty because they have invested ownership into the experience of discovering something new. I’m not going to lie to you, as the owner and creative director of a niche independent brand my colourful products are polarizing. Bold, eclectic and vibrant, my range either delights customers or challenges them. But they all agree on one thing – they have never seen anything else like it in the market. In other words, it’s a discovery driven range. Although being independent means lacking a massive infrastructure, the flip side is having a razor sharp purpose. My rallying cry is “boho on the go”. It may sound funny yes, however creating a sense of bohemian freedom for time poor women resulted in my best seller the ‘Look No Hands’ bag. It’s a small bag that holds smart phone and keys and comes in jewel colours. Delightful but practical, I figured women wanted something special but also handy whilst they rush around. I’m proud to share my brand’s purpose to ‘create joyous treasures for women’ is gaining momentum, and opportunities. I recently was one of two finalists for Blenheim Palace’s Start Up Competition 2018 and also invited to sell with notonthehighstreet.com www.b4-business.com
Surprisingly amongst all the customer feedback I’ve learnt that women weren’t necessarily buying gifts for others. It’s about finding a special treat for themselves. Again, customers are either intrigued or challenged, but those who connect will buy.
My favourite discovery strategies to ignite customers’ shopping instincts:
I’m carving a niche through triggering customers’ sense of discovery. My brand is like a living breathing Pinterest or Instagram page but one that’s found in the amazing weekend markets or the incredible Blenheim Palace.
2. Make your products feel like part of their story. I launched my brand because I wanted to create an experience of discovery and inspiration that fast-fashion often lacks. I like to give customers cards with the time and place they found my product. Like a postcard or keepsake note.
“ I’m carving a niche through triggering customers’ sense of discovery
”
Selling in unique spaces, ones where consumers roam and stumble upon products that excite them, is exactly the experience I want my brand to be part of. One of my favourite discovery stories came from Carl Pickering, the award winning architect and partner of Lazzarini and Pickering Architetti (Architecture) whom collaborated on the Fendi fashion boutiques in Rome, London and Paris. LPA designed the international image of Fendi Boutiques between 1997-2002 and Pickering shared how the boutiques featured long, low tables. Designed close to the ground the tables made women feel like they were in a market place environment fossicking and discovering treasures albeit Fendi ones worth thousands of pounds. Fendi and Pickering, masters of retail design, understood the importance of connecting with customer’s hunter-gatherers instincts and giving them the joy of browsing and gathering.
1. Make customers feel unique by giving them a product that stands out from the crowd.
3. Go for the feel good factor. Make customers proud and feel their shopping choices have a positive halo effect. I work exclusively with British manufactures and I design in Buckinghamshire from my barn. It’s about nurturing and connecting with home-grown British creativity, skilled artisans and businesses. 4. My strategy is “more-is-more” and I use fantastical colours and print design on classic shapes. So the brand mixes individualism with functional design. The focus on E-commerce and consumer behaviour has taken precedent over allowing customers to experience a brand through the excitement of their personal discovery. Whilst data tracking has become retailers’ holy grail it doesn’t guarantee actual connection and ultimately purchasing. Even in the online realm brands shouldn’t forget using discovery to ignite a powerful sense of curiosity and sense of the unique.
Kathryn Croxson 07437 378542 www.kathryncroxson.com 109
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CMC Partners 01844 319 286OXON www.cmc-partners.co.uk
Exalta 01803 712 411 www.exalta.co.uk
That Oxford Girl www.thatoxfordgirl.com
ANPR Consulting 07434 962 871 www.anprconsulting.co.uk
Oxford Professional Consulting 01865 436 791 OXON www.oxfordprofessionalconsulting.com Hilltop Consultancy 01844 237 450 BUCKS www.hilltopconsultancy.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 Explosive Learning Solutions 01235 861 805 OXON www.explosivelearningsolutions.com Endeavour Consulting 07711 825 005 OXON www.endeavour-consulting.co.uk Leading Edge Coaching 01488 638 119 OXON www.leadingedgecoaching.co.uk Two One Services 07730 927 888 OXON www.facebook.com/twooneservices The Career Boutique 0845 520 4010 OXON www.thecareerboutique.com Cultural Chemistry 07944 636 091 OXON www.culturalchemistry.com.au Coaching Mindset 07843 291 975 OXON www.coachingmindset.co.uk Collaborent 01865 881 047 OXON www.collaborent.co.uk
LEGAL Penningtons Manches LLP P 01865 722 106 OXON www.penningtons.co.uk Hedges Law P Nicola Poole Managing Director 01491 839 839 OXON www.hedgeslaw.co.uk Freeths LLP P 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 Knights G Philip Marsh Oxford Office Leader 01865 811 700 OXON www.knightsplc.com BrookStreet Des Roches LLP Paddy Gregan G Partner 01235 836 655 OXON www.bsdr.com Royds Withy King G Lucy Nash Associate Solicitor 01865 792 300 OXON www.roydswithyking.com Everyman Legal 0845 868 0960 OXON www.everymanlegal.com
Mark Carrington 07939 642 169 www.jmarkcarrington.co.uk
Boardman, Hawkins & Osborne LLP 07867 334 231 OXON www.bholegal.co.uk Blake Morgan LLP 01865 248 607 OXON www.blakemorgan.co.uk
Vistage International (UK) Ltd 01489 770 200 www.vistage.co.uk
Brethertons LLP 01295 270 999 www.brethertons.co.uk
www.b4-business.com
B4 NETWORKING GROUPS
Lewis Silkin 0207 0748 494 OXON www.lewissilkin.com
Oxfordshire Community Foundation 01865 798 666 OXON www.oxfordshire.org
David Parry Employment Law 01993 848 247 OXON www.parryemploymentlaw.com
Headway Oxfordshire 01865 326 263 OXON www.headway-oxford.org.uk
B4 P Richard Rosser Editor 01865 742 211 OXON www.b4-business.com
Blandy & Blandy 0118 951 6800 BERKS www.blandy.co.uk
Blue Skye Thinking 01242 262 731 OXON www.blueskyethinking.org
Opendoorz 07818 453 105 OXON www.opendoorz.biz
CLEANING SERVICES
The Oxford Business Network 01865 379 272 OXON www.oxfordbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Moorcrofts LLP 01628 4700004 www.moorcrofts.com Addis Law 01865 339 457 OXON www.addislaw.co.uk Crossland Employment Solicitors 01235 841 506 OXON www.crosslandsolicitors.com John Randle Associates 01865 339 319 OXON www.johnrandleassociates.com Brethertons 01869 252 161 OXON www.brethertons.co.uk
BUSINESS SERVICES ARCHIVE & STORAGE Oxford Duplication Centre Cheryl-Lee Foulsham G Managing Director 01865 457 000 OXON www.theduplicationcentre.co.uk
Oxford CleanTech Ltd Jose Gouveia Managing Director 01865 596 105 OXON www.oxfordct.co.uk
Excel Dry Cleaners 01865 511 773 OXON www.exceldrycleanersofoxford.co.uk WH Mobile Valeting 07979 480 886 OXON www.whvaleting.com
Oxford City Council P Samuel Kabiswa Principal Regeneration & Economic Development Officer 01865 249 811 OXON www.oxford.gov.uk
BUSINESS SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT Aston & James Office Supplies Ltd P Darren Aston Director 01993 706 900 OXON www.aston-james.co.uk
OxfordshireLEP P Richard Byard Director of Business Development 01865 261 433 OXON www.oxfordshirelep.com
CRS Document Solutions 01235 555 531 OXON www.copyrightsystems.co.uk
Bicester Vision G Graeme Laws Partnership Manager 01868 324244 OXON www.bicestervision.co.uk
MJF 01895 909 000 OXON www.mjf.co.uk
CHARITIES Sobell House 01865 857 067 OXON www.sobellhouse.org Helen & Douglas House G Lucy Walker Community Fundraising Manager 01865 799 150 OXON www.helenanddouglas.org.uk
www.b4-business.com
Business Buzz 0844 358 5800 OXON www.business-buzz.org The Professional Matchmaker 07952 791 083 OXON www.theprofessionalmatchmaker.co.uk
SECURITY Security Exchange 01491 683 710 BERKS www.securityexchange24.com
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Oxfordshire County Council P Bev Hindle Strategic Director for Communities www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
ForPOS 01865 820 925 OXON www.forpos.co.uk
G
TRANSPORT Oxford Bus Company P Phil Southall Managing Director 01865 785 400 OXON ww.oxfordbus.co.uk Findlay Chauffeurs G Claire Hickson Managing Director 0845 644 7099 OXON www.findlaycs.com London Oxford Airport 01865 290 710 OXON www.londonoxfordairport.com
TRANSLATION Conversis 01869 255 820 OXON www.conversis.com
TRAVEL
Oxford Direct Services G Ajud Mohammed Marketing & Brand Manager 01865 335 400 OXON www.bicestervision.co.uk
City Sightseeing P Jane Marshall Transport Manager 01865 790 522 OXON www.citysightseeingoxford.com
Reciprocate 01865 798666 http://reciprocateox.org
Not Just Travel 0800 530 0621 OXON www.notjusttravel.com
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group 01753 870 500 BERKS www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk
PERSONAL ASSISTANTS Claire Gabbey Virtual Assistant 07982 845 966 www.clairegabbey.co.uk
CONFERENCE, EVENTS & VENUES CATERING SERVICES Oxford Fine Dining 01865 728 240 OXON www.oxfordfinedining.co.uk
CONFERENCE VENUES Rhodes House P Isabelle Barber Business Development Manager 01865 282 599 OXON www.rhodeshouseoxford.com Blenheim Palace Hospitality Dominic Hare P Chief Executive Officer 01993 813 874 OXON www.blenheimpalace.com/hospitality Cumberland Lodge G Daren Bowyer Chief Operating Officer 01784 432 316 www.cumberlandlodge.ac.uk Bombay Sapphire Distillery Amy Dobson G Sales and Marketing Manager 01256 890 090 BERKS distillery.bombaysapphire.com Hartwell House Hotel G Matthew Johnson General Manager 01296 747 444 BUCKS www.hartwell-house.com Venue Services, Bodleian Library G Alice Ogilvie Head of Venue Services 01865 277 224 OXON www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk Howbery Business Park G Donna Bowles Estate Manager 01491 822 305 OXON www.howberypark.com Egrove Park G Martin Garside Conference Manager 01865 422 757 OXON www.sbs.oxford.edu/conferencing Horticulture House G 0333 003 3550 OXON www.horticulturehouse.co.uk Pembroke College 01865 276 484 OXON www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/Conferences Whately Hall 01295 253 261 OXON www.accorhotels.com Events @ Ashmolean 01865 610 406 OXON www.ashmolean.org/venue-hire
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Contacts Culham Conference Centre 01235 466 494 OXON www.culhamconferencecentre.co.uk Conference Oxford 01865 287 378 OXON www.conference-oxford.com Exeter College 01865 279 600 OXON www.exeter.ox.ac.uk/conferences The King’s Centre 01865 297 400 OXON www.kingscentre.co.uk Oxford Town Hall 01865 252 195 OXON www.oxfordtownhall.co.uk Oxford University Event Venues 01865 276 905 OXON www.venues.ox.ac.uk
EQUIPMENT HIRE Moonlite Productions Tom Rowlands P Head of Business and Production Manager 01296 488900 OXON www.moonlite.co.uk Oxford Event Hire 01865 760 158 OXON www.oxfordeventhire.co.uk That Event Company 01844 215 857 OXON www.that-event.com Oxford Marquees 01865 373 173 OXON www.oxfordmarquees.co.uk
EVENT PLANNING Tina Rosser Event Solutions 07470 343226 OXON Sound Advice 020 7229 2219 LON www.soundadvice.uk.com
EDUCATION d’Overbroeck’s G Andrew Gillespie Director of Studies 01865 688611 OXON www.doverbroecks.com Abingdon & Witney College 01235 216 394 OXON www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk Oxford International Study Centre 01865 201 009 OXON www.oxintstudycentre.com
FINANCE ADVICE Cazenove Capital Management P Tom Allen Head of Oxford Office 01865 811 360 OXON www.cazenovecapital.com Cashflow Creators 01865 920 581 OXON www.facebook.com/cashflowcreators ArchOver 020 3021 8100 OXON www.archover.com Pro-Eco Ltd 01323 400 800 SUSS www.pro-eco.co.uk Proficio Solutions Limited 07795 180 795 www.proficiosolutions.co.uk Daniel Kitchen Ltd 01865 511098 www.dankitchen.co.uk TBAT Innovation 01332 819 740 www.tbat.co.uk
EVENTS
Gener8 Finance 03331 218 888 www.gener8finance.com
Business in Oxford 2019 P 01865 742 211 OXON www.businessinoxford.com
INSURANCE
Oxfordshire Business Awards OXON www.oxfordshirebusinessawards.co.uk West Oxfordshire Business Awards 01993 220 690 OXON www.woba.org.uk Cowley Road Works 07816 681 704 OXON www.cowleyroadworks.org Oxford United FC Community Trust 01865 783 236 www.theoxfordacademy.org.uk/ Oxford-United-Community-Trust Cornbury Music Festival 020 7229 2219 www.cornburyfestival.com
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FOCUS Oxford Risk Management Ltd P Nick Jones Managing Director 01865 953 111 OXON www.focusorm.co.uk Spencer Insurance 01235 868 535 www.spencerinsurance.co.uk
HSBC G Ian Nash Head of Business Banking, Thames Valley 0845 850 174 OXON www.hsbc.com NatWest 01865 305 175 OXON www.natwest.com Handelsbanken 01296 489 892 www.handelsbanken.co.uk Metro Bank Oxford 07855 097 403 wwww.metrobankonline.co.uk
HEALTH & LEISURE FITNESS Prime Energy Fitness Ltd 01869 352 000 OXON www.primeenergy.org Optimum Body 07703 484 063 OXON www.obsportsmassage.com
GOLF Frilford Heath Golf Club P Alistair Booth Director 01865 390 864 OXON www.frilfordheath.co.uk
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
FUNERAL HOMES Sandra Homewood Funerals 01869 208 000 OXON www.homewoodfunerals.co.uk
HR HR CONSULTANTS You HR P Jonna Mundy Owner 07703 719 464 www.youhrconsultancy.co.uk Think Inspire and Create G Hayley Monks Managing Director 0844 414 6056 OXON www.thinkinspireandcreate.com Emma C Browning Ltd 01280 848 415 www.emmacbrowning.com
RECRUITMENT The Career Boutique 0845 520 4010 OXON www.thecareerboutique.com A R Hine Associates 01865 339 313 OXON www.alanhine.co.uk Better People Ltd 01491 836 632 OXON www.betterpeopleltd.co.uk Global CTS 01235 209 154 OXON www.globalcts.co.uk Boys and Girls Promotions 01865 595 707 OXON www.boysandgirlspromotions.co.uk Selective Recruitment Solutions 01235 462 900 OXON www.selective-group.com Berry Recruitment 01865 777 733 OXON www.berryrecruitment.co.uk Thompson & Terry Recruitment 01235 797 177 OXON www.thompsonandterry.co.uk
IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SPORT Oxford United Football Club 01865 337 505 OXON www.oufc.co.uk Oxford City FC 01865 744 493 OXON www.oxfordcityfc.co.uk
BANKING
WELLBEING
Barclays Corporate Banking Trevor French P Head of Business and Corporate Banking 0800 015 4242 OXON www.barclayscorporate.com
Helen Money Nutrition G Helen Money Owner 01865 339 672 OXON www.helenmoneynutrition.com
TELECOMMUNICATIONS STL Communications Ltd 01993 777 113 OXON www.stlcomms.com Orange Stripe Telecommunications 0845 241 7772 OXON www.orangestripe.co.uk
www.b4-business.com
B4 IT SERVICES Computing Information Systems (CIS) Ltd P Michael Wellborn Manager of Sales and Marketing 01367 700 555 OXON www.cisltd.com CQR Consulting G Simon Glover Operations Manager 01865 987182 www.cqr.com Databasix 07777 610 900 OXON www.dbxuk.com JP IT Solutions 01672 552 340 OXON www.jpitsolutions.co.uk Security Exchange Ltd. 01491 683 710 BERKS www.securityexchange24.com Bongo IT 01865 988 217 OXON www.bongoit.co.uk QPQ Software 01235 522 516 OXON www.qpqsoftware.com IMEurope Ltd 01993 866 166 OXON www.imeurope.co.uk
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
MANUFACTURING Owen Mumford P Jarl Severn Director 01993 812 021 OXON www.owenmumford.com G-Smatt Europe G Orhan Ertughrul Executive Vice President 01865 688 228 OXON www.g-smatteurope.com Unipart G Frank Nigriello Director of Corporate Affairs 01865 383 339 OXON www.unipart.com
MARKETING & DESIGN ADVERTISING B4 Magazine P Richard Rosser Managing Director 01865 742 211 OXON www.b4-business.com SeeLocal 01295 817 611 OXON www.seelocal.co.uk
CORPORATE IDENTITY Recognition Express P Andy Olejnik Managing Director 01295 257 611 OXON www.re-oxfordshire.co.uk
Digital Aid Consulting P Stuart Gibson Digital Strategy Consultant & Founder 07788 446259 www.digitalaidconsulting.com
Strangebrew P Phil Strachan Director 07770 753 975 BERKS www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk
Alberon P Tim Ault Managing Director 01865 263 220 OXON www.alberon.co.uk
Haiku Consulting G Joy Le Fevre Director 07885 066163 OXON www.haiku.consulting
WebBoutiques Ltd 01865 883 852 OXON www.webboutiques.co.uk
Brand New Dawn 01865 400 640 OXON www.brandnewdawn.com
Garbott Ltd 01865 689 798 OXON www.garbott.co.uk XIST2 01993 835 117 OXON www.xist2.com
Build Your Brand Story 07850 198 681 OXON www.buildyourbrandstory.com Harvey Fuchs Consulting 07887 998 601 OXON www.harveyfuchs.com
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN
Smokin Donut 01844 212577 www.smokin-donut.com
House on the Hill P Keith Simpson Senior Designer 01865 742 211 OXON www.hothdesign.co.uk
www.b4-business.com
Brown Creative 01235 762297 www.browncreative.co.uk
FRAMING
Five on a Bike G York Woodford-Smith Video Producer 01494 868 409 OXON www.fiveonabike.com
Isis Creative Framing 01865 203 420 OXON www.isiscreative.co.uk
Oxford House Ltd 07817 395 660 OXON www.frederickjewson.co.uk
MARKETING
The Plastic Goldfish Company 01865 809 449 OXON www.plasticgoldfish.co.uk
Brand Asylum 01235 828 508 OXON www.brandasylum.co.uk Ellard Out Loud 07812 587 224 OXON www.ellardoutloud.co.uk B Engaging 01993 775 490 OXON www.bengaging.co.uk Heart of Business 07801 293 022 OXON Marketing Sense 01865 883 579 OXON www.marketing-sense.co.uk ADS 01993 885 125 OXON www.adsoxford.co.uk OJI Marketing 07463 994 834 OXON www.ojimarketing.co.uk Angus Grady 01442 876 038 OXON www.angusgrady.com
Glue Films 01235 819 187 OXON www.gluefilms.co.uk Digital Gold HQ 01235 819 187 OXON www.digitalgoldhq.com Warpline 01235 841 503 www.warplinefilms.co.uk
PRINTING Carbon Colour 01235 438 938 OXON www.carbon.co.uk Minuteman Press 01865 247 010 OXON www.oxford.minutemanpress.co.uk KMS Litho 01608 737 640 www.kmslitho.co.uk Mayfield Press 01865 714715 OXON www.mayfield-press.co.uk
Buzz Digital Marketing 07834 363 815 OXON www.buzzdigitalmarketing.co.uk
Fine Print 01993 777 450 OXON www.fineprint.co.uk
Zanzi Digital 01865 595 260 OXON www.zanzidigital.co.uk
Seacourt Ltd 01865 770 140 OXON www.seacourt.net
Juicy Designs 01367 820 929 OXON www.juicy-designs.com
PUBLIC RELATIONS
MEDIA/DIGITAL
Cerub PR 01494 461 784 OXON www.cerubpr.co.uk
Imageworks 01865 865656 OXON www.imageworks.co.uk
Papa Romeo PR 07811 339 577 OXON www.paparomeopr.com
Indulge Media 01865 686 093 OXON www.indulgemedia.com
Spacecraft Consulting 07968 081 128 OXON www.oconsultancy.com
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
MARKET RESEARCH
Studio8 P Clark Wiseman Managing Director 01865 842 525 OXON www.studio-8.co.uk
Nielsen 01865 742742 OXON www.nielsen.com
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Contacts PROPERTY & BUILDING ARCHITECTURE Gray Baynes + Shew 01865 305 130 OXON www.gbsarchitects.co.uk
BUSINESS PARKS Oxford Innovation Ltd P Jo Stevens Managing Director 01865 261 400 OXON www.oxin-centres.co.uk Milton Park Nancy Leadley Marketing Manager 01235 865 555 OXON www.miltonpark.com Boston House 01235 772 992 www.bostonhouse.co.uk
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 G Simon Butler Associate Director 01865 587 713 OXON www.lsh.co.uk Marriotts 01865 316 311 OXON www.marriottsoxford.co.uk
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SERVICES Bracknell Enterprise & Innovation Hub Shelley Furey G Centre Manager 01344 388 000 BERKS www.bracknell-hub.co.uk Digitizelectric 01865 517 018 BERKS www.digitizelectric.com
ESTATE AGENTS Breckon & Breckon P Keith Stacey Managing Director 01865 244 735 OXON www.breckon.co.uk CherryPicked Residential 01865 339 546 OXON www.cherrypickedresidential.co.uk
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Wallers Estate Agents 01865 435 175 OXON www.wallersestateagents.com
Marriotts Chartered Surveyors 01865 316 311 OXON www.marriottsoxford.co.uk
LETTING AGENTS
JT Interiors 01993 700 515 OXON www.jtiuk.com
Breckon & Breckon P Greg Barnes Director 01865 201 111 OXON www.breckon.co.uk Finders Keepers 01865 302347 OXON www.finders.co.uk College and County 01865 722 722 OXON www.collegeandcounty.biz
R&R ACCOMMODATION Macdonald Randolph Hotel P Simon Drake General Manager 0844 879 9132 OXON www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk
FOOD & DRINK SUPPLIES PoppyRed Cake Company 07493 081 012 OXON www.poppyredcakecompany.co.uk Neve’s Bees 07891 633 356 OXON www.nevesbees.co.uk TOAD 01865 767 918 OXON www.spiritoftoad.com The Wonky Food Company 07596 488 518 OXON www.wonkyfoodco.com Chadlington Brewery 07967 210 151 OXON www.chadlingtonbrewery.com
Chesterton Yeates 01865 338 080 OXON www.chestertonyeates.co.uk
The Manor at Weston on the Green G 01869 350 621 OXON www.themanorweston.com
PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANTS
Marriott Courtyard Oxford South 07741 910 400 OXON www.marriott.co.uk/hotels
Aidan Meller Galleries 01865 727996 OXON www.aidanmeller.com
Oxford Abingdon Hotel 01235 553 456 OXON www.oxfordabingdonhotel.com
RESTAURANTS
COEL P Dan Brown Director 01865 986 822 OXON www.coel.uk.com Kempton Carr Croft G Rob Kerrigan Chartered Surveyor and RICS Registered Valuer 01628 771 221 BERKS www.kemptoncarr.co.uk Ridge and Partners LLP 01993 815 101 OXON www.ridge.co.uk Solid Structures 01608 690 858 OXON www.solid-structures.com Mulholland Landscape Consultants 07734 253 579 OXON www.mulhollandconsultants.co.uk PMS Oxford 01865 407 554 OXON www.pmsoxford.co.uk Peter Brett Associates LLP 01865 410 002 OXON www.peterbrett.com
PROPERTY SERVICES Bicester Roofing G Michael Staniford Managing Director 0870 264 6454 OXON www.bicesterroofing.co.uk Darke & Taylor Ltd G Simon Newton Managing Director 01865 290 000 OXON www.darkeandtaylor.co.uk
Milton Hill House 01235 831 474 OXON www.miltonoxfordshire.co.uk Jurys Inn Oxford 0203 564 5225 OXON www.jurysinns.com/hotels/oxford Hawkwell House 01865 749 988 OXON www.hawkwellhouse.co.uk Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel 01865 248 332 OXON www.accorhotels.com
CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT Newbury Racecourse P 01635 40015 www.newburyracecourse.co.uk Sam Strange Magic G Sam Strange Owner 01865 742 211 OXON www.samstrangemagic.co.uk Oxford Castle & Prison’ 01865 260 666 OXON www.oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk
GALLERIES
Victors Oxford 01865 689 064 www.victors.co.uk Pizza Pilgrims 01865 808 030 OXON www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk Pierre Victoire 01865 316 616 OXON www.pierrevictoire.co.uk
SHOPPING OXC 07837 244 826 OXON www.oxcuk.com D.R Light Frame Designs 01993 898 084 OXON www.drlightframedesigns.co.uk Alexandra Roman 01295 721 629 OXON www.alexandraroman.co.uk Westgate Shopping Centre 01865 263 600 OXON www.westgateoxford.co.uk Kathryn Croxson 07437 378 542 OXON www.kathryncroxson.com
ENTERTAINMENT Creation Theatre 01865 766 266 OXON www.creationtheatre.co.uk
www.b4-business.com
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Are you worried about how connected and digitally innovative your business is, now and for future opportunities? Join Oxfordshire businesses in this follow up to the first Oxfordshire Voice forum where we will be discussing what digital connectivity and solutions are available now and what we need to put in place to bring Oxfordshire in line with some of the most connected and innovative regions in the world. If you are serious about connecting your business and using innovative digital solutions, you should attend this event. To receive the link to register for the Conference and to keep up to date with latest Oxfordshire Voice announcements, register for the OV e-Newsletter at:
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