BBP North West - Edition 1 by BBP Media

MANCHESTER BUSINESS POST

www.bbpmedia.co.uk

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Edition 1

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12358 AP_HorseWorld 29/04/2015 11:47 Page 1

recruitment software has evolved…

Darwin The move to 1-click Recruitment Recruitment is often cited as the 'barometer' of the economy, indicating when companies are creating jobs and therefore growing. And according to The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) the recruitment industry has surged back to pre-recession levels and is now worth a staggering £28.7bn, some 6.3% higher than the previous record. The forecast for 2015/16 is a further increase of 9% and 8.7% the year after, so the job market in the UK is definitely on the up and set to stay that way. But how efficient is the supply of this demand? A decade ago leading West Midlands technology firm DARWIN decided there was room for improvement. So they collaborated with Microsoft to build cloud-based CRM software that integrated with Outlook, website and social media together into one easy-touse application. "Simplicity was the key" says CEO, Mike Chatha. "Everyone had Microsoft Office, but didn't have time for manually posting jobs to their website, manually inputting CVs, writing lots of emails, and referencing spreadsheets which would soon become outdated. And that was just with ONE person handling the recruitment - add a second, third or fourth and the process soon became horribly time consuming and a poor experience for everyone concerned." So using the latest technology Darwin helped the recruitment process evolve by creating a solution that took the pain away; putting the recruitment consultant / hiring manager back in control, with the minimum of fuss.

How today's recruiters utilise technology to do the work So how do professional recruiters manage to keep on top of multiple vacancies, candidates, callbacks & interviews? The answer is they get software to do most of the donkey work, leaving the person to focus on the telephone & face-to-face liaison which are normally their strongest areas.

For example the 1-Click CRM system from Darwin allows a recruiter to: • Publish jobs straight out of their CRM to their website/job board and get applicants straight in • Import new candidates from LinkedIn with a single click • Search tens of thousands of candidates and their CVs within seconds • Email or SMS lists of prospective candidates with a single click (eg. "Are you interested..") • Send a shortlist of candidates and their resumes over to the Client, again with a single click • See a list of daily reminders of what they have to do and who they have to call back

Utilising a 1-Click Recruitment CRM for in-House Applicant Tracking What firms often don't realise is that the same professional recruitment tools can be purchased by firms wanting to perform their own in-house recruitment, without going through an agency.

So in the same way an SME can: • Post jobs out to multiple job boards with a single click • Pre-screen applicants so only those meeting a criteria are processed into the applicant pool • Add new applicants to the jobs database from emails or from LinkedIn • Search and shortlist prospective candidates with a couple of clicks • Send out templated messages for interview, adjusting slightly so does not look system generated With a 3-man system starting from just £1500+vat it looks like Darwin has finally managed to deliver state-of-the-art recruitment technology into the hands of smaller firms.

10 years on the latest version of the software (called "1Click") is currently in use by 1-150 man recruitment/HR teams in 17 countries across 5 continents, a massive success story for the Shropshire based company.

Demos of the 1-Click system in action can be accessed at: Recruitment-software.com with more information on the main website at: Darwin.com For further information contact Mike Chatha on 0121 285 0638 or email sales@darwin.com

C O N T E N T S

Welcome to Edition 1 of the Manchester Business Post, the free magazine for the North West business community packed with news, tips and stories from across the region.

CFL Business

The Connection Voucher Scheme

Surf Telecoms

The state of the SME lending market

Trade Finance Partners

Growth Street

Liquid Finance

Paul Humphreys Credit Insurance Services

Impetus

Sarah Willingham - Nectar Business Small Business Awards 13 Fiscale

R&D Tax Credits

Kintax

Alma Consulting Group (Alma CG)

IG Technologies

Beavis Morgan

Irwin Mitchell LLP

Pensions Freedoms

KLO Financial Services

How promoting safe and sensible driving can benefit

Scorpion Automotive

Viezu Technologies

Fleet Managers Friend

Bridge Fleet Solutions

High-Ways Driving School

Smart Witness Vehicle CCTV

Z5 (UK)

M6 Commercials

R3 Road Risk Reduction

Telogis

ATS Euromaster

Should we design cars or user experiences?

Mirage

FANUC

A1 Clutches

Construction

Think Recruitment

StairBox

Brooke Smith Planning

Midland Heart

Air & Ground Aviation

KD Electrical

Reproduction in whole or part prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictorial media for this publication are sent at owners risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PIL (Europe) Limited or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope.

MSE Electrical & Mechanical

AW Precision

G&P Group Holdings

Accurate Laser Cutting

Planning a conference or an event?

Conference Oxford

DISCLAIMER

Be Inspired Films

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PIL (Europe) Limited cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor.

Stapleford Park

Purity Brewing Co

Curve Theatre

Eaton Hotel

The Birmingham Repertory Theatre

In this edition we start a series on Conferences and Events as we lead up to the annual company do, offering tips and advice for organising a successful event. Also looking forward to winter, we start a major series on Fleet Management. In our popular Business Finance section we review the current state of the SME Funding Market. In light of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support for innovation we continue the focus on R&D Tax Credits, the rollout of Superfast Connectivity and consider the role design plays in the Automotive sector. In our next edition we will continue our series on Tax Reliefs, Pensions and Business Finance, Fleet Management, Conferences and Events, and although the sun is shining, organising the Big Christmas Bash.

BBP Media 11 Canalside Office Complex, Lowesmoor Wharf, Worcester WR1 2RR Tel: 08000 807 809 Fax: 01905 726 467 E: hello@bbpmedia.co.uk W: www.bbpmedia.co.uk Publisher: PIL (Europe) Limited Print & Design: Heron Press UK

33359 AP_HorseWorld 01/07/2015 10:53 Page 1

brilliant business broadband delivered at the speed of light Community Fibre Ltd has been a surefire superfast success when it comes to bringing superfast broadband to Birmingham. In just 12 months since the provider arrived in Digbeth, CFL has increased in size and now delivers all sales, installation and support activities for the Midlands from its office in The Arch. And that arrival in the Second City, plus gaining a base in Coventry and other cities in the country, comes within three years of launching in the first place.

“Neither does our network depend upon BT or Virgin networks at any point, making us truly independent.” It also makes CFL one of the very few owners of broadband infrastructure in Birmingham and it rates its success in delivering this as one of its many successes. The ever-increasing client base is another, with more and more looking to benefit from its wireless and fibre networks, managed WiFi networks, VOIP telephony, network and IT consultancy services. “We understand the challenges our customers face day to day, and we keep our feet well and truly on the ground to provide broadband services that work as hard as clients do,” says Manjit. “The result is consistent download and upload speeds, minimal peak-hour slowdowns, no buffering or service interruptions, and no compromise to business performance.” Recognising that every firm is unique, CFL provides a range of packages that are flexible on both price and service. “You can select from between 30Mbps and 1Gbps, each designed to meet your exact requirements at a fee that matches your budget,” says Manjit. “Combine that with the service level you need and you’ve got a tailor-made broadband package that ticks every box.” There’s further good news too for small to medium-sized businesses and charities who could find themselves eligible for a government grant which will entitle them to connect to CFL’s superfast network for free. Hopeful organisations can assess their suitability by filling out the form on CFL’s website.

Community Fibre Ltd (CFL) was established in 2012 to provide a bespoke fibre network to residents of London’s Westminster. The service delivered included TV, telephony, broadband and concierge services and the seamless delivery, thanks to a wholly owned high-speed network providing a high-capacity, uninterrupted link to the digital world, quickly proved a huge hit with businesses. “We use passive optical fibre technology, carriergrade equipment and there are no vulnerable street cabinets,” says Head of Operations Manjit Panesar.

In the meantime, the company is speeding ahead to greater success. “We’re continuing to expand our client base and are busy developing new products/solutions for business customers,” says Manjit. “We are also planning to offer a residential service in Birmingham and will be piloting this towards the end of the year.”

To find out more about CFL and its full range of services and packages, go to www.cflbusiness.co.uk Alternatively call 0121 399 0064 or email info@cflbusiness.co.uk

CFL BUSINESS

12432 1pg_Transport Warehousing 07/05/2015 12:22 Page 1

The Connection

Voucher Scheme The Government has greatly improved the Superfast Connectivity scheme, and extended the reach across 50 cities across the UK with £40m of funding. The average UK business will need 10 times their current bandwidth within the next five years. This means that high speed broadband is becoming an absolute necessity for businesses. Superfast broadband opens up a whole raft of leading-edge software and applications that could benefit your business, allowing you to work more efficiently, work when and where you want, expand your offering and improve interaction with customers, colleagues and suppliers. It offers businesses access to increasingly important technologies such as cloud computing and video conferencing. Hundreds of UK businesses are already benefitting from the vouchers scheme and your business can join the superfast revolution with Government help in the form of a connection voucher of up to £3,000 for faster, better broadband through the Government’s Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme, if you are in one of the 50 cities in the UK in which the scheme is active. Each local scheme is designed to meet the needs of their local area and to help local businesses to grow and develop. At inception the scheme only applied to fibre leased lines with limited criteria, and only covered the connection costs. However, what the Government didn’t seem to have appreciated was that all the major businesses that owned the fibre optics were already covering the connection costs as part of their contract. Your voucher can now be used towards the cost of making the physical broadband connection to your business premises, including works such as cabling, surveys, power supply, installation and costs related to wayleaves or easements. The voucher will cover the

whole cost of the connection, if that cost is between £100 and £3000. The scheme is administered by each city through over 458 registered suppliers and managed by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), a unit within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. You can search the list of registered suppliers for companies in your city that offer that service. Each supplier has listed the services they offer to make it easier to select the ones to contact.

There are some detailed requirements on speed that you should check before applying • You have not received more than €200,000 in grants in the last 3 years Some cities operate additional eligibility rules depending on your business sector. Please check your city’s webpage for more information. Connection Vouchers will be made available on a first come, first served basis until 31 March 2016. Upgrading your broadband brings real business benefits: • Increasing your profits by offering better services to more satisfied customers

Broadband Connection Vouchers are available to Small or Medium Enterprises (SMEs) if:

• Improving your customers’ experience with quicker, communication and faster file-sharing thanks to higher upload and download speeds, especially for large files

• Your business is within an eligible area one of the 50 cities taking part in the scheme. Check your postcode to find out if you’re eligible

• Reducing software and hardware costs by helping you switch to online data storage solutions

• You are a SME, registered charity, social enterprise or sole trader

• Enhancing the way you communicate and collaborate through online video conference and cloud-based information sharing

• Installation of your new broadband connection will cost over £100 • The connection is for your business premises. You can apply for a connection at home if this is your main work base, but this does not apply if you work from home occasionally • You are willing to sign up to a minimum 6 month contract with your broadband supplier

• Future-proofing your business with the latest technology to meet your customers’ needs

To apply search your city’s website to see if they are part of the scheme then go to www.connectionvouchers.co.uk

• The broadband service you select delivers a speed or performance improvement on your current connection.

33340 AP_Feature Template 29/06/2015 09:56 Page 1

3URYLGLQJ Ç&#x160;EUH EDQGZLGWK DQG VLWH IDFLOLWLHV Surf Telecoms, a leading communications provider whose Midlands based offices are in Castle Donington, Leicestershire is anticipating significant growth in its business with increased UK coverage of its communications services. The company recently installed a new nextgeneration infrastructure that is providing increased fibre-optic bandwidth to Midlandsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; businesses.

means we can provide an extremely stable, uncontended platform with the ability to achieve outstanding network data availability. Its design also gives scalability, meaning new services can be provided quickly.â&#x20AC;?

interconnection opportunities, together with landing-station access rings. Many organisations already rely on Surf for secure, reliable services. Networking is what Surf do best, using data technology in a variety of ways to deliver truly connected communication solutions. To find out how they can help you, all you have to do is ask.

Surf manages the operation and maintenance of a telecommunications network in the Midlands, South West and South Wales stretching thousands of kilometres. This has enabled both publicly run and private organisations such as utility companies, universities and media businesses to send and receive large amounts of data consistently and securely. Their parent company is the Distribution Network Operator (DNO), Western Power Distribution. WPD has a geographic footprint that extends to all major cities in the Midlands. Surf provide communications services that help support the operation of their industry leading electricity distribution network. It enables them to closely monitor the network, identify faults and minimise power cuts.

The company provides a wide range of services including site sharing, co-location services, systems security, telecoms and site management services. Their fibre network is approaching 3,000 km extending from the East Midlands down to the South West Peninsula in the UK. It delivers 70,000 km of quality fibre and offers users 66 co- location sites for regeneration facilities, breakout and

Richard Slane Richard Slane, Commercial Manager for Surf Telecoms, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surf is very proud and excited by the potential our network offers businesses across the Midlands. It

To find out more visit www.surftelecoms.co.uk email info@surftelecoms.co.uk telephone 01823 348 710

33215 1pg_Transport Warehousing 17/07/2015 14:33 Page 1

The state of the SME lending market Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) form a crucial part of the UK economy, and are significant both in terms of employment and as drivers of innovation and economic growth. SMEs account for 60 per cent of all private sector employment, and registered an annual turnover of £1.6 trillion at the start of 2014— 47 per cent of the private sector total. Data shows that the overall availability of credit to SMEs has improved since the low point of the financial crisis, with anecdotal evidence suggests that many businesses are finding it less difficult to obtain credit. However, long standing structural problems in SME finance dating from before the financial crisis remain. In particular, firms seeking finance for the first time and firms based heavily on intangible assets appear to find it much harder to obtain access to credit than others.

There is steady, positive progress. We have seen, over the course of a year or so, a slight reduction of spread that small businesses are getting on their credit, whether that be loans, overdrafts, credit cards, or whatever they happen to be. You can put that down to a generally slightly more upbeat economy, so the general stock of credit for small businesses around the country is slightly higher, or we could put it down to FLS, the Funding for Lending Scheme. FLS is just one of a large number of different government schemes and funds, designed to assist SMEs, however, even business advisors are often unaware of just what is available, which, unsurprisingly, makes it all the harder for small firms to take advantage of some of the schemes that may be applicable to them, thus limiting the take-up.

This may in part be because new firms lack a track record on which lenders can assess their credit risk. It may also result from the risks that arise from the use of intangible assets as collateral for loans. In such cases, the unwillingness of a bank to lend may reflect greater risk within the business which is seeking credit.

Inadequate competition in banking is a longstanding problem. The UK SME banking sector remains dominated by four major banking groups, with a market share in England and Wales of 85 per cent. Challenger banks and the growth in alternative lending have scope to increase competition. However, gross peer-to-peer lending to businesses in Q1 2014 was £300m, only about 1% of the £24.8 billion lent by banks to SMEs over the same period Crowdfunding/peer-to-peer finance is in principle a welcome addition to the UK SME lending market. For some SME borrowers, it can offer a credible alternative to bank lending, and represents a step towards more effective competition in the market. Borrower awareness and understanding remain the most significant barriers to wider adoption. The Government has set out plans to require banks to refer those rejected for bank finance to alternative lenders. These are welcome in principle.

We are told that the money is there, and that the banks are willing to lend, but that businesses are not applying; many business owners would disagree. There is a negative perception of banks' willingness to lend and as a result, small business owners are reluctant to apply, nervous of the detriment to their credit score of repeat applications. However, these perceptions may be too pessimistic—SMEs may be more likely to have their applications for credit accepted than they perceive.

As alternative lenders grow, their contribution to the SME funding market should be recognised and understood as part of a wider picture of business lending. The Bank of England should consider routinely collecting more lending data from non-bank sources.

The British Business Bank has been given the role of increasing businesses' awareness of government schemes, on the back of an urgent need to review and to simplify both the schemes and their availability.

Challenger banks and alternative lenders are not yet at a scale sufficient to challenge incumbents, it is therefore unlikely that new entrants in the SME finance market and existing measures to improve competition will deliver the transformation in competition that the industry needs.

12257 AP_HorseWorld 30/04/2015 15:12 Page 1

How TFP have supported their Clients A UK based distributor of solar powered compacting waste bins, had successfully won orders from a number of Local Councils across the UK. Challenges: • Their US supplier required payment either when an order was placed, or for a letter of credit to be provided

Winning orders and building a supply chain are all part of growing a successful business, not having access to finance can stop many from moving forwards.

• The newly established UK Company had limited working capital and were unable to borrow from traditional debt providers, due to their lack of trading history • The UK company’s bank required full cash-cover to issue a letter of credit Solution: TFP provided a $1m Letter of Credit to the US supplier, guaranteeing and ensuring that payment would be made for delivered goods. Goods

Payment

Buying

The challenge of managing working capital has never been more apparent and whether a business is trading in the UK or internationally, having to pay suppliers can hinder many SMEs. It is common practice that a deposit or full payment is required before goods will be delivered, which poses a challenge when there is insufficient cash flow. There are a number of solutions, however the strength of a business’s assets can restrict access to funding. True trade finance is different however, using the intrinsic value of the purchase order and buyer as the security, bridging the financial gap between a business’s supplier and buyer.

Supplier

TFP

Invoice

Payment

PrŽĮt less fees

Invoice

Client

Buyer

Selling

Invoice

A UK based computer software and hardware company had successfully won a contract to supply computer peripherals to a US based distribution company Challenges: • The UK company did not have credit terms with their Chinese based supplier and were required to pay for goods in full when placing an order

True Trade Finance – How Does TFP’s PrŽƉŽƐŝƟon Work Goods

• The UK company were unable to obtain funding from their bank and therefore had no means of paying for the goods required to fulfil the order

Payment

Buying

Supplier

TFP

Invoice

Payment

PrŽĮt less fees

Invoice

Client

Buyer

Selling

Invoice

Many SMEs explore the economic benefits of cross-border trading but are deterred by the inherent risks and challenges this type of trade entails.

Solution: TFP negotiated with the Chinese based supplier, who were happy to receive payment from TFP using a Letter of Credit, enabling the contract to be fulfilled. TFP were able to credit insure the US based buyer and gain confirmation of the purchase order and payment from them postdelivery, ensuring payment would be received upon delivery. Goods

TFP are experienced at operating on a global basis, providing true trade finance in conjunction with risk and supply chain management to facilitate their clients’ trades and overall success.

We partner with business’s that have trades that are: •

Closed – there is a pre-agreed buyer and seller

•

The transaction is between £100k and £3m

•

The end buyer is credit insurable or can provide an acceptable bank guarantee or letter of credit The purchased goods are: capital goods, commodities or consumer based items

Payment

Buying

Supplier

TFP

Invoice

Payment

PrŽĮt less fees

Invoice

Client

Buyer

Selling

Invoice

For further information please visit our website: www.tradefinpartners.com Telephone: +44 (0)20 7634 9851 30 Cannon Street, London, EC4M 6XH enquiries@tradefinpartners.com

33296 AP_HorseWorld 29/06/2015 16:45 Page 1

Overdrafts: the credit product every growing business needs, but can’t have – until now By James Sherwin-Smith, CEO, Growth Street

Which is why the latest statistics from the British Banker’s Association (BBA) are disheartening. The BBA have been tracking the number of approved business overdraft facilities on a monthly basis since January 2012. While there is some annual seasonality, the trend is clear – on a rolling 12 month basis the number of overdrafts opened by smaller businesses has consistently fallen, from just over 226K to less than 125K per annum in less than three years – a 45% drop.

The latest quarterly statistical release from the BBA spells out more bad news for SMEs hoping to open an overdraft with their bank – the number of approved facilities continues to fall. Growth Street is aiming to reverse that trend, by providing growing, profitable businesses with an overdraft alternative. Managing cash flow as a business owner is a difficult task. Income is unpredictable: will buyers pay as expected? Will demand be up or down this month? Expenditure however is sadly regular: rent, salaries and rates payments have to be made to keep the business ticking over.

Growth Street is aiming to reverse that trend, by providing growing, profitable businesses with an overdraft alternative. This unique offering provides our customers with a limit of James Sherwin-Smith between £50,000 and £150,000, with interest only charged for the days it is borrowed at annualised equivalent rates between 8% and 12% (monthly equivalent rates of 0.6% to 1.0%). This type of flexible finance has been – and remains - critical to helping UK businesses grow.

Cash shortages put even promising businesses under stress, and in some cases can even lead to business failure. Business owners know this, and so typically hoard cash throughout most of the year to cover difficult trading periods. But there is an opportunity cost to hoarding cash – it isn’t being reinvested in the business, to buy a new machine or hire a new person. In short, holding excess cash in the bank account limits the business’ growth potential. Revolving credit facilities (RCFs) such as overdrafts are the best solution for managing cash flow. Once the facility is opened, companies are assigned a credit limit, and can then borrow and repay at will against that limit – only paying for what they use. It’s an easy to use, easy to understand product that strips borrowing back to basics – the cost is just a function of how much, for how long, and at what interest rate.

=To learn more, why not check out our recent

customer stories on our website, www.growthstreet.co.uk

Bank support for SME’s - smaller businesses (British Bankers’ Association, Q1 2015) 25,000

250,000 226,331

20,000

200,000

15,000

150,000 124,092

10,000

100,000

5,000

50,000

No of Overdraft facilities approved

Mar 15

Jan 15

Feb 15

Dec 14

Oct 14

Nov 14

Sep 14

Jul 14

Aug 14

Jun 14

May 14

Mar 14

Apr 14

Jan 14

Feb 14

Dec 13

Oct 13

Nov 13

Sep 13

Jul 13

Aug 13

Jun 13

May 13

Mar 13

Apr 13

Jan 13

Feb 13

Dec 12

Oct 12

Nov 12

Sep 12

Jul 12

Aug 12

Jun 12

May 12

Mar 12

Apr 12

Feb 12

Dec 11

Jan 12

Oct 11

Nov 11

Sep 11

Aug 11

Cumulative Last 12 months

33270 AP_HorseWorld 25/03/2015 09:57 Page 1

Did you know that 58% of small companies believe it is difficult to obtain funding! Do you take card payments for your company’s products or services? Did you know that there is a way you can use those takings to leverage capital in a straight forward and efficient manner without having to offer security or change any of your current processes.

There are no repayment deadlines and Liquid Finance gets paid via your terminal however long that takes. We have a unique automated split processing technology that means that you do not have to change your card processor or any of your current set up. There isn’t a business plan required or lots of complicated paperwork to make a decision - our team is in place to get the cash to you within 10 working days with minimal disruption. So you can get on with what you do best, running your business.

We, at Liquid Finance, understand that business owners like you are eager to maximise your company’s growth. We provide unsecured capital based on your card takings that can be used for any number of business expansion ideas that you may have.

B R A DLEY SMI TH

Here are some ways our customers have used their business advance from Liquid Finance: • Stock purchases • Refurbishments • Equipment Purchase • Product Development • Special Projects that need a quick turn-around time Answer the following to see if a business cash advance from Liquid Finance is for you:

HAIR & BEAUTY

In the words of Bradley Smith who runs three very successful Hair and Beauty salons “I started working with Liquid Finance over a year ago following some challenges with securing a bank loan for my business. I was looking to update my Hairdressing Salon to make it look more professional and provide a more sophisticated service for my clients. The Liquid Finance team were very helpful and professional, leading me through the process and allowing me to move forward with my business plans. The advance worked perfectly for me, making my life so easy with each sale helping to pay back my advance without me having to even think about it! As a result I have continued to use the service to renovate my beauty salon and will do so again to update new premises.

- Does your business take credit/debit cards? - Have you been trading for over 12 months? - Is your average monthly takings from your card terminal between £3,500 and £150,000? If you answered YES to the questions above then a cash advance from Liquid Finance might be the next step in your plan for growing your business How it works. The Liquid Finance Business Cash Advance is based on your average monthly card turnover. This average is usually the amount we will advance you. We charge you a fee for the advance. You repay the advance and fee through an agreed % of your future daily card takings until the advance and fee are paid back.

I am building a brand and Liquid Finance are standing alongside me making it happen! I would definitely recommend a Liquid Finance Cash Advance to any of my colleagues who need business finance.” The application process is simple - follow the link www.liquidfinance.co.uk and fill out the form – we will do the rest. Or Call 0845 600 3573 and speak to one of our advisors today.

33414 AP_HorseWorld 06/07/2015 14:51 Page 1

Protecting and Enabling Business Credit Insurance is usually simply thought of as a way of safeguarding companies against bad debt, but leading Credit Insurance Broker, Paul Humphreys says it should rather be looked at as a way of creating opportunities for growth.

Paul Humphreys Credit Insurance was founded in February 1998 following an MBO from Staffordshire based Claverley Hyde Group. Paul was one of the Directors and shareholders of the original business. Paul has over 30 years’ experience in the credit insurance industry and has many long standing clients, some having been with him for well over 20 years. Paul has a philosophy of providing a complete service to his clients, getting to know them and their business well, in order to ensure that he is able to give them the best and most appropriate advice for their needs. He told us, “To us our clients are never policy or account numbers, we get to know them and to understand their business and particularly what is required and expected of us in order to provide an exceptional service”. “Unlike the majority of our competitors we feel that your future point of contact should be with the person you have negotiated your policy with. This will not only ensure continuity but also that the advice you receive is consistent, expert and given on a personal basis.”

Credit keeps the wheels of business turning and one of the major stumbling blocks to expansion can often be a lack of the affordable finance required to fulfil that large order, especially for an overseas client. Having Credit Insurance in place can make all the difference to investor confidence. Exports are key to UK growth and manufacturers are being encouraged to expand into overseas markets. Businesses, however, can be nervous of taking the plunge, seeing export as too risky citing problems such as being paid in “hard currency” or political events such as war or revolution. Credit Insurance gives companies the confidence to go after new business and realise valuable opportunities to expand safe in the knowledge that they will get paid. The insurer will help to collect debts, which is invaluable when faced with the prospect of trying to recover money though an unfamiliar legal system. It is a difficult enough process in the UK and even more so in overseas markets.

All the company’s services are provided at Director level, as Paul says, it is all about getting his clients the best cover in the first place, and being the one who is there to sort it out if something does go wrong. With no call centres or outsourcing, just expert help and guidance when you need it most from a trusted partner. They deal with all the leading credit insurance insurance companies and the level of business they place with such leading names as Atradius, Euler Hermes, Coface UK, HCC Credit Shield and QBE Europe means they enjoy specialist broker status.

For a confidential discussion to see how Paul Humphreys can support your business growth call 01492 541882 or for more information about the company visit the website www.phcredit.co.uk

Join us on

Paul Humphreys Credit Insurance 11

33481 AP_HorseWorld 09/07/2015 15:43 Page 1

Impetus shows the way with accessible business growth loans With more and more options now becoming available, the world of business funding and growth financing is changing rapidly.

“We provide loans up to £150,000 supporting limited companies in our area and we support pretty much any kind of business as long as they have a clear growth plan.

Whilst this is great news for any West Midlands business seeking a loan, it can also lead to confusion about where to go and who will be most likely to help – especially when the banks say no.

“Recent recipients have included a bespoke furniture maker, a manufacturer of robotic packing systems, a wedding shop, a gastro pub, a marketing agency and a nuclear radiation protection consultancy. “The application form is online and very straightforward and the aim is to return an indicative decision about the loan approval, within just a few days.” Development business loans are available now and organisations are now invited to make an application and ‘present their pitch’ at http://www.impetus-marches.co.uk/how-to-apply where there’s an online form. Business owners can also call

01386 556000 or email their requirements to info@impetus-marches.co.uk

www.impetus-marches.co.uk

The Impetus team With a variety of options currently out there, the response by Worcestershire-based financiers Impetus has been to simplify and speed up the allocation process. Based in Pershore but supporting business in Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Telford & Wrekin, Impetus is part of the responsible finance sector and supports all sectors with development loans. Now celebrating their 10th anniversary they’ve so far helped over 500 regional SMEs move forward. Impetus fund manager, Steve Williams believes that their simple, speedy and supportive loan application, assessment and decision process is central to their success. “We understand that SME businesses are driven by very busy people who want to simply know what’s available and if their loan application is likely to be successful,” he said. “We make it easy for them to understand the type of organisations we support, how we actually do this and how they can benefit.”

impetus BUSINESS LOANS

33494 1pg_CD Engineering 17/07/2015 15:19 Page 1

Entrepreneur and newest star of BBC 2’s Dragon’s Den,

Sarah Willingham launches seventh annual Nectar Business Small Business Awards company won the Innovation of the Year award thanks to the sheer originality of its product. The pBone was the biggest selling trombone of 2012 and the company has sold 90,000 pBones to date. The innovative pBone makes trombone playing less expensive and thus more accessible. Start Up of the Year 2013: The Strings Club (West Midlands) The seventh annual Nectar Business Small Business Awards launched on Wednesday 3 June, led by one of the UK’s leading business women, consumer champion and BBC ‘Dragon’, Sarah Willingham.

businesses of my own - so I know firsthand the drive, commitment and sheer hard work that’s required to make a small business succeed; and the fact that this dedication makes the eventual rewards even sweeter.

The Awards - which are free to enter celebrate the achievements of successful small businesses and small business owners across the UK. They are judged by a panel of respected industry figures including Sarah Willingham, Will Shuckburgh, Nectar Managing Director, Adam Collett, Marketing Director at Brakes, Allan Dickson, Director of Commercial at Dulux Decorating Centre and previous Nectar Business Small Business Awards winner, Melissa Snover.

“I’m especially looking forward to taking my place on the Nectar Business Round Table. It will give me the chance to meet some of the country’s brightest business minds and engage in some lively and inspirational conversations - sharing business tips and examples of best practice along the way.”

The resultant winners will receive £2,000 cash and 50,000 Nectar points, as well as competing for the unique opportunity to meet and receive tailored expert advice from Sarah Willingham at the Nectar Business Round Table and Awards event – to be held in November this year. Sarah Willingham, who will judge the Awards for the first time this year, comments:

The Strings Club provides fun-filled instrumental courses for children from aged four to 12 including term-time courses, holiday camps and school sessions. The company won the Start Up of the Year award, thanks to its demonstration of on-going success and nationwide expansion that is testament to the high quality of tuition given, resulting in a 98% customer return rate. Homegrown Business of the Year 2014: Mask-arade (Warwickshire)

Open for entries between 3 June and 24 July 2015, the Awards celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of small businesses in the UK. All SMEs, social enterprises, charities and entrepreneurs that demonstrate innovative and sustainable business ideas are invited to enter as many categories relevant to their business. These are:

Mask-arade produces celebrity and personalised masks, desktop cut-outs and life-size cut-outs, which are ideal for stag and hen parties, birthdays and corporate events. Starting out in a bedroom in 2008, Mask-arade now turns over more than £2m a year. The company won the Homegrown Business of the Year Award due to its overall performance, with a particularly strong demonstration of being able to secure business exclusives.

• • • • • •

As in previous years, the Contribution to the Community Award will be open to a public vote, where fans of facebook.com/nectarbusiness page will have their say, helping the five judges decide on who should be this year’s winners.

Small Business of the Year Innovation of the Year Home Grown Business of the Year Entrepreneur of the Year Tradesperson of the Year Contribution to the Community

“I can’t wait to get involved with the Nectar Business Small Business Awards, helping to discover, support and champion some of the UK’s most brilliant businesses.

Innovation of the Year 2013: Warwick Music (West Midlands)

“I’ve ‘been there and done that’ so to speak by, launching and managing

Warwick Music Ltd manufactures pBone the world's first plastic trombone. The

Previous Midlands winners include:

Businesses can enter as many categories as they like for free. Simply visit: www.nectar.com/smallbusiness to download an entry form and to determine each category’s criteria. Entries can then be submitted online, via email or post.

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R&D Tax Credits - could your company have a claim? R&D Tax Credits are one of the most widely misunderstood Government’s incentives to reward companies developing new and improved products and services. While major PLC’s and larger companies have tax specialists in house to claim any reliefs, many SMEs don’t believe that their activities qualify or don’t understand what type of expenditure is allowable.

Stephen Bunting

R&D is not just about the high-tech sector. Manufacturing, engineering, IT, marketing, food and companies across a wide range of industries, may have invested time and money in improving their products and process. It is not the value of the project that is important, but the cost involved.

Once clients realise the cash that is waiting to be claimed, they often ask “Why didn’t my accountant tell me about this?” John then has to explain that their accountant, however capable, is probably not a specialist in this area, and it is unreasonable to expect them to have a breadth of expertise in every area. “We offer that expertise”, says John. John tells us that what he enjoys most about his business is “The wonderful business of phoning the client back to tell them that their claim has been successful!” Fiscale are specialists, in what they do, and their expertise is becoming so broadly recognised within the sector that at least 50% of their cases come to them from professional referrers. Once Fiscale is on board you can relax knowing that your claim is in the hands of the professionals. After 20 years as the owner of a software development business, servicing the social care sector, here and in Australia, which he had started from scratch, John has a very good understanding of the way a successful business works.

John Mayhew of Fiscale, who specialise in claiming R&D Tax Credits for their clients, told us that one of the major difficulties they face is getting across to smaller companies in particular, that there is a valid claim to be had, and importantly, that it is quick, typically 12 weeks from speaking to Fiscale to seeing the money in your bank, and it is tax free. John and his business partner Stephen Bunting, started Fiscale in February 2014, and in the first year alone have helped claim over £1.7 million of refunds for their clients. Taking out the largest claims, the typical successful claim averages around £45,000, and one software developer with a turnover of approximately a quarter of a £million, got back £40,000. John explained to us that most of the 12 weeks is taken up in preparation, understanding how the client operates, and the projects the client has been working on. Fiscale will put a detailed report together, typically upwards of 20-pages, containing all the key data in support of the claim. Their skills lie in getting the figures right in the first place and presenting the case in a way that the Revenue can understand. John proudly says, “We have 100% success record – HMRC have never rejected a claim.”

John Mayhew

The Inland Revenue allow 4 weeks to turn claims round, but in practice it is normally faster.

Jacqui Stoneman

John set up Fiscale after looking into R&D Tax Credits successfully, on his own account, he enquired through several accountants, including his own all of whom said “No” except one, Stephen Bunting, who rang him back; as an R&D specialist Stephen was well qualified to advise John. The two men are now in partnership with Stephen’s expertise a key element of their success.

The company is growing; no longer just the two of them, the team now numbers 8 and is set to rise to 11. John is very keen that they retain the face-to-face, local contact with clients that have differentiated them from many of their competitors. The company is expanding into the Midlands with the appointment of of Jacqui Stoneman, who as Regional Director will be the “Midlands face” of Fiscale. Fiscale are so confident of bringing your claim to a successful conclusion that they provide their services on a “No Win No Fee” basis. To see whether you have a claim, just make a quick call to one of the friendly team, you have nothing to lose and you could be agreeable surprised.

01217 400988 www.fiscalerdtaxcredits.co.uk

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R&D Tax Credits Small firms missing out on millions in R&D tax incentives – is yours among them? Tax breaks worth millions of pounds for small and emerging businesses for technological and IT innovations are going unclaimed, according to business finance experts. Even for routine tasks such as systems development, many companies are missing out on cash reliefs under which they could recoup as much as a third of the cost of qualifying expenditure. The finding was made in a study carried out by a firm of accountants specialising in research and development funding for small businesses. “Cash repayments of up to 33 per cent of qualifying R&D (research and development) expenditure can now be claimed, and this money feeds through to the current year, helping to boost a business’s profits,” said one accountant who specialises in R&D. The government has affirmed its support for the scheme by recently slightly increasing the amount which businesses can reclaim, noted the website Smallbusiness.co.uk.

£1.4bn handed out Between April 2012 and March 2013, the most recent year for which figures are available, businesses reclaimed £1.4billion in tax relief on their R&D expenditure, according to HMRC. But despite many firms investing in developing custom IT systems, there is widespread ignorance of the ability to benefit from tax breaks specifically to encourage this kind of investment. The potential beneficiaries of the concessions extend to sub-contractors who are

undertaking the development work on behalf of other businesses and can also claim the credits. Businesses have two years from the end of the tax year in which the money was spent to lodge their claims – yet, say experts; several sectors, such as construction, finance and insurance, health and the arts are among those which were especially poorly represented among the businesses claiming this help. “However, where successful claims have been made by firms in these sectors, the average sums received have been among the highest,” noted the R&D specialist. From 1 April 2015, the relief paid is equivalent to 11 per cent of all qualifying expenditure on R&D. Small businesses trading at a loss can also take advantage of credits against their tax liability from the same fund, albeit at a lower rate – 33 per cent, against 46 per cent of eligible expenditure – than firms turning a profit. Businesses can also turn uncertainty over the technological efficacy of new software to their advantage – even where another firm has already developed a proven solution for a particular task or application – by still claiming the R&D relief on offer.

Clarion call to subcontractors With a mere 575 firms operating as sub-contractors reported to have lodged claims under the scheme in 2012-13, financial experts are blaming the poor take-up on a general lack of awareness of the incentives. This is despite the potential benefits on offer to SMEs being proportionately greater, with relief offered at an enhanced rate for businesses which

employ fewer than 500 people, whose annual turnover is less than €100 million (£72.9 million), or whose balance sheet total is no greater than €86 million (£62.7 million). These thresholds were all doubled on 1 August 2008. In effect, the thresholds for qualification as a small or medium enterprise for the purpose of this relief are twice the level at which they would apply under many other aspects of tax law in the UK, according to business finance experts – thus meaning there are far more potential beneficiaries. Companies claiming the relief must also not be in administration or liquidation at the time they make their claim. And if a business enters either of these processes while a claim is being processed, the claim is treated as though it has not been made, and no tax credit will be allowed. Typical companies which succeed in obtaining the reliefs are those whose R & D efforts are aimed towards bringing about improvements in processes. And even where such improvements do not result directly from the research work, the associated costs can still be offset against liabilities. Some larger businesses have reported being approached by firms purporting to offer ‘free’ help with submitting R & D claims. But accountancy experts in the field say it is important that advisers working with such companies are aware of the mechanisms and processes involved, so that they can include this work in their overall service package. A full explanation of the tax credit system, and the criteria under which it operates can be found at https://www.gov.uk/corporation-taxresearch-and-development-rd-relief, where you’ll also find a range of practical examples of the calculations determining the amounts payable.

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VPDOO

Kintax

R&D Tax Credits, does your business qualify? Don Kincaid, Director and Co-Founder of Kintax, R&D Tax Credit specialists says, “If you can say “Yes” to any of these questions, the answer is, you’ll almost certainly qualify.” Do you undertake product development work? Do you manufacture products to your own design?

or not, should contact Kintax to see if the business qualifies for these valuable tax reliefs designed to support innovation and business development. Kintax works with small and medium sized enterprises (SME's) that qualify for HMRC R&D Tax Credit and Patent Box Schemes, assisting their regular accountants to establish whether the company has a claim and in preparing the paperwork for submission to HMRC. One frequently asked question is “Why can’t my own accountant pick this up and deal with a claim without outside help?”

Do you improve internal processes, e.g., automation, energy optimisation, efficiency improvements? Do you integrate new machines / technologies into existing processes? Do you develop software to create integrated solutions, new processes or new products? Do you engage subcontract work, such as prototyping or testing? Do you develop prototypes or have projects which have failed? Do you integrate your solutions into other environments? Do you experience difficulties with compliance to industry standards? Do you incur recruitment or training costs for specialised staff? Don explained to us that many of the processes companies in all sectors undertake almost on a daily basis may, often to the surprise of the business owner, qualify. The key message is that companies from all sectors, carrying out any innovative activity that may involve technical and or scientific uncertainty, which is intended to generate an improvement in product or process, successful

Don said that it would be unreasonable to expect the majority of local accountancy practices dealing with SME R&D Claims to have the necessary breadth of technical and scientific expertise in these areas which only specialist firms such as Kintax can provide. In a simple trusted process their dedicated team prepares professional, robust technical and financial reports which are then submitted by your accountants to HMRC to complete the claim. Sectors such as Engineering, Manufacturing, Food Production, and Pharmaceuticals, might expect new product development to qualify, but what about variations in raw materials, complex system integration, an appreciable improvement to existing processes? Another example is the field of information technology which is highly specialised and while developing new systems or implementing computer controls and process automation are all well recognised candidates for tax reliefs, other aspects may also qualify. Any area of improvement be it system, process, software or hardware, including the integration of new technology or the development of bespoke applications are all likely to qualify. All the above may qualify, but it’s not limited just to these, as a much wider range of industries than listed here can be involved in this scheme. Kintax operates a No Win No Fee service, No upfront administration fee and No long term contract tie in period.

Contact us for a FREE No obligation assessment to see if your company qualifies. call 0800 0210 110 or email don@kintax.co.uk www.kintax.co.uk 16

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The R&D Tax Relief Myth Buster In part two of Alma Consulting Group’s Myth Buster articles, Managing Director Martin Hook dispels more of the common misconceptions about R&D tax relief. Here in the UK we have a globally competitive R&D tax relief scheme, designed to support businesses’ growth and development. At Alma CG we want to see more companies overcoming the perceived obstacles and taking better advantage of this excellent government initiative. The guidelines for claiming are much broader than you might think, meaning that many organisations are still not aware they are missing out. With relief of up to 33p for every £1 of qualifying expenditure available for SMEs and approximately 9p per £1 for Large Companies, all UK businesses should investigate whether they qualify.

Common Misconceptions

We don’t do any R&D

We haven’t got the time to claim

Our company won’t ADMDƥS PTHBJKX DMNTFG

R&D tax relief will be scrapped

“Our company won’t benefit quickly enough” We often hear that organisations believe that claiming for R&D tax relief will be a long and lengthy process, and possibly not worth the bother. In actual fact, you could be surprised. Your business could feel the benefits of your claim much sooner than you might expect. Whilst obviously the time it takes for HMRC to process your claim can vary, if you opt to claim a tax credit (which is now available for both SMEs and Large Companies) your business will receive a cash injection rather than just a reduction in payable corporation tax, sometimes even in as little as eight weeks. Did you know that in 2014 it was identified that businesses receiving public support for their product or service innovation are around 2.7% more likely to survive over eight years than firms conducting innovation without public support? If nothing else, I hope this demonstrates that regardless of whether you select a tax relief or tax credit through the R&D scheme, your business will benefit.

“R&D tax relief will be scrapped” Well established R&D tax schemes across Europe have proven that this initiative works. Under our last government we saw the generosity of R&D tax incentives regularly increased; over three years the rate of relief for SMEs alone rose by around a third. With the appointment of a new Conservative government this year, it’s safe to say R&D tax relief is here to stay. As an initiative it attracts, encourages and retains innovative R&D companies in the UK, which in turn supports economic growth. A wide range of cost-benefit estimates have been made in relation to this subject but they generally indicate that up to £3 of R&D expenditure may be stimulated by £1 of tax foregone. The UK’s long-term performance will depend on our ability to generate new ideas and bring them to market, and so it’s clear that schemes like R&D tax relief will continue to be integral to our future.

What’s next?

R&D tax relief isn’t a legitimate incentive

Our company is already claiming all the R&D tax relief we can

In my last article I discussed the first two misconceptions in this list, and hopefully demonstrated to many readers that their organisations could, and should, be claiming.

In the next issue of the Birmingham Business Post I’ll be discussing the final two common misconceptions about R&D tax relief in the UK. If my articles have piqued your interest, and you’re curious to find out whether you could be claiming, or if you’re perhaps currently under-claiming, then contact us for a free consultation on 020 30 58 58 00 or contactuk@almacg.com.

Martin Hook, Managing Director of Alma CG UK

To find out more call Alma Consulting Group on 020 30 58 58 00 or visit www.almacg.co.uk

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IG Technologies R&D Tax Credit advice Research and Development Tax Relief/Credit Schemes are effectively a subsidy from the government of at least 25p for every £1 spent on qualifying R&D expenditure. This can be used to reduce a company’s corporation tax bill, or a loss-making business could cash in the R&D expenditure and get tax back, so for example £100,000 spent on salaries to staff directly involving R&D, £25,000 could be claimed back.

in-house financial expertise enables I G Technologies (part of the IG Group) to be able to offer a unique service within the R&D tax arena by marrying these two aspects perfectly. Since 2008 I G Technologies have helped their clients collectively to claim £6 million in R&D subsidy with each client receiving an average of just under £40,000 per claim. I G Technologies tax service is provided on a “NO WIN- NO FEE” basis. Any enquiry raised by the HMRC Tax Unit will be handled at no further costs. I G also assists companies to see if they are eligible for Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC). This new scheme allows large companies or SME’s who have attracted R&D grant funding or provide subcontracted R & D services to allocate R & D expenditure in order to gain a credit (as if getting an additional grant of 10%) It also now enables loss making companies to claim the credit as cash (not available under the previous LCS scheme)

Sounds simple? ....... According to research previously undertaken by PWC, around 33% of small to medium sized enterprises for whom R&D tax credits are relevant have not claimed largely because the application process is perceived to be complex. Also there are many companies who simply do not know about the schemes. R&D Tax is a multi-disciplined speciality combining tax law with technical due diligence identifying different types of research & development activity. For SME’s who generally do not have a full understanding of R&D tax legislation, it can be an overwhelming & time consuming challenge. So to attempt to submit a claim SME’s often employ a specialist advisor to assist them. The trouble with this is whom do you chose? A “tax expert” or a “technology specialist”, both highly qualified in their own field, however neither able to carry out full due diligence to maximise the potential of your claim. With over 25 years of successfully advising SME’s in advanced manufacturing technology, product design and process technology, IG Group are acknowledged leaders and respected specialists in research and development, having to date assisted SME’s on more than 300 projects in the UK worth more than £100M. This strong science & technology background, critical for due diligence of potential claims along with

• I G are R&D tax-relief specialists, we do not offer general accounting or tax services therefore we are not replacing your existing trusted accountants; we compliment & enhance the service you already receive from them. • I G’s approach is proven & well respected by the specialist HMRC tax units, claims are based on science & technology due diligence, supported by specialist R & D tax expertise & experience, ensuring full justification of any claim minimising the risk of enquiry.

For a FREE strategic review and consultation call email: info@igtechnologies.co.uk or Tel: 0114 2679005 to speak to John Everingham or visit www.researchanddevelopmenttaxcredit.co.uk

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Thousands of companies are missing out on R&D tax incentives for investment in software, systems and technology, worth millions of pounds.

of their IT expenditure, but in many cases the systems that are created are sufficiently innovative to qualify for relief under the R&D scheme.

Beavis Morgan has an established team of R&D experts, led by Toby Hermitage. Toby has been involved in R&D since the regime launched in 2000 and he and his team have made thousands of claims and recovered around £50m of tax benefits for clients. Toby’s 100% track record of success over such an extended period is a significant source of reassurance to clients and testament to his and his team’s commitment to excellence.

The tax relief granted for expenditure incurred on R&D is an extremely valuable one, both for profitable companies and those that are loss making. For profitable companies the relief gives a reduction of up to 46% of the amount spent on R&D; in many cases reducing corporation tax liabilities to nil.

Toby Hermitage

We have made successful claims for companies across an incredibly broad range of industries from companies where R&D is expected, to companies involved in waste management, travel, debt management, security systems, building & building management, jewellery and media companies. An increasingly common theme is that they have developed innovative software solutions or technological processes to solve particular issues within their businesses. The resolutions are rarely obvious and attempts to solve them have a lack of certainty in their outcome.

The tax credit available for loss making companies is of particular benefit as R&D related tax losses can be “sold” to HM Revenue & Customs for a tax credit thereby creating a positive cashflow impact. The value of these claims can be up to 33% of the amount spent on R&D. The value of the relief is dependent on the size of the claimant company and the rates cited above are for “Small and Mediumsized Entities” (SMEs) however the limits for being an SME are sufficiently generous to cover businesses of substantial size. To be an SME, a company must employ less than 500 people (on a full-time equivalent basis) and have either Turnover of below €100 million or Gross Assets of below €85m. Contact Steve Govey in the first instance on +44 (0)20 7549 2371 or email steve.govey@beavismorgan.com

In many cases, key personnel within the company have identified the problem and one or more potential solutions, but do not have the specialist skills required to implement those solutions. As a result, the company engages outside consultants to carry out some or all of the implementation. Whilst the tax relief is reduced in these circumstances, the cost to the company of those consultants form part of the R&D expenditure on which relief can be claimed. Even where there are competitors who have solved the same or a similar challenge, R&D relief would be available as long as the solution to the problem has not reached the public domain. We have seen a growing number of companies actively choosing to develop their own software systems, as the “off the shelf” alternatives are simply not able to cope with the particular demands and challenges placed upon their businesses. Many view this development as simply being part

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Pensions anxiety for retirees following divorce, as a study finds divorcees lose an average of £2,100 on expected retirement income. Expert divorce lawyers have urged couples going through a divorce to plan for their retirement to avoid losing money, after a survey found divorcees can lose an average of £1,200 of their expected income following a divorce. According to the study published by Prudential, 35 per cent of those approaching retirement in 2015 have been through divorce. The research found that divorcees retiring in 2015 will have an average expected retirement income of £15,700, more than £2,000 less than the £17,800 for those who have never been through a marriage break-up.

“The sharing of pensions can be a complex issue during a divorce, which makes it absolutely crucial to take appropriate legal action and take every possible step to ensure a favourable solution is found and both parties can move on with their lives without fear for their financial future". If you would like to discuss any of the issues raised or to talk about your family law issues generally, please contact Sarah Balfour on 0121 214 5451 or contactsarah.balfour@irwinmitchell.com

It found 13 per cent of divorcees will delay their retirement, compared to 11 per cent of those who have never been divorced, with many fearing their income will not be enough following their retirement. For those who have planned and provided for their retirement, the prospect of losing pension can cause a great deal of anxiety, but with careful advice, understanding and mediation it is often possible to find a favourable solution for both parties. As the new pension rules turn previously inaccessible income-bearing assets into cash, it may seem tempting for those nearing retirement age divorcing to use the proceeds to broker a separation, but such a course of action could have disastrous irreversible consequences. In a bitter divorce depriving an exspouse of a share of retirement income Nicola Walker head of the could also make withdrawing the full Family team in Birmingham amount popular, and experts strongly advise those who could be affected to check their arrangements urgently, as much depends on the precise wording of the divorce settlements. Sarah Balfour, an expert divorce lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: "As the number of over 55s divorcing increases, the treatment of pensions in a divorce is an increasingly important matter.

Sarah Balfour Associate in the Birmingham Family team

Nicola Walker Head of the Family Team in Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham Office commented, “Divorce or relationship breakdown can be a stressful and emotional time. You have important decisions to make about your future, your children, your finances and maybe even your business.

Our divorce and family law solicitors can help you decide what is right – personally, legally and financially – for you and your family. Independent legal guides recognise us as one of the UK’s leading family law teams, so you can be sure you’re in safe hands. Founded in 1912, today, Irwin Mitchell is the 20th largest law firm in the UK and amongst the top 50 in Europe, operating out of 10 UK offices.

www.irwinmitchell.com call 0121 212 1828 You can also catch up with all the latest news and events through our busy social media presence on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Pensions Freedoms The pension world changed radically on 6 April 2015 with the advent of Pension Freedoms. Over the course of the next three editions of this magazine we will look at what these new rules really mean and how there is still a place for the existing alternatives. The announcement was made by Chancellor George Osborne in his March 2014 Budget speech when he boldly announced that pensioners will never be forced to buy an annuity again and they would be allowed to take control of how much of their pension they took at any one time. The media has been full of reports and examples of how these new rules might work in certain circumstances. Unfortunately, as with most things they have only concentrated on the benefits and have either not considered or have paid little attention to the many drawbacks of becoming a “Lamborghini Pensioner” the term dubbed by the media. Why did this come about at all? Well for the best part of 100 years the basic pension legislation has remained unchanged, namely tax relief is available on contributions into a registered pension fund and whilst the funds remain in the pension fund they are largely tax free. I say largely because in 1998 the then Chancellor Gordon Brown changed the rules on dividend tax credits so they no longer were repayable into the pension fund. Finally upon drawing the pension (known as “vesting”) part of the fund can be accessed as a Pension Commencement Lump Sum which is normally tax free and any income is taxable at the taxpayer’s marginal rate of tax.

The big problem was the drawing of the income. The main mechanism for this was by way of an annuity. An annuity is effectively an insurer receiving your pension fund in return for guaranteeing to pay you an income for life so your income in retirement is secured. The insurer did not take any account of your personal circumstances other than age. So pensioners of the same age were all treated as having the same life expectancy. This is known as the cross subsidy. Some pensioners outlived the average and so gained whilst others were not so fortunate. In determining how much income to pay, the insurer would therefore look at average life expectancy tables. For example, a 65 year old male currently has a life expectancy of around another 18 years whereas a female of the same age can expect to live nearly an extra 3 years. With the recent enforced unisex quotations this means the average life expectancy of a 65 year old is around another 20 years. Only 10 years ago that figure was more like 17 years. So the fund has to be stretched to last longer. Added to that is the other factor used to calculate, namely longer term interest rates, which are currently around an all time low and it quickly becomes obvious why annuities appear to offer such poor value. The annuity income could include guarantees, such as paying an income to a surviving spouse for their life, guaranteeing the full amount is paid to your beneficiaries for a certain period, usually 5 or 10 years, or allowing for the effects of inflation. In this

case, personal circumstances would determine how much such guarantees would cost in terms of lower income levels. Inflation linking in particular would dramatically reduce income, but a 10 year guarantee would not make too much difference to returns. Consideration is being given to longer guarantee periods of up to 30 years and some element of capital repayment on death. These are still evolving and over time we will see if these assist the decision or not. However for many pensioners the need for guaranteed income will ensure there will still be some sort of market for the annuity. The annuity decision is a once in a lifetime decision, once made it could never be changed. I say could because following the 2015 Budget in March, there are plans afoot to allow those who have already committed to an annuity to be able to cash it in and so be in much the same position as those who have yet to make their decision. It will be interesting to see how this evolves but don’t expect great returns. Next month I will explore unsecured pensions and then in the last article look at the new rules and what they really mean for you. Written by: Ian D Gillard FCA FCCA DipPFS AIPW Director of R D Owen & Co, Chartered Accountants

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PENSION FREEDOM How ‘free’ is your pension? a recent YouGov survey found that two-thirds of those aged 55 and over were unaware of how tax would be applied to their pension withdrawals.

Over-55s who have carefully saved in the hope of enjoying a long and fulfilling retirement suddenly have more freedom than ever in choosing what to do with their nest-eggs. For many, the prospect of having to make even more decisions with a potentially huge bearing on their financial future is pretty daunting.

“PAS cannot give financial advice suited to an individual’s circumstances,” Andy pointed out. “The only way you can get that is by consulting professional financial advisers, such as us.” And when you consider that, for lots of people, the amount of money they have accrued in their pension ‘pot’ is the biggest asset they have after their property, the common approach of simply sitting on the money and not ensuring it is working as hard for them as possible will greatly affect the standard of life they can enjoy in their later years.

But it’s exactly because there are so many more options now available to people in building a secure long-term future for themselves and their loved ones that they should take professional advice over the choices available to them. Andy Green, managing director of Coventry-based KLO Financial Services, says: “Now that the initial exuberance in the media over the new pension freedoms has thankfully given way to a more levelheaded approach, concerns about depletion, fraud, and tax liability in particular are now being widely aired. “As a result, pension savers are becoming increasingly aware that, if they don’t seek advice, income tax could severely deplete their funds.” Andy says the changes are so far-reaching that even the biggest pension and insurance firms are somewhat behind on their ability to deliver the new government regulations. “Essentially, from the age of 55, you can now access your pension pot in full, taking it as a lump sum, an annual income, or in whatever combination of the two you wish,” he said. On the face of it, he added, this is great news. The government’s new Pensions Advisory Service (PAS) can even guide people through the changes. However,

Pension planning in general offers some compelling tax advantages for business owners as such contributions provide corporation tax savings – but the new pension freedom regulations make planning even more important. “But we have seen with pension changes in the past that most people tend to sweep it under the carpet, and do nothing to make sure their money is doing the best it can for them until they really need it,” said Andy. In reality, Pension Freedom in terms of income withdrawals has meant an increase from a maximum nine per cent per annum to unlimited annual access. With over £1billion leaving pension funds since the changes, clearly this is already impacting on individuals’ lives. The change in death benefits has, though, potentially brought with it a tax saving of 55 per cent for some clients who have planned properly. So again, it’s vital that investors seek independent advice. In our next issue, we’ll look at the overall investment markets and the opportunities they may offer in future.

Andy Green and his colleagues at KLO Financial Services are available in the meantime to give impartial, free advice on your options to help secure your future. Visit klofinancialservices.co.uk, or contact them on 02476 012758 to make an appointment.

32999 1pg_Transport Warehousing 17/07/2015 12:16 Page 1

How promoting

safe and sensible driving can benefit any business The biggest asset of many small to medium-sized businesses, after their workers of course, is their vehicle fleet. If your company needs to be mobile, its vehicles are also probably the most tangible advertisement you have. So the importance of keeping your fleet running efficiently and presenting a positive image of your company to all your potential customers can’t be overstated. Fleet management is an integral part of keeping any business running smoothly, ensuring that it can always meet the needs of its customers, and achieving and upholding a reputation for behaving responsibly. So what are your main considerations in looking to get the best out of your vehicles and the people who drive them?

Driver training When you’re recruiting people who will drive your company’s vehicles, how do you make sure that they will drive responsibly, both in terms of their own behaviour, and in respecting the vehicles they drive? Fleet driver training is an important element of the overall management of your fleet. It can have a positive impact on many areas of your business’s overheads, not least insurance premiums and other ongoing expenses, such as fuel and replacement parts.

Equally importantly, it can instil a sense of responsibility in your workforce, and spotlight important areas where extra training could bring about improvements in their driving habits, and so reduce the risk of accidents and traffic law violations. Lots of companies offer their drivers training in efficient driving practices. Yet when many of the vehicles we have in our fleets are built to be as efficient as possible in the first place, the incentives for improving their own behaviour behind the wheel – and ultimately your business’s bottom line and what you can afford to pay them – might not be obvious. Fleet News magazine’s Christopher Smith says: “While environmental concerns or corporate social responsibility may be part of the reason to send drivers on an eco-driving course, cost reductions will almost certainly be the primary decision-making factor.”

3. Ditch all the junk: Use the free online checklist at Ecowill.org to help you decide what equipment and other cargo your drivers don’t need to carry, to help them drive more efficiently. A further key element of keeping down fleet running costs is sticking to your vehicles’ regular servicing schedules. Indeed, many vehicle contract hire schemes build routine checks into the monthly figure you pay – so you have no excuse for not getting them checked according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Money-saving tips for all

‘Spy in the cab’, or vital cost-saving tool?

Even if your business doesn’t have the time or resources to send its drivers on any of the many worthwhile courses out there, Mr Smith has some general tips to improve fleet running costs:

Computer software advances have led to the ability for those in charge of vehicle fleets to get lots of information about the impact of drivers’ behaviour and habits on their running costs.

1. When driving, anticipate: Being able to foresee what’s going to, or might possibly happen on the road in front of you is a big contributor to costsavings. Avoiding the need to brake heavily, and accelerating smoothly and steadily when conditions allow, are likely to cut running costs considerably.

Investing in systems which can monitor driver behaviour and encourage them to drive more efficiently, according to Fleet News, often results in bigger cost savings than switching to more economical vehicles.

2. Check tyre pressures regularly: A few minutes instructing your drivers how to do this, and giving them the means to do so can be a worthwhile investment, as under-inflated tyres increase road resistance and so fuel consumption – and increase the risk of punctures and blowouts.

For example, a national fleet manager for a major plant hire group revealed that savings of eight per cent would be needed to cover the cost of installing a telematics system across its fleet – yet it was achieving actual savings of around 12 per cent. In some cases, this has led firms to consider incentivising drivers whose road manners help achieve the greatest savings. Ultimately, this means that drivers are encouraged to think more about their onthe-road behaviour – and see direct benefits of driving responsibly and consistently. So fully appreciating the link between how your workers drive and how their company performs more generally can be a major step on the road to becoming more profitable. And that’s got to be in everyone’s interest.

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Is your fleet burning more than just fuel? Ever increasing demands on our time means that managing a fleet of vehicles can be time consuming and expensive and even then do you really know what it’s costing you? Whether it’s 5 or 5000 vehicles, the day-to-day running of your drivers and vehicles can have many hidden costs. Knowing exactly what is happening with your fleet and having real-time useable data at your fingertips can be invaluable to your business and help satisfy your Duty of Care needs to your employees. UK based Scorpion Automotive understands these problems only too well and has developed a range of vehicle tracking and security solutions to help Fleet Managers get control. Why use ScorpionTrack Fleet to manage your vehicle fleet? The simple answer is to increase productivity and profits and decrease running costs. It also enables you to measure and reduce your carbon footprint, promoting environmental sustainability and a more efficient workforce. ScorpionTrack Fleet ticks all the boxes when it comes to effectively managing your fleet and its associated costs. The technology makes vehicle installation fast and simple for any size of fleet. It’s 100% web based with 24/7 access from any location, offering a truly global service. Subscription costs are as low as just 23 pence per vehicle per day. The unique software allows you to access and monitor KPI’s including fuel costs, driver behavior and comprehensive vehicle journey statistics. Giving your business a detailed insight into these areas and allowing for improved cost and operational planning control. Fully customizable alerts can be created to warn you against potential hazards in real-time, allowing you to decide if intervention is required. Idle and speed alerts can allow the user to monitor excessive idle times or speed. It also allows monitoring of driving behavior including unauthorized use, journey costs and engine running time. This can all lead to reducing journey times, unnecessary fuel usage, and improving route planning. You can monitor the location of your vehicles using near real-time GPS/GSM technology which gives pin-point locations and details of a vehicle journey. All this information can be accessed using our innovative web application from any desktop or handheld device that allows internet access. The user can even choose a range of views, including satellite maps and to follow a single vehicle, group or the whole fleet of vehicles.

A wide variety of alerts can be set up to be delivered back to the user via the email interface or text messages. These include vehicle ignition, speed limits, idle limits, engine hour limits (very useful for monitoring service intervals and required driving breaks), battery disconnect and low alerts and of course geofence alerts which show when a vehicle enters or exits a user specified area or geofence e.g. A customer site. ScorpionTrack Fleet offers a comprehensive and fully customizable reporting facility generated from the web-based interface. Reports can be downloaded in a range of formats including HTML, PDF and Excel. You can also issue individual driver logins to enable drivers to view or manage their own statistics when necessary.

We are happy to discuss your specific requirements with you, please get in touch to find out more by calling 01257 249928 or email: sales@scorpionauto.com or visit www.scorpiontrack.com/fleet for more information.

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The best vehicle ecu remapping and car tuning service available anywhere in the world. Viezu Technologies is the UK’s leading fuel economy and fleet management tuning service in the UK, and for good reason! The core of Viezu Technologies’ business is making your fleet run more efficiently, saving you money in fuel and maintenance costs, lowering your fleet’s carbon footprint and making your entire operation more ecologically friendly, as well as more profitable.

homework before selecting a provider! They use Viezu because they know that no one else can offer the same increases in economy and performance, or offer a better price. Knowing that, it is no surprise that Viezu is just as popular among smaller those who operate smaller fleets, and even individual delivery vehicles.

What makes Viezu’s services so unique? That is the real question. ‘If what Viezu technologies does is so much better, why doesn’t everybody do it?’ The simple answer is that most remappers and performance tuners simply can’t. The majority of UK services lack the experience, training and technology to provide more than second best. Viezu uses their proprietary (and award winning) BlueOptimize tuning software to provide inimitable results. Better still, Viezu offers a range of fuel saving services that can be custom tailored to the unique operating situation, vehicles and business realities of individual clients. Just ask them what Viezu’s Special projects Team can do for you!

Viezu provides fuel economy tuning and complete remapping services to some of the biggest fleets in the world, but also to small traders and SMEs. The beauty of what they provide is that it can save a business operating a handful of vehicles the same reduction in operating costs per vehicle as it does for a fleet of tens of thousands. That means that, for once, smaller operations are not at a disadvantage. Viezu arte certified experts in their field. They have literally tuned more than 150,000 vehicles so far and are the only ISO9001 certified provider of these services in the UK. They also won the 2014 Queen’s Award for Enterprise, given by Her Majesty to distinguish those UK businesses that demonstrate excellence in every way.

Share in the same benefits the big fleets already enjoy Viezu operates in more than 62 countries worldwide, and their remapping and fuel economy tuning services are used by some of the UK’s largest fleets, including HomeServe and some of the UK’s leading Utility providers. These are huge fleets with more fleet management personnel than some carriers have drivers. You can believe that these operations have done their

More efficient vehicles for a greener future Over the course of the last few years, Viezu estimates that they have been responsible for the logistics and carrier industry emitting 200,000 tonnes less carbon than it would have without them. That is real change, with real results.

For further information about the company and its services, including a range of experience days for the true motoring enthusiast, Visit: www.viezu.com Telephone: 01789 774444 Email: info@viezu.com 25

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rather than wanting to save them money, has an incentive to encourage them to spend more.” It was this trend which became the driving force behind the establishment of Fleet Managers Friend, which harnesses more than 60 years’ experience in the sector for the benefit of businesses of various types and all sizes.

Fleet Managers Friend Ltd Phone a Friend

and start saving money on your fleet running costs From the start of his career, as an apprentice fitter, Paul Holmes has been steeped in knowledge of what keeps vehicles of all kinds moving, and running as efficiently as possible. Working initially with British Gas, and later the AA when it came under the wing of that company’s Centrica division, at one stage Paul oversaw the smooth running of a 22,000-strong fleet which ranged from bikes all the way up to heavy moving plant.

“We offer firms an initial consultation – which is charged for – but for that they get a very thorough analysis of the company’s spending on its transport, and a number of realistic steps they can take to reduce that outlay on an ongoing basis,” promises Paul. He points to an example where one business has saved 22 per cent in its insurance costs – but there is a wealth of areas in which other economies can be made, such as the cost of replacement tyres and parts. “We will go into all aspects of the costs of running a vehicle fleet, and if necessary produce a series of specific recommendations. Yet, very often, the best solutions to be found are the simplest,” he says. “We purposely chose the company name, because we want to befriend the person in charge of running businesses’ fleets, and build ongoing relationships with them whereby they come back to us for our advice because they see clear cost savings.” And he says even the most tightly-managed fleet can realise some savings, even going so far as to say that in his efforts to help every business he works with do the same, “I’ve never been beaten yet”.

Now, with his latest venture, Fleet Manager’s Friend, he and his fellow directors are applying expertise over several decades in the fleet management business, and a pragmatic approach which can only come from such depth of knowledge, to help enterprises of all sizes, and in all sectors, save money on one of their biggest areas of expense – and often, worry. He describes the scope of his new business: “We help fleet managers to reduce costs while increasing the safety and efficiency of their motor vehicle fleet. We look at every aspect of fleet management to find cost and efficiency savings for your business.” Just a year into their new enterprise, Fleet Managers Friend is bringing a pragmatic and realistic approach to every detail of running a business’s vehicles. “Over the last 10 years, the majority of small to mediumsized businesses have outsourced the responsibility for their fleets to leasing companies. But this means, in many cases, that responsibility for overseeing this major expenditure lies with someone who doesn’t have specialist knowledge of the area, and

So if that sounds like a challenge your business would be happy to lay down to Fleet Managers Friend, contact them today, on 07552 127005 or email info@fleetmanagersfriend.com A full rundown of the services offered can be found on the company’s website, www.fleetmanagersfriend.com

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INCREASE FLEET PRODUCTIVITY AND YOUR COMPANY’S PROFITABILITY

Making sure that your fleet vehicles work as hard as possible can make a huge difference to your companies profitability. With today’s price of fuel, insurance and other costs associated with servicing vehicles, your fleet may be one of the biggest costs to you. Whatever the size of your company, keeping your vehicles on the road and making sure that they do their job as efficiently as possible is a key factor that can lead to success for you. There’s a host of technology out there designed to help you keep a constant watch on your drivers, and on how your vehicles are running. But ultimately, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution to this constantly evolving industry. To get a full picture of the range of solutions available for your company, you need to talk to experts – such as John Valentine and the team at Bridge Fleet Solutions Ltd. Founded in 2002 and based in Bromley, Kent, Bridge Fleet Solutions has grown to offer nationwide coverage, and can provide a complete range of vehicle management solutions for all types and sizes of businesses, from ‘one man in a van’ to much bigger companies operating fleets running hundreds of vehicles.

This sounds like a great way of providing an efficient service, which results in satisfied customers. As well as keeping your customers happy, which we know is extremely important, the vehicle tracking software will help you to improve productivity and start to increase profitability. John explained how companies have saved money in lots of different ways. “Just think of how long you spend on the phone to your drivers, just to ask them where they are, and how quickly they can get to a job. Our technology will eliminate the need to make 95 per cent of those calls.” “In addition, you can make sure that your drivers are taking the quickest routes to each job and not wasting fuel. We have even found that companies have saved a lot on insurance bills as their drivers are driving more responsibly and it certainly cuts down speeding fines.”

“The fleet management business is far more sophisticated than just being the ‘spy in the cab’ that was the popular perception back then. Today’s technological aids encompass a wide variety of tools and applications, which can bring benefits to companies of all sizes and types”, says John. You may not be sure about how a vehicle tracking solution can help your fleet vehicles run more effectively and how they offer a return on your investment. And that’s where the specialist knowledge offered by Bridge Fleet Solutions really comes into its own. John describes their software in this way “We see our products and software as operational tools. If you run a factory, you will spend a lot of time watching over your workforce and processes, to make sure that everything is running in the most productive way.”

John says that he and his sales team like to demonstrate their systems to fleet managers “because it’s much easier for them to see how the software works and how it can be customized for the different members of the team.”

“Our vehicle tracking software allows you to watch over your workforce and vehicles whilst they are out on the road, this gives you greater control and the opportunity to increase productivity.”

“We aren’t pushy sales people –we are consultants. We can demonstrate how the latest software technology can help companies be more productive and efficient. And not just through vehicle tracking, but a whole range of solutions, which make being on the road safer and less stressful for your drivers.”

John gave us an example, which we are sure you can relate to “As service co-ordinators you will be used to getting calls from customers requesting an emergency call out. With our vehicle tracking software you can check exactly which driver is closet to the customer and request that they deal with the emergency, you can even give the customer an accurate time of arrival.”

Contact Bridge Fleet Solutions on 0871 750 3004 or email info@bridgefleetsolutions.co.uk to start your journey to increase fleet productivity and increase your company’s profitability. 27

33473_BBP Template 13/07/2015 13:45 Page 1

It all sounds like bad news - but there are also real benefits to tackling this risk the right way:

HighWays Driving School

Employers beware Fleet driver trainer stresses the importance of the need for bosses to be aware of their responsibilities for anyone who drives for them Like it or not, businesses of all sizes are legally obliged to manage the risks to which all of their staff might be exposed during their work. Steve Baker, of Midlands-based High-Ways Driving School says that, without a formal assessment of the risks, and then taking tangible steps to avoid them, all businesses could face potentially costly and damaging action under health and safety legislation and even, in the worst cases, prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter Act. “Every week, company vehicles are involved in accidents which lead to 20 deaths and 250 serious injuries,” Steve points out. “Official figures suggest that one in three fatalities involved someone driving to or from, or during the course of their work,” he adds. “That means nearly 600 employees suffer the often life-altering consequences of a serious accident while ‘on duty’ for their employer.” You only have to think back to the horrific events in Glasgow just before Christmas 2014, when a bin lorry driver lost control of his vehicle and careered into crowds of shoppers. As a result, the families of six people found their lives blighted by the sudden loss of a loved one. Could you or one of your workers live with the possible consequences of such a tragic – although admittedly thankfully rare – accident happening while they were doing their job? “If you send people out on the road as part of their work, you have a responsibility not only to yourself and every other road user, but to your employee too, and you could both be liable should the worst happen,” Steve says.

- Avoidance of problems and unwanted official investigations into accidents - Helping to avoid costly and time-consuming insurance claims - Reductions in staff stress, and most likely, sickness and absences - Greater satisfaction among employees, who feel you take seriously your responsibilities for their safety as an employer, and as a result - Better staff retention due to you being respected as an employer who cares about their welfare.

Real cost savings Insurers are keen to reward businesses which do the right thing with their employees. So if you can prove that your workforce knows about responsible driving and have improved their habits as a result, you might benefit from reduced premiums. The first step towards getting these savings and benefits for your business is to get help from an expert in the field – in Steve’s case, a Driving Standards Agency-approved fleet driver/trainer who will assess your risks, help you and your employees to devise a recognised policy for driving for work, and put it all into practice. You’ll then be able to identify the risks your drivers face, but also be assured that their driving knowledge is always up-todate, no matter how long ago they passed their driving test. And what about if, while driving a company vehicle, they’re involved in a ‘road rage’ incident – and perhaps lose their licence as a result? “If you equip your staff to be able to deal with situations in the right way, you’ll soon see fleet driver training as an asset for both employee and employer – and not just one that helps them in their work, but in their general lives,” Steve Baker concludes. So contact Steve, of High-Ways School of Driving, today. He offers training nationwide, so visit High-Ways.co.uk, or call 0777 888 2120 to arrange a free appraisal of the ways your business could benefit from extra driver assessment and training. This can be conducted in your own vehicles if required. He’s trained to help employers out of this nightmare - so you can sleep again at night.

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VEHICLE CCTV AND SAFETY SYSTEMS Can your business afford to stay mobile without SmartWitness? Britain's most popular vehicle journey recorders, SmartWitness lets your company monitor all around its vehicles with just a single camera. As well as recording high quality images covering the front, rear and interior, the system can record vehicle location, vehicle speed, driving style and impact force, providing vital, court admissible evidence in the event of an accident. SmartWitness’s range of products provide fleet managers, haulage firms and private individuals with driving aids to facilitate safer driving and offer complete protection against the ever-increasing threat from fraudulent insurance claims on our roads.

Firms using SmartWitness products have achieved fuel reductions and environmental improvements through more safe and efficient driving. SmartWitness has won the prestigious Best Fleet Safety Product, awarded by road safety charity Brake, and last year won the Fleet News award for ‘Best New Product’.This award recognises a new product which has offered real benefits to its customers. SmartWitness won after spending three years developing the KP1, which has been hailed as the “most advanced vehicle journey recorder in the world.” The KP1 is the most powerful 3G/4G instant video transmission vehicle camera with in-built tracking and telematics data. SmartWitness's board includes non-executive chairman, Keith Hellawell, the former Chief Constable of Cleveland and West Yorkshire. Dr Hellawell said: "SmartWitness is at the forefront of developing exciting new in-cab cameras.

The SmartWitness team, including non-executive chairman and former Chief Constable Keith Hellawell, far left, demonstrate their systems at a major trade show. Luxury chauffeur company Tristar Worldwide, based in Middlesex, made savings of £60,000 a year after installing SmartWitness cameras to its fleet of 460 vehicles, cutting its accident rate by half. Insurers have found that just two per cent of incidents recorded on SmartWitness cameras result in disputed claims – against an industry norm of 40 per cent for all motor claims. Insurers can then pass these big cost savings on to the insured, with SmartWitness clients experiencing savings on their premiums of up to 20 per cent.

"These have been shown to markedly improve driving standards and road safety.” Daily Telegraph motoring columnist, James Foxall, said: “SmartWitness has achieved remarkable savings in hauliers’ insurance premiums.”

Visit Sm artw itness.co.uk to learn more about its range of products, or call its helpline on 0844 947 1000 A video demonstration can also be seen by searching for ‘SmartWitness’ on YouTube

About 550,000 whiplash claims a year are filed in the UK, but insurance experts have estimated that up to 60 per cent are bogus. According to the AA, since 2006 there has been a 60 per cent rise in the number of personal injury claims, while the number of reported accidents on UK roads has fallen by 20 per cent over the same period. SmartWitness products are recommended by major insurers and officially approved by Transport for London. They are also recommended by more insurance companies and brokers than any other provider. They provide complete integration with Telematics Systems – so all fleet management and driver information is accessed through the telematics provider’s system. SmartWitness offers fleet managers real-time driver improvement opportunities. Incidents are reported as and when they happen – achieving Health & Safety and Duty of Care obligations for the remote workforce.

Drive wiser – a SmartWitness KP1 vehicle journey recorder 29

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Z5 The Story. Jeremy Reese of Z5 (UK) Ltd told us about a product of keen interest to every fleet manager. “About five years ago I was sent a video that was part of a motoring series from a TV company, my interest caught, I discovered one about a young inventor who wanted to reduce the emissions from motor vehicles and was “thinking outside the box” His product unlike most, works before the combustion takes place rather than cleaning up the emissions with the exhaust system.

Extensive testing around the globe proved it does what it says it will do, however, being a sceptic I asked for two units and started my own tests. I installed one in a 19 year old diesel coach after getting an emissions test. The smoke reading results were at best 0.70 worst 0.86. After the test they were 0.10 best 0.24 worst. I also had extensive data showing the fuel consumption of this coach over the past year. After installing this device it gave 13% better fuel consumption. I also put one in my petrol car and got a 14% improvement in fuel consumption. This device actually does what is says it will do. Reduce emissions and reduce fuel consumption Having fitted the Z5 to all my coaches I have seen a dramatic reduction to my weekly fuel costs, and my vehicles have sailed through the smoke test at their MOT’s. To me this is a no-brainer.

I operate a coach hire company, so I pursued the inventor as I wanted this for my vehicles, and at the same time I asked for the UK rights. It had taken that time for him to get to the stage where the unit could be produced in quantity and redesigned to make it saleable. I have now been given the opportunity to take the UK rights. This device, the Z5, was conceived as a means to create a more efficient explosion in an internal combustion engine by changing the molecular structure of the air for about 3 seconds, enough to get into the combustion chamber and thereby making it the fuel mix more combustible which means the engine produces less emissions and uses less fuel. Manufacturers have concentrated on the fuel delivery systems and engine design. They neglected the other part of the explosion - the air. The device is the size of a paperback book, although thinner, and sits in with the air filter. To fit it, just unclip or unscrew the top of the air filter, fit and forget. If you sell the vehicle it can be moved to your new one.

Retailing at £50 plus VAT, against the thousands I have spent on particulate traps to meet the London Low Emission Zone, I have recovered the cost by the third time I fill up. My particulate traps used to need a burn out about twice a year - some even more frequently - after fitting the Z5 we have extended the time between cleaning the traps to a year. To make purchasing easy I have set up a web site which will show the product, how easy it is to fit and the results from the various test that have been conducted. This site has an order facility linked to an online card facility allowing customers to pay direct. Their order is printed out at our office and we can despatch the goods the same day. To place an order or for more information please visit z5uk.com.”

Lower Emissions . Improved Fuel Economy . More Power

33463 AP_HorseWorld 02/07/2015 12:23 Page 1

M6 COMMERCIALS YOUR INDEPENDENT VEHICLE REPAIR SPECIALIST

M6 commercials is more than just a fully certified independent service and repair, maintenance and recovery provider that can handle all makes of commercial and refuse vehicles – it is a growing group of companies dedicated to offering a true ‘one stop shop’ for all of your commercial vehicle repair, hire and testing needs who are constantly finding new ways to add value to your business. M6 Commercials are committed to total quality in all aspects of their business’ and are dedicated to providing a friendly, reliable, responsive and professional service to all their customers, existing and new.

M6 Commercials offer a wide range of capabilities and services, including: • 24 hour breakdown and recovery service

• Speed limiter and tachograph fitting and calibration (DVSA Approved Centre) • ABS/EBS diagnostics and repair, including engine management

• Vehicle brake testing and headlamp alignment to DVSA standards • Specialist engine, axle and gearbox repair, including automatics

• Tail lift & shutter repairs, including full LOLER testing • All types of electrical repair & maintenance

• Specialist body repairs, including skip loaders, hook loaders etc.

The past 4 years have not only seen M6 Commercial’s HGV Workshop expand dramatically, it has also seen the expansion of M6 into a closely related group of commercial vehicle service providers.

M6 Vehicle Hire offers a fleet of Standard and Trade 6 x 4 refuse vehicles, as well as some very specialised municipal vehicles. Whether you need a 7.5t / 12t / 15t NTM RCV, a Dennis Twin Pack, a Heil Front End Loader or a Boughton Hooklift, they have a vehicle to meet your requirements.

Birmingham Test Centre is a DVSA Approved Testing

Facility and has recently become approved to carry out IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) Testing. They are now used by many OEMs to carry out IVA testing for their customer’s new fleets.

M6 Motor Bodies is a commercial vehicle body shop with the capacity to manufacture anything from 3.5t cage tippers to 26t highways vehicles or refrigerated trailers (as they have done for Dunlop Motorsport). Together, the M6 Group combine the facilities, skills and equipment you need to repair, test and maintain a large or small commercial fleet with the ability to augment your fleet with replacement or specialty plant and vehicles, even at short notice.

Tel: 0121 326 6363 Mobile: 07794 046 516 Fax: 0121 328 9090

Email: enquiries@m6commercials.co.uk

Premier Street, Nechells, Birmingham B7 5TQ www.m6commercials.co.uk

• Class 4, 5 and 7 MOT testing

• Vehicle testing, from cars to HGVs of up to 44 tonnes • All work performed by fully qualified technicians • Full repair and maintenance packages available

M6 Commercials was founded by Andy Savery in 2000 as an independent service and repair facility. Having years of experience maintaining council vehicles and working for a major refuse vehicle manufacturer, Andy has seen first-hand the standard of service the transport industry demands. This experience has allowed him to provide a truly ‘Complete Service’ to his customers, that is second to none.

33435 AP_HorseWorld 02/07/2015 16:46 Page 1

Consider that even the smallest incident – including insurance excesses, premium increases, lost working time, and all other factors – can cost up to £7,000, and it becomes clear. “As a racing driver instructor, I used to teach people how to drive fast and win,” Steve said. “But when I left the racetrack, I was still regularly seeing cars on top of roundabouts and in ditches, and it brought home to me just how little passing your driving test really prepares you for staying alive on the road. “This is especially true if your livelihood depends on being mobile.” That includes sales people, builders, road repair teams, emergency utilities workers, nurses on home visits, nannies and doctors – and many more.

If you run a business that depends on staff being – and staying – mobile, then you’ll appreciate the time and cost this takes.

As small businesses become increasingly important to the UK’s economy, Steve emphasised, there are many benefits in forwardthinking companies giving their staff proper driver training, not just cursory assessments. In fact it is a legal requirement.

Road casualty figures rose last year and it's alarming that over 25,000 are killed or seriously injured on UK roads every year and one in five new drivers will crash within six months of passing their test.

“An important element of what we teach is how to drive not only safely, but as economically as possible,” he said. “At R3Rockingham, we are Energy Saving Trust-accredited ecotrainers.

Let R3Rockingham give all your drivers the knowledge to stay safe and save money on the road

“On average we can get every driver on one of our courses to drive around six percent more efficiently, long term, through a combination of better perception and giving more thought to how they use the car's controls.” So a driver covering average business mileage could save at least £300 per year on fuel, not to mention cutting expense on tyres, brakes and other consumables, and increasing the resale value of the vehicle.

Although survival rates are higher due to increased safety and better medical treatment at the scene, this though, hides the fact that crashes are on the up. For a small business, it isn’t the big accidents that are so much a factor as the little ones that sap time, money and resources. With many years as a professional racing driver, a determination to do something about this hidden toll prompted Steve Lewis to set up R3 - standing for Road Risk Reduction - to increase awareness and revise attitudes towards the most common risk factors we all face when we’re driving.

Drive Smart

Measured and structured training can give anyone who needs to get behind the wheel in the course of their work a better appreciation of how they behave on the road, and how their actions affect everyone around them. But what are the benefits of such training to anyone running a small business?

As part of what it calls its ‘ground-up’ approach to safety, R3 Rockingham works alongside Kumho Tyres in stressing the importance of these often-overlooked motoring essentials. It stresses the little-known fact that a car only has the same amount of rubber in contact with the road at any time as a sheet of A4 paper. So it makes sense that this area should be as effective as possible.

Should be compulsory’

“Like it or not, every van or ‘business car’ on the road is on its way to earn money or going home to spend it,” added Steve. “R3Rockingham training will help avoid delays, stop problems and increase efficiency.” Appreciation of what Steve and his team do is regularly forthcoming. “One of the most regular comments we get about what we teach is that it should be a legal requirement for all drivers,” he said. This may not be the case – yet – but it is true that employers, of all sizes, could easily be caught out by health and safety laws for failing to exercise a duty of care over their employees. So aside from your legal requirement as a business owner, can you afford not to let R3Rockingham instil some sound driving habits which won’t just save your company money, and drive up efficiency - but might also save lives?

33432 AP_HorseWorld 01/07/2015 11:20 Page 1

The benefits of using black box technology and telematics to improve fleet efficiency and reduce costs There has been a surge of interest in telematics as managers recognise the substantial benefits it brings to fleet and operational efficiency. Often referred to as 'black box' technology, the software is fitted directly into vehicles and reports back on a range of data driven analytics - from driver behaviour to mileage. So why is this surge of interest? And how can Telematics help a business that runs a fleet of vehicles?

Route planning and fuel economy

limit, brakes too hard or if the engine is still running while loading or offloading in a hazardous cargo area, increasing the effectiveness of fleet safety programmes at every touch point.

What the future holds Today there is practically no limit to the different applications for telematics. The world is becoming more connected, and new ways to use location-based information are being developed constantly – so to keep costs low, productivity high and a competitive edge constant, telematics is a must for any business with a fleet.

Telematics helps create the most efficient route from A to B. This means optimised, custom routes built around what’s most important to your business and the driving style of those manning the vehicles. One of the headline benefits optimal route planning brings is fuel economy, which is critical to maintaining healthy profit margins. Research* indicates that fuel accounts for about 30% of a fleet’s total operating costs - so it’s vital to reduce burn.

Sergio Barata

Vehicle management and protection Telematics can intuitively log driver speeds and detect potential hazards and these insights enable management to better tackle fuel consumption, improve delivery schedule management and also consider wider environment issues. In larger companies assets can ‘disappear’ or become under-used, both of which represent a significant loss to profits. GPS tracking enables teams to ensure all vehicles are being used efficiently. It also provides managers with the information needed to make profitable decisions on purchasing or disposing of additional vehicles.

Driver behaviour and safety

With this in mind, expect to see vehicle manufacturers capitalise on this demand by installing telematics technology into fleet vehicles. An example of this is Ford Telematics powered by Telogis. Ford Telematics is now available to fleet customers as a dealer-installed option, offered through Ford’s network of specialist Transit Centres. Moves like this mean that Telematics will quickly become a feature integrated into fleets at the point of sale, demonstrating that the software is now front of mind when making purchasing decisions about fleet vehicles.

* http://www.shell.co.uk/business-customers/fuel-cards-forfleet-vehicles.html#vanityaHR0cDovL3d3dy5zaGVsbC5jby51ay9nYnIvcHJvZHVjdHMtc2V ydmljZXMvb24tdGhlLXJvYWQvY2FyZC1zZXJ2aWNlcy9zaGVsb C1mdWVsLWNhcmQtZm9yLWJ1c2luZXNzL2ZsZWV0LW1hbmF nZW1lbnQvZnVlbC1tYW5hZ2VtZW50Lmh0bWw ** https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/pdfs/guides/FEG2015.pdf http://www.telogis.com/solutions 0203 005 8805 Sergio Barata, General Manager EMEA, Telogis

While risk is sometimes unavoidable, minimising your exposure and protecting drivers and assets is critical. Telematics can tap into real-time data to alert management on a range of driver behaviours, including if the vehicle deviates from the speed

33518 AP_HorseWorld 15/07/2015 12:08 Page 1

ATS Tyres and Vehicle Maintenance

Proactive tyre maintenance keeps fleets on the move Whether your fleet comprises mostly of cars, or larger vehicles such as vans and trucks, proactive maintenance of your tyres will cut your long-term operating costs. If your vehicles are off the road because of tyre failure, they’re costing you money without contributing to your business – and that’s a ‘best case’ scenario. What if a crucial vehicle, such as a delivery van, breaks down right when you need it?

help fleets spot issues and rectify them before they result in a costly and inconvenient tyre failure.” With that in mind, ATS Euromaster has launched its new MasterCARE service, designed to provide easy access to a range of pre-emptive tyre safety checks for vehicles of all shapes and sizes. With the top tier level of MasterCARE, expert technicians check tread depths, valve caps and air pressure, along with general visual damage checks, ensuring no potential tyre issue is missed. Once completed, ATS Euromaster provides an electronic report detailing tyre condition, work carried out and what is anticipated in the near future. Managers can rely on ATS Euromaster to provide honest feedback of exactly what is required to keep their tyres in good condition and their vehicles on the move, thanks to a team of inspectors and the largest mobile tyre fitting fleet in the UK. The resulting management reports also contain valuable information highlighting the most costly vehicles to maintain, enabling operators to identify careless driver behaviour through wear patterns or excessive tread loss – and take action to address it. Williams says: “Fleets are dependent on drivers carrying out daily walk-around checks. But with MasterCARE, there is a second inspection from a true tyre expert. It provides the peace of mind that all tyres are safe, legal and being properly maintained.” For more information about MasterCARE, and ATS Euromaster’s other fleet services, call 0800 60 10 60 or visit www.atseuromaster.co.uk

BOXOUT: Expert Servicing Mike Williams Professional tyre management can have a significant impact on vehicle uptime – protecting van fleets from the single biggest cause of unexpected downtime. A delay of just an hour due to a puncture can completely disrupt the end user’s schedule, leading to missed deliveries or appointments. Mike Williams, Head of National Accounts at ATS Euromaster, is a firm believer that prevention is better than cure. He says: “Tyre management means managing the tyre as an asset in its own right. Tyre life can often be extended and a better return achieved through methods such as fleet inspections and tyre pressure monitoring. Inspections allow us to

Fleets can also access far more than just tyre expertise at their local ATS Euromaster centre. More than 200 locations now offer comprehensive vehicle health checks – ideal for ensuring the safety and efficiency of a vehicle, and particularly useful now that many vehicles tend to have long service intervals of 12 to 18 months before being taken back to a dealer. For just £20 per vehicle, ATS Euromaster will check the oil, clutch fluid, brake fluid, power-steering fluid and screen wash, with free top-ups as appropriate. Technicians also inspect the dashboard for warning lights, operation of the air-conditioning system, horn, lights, drive belts, wiper blades, washer jets and cooling system. They also remove all wheels for a thorough brake inspection, plus clean and lubricate battery connections where required.

Visut us at www.atseuromaster.co.uk to find your nearest centre.

33542 1pg_Transport Warehousing 17/07/2015 14:25 Page 1

Should we design cars or user experiences? Design has always played a fundamental role in the automotive industry – but now it is not just in terms of making them look more appealing for drivers, according to new research from Design Council and Warwick Business School.

“Four key themes emerged in our research,” said Dr Micheli. “Firstly, design is one of the most important drivers of innovation and competitive advantage; this is being recognised in the industry, for example through the appointment of Chief Designers to company boards.

The research suggests design is increasingly playing a critical role in shifting automotive manufacturers' focus from making products to creating experiences, and in establishing greater collaboration with firms outside the industry according to Pietro Micheli, of Warwick Business School.

“Secondly, good design is not just about good looking objects, but also about bringing together different perspectives and people, for example by establishing effective collaborations between traditional automotive and IT firms.

Dr Micheli and Haley Beer, PhD student at Warwick Business School, argue in Leading Business by Design: Automotive Sector that industry and consumer buying patterns are rapidly changing, and design could facilitate the shift to a new world where cars will be used, but not necessarily owned, and where digital technology will revolutionise the way we understand and experience cars. In 2014, the Leading Business by Design study was launched by Design Council to examine how businesses – including organisations not traditionally associated with design – can benefit from it. This year, as a follow up to that groundbreaking report, Design Council recommissioned Warwick Business School to undertake an in-depth analysis of strategic design’s impact on the passenger automotive sector. Building on evidence from the initial Leading Business by Design research, this new report forms part of a suite of 'deep-dive' industrial sector studies.

“Thirdly, design can offer automotive firms the capacity to better understand and anticipate users’ needs, and therefore offer products and services in line with the times. For example, by offering greater connectivity, introducing better user interfaces, and integrating technology that will eventually enable fully autonomous vehicles in a way users understand. “And finally, such a role could only be effectively fulfilled if designers develop a wider skillset, which does not only comprise traditional 'form-giving' and production technology, but also user interaction, graphic design and service design.” The automotive industry in the UK is now worth an estimated £60 billion, or around three per cent of the country’s GDP and 6.7 per cent of the UK’s turnover. The industry employs 730,000 people, with 146,000 directly employed in manufacturing. The automotive sector equates to 10 per cent of the UK’s total exports.

In the research, presented at the Design Council’s Leading Business by Design Summit www.designcouncil.org.uk/events/leadingbusiness-design-summit hosted this year at Birmingham City University on Thursday June 18, Dr Micheli proposed eight recommendations for business leaders, designers and policymakers. Dr Micheli added: “Overall our report found eight main points for people in and around the industry. Firstly they need to use design strategically. Design in the sector is not just about ‘styling’: understanding of the market and user is crucial. Design must be able to influence strategic priorities. “Continuing on that point, a focus on user experience is equally crucial. Users’ functional, behavioural and emotional needs should be at the forefront of design. “Design isn’t just about the premium side of things, however, so a third piece of advice is not to just use design for premium products. Design can embody brand values and connect brand promises to customer experience across all price levels. “Promote collaboration between functions such as design, engineering and marketing as well as end users and similarly, value different viewpoints across such groups. “Still on the theme of collaboration, we would recommend automotive firms create clear processes, with few decisionmakers, as the rapid changes and developments in the sector, establishing partnerships with new suppliers, especially outside of the sector, will also be crucial.” Dr Micheli concluded, “Finally it is essential to provide a broader design education. The work involved in design is now far more widespread as discussed in our research. Designers need to be more open to working with different people and thinking more out of their conventional realms.”

33346 AP_HorseWorld 28/05/2015 13:18 Page 1

Mirage

Mirage Ltd is a design and build bespoke machinery and engineering solutions provider for the automotive industry. Formed in 2005, Mirage quickly gained the opportunity to prove themselves to Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Derby in a test exercise. An unmissable opportunity! The customer requested that their prototype AGV was to be developed into a robust production item. It had to be designed, built and delivered within 4 weeks. The target was met through sheer determination, tenacity and many long hours.

Mirage has continued to develop their AGV product, having built and installed hundreds of AGVs, delivering all manner of parts, for a wide range of industries and applications; from simple solutions, up to AGVs fitted with integral conveyors allowing delivery and collection of components from fixed conveyors. The latest AGV project was the installation of a controlled loop system using wireless Communications and RFID read write tags, allowing the system to evolve for future purposes such as additional process areas. The current process also communicates with the production line; enabling or disabling tooling, informing a “Good” signal if all processes are complete. If the AGV doesn’t receive a “Good” signal from the master communication panel it will not leave the process area, if the AGV reaches 70% of the allocated TAKT time for that individual process an “Andon” alarm is raised. Additional “pokey or poka-yoke” can also be integrated to the AGV’s such as parts picking. Pick to Light & vision systems could be implemented to ensure 100% reliability for sub assembly processes.

Since this initial project Mirage has worked alongside Toyota’s Engineers on a wide ranging number of projects, focussing on eliminating handling issues, and non-productive labour from our processes.

Operation

Mirage’s experienced design department equipped with both 2D & 3D modelling software assists in the design and development of innovative, reliable, bespoke solutions for customers. Mirage’s Lean manufacturing equipment incorporates various technologies which are integrated into the finished solution. Flexibility in handling a variety of products and combining manual and automatic operations is a critical factor in the success of our products and equipment. During the development process, the client and their production staff may visit the Mirage facility to help fine tune the product at the design stage and before manufacture, thus streamlining project acceptance on installation. All Mirage projects to date have been delivered beyond expectation and, critically, on time. Working with Toyota has given Mirage valuable insights into the “Toyota Production System” (TPS) which they have adopted as an in house standard process for their own improvement.

Lean Manufacture AGV’s

Mirage’s AGV’s (autonomous guided vehicles) provide a simple, low cost flexible solution to the problem of handling parts deliveries in a busy production environment. Using a self-adhesive magnetic tape for route guidance allows for a simple, cost effective installation process. If the client requires the AGV route to be changed, the tape is simply peeled up and re-laid elsewhere. Mirage believes that AGV’s, although complex, must be easy to use and maintain. This is achieved by ensuring that production and maintenance staff are seen as an integral part of the system.

As well as automotive, Mirage has recently been invloved in a number of 'other sector' projects;

Reckitt Benckiser

A Vision System used by a Pharmaceutical client confirms the correctness of the packaging 'film' and a further confirmation of user data in the form of a Lot number and Expiry date. The packing confirmation is carried out by confirming a 2D barcode. The Lot and Expiry is confirmed using OCR (Optical Character Recognistion). This system was integrated into an existing packaging machine forming a robust QA system, all failures are rejected.

Calbee

Mirage has also recently been heavily involved in a new Japanese snack foods project. Mirage designed and constructed the electrical control cabinets and developed the software to run the packaging line which involved the feed of bagged product to operators to pack into cardboard outers. The cardboard outers are the sealed, labelled and check-weighed A key element of Mirage’s success is the close working relationships with many of the world's leading manufacturers; the “can do” ethos, coupled with a rapid turnaround, ensures client confidence and satisfaction first time, every time.

Visit our website and contact us for further information. www.mirageservices.co.uk

33310 HPD_HorseWorld 08/07/2015 13:42 Page 1

A great example of our customer-centric R&D approach is the launch of the FANUC collaborative robot. One of the issues that the manufacturing industry has wanted to address for a long time is the inefficiencies associated with the way that humans and machinery work together. Up until recently machines and employees were separated by large industrial metal cages, subsequently leading to downtime during loading and unloading impacting on the speed and efficiency of production output.

FANUC Designing robotics and automation of the future Robotics and factory automation is indispensable to manufacturing, offering advancements in industry productivity. Using intelligent machines equipped with machine vision, sensors, and artificial intelligence, greatly improves the rate of industrial production making it more cost and energy efficient, and at the same time reduces waste and drives sustainability. For robotics and automation to perform at its best it is essential that the research and design process is customer centric, tailoring the solution to meet a specific need or purpose based on customer feedback. Gone are the days when robots were produced for general use, we are now entering an age of customer outcomes shaping and informing technological design.

As a way of solving these inefficiencies, last month saw the launch of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first heavy lifting collaborative robot, the FANUC CR-35iA. Previously only witnessed in the works of science fiction, the new robot makes it possible for machines and humans to work hand-inhand, bringing a variety of benefits to the manufacturing plant floor including improvements in safety, cost savings, increased versatility, improved human welfare, and increased plant floor efficiency. If you would like more information on the FANUC apprenticeship scheme please visit: www.fanuc.eu/uk/en/whowe-are/human-resources/apprenticeship

One common platform, infinite opportunities

WWW.FANUC.EU

All you need is yellow. 37

33332 1pg 2_HorseWorld 04/06/2015 10:38 Page 1

Serving the Midlands Motorist for 25 Years A1 Clutches, the specialist clutch, gearbox, servicing and vehicle diagnostics centres are celebrating their 25th Anniversary. This is an exciting event for the Midlands company which was established in 1990 by Amrik Singh, who was then only 18 years old.

A real success story, Mr Singh explained that having been brought up in his parent’s business, he had an understanding of what it takes to run a successful concern from an early age. He took his parents as his example and followed their advice to commit 110% effort all day every day. His first clutch centre was based on the Eclipse Industrial Estate, Tipton and from those humble beginnings and with a lot of hard work the business has expanded to its current four branches with plans to expand even further in the Midlands, Watford and London. The main challenge, as they expand, is ensuring that they have the right team with all the relevant skills in all their branches. They currently have a talented team of highly qualified and experienced technicians using the latest diagnostic equipment, specialist tools, and the best quality parts are sourced to maintain their existing very high standards.

25 years on and A1 Clutches are the leading clutch specialists in the Midlands and operate from 4 state of the art centres, all equipped to the highest standard with the latest technology, at Birmingham City Centre, Cannock, Derby and Tipton.

For more detailed information, and to find your nearest branch please visit the website www.a1-clutches.co.uk or telephone 0121 522 2094

Whatever type of vehicle you own, they will be able to help, and specialise in high performance, 4X4, light commercial vehicles and even motor homes.

If you have a problem with your clutch rest assured that they can help. They offer a same day clutch fitting service, whatever the make and model, and all clutches come with a 2 year warranty. They won’t be beaten on price either, just call into one of the branches, where one of their highly skilled technicians will carry out a free no obligation check, which only takes a few minutes, so no need to book. A1 also specialise in gearboxes, servicing, fly wheels and MOTs, any problems, their technicians will be happy to advise, just give them a call or drop in, you are sure of a friendly welcome. As Mr Singh told us, “We consistently strive to offer our customers an unbeatable service and a 2 year warranty, leading the way in our industry. “All of our technicians are highly skilled in their field and are continually trained in the latest procedures and practices. We operate a reliable collection and delivery service and can supply you with a free courtesy car whilst your vehicle is being repaired, subject to availability.”

We are experts in annual MOT checks and servicing. We can provide a great deal to cut the cost of running a car.

Congratulations to A1 Clutches on their 25th Anniversary. We would like to wish them continued success for the future, from everyone at The MOT Service Centre. For more information please contact us on:

0121 201 6545

email: info@motservicecentre-tipton.co.uk

Unit 1 | Hurst Lane | Tipton | West Midlands | DY4 9AB

12485 1pg_Transport Warehousing 25/06/2015 14:08 Page 1

Construction Confidence levels in the UK construction industry have reached their highest point since February 2006, increasing sharply following the decisive election result of May 7, according to figures reported by Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). A sharp improvement in residential building activity was also recorded, with Markit’s senior economist, Tim Moore, commenting that the construction industry has seen something of a “postelection bounce” in recent weeks. He added: “With a sustained period of policy uncertainty no longer on the horizon, business confidence surged back to its highest level since early 2006.” Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) support the data, saying that the output of the construction industry rose for the 23rd month in a row during April, according to the latest yearon-year data, and that output levels climbed by 1.5% during the month, in comparison with April 2014. The ONS also offered more encouraging news in terms of the sector’s quarterly performance. Saying that over the first quarter as a whole, new construction orders went up by 0.4%, in comparison to the closing three months of 2014, representing an 8% improvement in comparison to the same quarter of last year. Infrastructure, housing and private industrial were among the key subsectors where new order increases were witnessed. The ONS said housing, both private and public sector was the main contributor to this improvement in new work, with the sub-sector benefiting from a 5.4% rise. The positive house-building figures follow the release of separate research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. The latest statistics from the National House Building Council (NHBC) show there were 12,459 new homes registered for construction in April –

a 4% increase on the same period last year, when 11,985 homes were registered. Of these, 9,268 were in the private sector – up from 8,955 in April 2014 – while 3,191 were in the public sector, up from 3,030. Registrations during the three months of February to April were up by 20% on the same period last year, with 41,307 new homes recorded compared with 34,451 in 2014. This comes after NHBC reported strong first-quarter growth earlier this month. The surge in house building while welcome is putting pressure on potential sites for building, in a recent report the BBC revealed that there has been a fivefold rise in the number of housing developments being approved on greenbelt land over the past 5 years. The increase, in England, means that the total number of homes receiving greenbelt planning permission has jumped from 2,258 in 2009/10 to 11,977 over 2014/15.The broadcaster said there was notably a sizeable increase between 2013/14 and last year, with the approvals figure going up from 5,607 over the period. The 14 areas designated as greenbelt land have traditionally been ring fenced to guard against urban sprawl, and comprise approximately 13 per cent of land in England.

As a nation we value highly our green areas, and building policies suggesting they should only be developed in circumstances deemed “exceptional”, receive widespread popular support. Speaking to the BBC, Professor Paul Cheshire from the London School of Economics said England’s existing “housing land shortage” could be addressed by using only “a tiny amount of the least environmentally attractive greenbelt”. The BBC has also reported on figures from the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which has indicated that 34,000 homes have already been proposed across Hertfordshire’s greenbelts alone. Brandon Lewis, the Government’s Housing and Planning Minister, responded to the findings by saying that councils have the power to decide on local greenbelts. Speaking on Radio 4, he stated: “It is very much a matter for those local authorities. They are the best placed people locally - democratically accountable locally - to decide where the right location for any development is.” As demand for housing continues to rise both in England and other parts of the UK, different types and styles of housing that take up less space must be considered. Space will always need to be found to meet our housing needs, and while greenbelt and other undeveloped land is an attractive option for developers, there are numerous brownfield sites which while needing remediation should be the preferred option, if we wish to keep our land “Green and Pleasant.”

33405 AP_HorseWorld 06/07/2015 11:14 Page 1

think recruitment ears y 0 1 g in t a r b le e C From fledgling business to one of central England’s most successful construction recruiters in just 10 years - no wonder the team at Think Recruitment are ready to party. A big celebration for the team at Think, who have reached a successful and dynamic decade in business, was a must for the Birmingham based company who pride themselves in not only being creative in their industry, but also in being determined to have fun while doing a great job.

BIRMINGHAM CONSTRUCTION RECRUITMENT BUSINESS CELEBRATE IMPORTANT MILESTONE AND CONTINUE TO BUILD A BRIGHT FUTURE

the best out of people, making for a more productive workplace which in turn benefits our clients and candidates.” Think Recruitment is made up of lots of divisions, run by specialist consultants who are trained within that specific sector. The sectors covered include: building contracting, trades and labour, civil engineering, fit out, housing, FM and maintenance, as well as architectural and design, mechanical and electrical along with executive recruitment. No matter the brief, each is handled the ‘Think Recruitment’ way - one based on building trustworthy relationships with clients and candidates which has a proven 90% repeat business rate. “We don’t believe in overselling and under achieving. Our clients value us because we find them the right candidates by clearly understanding their brief and simply offering an honest and time effective service,” says consultant George Runham. With ongoing training and support programmes available, plus an inbuilt understanding of the need for continuous improvement, Think Recruitment ensures that clients and candidates are only ever dealing with people at the top of their game. Think Recruitment has continued to grow from strength to strength, and even saw an increase in its offering during the recession despite specialising in a sector which was one of the hardest hit.

It’s a winning formula for the business that has its offices in the iconic Fort Dunlop building. It is now the go-to firm for construction professionals seeking their ideal role. A recruitment service that believes in strong relationships and trust with its candidates, clients and staff. Becky Hamilton, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator said, “We enjoy socialising as a team and creating a fun and comfortable working environment. Our office has a ‘dinerstyle’ kitchen, pool table and TV, ensuring that our team enjoys a real break. We think it gets

Managing Director Darren Isles commented, “Because of the ongoing uncertainty within the recession, what our clients really appreciated was flexibility. With this in mind, we launched a freelance division which has now developed into a multi-million pound turnover business.” Following on from this success, Think has also doubled the size of its office and established new divisions in 2015. These include architecture, FM and maintenance and fit out which have already seen unprecedented demand. Think Recruitment plans to see these firmly established over the next 12 months. Darren goes on to say. “In the future we are also hoping to expand our team from 30 to around 50 employees and, while we are very proud of our Birmingham roots, we are looking to establish locations further afield of the Midlands, in Manchester and London,”

To find out more about Think Recruitment and its recruitment opportunities, visit www.thinkrecruitment.co.uk or telephone 0121 411 9977 LinkedIn: Think Recruitment Twitter: @thinkrecruit 40

33493 1pg_HorseWorld 16/07/2015 11:26 Page 1

StairBox also offer competitive nationwide delivery to your door ready for installation, in as little as 7-10days. Once you have placed your order with StairBox they will contact you with a delivery date and time, and their punctual drivers are always willing to lend a helping hand.

StairBox the bespoke UK timber staircase manufacturer has moved to a new manufacturing facility three times the size of its previous Sandyford site. The move to Gordon Banks Drive, Stoke-on-Trent which will allow the business to invest in additional machinery to boost lead times and enable its rapid expansion, has been enabled in part thanks to a Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Jobs and Growth Fund grant.

Service is very important to StairBox, and Managing Director Vaughn Steele is proud that they have been able to manage their growth without any lessening of their service commitment to their customers.

The new central location next to the Britannia Stadium provides brilliant access and means that they can not only purchase new machinery but create a much requested showroom.

Likewise, in responding to feedback from their customers, StairBox’s sister company TA Windows is moving into the same premises creating a one-stop shop for timber windows, doors and stairs.

StairBox which provides a superb range of staircases across Great Britain in a variety of styles and materials, started life as AVC Classic Woodworkers founded by Andrew, Vaughn and Clive working out of a small rented workshop in Longton back in 1994.

Director Alex Hancock said: “These are exciting times for StairBox and TA Windows, both for our staff and customers. This new factory allows our pace of growth to continue as well as giving us the freedom to create new products and develop into the future.”

Today, with the help of Andrew’s Sons Alex and Thomas, as well as Vaughn’s Son Robert, they have grown into a large player in the UK Staircase market with massive year on year growth. The company rebranded as StairBox in 2008 and began to focus on online sales allowing customers to design their own flights online. This focus on the online strategy has spearheaded the business’s expansion, though in recent years the firm has broken into the commercial sector as well, providing hundreds of flights a week for large scale projects across Great Britain.

STREAMING INNOVATION

StairBox.com has pioneered new ways of giving customers more power and information, providing customers with the powerful tools that allows them to design and create their products online. You can design your dream staircase from a fantastic range of timbers, timber and glass, timber and metal, in traditional or ultra-modern designs with the help of the web site, Stairbox.com, and then buy online, at reasonable rates. They also have an extensive range of wooden Stair Parts including Spindles, Handrail, Chrome & Glass Balustrade and much more.

Gordon Banks Drive

WWW.SCMGROUP.COM

StairBox.com 01782 832555 Trentham Lakes Stoke-on-Trent

. Staffs . ST4 4TW 41

33367 3pg_HorseWorld 15/07/2015 12:24 Page 1

BROOKE SMITH

PLANNING

Congratulations to Louise Brooke-Smith on being awarded Outstanding Woman in Construction 2015. Louise is a frequent speaker on property matters at conferences and seminars on the global stage. She is passionate about diversity and inclusivity across the built environment sector and reflecting this, she was awarded the coveted ‘National Woman in Construction’ title by the Women on their Way (WOW) organisation in 2010. This year she has also been shortlisted by the CBI this year as a leader in the 'Built Environment'.

We spoke to Louise Brooke-Smith, a Director of Brooke Smith Planning, to congratulate her on becoming the first female Global President of the RICS in 147 years, and on being awarded Outstanding Woman in Construction 2015. Louise is delighted by both accolades, and paid a graceful tribute to her team and to the RICS saying that, “I could not have undertaken the RICS role without the help and support of everyone in the practice nor without a fabulous team at the RICS. I was honoured to have been appointed Global President of the RICS last year and have thoroughly enjoyed the ambassadorial role for the past 12 months. In partnership with the CEO and Executive Team, we have been setting the strategic direction and leading the Institution across the land, property and construction sectors worldwide. In simple terms that means advocating professional ethics and international standards. Those are the elements that help the marketplace and our clients have confidence in using a chartered surveyor, wherever they might be in the world." When we asked what the recent construction award meant to her she said "it was a fantastic surprise and again I felt very honoured. There are some fabulous women working across the built environment and so the award was truly humbling."

Louise is keen to encourage talented people to think of making a career in the built environment and stressed the range of career options open from all aspects relating to property and construction. These can include project management, valuation, quantity and building surveying, geomatics, planning and even auctioneering. Careers can take you from managing some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the world to looking for lost airplanes; from planning new settlements to valuing shopping centres. The list is as varied as the people the industry needs to attract. Social awareness is a key consideration among the team and Brooke Smith Planning have been working with both with Midland Heart and Central England Co-operative Limited, on a variety of projects for a number of years.

33367 3pg_HorseWorld 15/07/2015 12:24 Page 2

We asked about any current projects of which they are especially proud. Louise said, “This year the team has secured a number of milestone consents across the UK. While we are always pleased when a schemes is successful, sometimes it's the smaller cases where a point of principle has been challenged or the vagaries of the planning systems have been pushed to its limits - but then common sense prevails - that means more to us as professionals.

SCHOFIELD EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS We provide advice to employers and employees on the full range of employment law issues. We are experts in ensuring that businesses are compliant with the complexity of the changing world of employment legislation. For more information on how Schofield and Associates may be able to assist you please contact us on our webpages or by calling Eileen, contact details below. Contact Eileen Schofield our Principal Solicitor 01564 739 103 eileen.schofield@schofieldandassociates.co.uk www.schofieldandassociates.co.uk

“Recently the practice has gained consent for an exciting new city centre building to house the Birmingham Conservatoire. The relocation of the Conservatoire from its current home at Paradise Forum is being driven by the imminent redevelopment of the area “The new facility will open in 2017 and the landmark building in Eastside will become a key music venue in the city centre,

Milverton Villas 6 Wilsons Road Knowle Solihull B93 0HZ

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33367 3pg_HorseWorld 15/07/2015 12:25 Page 3

creating state of the art accommodation for music students. It will also provide five performance venues, including a public concert hall”. We asked what motivated her, “Planning is challenging and at times very frustrating but that makes the work even more exciting because a professional, realistic approach can make all the difference to a client, whether they are a major blue chip operator, a community group or a single landowner just wanting the system to work properly and achieve a viable and attractive development where nothing existed before. It's what makes us get up in the morning!”

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33390 QPD_HorseWorld 14/05/2015 16:31 Page 1

Midland Heart - 90 Years of Affordable Housing, Care and Opportunity. 2015 sees one of the largest providers of affordable housing and care services in the Midlands, Birmingham based Midland Heart, celebrate 90 years since it was first created in 1925. Midland Heart grew from small community organisations in the 1920s - borne out of their first legacy organisation COPEC, which successfully campaigned to improve Birmingham’s slum housing and drive for clearance - to the 33,000 properties they have today. Midland Heart provides one of the largest choices of affordable housing and high quality aspirational housing in Birmingham and wider midlands.

Award Winning Homes

Midland Heart takes its environmental responsibilities seriously across all aspects of its business and was recently recognised through the SHIFT benchmarking scheme, the national environmental award for housing associations, for the quality of its homes and the environmental effectiveness of its business operations.

Over the last few years Midland Heart has created award winning developments and innovative housing schemes in Birmingham, which include Dorridge Gate, The Snow Hill and Crocodile Works.

Dorridge Gate

Dorridge Gate is located off Four Ashes Road , Solihull B93 8LY, and is the perfect place to call home for any first time buyer. Nestled in the aspirational town of Solihull, this location offers everything from countryside, to an abundance of shops, restaurants and pubs and fantastic transport links to Birmingham City Centre and London.

The Snow Hill

The Snow Hill combines modern living with a rich heritage to offer 4 floors of studio and one-bedroom apartments in a prime city centre location on the edge of the financial district. Each individually styled apartment boasts an open-plan living and kitchen area and shower/toilet room. Some apartments are also en-suite. With its Wi-Fi enabled ground floor and on-site coffee shop, the Frost and Snow cupcake bakery, the Snow Hill café provides the perfect place to relax and unwind, whether you’re enjoying a fresh cup of coffee, catching up with friends or shopping online. The great location and facilities are shared by people who are moving on from experiences of homelessness and who receive support services.

Crocodile Works The Snow Hill

Crocodile Works

Midland Heart... Celebrating 90 Years of providing high quality affordable housing We are proud to support Brooke Smith Planning and delighted to congratulate Louise Brooke-Smith – named Outstanding Woman in Construction in this year’s Women in Construction Awards. To find out more about Midland Heart sales, please call our hotline on 0800 44 55 67 or email us at sales@midlandheart.org.uk or visit: Midlandheart.org.uk

Crocodile Works is an inspirational residential scheme in Newtown comprising of contemporary apartments and townhouses only minutes from Birmingham City Centre. The development enjoys cityscape views, the homes are spacious, light and airy and the specification is fashionably stylish. At Crocodile Works, you can enjoy the convenience of city living without the City Centre prices. Ruth Cooke, Chief Executive Officer Midland Heart said: “Crocodile Works is a great example of what Midland Heart is all about; the development has transformed the area of Newtown - not only by providing affordable homes but also in helping to create a community and making it an enjoyable place to live.”

To find out which properties we have available for outright purchase, please call the Midland Heart sales hotline on 0800 445567 or email us at sales@midlandheart.org.uk Or visit: Midlandheart.org.uk 45

33385 DPS_HorseWorld 20/05/2015 14:25 Page 1

Air and Ground, who serve the aviation industry, have streamlined their operation under three main headings, Warehousing, Distribution and Inventory Management.

Whatever sort of aviation items you need to store and distribute, from large or awkward items, including vehicles, aircraft, and containers to aviation spare parts including wing components for the A380 Air Bus. Air and Ground can handle it.

With over 16 years’ experience in the management of Logistics processes from storing and handling consignments to the supply chain of small to large items, they can both store and distribute, using their detailed computer system and highly qualified and experienced staff.

Their efficient service will save cost and trouble by avoiding additional premises costs for storage, enabling you to make better use of your own floor space, reducing staffing costs - no need to employ and train appropriately qualified staff, and eliminating the need to hire, purchase and maintain specialist lifting equipment, fork lift trucks etc.

Air and Ground has access to a number of secure facilities with differing capabilities to best suit any business requirements and minimise your company’s expenditure and maximise its profitability. They believe in providing an excellent service, managing your materials and their distribution to your best advantage.

Why should you choose Air and Ground for your warehousing and distribution? First and foremost efficiency, their outstanding Logistics include: • Next day shipment to NATO countries • Worldwide Export Capability

• Packaging standards exceeding MILSTD and JSP Kitting capability to enhance your production times

Using Air and Ground will facilitate all aspects of your entire operation, with critical parts and products held at the ready, and easy drop off and call off plans; all designed to enable you to meet your planning and production needs seamlessly, resulting in improved customer service. A key concern for many of us is security, but clients Air and Ground take care of everything, their bonded facilities are compliant with the regulations covering hazardous materials, they are covered by JSP (the MOD regulations covering the secure storage of service personnel’s effects) and ITAR (International Traffic in Arms). They are thus able to offer complete security of both materials and data, their facilities being monitored by 24 hour CCTV and security alarmed by ADT. The future is looking bright for Air and Ground as they take off into a new chapter in their story. M.D. Ian Dodds is excited about the company’s future and their smart new corporate image, and he is delighted by the rapid growth they are currently experiencing, developing new business and successfully negotiating new distribution agreements.

Get in touch to see what they can do for your company, you’ll soon be wondering why you didn’t get in touch with them before.

• Improved lead times to supplying your client’s needs

• Just in Time (JIT) solutions for you and your customers • Marine and cargo third party liability insurance • Virtual customer control with full tracking

• Latest stock control and bar coding system

• Strategically located near major UK airports and motorways

• Trained, experienced and friendly staff • Capability to market your surplus and excesses

Air & Ground Ltd | Aviation House | London Road Shirleywich | Staffordshire | ST18 0PN

airandground.com or call 01889 271777 warehousing@airandground.com

33385 DPS_HorseWorld 20/05/2015 14:25 Page 2

33375 3pg_HorseWorld 16/07/2015 12:38 Page 1

50 years of making the right connections Electrical Engineers and Contractors, KD Electrical, was founded in 1965, by Ken Dimmock and has remained in family ownership with Ken’s son Kevin, now at the helm.

and a number of trusted sub-contractors they have worked with for many years. When we asked Kevin why he thought the business had been so successful over so many years, he said, “We like to think our secret to success is a low staff turnover and our “the customer comes first attitude”, trying at all time to offer a top customer service - Small enough to care, large enough to cope”. As a result the company has grown an extensive client list, through which they have built up a good reputation for service and efficiency retaining many their customers for many years.

The company offers a wide range of services including: • 24 hour breakdown

• Electrical Installations

• Machinery relocation/installation • Lighting This July will see the company’s 50th anniversary being celebrated by the family and their team some of whom have been with the firm for over 30 years. The small, friendly, family run business is based in the heart of the Black Country, and has 10 members of full time staff

• Distribution/HV

• Property Maintenance

• Electrical Inspections/EICR/PAT The company also specialise in a wide range of security solutions and fire protection.

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Congratulations to KD Electrical on your 50th anniversary Contact us today

Kev 07702 495108 Robbie 07803 590826 doulton.kb@gmail.com

33375 3pg_HorseWorld 16/07/2015 12:39 Page 2

As the business grew, Kevin found that he was frequently asked to recommend other trades, such as plumbers and builders. The company is always willing to help their customers so they decided to open their sister company, KD Property Maintenance. KD Property Maintenance has been a great success, enabling Kevin and the team to manage more of their customers’ larger projects such as complete factory moves/renovations, as well as just assisting customers with general property maintenance. Kevin is really pleased with the success of KD Property Maintenance, saying “We feel that this has helped us retain some of our larger customers, as we can cater for all of their needs offering a ‘one stop shop’.” They have been proud to work on some big contracts for

CEW Congratulations to KD Electrical on your 50th Anniversary

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Hollingsworth&Co char tered accountants

Keeping your business in shape

A BUSINESS WITH NO SIGN

SIGN IS A SIGN OF NO BUSINESS!!

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Helping businesses & individuals for 25 years Hollingsworth and Co. is one of the Midlands most progressive firms of Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors. Serviced from our centrally located Telford offices, our clients include individuals plus small, medium and large enterprises located across central England and Wales.

Our services include: Payroll Book-keeping Annual Accounts Self Assessment Business Start Ups Business Planning

Raising Finance Management Accounts Company Secretarial Tax Planning Wealth Management And Much More

We are the specialist sign makers and printers, in the West Midlands. identifying the particular needs of each customer and will offer cost-effective options in the design, production and application of image enhancing graphics. Signs Screen Printing Van Livery Printed Garments Full Colour Outdoor Graphics Pavement Signs Magnetic Signs Safety Signs Stationery We are proud to support KD the best for the future.

Electrical and would like to wish them all

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33375 3pg_HorseWorld 16/07/2015 12:39 Page 3

demonstrating the savings achievable in their running costs with new LED lighting compared with their current lighting.

Wolverhampton Homes (Wolverhampton MBC) and Severn Waste Services (Hereford and Worcester MBC.) Also, in response to customer requests due to the rise theft and vandalism they have expanded their range of security products into a dedicated security division that will help with the best ways to secure and protect premises such as Alarms, CCTV and Monitoring.

Kevin is determined to keep KD Electrical on the front foot, and tells us “We are always looking to expand our knowledge, portfolio of services and keep up to date with current technologies”.

We would like to wish KD Electrical every success for the future Your local electrical wholesalers, specialising in security, CCTV, LED lighting, general wiring accessories, electric showers & much more...

0121 471 1991 Committed to quality local service Elliott Road, Birmingham B29 6LA

Always ready to respond to their customer’s needs, they have introduced a free lighting design scheme service for businesses

sales@sparkyselectricalsupplies.co.uk

www.kdelectricalltd.co.uk 50

33415 AP_HorseWorld 13/07/2015 16:48 Page 1

mse

Focus on Installation MSE have been one of Birmingham’s leading mechanical and electrical services providers for more than three decades, but they are perhaps best known as expert installers and servicers of commercial and industrial air conditioning systems. Though most of their customers come from the West and East Midlands they offer these services UK-wide, and have an impressive client list including Rolls Royce, JLR, Airbus, Vauxhall, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, B&Q and the Coventry City Council among many others.

MSE is a True One-Stop Shop One of MSE’s big advantages is that they are skilled, experienced electrical contractors in their own right. This allows MSE to ensure faster, higher quality and less expensive installation or upgrades to your HVAC equipment, as the installers can work hand-in-hand with the contractor team from the planning stages right through to turning over the finished job. This results in fewer delays and miscommunications and saves you time, money and headaches down the line.

Independent Expert Service

When choosing which equipment to make such a large investment in, experience is key to making the right selection. MSE is an independent operation, and therefore can offer you an extremely wide range of HVAC options, as well as independent and impartial advice as to which system is truly right for you. They have more than 30 years in the industry, and they know that HVAC is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Whether you are multi-national corporation or an SME, though, MSE can steer you towards exactly what you need.

In addition to commercial air conditioning installation and maintenance, MSE provides a range of related services, including: Electrical Services for all commercial and industrial premises including schools, hospitals, offices, banks, factories, hotels and warehouses. • Access Control, Door Entry and Security Systems No matter what the nature of your business, your HVAC systems are critical to your productivity, and installation and maintenance people who are acknowledged experts are the key to trouble-free operation and less facility downtime. MSE have the training and experience to provide exactly that. They are recognised as approved installers of both Daikin air conditioning and Mitsubishi Electric HVAC equipment, and their work is covered by 5-year manufacturer’s warranties in most instances.

MSE can handle virtually any type of commercial, industrial or public building HVAC installation, including • data centres or server rooms • factories of all kinds

• offices and commercial spaces • production space

• retail stores and outlets

• warehouses and logistics facilities • workshops and other facilities

• Emergency Lighting and Fire Alarms

• Service and maintenance packages are available

Data Networks and Infrastructure, designing and installing or upgrading the vital data networks that underlie nearly any modern commercial or industrial property • Fibre Optic • Wireless • CAT5/6

Renewable Energy Systems of all kinds, which can reduce or eliminate heating, electrical and lighting costs, and reduce your carbon footprint • Solar/PV & Thermal

• Energy Saving Lighting

• Air Source Heat Pumps by Daikin Altherma • Energy Monitoring

Call: 0800 0343913 Email: sales@mse-uk.com

www.mse-uk.com

33322 HPD_HorseWorld 27/05/2015 15:20 Page 1

improved delivery times and even higher levels of quality, while the good news for AW Precision is that in the four months since the machine arrived, inquiries from an increasingly diverse field are rising and new business lines are opening for the business.” This purchase, part of a £600,000 investment programme on plant and machinery in the last year has been a bold move for AW Precision and is part of an ongoing investment into new technology starting when the company estab-lished in 1971.

The arrival of a brand new grinding machine is powering Rugby’s AW Precision forward to a whole new level! Already a long established manufacturer of punch and die products in the UK and Europe, the €300,000 Studer S33 Grinding machine means the business can now offer ultra-high precision components, helping towards bringing back business to Britain. “We can now compete with other European manufacturers back in the UK domestic market while still remaining competitive and flexible,” explains Busi-ness Development Manager Andy Whitworth. “We believe there are many benefits with this acquisition for our existing cus-tomer base with

As a result it has grown from a small factory in the village of Dunchurch, Warwickshire to a £6.3million-a-year international business with a record of con-tinuous and solid growth in the heart of the UK Manufacturing base. As the market changes drastically for the better, the latest investment sees AW Precision poised to reap the rewards of increased confidence. “It’s taken us out of our comfort zone and put us on the fast track to success. We’re getting enquiries from all over Europe and beyond in our core product and high precision work,” Andy reports. “It’s very exciting!” For more information about AW Precision, its products and services, visit www.awprecision.co.uk Alternatively call 01788 542271 or email sales@awprecision.co.uk

33349 AP_HorseWorld 15/07/2015 10:01 Page 1

locations in the Midlands. Indeed, we pride ourselves on our role as a local employer and invest heavily in developing the skills of our employees, which benefits not just our customers but also the local community.” “However to fulfil our expansion plans, we need to extend the team further and we anticipate employing many more people worldwide by the end of the year, if the current run rate and pipeline business is anything to go by.”

Building a Quality Future Göbel & Partner (G&P) has already achieved widespread recognition as a leading name in quality management and is now set upon ambitious plans for the future. The company has confirmed extraordinary growth in recent years, achieved against the backdrop of the recession. Now, as manufacturing continues to rise, the West Midlandsbased company is well placed to meet demand for efficient and effective total quality management solutions.

G&P offers a range of roles to suit all levels of experience, and runs successful apprentice and graduate schemes. In addition to needing quality inspectors and technicians with a keen understanding of world-class manufacturing, the company headquarters in Walsall also offers recruitment opportunities in finance, marketing, administration and other areas. “We’ve a great deal to offer the right candidates, as the nature of our business presents ambitious, talented employees with opportunities to work overseas or develop their careers into management roles,” promises Dino Kyriacou. With employment growth high on G&Ps agenda, the firm has taken its specific recruitment needs more seriously, and launched ‘Vivate Recruitment’, an agency created as part of the larger group to provide specific contract services for G&P, while also building a portfolio of its own independent clients. “Potential employees can contact Vivate for an effective route to our positions, and information regarding the skills we’re looking for to create more jobs in Midlands.”

To learn more about G&P and its services go to

www.gpqm.com e: info@gpqm.com t: 01922 458003

G&P has found a lucrative niche in successfully assisting leading international manufacturers, as well as their key suppliers, to achieve their world-class standards. The firm is already a major supplier to the automotive and aerospace sector and is now looking to further integrate with the supply chains in these industries, armed with substantial growth figures to impress prospective partners. Just three years ago, G&P comprised 400 staff worldwide. That figure has increased dramatically; as of June 2015, the company employs 1,300 people.The growth has been fuelled by new business wins, the development of existing relationships and the rapid expansion of the business to meet customers’ global requirements with new ventures in countries as diverse as China, Slovakia and Singapore. According to company founder and group chairman Dino Kyriacou, this is only the beginning. “Over 50% of our employees hold positions in the UK,” he continues, “with more than half of those based at several

About G&P

Headquartered in Walsall with offices in another 11 countries, G&P employs more than 1,300 employees. The company’s customer base includes some of the world’s best known automotive, aerospace and manufacturing companies, who all benefit from G&P’s specialist Quality Excellence consultancy. For the past two years, G&P has been included in the London Stock Exchange’s prestigious 1000 Companies to Inspire Britain Report and also recognised by Real Business as part of the Hot 100 Companies in the UK. Group turnover is forecast at £45 million, up from £28 million in 2014.

33426 AP_HorseWorld 23/06/2015 10:18 Page 1

Accurate Laser Cutting

Fibre laser technology arrives at Accurate Laser Cutting h{} HFFOEKKN

Accurate Laser Cutting will now be able to reap the benefits of their latest technological investments & expansion plans thanks to the arrival of their brand new fibre laser cutting equipment. The installation of the state-of-the-art machinery at their Oldbury premises will complete their £1.6 million pound investment package & make them the first manufacturing company in the UK to take ownership of a 6kW BySprint 4020 Fiber laser from leading industry suppliers Bystronic.

He continues: “Fibre laser cutting represents the future of the laser cutting industry as a whole because it increases the quality of the cut across a range of thicknesses & will significantly raise levels of productivity. We are particularly keen to diversify into the copper and brass market, as this is an area our competitors are unable to fully cater for without the power of 6Kw fibre technology. We are now capable of processing thicknesses of up to five times quicker than our rivals who currently use Co2 laser equipment”.

The company, who specialise in laser cutting & pressbraking sheet metal, is also celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a range of other breakthrough investments, including a £500,000 expansion plan that has doubled the size of their headquarters & the launch of a brand new dedicated pressbrake & quality check centre.

As a result of their investment in fibre laser technology, Accurate Laser Cutting are now in a position to offer an increased thickness range to their customers which now includes 30mm Aluminium, 15mm Brass, 12mm Copper & 25mm for Mild & Stainless steels.

In an ambitious move that is likely to open up new markets and attract a wider customer base, their decision to invest in the 6kW Fiber laser from Bystronic aims to set new industry standards by offering their customers improved efficiency, previously unseen cutting speeds & the highest levels of precision. The advanced cutting equipment has the ability to process 4x2m sheet metal both quickly & economically and will operate in conjunction with the opening of their recently new pressbrake facility to offer their customers a complete metal profiling service.

Jon Till, Director of Accurate Laser Cutting explained:

“We have always made it our core priority to invest in the very latest production technologies & are proud to be the first in the UK to take possession of a 4x2m 6kW Fiber laser from Bystronic.” “The laser will boost our cutting capacity up to four meters & offer a significant improvement in our capabilities when compared against traditional Co2 cutting methods.”

A significant improvement in lead times is just one of many benefits that the new fibre technology is set to offer Accurate Laser Cuttings customer base. The company currently operates on a rapid 4 hour quotation service and a maximum 3 day turn around for most orders, but due to the equipment’s phenomenal cutting speeds, it is anticipated that these lead times will be diminished even further for customers, offering unrivalled service levels with no compromise on quality.

For more information on Accurate Laser Cuttings specialist metal profiling service please visit www.accurate-laser.co.uk or call 0121 5202444

33541 1pg_Transport Warehousing 17/07/2015 15:23 Page 1

Planning a conference or an event? The key questions are what for, for how many, where, how is it to be managed, and what is your budget? There is no point in going to the trouble and expense of staging any event unless the event is successful and fulfils the brief, part of which must be to see a return on investment. You also want it to be memorable, for the right reasons, and to make the most of this motivational opportunity. While your choice of venue will depend on the purpose for which the event is held and your budget, the venue should also reflect the style and content of your conference, remember image is all. Decide what how many people are likely to attend and what sort of event you want to hold. Is it a conference requiring theatre type accommodation or a large auditorium, or a smaller meeting style space; most specialist venues have a range of flexible accommodation from large auditoria, theatre spaces, and meeting rooms. Do you also require break-out spaces, and side rooms for one to one discussions? What about outdoor space, for team games and competitions? There is a huge choice of possible venues, from stately homes, dining pubs, restaurants, halls and hotels, to some you may not have considered, such as golf clubs, theatres, breweries, steam trains, narrowboats, racecourses, racetracks and

sporting stadiums, it seems that anywhere with catering facilities that has sufficient space is offering corporate hospitality these days. Whether a major, whole company event for a few hundred people, a motivational, action packed team building weekend, a convivial get together for award winners, or a discrete board meeting away from base, whatever the purpose of your event, there will be an ideal venue somewhere nearby. The next question is how is it to be managed? There are numerous event management companies who will, at a price, take over the whole responsibility of running a successful event for you. In the case of a large event, because, you are short of time, not a trained conference organiser, and they tend to have beneficial arrangements with the venues and speakers on their books, you may well decide that the outlay is justified. For something smaller, most venues, especially hotels, have dedicated conference and event organisers on hand who will be only too happy to do everything for you as part of the service, just tell them what your budget is and what you want, then wait for the ideas to come rolling in. A key element in any conference from the largest down to a few like-minded individuals meeting over a business lunch is the catering. A carefully organised

function, with first rate speakers, can be spoiled by poor food. People will remember that rubber chicken, overcooked sprouts and cold gravy, long after the content of the speeches. Check what is on offer, and if possible try it. These days choice is important, so buffet style can work well, but for a more formal sit-down affair, ensure that there is a vegetarian option, and that the venue is aware of any special dietary requirements. Whether to serve alcohol with the food can be a vexed question and providing the main business of the meeting is concluded, a moderate amount is considered acceptable, but in these days when the breathalyser rules, also provide plenty of water and soft drinks, tea and coffee. Many companies are choosing to video their conferences; for the best results consult a professional, much more bang for your buck, and useable footage for training and motivational purposes afterwards. To get the best value from your event set your goals carefully, make a checklist, and before you sign on the dotted line, run over your list with a colleague. Once it is all over, go back to your list, run through the video and decide what went well, and what could have been done better.

33321 AP_HorseWorld 11/05/2015 11:13 Page 1

CONFERENCE

OXFORD Calling all conference and meeting organisers looking to find the perfect venue for an industry conference or event.

Finding somewhere different, or simply somewhere that can provide all the facilities your conference requires is becoming increasingly challenging despite the huge range of potential venues. In line with our improving economy, companies have much to celebrate, and many wish to reward their team now business is improving by holding a cross company conference or “state of the company address” in a setting that underlines the improved climate.

Conference Oxford represents 53 colleges and university venues and is the one stop shop to help you to find venues that combine the heritage of an ancient university with the splendours of modern architecture and state-of-the-art facilities. Conference Oxford offers rich variety amongst its member venues and great value for money.

St Hugh's

There is much to consider; the purpose of the event, location, access, facilities, catering, room sizes and layouts, to say nothing of the availability of suitable overnight accommodation nearby. The Oxford Colleges and University have it all. There are few places offering the variety that Oxford can – from meeting rooms in centuriesold colleges to modern lecture theatres seating hundreds of delegates. Add in top-class dining and thousands of college bedrooms and you have the perfect mix.

St Catz - Bernard Sunley Theatre

Together, the university and colleges make up a vast campus that can adapt to the biggest or smallest needs. Imagine holding your meeting, conference or product launch in the inspiring surroundings of Oxford. The name alone breathes prestige and is synonymous with world class educational facilities which easily translate into some of the most modern lecture and meeting facilities in the country. While the setting, technical and practical aspects of your conference are understandably superb, the “inner delegate” is certainly not forgotten. The college chefs are accustomed to catering for the most discerning tastes, and professionally trained staff at all venues are on hand to ensure your event meets your expectations.

They are the central conference marketing enquiry point for the University of Oxford and the colleges and can help you to organise a memorable event; whether a small day meeting, or a large residential conference for upwards of 500 people. Discuss your requirements with a member of the team and they will make suggestions and perform the introductions to the college of your choice. Conference Oxford also recently announced a new bespoke service for large conferences which combine more than one college at a time. This allows Conference Organisers to pick from the best options in terms of spaces, dining and accommodation across the city so that their conference exactly meets their needs. Conference Oxford will liaise with the different venues directly, making the whole process as simple and easy as possible.

The website www.conference-oxford.com has images of the stunning locations available within the colleges and further details about what is on offer. Find out more by visiting the website, or get in touch on 01865 276190 or enquiries@conference-oxford.ox.ac.uk

33391 AP_HorseWorld 06/07/2015 12:22 Page 1

beinspired

bif

F I L M S

Using video and live streaming to leverage the value of your event: Filming your conference or event is a great idea, but will your audience really watch back content that may last hours, even a whole day and is that the best use of your money? We have all sat through enough mind numbingly boring videos of events to know there must be a better way. There is. Be Inspired Films, a multi-award winning production company based in Birmingham, has developed innovative ways to capture your event using video and live streaming so that knowledge can be shared, inspiration can be gained and the value of your event lives on. Ravinol Chambers, Founder of Be Inspired says “Think about what you want to achieve by filming the conference. Rather than recording the whole event would it not be better to highlight the most pertinent aspects, maybe to interview speakers and delegates, and ask them what they found most useful and enjoyable about the event? This deceptively simple approach can capture the essence of your function and bring the whole event to life in a highly watchable format” Discuss your ideas. You will find Be Inspired Films friendly and approachable with a can do attitude, never intimidating, and never forgetting who the customer is. Rather like a trusted friend who just happens to have the technical knowhow to produce top quality professional films tailored to your requirements. A trademark product, the '3 Minute Promo Video’ captures the key messages and the great atmosphere of your event with dynamic visuals and engaging interviews. A fantastic promotional tool to get people to your next event and engage with your content! Depending on the size and scope of the event they often send multiple cameramen and a producer to cover the event, so that when your film is put together the different angles and aspects can be brought together into a compelling final piece. If you want to reach and engage a national or international audience, they can film and live stream the event too, a brilliant way of engaging wider participation, for instance at a TEDx talk given in the Royal Albert hall, with 5,000 delegates in the Hall they LIVE directed and mixed 7 cameras, enabling 8,000 people from 66 countries to experience a TV quality experience on the web in real time. Streaming live content has the great advantage of immediacy. Each year they work with the Ethical Fashion Forum on their Summit and whereas there may be 200-300 in the room, there is often up to 1,000 watching on line who are also taking part in the discussions through twitter.

The live stream can be embedded into your company’s own website and they can also set up pay per view if you wish to monetise the content as well as on demand viewing after the event. Be Inspired Films is the brainchild of Ravinol Chambers, a psychology graduate who holds an MBA Master’s Degree in Business and Venture Philanthropy. Ravinol started the company to enable people and organisations to share their stories with the world. He has a particular interest in great stories with social impact, fundraising for charities and has maintained a social ethos throughout his business activities. He said “I wanted to build a proper business and to see a social good.” He says that the current climate is making that easier as even large companies are becoming more socially aware.

It would be difficult to overemphasise their professionalism and attention to detail, working to the highest possible production values; they produce outstanding work, presenting your business and your event exactly as you would wish. No challenge is too great, from creating bespoke online channels with regular video content to engage and inspire your delegates, to powerful tailored videos to inform and inspire, Be Inspired Films have filmed hundreds of events in the UK and beyond. You will be in safe hands.

TELL YOUR STORY visit www.beinspiredfilms.co.uk call 0121 364 1088 or email hello@beinspiredfilms.com You can also catch up with all the latest news and events through our busy social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

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Stapleford Park – Offering conferencing with a difference. This is truly a place like no other. Set in 500 acres of parkland originally created by the legendary Capability Brown, Stapleford Park is the perfect venue for meetings, team activities, product launches, entertaining clients or corporate celebration dinners.

spacious, peaceful and free from interference. Many successful corporate golf days are held here every year with a bespoke service offered each time.

The atmosphere is one of informal luxury, where houseguests experience a unique ambience full of rich warmth and friendliness, and in which the finest things of life can properly be enjoyed.

The Lifestyle Club is set in the converted Victorian stable block of the Stapleford Park estate, providing guests with the ultimate wellbeing experience incorporating holistic healing treatments. There are 7 individually designed therapy rooms, a ‘technogym’ and tennis courts. The Lifestyle Club also hosts frequent fitness classes. In the main house, guests can relax in the oasis of luxury and tranquillity that is the Stapleford’s swimming pool area, which includes a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.

Spa & Fitness

Dining

Dining at Stapleford Park is pure unadulterated indulgence, with a choice of fine dining in the award winning Grinling Gibbons dining room for an elegant evening, or the Pavilion Brasserie for a more relaxed and informal experience.

Events

Meeting Rooms This impressive house has centuries of meetings, some of which have shaped the course of British history. It boasts 12 fully appointed meeting rooms, each of which is flooded with natural sunlight. Better still, every room can be adapted to the requirements of any modern meeting with ease. Stapleford Park provides a warm welcome for attendees, and a calm space at the end of a productive board meeting. A wide variety of sports, leisure and fine dining options are also available.

Bedrooms

All 55 individually designed rooms reflect the style of their creators. Luminaries such as Mulberry, David Hicks and Crabtree & Evelyn have all contributed to the hotel’s distinctive style.

Corporate Golf

Designed by Donald Steel, the 18-hole championship golf course challenges even the most proficient of players. Never more than two holes wide, the whole course is exceptionally

Corporate product launches, large parties and celebrations of many kinds are often held in Stapleford Park’s Grand Hall, which can be transformed to a surprising degree to make every evening unique. Their experienced event co-ordinators know just how to create an event that is individually tailored in every way.

Country Sports

Stapleford Park has a long tradition of falconry, fishing, shooting and other classic British field sports. Other activities include target shooting, archery, horse riding, mountain biking and tennis. All of these events make perfect team building days, client hosting opportunities or just a bit of fun to mix up the stay. Whether planning high profile corporate hospitality, prestigious incentive awards, a leisurely weekend or a senior management meeting, Stapleford Park is the ultimate retreat to work and play. t. +44 (0) 1572 787 062 f. +44 (0) 1572 787 001 e. sales@stapleford.co.uk

Stapleford, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 2EF

www.stapleford.co.uk

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Purity opens up brewery meeting rooms for groups and businesses For anyone in need of a unique venue for meetings or conferences, award-winning craft beer specialist Purity Brewing Company is now providing meeting and away-day space at its brewery in the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. It is ideal for regional groups and businesses looking for an inspiring rural location away from the hustle and bustle of local towns and cities. Whether combined with a brewery tour, outdoor activities such as cycling or rambling, or simply a client meeting a little closer to nature, the brewery now offers a fantastic facility for all types of team building or business events.

The brewery offers free parking, break out rooms, Wi-Fi and a 70inch TV screen with full HDMI facilities, and can cater for groups of up to 20.

Freshly prepared food and a range of drinks, including Purity beers brewed on site, can be served in the visitor centre, and brewery tours are also available as part of the booking process.

Located just 15 minutes from Stratford upon Avon and only half an hour from Birmingham, the location is also a mecca for cyclists thanks to the abundance of stunning routes which lead to the farm in Great Alne. To find out more and book space for a meeting or event, contact Front of House Manager John Conod on 01789 488 007 or email john.conod@puritybrewing.com

Business with a Conscience 59

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Curve hospitality offers a wide selection of hot and cold catering menus - from light buffets to formal dinners - created by our inhouse Executive Chef. Curve’s events team will be on hand from enquiry to completion. With a wealth of experience in the corporate industry combined with a flair for gearing an exceptional venue to corporate events, we can help you to create a unique experience in a setting unlike any other.

What better venue to stage your special event than a modern, state of the art theatre? Curve, set in the cultural heart of Leicester, boasts some of the most unique conferencing, exhibition, seminar and banqueting facilities in the UK. The entirely flexible design encompasses a variety of spaces that can be adapted to any occasion; from a simple meeting to a conference with exhibition all under one roof. The stunning venue features an iconic 90m floating Mezzanine, which is surrounded by five stories of glass and is ideal for a reception of 350 pax. Among its 9 adaptable spaces Curve boasts a 902 pax auditorium with an independent 200sq m stage featuring 62 automated ‘flybars’ which load 2 tonnes each.

2014 has been an outstanding year for Curve, with an exciting artistic programme and a series of world class events which have seen Curve become the venue of choice for thought leaders in industry and the arts for seminars, events and conferences. At Curve corporate functions and hospitality, take equal importance with the artistic programme; rather than being just an add-on to the day to day life of the theatre, indeed, the creatives at Curve will bring that special touch of limelight to your event.

Their studio functions either as an independent space for 350 or can be combined with the Main Stage. Two Seminar Rooms provide 220pax, whilst three studio spaces complete the offering. All feature flown rigs, inbuilt AV, professional lighting and sound.

Curve Events have the essential duty of providing return to reduce the organisation’s reliance upon public subsidy whilst ensuring that the theatre continues to produce world leading art. Side by side, corporate initiative and artistic vision are securing Curve as a sustainable and iconic venue for events and theatre. ‘The Events team at Curve extend a warm welcome and look forward to hosting a truly memorable event, scripted and staged exclusively to your requirements.

www.curveonline.co.uk The state of the art technical facilities deployed in Curve theatre’s theatrical productions are at your disposal, and their in-house Production Managers apply expert knowledge and resources to each individual client, creating an event unlike any other. The technical team are also more than happy to assist external companies to utilise Curve’s extensive equipment for their own event production.

Rutland Street Leicester LE1 1SB

Call Us

0116 242 3560

33430 AP_HorseWorld 25/06/2015 13:52 Page 1

THE EATON HOTEL The Eaton A modern, independent hotel ideally suited to bring you everything Birmingham has to offer The Eaton is a lovely 54 bedroom hotel located just two miles from Birmingham city centre. It has been recently refurbished, and now offers excellent banqueting and conference facilities. The Eaton also makes a perfect venue for civil weddings, galas and celebrations of all kinds. What really sets the Eaton apart from other hotels in the area is the fact that it is still a family run business, a real rarity in this day and age. Maria Louvieris owns and operates the Eaton just as her parents did when they founded it and made it the local institution it is today. Maria is an amazing host with a phenomenal ability to recall the likes (and dislikes) of her guests, even after a long absence. Don’t be surprised if she remembers your favourite meal from your stay last year, and asks if you would like the same again. Also, Maria has very traditionally Greek feelings about her duties as a host. Don’t ever expect to leave the table hungry. In fact, if you haven’t eaten till you’re bursting, you might not be allowed to leave!

Conferences The Eaton shows its versatility here, as it can accommodate events and conferences of even very large size in airy, spacious conference rooms with every modern facility. Conference rooms of several sizes are available, up to 150 delegates.

Weddings The Eaton is one of the most charming wedding venues in Birmingham, and Maria’s events team is incredible. They can make any kind of event sparkle, from an intimate service to a huge banquet reception, and know just how to make that special day perfect for each couple.

These family traditions have rubbed off on the staff, as well. The entire Eaton Hotel operation stands out for its older, more personal way of doing business. The end effect is to make the Eaton a real home away from home for its regular guests, and even new guests and visitors to the Birmingham area can feel the difference. This is real 5star hotel service for as little as £75 per night.

Dining

Banqueting The Eaton offers several banqueting options, from small parties in the restaurant section to catered celebrations for up to 150 guests in the much larger Eaton Suite. Maria and the Eaton’s staff can make any special night perfect, so don’t be afraid to ask for special treatment!

Maria truly sets a fine table, and the Eaton is a perfect place to enjoy fine dining whether you stay on site or not. It is a true silver service restaurant that offers classic dishes such as Steak Diane flambéed at table, and a cherries jubilee that is worth the trip all by itself.

The Eaton Hotel awaits! Just tell Maria we sent you. info@eatonhotel.co.uk 0121 454 3311 www.eatonhotel.co.uk 61

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Birmingham Repertory Theatre has created some fantastic productions in its time - and you too can have all that glittering artistic talent making your event a show stopper.

“From team building to exhibitions and themed dinners to private meetings, our flexible facilities offer a blank canvas upon which you can create your perfect event, large or small, with support from our experts to help you deliver it.”

The REP’s recent refurbishment saw the creation of a host of versatile spaces for conferences, exhibitions, client entertainment, meetings and banqueting, turning it into the perfect place to stage a memorable corporate event.

Here is where you can bring real drama to your occasion - there’s a real theatrical slant to the team building workshops, for example, surprising many at how well all the world’s a stage translates to the workplace.

And weddings too - the building is licensed to host civil ceremonies, an ideal venue for couples seeking a truly theatrical experience, from start to finish, for themselves and their guests. Birmingham enjoys a world class reputation as a conference location outside of London, and demand for venues of all kinds here is high - but Sales Manager Suzanna Reid Barreiro da Silva is proud that The REP is a one-off for the city - and probably the Midlands. “We have a choice of three auditoria, three purpose-built conference rooms for up to 200 delegates plus two quirky meeting rooms, all with natural daylight and the latest audio visual equipment” she says. “Everything required to stage your event plus a dedicated team to build it.

Stage Fright, the presentation skills workshop, utilises acting techniques to focus on breathing and vocal techniques for enhanced public speaking while another, Make A Scene, is particularly effective at problem solving and providing innovative solutions through creative thinking. “We provide packages from one-off energisers to full day workshops that can be added to existing training or conferences and tailored to suit your requirements,” says Suzanna. The same theatricality is brought to every wedding by The REP, whose caring team gives the same attention to detail to every celebration as it does to its own spectacular stage productions. Themed hen and stag parties, backstage tours, spectacular lighting, use of actor’s dressing rooms and on-stage dining are just some of the offerings to happy couples and their guests. And whatever the occasion, theatre guests can guarantee they’ll eat like Royalty for The REP works with a range of caterers to provide high quality, locally sourced cuisine: from silver service to buffets, cocktails to traditional Champagne toasts.

To find out more about weddings or information on workshops and corporate events at The REP, Call 0121 245 2024 or email TheSpaces@birmingham-rep.co.uk. Alternatively visit http://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/visit/venue-hire/ where you can also find out about the range of corporate membership opportunities available.

Direct Page Ed 55_Feature Template 17/07/2015 18:24 Page 1

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