BusinessMatters The business magazine of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Summer 2019
The Big Interview PETER COMMINS Managing Director Kier Regional Building North West
WELCOME
Business Matters
Welcome to the Summer edition of our Business Matters magazine. We’ve had another busy few months at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce as we continue to support our members on a wide variety of fronts including; our networking events, international trade documentation, communications and in preparation for Brexit. With the Brexit deadline pushed back until 31st October 2019, the Chamber continues to press for answers to key questions that businesses in West Cheshire & North Wales still face. The Brexit area of our website (https://wcnwchamber.org.uk/voice-ofbusiness/brexit/) is being updated with the latest developments and is a great point of reference if you are looking for support on how to prepare for business outside the EU.
DEBBIE BRYCE
Chief Executive Officer, West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Contact Matthew Hodgson Churchill House, Queen’s Park Campus, Queen’s Park Road, Chester CH4 7AD t: 01244 669988 e: info@wcnwchamber.org.uk w: www.wcnwchamber.org.uk Publisher Benham Publishing Limited Suite 5 & 6, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ t: 0151 236 4141 f: 0151 236 0440 e: admin@benhampublishing.com w: www.benhampublishing.com Published June 2019 © Benham Publishing Media no. 1693 Advertising and Features Karen Hall t: 0151 236 4141 e: karen@benhampublishing.com Design Chris Moran t: 0151 236 4141 e: studio@benhampublishing.com
I have been heavily involved representing members as part of my new role on the Home Office National Advisory Group for Future Immigration. The group aims to help form future immigration policy and has seen me attend meetings at the Home Office in London, passing on views of Chamber members on this crucial matter. I am also a member of the Expert Implementation Panel for Wales which sees me engage with the Secretary of State for Wales representing businesses on matters relating to Brexit.
If you would like to pass on your views as part of these ongoing engagements, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the team in the office. This quarter has also seen a night of brilliant entertainment at our Spring Colour Ball. The event raised over £1,500 for North Clwyd Animal Rescue and was a great success. Thank you to all those that attended and donated prizes for the evening. Coming up, the Chamber is shortly holding our first Summer Garden Party on 12th July where we will be having a relaxed and informal evening with garden games, music and a delicious BBQ, it would be great to see you there! At the Summer Garden Party, we will be officially opening entries for this year’s Chamber Annual Recognition Awards. There will be nine different award categories for you to enter with a shortlist revealed on 30th September and winners announced at our Annual Ball and Recognition Awards on 15th November. The awards are a great opportunity for your business to get recognition for your hard work throughout the year and are well worth entering. I wish you all the best for the quarter ahead.
INSIDE:
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GETTING STARTED Ian Clowes Goldy Solutions Ltd
YOUNG CHAMBER Latest news and events
THE BIG INTERVIEW Peter Commins,
Kier Regional Building North West
Disclaimer Business Matters is mailed without charge to all Chamber members
and distributed to businesses in the region. All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in publication are not necessarily those of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission of the Editor. © 2019. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.
AN INSIGHT WITH Collin Singer, Wagtail UK
TOP TIPS Good Mental Wellbeing
24 HOURS WITH Nathan Cook,Wrexham Mineral Cables @ChamberWCNW West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce /wcnwchamber WCNWChamber
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CHAMBER NEWS
BCC launches Chamber Business Awards at London Stock Exchange The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) launched its flagship Chamber Business Awards at London Stock Exchange. Northcoders, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award has the honour of opening trading at the London Stock Exchange. The prestigious competition is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, recognising and promoting the best of British business through a series of regional heats, culminating in a Gala Awards Dinner, which will take place in London on 28 November 2019.
Entries opened and will run until Friday 28 June. Next year’s winners of the Business of the Year award will have the same chance to open the market at London Stock Exchange as a prize, a rare opportunity for a private business. Companies can enter nine categories, covering exports, small business, people development, technology, high-growth, customer service, family business, e-commerce and health and wellbeing. Businesses can enter online at https:// www.britishchambers.org.uk/events/ chamber-awards. Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “I’m always amazed by the quality of entrants to the Chamber Business Awards, and Northcoders are truly worthy recipients of our top honour, Business of the Year. Through high-quality training, they help to bridge the gap
between the worlds of education and business. They are a terrific example of an organisation working to develop the talent of tomorrow. We wish Northcoders every success, and hope they enjoy the opportunity to open the prestigious London Stock Exchange.” Chris Hill of Northcoders, Winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award last year, said: “We’ve always believed what we do is special, but to be recognised with the British Chambers of Commerce’s Business of the Year award is something we could never have expected and are incredibly proud of and inspired by. To have the honour of opening the London Stock Exchange is an experience we will remember for years to come.”
Chamber welcomes latest apprentice from Cheshire College – South & West West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce have employed a new Marketing Apprentice to assist the Marketing & Communications team. Danny Milton joined the Chamber in April 2019, after studying at Coleg Cambria and working part-time at a local super market. He has joined the Chamber to support the team and learn new skills alongside his studies. Danny has skills in graphic design, IT and social media marketing and will be looking to utilise these in his new apprentice role and develop them further.
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The apprenticeship scheme is run by Chamber Patron Members Cheshire College – South & West, who have helped provide successful apprentices in the past for the Chamber. Helen Nellist, Deputy Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO of Cheshire College - South & West, commented: “We are delighted that Danny has been accepted on a Level 2 Marketing Apprenticeship with the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce. It is a fantastic opportunity for Danny to develop his skills in a dynamic and exciting environment. “Danny was successful in securing his apprenticeship after signing up to the College’s Talent Pool. Our goal is to match young people with an Apprenticeship and employer that suits the learners needs,
whether they are ready to apply straight away or need support with interview skills, CV writing, confidence building and much more. “We look forward to seeing Danny succeed and wish him the best of luck as he begins his career.” The Chamber of Commerce is passionate about supporting apprenticeships as it gives people the chance to develop a vast range of skills whilst earning an income. Danny Milton, Marketing Apprentice, commented: “I am delighted to join the Chamber as it is a great opportunity for me to develop and learn new skills, whilst building connections meeting local businesses at various different events throughout the region.”
Sun Shines at Chamber’s Spring Colour Ball
n Guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal
Businesses sprang into action to raise funds for North Clwyd Animal Rescue (NCAR) on Friday 10th May at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Colour Ball, sponsored by Horizon Nuclear Power. Business people from all over the region were in attendance at the event held in the stunning surroundings of The Quay Hotel & Spa in Deganwy. Guests were asked to break away from the standard black-tie format and express their colourful side by adding bright and vivid accessories to their outfits. “We thought we’d try something a bit different to the normal black-tie format and this was a great opportunity for guests to express themselves and have a bit of fun!” said Jenny Davidson, Events & Young Chamber Manager at the Chamber. The sun came out on a beautiful evening in North Wales which began with guests being greeted with a glass of Prosecco and time to enjoy the stunning views across the River Conwy. The evening, hosted by DJ Gary Carr, started with guests hearing from Jim Jones, Managing Director of North Wales Tourism. Jim spoke about how North Wales was growing as a major destination for tourists from all over the world. There has been considerable work to build links between North Wales and overseas countries, such as Japan, as the region focuses on being the adventure capital of Europe. After Jim had spoken, a delicious three-course lunch was served. NCAR then presented a video that highlighted the work that the charity does to rehome just under 2000 pets a year. Guests then dug deep into their pockets to help raise funds for the
n StereoFever kept guests entertained
charity through a raffle and auction. Among the list of prizes was an impressive cheese hamper, a weekend away and two tickets to final’s day at Wimbledon 2019. A whopping £1,575 was raised on the evening with Nicky Owen, Media & Fundraising Manager at NCAR, saying “The team from North Clwyd Animal Rescue enjoyed a fantastic evening and we raised much needed funds for the charity from the fabulous auction and raffle – thank you to everyone who donated prizes for this.” As well as the substantial amount raised, we are pleased to announce that, as a result of the evening, Chamber member Chris Rhodes, Director at Lovelock Mitchell Architects, has adopted a dog from the animal rescue! “We arrived in Deganwy with a Lovelock Mitchell Teddy Bear as a Raffle Prize for the Spring Colour Ball and, after a lovely evening, by Sunday afternoon we found ourselves leaving the wonderful NCAR facilities at Trelogan having re-homed Terry, a gorgeous Spaniel Lurcher Cross Puppy. Our new family member.” said Chris. Nicky added “On behalf of the charity and animals we would like to thank the Chamber for choosing to support our charity at the wonderful event.” Guests then danced the night away to local band StereoFever who played a wide variety of uplifting songs across all decades, a great end to a wonderful evening. Debbie Bryce, Chief Executive Officer at the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce, was thrilled with the success of event saying “We had such an amazing
CHAMBER NEWS
n The Rhodes family with their new dog Terry (middle)
night and the news that it resulted in a dog being adopted is the icing on the cake!” “Thank you to Horizon Nuclear Power for sponsoring the event, The Quay Hotel & Spa for their fantastic hospitality, Gary Carr for hosting and to StereoFever for their fantastic entertainment. Finally, thank you to all the companies that donated a prize on the evening, without your generosity we wouldn’t have been able to raise such a high amount for the charity.” Thank you to all of the companies that donated a prize for the evening; Abode Chester Adventure Parc Snowdonia Altimex Ltd Apollo Care Franchising Limited Arbonne Bangor-on-Dee racecourse Bathing Beauty Bolesworth Estate Ltd Conwy Business Centre DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Edge Transport Ltd Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers Fireprotect (Chester) Ltd Grangewood Copywriting Land & Lakes Ltd Lindop Toyota Lovelock Mitchell Architects LWM Wealth Mercure Chester Abbots Well Hotel North Clwyd Animal Rescue Paradise Island Adventure Golf Picanha Grill Snowdonia Cheese Company The Botanist
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f accountan eo cy ng -C
Not only with a full range of accountancy services, but additionally through gaining an understanding of their business. Thirty years on Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers is one of the leading accountants and advisers in Chester and Wrexham. It was in London in the late 1980s, after ‘cutting his teeth’ with KMPG, that Robert’s dream of running his own accountancy practice came true. Two years later, and acting upon a gap in the market in Chester, Robert brought Ellis & Co to the city and into Northgate Street; which is where he and the team remain today. Robert, who is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, has been the driving force behind the firm’s success, standing by his original business plan to make Ellis & Co ‘more than just accountants’. The team work in close partnership with all clients and forge long term relationships, not just in the day to day things linked to accounting but also in providing a high level of support and advice, essential for growth in today’s market place. By meeting clients regularly and learning about their businesses, Ellis & Co provides tailored advice which helps clients to grow while minimising their tax liabilities. In 2006, Robert opened a second office, this time across the border in North Wales in
the town of Wrexham. The office, located on the Redwither Industrial Estate, allowed Robert to widen his ‘patch’ offering services to Welsh clients and contacts. The team is proud to have a strong network of partners and contacts who are on hand to offer clients advice, from business banking to pensions, insurance or retirement planning. This use of referrals works both ways, with those partners and contacts directing relevant business to the firm. Ellis & Co also has a strong relationship with the University of Chester supporting a number of events throughout the year, from judging at The Accelerate programme, presenting an annual cheque to the highest performing accountant student and welcoming a work placement student into the office for five weeks a year. “Robert Ellis is one of the best professionals around who understands Cheshire and North Wales businesses and its community in depth,” said Professor Phil Harris, from the University of Chester. “He cares, gives good sage advice and wise counsel to all those who want it both for the immediate and long-term. “I have had the pleasure of working with him as one of the key judges on the High Sheriff of Cheshire Awards, member of the Family Business Research Group and Chamber and his contribution is always the best and measured. “Robert and his company’s work is some of the very best,” he added. Robert is a strong believer in supporting local businesses, his reasoning for joining the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce in March 2008. Reinforcing its reputation Ellis & Co was asked to be a Strategic Member of the Chamber in 2016; John Farrell (accounts senior at Ellis & Co) is a member of the Focus Group and Robert serves as a Board Director, Treasurer and sits on the Executive Group.
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“Ellis & Co is a very valued member of the Chamber,” said Debbie Bryce, Chief Executive Officer at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce. “The support that Robert gives to the Chamber is incredible. “Reaching the 30 year milestone is exceptional in this day and age, and it should be celebrated. “Congratulations to Robert and all the team.” Technology is changing the world of accounting, and Ellis & Co is proud to be evolving too. Interaction with HMRC has become increasingly digital with the introduction of Making Tax Digital (MTD), with businesses using cloud accountancy software packages to record business activity. Cloud accountancy software is revolutionising the way in which business owners deal with their day to day accounting. Whilst many accountants were slow to react to these changes, Ellis & Co has been preparing its clients for the last few years with seminars, newsletters and even a dedicated MTD member of staff who offers impartial advice and three free hours of training to all clients. “Robert is always ahead of the game, we are a very forward thinking practice,” said John Moorhouse, accounts senior at Ellis & Co. “I joined the team in 2002, qualifying as a chartered certified accountant under Robert’s watch. “We have a great team here at Ellis & Co, and that’s testament to Robert.” Robert Ellis, director of Ellis & Co added: “I am very proud to be celebrating our 30th anniversary. “I would like to thank our clients, our contacts and my wonderful team for their continued support.” For further information about Ellis & Co and the team visit www.ellis-uk.com
01244 343504 | www.ellis-uk.com info@ellis-uk.com
Offices in Chester & Wrexham
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In 1989 Robert Ellis set out to build a firm that would support its clients.
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FINANCE
CHAMBER NEWS
Local areas know best when it comes to regional investment, say BCC / Legal & General The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Legal & General published a major report detailing how best to boost investment in our towns and cities across the UK, looking at current investment barriers and how unlocking further investment will help them to grow. The report, titled Building the Towns and Cities of Tomorrow, looks in detail at eight cities across the country, and finds that despite the positives associated with urban regeneration, the complex issues facing our towns and cities require action across many fronts. The economic weight of London brings challenges and opportunities, an entrenched problem is the real or perceived lack of prospects – with post-industrial towns not providing or showcasing the opportunities for ambitious careers.
the conditions to allow that investment to happen. The framework calls for places to: n Have a vision – and articulate what it wants to achieve, and what investment is needed to make it happen n Partner and collaborate – as the failure to do so can prevent investment n Adopt a global mindset – drawing in capital and talent from overseas to help realise their ambitions n Develop, attract and retain talent – as skills shortages are a barrier to investment n Understand local assets – universities for instance are obvious assets that can attract investment n
Cater for growth – with sufficient housing to attract workers and their families, and suitable commercial premises for businesses to expand
Building the Towns and Cities of Tomorrow
The report highlights a ten-point framework to unlock investment in UK towns and cities, but ultimately, those places themselves must determine their own future, and local business communities, local government and other key decision-makers can create
n Think about the future – as automation and other economic trends will disrupt long-standing business models
n Find proofs of concept – innovative towns and cities will pioneer new types of investment and new ways of financing investment n Gain expertise – knowledge and experience are required for major investment projects
n Create momentum – as investment will provide impetus for more investment to happen
Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “There is no doubt that our great towns and cities face several structural challenges. Economic imbalances, a shortage of housing, and declining air quality are all major obstacles. Local councils also face significant budgetary constraints – so it is crucial that innovative ways of funding investment are sought. “It is vital that government takes a long-term view, and not seek to patch things up with short-term fixes. Crucially, this report shows that real success will be delivered when central government truly enables places and business communities to determine their own future, based on the deep-rooted knowledge they have of their local area.” Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive, Legal & General “Creating vibrant Future Cities is key to Britain’s economic growth and prosperity. Devolution enables local leaders to develop a compelling vision for each of our cities as great places to work, live and play, while the abundance of global investment capital can bring these visions to life. We have invested £15bn in the UK’s great cities, including those in this report, and we will invest more. There is a dual return from these investments: a financial return for pension savers and investors, and a growth boost to local economies. This report shows how more investment can be made, adding to productivity and providing a cities framework for new growth businesses and high-skilled jobs.”
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STRATEGIC MEMBERS NEWS
Accountants swap calculators for trainers Three employees at Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers swapped their calculators for trainers to raise funds for a local hospice.
from government funding, the remainder is generated through fundraising, donations, events and corporate partnerships.
Glenda Hall, John Farrell and Nick Clark, all from Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, competed in events to raise money for The Hospice of the Good Sheperd.
Ellis & Co is currently taking part in a 30th Anniversary Corporate Challenge, where the team has three months to turn a £50 starter fund into as much money as possible for the hospice.
The hospice provides palliative care for residents of Cheshire West and Chester and Deeside for free. Less than a third of the annual running costs of £4 million come
John Farrell, account senior took part in the Chester Triathlon on May 12th; followed by payroll assistant Glenda Hall who ran in the Essar Chester Half Marathon on May 19th.
n (L to R) Nick Clarke, Glenda Hall and John Farrell, all from Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers
Trainee accountant Nick joined 20,000 runners for his first marathon on April 7th in Manchester.
“The hospice provides a muchneeded service in our area,” said Natalie Tomlinson, PR and Marketing Manager at Ellis & Co.
“It was very tough, I’m aching all over, but it was a fantastic experience,” said Nick, who completed the marathon in 4 hours, 11 minutes and 21 seconds.
“These events are the first of many and a great way for us to kick start this challenge so big thanks to Nick, John, Glenda and Michele.
Michele Chrimes from Ellis & Co’s reception team has also raised money for the hospice by holding an Easter themed chocolate extravaganza, where chocolate treats were swapped for donations.
“We are looking forward to raising as much money as possible over the coming months.” If anyone would like to sponsor any members of the team visit www.ellis-uk.com/news
Zodeq supporting businesses to operate efficiently Running a business isn’t always easy. For many business owners, particularly in startups, small businesses and SMEs, the burden of administration can be overwhelming. Anyone who has run a growing business will tell you that one of the most difficult challenges is finding the time to complete essential admin tasks.
opportunities alongside all the day to day requirements that go hand in hand with running a business.
From keeping up-to-date accounts to chasing debts, there are always time-consuming jobs to be done. This can be frustrating. Often business owners believe their business isn’t reaching its full potential because their time is taken away from the tasks they should be working on.
The service covers tasks such as payroll, HMRC administration management, invoicing and credit control. Since introducing the service Zodeq have helped countless recruitment businesses, locally and nationally.
It can be difficult to juggle developing a new business and seeking out
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It was with this in mind that Zodeq introduced its 360 service in 2018. The service takes on the burden of administration from their recruitment clients, freeing up their time.
Paul Cooney, MD at Zodeq, explained, “We work with lots of recruiters who have a wealth of experience in the industry. They’ve taken that important step of setting up their own business but many of them gained their experience working in much larger organisations where, for example, there would be an in-house payroll team. Our service helps bridge that gap enabling our clients to get on with the work they want to be doing.” “We’ve had a great response. Whilst these tasks may be described as burdensome, they are an essential part of any business and it is vital that they are completed accurately and on time. Since taking up the service the majority of our clients have found their business runs more effectively.” Find out more about Zodeq 360 by visiting the website: www.zodeq.com/zodeq-360/
STRATEGIC MEMBERS NEWS
Tree Frog Digital Launch new Project to Highlight Autistic Talent NWCW is over 35,000 people. This is more than enough to fill the main stands at Chester racecourse. With skill shortages and recruitment being the ‘hot topics’ in most tech industries at the moment, ethical digital marketing agency, Tree Frog Digital, are breaking down barriers and misconceptions with their innovative new project Aut-dacious.
n Chris Grice, Managing Director of Tree Frog Digital
Untapped Autistic Talent could fill Chester Racecourse According to general statistics from the National Autistic Society and the office of national statistics, the amount of people on the autistic spectrum looking for work in
Marketing that Never Sleeps! Since our inception back in 2014, Umbrella Marketing Team has seen a host of marketing trends among our client base. When we were first established, the social media hype was at its peak, and people were keen to be involved. There was a demand to build a business presence on social media platforms, and although this remains worthwhile, it tends not to be the primary focus. Nowadays, we all have instant access to information. With the ability to research and compare products and services instantly, maintaining a competitive edge is more important than ever. With online a crucial
Anyone who knows Tree Frog Digital, knows that they are already heavily involved in developing genuine opportunities for autistic people in the workplace. However, we have gone one step further and launched Aut-dacious, which is a training program and digital agency where all technical staff are recruited from the autistic spectrum.
As part of the pilot program, Tree Frog are looking for 15 start-up businesses that would be willing for students to work on their website. Businesses willing to support the pilot project would receive £500 worth of Search Engine Optimisation at no cost to them. Tree Frog Digital’s hope is that these businesses would then continue to use the team at Aut-dacious to develop their marketing once they see results. You can contact Tree Frog Digital to find out more about Aut-dacious on 01244 535760. You can see Chris Grice talk more about Autism in the Workplace at this link https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=IMkASe7CR5c&feature=youtu.be
“We find that neurodiverse staff bring a whole new level to a digital team, their intense eye for detail and analytical focus makes them fantastic marketeers.” Managing Director Chris Grice said.
element of marketing, companies are able to collect data that allows them to better understand their customers. Many became wary of utilising big data after GDPR was introduced last year, but it’s possible to be compliant and learn from customer data. We’ve noticed a surge in the popularity of chatbots recently, with more and more companies using them across their websites. Last year, a Facebook study revealed that 56% of people would rather message than call a company. Simply sharing a phone number and hoping for inbound leads isn’t enough! There’s also been a rise in the use of video as a marketing tool, and video now dominates social media platforms. Content marketing has risen to prominence in the last few years, with more and more businesses recognising its importance. One of the factors in a website’s Google ranking is the regularity of content updates. Now, businesses need to regularly update and review their content with fresh, thoughtprovoking subject matter.
traditional methods. With email marketing so widely used, a print campaign can be much more memorable. Direct mail campaigns are back in a big way! To make an impact, it’s necessary to combine online and offline channels. Attending an exhibition or developing printed collateral can help to add the personal touch. We couldn’t end without mentioning Brexit! More recently, the uncertainty surrounding Brexit has seen many businesses holding onto their budgets. The only certainty is that, regardless of what’s happening around the world, something that is consistent is innovation and change! Do you want to stay at the forefront of marketing? To find out more about Umbrella Marketing Team, visit: www.umbrellamarketingteam.com.
Online marketing is important of course, but we’ve seen a real resurgence of more
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STRATEGIC MEMBERS NEWS
Brexit bullying: what to do if suppliers pressure you into signing a new contract Amid Brexit delays, here’s what to do if you buy and sell from the EU and have received notification of a price increase or a contract change referring to Brexit. Sellers can ‘renegotiate’ contract terms with their customers. The term is used loosely as many businesses are being pressured into signing new contracts which include less favourable terms because: • Supply is limited • Alternative supplies are unsustainable • There’s an unequal bargaining power Client Case Study Our client buys raw materials from a
European seller. The seller notified our client of changes to their current contract terms in anticipation of Brexit. The new terms allowed the seller, in hypothetical scenarios, to: • Impose price increases to mitigate increases in its manufacturing and delivery costs • Relieve the seller from contractual penalties for late delivery • Relieve the seller from non-delivery of goods One worrying term allowed the seller to make pricing changes at its absolute discretion in currency fluctuated and freight and customs rates changed. As currency fluctuations happen anyway, a term which allowed the seller to impose any price increase for any foreign exchange fluctuation, rather than as a result of
a genuine or ‘extreme’ Brexit related fluctuation, was unacceptable. Our client felt backed into a corner, obliged to sign, and worried that by not signing the seller would not supply the goods. Our Advice: Stop! Don’t Sign The letter didn’t state that by not signing and confirming, our client would be deemed to have accepted the new contract; our client continued business as usual. Your business is unique, as are your contract terms. Avoid being bullied into signing ‘onesize-fits-all’ contracts. Contact Hillyer McKeown’s commercial law experts at enquiries@law.uk.com, for a free, no obligation discussion to explore your options.
MEMBERS NEWS
Former Apprentice Becomes Engineering Director repairing electric motors, also known as motor rewinding. He joined the DRB family in November 2005.
n Adam Hughes, Engineering and Operations Director, DRB Group
Former apprentice, Adam Hughes, has been appointed as Engineering and Operations Director at North Wales-based engineering company DRB Group. DRB Group is a 110-strong, family-run engineering company that supports blue chip manufacturers in the North West. Adam began his career as an apprentice at Cheshire Electrical specialising in
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“I remember the day I joined because I saw Status Quo at Venue Cymru that night!” Adam has been involved in many aspects of DRB’s business, working with a multitude of customers. “My most memorable jobs were working on-site for 8 months as a mechanical fitter at a local chocolate factory. I moved onto a 7-month project as part of a major overhaul at a coal-fired power station.” After five years ‘on the tools’, Adam joined the office-based team as a production engineer where he worked closely with customers, recommending solutions to their engineering challenges.
He quickly progressed to team leader. Adam now runs DRB’s design, engineering, and manufacturing teams, with an overview of all customer operations from concept to delivery. “The past 15 years have been exciting and challenging. I’ve seen the factory double in size and expand with strategic acquisitions. But the thing I’m most proud of is our award-winning apprenticeship programme, especially coming from an apprentice background myself.” Matt Bennett, CEO at DRB Group, said: “What sets Adam apart is his dogeared determination to deliver what the customer needs. His deep knowledge of what we do means customers really understand the value we bring to their business.” Picture credit: Melissa Cross of Ginger Pixie Photography
Ffensio Lloyd Fencing - Ruthin An established fencing contractor with 15 years’ experience, Gethin Lloyd decided to take the plunge and start his own business. Ffensio Lloyd Fencing specialises in all types of fencing services, including agricultural, electric, post and rail, equine, security and garden fencing. He approached Business Wales to discuss his idea to start his own fencing contracting business. His business adviser Sian E Jones assisted him with general start-up support and helped him complete a business plan with financial projections and cashflow forecasts. This enabled Gethin to successfully secure a bank overdraft and grant funding via the Denbighshire County Council Business Development Grant towards the purchase of a specialised track mounted machine. Sian also provided information on the further specialist support available through Business Wales, including tendering and the Skills Gateway. Gethin has since successfully started his business and has already recruited his first member of staff. “I can’t thank Sian E Jones from Business Wales enough for all her support, especially during the application process – from filling in paperwork to answering all my questions. Her attention to detail and patience is incredible!” To find out how Business Wales can help start or develop your business, call 01745 585025, follow @BusinessWalesN or email northwales@businesswales.org.uk
F O R S TA R T- U P S 03000 6 03000 busnescymru.llyw.cymru businesswales.gov.wales
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CHAMBER TOURS
CHAMBER NEWS
Chamber Members Tour North West Cancer Research n Tim Charlton, Corporate Fundraising Manager at NWCR speaks to guests
On 2nd April, Chamber members had an exclusive tour of North West Cancer Research (NWCR), based in the Brambell Building at Bangor University. NWCR is the only independent cancer research charity fighting the toughest cancers in North West England and North Wales. Since 2000, NWCR have funded £39,000,000 of world-class research and supported hundreds of local clinicians, doctors and students in the fields of basic, translational and clinical research, all with the aim of stopping cancer sooner. Guests were welcomed to the venue with tea and biscuits and had the chance to network amongst themselves before proceedings began.
Guests were shown to a lecture theatre where Tim Charlton, Corporate Fundraising Manager at NWCR, spoke about his role in raising funding for the charity and how NWCR invests this into cancer research. Edgar Hartsuiker, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences (Cancer Biology), then explained the research into cancer that is happening right here in North Wales and how the university uses the funding provided by NWCR to combat the disease. Edgar highlighted that one in two people will have some form of cancer over the course of their lifetime. However, survival rates for patients 10 years after diagnosis have risen dramatically since the 1970’s, to
50% from 20%, and Edgar said this was a huge achievement and something that the region should be very proud of contributing towards. Edgar explained there were six different research teams in the university focusing on areas such as DNA and the autoimmune system. The group of Chamber members were then shown the laboratories where the research took place, and even had the opportunity to look at cells under the microscope! Edgar and Tim then took questions from guests about the research happening and cancer itself. “I found the tour of North West Cancer Research to be very informative, as well it being an eye-opening experience. It was amazing to learn that the research taking place here in North Wales is having a big impact on cancer research all around the globe” said Paul Williams, Director at Highstream Solutions Ltd. Dan Ward, Membership Executive at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said “The tour of NWCR was really interesting and thought provoking. The research into cancer that is being carried out in North Wales is having a realworld impact and this is something our region should be very proud of. Thank you to Tim and Edgar for hosting us today, it was definitely an event to remember!”.
The New Saints FC And The RUK Group Continue Sponsorship Agreement Cheshire-based Recycling UK Limited, through its group branding RUKGroup. com, have renewed their sponsorship with JD Welsh Premier League Champions The New Saints FC, taking the partnership into its fourth season, with a six-figure financial investment over the agreement period. The RUK Group, who through their various companies are experts in recycling, waste minimisation and the sale of recycled materials, first sponsored The New Saints at the start of the 2016/17 season and have seen the relationship grow over the past three years, with both parties delighted that the deal has been extended.
“We have established a great working relationship with the RUK Group, over the past few years” commented Ian Williams, the club’s Chief Operating Officer. “I’m really pleased that it’s been extended for a further season. It shows the real value of companies using football as a vehicle to promote themselves. With our digital marketing output continuing to grow, it’s a winwin situation for both organisations”, concluded Williams. RUK Group Managing Director, Neil Clarke, was equally pleased with the extension of the deal and said: “We are absolutely delighted to extend what
has been a brilliant partnership. We are made to feel that we are an integral part of the continuing success of TNS FC and with the latest JD Welsh Premier League title secured at Barry Town United, we look forward to Champions League football again in July, and hopefully another successful JD Welsh Premier League season.” The RUK Group will feature on a special retro style green and white shirt for the JD Welsh Cup final, as well as being displayed once again on the front of the new kit design for the 2019/20 season, details of which will be published soon.
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CHAMBER EVENTS
Opera Grill host fantastic Chamber Networking Lunch Opera Grill played host to the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce networking lunch event on the 23rd May 2019. The distinct neoclassical Greek restaurant was occupied by nearly 60 local business people. Attendees were able to build connections in a relaxed manner whilst enjoying a delightful meal provided by Opera Grill, Chester. Guests were welcomed to the stunning venue where they had an opportunity to build on existing relationships, whilst forging new connections with other business people in attendance. Opera Grill staff then presented the delicious meals of either Butterflied Chicken Breast with Tomato, Vegetables and Olive Salsa or Asparagus Risotto with Broad Bean, Pea, Leek & Percorino Cheese followed by Baked New York
Cheesecake with Macerated Strawberries & Basil, which went down a treat with all the guests! “Today’s event was proof that locally we have businesses that inspire each other through commitment to the region” said Nadia Mahmoud, Business Development Manager at DSG Accountants. After food was served, Jane Bingham, from Cheshire Garden, spoke about her experience of designing and creating gardens since 2014, with her designs reaching local and national press. Her gardens were visited by thousands of people at the RHS Tatton Flower Show as it portrayed a story of a dementia patient’s journey from diagnosis to requiring 24-hour care. Jane then talked about her new project of creating a garden to celebrate Children Today Charitable Trust’s 25th Anniversary.
Chamber Networking with a Cheshire View West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce welcomed members to the picturesque setting of Cheshire View for a networking lunch. Guests arrived at the venue at 12:30pm on 30th April with many local business people in attendance. Members were greeted at reception and then had 30 minutes of informal networking, with most guests deciding to chat outside on the patio as it was a warm, summery day. Guests were then seated and had another quick chance to connect with other members before being served their lunch; lasagne, chips & salad followed by a delicious syrup sponge and custard.
n Guests network at Cheshire View
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Once all guests had finished their meal, Matt Dimbylow, from DBA Sport; started his presentation. He told his captivating story through videos, images and a presentation of his journey. A head
“It was great to see so many new faces at today’s event at the fantastic Opera Grill. The food was brilliant and the hospitality was incredible. Thank you so much to those that attended and we hope to see you again soon!” said Jenny Davidson, Events & Young Chamber Manager at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.
n Guests enjoying the lunch at Opera Grill
trauma caused Matt to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease but this did not stop him from following his passion for playing football. Matt’s determination lead him to be selected for the football squad at the Paralympic games in 2008 and he then captained Team GB at London 2012 Paralympics. After retiring from his football career, Matt joined DBA Sport, a support organisation that aims to help and assist disability sports teams progress through funding. “It was my first chamber event and it was great, it’s a lovely venue with amazing food. I really enjoyed the time outside networking as it was a very useful 30 minutes to connect. The presentation was unbelievably inspiring; I’m looking forward to the next chamber events.” said Jamie McElwaine, Company Director at JPM Capital. Jenny Davidson, Events & Young Chamber Manager at the Chamber, said “This was our first event at Cheshire View and I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality. The venue and food were incredible! The talk from Matt was truly inspirational and I am so grateful to him for sharing his story with us.”
CHAMBER EVENTS
n Chamber members get exclusive tour of HMP Berwyn
On 28th March, local businesses were given the opportunity to have an exclusive tour of the biggest prison in the UK, HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, as part of a networking event organised by the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce. The tour proved to be extremely popular with spaces selling out weeks before the day of the event. The capacity of 50 attendees arrived at the prison before making their way through security and hearing an overview of the day from Clair Evans, Business Community and Engagement Manager at HMP Berwyn. The group were then taken to the prison’s education and skills building, where the men can attend a wide variety of classes including Drama, Welsh, English and Maths. These classes all have the aim of giving the men skills and qualifications that will help when they leave HMP Berwyn and return to work.
Networking with a difference at HMP Berwyn Attendees were then seated in the Chaplaincy where they were served a delicious lunch that was made by the men that work in the prison’s kitchen. Mark Greenhaf, Deputy Governor at HMP Berwyn, then spoke to the attendees about how local businesses can support the men when they return to work and help them integrate back into society. The group was then split in two as the tour continued into the warehouse where deliveries of food and supplies are sorted and checked by the men. Guests then saw the area the men learn and build upon their plastering, brick laying, woodwork and cleaning skills - these opportunities are again aimed to give the men experience needed to secure a job when leaving HMP Berwyn. The tour finished with the groups visiting the Kitchens where their food was prepared.
“This was a well organised event that had a fantastic attendance. I found the tour very thought provoking and I am proud to have a prison with the facilities that we’ve seen here today in Wales. The work that HMP Berwyn is doing to help the men gain skills and experience, in order to help them when leaving, is great to see” said Lynne Pierce, Client Relationship Manager at Flavell Wealth Management. Helen Pullin, Membership Support Officer at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said on the success of the tour “This was an extremely eye-opening event and it was really interesting to see the support offered by HMP Berwyn. We are so thankful to Claire and the team for allowing the Chamber to have this unique insight”.
Fabulous Networking Lunch at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse On 27th February over 40 guests attended a West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce networking lunch at the impressive Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse. The sun was shining as Chamber members and non-members arrived on another wonderful day in North Wales, making the views of the Welsh hills surrounding the racecourse even more impressive than usual. Guest were welcomed to the characteristic venue by Helen Pullin, Membership Support Officer at the Chamber, who guided them into the Owners and Trainers Building where they could network with other business people
from the region before lunch was served and the guest speaker spoke. A delicious lunch of roast chicken followed by sticky toffee pudding was thoroughly enjoyed by attendees before Jeannie Chantler, General Manager at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, spoke to the room. Jeannie spoke passionately about the racecourse and informed guests of its rich history. The Racecourse first held a steeplechase on 25th February 1859, meaning this event took place nearly 160 years to the day that the first race happened. “This was a great Chamber event with a fantastic view! The Racecourse were
great hosts and the food was outstanding. I was able to meet with like-minded people and I am already looking forward for the next one!”, commented Ken Jones, Director at Jones Melling Limited. Jenny Davidson, Events & Young Chamber Manager at the Chamber, added “This was our first event at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse and the feedback I’ve received from attendees has been excellent. It was great to hear from Jeannie about the background of the racecourse and the exiting things they have planned for the future. Thank you to all our guests for attending, I hope to see you again soon!”
n Networking for the first time at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse
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PATRON NEWS
New affordable homes set to be completed Around £3 million has been invested in the properties, which have been part funded by Homes England and the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, in Blacon, Elton and Saughall. All of the homes will be available for affordable rent. Six three-bedroom houses, five twobedroom houses and eight onebedroom apartments have been built on the site of the former Highfield pub, off Western Avenue, in Blacon. n New affordable homes set to be completed
Sanctuary Homes, the development arm of UK housing provider Sanctuary Group, is putting the finishing touches to new homes at three sites across the Cheshire West region.
A further six one-bedroom apartments and four one-bedroom apartments are also being delivered at a former garage site in the village of Elton and at Church Road in Saughall respectively. In addition, all of Sanctuary Homes’ 46 properties at the Chase Park
Awards celebrate inspirational Blacon residents Inspirational residents whose efforts make a real difference to the local community have been honoured at the Blacon Community Awards. The awards celebrate the unsung heroes who go above and beyond to help make Blacon a better place to live. Honours were handed out at Blacon High School in a ceremony that also featured musical performances from other local schools. The Harold Tomlins Community Award, for residents who epitomise a real sense of community spirit, went to Dr Venu Prasad for his efforts volunteering to help local primary school children improve their reading. Eileen Irwin collected the Blacon Extra Mile Award for her 36 years of dedicated service to Blacon Adventure Playground, while social enterprise Here
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and Now won the Community Team Award, in recognition of its work bringing socially isolated people together. The Joe Rose Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Karen Newell, honouring her “exceptional service” to generations of young people during a 40-year career as a teaching assistant. This year’s event was sponsored by Avenue Services, Sanctuary Housing, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Blacon Education Village, Airbus and Arriva.
Investing in youth services Avenue Services is investing in the future of Blacon’s youth by providing additional activities in the community. A total of £7,500 from the organisation’s surplus fund is being used to run two new youth clubs in the area, providing
development in Ellesmere Port, where it worked in partnership with housebuilder Galliford Try, are now occupied. Danielle Wrigley, Senior Development Manager at Sanctuary, said: “We are proud to be making a contribution to the local housing market through these developments.” Plans have also been submitted for a new GP surgery, community health centre and 16 apartments in Blacon. The three-storey development would be built on land adjacent to the existing Parade Enterprise Centre, with the surgery and health centre on the ground floor and the 12 onebedroom and four two-bedroom apartments above. n Awards celebrate inspirational Blacon residents
young people aged 7 - 19 with a safe environment in which to meet. The Blacon Junior Youth Club offers children aged 7 - 11 the opportunity to take part in a variety of games, sports and activities, while a weekly club for those aged 11+ is being hosted at Blacon Adventure Playground. Avenue Services has worked with partners including Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire Police and Rage Fitness Company to identify priorities for investment and the sort of activities that should be provided. Chris Leicester, Neighbourhood Partnerships Manager at Avenue Services, said: “It’s vitally important that young people have access to safe, engaging environments where they can socialise and have fun.”
PATRON NEWS
MWL Systems turns 35 – how has technology transformed?
n Matt Kingsley-Williams Managing Director at MWL Systems
For the team at MWL Systems, 2019 represents a milestone year, as the company celebrates an amazing 35 years in business. When MWL Systems was established in 1984, the technology landscape was entirely different to how we know it today. Over the past three decades, technology has transformed at a rapid pace, revolutionising the capabilities of businesses across the globe. This in turn presented an exciting challenge for MWL in maintaining high levels of expertise with regards to emerging technologies and the issues that go hand in hand with them. Over the years the MWL Systems team have supported countless businesses, both locally and nationally, in ensuring that their IT systems work as effectively as possible using the most innovative technologies available at that time. So, what has changed since MWL Systems went into business 35 years ago, and how have businesses been impacted?
World Wide Web
The web is also celebrating a landmark year, it has been 30 years since Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web. Yes, that does in fact mean that MWL Systems is older than the internet as we know and love it!
Since its invention in 1989 and launch in 1990, the web has arguably been one of the biggest and most important additions to the day to day workings of a business, opening up a world of opportunity that has innovated how companies operate.
Communication
The birth of the world wide web introduced a vast number of new and efficient ways for people across the globe to communicate. From emails to VoIP telephone lines, video conferencing to social media, both individuals and organisations now have a quick, easy and not to mention, cost effective, way to communicate with people worldwide at any time, therefore greatly enhancing opportunities for businesses to widen their client base.
Threats to Businesses
Of course, as more and more companies explore the opportunities of the online world, this presents opportunities for cyber criminals to identify vulnerabilities and take advantage of them. Over the years this has led to countless businesses, organisations and individuals to fall victim to cyber-attacks, with dire consequences for many. Despite the fact that cyber-attacks have been around for many years, it is only recently that organisations have begun to take the threat of these occurrences seriously. This is something that Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the
web, addressed in a recent interview, describing the necessity for action in order to tackle the ‘downward plunge to a dysfunctional future’, with regards to data breaches, hacking and misinformation.
The Cloud
Cloud technology has been a turning point in improving the productivity and efficiency of a business, allowing teams to communicate, share documents, store documents and much more, from anywhere in the world. This ultimately means that remote working is made all the more accessible, businesses are not having to invest heavily in hardware, multiple people can contribute to a project at the same time, as well as countless other opportunities that the cloud can offer. Speaking of reaching this significant anniversary for the business, Managing Director of MWL Systems, Matt KingsleyWilliams, has said: “I couldn’t be prouder of how MWL Systems has progressed over the past three decades. The fact that our business has been operating for longer than the world wide web, just highlights our team’s ability to adapt to new technologies and thrive. Technological advancements have meant that we have been able to vastly improve the capabilities of both our own and our clients’ businesses, in spite of the additional challenges these innovations present, such as cyber security.”
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PATRON NEWS
Airbus UK Broughton FC join forces with Cheshire College Cheshire College - South & West to launch a new Scholarship Programme Cheshire College – South & West and newly promoted Welsh Premier League Football Club, Airbus UK Broughton FC, have joined forces to announce a prestigious football scholarship programme for 16-19 year olds in the local community. Young athletes studying at Cheshire College – South & West will be selected for the scholarship programme, which will commence in September 2019. Unlike most football or sports scholarships, in which all players must study a Diploma in Sport, selected players will be able to choose any academic or vocational course at the College. Jonathan Williams the Club’s General Manager commented: “We are delighted to partner with Cheshire College – South & West and to announce this exciting new scholarship programme.
learners to express themselves creatively and extend their skills by promoting a positive culture of competition, teamwork and dedication.
I’m Safe at School! Cheshire College – South & West is working in partnership with colleges and schools across the UK, Romania, Turkey, Poland, Greece and Italy, as part of an Erasmus plus programme, concentrated on an exchange of different strategies to be used against bullying. External guests were invited in to the Colleges Crewe Campus alongside internal staff for a variety of presentations, in relation to the theme: ‘I’m Safe at School’.
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The achievements of dozens of Apprentices from across the country were celebrated at Cheshire College – South & West’s Apprenticeship Awards ceremony last month. More than 150 guests gathered at the College’s Ellesmere Port Campus, with more than 30 awards being presented on the evening.
Gareth Edwards, Assistant Director Public Services, Sport, ESOL, Travel and Tourism, at Cheshire College – South & West, said: ‘’This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone interested in gaining a football scholarship.
The event was sponsored by local employers, who have seen their own apprentices grow and develop within their organisations; AO, SP Energy Network and South Cheshire Chamber.
‘’The learners are at the heart of everything we do here at College, so it’s vital that they are exposed to opportunities like this outside of their core study programme. It is inspiring to see young learners developing as sportsmen and women alongside gaining their formal qualifications.’’
Mellissa Kermode, 21, from Ellesmere Port, Apprentice of the Year for West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce, won Apprentice in Sales, Marketing and Creative Industries. Melissa commented: ‘’My apprenticeship has given me the skills and qualifications needed to further my career. With the support from colleagues, I have been able to quickly progress and take on more responsibilities to ensure I can reach my career goals of being a Marketing Manager. ‘’I have loved studying as part of an apprenticeship and would urge anyone looking to earn whilst gaining relevant qualifications to explore what apprenticeship opportunities are available to them.’’
‘’Our Football Academy has been constantly thriving for 15 years and now consists of nearly 200 players, with a great mix of boys and girls between the ages of eight to eighteen. The College values enthusiasm, loyalty and ambition and recognises the importance of balancing study with wider development opportunities. The scholarship programme will encourage
Talented apprentices from across the region celebrated at annual awards ceremony
n Cheshire College – South & West launch a prestigious football scholarship programme for 16-19 year olds in the local community Yvette Robinson, International Programmes Manager, said: ‘’This was a fantastic opportunity to share stories and ideas on how to tackle bullying, including the more recent phenomenon of cyber bullying. ‘’This has also given us the opportunity to share each other’s cultures, create friendships and partnerships and develop a greater understanding and tolerance of each other’s differences.’’ The International provision at Cheshire College – South & West has continued
Cheshire College – South & West have more than 1000 apprentices and works with a range of SMEs to large national employers. Other awards on the evening included Apprentice in Energy and Environment, Apprentice in Management and Award for Outstanding Progress.
to grow and develop each year since establishing in 2014. The College facilitates groups of learners and teachers, as they visit the UK. Some join academic vocational courses on a long-term basis, while others join short courses. Visitors are exposed to a wide variety of experiences, ranging from buddying with local school children and College learners to work placements in local businesses. If you would like more information or are interested in collaborating with our International Department, please call 01270 654664 or email international@ccsw.ac.uk.
PATRON NEWS
First new tenants locate to new Council’s workspace. Cheshire West and Chester Council’s impressive new BREEAM Excellent workspace project has now welcomed its first new tenants to the Winsford and Northwich sites. A jointly funded Council and ERDF project has developed three new sites across the borough aimed at businesses in the manufacturing, energy and technology sectors: Road 2 in Winsford, Duttons Business Centre in Northwich and Dee View Trade and Business Park on Bumpers Lane in Chester. In Northwich, FEL Vales have moved onto the site. FEL makes and sells parts and components to major global manufacturers
n Police talking to students as part of the Raising Aspiration Project Ellesmere Port primary school children have been getting a taste of what it would be like to work in the emergency services or the army. Year five and six pupils from five primary schools in the town learned more about the job of a uniformed public servant at a first Raising Aspirations Project event at Cheshire College in Ellesmere Port. The Council’s Raising Aspirations project is part of the Building Futures scheme in Ellesmere Port. It aims to instil career ambitions in youngsters in the borough by introducing them to real life workplaces and professionals.
of power generators and had previously been based in Wincham since its formation in 1997; they had been looking for a suitable new base for many years.
buildings to such a high standard.” The project has been part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, together with the Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Property Reinvestment Programme. The last ERDF site in Chester on Bumpers Lane in Chester will officially open later this year.
Andrew Wilson, of FEL Valves, said: “We had outgrown our previous premises. It became more difficult to function with the old set up. Trying to find something that would suit our business and help it in the direction we want to go was not easy. “Moving here gives us the opportunity to employ local people. “I think it is great that the Council is doing this and designing and constructing these
n The high quality business units in Winsford
New project aims to raise primary pupils’ career aspirations It is complemented by classroom activities which focus on exploring life in the workplace in more depth. Mark Parkinson, director of education at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The event introduced pupils to a range of jobs to inspire them in later life and instil future career ambitions. The sessions helped to develop their understanding about the type of skills they would need to succeed in their chosen career. The event was held over two mornings and highlights included the fire service bringing their
fire engine on both days to explain the range of jobs they do. The army showing examples of equipment they use when on exercises and a selection of food they warm up and the police presenting a mock crime scene, which the pupils helped solve by using clues. The Raising Aspirations Project will become even more beneficial to young people if other industries or colleges are willing to offer their support by introducing the children to the world of further education and employment. To find out more, contact Janet Kolita on janet.kolita@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
New Town Centre Masterplan adopted for Ellesmere Port Cheshire West and Chester Council have recently adopted a Town Centre Masterplan for Ellesmere Port. Ellesmere Port has seen large private investments in the employment areas accessible from the Motorway, and new homes have been built on brownfield sites on the edge of the town centre. The town centre retail core however, has lacked new major successes since Aldi and ASDA opened ten years ago. Whilst convenience and food retail in the town centre is strong, there is too much retail floorplate, and demolition of some vacant
shops to make space for other uses seems inevitable to keep the town centre thriving. The public sector presence in the town centre economy is strong, and the Council is giving Ellesmere Port a boost of confidence by locating its own headquarters there. Following the landmark Academy school, and College, built in recent years, the Council is planning a new office to be located on the current bus station and a new bus interchange on Civic Way. More public service staff will support local shops, including the
Market. The Masterplan also aims to release further (edge of) town centre sites for housebuilding, and invest in local infrastructure, so more residents can support footfall and viability of town centre services. The Masterplan also emphasises the need for the town centre to become more attractive with improved culture and leisure, supporting an evening economy. To keep up to date with developments and opportunities in Ellesmere Port take a look at the development board’s website http:// www.ellesmereportdevelopment.co.uk.
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NEW STRATEGIC MEMBERS
Chamber Welcomes two new Strategic Members! The West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce two existing members have become Strategic Members. Ashton Consulting and Liverpool John Lennon Airport will now benefit from an enhanced level of membership which will see them further support other Chamber members using their expert knowledge and skills. The new Strategic Members will also be a fundamental part of our Young Chamber programme and will be active in events and projects throughout 2019, helping to bridge the gap between business and education.
Ashton Consulting After launching Ashton Consulting in 2018, Owner, Nigel Allman, soon became a Chamber member and has now taken steps to further his engagement with the Chamber, and its members, by becoming a Strategic Partner. Based in Chester, Ashton Consulting helps local Financial Services and SMEs integrate effective risk and business management into their strategy and planning to guarantee the best possible outcomes for them and their clients.
n Nigel Allman, Owner of Ashton Consulting with Debbie Bryce, CEO of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
“I launched Ashton Consulting to help businesses become risk and business confident, allowing them to achieve their full potential. My aim is to support the growth of our local businesses by utilising
my 25 years’ experience in the banking, insurance and wealth sectors” said Nigel. Nigel is looking forward to supporting businesses in the region saying by passing on his experience afforded to him by working with some incredibly talented individuals within financial services. “We are thrilled that Nigel has become a Strategic Members and look forward to working closer with him going forward. Whether this is through supporting our membership base or lending his expertise to help inspire students as part of our Young Chamber programme” said Debbie Bryce, Chief Executive Officer at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport Liverpool John Lennon Airport currently handles over 5 million passengers per year with flights to over 70 destinations in the UK and across Europe. With a growing range of destinations bringing increased passenger numbers, 1 million more passengers now choose to use Liverpool compared to four years ago. “The Airport has been a member of the Chamber for many years having recognised the key role the Chamber plays in liaising with members from across West Cheshire and North Wales, helping to share information about the Airport” commented Robin Tudor, Head of PR for Liverpool John Lennon Airport. “Now with flights to over 70 destinations and a passenger experience up
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there with the very best, Liverpool has become the Airport of choice for passengers from across the North West and North Wales. By becoming a Strategic Member, we look forward to working closer with the Chamber to ensure that businesses and stakeholders across the region recognise the many benefits that the Airport brings.” Debbie Bryce, Chief Executive Officer at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber Commerce, added “The Airport plays a massive part of driving tourism in West Cheshire & North Wales and is a key driver of prosperity in the region. We’ve been working closely with the Airport for a number of years and this will develop further with their move to Strategic Members.”
n Robin Tudor, Head of PR & Communications (L) with John Irving, CEO (R) both of Liverpool John Lennon Airport with Debbie Bryce, CEO of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce
Companies in north east Wales are reaping the rewards after joining the popular 20Twenty Business Programme n Hannaman Material Handling are one of several Chamber members to benefit from the 20Twenty Business Program Aimed at firms in Wrexham, Flintshire and Powys, the programme is up to 70% subsidised by the European Social Fund (ESF) and has welcomed more than 1,000 owners, directors and managers over the years.
truck sales and hire firm Hannaman Material Handling – a member of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce – which has doubled turnover to £2.4m in the last five years and now employs 24 people.
Penderyn Whisky boss Stephen Davies, BBC Business Doctor Paul Thomas, Cardiff Metropolitan University Professor Brian Morgan and Mark Boddington – a member of the famous Boddington’s Beer dynasty and Managing Director of Silverlining furniture in Wrexham – are just a handful of the speakers to have headlined events in the last 12 months.
She says joining the Level 5-7 cohort last year had a positive effect on her ability to help lead the business. “The 20Twenty Growth programme allowed me to look at myself and my role as a business director,” said Stacey.
And countless delegates have praised the innovative seminars, presenters and workshops, crediting 20Twenty with having a positive impact on strategy, growth and turnover.
“It has given me the skills to be able to analyse financials, which I would have perhaps been apprehensive to do so beforehand, and I have been able to focus on ensuring our business processes are efficient, lean and profitable.
Among them was Stacey Downey-Jones, Commercial Director of Deeside-based forklift
“In addition to the skills and tools that were provided, the workshops were also
MEMBER NEWS great way to converse with likeminded people about everyday problems within a confidential, business-focused environment.” Other Chamber members to have engaged with 20Twenty include DRB Group, ELMAC Technologies, Platts Animal Bedding, Silverlining Furniture and Wagtail. They are just a handful of the many companies to have taken part in the two programmes: The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 4 for Middle Managers and the CMI Level 5-7 for Business Owners, Directors and Senior Managers. Jackie Whittaker, 20Twenty Business Development Manager, says the experiential nature of the series of courses and the huge savings that can be made due to the ESF funding via Welsh Government, have made it one of the most innovative and wellattended leadership and management qualifications in the country. “The feedback we have received from Stacey and hundreds of other business people is testament to the success 20Twenty has experienced in past years,” said Jackie. “It is vital that the programme reflects the needs of industry, and that we add value in giving guidance on how to develop strategic growth plans, explore different strategies and address issues in key areas. “As 20Twenty continues to grow, it’s so heartening to see the companies and representatives who have taken part have grown with us – long may that continue.” For more information and to register for a place on one of the upcoming cohorts, call 01248 382569 or visit the website: www.20twentybusinessgrowth.com
Valto becomes an award-winning business! Valto has now become award-winning Valto, after being crowned Micro Business of the Year at the High Sheriff of Cheshire Enterprise Awards, with their award taking pride of place in their office. On receiving the award, Managing Director Hugh Valentine, said “I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve won such a fantastic award. Our plan has always been to be the best at what we do and the winning of this award has recognised this. It’s a real team effort at Valto and we are all extremely proud.”
Beating off competition, which included a producer of tonic water syrups, a business magazine publisher and an aviation training provider, the Micro Business Award is aimed at recognising start-up and small businesses, with 4 or less employees, with the amazing work that they do. Formed in 2017 with the aim of providing the best technology and customer service compared to many other managed IT service providers in the market, Valto have continued to grow in turnover, customers, partners and projects and 2019 is projected
n The team at Valto receiving their award to see this growth continue as we aim to continue to provide the best managed IT services with the best customer service.
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CHAMBER NEWS
22
GETTING STARTED
n Ian Clowes, Goldy Solutions Ltd
To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background. As a professional engineer and chemist, I manged chemical and biochemical production operations and projects both in the UK and overseas.
What made you set up the business? As a family, we’d lived and worked in Scotland, France and Switzerland and had moved back to a more settled role in the UK, as technical director of a veterinary products business. Job moves meant I was likely to be heading back overseas so we decided to call it a day and to head back to Cheshire.
How and when did the idea come about? I started Goldy Solutions Ltd to develop a consulting career. One particularly challenging and fun project found me taking photographs to ‘manage’ one of the key influencers. At the end of the project I produced a large coffee-table sized book which was bought by all the major stakeholders and two of them asked if I could do something similar for other projects they were involved in. I was also asked to help with the start-up of a major training support contract. This was change management at its most complex and as part of my role I created a magazine to manage the mix of internal and external stakeholders. At this point I realised that the combination of words and images could be a powerful tool and that I was well-placed to deliver valueadding support to businesses through a combination of a lens and a pencil.
Who are your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation? There are two audiences out there. The first is the large corporate business who is looking for a long-term relationship where I can help steer their communications and stakeholder management efforts, ideally including a regular magazine, but also creating images and stories for the usual raft of online and offline media channels. Clients also get a bespoke online image library that they can use to control access to the images we create.
Getting started with Ian Clowes Photographer, Goldy Solutions Ltd The second are the SMEs based in the North West. Through the Chamber Events I have seen the vast wealth of exciting businesses that exist in the North West. Helping them to understand how best to identify and manage their key stakeholders and how to identify opportunities to capture and utilise images and stories from within their business is what I’m about. Opportunities that can add real bottom line value.
What have been your main achievements and difficulties? To see the impact that images and the magazines can have has been quite amazing. To see clients getting so excited about your creations and to recognise the value that they are getting from them still gives me a buzz each and every time. Currently my main challenge is to move from a business based on word-of-mouth growth to one where I need to actively seek new relationships and businesses to work with. This means doing for Goldy what I’ve done for others over the last ten years – including developing an online presence and even something as simple as an up-to-date head shot!
and it’s by far the best way of getting this type of business off the ground. The one feature that is present for most start-ups, especially sole traders, is the potential isolation and loneliness that comes with the territory. To manage the inevitable ups and downs of business you need to surround yourself with people you can trust and who believe in you. Make time for networking, seek out not only potential clients but people across a range of industries, including your own. It’s surprising where support can come from. Finally, don’t forget yourself. In the long days and nights trying to please clients, shareholders, family etc, it’s easy to forget your own health and wellbeing. Don’t! You are the main asset within your business – look after yourself.
What attracted you to entrepreneurship? Why was this? Like many people I realised over the years that the key to a satisfying work-life is a good boss. I can count mine on one hand! So, when the opportunity came to create Goldy Solutions I jumped at it and it’s been a fun ride so far.
What are your career aims and aspirations? To shift the focus of my business to the North West and to build a team that can enable Goldy to help increasing numbers of local businesses of all sizes.
What message would you give to fellow entrepreneurs or people looking to get involved in setting up their own business or organisation? When asked, ‘how do I start a photography business?’, my answer is always, keep the day job. Cashflow is critical in any business n An example of Ian Clowes’ work
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YOUNG CHAMBER
Young Chamber Sponsors support Myddelton College Careers Fair Two local businesses have supported a careers fair at Myddelton College as part of the Young Chamber programme. The fair saw in excess of 100 students in attendance where Sophie Griffiths and Paul Hughes, from Wockhardt, were joined by Davinder Lotay, Managing Director of Altimex and MJ Lighting Ltd. Both companies were given a stand where they could display information about their company and offer insights to students about the industries that they operate in. Altimex Ltd and MJ Lighting Technology Ltd provided a very interactive stand which included a 3D printed robot that could solve a Rubix cube after calculating how many moves it would take to complete. Davinder, a STEM ambassador, also showcased a talking robot that could answer questions using Wikipedia. The demonstrations aimed to engage the students in a fun activity
whilst highlighting what can be achieved with STEM qualifications. Wockhardt, a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, had many students interested in finding out about the different high-quality medicines that they research and manufacture.
in the room and you could tell that the students were taking great interest in the different stands that were on show. We’re so thankful for Davinder, Sophie and Paul for supporting this event, the feedback we’ve had from teachers and students has been outstanding!”
Sophie, Human Resources Manager at Wockhardt, was extremely impressed by the curiosity of the children saying “They showed great enthusiasm and asked us both some great questions – they had very inquisitive minds. We were able to showcase the products that we make and the manufacturing process behind it. The children we interested to know what other careers were available in our Company and we could see that there were some budding future scientists in the college!”
Thank you to Altimex Ltd, MJ Lighting Technology Ltd and Wockhardt for supporting this event.
Helen Pullin, Membership Support Officer at the Chamber, was very impressed with the fair saying “There was a real buzz
n Davinder Lotay, Managing Director of Altimex and MJ Lighting Ltd with his Rubix Cube solving robot
Young Chamber supports Mock Interviews at Castell Alun High School On 26th March, Young Chamber Sponsors supported Year 13 students at Castell Alun High School through mock interviews. As part of their Business B-Tech, students had been tasked to prepare for a specific job role that appealed to them before the mock interviews took place. An expert panel of businesses was then formed to interview the students two at a time. The members of the panel were; Amanda Jarvis, Senior HR Officer at Wockhardt, Dan Ward, Membership Executive at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, Ceri Wilkins, Operations Manager at Seneca Bridge Resource Partners, Mark Davies, Insolvency Partner at Aaron and Partners, and Paul Hughes, Operational Excellence Manager at Wockhardt. n Young Chamber Sponsors interviewed students from Castell Alun High School
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The exercise started with students asking the panel a question, many of which focused on the qualifications they needed and any advice the panel could give. The panel then asked questions including; where do you see yourself in five years’ time? What excites you about the role? What do you know about the company? The panellists then gave the students tips and advice to take away with them, which included making eye contact with the interviewer.
programme which is seeking to address the gap that currently exists between businesses and education in the region.
“Being an ex-pupil of Castell Alun High School, it was inspirational to see first-hand the standards that Castell Alun pupils are being taught. The pupils showed professionalism and confidence during the interview process. Pupils engagement with external companies to experience interviews is a good foundation for the pupils to develop their key skills for their future education and career path. It was great pleasure to be involved with the development of these pupil’s future” said Paul.
Dan Ward, Membership Executive at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, added “Mock interviews have formed a fundamental part of Young Chamber and are a great exercise that help prepare students for the real thing. Today, we have seen some fantastic candidates and you can tell that they have put a lot of work into preparing for the event”.
The interviews aimed to give the students much needed experience for when they leave education and start their careers. This is a crucial part of the Young Chamber
“The event was very well organised and I felt honoured to be part of the experience. The students all came across very professional, well presented and confident with their responses during the interviewing process, they all seemed focused on their next adventure” said Amanda.
Thank you to our sponsors that supported this event; n Aaron and Partners n Seneca Bridge Resource Partners n Wockhardt
If you would like more information on how you could support students in the area, please go to https://wcnwchamber.org.uk/young-chamberpage/ or email youngchamber@wcnwchamber.org.uk.
YOUNG CHAMBER
Young Chamber Sponsors help Empower Women at Nuffield Health, Chester. Aenone initially wanted to become a fighter pilot but, after being told her arms were too short, decided to go to medical school with the aim of becoming a Plastic Surgeon. Aenone now performs life changing surgery on patients who, for example, need reconstruction after illnesses such as cancer. Aenone highlighted that only 10% of consultants in her industry are women.
n Students were able to try on Police uniforms! On International Women’s Day (Friday 8th March), Christleton High School hosted an Empowering Women’s Day supported by the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Young Chamber Programme. The annual event sees a series of inspirational businesswomen speak to female students about their career paths and the opportunities available to them. This is all done with the aim of instilling the students with confidence and belief in themselves to be the best they can be. The day started with activities focused on mindfulness and a challenge where the students had to assign each other specific roles in the scenario that they were stranded on a desert island. The first speaker of the day, Aenone HarperMachin, talked through her journey to becoming a Consultant Plastic Surgeon
As part of the confidence building element to the day, the students then worked in groups where they listed three things that they liked about themselves e.g. friendly/ kind/good at netball. Zoë Paton-Crockett, Partner and Head of Commercial Property at Butcher and Barlow, then talked about her journey to becoming a solicitor at one of the region’s leading law firms. Zoë qualified as a solicitor during the recession and struggled to gain full-time employment. After doing work experience for some time she was offered a position at Butcher & Barlow and is now in charge of a team of ten people – all men. The next speaker, Dr Aysha Javed also from Nuffield Health, then spoke about how she became a Dermatologist. After achieving high grades in school, Aysha failed her first year at university which knocked her confidence. However, Aysha was determined to become a Dermatologist and successfully passed her degree and is now very successful. The final Sponsor, Paula Pilling, Sales Director at Village Hotel Chester St David’s, then took
to the stage to speak to students about her career journey. Paula did not like school or college so left both and undertook an apprenticeship at a Chamber of Commerce. This led to a job in Dorothy Perkins and after two years Paula became a Branch Manager. As a single parent, Paula looked for a more flexible work life balance and then moved into the hotel industry and became Sales Director at Village Hotel Chester St David’s. Paula put all that she achieved down to her high determination. Representatives from Cheshire Police then spoke to students about career opportunities and some lucky students were allowed to try on the uniform! “Strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we teach them, I was so lucky to be surrounded by so many inspiring women in this event who shared some amazing stories, thank you to all those involved” said Lynsay Lawson, ICT teacher and Keystage 4 Coordinator at Christleton High School. Jenny Davidson, Events and Young Chamber Manager at the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, found the event extremely empowering adding “I found each speaker captivating and their stories were truly inspiring. Events like these are what our Young Chamber programme is all about, giving students the confidence and belief in themselves to achieve the best they can. I was so glad to be involved and am already looking forward to our next Young Chamber event!”. Thank you to Nuffield Health, Butcher and Barlow and Village Hotel Chester St David’s for supporting this event.
Archers Brook students get a Marketing and Finance Masterclass! Young Chamber Sponsors, Umbrella Marketing Team and NatWest, recently took part in an event supporting students at Archers Brook School in Ellesmere Port. As part of the school’s Young Chamber Enterprise Project, the Masterclass saw experts from the Marketing and Financial Services industries, Claire Davies, Umbrella Marketing Team, and Sarah Bailey, NatWest, give presentations to students on two vital aspects of running a business. Students decided to make birdhouses as part of their Design & Technology classes and the Young Chamber Sponsors were asked to help expand this into a business project. The pupils were taught about
profit & loss, how to price a product, what makes a good brand and product research. The aim is for the students now to sell the birdhouses at their Summer Fair. Dan Ward, Membership Executive at the Chamber, supported the event and commented “The Young Chamber Enterprise Project is designed to teach pupils the skills needed to start and run a business, from designing and creating a product, to selling it and making a profit. The interactive talks from Claire and Sarah were really informative and the feedback that I’ve had from the teachers has been amazing. We look forward to supporting the next phase of the project at the Summer Fair.”
n Sarah Bailey, Natwest (R) and Claire Davies, Umbrella Marketing Team (L) with students from Archers Brook School Thank you to Umbrella Marketing Team and NatWest for your support on this event.
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THE BIG INTERVIEW
Peter Commins
Managing Director Kier Regional Building North West
WCNW: To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background.
WCNW: Once you were attracted to the company, what did you do next?
I am an engineer by background. I joined the construction industry straight from school as a ‘chain boy’, which is an engineer’s assistant. I then worked my way up the managerial ranks whilst undertaking ONC, HNC & degree qualifications on a part-time basis.
I had a number of conversations and meetings with Peter Young, executive director for Regional Building at Kier. I not only wanted to ensure my perception was reality, but I was also determined to ensure that Kier and I were mutually compatible. I am pleased to say the above resulted in me joining Kier as a director, I have since been made managing director of Kier Regional Building North West.
WCNW: What attracted you to the company? I joined Kier in 2016, it is a leading infrastructure services, buildings and developments & housing group and its successful credentials is what initially attracted me to the company. It has an admirable track record in customer satisfaction, delivery of quality projects and a superb workforce who live the company values of being collaborative, forward thinking & enthusiastic.
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WCNW: What are your main responsibilities? As managing director of Kier Regional Building North West, I have overall profit and loss (P&L) responsibility for the business unit performance. I am there to direct employees in the North West and ensure we have a sustainable business in the region.
WCNW: What does a typical day involve? My role is wide and varied; my priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, workforce and everyone we come into contact with as part of our day-to-day operations. I develop and implement the business strategy which aligns to overall Group objectives, I work towards retaining and developing sustainable business relationships; and it is important I’m an inspirational leader for our business allowing us to hold onto and develop our employees in the North West. WCNW: Who are your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation? We have a blended business in relation to Public/Private sector clients, our core sectors are Education, Health, Commercial, Residential, Leisure and Defence. The main aim is to deliver shareholder value to our investors by
THE BIG INTERVIEW producing profitable, quality buildings to our much-valued customers. WCNW: What projects are you currently working on? Our current portfolio incorporates projects ranging predominantly £1m to £40m comprising schools, hospitals, office blocks, universities & colleges, accommodation and leisure facilities. WCNW: How have things gone so far? The business is performing well with year on year growth in a planned & controlled manner. WCNW: Any difficulties? If so how did you overcome them? One of the main challenges for the construction industry is the well-publicised skills shortage. Unfortunately, the industry has an image of muddy boots, low pay and a lack of work variety. In the sector we know this perception is incorrect, but trying to get people outside of it to see that can be challenging. That’s why at Kier, we have a number of initiatives and campaigns to combat the skill shortage. One example of this is our Shaping Your World™ initiative where we target 11-16 year olds to encourage and inspire them to consider a career in the built environment. We educate them on the many varied professions and career paths construction provides, the huge opportunity of training and development to progress one’s career
and the huge personal fulfilment of being part of a team which creates essential infrastructure for society whilst leaving a positive social value legacy for the communities we work in. WCNW: Did you ever think ‘I’ve taken on too big a risk’? If so, how did you overcome it? No, a fundamental part of my role and of Kier as a business is to understand the risks associated with the projects we undertake and either eradicate or minimise these risks. This risk management is to the mutual benefit of our customers and workforce appropriately. WCNW: Looking ahead, what are your main aims for the organisation and how would you like it to develop? My primary aim is to continue to have a sustainable business providing value for our shareholders, customers and stakeholders. WCNW: How have businesses and individuals responded to what you’re offering? We’re in the fortunate position to develop landscapes for future generations. Our clients respond positively to this and the work we do, which is reflected in our year on year planned and controlled growth. WCNW: Are there any particular people, business leaders or others you look up to? What have you learned from them? I don’t think inspiration only comes from
leaders, throughout my career I have been inspired by people from all walks of life. I have been in the construction industry for 40 years and I am fortunate enough to be inspired, and learn from, my colleagues on a daily basis. WCNW: What are your career aims and aspirations? Is there anything else in particular you’d like to achieve in your lifetime? I am a very ambitious person and have been throughout my career, this remains at the heart of everything I do. I am passionate about people and will continue to help and encourage them to fulfil their full potential, not only inside Kier, but also outside the workplace. WCNW: What message would you give to other people in business? It’s really important to always manage people the way they need to be managed to enable them to fulfil their true potential. Management shouldn’t be seen as a ‘one size fits all’ approach, and you need to tailor the way you manage to suit individuals.
A selection of the buildings that Kier Construction Northern have built n Left: Storyhouse Chester Theatre n Below: St Julie’s School n Bottom: Mount St, Windmill Green
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ECONOMY
Survey indicates dip in investment intentions and confidence ahead of original Brexit deadline The Quarterly Economic Survey for the first quarter of 2019 revealed a sharp decline in investment intentions for businesses in West Cheshire & North Wales. This could be a result of the lack of clarity around the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU in the lead up to the original Brexit deadline of 29th March 2019.
resulting in negative growth (when more businesses are reporting a decrease in investment than an increase) for the first time since quarter two of 2016.
The survey took place between 18th February and 4th March 2019 and saw just under 60 businesses from the region, representing over 23,000 employees, take part.
The survey did reveal some positive signs for the region’s exporters with sales rising to a two-year high, which could be a result of overseas businesses stockpiling ahead of the original March 29th deadline. Domestic sales and orders remained steady and above the average for the North West.
The survey revealed that, after strong investment plans at the end of 2018, businesses intentions fell dramatically with plant and machinery investment
Business confidence in West Cheshire and North Wales for turnover and profitability dipped slightly but remained higher than the North West average.
In Focus with Pearson Management Consultants Limited
You’ve indicated that sales and orders have increased over the last three months and you are confident that turnover will increase going forward. Is there a specific reason behind this? Each quarter we are seeing steady growth. The number of customers we serve has increased, as has the number of enquiries from new customers. Existing clients are happy with our services and there are some projects in the ‘pipeline’ with them. Work we do for Business Wales accelerated toward the financial year-end and I know there are projects awaiting approval. A key partner of ours is investing in a service we support and this should become a fruitful route to market. You are also expecting to recruit more staff over the next three months. Could you explain the reasons behind this?
n Bill Pearson, Director at Pearson Management Consultants Limited Credit Marie-Claire Ashcroft , Professional Rebel
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Over the three years since starting the business, it has been operating at capacity and my availability was constraining growth. I have brought in Liz Pritchard as my Business Development
The number of businesses that tried to recruit staff decreased for the first time in over a year whilst recruitment difficulties remained flat and below the average for the North West. Commenting on the results, Debbie Bryce, Chief Executive Officer of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said; “The latest results of our Quarterly Economic Survey have revealed a strong quarter for the region’s exporters with many reporting strong sales over the last quarter. The lack of clarity around the UK’s future relationship with the EU seems to have had an impact on the investment intentions of businesses and this will need to be monitored ahead of the new deadline of 31st October.” “For too long Brexit has distracted government from fixing the fundamentals to support growth here in the UK. We need to see an increased focus on creating the conditions for business success here at home – including concerted efforts to plug growing labour shortages, delivering an immigration policy that works for business and speeding up physical and digital infrastructure projects.”
Manager while I am also upskilling her as a consultant so she can do fee-paid work. I want to add one more immediately and some associate consultants. At a time when many businesses have indicated that they are cutting back on investment, you are looking to increase both plant/machinery and training investment. What are your reasons behind this? Our IT is three-years old and not conducive to collaborative working. To grow we need to provide a fit for purpose technical back-bone. In April, our website is being refreshed and the SEO enhanced which is a key investment. What would you say is the biggest challenge facing businesses in your industry at the moment? Brexit has caused delays to decisions on key projects, while another focused on its export due-dates prior to a potential nodeal. This is proving to be a big distraction and a reason for not doing things.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE Bring your training “inhouse” with West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Bespoke Export Training Courses. Sometimes the export side of any business can be an extremely busy one and even the thought of attending any training courses is often put on the back burner.
This certificate is presented to the delegate after them completing six of the BCC Accredited Training course modules in International Trade.
Well this is no longer the case as West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce can bring export training to your business’s front door, with one of our many International Trade training courses.
Jo Windeler: “International trade is fascinating. It’s also much more complicated than many imagine and affects all stages of the supply chain. I’ve been exporting around the world in various jobs for many years, but the Chamber of Commerce course gave me a much better understanding of the terms and how critical they are. Really useful course for all involved in International Trade, whether or not you actually export or import yourself. We even got to play with Lego! Thanks very much Becky for making what could be a very dry topic, much more engaging?”
Maybe you are looking for our BCC Accredited Training courses in International Trade, one of our many export training courses that can be tailored to suit your business needs and requirements, or maybe you are looking to update your company’s procedures in International Trade? One of our large exporters, Tate & Lyle based in Mold, invited us to deliver six of the modules from our BCC Accredited International Trade Training in February & March in order for their staff to be qualified and skilled in working within International Trade. Have a look at some of the feedback given after Tate & Lyle staff received their Foundation Awards in International Trade.
There are many courses and packages available to your business and we are happy to chat with you about your requirements so we can deliver the best training package for you. Whatever you are looking for West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce can help. If you would like further information or to arrange a training course, please email our Export Documentation Manager Hayley Gray on h.gray@wcnwchamber.org.uk or call the export team on 01244 669 985. n The team from Tate & Lyle with their certificates
Sarah Roberts: “I think the training was very in depth but at the same time not too serious as that’s when people start losing attention. I think Becky is a very good teacher, fun but informative. It’s benefitted T&L in the way that my team and I feel more confident in our export work knowing all the behind the scenes, reasons for why things are done in certain ways, etc.”
Understanding Tradeshow Access Program and the Benefits for UK Businesses I receive numerous enquiries about funding for trade show participation; so am providing an explanation of Tradeshow Access Program (TAP) support, and the benefits it can offer to SME’s. In the year April 2017 to end March 2018, over 40 Cheshire based businesses took advantage of the scheme. The TAP programme provides grant funding for eligible UK businesses towards the costs of exhibiting at selected overseas trade shows. This will include some of the most important events in each sector and over 250 exhibitions will be supported this year. Those exhibitions offering grants are agreed between the Department for International Trade (DIT) and Trade Challenge Partners who identify which overseas events offer the greatest opportunities for UK businesses. A Trade Challenge Partner (TCP) could be a Trade Association, and or other
Accredited /Membership Organisation with a focus on International Trade. These TCP’s are drawn across virtually all sectors to ensure most SME’s are able to benefit from the TAP scheme. DIT can offer grants to SME’s who want to exhibit. The grants cannot exceed the business’s own expenditure but can make a significant contribution to the overall costs. Currently, the funding is between £500 and £2,500, depending on the market, size of show and demand. These grants can be subject to change, but the TCP will advise on the level of funding for each show and provide support to participant companies before, during and after the event. Eligibility and Application: - TAP is available to companies who fall into the SME bracket of less than 250 employees and annual turnover of less than €50 million.
The full list of current supported shows can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tradeshowaccess-programme This list will also give you the contact information for the relevant TCP for the show. If you want further information, or would like further details of any of the DIT services, please contact me at: veronica.dawson@tradenw.org or the DIT Manchester office at: info@tradenw.org If you would like further information or to arrange a training course, please email our Export Documentation Manager Hayley Gray on h.gray@wcnwchamber.org.uk or call the export team on 01244 669 985. n Veronica Dawson, International Trade Advisor at DIT
- Application is made directly with the TCP, but of course, we can help you with this and direct you to the correct person.
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FEATURE
An insight into Wagtail It was the tragic events of September 11 2001 that made Collin sit up and take notice of how and why Wagtail and the provision of detection (sniffer) might be a good idea. “I left the RAF in June 2003 and started the company, but I had a plan in mind even before the terrible events on September 11 2001,” he said. “That was a defining period because I was an explosives dog handler and realised then that the RAF had given me the skills to train and work with detection dogs and that terrorism was a major global threat - and drugs weren’t going to go away either.” n Collin Singer, Managing Director at Wagtail, with one of their dogs
Sniffing Out a Good Business Opportunity It was a combination of compassion for dogs and an expertise gained during a career spanning almost 24 years in the Royal Air Force Police as a dog handler, that led Collin Singer to setting-up Wagtail UK in 2003. Since then, Collin has built up the business and his now 65-strong team have been training and supplying canines for the detection of explosives, firearms, drugs, tobacco, cash, ‘live’ body detection, bats, great crested newts, ivory, pangolin and more from the company’s headquarters in Flintshire, North Wales. Wagtail UK provides detection dogs and related services for government agencies such as HM Revenue & Customs, Police, Trading Standards and Armed Forces. In addition, Wagtail has been contracted for over 10 years by the UK Border Force to provide ‘Body Detection Dogs’ in Northern France 24/7, 365 days a year. Internationally the company has clients in Africa, The Far East and Mainland Europe. “I left school at 18, joined the RAF police, and trained as a Police dog handler. I never thought at that stage about starting my own business.” Collin explained.
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maintaining these standards across the profession. Our standards are based on the British Military and Police principles of training”, explained Collin. Wagtail offer a suite of detection dog handler courses and taster days for those wanting to learn more about the industry. The Company have dedicated training facilities on site and a wide range of ‘live’ training areas in the local area to enrich the learning experience. Wagtail are always on the lookout for additional training areas such as warehouses, cinemas, theatres, shops, sports arenas and HGV/vehicle compounds.
“When I left the RAF, I knew I could train dogs but I’d never run a business before and it was a steep learning curve, but you learn from your mistakes and I continue to learn.”
For Collin, success is not measured in profits and balance sheets, it’s the joy of making a go of the company in the first place that brings him so much satisfaction.
The past few years have seen Wagtail UK go from strength to strength with the formation of sister companies ‘Conservation Dogs’ and more recently ‘Event Detection Dogs’. Not to mention the development of its MOD approved courses through the ‘Wagtail International School of Excellence’ training centre.
“And there is also the satisfaction of taking a dog that may be an unwanted pet or could have come from rescue kennels and turn it into a ‘crime-fighting’ sniffer dog”.
“The development of the training school happened organically. At Wagtail we have the highest of standards and aim to be the best in the industry. We wanted to pass our knowledge and skills on,
In these days of modern technology and hi-tech screening methods, dogs remain the most effective, efficient and costeffective method of detecting a scent. And it is Wagtail UK and its amazing sniffer dogs that are the forefront of this work as they continue to help provide safety assurance and security in an uncertain world.
Addressing the Skills Gap with The Welding Academy
UP CLOSE
n One of the students at work in the welding Academy
At the Welding Academy, we are passionate about creating opportunities for people to gain employment and for companies to train and access the local workforce. In 2016, The Welding Academy was conceived by two welding assessors Dave Durnall and Neil Sullivan and a business development manager Nick Backstrom to address the growing skills gap in the welding industry, especially for local manufacturing. As in most manufacturing areas, the welding industry has a demographic challenge, facing a cliff edge for time served welding technicians in the next ten years. Since its conception, The Welding Academy has trained over 250 people, and in collaboration with Ifor Williams Trailers, The Welding Academy has developed a welding school based in a manufacturer which has created 30 new jobs, with another 30 industrial scholarships starting over the coming year, delivered directly at the manufacturer’s site. The Welding Academy has three centres at Burton on Trent, Chester and at Ifor Williams Trailers Corwen
Plant that was officially opened by Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, who is also the Welsh Government’s Economy and Transport Minister. It has been an important step to encourage manufacturers to privately fund the development of new talent rather than rely on government initiatives.
ready tailored to the needs of the manufacturers business.
Mr. Skates said: “Setting up the Welding Academy was a brilliant idea.
Fellow Welding Academy graduate Matthew Cooke, 38, from Bala, added: “The Weld Academy was good, and it was good to be taught by highly skilled people.”
“Today I’ve learned that new welders can acquire all of the knowledge and skills required to then go on to the shop floor to build the trailers, to weld them together and to produce what are incredibly valuable high-quality goods in the international market. Project manager Nick Backstrom, who runs the Welding Academy based at the Corwen factory, said: “This is all about getting the local workforce skilled in line with the bespoke needs of Ifor Williams Trailers. The Welding Academy is addressing short term needs by developing intensive courses that can take semiskilled operatives to be production-
Among those who have made the grade is Nathan Jones, 29, from Ruthin, who said: “I wanted to further my career and learn more skills and it’s been good because I have learned so much.
Our commitment is to: 1. Provide 1000 job opportunities over the next four years for our graduates. 2. Start a high-quality apprenticeship pathway for levels two and three. 3. Support the development of the existing welding workforce with skills in welding inspection and issuing of CSCS cards. The Welding Academy is committed to providing cost effective and inclusive opportunity for welding and inspection skills across the country.
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Cyflymu Cymru i Fusnesau Superfast Business Wales
Jo Rudkin, The Patchwork Traditional Food Company
L LW Y D D I A N T A R- L E I N
SUCCESS ONLINE
“Yn ogystal â thawelwch meddwl, rhoddodd arweiniad Cyflymu Cymru i Fusnesau dactegau ychwanegol i ni i’w gweithredu er mwyn gwneud y gorau o’n hymdrechion.
“The guidance from Superfast Business Wales not only gave us peace of mind, it provided additional tactics we could employ to maximise our efforts.
“Er enghraifft, cawsom adroddiad cynhwysfawr ar ein gwefan ynghyd ag argymhellion, ac yn y flwyddyn ddiwethaf gwelwyd cynnydd o 200% yn nifer yr ymwelwyr â’r wefan a 120% yn fwy o werthiannau.”
“For example, we received a comprehensive website report with recommendations, and in the last year we had a 200% increase in visitors and a 120% growth in sales.”
Dysgwch sut i dyfu eich busnes chi, chwiliwch: Cyflymu Cymru i Fusnesau #Cyflymubusnesau
03000 6 03000 busnescymru.llyw.cymru businesswales.gov.wales
Find out how to grow your business, search: Superfast Business Wales #Superfastbiz
CONNECTIVITY
Welsh businesses take on economic uncertainty with digital fitness
New technology is giving businesses in Wales a much-needed boost while questions over Brexit continue, researchers say. Academics from Cardiff University’s Welsh Economy Research Unit surveyed 479 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as part of the 2018 Digital Maturity Survey. They say the results demonstrate a clear link between a business’ success and its uptake of new digital opportunities. Welsh Government is already helping businesses make the most of these opportunities. Alongside rolling out highspeed broadband via the Superfast Cymru programme, it also provides support for SMEs looking to exploit the benefits of faster broadband through Superfast Business Wales, the free digital support service. Over 4,900 Welsh businesses have already received free support from Superfast Business Wales to help them become digitally fit. The programme offers trading businesses head-quartered in Wales a digital technology workshop of their choice, 1:1 digital business advice, and a website review.
Embracing digital gives businesses the strength to strive With economic uncertainty making flexibility more important than ever, staying digitally fit is helping Welsh firms strengthen their business for the future. According to the Digital Maturity Survey, 2018 more Welsh SMEs turned to technology in a move to sustain and grow amid current uncertainty. Professor Max Munday, Director of Welsh Economy Research Unit, said: “Businesses faced tough trading conditions last
year, amid continued questions over what impact Brexit might have. But despite this, many SMEs who embraced new technologies reported being more productive.
This is business-critical for the aerospace and automotive industries, and we are in the process of obtaining our Cyber Essentials accreditation to demonstrate our commitment in this area.
“Looking ahead and as our separation from the EU continues to throw up challenges, these digitally mature SMEs could be more resilient and better positioned to grow exports, better placed to avoid overseas transaction costs and more informed of overseas opportunities.”
“In our industry It’s imperative that we are always one step ahead to remain competitive.”
The survey illustrates how online technology is helping with the heavy lifting for business owners and staff alike by streamlining resources so firms can focus on growth. As well as the productivity benefits mentioned by Professor Munday, twice as many Welsh businesses reported higher employment in 2018 than the previous year, and more than half of businesses using superfast broadband increased their profits.
How are Welsh businesses using digital technology? Superfast Business Wales has already helped SMEs across Wales put digital at the heart of their day-to-day processes. One business to benefit is Flintshire-based Tarvin Precision Engineering. The firm enjoyed a 20% increase in revenue after overhauling its IT infrastructure to improve cyber security and gain efficiency and cost savings. Having identified IT as an area of potential weakness, Josh Harris, Tarvin’s IT manager approached Superfast Business Wales looking for advice about how to bolster the company’s IT security and make the most of digital opportunities. After accessing support, Tarvin started looking seriously at the changes it could make. “We were advised to move all of our machines across to the Windows 10 operating system, which has not only given a degree of consistency but also improved cyber security within the business.
Improving sales and increasing profits by taking control By using digital to boost productivity and stay agile, Welsh businesses are able to make further investments into specialist technology that can help them transform how they talk to customers. Jo Rudkin, Head of Sales for The Patchwork Traditional Food Company, believes digital points to a bright future for the brand. The Ruthin-based food manufacturer, which specialises in pâtés, chutneys, olive oil, and relishes, has doubled sales and hired two new employees since seeking support from Superfast Business Wales. “The guidance from Superfast Business Wales not only gave us peace of mind, it provided additional tactics we could employ to maximise our efforts. We received a comprehensive website report with recommendations ahead of our new site going live, and in the last year, we had a 200% increase in visitors and a 120% growth in sales. “Going digital has saved us time on various processes, and that’s allowed us to develop the team further. “The business has come a long way since 1982 and we believe this is the start of a fascinating new era for the brand.”
Your next steps for growth Welsh SMEs can register for the Superfast Business Wales service, including free digital workshops and 1:1 expert advice. Search online Superfast Business Wales. For businesses not sure where to start when it comes to investing in software, help is at hand thanks to Software Essentials, a new online directory launched by Superfast Business Wales. Designed to help you choose the right digital tools for business growth, Software Essentials is free to download today – search online Superfast Business Wales Software Essentials.
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WESLEYAN BANK PROVIDED OVER £200 MILLION OF FUNDING TO NEARLY 3,000 BUSINESSES IN 2018 Short-term cash flow funding Asset and technology finance Funding for refurbishments and relocation Equity buy-in loans Funding for acquisitions and commercial mortgages For more information, call us on 0800 980 9348 between Monday - Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm. visit wesleyan.co.uk/commercial Part of the Wesleyan Group, providing finance, protection and insurance. For more information about the Wesleyan Group of companies, visit wesleyan.co.uk/legal-disclaimer
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate commercial mortgages. Depending on the circumstances and where required by law, loans will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Consumer Credit Act. Written quotations are available on request from Wesleyan Bank Ltd. Credit facilities are subject to status and only available to UK residents over the age of 18. Wesleyan Bank Ltd reserves the right to decline any application. Wesleyan Bank Ltd (Registered in England and Wales No.02839202) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No.165116). Registered office: PO Box 3420, Colmore Circus, Birmingham, B4 6AE. Tel: 0800 358 1122. www.wesleyanbank.co.uk. Telephone calls may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes. SME-AD- 05/19
FINANCE
North Wales adventure park acquires site with HSBC UK and Development Bank support Oneplanet Adventure, a forest visitor centre in North Wales, has used a six-figure finance package from HSBC UK to purchase the site it has leased for the last 13 years. Co-owners Jim Gaffney and Ian Owen have used the HSBC UK funding, combined with a loan from the Development Bank of Wales, to acquire the visitor centre and car parks previously owned by the Church Commissioners of England. The acquisition will allow the business to expand as it seeks to meet growing demand. Located at the heart of the 650-hectare Coed Llandegla Forest, Oneplanet Adventure welcomes 150,000 visitors each year to use its 91 km of mountain biking, walking and running trails. Jim and Ian began Oneplanet Adventure in 2006 to turn their passion for mountain biking into a commercial business, offering bike rental, workshops and coaching on-site. Jim Gaffney, co-owner of Oneplanet Adventure, said: “By acquiring the premises we’ve leased for the last 13 years, we’ve secured the future of the business and have much more control over our future expansion plans. We’re incredibly grateful for the support we have received from our HSBC UK
Relationship Manager, Denise Gallagher and Chris Hayward who led the deal for the Development Bank of Wales, both of which have really understood our business and offered tailored support.” Martin Lyons, Business Banking Area Director for North Wales, HSBC UK said: “Jim and Ian are incredibly passionate about mountain-biking and it’s been our pleasure to support them in securing the future of the business with this latest acquisition. HSBC UK is dedicated to supporting SMEs achieve their business ambitions and we wish Oneplanet Adventure the best of luck as the team develops its plans for the next year.” Chris Hayward, Investment Executive, Development Bank of Wales said: “Oneplanet Adventure is a well-established business with a great reputation in the industry. It has helped put North Wales on the map as the outdoor and adventure capital of the UK and is much in demand. Acquiring the premises will allow the Oneplanet to invest in new trails and attract even more visitors to the centre and the region. We were pleased to work closely with HSBC to co-fund the deal, with the Accelerated Growth Programme (AGP) and Hillyer McKeown.”
Zodeq welcomes Sales Director Simon & celebrates office move Chester finance and back office support company, Zodeq, has welcomed its newest team member Simon, who has joined as Sales Director, to provide further support and guidance to businesses throughout the region. Having garnered a fantastic reputation within the finance sector across the Liverpool and Wirral areas, Simon joins the team with expert knowledge of the industry and a dedication to helping businesses to thrive.
Within his role, Simon will reach out to businesses across the local region, as well as throughout the UK, who are looking to improve efficiencies, cash flow and ultimately grow, and support them in identifying the ideal solution for their business. Simon’s appointment has followed a rapid period of growth for Zodeq, with its team tripling over the past two years, gaining over 100 live clients and providing over £120 million in working capital finance to local businesses over a 12-month period. Discussing his new role, Simon has said: “It is a pleasure to be joining the fantastic team here at Zodeq, over the past few weeks I have loved meeting clients, both current and prospective. I look forward to supporting the local business community over the weeks and months to come.”
Chester firm of accountants makes top 100 list
A Chester and Wrexham based accountancy firm has been named in the ‘Top 100 Accountants Digital Marketing Performance’ list. Ellis & Co Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers based in Northgate Street Chester and The Redwither Tower, Wrexham; is the only firm of accountants from Cheshire or North Wales to appear in the list. The list, composed by fibreCRM, began six months ago with 25,000 accountancy firms across the UK, each firm was given a score on marketing performance with the final 100 list announced on April 26. Criteria for assessing digital marketing performance was taken from company pages on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and Video (YouTube/ Vimeo). “We are delighted to have made it into the top 100 list,” said Natalie Tomlinson, PR and marketing manager at Ellis & Co. “Technology is changing the world of accounting, and here at Ellis & Co we are evolving too. Bob Harper, head of marketing at fibreCRM added: “Ellis & Co have outperformed many larger practices and should be proud of their digital marketing performance.” To view the full list go to https:// www.fibrecrm.com/2019/04/23/top100-accountants-digital-marketingperformance/ As a result of the businesses expanding team, welcoming Simon has also coincided with a major milestone for Zodeq, moving into larger premises in the heart of Chester city centre. With a large boardroom, separate meeting room and a comfortable seating area, the new offices provide ample space for the team, with room for further expansion. MD at Zodeq, Paul Cooney has said: “Our new offices mean that we can continue to support the business community on both a local and national scale, whilst allowing us enough room for even further growth, and therefore the capabilities to support even more clients moving forward.” Find out more about Zodeq on www.zodeq.com
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FINANCE
Extra £121m to help
businesses navigate Brexit
n L-R: Economy Minister Ken Skates with Giles Thorley, Chief Executive of the Development Bank of Wales
many of our companies do business and we are exploring all options at our disposal and mobilising every possible resource to ensure businesses of all sizes, and from across Wales, have access to the finance they need to help them adjust and thrive. This additional £121m is central to this. It’s a significant boost to the development bank’s funding pots, which now stand at over half a billion pounds, and which have proven to be both popular with businesses and successful in delivering for our economy. It will build on the good work of the Development Bank, Business Wales and others in ensuring Welsh businesses, and those looking to invest here, have the support they need to succeed and will ensure that post-Brexit Wales continues to be an attractive place for businesses, employees and visitors alike.”
Economy Minister, Ken Skates has announced an additional £121m of funding as part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to helping businesses of all sizes develop and invest for the future as they navigate the challenges of Brexit. The new funds are being delivered by the Development Bank of Wales, headquartered in Wrexham. n Wales Micro Loan Fund - £16.2m offering micro loans of between £1,000 and £50,000 for both established and start-up businesses n Wales Tourism Investment Fund £50m providing dedicated funds to ensure we build on our world class reputation as a visitor destination
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n Wales Commercial Property Fund - £55m to encourage SME developers to invest in Wales and the commercial market. Economy Minister Ken Skates said: “The coming weeks and months are absolutely pivotal to the future of the Welsh economy, and I am pleased that following a lot of hard work from Welsh Government we are entering them with our labour market in excellent health. Employment in Wales is at a record high, more businesses than ever before are active in our economy and the rates of economic inactivity are, for the first time ever, now lower than the UK average. However we know that these successes do not make us somehow immune to the immediate challenges and uncertainties surrounding our exit from the EU. Brexit, in whatever form it takes, will mean a fundamental shift in the way
Giles Thorley, Chief Executive of the Development Bank of Wales said: “Accessible finance is an important factor in ensuring businesses are well placed to deal with any uncertainty during Brexit, which is why we are pleased to have worked with the Welsh Government to secure this additional funding. The new funds will complement existing funding packages available from the Development Bank of Wales bringing our total capital available to businesses based in Wales to more than £450m and providing all businesses with the tools they need to securely navigate this period. Outcomes may be unclear, but we know business owners are resilient and agile and we are passionate about supporting them and making sure that Wales remains an attractive and competitive place to be an entrepreneur.”
Huw, A1 Eyewear Wrecsam / Wrexham Huw, A1 Eyewear Wrecsam / Wrexham
Rydyn ni yma Rydyn yma i helpunieich ibusnes helpu eich i busnes lwyddo i lwyddo
FINANCE
We’re here We’re here to help your to help your business business succeed succeed
bancdatblygu.cymru developmentbank.wales bancdatblygu.cymru developmentbank.wales
Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc yw cwmni daliannol Grŵp sy’n masnachu fel Banc Datblygu Cymru. Mae’r Grŵp yn cynnwys nifer o is-gwmnïau sydd wedi’u cofrestru gydag enwau gan gynnwys y llythrennau BDC. Mae Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc yn gwmni cyllid datblygu sy’n eiddo i Weinidogion Cymru yn gyfan gwbl ac nid yw’n cael ei awdurdodi na’i reoleiddio gan yr Awdurdod Rheoli Darbodus (ARhD) nac yr Awdurdod Ymddygiad Ariannol (AYA). Mae gan Fanc Datblygu Cymru dri o is-gwmnïau sy’n cael eu hawdurdodi a’u rheoleiddio gan yr AYA. Noder os gwelwch yn dda nad yw Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc nac unrhyw un o’i is-gwmnïau yn sefydliadau bancio ac nid ydynt yn gweithredu fel y cyfryw. Mae hyn yn golygu nad yw unrhyw un o endidau’r grŵp yn gallu derbyn adneuon gan y cyhoedd. Gellir dod o hyd i siart strwythur cyfreithiol cyflawn ar gyfer Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc ar Bancdatblygu.cymru. Development Bank of Wales Plc (Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc) is the holding company of a Group that trades as Development Bank of Wales. The Group is made up of a number of subsidiaries which are registered with names including the initials DBW. Development Bank of Wales Plc is a development finance company wholly owned by the Welsh Ministers and it is neither authorised nor regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Development Bank of Wales has three subsidiaries whichdaliannol are authorised and masnachu regulated by FCA. PleaseCymru. note that neither of Wales Plc nor any ofcofrestru its subsidiaries are banking institutions or operateBDC. as such. thatCymru none of the entities Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc yw cwmni Grŵp sy’n felthe Banc Datblygu Mae’r Grŵpthe ynDevelopment cynnwys niferBank o is-gwmnïau sydd wedi’u gydag enwau gan gynnwys y llythrennau MaeThis Bancmeans Datblygu ccc yngroup gwmni cyllid are able to accept deposits from the public. complete legalacstructure Development Bank of Wales Plc can be found at Developmentbank.wales. datblygu sy’n eiddo i Weinidogion CymruAyn gyfan gwbl nid yw’n chart cael eifor awdurdodi na’i reoleiddio gan yr Awdurdod Rheoli Darbodus (ARhD) nac yr Awdurdod Ymddygiad Ariannol (AYA). Mae gan Fanc Datblygu Cymru dri o is-gwmnïau sy’n cael eu hawdurdodi a’u rheoleiddio gan yr AYA. Noder os gwelwch yn dda nad yw Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc nac unrhyw un o’i is-gwmnïau yn sefydliadau bancio ac nid ydynt yn gweithredu fel y cyfryw. Mae hyn yn golygu nad yw unrhyw un o endidau’r grŵp yn gallu derbyn adneuon gan y cyhoedd. Gellir dod o hyd i siart strwythur cyfreithiol cyflawn ar gyfer Banc Datblygu Cymru ccc ar Bancdatblygu.cymru.
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VENUES & EVENTS
The rapidly changing event world
Talk to anyone involved in the conference and events sector and it will not be long before the word ‘experience’ finds its way into the conversation. That’s because recent times have seen a distinct move away from ‘bog standard’ events, where everyone sits in a conference hall and watches a series of uninspired Powerpoint presentations for hours on end, towards events where things happen. Events that are different and that will be remembered. According to research, 93% of marketers believe that their customers are increasingly looking to buy based on experiences, rather than simply on products. The researchers found that the trend needs to be acknowledged by organisers because memorable venues and events encourage attendees to learn more about a brand, leading eventually to higher sales. Industry analysts predict that the trend away from passive events towards ones that are more active and engaging will be the big theme of 2019. That’s not to say that all existing event formats are dead. It’s not all jazzy music and flashing lights. There is still a need for keynote speeches from industry experts and for exhibition halls showcasing relevant products and services. It’s just that the trick now is to run an event that has its own personality, one that is different to other events that delegates have attended, an occasion and a venue that makes an impact. Recently the chamber held a networking event at Adventure Parc Snowdonia. Members had a memorable day in a unique local venue.
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If you are an events organiser, you will need to ask some tough questions. Does your audience want to sit through an event that has not changed for ten years or do they want something more interactive with workshops, the chance to meet speakers, the opportunity to engage with other delegates and the potential to be entertained at a memorable venue? Coming up with the right answer is crucial because unique venues or events containing experiences are more likely to be talked about and shared on social media – and that means that their impact will be broad. A good example is Chateau Rhianfa in Anglesey. Historic charm and stunning views will ensure good impact from your event.
the key factors is a good venue with excellent facilities, in a good location, somewhere that is easy to reach and attractive for delegates. Can it cope with the numbers expected to attend, has it got a good meeting room, will it provide equipment like projectors and WiFi, are the staff friendly and flexible in helping you meet your needs? The good venues are the ones that can tailor themselves to providing the exact needs of the event organisers. But why does all this planning matter? Are events still worth the effort and expense? Well, yes, because in an age that seems increasingly reliant on technology, events help companies to maintain personal relationships with their employees or clients.
Technology is one way to achieve that. For example, many leading business events now develop their own apps which show the attendee a map of the venue, the schedule for the event and useful background information and offer them the opportunity to provide feedback during the event.
In a fast-moving age dominated by the Internet, texting and Cloud Computing, the personal touch remains highly valued because it is often when management and staff are together, and relaxed, that business is done, that relationships are forged and the company grows.
Technology can help in other ways, ranging from Virtual Reality systems giving delegates a more realistic view of products and services to live streaming of presentations.
There are benefits for the national and local economy as well. The UK events industry was estimated to be worth £42.3 billion in 2018, an 8% rise on the previous year, with business events by far the largest contributor to the sector. Business events – conference, seminars, networking sessions and the like – have a combined value of £19.9bn per annum.
When assessing the choice of venue, you are looking at other factors as well. For all the exciting opportunities there is still a need to get the basics right. The success of an event can be jeopardised because the basic components were overlooked and one of
Which is why it’s worth taking the time to get it right.
VeNUeS & eVeNTS VENUES & EVENTS
Spectacular venue makes big impression One of the UK’s flagship adventure destinations, Adventure Parc Snowdonia is the ideal conference, event or teambuilding destination for anyone who wants to make a big impression. A spectacular world-first inland surf lagoon sits at the heart of the parc, with expert instruction for surfers of all abilities delivered by the Surf Snowdonia Academy. There are all sorts of natureinspired, weatherproof adventures at the brand-new Adrenaline Indoors facility, including climbing walls, an artificial caving course, extreme slides, flight towers and an aerial assault course. And
a new adventure service allows guests to explore an exhilarating range of activities off site, including gorge walking, abseiling, coasteering and mountain biking.
Adventure Parc Snowdonia has hosted events and activities for all sorts of global corporate brands, from CocaCola to Carlsberg, SKY and O’Neill. Larry Page, co-founder of Google, was one of the first guests to surf the parc’s worldfirst inland wavesto when launched forward overit the next in events Sec August 2015. few years.” The polic
The award-winning facility offers high quality AV conference andnderlining reception the facilities for up to 100 delegates, with reason to be a cool TiPi event space as well as a optimistic for the To underline the outlines the boardroom and more formalinmeeting Adventure Parc Snowdonia in North opportunit sector areas like West importance of the issector, spaces. ComfortableCheshire glampingand pods, Wales, around 7 milesVisits from and the medievalchallenges North Wales, the Business a lagoon-side bar, diner andGidman, the town of Conwy. It is around Simon Head fortress of events Partnership (BVeP) help Britain 90 minutes’ from Liverpool magnificent waves, mountains and and events Business Visits hasdrive launched a majoror more com forests setting make itfor a wonderful place Manchester. Visitengland, principal new policy document profitable a to stay over. A high-quality hospitality sponsor of UkCaMS 2016, for the Uk events industry profile as it offer showcases great local‘The produce. said: Uk events called opportunities for following th
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industry has a lot to look
Discover a new land of opportunity at Château Rhianfa The days of stuffy boardrooms, distasteful lunches and humiliating team bonding exercises are long gone. Instead, we invite you to look at a different way to accomplish your business objectives.
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Disc opp Book Chateau Rhianfa hotel for youR Event Celebrations
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Beaumaris Rd, Menai Bridge, Isle of Anglesey, Wales, LL59 5NS
If you’re looking for an inspiring business venue in Anglesey to host a meeting or hold a conference, look no further. With a sophisticated collection of beautifully styled function rooms that boast historic charm, immersed with state of the art facilities, our setting will keep you and your team inspired throughout the day. Each room offers free wifi and comes with fully installed AV equipment allowing you to carry out meetings, presentations, product launches and conferences completely at ease. Simply tell us what you want and our dedicated conference team will attend to your every need, adding a few touches here and there to ensure your business event is a complete success. We are also easily accessible from Liverpool and surrounding towns. Château Rhianfa, Beaumaris Rd, Menai Bridge, Isle of Anglesey, Wales, LL59 5NS www.chateaurhianfa.com | 01248 880 090 hello@chateaurhianfa.com
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CHAMBER NEWS
SURF SNOWDONIA HAS EVOLVED. HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT’S JOINED OUR WORLD-CLASS SURF LAGOON THIS SEASON? Ideal for team away days, show-stopper events, meetings and conferences. Our outstanding natural environment will re-energise your colleagues and clients. Adventure Parc Snowdonia is just 60 minutes from Chester or 90 minutes from Liverpool / Manchester with plentiful parking. For more information, Please speak with Natasha Evans on n.evans@adventureparcsnowdonia.com or call 01492 353 123
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SURF & RELAX
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CHAMBER NEWS
Every 15 minutes between 7am and 7pm Monday - Saturday* From platform 7b at Chester station *Frequency varies at all other times and on Sundays
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FOCUS ON ENERGY
Tooling up to tackle climate change Last month, Cheshire West and Chester Council declared a climate emergency and called on Government to invest in decarbonisation technologies. The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) is leading a £31m Government investment in two UK Geoenergy Observatories to equip the country with some of the tools it needs to tackle climate change. Business Matters has interviewed the scientists involved to find out how the rocks below Cheshire can help the North West, the UK and the rest of the world to decarbonise.
n Professor David Manning, Newcastle University
Professor David Manning from Newcastle University says we’ve reached a critical point of needing far more data on the impact of the demands we place on the Earth: “Over the last 200 years, the global population has grown to nearly eight billion. It is likely to rise another billion by 2050. We are using so many natural resources, we’ve reached a critical point of needing far more
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information on the environmental impact of our demands. This will be particularly important as we move away from fossil fuels. We’ll need the rocks to put our carbon back into the ground, to store renewable energy and use geothermal energy at scale. We have to invest in more knowledge to develop a precise understanding of how the underground behaves. This requires an observation system that can study the underground environment in a level of detail never done before. We now have the engineering, technology and computer processing power to provide the best possible account of how different parts of the underground are connected. The UK Geoenergy Observatories will provide a breakthrough in our understanding of how to balance our need for resources with keeping people safe and protecting our environment.” Dr Grant Allen research fellow at Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Manchester says the Observatories can help to answer big questions in atmospheric science: “Currently, we lack the knowledge needed to be able to predict future climate change with accuracy, or to balance the Global Methane Budget. We know emissions can escape from rocks deep underground, however, we have a poor understanding of what emissions are natural and what are induced by human activity. We believe that up to 10% of gaseous methane emissions may be due to geological seeps under natural planetary conditions. We are not routinely measuring this anywhere in the world, so we have no bar on the margin for error. The Cheshire Observatory will provide the first controlled, natural laboratory in the world from which to measure what the levels of natural fugitive emissions are and how they migrate to the surface. We’ll be able to extrapolate the natural baseline evidence to further understanding of what happens when fossil fuels are extracted; how natural methane seeps
in areas such as Siberia and the Middle East; and how to capture emissions and prevent them from escaping into the atmosphere. As methane is the second largest contributor to greenhouse gases next to CO2 and as methane is rising faster relative to CO2, Cheshire would provide the world with vital new evidence for tackling climate change.”
n Professor Mike Stephenson Chief Scientist for decarbonisation at the BGS
Professor Mike Stephenson Chief Scientist for decarbonisation at the BGS argues that a sophisticated monitoring system for the underground is the missing piece of the puzzle: “Technology has lifted living and health standards. It has also placed humankind at odds with its environment. But, the technology has also recently delivered the means to adapt better by helping us to monitor, measure and understand the environment. Sophisticated sensors, telemetry and raw computing power has enabled scientists to develop macroscopes: a network of sensing devices and detectors that allows us to see how big things change and evolve. Macroscopes are vital if we are to understand planetary processes
FOCUS ON ENERGY and how to manage the environment around us. We are using them to monitor the atmosphere, oceans, the built environment, earthquakes and volcanos. Now, geologists are applying the technology to monitor groundwater supply; groundwater flooding; coastal salt groundwater intrusion; cliff falls; erosion around our coasts; and effects that climate change might have on the landscape and civil infrastructure. The UK Geoenergy Observatories would provide the UK with its first largescale geological macroscope: helping us to build better models for developments such as geothermal heating and air conditioning schemes, gas storage, compressed air energy storage, and carbon storage. They may also improve knowledge of ecologies below the surface and the how the underground environment interacts with the atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere. Critically, we will be able to couple subsurface computer models with those of the atmosphere and oceans: transforming our knowledge of the way our planet works. The ability to intervene in an intelligent way to reduce climate change can only come from a greater understanding of Earth processes.
and used to be kept under lock and key. Now, open data is creating amazing collaborations, inventions and innovation all over the world. The UK Geoenergy Observatories are part of this open data movement. The data will be open for everyone to use whoever you are. The potential is mindboggling. Everything is connected in the underground ecosystem. If you extract geothermal heat, what impact will that have on flood risk or the water table? Reducing the uncertainties depends on a critical mass of high quality data about a concentrated area typical of the way we use the environment. Analysing a large block of rock in more detail than ever before will provide the missing critical information critical. Geology is really important to solving some of the world’s biggest problems: Not least the need to decarbonise. We are just 650 people at the BGS. We cannot find the solutions alone. By offering up the data to all analysts, technologists and research communities, we can leverage the world’s capability to solve the problem. Deep data will lead to new algorithms, eureka moments, good decisions, and better environmental management.”
Leading geophysicist Professor Mike Kendall at the University of Bristol argues that better controls are needed to manage the competing human demands: “Humans have always done things to the ground, from mining for coal to building a hydroelectric dam. We know that our activities change the stresses below ground. We’ve not yet set up a monitoring system that can explain the precise detail of those stresses nor the connections of behaviours. The Cheshire Observatory would become a phenomenal site for us to watch and understand how the system interconnects. We’ll be able to examine the impacts left behind by industries such as coal mining or salt mining; the effects of things like ground shaking associated with wind farms, motorways and sea storms; how watercourses change the physical stresses underground; and much more. This investment will ensure that the UK continues to lead the way in environmental impact monitoring: becoming a world-class showcase for how monitoring should be done.”
Professor of geological engineering at the University of Strathclyde, Professor Zoe Shipton, says the data will help the UK with its biggest climate change challenge: decarbonising heat.
Carl Watson is a data systems analyst at the British Geological Survey. He says collecting the most complex open dataset on any volume of rock will lead to innovation in climate change science: “Knowledge is power
“Generally, we have a pretty good idea about how to decarbonise our electricity and transport. But with more than 80% of our homes reliant on gas heating, it’s going to be really tough to get consumers to switch to
n Professor Zoe Shipton of University of Strathclyde
heating systems that don’t rely on fossil fuels. Heat does not transport well. It cools too quickly. We need lowcarbon heat sources that are close to the consumer: directly below our towns and cities. We need to develop low-carbon alternatives that are safe, reliable and affordable. We need to develop them quickly. It’s vital that we understand what the potential solutions are, how we can do them safely, in collaboration with people and without impacting on the environment. That requires research. We have really sophisticated modelling techniques and these need to be validated in real geology. We need to understand if by using the rocks in these new ways we’re waking up the bugs that live in the rocks, cooling or clogging the system, causing chemical reactions or moving heat around. If we don’t understand the science we won’t be able to engineer the system properly, we won’t be able to de-risk these emerging low-carbon technologies. We need to bring them forward at the pace and scale required to tackle our environmental challenges. We need to change our energy systems profoundly. The science community has committed to gathering the data needed to effect this change.” Dr Susan Hovorka from the University of Texas is a world-leading scientist in storing carbon as a means of reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions. She says: “Excellent climate change projects like the £1bn Goldeneye Carbon Capture and Storage scheme have failed to progress. If we are to transform the world’s ability to tackle climate change, people have to want the technology. The UK Geoenergy Observatories could provide the information to unlock these potentially transformational investments for the UK energy landscape. Not least because it will enable people to understand and normalise the role of the subsurface in meeting climate change targets. The United Kingdom has long been a leader in geoscience. With the UK Geoenergy Observatories, researchers are once again at the frontier, keeping the UK as the leading force in geoscience.”
Read more about the UK Geoenergy Observatories at www.ukgeos.ac.uk 43
SAS DANIELS
Gathering the right documents for your Solicitor at the start of your house sale could save time, delays and expense. n
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Providing your identification documents (ID) and instruction forms quickly will enable your solicitor to open a file for you and conduct their compliance checks swiftly. Without these your house sale will stall. Title deeds. You may have a bundle of old looking documents relating to the property which are likely to be your title deeds. They may be tatty but they could hold great importance and could save the need to pay out for Indemnity Insurance Policies.
Selling your home doesn’t need to be a stressful experience n
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Planning Documents or guarantees. This relates to any modifications or works that you have carried out to the house, for example installing a new boiler, windows, electrics, extensions and alterations. They all usually require consents and certification and the buyer’s solicitor will ask for them. Covenant consent for alterations. It may be written in to your deeds that you require consent to alter or amend the property. These documents are usually provided by a rent collector, freeholder or management company. An Energy performance certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement and is required for any property sold in the UK. The certificate is renewable every 10 years or where work is carried out under the Green Deal. This should
have been carried out by your Estate Agent, but it’s worth checking that you have one as the buyer will require this. For missing documentation, there’s no need to panic! You may be able to obtain copies of the missing paperwork for a small cost, apply to gain retrospective consent or alternatively your solicitor will be able to advise you on obtaining indemnity insurance to allow the sale to proceed.
For further information, contact Steph Lyke in SAS Daniels’ Residential Property team on 01244 305900 or email steph.lyke@ sasdaniels.co.uk
The facts on nondisclosure agreements What support and advice is available? A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is commonly used to protect confidential information being disclosed either publicly or to a competitor. They explain what information must remain confidential and under what, if any, circumstances the information can be used or disclosed.
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a claim against their current, or former, employer
or not they have signed a Settlement Agreement or NDA.
in an Employment Tribunal or making a protected disclosure (blowing the whistle). It is only a Settlement Agreement that would prevent an employee bringing a claim in the Employment Tribunal against their employer.
It is also important to note that during the process of being offered a Settlement Agreement, an employee must obtain advice from a relevant independent legal adviser on the terms and effect of the proposed Agreement, and this should include the fact that although an employee is prevented from bringing a Tribunal Claim against their employer, any provision which aims to prevent them from “blowing the whistle” will not be legally enforceable. Therefore, it may be poor advice, not necessarily the agreements themselves, that leads to individuals believing they have been ‘gagged’.
Although NDAs have been in the press a lot, this is not to say they are a new creation. For example, a properly drafted employment contract should contain a clause that deals with confidentiality, this in effect is a form of an NDA.
However it is still important to note that neither a Settlement Agreement or an NDA will restrict a worker from making a protected disclosure (i.e. whistle blowing) to either their employer or to a ‘Prescribed Person’ (a list of these can be found on the UK Government website).
It appears that there has been a blurring of lines in the media when it comes to reporting on NDAs. It is important to realise that NDAs should really only be used to protect against the disclosure of confidential information. An NDA would not prevent an employee from bringing
Where there is an allegation that a crime has been committed, such as a serious sexual assault, there are certain exceptions in addition to whistleblowing protections that would allow an individual to contact the police in order to report the incident, regardless of whether
If you have received a Settlement Agreement/NDA or if you wish to issue one to an employee, please contact Charlie Wood on 01244 305900 or email charlie.wood@sasdaniels.co.uk for further advice and assistance.
Business is rarely predictable. We helpmoving. Lifecan is fast you stay on track. Our property
expertise can help your move go faster. Buying or selling property? As a leading Cheshire-wide law firm, we have a gift for making house sales and property purchases as simple and stress free as possible. Trust our Property team to help keep things on track with expertise, clarity and local knowledge. Contact SAS Daniels today.
sasdaniels.co.uk | 01625 01244 442100 305900 SAS Daniels LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC333138. A list of members is available at our registered office, 30 Greek Street, Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 8AD. SAS Daniels LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
MEMBER FOCUS
Business development with personality Intelligent, results-driven outsourced telemarketing & business development Clever Jellyfish are a sales focussed Business Development Agency. We specialise in helping B2B businesses to find more clients and increase their sales and pride ourselves on our honest, transparent approach. We work with successful businesses who want to grow their sales or reach new markets. They don’t want the cost, hassle & risk of employing a business development manager, but they don’t have the time or expertise to generate the leads they need to fuel their growth objectives. The Clever Jellyfish team are experts in B2B communication and we act as a virtual Business Development Manager for our clients.
We help our clients work out who to target, and how to turn those cold prospects into qualified leads who know, like and trust you, and are ready to do business. We design a consistent, effective sales strategy which uses a range of business development activities, including targeted telemarketing & well-crafted emails to build quality relationships with potential clients. We also offer social media management, creating original, engaging, branded social media posts for our clients that are designed to build a professional, consistent & balanced presence that resonates with their target market. All our services are reverse engineered – we take the time to get to know each client and understand their business development objectives, before designing a unique campaign to deliver on those goals.
Lisa Whitehouse, Managing Director As a Fellow of the Institute of Sales Management, Lisa has more than 20 years of sales experience under her belt. Lisa’s background is in financial services and wealth management, where she qualified as an Investment Adviser and worked on all sides of the client experience – from debt collection, outbound telemarketing and client care, right through to marketing, gaining experience in both large corporate and SME businesses. Lisa subsequently led and managed a large direct sales team for a leading cosmetics company, and for the last ten years has been working directly with businesses to help them achieve their business development and marketing goals. Away from the office, Lisa loves spending time with family and friends, eating out and going to live music gigs, when she’s not busy being mum to her 3 daughters!
Even if we do say so ourselves, at Clever Jellyfish we’re the experts in B2B telemarketing & business development, with years of experience helping small & medium sized businesses to find new clients. Think of us as your virtual BDM
Stanlaw Abbey Business Centre, Dover Drive, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 9BF
T : 01244 569800 www.cleverjellyfish.co.uk 46
TOP TIPS
Chapter’s Top 5 Tips to Good Mental Wellbeing 1 in 4 people struggle with their mental health at any one time, and 3 out of 5 of the UK workforce are said to suffer from work-related mental health problems. Chapter supports people with severe mental illnesses in Cheshire West and Chester. In May, we celebrated Mental Health Awareness Week, and we wanted to bring West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce our Top 5 Tips to Good Mental Wellbeing. TIP 1: BE ACTIVE
This is nothing you won’t have heard before, but exercise can be one of the simplest ways of relieving tension and stress. Exercise boosts your physical and mental energy, and stimulates the release of endorphins, which make you feel good. You may be busy and feel you don’t have time to train for a marathon, and that’s okay – increase how active you are by making small changes, such as always taking the stairs instead of the lift, or leaving for your meeting a little earlier so you can walk instead of drive. These little things really do add up, and you may also notice other unexpected benefits, such as boosted problemsolving skills and creativity.
to shut down and sleep. Avoid caffeine too late in the day, and be mindful that too much alcohol decreases your sleep quality too. My personal tip is to ban screens in the bedroom – the light they give off reduces the secretion of melatonin, the hormone associated with sleep-wake cycles.
TIP 3: THINK FOOD
Studies have shown that a Mediterranean diet (ie one which prominently features fish, vegetables, nuts and olive oil) reduces the risk of depression. There’s no need to throw everything in your cupboards away, though. Just bearing your mental health in mind when you’re doing your weekly shop can help you to make real improvements.
TIP 2: SLEEP
TIP 4: FEEL CONNECTED
Establishing a regular, relaxing routine will signal to your body and brain that it’s time
Chapter’s service users benefit from our group activities, which enable them to grow in confidence around others, make friends and improve their social skills. Even if
We sleep an hour and a half less than our great grandparents did in the 1920s. Lack of sleep isn’t just bad for your mental health, but scientists also link poor sleep to heart disease and other physical health problems. Sometimes it can feel cyclical – being less well rested causes us to worry more, and that in turn makes it harder to sleep!
There’s no doubt about it, human beings are social animals and we need to feel connected to others to maintain good mental health. This doesn’t mean you need to be seen in Rosies doing Jagerbombs with 12 close friends every night.
n A team of fundraisers help to raise funds for Chapter
you don’t have mental illness, these things can still help you. Join a club, take evening classes to learn a new language, take up a sport, or volunteer with a local charity (like Chapter!).
TIP 5: GIVE!
Nothing helps you to feel serenity and happiness like helping someone else, and giving to charity is the quickest and easiest way of doing that. In fact, giving isn’t just good for mental health, it’s good for business too! Recent research of businesses who regularly supported charities showed that 7 out of 10 enjoyed improved profits as a result. There are a number of different ways businesses can work with Chapter. In May alone, local firms helped us clear up an overgrown green space for a new allotment site, abseiled off Chester Cathedral to raise funds for us, and attended our Mental Health First Aid training, which helps to increase awareness of what to do if an employee, friend or family member is in crisis. Contact Matt at matt.zeqiri@chapterwestcheshire. org if you’d like to know more about how your business can do their bit for Cheshire West and Chester’s mental health.
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NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to WCNW Chamber of Commerce
Adoption Matters Sarah Johnson 14 Liverpool Road CHESTER Cheshire CH2 1AE T: 01244 390938 E: info@adoptionmatters.org www.adoptionmatters.org
Clarity Communications Lucy Jones T: 07753 17316 E: info@claritymarcomms.co.uk www.claritymarcomms.co.uk Defined Rebecca Jackson-Wersun T: 01244 21 022 E: hello@definedcheshire.co.uk www.definedcheshire.co.uk
Annog Cyf Bethan Fraser-Williams Llangefni Town Hall Bulkeley Square LLANGEFNI LL77 7LR T: 01248 725700 E: bethan@mentermon.com www.mentermon.com Ashton Consulting Nigel Allman T: 01244 987803 E: nigel@ashton-risk.co.uk Bluestones One MS Ltd Greg Fields 1st Floor Suite Mill House Russell Street CHESTER Cheshire CH3 5AL T: 01244 555010 E: greg.fields@bluestonesone.co.uk www.bluestonesone.co.uk CATAX Steve Roberts Catax House 3 Scott Drive ALTRINCHAM Cheshire WA15 8AB T: 07341 286986 E: steve.roberts@catax.com www.catax.com Cheshire Fashion Week Claire Namukolo T: 01244 665811 E: info@cheshirefashionweek.com www.cheshirefashionweek.com
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Devonport Wealth Management Steve Devonport Wrexham T: 07745 611792 E: steve.devonport@sjpp.co.uk www.devonportwealthmanagement.co.uk EA Technology Limited Joanne Roberts Capenhurst Technology Park Capenhurst Chester Cheshire CH1 6ES T: 0151 339 4181 E: sales@eatechnology.com www.eatechnology.com Entyce Creative Ltd Jane Entwistle 1A Spital Walk Boughton CHESTER Cheshire CH3 5DB T: 01244 310140 E: hello@entyce-creative.com www.entyce-creative.com FirstServ Ltd Johanna Nilsson Norfolk House Bostock Road WINSFORD Cheshire CW7 3BD T: 01207 715515 E: jnilsson@firstserv.com www.firstserv.com
Hassell Brothers Ltd Dan Hassell Office 38 Coworkz Sealand Minerva Avenue CHESTER Cheshire CH1 4QL T: 07792 284491 E: dan@ethicaltrading.co.uk Interalia Marketing Ltd Angela Cattin T: 07740 611843 E: angela@interalia-marketing. co.uk www.interalia-marketing.co.uk IWI Yoga Lisa Russell T: 07827 322256 E: lisa@iwiyoga.com www.iwiyoga.com Made with Zeal David Price T: 01244 940532 E: info@madewithzeal.co.uk www.madewithzeal.co.uk NextStep Business Support Solutions Ltd Phill Jones T: 07734 739472 E: phill@nextstepbusinesssupport.uk www.nextstepbusinesssupport.uk Nick Munro Holdings Ltd Alex Beveridge Riverside Innovation Centre 1 Castle Drive CHESTER Cheshire CH1 1SL T: 01244 515512 E: alex@nickmunro.com www.nickmunro.com Nightingale House Hospice Debbie Barton Nightingale House Chester Road WREXHAM LL11 2SJ T: 01978 314292 E: debbie.barton@nightingalehouse.co.uk www.nightingalehouse.co.uk
Welcome to WCNW Chamber of Commerce
NEW MEMBERS
OpTIC Centre Debbie Davies Ffordd William Morgan St Asaph Business Park St Asaph Denbighshire LL17 0JD T: 01745 535100 E: opticreception@glyndwr.ac.uk www.glyndwrinnovations.co.uk
Social Media 92 Joshua Lucy Riverside Innovation Centre Castle Drive CHESTER Cheshire CH1 1SL T: 01244 617375 E: JoshJamesLucy@socialmedia92.co.uk www.socialmedia92.co.uk
Titan Property Services Limited Adrian Platt Regus House Herons Way Chester Business Park Cheshire CH4 9QR T: 01244 877173 E: adrian@titanpsltd.co.uk www.titanpsltd.co.uk
Pic Nic (Chester) Ltd Matthew Morgan 102 Northgate Street CHESTER Cheshire CH1 2HT T: 07515 829867 E: matthew@picnicchester.co.uk www.picnicchester.co.uk
Tech Up & Go Ltd Simon Davenport T: 07792 772206 E: simon@techupandgo.com www.techupandgo.com
Linda Davies The Parade Enterprise Centre 14 The Parade Blacon CHESTER Cheshire CH1 5HN T: 075167 38703 E: linda@tools4change.co.uk www.tools4change.co.uk
Red Door Emma Williamson St Johns Street CHESTER Cheshire CH1 1HL T: 01244 329871 E: emmawilliamson@reddoor.uk.com www.reddoor.uk.com Rootball Coaching & Consultancy Ltd Kate Halewood PO Box 3890 CHESTER Cheshire CH1 9HE T: 07759 625357 E: kate@rootball.co.uk www.rootball.co.uk Rowton Hall Hotel and Spa Carolyn Moston Whitchurch Road CHESTER Cheshire CH3 6AD T: 01244 333457 E: cb@rowtonhallhotelandspa.co.uk www.rowtonhallhotel.co.uk
The Bodhi Tree Studio Lousie Waring Border House High Street Saltney CHESTER Cheshire CH4 8SE T: 01244 677711 E: info@thebodhitreestudio.co.uk www.thebodhitreestudion.co.uk The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity Elspeth Wilson Charity Office The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Bebington Wirral, Merseyside CH63 4JY T: 0151 556 5566 E: fundraising@clatterbridgecc.nhs.uk www.clatterbridgecc.org.uk The Purple Office Unit 1 Kate Mallows Canalside Tattenhall CHESTER Cheshire CH3 9BD T: 07912 523172 E: hello@the-purple-office.com www.the-purple-office.com
Tools4Change CIC
Unimaq Limited Berty De Jong Unit 6 Pacific Park Bridge Road North Wrexham Industrial Estate WREXHAM LL13 9PN T: 01978 669922 E: laura@unimaq.co.uk www.unimaq.co.uk Vertex Sales Development Darren Speed T: 01824 780507 E: darren.speed@vertexsalesdevelopment.co.uk www.vertexsalesdevelopment.co.uk Whittingham Riddell Chartered Accountants & Business Advisors Pip Elms 1 Edison Court Ellice Way WREXHAM LL13 7YT T: 01978 261579 E: wrexham@wrllp.co.uk www.whittinghamriddell.co.uk Xceed Care Compliance Ltd Lisa Hitchcox T: 07795 591663 E: lisa@xceedcarecompliance.co.uk www.xceedcarecompliance.co.uk
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FEATURE
24 hours with... Nathan Cook Wrexham Mineral Cables
A brief overview of your role and company
Can you tell us a short overview of an average day at work?
Established in 1989 Wrexham Mineral Cables (WMC) developed a totally new and unique process for the continuous manufacture of Mineral Insulated Cables - the only True Fire Survival Cable.
Run through and respond to the emails that have come in overnight and then make early morning phone calls to partners in the Far East, Middle East and India to coincide with time zones, ensuring communication is conducted within there own office hours. Prioritise the resulting actions and liaise with factory to put plans in place as well as reviewing and progressing on going activity and projects. Review medium and long-term project plans and again, progress accordingly.
The specially designed equipment is housed in a 5,000 square metre purpose-built factory located in Wrexham, North Wales, United Kingdom. WMC is the only UK manufacturer of light & heavy duty Mineral Insulated Cables, exporting to over 20 countries globally including the Middle East, India, Australia and China. Success is due to continued investment and commitment to manufacturing a quality product while providing comprehensive customer service. My role is to provide strong product, sales and commercial support to our existing distribution partners globally, as well as assessing, identifying and delivering a strategy for new sales development in new markets. n Inside the Wrexham Mineral Cable factory
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What’s involved in the production of your mineral cables? Is there any specialist technology involved? Our production process is unique to our business and we are constantly working to find ways to further improve its efficiency and reliability. The process involves the processing of ceramics and in organic powders, kiln baking, extrusion, milling and forming, TIG welding, and many tests both within the manufacturing process and after. The
n Nathan Cook, Export Sales Manager at Wrexham Mineral Cables
best way to provide a brief overview is to check the video on our YouTube page called, overview/ https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=QKJs1KC6lMs How has the company grown in recent years? Our business had grown double digits in the last 5 years and now exports more than 80% of its product overseas, recently opening up new sales distribution in Europe, India and the Far East. Have you faced any particular challenges recently? Competition from the Far East and out dated Safety Standards allowing inferior products to compete “Technically” for Safety critical working applications in our traditional market sectors. What are your plans for the future? Continued new market entrance, further strategic alliances with relevant manufacturers or suppliers and continued development of our distribution network globally.
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We’d love to hear from you 01244 617 087 simon@zodeq.com www.zodeq.com
Solicitors for Life | Est.1887 Butcher & Barlow are a highly respected and approachable firm of Solicitors with over 130 years of experience
The Big Firm on your doorstep
Your business is our business From setting up, buying or selling a business, to the day to day problems and issues affecting all businesses, we provide cost effective and expert advice to individuals, partnerships and companies.
Contact the team based at our dedicated commercial office at Gadbrook Park in Northwich, Cheshire.
01606 334 309
enquiries@butcher-barlow.co.uk
ButcherBarlowLLP
@butcherbarlow
We have 10 offices throughout North Manchester and Cheshire and we pride ourselves on being a law firm with local connections but the size to provide an approachable expert in every field.
www.butcher-barlow.co.uk