BBP North West - Edition 2 by BBP Media

MANCHESTER BUSINESS POST

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33392 AP_HorseWorld 08/07/2015 11:04 Page 1

bif

beinspired

F I L M S

Lights, Camera, Traction: In our visual age, with marketing messages coming at us from all sides, video is the fastest growing advertising medium. Facebook and Twitter are ramping up their own video capabilities, there are even articles suggesting that they may eventually outdo YouTube.

Your company’s online message is a crucial part of your marketing strategy, and the face you show to the wider world. Imagine having your best sales person simultaneously delivering your best sales pitch 24/7, 365 days of the year to an unlimited amount of potential customers anywhere in the region or even the world (and for a fraction of the cost of a sales person). That is the power of video! Video should be an essential part of your communication and marketing strategy. Can you afford not to be taking advantage of this hugely powerful medium, and on the other hand can you afford to employ professionals to make regular videos, probably not. Even once a year may stretch a budget as we come out of recession, and yet the posts need to stay fresh and relevant, and new content will always be needed. Ravinol Chambers, the founder of Be Inspired Films, a multi - award winning film company based in Birmingham, says it is all about the way you communicate, and that they will work with you to plan an effective on-line strategy. He says, the key questions are, “Where do you start? Where do you want to get to? What are the best stories your organisation has to tell? How can these stories be told using video? How can you get the best results from the resources you have whilst also ensuring consistency and quality control?” Does all this sound expensive? It doesn’t have to be. Be Inspired Films will help you to make the most of your budget and have tried and tested cost effective strategies to maximise your resources. Of course they can do it all for you, but just imagine if you could also create some of your own professional looking content on a budget. Now you can. Be Inspired Films also has a training arm to enable companies who want to be able to create regular simple videos, to confidently do so, on a budget. Be Inspired Films enjoy sharing their knowledge and working with companies to create simple short videos that are technically sound. This service has proved so popular that since 2009 they have trained close to 1,000 individuals to produce attractive professional looking content.

Ravinol Chambers, explained the thinking behind setting up their training arm, saying “We created our VideoKnowHow courses because we believe the stories people have to tell are important and wanted to make telling them using video more accessible. “Our one and two day courses offer individuals and teams the chance to learn the fundamentals of film making so they can create simple yet effective videos to help them raise funds for charity, develop their businesses and inspire others through the work they do.”

Be Inspired Films has the kind of attitude that inspires confidence and a spirit of camaraderie between trainer and trained, filmmaker and client, generating a relationship of trust and rapport, so that if something more detailed and technical is required they know immediately who to turn to. They often help with hybrid films, where the client films sections of the content themselves and Be Inspired Films edit the material to produce a high quality video. Organisations they have assisted in this way include General Medical Council, Railway Children, Virgin Trains, various Chambers of Commerce, Big Lottery Fund and many entrepreneurs and business owners. Be Inspired Films are there to help, whatever film or video related challenge you have, talk to them, they will get it sorted.

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.

C O N T E N T S Fiscale

R&D Tax Credits

Alma Consulting Group

Smallfry

I G Technologies

Providing for the future?

Irwin Mitchell

Smith & Williamson

KLO Financial Services

Johnson Fleming

Sources of Business Finance

Bridgewater Acceptances

BCRS Business Loans

KBS Corporate

We also feature the rise of Engineering and Manufacturing, a major driving force behind our region’s growth, and look at help for Exporters. We consider health in the workplace both from the standpoint of Occupational Health and Health & Safety issues. The Cloud and services surrounding business internet use are discussed, while we continue our popular series on Tax Reliefs, Pensions and Business Finance.

Cloud Computing

Emerald Group

SCC

MBM

KSA Associates

Central IT Systems

Secure IT Disposals

KMF

In our next edition we will carry on our series of Conferences and Events and consider the Office Christmas Party. We will also feature Fleet Management, Business Finance and Commercial Property.

Manufacturing & Engineering

AmbiRad

Renfrew Group International

Hockley Pattern & Tool Co

Harrison Castings

The LMS-Patriot Project

BBP Media 11 Canalside Office Complex, Lowesmoor Wharf, Worcester WR1 2RR

MSE Electrical & Mechanical

G&P Group Holdings

Exporter Services

Help is out there for anyone keen to expand by exporting

Coface

Tel: 08000 807 809 Fax: 01905 726 467 E: hello@bbpmedia.co.uk W: www.bbpmedia.co.uk

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Air and Ground

Welcome to Edition 2 of the Manchester Business Post, the free magazine for the North West business community packed with news, tips and stories from across the region. In this edition we continue our series on Conferences and Events and look at the “Big Christmas Bash”, offering tips and advice for organising a successful event

SP Services

Watch Out, There’s a Risk About!

Veritas Consulting

Planning a conference or an event?

the Pavilion

The Welcome Centre

Special EFX

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.

Center Parcs

Midland Linen Services

Lea Marston Hotel & Spa

How to give your colleagues a party they won’t forget

Publisher: PIL (Europe) Limited Print & Design: Heron Press UK

Edgbaston Stadium

Miller & Carter

DISCLAIMER

Hollywood Ball

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.

A Healthier Bottom Line

Pegasus Medical

Positive Intention

Lifestyle Fitness

Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre

33333 AP_HorseWorld 20/05/2015 10:02 Page 1

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

33591 1pg_Transport Warehousing 17/08/2015 15:53 Page 1

R&D Tax Credits R&D Tax Credits are a government scheme set up to provide tax reliefs to companies engaged in research and development to encourage innovation amongst UK businesses. The reliefs are available to UK based companies who have invested in improving or developing new products or systems, or in improving existing ones. The key is that the investment has been made with the intent to improve or invent a product or process that would be an improvement on what has gone before. As long as that was the intent, even unsuccessful projects may still qualify.

Therefore, HMRC usually appreciate that a company has sought advice from an R & D specialist before filing a claim.

The scheme can be complicated, and not all accountants will have the in-house expertise to navigate all the provisions of the scheme. The best solution is to speak to one of the companies who specialise in this area and who will work with your normal accountant to identify areas of your business that may qualify and help them prepare a claim.

Make sure that they also have the appropriate experience of filing claims for your specific type of industry, or research and that they are prepared to visit your site to identify any potentially qualifying activity.

HMRC themselves stated in a recent report, “It is clear that accountants and other professionals do not always provide accurate information about government support for R&D. This leads to uncertainty amongst those applying for grants and making claims for R&D tax credits about what and when they may claim for. It is not uncommon for companies to discover R&D tax credits, for example, only when they appoint new accountants.”

An aspect to take under consideration when appointing your R & D specialist advisor should be that the company is regulated by a professional body, – ideally the Chartered Institute of Taxation – in respect of services, money laundering regulations, ethics, training, professional indemnity protection.

You should also discuss the length of time the process is likely to take, and how much of your own staff’s time will be taken up by involvement in the process. Some advisers can conduct one meeting, gain all relevant information, and prepare reports from supporting ledgers. With others, the company may find they almost write the claim themselves. Cost is an important consideration, just make sure you know how their fees will be calculated, and what is included, is it just the initial claim, or are any related HMRC enquiries covered without additional cost. Beware of set up fees or per diem charges, the industry norm is to just take an agreed percentage of your tax saving once you benefit. Avoid additional Tax Return Filing Fees –unregulated advisers by necessity subcontract this work to a third party accountant, adding the possibility for information miscommunication, (increasing risk of error on your tax return), another layer of costs to be recovered, and in the worst scenario a question mark over whose professional indemnity applies. Make sure that you have checked the small print carefully for long lock-in periods and penalty clauses for switching providers. Most R & D specialists are both highly ethical and well regulated and will assist your accountant in preparing and filing a claim in a format easily understood and capable of being speedily processed by HMRC.

12371 AP_HorseWorld 04/08/2015 11:17 Page 1

The R&D Tax Relief Myth Buster In part three of Alma Consulting Group’s Myth Buster articles, Managing Director Martin Hook dispels more of the common misconceptions about R&D tax relief.

Research and development has a proven multiplier effect on the economy, and therefore it is only logical that you would want to encourage more organisations to undertake R&D.

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.

Over the last few years we have seen the generosity of UK R&D tax incentives regularly increased; in fact over three years the rate of relief for SMEs alone rose by around a third. As you can see, it’s clear that this is a form of tax relief that the Government is keen to make attractive for businesses.

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

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

“R&D tax relief isn’t a legitimate incentive” It’s important to be clear that R&D tax relief is not tax planning. This is a legitimate incentive designed by the UK Government to reward businesses for their investments in innovation.

“Our company is already claiming all the R&D tax relief we can” We regularly work with clients who have previously managed their claims in-house, through their accountant or an advisory firm. Whilst the more obvious areas of R&D are usually identified, it’s fairly common for businesses to miss significant amounts of eligible expenditure in their claims. Given that this is a niche area of taxation, this is completely understandable. It’s only through in-depth and up-to-date understanding of the legislation that you are likely to maximise your claim. For instance, we recently worked with a household name in the construction industry who had previously been using a ‘Big Four’ firm for their R&D claims. The last claim this firm had submitted on their behalf had identified just over £760k of qualifying spend. When we looked again at this claim period we identified a jaw dropping £10.5m of additional expenditure which should have been included in that claim. We were able to retrospectively amend this claim and achieve a much larger tax benefit for this client, and needless to say they were “astounded by the huge uplift Alma achieved for us”.

What’s next? As you can see, there are clear benefits to engaging an expert to ensure you maximise your R&D tax relief claim. We are well placed to support businesses of all sizes and across all industries to ensure they receive the maximum benefit possible. With decades of R&D tax experience across Europe, a place on the HMRC R&D Consultative Committee and ex-HMRC staff in our team, who have been heavily involved in the scheme since its inception, you can be assured that you are dealing with some of the best in the industry when you work with Alma CG. If you want to find out if you could be claiming more, or if you could make a claim for the first time, drop us a line on 020 30 58 58 00 or contactuk@almacg.com to arrange a free no-obligation consultation. There’s no up-front cost and no risk, so what have you got to lose?! 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

33523 AP_HorseWorld 27/07/2015 16:26 Page 1

We create futures: Delivering business growth through innovation, product design, engineering and technology Great ideas are the lifeblood of many new businesses, and have provided the catalyst which has helped create many thousands of jobs, and contributed many millions to the UK’s economy. But when you have a good idea which you think will be successful, but don’t know how to go about getting it onto the market, who do you turn to?

She holds up a big company local to Smallfry – Land Rover - as a beacon of inspiration which many much smaller companies can aspire to: “They are a local business and have managed to turn their business around by innovative design and not just by building cars with engineering in mind,” she says. In a recent interview with IOD Director magazine, Land Rover CEO Gerry McGovern explained that Jaguar Land Rover was on the brink of Designed for Imperial College London, this closing factories and now has is a ‘Conceptual Product’ for wearable record profit and global growth. robotics which aims to challenge and This, he added, couldn’t have been destigmatise assistive devices. achieved without smarter design leadership, streamlined decision-making and uncompromising design. He went on to say: “Land Rovers looked the way they did because of their roots in functionalism. We created a design strategy that was all about relevance – in a world that was changing, designing vehicles that people wanted to buy, that resonated with them on an emotional level, but still maintained the essence of the brand.”

This is a product that was designed for an episode of Channel 4’s The Gadget Show broadcast in March 2015. This product uses eye-tracking technology to determine where the wearer is looking, while reading their brain waves to understand if this activity is making them happy or sad. It will then automatically photograph that moment.

A major endorsement of Smallfry’s success as a launch pad for innovative products has come from no less a body than the Institute of Directors, whose West Midlands region earlier this year named its managing director, Steve May-Russell, its director of the year. Steve will now go up against the cream of the crop from the rest of the UK in vying for the IoD’s top national honour in London later in the year.

Finding proven and successful routes to market for new products is the mission of Coventrybased professional design agency Smallfry. Set up by Tim Fry, the man who designed the sixties motoring classic the Hillman Imp, throughout the subsequent 40-plus years Smallfry has specialised in harnessing creative talent, and ensuring that the user is put at the centre of every product the team works on, giving them the best possible chance of achieving commercial success. And as marketing strategies and proper targeting of new products have become ever more important, Smallfry has turned its expertise to the whole process of developing and identifying key markets for such products – or, as it likes to call it, creating “design with desire ‘baked in’”. Kelly Myall-Chance, who is in charge of the company’s business development, explained: “We work with entrepreneurs and businesses designing products and building a sustainable pipeline of innovation.”

Steve May-Russell, MD and CEO of Smallfry, discussing medical device compliance and how it can be improved by identifying the patient journey and innovative design.

At the West Midlands awards ceremony, the judges said: “Steve’s constant ambition, drive and tailored strategies which continue to both improve and develop his own company to reach new heights has also aided the transformation of a wide variety of other business sectors.” And Smallfry is practising what it preaches in terms of innovation, as it is about to relaunch its own website, as it sets about refining its services to its wide customer base, in an effort to ensure that they continue to be as relevant and effective as they have undoubtedly already been. Go over to Smallfry.com to learn more about its culture and its people, and see how your business can get them working to help you turbopower your next product launch. Or call them on 024 7654 5678

33406 AP_HorseWorld 27/05/2015 10:10 Page 1

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

33592_Carford Group 13/09/2015 13:22 Page 1

Providing for the future? The Pensions sector is going through an era of unprecedented changes The last few years have seen the introduction of Auto Enrolment, brought about in part by the partial demise of final salary (defined benefit) pension schemes, and greater freedoms to determine what we actually do with our pensions at maturity. Employers had begun to find funding final salary (defined benefit) pension schemes too financially onerous, leading to the introduction of more defined contribution schemes (based on a percentage of employee’s earnings). Interest rates having become so low, and the value of people’s savings not what they once were, fewer people saw the point of saving anyway, given the probability of such very low returns. This state of affairs, coupled with more companies closing their final salary and defined contributions schemes, made it evident that vast numbers of workers could be left with no additional provision for their old age, other than the basic safety net of the state pension. To address this looming crisis the government introduced Auto Enrolment or Workplace Pensions. Every employer with at least one member of staff now has new duties, including enrolling those who are eligible into a workplace pension scheme and contributing towards it. It is called automatic enrolment because it is automatic for staff – they don't have to do anything to be enrolled, but it is not automatic for you. You need to take steps to make sure your eligible staff are enrolled into a pension scheme. Even if you already pay contributions into a pension scheme for your staff, you still need to check if it is suitable for automatic enrolment.

The scheme involves the employer in a number of legal obligations for which they should allow up to 12 months to prepare, and will require regular updating.

This was due in part to the rise in life expectancy but latterly it was a reflection of the lowering of interest rates during the recession.

Having established which of your employees are eligible, you will need to find a suitable scheme and enrol your staff into it. Staff may choose to opt out but need to be re-invited to participate every three years. Contributions to the scheme come from three places. You will make deductions from their pay, you will make employer contributions and the government will contribute via tax relief. You'll need to make sure you contribute the right amount. The help of your financial advisor will be invaluable at this stage.

Rates of return became so poor that once again the government has stepped in, and this time has introduced new freedoms for us to do as we wish with our pension pots from the age of 55.

The idea is that the percentage of the employee’s salary, which the employer has to match, will increase over time so that nearly everybody will eventually be enrolled in a worthwhile pension scheme of some description. Currently the contributions are so low that there is some doubt of the benefits, other than encouraging an atmosphere of personal responsibility for our futures. OK, so now most people will have a pension, what then? Traditionally those retiring with defined contribution pension funds purchased annuities. Over the last few years, although the open market option provided the opportunity to shop around for the best annuity rate, returns have fallen dramatically.

Most of us know very little about the complex processes involved first in accumulating a fund of pension assets and then in drawing down a pension annuity from it. Even fewer appear to care, until, of course, they see the size of their pension and by then it may be too late. It is important to get proper advice from a regulated financial advisor. Pension planning is one of the most important financial decisions that an individual has to make in his or her lifetime. The temptation to draw down substantial amounts from your accumulated funds may be hard to resist, particularly if there is an important family occasion such as a wedding to fund. Or if presented with what seems like a sure fire investment, fraudsters are only too well aware of that. Remember too that you can only draw down 25% of your fund tax free, so beware of incurring a large tax bill. There is no rush, take the right advice and make your decisions carefully.

33443 AP_HorseWorld 17/08/2015 15:21 Page 1

“Once bitten twice shy” “Marrying for the second (or subsequent occasion) might suggest you could be ‘older’ it does not mean you are necessarily ‘wiser’ “ states Clare Wiseman, Partner, in the family team at Irwin Mitchell. We are experiencing a significant increase in the number of clients seeking advice in connection with second or third marriages/cohabiting relationships. Statistics show that the majority of people leaving one spouse/partner will go on to cohabit and/or remarry. Whilst many are now very familiar with the concept of the preparation of pre-nuptial/post-nuptial agreements to seek to protect assets in the event of a further divorce, many do not address their minds as to what should/could happen in the event of their death.

Similar exposure may occur following the making of an order upon divorce, which provides for maintenance/capital provision for a former spouse. If you then, voluntarily, make payments in excess of that provision (as many people might particularly where children are involved) you could leave yourself exposed to further financial claims notwithstanding your belief that you had secured finality in any financial agreement, court order or will. With the rights of co-habitants only set to strengthen in the future - simply failing to “take the plunge and tie the knot” for the second time, may not be enough to protect you and in circumstances where your career may have progressed, since you separated, early legal advice is essential. The relaxation of the pensions regime might not be the only demon facing the more mature divorcee. There may be more to the saying “once bitten twice shy” than meets the eye.

There is still a surprising lack of understanding, amongst the general public, that marriage revokes a will and divorce affects provisions in a will in favour of a former spouse. This may be what you want but it may not.

If you would like more information or to talk to a lawyer about family law advice, please contact Clare Wiseman on 0121 214 5274. If you are concerned about a wills dispute and would like more advice, please contact Gavin Faber on 0121 203 5366 or email Gavin.Faber@Irwinmitchell.com.

“It is imperative that, when entering or exiting a marriage or relationship you consider the terms of your will,” advises Gavin Faber, Partner in the Will, Trust and Estate Disputes team at Irwin Mitchell. “You can find that children from prior marriages or relationships are left out in the cold and current or former partners are provided for in a way you would not expect”. The recently reported case of Chekov v Fryer (June 2015) dealt with the not uncommon situation where a couple had divorced, pursuant to which they had had obtained a ‘clean break’ order in respect of their finances which, on the face of it, prevented them from making any further claims against one another in the event of their subsequent death. Following the husband's death some years later, however, his former wife made a claim against his estate. Many may think this unreasonable but not so. The High Court has allowed Mrs Chekov to proceed with her claim for provision from her former spouse’s estate on the basis that they were cohabiting at the date of his death. This issue could be exacerbated further following the widely reported decision in Ilott v Mitson where the Court of Appeal awarded an estranged adult daughter, one third of her mother’s estate, despite the mother’s wishes for this not to happen. This was an extreme case but we have seen a significant surge in the number of enquiries from children wishing to challenge a parent’s will.

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.

33362 AP_HorseWorld 14/08/2015 21:14 Page 1

Automatic enrolment divorce The emerging secondary market Auto-enrolment to its supporters, things is into its third year and, according A DUH SURJUHVVLQJ VPRRWKO\ +RZHYHU ,DQ +LOO HPSOR\HH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV VSHFLDOLVW DW WKH %LUPLQJKDP RIĂ&#x20AC;FH RI 6PLWK :LOOLDPVRQ WKH DFFRXQWDQF\ LQYHVWPHQW explains how a number of companies that have management and tax group, already staged are now seeking alternative solutions, thereby stimulating the development of a secondary market. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a long term commitment The emergence of the secondary market has been driven by a number of factors, one of which was companies simply wanting to be compliant at their staging date and spend the least amount of money in doing so. The realisation is now setting in that their auto-enrolment GXWLHV DUH D ORQJ WHUP FRPPLWPHQW DQG DQ\ GHĂ&#x20AC;FLHQFLHV in their processes business risks will increase and costs. The cheapest option was probably cheapest for a reason.

Irreconcilable differences But who are the guilty parties in the breakdown of these auto-enrolment processes? Is it the pension providers, or the advisers, or both?

Three year itch A lot of companies will have signed service contracts with their providers and advisers, possibly with a three year duration that coincides with the three year re-enrolment window. Given the evolution in the market place of auto-enrolment solutions it is inevitable that most large corporates will automatically review their arrangements as part of their due diligence process. In fact good governance encourages it, particularly if the pension scheme is trust based.

Match made in heaven

Those companies that have staged may now have wandering eyes in relation to their auto-enrolment solutions. If a company has gone to the extent of seeking 6RPH SHQVLRQ SURYLGHUV KDYH KDG VHULRXV SUREOHPV ZLWK an alternative, the grass will almost certainly be greener capacity, systems and assessment leading to software if they do end up moving provider or adviser. The recent enormous client frustration. More worryingly, some LQWURGXFWLRQ RI SHQVLRQ Ă H[LELOLWLHV ZLOO DOVR DGG PRUH provider system failures have led to workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pension IXHO WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;UH DV FRPSDQLHV HQVXUH WKDW WKHLU SHQVLRQ contributions remaining unallocated to their policies provider the retirement can offer workers services IRU ZHHNV DQG VRPHWLPHV PRQWKV :KDWHYHU WKH UHDVRQ they need. though, by the companies are simply being enticed promise of smoother assessment processes by providers Interest in pensions is at an all-time high and companies who have invested more in their systems. donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be caught with their pants down for a second time. Advisers may have been failing companies too. A lack of expertise, an underestimation of the work involved Ian Hill, or even the failure of software solutions they have (PSOR\HH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV VSHFLDOLVW implemented. However, given most companies are now t: 0121 710 5294 paying fees to the adviser (rather than the adviser e: ian.hill@smith.williamson.co.uk taking commission as before) it is more likely that w: smith.williamson.co.uk companies will question the value and delivery of these adviser services.

If a company has gone to the extent of seeking an alternative, the grass will almost certainly be greener if they do end up moving provider or adviser.

%\ QHFHVVLW\ WKLV EULHĂ&#x20AC;QJ FDQ RQO\ SURYLGH D VKRUW RYHUYLHZ DQG LW LV HVVHQWLDO WR VHHN SURIHVVLRQDO DGYLFH EHIRUH applying the contents of this article. No responsibility can be taken for any loss arising from action taken or refrained from correct on the basis of this publication. Details at time of writing. Smith & Williamson Financial Services Limited Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

33402 AP_HorseWorld 18/05/2015 14:00 Page 1

You work hard for your money – it’s time your money worked harder and smarter for you how this can be made easier – for businesses of all sizes. Your business may be your retirement plan - but when was the last time you investigated ways to make your overall strategy more tax efficient?

Are you really too busy to take the first steps towards securing a comfortable future – not just for you and your family, but for those who have helped your business succeed? After all, it can take many years to achieve commercial success – so naturally, when the time comes for you to hand on your business, you want to know that you can enjoy the fruits of that success. That’s why you should always have one eye on the future, no matter how much you’re distracted by the tribulations of running a business from day to day. As Andy Green, director of Midlands-based independent financial advisory firm, KLO Financial Services Ltd, points out, being able to trust in the expertise and pragmatic approach of someone who takes an independent view of the complex issue of financial planning really can help you make sense of your future, and how best to provide for it.

Planning is everything “For business owners, company and individual finances are now interlinked like never before,” Andy points out. “If you run a small business, you can’t escape the fact that your own success, and your approach to safeguarding its future, has an impact on how comfortable you, and those you employ, can look forward to being in retirement.” That’s a heavy responsibility to bear – and there’s no escaping it. It’s why, over a series of three articles, Andy will explain the importance of planning for a secure future, and set out

SMEs now employ one in three of all the UK’s workforce. So just as you keep a regular check on the financial performance of your company, you should do the same with your personal finances – for the sake of the future of you, your family, and your loyal workers. That’s why KLO’s team ensure regular six-monthly meetings take place with every client, to discuss their plans in detail, and how the performance of their investments is keeping step with them.

Overcoming the fear factor We live in an increasingly complicated financial world. It’s easy, therefore, to see why many of us stick with what we know, and treat anyone who wants to help us look after our money with a mixture of fear and scepticism. But all Andy’s and his colleagues’ efforts boil down to a simple objective – making the money that their clients have worked hard to accrue do the same for them in return. The challenge of doing this, Andy says, is the most satisfying aspect of his job. “A respected financial services firm recently asked 2,000 of its clients what they thought was the biggest benefit of using a professional independent financial advisor,” he reveals. “More than one in three gave the primary benefit as being a safeguard to stop them from doing the wrong thing.” When you consider that our whole retirement plans are at stake, that’s no surprise. It’s also a sound reason why KLO Financial Services, with a combined 250 years’ experience of financial planning among its 12 staff, is trusted by well over 1,000 clients. In future articles, we’ll examine the importance of seeking the right independent advice, and the significant benefits of the appropriate tax planning. We’ll also look at the implications recent regulatory changes, such as pension auto-enrolment and the pension freedom changes, can have, both upon you as an individual and your business.

If you haven’t already done so, visit the website www.klofinancialservices.com to view the wide ranging areas of expertise Andy and his colleagues have and ‘do the right thing’; arrange a no obligation initial consultation today, by contacting KLO Financial Services on 02476 012758 or emailing klofinancialservices@gmail.com

33124 QPD_HorseWorld 12/01/2015 12:19 Page 1

Intentionally Different

Auto-enrolment is here Auto-enrolment has already started for larger organisations and by 2018, every business must operate a pension scheme for qualifying employees, with employee and employer contributions being paid. Although 2018 may seem like a long way off, there is still a lot to do. To make sure employers meet their requirements for auto-enrolment, they should start planning now. Nicklin LLP can help your business prepare for auto-enrolment compliance, providing help and guidance throughout the whole process; from helping you assess the cost for your company and providing assistance in setting up or reviewing your pension arrangements, to managing your payroll function so that you are fully auto-enrolment compliant. We have also prepared a free auto-enrolment pack which is available on our website and includes a comprehensive guide to auto-enrolment compliance as well as a useful Q&A guide to answer all of your auto-enrolment queries. Download yours at:

www.nicklins.co.uk

550 9916

www.nicklins.co.uk 13

33516_HorseWorld 03/08/2015 11:50 Page 1

 online@johnsonfleming.com  01527 571300 @JohnsonFleming OCTOBER 2012 saw the pension industry’s biggest shake-up in over a century; and nearly three years on, businesses are still failing to comply with their legal duties.

Johnson Fleming CEO, Simon Fletcher comments: “We have met head on, and overcome such challenges through our ongoing commitment to customers.”

Bromsgrove-based, Johnson Fleming is a vital presence in the employee benefits sector, helping companies ensure their autoenrolment journey is a smooth as possible.

That commitment is recognised by the Institute of Customer Service which announced Johnson Fleming as a finalist in the 2015 UK Customer Satisfaction Awards.

The introduction of auto-enrolment now requires every UK employer to provide, enrol and contribute to a workplace pension for staff, however between last October and March of this year there were 364* fixed penalty notices issued by The Pensions Regulator (TPR) to those who had not done so.

This dedication has been ever present since 2002 when Simon Fletcher, together with Heath Lippett, established Johnson Fleming with the goal of putting client experience and customer service at the heart of the business.

Furthermore, recent regulator research indicates that one in five small employers and half of all micro business owners are not even aware of when they must become compliant. But not for those who’ve been in touch with Johnson Fleming which, as part of its extensive services portfolio, supports companies through auto-enrolment projects. Using their in-house administration platform inform+equip, they have enrolled some of the largest employers in the UK and have also launched a number of solutions aimed at smaller and medium sized enterprises. Johnson Fleming actively promotes communication and employee engagement among the region’s business community. As regulatory guidance has developed, it has shifted from purely assessing risks to providing good member outcomes - something Johnson Fleming are experts in achieving through effective and regular communication, education and advice. The latest and continual changes to the financial services and employee benefits market have brought challenges, not least a major workload increase causing even well respected service providers to struggle.

The company provides group pension services; from scheme governance support, through to a fully outsourced group pension department. They can further help your business with: • Auto-enrolment • Protection, health and wellbeing • Future Life Planning.Future Life Planning. It also offers a range of individually tailored protection, health and wellbeing services, focusing on private medical insurance, group income protection and group life assurance markets. For more information about Johnson Fleming, its services, awards and accreditations, visit www.johnsonfleming.com. Alternatively, telephone 01527 571223 or email online@johnsonfleming.com

12118 1pg 2_Transport Warehousing 30/11/2014 12:55 Page 1

Sources of Business Finance There are a numerous sources of finance available to both new and established businesses, but the decision as to which source is most appropriate for your needs requires careful consideration. Roughly speaking, funding breaks down into two forms: debt and equity. You take on debt when you borrow money from a lender, and pay interest on the loan. You will be required to repay the money with interest over time. Or, you can take on an equity investment - in which you sell a portion of the company to an investor in return for cash or something else of value. Bank lending is still problematical for many small or new businesses without a track record; therefore the majority of new businesses consider alternative sources first. A recent survey reported that bank loans comprised less than 15% of start-up capital. This does not mean that you should not look for a bank loan, just that it is not the only source to consider. Start-ups often find it easier to get money from individuals or groups of individuals, while companies which have a track record of success are more apt to find an audience with institutional lenders. Your first source of capital will probably be a loan from yourself. There are definite advantages here, you own the whole company, control the show, and stand to reap the gains should your venture become valuable.

But there's a potential downside as well. Even the best-researched and well-run start-ups involve risk. We hear wonderful tales of risk-takers who take out second mortgages on their homes and borrow from their retirement funds to launch businesses that turn them into millionaires. There are fewer stories in the news about the far more common experience of the many people who take great risks and fail, losing their homes and savings in the process! Another form of personal debt is to use your credit cards, this option is very expensive and extremely risky, but with a cool head and careful management can be a useful short term solution. Borrowing from your friends and family, usually at low or no interest is often a good way for new businesses to get money. But you risk alienating your family if the business falls on hard times and you have trouble repaying the loan. Be sure that you have a written agreement regarding the amount borrowed, the interest rate and how and when the loan is to be repaid. If you go to your bank for a business loan, the bank will ask for security, usually company or personal assets. Business loans have far stricter requirements than consumer loans. For example, if your business is experiencing tough financial times, your bank may ask you to immediately pay off the full amount of the loan, something that is unlikely to happen with a consumer loan. Many small businesses are funded through personal loans or other loans based on personal assets. Consumer loans, home equity loans, second mortgages, mortgage refinancing,

and personal loans - are easier to obtain than business loans if you have a good credit history. Some banks don't mind if you take a consumer loan and use the funds for business purposes, others will refuse to lend to you if you tell them you need the money for business purposes. Keep in mind that if you tell a banker a loan is for personal use and you use it for business, that lie constitutes fraud. Commercial Finance companies are the companies that make car loans. They take on higher risk commercial loans than banks and can handle commercial loans. If your company is high-growth and will continually need its loan ceiling raised; your credit history is spotty; or your company has a high debt-to-worth ratio with a strong cash flow a Commercial Finance company, may be a good bet, but bear in mind, greater risk usually brings higher costs. Rates and fees will be higher than banks. Venture capital is available to a wide range of businesses at most stages of development, they specialise in companies that have a solid track record and are expected to grow by at least 20% a year. They also want to buy into the company, not just make a loan. In addition to firm ownership, venture capitalists will also want management input in the form of board seats or executive positions. Funding is also available from your peers; business angels, Crowd Funders and Peer to Peer Lenders, www.alternativebusinessfunding.co.uk. lenders come from all walks of life and will provide funds for viable businesses. We will look at these options in more depth in a future edition. There are also a huge range of government backed loans and grants, www.gov.uk/business-finance-supportfinder, www.gov.uk/business-financeexplained are useful resources.

33527_HorseWorld 29/07/2015 16:33 Page 1

"when funds are required fast" “We work to our own funding criteria, and as we underwrite and process every loan, we give an immediate decision in principle, with a formal offer issued once a satisfactory valuation is completed. Over the years our lending arm has funded many millions of pounds in loans all over the UK”. Clients come from all business communities and walks of life. Bridgwater is particularly proud to claim that, if it cannot help a business raise the funds it needs, it is unlikely to be able to find help elsewhere. From a busy and vibrant office in north Manchester, staff take time to discuss all potential customers’ requirements before they commit themselves to applying for funds or paying for valuations. But, stresses Ms Levine: “We don’t advise customers on their financial requirements –mortgage brokers, financial advisers, accountants or solicitors can do that. Commercial finance that’s fast and flexible? That’s the Bridgwater way Does your business ever need to move quickly in order to take advantage of new commercial opportunities? If so, Bridgwater Acceptances offers financing solutions designed for a fast-moving world. Commercial finance is available from £15,000 to £7million from three months to 25 years, with no accounts required, secured on property or land. Greater risk aversion among high street lenders has made it tougher for small enterprises to get funds on the commercial market which might be needed simply to take advantage of the kinds of one-off chances which can, eventually, be the making of a successful business. Bridgwater Acceptances was set up to give businesses the chance to grasp those oppourtunities.

Bridgwater Acceptances offers bridging loans, commercial mortgages, buyto-let, auction purchases, debt consolidation, buying back property assets from a receiver, property refurbishment loans or land and development funding, with all loans secured via a first or second charge on commercial or residential investment property, commercial property on long (50-plus years remaining) leases, or land. It also helps business people and companies with adverse credit issues, including discharging IVAs, CVAs, CCJs and arrears. So when funds are required quickly contact Bridgwater Acceptances. Call 0161 767 9393 between 9.30am and 7pm Monday-Friday and ask for the new business department, fax 0161 767 9333, or email your requirements to sales@bwaccept.com for a decision in principle. All loans are made on a non-regulated basis. On agreed loans borrowers will be required to use a solicitors’ practice of their choice with at least two partners. Valuation and all legal costs are the borrower’s responsibility.

As its operations director, Jordana Rashman, says: “Our business philosophy is based on giving a reliable and realistic service that can often make the complex process of raising finance less stressful.

Bridgewater Acceptances does not process or offer regulated loans including first charges over owner-occupied residential properties.

“Every enquiry is reviewed on its merits, enabling us to honestly assess what level of borrowing is possible and affordable, with the rate of interest based on the client’s status, equity available in the security, and affordability.”

Telephone: 0161 767 9393 Fax: 0161 767 9333 Email: sales@bwaccept.com

Bridgwater Acceptances aims to provide clients with the funding they need as quickly as possible - in some cases in a matter of days.

Find us on

Ms Rashman adds: “We believe that past problems of the business community should not prevent companies and individuals moving forward with building successful and profitable businesses.” Head of underwriting, Ann Levine, says the company’s mission is “to provide bridging or commercial loans for business people who either cannot, or choose not to, obtain finance from banks. To speed up the underwriting process we do not ask for trading accounts.

“We do, however, offer all our customers the best possible terms subject to their status, and provide funds quickly.”



33525 AP_HorseWorld 12/08/2015 14:20 Page 1

BUSINESS LOANS

A BUMPER MONTH OF LENDING FOR BCRS BUSINESS LOANS BCRS Business Loans, one of the leading non-bank lenders, is celebrating after hitting a new monthly lending milestone of £920,000 to West Midlands based SMEs. Established 13 years ago, BCRS Business Loans was created to meet the needs of businesses that are unable to get loans from traditional sources such as banks. Its sole purpose is to provide access to finance to enable businesses to grow and prosper by providing loans ranging from £10,000 to £150,000. Commenting on the record month of lending, Paul Kalinauckas, Chief Executive of BCRS, said: “June’s results reflect the success of BCRS and how we endeavour to bridge the lending gap. There is an ever-growing demand for non-bank funding by SMEs, as well as requests for larger amounts. We expect to grow our lending by over 30% this year. “SMEs in the West Midlands are now increasing in confidence and wanting to look at their growth prospects. We want those businesses to be assured that BCRS believe in what they do and that we are here to support them”.

business loans - we are determined to keep working hard and help as many SME’s as possible”, concludes Paul. A BCRS loan can be used for a wide range of projects including expansion, purchasing equipment, recruitment and marketing. BCRS lend to most market sectors including construction, engineering, IT services, manufacturing, service providers and wholesalers.

Any West Midlands based business can expect a fast response when they apply for a loan either by contacting 0845 313 8410 (Calls will cost 3p per minute plus your telephone company’s Access Charge.)

or going online at www.bcrs.org.uk

The BCRS model is of an approachable lender Paul Kalinauckas, that assesses each BCRS Chief Executive individual case on its own merits. The not for profit lender operates very much with a traditional lending ethos rather than impersonal computerised credit scoring. The BCRS Business Development & lending Managers will go out and visit a business to learn more about them and ascertain how BCRS can help. BCRS understand that getting business finance can sometimes be a problem and want to meet that demand for loans. Not only does it mean that a business can flourish but also create jobs and contribute to the social and economic well-being of the area. “We are all about impact! With over 1700 jobs created, over 3400 secured to date and in 2014 alone contributing over £60 million to the West Midlands economy through our delivery of

33491 AP_HorseWorld 23/07/2015 11:19 Page 1

M&A experts see highest activity levels since 2008 As non-European firms step up interest in acquiring UK interests, sale specialists at KBS Corporate say knowledgeable help can make a big difference to returns achieved The first quarter of 2015 was the busiest for mergers and acquisitions since 2008, with the rest of the year looking set to see the fast pace of activity maintained. That’s the view of sector specialists at KBS Corporate, who add that these factors point to it being a good time to be looking to sell a business. A big factor behind the momentum is growing efforts to acquire interests across Europe by businesses outside the continent. In 2014, more than a quarter (27 per cent) of deals agreed in Europe involved non-European acquirers.

Simon Daniels

Record business This appetite for deals has brought benefits at KBS Corporate, which has expanded its workforce by 40 per cent, and achieved an increase in transactions overseen of one-third. This growth has had other positive consequences for KBS, as it is about to double operating space at its head office. The company also has established a regional presence, stretching from Bristol in the south to Aberdeen in the north. KBS has steered through a number of high-profile transactions in the past year. Notable among these was the sale of Nottingham-based PWR Property Consultants, for £2.4million, a multiple of more than five times profits, within 10 months of the company being brought to the market. The buyer was Leaders Ltd, a rival lettings and estate agent. KBS was also kept busy dealing with wide interest in the sale of precision engineering business Powell and Harber of Worcester. This eventually resulted in 10 bids, with Goodfish Ltd emerging as the successful buyer. A profitable sale was also negotiated for training consultancy CQM of Derbyshire. Bought by Skills CFA, a charity which promotes workplace skills and qualifications. Interest was expressed by several parties, but this was considered the best deal to secure CQM’s long-term future. “With repeated reports suggesting that the economy of the UK is continuing its upward trajectory, there is every sign that there will continue to be healthy interest in all kinds of mergers and acquisitions,” said Mr Daniels.

“Appetite for mergers and acquisitions saw a significant rise in 2014 as confidence returned to the market through the global economic resurgence, remarkably accommodative financial policy, low interest rates and strong profit growth and cash generation,” said Simon Daniels, Sales Director at business sales specialist KBS Corporate.

Keeping it British But the considerable overseas interest in gaining a foothold in the UK is facing strong resistance from home-grown firms, which are now sufficiently confident about economic prospects to be looking to invest cash reserves which they have accumulated during the past few years, noted Mr Daniels. In many cases, such acquisition plans are driven by companies’ efforts to broaden their offerings by linking up with others which are seen as providing potential for strategic, rather than organic, growth.

“But successfully selling or otherwise disposing of a business in a way which is the optimum result for the vendor is best achieved in partnership with a concern which brings together an array of key disciplines, which all come together to achieve maximum value for the services, skills and customer loyalty being acquired.” If you are contemplating disposing of a business, or of a holding in a company, consulting KBS Corporate’s experienced and knowledgeable team is a wise first step.

Find out more at kbscorporate.com email simon@kbscorporate.com or call 0121 238 0072 to arrange a confidential consultation Find us on

33580 1pg_Transport Warehousing 06/09/2015 20:37 Page 1

Cloud Computing 2015 - this is the year that has seen the sun well and truly shining on cloud computing services. Thanks to some speedy technological advances in security leading to, and coupled with, increased confidence in the systems, as well as a wealth of network upgrades, more and more organisations are heading for the cloud. Certainly it’s the answer to many a business’s techno prayer. Better agility, scalability, flexibility and workload distribution - all without extra IT costs have been cited as more than enough reason to make the switch and the effect cloud computing has on the nation’s work practices can’t be ignored.

So which would be best for your organisation? Aspects to consider include: workload usage patterns, regulatory issues, required service levels, business criticality of the applications to be moved to the cloud, and how integrated they must be with other functions. It’s certainly not a cut and dried answer and, as with all major business decisions, requires careful consideration and weighing up of pros and cons. Many companies today use hybrids - a bit of both - for there’s probably no one-sizefits-all solution, but here’s some things to think about.

If something is critical to an organisation’s survival, it’s probably best to keep it in house. Yet, some business operations do sit comfortably in a more public arena. Transient services, such as remote desktop, product demonstrations, marketing videos, webcasts and video conferencing, are all regularly accessed via the cloud.

But the rush to bring in this whole new way of connecting has brought a whole new set of questions. Setting the security aspect (don’t mention celebrity photo leaks anyone) firmly aside, many system administrators are wrestling with whether it’s best to hook up to a public or private cloud.

Whether they go for public or private, there’s no getting away from the fact that, increasingly, companies of all shapes and sizes worldwide are switching to cloud computing and 2016 is expected to bring more specifically built applications built than ever before, with desktop applications coming second.

But doesn’t the very nature of the word imply something unfettered out there in the ether, viewable and accessible by all?

Also expected is increased developer focus on cloud-based services. Global software developer research organisation Evans Data Corporation estimates that only 25% of the world’s 18 million are developing for the cloud but it confidently expects this figure to rise next year.

Well, no, not in computer-speak. A public cloud basically comprises a service or a set of services which are bought by an enterprise which uses a third party provider to deliver them through the internet. This provider hosts the organisation’s application, data centre and servers (infrastructure) at its premises, sharing that infrastructure, carefully segregated to only allow authorised access, with other clients. A private cloud - or an enterprise or internal cloud - is a non-shared resource which is pretty much an extension of an organisation’s traditional data centre optimised to offer processing power and storage for various functions. And because it’s based on site, an organisation has more control over the infrastructure.

Many prefer to keep their file sharing systems, compliance documents and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) private, not least because relying on a third party provider comes with some risk. Pricings could be changed, they may have their own security breach, change their modus operandi or even go out of business; and no one wants their primary operations affected by a factor over which they have absolutely no control.

Every business has a wealth of data absolutely critical to its survival. Product designs, legal documents, contracts - not the kind of thing you’ll want out in the public domain. The same goes for those legally or ethically obliged to protect customer information: think universities or schools, health care providers or insurance agents.

In fact it says the cloud will dominate all IT talk over the coming year as more than 40% of enterprises migrate at least half of their workload and educational facilities follow closely behind. There’s no doubt we are beginning to fundamentally rethink our relationship with data and the cloud. For all those who love a business forecast, we can say it’s definitely cloudy with a chance of cash falls.

33530 AP_HorseWorld 12/08/2015 16:10 Page 1

Does the Cloud Solve the Productivity Puzzle? What is the productivity puzzle? Economists keeps talking about it, the Government has just launched its 5 year Productivity Plan to solve it, and for a large number of SME businesses in the UK the puzzle is whether productivity applies to them at all. Productivity is typically measured as output per hour and the most recent figures for the UK show it is still below 2008 levels. We are also 17% below the G7 average, 28% below Germany, and 31% below the US. This is important to the economy as a whole because if we matched the US productivity levels, we would raise our GDP by an extra £21,000 per household, per year. The Federation of Small Businesses created its own Productivity Index at the end of 2014 to show this issue is not one only Governments and large corporations should be concerned with. ‘Increases in productivity allow for real wage growth’, their Q4 2014 report states, and real wage growth is what our whole economy wants and needs. But what tools are there to help SMEs solve the productivity puzzle? The answer lies in the Cloud. The explosion of technology solutions hosted off site mean a company can secure an enterprise quality solution for a small business cost that is also fully scalable. A subscription fee per user, per month is the normal model and that means you can add additional users as needed without hitting a cap that could tip your on premise hardware over the edge. No need to pay for upgrades: they are usually rolled out automatically and with little or no downtime while they install. With cloud solutions, you can control your IT budget and minimise ongoing costs. Cloud solutions don’t only save money; they also help make money. Mobile working is universally acknowledged to boost productivity and increase revenue for a business. In a 2013 Regus survey of over 2,500 UK business owners or senior managers; 70% reported an increase in productivity after moving to a mobile way of working and 63% reported an

increase in revenue. Yet still only 21% of us are fully equipped to work away from our desks. Cloud solutions enable mobile working by giving us access to all our desktop systems and data on the move. Customer information, invoices, job sheets, process documents, order forms, check sheets: mobile working is so much more than just email on your smartphone. You can access your sales software, accountancy software, workflow management, customer database, order tracker, wherever you are and potentially from any device. So what are the risks? I plan to talk about this in much more depth in my next article but of course the big issue is security. A recent industry survey highlighted that 1/3 of UK businesses had not deployed any cloud solutions to date and they quoted fear over data protection as their greatest reservation. Coupled with this was fear of being fined over breaches of security policies and data loss. This is why it is so important to find the right technology partner for your business and your level of security needs. Because you won’t solve the productivity puzzle by ignoring the Cloud. Sarah Windrum is CEO of the Emerald Group headquartered in Leamington Spa. The Emerald Group are specialists in technology solutions for SMEs including cloud and mobile technology.

For more information please contact the Group on 01926 452462 or email cloud@emerald-group.co.uk

33582 AP_BBP Template 18/08/2015 11:44 Page 1

Midlands technology business SCC creates new jobs in the region Birmingham-headquartered IT services business SCC is cementing its position as the region’s biggest private employer with employment figures soaring in key service areas. SCC is Europe’s largest independent technology solutions provider and has been based in the city since being founded in 1975. The company has invested heavily in Data Centre & cloud services over the last five years, and the return is now being realised with revenues up and new job opportunities created to help boost employment in the Midlands. One area in particular that has grown exponentially since its launch in 2012 is SCC’s multi award-winning secure cloud service for the public sector, Sentinel by SCC. Sentinel by SCC is the first Pan-Government accredited cloud platform of its kind and keeps data secure to Official/Official Sensitive (previously IL2 & 3) standards. Since the service was launched with a small team three years ago it has grown to employ more than 50 dedicated staff, with further expansion already underway set to attract another 4050 jobs within Birmingham. Practice Manager for Sentinel by SCC Kelvin Ayre said: “UK businesses are looking to SCC to deliver secure remote access and innovation when protecting sensitive data.

Sentinel by SCC has enabled us to do that and the business is in excellent shape. The strategic investment in Sentinel by SCC has returned substantial growth and in turn created new jobs for the Midlands region. “As a Birmingham-headquartered company proud of its roots, we’re delighted to be supporting the local economy and creating so many new jobs for home-grown talent. The forecast is further growth and we will continue to expand – it’s an exciting time for SCC and prospective employees alike.” SCC’s Data Centre & Cloud Services business posted an 87% increase in FY15, and was recently named Best Performing SaaS Partner at Becrypt’s annual awards, recognised for product innovation and forward thinking for Sentinel by SCC. Find out more about SCC: www.scc.com Visit the Sentinel by SCC page: www.scc.com/sentinel View all current vacancies at SCC: www.scc-careers.com

33468 AP_HorseWorld 09/07/2015 11:52 Page 1

Head in the clouds?

3. Software Updates Software updates are done automatically meaning businesses don’t have to worry about using out of date software which could leave them open to viruses and security attacks. It also means rolling out these updates to every device is seamless, freeing up valuable staff time.

There has been a steady move by businesses towards the use of Cloud Computing. If you’re used to running applications and computer programs from software downloaded to your PC or server, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about and whether it’s something you should be looking into.

4. Remote Working More and more companies are offering staff flexible working arrangements or need them to be ‘connected’ when out of the office. Because documents and emails are accessed via the Cloud, staff will always have access to the information they need, wherever they are (subject to availability of an internet connection).

5. Collaboration

So we asked Nigel Mills, managing director of Wolverhampton based MBM who are celebrating 25 years of providing clients with IT support, to explain the benefits of Cloud Computing for SMEs.

What are the Benefits to SMEs? 1. Disaster Recovery Cloud Computing takes care of most issues if a business is hit by a disaster; whether it’s a fire, flood or computers are stolen/damaged. Because all the company data and software applications are stored in the Cloud, no data is lost and the business can more quickly and easily get back up and running again with minimal downtime. This is a key selling point for many business owners.

2. Cost Savings Cloud Computing is typically Pay-As-You-Go, so capital expenditure is minimised. Businesses only pay for the applications and services they use providing a mechanism to predict their IT expenditure and manage costs more easily. It also means businesses can reduce spend on technology infrastructure and software licensing.

With the Cloud’s document sharing feature, files are stored in one location and everyone works on that central copy meaning easier version control of documents. Staff can make changes to that document at the same time and even ‘chat’ to each other online whilst making changes enabling the business to work smarter. If companies are wondering whether they should make the choice to move to the Cloud, Nigel recommends working with an experienced IT company who can give the right technical information to help you make the right decision for you and your business.

For more information visit www.mbmltd.co.uk or call MBM on 01902 32 44 94

33517_HorseWorld 05/08/2015 14:10 Page 1

We’re in business to help you manage yours better. Find us on

 KSA Associates – dedicated to helping your business use the cloud to reach new heights

unparalleled insights into important and fast-moving aspects of their operation, such as their cash flow.

This feature is all about accountancy. But don’t turn the page just yet – because it’s also about how the latest accounting technology can help make it easier for you to spend more time doing what matters in your business.

“We offer all our clients access to a secure online portal, Ezyfi.com, which gives them an exact, real-time picture of their current cash flow situation,” says Kevin.

Lots of people will have heard of ‘the cloud’, and many who operate small businesses are probably already using some of its capabilities. But if you’ve heard the term and aren’t sure what it’s all about, here’s a short introduction. Cloud computing is essentially a means of storing and accessing all your valuable data, and the programmes and applications you need to organise and run your business via the internet. So instead of having them all taking up large chunks of space on your computers’ hard drives – and potentially slowing down how you access and work with your data - you simply access them as and when you need them via your internet connection. And one of the most important business functions which can be carried out via the cloud is everything to do with keeping your business’s books up-to-date and in order. This is where KSA Associates comes in. Founded by Kevin Sharkey and Nathan Golby, and based In Aston, Birmingham, it’s a company which understands the ins and outs of running a small business – because its founders and associates have done it themselves. It offers its own cloud accounting solution. Based around the popular XERO accounting software package, KSA’s solution is about much more than just getting your tax return filed correctly and at the right time. “Because XERO gives us a clear picture of how a business is performing right throughout the year, it means we can be proactive in offering ideas which can improve business efficiency and, as a result, increase those all-important profits,” says Kevin.

“This is just one example of our game-changing approach that improves the way we all do business, and can react to situations as they develop.” Real-time accounting helps streamline the management processes any business uses. And by saving time, it gives you more time to focus on ways of developing and expanding that business. It also means you spend less time on making sure that your company completes all its annual company accounts, filing annual accounts and employee statutory requirements. “The technology available today really does make it possible to run a business from your spare room, because you don’t need to keep mountains of paperwork for compliance purposes,” Kevin adds. And when you also have on board a team of tax and financial management specialists, as you do when you enlist the help of KSA Associates, then running your business can be much more enriching, in every sense of the word. Contact KSA Associates today, on 0121 380 0988, or visit www.ksaassociates.co.uk to see more of the full range of services available to harness the full potential of your business.

We’re offering 3 months FREE Xero Software to those who join us as Clients – Simply quote “3 months FREE KSA”

Real-time data now available in greater quantities than ever before give small and medium-sized business owners

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There’s a big bad cyber world out there - that’s why it pays to have someone like Central IT Systems on your side. The Halesowen-based techno-experts have proven themselves to be invaluable and powerful allies in helping to protect the region’s small and medium-sized business community from cyber attacks. Of course they also take care of every IT need; offering constant infrastructure monitoring, maintenance and support, but Technical Director Chris Shuker is also passionate about raising security awareness to ensure systems remain safe and secure. It wasn’t so long ago that a raid on a company would mean thousands of pounds-worth of hardware being grabbed for sale on the black market. More recently, it’s data that’s become more valuable than gold, and combine determined criminal hackers with people who are unable to look after their own data effectively, fail to back it up properly or store it correctly, and you have a cyber disaster waiting to happen. Even deleted files can stay recoverable long after their apparent destruction. “Just deleting isn’t enough,” warns Chris. “Special procedures need to be put in place to prevent unwanted recovery of sensitive data by cyber criminals – the security of your business could rely on it.”

Eventually the FBI was able to trace the servers of those responsible and made the keys available through IT specialists such as Central IT Systems so that customers could could get their files back. But the problems have not gone away and, says Chris, many companies do end up paying the ransom simply to avoid all the hassle, and because the encrypted data is so valuable. It’s a crime that’s all the more critical for those who haven’t properly stored and backed up data in the first place, and that applies to those who fall foul to a virus infection or a corrupted file system too, leaving them without a hope of recovery.

Now the bad guys are extorting cash from companies by holding them to ransom, but it’s not people who are at risk; it’s data. Last year, thousands fell victim to the CryptoLocker ransomware in which their systems became infected with malware which encrypted their files and demanded money in exchange for a key to unlock them.

“It is impossible to underestimate the cost of this risk,” cautions Chris. “Often it’s a case of not knowing what you’ve got until it’s gone.” Central IT Systems is on hand to look at any issue which affects a computer system, offering tried and tested solutions that leave their customers secure in the knowledge that such IT disasters can be avoided thanks to multiple back-ups stored across several locations ensuring the security of data for good. Above is an example of an earlier piece of ransomware which claims to be from West Yorkshire police, and that a computer has been locked because the user has been carrying out illegal activities, such as watching certain types of pornography, or downloading illegal movies or music online.

The company is also there to ensure that should a customer suffer any computer failure, they can help get the business back up and running again. For further information about how Central IT Systems can help to protect your business, visit www.centralitsystems.com

Bromsgrove 01527 908653 Dudley 01384 468687 Kidderminster 01562 814676 Halesowen 0121 314 4696 24

33339 AP_BBP Template 15/07/2015 11:36 Page 1

destroying your data..... protecting the environment Data Security is a hot topic with reports of countless cyber-attacks of incredible sophistication and complexity requiring numerous counter strategies to assist in maintaining our online security. But what about your old computers, disks and media? Legacy equipment is likely to contain your company “crown jewels”, customer data, financial data and intellectual property. You are legally obliged to dispose of data securely and safely under the Data Protection Act. Finding accredited suppliers to prevent it falling into the wrong hands, is not always easy.

• Complete audit trail of all items collected including; make, model and serial number. • WEEE and Hazardous Waste Transfer, both legal requirements met. • A certificate of destruction confirming that data has been destroyed. Secure data destruction service, can be provided at SITD’s site or using their mobile service and includes: • Options to complete at your site or Secure IT site.

Did you know that you have a company on your doorstep that have a worldwide reputation and can meet every worldwide data destruction standard? They also guarantee to meet your internal corporate security policy.

• Hard Drive, magnetic tape, optical media, mobile telephony and microfiche.

Secure IT Disposals destroy data for almost every Government department and many large corporate organisations. The impact of a data breach on an organisation can be catastrophic not only in terms of Information Commissioner's Office and EU fines but also reputational damage.

• Commercial shred size is provided at 20 mm x 20 mm particle.

Destruction solutions are provided on or off site for all types of data media. This may be physical destruction or if the parent equipment is reusable, SITD can provide CESG approved electronic erasure. This will keep your costs down and meet the government’s directives on reuse of working equipment.

The company are happy to undertake a one off visit to clear any backlog your company may have accumulated, but would always recommend a regular ongoing contract for complete peace of mind. This can be weekly, monthly, three monthly or annual visits. Whatever is the most suitable for you.

Being local to Birmingham, there is the added advantage that if you chose to destroy at SITD’s site, you can observe your data being destroyed.

SITD’s processing centre based on the Woodgate Business Park, Birmingham, measures over 20,000 sq ft.

Over 210,000 assets and 1.3 million items of media have been destroyed in the last 12 months. For their largest customer, SITD have completed 520 projects in the last 12 months and a recent survey completed in March revealed that 18 % of the project contacts were ecstatically happy with the service and the remaining 72% very happy.

• ID cards, security tokens and other intellectual property.

• For data that contains government information, shred sizes as small as 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm are available.

For more information please visit www.sitd.co.uk or telephone 0870 727 1578

Managing Director, Martin Burke, stated, “Due to the nature of our work we have remained largely invisible in the West Midlands. The business has grown through reputation rather than marketing. As a result most of our business is in London and the South. I acknowledge that we have been a little remiss in reaching out to local businesses. We need to put that right, so are now making a concerted effort to ensure we offer the same world class service locally that we provide nationally and internationally”. SITD’s computer recycling service includes: • Collection using their own transport with uniformed staff who are there to help and will not require any assistance with loading. • All types of IT hardware and media can be collected.

33569 AP_HorseWorld 14/08/2015 08:35 Page 1

Quality products - and fine apprentices - are sheet metal sub-contractor's hallmark

When three good friends called Ken, Mick and Fred decided to pool their knowledge and resources, and form a sheet metal manufacturing business on the edge of Newcastle-under-Lyme in the early 1970s, they probably had little idea that, more than 40 years on, their business would be one of the most highly-respected in its field. But KMF Precision Sheet Metal has managed all this and more, including winning top awards and wide acknowledgement for its commitment to training and employing successive generations of enthusiastic apprentices, and turning them into knowledgeable and dedicated employees, happy to work for a business which is still expanding. Its latest success, which has seen it named Business of the Year for 2015 at one of the region’s most prestigious awards events, shows that KMF is certainly not resting on its laurels. From its extensive, 120,000 sq ft site, KMF makes a wide range of humble but nonetheless vital components which find their way into everyday items manufactured by such household names as Panasonic and Sony. It even makes the Costa Coffee machines which provide many thousands of people with their essential morning caffeine fix. Yet it’s just as happy to work alongside smaller businesses, using its engineering expertise to develop and manufacture bespoke, consistent quality products no matter who their customer is. A constant flow of work keeps almost 400 people busy in plants which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week on fulfilling this variety of orders. And at the same time, it provides an ideal environment in which the engineers – as well as salespeople and accounting experts - of tomorrow get a taste of every aspect of the business’s work, and find the one in which they excel. “Each apprentice we take on is given a thorough grounding in every aspect of our work, from the factory floor to the office, which means they can hopefully find the one area in which they really excel, and want to build their career,” says Jenny Conlon, Training Centre Manager.

“We have invested over £1.2million in building our own on-site training centre, in which we deliver a bespoke programme through which we aim to not only produce a team of fantastic engineers, but also people who are assets for the business in terms of their personal skills,” Jenny adds. And the company spends considerable time taking its message out around Staffordshire, with KMF representatives last year working with 23 local high schools, through their Young Engineer of the Year annual project, talking to over 3,500 students. This effort is designed to ensure that the potential apprentices KMF set on each year get a realistic introduction to the world of manufacturing. Yet, as the business remains familyrun, each one will be closely mentored, and given all the encouragement needed to find their niche, and become part of a company which operates as a well-oiled machine – just the same as the parts which it produces with pride. KMF welcomes pre-arranged visits to its factory, and can be contacted on 01782 569060.

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Manufacturing & Engineering Birmingham and the wider West Midlands manufacturing and engineering industries are continuing to powerhouse the country’s economic recovery. With the region’s fortunes once again on the up, confidence is growing too: a recent report registers that West Midlands manufacturers are currently the nation’s most confident. The good news was contained in the annual survey by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, and global law firm DLA Piper. Regional Manufacturing Outlook, drawing upon survey data and the latest ONS figures to provide a longer-term picture of the state of UK manufacturing, showed that all the country’s manufacturers are moderately optimistic about the next 12 months, but the West Midlands, scoring 6.86 out of a possible ten points for confidence, is firmly leading the way. The report also shines a light on regional export performance, a key factor behind such confidence, and the region accounts for 12.1% of the country’s manufactured exports, making it second only to London in terms of contribution. This means that one in every eight pounds earned from the UK’s manufactured exports is made here. But not all of them are going to Europe. In comparison with the South West, Wales and the East of England, at 40% the local contribution is the smallest. However, its second biggest overseas market, Asia, accounts for 27% of its manufactured exports – the highest proportion out of all the UK regions.

The report’s findings, announced in July, continued to bear out the upward trend that was highlighted last March at an international conference which focussed on the heart of the area’s economy and its impact on the surrounding engineering and manufacturing sectors. Coventry and Warwickshire teamed up with Birmingham and the Black Country to showcase the region’s world class automotive and engineering capabilities at the MIPIM property development and investment show. Topics highlighted included how the automotive sector can bring in further investment as well as some of the challenges affecting manufacturing, including long term under-investment in infrastructure, deindustrialisation and a relatively poor performance in R&D, not least the impact of the 2008-9 financial crisis. But now in a brighter 2015, there’s no getting away from the effect of an increasingly strong automotive industry. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and AutoAnalysis’s research paper show it grew 10% between 2012 and 2013, and is on course to deliver two million vehicles a year by 2018. This is being led, in no uncertain terms, by Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) £600 million commitment to its advanced vehicle manufacturing facilities and a vision for the future which encompasses design and engineering leadership and investment in education. This was recognised at the MPIM conference by Coventry City Council CEO Martin Reeves who, chairing the event,

said: “The global spread of JLR has raised awareness of the capability of the West Midlands in automotive engineering. “But while the company is a flag bearer, our region has a great number of companies undertaking ground breaking work which is made possible by a unique set of skills that we have in our supply chain, ranging from high quality small volume engineering, through to cutting-edge academic research, which is then fed into the supply chain through the very strong links which exist between our universities and companies. “Add to that developments such as the automotive and engineering technology park at MIRA and we have a very compelling case for companies looking to establish in the UK for the first time, or for those wishing to expand in an area which has the expertise they need to thrive.” JLR it’s not the only world-renowned brand that calls the West Midlands home. Aston Martin is also sparking innovation and engineering skills while further key sector names include Coventry’s Geeley (making London cabs) and refuse lorry builder Dennis Eagle of Warwick. Number crunchers will be please to learn that this area is responsible for 29% of all cars produced in the UK, and all its assembly plants are supported by thousands of small and medium engineering enterprises nearby. The future’s bright, the future’s definitely West Midlands manufacturing and engineering.

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AmbiRad now a part of Nortek Global HVAC

AmbiRad in its 36 year history of working within the HVAC industry has brought together a number of key acquisitions. It has acquired five well established brands; creating changes that signified growth in additional markets, product innovation and opportunities. The acquisition in which AmbiRad is now a part of Nortek Global HVAC is yet another key transformation for the company as Nortek is a trusted name within the industry and has been designing and manufacturing reliable heating and cooling products for more than 95 years. Being part of such a diversified company that leverages its strong brands will only strengthen AmbiRad’s position within the market and generate better recognition worldwide, thus creating something bigger, better and more equipped to serve the growing HVAC market; taking the business to a whole new level. As a highly respected company within the industry, Nortek Global HVAC focuses on creating genuine value for its customers through a unique combination of innovation, product performance and responsible support; values that AmbiRad respect, support and will endeavour to adhere to moving forward as a globally recognised business.

While product brands and interactions with customers will remain the same, the new name ‘Nortek Global HVAC’ signifies a unified strategy for growth and innovation in energy-efficient products and expanded product offerings. Nortek Global HVAC (UK) Ltd operating out of its Brierley Hill premises is a powerhouse of energy efficient heating and ventilation systems and other related solutions. Its family of highly distinguished brands comprises AmbiRad, Nordair Niche, Airbloc and Benson Heating. Simon Garratt, Marketing Manager, says “Together, these brands provide solutions that have a dramatic effect on reducing heating and therefore fuel costs, lowering energy waste and cutting down on carbon emissions. From high quality industrial heating systems to innovative air curtains, the group plays a vital role in helping companies in all sectors across the globe to meet and exceed their green targets”.

 Visit our Website: http://www.ambirad.co.uk/  Follow us on twitter  Like our LinkedIn Page  Join our Circle on G+

33533_HorseWorld 05/08/2015 12:24 Page 1

Truly good design is a kind of alchemy bringing together an original idea, ideal materials, emotion and excitement in a functional and attractive form to produce a well thought through product with strong market appeal. Multi award winning design consultancy, Renfrew Group International (RGI) certainly knows all about it, for over thirty years the company have been using innovation, design expertise and manufacturing flair to turn their clients’ ideas into successful products. They have an intuitive understanding of what makes a product desirable, and design products that don’t just do the job, but that the marketeers can sell. We make buying decisions for many differing reasons, it isn’t just as simple as “Will it do the job, I want it for?” It isn’t even “Can I afford it, or whether it is value for money?” There is a strong emotional element in our decision making. Put simply we buy what we like, we are drawn to beauty, colour, symmetry and satisfying shapes. Car manufactures have long been aware that some colours and style elements are preferred to others, and who hasn’t bought something that was a little more expensive just because we liked the look of it better? Then again there is one-upmanship, buying the product that is perceived to be better, newer, shinier, with more add-ons, or more applications than our friends and neighbours. RGI know and understand what it takes to give a product that extra edge.

Among a wide range of sectors that they work with, the company has particular expertise in engineering, extending into the automotive and motorcycle sectors, using their experience of the sector to take new concepts through to working prototype vehicles. Rapidly developing technologies in the Medical and Diagnostics sector are being matched by RGI’s innovative and technological expertise. The team get a real thrill from developing a piece of equipment that will be used to improve public health and well-being. While their combination expertise has won many prestigious industry awards and they number many major industrial concerns, from the private and public sectors and household names among their well-established client list, there are few things the talented team enjoy more than helping someone new turn their ideas into a working project. RGI are not just for the big boys, if you have a good idea, take it along, and see how thirty years of design and manufacturing enthusiasm and experience could bring your dream project to fruition. For more information please visit the web site www.renfrewgroup.com 0116 253 1961

RGI don’t just score on the design element, unusually for a design company, they also manufacture. Their manufacturing capabilities are twinned with their design expertise in a vast array of labs and manufacturing facilities, to produce precisely engineered products ready for manufacture. This approach enables them to work through all the design elements creatively ironing out any technical or developmental issues, making any adjustments to the model as necessary in the process to produce a prototype capable of being taken forward to manufacture on a commercial scale. The company is careful to keep the practical and emotional needs of the end user in mind at all times, regardless of sector.

33437 3pgs_DB Devall & Son 2pg 05/08/2015 15:03 Page 1

ROMER ABSOLUTE ARM WITH FASTER INTEGRATED LASER SCANNER DOUBLE THE SCAN RATE FOR MORE DETAIL IN LESS TIME

Halesowen’s Hockley Pattern & Tool Co is preparing to unveil a brand new process which place it firmly at the forefront of the global industry. The new Incremental Sheet Forming process will mean intricate panels in a wide range of materials, which normally take 10 weeks to produce and press in can be completed in a week or two. To develop the new service, Hockley Pattern & Tool Co has been working in close partnership with GTMA, the UK association which represents companies in precision engineering, rapid product development, toolmaking, tooling technologies, metrology and other critical manufacturing related products and services. “There’s not many people in the world who can offer this,” comments Neil Williams who, with his brother Gareth, is the joint Managing Director. You’d think launching one world-leading process would be excitement enough for any business, but Hockley Pattern & Tool Co has a whole host of developments going on at the moment, each alone one of which, alone, would be enough to keep a lesser company occupied for months at least. Early negotiations are currently under way in the Middle East with local partners and in Asia with current customers discussing satellite facilities to replicate Hockley UK, as multimillion pound operations, will be destined to complement Hockley UK and its joint venture in China. Back home, in recent months the company has boosted its already-stringent inspection services with the purchase of a 3.5m Romer scanning arm to complement its Faro laser trackers and other inspection arms.

Thermofax are specialists in Heat Treatment, Stress Relieving, Annealing, Normalising and Hardening based in the heart of the Midlands. We house the biggest furnaces in the Midlands and Southern Regions, and have the flexibility of plant to accommodate charge weights ranging from 1 Kilo up to 30 Tonnes Thermofax processes can be applied to: - Flat and Round Bar Stock - Ferrous and Non Ferrous Castings - Welded Fabrications - Heavy Forgings - Machined Parts - Manipulated Tube - Pressure Vessels - Profiles / Blanks / Plate / Slab - Rod and Wire Coil and Cut Lengths - Hot and Cold Rolled Sections - Fasteners and Springs Find out more about about us by visiting: www.thermofax.co.uk Thermofax Are proud to support Hockley Pattern & Tool and we would like to wish them the best of luck for the future...

t: 01384 230214 e: sales@thermofax.co.uk

hermofax Ltd heat treatment specialists

33437 3pgs_DB Devall & Son 2pg 05/08/2015 15:03 Page 2

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Further investment, continuing the practice that has unceasingly seen the firm at the forefront of the very latest technology, has resulted in the additional purchase of a Laser welder. Both pieces, as with all Hockley Pattern & Tool Co’s equipment, are now available as a subcontract service on or off site with an operator. All of which is not bad for a business which began life in Neil and Gareth’s father’s garage back in 1979. “Our aim is always to keep on improving and developing our manufacturing procedures to ensure we can support all of our customer’s needs,” Neil says. “This not only ensures we stay competitive, it also means we continue to keep on delivering the highest quality tooling that is associated with us.” Sticking to those goals has certainly reaped rewards. Over the decades Hockley Pattern & Tool Co has grown and developed into one of the UK’s leading aerospace and automotive toolmakers. It specialises in turnkey tooling packages, including design, project management and manufacture of multi-million pound tooling for production and prototype parts and all the relevant fixtures required for trimming, checking, bonding, and assembling the parts produced from its tools. Embedded into its operations is the maintaining of a business environment which allows, encourages and requires everybody to pursue continuing quality improvements. This not only encompasses its products and services’ quality and productivity but also its suppliers and is structured to comply with ISO 9001, and customer Quality Assurance requirements.

33437 3pgs_DB Devall & Son 2pg 05/08/2015 15:03 Page 3

All of which add up to a considerable range of achievements which have led to Hockley Pattern & Tool Co gain considerable success in exporting design and manufacturing tooling packages for customers all over the world. Not even the recent bitter recession could hold it back. Neil reveals that since moving to its current Lodgefield Road premises six years ago, and through some of the downturn’s darkest years, the company has actually doubled its turnover. “We're doing really well,” he states proudly. “We have very strong order book; actually the biggest we've had since starting over 30 years ago. “For this financial year our turnover is expected to be up to £5million overall and we now have plans in place to increase that figure to £6million plus within the next few years.”

We are the leading forklift truck distributor and refurbishment specialist Compact Fork Trucks work with a number of suppliers. That means we can offer products from other leading brands to provide you with equipment that meet your exact needs. We also maintain, service and repair all makes and models of forklifts.

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For more information on Compact Fork Trucks Ltd please call 01384 238000 fax 01384 240300 email gsilvers@thecompactgroup.com

www.hockleypattern.co.uk sales@hockleypattern.co.uk Tel: 0121 561 4665 Fax: 0121 559 9201

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33562 1pg_HorseWorld 10/08/2015 11:57 Page 1

When you hear top folk trumpeting the success of the UK’s manufacturing sector, it’s probably companies such as Oswestry’s GWR Fasteners which they have in mind. One of Shropshire’s most successful small businesses of the past decade – with a clutch of big awards as testimony to its achievements - it was set up in the teeth of the 2009 recession by Gary and Jude Robinson, initially as a distributor of nuts, bolts, washers and other industrial fasteners. But they harboured a dream of helping reverse a steady decline in the manufacture of such vital parts in the UK – and now, with the help of plenty of passion and enthusiasm from Gary, Jude and their small, dedicated team of six staff, they are turning that dream into reality.

A clear enthusiasm for their work and products has also helped GWR achieve so much in a relatively short time. As Jude says: “When we got our first CNC machine, it felt like Christmas. We didn’t expect to be able to follow it up so quickly with two more, but thanks to our growing customer base, a strong online presence, and a happy and committed team, we’re all excited about our future.” Find out more by visiting www.gwr-fasteners.co.uk, by searching for the business on Twitter and Facebook, or by calling 01691 654979.

With a varied and expanding customer base, GWR is earning a sound and rapidly-spreading reputation for its specialist and custom components. Yet the business started out as a fasteners distributor and accessing another company's machinery to make its products for a small number of customers. In the past 18 months, though, thanks to support from Close Brothers Asset Finance, it has expanded its staff to six in addition to Gary and Jude – who looks after the business’ marketing, development, and customer support. Another step-change in GWR’s fortunes came in 2013 when it relocated to its current premises, at Weston Farm on the outskirts of the busy market town. “Our investment – and our success – are purely the result of customer demand,” said Jude. “We realised we needed to invest in the best machinery available, and along with it the staff to share our vision, and we have been very fortunate to team up with Close Brothers Asset Finance to help us get both.” Recently, with extra help from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, the company added a third CNC machine, as it sees its inbound marketing strategy paying off handsomely, with a 3,000 per cent increase in orders so far in 2015, and a further expansion of its premises on the cards. Its parts are in high demand from luxury car, model steam engine and classic motorbike renovators.

Get ahead of the competition Close Brothers Asset Finance offer a wide range of flexible and competitive funding solutions to the manufacturing sector. To find out more about how we can help your business Call 01244 853 459 Visit www.closeasset.co.uk

Yet a commitment to using lean production methods, with low power consumption and minimum waste, to manufacture a range of niche products is also giving it a clear competitive edge. Close Brothers and separately, the Government have both featured GWR as a case study hailing them as one of their success stories.

Close Brothers Asset Finance is a trading style of Close Brothers Limited. Close Brothers Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company Number 00195626) and its registered office is 10 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4FT.

33556 AP_HorseWorld 03/08/2015 10:58 Page 1

Tier 1 solutions of any size Continued investment in added value services will result in sustained competitive pricing for customers, says the UK’s largest non-automotive aluminium sand foundry. Harrison Castings has a 104-year legacy to uphold for reliability and quality, and in more recent years customers have had further confidence in supply thanks to a ‘just-in-time’ philosophy at the world-class facility. In terms of attitude and commitment to customer satisfaction, very little has changed at the Leicester (UK) based foundry – customers in the high horse power engines power generation, construction and defence, medical and energy industries can rely on quality and speed of supply thanks to on-going investment which has resulted in efficient production methods and competitive pricing. With regards the foundry itself, the transformation year on year is palpable with the most recent investments concentrating on bringing added value services in-house including new shotblasting and heat treatment facilities. Significant investment has also been made on dust extraction equipment throughout the plant. The wide range of capital expenditure has enabled Harrison Castings to place greater emphasis on tier 1 customers where technical capability and reliability of supply is critical.

“We have expanded the site by acquiring adjacent premises and have made continued investment in capital equipment to the value of £2m in recent years,” said managing director Mick Jenney. “This is all in added value equipment so we can bring more processes in house. It means we have the control on site and can become more competitive.”

LARGE AND SMALL

Supplying fully machined castings to a broad customer base, Harrison Castings has become synonymous with large sand castings up to 400kg but the company is equally proficient in the supply of much smaller castings where they apply the same attention to detail and first class production methods. “We have capabilities at all levels and we make a lot of smaller castings, our competences are wide ranging,” Jenney said. The future plans are to broaden the manufacturing process and product base. Expansion into gravity and low pressure processes is on the cards, which will enable the foundry to use its extensive in-house knowledge of individual customer requirements and components to progress with the customer as they make the move into higher volumes. This is a significant advantage to customers who can benefit from the relationship they have built up with the foundry and remain with a supplier they have confidence in. Sales Director, Adrian Burton, said Harrison Castings’ supplies machined castings to OEM’s & raw castings to Tier 1 machinists across the construction, defence, energy, medical and high horse power engine sectors. Our castings are used by Siemens, Varian, Caterpillar, Cummins and Perkins For many years Harrison Castings has placed investment at the top of its agenda and customers can have faith that this will continue to be an on-going mantra for the years to come. Whether you need a 0.5kg or a 400kg aluminium casting – this is one progressive foundry that can satisfy this requirement now and into the future.

Contact: Adrian Burton, Sales Director Harrison Castings Ltd, Gough Road, Leicester LE5 4AP

Tel: 0116 276 9351 email: adrian.burton@harrisoncastings.com web: www.harrisoncastings.com

33458 1pg_HorseWorld 13/08/2015 13:07 Page 1

Matford was set up in 2008 in the heart of the recession by Andy Langford and Tim Matyus. The two men were working together as directors of a sub machining company when they decided to take the plunge and set up their own business. It was a leap of faith, with friends and family dubious about the wisdom of giving up secure jobs and taking such a risk given the then financial climate. Nothing daunted, Tim and Andy rented a small unit in Walsall of 1,800 sq ft and acquired 2 second hand 2 axis lathes. From the start their philosophy was to offer a first class and reliable service providing a sub-contract precision machining service of bespoke precision turned parts and special fastener solutions to engineering companies to customer specification. Their policy of quality and reliability has led to Matford achieving ISO9001 compliancy, and gaining a number of blue chip and high profile clients. In response to customer demand they opened a sister company, Matford Services, initially for the I.T support services they offer, in 2011. The company assists local companies within the fastener and turned parts industry on projects involving the supply and installation of new computer equipment and network facilities. This was followed by the addition to the team of Simon Pinhey who joined the Company offering supply and making of kitting parts for after sales service of truck and trailer parts and classic cars spares, in addition to the supply of standard and special fasteners.

The line up from left to Right are Roy Tansley, Gary Brown, Andy Langford, Keith Matyus, Thomas Langford, Tim Matyus.

HEDFAST Ltd are proud to support

Matford Manufacturing A one-stop, ISO Certified, modern machine shop for all of your Bespoke Fasteners, Flanges, Pipe-Fittings & Turned Parts. Available 24hrs for breakdown supply.

Telephone: 01902 608 100 l sales@hedfast.co.uk Fax: 01902 606 800 l 24hr Mobile: 07813 148 368 www.hedfast.co.uk Hedfast Limited Unit 30, Strawberry Lane Industrial Estate Strawberry Lane, Wednesfield WV13 3RS

FAST Ltd

By 2012 they had outgrown the existing unit and needed a much larger facility. In September 2012 they moved to a 6,500 sq ft unit, just round the corner from their previous premises. Last year they bought a DMG Mori Seiki NLX2500 SY/700 Turning Centre incorporating both C Axis and Y Axis, this bar fed machine opened up capacity so much so that they have bought a second one, due to be delivered this August. The extra space that seemed ample in September 2012 has been stretched by incorporating a mezzanine floor to make space for the new machine on the shop floor. The extra capacity is keeping all 8 employees very busy. Both families have been very supportive, and are now very much involved, with both wives helping out on the admin side, and the next generation coming on board. Andy’s son, Thomas has joined him on the Admin and distribution side and has just completed an administration apprenticeship, whereas Tim’s son Keith has inherited his father’s engineering & mechanical aptitudes and having visited the new machine’s manufacturer for training, is now a key member of the team and as Andy said “Coming on very well, and has his father’s brilliant ability on the engineering side of the business.” Andy is looking forward to some golf while Tim is flexing his fishing rods, but neither man think it will be any time soon.

The new machines have given them plenty of capacity to cater for the expanding requirements of their existing customers but Andy says they still have plenty of capacity to welcome fresh enquiries. Please ring 01922 622293 or visit the website www.matfordmfg.com

33428 2pg_HorseWorld 06/08/2015 09:06 Page 1

The LMS-Patriot Project Creating the new Royal British Legion endorsed National Memorial Engine Since the last update published by the Birmingham Business Post, significant progress has been made on the construction of The Unknown Warrior on a number of fronts. The main areas are highlighted below:

The frame plates for the bogie have been assembled at Tyseley during June.

The Frames The frames of the locomotive are really taking shape, with the three 18” x 26” diameter cylinders, cast using polystyrene patterns supplied by Premier Patterns and Castings of Smethwick, now fitted to the frames.

The bogie frame at Tyseley Locomotive Works. Photograph courtesy of Kevin West

The front end of the locomotive with all three cylinders fitted. Photograph courtesy of Bob Sweet

The motion girders and motion brackets, (patterns by Premier patterns, casting by Micron of Stourbridge, machining by Harco Engineering of Brierley Hill) have been successfully trial fitted and are shortly due to be final fitted along with the rear cylinder covers and slidebars. The engine will be wheeled at Llangollen Railway Works during this month (August), once these are permanently located on the frames. Our stalwart volunteer painters at Llangollen are working hard to ensure that every part has an adequate coat of paint before final assembly takes place.

Bogie wheels - patterns from Premier Patterns, casting by Micron and machining by Harco – wheels pressed on axles at Buckfastleigh South Devon.

The Boiler The boiler for The Unknown Warrior, which is being assembled at London & North Western Railway Ltd in Crewe, will be the first large traditional boiler to be built in the UK since that for Evening Star, the last steam engine built for British Railways in 1960. Assembly of the copper firebox will commence in two

The right hand cylinder in the frames. Photograph courtesy of Bob Sweet

Bogie The contract for assembly of the bogie has been placed with Tyseley Locomotive Works with an expected completion date of late September. All major components have now been made by West Midland suppliers, with the wheels, axle and axleboxes for the second wheelset awaiting machining and subsequent assembly at the South Devon Railway in Buckfastleigh, Devon.

The two boiler barrels made at Deepdale in Dudley - approx 5'5" diameter.

33428 2pg_HorseWorld 06/08/2015 09:06 Page 2

weeks time at Crewe Works with completion expected at the end of October. The two boiler barrels were rolled by Deepdale Engineering of Dudley earlier this year. The outer crown and sides will be ordered from Deepdale later this year. The remaining two outside steel plates have been ordered from Tyseley Locomotive Works for delivery in late Autumn with assembly of the boiler starting at the beginning of 2016 for completion in November 2016.

Tender Repairs to the existing tender frame have begun at Rowlescourt Engineering in Alfreton Derbyshire who are sponsoring the rebuild for just the cost of materials used. Assembly of the new enlarged tender tank will start in the Autumn.

Completion We are on target for the locomotive to be steamed in late 2017, with its inaugural main line run expected to be during spring 2018, in time for the locomotive to take part in the commemorations of the end of World War 1 in November 2018. David Bradshaw, Chairman LMS-Patriot Co Ltd For further information about the project, or to find out how to be the first to receive news updates and other benefits by becoming a member of the LMSPatriot Company, go to www.lms-patriot.org.uk which also contains details of how to donate to the scheme.

Fundraising

Publicity The editorial team at Steam Railway and the other railway magazines continue to provide first class support along with publications such as the Birmingham Business Post.

Sponsorship We are delighted to be able to say that we are receiving an increasing level of sponsorship from companies and individuals but are always delighted to receive more.

JONES S P R I N G S U.K.'s Finest Manufacturer of Parabolic & Multileaf Springs Jones springs have been established for more than 70 years and are the leading name in motor vehicle springs, specialising in HGV, light commercial, 4x4, vintage and classic cars We are also Britains leading Steam Locomotive Spring manufacturer and repairer. Based in the West midlands we only use the best quality British and European steel.

Visit us at www.jones-springs.co.uk or call 0121 568 7575 Jones Springs (Engineering) Ltd. Gladstone Street, Darlaston, West Midlands WS10 8BE

“

Income in the financial year 2014/15 was a record £305,000 (30% higher than 2013/14). To date over £1.2 million has been raised towards the target of £1.75 million, with an increasing number of individuals starting regular monthly donations. We are continuing to build on our established income flow, principally from standing orders, which generally attract Gift Aid at 25%. With just over two years to go we are appealing to all who want to see a Patriot on the main line to commit to regular donations for the next three years…………..

We are proud to support LMS Patriot Project wishing them all the best for the future. Jones Springs

CAD Cam Services Press Tool Patterns Engineering Patterns Metal Castings Polystyrene and Styrofoam Fibre Glass Boat Hulls Steam Train Patterns & Castings

Plus much more... For further information telephone 0121 544 6667 or visit www.premierpatterns.com

We are proud to support LMS Patriot Project Email admin@premierpatterns.com Unit 1, Elm Court, Crystal Drive, Smethwick B66 1RB

PP Premier Patterns & Castings 37

33416 AP_HorseWorld 13/07/2015 16:47 Page 1

mse

MSE are fully accredited to provide HVAC and electrical installation, maintenance and contracting

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

www.mse-uk.com

Focus on Service & Maintenance MSE have been one of Birmingham’s leading mechanical and electrical services providers for more than three decades, but they are now best known as one of the Midlands’ top names in commercial and industrial air conditioning system service and maintenance. Though most of their customers come from the Birmingham area 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.

• NICEIC Approved and Registered • Safecontractor Accredited • CHAS Accredited

• ISO 9001 Certified

• Constructionline Member • Fully F-Gas certified

• MCS/NAPIT Approved Installer

• Renewable Energy Assurance Limited Compliant • Daikin D1 Partner

• Mitsubishi Electric Accredited Installer

• Mitsubishi Electric EcoDan Approved Installer • Gas Safe Contractor

• CSCS Certified Cardholder • IPAF Compliant

• PASMA Member • SSST Compliant Electrical Services

Air Conditioning

Data Networks

Renewables

Reliable, All-Inclusive Service and Maintenance Packages at Reasonable Prices Facility and Equipment Downtime is one of the greatest threats to productivity (and profitability) in the UK today. Of course, a major HVAC failure present problems for the health and safety of your workers, but so many types of modern equipment require a stable temperature and/or humidity level to function that such a failure could cause days or even weeks of downtime, and no business, no matter how big, can afford that! MSE have more than three decades of experience providing reliable, expert preventive maintenance for commercial and industrial facilities of all kinds, including offices, shops, factories, warehouses, hospitals, schools and public buildings, and even temperature-critical facilities such as servers and data centres.

Of course, MSE can do a lot more than look after your HVAC system. They have a long list of service and maintenance packages, including: • Lighting

• PAT testing

• Fixed wiring

• CCTV

• Emergency lights

• Fire alarms

• Access control

Emergency Call-Out MSE currently offers a response time of around two hours for all emergency callouts within their service area, and we aim for total customer satisfaction with every call-out by offering excellent operative flexibility, first-time fixes and high quality work overall.

• Environmental Agency Licensed Waste Carrier …and all of our engineers are CRB-checked.

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 • 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

33350 AP_HorseWorld 19/08/2015 09:19 Page 1

Change for the Better

A fast-growing West Midlands based company is unveiling a new corporate identity that reflects its evolving range of services for the high-value manufacturing sector

Following a period of rapid expansion, quality management specialist Göbel & Partner (G&P) is upgrading its brand identity with a new website, corporate identity and marketing materials. The company, which helps manufacturers achieve world-class standards of quality, has made the change to better reflect its increasingly diverse and sophisticated service offerings. “Our business was founded on specialist inspection and rectification services for the automotive industry,” says company chairman and founder Dino Kyriacou. “But a strategic diversification effort over the past five years has seen us expand into new regions, new industries and new types of services. It was time our corporate identity evolved to reflect those changes.”

Wider services for global customers Since its decision to expand and diversify, G&P has grown from its West-Midlands roots to become a truly international organisation, with offices in 11 countries across Europe and Asia and significant contracts in the aerospace sector to complement its traditional automotive expertise. While it was important to make current and potential customers aware of the company’s expanded global reach, communicating the organisation’s expanding range of services was a key objective behind its rebranding effort. As well as the inspection and rectification work that helped it build its current strong reputation, G&P now offers solutions that include training, project management and recruitment. Increasingly, it also helps its customers make changes to product designs and production lines to maximise product quality. The company has developed a proprietary IT platform, QTrak, that allows its engineers to spot patterns in inspection data that point to the root causes of potential quality issues. It then works to help clients to eliminate those problems at source, ensuring sub-standard products never reach the end customer. The final element of the new branding approach is an increased emphasis on the company’s 1200 highly skilled employees, from inspectors to engineering specialists, who are fundamental to the delivery of its services. “Ultimately, our business is about helping our customers to reduce their total cost of quality,” concludes Dino Kyriacou. “Our new corporate identity shows how our people, our expertise and our service offerings work together to achieve that goal.”

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

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

33485 AP_HorseWorld 22/07/2015 11:17 Page 1

Many smaller companies are not pursuing their exporting opportunities according to government research which has found that, although small and medium-sized companies new to exporting may find success in ‘easy’ markets, greater support is ultimately required for them to go global. Some of the complexities of shipping, payments and the appropriate documentation require a level of expertise which few smaller companies will have in-house and will need to outsource. Exporter Services Ltd offers a support role to companies either new to export or looking to expand into new markets overseas, in most aspects of international trade. With a combined knowledge base of over 45 years, they appreciate the day to day challenges of moving cargo and creating documents, and whatever the problem may be they can help to provide the solution, be it concerning export, import or cross trade movements.

Sue Wright

• Outsourced shipping offices. Covering all of the administration, we take full responsibility for all shipping needs and requirements for businesses. We support our customers’ business by ensuring cover 365 days a year. • UK & US Export licences and Control. We look after several businesses that require export licences and are governed by controls both in the UK and in the US. Ensuring that due diligence is undertaken and they remain compliant being paramount. We sit in on their audits and compliance checks from export control. • Tariff codes service – we support businesses in addressing tariff codes so they remain compliant and attract the correct duty rates. • Training: we train and support The Institute of Export and 13 Chambers of Commerce around the UK. Topics which we cover in depth include Exports, Imports, Letters of Credit and Export Control compliance. • Health checks. An important part of improving international systems within organisations. Using Exporter Services Ltd puts the expertise of a team of experts in international trade at your fingertips. Their global network of contacts, understanding of international trade compliance, and of the cost implications of different movements has proven to be a cost effective benefit to the many companies from all industry sectors that they serve.

They are not freight forwarders; but act on behalf of many businesses to ensure that the movements are cost effective and compliant. Managing Director, Sue Wright, detailed their services for us, including: • Completing Export Documentation on behalf of clients such as invoices, preference documents and certificates, ensuring total compliance at all levels. • Preparation and presentation of Letters of credit – a secure method of payment that requires accuracy and an understanding of the rules in order to receive payment. • Importing and import regimes - duty and VAT implications, costings, how and when to utilise the appropriate schemes to take advantage of duty relief. • Helpdesk offering support to businesses on a technical level. • Shipping services. Arranging shipping and movement of freight.

To see how they can assist your expansion into international trade please visit their web site, www.exporter-services.co.uk Email info@exporter-services.co.uk Telephone 0115 727 0018 Mobile 07540 166 066

33594 1pg_Transport Warehousing 06/09/2015 20:56 Page 1

Help is out there for anyone keen to

expand by exporting For a business which is looking to grow, the decision to do so by exploring the potential to export its products or services is one of the biggest – and potentially transformational - it can make. Yet the uncertain climate created by the prospect of the people of the UK being asked to vote on whether to remain a part of the nation’s closest and largest block of trading partners - the European Union - is casting an undoubted shadow over all the efforts which are being put in on a daily basis. But no matter what the future holds, such large events have to be put to one side. It’s all well and good asking “what if?” But while your business is doing that, there are others which are getting on with building the contacts needed to get their foot in the door ahead of you, and in pole position to win the business that’s out there. This has to be balanced against the undoubted fact that, thanks to better transport than ever and the ability to communicate more easily and quickly across vast distances via the internet, practically any business can become an exporter. Meanwhile, the government is keen to encourage businesses of all sizes to overcome their natural reticence to explore markets other than their own.

Its main body designed to encourage and facilitate exporting for all kinds and sizes of businesses is UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). It offers online and telephone advice services for owners of businesses with aspirations to sell overseas, which can also point them towards sources of funding which are available to bolster their capability to trade with foreign partners. There’s no doubt that much attention is currently being focused on relations with our partners within the EU. But at the same time, firms are having great success in growing by sending their goods further afield. As part of a concerted effort to broaden the UK’s exporting base, in late July, Prime Minister David Cameron gained substantial publicity for the UK and its potential for exporting when he led a delegation which visited Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. His visit, along with representatives of some of the country’s leading exporting businesses, was part of a push to drive the value of goods exported from the UK to £1trillion by 2020.

To do this, the government has a broad aim to get 100,000 more firms selling its products and services abroad over the next five years. As a major encouragement to businesses looking to test the waters in overseas markets, a positive picture for exports is painted by the latest official figures. In the three months to May 2015, exports to countries outside the EU grew by £1.7billion, mainly due to exports of chemicals reaching a record high. The surplus in the trade in goods to the USA also reached a record high in the same period, of £4billion. However, the value of exports from the UK has remained largely flat since mid-2011, largely, according to government officials, due to uncertainty across the Eurozone. According to the Office for National Statistics, the top new export markets have been Egypt and Mexico, with the latter, along with the United States and South Korea, showing the fastest growth during the quarter to May. UKTI makes free advice available to any business which believes it can succeed through exporting. A first step to getting access to that advice is to fill in the enquiry form available on the www.greatbusiness.org.uk website, or call the business support helpline – free from most landlines – on 0800 456 3565. The line is open from 9am to 6pm every weekday.

33459 AP_HorseWorld 14/08/2015 19:17 Page 1

Effortless credit management for Birmingham exporters A great product or service should find a domestic market but the greatest rewards are often found beyond UK shores. And this is where the right credit management support can make all the difference, as Coface’s Grant Williams explains. The Chancellor has again urged British businesses to become exporters. In his summer budget1, George Osborne called for increased business investment at home to be matched by exports abroad. The good news is that many businesses in Birmingham and the West Midlands have already risen to the export challenge. According to a major report published in July 20152, the West Midlands accounts for over 12% of the UK’s manufactured exports. The region has also proved it is possible to build markets outside the EU: Asia, accounts for 27% of its manufactured exports, compared with 16% for the UK as a whole. If your business is ready to make the move into exports, the rewards can be fantastic – faster growth, an increased market share and improved profit margins – but it’s also important to be aware that markets and the financial health of businesses can change rapidly. For example, Coface recorded a rise in credit insurance claims during the first-half of 2015 which confirms our view that the world’s economies are growing slowly but remain fragile, particularly some emerging markets which are experiencing structural difficulties. It clearly pays to be aware of the trading risks at the outset and SMEs particularly will be relieved to hear that this does not have to be resource or labour intensive because Coface has made this aspect of credit management as straightforward as possible. Our service goes beyond credit insurance to include informative assessments of credit risk to help those researching new markets, as well as tools to help companies manage their credit trading.

Business information Coface’s economic studies are freely available to everyone on our website. They include detailed ‘Panorama’ reports which give an insight into the financial health of different regions and industry sectors. A recent Panorama assessed the strong automotive sector in Central and Eastern Europe which has attracted significant inward investment but remains heavily dependent on overseas markets.

We also provide at-a-glance maps and infographics which give a clear overview of the latest developments and trends. For example, our latest country risk assessment map which you can see on this page reflects the likelihood of business default in 160 countries, based on data from the second Quarter of 2015. The colour-coding makes it easy to see countries where the trading risk situation has improved, such as Portugal and Vietnam, and highlights countries where there are problems. This includes China where Coface has downgraded its country risk assessment because of increased levels of private sector debt and nonperforming loans. If you are interested in a particular market, you can search for the country on the website to find a detailed assessment of its strengths and weaknesses, including macro-economic indicators, insolvency trends and in many cases, an index of payment incidents recorded by Coface underwriters. You can also compare different geographical regions and countries by Coface’s assessments of country risk and business climate.

Credit opinions As I mentioned earlier, another feature of Coface’s service are the tools we provide to clients to help them vet the credit worthiness of their buyers. Our @credit rating and customised credit opinions provide clients with an instant online evaluation of risk based on local information, a database which tracks the trading behaviour of 65million companies worldwide and the expert knowledge of our underwriters. For those who require more detailed business information to aid decision-making there is Infoline. This is an online resource where users can choose from three levels of financial reports on more than 7million UK registered companies and unincorporated businesses. Each report includes a credit recommendation and unique Credit Opinion Score which reflects the probability of payment default and insolvency.

To find out more… If your business is planning an export drive, remember that Coface has been supporting businesses with their overseas and domestic trade since 1946. For more information about our services, contact us on 01923 478111 or visit www.cofaceuk.com References 1 Summer budget speech, HM Treasury, 8 July 2015 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chancellor-george-osbornes-summerbudget-2015-speech 2 Regional Manufacturing Outlook, EEF and DLA Piper, July 2015 http://www.eef.org.uk/resources-and-knowledge/research-and-intelligence/industryreports/eef-regional-manufacturing-outlook

33436 AP_HorseWorld 02/07/2015 15:22 Page 1

Using state-of-the-art tracking technology, every customer’s deliveries are constantly monitored, and information fed back giving them live updates on the progress of the vehicle and the goods at any point of their delivery.

LOGISTICS SPECIALISTS

TIME CRITICAL SOLUTIONS

A moving story

how JJX Logistics helps businesses of all sizes deliver their promises John Donovan is a great example of a businessman who started small, but by keeping his focus on providing quality service to all his customers, has seen his venture grow considerably. He started JJX Small Haul in 1997 with only one van. Since then, the company has steadily evolved year on year, and taken on a new identity - JJX Logistics - to emphasise that, with its greatly expanded fleet, it carries consignments of all sizes the length and breadth of the UK and Europe.

With the facilities to carry ambient and temperature-controlled goods, major clients come from the pharmaceuticals, aerospace, defence, rail, automotive, on and offshore marine, packaging and printing industries. Proud members of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance (MAA), Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), JJX also puts a strong emphasis on equipping all its staff with the latest industry qualifications. All drivers and operational staff are CPC, ADR and NVQ trained where appropriate. Alongside this, JJX Logistics has recently been awarded ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and FORS Bronze accreditation. John Donovan said: “We are still very much a family business and we operate today with the same ethos as when JJX Small Haul first began; our customer is key. “Whether they are an occasional caller or a multinational company, each customer and their deliveries shall be given the same due care and attention. We are here to serve them.” JJX’s speciality is same-day fast freight, offering a reliable door-to-door service that ensures that the customer’s consignment is delivered quickly and safely, in a suitable state-of-the-art vehicle, from a Mercedes Vito right up to a 44-tonne articulated unit. The company is very keen to help young people to launch a career in the transport industry through its apprenticeship scheme. This gives them a grounding in such essential disciplines as route planning, job-to-driver delegation and quoting procedures. Those who aspire to be drivers are being given the training needed to get them started. It has also taken part in the Prince’s Trust ‘Get into Logistics’ Scheme and after offering work placements to two young workers, has now taken both on full-time. Another team member who started as an office apprentice but wanted to gain driving experience was given that chance, and now is a full-time team member, regularly taking vehicles of up to 26 tonnes on jobs across Europe, with the ultimate aim of acquiring his HGV Class 1 licence.

In 2007, with the acquisition of Express Light Haulage, it took on a fleet of vans ranging from small Mercedes Vitos up to 44-tonne articulated lorries. Using these, JJX now guarantees customers collection or delivery anywhere in the UK or Europe within a one-hour window, no matter what size the consignment.

Operating as a ‘24/7’ business, JJX Logistics is on standby to assure the kind of personal touch which is the hallmark of the most successful small yet thriving businesses, but on an international scale. Visit jjxlogistics.co.uk to find out more, or call 01384 221642 to find out how they can help keep your business on the move.

t: 01384 221 642 e: info@jjxlogistics.co.uk www.jjxlogistics.co.uk

JJX Logistics’ head office near Dudley, West Midlands is supplemented by a transport office in Wolverhampton with storage and warehousing facilities, a maximum of 15 minutes’ drive from all the major Midlands motorways.

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

33497 AP_HorseWorld 22/07/2015 11:49 Page 1

SP Services, the Telford based international supplier of medical consumables and equipment has appointed Paul Watts as the Head of Business Development for the company.

of years and I know how strong they are within the industry. I am delighted to re-join the team – or as I like to call them, family - I look forward to my new challenges. In fact I am buzzing and I cannot wait to get started”. SP Services has been producing and supplying medical consumables and equipment since 1989. Its customers include many of the UK’s ambulance services, NHS |Trusts, Police Forces, Fire Brigades, Premiership football clubs and large scale events such as the London 2012 Games and Baku International Games, SP work closely with a number of large charities, NGO’s and government organisations. A number of products SP supply even have their own Nato Stock Number (NSN). Paul said of his new role ‘I will be focusing on the development of our new and expanding product ranges, for example the Parabag range has had a total redesign utilising the latest B3P fabrics to ensure they are infection control friendly and easy to clean. The range has been around for many years, trusted by professionals and medics the world over, so to be part of the team launching the new design features is very exciting.’

Paul, who has previously worked at London Ambulance Service, Laerdal, Johnson & Johnson, DS Medical and SP Services (as Regional Sales Manager) and more recently for Medical Services, brings with him almost 12 years of medical and healthcare industry experience to the SP Services team and will be responsible for new clients and managing a number of high profile partners.

Paul Watts

Steve Bray, Managing Director at SP Services, said, “We are delighted that a person with Paul’s experience and enthusiasm has re-joined the company in a new capacity. We have taken our time to recruit a high quality business development manager who not only has a proven track record, but also has the niche experience, product knowledge, desire and determination to succeed. He will be a great asset.” Paul said "I am very excited about this appointment as I have come up against SP Services many times over the past couple

In addition to the new Parabag range the Donway range of emergency immobilisation and transportation equipment is also evolving, with new products including the Donway Vacuum Mattress, Vacuum Splints and the Donway Carbon Fibre 2-piece Stretcher. Paul said ‘this is an exciting time to be rejoining SP, with a strong focus on new product innovations and assisting companies in their major incident preparedness plans.’ The devastating effects of a major incident or natural disaster have been thrust to the forefront of many individuals and organisations minds in recent times with the Ebola pandemic in 2014 and earthquakes in Nepal. By having a disaster preparedness plan in place on a business and personal level you can be better equipped and ready for the short, mid and long term effects of a major incident. From a simple first aid kit to mass evacuation kits, SP Services has everything you need for in an emergency. To discuss SP being part of your Major Incident plan or to arrange first aid stock replenishments contact SP now. www.spservices.co.uk sales@spservices.co.uk 01952 288 999 Bastion House, Hortonwood 30, Telford, Shropshire TF1 7XT

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Watch Out,

There’s a Risk About! Health and safety generates polarised views. Some see health and safety regulation as key to preventing injury and ill health; others see it as a burden on business, driving risk aversion and undermining our collective sense of responsibility. It is widely recognised that employers have responsibility for the health and safety of their employees, but it isn’t always understood that they are also responsible for any visitors to their premises such as customers, suppliers and the general public. There are risks, whatever type of business you run, even small businesses have accidents; the fatality rate for SME manufacturers has been found to be twice that of larger ones. All work exposes people to hazards, be they: loads which have to be manually handled, dangerous machinery, toxic substances, electricity, working with display screen equipment or even psychological hazards such as stress. According to ROSPA, despite all the precautions that are taken in the UK, there are still over 640,000 workplace injuries every year as well as 1.8 million cases of ill health caused or made worse by work.

Attention to health and safety is not just about being socially responsible. It also makes good business sense and employers should regard it as just as important as the achievement of any other key business objective. The cornerstone of Health and Safety legislation in the UK is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, often referred to as HASAW or HSW, this Act of Parliament places a duty on all employers "to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work" of all their employees. The key here is the phrase “reasonably practicable”, employers are not required to take steps against every remote possibility, just those that could be reasonably foreseen. You do have to have a system (e.g. have a policy, designate people and have clear procedures) in place to manage health and safety (and, if you employ more than five people, set this out in a written health and safety policy statement).

You need to be able to show how you plan, organise, control, monitor and review preventative measures. And you need to appoint a competent person(s) to help you comply with your legal obligations. Employers’ arrangements to ensure the health and safety of the workplace should include making arrangements for emergencies, adequate information and training for employees and for health surveillance where appropriate. Risk assessment is the key to working out what needs to be done - but don't make it over-complicated. Remember, although you have to do it by law, it is really only any use if it can be used as a working tool - to help you prove to yourself and your employees that you have identified the main things in your business which could cause harm and that you are doing everything you should to prevent that harm from happening. The whole burden of responsibility doesn’t just fall on the employer; employees also have a part to play. Employees must work safely in accordance with their training and instructions given to them. Employees must also notify the employer or the person responsible for health and safety of any serious or immediate danger to health and safety or any shortcoming in health and safety arrangements. The British Safety Council has a vision that no-one should be killed, injured or made ill through work activities. They say, “Health and safety, when properly and sensibly managed, produces immense business, economic and social benefits”. More regulation and enforcement is not the answer. Better sharing of knowledge and expertise, as well as a more riskeducated society is.

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Veritas Consulting

When it comes to Health and Safety in your workplace, call in the experts, it will be far less costly in the long term. Health and Safety is something that business owners and managers tend to put to one side, on the “I’ll get round to it later” pile, but they do so at their peril. A well thought-out Health and Safety Policy is a key ingredient in running a successful business, playing fast and loose in this area of your business can be costly. Few people are aware that, under the regulations, directors, managers and supervisors can all be prosecuted for infringements of health and safety law. The financial implications of this for individuals, and the disruption caused to your business, can be substantial.

The tangible benefits go way beyond a company’s enhanced professional image and compliance with workplace law. There are real practical benefits which improve the efficiency and productivity of your workforce, not forgetting lower insurance premiums and the massively reduced risk of expensive legal claims against your company. With so much at stake, the potential risks associated with creating your own health and safety policy are just too high. The complexities of legal and social obligations nowadays make it essential to bring in expert health and safety consultants like Veritas Consulting. Love to have your own expert? Veritas Consulting can help there too, their Competent Person packages, mean that while keeping your overheads down by not employing a full time member of staff to deal with Health and Safety issues, still having the reassurance of having all the help you need just a free phone call away.

Veritas

An expert will steer you through this maze of legislation and come up with cost-effective, compliant solutions that are realistic and straightforward. Veritas Consulting are there to help you manage workplace risk and comply with UK safety regulations.

Consulting

Their core strength lies in fully understanding all aspects of compliance and providing an uncomplicated approach in helping to unlock the huge benefits effective Health and Safety can bring to your business. The Construction Industry carries its own particular challenges, and as registered CDM advisers, Veritas Consulting can offer superb construction and risk management skills with an in-depth knowledge of construction. Drawing on their in-house experience Veritas’s construction Health and Safety consultants have for many years helped many SME construction companies to organise or improve their knowledge of managing Health and Safety, and increasing their potential to win new and profitable contracts. The CHAS Registration Scheme accreditation is the most widely recognised Health and Safety qualification in the construction industry, and often a key requirement in the award of contracts. CHAS can be quite difficult to obtain without assistance from a professional construction Health and Safety consultant. Veritas Consulting will complete your CHAS Registration Application form, guarantee a successful CHAS Registration Accreditation and provide your business with a full Health and Safety package.

Trusted Advice, Today

When a company has an effective health and safety policy in place, it’s something you can sense as soon as you walk onto their premises. An air of calm efficiency transmits a feeling of reassurance to employees, suppliers and customers.

Get a Health and Safety Audit of your Business Health and safety training courses Fire Risk Assessment...plus much more

Act now by contacting Veritas Consulting by phone

0121 702 1425

For more information on their www.veritas-consulting.co.uk range of services and training packages please visit the website

Helping you manage workplace risk & comply with UK safety regulations. 48

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Planning a conference or an event? Memorable events can build a better business team Conferences and team-building exercises have become huge business in the UK. Whereas these were once largely the preserve of major hotel chains and dedicated conference venues, a wide variety of locations have added such facilities in recent times, which means that whatever you’re looking for in a corporate event, there will be a venue whose offering is tailored to suit your needs. From action and excitement days designed to give individuals a chance to shine in a decidedly different environment – perhaps even discovering some previously-hidden talents in the process – to gatherings where the agenda is much more formal, you have an almost limitless choice of locations and environments. You could take your team far away from civilisation and test their survival skills, Bear Grylls-style, or you might want to reward them with a get-away-from-it-all stay in a luxurious location that’s geared up to offering some serious relaxation. Major hotel and conference centre chains have turned their backs on offering a onesize-fits-all approach, trumpeting instead the individuality and versatility of their locations. And as many of the larger groups employ a dedicated team of corporate events and hospitality

specialists, they can advise you on the type of event you want to stage, whether your guest list is anything from four to 4,000 people long. They will then work alongside you to configure your chosen venue in the most appropriate way for the type of event you wish to run, and work either with their own in-house colleagues, or with external specialist caterers, to ensure that all your guests are suitably fed and watered. It seems that anyone who owns or manages a hospitality venue in the UK knows that businesses consider it important that their workers are properly rewarded for their day-to-day efforts. So they have put major effort into capturing a slice of this business. And, of course, they do so in the hope that, if people who attend a corporate event at one of their venues leave impressed by what they’ve seen, they will think of that location again when planning a special break of their own. Hotel and conference centre owners and companies managing such facilities have, of course, long been specialising in catering for this market. But in recent times, they have been joined by other players in the hospitality and leisure sector – including operators of holiday parks and purpose-built leisure resorts.

Such locations play heavily on their often desirable locations, and the tranquil surroundings they offer, but nevertheless they have added such purpose-built facilities as meeting rooms, theatres and all the necessary audio-visual equipment to. Where they look to offer something different from what has traditionally been available, though, is in allowing delegates and guests use of their other on-site attractions – so after a day of meetings or networking, it’s possible to relax in a fabulous swimming pool, let off some steam in an on-site health club, or simply by taking a stroll around the immaculatelykept grounds – and after all that, enjoy an overnight stay in surroundings which put them in a holiday frame of mind. These are just a handful of ideas for motivating and thanking your team. Everyone likes to feel they are valued and their day-to-day efforts appreciated – and there are few things which say ‘thank you’ better than a break from the usual surroundings where work, rest and play are combined in an experience which everyone might still be talking about months afterwards – the very definition of a ‘bonding exercise’.

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Let’s all meet at the Pavilion! Birmingham businesses have found the perfect affordable conference venue just a stone’s throw away from Birmingham City Centre and easily accessible from junction 9 of the M6, the Pavilion. The most flexible venue within the Birmingham area, the Pavilion is the ideal facility for your corporate requirements, whatever type of function you are organising, whether a board meeting, staff training, teambuilding day, seminar, presentation evening or your end of year conference Meeting rooms can be set up in a variety of layouts from spacious, (seating 250 delegates) to intimate, (accommodating 10 delegates) depending on the aims and objectives of your conference. The Pavilion offers the complete modern conference experience, each room is fully equipped with everything you need to mount your event including a range of audio visual equipment if required, while the comfortable bar and the impressive terrace provide ideal break-out areas between sessions.

With a range of catering packages to suit all budgets the Pavilion provides mouth watering sit down meals or delightful on the go buffets. The Pavilion is surrounded by 18 hectares of stunning sporting grounds, available for a range of team-building and competitive activities to inspire and enthuse delegates. The Pavilion also offers free Wi-Fi which is a must when on the go and away from the office. Free parking is also available on site making it easy for all. A conference assistant will be on hand to make sure your day at The Pavilion goes smoothly. The Pavilion offers a wide variety of competitively priced delegate packages with full and half day packages or bespoke menus to suit everyone’s needs. You are invited to take a tour of the pavilion by contacting the events team for more specific information. 0121 3316515 or visit the web site www.thepavilion.co.uk

Consider The Pavilion for your next meeting, conference, private function or exhibition... “Everything went superbly, the food was amazing and such good value. Everyone was just so helpful and friendly”

“Really helpful staff – nothing was too much trouble”

The Pavilion Moor Lane, Birmingham B6 7AA www.thepavilion.co.uk Tel: 0121 331 6515

Conveniently Located Excellent Value Outstanding Service Impressive Sports Grounds Free parking & Wifi

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The Welcome Centre is a purpose built conference and events centre located in the heart of Coventry city in Warwickshire. The facility is truly excellent, featuring eight separate fully configurable and fully equipped rooms, the largest of which seating up to 650 delegates quite comfortably. In fact, The Welcome Centre is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Midlands, and benefits from excellent transport links and state-of-theart facilities.

The Grace Room

The Grace Room auditorium is a large blank canvas that can be used for large events, seating up to 650 delegates in theatre style or up to 300 and cabaret style. It also makes an excellent exhibition hall.

The Welcome Centre is only an hour from London by train. It is just a short drive from the Birmingham International Airport, and sits at the heart of the UK's motorway and rail network. Within Coventry itself, the centre is within easy walking distance of the railway station and offer ample on site and nearby parking for delegates arriving by car. With cutting edge audio visual equipment installed throughout the building and free WiFi available throughout, The Welcome Centre has everything presenters and delegates need to ensure an enjoyable, productive tome for all at your next event. Every room has controllable lighting and built in video projection and sound equipment. Their staff can set the equipment up and more importantly provide technical advice and support. They can put a trained technician at your disposal for the day. This technical savvy and versatility is already attracting many large corporate clients, smaller and medium sized businesses, government organisations, members of the health and education sectors, not for profit organisations and charities. Better yet, the staff is well trained and passionate about providing top-notch customer service to every visitor every time. Their motto is "Service with a smile, going the extra mile” and they live up to it in every way.

This room boasts comfortable upholstered seats, a full climate control system, an impressive array of sound, lighting and audio visual equipment, and makes the perfect venue to wow, entertain and communicate with your clients, delegates or staff. Due to the high specification of the lighting, sound and AV systems, we find many of our clients simply arrive, set up and run. This saves significant time, human energy and ultimately cost relative to alternative of bringing in external AV companies. Of course if you need more, we can deliver more. What could you do with the Grace Room? The only limit being your imagination!

The Inspire Room

The Inspire room can accommodate up to 200 people in theatre style or 120 cabaret style. It offers sweeping views of Coventry city centre with gorgeous natural light. It can be divided into two soundproof rooms, each with their own installed projector and screen. In this configuration Inspire 1 seats 120 and Inspire 2 up to 30 in theatre style. Inspire 2 also makes an excellent break-out space.

Find us on

 Address: The Welcome Centre, Parkside, Coventry, CV1 2HG Telephone: 0247 622 6064 Email: info@thewelcomecentre.co.uk

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Midlands Manufacturer Special EFX Provides the WOW Factor to Awards and Trophies

Special EFX is a leading design and manufacturer of bespoke awards, trophies and plaques. The company was established in 2004 and has built a reputation for contemporary designs and high quality. Its manufacturing site is near Stratford-upon-Avon, where it employs cutting-edge technology to remain the leader in its field. The company works for both global and small sized companies and organisations, producing everything from custom-made awards for in-house recognition schemes to prestigious industry awards, trophies for major sporting occasions to themed awards for workplace Christmas parties. The service the company provides its clients is both personal and professional. Customers include blue chip names such as Bupa, Haymarket, ISS, Google and Fedex, to name but a few. Working with event organizers, clients and design agencies, the company is flexible and able to provide short lead times and high quality, thanks to its unique UK manufacturing facility. The design studio is the starting point. Looks certainly count, when it comes to impressing winners and making them feel really special and the EFX studio responds to each client’s brief with a portfolio of innovative and striking designs – free of charge. The design and quality of awards speaks volumes about a company, its values and how it rates its staff. EFX produces thousands of awards a year and Melanie Osborne, Sales Director at Special EFX has a unique insight into what makes a

strong design: “Logos turned into three dimensional, personalised trophies directly link the personal achievement to the organisation or brand. When the winner picks up a trophy they need to have a WOW moment when they feel proud and elated. EFX produces thousands of WOW moments each year”. The choice of materials is extensive. Undoubtedly, trophies which sparkle and feel substantial to hold make great first impressions and stand out well in any press coverage, and so plated aluminium, nickel plate in particular, are popular options. Contemporary shaped glass awards, enhanced by colour or special surface finishes, are perceived as high value by all age groups, whilst commissioning unique pieces of art-glass as awards has emerged as an option in recent years for those companies looking to add prestige to a scheme. Advances in technology mean that acrylic is a prestigious choice of material for designer awards; full colour, internal graphics combined with its tactility and surprising weight make acrylic a designer’s dream for free-standing trophies and wall plaques, especially where organisations are looking for strong branding.

Ensure your awards and trophies have the necessary WOW factor. Get in touch with Special EFX T: 01789 450005 www.awardefx.co.uk

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Center Parcs are renowned for their focus on teambuilding and are strong advocators for the importance of getting teams out of the office and into the fresh air. As experts in providing inclusive activities due to the wide ranging demographics of its leisure guests, Center Parcs’ Woburn Forest and Sherwood Forest can offer a great selection of activities matching the needs of most corporate clients and targeted towards helping motivate and bond teams. Both Woburn Forest and Sherwood Forest offer three teambuilding packages: Active8, Motive8 and Rejuven8, which have been designed to provide delegates with a wider range of options to compliment any meeting or event and can be tailored around the client’s business objectives. The packages include use of a meeting room for the morning, refreshments, lunch and then a two-three hour activity. Woburn Forest Situated in Bedfordshire, and located under an hour away from London, Woburn Forest has more than exceeded the targets set prior to its opening for corporate events in October last year, generating in excess of £2.2m in revenue. Woburn’s undulating forest landscapes, iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise and views over the lake and forest, coupled with its first-class conference facilities and close proximity to London, have ensured a successful year so far. Woburn Forest can accommodate up to 400 guests theatre-style in The Venue, which comprises of eight individual and flexible event suites, a business centre with free Wi-Fi, complimentary car parking and vehicle access. The team at Center Parcs have worked hard since the launch to cater for an increasingly buoyant industry and have focused on areas including teambuilding in an inspiring setting – which is growing in demand and something that is easily accommodated within the 365-acres of natural woodland. Woburn Forest launched brand new tailored packages for different personalities recently, and night-time tree trekking was announced in January. Additional teambuilding activities include high ropes, archery, laser combat, fencing and geo cache.

Sherwood Forest Tucked away deep in the Nottinghamshire countryside, Sherwood Forest sits in 400 acres of magnificent pine forest and offers dedicated facilities for up to 600 delegates, luxury accommodation, a vast array of teambuilding and leisure activities, restaurants and shops, as well as the iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise. With its invigorating mix of woodland and lakeside, Sherwood Forest is the perfect setting for conferences and events coupled with a team building activity or two to stimulate, motivate and inspire delegates. Sherwood Forest has an extensive range of activities and teambuilding packages that are designed to challenge delegates and bring out the best in teams. Sherwood Forest’s Action Challenge area is positioned conveniently close to The Venue, which has capacity for 600 delegates theatre-style, making the signature Active8 package a popular choice with companies. At the Action Challenge area activities such as Tree Trekking, Aerial Adventure and High Ropes are available, while the Outdoor Activity Centre offers Paintballing, Laser Combat and Target Archery. Watersport activities including Canoeing, Sailing and Raft Building are also available.

www.centerparcsevents.co.uk  03448 267 715    

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Things may all come out OK in the wash but Jeffrey Yap wants more than that. As Managing Director of Midland Linen Services he’s dedicated to returning spotless laundry to customers and has the best two things possible to help do that. The human eye and vigilant team that’s highly trained to scrutinise for and zero in on the tiniest blemish. The company’s Klaxon Industrial Estate premises in Tyseley is filled with top industry equipment that ensures everything is all white on the night - or pristine in any other colour - but a lifetime’s experience means Jeffrey knows the human eye is the best equipment yet for achieving perfection. “A machine can’t always see things which aren't right and the human eye can,” he says. “My staff are trained to spot anything and put a piece back for rewash or re-iron.” It’s the human touch remaining at the heart of the business which has helped Midland Linen Services successfully hold its own for three decades against some far bigger and multinational competitors.

“Upon starting the business I capitalised on the memories of the older generation who, at that time, could remember Chinese laundries and the people who washed for them.” Today, Midland Linen Services employs over 30 people and has a bespoke, personal approach that has certainly made a clean sweep with its wide-ranging client base which encompasses a 50-mile radius of Birmingham. Whatever style of linen the customer is seeking, be it for the highest grade Egyptian cotton material, the most colourful of hues or the brightest of patterns, Midland Linen Services will buy and supply. “We adapt to their needs and if somebody asks us to supply something specific we'll get it,” Jeffrey emphasises. Trendy inner-city bars, stately homes, traditional country pubs and luxurious hotels with no more than 30 bedrooms all enjoy using Midland Linen Services’ dedicated stock on an exclusive basis. It also offers bed linen and chef wear hire, occasional hire for special occasions and events and has a range of flexible options for caterers and event management teams.

One reason, suggests Jeffrey, is a heavier reliance on machinery which, not being so eagle-eyed, can adversely affect quality, but it’s quality and service that has kept this bespoke launderer at the top of many hostelries’ lists. “If a customer wants something different from the run-of-themill and service that’s second-to-none, then they come to us,” he says.

Specialists to the Laundry Industry UK manufacturer since 1970

We combine traditional manufacturing with the demands of the 21st century.

ED END EN OMLM D LIN N A REC Y MID B

It’s quality and service upon which Midland Linen Services, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, has built its spotless reputation. Jeffrey is the first to admit that laundry is a trade he stumbled into, joining the industry in 1978 as a service rep. After a couple of years a promotion opportunity took him to a different sector - remember pens with an LCD digital watch at one end? Jeffrey sold around three million over the course of a year.

Webknot Bags Laundry bags, Net bags & Hampers Ironer Clothing - including Felts, Tapes Cleaning & Lubricating Waxes, Belts Fitting Service including Re-springing Trolley Liners

DRM Industrial Fabrics Ltd. t: +44 (0) 161 763 1776 f: +44 (0) 161 763 1778 e: laundry@drm.co.uk www.drm.co.uk

Cert. Nr. 229 ISO 9001

But when a franchise opportunity arose he returned to the laundry business and, later, in 1985 established Midland Linen Services. In some respects the business, which he runs with his wife Sharon, was and still is, a reflection of his Chinese heritage. “In the 1880s and 1890s many of the UK’s Chinese migrants were not takeaway owners, but laundry men from Hong Kong who had worked in the Merchant Navy,” he reveals. “The Chinese laundry was synonymous in the early 20th century but when the washing machine came in it died a sudden death. When I was pounding the streets of Birmingham as a full-time service rep people would say: 'Chinese laundry man!’ and I’d reply ‘the one and only!’ It was a nice way to break the ice.

Working with you for a flourishing future Thomas & Young offers a full range of high quality tax, business and accountancy advice and services from our offices in Solihull. Please Contact us for a FREE consultation to find out how we can help you. Contact us at 0121 733 1111 email mail@thomasandyoung.co.uk

Thomas & Young Limited would like to wish everyone at, Midland Linen Services continued success in all that they do and look forward to a long and happy working relationship.

or visit www.thomasandyoung.co.uk

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Such exclusivity is crucial to consistent quality, Jeffrey explains. “If stock is not dedicated - pool stock - one week a hotel might receive linen that’s practically brand new, the following week it could be very shabby. “Our linen is bought solely for the customer who receives their own label and number to ensure it is only ever returned to them.”

To find out more about the company and its laundry and hire services, go to: www.midlandlinen.com Telephone 0121 707 4355 Alternatively Email info@midlandlinen.com

And his passion to supply the very best means he’ll bring to’ attention any instances involving clients’ staff misuse of stock. “Some think laundry’s laundry but it’s more than just linen to me,” he states. “If napkins are used to wipe windows and cutlery it stains them and is very difficult to remove. “A napkin should only have some lipstick or a bit of food on it and not be used as a dishcloth. If it's badly stained we have to use different chemicals to get it clean and that could cause the fibre, one used because it only takes a lighter kind of soiling, to deteriorate as it wouldn't tolerate heavier duty cleaning chemicals. “Being a dedicated stock service we can control the quality and make sure customers understand they can help themselves by educating their staff not to misuse the linen.” Thirty years in one business don’t pass without change: from washing machines and spin driers to everything combined into one piece with soap, powder and bleach all automatically fed in and precision controlled, Jeffrey’s seen it all.

CONGRATULATIONS IONS S to Midland Linen Services ce c es s on your 30th Anniversary ary from everyone at Hilden. 0845 023 0322

A part of the Vision Group of Companies

But while other changes continue to bring mechanical improvements, one thing doesn’t - his mission to keep customers happy. “That’s what keeps me in business,” he says. “When I worked for a different laundry folk were constantly ringing to ask where their laundry, was or why were they short - we don't get the problem at Midland Linen Services because we're on the ball. “We keep a note and everything handed in to us is counted and recounted before being sent back out. We make sure the customers are always getting what they are paying for and ensuring customers are happy with my service gives me the biggest satisfaction of all.”

ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL LAUNDRY TECHNICIANS Congratulations to Midland Linen Services on their 30th anniversary, wishing them all the best in the future. SUPPLYING SECOND HAND & REBUILT LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT ON SIGHT REPAIRS INSTALLATION MAINTENANCE MACHINERY REMOVALS STORAGE

07739 180 453

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DISCOVER A FESTIVE WELCOME! While many of us are still hotly anticipating our summer getaway, Sutton Coldfield’s Lea Marston Hotel & Spa & Redditch’s The Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa already has a sparkling series of Christmas celebrations in place. We may be sipping the sangria poolside, but the hotel’s events and culinary teams have shown there snow time like the present to offer a gift wrapped bumper package of festive menus and events for customers to open.

especially created by Executive Chef Richard Marshall, and a disco into 2016 when there’ll also be midnight munchies of bacon butties and chipped potatoes as an extra treat. Or how about a Masquerade Ball at The Abbey where you will start the New Year with a canapé reception, followed by an exquisite 4 course dinner, finished with dancing taking you into 2016.

Both hotels offer a perfect place to soak up the glittering Christmas atmosphere, when the nights are dark and the weather is cold. Many businesses will soon, if not already, be turning their thoughts towards the end-of-year ‘do’ and at both four-star hotels, Lea Marston & The Abbey, they can take their pick from party night packages or make the most of the luxury Christmas spa or Christmas golf facilities. Traditionally, of course, the festive holiday is a time for families and there’s plenty to ensure those of all sizes and ages have the most tinsel-filled time. If you really want to get away from it all, the traditional Christmas Break at Lea Marston (three or four nights) is an opportunity to relax and unwind and brings a promise of warm hospitality, a gift in rooms upon arrival and delicious food prepared by the award winning team of chefs. If it’s just a case of escaping a tower of washing up on the key days in question, there is an open invitation to a first-class Christmas Day lunch at either hotels in all restaurants including the twoRosette Adderley restaurant at Lea Marston But the partying will not finish there. The hotels have New Year firmly in their sights with a black tie New Year's Eve Ball at Lea Marston, featuring a champagne reception and canapés, a four-course feast

For those looking to enjoy a glass of wine or two, try an overnight package which also includes a leisurely breakfast and use of the health club. Of course, children also like to party and the hotels’ families New Year’s Eve events features Bucks Fizz and children's cocktail welcome drink, a children's entertainer, a fabulous buffet served at 7pm, disco, balloons, crackers, hats and novelties. Christmas, says the song, is the most wonderful time of the year and the warm festive welcome waiting at the Lea Marston Hotel & Spa & The Abbey Hotel, Golf & Spa will ensure you end up having simply the most wonderful Christmas time.

To download a copy of the brochure detailing all the festive offerings, go to www.leamarstonhotel.co.uk alternatively call 01675 470 468 or email info@leamarstonhotel.co.uk www.theabbeyhotel.co.uk alternatively call 01527 406600 or email info@theabbeyhotel.co.uk

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How to give your colleagues a party

they won’t forget It’s one of the daunting projects of the year Organising a successful Christmas party or end-of-year event which people remember for all the right reasons is one of those regular tasks which can quickly seem like a poisoned chalice.

3. Secure your venue: It’s a time when every restaurant, bar and other venue is banking on helping see it through quieter times, so they should be keen to attract business with all manner of party packages. Again, early booking gives you the choice of the best dates. Consult with the event organisers at your chosen venue, and be sure to note what’s included in your package, and what you might need to source elsewhere – such as entertainment equipment, a public address system or karaoke, and any festive decorations. 4. Satisfy people with the food: It can be the strictly traditional turkey – for a lunchtime or evening ‘do’ – or something different; but you have to make sure there’s something to suit everyone who’s likely to be there. The menu and quality of the food in themselves are often deal-clinchers when it comes to finding the right place for a successful event, and you must make sure everyone knows what to expect, whether it’s a three-course (or more!) sit-down affair, or an informal gathering with a buffet.

After all, it could be the one opportunity when people who spend the rest of the year working far away from each other, possibly communicating most often by email or phone, are brought together and are hoping that their company will give them an event which represents a fitting ‘thank-you’ for a whole year’s dedication.

5. See No. 4, but also with the drinks: This will be the lubricant which will help everything flow well on the night. Consider whether you’ll foot the bill for colleagues’ drinks all night, or can only, say, meet the cost of everyone’s first drink or so – and be sure everyone knows the ground rules beforehand.

So – if you’re the person in charge of trying to pull this off successfully – no pressure.

6. Get the right music/entertainment: DJs, bands and entertainers are also in heavy demand in the run-up to Christmas, so if you have particular preferences, you’ll need to move quickly to secure them. Quirky games and party pieces are also becoming an increasingly popular element of festive events. But beware – get over-ambitious and you might soon find your budget runs away with itself.

At least there shouldn’t be if you follow our six-point plan as used by plenty of regular event organisers. So let’s start with some basics: 1. Set the date: As Christmas nears, people’s calendars very quickly start to fill up, as they try to prepare for some welldeserved rest which, if they’re lucky, might stretch beyond the holiday itself and into the new year. So to ensure a good turnout, consult the calendar as early as January, so you know which are likely to be the favourite party dates. You can then perhaps present people with a number of options, and try to get general agreement on a favourite. 2. Fix your budget: Even in a small and medium-sized business, employees may expect their bosses to push the boat out a little at the end of the year. So be honest with them, and remember that the most important people to please aren’t the directors or senior managers, but the less lauded but nonetheless important staff members who don’t usually get to mix informally with senior colleagues outside work.

One factor you should have in your favour is that most people will be keen to enjoy themselves. So whether you’re planning for six people, 60 or 600, get as many of them as you can on your side – but don’t be afraid to ask for help. The advertisers on these pages are experienced in helping stage memorable events, and will be happy to provide you with any more information you need.

Just remember, don’t leave it too late!

33519 QPD_HorseWorld 17/08/2015 09:43 Page 1

Edgbaston Stadium has been transformed into one of the UK’s leading sporting venues, situated in the vibrant and cultured City of Birmingham, in the centre of the country. The stadium offers bright, modern and versatile facilities for Christmas parties. All suites offer impressive views of the cricket ground and boast natural daylight, making Edgbaston Stadium a leading conference venue. This year the Stadium hosted the 3rd Test of the Investec Ashes and welcomed over 20,000 visitors each day over 3 days.

If you are looking for a private party for just you and your colleagues then prices start from just £49.95 Inc. which includes a drinks reception, 3 course meal and coffee, 80’s DJ and Disco and a late bar that allows you to party the night away until the early hours of the morning. 80’s theming is also available to purchase.

Edgbaston Stadium is steeped in cricketing history and is located just 2.7 miles from Birmingham New Street station and 7 miles from Birmingham International airport .Edgbaston Stadium is easily accessible by road, rail and air and offers in excess of 600 car parking spaces on site. So dust off your legwarmers and rehearse your best WHAM moves, as this year Edgbaston Stadium are hosting 80’s themed Christmas Parties! Shared Parties prices start from £38 Inc. VAT and include a set menu 3 course meals, 80’s DJ and Disco and a late bar in our 80’s themed party room. We are also offering drinks packages from £30 + VAT and the chance to VIP up your table!

For further information visit www.edgbastonstadium.com Alternatively email enquiries@edgbaston.com or telephone 0844 635 1902

33599 1pg v6_HorseWorld 19/08/2015 19:41 Page 1

Design Craft Exhibitions, with you every step of the way.

• IN STYLE •

£18.95 FOR TWO FESTIVE COURSES Book now to enjoy the Ultimate Steak Experience Christmas will soon be here... so trust the steak experts to help you celebrate your festive party in style with our luxury festive menu. Our festive menu offers a choice of two or three courses to transform your get-together into a truly memorable occasion. Just imagine indulging with a juicy 30 day aged Rump Steak and a Rich Belgian Chocolate Torte.

Book our Festive Menu before the end of October and enjoy a complimentary bottle of Prosecco Please see our website for further details

There are Miller & Carter Steakhouses across the Midlands, you will find restaurants in Penn, Solihull, Hockley Heath, Hereford, The Mailbox and Sutton Park. Please visit our website for further restaurant contact details or to book your festive celebration online.

For the Love of Steak www.millerandcarter.co.uk Festive Menu: served from 26 November to 1 January. Available all day between Sunday and Friday; and 12pm to 5pm on Saturdays

33498 AP_HorseWorld 13/09/2015 12:12 Page 1

THE

Feel like a real celebrity as you are given the full red carpet treatment this Christmas. At the Hollywood Ball youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll experience a Christmas party like no other as you enter the world of glitz, glamour, drama and pure Hollywood entertainment.

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33595 1pg 2_Transport Warehousing 18/08/2015 10:02 Page 1

A Healthier

Bottom Line

Your employees are your most valuable resource, and ideally, the office should be a place protecting their safety and well-being while providing them with opportunities for better long-term health. In a recent study by BUPA three quarters of employers conceded that an unhealthy workforce is a business risk, yet one in three offer no workplace health support. The study unveiled a gap between employers’ beliefs and actions when it comes to workplace health. Of the 1,762 employers from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Spain who took part in the study, three in four (73%) agreed that a healthy workforce is a more productive one. Yet, one in three (30%) of the 17,800 employees spoken to said their employer offers no health or wellbeing benefits. It seems that employers could be missing out on the benefits of workplace health initiatives. Around half of the employees polled (48%) said they would be more productive if they felt healthier, suggesting that workplace health is a win-win for employers and employees.

Nearly two in five employees (34%) said that their job has a negative impact on their physical health, and one in three (31%) said it has a negative impact on their mental health. Indeed stress is rapidly overtaking back pain as a major cause of absenteeism. Apart from the responsibility employers may feel to mitigate these effects it makes good business sense to institute health care awareness programmes to improve the health of your work force. A workplace health program aimed at keeping employees healthy is a key long-term human asset management strategy. “It’s becoming really clear from an empirical standpoint that when you take care of people, it works,” says Jeff Klein, CEO of Working for Good, “Whatever you do to serve and support the people who work with and for you, that tells them you care. When people feel cared about, they come alive. And that makes workers more engaged and more productive, and it becomes a virtuous — and prosperous — cycle.” An organized, employer-sponsored program should be designed to support employees (and, sometimes, their families) as they adopt and sustain behaviours that reduce health risks, improve quality of life, enhance personal effectiveness and benefit the organization’s bottom line. Workplace health programs include policies intended to facilitate employee health, including allowing time for exercise, providing on-site kitchens and eating areas, offering healthful food options in vending machines, holding "walk and talk" meetings, and offering financial and other incentives for participation.

providing subsidised gym memberships. Companies are also seeing the benefits of investing in the kinds of specialist healthcare insurance for their employees which offer lower premiums in return for healthy life style changes. Training courses in assertiveness, decision making and relationship skills have also been shown to be really productive in reducing workplace stress. In research from America, job stress is estimated to cost U.S. industry more than $300 billion a year in absenteeism, turnover, diminished productivity, and medical, legal and insurance costs. And, according to the American Psychological Association, 52 percent of Americans report that they have considered workplace stress a significant factor when looking for a new job, declining a promotion or leaving a job altogether. Dr Fiona Adshead, director of wellbeing and public health, BUPA said: “There is enormous potential for ensuring more people adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their risk of chronic disease by engaging them in their place of work. What’s more, smart employers know that healthier employees come to work, perform at their best and go the extra mile.” Across the countries included in the BUPA study, 14% of employees said they had taken action on their lifestyle because of a health campaign run by their employer, demonstrating that the workplace has great potential for changing unhealthy habits and improving global health With half the world’s population in employment, helping people to be healthier at work has obvious potential to transform the world’s health.

Many companies outsource or supplement healthcare programmes by introducing regular visits from specialist occupational health providers, or by

33520 1pg_HorseWorld 13/08/2015 10:38 Page 1

MEDICAL

In the first of three articles for Pegasus Medical we are focusing on the specialist Occupational Health services they provide. Work is good for your health and being healthy is good for your work. The importance of Occupational Health and its effect on your bottom line is leading business owners and directors to realise that Occupational Health should be a key part of their business activities, leading as it does to substantial benefits in overall productivity. Dr Fiona Adshead, director of wellbeing and public health, BUPA, commented on the benefits of regular engagement with health professionals in the work place, saying “There is enormous potential for ensuring more people adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their risk of chronic disease by engaging them in their place of work. What’s more, smart employers know that healthier employees come to work, perform at their best and go the extra mile.”

“Can’t afford it?” Can you afford not to?

A survey carried out by BUPA to calculate the benefits to companies of investing in Occupational Health found that the return on investment ranged from 1:1, for every £1 invested a £1 return, right up to 1:34 for every £1 a return of £34. Pegasus Medical is a provider of Occupational Health Services to SMEs and HR Consultancies delivering Occupational Health services in the workplace. They specialise in the delivery of clinical advice from one to a small group of workers.

“What does that mean for my business?”

Maybe an employee has been injured at work and their own GP keeps writing sick notes to cover absence. Meanwhile the employer is in a quandary, he has no clear idea how sick the person is and when and how to manage their return to work full-time. Pegasus will normally interview and examine the worker and then compile an Occupational Health

report to give the employer constructive guidance on either adapting the role or the working conditions to help the employee return to work. In the event that the employee is unlikely ever to be well enough to return, the experts at Pegasus can compile the detailed report necessary to comply with the regulations providing for early retirement due to ill health. Their range of services includes health screening for hazardous environments. Necessary in light of statutory imperatives on employers to demonstrate a duty of care by checking such levels, and to provide appropriate safety equipment, clothing, masks and ear protectors, where necessary, from fumes, dust, lint, flour dust in a bakery, noise levels, and excessively high or low temperatures. Occupational Health covers a broad area and individual companies can only do so much, the key is awareness and taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm. It is all about keeping your workforce happy and healthy as possible and managing absences so that you can get on with running your business. Happy and healthy? Yes indeed, recent data shows that psychological problems are overtaking back problems as the major cause of absence from work. Pegasus can provide Occupational Health Nurses who make visits to premises to speak to members of staff, carry out a healthcare needs assessment of newly engaged employees, and identify potential health issues, either as a one off or as part of a regular contract. The company also employ a group of qualified clinicians who will carry out more detailed assessments where necessary and compile all necessary reports. All your Occupational Health needs and obligations covered in one fell swoop! For more information please visit the website www.pegasus-medical.com or telephone 01922 703000 or email - oh@pegasus-medical.com

Find us on   

33534_HorseWorld 07/08/2015 15:40 Page 1

Deciding to be the best you can be demands positive intent, and Anita Bickerdike set up her company, Positive Intention, to help business leaders and individuals to maximise their personal potential and in so doing increase productivity and profit.

positive directions. We can choose to change, to grow and succeed. We can learn awareness, resourcefulness and resilience, tap into our existing talents, learn new ones and access new ways of thinking to remove barriers to peak performance, business success and personal satisfaction.

She told us “I truly believe that business success is driven by our own positive intention to access all our internal and external resources and focus attention and energy on actions that are necessary to achieve our desired business outcomes.”

Anita agrees, “Peak organisational performance and personal effectiveness requires an ability to combine focused, logical thought processes with creativity and insight. Neuroscience indicates that this ability can be learnt allowing access to better decision making and more successful outcomes in our business, professional and personal lives.”

Working with large and small businesses from all sectors; government departments; local authorities; national governing bodies; and individual clients, both here and overseas, Anita offers consultancy services, bespoke training courses and coaching focussed on developing personal leadership and management abilities – “from coal face to Boardroom”. She says, “Getting maximum return on investment requires training which targets your business needs AND follow up support after the course to ensure the learning is transferred and new ways of working are embedded into the company’s culture – that is what I do”. She works closely with her clients establishing their goals, their "needs and dreams”, gaining a detailed understanding of their business and supporting them to achieve current business objectives and continued future prosperity. She says, “Identifying choices and facilitating dynamic solutions that deliver vision, direction and commitment is the only way to get real results in the workplace.”

Anita is keen to spread her positive message about the benefits of a change of corporate mind set and stresses the importance of investing in your people. She points out that numerous studies have shown that companies with a culture offering growth and opportunity through training and personal development retain their knowledgeable staff, guard against skills shortage and ensure a healthy bottom line. People want to feel valued and an important part of the organisation, and will return the investment in them and their development by showing loyalty and commitment. Working with your people at all levels is investing in the future of your company, you will be growing your own management and skilled personnel to carry the business forward. Anita says, “Retaining the competitive advantage in today’s dynamic marketplace requires businesses to be flexible, agile, fit for purpose and able to respond to ever changing demands”

Anita’s own goals are clear and informed by her core values, which she describes as the golden thread running through every aspect of her life; excellence, integrity, respect, synchronicity, passion, vision, synergy and wisdom. She brings these values to her practice, empowering her clients to achieve positive change and instilling in them the self-belief to make the desired changes in their behaviour necessary to achieve their business and personal goals.

As businesses grow and develop change is inevitable and necessary. Anita is on hand to give you and your people the skills needed to overcome the challenges of change. She says, “Changes must also be carefully managed to ensure people remain positive and productive. It is important to be honest about what is needed going forward however this must be done without de-valuing the efforts and contributions people have made to the business in the past”.

It is possible to ditch old, negative thought patterns and use different perspectives to tackle problems which take us in new,

For more information about the courses and inspiration Anita can offer please visit www.positiveintention.co.uk

33524 AP_HorseWorld 05/08/2015 10:04 Page 1

Those lovely people at Lifestyle Fitness are waiting to welcome you to their super new 1.5m Birmingham facilities at both Birmingham Hagley Road West and Birmingham Trident. Starting a new fitness programme can be daunting, but Lifestyle Fitness’s team are there to give you warm friendly support to help you reach your goals, whether you just want to lose a few pounds, get fit enough to chase the kids round the garden or train for a marathon, you will find yourself in good company. The team at Lifestyle Fitness are all fully qualified and the best in their field, you will find that they all have travelled their own journey to optimum health and fitness, and will be able to relate to your experience while providing expert guidance, motivation and support. Fitness should fun and while some people prefer to train alone, others will come to every class they can fit in from Aerobics to Boxercise, Pilates to Zumba, there is something for everyone.

The state of the art facilities include:

• Technogym fitness and Gym 80 strength training equipment • Exciting new functional training zone • Ladies only gym

• Large air-conditioned studios

• Sauna, Steam Room, Aromatherapy • 40+ free classes per week • Coffee and juice bar

The team at Lifestyle fitness have a message for all their clients new or existing; they want you to know that, “You are at the centre of everything we do.” “If you want to go faster, be stronger and leaner we’ll help you.” “If you want to build your social circle or improve your health and wellbeing, we can assist with that too.” “Tell us about the kind of health and fitness you want and our experienced team of gym staff and Personal Trainers will create the very best plan to help you get there.” “Onward, Upward, Faster, Better.” “Happier. Or just simply less stressed, and more relaxed.” “Whatever your goal, we’re here to help you achieve it.” “The perfect fitness experience, perfectly priced.” “Your life, your style, your fitness” To contact the club, please feel free to call or email. Alternatively, if you want to really see what they are all about, why not visit them at the address provided when they are open? If you call ahead of your visit they may even be able to arrange a tour of their facilities. They look forward to seeing you soon!

Hagley Road West, Birmingham, West Midlands, B62 9AS Call today for Birmingham Hagley on 03300 553799 or email amy.homer@lifestylefitness.co.uk Birmingham Trident Park, Trident Retail Park, Westley Street, Birmingham, B9 4EH Or please contact Birmingham Trident on 07787032194 or e-mail trident@lifestylefitness.co.uk

33073 AP_HorseWorld 11/08/2015 12:07 Page 1

In the modern age of high stress and long hours, it’s never been more important to look after your health and make some time for exercise.

“The gym is always staffed by instructors who can help people if they ask.”

That’s the passionate belief of the sporting experts at the Sir Doug Ellis Woodcock Sports Centre - but they won’t force you into anything.

If you’re lacking any particular kind of vital kit for your desired activity, it’s worth paying a visit to the Centre’s shop where you can buy swimming gear, including plugs, goggles, hats and arm bands, and racquet equipment - balls for squash or table tennis and badminton shuttle cocks. There’s also a hire facility incorporating badminton, squash and racket ball rackets, table tennis bats and balls for assorted sports. The emphasis here is on a friendly welcome with the best professional advice on hand if you need it. Owned by Aston University since the 1980s, the Centre is open to the public and boasts everything one would expect from such a modern 21st century facility. And a bit of the old too - its 25m historic pool is one of the region’s oldest and still boasts many original features, such as pool-side changing cubicles. It’s also the closest pool to Birmingham city centre, as are its myriad range of fitness facilities which, Sport Marketing and Development Officer Ben Lonsdale points out, are very different to those offered by similar centres thanks to the university connection. Its 100+ station facility boasts state of the art Life Fitness machines with cardiovascular equipment, fixed weight resistance machines and free weights and also offers womenonly training sessions.

So why not pop in and see how the Centre can help you to a healthier, fitter lifestyle? It’s the perfect place. Not only because, the pool has been in use for over 100 years and, in a Grade IIlisted building it retains many of its original features, it’s also a fantastic facility to have available in the city centre. Other highlights include: •

Modern changing rooms and sauna and steam rooms alongside the traditional pool.

•

Open to the public and just a five to 10 minutes’ walk from the Wesleyan.

•

No need for a membership: Tickets available for one swim or one swim and sauna.

•

A 100+ station gym(membership only) always staffed by qualified instructors who can give free help and advice.

You can choose a wide range of leisure activities and services, including:

• • • • • • • • • • •

sauna and steam rooms fitness and yoga classes badminton squash indoor and outdoor football netball basketball handball dodgeball adult swimming lessons personal training.

“We have a very friendly atmosphere and our staff interact with members,” Ben says.

To find out more visit www.aston.ac.uk/sport which also has the opening times for both the gym and swimming pool. You can also find out more about the full range of sporting facilities available from the Sport Aston site. 65

33410 1pg_HorseWorld 22/07/2015 15:27 Page 1

Creatingďż˝aďż˝funeralďż˝asďż˝uniqueďż˝asďż˝theďż˝lifeďż˝itďż˝celebrates Established in 1986, from very humble beginnings, and now one of the largest funeral directors in the Nuneaton area, Devall and Son are an independent family run firm who are able to take care of all aspects of a funeral as required, from funeral stationary and flowers, to the coffin, headstone, and on site catering.

dignified manner whilst respecting all faiths and traditions. Speak to them about your requirements, traditional or quirky; they understand that the ideal funeral should reflect the personality of the deceased. Whether you prefer a traditional hearse, a horse drawn carriage, or even a motor cycle funeral, they will always do their best to meet your requirements with sympathy and understanding. Individual reactions to bereavement can differ greatly, but often just having someone to talk through your feelings with can be of great benefit. Devall therefore offer a unique service on a one to one basis in the comfort of your own home, from their bereavement counsellor, with their compliments.

Members of the National Association of Funeral Directors and the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors, they provide a quality bespoke funeral service in a caring and

We asked David Devall, the company MD about his plans for the future, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;To continue to provide the first class service and excellent reputation we have established.â&#x20AC;? Devall and Son offer funeral plans to suit your budget, give them a call to arrange a confidential discussion of to your requirements.

The

Specialists Ltd.

We are The Peugeot

We are proud to support Devall & Son and wish them all the best for the future...

Specialist servicing all makes & models including motorhomes 8 Liberty Way, Attleborough Fields Ind Est Warwickshire CV11 6RZ Call: 024 7638 2769

Proud to be a preferred adviser to Devall & Sons You can go direct to our site, just simply scan the code.

| www.peugeotspecialist.co.uk |

( When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready, please call us for more information on 024 7637 5665 1-2 Wembrook House, The Green, Attleborough, Nuneaton, CV11 4FJ devallandson.com 66

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33586 AP_HorseWorld 19/08/2015 12:01 Page 1

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There is plenty of money available for SMEs At first sight that might seem a controversial statement With the high street banks still adopting a very cautious policy, hemmed about with very strict lending criteria, but its true! Factoring and invoice discounting play a role in keeping cash flow moving, and save companies the trouble of chasing late payers and the associated risks of alienating customers but can be expensive and complex, and don’t actually generate fresh funds. Asset financing, using balance sheet assets (such as accounts receivable, short-term investments or inventory) to obtain a loan or borrow money can be useful for short term borrowing or working capital. Companies using asset financing commonly pledge their accounts receivable, but the use of inventory assets is becoming more frequent. There are also many new sources of finance which continue to appear and grow in importance. So where to start looking for fresh funds? Although there is a plethora of advice on the internet, this is constantly changing as the funds from one source run low and other providers step forward. A Government consultation concluded that there was a need to improve signposting to alternative sources especially from banks who are unable to help fully small businesses with their funding needs.

Industry professionals consider that for many applicants the major obstacle is the most effective presentation of their proposal. There is, fortunately, plenty of help at hand. It is the business of those in the financial profession to know about the different types of funding available, what may be most suitable for your business, and how to present your proposal to give you the best chance of success. As we have highlighted previously there are multiple schemes, many part funded by central government where SME’s can get help and advice. For unbiased help and advice, go to www.gov.uk/businessfinance-support-finder to see what’s on offer in your area or www.betterbusinessfinance.co.uk. These include long established Community Development Finance Institutions such as ART and BCRS in the West Midlands which provide additional sources of finance up to £100.000 where a bank has been unable to assist fully. A new alternative funding website has also been developed which includes peer lenders and crowd funders at www.alternativebusinessfunding.co.uk.Many applicants turn to Peer to Peer Lending and Crowd Funding, literally hundreds of companies offer loans and investment opportunities for varying applications. One of the earliest, Zopa was founded in 2005 and targeted consumer finance. Zopa was rated as 'Most Trusted Personal Loan Provider' in the Moneywise Customer Awards for the past 4 years. The internet is the driving force behind the growth of peer lending and crowd funding. The largest business lenders are Funding Circle and Tamworth based Thin Cats. Funding Circle is an online marketplace which helps businesses to find low cost loans quickly. The model has worked so well that local councils, universities and even the Government have joined private investors to lend money to UK businesses.

Each loan is funded through on online auction. Investors place their bid by deciding how much they want to lend and at what interest rate. Then the business makes equal monthly repayments including the interest. On a similar principle but for experienced investors only, Peer to Peer lending providers Thin Cats take out much of the guess work by using “sponsors”, experienced industry professionals, whose role is to vet the individual applicant and to help them prepare their proposal, demonstrating credit worthiness and the ability to repay the debt, prior to the on-line auction. By directly connecting people who want to invest money with vetted, established businesses who want to borrow money, peer lending and crowdfunding eliminates the cost and complexity of the banking world. Platforms such as SellaBand and Kickstarter link new artists, designers, and project initiators with committed supporters. CrowdCube helps those who want to invest small amounts and acquire shares directly in start-up companies; Seedrs on the other hand pools the funds to invest in new businesses, as a nominated agent. Another alternative finance solution which provides short term, unsecured finance, to businesses, available as needed without a long drawn out application process holding up the transaction, and no charges outside those of actually using the facility, is offered by companies such as Trade River by means of a pre-approved revolving facility that can be used to finance trade with multiple suppliers. Payments and administration are paperless and transparent via a secure online platform. The key points to remember are that any applicant for any loan must be creditworthy, the project must be viable, the application must be properly prepared, and professional unbiased advice is essential to navigate the maze of information and advice out there.

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