B4 Berkshire issue 7 by B4 Magazine

BERKSHIRE EDITION

Magazine www.b4-business.com

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2013

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Bigger Brighter Bolder Developing the mindset for success with George Swift’s daring firewalk challenge

L’Ortolan Re-live one writer’s evening in this exquisite Michelin starred restaurant

Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking Toby Parrant talks to us about SME Banking for manufacturers in Berkshire

B U I L D I N G

B R I D G E S

B E T W E E N

B U S I N E S S E S

BR ROW OW N S R E A D I N G Unit R7, The Oracle Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG T Telephone: elephone: 0118 950 3137 Email Email:: reading@brownsreading@browns-restaurants.co.uk restaurants.co.uk www.browns-restaurants.co.uk ww w.browns-restaurants.co.uk

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Open: 10.00am Close: 11.00pm (Fri & Sat close at 12am) L a s t F o o d O rrd der: 10.00pm (Fri & Sat 10.30pm)

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So What is B4? B4 is the fastest growing business to business network, providing over 500 businesses in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire with four great platforms to promote and connect their businesses. It's a business network with a difference where we facilitate face to face contact with other Members at B4 events held in iconic locations.

4 Effective Platforms to Help You Connect 1

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Why Not Upgrade to Ambassador? Becoming an Ambassador gets a face to represent your business in the B4 community. Your chosen Ambassador will feature alongside your listing in the magazine directory, on your on line business directory listing and also in the Ambassadors’ section on the B4 website. Being an Ambassador gives you something in common to approach other B4 Ambassadors throughout the network. All Ambassadors will also receive a new B4 Ambassadors Card. The rate to become an Ambassador is £250+VAT per annum (additional Ambassadors charged £99+VAT).

Become a B4 Member in less than 24 hours Here's what we need to get you started: 1. Your Logo - high quality is a must and in one of the following formats: jpeg, eps, pdf, ai 2. Between 50 and 300 words about your business - See the website for some great examples 3. Basic contact details - Basic contact details e.g. Address, telephone number, email address Our system will automatically generate a user name and password (which you can change) and you are ready to put up your first Press Release. But Don't Worry! There's a helpful online guide to assist you and we're always at the end of the phone.

Join B4 for just £250+VAT per annum B4 Membership is now one rate for all companies. The annual charge gives your business a listing in four quarterly editions of B4, presence in the B4 online directory with the ability to upload unlimited press releases and event details and access to all B4 Member events for all of your employees. We have at least four events in each area and you and your colleagues are welcome to all of them – there are no additional charges to attend events.

What about Editorial in the Magazine? Looks complicated? Well it's not! We can set you up to have your picture taken at our associate's studio. We can get one of our freelance PR or Editor to interview you. You have Full Editorial Control so, nothing's printed without your agreement. Editorial pages start at £695+VAT and we can do almost all of it for you! Just ask!

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events

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Enjoy a festive lunch with jazz, great food and excellent companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

B4 XMAS LUNCH MODERN ART OXFORD Monday 16th December 2013 12.00pm - 4.30pm 30 Pembroke Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1BP, United Kingdom. Dress code: Smart business casual Any enquiries should be directed to Tina Rosser 01865 742211 or events@b4-business.com

REGISTRATION

ABOUT OUR HOSTS We are delighted to announce the B4 Xmas Lunch will be held at Modern Art Oxford. Founded in 1965, Modern Art Oxford is a visual art gallery devoted to presenting exhibitions of modern and contemporary art. The gallery has a national and international reputation for the quality of its exhibitions and accompanying community and education programme. Funded primarily by Arts Council England, all of the exhibitions and many of the events, activities and workshops are free for visitors. Housed in the old City Brewery, Modern Art Oxford comprises of six architecturally striking exhibition spaces that range from intimate to spacious, all of which are available to hire. With capacities from 40 to 250, Modern Art Oxford can cater for seminars to formal dinners, wedding receptions to product launches and gigs. Come and enjoy a festive lunch, good company, jazz and wine in this fantastic venue with members and their guests from the B4 network. www.modernartoxford.org.uk www.oxfordfinedining.co.uk

Please register for the event here: https://www.regonline.com/ B4XmasEventMAO

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

www.b4-business.com Contacts If you want to contact B4 Magazine Telephone: 0118 317 7183 E-mail: info@b4-business.com Publisher B4 Magazine is published by Designs On Ltd, The Firs, Headington Hill, Oxford OX3 0BT Chairman Colin Rosser colin@inoxford.com

Welcome to B4 Welcome to Issue 7.

Editor Richard Rosser editorial@b4-business.com

The whole point of B4 is to provide businesses with platforms to promote themselves, be this in print, on line or face to face at our networking events such as the recent events at The MacDonald Compleat Angler in Marlow or The Forbury Hotel in Reading.

Events Director Tina Rosser

But it’s also about connecting businesses and getting businesses to work with eachother. So when I read the following e-mail from recently joined member Rob Pickering of Action Coach, I was delighted to see another example of B4 being the catalyst for a sale. Rob had read the BMW North Oxford Garage article which appeared in a recent edition of B4 Oxfordshire, but being from Reading, Rob wouldn’t normally have thought of going to an Oxford based dealership for his new BMW. But he was so engaged by the individuals included in the article that he ended up buying his new M5 from them, and in his own words, ‘If I hadn’t read the article I just wouldn’t have got in contact, visited, or bought from them.’

Art Editor Rob Scotcher rob@b4-business.com Assistant Editor Lorna Dodson assistanteditor@b4-business.com Proofreader Sue Rosser Editorial Contributors Jackie Jarvis Kelly Stroud Louise Esplin Lucy Holmes Tracey Jefferies B4 Photography Richard Shymansky Rob Scotcher Studio Photography Richard Shymansky of www.hillsandsaunders.co.uk

Meet The Writers

28. L’Ortolan by Jo Willett

So thanks to Rob and good news for BMW North Oxford Garage – it just goes to show how B4 can work, not only within areas but across boundaries to. And good news is becoming more and more commonplace as we receive positive feedback every day from our members - there is certainly more optimism about business and the economy. Hoteliers are reporting that conference business, which was knocked sideways during the recession, is gradually getting back to full fitness. Commercial property is another key sector in which the lights seemed to go out overnight, but agents are reporting steady growth and the property developers are certainly getting back in to the groove. I don’t think anyone would be foolish enough to predict a return to how we were but if the positive energy generated by the Thames Valley business community can continue then I think that’s as much as we dare ask for just now. We certainly have good news coming out of B4 in this issue which is full of great businesses, fantastic news and real reasons for thinking that 2014 might be the start of a period of real growth. By the time you read this, we will know if we’ve been successful in our first Awards as we have been nominated for the best SME / Enterprise Title of the Year in the Santander UK Financial Media Awards. The Awards took place in London on 20th November so look out to see how we got on in the B4 e-Newsletter and on Twitter.

30. Tom Ingram by Russell Atkins

Issue 7 of B4 Berkshire sees our lead article from Bigger Brighter Bolder, and George Swift from the mindset mentoring firm reflects on why he believes it is so important to develop the mindset for success. We also feature Tom Ingram, the recently-crowned Ginetta GT Supercup Champion and a young man determined to succeed in an ultra competitive sport. Jo Willett of Oxford Innovation has the arduous task of visiting L’Ortolan for a meal and we also feature Crispin Rhodes, Dartnell, Lloyds TSB and Grant Thornton. Subscriptions For free Subscription, please contact: Telephone: 0118 317 7183 E-mail: info@b4-business.com

In recent months we have also launched the B4 Ambassadors Card which is gaining momentum with some great offers across the Thames Valley. If you would like to upgrade to The Ambassadors Club, please get in touch with us today! See more on page 32.. We hope you enjoy B4 and wish you a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2014.

Each business with a Berkshire post code is entitled to one free copy per issue. For additional copies and for businesses outside of Berkshire, there is an annual subscription charge of £25. © Designs-on Ltd and B4 Magazine. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate and correct in every way, the publishers cannot be held responsible or liable for any inaccuracies or errors within the publication. Information reproduced from this publication is permitted with the express permission of the publisher and the advertiser, where relevant. All information is correct at time of going to press.

B4 Magazine is printed by

43. Crispin Rhodes

Enjoy B4!

by Sharon Pugh

Richard Rosser Editor

About

Magazine

B4 Magazine was established in 2006 to provide Oxfordshire businesses with a clear voice to raise their profile and to help businesses connect. With B4 Berkshire, we hope to achieve greater success now that the model has been established and refined. Direct mailed to three thousand business decision makers in Berkshire every quarter, and with a further four and a half thousand copies circulated to key outlets, featured businesses and made available at B4 events, we hope to make a mark in Berkshire businesses. B4 is funded by paid for display advertising and editorial, although some editorial is granted without charge at the discretion of the Editor. Please call us to find out how you can connect with our networks in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. See more at www.b4-business.com which will give you access to both Oxfordshire and Berkshire networks, and now also Buckinghamshire. WHY NOT FOLLOW B4 MAGAZINE ON

57. Strangebrew by Phil Strachan

20 LEAD

20 Bigger Brighter Bolder: Developing the mindset for success with George Swiftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daring firewalk challenge.

23 ADVICE

23 Top 10 tips for the Industrial Trainer: Brought to you by MCP Consulting and Training. 43 HR Advice from Crispin Rhodes: With Christmas approaching, what do you need to know about leave?

SPOTLIGHT 25 Happy Anniversary!: Archway Business Solutions celebrates it's 5th anniversary 30 Tom Ingram: B4 meets the recentlycrowned Ginetta GT Supercup Champion. 44 Booming Back into Business: Bracknell Enterprise & Innovation Hub is flourishing even in these tough financial times. 47 B4 You: A selection of some of the finest establishments in the B4 region.

13 NEWS

13 B4 News 19 Bigger Brighter Bolder News 36 B4 Events Recap

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B4 contents 26 FINANCE

26 SME Banking with Lloyds Bank Commerical Banking: Toby Parrant tells us about what Lloyds Bank can do for your Berkshire business. 60 Tax Turns Innovation: Grant Thornton discuss the evolution of their team and plans for the future.

MARKETING

35 SERVICES

35 A Calm Voice and a Safe Pair of Hands: B4 speaks to Bryan Marshall about his commitment to creativity and flexibility in design & print. 38 Grundon: Leading the way in Waste Management Solutions.

57 Branding & Identity: Phil Strachan of Strangebrew talks to B4 about the importance of managing perceptions.

28 R&R

28 L'Ortolan: Re-live one writerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evening in this exquisite Michelin starred restaurant. 32 Offers from the B4 Ambassadors 41 Free round of golf at Magnolia Park: Experience playing at one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most challenging and picturesque golf courses.

CONTACTS www.b4-business.com

B U C K I N G H AM S H I R E

B E R K S H I R E

B4 Platinum Ambassadors We would like to thank our B4 Platinum Ambassadors for supporting B4 Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. To find out more about joining them and over five hundred B4 Member companies, please call us on 01494 373183.

OX F ORD S HI R E

O X F O R D

D E S I G N P R I N T P U B L I C A T I O N S

Residential Letting · Property Management

D E S I G N

P R I N T

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With annual memberships starting at £150+VAT*, entitling you to a business directory listing and unlimited press release, event, job vacancy and offer uploads, it’s no wonder our membership is increasing daily. Members are also invited to events in all B4 areas, up to 12 per annum. Call us now on 01494 373183 to book your membership or e-mail sales@b4-business.com for more details. The B4 Website – the most efficient way to network your business from your PC! *Quoted rate is Membership for single person businesses. Rate increases for 2 to 5 employees to £250+VAT, 6 to 20 employees to £375+VAT per annum, £500+VAT for 21 to 50, £900+VAT for 51 to 100 and £1200+VAT for over 100 employees. The Ambassador scheme is separate and subject to a different charge.

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CPS

Book your party before 31st October 2013 and receive a complimentary Champagne reception for your whole party. The host will also be treated to a bottle of Champagne on us.

Festive Parties at The Vineyard Known for our food and wine pairing, we look forward to welcoming you, your friends, family and colleagues for lunch or dinner during December and helping you choose the perfect wines to match each course. With over 100 wines available to enjoy by the glass, we have wines to suit all food, moods and palates. Lunch and Dinner 3 courses with matching wines - £90 per person 5 courses with matching wines - £115 per person 7 courses with matching wines - £140 per person Discover more about our festive menus and private dining rooms - www.the-vineyard.co.uk/FestiveDining.asp Please call us on 01635 898463 to enquire or book The Vineyard | Stockcross | Newbury | Berkshire | RG20 8JU

B4 news Amarestone - Specialist Supplier of Natural Stone If you are considering using Natural Stone for your next project, check out our resources page: www.news.amarestone.com/resources

Our stonemasons can also produce any bespoke pieces such as vanity-tops, staircases and firesurrounds.

FAQs, hints and tips on choosing, installing, cleaning and maintaining stone, plus brochure and image gallery for inspiration.

Plus we stock all the ancillary products you will need including Mapei adhesives and grouts; Fila stone-sealers, waxes and cleaners and Marmox construction boards and wet-room products Call 0345 260 80 70 and we will be happy to provide you with a no-obligation quote or simply chat through the options.

We can help you to find the right stone for your project and our experienced fitting team can see it through to a successful completion.

The Clare Foundation Continues Expansion with New Tenants The Clare Foundation has welcomed four new organisations to the Centre, with the arrival of The Quiet Garden Trust, The Retreat Association, Shalom Media and Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire Care Association (MKB Care). David Lawrance, General Manager of The Clare Foundation commented: ‘We are delighted to welcome these new charities to the Charity Centre, which brings occupancy up to 83%. We are focused on driving the charity forward and hope to reach 100% in the near future’.

Shalom Media started operating in the UK earlier this year and decided to set up their first UK office in the Saunderton-based Centre. MKB Care supports people involved in adult social care in the Bucks and Milton Keynes areas and The Retreat Association and the Quiet Garden Trust help people access public spaces where they are able to reflect in spirituality and prayer. www.theclarefoundation.org @tcf_uk

Gavin Jones Ltd Gavin Jones Ltd have announced their plans to assist the Army in commemorating the centenary of the start of the First World War in 2014.

Great War, Colonel Gavin Jones founded the company which today bears his name and the company are extremely proud of this heritage and our present association with the military.

Teams at the four Garrisons maintained on behalf of the Army will be involved with projects including the creation of poppy fields, bespoke displays and tree planting throughout 2014 and until 2018 should there be a specific Battle or Event the Army wishes to commemorate.

We are pleased to be partnering the Army and also extending our expertise to other companies in producing commemorations to remember this unique occasion in history.”

Martin Ford commented: “At the conclusion of the

Companies wishing for Gavin Jones to assist them in paying their own remembrance can contact poppies@gavinjones.co.uk

Grundon tackles the food waste mountain Last month (October), Tesco revealed that it generated almost 30,000 tonnes of food waste in the first six months of 2013. The figure made national headlines as the retailer said it was looking at ways to reduce wastage through a combination of changes to its supply chain, packaging, in-store displays and consumer offers. While few other organisations will match Tesco’s figures, the growing problem of food waste is one that Grundon Waste Management has been tackling.

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It recently introduced a dedicated food waste collection service for all businesses and other organisations – including hotels, hospitals and schools – which have on-site catering facilities or handle large amounts of food. The new service ensures all segregated food waste is diverted from landfill into licensed Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities, where it is converted into Biofertiliser and Biogas fuel, ensuring a much more environmentally-friendly approach. To find out more, visit www.grundon.com

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B4 news Pestle & Mortar PESTLE analysis is a well-regarded and often practiced method to look at the forces that are affecting a company’s performance and one I have recently been advising on with an SME. You take your current business situation and ponder what POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, TECHNOLOGY, LEGAL and ENVIRONMENTAL forces are accelerating or inhibiting growth. From that you develop a plan to maximise your opportunity for success. But as ever (or it is with me anyway), if someone says PESTLE I immediately think MORTAR and the

implementation of a plan after PESTLE analysis. Perhaps MORTAR is the glue that make the plan stick together along the lines of MOTIVATION, ORGANISATION, RIGOUR, TACTICS, ACTIVITY, RESULTS Perhaps that’s it or perhaps it should be BRICKS and MORTAR or SWOT or SMART or 5Y…………. but in all cases it is efficient activity after the analysis that brings results. www.bbite.co.uk

Jennifer Shaw joins intouchcrm intouchcrm, an award-winning online sales and marketing system are delighted to announce that Jennifer Shaw has joined as a new Customer Service Executive. Jennifer has been brought in from Bentley Motors where she was a key part of their customer service department as well as being involved in training. Matthew Ruddle, Customer Service Director at intouchcrm said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Jennifer to the team, especially during the exciting times ahead for us after our recent

announcement of investment. Her previous experience will help to make our processes more structured and she will be helping to ensure we build new and interesting resources that can help our customers.” Jennifer said: “I am so happy to be part of the intouchcrm team. It’s such a friendly company and we offer a brilliant service for our customers and partners. I love the vision and ethos of the company and I look forward to helping intouch customers grow in the future.” www.intouchcrm.co.uk

Employment law changes that could affect your business Keeping up with employment law changes can be a real headache for businesses, but there are amends ahead to make employment legislation more business friendly. These include: Mandatory ACAS conciliation - From April 2014, staff will not be able to take claims straight to an employment tribunal. They will have to go to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) first, to try and find resolution.

Financial penalties - From April 2014, the Government intends to allow tribunals to impose financial penalties on employers if they lose. This could be up to 50% of the award made (to a maximum of £5,000). Shared parental leave - A new parental leave system is planned for 2015 to improve employee engagement and open up a more diverse talent pool.

The Government plans to introduce several employment revisions so be in the know to ensure your staff and business remains healthy, no matter what changes lie ahead. Contact Julie Taylor at Gardner Leader on 01635 508080 or visit gardner-leader.co.uk for more information and advice.

Make a lasting impression over the festive period or even in January Impress your clients or colleagues with a complete gastronomic experience at The Vineyard hotel in Berkshire. Known for their impressive wine offering of over 3,000 bins on their wine list some have called the chef the 'champion of modern French cooking,' which might tell you everything you need to know for a culinary experience well worth the trip. Enjoy a three course lunch in December or January for just £29 per person (Monday to Saturday). And choose matching wines from just £7 per glass. If

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you’re looking to host a private lunch or dinner party, there are a number of areas throughout the hotel that are perfect for an intimate gathering or a much larger affair. Prices start from £90 per person for a three course lunch or dinner including matching wines. Simply call The Vineyard on 01635 528770 to enquire. www.the-vineyard.co.uk/FestiveDining.asp

B4 news Combating the South’s Engineering Skills’ Shortage A recent report from BAE and Engineering UK highlighted the worrying skills shortage in the engineering trade. It stressed that government and business must work together if the UK economy is to be successfully rebalanced towards more manufacturing. It is a surprising fact that currently, engineering companies account for 23.9pc of the turnover of all UK enterprises, or £1.06 trillion! In recognition of this MCP has opened a new, specialist City and Guilds accredited training venue at Swallowfield, Reading for Operators, Technicians, Engineers and Team Leaders. This will specifically support the South’s increasing need for competent,

trained engineers in manufacturing, processing, facilities management and the service industry. The training will appeal to companies requiring enhanced skills and competency from their people or for self-employed technicians looking to develop their skills. For further details on training courses, or to view the facilities please contact MCP Reading training administrator, Mr Nav Khalifa on 0118 327 1898 or email nkhalifa@mcpeurope.com or visit www.mcpeurope.com

Beacon Sales specializes in bringing new products to market Using a proven 5-step process, Beacon Sales can identify what is required, and in which particular areas, in order to develop your product.

The company is headed up by Barry Luff, a sales & marketing expert with over 20 years' of business experience, having brought well-known brands such as Road Angel and Alcosense to market.

It could be that you are just starting off with an initial idea, or perhaps your product is already set for launch?

Why not take advantage of a free 60 min launch check for your product, where we offer completely independent advice and provide recommendations for your next steps. Call Barry on 07813 898936, e-mail him at barry@beaconsales.co.uk, or visit www.beaconsales.co.uk for more information.

Either way, if you require assistance, Beacon Sales can help whatever stage your product is at and whatever issues you might be experiencing.

Look what we can do for you! Absolutely Offices provide quality serviced office accommodation in Basingstoke. Located in landscaped grounds the site is ideally located for both the M3 & M4 motorways and is within easy driving distance of the major airports. As well as our fully Serviced Offices we offer Hot Desking and Virtual Offices. Our various sized Meeting and Conference rooms are available for booking by the hour, half or full days. They are ideal for interviewing or important business meetings, all come fully equipped and you even get free tea & coffee!

FULLY SERVICED OFFICES INCLUDE: Professional Receptionists; Personalised Telephone Answering & Message Taking; On-Site Centre Manager; Structured Cabling; Air Conditioning; Modern Furnished Offices; Free Car Parking; 24 Hour Access & Security; Postal Distribution & Collection; Free Gymnasium & Shower Facilities. Call us today on 01256 316 500 to find out more! www.absolutely-offices.co.uk The Business Centre Professionals

Join The B4 Ambassadors Club Our fantastic new B4 Ambassadors Card is attracting some great offers as you can see on page 82.

Ambassador for just £250+VAT per annum (once you have one Ambassador, your colleagues can get hold of a card for just £99+VAT).

If you’re a member and want to upgrade to Ambassador, why not do so today and start to benefit from these great deals. We have new offers coming on stream weekly and you can be a B4

Contact B4 today on 01865 742211 to find out more about being an Ambassador.

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B4 news

Hot stuff at the Bigger Brighter Bolder Hallowe’en firewalk On the evening of 31 October, 37 brave souls walked barefoot over 12 feet of white hot coals at Bigger Brighter Bolder’s annual Hallowe’en firewalk held at the Regency Park Hotel in Thatcham, Berkshire. The firewalkers included B4 platinum Ambassador, Phil Strachan of Strangebrew, a member of one of the BBB Success Groups run by George Swift and Tracey Miller. Commented Phil, “It was an incredible experience and an amazing demonstration of the fact that when you have developed the ‘mindset for success’, you really can do whatever you set your mind to. I honestly did not think that I would be able to do it. However, like quite a few others on the night, and under the close guidance and supervision of Chief firewalk instructor, George Swift, I actually went back and did it more than once.” George and his partner Tracey set up Bigger Brighter Bolder in 2009 and Clients

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who have benefitted from their unique brand of Performance Coaching and Mindset Mentoring expertise include Viatel and Newbury RFC. This was the third year in succession that Bigger Brighter Bolder have run their firewalking event. Tracey Miller, co-founder of BBB, described firewalking as a very tangible demonstration of the fact that anyone can achieve greater success than they thought possible by systematically removing the perceived limitations on their potential. For details on Bigger Brighter Bolder and their Success Groups or to book onto one of their workshops, contact Tracey Miller on 01635 818884 www. biggerbrighterbolder.co.uk Please see the feature on Bigger Brighter Bolder on page 20.

“George completed specialist training to become a certified instructor and uses the firewalks as a catalyst to implement and encourage fast and effective change

”

MINDSET MATTERS Now’s the time to think Bigger Brighter Bolder Fresh from two evenings of persuading dozens of Thames Valley based business owners and entrepreneurs to walk barefoot across coals reaching over 1,000 degrees, George Swift from mindset mentoring firm Bigger Brighter Bolder reflects on why he believes it is so important to develop the mindset for success. George has run Bigger Brighter Bolder (BBB) with his partner Tracey Miller since 2009. Initially set up as a coaching firm shortly after the pair met, the motivational duo started out together by providing coaching sessions to individuals and entrepreneurs. Since then, the business has grown and diversified substantially into distinct services; performance coaching for sporting professionals and teams; coaching for corporates and BBB Success Groups, local ‘clubs’ for entrepreneurs designed to ensure they have the right mindset to be successful. In the sporting arena, BBB has notably assisted Newbury Rugby Club in avoiding relegation last season. The team was on course to be relegated for the fifth time but succeeded in turning around its losing streak by taking part in BBB’s weekly empowerment sessions, motivational workshops and its own bespoke firewalk.

BBB runs bespoke empowerment events for corporates and also runs its own annual ‘open to anyone’ empowerment firewalk and workshop at the Regency Park Hotel in Thatcham. Having completed his first firewalk in his twenties, George completed specialist training to become a certified instructor and uses the firewalks as a catalyst to implement and encourage fast and effective change. Some like it hot - very hot! “Firewalks are a great tribal experience and are lifechanging for most people. After walking over the hot coals of up to 1200 degrees myself, I realised that they were a great tool for experiential learning. They’re not just a gimmick, but a very powerful metaphor to instigate change. However, change is not just about looking for a quick fix and my take on personal development is that it should be honest and real. Every true success story you will read tells you that you’ve got to be in it for the long haul.” That led George and Tracey to launch the crowning glory of Bigger Brighter Bolder – namely their unique BBB Success Groups which started in Thatcham in April 2012. Comprising local business people who meet twice-monthly, BBB Success

Groups allow like-minded people to meet at mindset mentoring workshops, to set goals, develop the mindset for success and spur each other on. Now with nearly 40 members and numbers increasing all the time, George and Tracey are rightly proud of the groups’ achievements. Some recent success stories One of the earliest members, Carolyne Wahlen from Gap HR, has been inspired by the group to get her first book, an employment guide called “Keeping you out of the rough” published this month. Other recent “successes” as they are called within the groups, include Liisa Henriksson who has developed a music group and product for children called “Moosicology” and she is also about to publish her own book which has been positively endorsed by leading academics on the subject of music and brain development in children. Rob Goddard’s business, Evolution Complete Business Sales, has tripled in staff numbers while doubling both turnover and profit in the last year while he’s been a member. He attributes this success to setting regular achievable and measurable goals and because he is held accountable to the Success Group at each meeting. George explained that the Success Groups were developed because he wanted to create a group that would educate,

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B4 B4LEAD R&R

empower and inspire entrepreneurs. “We decided to develop the Groups as we’d not come across anything similar and we wanted to build a team environment where members would support each other. Being an entrepreneur can be really lonely and we wanted a place that was supportive and positively focussed while holding each other accountable to their goals and ambitions.” The rules for success are simple George himself is well-placed to guide others on the path to success. He’s well-known for his nononsense workshops which combine evolutionary psychology principles with existing and his own unique proven success formulas. He explained how the rules for success are often simple but that the ‘human animal’ makes it sometimes very difficult to constantly apply and persist with them. His own personal journey has been far from straightforward and it’s the adversity he’s met along the way that has helped to shape his interactive workshops. With his successful career in sales, followed by a lucrative foray into IT recruitment spanning a decade, disaster struck two years into running his own consultancy. The terrorist attacks of September 2001 saw his niche destroyed and bankruptcy near beckoned, culminating in the breakdown of his relationship with his partner, the mother of his twin daughters. However, he quickly realised that only he could change his future life and he decided that the time was right to follow his dream of studying film and animation at university. Unfortunately, the events he had experienced had provided a blow to his self-confidence and he found that panic attacks and lack of self-esteem prevented him from attending the first month’s

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lectures, prompting him to ask some soul-searching questions on what he wanted from life. This proved to be a turning point, and from his first lecture onwards, he excelled with a First Class honours degree, leading to a Masters degree and ultimately, the opportunity to lecture on the subject he loved. Rather than being competitive and pitting students against each other, his lectures were collaborative and supportive and sowed the very first seeds for Success Groups. Self-doubt can be hugely limiting George said: “My many years previously teaching competitive kickboxing and self defence made me realise that people had the same fear response in both physical threat and non-physical threat situations. Based on our evolutionary beginnings, this chemical reaction has a huge impact on the way that we think, feel and act. I searched beyond fear and realised that all human emotions influence and manipulate who we are and what we do - and therefore ultimately dictate what we get to have. I never just teach for the sake of teaching because everything must help lead to behaviours that lead to a positive outcome. “The knocks help” he added. “Like in competitive martial arts where we are physically conditioned to succeed, it’s important to have the resilience those knocks give us so that we have the ability to ride the rough times. I know from personal experience that fear and self-doubt can be hugely limiting to people’s lives.” Bringing this philosophy to BBB, his interactive seminars are based on a desire to know more about the way the brain works and on his realisation, while coaching others in kick-boxing and

self-defence, that the natural fight or flight mechanism still responds to threatening situations whether running from a wild animal or having to give a sales presentation to the Board. “People’s biggest limitations and greatest opportunities lie in their mindset” he adds. “Our job at Bigger Brighter Bolder is to spend time looking at the mindset of individuals and empowering them with simple, functional skills they can apply. My philosophy with Success Groups, like with my previous self-defence teachings, is to arm people with tools that are Simple, Accessible, Functional and Effective. I call this the Bigger Brighter Bolder SAFE methodology and nothing get’s taught that doesn’t meet its criteria” George and Tracey now plan to extend the BBB Success Groups to more locations within the Thames Valley. George added: “We really want to open the Success Groups up so that more people can benefit. They are amazing and everyone shares the same values, meaning that they’re open with each other and where they’re going. We’ve had lots of new businesses created and alliances made. We’re genuinely privileged to be trusted in people’s lives and businesses and seeing the members enjoy success is incredibly rewarding.” Bigger Brighter Bolder conducts regular briefing sessions for people to find out more about their BBB Success Groups. Interested participants are invited to try out a “foundation programme” lasting two months before committing to Success Groups. For more information, click onto the website at www.biggerbrighterbolder.co.uk See also the BBB news item on page 19.

Meetings at the Forbury A luxury five-star hotel in the heart of Reading, the Forbury is a beautiful 23 bedroom hotel designed for both business and pleasure. Our four meeting rooms boast the latest technology and are both stylish yet functional providing the ideal location for meetings and events. All our meeting rooms are fully air conditioned with natural day light, all also offer complimentary Wi-Fi. We offer a range of bespoke packages for both day and residential meetings, full details of which can be found on our website, www.theforburyhotel.co.uk. Whether you are looking for a meeting space for a couple of hours or a couple of days, our beautifully appointed meeting rooms can be tailored for all.

Any of our other public rooms can be used for meetings also. The Lounge is available for impromptu meetings while the Library is ideal for more formal events. For larger events our Eden room is ideal, hand painted flowers cover the walls of what was the original council chambers along with the original fire place. Ensuring your meeting is memorable for all the right reasons. For presentations, lectures or film screenings, we can offer our own private Cinema. A maximum of thirty guests can be seated in Italian leather seats ensuring their comfort and attention is focused in the right direction.

The Cellar provides the perfect venue for business meetings, a boardroom style table and luxury chairs that present you in the perfect position, suitable for meetings for up to twelve guests.

www.theforburyhotel.co.uk events@theforburyhotel.co XN Â&#x2021; Tel: 0118 9527 770 The Forbury Hotel, 26 The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3EJ

B4 --B4 ADVICE

TOP TEN TIPS FOR THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINER Whether your company undertakes in-house or contracts to external training programmes for technical personnel, it is important to focus on the methodology as well as outcomes! We offer you these notes in the interests of management as well as the trainees. Trainers Please Note! Whether you are a team leader, a manager or a trainer, you have an interest in ensuring that training is effective. So often, employees return from the latest training course and its back to "business as usual". In many cases, the training is either irrelevant to the organisation's real needs or there is too little connection made. These notes are offered in the interest of better training outcomes……………… 1. Make sure that the initial training needs analysis focuses first on what the learners will be required to do differently back in the workplace, and base the training content and exercises on this end objective. 2. Integrate the training with workplace. Practice by getting managers and supervisors to brief learners before the programme starts and debrief each learner at its conclusion. The debriefing session should include a discussion about how the learner plans to use the learning in their day-to-day work. 3. At start of each training session let learners know the behavioural objectives of the programme. i.e. what the learners are expected to be able to do at the end of the training. Many session objectives that trainers write simply state what the session will cover or what the learner is expected to know.

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4. Make the training very practical. Remember, the objective is for learners to behave differently in the workplace. With possibly years spent working the ‘old way’, the new way will not come easily. Learners will need generous amounts of time to discuss and practice the new skills and will need lots of encouragement. Give your learners the time to make the journey from the old way of thinking to the new.

knowing that there are definite expectations around their level of performance following the training.

5. With the pressure to have employees spend less time away from their workplace in training, it is just not possible to turn out fully equipped learners at the end of one hour or one day or one week, except for the most basic of skills. Ensure that you build back-in-the-workplace coaching into the training programme and give employees the workplace support they need to practice the new skills.

9. Conduct a post-course evaluation some time after the training to determine the extent to which participants are using the skills. This is typically done three to six months after the training has finished, perhaps with a vocationally qualified assessor.

6. Bring the training room into the workplace through developing and installing on-the-job aids. These include checklists, reminder cards, process and diagnostic flow charts, training rigs and software templates. 7. If you are serious about imparting new skills and not just planning a "talking shop", assess your participants during or at the end of the programme. Make sure your assessments are realistic and genuinely test for the skills being taught. Nothing concentrates participant's minds more than them

8. To avoid the back to "business as usual" syndrome, align the organisation's reward systems with the expected behaviours. Planning to give positive encouragement is much more effective than planning sanctions if they don’t use the new skills back in the work place.

10. Lastly, celebrate the success of the programme by getting senior managers to present certificates and awards for the initial training and later on for demonstration of skills back at work. MCP’s new, specialist, City and Guilds accredited venue at Swallowfield near Reading for Operators, Technicians, Engineers and Team Leaders will support the South’s increasing need for competent, trained engineers in manufacturing, processing, facilities management and in the service industries. For full details or to view facilities contact Sarah James on 0121 506 9034. www.mcpeurope.com

B4 SPOTLIGHT

“Along with spending time developing and valuing key relationships our ethos is to say yes to our clients, respond quickly to service calls and resolving issues with minimum fuss.

”

ARCHWAY BUSINESS SOLUTIONS CELEBRATES ITS 5TH ANNIVERSARY Happy 5th anniversary to Archway Business Solutions Ltd, and a HUGE thank you to all our Clients! To celebrate our 5th birthday we invited our clients to a late summer evening BBQ at the Great House in Sonning-on-Thames to say thank you for all their support. The evening was a fantastic success and complete with magician, we are very pleased that everyone had a great time. The feedback has been amazing with thanks for our generosity and the opportunity to network with local businesses. So here we are; another day in the life of Archway, Berkshire’s most dynamic photocopier service company. We are flexible in our approach to our clients and are proud to work with a positive and a can do attitude. Recently a local school called us to remove a paper jam from their office copier. As Archway is fully aware that the office copier is the heart of the operations at the school, we made sure that their call was responded to in under an hour. The school were delighted with the care and attention and christened us their “Copier Angel”. “You always know when we need you and resolve all our issues, you are like a Copier Angel!”. I must admit that this is the first time I have been called this, but what a great recommendation!

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Trust is at the heart of our business. We are trusted by our clients to provide a speedy, efficient and economical service. They know that above all we will keep their machines working and provide the best solutions for them. Old fashioned trust goes a long way in our business as it really is the foundation of the relationships we hold with our clients. Along with spending time developing and valuing key relationships our ethos is to say yes to our clients, respond quickly to service calls and resolving issues with minimum fuss. Whether it’s a machine paper jam or the driver set up of new lap top, it is all included in our service. We like to be considered as part of the office team, as we know that team work gets the best long term results. Technology is always changing, it is a simple truth, it is how you incorporate this technology into your work flow, which separates the innovators from the rest. To ensure Archway leads with continuous innovation and best class service; I am always seeking new ways to embrace new technology which will benefit the solutions for our clients. I do enjoy working with all types of clients, those who

are on the forefront of technology using their Multifunctional Device, as well as those who just want a copier! We support Windows and Mac systems, and work closely with IT teams whether they are in house or out sourced to find solutions to any problems that arise. Colour Management is always at the forefront of new technology, whether you need a printer profiled or a complete colour managed work flow, we have the latest technology to achieve this and some of the most innovative solutions. This could save your company thousands if you approve the wrong coloured proof, on an uncalibrated monitor. It’s important that companies set up a colour work flow which will suit their business. We at Archway Business Solutions encourage you to ask yourselves; Is good enough really your best option? And does your existing support company offer the best as supposed to just good enough? Phil Johnson, Managing Director Archway Business Solutions Ltd - Committed to exceeding your service expectations

B4 FINANCE

SME BANKING FOR MANUFACTURERS IN BERKSHIRE Toby Parrant, Senior Commercial Manager for SME Banking at Lloyds Bank, talks us through some of the ways Lloyds Bank is there to help your small manufacturing firm take the steps you need. Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking provides financial support to manufacturers located across Berkshire. We recognise the continued success of many such businesses, not only as key contributors to the UK’s economic recovery but also as local employers. Given their importance, we are actively encouraging manufacturers in Berkshire to take advantage of reduced borrowing costs, particularly through the £80 billion Government-backed Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS). Through this initiative we are able to access and lend money at discounted rates, further demonstrating our continued support for businesses looking to secure new investment. Since launching the Lloyds Bank Funding for Lending Scheme offer in September 2012, we have gone on to lend £5 billion to our Commercial Banking customers. We have now delivered in excess of £1billion of additional lending to more than 2,500 manufacturing firms in the UK within the past nine months. Through our national Manufacturing Commitment we have beaten our initial funding target three months ahead of schedule. Nationally we have also put over 100 relationship managers through an external accreditation programme in manufacturing at Warwick University, to ensure we can help them to understand the sector. These specialised relationship managers can help when a manufacturer decides it is the time to

invest in new machinery as there are other ways of funding purchases and the bank can help to put in place a tailored package suited to the manufacturing sector. For companies that cannot raise the full deposit, they can receive help from Lloyds Banking Group’s Assisted Asset Purchase Scheme, which is backed by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF). The scheme awards grants to manufacturing firms and businesses that are creating economic growth and local job opportunities, to make up the shortfall in the deposit required. This Regional Growth Fund enables manufacturers to obtain the funding they need to purchase assets that can help to improve their production capabilities. Our local managers can also help businesses apply for this grant. Another option for manufacturers wanting to invest is invoice finance. This allows a business to draw money against its sales invoices before a customer has actually paid. This type of facility can provide a flexible form of funding that can grow with a business and allows company owners to remain in charge of invoice and credit control processes. As well as using invoice finance to fund purchases of machinery and goods, the facility can also be used to pay staff, meaning a manufacturer does not have to wait on payments from their clients. As the recent statistics from the Asset Based Finance Association shows, there was a 10 per cent increase in the number of firms and manufacturers using invoice finance over the past year, and the

association is expecting a further increase over the rest of 2013 and beyond. In addition, a recent survey by Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking has found that more than a quarter of the UK’s firms and manufacturers are experiencing cashflow problems, with over half of these attributing this to late payment. The data is taken from the bank’s bi-annual ‘Business in Britain’ survey, which questioned over 1,700 firms across the country in a variety of sectors about issues affecting them*. The strong manufacturing base that exists in the South East is actively helping to drive the wider UK economic success, and with promising signs of returning business confidence in the region, we are keen to encourage manufacturing businesses with strong business plans and sound financial management to make the most of emerging growth opportunities. To provide further support to this sector we are holding a ‘Manufacturing Matters in the Thames Valley’ Seminar to be held on Thursday 28 November in Winnersh, We have teamed up with the Manufacturing Advisory Service, Grant Thornton and the Business Growth Fund to bring together the prominent manufacturers in our region to network and discuss the key challenges facing the sector as the economic recovery gathers pace. To speak to someone about what Lloyds Bank can do for your business, call Toby Parrant, Senior Commercial Manager, on 07584 580713. www.lloydsbankbusiness.com

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B4 R&R

L’ORTOLAN It was with a great sense of excitement and anticipation that we got in the taxi to make the short journey from Reading out to Shinfield, the small village where L’Ortolan is situated. We’d both had a very long and stressful week, so this seemed like the perfect antidote and a fantastic way to start the weekend. Jo Willett reports for B4 Magazine. The restaurant is based in an impressive old vicarage, which creates a feeling of grandeur as you enter the driveway. Upon arrival we were seated in a small but elegant bar area and invited to enjoy some pre dinner drinks. I chose the Champagne Cocktail, while Rob managed to sneak in two before we were seated at the table – a Cosmopolitan and a glass of Prosecco. We were also served some nibbles, which were surprising – mini plaice goujons and flavoured popcorn – but very tasty. We chose to eat the seven course menu Gourmand with tasting wines which started with a delicious chef’s appetiser of a mushroom velouté with truffle oil and a basket of homemade breads. The velouté was light, creamy and the perfect way to whet the appetite. As an important aside, I must say that all of the staff at L’Ortolan were extremely attentive without being overly fussy. They were friendly and knowledgeable, but without doubt the star for us

much sweetness to the dish, but Rob on the other hand absolutely loved it. The purpose of a tasting menu is to enable you to taste flavour combinations and food that you perhaps wouldn’t normally and so in this respect it did its job perfectly! The fish course of sea bream fillet with coriander linguine, curried mussels and spiced pepper purée was fragrant and simply delicious and was served with a wonderful Chablis, however, it was totally upstaged by our next course of loin of venison. This was served with beetroot, blackberry, bitter chocolate and purple potato. If I had to suggest a way to improve the dish I would leave off the large piece of caramalised radicchio, which was a bit overpowering. I was reminded of reading some advice in a fashion magazine some years ago, where a stylist recommended that when getting dressed to go out, you should put on all your chosen accessories and then right at the last minute take one off – this gives you the perfect outfit. I think you could take off the radicchio and

“As the night drew to a close we reflected on the experience we had that evening – well-presented, delicious and interesting food, some of which we loved, some which were new flavours and really pushed our boundaries.

”

was Laszlo, the Sommelier. He had only recently joined the team, but his style and explanations of the wine and the reasons for his choices were impeccable and we loved the fact that he really did tailor the wine choice, not just to the food, but also to our own tastes and the feedback we gave him. He made us feel like we had his full attention, yet was clearly being as diligent in his service to all of the diners during the evening. The seven courses we enjoyed were many and varied, and in all cases the presentation of the food was outstanding. We started with the crab, which was a very light and tasty dish, however, the wine accompaniment was a complex four grape white wine from Australia which really enhanced the flavours perfectly and certainly improved the overall enjoyment. The next course was a duck liver parfait with a biscotti crumb. For me the biscotti added too

then it would be simply perfect. Our ‘fruity bomb’ wine choice from Laslo was a delicious Argentinian red ‘El Enemigo’ which topped it off magnificently. Our final course, a dessert of coconut rice pudding with a fruit salsa and ice cream was light, refreshing and wonderfully matched by a Moscato d’asti frizzante wine. As the night drew to a close we reflected on the experience we had that evening – well-presented, delicious and interesting food, some of which we loved, some which were new flavours and really pushed our boundaries. Our lasting memory, however, will be of the friendly relaxed atmosphere and the wonderful wine and the service we had from the staff, who were, quite simply, outstanding. www.lortolan.com

B4 R&R

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B4 SPOTLIGHT

TOM INGRAM

ON THE FAST TRACK AND READY TO SHIFT UP A GEAR IN 2014 The recently-crowned Ginetta GT Supercup Champion met with B4’s Richard Rosser and talked about his plans to move up to the intensely competitive British Touring Car Championship next season.

Tom Ingram is certainly a young man in a major hurry, having won three national championships over the past four years. But he wants more. Much more. If he manages to pull it off – and history shows that he invariably does – Tom will be lining up on the starting grid for the opening round of the 2014 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Brands Hatch on March 30, in the full glare of live ITV4 television cameras, a viewing audience of a staggering 20 million and up to 40,000 trackside spectators. He is more than ready for the challenge. Let’s rewind for a moment. Born in High Wycombe on 20 August, 1993, Tom grew up watching his father Bruce race go-karts – Pro-Kart Heavy, or ‘The Fat Boys’, as he jokes they used to be dubbed – and would sit in the kart whenever it was in the garage and pretend to be racing. He did not have to pretend for long. At five, he drove a kart himself for the first time; three years later, he entered his first race and finished third, taking home the best novice accolade for good measure. He quips that he was ‘annoyed not to get two trophies, both for finishing on the podium and as top rookie’ – but then, Tom’s fire of ambition has always burned bright.

Appointed a British Racing Drivers’ Club ‘Rising Star’ In 2005, he graduated to the Mini Max class – and was straightaway the fastest driver on the circuit. The following season, competing as a privateer with his small, family-run outfit, a supremely consistent performance up against a whole host of rivals with infinitely greater budgets and major team support secured Tom the coveted BRDC Stars of Tomorrow British Championship crown. Who did he emulate in that achievement? Lewis Hamilton, that’s who. In 2009, he made the move up into cars in the BTCC-supporting Ginetta Junior Championship – and his impact was immediate, ascending the rostrum in only his second meeting and claiming a double pole position in his fourth, before a lack of funding curtailed his campaign. He was back the next year, however, and courtesy of five victories and eight further podium finishes, he successfully clinched the champion’s laurels. His reward was a test outing in a BTCC Vauxhall Vectra with Pirtek Racing. Needless to say, he impressed them as well, with team principal Mike Jordan remarking that Tom ‘really grabbed the opportunity and did an outstanding job’. Shortly after, he was appointed a ‘Rising Star’ by the prestigious British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC).

Another step-up beckoned for 2011, into the G50 Cup class of the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup. He dominated that, too, winning an astonishing 40 per cent of the races he started and taking the fight to the more powerful Ginetta G55 brigade along the way. Come season’s end, he was inducted into the MSA Academy, run by Britain’s motorsport governing body. In 2012, Tom was in a G55 himself and made full use of it, earning one of just two places in the elite new ‘KX Akademy’ driver support programme and tussling for the title until a nasty start-line crash at Knockhill in Scotland – caused by driveshaft failure on the grid – dashed his hopes of collecting a hattrick of car racing crowns in as many years. ‘A talent that’s more than worth keeping an eye on’ Undeterred, he returned in 2013 to finish the job off, triumphing on 11 occasions and tallying an unprecedented 22 consecutive podium finishes to seal the deal four races from the end of the season – bringing him firmly onto the radar of the leading BTCC teams. Former BTCC Champion Tim Harvey lauded the 20-year-old’s accomplishment as ‘exceptional’ and three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx described him as ‘a talent that’s more than worth keeping an eye on’.

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WHAT THE

EXPE RTS SAY...

Jason Plato, Two-Time British Touring Car Champion and KX Akademy Mentor “Tom is clearly a very gifted young racing driver who appears to have a bright future within the sport. He is a very hard-working, intelligent and pleasant lad who listens and takes everything in, and his level of success speaks for itself.”

“We worked so hard for it because we wanted it so badly,” Tom confessed. “It really was the realisation of a dream. We’ve never been in the fortunate situation of being able to rely upon family money, and I can’t thank my sponsors – especially SKYCIG, KX and Hansford Sensors – enough, because without their unstinting support, we simply wouldn’t have been out there racing. I only hope what we have achieved goes some way towards repaying the faith they have shown in me.” Having not been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and having had to scrimp-and-save every single step along the way, those sponsors have played a pivotal role in this young driver’s success, and they clearly see the benefits of an association with one of the country’s most promising motorsport talents – one who, despite his tender years, palpably appreciates the importance of always maintaining a thoroughly professional approach. Never shy of hard work, Tom has fought and fought and fought and never given up, even when the odds have seemed to be almost inconceivably stacked against him – even when his family almost lost their house to keep his dream alive. From the age of just 16,

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he boldly stood up and gave talks at business networking events in an effort to garner local support – and two of his current sponsors are the direct result of that precocious initiative. ‘We just need to take that one final step’ “For me,” he confesses, “it’s never been about F1. I know that’s the pinnacle for many drivers, but looking at things realistically, unless you have significant backing behind you, you’re not going to make it. Touring cars, on the other hand, are still very high-profile but also extremely enjoyable and you can really forge a professional career there – which has always been my goal. I’m unbelievably excited about what the future may hold for myself and my sponsors because we’re so close now. We just need to take that one final step.” His sheer grit and unswerving drive and determination are unparalleled in the paddock – and this will doubtless serve Tom and his sponsors well as he strives to raise the substantially higher budget level required in order to make the BTCC grade and line up on the grid in 2014. If you are interested in getting in contact with Tom, he can be reached at: tom@tom-ingram.com

Jamie Nicholson, Marketing Co-ordinator, SKYCIG (UK) “Sponsorship in motorsport is evolving all the time, and Tom’s creative intelligence and contribution to our 2013 programme has been very welcome. His management team also plays a key role, matching his success on the track with professionalism and personal touch in equal measure. A delight to be associated with!” Chris Hansford, Managing Director, Hansford Sensors “Tom is an extremely focussed and ambitious young man who has achieved a great deal of success over the past few years and will go far in his chosen career. Our relationship with Tom has given us far more media exposure than we would otherwise have had and has provided us with additional business contacts, which has obviously been highly beneficial. Through his pleasant and mature manner, Tom has proven to be an excellent ambassador for our company.” Steve Rider, BAFTA-Winning Television Sports Presenter and Broadcaster “Tom is a very confident performer in front of the cameras. He understands exactly what is required when it comes to striking the right balance between verbalising the support of his sponsors and telling the story of the race. In terms of his communication skills, he is of the same mould as Jason Plato – and you really can’t speak much more highly than that.”

The Ambassadors Club BECOME AN AMBASSADOR AND BENEFIT FROM AMAZING DISCOUNTS AND GREAT DEALS FROM OTHER B4 MEMBERS MARKETINGCO

STUPPLES CHANDLER GARVEY

10% Discount

Free

On all agency and professional fees

Business development mentoring session

Stupples Chandler Garvey is a prominent firm of Regional Commercial Property Consultants with offices in High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Amersham and Slough.

We help small business owners to achieve the clarity, focus and structure they need to attract customers and grow their business.

C: Michael Garvey | E: mg@stuppleschandlergarvey.com | T: 01494 460 250 | W: www.stuppleschandlergarvey.com

C: Jackie Jarvis | E: Jackie@marketingco.co.uk | T: 01491 833222 | W: www.a1limited.co.uk

BEAR AND RAGGED STAFF

SPICE LOUNGE

15% Off

10% Off

On your food bill

The Bear is now in a position to offer a full suite of services to the discerning traveler whether on business or just looking for a home away from home for a few days.

At the Spice Lounge the emphasis is on organic and creative dishes. Ethnic recipes are used to provide a diverse, unusual menu, while focusing on healthy eating.

C: Mark Greenwood | E: enquiries@bearandraggedstaff.com | T: 01865 862 329 | W: www.bearandraggedstaff.com

E: info@spiceloungeoxford.co.uk | T: 01865 510 071 | W: www.spiceloungeoxford.co.uk

BROWNS

STUDIO 8

Complimentary House Wine

10% Off

With Lunch & Dinner Monday - Friday

On standard prices

Enjoy the sophisticated sound of great live piano-playing at Browns Oxford – the perfect accompaniment for drinks and dinner.

Studio8 Provide professional photography and video services within Oxford and the UK. We are proud to be B4’s preferred photographers. Subjects can include: People, Products, Interior, Location and more.

C: Simon Stonehouse | T: 01865 511 995 W: www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/locations/oxford/

C: Clark Wiseman | E: info@studio-8.co.uk | T: 01865 842525 | W: www.studio-8.co.uk

A1 PLUMBING & HEATING

20% Off Gas Boiler Servicing and Repairs

LADY MARGARET HALL

10% Off Any accommodation & Meeting Bookings

At A1 Plumbing & Heating we offer a complete service with competitive rates for all your plumbing and heating requirements on any scale, large or small.

Lady Margaret Hall is an academic community, utterly committed to research and scholarship and to effective, highly personalised teaching and learning for students from all backgrounds.

C: Justin Sinclair | E: hello@a1ltd.co.uk | T: 01865 327732 | W: www.a1limited.co.uk

C: Bill Kemp | E: lodge@lmh.ox.ac.uk | T: 01865 611079 | W: www.lmh.ox.ac.uk

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The Ambassadors Card This is a new benefit for B4 Ambassadors. Receive your personalised card in the post which will entitle you to benefit from amazing discounts and great deals from other B4 Members. Why not make us an offer? In addition to benefiting from other member offers, why not include your offer in the scheme? Promote a benefit to over 150 B4 Ambassadors and, depending on the nature of the offer, this can be extended (at your request) to all employees in the Ambassador’s company if you would like to reach a wider audience.

OXFORD EVENT HIRE

MONKEY ISLAND HOTEL

10% Off

£30 Day Rate

Equipment Hire

Delegate day rate reduced from £50

Oxford Event Hire was established in 1990 with a clear vision to provide premium quality products and unbeatable service for both private and corporate clients in the events industry.

A centuries-old retreat hidden in the River Thames, Monkey Island Hotel offers the perfect setting for everything from weddings to weekend getaways to an evening of fine dining.

C: Kieran Lynch | E: info@oxfordeventhire.co.uk | T: 01865 760158 | W: www.oxfordeventhire.co.uk

E: info@monkeyisland.co.uk W: http://monkeyisland.co.uk

L’ORTOLAN

THE FORBURY

Free

25% Off

Lunch for two

Your food bill

01628

623400

Free lunch for 2 when booking private dining for at least 8 people. Housed in a former vicarage on a leafy lane in Shinfield, L’Ortolan offers an exceptional dining experience. Terms & Conditions apply.

It makes every moment of your stay a special memory. It’s in the smile that greets you and in the warmth and friendliness you’ll feel while you are here.

C: Sally Albin | E: sally@lortolan.com | T: 0118 988 9107 | W: www.lortolan.com

C: Peter Farquhar | E: reception@theforburyhotel.co.uk | T: 01189 527770 | W: www.theforburyhotel.co.uk

HEYTHROP PARK RESORT

DARBYS

Round discounts

From £180

£20 pp Mon to Fri - £25 pp Sat & Sun

Will and free annual review

Heythrop Park Resort has undergone refurbishment of the Health Club & Spa, the 18 hole golf course to championship standards and opening a second hotel, a new 197 bedroom four star Crowne Plaza..

Via the BLUE® helpline, your legal team will give you up to a total of 20 minutes FREE time on a particular enquiry. In our experience this is long enough to deal with most enquiries that crop up.

C: Tracy Stanton | E: info@heythroppark.co.uk | T: 01608 673333 | W: www.heythropparkresort.co.uk

C: Simon McCrum | E: info@darbys.co.uk | T: 01865 811256 | W: www.darbys.co.uk

THE OXFORD WINE COMPANY

10% Off At our 4 retail outlets Voted Best Independent Wine Retailer and Wholesaler in the UK 2011 by Harpers Wine & Spirit Magazine. Named Regional Wine Merchant of the Year 2007/2010 by the prestigious International Wine Challenge judges. C: Theo Sloot | E: theo@oxfordwine.co.uk | T: 01865 301144 | W: www.oxfordwine.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

Going the extra mile

We don’t just want your event to be a success – we want the planning and hosting of it to be as easy, stress-free and enjoyable as possible. We have a superb in-house team of event managers, chefs, technical and hospitality staff who all work endlessly to ensure the smooth running of our events. For more information on our current day delegate offers visit www.cheltenham.co.uk Call 01242 539 538 or email cheltenhamevents@thejockeyclub.co.uk for our latest brochure.

• Over 10,000 free parking spaces • Capacity for 2 – 2,250 people • Full on site technical, AV and Marketing support available • Experienced and dedicated event management service • Bespoke catering options • Superb views of Cotswold Hills • Close to major road and rail links

@CheltRaceEvents

• Free Wi-Fi in key rooms

Aspire Clinic

B4 SERVICES

“If I’ve learned anything in my business life it’s that we all may be different, but we all want the same thing, a good quality product at the right price, delivered on time.

”

A CALM VOICE AND A SAFE PAIR OF HANDS Dartnell UK has many years experience in producing high quality design and print work in areas such as corporate identity, brochures, newsletters, exhibition stands and websites, complemented by copywriting or photography if required. They are also independent experts on short run book printing and publishing. Promotional material is another one of Dartnell’s strengths, creating exciting and stimulating products. They are the ultimate one stop shop and Bryan is there to guide you every step of the way. He has built his business and reputation on delivering a great service with incredible value. Bryan has been in the business for 40 years working along the way for The Financial Times, Pan Books and IPC Magazines. When he started his own business, 17 years ago, he also formed Dartnell Africa, based in Zambia, and both his companies have been very successful. But with the advent of the Internet, he faced new challenges, as he explains. “The internet has been incredible for all of us. It has changed our lives immeasurably but it has also made us very lazy, not least in the world of print and design. When business cards are offered

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for £3.99 for 100, many will take the easy option, and that makes life very difficult for those of us who focus on quality and value for money.

helped her produce a book that she was proud of. She brought it to a networking meeting recently and was delighted with the end product.”

“Many people need advice on how best to promote their business, but all they need to do is tell me what they want, I’ll suggest alternatives and come up with something that looks good and gives them excellent commercial returns.

It’s an approach that builds trust and that’s Bryan’s goal. “If I’ve learned anything in my business life it’s that we all may be different, but we all want the same thing, a good quality product at the right price, delivered on time.

But I won’t stop there, as I’ll look after the job from start to finish. One name, one set of clear instructions – I don’t overcomplicate what I do and my clients appreciate that I am there to hold their hand through a potentially difficult process.” That’s priceless. This natural, unforced approach is reaping rewards for Bryan whose clients keep on coming back to benefit from his experience and attention to detail.

Business relationships are a chemical reaction and at the end of the day, when it works, the results can be truly beneficial for both parties.

Bryan recounts the meeting he had with a new client looking to publish a book. “The book had been designed by someone else but my client hadn’t been well advised. There was no formatting to talk of, no spine, and nothing about her as the author in the book. I made some suggestions and

In summary, Dartnell UK is no ordinary consultancy. We have within our showcase the answers to all your needs, however small, with the ability to tackle the most demanding brief, working in harmony with you to find a distinctive and cost effective solution. After all we have a reputation to look after – yours! Give me a call, you’ll be glad you did!” Tel: 01635 278568 Email: brm@dartnell.co.uk

Richard Shymansky - www.hillsandsaunders.co.uk

Can you be assured of creative ability, commitment and flexibility when choosing your design and print consultancy? If not, speak to Bryan Marshall of Dartnell UK. B4 did and found a calming voice in a frequently unpredictable world.

www.b4-business.com

B4 NEWS

B4 EVENTS Photography: Richard Shymansky (The Forbury Hotel) and Daria Montella for B4 (Compleat Angler)

PHOTO DIARY B4 Ambassadors, Members and their guests recently enjoyed two events at The Forbury in Reading and The Compleat Angler in Marlow. Our event at the fabulous Forbury Hotel saw members and guests from across the B4 network enjoy wonderful wine and canapés provided by our hosts. If this is a venue you are unfamiliar with, make sure you take a look at our review on the B4 Berkshire website. The great news is that if you’re a B4 Ambassador, you can take advantage of an incredible discount through the Ambassadors Card scheme – see website for more details. The Compleat Angler played host to our latest B4 Buckinghamshire event. We weren’t expecting such a beautiful evening, which was perfect on the banks of the River Thames. This event was attended by over 100 guests and co-hosted by Bucks Business First who launched the 2014 BBF Business Awards. Why don’t you make sure you book yourself in for the remaining B4 events of 2013 and the fantastic events we’ve got lined up for 2014 which include: Hartwell House Hotel and Spa, The Old Bodleian Library, Heythrop, The Said Business School, The Berystede in Ascot, Newbury Racecourse and more. Call B4 on 01865 742211 to find out more about joining B4 and getting access to all of these events and more in 2014 or visit www.b4-business.com

www.b4-business.com

BERKSHIRE COMPANY LEADS THE WAY IN WASTE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS From its multi-million pound joint venture Lakeside Energy from Waste plant at Colnbrook near Slough, through to its fleet of highly-specialised vehicles, Grundon Waste Management provides Berkshire companies with simple solutions for their recycling and waste management needs. Experts in helping organisations of every size – from major business parks to shopping centres, manufacturers, technology companies, care homes and colleges – Grundon is the largest family owned waste management company in the UK. Alongside its EfW plant, the Colnbrook operation is also home to one of Grundon’s two Materials Recycling Facilities in the county – the other is at Beenham near Newbury – while at Knowl Hill, near Maidenhead, the company has a dedicated clinical waste operation.

As well as being a sizeable employer, Grundon regularly supports a number of local charity and community projects and is also one of the sponsors of the Thames Valley Business Awards. Deputy chairman Neil Grundon is proud of the company’s commitment to the region and the services it offers. “Working with a local company which can offer a single solution to all your recycling and waste management requirements has to be much more sensible than transporting waste all over the country. More efficient collection methods require

less vehicles, so companies automatically reduce their carbon footprint,” he said. “Good practice is about making sure you take expert advice on the best way to dispose of your waste and doing so in a way which benefits your organisation as well as the environment. “Today, the way an organisation manages its recycling and waste management is not only seen as an indicator of its overall commitment to supporting the environment, but also of its own business credentials, which is why we are proud to support local groups and organisations.” www.b4-business.com

B4 SERVICES

WORKING

TOGETHER One company that works with Grundon is Cobham Antenna Systems. Recognised as a world leader in the design and manufacture of defence and aerospace communication systems, it prides itself in its aspiration to achieve zero harm across its workforce and to limit its environmental impact wherever possible. Following a concerted campaign to reduce waste and improve recycling, the company has cut the amount of waste it sends to landfill by more than 95%. Mick Cooper, SHE manager, emphasised the hard work of the company’s Facilities and SHE (Safety, Health and Environmental) team and said: “We are a relatively large organisation and the changes we have made here with the help from Grundon are a visible demonstration of the fact that we really do care about the impact we have on the environment.” Changes which have been implemented include replacement of individual bins with centralised waste stations, the introduction of an on-site compactor, and an employee education programme. For more information e-mail info@grundon.com or visit www.grundon.com.

Grundon’s reputation is such that it has helped many businesses dramatically reduce and, in some cases cut to virtually zero, the amount of waste sent to landfill. Given that it currently costs £72 a tonne to send waste to landfill – due to rise still further from next April – that’s an important saving. The company’s team of experts can advise on how to dispose of a wide range of waste and recycling materials, including: • mixed recyclables, such as paper, cardboard and plastic • general, non-recyclable waste • food waste • hazardous waste • clinical waste • confidential waste • event waste When starting work with a new client, the Grundon team undertakes an initial audit, identifying practical solutions, while also looking for ways to optimise best practice and keep costs down. It works closely with facilities and estates managers, supporting inhouse education programmes to help spread the recycling message and explain why changes are necessary. For many in an office-based environment, this means something as simple as the introduction of www.b4-business.com

a two-bin system – one container for mixed recycling items such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass bottles and cans; and another for nonrecyclable and non-hazardous general waste, such as some packaging and other plastics. While the former is sent for recycling, the latter goes to the EfW plant at Colnbrook, where its incineration creates around 37 Megawatts of electricity, the vast majority of which – enough to power c.50,000 homes – is exported into the National Grid. The spotlight is increasingly turning on food waste and Grundon recently introduced a dedicated food waste collection service aimed primarily at companies in the hospitality and food service sectors, schools and other premises with on-site catering facilities. Typically, the segregated food waste it collects is taken to licensed Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facilities, where it is broken down into Biofertiliser and also used to produce Biogas, used as a fuel for the production of electricity and/or heat. In a business environment, many day-to-day items such as batteries, printer cartridges, aerosols and solvents now fall into the hazardous waste category. Grundon’s specially-designed Haz-Box means companies who only have a small amount of such

waste to dispose of can easily comply with the stringent environmental legislation. Bigger items for disposal such as unwanted computer equipment, telephones, florescent lighting tubes or televisions can be collected via its separate Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) service. Confidential waste, from documents through to computer media such as hard drives and memory cards, is handled via a secure service which includes on-site mobile shredding. “Our goal is always to help clients find the most efficient and cost-effective methods for disposal and recycling,” continued Grundon. “Education plays a big part, which is why we hold customer waste awareness days, forums and visits to our facilities, the more people understand, the more likely they are to buy into the need to reduce waste and recycle more. “We underpin this with complete waste transparency, providing monthly statistics and reports to enable companies to see how they are managing their waste more effectively and helping them quantify the investment.” www.grundon.com

New Year’s Eve Big Bottle Bash Nothing is quite as impressive as seeing an old wine being poured from these large bottles such as Magnums and Jeroboams, so why not join us for a New Year’s Eve party like no other! Enjoy a Champagne aperitif with canapés, a six course dinner with matching wines poured from a variety of large bottle formats, followed by dancing to our live band, fireworks at midnight and a special toast to see in the New Year. £295 per person Discover more - www.the-vineyard.co.uk/NewYearsEve.asp Please call us on 01635 898463 to enquire or book The Vineyard | Stockcross | Newbury | Berkshire | RG20 8JU

B4 R&R

“Thank you for everything

you did to help us have such a great wedding day! We really could not fault anything, the venue looked terrific, the staff were very helpful and the food was excellent. Thank you again for such a brilliant job!

”

Mrs Grimshaw, August 2013

CHALLENGE YOURSELF WITH A FREE ROUND OF GOLF AT MAGNOLIA PARK! Experience playing at Magnolia Park Golf & Country Club - one of the country’s most challenging and picturesque golf courses – completely FREE! Our Course With our sweeping championship 18-hole course of around 7,000 yards set in over 200 acres of rolling Buckinghamshire countryside, Magnolia Park is known to many as the closest a parkland course can be to a Links, due to its beautiful water features and sometimes windy conditions. This year Magnolia Park was proud to host the Jamega Pro Golf Tour & Pro Am and it was so successful that we are hosting it again in August 2014! Our Facilities Magnolia Park Golf Club is the only UK golf club with the amazing 3D Motion Golf swing analysis system, and is also home to the exclusive Cleveland Srixon Club & Ball Fitting Centre. We have an extensive list of facilities available to members and visitors including: • 18 hole championship course • 9 hole academy course • Stunning venue for parties & weddings • Meeting and conferencing facilities • Fully licenced bar & restaurant • Indoor teaching & custom fitting studio • Exclusive 3D Motion Golf system • Cleveland/Srixon Centre of Excellence for professional club and ball fitting • PGA Professional • Pro Shop stocked with top brands • Fully equipped Gym, changing rooms, steam room & sauna • Satellite TV showing all the best sport • Stocked fishing lakes www.b4-business.com

Our Clubhouse Our aim is to ensure your visit with us will be one to remember. When the time comes to relax, our friendly staff will provide the best of service in comfortable surroundings. Our licenced bar & terrace overlooks the golf course and offers a great menu in relaxed and informal surroundings Memberships Our Membership packages include single, joint, family, intermediate, junior and lifetime and are available at fantastic rates. Magnolia Park is a thriving, proactive club with a busy competition calendar and a lively, social clubhouse. Check our website for full details of membership packages and the latest Membership offer for 2014! The Perfect Venue for your Christmas or New Year Party! Magnolia Park is a stunning venue for your Christmas or New Years Eve Party so why not call us now to book your party night now! Our function suite is a beautifully appointed with great views across the surrounding countryside, plenty of natural daylight and a lovely terrace area. It seats up to 120 guests for a sit down meal and can accommodate up to 250 guests for a buffet menu. We’re also a fully licensed Civil Ceremony Venue with 2 rooms licensed for civil ceremonies, accommodating up to 130 guests for your ceremony.

Magnolia Park offers you great value for money and our experienced Events Team have years of experience in event management ensuring you receive a warm, friendly and professional level of service. REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE ROUND OF GOLF! As a B4 reader, we'd like to offer you a FREE round of golf at Magnolia Park! Challenge yourself on our 18-hole Championship course and experience the fantastic facilities and benefits our Members & Visitors enjoy! Simply go to www.magnoliapark.co.uk/b4 and register your details using the code MAGB4 and you'll receive your FREE GOLF VOUCHER by email! Contact Us Feel free to contact us for anything you need to know about Magnolia Park or to book tee times, book a party or even to book your wedding! Tel: +44 (0)1844 239700. Email: info@magnoliapark.co.uk Web: www.magnoliapark.co.uk. Magnolia Park Golf & Country Club, Arncott Road, Boarstall,Buckinghamshire,HP18 9XX.

HAPPY TO BE DIFFERENT

Creative Artwork - from concept to print High quality litho and digital printing Digital Publishing to Apps

t: 01264 359359 www.advent-colour.co.uk

B4 ADVICE

HR ADVICE THAT WORKS FOR YOUR BUSINESS In over 16 years no client that has followed Crispin Rhodes’ advice has ever been successfully taken to an employment tribunal or fallen foul of any HR related minefield

With Christmas around the corner – a time when many businesses employ temporary staff and when employees are prone to calling in sick - many employers wonder about what rights their employees have and where the law sits on managing them.

permitted to carry the leave forward into the next holiday year.

Let’s take a look at two of the most common questions the festive season brings –

And it’s worth noting, it makes no difference whether the illness occurred before the scheduled holiday was due to commence or occurred during the holiday period. The period of postponed holiday given must be the same as the period of annual leave lost due to sickness.

Q: Can my employee accrue their holiday when they’ve been absent on sick leave?

Q: With Christmas coming up, what employment rights to our temps have?

A: We often find that many of the business owners we work with don’t know that employees on longterm sick leave continue to accrue holiday pay just

A: There are many misconceptions concerning temps, however the bottom line is that all employees have the same rights. And this applies

when employing temporary staff, and do remember to take references – even if they’re only filling a temporary role you don’t want to be left exposed. Many of the businesses we meet worry about being taken to an employment tribunal but expect the cost of professional HR support to be expensive. This often leads to business owners feeling under pressure to know everything about employment legislation themselves – and that’s where mistakes happen, even with the best of intentions. The aim of Crispin Rhodes is to keep things simple. Most of our clients use us as a bolt-on member of

“Most of our clients use us as a bolt-on member of their own team, calling us into the business for specific issues and emailing/calling us for day-to-day advice Sharon Pugh - Crispin Rhodes

as if they were working in the business. And what’s more, they’re entitled to carry over any holiday they don’t take due to their illness. One of the important recent cases where this was put before a tribunal was a case known as NHS Leeds v Larner (2012). In it the Court of Appeal held that a worker was entitled to carry forward untaken paid annual leave even though they may be absent on long-term sick leave; that there was no legal requirement for her to have submitted a request to take the holiday; and where sickness prevented the worker from taking their holiday in the year in which it was due, they would be

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”

to full-time, part-time, permanent or temporary workers. As a quick summary, each worker must 1) receive a written statement of their main terms of conditions, including pay, hours, etc if they are to be employed for longer than a month, and 2) will be eligible for holiday in the same way that fulltime/permanent staff are. Treating them differently to your full-time employees could very quickly land you in hot water! And don’t forget - a fixed term contract containing both a start and an end date can be beneficial

their own team, calling us into the business for specific issues and emailing/calling us for day-today advice. And the great thing is, there are no surprise fees – our bolt-on service is included in an inexpensive monthly retainer. So if you have an HR question or want guidance on your HR related issues, give us a call for a friendly chat and a free audit of your HR policies and procedures. You can reach Sharon Pugh directly on 07713 642702 or 0118 9414941 – or visit www.crispinrhodes.co.uk for more information about the help we can provide.

B4 SPOTLIGHT

BRACKNELL BOOMS BACK TO BUSINESS Something different is happening in Bracknell. Berkshire may not have escaped the economic downturn that’s challenged companies across the UK, but at the Bracknell Enterprise & Innovation Hub business appears to be booming. The view from the 13 floor building in the town’s centre might not look much different at first glance, but it’s clear that despite all the gloom and doom in the financial press, the people working here have a different perspective. Although it only opened its doors for the first time in January, the Enterprise & Innovation Hub is already full to the brim, with 12 companies and small businesses operating from the state-of-theart offices and conference rooms occupying almost 2 floors of the prominent local landmark. Now, less than a year after launching, the centre management team are preparing to begin refurbishing new areas of the building and expand the facilities on offer. “Demand for space within the Centre has been so great that in recent months we’ve had to operate a waiting list for companies wishing to move in. Bracknell’s business community is growing fast, and we’re delighted to have reached capacity within months of first opening for business,” says Centre Manager Shelley Furey. “Interest from new and established businesses from around Berkshire has been so great that we are already working hard on plans for expansion, and will see a new range of offices becoming available before the end of the year.” Centre operators Oxford Innovation, the UK's leading operator of business & innovation centres with 20 facilities countrywide, attribute the facility’s success to a range of factors including its central

location, state of the art facilities such as the Club B business lounge, and a range of support services including business, marketing and financial advice. The Centre currently hosts 12 companies, with that number expected to increase substantially over the rest of 2013 as the new offices are completed. A number of additional businesses also occupy flexible virtual tenancies, using the centre as a central point of contact and occasional meeting venue for a fraction of the cost normally associated with setting up commercial premises. They vary enormously in size and focus, with established companies like learndirect - the UK’s largest provider of skills, training and employment services - rubbing shoulders with one-man startup operations and service firms. All, however, are attracted by a number of shared factors.

Shearer added: “The central location and costeffective high quality facilities are clearly key advantages, but for many of the companies based here a major benefit of working with the management team is the added support and advice on offer. They understand how startup businesses work, and are geared up to provide the sort of expertise that firms really need as they look to develop and expand.” Shearer also believes that being surrounded by other companies, particularly those in similar sectors to your own, offers real business benefits. With other firms close by who’ve experienced the same issues, or can even offer opportunities for new partnerships, the Hub has created a supportive working atmosphere that adds real value.

“Cost is a key consideration. Despite the fact that we’re still in the grip of a very challenging economic situation, many serviced workspace operators have blithely ignored that and introduced hefty rent increases, whereas the Bracknell Enterprise & Innovation Hub has remained very competitively priced,” says Dave Shearer, Managing Director of IT solutions company Acardia.

“It’s a difficult thing to quantify, but the combination of beautifully designed premises and an entrepreneurial atmosphere makes the Bracknell Enterprise & Innovation Hub feel like somewhere you can really do business,” he said.

Acardia has been in business for over 12 years and built up an enviable client base providing a range of technology design, maintenance and development services. The company selected the Bracknell Hub as its headquarters because the fully serviced nature of its offering allows the firm’s management to forget about the day-to-day problems associated with maintaining premises and focus on growth, but believes that the major factor responsible for the facility’s success is due to its understanding of the pressures and issues facing new companies.

Shelley Furey added: “Our business isn’t just about providing flexible office space. For us, that is where the partnership with our clients really begins. With over 20 years experience running business and innovation centres, we truly understand the needs of ambitious young companies and are dedicated to working with them step-by-step and providing the assistance they need to realise their commercial potential.”

“Having the right atmosphere is an important but often overlooked factor in any workspace.”

www.bracknell-hub.co.uk

www.b4-business.com

“Demand for space within the Centre has been so great that in recent months we’ve had to operate a waiting list for companies wishing to move in. Bracknell’s business community is growing fast

”

www.b4-business.com

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B4 YOU A selection of some of the finest establishments in the B4 region

MACDONALD COMPLEAT ANGLER

L’ORTOLAN

HEYTHROP

Free your business ideas with a fee-free loan We have £2.5bn to lend as part of the Funding For Lending Scheme. So why not clear a space in your diary and find out how a fee-free loan can help your business Call 0800 001 4351 (Text Relay 18001 0800 001 4351) Search: RBS Business Lending or speak to a member of staff in branch

Please note that the FLS cannot be applied to overdrafts, or business credit cards. Usual lending conditions apply. Structured Finance and Real Estate Finance are excluded. The funding is available due to our participation in the Government’s Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) and is limited to £2.5 billion, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Security may be required for which a fee may apply. Over 18s only. ANY PROPERTY USED AS SECURITY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE YOUR HOME, MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.

B4 YOU RESORTS

RESORTS

HOTELS

HEYTHROP PARK

HARTWELL HOUSE

EYNSHAM HALL

Heythrop Park Resort is a unique venue set in 440 acres of stunning Oxfordshire Countryside. Dating back to 1710 this quintessential English country estate seamlessly combines elegance with style and boasts two individual hotels: the elegant DeVere Venues Heythrop Park Hotel and the stylish Crowne Plaza Hotel. The Resort also offers a championship 18 hole standard golf course, health club & spa together with state of the art conference facilities.

Hartwell House is one of the Stately Homes of England, just one hour from central London and Heathrow and Luton Airports, and two miles west of Aylesbury. Its most famous resident was Louis XVIII, exiled King of France, who lived there with is Court for five years. Situated in 90 acres of landscaped parkland in the Vale of Aylesbury, Hartwell House provides a country house setting, adding lustre to every social occasion.

Lloyds Bank Commercial a big Banking provides financial support the and to manufacturers located across Berkshire. Given their importance, we are actively encouraging manufacturers in Berkshire to take advantage of the reduced borrowing costs, particularly through the £80 billion Government. Given their importance, we are actively encouraging. A bit more copy to fill it out just a little more.

A: Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5UF T: 01608 673 333 W: www.heythroppark.co.uk

A: Oxford Rd, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8NR T: 01296 747 444 W: www.hartwell-house.com

A: Eynsham Hall Hotel, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX29 6PN T: 01993 885 200 W: www.eynshamhall.com

HOTELS

HAWKWELL HOUSE

MACDONALD RANDOLPH HOTEL

THE FEATHERS

Hawkwell House Hotel Oxford has high quality accommodation, conference facilities and makes a great wedding venue. Hawkwell House hotel is close enough to Oxford for you to dream of the Spires, and just far enough off to ensure your reverie isn't interrupted by the revelry of the students. The main hotel has now has 62 bedrooms including two luxury suites.

Our Macdonald Randolph Hotel is the leading 5-star hotel in Oxford and part of The Macdonald Hotels' Signature Collection. We offer luxurious accommodation, award-winning food and a sensuous spa haven in the heart of this world-famous university city. Located in Oxford's city centre, our hotel is a landmark building with elegance and charm aplenty.

There are just 16 bedrooms and five suites at The Feathers. They come in all shapes and sizes – the very antithesis of corporate uniformity. Return to your own personal favourite, or enjoy a pleasant surprise each time you visit. Since our refurbishment in 2010, we’ve added in some boutique twists, with lush fabrics, funky lighting, free-standing stone basins and the guiltiest pleasure of all, a decanter full of jelly beans.

A: Church Way, Oxford, OX4 4DZ T: 01865 749 988 W: www.hawkwellhouse.co.uk

A: Beaumont St, Oxford, OX1 2LN T: 01865 256 400 W: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

A: Market Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1SX T: 01993 812 291 W: www.feathers.co.uk

Ambassadors Card Offer: b4-business.com

Oxfordshire is guaranteed to get everyone thinking Meet Oxfordshire is the first point of contact for anyone considering the county for a meeting, conference or event. Our services include free venue finding and accommodation bookings.

www.meetoxfordshire.com contact us now call 01865 252799 Follow us on Twitter @meetoxfordshire

B4 YOU HOTELS

HOTELS

THE FORBURY

THE OAKLEY COURT HOTEL

THE OLD BANK

We stay with you…This promise drives everything we do. It makes every moment of your stay a special memory. It’s in the smile that greets you and in the warmth and friendliness you’ll feel while you are here. In every corner and at every moment, you’ll notice an attention to detail that shows our passion and belief. It’s the very essence of the Forbury, like spending time with an amazing family.

The Oakley Court is one of the finest and most renowned country house hotels in England, situated in picturesque Windsor and within easy reach of London, Heathrow airport and the M4. The hotel is a peaceful setting with attractive rooms decorated in a traditional country house style. For pure indulgence and the ultimate luxurious stay in Windsor, choose one of our junior suites with unrivalled views over the river.

The Old Bank hotel has 42 luxury bedrooms. The proportions of the Georgian property have been retained leading to rooms feeling large and airy. Many of the rooms have unrivalled views of famous Oxford landmarks. The bedrooms with marble bathrooms are all adorned with the owners private art collection. All of the rooms are fully air conditioned and have complimentary wireless internet access, water and home-made biscuits.

A: 26 The Forbury, Reading, West Berkshire, RG1 3EJ T: 0118 952 7770 W: www.theforburyhotel.co.uk

A: Windsor Rd Water Oakley, Windsor, SL4 5UR T: 01753 609 988 W: www.theoakleycourthotel.co.uk

A: 92 - 94 High Street, Oxford, OX1 4BJ T: 01865 799 599 W: www.oldbank-hotel.co.uk

HOTELS

GETTING AWAY

MACDONALD COMPLEAT ANGLER

THE VINEYARD

LOWER MILL ESTATE

Stylish, luxurious and romantic - the awardwinning Macdonald Compleat Angler Hotel is part of The Macdonald Hotels' Signature Collection and offers you the perfect accommodation for a magical stay by the riverside. Quietly situated on the banks of the River Thames and within easy reach of Heathrow airport, our hotel in Marlow is the ideal spot for taking to the water - we even have our own private launches and boats for hire.

We want you to enjoy our food and wine so much we added a 5-star hotel and Spa. Then we filled it with everything you'd expect for a comfortable night, and some things you might not. Like one of the finest private art collections this side of Hearst Castle. Only a short drive away from Highclere Castle, The Vineyard provides the perfect hotel destination for Downton Abbey fans and the historically curious alike. There's a lot to be said for California dreaming.

The Lower Mills Cotswold Estate is just over 550 acres of unspoiled countryside based in the beautiful village of Somerford Keyne just outside Cirencester in Gloucestershire. Our luxurious holiday homes estate is based around eight lakes and two rivers (Netherwood Lake, Somerford Lake Reserves, Neigh Bridge Lake, Cotswold Water Park) surrounded by acres of untouched woodland full of wildlife waiting for you and your family to explore.

A: Marlow Bridge, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1RG T: 0844 879 9128 W: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

A: Stockcross, Newbury, West Berkshire, RG20 8JU T: 01635 897 513 W: www.the-vineyard.co.uk

A: Lower Mill Lane, Somerford Keynes, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6BG T: 01285 869 489 W: www.lowermillestate.com

Vouch Offer: vouchoffers.co.uk

B4 YOU RESTAURANTS

RESTAURANTS

BROWNS OXFORD

BROWNS READING

GEE’S

Browns in Oxford was our second restaurant to open and is quite a landmark in the city. The building was a Morris garage for many years until we converted it into an English brasserie. Even though we’re in the city centre, the view from our windows is pure England. We’re just across the road from St Giles Church and a beautiful terrace of 18th century houses. We offer delicious food, a unique atmosphere and a great choice of wines, beers and cocktails.

Reading is one of the UK’s top ten retail destinations. Browns is within easy reach of the Oracle, one of the main shopping centres with over 80 high street names that span from high fashion to spectacular gifts. Steeped in history, Reading also has a 1,400 year heritage, a medieval monastery and 850 listed buildings. Come and soak up the atmosphere at Browns where you can relax and enjoy one of our classic dishes and a legendary Browns cocktail.

Food is best described as Mediterranean with some dishes designed for sharing, & dishes available in two sizes to suit different appetites & times of day. Food reflects the continued interest in the source of ingredients, seasonality & the variety & richness of our Oxfordshire produce. Simply prepared & expertly cooked in our kitchen incorporating a wood fire oven & charcoal grill.

A: 5-11 Woodstock Rd, Oxford, OX2 6HA T: 01865 511 995 W: www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

A: The Oracle Centre, Reading, RG1 2AG T: 0118 950 3137 W: www.browns-restaurants.co.uk

A: 61 Banbury Rd, Oxford, OX2 6PE T: 01865 553 540 W: www.gees-restaurant.co.uk

RESTAURANTS

L’ORTOLAN

LE MANOIR

QUOD

Reading's only Michelin starred restaurant, with modern French cuisine by Executive Chef Alan Murchison. L’Ortolan offers an exceptional dining experience - perfect for social and business occasions. We are delighted to be amongst the winners of 4 AA Rosettes at the 2013 AA Hospitality Awards. Receiving a fourth rosette puts L’Ortolan among the top restaurants in the UK, where the cooking demands national recognition.

Dining at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is an experience that will stay with you forever. Described as “a twist of imaginative genius”, Raymond Blanc’s dishes utilise the freshest, best quality ingredients. The two-acre kitchen garden produces 90 types of vegetable and 70 varieties of herb. Le Manoir’s wine cellar is home to around 1,000 different wines from around the world. Around 60% are of French provenance.

Quod is a vibrant bustling space that is the meeting place for locals for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and supper as well as drinks. Various specials, many sourced from our own Rofford farm, adorn the blackboards. Diners can enjoy live jazz every Sunday. Quod restaurant offers the rare luxury of a restaurant with free parking in the middle of the city. There is a spectacular heated terrace where diners can enjoy a morning coffee, the superb value 2 course lunch or a cocktail.

A: Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading, RG2 9BY T: 01189 888 500 W: www.lortolan.com

A: Church Road, Great Milton, OX44 7PD T: 01844 278 881 W: www.manoir.com

A: 92 - 94 High Street Oxford, OX1 4BJ T: 01865 202 505 W: www.quod.co.uk

Ambassadors Card Offer: b4-business.com

Achieve success with Bucks New University Improve the performance of your staff, your business and yourself with a postgraduate degree from Bucks New University. We offer career-focused programmes, unrivalled industry links and first rate facilities, making our students some of the most sought after professionals in the UK. Our renowned business programmes include: UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ UÊ

MBA MA Human Resource Management MA Leadership & Management MSc Information Systems for Strategic Management MSc International Accounting & Finance MSc International Logistics & Supply Chain Management MSc Marketing Communications.

Find out more today 0800 0565 660 advice@bucks.ac.uk bucks.ac.uk/pgbusiness

B4 YOU RESTAURANTS

RESTAURANTS

THE OLD PARSONAGE

THE RED LION

THE TROUT

Reopening in March 2014, our restaurant & bar will serve breakfast, elevenses, a great value set lunch, afternoon tea & an all day a la carte menu. The new interior will retain its intimate clubby, bohemian atmosphere with new furniture & an enhanced collection of eclectic oil portraits from the Bloomsbury period. We will continue to serve simple yet innovative, predominately classic British cooking, influenced by the seasons & abundant native produce.

Tucked behind George Street, in between Oxfords main theatres, The Oxford Play House and The New Theatre, The Red Lion Oxford holds the biggest and most beautiful beer garden in the City. Inside you will find cosy corners to escape the hustle of bustle of the shops and tourist attractions. Chef's freshly prepared menus and our carefully selected wines, ales and beers are served all day every day.

Nestled on the banks of the River Thames and steeped in history this 17th century pub is a unique setting to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our traditional pub building has been stylishly refurbished to make it the perfect place to find a cosy corner and take time out whilst enjoying some of our Chefs' seasonal dishes and our great selection of wines, ales and lagers.

A: 1 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 6NN T: 01865 310 210 W: www.oldparsonage-hotel.co.uk

A: 14 Gloucester Street, Oxford, OX1 2BN T: 01865 726 255 W: www.redlionoxford.co.uk

A: Godstow Road, Wolvercote, Oxford, OX2 8PN T: 01865 510 930 W: www.thetroutoxford.co.uk

GOLF CLUBS

FRILFORD

HENNERTON

MAGNOLIA

Frilford Heath is located to the South of Oxford on 500 acres of glorious undulating Heathland and is one of the best venues in the south of England. Rarely can a club offer three championship golf courses that allow the opportunity to revel in their classical or modern challenge! The original Red Course was laid out in 1908 by five times Open champion JH Taylor measured 721 yards less than todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6915 on its par 72.

You will find a friendly and warm welcome at Hennerton. There is a good balance of monthly club competitions and social golf as well as plenty of time when the course is free for those who just want to play. Hennerton Golf Club was opened by Bernard Gallacher in 1992, when it was a 9-hole course. He was delighted with the beauty of the countryside and the advantages made of the natural variation of the hills and the valley in the design of the course.

Welcome to Magnolia Park, a Golf and Country Club that offers you the opportunity of playing what we believe is one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most challenging and picturesque golf courses. A sweeping championship 18 hole course of around 7,000 yards, constructed to the very highest specifications, our course is suitable for every golfer whether you are a beginner or professional.

A: Oxford Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX13 5NW T: 01865 390 864 W: www.frilfordheath.co.uk

A: Crazies Hill Road, Wargrave, Berkshire, RG10 8LT T: 0118 940 1000 W: www.hennertongolfclub.co.uk

A: Arncott Road, Boarstall, Buckinghamshire, HP18 9XX T: 01844 239 700 W: www.magnoliapark.co.uk

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B4 MARKETING

BRANDING & IDENTITY THE ESSENTIAL ART OF MANAGING PERCEPTIONS

It’s a very simple fact. People and Businesses judge you, your Business, and your Brand by how they see you. For them, it really is a matter of seeing is believing. They believe what they see and that is why perceptions count. In this context, perception is, or at least quickly becomes, reality. Phil Strachan of Business and Brand Alchemists, Strangebrew, talks to Richard Rosser about the importance of Managing Perceptions and why he sees this as being what good Branding, Identity and Design is all about.

For me, creating, building and establishing a successful Brand and Business Identity really is all about the art of managing perceptions in order to ensure that how you and your business are seen is exactly how you wish to be seen and how you need to be seen in order to succeed. Your Business and Brand Identity are absolutely vital elements, the cornerstone of your chosen positioning and the communication of your proposition, in order to differentiate with clarity what you have to offer from the offerings of your perceived competitors. They are quite simply vital ingredients in creating the essential and all important element of individuality that will enable your Business, Brand and offering to stand out from the crowd. As such, your Identity needs to be distinctive, relevant, memorable and true to yourself but it also needs to be desirable because your Brand and Business need to connect, communicate and engage effectively with your identified target market(s). Ideally, your Brand and Identity will also be compelling, helping you to stand out head and shoulders above the crowd for all the right reasons and to be chosen ahead of your competition. To achieve this, you need to be thinking Brand – not bland. An outside-in process that begins from the inside-out Fundamental to the achievement of this, is a very good understanding in the first place of exactly what you need and want to be seen to stand for, what your values are and what your vision and mission are – ie what will ultimately define you. This is why creating, building and establishing a successful Brand or Business is about very much more than quickly grabbing a name, getting a quick logo done and getting a website up and running as soon as possible – and yet how often do we see exactly that? Creating, building and developing a successful Brand and Business Identity should be a considered strategic matter that should be afforded the required levels of input of time and effort and your Brand and Identity should be crafted carefully to cut through the clutter with immediate clarity. My fellow countryman, Robert Burns, most aptly commented on the importance of seeing yourself and your Business from the outside-in when he penned the following lines in his poem ‘To a Louse’: “O, wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as others see us! It wad frae monie a blunder free us, An' foolish notion.”

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Clearly, for existing Businesses and Brands, you first of all have to have a clear understanding of current perceptions in order to identify the job needing to be done, the journey to be undertaken and the degree of perception shift needing to be achieved. This is important, because all too often there is a very serious disconnect between how Business Owners and Managers see their own Businesses or Brand and how that Business or Brand is in fact perceived by those on the outside. It is amazing how a fresh perspective from someone more distant from a Business or Brand can shed light on such perception gaps and identify what needs to be addressed ie which perceptions need to be managed. Distilling the essence – and then freeing the spirit. When working with my Clients, I place great importance on drilling right in to what they and their Business are really all about, what it is that makes them different and can provide the essential bedrock for building meaningful and sustainable competitive advantage. My approach is, in Strangebrew terms, to distil the essence of a Business or Brand and then free the spirit that lies within. One vital factor in this is to determine the personality and character of the Brand or Business to be projected because this has such a key role to play in the differentiation and appeal of a Business or Brand. If you stop to think about it, a Business or Brand without a personality or character is a Business or Brand without soul. So, some good old fashioned soul-searching can go a long way in determining the Branding and Identity of a business and how it should connect, communicate and engage with its target audience. Your Identity really must encapsulate the personality and character you wish to project. Importantly though, Managing Perceptions should not be seen as a one-off matter that can be done and can then be forgotten. Rather, it is a constant and constantly evolving process that must be done with a high degree of consistency over time and at each and every touchpoint - both internally within a Business and externally with the outside world – because Businesses and Brands are living things. If you would like to know more about how Managing Perceptions could benefit your Business or Brand, call Phil Strachan of Strangebrew on 07770 753 975 and find out about how to access London quality Branding, Identity and Graphic Design – at Glasgow prices! www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk

WHO’S WHO 2014 K E Y

B U S I N E S S

C O N T A C T S

B4 WHO’S WHO 2014 The 2nd B4 Who's Who will be published in early 2014 and mailed to all B4 Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire members and Ambassadors (currently in excess of 1,000 individuals). This high quality publication is designed to provide those wishing to raise or maintain their profile in the Thames Valley with a high quality publication which will remain on the desks of key decision makers.

WHO’S WHO 2014 K E Y

To see an example of the guide please see: http://issuu.com/b4-business/docs/oxfordshire_who_s_who_2012

B U S I N E S S

C O N T A C T S

EXPOSURE FOR WHO’S WHO The publication is being compiled now for launch early in 2014 and will be viewable on www.b4-business.com as an e-Magazine as it grows. Thereafter, we will be adding pages as new businesses book, providing those who book sooner rather than later with maximum exposure in the lead up to the print date. The electronic version of the publication will remain on line for 12 months until is it re-printed in 2015. In addition, we will be promoting the publication through:

Cover LEGAL | ADVICE

HENMANS FREETH LLP ANDREW CROCOMBE ABOUT ME Andrew is an experienced commercial litigator and mediator and is partner and head of Henmans Freeth’s commercial disputes team. He qualified in 1996 and joined the firm in 2005 after heading up the commercial disputes team at a South Coast firm. He is recognised as a leader in commercial dispute resolution in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners legal directories.

• Weekly B4 e-Newsletters • Banners on www.b4-business.com • Social media - Predominantly Twitter • Copies circulated at B4 Events

Andrew acts for PLCs and large regional organisations, specialising in helping companies, directors, shareholders and partners resolve their disputes. As an experienced and active mediator for Oxford Mediation, Andrew places particular emphasis on the use of mediation to resolve disputes at an early stage. Andrew is a keen sailor and in November 2013 wil be sailing between Cape Town and Western Austrlia as part of the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.. He also enjoys playing tennis, football and skiing.

ABOUT THE COMPANY On 1 Februry 2013, Henmans LLP rebranded as Henmans Freeth LLP following the fim’s merger with national law firm, Freeth Cartwright LLP.

DISTRIBUTION 2,000 copies of the publication will be printed. In the region of 1,000 copies will be mailed to B4 Ambassadors and representatives of members (the members being the company). Copies will also be made available at B4 events and seminars.

The commercial disputes team specialises in a wide range of commercial disputes including breach of contract, director/partnership/shareholder, product liability, intellectual property, IT / TMT and cross border disputes. The team is part of the dispute resolution department which is one of the largest in the South East outside London, and is ranked by legal directories as one of the top litigation teams in the Thames Valley for this work. The firm offers expertise in specialist legal areas and strives to understand its clients’ needs thoroughly to deliver the finest service. Henmans’ lawyers are committed to providing value-added services, strong, common sense solutions and practical advice with the expertise of London law firms at regional rates.

CONTACTS C Andrew Crocombe, Partner - andrew.crocombe@henmansfreeth.co.uk A 5000 Oxford Business Park South, Oxford, OX4 2BH T +44 (0)1865 781 059 W www.henmansfreeth.co.uk @HenmansFreeth /andrewcrocombe

RATES

OXFORDSHIRE WHO’S WHO 2014 | 1

Rates per page

EDUCATION | SCHOOLS

First page Discounted Rate £

Additional page Rate £

Ambassador

200

150

Member

250

175

Non-Member

275

200

TUDOR HALL WENDY GRIFFITHS ABOUT ME I was born in a small village in South Wales and attended a grammar school in Carmarthen. I studied Zoology at Aberystwyth University and then went onto a PGCE. At school I loved Biology and it was an obvious choice for university, but my real buzz comes from working with young people. I have a determination to see the pupils in a diverse range of environments: from the laboratory to Dartmoor. I love to see them challenged and then succeed. I have always taught in single sex girls’ schools and spent most of my career in Surrey. I started in a small boarding school, Wispers School, then moved to Tormead School and did everything from Residential Housemistress to Head of Sixth Form and Senior Mistress. I then became director of studies at St Catherine's, Bramley followed by Headmistress at Tudor from 2004.

ABOUT THE COMPANY Tudor Hall School is unique in so many ways. It is a small, vibrant, full boarding and day school which definitely ‘punches above its weight’. The academic results are excellent, produced by young women who have been selected for places at the school not just on their academic ability but also their personal strengths. The girls are not of one type and this creates a community where everybody recognises its members as individuals and celebrates this. Staff work with pupils to ensure that each one is encouraged and supported to do her best. The girls are ambitious and determined to make the most of the many opportunities in school and beyond.

DIMENSIONS & SPECS

CONTACTS

Finished Size: Colour: Materials: Finishing:

210 x 210mm 4 colour process + machine sealed throughout Cover 300gsm silk, text 170gsm silk Outer cover Soft Touch lamination + spot uv varnished (10% coverage), fold, stitch & trim

C A T W

Wendy Griffiths, Headmistress - admissions@tudorhallschool.com Wykham Park, Banbury, Oxon OX16 9UR +44 (0)1295 756 276 www.tudorhallschool.com @twittername /linkedinname /facebookname

1 | OXFORDSHIRE WHO’S WHO 2014

Lead Pages

T O B O O K O R F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , C A L L B 4 O N 0 1 8 6 5 7 4 2 2 1 1 T O D AY

B O O K T O D AY 01865 742211 FUND-RAISING ORGANISATIONS | BUSINESS SERVICES

ESTATSE AGENTS | PROPERTY & BUILDING

MARIANNE JULEBIN Major Gifts Manager ANDREW STYLES Gift Processing Assistant PENNY HAMBRIDGE Children's Development Officer ANDREW HOUSE Deputy Director JANET SPRAKE Fundraising Manager CYNTHIA CHARLETT Gift Processing Manager GRAHAM BROGDEN Deputy Director SARAH VACCARI Communications Manager

SCOTT HARKNESS Partner, Head of Commercial Division Scott specialises in providing advice on agency and development matters to a wide variety of clients from private individuals and trusts through to property funds, institutions, companies and statutory authorities.

E marianne.julebin@ouh.nhs.uk T +44 (0)1865 231 523 E andrew.styles@ouh.nhs.uk

T +44 (0)1865 743 265

E penny.hambridge@ouh.nhs.uk T +44 (0)1865 743 445 E andrew.house@ouh.nhs.uk

T +44 (0)1865 743 427

E janet.sprake@ouh.nhs.uk

T +44 (0)1865 743 443

E cynthia.charlett@ouh.nhs.uk

T +44 (0)1865 743 444

E graham.brogden@ouh.nhs.uk T +44 (0)1865 743 442 E sarah.vaccari@ouh.nhs.uk

T +44 (0)1865 743 428

Left to right:

Scott advises both owners and occupiers across the property sectors including office, industrial, retail and educational. Scott is governor of one school within the county. E scott.harkness@carterjonas.co.uk T +44 (0)1865 404 453

JON SILVERSIDES Partner, Commercial Jon advises on all forms of commercial property, acting for a wide range of landlords, occupiers, investors and developers. In particular Jon specialises in commercial agency, consultancy and investment work. He has been involved in commercial property since 1991, primarily in Oxfordshire and the South East.

E jon.silversides@carterjonas.co.uk T +44 (0)1865 404 458

JAMES BAINBRIDGE Partner, Head of Planning & Development Division James advises clients on proposed development projects throughout the south of England. He has over 20 years’ experience in residential and mixed-use development acting for private, corporate, institutional, charity and public sector clients. This includes site identification, project management of planning and development strategies, valuation and viability appraisals, marketing and sale of development opportunities. James has specific expertise in options, promotion agreements, joint ventures and landowner agreements. He has been involved in sites ranging from new settlements to city centre regeneration and smaller provincial and rural schemes, and also provides expert witness and independent expert valuation services for dispute resolution. E james.bainbridge@carterjonas.co.uk T +44 (0)1865 404 437

OXFORDSHIRE WHO’S WHO 2014 | 1

Team Pages

IMPORTANT: Team pages can only be booked if a lead page has been booked. Team pages cannot be booked in isolation.

LEAD PAGE REQUIREMENTS

TEAM PAGE: THREE EMPLOYEE’S

1. LOGO Supplied as a High Resolution jpeg or eps. All logo’s will be inserted in mono and not full colour across the publication, as shown on examples.

1. LOGO - see individual requirements.

2. INFO FOR “ABOUT ME” Name, Company and Title. Please also supply up to a max 130 words about you and your career. We will edit anything over this to maintain a consistent look. 3. INFO FOR “ABOUT YOUR COMPANY” Please supply up to a max 130 words about your company. We will edit anything over this to maintain a consistent look. 4. CONTACT DETAILS Please supply one for each of the following: key contact, email, establishment address, telephone number and website address.Please also advise if individual can be contacted via Linked In, Twitter or Facebook.

2. INFO’S FOR “ABOUT ME” - Please supply 120 words on each of three employees. Also supply each individual's title, e-mail and direct dial. 3. CONTACT DETAILS - see individual requirements. 4. IMAGES - see individual requirements.

TEAM PAGE: GROUP PHOTO 1. LOGO - see individual requirements. 2. CONTACT DETAILS - Names, direct dials and e-mails for up to 8 individuals. 3. IMAGES - see individual requirements.

5. IMAGES All images must be supplied in High Resolution. We cannot accept any images taken from websites. Images can be supplied as a jpeg or Tiff. Please do not supply images embedded in Word or pdf files.

T O B O O K O R F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N , C A L L B 4 O N 0 1 8 6 5 7 4 2 2 1 1 T O D AY

Katy Rabindran

Samantha Vanags

The 2013 Budget was a great indicator of the Government’s continued support and encouragement of UK businesses carrying out qualifying research and development (R&D), and the exploitation of registered patented technology, with the announcement of more generous tax reliefs for these businesses, and the introduction of the widely anticipated ‘patent box’.

This could be a newly improved product or process; it doesn’t have to be rocket science!

These announcements form part of the Government’s wider economic plans to generate more income from the science and technology industry, by making the UK a competitive market for both national and international innovative businesses.

The UK legislation currently provides two types of R&D tax relief, depending on the size of the company or organisation; the small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) relief, and the large company relief. Each of the reliefs can be claimed in two different ways; a super-deduction, and a claimable cash credit from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Historically, the legislation did not allow large companies to claim a cash credit, however from April 1, 2013, the Government introduced an R&D expenditure credit, where this is now possible. A summary of the reliefs are given in the table below. (see fig.1)

What is R&D for tax purposes?

Patent Box

Essentially, it is the investment into achieving an advance in science or technology through the resolution of scientific or technological uncertainties.

In addition to these reliefs, the patent box regime was introduced with effect from April 1, 2013. Broadly speaking, the patent box enables companies to

R&D TAX RELIEF SUMMARY FIG.1 Description

Description SME relief

Large company relief

Super-deduction

Allows companies to deduct an additional amount on top of their qualifying R&D expenditure with their tax returns.

Extra deduction of £125 allowed for every £100 spent on qualifying R&D. This gives a net cost of £48.25 on £100 of qualifying R&D expenditure when a 23% corporation tax rate is applied.

Extra deduction of £30 allowed for every £100 spent on qualifying R&D. This gives a net cost of £70.10 on £100 of qualifying R&D expenditure when a 23% corporation tax rate is applied.

Cash credit claimable

Allows companies to claim a cash repayment from HMRC.

Available to loss-making SMEs at a rate of 24.75%. This gives a cash receipt of £24.75 on £100 of qualifying R&D expenditure when a 23% corporation tax rate is applied.

Available to large companies at a gross rate of 10% of their qualifying R&D expenditure. The credit is repayable net of tax, this gives a net cash receipt of £7.7 on £100 of qualifying expenditure when a 23% corporation tax rate is applied.

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B4 FINANCE

TAX TURNS

INNOVATIVE Grant Thornton UK LLP is moving full steam ahead with its investment into a new national innovation team, set up to increase its national market offering to businesses who deal in all areas of innovation, including research and development. Samantha Vanags and Katy Rabindran discuss the evolution of the team and its plans for the future.

apply a 10% corporation tax rate to profits earned from its patented inventions and certain other innovations.

substantial – recently one of my clients secured over £1 million in cash refunds.”

Innovative thinking

The team uses methodologies agreed with HMRC when preparing and submitting R&D claims. They invest a great deal of time at the outset to understand the key R&D projects carried out by the business through interviewing or conducting workshops with key personnel, followed by detailed

The innovation team has strategically evolved from a group of R&D specialists mainly working in London and the Thames Valley region, to an expanding national network of dynamic innovation specialists. Regional specialists are currently situated in several local offices including Manchester and Cambridge; the plan being to expand the team to 25 heads by FY2016. Samantha Vanags created and heads the innovation team, and has worked in R&D since the relief was first introduced in 2000. Having attended and influenced many of the HM Treasury consultations regarding the recently enacted legislation, Vanags has not only key technical insight into the legislation, but invaluable practical experience in dealing with HMRC and its views on a broad range of issues that exist within R&D claims. As a result, the team has a good working relationship with many of the R&D inspectors at HMRC, which is valuable when settling HMRC enquiries into R&D claims.

“Broadly speaking, the patent box enables companies to apply a 10% corporation tax rate to profits earned from its patented inventions and certain other innovations” Katy Rabindran leads the team in the Thames Valley. She says, “The Thames Valley is a real hub for innovative companies, and we work on claims for everything from satellites launched into space, to improved software solutions for internet dating. These reliefs are far more widely available than many companies first think, and the cash refunds generated from HMRC can be

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“the team has a good working relationship with many of the R&D inspectors at HMRC, which is valuable when settling HMRC enquiries into R&D claims

”

data analysis to extract associated qualifying costs in relation to the R&D projects. The team also work with businesses in preparing the accompanying narrative which describes why the projects are qualifying R&D. This methodology has proved very successful in ensuring robust, fully supportable claims are submitted to HMRC. The team have worked, and currently work with many dynamic businesses that are very influential within the UK’s science and technology industries, with extensive experience in both SME and large company claims. Samantha Vanags 01865-799805 samantha.j.vanags@uk.gt.com Katy Rabindran 01865-799846 katy.j.rabindran@uk.gt.com

Corporate AS A COMPANY, HOW DO YOU SAY ‘THANKS’ TO YOUR STAFF, YOUR CUSTOMERS OR SUPPLIERS? c WE HAVE THE PERFECT SOLUTION FOR YOU. vouch ha vouch have ve been pr providing oviding fantastic off offers ers ttoo the general public for for over thr three ee year yearss now, now, great great places places lik like: e:

with mor moree voucher voucherss ccoming oming up ffor or sale weekly c IIt’s t’s a gr great eat wa wayy ffor discount ount (at least) and say say or you ttoo buy a voucher at a 50% disc ‘thanks’’ ttoo someone ffor ‘thanks or their har hardd work. Corpor Corporate ate vouch vouch off offers ers you the opportunity ttoo buy 12 voucher voucherss ffor or the pric pricee of 10* c Just J ust call 01865 7742211 42211 quoting quotin ‘Corpor ‘Corporate ate vouch vouch’’ and we can put a package of voucher voucherss ttogether ogether ffor or you. c TToo see the th full rrange ange of voucher vouchers, s, see the www www.vouchoffers.co.uk .vouchoffers.co.uk sit sitee c FFollow ollow vouch vo on T witter or sign up ffor Twitter or the e-newslett e-newsletter er at www www.vouchoffers.co.uk .vouchoffers.co.uk

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

B4 contacts P

CONTACTS DIRECTORY Advice..................................................................................................................................................63 Business Services....................................................................................................................63 Charities & Government Organisations.....................................................63 Conference, Events & Venues........................................................................................65 Event Managment Technology..........................................................................65 Education........................................................................................................................................65 Finance..............................................................................................................................................65 Health & Leisure.......................................................................................................................65 Travel........................................................................................................................65

ADVICE LEGAL Field Seymour Parkes A Penelope Garden Associate 0118 951 6312 www.fsp-law.com Gardner Leader LLP A Derek Rogers Managing Partner 01635 508080 www.gardner-leader.co.uk Morgan Cole LLP A Michael Stace Partner 0118 955 3000 www.morgan-cole.com Turpin & Miller A Emily Boardman Partner 01865 770111 www.turpinmiller.co.uk Clifton Ingram LLP A Carl Rae Partner, Dispute Resolution 0118 957 3425 www.cliftoningram.co.uk

The FD Group A 0118 948 1080 www.theFDgroup.co.uk Parfitt Cresswell 01753 271640 www.parfittcresswell.com Strategic Finance Director Limited 07967 681774 www.strategicfd.co.uk Thomas International 01608 659910 www.thomasinternational.net

Bbite 07836 205262 www.bbite.co.uk

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BUSINESS SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT

Beacon Sales A Barry Luff Managing Director 07813 898936 www.beaconsales.co.uk

Grant Thornton A Jim Rogers Assurance Partner 0118 955 9114 www.grant-thornton.co.uk

The Business Wealth Club 01869 278900 www.thebusinesswealthclub.com

Bracknell Business Club 01256 767837

BUSINESS CONSULTANTS

Direct 2 PA A Emma Watts Executive PA 0118 932 6698 www.direct2pa.com

Click Berkshire A Harriet Slingo Owner 07725 740311 www.clickberkshire.co.uk

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group 01753 870500 www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk

BUSINESS SERVICES

BDO LLP A Simon Brooker Lead Partner 0118 925 4488 www.bdo.uk.com

Pareto Lawrence Ltd 0845 241 0207 www.paretolawrence.co.uk

FSB A Richard Knight East Berkshire Branch Chairman 01256 767837 www.fsb.org.uk

BUSINESS ADVICE

ACCOUNTING

Wilson Partners 01628 770 770 www.wilson-partners.co.uk

HR..........................................................................................................................................................65 IT & Telecommunications.................................................................................................65 Marketing & Design...............................................................................................................65 Printing.......................................................................................................................67 Public Relations...............................................................................................................67 Media......................................................................................................................67 Property & Building...............................................................................................................67 Restaurants & Bars............................................................................................................67 Retail....................................................................................................................................................67

MCP Consulting and Training Sarah James Marketing Executive 0121 506 9034 www.mcpeurope.com

Wilkins Kennedy 0118 951 2131 www.wilkinskennedy.com

A M B A S S A D O R

Archway Business Solutions Ltd 0118 324 0135 www.archwaybusiness.com

JFP Strategic Planning 01344 872230 www.jfpstrategic-planning.co.uk

BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS Institute of Directors, Berkshire Branch A Barry Lewis Chairman, Berkshire Branch 0118 942 9608 www.iod.com

INSURANCE Coversure Insurance 0800 093 57 80 www.coversure.co.uk Vision Vehicle Solutions Ltd 01628 780011 www.vision4accidents.com

SECURITY RISK Management Security Services 01494 469189 www.riskmanagementsecurity.co.uk

CHARITIES & GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS RAF Benevolent Fund Paul Hewson Regional Director - London, Home Counties and South England 01296 656586 www.rafbf.org.uk Berkshire Community Foundation 0118 930 3021 www.berkshirecommunityfoundation.org.uk 63

B4 contacts FINANCE

Sue Ryder 0800 917 8123 www.sueryder.org

BANKING

CONFERENCE, EVENTS AND VENUES Malmaison P Richard Lockstone General Manager 0118 956 2300 www.malmaison.com Oakley Court Hotel P Richard Smith Sales Manager 01753 609988 www.principal-hayley.com/theoakleycourt The Bird in Hand Country Inn 01628 826622 www.birdinhand.co.uk Fredrick’s Hotel, Restaurant & Spa 01628 581 000 www.fredricks-hotel.co.uk The Forbury Hotel A Peter Farquhar General Manager 01189 527770 www.theforburyhotel.co.uk Monkey Island Hotel David Maisey General Manager 01628 623400 www.monkeyisland.co.uk

Lloyds TSB Commercial P Paul Smart Area Director Thames Valley, SME Banking 01442 233261 www.lloydstsbbusiness.com RBS Corporate Banking A Donald MacDonald UK Head of Deposits & Director, Professionals 07768 427379 www.rbs.co.uk/corporate.ashx Santander Corporate Banking A Paul Robinson Relationship Director 0118 921 1621 www.ukcorporatebanking.com Coutts Reading A Robert Woodthorpe-Brown Client Partner 0118 373 3509 www.coutts.com/locations/reading Barclays Corporate 07766 362053 www.barclayscorporate.com

VENUES The Vineyard P Marwan Hemchaoui General Manager 01635 528770 www.the-vineyard.co.uk

Metro Bank 0203 402 7620 www.metrobank.plc.uk

TAX PLANNING Your Money Friends A Ted Yeates Founder 0208 123 1193 www.yourmoneyfriend.co.uk

HEALTH AND LEISURE BEAUTY

EVENT MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY The Active Network 0207 313 5744 www.activenetwork.com Lime Blue Solutions 01628 780211 www.limebluesolutions.com

EDUCATION Reading College P Lesley Donoghue Principal 0118 955 4300 www.reading-college.ac.uk Reading University 0118 987 5123 www.reading.ac.uk

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Electric Hair A Alan Short Director and Salon Manager 0118 957 1010 www.electric-hair.com

SPORT Reading FC Limited P Sir John Madejski Chairman 0118 968 1100 www.readingfc.co.uk Hennerton Golf Club 0118 940 1000 www.hennertongolfclub.co.uk Newbury Racecourse P Amanda Ellis Conference & Events Business Development Manager 01635 40015 www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk

Magnolia Park P Mark McGeehan Golf Pro 01844 239700 www.magnoliapark.co.uk The Jockey Club Matthew Foxton-Duffy Regional Head of Marketing - South West 01242 537608 www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

LEISURE ACTIVITES Nirvana Spa 0118 989 7500 www.nirvanaspa.co.uk

TRAVEL Livingstone’s World of Travel Ltd 0844 888 8383 www.livingstonesworldoftravel.com

HR Crispin Rhodes A Sharon Pugh Partner 01189 414941 www.crispinrhodes.co.uk HR2YOU P Sarah Morris Managing Director 07789 711997 www.hr2you.co.uk

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS IT SERVICES In Touch CRM P James White Managing Director 0800 056 6452 www.intouchcrm.co.uk

TELECOMMUNICATIONS Everything Everywhere P Mike Tomlinson Small Business Marketing Director 07968 107671 www.everythingeverywhere.com

MARKETING & DESIGN ADVERTISING B4 Magazine P Richard Rosser Managing Director 01865 742211 www.berkshire.b4-business.com Focal Point Advertising Solutions 01256 767837 www.focal.co.uk

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Magazine

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Delivering D elivering Real Real Business Business Results Resu ults

B4 contacts DESIGN Clever Little Design 01628 627853 www.cleverlittledesign.co.uk Blink Design & Print 01865 742211 www.on-the-blink.com Voyage Design 01189 835510 www.voyagedesign.co.uk

MARKETING Strangebrew Brand Alchemy P Phil Strachan Proprietor 07770 753975 www.thinkbrandnotbland.co.uk The Social Media Café A Amanda Hill Founder 0844 3305679 www.amanda-hill.org.uk Glooo Robin Parker Partner 01865 595707 www.glooo.co.uk

Esplin PR A Louise Esplin Freelance PR Consultant 01235 850115 www.esplinpr.co.uk Morgan PR A Nigel Morgan Founder 0845 00 33 666 www.morganpr.co.uk

MEDIA Reading 107fm P Tony Grundy Acting MD 0118 986 2555 www.reading107fm.com

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Gavin Jones A Martin Ford Business Development Executive T: 01932 833833 W: www.gavinjones.co.uk Grundon T: 01491 839212 W: www.grundon.com

First Move Direct Marketing 01494 539300 www.firstmove.co.uk

PROPERTY & BUILDING

Synergis 01628 857460 www.synergismarketing.com

PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILM PRODUCTION

Oxford Innovation Ltd P Jo Willett Marketing and IC Development Director 01865 261400 www.oxin-centres.co.uk

Hills & Saunders A Richard Shymansky Photographer 07878 162452 www.hillsandsaunders.co.uk

Absolutely Offices A Beryl Huntingdon Managing Director 01256 316500 www.absolutely-offices.co.uk

PRINTING Advent Colour P Mike Ackerman Sales Director 01264 359359 www.advent-colour.co.uk Dartnell UK Ltd 01635 278568 www.dartnell.co.uk Solutions in Ink 020 7917 2964 www.solutionsinink.com

PUBLIC RELATIONS Evokedset A Nicola Denovan Director 0844 870 8025 www.evokedset.com

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RESTAURANTS & BARS Browns A 0118 950 3137 www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/locations/reading L’Ortolan Sally Albin Marketing Manager 0118 988 9107 www.lortolan.com Java & Co. 07736 950673 www.javaandco.co.uk

RETAIL Buildbase A Tim Felton Regional Director South 01635 573716 www.buildbase.co.uk Vintagenie www.vintagenie.com

WHY NOT JOIN THEM? 100 members and rising.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY SERVICES

Berkshire Centres at: Crowthorne Enterprise Centre 01344 751 600 www.crowthorne-ec.co.uk Lily Hill House 01344 317 900 www.lilyhillhouse.com Quintons Specialist Commercial Property Advisors 01635 551441 www.quintons.co.uk Quintons Specialist Commercial Property Advisors 01635 551441 www.quintons.co.uk

Become a B4 Member or Ambassador and in return, we’ll give you: • Presence in the B4 online and magazine directories • Access to the B4 site to upload unlimited press releases, event details, offers and jobs • Invites to B4 Ambassador events in 2013 and 2014 Memberships from just £150+VAT per annum*

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INTERIORS Amarestone 0845 2608070 www.amarestone.com B4 is designed by Blink Design & Print e: studio@on-the-blink.com t: 01865 742211