C&W July 2018

Issue 66

July / August 2018

Ian Coulson a people person Page 20

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COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE

GREEN BUSINESS PROGRAMME

FREE Energy Efficiency Grants up to ÂŁ100,000 Energy efficiency funding is available to small to medium sized businesses in Coventry & Warwickshire. Grants are non-repayable and available up to ÂŁ100,000 to implement energy efficiency measures so that you can reduce your energy costs.

We can provide up to 30% of the funding for any of the following measures: LED lighting Heating systems and controls New energy efficient equipment, e.g. air compressors New energy efficient machinery e.g. manufacturing machines for production lines Variable speed drives and energy efficient motors Renewable energy (e.g. solar PV, thermal hot water, biomass, air source heat pumps) and many other measures We can also provide a free energy audit to help identify where energy and cost savings can be made.

Tel: Email: Web:

0300 060 3747 greenbusiness@coventry.gov.uk www.coventry.gov.uk/greenbusiness

The Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund and is delivered by Coventry City Council, Coventry University and Coventry University Enterprises Ltd.

Enterprises Limited

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Foreword

CONTENTS July/August 2018

Looking ahead with optimism

Go for Growth

4-5

News

6-7

Events

8-9

Corporate Profiles

10-12

Dear Chamber of Commerce Member, It seems incredible that I write this column looking ahead to the summer and that by the time I come to putting together the next one, we will be moving into the autumn.

It just shows how quickly the year goes and why it’s crucial to always be planning your next steps in business.

Despite the continued uncertainty around Brexit – the picture seems to change on a weekly, if not daily, basis – there are many reasons to be confident about the future, particularly here in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Ian Coulson, of HSBC – one of our wonderful Strategic Partners – sums it up nicely in this issue of C&W in Business when he says: “It’s a fantastic place to be and there is such a range of opportunities, regardless of where the next few years may take us in terms of Brexit and the element of uncertainty that it brings.”

You can read more from Ian later in the magazine.

Of course, one of the many reasons to look ahead with optimism is the UK City of Culture coming to the region in 2021.

It’s been great to hear many businesses quoting that as reasons for investing – particularly in the city centre – and that it already seems to be having a positive effect on the region.

But there’s much more to it than that, I wrote a piece for the Chamber website recently that was picked up strongly in the media about a whole host of events and exciting achievements that have been happening across the city and the county in recent months.

It’s important we make the most of this time in the spotlight and that businesses – the wealth creators in our area –

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benefit from all of these wonderful events that are happening here.

As I said at the top of this column, we’ll be heading into September/October in our next issue of the magazine so it’s a good time to make sure you have a couple of key events in your diary.

Our Business Expo takes place at the Ricoh Arena on Friday, September 28 and we are already open for bookings on stands and sponsorships for this key event in the regional business calendar.

Following that, we will be holding our Annual Economic Conference at the Ricoh Arena on Friday, November 16 and we have already booked one of our keynote speakers in Jon Snow.

Again, this promises to be another ‘must-attend’ event for companies right across our patch and both the Expo and Conference are great examples of what the Chamber aims to offer our members.

News

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Chamber Training

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Business Support

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Legal & Finance Property Profile Brexit Club

16-17 18 20-21 24

Around the region

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Connectivity

34-38

News

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It’s a chance to meet face-to-face, to have the chance to talk to potential customers or suppliers and also chat to and learn from peers in your own sector.

As well as that, the events themselves offer the opportunity to hear from experts in a range of business fields and also to learn about key developments in your area to help you make more informed choices about your business.

So please make sure you enjoy your summer holiday – whatever you are planning to do – and we look forward to seeing you at our events across the region including the Expo and Conference later in the year.

Kind regards, Louise, Mrs L Bennett-Bayliss OBE, DL Chief Executive

Education & Skills President & People

42 44-45

New Members

46

Training & Events

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Go for Growth

CONTACTS At the Chamber

News desk

Members are encouraged to send any news about their firm - new orders, staff, new products, expansions or relocations - for publication in C&W in business.

Companies aim high for most prestigious award achievements was crucial to catching the eye of the judges – but that it had to be backed up by sound evidence.

Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We started holding the Queen’s Awards masterclasses with the Deputy Lieutenancy for the region a few years ago when it was abundantly clear that our patch wasn’t punching anywhere near its weight when it comes to the award.

This is one of the most prestigious prizes a business can win and will elevate a company above its competition, especially on the international stage.

“So we want as many firms from Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands to apply and win.

Whilst every effort will be made to publish submitted articles, we cannot guarantee inclusion.

Send them to: news@cw-chamber.co.uk Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Chamber House Innovation Village Cheetah Road Coventry CV1 2TL T: 024 76 654321 F: 024 76 450242

At the publishers

Publisher

Ian Fletcher

Benham Publishing Limited Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ T: 0151 236 4141

Advertising Contact Karen Hall karen@benhampublishing.com T: 07801 788880 Production Manager Mark Etherington Accounts Director Joanne Casey Media Number 1607 © Benham Publishing 2018 C&W in Business is produced on behalf of Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce by Benham Publishing Limited and is distributed to members free of charge. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in C&W in Business, neither Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, nor the publisher can accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies it contains. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Chamber.

Firms in the West Midlands are closing the gap on London andthe South East when it comes to landing the most prestigious business award in the UK – but there is still more to be done.

That was the message at an event hosted by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber alongside the Lord and Deputy Lieutenants of Warwickshire and the West Midlands at The Manufacturing Technology Centre at Ansty.

The event, in conjunction with the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, was looking at how companies can enter the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, what criteria they need to meet and the benefits they bring to a business.

Coventry and Warwickshire will feel the economic benefits of the region’s sporting and cultural success for many years to come, according to a leading business figure.

Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the feel-good-factor created by Coventry being UK City of Culture in 2021, European City of Sport in 2019 and by attracting events such as the OVO Energy cycle tours to Warwickshire, would bring profile and investment to the area.

Louise said: “The news that both the Men’s and Women’s events of the OVO Energy Cycle Tours are coming to Warwickshire is great news for our area.

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“We have done well in closing the gap but there is still more to be done – in the last round of awards there were 52 from London and only 15 from the West Midlands so we still believe we can do a lot better.

They were also given an insight into winning a Queen’s Award by previous winners including Terry Spall, of HORIBA MIRA; Karen Lynch, of Belu Water; and Kate Birch, of Coachbuilt UK.

“I would urge, therefore, companies from right across the region to look at the criteria for the awards, see if they are eligible and go for it. It helps to boost morale in the company, raise its profile and, also, will bring significant benefits to the bottom line too.

John Rimmer, a specialist in applying for Queen’s Awards, ran companies through the process and described how the narrative behind a business’s

“We know that there are companies across our region who have the right story to tell and the time is right to put themselves forward for a Queen’s Award.”

For more information, go to https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise/eligibility

High profile events generate a feel-good-factor among businesses

She added that the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham in 2022 – including events being held in Coventry and Warwickshire – was a further boost.

The official publication of the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce

Gathered companies heard from Joseph Greenwell CBE DL; George Marsh TD DL; Michael Fetherston-Dilke, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire DL; and John Crabtree OBE, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

“Bringing high-profile events such as this are, of course, great news in themselves because they generate a feel-good-factor

among residents and businesses about their area. But, on top of that, there is genuine economic benefit. When Yorkshire hosted the first stage of the Tour De France, it’s estimated that it brought more than £100million to their economy.

“Of course, we can’t expect a boost quite on that scale but it serves to show that events of this nature provide an economic uplift. The Women’s event, alone, boosted Warwickshire by £2million on 2017.

“The Commonwealth Games in Manchester is believed to have generated £2billion in extra tourism revenue for the Greater Manchester area. With the 2022 games taking place in Birmingham, there is no doubt that Coventry and Warwickshire will benefit economically – particular with events at the Ricoh Arena and in Leamington.

“Coventry being UK City of Culture in 2021 is already having a positive effect with companies investing in the city and quoting City of Culture as one of the reasons for doing so. In terms of positive coverage

alone, City of Culture has already generated close to £30 million in media value for the region.

“When David Burbidge, the chairman of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, spoke at our Business & Trade Expo he forecast that the title would create more than 2,000 jobs in the area, while the initial evaluation from Hull is that the year in 2017 boosted the tourism industry alone by £300 million.

And we know there will be additional economic benefits on top of that.

“So we have this wonderful period to look forward to when our region will be in the spotlight consistently and will have the attention of the nation and, at times, the world.

“It’s vitally important that we make the most of that and that businesses across our patch know how to turn this potential into genuine growth for their company. If we get that bit right, the region can benefit economically for many years to come.”

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Policy Go for Growth

Tackling the barriers to growth and investment A leading business figure in Coventry and Warwickshire has signed a letter to the Prime Minister to call for a renewed focus on tackling the barriers to growth and investment - and a radical plan for action.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, is one of 53 business leaders from across the country who are calling on the Prime Minister to balance the importance of securing the best possible deal with the EU with the urgent need to set out a compelling vision for UK growth and a bold set of domestic policies to fix the fundamentals at home.

Business communities throughout the UK are concerned about perceived inaction in Westminster and Whitehall on key domestic economic matters – where attention and swift action are needed for the UK to succeed after it leaves the EU. Writing on behalf of the 53 accredited Chambers of Commerce from every region and nation of the UK, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), says: “Our future success depends not just on Brexit negotiations, but also on the big economic decisions that must be made here in the UK. It is time, Prime Minister,

for you to set out a compelling, pro-enterprise and pro-growth vision for the future, and a bold set of domestic policies to make it happen.

“It is time for you to tell business communities across the UK how your government will act – fast – to stabilise the faltering training and apprenticeship system and give clarity on migration rules, as businesses face unprecedented labour and skills shortages all across the country.

“It is time for visible action to rebuild our rutted and potholed roads, to use the resources of the state to build more homes, and to speed up the delivery of airport, rail and energy upgrades.

“It is time to eliminate the significant gaps in mobile and digital connectivity that continue to strangle business productivity and UK competitiveness – the central theme of our ‘No More Not Spots’ campaign.

“It is time to set a new mandate for HMRC and economic regulators to support, rather than pursue and punish, the small and medium-sized firms that can drive future growth, and focus their enforcement activities on the small number of companies pursuing questionable practices that are ultimately paid for by the rest.

“After decades of delay and incremental change, it is time to tackle the huge costs and complexities of the UK tax system, which actively discourage investment, risk-taking, and the stronger export performance we all want to see.

“And it is time for your government to deliver a far more explicit blueprint to support economic growth in all regions and nations – including greater local decision-making, away from the centralising instincts of Westminster and the devolved administrations.

“Prime Minister, the many thousands of firms we collectively represent are clear: business as usual is not good enough at a time of significant uncertainty. A concerted drive to ‘fix the fundamentals’ would unlock business confidence and investment – and set the UK on a path to long-term growth, alongside a comprehensive settlement between the UK and EU.” Louise added: “As a Chamber, we listen to companies on our patch and feed that into the work that the British Chambers of Commerce undertakes at a national level.

“In Coventry and Warwickshire, firms remain resilient and confident about the future but want to see a genuine plan for growth post-Brexit, whatever that ends up meaning in practical terms.”

Digital agency chooses Warwick for expansion plans St.Albans based digital marketing agency, FL1 Digital, have decided to open their second office in Warwick as part of their expansion plans for 2018.

FL1 Digital was first established back in 2003 by friends Jason Sammon and Niall Forrest. Following 15 successful years, they have chosen West Midlands to be the new location for the upcoming opening of their second office.

The company is currently based in the county of Hertfordshire and is highly recognised for offering award

winning services such as, website design and development, digital marketing and training.

The company has plans to grow their talented team in their new location following support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

FL1 Digital also employ freelancers in the local area and intent to take advantage of local skill within the West Midlands.

Jason Sammon, managing director of FL1 Digital said: “We had a choice of whether to expand in nearby Central London or the West Midlands. We made a decision to become a part of the

upcoming digital marketing and creative talent hub that is the Leamington Spa and Warwick area. We are looking forward to becoming part of the local business community, and our expansion will open up exciting

opportunities for both the company and the local community”.

Their new offices are located in Tournament Fields, Warwick, which neighbours with the M40 and Warwick Parkway station.

No stone left unturned in getting more people into work and helping businesses to grow Business leaders have welcomed a small dip in the claimant count across Coventry and Warwickshire after several months of increases.

In the month to May in Coventry, the figure fell from 4,715 to 4,700 and, in Warwickshire, it fell from 5,835 to 5,775.

Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the fall was modest but was an improvement on recent figures.

She said: “We are monitoring the situation closely and it is pleasing that the figure has fallen, although only modestly.

“We have recognised that there is an

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issue that businesses want to expand and take on more staff but are struggling to find the skills they need.

“This is not a problem that is unique to Coventry and Warwickshire – the British Chambers of Commerce recognises that it is an issue of national concern but it is certainly one we are suffering from chronically in this region.

“We have worked locally, through our branch network, to try to help businesses come up with solutions to the problem by growing their own through apprenticeships or through attracting people into the workplace who may have previously seen barriers to finding employment.

“In some areas, we are working with specific sectors – such as hospitality in the south of Warwickshire – to try to find a tailored solution by encouraging schools and colleges to showcase the sector as a career path, which has the support of the local MP. “While we cannot solve the whole issue, we realise we can help businesses across the area to mitigate it. We are also helping businesses to promote employment opportunities through our website – again to ensure no stone is left unturned in getting more people into work and helping businesses to grow.”

Initiative to boost skills in the region A leading figure in development and training in Coventry and Warwickshire has backed a plan to boost skills in the region through an initiative designed to make it a better place to live, work and do business.

Sally Lucas, the Executive Director of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training, was one of the invited guests at an event staged by the West Midlands Combined Authority Regional Mayor Andy Street.

During the event, Street outlined key areas of action including a focus on technical skills development in key industries including advanced manufacturing, digital and construction.

He also said ways of making Apprenticeships work for business as well as creating work experience opportunities that are meaningful for all young people are a priority.

The event also heard about a proposal to provide a clear focus on the significance of digital skills, not just for the digital industry, but for all industry sectors and the role digital technologies has to play in transforming business and improving productivity.

Lucas said the plan was right for the region. She said: “The WMCA is seeking to align regional needs to government priorities to create a transformational impact with practical solutions.

“We are very much at the coalface when it comes to delivering skills development and training so it’s great that we are taking part in this conversation about the future skills of the region.

“The plan identifies many of the challenges that we hear – and raise – and is looking to move quickly to meet those challenges head on.

“Work experience, for example, is an issue that we identify needs to be addressed to help raise aspiration among young people and it’s great to hear that this is one of the priorities for the Mayor.

“Regional priorities was one of the reasons for giving the Midlands an elected mayor, and it is really good to see skills at the forefront of his thinking.”

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News

Project will transform lives

O’Brien Scores with Aston Villa O’Brien has secured a new multimillion-pound contract with Aston Villa Football Club to relocate their training ground, which involves enabling works for nine natural pitches and one 3G pitch, in Bodymoor Heath, Tamworth.

The training ground is being relocated due to the new £50 billion HS2 rail link, which will run through their current site and sparked fears for the future of the prized academy.

O’Brien’s Tony Mitchell, Operations Manager, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Aston Villa to help relocate their new training facility. The HS2 scheme will have a major impact locally and on the Recon training facility, which will lose a large portion of the current training ground. The project is part of the greater plan to allow the football club to maintain existing facilities and replace those affected by HS2.

“We plan to make this transition as simple as possible for Aston Villa and help to create an outstanding new facility for them that will ensure the future of the training academy is not threatened by HS2.”

A ten million Euro investment over the next three years will enable a Warwickshire charity to bring renewable energy to refugees and their host communities.

The project will operate in Rwanda and Jordan and will create access to off-grid, renewable energy for thousands of displaced people so they can start businesses, improve their health and education.

The project will contribute to helping people in camps gain economic independence and overcome dependence on aid.

It will be funded by the IKEA Foundation and implemented by Practical Action and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in three camps in Rwanda and Irbid city in Jordan, where people fleeing conflict and civil unrest in Syria and the DR Congo have settled.

Experts will work with refugee entrepreneurs, private energy companies, host communities, refugee families and national governments. Outputs will include street and home lighting, improved cooking and powering tools and appliances so that businesses can start up and flourish.

Practical Action CEO Paul Smith Lomas said: “This is a fantastic example of the way in which aid should be delivered for long-term benefit.

We know the vast majority of people want to take control of their lives and provide for their families, but very often they simply don’t have the tools, skills or opportunity to do so.

“This project is typical of the way in which Practical Action works. We find out what people need and work with them to develop solutions that will free them from poverty. In this case, by

Practical Action Chief Executive Paul Smith Lomas

working in this partnership, we believe we’ll find the best and most sustainable solutions.

“Truly great development work only happens when solutions to problems can be replicated by other actors such as national governments, the private sector and the communities themselves, without the need for further input from charities like Practical Action, so that ultimately millions benefit. This is what we want to achieve from this project.”

Too few companies take risk seriously enough, according to survey UK SMEs are under-prepared to respond to a crisis scenario, despite their awareness that security threats are rising and 44% expecting to face some form of attack in the near future.

This is the key finding of research commissioned by Gallagher, focused on evaluating business resilience, which identifies a perception gap between the level of preparedness of UK SMEs and the growth in security threats.

A total of 43% of the 1000+ SME business leaders surveyed by YouGov admitted to having no contingency plans for a crisis or not knowing what those plans were.

The research also highlighted a very clear gap in perception between the threats SMEs face and their level of preparedness. More than two thirds (68%) of SMEs questioned believe they are resilient and well-equipped to deal with a security crisis despite their planning and insurance protection levels showing otherwise.

There is, however, a widespread understanding that threat levels are growing, with one in five (19%) UK SMEs having faced an external security threat in the past two years while more than double that number (44%) believes they could face a threat in the coming 12 to 18 months. More than a quarter (27%) of those asked say they specifically expect to suffer cyber extortion in the near future.

When comparing responses between SME leaders and those of larger companies, Gallagher’s research clearly showed that many SMEs feel they are too small to be targeted, with only 17% having tried to assess their exposure.

But the nature and effect of today’s low frequency high impact security threats — such as terrorism and cyber extortion — is often non-targeted. Large security cordons, for example, prevent access to premises, while mass ransomware attacks mean smaller firms are often more vulnerable than large organisations.

Paul Bassett, Managing Director of Gallagher’s Crisis Management practice, said: “It is vital for SMEs to build a culture of crisis resilience. Their growing awareness of an overall increase in security threats needs to be matched by actions that will help them mitigate and manage their own vulnerability to those risks. Our research shows education is key; clearly, there is a disconnect between the current level of planning by SMEs and how resilient they believe themselves to be, creating a false sense of security.

“Many evidently feel they are too small to be targeted but today’s fast-evolving security threats are often not targeted at any particular company or industry. Exposure to the risk of non-damage business interruption - where no physical loss has been suffered but you aren’t able to trade - is a particular area of concern.

That could be experienced because of proximity to a terrorist incident or an indiscriminate cyber extortion attack, for example.”

Agile working – what is it? Award-winning apprentice fit for the future What are the benefits?

What is it?

Definition: “Agile working is a way of working in which an organisation empowers its people to work where, when and how they choose – with maximum flexibility and minimum constraints – to optimise their performance and to do their best work” So many people confuse agile working with flexible working – the two are very different! Flexible working is negotiated at individual level, requires permission and is viewed as an employee perk. Agile working however, is business driven where employees can work anywhere at any time providing business needs are met.

Research carried out by Mitie found that by 2020 more than 70 percent of UK offices will be agile workplaces.

The benefits of agile working, if implemented correctly, can be numerous; with higher employee production, a motivated and driven workforce, lower office costs and not to mention a reduced carbon footprint The role of technology in enabling agile working is fundamental and that is where HBT Communications can come in and work with organisations to implement this way of working.

HBT communications has just celebrated its 30th anniversary within the IT and Telecoms sector.

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The company was founded on the very ethos of bringing new technology to the SME market.

In continuing this ethos, HBT have launched their newest service: HBT Nuage, secure cloud-based communications.

Nuage is built on the principles of agile working with features like: • non-location dependent telephony, which enables the office function to follow staff on any device – mobile, laptop and desk phone • a feature rich system all at a fixed monthly cost, including calls and lines • Cloud based so always upgraded to the latest technology and there are no expensive upgrades.

René Wheeler, Sales Manager, said: “We are delighted to bring HBT Nuage to the market. The market is changing, and businesses are looking at how they and their workforces can adapt to this change to work more effectively.”

Copy provided by HBT Communications, one of Coventry’s longest established Telecoms and IT Providers. Established in 1988 by brothers Zamurad and Ajmal Hussain, the business has grown to employ more than 30 people with ambitious plans for further growth over the next three years.

Apprentice gym instructor Maciej Stencel (left) with Anytime Fitness Regional Manager Chris Bloomfield (right)

An apprentice gym instructor at Anytime Fitness has seen his new career flourish having been awarded the title Employee of the Quarter at the Stratford-based gym.

Maciej Stencel, whose apprenticeship is delivered by Stratford-upon-Avon College, initially planned to enter the IT industry before his extracurricular hobbies of fitness and powerlifting inspired him to pursue his dream of becoming a personal trainer.

Maciej, 20 from Stratford-uponAvon, said: “I’ve always been very interested in sport, in particular football. When I finished high school, I started to go to the gym regularly and my passion for fitness grew from there. Working in the industry was an obvious choice.”

Determined to find employment as a fitness instructor, Maciej decided that simply waiting for a vacancy to be advertised wouldn’t allow him

to progress quickly enough. Already a member of Anytime Fitness, he would ask the owners if he could be taken on as an apprentice every time he was there. “I just kept pushing for an opportunity.

Eventually, they gave it to me.”

This tenacity and enthusiasm certainly impressed Regional Manager Chris Bloomfield.

“It was really refreshing” said Chris.

“It really showed his drive, passion and desire to succeed and that really stood out to me.”

Under Chris’ guidance, Maciej’s professionalism has gone from strength to strength, and he has now been rewarded with the Employee of the Quarter title.

Primera Air launches Birmingham Operation Low cost airline Primera Air has started flights from Birmingham Airport, with the inaugural aircraft taking off from Birmingham to Malaga with 152 passengers on board.

Tom Screen, Acting Aviation Director, said: “These additional frequencies to Malaga and Palma complement the existing services we have to the Med and Primera’s low fares will, I’m sure, be welcomed by Midlanders.

“With new direct services to New York and Toronto launching soon with Primera, too, we are offering passengers the chance to fly across the pond non-stop, low cost several times weekly.”

Anastasija Visnakova, Chief Commercial Officer at Primera Air, said: “We have growth plans for Birmingham and we look forward to working with the airport and

serving the region’s leisure and business travellers throughout 2018 and beyond.” New York will operate three times a week as will Toronto.

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

News

CM talent finds the perfect fit Career-Mums recently came to the Chamber’s rescue when it was struggling to fill a challenging part-time role.

When the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce began its search for a new Membership Administrator / Credit Control Officer, it had no idea how difficult it would be to find the right person for the position.

The Chamber’s Matthew Hammersley, explained: “The role was complex as we were looking for a candidate with experience and skill sets in both credit control and sales areas – an unusual combination.”

So he approached Chamber member Career-Mums, who are recognised for having access to a talent pool of people with relevant experience and skills. And they found the perfect match in Ann Pendlebury… Ann said: “The biggest motivation for a woman 'to do better' is your children.

Since I became a mummy to Sofya six and half years ago I’ve learnt a lot about myself.

“One thing women find hard is to juggle different roles and keep the balance in their lives: we try to 'do it all'. For the past 18 months I’ve been doing my usual mummy and household duties, plus working full time at my 'day job'.

I also started a new business.

“However, the full-time hours started to take their toll. I wanted to change to part-time as flexibility became more important than ever.”

“Nishi and her team at CareerMums have been a great support in assisting me with getting my current role at CW Chamber. I had regular contact and help prior to the interview and also very prompt updates during the whole process.

I couldn’t be happier in my new role and it's incredible to feel supported and understood by your employer – restoring a healthy work/life balance."

This was the first time the Chamber has used Career-Mums for recruitment, but it’s unlikely to be the last!

“Career-Mums not only provided an excellent service, but also provided us with a high calibre of candidates for interviews. We would highly recommend Career-Mums and we’ll definitely be using their services and expertise again in the future," added Matthew.

Career- Mums was established in early 2016 by Nishi Mehta and Sally Dhillon, the local West Midlands business helps parents return to work after a career break and supports and inspires working parents to thrive in their careers with their families.

The business-to-business side, which focuses on helping employers to attract retain and develop gender diverse teams, has seen a real growth over the last 12 months and has recently been rebranded as CM talent.

From recruitment, supporting new parents and line managers through to creating action plans for closing the gender pay gap, it provides a comprehensive service to local employers to support their business goals whilst improve gender diversity.

EMI schemes back in business

Heart of England co-operative society adopts Zoë’s Place Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice has been named the Heart of England Co-operative Society’s nominated charity for 2018.

The news came as the hospice battled a recent £80,000 shortfall.

Over the coming 12 months staff across the Society’s network of 32 Food stores and 13 Funeral homes have pledged to pull out all the stops with a whole host of fundraising ideas, to help bridge the gap and recoup some of the hospice’s losses.

Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Society, is calling on the retailer’s thousands of loyal members and customers to get behind the hospice, to help keep all beds open around the clock to babies and children from across the Midlands.

He said: “When we saw the plight of Zoë’s Place before Christmas – that it would have to close beds and add poorly children and their families to a waiting list due to a lack of funding - we knew then that as a Society we needed to do what we could to help keep as many beds open for as much as possible, if not round the clock.

“We are delighted to support the hospice over the coming year. We have long held an association with the charity since before it first opened its doors in 2011 when we handed £1,000 to the building of the hospice and a further £2,000 towards the parents’ Starlight Room bereavement suite. There have been other donations since.”

Muna Chauhan, Corporate Manager of Zoë’s Place, said: “It is fantastic news that the Heart

Ali Kurji, Chief Executive of the Heart of England Co-operative Society, with Lady Daventry, Patron of Zoë’s

of England Co-operative Society is partnering with us in 2018. The amount of awareness it will generate in all the Food stores is fantastic and the partnership with the Funerals Division is so important as we are providing end of life care for more and more of our families.

“The partnership with the Society as a whole is tremendous for Zoë’s Place – it will help us get our name out there, enable us to reach out to more people and to spread the word about the work of Zoë’s Place and the services we offer.”

New partnership for the Conference, Event and Corporate Travel Market In the International Women’s Day Centenary Year, long term industry colleagues have joined forces to pursue hotel and venue representation.

Signature Sales Support & Representation founder Kathryn Clarke has partnered with industry colleague Jan Denning to launch the new service.

The service is for venues wanting to increase their meeting,

incentive, conference and event occupancy and revenue through proactive sales activity, creating awareness and generating new business enquiries from event buyers.

Kathryn said: “We are excited about delivering this new service together as our combined industry experience ensures our strategies are proven and our individual qualities complement each other.

Jan has a proven commercial

background to assist the next stage in the business growth.

“In a changing climate where the hospitality industry struggles to retain and recruit experienced professionals and are ever looking to cost save, we offer an outsourced sales solution to deliver a comprehensive package of benefits”.

Jan said: “I’m really looking forward to dedicating my time

and efforts to sales, which is often a challenge when operationally involved in a venue. Our valued relationships with agency and corporate bookers is key to our success, introducing great venues, and keeping them up to date with news, offers, events and competitions.

“We are keen to build on an already extensive database and are always looking to make new connections.”

Small businesses spend 12 days a year removing unplanned waste

Leading national recycling and waste management provider Biffa has revealed that more than a third of SMEs in the Midlands are wasting up to 12 days a year removing unexpected waste items from their premises.

Whether it’s broken furniture, unwanted items or redundant fixtures, there are times when all SMEs are tasked with removing bulky, infrequent waste items.

With each unscheduled incident

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taking up to eight working hours on average to handle for 38 per cent of Midlands based businesses, companies are missing out on vital working time and inhibiting economic growth and productivity.

The results mean that, for a business dealing with emergency waste on an average monthly basis, over a third are likely to lose up to 96 working hours a year – the equivalent of 12 working days – dealing with the problem.

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This time can easily result in business losses of thousands of pounds per annum, says Biffa.

As businesses might not have enough waste or space to warrant hiring a skip, there can often be a build-up of items on premises, reducing productivity and increasing the risk of accidents in the workplace.

To tackle this issue, Biffa has launched the new 321 Gone service under the OneCall family offering following customer feedback asking the firm to deal with smaller quantities of unplanned waste quickly and responsibly.

The new service allows small waste items to be collected,

separated, and disposed of, with all recyclable elements being put to better use - a reassurance to retailers that they are doing their part to positively impact the environment.

Jeff Anderson, managing director of Biffa’s Industrial and Commercial division, said: “Retailers often have a clear strategy for maintaining daily waste, but one-off items that need to be removed can be more difficult. While skips may be a suitable solution for many types of refurbishment work, it’s the less frequent, bulky items that are too small to warrant the cost of a skip that can be more time consuming and therefore require a more agile and flexible solution.”

Earlier this year HMRC issued a statement confirming that EU State aid approval for Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) schemes in the UK would expire on 6 April 2018.

The state aid approval essentially allowed UK companies to grant options over shares under EMI schemes with considerable tax advantages if certain criteria were met. These included the potential to exercise options tax-free (provided they were granted at market value).

In addition, EMI shareholders would usually be eligible for Entrepreneurs’ Relief on sale of the shares, resulting in a capital gains tax rate of only 10% on the gain over the exercise price.

The removal of EU state aid approval meant that EMI options lost their tax advantages making such schemes less attractive than they were before.

However in May the European Commission confirmed that it has reissued the state aid approval for EMI schemes. We welcome this move which ends a period of uncertainty for companies throughout the UK. The grant of EMI options will now benefit from the same tax benefits as before, making them once again a highly tax efficient way for owner managed businesses to reward, incentivise and retain key staff.

If you have any queries about EMI schemes please contact Paul Spencer or David Thomas on 02476 257481 or ps@sgduk.com / dt@sgduk.com.

For more information please visit our website www.sgduk.com

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Events

FRIDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2018 RICOH ARENA, COVENTRY

The biggest and best Business Expo in Coventry & Warwickshire will be returning to the Ricoh Arena this autumn and see the launch of the Chamber’s new Go For Growth – Trade Local campaign.

Following on from a hugely successful event in March 2018, the Chamber of Commerce will deliver #CWROCKS Business Expo at the Ricoh Arena on Friday, September 28th, 2018. The Business Expo will see CityFibre take the headline sponsor slot, launching their Fibre to the Home (FTTH) project.

Over 600 businesspeople attended the March event and hundreds of visitors are once again expected to attend the event, with the expo providing a platform to showcase businesses from across the region.

The new campaign will see the Chamber of Commerce encouraging businesses of all sizes and sector to

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look to procure goods and services from within the local area – leading to increased economic growth, stronger local trading relationships and more tender opportunities for businesses in the area.

The tagline for the event is ‘Discover, Learn and Engage’, with a range of new features, introduced at the March event, set to take place again.

September’s event will once again feature the ‘Learning Lab’, with a line-up of high-profile seminars providing business insight and knowledge around the challenges affecting business regionally, nationally and around the world.

Chris Nagle, Events and Marketing Manager at the Chamber, said: “Following on from the huge success of our March Expo, we are looking to make this one event bigger and better in September. The launch of our Go For Growth – Trade Local campaign will see this event shining a spotlight on the diverse range of businesses who call our region home.

“We are delighted to have CityFibre on board as our Headline Sponsor and look forward to support them in launching their FTTH project – adding vital infrastructure to prepare our region for the future.

Business leaders and decision makers will also be brought together at the event – as part of a VIP Breakfast Briefing.

“The Chamber is looking forward to supporting our business community and creating vital opportunities to do business and continue to grow our economy.”

Stands have already been snapped up with over 100 businesses expected to exhibit at the event, highlighting the range of services and products available in the local area.

If you are interested in exhibiting, sponsoring and visiting #CWROCKS Business Expo, please head to www.cwexpo.co.uk or call 024 7665 4321

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Events

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Inspirational leaders

Hazel Pilling, of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce; Joanna Reid, of Belgrade Theatre; Sally Dhillon, of Career-Mums Partnership; Emma Woodward, of Aspire Style; Janine Devaney, of Austin Heath; Sam Yair, of Aspire Style; and Zoe Sweeney, of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Encouraging women to step up as leaders and supporting parents when they return to work after a career break were key topics at an inspirational business networking event.

Sally Dhillon, co-founder of CareerMums Partnership, was a guest speaker at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Women in Business event held at the Crowne Plaza in Stratford-upon-Avon.

She spoke about starting out as a HR professional before setting up the company with neighbour Nishi Mehta after they both took a career break to look after their young children and wanted to use their shared experiences to help others return to work. They now

use their experiences to run workshops and coaching sessions to help parents find employment that works for them.

They have also since developed sister company CMtalent, offering a range of services to employers focused on attracting, retaining and developing more women leaders.

Sally said: “Motherhood can have such an impact on career development.

Statistics from just last year show that four in five women say they experience discrimination whilst pregnant or on maternity leave.

“Having a child or a career break shouldn’t affect your career, and we are now trying to create a level playing field.

“We are also helping local businesses attract and retain female staff, developing gender diverse teams as studies show that businesses that have diverse teams outperform those that don’t.

“We want to help people re-write the rule books and help get rid of the so-called maternity penalty.”

The event was sponsored by Austin Heath retirement village, based in Warwick, which is run by Inspired Villages.

Other guest speakers included Sam Yair and Emma Woodward, directors of Aspire Style Ltd – a small chain of independent lifestyle boutiques, who took to the stage to speak about how they have grown their business from just one shop to five shops and a successful website.

Joanna Reid, Executive Director of the Belgrade Theatre, also gave an insight into the workings of the theatre, its economic impact on the area and the opportunities that Coventry winning the title of UK City of Culture 2021 will bring to the region.

Hazel Pilling, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We would like to thank all of our guest speakers for their very inspirational presentations.

“They each gave an insight into their personal stories and how they have grown their businesses, and it was also very interesting to hear about the exciting opportunities that Coventry being UK City of Culture 2021 will bring and the predicted economic benefits for the area.

“The event was thoroughly enjoyed by our delegates, and we would like to thank our sponsors Austin Heath and Inspired Warwick for helping to make it such a success.”

Inheritance Tax Planning and the Family Home Every person can pass on £325,000 before paying inheritance tax, which is 40% on anything above this amount.

This is called the inheritance tax 'nil rate band'.

This ‘nil rate band’ is transferable so you can inherit any unused allowance from your husband or wife. This means that married couples have a joint ‘nil rate band’ of £650,000.

Most people's estate includes a property.

As property prices have been rising rapidly over the past few years, the Government is giving people an extra allowance to prevent more people falling into the inheritance tax trap.

Crucially, you only qualify for this new allowance if your estate includes a property that you have used as a home at some point in your life. There is also the requirement for the residence to be passed on death to a direct descendant such as a child or grandchild. This is usually specified by the individual’s Will. This allowance is being phased in. This additional allowance is referred to as the ‘residence nil rate band.’ Since April 2018, the allowance for an individual is £125,000.

Your spouse has the same allowance, effectively doubling what can be passed on to £250,000.

Two members of the chamber have recently discovered the genuine value of networking.

Each year, this ‘residence nil rate band’ increases by £25,000 until April 2020, when the allowance reaches £175,000. This means an individual may be able to benefit from an aggregate nil rate band of £500,000 before inheritance tax becomes payable. As married couples can inherit any unused allowance from their spouse, a potential £1m can be available.

Career Mums, run by Sally Dhillon and Nishi Mehta, is focused on harnessing the untapped talent amongst mothers returning to work. Whilst corporate members Glued, run by Rob Harrison and David Wilson, specialise in articulating organizational pride in brand to boost performance and sales.

The ‘residence nil rate band’ applies to only one home. It must be included in your estate (i.e. it's something that you are passing on) and you need to have lived in it at some stage in your life. The good news is that you do not have to have lived in or owned the property for a minimum time - it can be any property you've lived in at some point.

Although they initially met networking outside of the chamber, it was through chamber events that they consolidated their understanding and trust in each other.

If you have a larger estate, the main residence nil rate band, and therefore the amount you can pass on free of inheritance tax, reduces gradually. This is called a 'taper'. For every £2 that your estate is over £2m, the ‘residence nil rate band’ is reduced by £1. So, if your estate is worth £2.25m in the 2018/19 tax year, you will lose the entire ‘residence nil rate band.’

Chamber networks work

So when Sally and Nishi recognised an angle on their business that didn’t fit neatly into the Career Mums envelope they struck up a conversation with Glued to see how this new angle might be handled in marketing. The new proposition was not confined to returning mothers and concerned the use of an open attitude to diversity as a way of maximizing the talent within teams as well as providing more choice when seeking new talent. www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Sally Dhillon with Rob Harrison

By taking a collaborative approach Career Mums and Glued devised a new product brand in the form of CM Talent.

Career Mums selected from a diverse array of options for the design of the CM Talent logo. Glued also created the look, feel and artwork for the brochure to

support marketing for the new service.

Glued were delighted when during a presentation at a recent Chamber Women in Business event Glued to be mentioned by Sally Dhillon in connection with the brand and literature.

How will it affect your family?

If you would like to discuss how to take advantage of these and other inheritance tax reliefs and exemptions, please contact Brian King, Tax Partner, on 02476 221 046 or brian.king@dafferns.com.

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Profiles

Getting the best of both worlds “There is such a buzz in the region at the moment – and that’s not just down to City of Culture; it’s lots of factors coming together. There is so much development taking place and so many events happening that Coventry and Warwickshire feels like a really good place to be and a great place from which to do business.”

“Coventry and Warwickshire can benefit from us – and we can benefit from being here,” says Ian McKinney, of Gallagher – the global insurance broker, risk management services and consultancy firm.

The company, which was founded in 1927 and celebrates its 30th anniversary in the area later this year, has more than 4,500 employees in the UK – including an office in Coventry to serve businesses of all sizes and sectors across the region.

While Gallagher is well-known as a general insurance broker it can offer a much broader suite of

services such as risk management consultancy, trade credit protection, workplace pensions, wealth management and employee benefits schemes.

The company also has a number of industry specialisms housed within its Coventry branch – including in IT & Tech and Life Sciences– but has clients across a wide range of sectors including SMEs and corporates.

“There are some great independent insurance companies out there,” said Ian, “But, without wishing to blow our own trumpet, we offer a lot

more to our clients as a community broker with global capabilities.

“They can benefit from local, personal service but as part of a large, multi-national corporation.

They get the best of both worlds and a variety of services that, in all honesty, I believe only we can offer.

“Our local team has grown over the past 12 months and now we are working hard to raise our profile and get the message out there about how working with Gallagher can benefit your business.”

Part of that profile raising is Corporate Membership of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce because it is seen as a great way of linking with other businesses in the region.

“The Chamber is very active and very pro-active,” added Ian. “It puts people together and we see developing this relationship as very important to the growth of the business over the coming years.”

Just like the Chamber, Gallagher was a backer of

Coventry’s bid to be named UK City of Culture in 2021 and believes landing the title presents further opportunities for its own development – as well as the region.

Ian said: “Over the next two to three years we want to grow and increase the spread of our clients across the region as we build up to 2021.

“There is such a buzz in the region at the moment – and that’s not just down to City of Culture; it’s lots of factors coming together.

For more information on Gallagher, visit https://www.ajginternational.com/ or call 02476 232 619

Smooth transition as new name Glides into business fibre market WarwickNet, which has helped to connect companies across the region to superfast broadband over many years, has been rebranded and is now part of newly named Glide group as Glide Business.

The newly named Glide group consists of three key areas – Glide Residential, Glide Student and Glide Business – which combined together turned over £50 million annually. The company is forecasting growth of 30 per cent year on year.

Ben King, CEO of Glide Business and CTO for Glide, told business clients: “Glide Business is the business connectivity specialist. We enable companies to do more, give them the competitive advantage by delivering our own ultra-fast, reliable and assured broadband to drive your business forward.

“Too many businesses are held back by slow, unreliable internet. Think of how much more you could be doing with reliable, super-fast broadband. From communicating better with customers,

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driving cost efficiencies, fulfilling more orders, streamlining your day to day operations, and staying connected to staff across different sites and locations, exceptional internet is business-critical.

“The good news is you don’t have to wait any longer. Glide Business is expanding our market-leading businessgrade internet to companies like yours in more areas and postcodes around the country.

“High-speed internet is only as good as the network it relies on. That’s why Glide Business deploys its own physical infrastructure. To do so, we build our own green roadside cabinets, connecting customers to our own high performance core fibre network across the country.

The result? We supply hard-to-reach sites left behind by most Internet Service Providers.

“We are a proud part of Glide, a group that provides complete connectivity, utilities and communications services for the business, student and Build-To-Rent sectors.

“Making life better and simpler for our customers is always what’s driven us.

As one group, we’re stronger together.

We are trusted partners for businesses all over the country.

The new website went live in June and is now available at https://glidebusiness.co.uk/

“Too many businesses are held back by slow, unreliable internet. Think of how much more you could be doing with reliable, super-fast broadband. From communicating better with customers, driving cost efficiencies, fulfilling more orders, streamlining your day to day operations, and staying connected to staff across different sites and locations, exceptional internet is business-critical.“

“We offer specialist, fibre broadband, full-fibre and guaranteed connectivity and voice solutions to businesses of all sizes. Every Glide Business service is specially built for businesses to support your growth, helping you do more with your time, your life and your work.

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Corporate Profiles

Village offers solution as research reveals that 39% homeowners aged 55 and over are considering moving to a smaller home Legal & General, Inspired Villages Group investor, has announced findings from latest research conducted by the economics consultancy Cebr that show that Last Time Buyers now own £938bn of UK housing stock and will reach the £1 trillion mark this year.

The research states that there are now 3.1 million Last Time Buyer households in the UK, with the number of homeowners who have considered downsizing rising from 32% to 39% in the past three years, demonstrating the demand for better later living options for homeowners aged 55 and over.

Last Time Buyers make up over a quarter (26%) of all UK households over the age of 55.

The UK has a chronic undersupply of age-specific properties, with only 7,000 homes delivered to this sector last year, making it the most under-supplied area of the housing market.

Legal & General’s research shows that of the Last Time Buyers who had considered downsizing in the last five years but didn’t, 49% said it was because there were no suitable properties available, with a further 29% stating that the properties that were suitable were too expensive.

Among solutions to the problem is Austin Heath Village, based just outside Warwick, which is owned by Inspired Villages Group and comprises one and two bedroom apartments, with a total of 167 homes available upon completion of all three phases.

Each apartment is designed with the modern rightsizer in mind and finished to the highest standard, with spacious rooms, stylish fixtures and fittings and the option of on-site care as and when it is needed.

The hub of the village will be set around the village square with landscaped gardens, restaurant, wellness spa, library, deli, social activities. All residents have access to social activities, as well as bespoke home-care services that offer residents a hotel-style standard of service as well as peace of mind should their care needs change in the future.

Phil Bayliss, Head of Later Living at Legal & General, said: “Last Time Buyers account for more than a quarter of the total number of households aged 55 and over.

“This report highlights the crucial role they could play in unlocking the wider UK housing market, further demonstrating the need for Government to recognise this sector through key policy changes.

“If rightsizers were able to move to a property more aligned to their desired lifestyle and needs, vast swathes of homes would be freed up for growing families and second steppers.

“This, when matched by the huge health benefits proven to come from age appropriate housing, such as a 50% reduction in GP visits and 40% reduction in NHS spend, means that increasing the number of properties available to these buyers is the most efficient way to help solve the UK’s housing crisis and spiralling NHS costs linked to our ageing population.”

“Each apartment is designed with the modern rightsizer in mind and finished to the highest standard, with spacious rooms, stylish fixtures and fittings and the option of on-site care as and when it is needed. The hub of the village will be set around the village square with landscaped gardens, restaurant, wellness spa, library, deli, social activities.”

Blazing a recruitment trail “Where other agencies fail, Ethero blaze a trail,” says Gareth Hughes, of Ethero Ltd. The company is officially the UK’s sixth fastest growing recruitment business and the fastest growing multisector agency in Great Britain according to the Recruiter Magazine in February 2018.

It has seen 48 per cent compound, year-on-year growth over the last three years as it aims to impress clients on multiple levels.

“We offer speed of service, quality of candidates, professionalism of our staff, technology application, service Innovation, ethical practices, competitive rates and being easy to work with,” said Gareth.

Ethero has four locations across the West Midlands including in Coventry, Telford, Burton-on-Trent and Stoke-on-Trent.

All branches cover both permanent and temporary placement, supporting production and manufacturing, engineering, warehouse and logistics, commercial, food processing and driving sectors.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

The company supplies to more than 300 clients throughout the Midlands and beyond and, in peak periods, it payrolls well over 1,000 temporary workers and contractors weekly.

The Coventry office is now three years old and has established itself as a standalone success story in the area.

Now turning over in excess of £3million and placing hundreds of staff into both temporary and permanent roles in Coventry, Rugby and the surrounding areas weekly, the team has proven time and again that they are ready for whatever challenges come their way.

Ethero engages with the best technology available to recruiters today and constantly looks to improve candidate attraction, engagement and processing methods to ensure that it is always on the front foot for customers.

“We treat people as we would like to be treated and we make sure that our communications with both clients and candidates is of the highest quality,” said Gareth.

“One of our key aims is to be easy to work with. We don’t dress things up and we don’t over complicate issues. It’s how we ensure our service is fast and effective. What’s more is we don’t hide and, if there’s a problem, we fix it. It’s pretty simple really.”

He added: “We haven’t forgotten our core values of being ethical, tenacious, helpful, entrepreneurial, responsible, and organised.”

Ethero has been an ISO 9001 registered business for eight years as well as holding the same, original and unblemished GLAA license it has always had.

It has successfully been through more than 100 internal and external audits in the last eight years.

The company also invests heavily in its staff and trade groups and bodies to guarantee that it is always up to date with the most modern training methods and legislation.

Ethero has been an Investor in People since 2012 and is a proud member of the Recruitment Employment Confederation,

The Road Haulage association and Corporate Members of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

“We work in many different ways for clients but we always aim to properly understand our customers’ needs and then work in partnership to get the best results for everyone involved,” said Gareth.

“We offer a cost effective, consultative process with trained and skilled consultants and managers to offer an excellent all round service.”

For more information, call Richard Evans on 024 7663 2272 or email richard.evans@ethero.co.uk

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Corporate Profiles

Godiva invests in people to build a platform for success

After more than 20 years in the scaffolding industry, Colin Taylor has created an engineering-led access and scaffolding specialist based in Canley, Coventry.

Godiva designs and erects complex temporary structures that are helping to construct the tallest building being built in Coventry and upgrade facilities for Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Warwick.

Godiva is proud of its Coventry roots and is an official Coventry 2021 UK City of Culture supporter.

Colin is a proud Coventrian and Godiva’s managing director. He sees people as the most important Godiva asset.

“We’ve put in place a plan to help all our staff and operatives learn new skills to build a strong and successful team driven by safety and quality,” he said.

“Ensuring that all employees are fully trained protects safety and improves productivity. Our total safety culture is a huge part of our business. Last year, we recorded 47,000 man-hours accident free.

We’ve already doubled that this year.

“Earlier this year, we joined The 5% Club to provide a catalyst for our apprentice and graduate recruits. By the end of 2018, more than 10% of our workforce will include graduate trainees and apprentices so we can satisfy our growing demand for skills by growing our own resources.”

Joining Colin in Godiva’s senior management team is Karl Degroot, a seasoned engineer with a strong technical background and an impressive CV which includes railway, high rise and London Olympic experience.

Karl agrees about the emphasis on building a strong pool of talented engineers and scaffolders, and how having third party endorsement of Godiva is very important to demonstrate competence and compliance.

He said: “Independent auditing demonstrates that our systems and work procedures are of the highest industry standard.

“We are an Audited Scaffolding Association Member; a Gold Constructionline contractor; a RISQS audited contractor (Railway Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme); accredited to CHAS (the Contractors Health and Safety

Assessment Scheme); and an accredited SSIP Safe Contractor.”

Godiva prides itself on innovative engineering of temporary works structures.

The company’s engineers are able to devise solutions that improve safety and contribute to on-site productivity improvements.

Outlining how a recent project at the Grace Academy in Solihull has demonstrated this approach, Karl said: “ We were appointed to design and install a temporary roof to provide weatherproof cover for the installation of a new tensile fabric roof structure at the Academy.

“Our strategy minimised on-site installation and erection time. An innovative seam clip was also developed to tie the temporary roof of the main building and minimise the potential impact of wind on both worker safety and the installation programme.”

“We’re definitely on target to be the best in our sector,” concluded Colin.

Godiva is also on target to deliver sales of more than £3.6 million in 2018 and is expanding, with new offices already set up in Manchester and Leeds this year.

Business by Technology “We manage all of the more laborious tasks so you only have to worry about pressing print.

“We already have long standing relationships within the Coventry area with businesses such as Unipart, Optilan, Coventry Sports Foundation and Shakespere Birthplace Trust to name just a few.

“One of the key elements of BBT’s success has been partnering with industry leading technology manufacturers and suppliers, so we are always ahead of the curve to better serve you, our customer.”

As the print industry has evolved, a Coventry company has grown with it.

BBT Group, an award-winning local business, started 23 years ago with two telephones and one desk – now it employs more than 70 staff and is turning over £13 million.

That growth has come through offering best in class hardware while it also offers managed print services and exceptional customer service. The company’s expetise is not only in the printers it sells and the software it offers, its pedigree and experience of 23 years enables BBT to offer businesses a singular and bespoke solution.

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“In short, we transform the way people work and communicate,” said founder Phil Runciman.

“BBT deliver a broad portfolio of services and technologies that empower digital workplaces, providing you with the ability to collaborate anytime and anywhere with real-time exchanges of ideas, giving you time to innovate, grow and work smarter.”

The company has a fully trained engineering team and a dedicated service team who collectively boast over 260 years of continuing customer care.

“Unbeatable? We think so,” added Phil.

Phil added: “New technology will play a part, but we feel our commitment to partnering with you and our passion for printing will be essential elements that will continue to pave the road for success.

“Over the years we’ve seen many good things happen because of print, now we want to be a part of making good things happen for your business.

From our offices in Coventry, Manchester and East Anglia the company delivers world-beating digital printing services to businesses large and small, right across the UK.

“BBT joined the Chamber as we are a prominent business situated within Coventry, we believe that there are some opportunities for us to support local economy in the near future and we hope to gain reciprocal business from other members.

BBT is proud of its record as Konica Minolta’s number one reseller, supplying hundreds of offices with Konica Minolta MFDs.

“We firmly believe that Coventry has huge ongoing potential and want to be an active part of that growth.

Through the company’s advancement and expansion plans, BBT merged with EBS Copiers in 2017, doubling the staff headcount and the client base overnight.

“BBT will continue not only to grow organically but through acquisition as we have no desire to slow down. We will continue to grow with the climate around us - our roots are and always will be firmly in Coventry – the UK City of Culture 2021.”

Kevin Francis (former owner of EBS) and Phil Runciman have been friends for many years and both could see the mutual benefit in merging. Both are still heavily involved with the business and its evolution.

For more information on BBT go to: http://www.bbt-direct.com/

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

News

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Evesham College launches new engineering centre A new engineering centre has launched in Evesham to tackle a shortage of engineering skills in the area.

The specialist faculty at Evesham College is a joint venture by the college and the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and will provide a real life engineering environment for trainees. The project represents a joint investment of over £430,000. Facilities include a metrology

and mechanical science laboratory, a fully equipped CAD suite including 3D printer, as well as a refurbished workshop area including CNC units, bench fitting, turning and milling machinery.

The centre will offer a variety of new engineering courses from September 2018 and will focus on training mechanical engineers at levels 1, 2 and 3. The college is also working with the University of Gloucestershire to develop full degree level provision that supports the engineering knowledge and skills required for the local economy.

The centre was officially launched by Chris White, President of WCG and

Garry Woodman, Chief Executive of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Angela Joyce, WCG Group Principal and Chief Executive, said: “Nationally, the UK needs one million additional engineers by 2020 and Worcestershire requires its own highly skilled individuals if it is to realise its growth potential.

“Our specially-equipped facility at Evesham College provides a real-world engineering environment and students will get the opportunity to work alongside highly experienced tutors and in a variety of workplace situations. This will enable them to gain an understanding of the skills they’ll need to succeed in engineering.”

Stratford Butterfly Farm awarded the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame Certificate of Excellence The Stratford Butterfly Farm has been awarded the prestigious TripAdvisor Hall of Fame Certificate of Excellence 2018.

Awarded by TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, the accolade honours hospitality excellence and is only given to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews for five consecutive years. Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager at the Stratford Butterfly Farm, said:

“We are extremely proud and delighted to have been awarded the special TripAdvisor Hall of Fame Certificate of Excellence and achieving this accolade for the fifth year in a row.

“We would like to thank all of our visitors that have taken the time to complete a review.

This accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and we look forward to a fantastic summer season!”

Moreton Morrell student crowned UK’s top florist A student from Moreton Morrell College has been named the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year.

Are you in control of your KVA? As of April 2018 you can be charged up to four times the amount if you exceed you available capacity.

Ofgem has now introduced a measure called DCP 161 that ensures that all HH settled Meters that exceed their available capacity pay significantly more.

This change will ensure that the additional costs that DNOs (Distribution Network Operators) can incur when customers exceed their available capacity levels, are recovered.

Utility Team have this in hand, if we hold a valid letter of authority we are currently requesting your HH data to check if you have gone over your agreed capacity over the past 12 months.

If you have gone over we will have a conversation with you about increasing your KVA to a suitable level that ensures you do not face penalty charges. We will help you with the application process to the Distribution Networkto increase your KVA. Act Now, these penalties are nonnegotiable and will be passed through on your electricity invoices.

If you have a HH supply please contact us immediately to check if we have a valid letter of authority on file, we will advise you of the best way forwards.

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Rebecca Hough, a Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry student achieved the top spot after creating a floral throne fit for a spring wedding at the world-famous garden show.

The competition, run by the Royal Horticultural Society in association with the British Florist Association is designed to showcase the very best floristry talent within the UK. Rebecca, who works as a lecturer in Floristry, said: “I'm delighted to win. To be honest, it doesn't feel real, but when I think about it, it's amazing! It's something that I never thought I would achieve, so to have done it so soon in my career - it's astonishing!

I'm just so proud of my throne. It turned out exactly how I imagined, and all the hours of hard work have been worth it.”

Also in the running was Dean Sharpe, a Level 3 Diploma in Floristry student who was awarded a bronze medal for his floral creation.

To see hundreds of spectacular butterflies, insects, reptiles and spiders visit the Butterfly Farm from 10am to 6:00pm, last entry 5.30pm. Open every day of the week except Christmas Day. For more information including admission prices and group rates, please visit the website at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk or telephone on 01789 299288.

Dean said: “I’m over the moon to have won a bronze medal at my first ever Chelsea Flower Show. I was told that I was only one mark off a silver medal which is amazing! I’m so happy with my throne, and the comments from people at Chelsea where fantastic.

I am now looking forward to working on my designs for the 2019 Chelsea heats.”

Floristry Course Manager, Jane Benefield, said: “I am delighted at Rebecca and Dean’s success. To have two students competing at Chelsea is wonderful for Moreton Morrell College. It is a privilege to take part and to win a medal is an outstanding achievement, and an experience I’m sure neither of them will forget.

“They have both worked around the clock for many weeks and this commitment and drive has certainly paid off. Moreton Morrell floristry department is very proud to have been part of their journey and we are looking forward to seeing more students joining them as they gain experience and knowledge of the competitive floristry world.”

Seeing the world from a rider’s perspective ALM Translations were delighted when they were approached by Triumph Motorcycles to provide interpreting services on the move – literally, as they had international dealers from Spain and Italy officially test-riding Triumph motorcycles over a two-day event in Barcelona.

Triumph Motorcycles required interpreters to accompany a team of Spanish dealers on day one of the event and Italian dealers on day two. The riders rode their Triumph

motorbikes in convoy to several locations, where the dealers would stop to take breaks and discuss the bikes they were test-riding.

ALM Translations was able to provide multilingual interpreting services by using an interpreter fluent in English, Spanish and Italian to accompany the riders as they headed for various locations throughout the days.

This meant that only one interpreter was required over both days, rather than employing the services of two separate interpreters.

The Changing Face of Retail

Due to the changing nature of the way we shop currently, around 600 retail and restaurant brands have closed on our high street in this year alone.

There is a realisation that many retail salespeople are migrating into the business-to-business sales arena. One of the concerns with this change is the ethics and performance of these salespeople in the transition from retail to an office or field based salesforce, bringing with it a guardedness to the marketplace.

The main differences to bear in mind with people from a retail background is that their sales methods are generally directed at individuals, creating a fairly short cycle of opening a sale to payment with only one person in the decision making process. When someone enters a retail outlet their need is generally immediate and has to be dealt with quickly and efficiently in order to secure a sale. In the business world products and services are going from one business to another meaning a longer lifespan from point of sale to deal closure, with business relationships being built and developed along the way. More research about your customer requirements will have to be undertaken, involving more consultation with your buyer and advising ways your product will improve their business to ensure a happier customer/client.

So, if you are considering hiring someone from retail sales into the business-to-business world bear in mind that their mindset will have to be attuned to their new business environment to make them think more about long term relationships. If you want to know if they can make the move before you hire them, then the use of specific profiling assessments is a must. It could be the difference between a good and a bad hire.

••• Written by Neil Liddell, CEO of Sandler Training Central, providers of Sales, Leadership and Management Training.

Helping businesses overcome issues such as the above.

Contact Neil for more details.

T: 0845 0573563 M: 07547 227442

nliddell@sandler.com www.central.sandler.com •••

13

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training

Funding helps Warwickshire engineering business Karen Devany, Jan Ryan, Georgia Gaga and Deborah Austin are shown with the City of Coventry Freemen’s Guild Awards.

Coventry apprentice wins award Georgia, an apprentice from Dafferns LLP, Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers has seen her career flourish after winning the Coventry Freeman’s Guild Apprentice of the Year Award 2017, whilst undertaking her AAT training with Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training.

Commenting on her award, Georgia Gaga said: “In 2015, I applied for an apprenticeship with Dafferns as I wanted to learn my chosen career within an accountancy workplace environment rather than purely classroombased learning. Having been encouraged

by Dafferns to complete my A levels and join a year later I was able to fast track to AAT level 3 due to my A level grades, which saved valuable time.

“Since winning the award last year, my confidence has grown and my ambition of becoming a fully qualified Chartered Accountant now seems more achievable.

I have also been able to take on a leadership role within Dafferns that enables me to support other apprentices at our firm.

The skills I have learnt throughout my apprenticeship are also being applied to voluntary roles such as my position as Treasurer to the scouts and chief leader for a local cubs group.

A Warwickshire market leading manufacturer and family run engineering business has turned to Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training for support and advice on how to optimise skills and productivity across its workforce.

With over 40 years’ experience within the manufacturing industry of producing foam conversions, rubber extrusions and gaskets, SJG International is a family run business with 2nd generation leaders, Robert James and Lucy Simpson.

Based in a large manufacturing unit in Alcester, Warwickshire the team is just as passionate about the business moving forward to reach its potential as when it was first set up.

Justin Conner, Production Manager at SJG International, commented: “There have been a number of key factors affecting our business. It’s an industry wide issue that lead times on sourcing of raw materials is taking much longer therefore we are stock piling some of our popular products in order to maintain delivery lead times and ultimately our customer service levels. This has led to a greater awareness of forecasting and planning along with the ability to manage orders more effectively.

“Our strategic planning included the introduction of some key staff members which has led to a greater flow of communication and information at all levels within the business including a closer awareness of all sections of the business and how they all inter-relate to each other. There is also a greater

Support from the senior management team for the team leaders/supervisors who are enrolled onto ILM L2 Award.

understanding of the need to optimise processes.

“We turned to C&W Chamber Training for support in identifying skills gaps within our business which lead to qualifications.

We were able to access ESF funding through Skills 4 Growth with C&W Training in order to help support and improve team skills. We enrolled three team members on the ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills with an additional two people booked on future dates. Guided by Natalie Lane, our account manager we were able to start making more solid plans for the future of our team and business.”

The ILM level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills is designed for team leaders

Dafferns LLP has been providing accountancy, taxation and business advisory services to businesses and individuals since 1896. The firm has over 40 staff based at their main offices in Coventry.

14

To find out more about the ILM qualifications and if your company is eligible for Skills 4 Growth ESF funding, please contact C&W Chamber Training’s Business Development Team on 024 7623 1122 or enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk

Local hospital builds strong alliance with Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training

“Working alongside Karen Devany and her team at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training has given me invaluable support which has helped me to develop a structured career path. Winning the award has also opened doors for me as I have received an invitation to the VIP Day for HMS Diamond, which I’m absolutely delighted about.”

Commenting on Georgia’s success, Deborah Austin, Senior Manager at Dafferns said: “Over the past seven years we have been working in partnership with C&W Chamber Training and we continue to recognise and appreciate the value of apprenticeships. Georgia is an inspiration to all of our trainees and we look forward to her continued development. We are looking forward to working with the team at C&W Chamber Training as they deliver the AAT qualification under the new national apprenticeship scheme and seeing the impact this has on our apprentices at Dafferns.”

and supervisors to develop management skills, enhance team performance and explore leadership styles. It offered the supervisors at SJG International some common ground and a frame of reference as well as increased confidence in their own abilities. There has been an increased awareness that SJG International is investing in personnel and communication has improved.

Lauren Grantham, Molly Tallis, Ellie McCann, Melloney Clarke, Adele Linekar, Rachel Mosey.

A North Warwickshire hospital is reaping the benefits after partnering with Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training to deliver its Administration Apprentice Programme.

George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton built an alliance with C&W Chamber Training because of their strong reputation in providing apprenticeship opportunities across the region. Since the partnership began the hospital has been able to offer 16 places for Business Administration apprenticeships within the organisation, and a potential to offer a further nine

places. They have also given existing members of staff the opportunity to upskill with a level 3 apprenticeship in Business Administration.

Working with C&W Chamber Training has given the hospital a number of benefits which in turn has helped them recruit more staff. They have a dedicated Business Manager, Christine Giles, who works closely with Sarah Newton; the Hospital Apprentice & Work Experience Manager to ensure the hospital has the support and guidance required throughout the whole apprenticeship programme. All of the taught sessions are delivered on site at the

hospital’s state-of-the-art GETEC facility, including the essential functional skills element covering maths, English and ITC. Sue Wakeman, Director of Human Resources, said: “George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust is delighted to be working in partnership with C&W Chamber Training to deliver our Business Administration Apprenticeships. They are one of the largest providers of apprenticeships within the region and their aim is to equip individuals with the skills our workforce need to support business growth, to upskill our workforce and generate new and innovative ideas to support our corporate objectives.

“C&W Chamber Training has been involved in the recruitment of a number of Apprentices to both the Level 2 and Level 3 business administration programmes, so are included at every stage of the Programme. Existing staff members are also in apprenticeships, which is increasing staff retention and raising morale.

“The return on investment for us will be that our workforce will have the skills knowledge and behaviour to be confident and competent in their roles and provide a robust service across the Trust.

Being able to offer a Level 3 administration apprenticeship to existing staff demonstrates they are being invested in and recognised for their contribution to the day to day running of the hospital,” Sue concluded.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Business Support

sponsored

Crafty and unique business

A woman whose life was turned upside down by illness is back on the up after launching a crafty and unique business.

Helen Woodhouse, 52, from Nuneaton, had took a holiday back in 2005 to enjoy a week in Turkey but things took a turn for the worst when she contracted a rare blood disorder caused by tick bites.

The condition left Helen unable to walk and she eventually had to leave her job in the civil service.

During her rehabilitation, she experimented with pyrography – the art of decorating wood – to make items she

could sell to raise funds for the Lakeland Trailhound Welfare charity. She continued this creative streak over the years and began attending craft fairs to sell her items, where she was recommended to contact the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to transform her hobby into a business.

active and creative by making items that could raise money for the welfare charity.

After taking her idea to the Chamber, Helen received help and support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme.

“Starting a business and understanding the legal side of things can be daunting but I have had one-to-one support along the way which has been very helpful.”

The programme, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and the District and Borough Councils, helped her get things off the ground, networking and attending business events in the region to learn more about what it takes to run a successful business.

The business is now up and running at Hoar Park Craft Village in Ansley with plans to launch an online store over the next 12 months.

“After a few years, when I got the confidence to get out and sell these items at craft fairs, people would discuss the start-up service offered by the Chamber of Commerce with me.

Helen said: “I feel part of the community again, I have regained my sense of value in myself and I think things are on the up.”

She says the move has ‘changed her life’ and helped rebuild her confidence as she now turns her focus on to her business The Crafty Dog Lady.

Rita Booth, Business Coach with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Helen has a unique talent and we believe she will go far with her decision to turn this into a business.

She said: “My life was turned upside down when I developed this condition.

I had to leave work because my mobility had become so impaired.

“We have been able to invite her to masterclass events, start-up workshops and offer one-to-one support so the transition is as smooth as possible.

“It was working with a Trailhound that helped me with my rehabilitation and got me to the level of walking with an aid, so I wanted to repay a charity that worked with them.

“We will continue to guide her in the near future for what is sure to be an exciting time.”

“I have always been interested in the craft of pyrography and I decided to keep myself

For more information or to book on to the Business Support programme, call the Chamber on 024 7665 4321 or log onto www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Turning a great idea into a successful business A new Warwickshire mother, who altered some of her favourite dresses to help enable her to breastfeed in style after the birth of her first child, has turned the idea into a business.

Sophie Titchmarsh and her husband, James, welcomed their daughter, Grace, into the world in March 2017, but 32-yearold Sophie soon found herself wanting to wear more stylish items than the traditional maternity dresses on the market, while still being able to feed her new baby easily.

What initially started out as an experiment has now transformed into a thriving start-up for the trained Costumier with the Royal Shakespeare Company, with her own company, Golden B, now getting set to release a new summer range after launching in March this year.

After taking her original idea to the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Sophie received help and support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme.

The programme, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and the District and Borough Councils, helped her in terms of website design, marketing advice and tips on how to develop her brand.

And with that help, Sophie, from Stratford-upon-Avon, has found a

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

niche in the market and took more than 30 orders from around the country on Golden B’s first day in business.

Sophie said: “When I first had Grace one of the many challenges I faced as a new mother was finding fashionable clothing suitable for breastfeeding. I was desperate to wear my pre-baby style dresses, but nothing I could find was breastfeeding friendly. All that was available on the market were maternity clothes, with nursing access.

“They are obviously designed to flatter a bump, so look completely wrong post birth.

“There are a lot of clothes out there for women to wear during their pregnancy, but nothing for them to nurse their baby in, once they’ve given birth.

“I wanted something different, and couldn’t see anything out there, so I decided to solve the problem.

“I started using my work skills to experiment on my own clothes and when I got talking to other mothers they told me what a great idea it was.

“The dream is for Golden B to be a major, international internet brand.”

Sophie added: “I was recommended by a friend to take my idea to the Chamber and the help they have given has been invaluable.

“They have helped me on so many levels, from giving me ideas about when to launch new lines and how to use feedback to create a better product through to advising

me on choosing the right stockists to enhance the Golden B brand.”

Tanya King, a business coach with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, has advised Sophie every step of the way so far.

She said: “I think Sophie has an excellent idea here, she really has tapped into a niche in a constantly expanding market and she has the perfect background to make it a huge success.

“We can often help someone take a great idea and turn it into a successful business and Sophie has worked with us to do this in the case of Golden B.” The Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme is funded by the European Regional Development Fund, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council and the District and Borough Councils.

To app or not to app – that is the question?

In an increasingly virtual world, business is still very much about relationships.

It almost doesn’t matter in what sector you operate, the personal relationships you have with clients are often the linchpin of your success.

It might seem slightly counter-intuitive therefore that we are strengthening those relationships through technology.

The professional services industry has had – rightly or wrongly – an historic image of being a little anchored in tradition and maybe not moving with the times.

However, as a firm we realise that business is often done on the move, at all hours of the day and night, and people want all their cloud services in one place. We certainly operate that way, and so do many of our clients.

The trajectory of doing business on line and remotely is only going one way and our industry has to reflect and meet the needs of clients.

For that reason, we launched a bespoke app for our clients to allow them to interface with Burgis and Bullock and the services we offer.

It is proving really successful and underlines just how technology is helping transform business practices.

Just from a smartphone or tablet, the app enables GPS tracking for mileage calculations, photo receipt imaging and document scanning.

It allows you to calculate the tax on certain company cars or check the amount of tax you might be paying. It gives you the power to check Stamp Duty costs or see how you might increase your profits as a business.

You can also browse the library of tax tables, giving you the very latest tax rates 24/7 from National Insurance and Inheritance Tax to Income Tax and Tax Credits.

It means that we can also push important news and updates to you, a service which is five times more effective than merely sending an email to a crowded in-box.

There are, of course, set things the accountancy profession has to provide in law and, as a firm, we always strive to ensure the very highest of standards and have a reputation for our levels of professionalism.

After that, it is vital that we make life as easy and efficient for our customers as we possibly can, and we reflect their needs and provide the very best advice.

Most people now have a smartphone – 88 per cent of people between the ages of 35 and 54 own one – and they really can make working life fit your needs. Give it a go!

Sean Farnell, Partner Contact us today or visit our website for more information.

Tel: 0845 177 5500 www.burgisbullock.com Offices in Leamington Spa, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Nuneaton, Leicester, London and Rugby.

15

Legal sponsored column

Law firm signs deal

Act now to protect your interests as a business partner Setting up a new business is an exciting time and the chances of falling out with your business partners could seem remote, but the pressures of running a business can take their toll and lead to damaging and timeconsuming disputes.

Putting a Shareholders’ Agreement in place at an early stage is an effective way of recording the details of the relationship between the shareholders and in so doing assisting in reducing the chances of a future dispute and, if there should be serious disagreement, how the matter will be handled.

A Shareholders’ Agreement will set out the rights and responsibilities of each shareholder, deal with the appointment of directors and the conduct of directors’ meetings, the introduction of new shareholders, restrictions on shareholders, the arrangements that will apply in the event that a shareholder wishes to leave the company or becomes incapacitated or dies, and the sale of shares whether voluntarily or compulsorily.

Any Shareholders’ Agreement needs to be thoroughly negotiated and professionally drafted to ensure clarity and to provide for the procedures to be followed for various matters, including disputes resolution.

A Shareholders’ Agreement is advisable in addition to Articles of Association because the Articles typically adopted on the incorporation of a company do not cover adequately certain matters and without a supporting Shareholders’ Agreement may prove to be unsatisfactory.

A Shareholders’ Agreement is a contract between the parties and is not filed at Companies House, so remaining confidential between the parties.

For advice on drawing up a Shareholders’ Agreement please contact John Morgan at Mander Hadley Solicitors. John has wide and varied experience in all aspects of corporate and commercial law including company and business sales, acquisitions and reorganisations, banking and finance, share capital and structures, shareholders’ agreements, partnerships and LLPs, joint ventures, agency and distribution agreements, terms and conditions of business, and UK and international commercial contracts.

T: 024 7663 1212 or 01926 857631 E: johnmorgan@manderhadley.co.uk W: manderhadley.co.uk Offices in Coventry and Kenilworth

16

Leading Midlands law firm Wright Hassall has signed a deal with Wasps ahead of the new Gallagher Premiership Rugby season to be the club’s legal partner.

The five-year agreement will see Wright Hassall undertake the majority of Wasps’ legal work across a wide range of its activities while its name will feature on next season’s first team shirt.

Wright Hassall, which is headquartered in Leamington Spa and is The Lawyer’s Regional Law Firm of the Year, won the right to represent the Wasps Group in a competitive pitch with other national firms.

Phil Wilding, a partner at Wright Hassall who led the successful bid, said the contract would see the firm work right across its various specialist areas.

He said: “We have got to know Wasps well since the club first moved to Coventry. They have made a massive impact in this area and we are delighted to have won the right to represent them.

“We have a string of mutual clients and have worked alongside them on a number of initiatives including representing the region at the MIPIM property conference.

“The agreement will see us undertake work from private client through to corporate right across their business activities.

“We feel there is great synergy between our two companies and

Left to right: Phil Wilding (Wright Hassall), Sarah Perry (Wright Hassall), Nick Eastwood (Wasps Group), Jon Preston (Wright Hassall).

we have structured our agreement which will allow us to work very closely and in our mutual interest going forward.

“Wright Hassall developed a strategy – called 2020 Vision – which sets out our future plans to deliver our services differently and working for leading companies in their field is a key part of that.

“We work for lots of great companies large and small across the UK and to represent one of the largest sporting brands in the UK and have them right on our doorstep is really rewarding.

“The deal will give us great visibility.

Both domestic and European rugby is growing and it also means our staff will get to watch some of the highest quality rugby!”

Nick Eastwood, the chief executive of Wasps Group, said working alongside

Wright Hassall in the region has established a very strong relationship between the two organisations.

“The first priority with selecting our legal partner is the quality of advice they can provide and we know that Wright Hassall fits the bill on that front,” he said.

“We will work very closely with their team, so their approach and ethos was also vitally important.

“We knew Wright Hassall because they are very active on the regional business scene and very committed to this area, and their approach to the bid mirrored ours.

“They have looked at our needs with a very fresh and flexible approach and to have that in a law firm who are also based locally is exactly what we wanted. We are certain it will be a very fruitful partnership.”

Award for Coventry solicitor A Coventry solicitor has been recognised for his professional and personal achievements with a prestigious business award.

Andriy Buniak, a Solicitor at Mander Hadley Solicitors, which has offices in Coventry and Kenilworth, was named as the winner of the YoungPro category at the Coventry and Warwickshire FirstPro Awards at Coombe Abbey.

financial arrangements are in place in the event that they lose the capacity to make decisions for themselves.

Away from the office, Andriy plays an active part in Coventry’s Ukrainian community and was instrumental in encouraging the community to support the city’s successful bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

His success follows on from being named as the winner of the Legal category at the YoungPro Awards earlier this year.

Andriy said: “It is very special to have won the overall Young Professional Award, having won the Legal category earlier this year. I am delighted to have received this recognition.”

The rigorous judging process for the awards saw Mander Hadley Solicitors make a detailed submission setting out Andriy’s contributions to Coventry and Warwickshire in both a professional and personal capacity.

Jonathan Hall, Managing Director at Mander Hadley Solicitors, said: “Andriy is unrelenting in his work to improve the lives of others in both his professional and personal capacities.

After being shortlisted in the YoungPro Awards, Andriy met with the judges for a face-to-face interview.

Professionally, Andriy works with older clients and their families to ensure that appropriate care and

In addition to supporting Andriy, Mander Hadley Solicitors also sponsored the Outstanding Achievement category at the awards, which was presented to the Coventry City of Culture Trust team, following the city’s successful bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

“We were delighted when he was named as the winner of the Legal category at the YoungPro Awards earlier in the year and doubly so now that he has been named the winner of the overall YoungPro Award.

This is well-deserved recognition.”

“It is very special to have won the overall Young Professional Award, having won the Legal category earlier this year. I am delighted to have received this recognition.” www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Finance

sponsored column

Exclusive Breakfast Briefing for Level 7 ACCA Apprenticeships

(Front right): Jan Ryan and Sally Lucas are seen with training managers from Chamber Training

Building on its strengths in accountancy apprenticeship training, Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training recently hosted an exclusive Breakfast Briefing to raise employer’s awareness of how they can develop their finance team through the new apprenticeship in Accountancy Taxation (level 7).

Working in partnership with Kaplan Financial Limited, who have a proven track record in delivering high quality accountancy training, the team at Chamber Training have designed an exciting programme of professional accountancy study, including bespoke classroom tuition, available locally, with one to one workplace support and guidance.

Sally Lucas, Executive Director at Chamber Training commented, “Over 20 individuals attended the briefing to hear about the fantastic opportunity for employers to develop their team of professionals, with the new level 7

Accountancy Taxation Apprenticeship being equivalent to a Masters’ Degree and will include a full Accountancy Professional Qualification ACCA. “The breakfast briefing enabled employers to hear important

information about this new apprenticeship, who is eligible, use of apprenticeship levy, as well as how to claim 90% of the costs of training from the government for non-levy payers. It also offered information about how the apprenticeship can develop new and existing staff, delivery models plus plenty of opportunity to answer questions,” Sally concluded.

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training is one of the largest private training providers offering apprenticeships across Coventry & Warwickshire. It helps and supports businesses to realise the benefits an Apprentice can bring, including business growth and new fresh ideas.

Whilst it’s good to see that nationally Apprenticeship achievement rates are up across the board at 67.7% in 2017, according to the latest Department for Education statistics, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber Training is forging ahead of the crowd with its accountancy apprenticeship achievement rate of 91.4%.

This is a great testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff in designing and delivering Apprenticeships that clearly work.

“The breakfast briefing enabled employers to hear important information about this new apprenticeship, who is eligible, use of apprenticeship levy, as well as how to claim 90% of the costs of training from the government for non-levy payers.”

To find out more about level 7 ACCA Apprenticeships visit our website at www.cw-chambertraining.co.uk/apprenticeships/accountancy-apprenticeships/ or call 024 7623 1122.

Lloyds Banking Group launches £2bn clean growth finance A total of £2bn of new funding to help UK businesses invest in a more sustainable future and increase productivity has been announced

by Lloyds Banking Group.

The Clean Growth Finance scheme aims to deliver the most inclusive UK green funding in the market by providing the incentive of discounted lending to help businesses invest in reducing their environmental impact as well as boosting productivity more generally.

The funding will support all Commercial Banking clients across multiple ‘green lending’ ambitions allowing businesses to: • reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions for business processes, properties and infrastructure

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

• increase energy efficiency and make environmental sustainability improvements • invest in low carbon vehicles and transport • improve water efficiency • reduce waste and improve recycling rates *The announcement brings Lloyds Banking Group’s total ‘green’ commitment to £3bn and builds on the existing £1bn support to improve the energy efficiency of large Commercial Real Estate, and the Helping Britain Prosper plan pledge to support projects powering 5m homes through renewable energy by 2020.

The Group has also partnered with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership to

provide specialist training to over 300 Relationship Managers to help them support clients’ transition to a more sustainable economy.

David Oldfield, Group Director Commercial Banking, said: “Businesses will continue to be a source of innovation and seize the opportunities presented by the global low carbon economy.

Our funding will support small improvements in production, heating, transport, or environmental impact, right through to large scale renewable energy infrastructure.

By building on our commitments to help clients with discounted finance for investments in sustainable business, we will in turn support the UK’s goals for clean growth.“

How does R&D in the region compare nationally?

Research and Development (R&D) Tax Relief is a cornerstone policy of the Government Economic Growth Strategy, as it is proven to markedly enhance prosperity and continual growth in businesses. The scheme works by effectively underwriting some of the risk associated with R&D, via a specific and generous taxation scheme.

Expenditure on R&D for UK businesses has been very successful, expanding R&D spend by 5.6%i between the last two reported financial years, to £22.2 billion in 2016. This is an increase against average annual R&D expenditure figures of 4.3% since 1992, when the scheme began.

Spending increases have been matched by an increase in employment in R&D accounting for over 200,000 full-time-equivalents.

On an annual basis, the 400 largest research and development performers are asked to identify their sectors. Of these, Motor Vehicles and parts were the largest growth R&D expenditure group, with £562 million (20%) growth. Pharmaceuticals continued to be the largest group with £4.1 billion, or 19% of total R&D expenditure, with Computer Programming and Information Services coming up as key R&D sectors. These 400 businesses accounted for approximately 78% of 2016 business R&D, which shows that many SME’s must not be claiming.

After all, UK SME’s accounted for 1.9 trillion to the UK economy in 2017 and 51% of all UK private sector turnoverii, which is includes SMEs undertaking valuable R&D activity.

Whilst R&D spend is growing in the UK, it is not growing as quickly in our region. In 2015 the West Midlands R&D spend was the third highest for any area in the UK, however it had dropped to the fourth highest by 2016. Whilst this is still competitive it is the percentage of spend that is concerning. The percentage increase in the West Midlands had increased by 6.7% in 2016, however its nearest rival, the North West, increased spend by 10.9%, pushing itself forward to third position. With a high dependence on the automotive sector, we must hope that this is not a signifier of things to come, but rather a sign of a small hiatus.

R&D can be claimed by many SMEs but they may not realise. We can advise on all aspects and help with the process from start to finish.

If you think you may qualify for R&D tax relief, call us on 01926 512 475 to discuss whether R&D tax relief is right for your business.

www.mcs-corporate.com

https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/governmentpublicsectorandtaxes/research anddevelopmentexpenditure/bulletins/businessenterpriseresearchanddevelo pment/2016 ii https://www.fsb.org.uk/media-centre/small-business-statistics i

17

Property

New appointments will ‘help drive growth’ A commercial property agency, which has offices in Coventry and Birmingham, has appointed two new recruits to continue its growth.

Holt Commercial, formed after a recent merger between D&P Holt Ltd and Shortland Penn + Moore, has taken on Chris Hobday as a Chartered Surveyor and Emma Hughes as a Chartered Valuation Surveyor.

The pair are joined by Roger Stanway, now a Consultant, as Holt Commercial expands due to strong demand across Coventry, Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands.

Chris, who grew up in south Warwickshire, joins from Tapp Chartered Surveyors in Leeds, while Emma arrives from Cushman & Wakefield in Birmingham.

Both have recently qualified and will bring a fresh outlook to the team at Holt Commercial, according to Director Nick Holt.

He said: “There is really strong momentum for us as a company and for the region as a whole.

“The merger has been exciting for everyone involved and we have been extremely busy ever since the announcement was made.

“We knew we would have to expand the team and it is great to have Chris and Emma on board who are both quite early into their careers but will be great assets to the company.

“The fact that this region is now a pull for young professionals shows the great strides

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we have made in a short space of time and that has to be positive news for the whole area.”

Chris, who graduated in Real Estate at Sheffield Hallam University, said; “I spent two-and-a-half years at Tapp Chartered Surveyors in Leeds which gave me a great grounding in the industry but my intention was always to return to this area.

“When the opportunity came up to join Holt Commercial, I jumped at it because I could see that the company – and the region – is going places and particularly with the City being awarded the City of Culture, having seen the benefits it has brought to some of the winning cities.”

Emma graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Property Investment and Management from the University of the West England before joining DTZ Birmingham, which became Cushman & Wakefield two years into her time with the firm.

She said: “My passion is to work in valuation and this was a great chance to do that with a rapidly expanding company.

“Having gained some invaluable experience at a larger firm, I am excited to be part of a growing business with a wider Midlands presence at a time when growth in Birmingham is outstripping supply and investors are looking to the wider Midlands and Warwickshire conurbation for investment and development opportunities.”

Tournament Fields

M40 JUNCTION 15 WARWICK

25,000 sq ft

FOR SALE/ TO LET B1/B2/B8 O or le f Availab

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18

Bill Wareing

e:bill.wareing@wareingandcompany.co.uk

Kind hearted Loveitts backs Zoe’s Place for 3rd year running.

L-R Muna Chauhan of Zoe’s Place, Simon Mattock Residential Sales Valuer, Chenise Dumbleton- Residential Sales Negotiator, Sara Herbet- Auction Negotiator, Laura Clark- Commercial Department PA, Sam Demeda- Auction Administrator

Loveitts Estate Agents are partnering up with Zoe’s Place to make it a hat-trick, as they continue their work in raising crucial funds for the much-renowned children’s charity.

Now in their third year as Loveitts’ nominated charity, Zoe’s Place has reaped the rewards in recent years with the staff and colleagues of Warwickshire’s oldest existing estate agents raising over £15,550.00 since their partnership began in 2015 with in excess of £8500 raised in 2017 alone.

The company staff have held a number of fundraising activities throughout their fruitful charity partnership to help collect cash for Zoe’s Place after adopting the hospice as their corporate charity for yet another year – and plans are already in place for a number of exciting events in 2018.

In previous years, Loveitts staff have thrown themselves out of planes, hit the links at the prestigious Warwickshire Golf Club and

Loveitts partners with Zoe’s Place for third year running climbed some of the tallest mountains in the world, all to ensure the doors of Zoe’s Place remain firmly open.

Their well-received golf day has particularly found great success in recent years since the estate agents first teed off in 2015 for the children’s hospice. Last year’s tee-off alone saw the estate agents raise an incredible £3,500 for Zoe’s Place.

Paul Barnes, Director at Loveitts Estate Agents, said: “Zoe’s Place is a special charity that is very close to heart of the staff at Loveitts so it was a no-brainer partnering up for our third year together!

“The funding they need to keep their doors open is truly eye opening, with £21,000 only providing 1:1 care for six children at the hospice for one week. It really puts it into perspective how much Zoe’s Place needs to continue its fantastic work.”

Buoyant property market helps company grow The Midlands’ buoyant property market has seen one of the region’s law firms record its biggest ever turnover.

Coventry-based Band Hatton Button solicitors achieved £4.5 million turnover in the 12 months to April 5, 2018, an increase of six per cent on the previous year.

A significant driver of growth came from the firm’s commercial property department.

Key commercial property deals include acting for Irwin & Wilcox Support Services on the sale of various multi-million pound care homes across the West Midlands, assisting SMEs expanding into bigger premises, and ongoing consultations with national retailers.

Band Hatton Button is also seeing growth in other sectors such as residential property, corporate and commercial, wills, trusts and probate, and family.

The news came after the firm recently celebrated five years since Band Hatton, Button Legal and Varley Hibbs joined forces to become Band Hatton Button. The firm has grown from 62 staff members to 83 in that period, with further plans to recruit in the future.

Mark Moseley, managing director at Band Hatton Button, said: “Our performance as a business reflects the wider financial mood of the Midlands, and the signs are very encouraging.

“From the almost 4,000 new instructions we received last year, we can see that businesses are expanding, more people are buying houses, and increasing numbers of people are protecting their assets, which is encouraging news for the region.

“That said, there is still a lot of financial uncertainty across various sectors at a

national and global level, so this is a fantastic achievement by the whole team.

“We also have several initiatives in place that will help us to grow even further in the future.

This includes addressing and evolving our digital offering and adapting to suit consumer habits and preferences.

“Our board is also now an Alternative Business Structure, which allows us to attract investment and expertise beyond the law sector should the need ever arise “Our lawyers have loyal sought-after clients which we are incredibly proud of, and over the coming months our focus is on adding more high calibre staff to our teams to meet demand.

“Coventry is an exciting city to do business in, which will only heighten as we get closer to the city becoming UK City of Culture in 2021, and as a leading business in the city, we need to ensure we are ready to capitalise on the commercial benefits when the city is put onto the national stage.”

Band Hatton Button managing director Mark Moseley

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

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www.calor.co.uk

Profile: Ian Coulson

Ian Coulson - a people person Relationships – both in business and in his personal life – are what drive Ian Coulson.

Ian is HSBC’s area director for business banking taking in Coventry, Warwickshire and Greater Birmingham having risen up through the ranks of the business since he joined as a graduate in 2004.

A career in banking in this region wasn’t an obvious path when he left his native North East to study History in Leicester.

But his most important relationship – and several friendships – saw him settle in this area and his ability as a ‘people person’ took him in the direction of HSBC. “I went to university in Leicester in the late 1990s,” said Ian, “I never really made it back home! I met my future wife, who is from Hertfordshire, at university.

“I finished with a history degree – so not directly related to banking – and we decided that we wanted to see the world so we travelled. We went to Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia and came back to the UK ready to start our careers.

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“We always knew we wanted to be in the Midlands. We had friends here from university, we knew the area and, having gone away to university and then travelling, it gives you that broader view of life.

“I was looking at graduate schemes and HSBC had a very good one. We’d moved down to the area to house-share with a friend in the short term and the gradscheme was in Leamington Spa. “When I went to university, I wanted to study something that I was passionate about. I wasn’t sure about my vocation – some people know what they want to do at 18, but that wasn’t me.

“So I picked something I enjoyed and something I was quite good at. I always knew I wanted to work with people and I think the graduate scheme was a twoway process.

“The one I applied for wasn’t quite right for me but HSBC helped me through my banking qualifications and said that they liked me. So we looked at the corporate banking scheme and that

fitted my skillsets around people and relationship building.

biggest banks which has made a major commitment to the region.

“I’ve never looked back and there has always been another opportunity to challenge myself and do something different.”

He said: “I’m area director for Coventry and Warwickshire – and Greater Birmingham – for HSBC looking after our business banking clients with a turnover between £2 million and up to £10 million.

Having three children bring new relationships and, again, have helped to define Ian’s plans for the next few years.

“Once you have children, it very much becomes home,” he said. “While I still miss the North East and I’ve got close family there, we are very settled here.

“It’s a lovely place to live. It’s great from a connectivity point of view, it’s close to the second city, it’s an hour to London so there is just so much opportunity here.

“So it’s very much about SME businesses. We’ve got 15 relationship managers that I co-head and I’m one of two area directors.

“My role is to lead that team, promote HSBC in the local community, work with business, make sure we do everything in the right way and look after our customers really, really well and hopefully that will lead to us getting new customers.

“I think it’s a great place to bring up your children to give them the best opportunities too.”

“It’s an interesting time for HSBC. As of July 1, we will have gone live with our UK Bank with a head office on Broad Street in Birmingham in a brand new building.

And just as relationships are the key driver in his personal life, it’s developing personal contacts that has helped to make him a success with one of the world’s

“It’s a really exciting time. We are seen as a global bank – which we absolutely are – but the commitment to the UK and to the Midlands is huge now.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Profile: Ian Coulson “Talking to clients, the international connectivity is a real differential for us.

It’s that ability to be able to connect a customer with businesses and banks all around the world, to support them with international trade, with import and export.

“If I look at my team too, it’s actually being strategic partners for a business.

We are able to go into a business and, yes, look after their banking needs and support them with the lending that enables them to go to that next level, but we can move that up a level and can talk critically about their plans for the future and what they want to achieve with regards to growth.

“We can use sector expertise and knowledge of the economy to add something to the business beyond traditional banking.

“It’s a people business. If I reflect on my role as the leader of the business, it is all about people. It’s about being able to work with our team, inspire them to be the best we can be, to coach them and inspire them to be brilliant bankers and, if you do that well, that empowers them to look after their customers in the same way.”

Since moving to the area, Ian has also seen a positive change in the way Coventry and Warwickshire is starting to perceive itself and also the way it projects itself to the wider world.

Landing UK City of Culture 2021 has, undoubtedly, played a major role in that but Ian sees plenty more to shout about.

“It’s amazing to see the growth of the county and of Coventry,” he said.

“City of Culture is a huge talking point and it’s not that long away. It’s going to be absolutely huge for Coventry, especially when you look at the success that Hull had.

Centre, Silicon Spa, the whole tourism piece around Stratford, there is a huge amount going on.

“It’s a fantastic place to be and there is such a range of opportunities, regardless of where the next few years may take us in terms of Brexit and the element of uncertainty that it brings.”

And what of Brexit? How will the region fare after we leave the EU? “I think Coventry and Warwickshire has a robust depth of industries to go through that pretty painlessly,” said Ian. “HSBC won’t give a political view on Brexit but, from an economic point of view, that wasn’t the result we were expecting.

We were out seeing our clients immediately after, trying to make sure that we understood their needs and helping to see them through that initial uncertainty.

“As a result of that, we were voted Best Brexit Bank and showed that we had our finger on the pulse and were able to add value.

“As things have moved on, there’s so much media speculation and uncertainty, to me it’s about explaining what it might look like to our customers, how it might affect them and how we mitigate the risks associated.

“People want to talk to us about it but it’s on a practical level. To coin a banking phrase, we are where we are and how do we deal with it.

“My experience is that businesses are pretty pragmatic. They are good at planning and are entrepreneurial by instinct so while there will be some challenges, there will be some opportunities as well.”

“I think Coventry can move that on a level. You just look around the city centre and what’s happening with the universities, what’s happening with Jaguar Land Rover, it’s all very exciting.

But it’s on the home front that Ian sees as the biggest opportunity for Coventry and Warwickshire as the region builds on the confidence generated in recent years.

“The city centre is a building site at the moment but that’s brilliant because it means we are finally getting that investment.

“What I am starting to see in Coventry and in this area as a whole is that people have finally stopped apologising for being from here and are taking pride in it,” he said. “People are appreciating all of the things that this area has done and the potential for the future.

“Coventry has been shortlisted for Channel 4 and, you know, that wouldn’t have happened two or three years ago.

This is becoming the place to be and the place where people want to invest.

“You look more broadly around the area, we’ve mentioned Jaguar Land Rover, you also have the UK Battery Industrialisation

“And I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing than leading a great team right at the heart of the Midlands during what is a fantastic time for the region. It’s a dream job right now!”

“My role is to lead that team, promote HSBC in the local community, work with business, make sure we do everything in the right way and look after our customers really, really well and hopefully that will lead to us getting new customers.”

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

About Ian Coulson Date of birth: Birthplace:

Married: Children: Hobbies:

Favourite book: Favourite film: Last Holiday:

Car :

Favourite gadget:

3rd October 1979.

Gateshead, but in sight of the river Tyne, which makes me a proper Geordie.

To Fiona, who teaches history at Kenilworth School.

Joseph 10, Caitlin 8 and Maeve 3.

Live music, running and cycling, plus watching rugby (Wasps) and football (Newcastle United) Lord of the Rings.

Gladiator.

Brittany with the family.

A great adventure and doing the same this year.

VW Passat. Basically the largest one I could get on HSBC’s car scheme that would fit 3 car seats!

My iPhone. Wouldn't be without it.

21

TRAIN YOUR FUTURE WORKFORCE AND IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY Do you have existing staff that need upskilling?

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EMPLOYER SERVICES

Brexit Club

Brexit checklist Companies across Coventry and Warwickshire are being urged to get themselves Brexit-ready with the release of a new toolkit.

New free trade agreements challenging and complex

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has been one of the most active organisations in the country in preparing for the exit from the EU and has been working with firms across the region to help them prepare for the departure.

And, through its Brexit Club, the Chamber has released a new toolkit that gives guidance on what areas companies should be considering and actions they can take – even before the full detail of what Brexit will mean is known.

James Ahearne, the International Trade Commercial Executive at the Chamber, said the decisions made in the next few years will have a major impact on the prosperity of the region.

He said: “There is still a great deal of uncertainty but what we do know is that we will officially leave the EU on March 19, 2019 and that will be followed by a transition period that will last until December 31, 2020, based on the current timetable.

“Brexit will affect every region in the UK in different ways and, in Coventry and Warwickshire, it poses a unique set of risks and, also, opportunities.

“The decisions that are made over the next few years concerning trade, the Customs Union, EU workers’ rights, movement of people and the Government’s post-Brexit approach to regional development will affect the prosperity of Coventry and Warwickshire for many years to come and we must push for deals that protect trade, investment and jobs in our region.

“But whatever outcome we face, businesses must do all they can to plan for Brexit and understand the risks and opportunities that lie ahead.

“We can’t pretend that it’s easy, but there are many areas relating to Brexit where businesses can consider what the implications may be and begin to mitigate some of them.

“That is why we have released the toolkit and that is why, also, we have kept it as brief and targeted as possible.

We can’t afford for companies to get Brexit lethargy because this is too big an issue for businesses to switch off from it.

“So we’ve focused on the key areas where companies can look at the potential implications of Brexit and consider what action they might need to take and what policies or procedures they may need to put in place.”

The Brexit toolkit is accessible on the Chamber Website www.cw-chamber.co.uk or by contacting the Chamber on 02476 654321 or info@cw-chamber.co.uk

24

Back – James Ahearne (Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce) & Anastassia Beliakova. Front (left to right) – David Burton, Alan Durham (both

One of the leading international business experts on Brexit has told an audience in Coventry and Warwickshire that signing new free trade agreements will be ‘more challenging’ than expected.

Anastassia Beliakova is the head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce and was presenting to the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s latest Brexit Club meeting.

The club, which was set up in the days after the EU Referendum vote, has been looking at the range of issues that will affect companies once the UK leaves the European Union.

The event, held at the Ramada Hotel in Coventry, focussed on signing free trade agreements with other nations or trading blocs and what the practical implications would be for businesses involved in import and export.

Anastassia said that many companies who trade overseas don’t take full advantage of the agreements already in place via the EU and that signing new deals would be complex.

She said: “Through the current free trade arrangements that have been negotiated via the EU, we have free trade access to 72 countries and that has led to massive trade gain with markets such as Mexico, Chile, South Korea and Serbia.

“But not all companies take advantage of the free trade terms as 30 per cent of businesses that could qualify for lower tariffs are not using them.

“Through the current transition arrangements for Brexit, there will be no change to our access to those free trade agreements until 2021. During the transition period, the UK will be free to sign new trade deals but will only be able to implement them after the transition period ends.

“It is clear, however, that agreeing and signing new free trade agreements is going to be more challenging than originally thought.

“Currently, products that have components made in different parts of the EU are considered to be from the same place under the rules of origin when they are being sold abroad via free trade agreements.

“However, once the UK leaves the EU that will not be the case and we are pressing Government to find a way round this issue.

“One of the aspirations of Brexit was to have an independent free trade policy but a trade deal with the USA, for example, is not something to be taken lightly and could have significant, unintended impacts.

“It’s going to take a lot of work and the Government is still building up its knowledge, capacity and savvy in these areas to allow the UK to pursue its ambitions after Brexit.”

David Hooper is a director of Hooper & Co and has worked in international trade and economic development for more than 20 years.

He guided firms through the practical steps of making the most of existing free trade agreements but said they should not dominate a firm’s plan to trade overseas.

David said: “When it comes to making use of free trade agreements, the origin of the product is key. You can’t import a toaster from China, put it in a shiny new box and then sell it into a country using a free trade agreement. The product must either be made or have significant value added to it in one place.

“There are advantages of free trade agreements but they are not for every business and should only form a small part of a company’s export strategy.

“What all of this should do is encourage businesses to review their supply chain and make sure that they have robust evidence for where all of the components in their products are made.

“We are already seeing some UK companies opening facilities in the EU in order to get round the rules of origin once Brexit happens.

“On the flipside, some EU businesses are opening in the UK because this market is particularly important to them but that’s not happening to the same level as far as I have seen.”

Businesses looking for information or support regarding this or any other Brexit issues can contact the Chamber of Commerce on info@cw-chamber.co.uk

The voice of business must continue to be heard to help the region’s economy grow Industry leaders in Coventry and Warwickshire say the voice of business must continue to be heard to help the region’s economy grow, following the latest local elections.

Labour held onto power in Coventry, the Conservatives maintained control in Rugby while Nuneaton & Bedworth is now under no-overall control after the Conservatives made gains from Labour.

Louise Bennett, the chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Chamber is not a party political organisation – we represent the views of our members across the region.

“We engage with decision-makers at a local, regional and national level to ensure that the voice of those businesses is heard loud and clear in order to give companies the best opportunity to grow.

“A strong local economy is good for the whole community as it means more jobs and more investment and we will work with councils across the area to make sure they know what businesses need to grow.

“Issues such as skills, a shortage of land to grow and infrastructure remain high on the priority list for companies that we hear from on a day to day basis and through our branch networks.

“There is work being undertaken to tackle some of those issues but it’s vital that we make sure that the obstacles businesses face remain firmly on the agenda.

“Nationally, we saw GDP grow by just 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of the year and, of course, the Brexit uncertainty rumbles on.

“That is why it is crucial that we work as hard as possible locally to ensure that this region continues to push for strong economic growth and that we have the most business-friendly environment possible.

We will work with councils to do that.”

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Area Focus: Coventry

Specialist corporate events company is bought Leading corporate events and team building company Eventurous Ltd has been bought

by Garlands Leisure Ltd. Established in 1989, Eventurous is a market leader in the corporate events industry and offers a range of team challenge events.

The acquisition complements the offering of Garlands Leisure Ltd, trading as Garlands Corporate, by providing an off–site solution for companies holding events at venues other than Mythe Barn or Mythe Farm, where Garlands Corporate primarily operates.

Eventurous will continue to trade as a separate entity, working in parallel with Garlands Corporate,

which provides highly specialised corporate team building events and team development programmes including psychometric profiling and leadership development.

Joanna Garland, director of Garlands Leisure Ltd, said: “We are really excited to have the Eventurous team here with us; they have such a wealth of knowledge and experience working at venues all over the country.”

The directors selling Eventurous, Chris Peacock, Andrew Deakin and Dean Ashley, two of whom are also directors of Conference Care Ltd, see the transaction as the opportunity to invest more time into their venue finding business to take it to the next level.

Hotel refurbishment is completed Holiday Inn Coventry, just off of the M6 Junction 2, have now completed their refurbishment.

Chris Peacock said: “In recent years, Conference Care has cemented its position in the market as one of the leading venue finding companies, and we are looking forward to continuing our path to become the first-choice agent.”

Joe and Joanna Garland, directors of Garlands Leisure Ltd, who also own award-winning

luxury wedding venue Mythe Barn, have praised the directors of Eventurous for enabling a smooth and successful handover.

Joe Garland said: “There is an obvious, natural synergy between the two companies – it was the right time to buy and the purchasing decision was an easy choice to make.”

Coventry set to join the UK gigabit full fibre super league Homes and businesses in Coventry will be the next in the UK to benefit from gigabit speed full fibre broadband – with work to begin in the city later this year.

Vodafone and CityFibre have identified the next wave of towns and cities to benefit from a roll-out of Gigabit-capable infrastructure as part of their plans to reach at least one million homes by 2021.

Residents and workers in Coventry are next in line to have their online experience transformed. CityFibre will invest at least £60 million of private funds in the city-wide roll-out.

A detailed planning and build programme has been agreed for Coventry as part of this first phase deployment.

The new infrastructure will build on the existing Gigabit City network in Coventry, which already spans 180km, with homes set to benefit for the first time. To date, local businesses including

the Ricoh Arena and more than 300 public sector sites including schools, council offices and GP surgeries are already benefiting from full fibre connectivity.

By using fibre optic cables for every stage of the connection from the customer’s home or business to the Internet, users will be offered a significantly superior and more reliable broadband service, capable of Gigabit speeds (1,000 Mbps). Vodafone will use CityFibre’s network to bring Vodafone Gigafast Broadband to customers in Coventry. Residential and business customers can preregister for the service from today at www.vodafone.co.uk/ broadband/ultrafast.

With the full support of Coventry City Council, work on installing a new full fibre infrastructure will begin this year. CityFibre will use modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly, while minimising disruption to residents. Once completed,

nearly every home and business in Coventry will have full fibre access.

Vodafone UK Chief Executive, Nick Jeffery, said: “I’m delighted to welcome everyone living in Coventry to the full fibre club, with a broadband service like no other.

After five months we are well on track with the joint Gigafast broadband programme that will help position the UK as a world leading digital centre.”

Greg Mesch, Chief Executive at CityFibre, said: “Coventry will be among the first cities in the UK to benefit from this game-changing infrastructure programme, which will have a transformative impact on homes and businesses alike.

We’re moving closer to our vision of a Gigabit Britain, where digital inadequacy is a thing of the past and full fibre connectivity is the norm. For residents of Coventry, the future is now.”

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member for

Jobs and Regeneration, said: “An investment of this size shows great confidence in the city and having a reliable, gigabit broadband service will be another way to attract and retain businesses to Coventry. With the growing importance and reliance on digital technology, the opportunity of having the benefits of full fibre will soon be available to everyone who lives and works in our city.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Fast internet is vital for a modern economy.

Businesses need to communicate quickly and share data around the world. But in the West Midlands we have a mixed picture, with some of the fastest speeds and some of the slowest. I made working with the private sector to drive up broadband speeds a priority and am really pleased that Coventry is to become the focus of the next Vodafone and CityFibre roll-out.”

They have revolutionised their 158 bedrooms to enhance the comfort, enjoyment and overall experience during guests’ stay.

Alongside modern décor, the new bedrooms will be equipped with free high-speed Wi-Fi and LCD TV’s.

The new bedrooms complement the previous ground floor refurbishment that introduced a new meeting space, providing delegates with a designated refreshment area, and a new ‘Open Lobby’ concept.

The lobby is no longer a place for arrivals and departures, but instead, it’s a flexible environment where you can eat, drink, work, meet, relax, socialise and have fun.

Darren Cooke, the General Manager, said: “We are excited by the completion of the refurbishment of our bedrooms which is a continuation of our ground floor refurbishment in 2016. Our hotel is no longer just a place to sleep and eat. Our approach to public spaces, bedrooms and service understands our guests and their needs across the entire guest journey. This investment in the guest experience and innovation is enabling us to stay ahead of the game.”

Holiday Inn Coventry M6 J2 was purchased by Cerberus Capital in April 2015 and is managed by Interstate Europe Hotels & Resorts.

Film-makers focus on British values A group of students got their heads together to produce a thought-provoking and insightful short documentary on what British values mean to young people living in the next UK City of Culture.

The students from Coventry College worked with social enterprise group Leaders Unlocked and were asked to contemplate what it means to be British and analyse the values which run through society before putting together a film about their findings.

Their work was aired in front of students and staff at the college’s Henley Campus, bringing months of hard work to a celebratory close.

The documentary mixed clips of Coventry landmarks with shots of college life, student interviews and demonstrated how the varied group, who were all studying different subjects and had not met prior to the project, grew closer as a result of working together.

Tiegan Cross, a 16-year-old Medical Science student from Bedworth, said: “I think this project has taught us all a lot about the values that connect British people.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

“It has helped some of us come out of our shells and grow in confidence, which I think is probably the most valuable thing we have got from this.

“We wanted to show that young people like ourselves are aware of big issues and we have a voice.

“We are all excited that Coventry is going to be UK City of Culture 2021 and things like this project prove what a great community we have.”

The video focused on democracy, rule of law, mutual respect and tolerance and individual liberty.

Issues such as stop and search, The Suffragettes’ battle for the women’s vote, homosexual rights and understanding of different faiths were discussed in depth during the film. The group’s work will now be given another airing at the next Coventry College governors meeting and will also be shown to all new starters joining in September.

Jo Lawrence, Assistant Principal Student Experience at Coventry College, said:

“Everyone at the College is incredibly proud of what these students have achieved.

“They have come together as a group of strangers to produce a thought provoking piece which proves just how in touch the young people of this city are.

“I think this video is a perfect example of the kind of teamwork and forward-thinking ideas we encourage in all of our pupils.”

Diana Galloway of Leaders Unlocked, has worked with the students on the project from start to finish.

She said: “The positivity and enthusiasm which this group approached the task was incredible. They have all learned something about British values and something about themselves. They can be very proud of what they have achieved.”

From left: Mirjet Hemishaj, Miya Jarvis, Tiegan Cross, Olivia Chamberlain, Yussra Said, Amandeep

25

Area Focus: Coventry

Firm wins transport contract

From left, Jenni Ford, Malcolm Rogers, Deirdre Fitzhugh and Caroline Lissaman with the Ricoh Arena’s award.

Honour for arena The Ricoh Arena has been crowned as the best sporting venue for events at a national awards ceremony ahead of the home of English football, home of English Cricket and the home of the Premier League champions.

Judges at the National Venue Awards – which attracts hundreds of events professionals from across the UK – has awarded the Coventry venue the title ahead of St George’s Park (The FA’s National Football Centre), Lord’s Cricket Ground and the Etihad Stadium.

The news comes off the back of a second consecutive record year for the number of events held at the Ricoh Arena – totalling 857 events – a ten per cent increase on the previous year.

The majority of this growth was within the conference and meetings sector, taking 666 bookings in the last financial year compared to 583 bookings in the previous year.

More than 1.6 million people have also been through the Ricoh Arena’s doors over the past year.

The venue has also undergone significant refurbishment in recent months, including a new state-of-the-art Ricoh Business Lounge for the general public to work and study in, as well as free high-speed Wi-Fi that is 270 times faster than the average UK home.

Caroline Lissaman, head of event management at the Ricoh Arena, said: “The Ricoh Arena plays a pivotal role in attracting visitors to the Coventry area via a mixture of live sport, music, conferences and exhibitions, and this award reinforces that.

“We were up against some of the biggest names in the UK and the win acts as a reminder that as well as serving the region well, we are a venue of national and international standing that is a sizeable driver for the economy in this part of the country.

“Awareness of our flexibility as a venue is spreading, and with 77 per cent of our events tracked as returning the following year, we are also benefiting from word of mouth referrals.

“We’re thrilled to have landed this award, and it is testament to the hard work that our sales and event teams put in to ensure we attract hundreds of events to Coventry year in, year out.”

26

An award-winning transport specialist has won a contract to work with WMG to design and construct an innovative very light rail vehicle which will be part of a new transport solution for Coventry.

Transport Design International, which is based at Clifford Chambers in Stratford-uponAvon, has won a tender to create a state-of-theart, lightweight, battery-operated, rail-guided vehicle which will ultimately be capable of operating without a driver.

The project, funded by the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) and the West Midlands Combined Authority Devolution Deal, is being managed by researchers from WMG at the University of Warwick in collaboration between Coventry City Council and Transport for West Midlands.

A total of £12.2 million has been secured from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Devolution Deal funding to undertake the research and development required to prove the VLR concept. In addition, the WMCA has allocated specialist resource from Transport for West Midlands to provide technical support, advice and guidance to the project team as the scheme develops.

The VLR system will be compatible with Midland Metro and the Council will work collaboratively with TfWM to ensure operating systems, branding and information are consistent across the West Midlands.

The prototype vehicle will be capable of carrying 20 seated passengers and a maximum of 70 including standees. It will be tested at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in

Dudley before a permanent tracked route is installed across Coventry and a fleet of vehicles manufactured.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council and CWLEP board director, said: “This is a really important milestone in the development of a very light railway system in Coventry and we are delighted that WMG has appointed Transport Design International to design and build a completely new rail vehicle for Coventry.

“Battery technology is evolving all the time and creating a new very light rail system in Coventry will be a world-first.

“Routes will be considered, and since overhead cables won’t be needed, the light railway will be low-cost, quiet and environmentally-friendly.

"When I came up with the idea, it wasn't just a system I was thinking of but the potential to design and build it here in the local area.

This is a great first step in that ambition."

Monica Fogarty, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Transport and Infrastructure Business Group and joint managing director of Warwickshire County Council, said this once again emphasised the area’s reputation for being pioneers in transport technology.

“Transport Design International has gained international recognition for their expertise in the very light rail sector because of their vast experience in working with partners to design and supply revolutionary transport systems,” she said.

Associate Professor Darren Hughes at WMG, added: “Current opportunities for innovation in the rail sector are exciting. Light-weight

A CGI image of a very light rail vehicle outside Coventry Station

technologies that will be introduced during this project have the potential to revolutionise public transport whilst also strengthening the UK High Value Manufacturing sector.”

James Meredith, very light rail project manager at WMG, said: “This is a great opportunity to bring the latest technology developed by the automotive sector in materials, batteries and electric propulsion to deliver an affordable railway for Coventry.”

Nick Mallinson, Programme Manager at WMG, said: “The Coventry very light rail programme is all about bringing desperately needed disruptive innovation into the rail industry. We aim to make a real difference bringing high quality, affordable rail into city centres.”

Martin Pemberton, Managing Director of Transport Design International, added: “As champions of sustainable, lightweight transport solutions, the TDI team is very proud to have been selected to undertake this exciting, flagship project for Coventry. We look forward to working closely with the City Council and WMG to bring their aspirations to reality.”

Coworking phenomenon arrives in Coventry

Coworking is taking the world by storm – no more long office leases on your own, but community office spaces for the modern workplace. And now it has arrived in Coventry.

The Wheelhouse has opened a new co-working space on Earl Street, Coventry in partnership with Coventry City Council.

The space is made up of dedicated desks, hot desks, a comfortable relaxed seating area and two meeting rooms with unlimited fresh coffee and events laid on for members.

It has flexible one-month contracts for freelancers, start-ups and small businesses.

Aiming to be big on community and low on cost, offering an alternative to working from home, a drab office block or a cramped coffee shop.

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs and regeneration at Coventry City Council said: “We are very pleased to be working with The Wheelhouse who have a great set up for local entrepreneurs and start up local businesses.

“We know there are lots of creative and innovative people in our city who are running their business from their own homes who need occasional professional space and who would enjoy the many benefits of co-working. And that’s exactly what this initiative is about – shared office space that will lead to shared success.”

Alex Lloyd Davies, Managing Director of The Wheelhouse, said “We aim to create a friendly environment for you to drive your business forward. We really love the rooms at The Wheelhouse Coventry and invite anyone interested to pop in and check out the space for themselves.”

The Myton Hospices receives prestigious Investors in People (IiP) accreditation The Myton Hospices have been recognised by Investors in People as a workplace showcasing the very best in people management excellence.

Investors in People uses 27 years of experience to set the standard for better people management with an internationally recognised accreditation which is held by 10,000 organisations across the world.

The assessment revealed Myton to be an organisation in transition with a positive trend to be more inclusive and engaged with staff and volunteers, with a greater focus on delivering high performance.

Nearly everyone interviewed indicated that Myton was a good or great place to work. The main reason was the difference they could make for patients and their families dealing with terminal illness. For many, the support and camaraderie of their colleagues was a significant factor and just over half indicated that it was also the organisation as a place of work.

Director of Human Resources at The Myton Hospices, Geoffrey Etule, said: “We are delighted the IiP Assessor commented on the open and honest conversations held with interviewees, which ensured the findings are both detailed and valid.

“As a values-driven employer, we are determined to build on our IiP accreditation and maintain our good people management and HR practices over the coming years. At Myton, as well as caring

for and supporting patients and their families, we also strive to look after our staff and volunteers.

The Investors in People accreditation and Standard will help provide guidance so we can continue to develop this.”

Myton’s Investors in People accreditation is evidence of the organisation’s commitment to supporting their staff and volunteers.

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Area Focus: Coventry

Coventry’s full fibre transformation to deliver multi-million pound economic growth

Coventry could be in for a multi-million pound windfall, according to a new report which has calculated the potential economic impact that could be unlocked following the roll-out of a new full fibre network by CityFibre as part of its strategic national partnership with Vodafone.

The study by economic consultancy Regeneris examined how the economy is likely to benefit from full fibre connectivity, quantifying the impact to the city over a 15-year period.

According to researchers, Coventry’s homeowners and wider property market can expect to reap huge rewards. Up to £101m could be added to the value of local homes, as access to reliable, high speed broadband becomes ever more critical to buyers.

Smart City initiatives including home automation technologies, smart energy networks and intelligent transportation systems, could add as much as £77m locally too; while digital enhancements in the delivery of healthcare services could be worth £19m.

Coventry is already ahead of the game, having become one of the first cities in the UK to connect the majority of its GP practices to a Gigabit City network, offering world-class connectivity to staff and patients.

The city’s business community stands to benefit enormously as well. Access to gigabitspeed full fibre connectivity could unlock £57m in business productivity and innovation, with companies able to develop and promote new, richer products and services online and benefit from greater exposure to the international marketplace. Many of Coventry’s businesses in areas including Coventry city centre, Fargo Village and Binley Business Park are already able to take up full fibre services, giving them an unprecedented head start.

A further £29m in growth could be driven from new business start-ups, with enhanced

connectivity making it easier and less expensive to set up base and run efficiently. The increased ability for companies to support flexible working could also add a further £26m. This will not only help to reduce barriers to work, but improve employees’ work-life balance, which in turn improves motivation and retention.

Crucially the network roll-out itself is expected to drive £36m in direct economic growth, employing an average of 150 people in the construction and civil engineering sectors throughout the duration of the project.

Simon Hooton, Director at Regeneris, said: “Our findings clearly indicate that full fibre will provide the core infrastructure required to kick start the next-generation of digital technology and drive expansion of smart infrastructure in towns and cities where it is deployed. The result will be a modernised, more productive and innovative UK economy.”

Coventry is already ahead of the game following its announcement as one of the first locations to benefit from CityFibre and Vodafone’s strategic partnership which will bring ultrafast Gigabit-capable full fibre broadband to up to a million UK homes and businesses by 2021.

Greg Mesch, CEO at CityFibre, said: “With a new full fibre network being built beneath its streets, Coventry is a forerunner of digital transformation in the UK.”

Care courses on offer People working in the childcare, education or health and social care industries are being offered a chance to take advantage of free career enhancing courses run by Coventry College.

Coventry College is currently offering a range of NCFE accredited courses suitable for anyone working, or looking to work with children, young people and adults.

Taking part in the courses would help those who take part demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development or act as an excellent introduction to a new topic.

The courses will help those working or looking to work in roles such as teaching assistants, adult

care practitioners, learning support assistants and more.

Coventry College is offering flexible start dates and study patterns to meet employer and participant needs. With 12 weeks to complete the course learners can work at their own pace and see the benefits quickly.

Specific courses include Understanding Autism, Awareness of Mental Health Problems, Understanding Behaviour that Challenges, Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties and many more.

Paul Starkey, Head of Faculty for Access, Child, Health and Social Care at Coventry College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for people working in early years,

Francis Runacres (Executive Director, Enterprise & Innovation at Arts Council England) is in the centre with Michael Mogan and Nicole Malatesta.

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The week bridging between May and June was exciting for the city of Coventry with cultural and musical events taking place with attendances ranging 5,000 to 100,000 people.

Coventry based Event Services company StadiumTM was a part of two major events in the city’s busy schedule. The BBC Biggest Weekend on May Bank Holiday and the Rolling Stones concert on June 2nd held at the Ricoh Arena.

Claire Gurney, Les Bailey, Alison Greaves, Donna Wilson, Kerrie Brassington, Kodie Richards, Catherine Holmes.

schools and adult care environments to enhance their understanding free of charge.

“These courses will equip you with the knowledge to face the challenges and demands of an ever changing sector.

“We are pleased to be able to offer places on these courses free of charge to those aged 19+ and in a way that will cause as little hassle as possible in relation to the working lives of those who want to take part.”

National award for fundraising team The campaign to raise the money to help Coventry win the UK City of Culture title has been honoured with a national award.

The fundraising team at the Coventry City of Culture Trust – led by Michael Mogan and Nicole Malatesta – picked up the Best Supporter/Membership Scheme at the Emcees Awards which recognise fundraising in the arts and culture sector.

Coventry Event Company supports major music events by securing crowded spaces

The awards are run by The National Arts Fundraising School and, this year, took place at the Ovalhouse Theatre in London.

The Trust attracted more than 100 businesses to support the bid to be UK City of Culture in 2021 and it played a key role in the city landing the title.

The bid was backed by Coventry City Council, West Midlands Combined Authority, The University of Warwick, and Coventry University as Principal Partners and The Ricoh Arena as Bid Sponsor.

Jaguar Land Rover, Adient, Friargate, Coventry Building Society, the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Birmingham Airport, Listers, PET-Xi, SCC, Pertemps, and CEF (City Electrical Factors) were Bid Development Sponsors.

As well as a group of founding presidents and other regional partners including Coventry BID, CWLEP, Warwickshire County Council, CW Champions and Heart of England Community Foundation, small and mediumsized companies were given the opportunity to support the city’s efforts through the 2021 Club.

Michael, the Head of Fundraising for the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said that the whole city had shown it was behind Coventry’s bid and had contributed to its success.

He said: “We are very pleased to pick up this award. Obviously, the big prize was winning the title of UK City of Culture but to have the role that fundraising played recognised is not just an award for us but for everyone who got on board and put money into the bid.

“Very early on in the bidding stages, our chairman David Burbidge saw the need to be able to attract support from the private sector – but not only big business, we wanted to include smaller businesses too.

“For so many of our backers it was a source of civic pride that they were funding a campaign that would bring incredible benefits to the city.

“The team who presented to the judges back in December in Hull said that the slide with all of the sponsors’ logos presented a very powerful message. It said to the judges that the city and the region was behind us financially and in spirit – and it was a huge contributing factor to our success.”

Working with the Coventry City Council and the Ricoh Arena on each project, both were very successful.

StadiumTM worked with local businesses and councils to ensure the safety and security of events, by installing innovative Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) solutions.

Bringing the local communities together and share wonderful experiences is something StadiumTM are very passionate about.

During the BBC Biggest Weekend StadiumTM provided the on-site Car Park Management, management of the Park & Ride from Whitley and deployment of HVM (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation) solutions.

The HVM solutions were placed in four locations across War Memorial Park. Over the two days the event saw 40 000 festival attendees, the crowds secured and smooth parking operations despite the heavy rain that fell overnight.

The Rolling Stones festivities started early on in the day with DJs, food stands and the Arena saw a full house of eager fans waiting to enter the stadium. The HVM solutions were deployed in three key locations securing the space of the 30 000 concert attendees, a number of event services staff working within the stadium.

Managing Director David McAtamney said: “With the outdoor and music festival industry having grown over the past few years, it is paramount that these security parameters are taken into account to reduce the risk of attacks happening.”

27

Area Focus: Coventry

The voice of business for Coventry and Warwickshire

Building Better Lives

A charity has announced a major new capital grants programme to fund projects supporting vulnerable people across the West Midlands – and applicants in Coventry and Warwickshire are now invited to bid for up to £1.35 million.

Heart of England Community Foundation has launched its Building Better Lives programme after receiving an anonymous donation of £4 million in December last year.

The programme will support a maximum of three major initiatives providing accommodation solutions for vulnerable people.

Applicants are invited to submit proposals for projects which will upgrade, extend or develop existing accommodation to provide additional capacity.

The approach has been taken in a move to help organisations expand and develop their services to support a range of client groups experiencing disadvantage.

Stage one of the two-stage application process is now open, with organisations invited to make their submissions until midday on Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Organisations can bid for a minimum of £500,000 and a maximum of £1.35 million, and applicants must operate within Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Solihull or Warwickshire and have an annual turnover of less than £15 million.

Heart of England Community Foundation, a specialist grant-making charity launched in 1995, awards funding to projects across the West Midlands and has distributed more than £15 million locally, benefitting more than one million people.

The Building Better Lives programme will see the Foundation distribute its largest ever grants to date.

Tina Costello, Chief Executive of Heart of England Community Foundation, said: “We are very excited to launch the Building Better Lives programme and can’t wait to see the variety of proposals from local organisations.

“This programme has a real potential to make a massive difference to vulnerable people and provides a unique opportunity for existing organisations to expand their work and increase their impact in the community.”

For more details about how to apply, visit www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk Any queries can be emailed to project manager Carole Hodson at carole@heartofenglandcf.co.uk.

28

Brexit, skills and infrastructure were among the issues businesses raised with a Coventry MP. Coventry South Member of Parliament, Jim Cunningham, met local firms at the Coventry branch meeting of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the branch raised a number of issues around Brexit, the shortage of employment land and skills of workers and future workers.

Jim Cunningham said: “Leaving the EU had been presented as being ‘too simplistic’ and that’s created a great deal of uncertainty for everyone, including business.

“Coventry should however be optimistic. I believe we are well positioned as a city to grow our economy over the coming years, but we cannot be complacent. We have to continue working hard as a city to maintain that. Compared to other cities, the future looks brighter thanks to the hard work of our businesses, our business organisations and the Council.

“In 2021, we’ll be the UK City of Culture and with the redevelopment planned around the city centre is a fantastic opportunity for us. We must ensure we grasp it with both hands.”

David Penn said that the Chamber welcomed the dialogue with politicians in the region.

The Chamber’s Coventry branch committee with Jim Cunningham (front, right)

He said: “As the voice of business for Coventry and Warwickshire, it’s vitally important that decision-makers hear the issues that are affecting companies on our patch.

“Here in Coventry, there are many reasons to be excited for the future but it’s our role to ensure

that growing the economy remains a priority for our political leaders.

“That is why it is good to be able to attract our MPs to our branch meetings so they get to know what is affecting businesses on their patch.”

Birthday honour for fundraiser

A Coventry man who has helped to raise tens of millions of pounds for good causes – including the successful bid to be UK City of Culture – has been honoured with an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Michael Mogan, who was key to the fundraising effort for the bid and delivery of UK City of Culture in Coventry, said he is humbled to be given the award after more than 25 years in the sector.

He said: “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this and it is extremely humbling to be awarded by Her Royal Highness The Queen in this way.”

He grew up in Wyken and attended St John Fisher and Cardinal Wiseman Schools before studying at Lanchester Polytechnic.

Michael began his career as a fundraiser in 1992 with the ExtraCare Charitable Trust where he was part of a team that raised millions of pounds – including taking part in a parachute jump.

He moved to Coventry Cathedral in 1996 where he worked under David Burbidge DL CBE for the first time. He stayed there for 12 years but has also helped raise money for the Cathedral on a

voluntary basis for which his efforts have been praised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Justin Welby.

Michael has since worked on behalf of the Armonico Consort before freelancing for a range of charities, often giving his time freely to the causes.

He joined Coventry University as its Head of Development and Alumni in 2012 and it was here that he was seconded to Coventry 2021 where he is Head of Fundraising, and that money raising effort is widely acknowledged as being a key contributor to the successful outcome.

Michael, who is husband of Karen and father to twins

Award for training company Coventry-based JBC Skills Training, which provides specialist IT and software training to apprentices in companies across the region, has been awarded a ‘Good’ rating by Ofsted for the second time.

The new Ofsted report stated that: ‘…governors have made a substantial investment in learning resources, support teams and the professional development of tutors. This has allowed you and your team to implement successfully the renewed development plan for the business.’

JBC Skills Training first achieved the Ofsted rating in September 2014.

JBC Skills were one of the first training providers in the UK to have its students successfully achieve the new IT apprenticeship standards introduced by the Government in 2016.

Managing Director Dan Pearson said: “I am delighted that the work we do to help apprentices reach their goal of an IT qualification has been recognised once again

by Ofsted.

“Its important apprentices are sure they know what they want to do, and that employers get

someone who will positively contribute to the company.

We are proud of our work, particularly in matching the right apprentice to the best company for their development.

“This award is a testament to both apprentices and staff for their hard work and achievements.

More than 100 apprentices will be trained this year in networking, IT support, infrastructure and software.

Employing companies can also nominate existing employees to take up apprenticeships as a means of improving the skills of their existing workforce.

Hattie and Alice, added: “I’m an extremely proud Coventrian and much of the work I have undertaken over the years has been to the benefit of the city and some of its fantastic institutions and organisations.

“I think we can all look forward to a very positive future in the city where we are all working together for the good of future generations.”

David Burbidge, Chairman of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “We are thrilled for Michael. He went above and beyond for the Coventry City of Culture cause and the fundraising with the private sector played a massive part in us winning.”

Steering engineers invest in Star sliding head lathe

Coventry-based steering system manufacturer, Pailton Engineering, has made its biggest investment in the past three years, with its purchase of the flagship Star GB ST-38 CNC sliding head lathe.

The machine provides a solution for mill-turn parts and is packed with functionality, to ensure Pailton Engineering can keep up with the increased demand for bespoke steering systems.

The new machine is part of a larger investment to transform Pailton Engineering’s factory floor.

Two other recent capital investments include a high-spec Mazak machine and a SOHMAX drilling and tapping machine.

As a local business, IPSS The company has reinvested over sponsors local teams including £700k into the business every year Coventry Sphinx FC, Copsewood for the past two years, and the Rugby Club, Athletic Utd FC, latest Star GB investment is part of Potters Green FC and many more, a larger business transformation. and Managing Directors Peter "We’ve always invested in Collins and Andrew Convery said equipment that will give us extra that over the ten years in business capacity and increased giving back to the local community engineering flexibility," said Cy Wilkinson, managing director. is important.

Tenth anniversary is celebrated IP Security Systems in Binley, Coventry, recently celebrated their tenth year in business.

The company’s organic growth has come from delivering bespoke systems for local businesses that encompass the latest technology in IP CCTV, Access Control, Networking and Infrastructure.

IPSS’s work gives local businesses the chance to take

control by remotely viewing their premises and utilising access control that gives owners quick, accurate knowledge of who is present on site for health and safety reasons such as a Fire Roll Call.

Clients have seen savings of up to £15,000 in the first few months of installation for time management.

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Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Area Focus: Mid Warwickshire

Work starts on affordable homes scheme Work is under way on a new affordable homes scheme in Leamington.

The Deeley Group is working in partnership with Waterloo Housing Group and Warwick District Council to create 18 affordable homes on the site of the former Dairy Crest premises off Quarry Street and Old Milverton Road.

The existing buildings have already been demolished and the first foundations have been laid for the properties – four of which will be available to rent while a further 14 will be sold as shared ownership aimed at the local community.

Deeley Construction, part of the Deeley Group, is carrying out the work on the nine two-bedroom and nine three-bedroom properties, with the first homes expected to be ready by autumn 2018.

Pat Moroney, of the Deeley Group, said: “Leamington is crying out for more affordable

homes so we are delighted to be working in partnership with Waterloo Housing Group to deliver this project.

“This is a former brownfield site which we are bringing back into use, providing muchneeded homes for local people. This is the latest in a series of affordable housing schemes we have worked on in the area, as our agility and knowledge of the market mean we are able to provide exactly what is needed for the local area.”

Parking for each two-storey home will be provided at the front of each property.

Anthony Riley, Group Director of Development and Operations at Waterloo Housing Group, said: “We are pleased to be working with the Deeley Group again in Leamington Spa, following the successful completion of the development in Queensway.

“This scheme provides another great opportunity to work together with the W2 Partnership and Warwick District Council to deliver the much needed new homes for local people”.

Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing Services, Councillor Peter Phillips, said: “We welcome the start of construction of new homes on this new site, which alongside current developments of 39 homes on Theatre Street in Warwick and more than 170 homes on Station Approach in Leamington further demonstrates our commitment to the provision of affordable homes in our district.

“Their location in close proximity to both Leamington Spa and Warwick will make these properties an ideal choice for families and young people wanting to stay in or move into the area.”

Pat Moroney (Deeley Group), Andy Bodily (Deeley Construction contracts manager), Richard Pepper (Deeley Construction site manager), Hazel Pennington (Waterloo Housing Group)

Removals firm wins national industry award for second year running industry, the Leamington Spa company, which has only been in the industry for 12 years, was shortlisted from more than 20 entrants in its category.

The judging process involved three stages and various assessments including a site visit by BAR representatives, a website review and contacting previous customers.

Family-run removals and storage company Squab Group has won the coveted title of Domestic Mover of the Year for a second consecutive year.

The national industry award, organised and judged by The British Association of Removers

(BAR) is open to the BAR’s 400 members and celebrates the high standards within the removals industry, with a particular focus on customer experience.

Competing against the crème de la crème of the removals

Squab Group made its debut entry in 2016, proudly finishing in the top three as a finalist in this category. In 2017, the company, which is owned and managed by the Evans family, surpassed this achievement by winning the overall title; a title they proudly hold onto for a second consecutive year.

Emlyn Evans, Director, said: “We didn’t expect to make it to the final three, let alone win the overall title for a second year!

To win the award back-to-back is a big achievement and hasn’t been done many times before.

It’s a real reflection on what our customers have said about us as well as the team’s hard work, both in the office and out on the road. We’re honoured to be recognised in this way again and look forward to continuing to provide our customers with the best possible moving experience.”

Squab was announced as the winner during the Gala Dinner and Awards Night at the BAR Annual Conference held in Bournemouth on Saturday 19th May.

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and again in February when the Beast from the East struck but it was third time lucky when Alistair Clark, Dave Henley, Dave Alcock, Darren Avern, Adam Johnson, Tony Hargreave, Clare Bremridge and Cathy Sheehan from AC Lloyd successfully completed the challenge.

David Skoppek, of Young People First, took his guitar to the summit to give a rendition of ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ to welcome the walkers from AC Lloyd along with their fellow business professionals from Leamington-based ehB Commercial, Hawkesford Estate Agents and Framptons.

Alistair Clark, a director at AC Lloyd, said: “It was tough because instead of walking along the Llanberis Path which was the original plan last December, we climbed the Pyg Track which is much more difficult since the

The Myton Hospices’ annual charity golf day returns for a third year at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club on Thursday 27th September.

Teams of four can enter for £250, which includes a bacon roll and coffee on arrival, 18 holes of golf and prize presentation dinner at 7.30pm. Men’s, ladies and mixed teams are welcome. The event is being sponsored by Tustains Jewellers in Leamington Spa.

Team hits the heights It was five months later than expected but a group of Santas successfully climbed the highest mountain in Wales to break the fundraising target of a Leamington charity.

Eight colleagues from residential and commercial developer AC Lloyd, based at Tachbrook Park in Warwick, helped to raise more than £16,000 for Young People First which helps to transform the lives of disadvantaged young people living in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Originally, the group was set to beat the chilly weather by donning their Santa hats and costumes in the Santas Rock Snowdon 2017: The highest Christmas Party in the UK in December.

But the trek had to be postponed because of the snow

Golfers can tee-off to raise money for The Myton Hospices

terrain is rougher and it felt like a proper mountain climb.

“It was a 14-mile round trip and there were a few aching limbs in the following days but it was worthwhile to raise such a great amount for Young People First.

“I would like to thank all the businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire who generously sponsored us along with our colleagues at AC Lloyd and our families and friends.”

David Skoppek, of Young People First, said that more than £2,000 had been raised in 2016 from the Santas Rock Snowdon event and they had hoped to reach over £5,000 last year.

“We are overwhelmed so many business professionals accepted our invitation to take part in Santas Rock Snowdon and for their unswerving support when we had to cancel twice due to the snow,” he said.

Prizes will be presented to this year’s top players including the winning team and teams in second and third place.

Players can also compete to win a prize if they hit a hole in one, the longest drive and can test their skills with a Nearest the Pin game.

The charity is also in need of prizes for the auction which will be held during the meal at the end of the day.

Anyone who can donate a prize should contact the Corporate Partnerships team on the email below.

People can sign up to take part in the Golf Day at www.mytonhospice.org/golfday or by emailing corporate@mytonhospice.org

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Area Focus: North Warwickshire

Nuneaton business is ahead of the ISO9001 accreditation game

Free careers support on offer Adults across Coventry and Warwickshire can take advantage of the Government’s new education policy to gain qualifications to boost their careers – for free.

The Department for Education is allowing education providers to offer free courses for anyone earning less than £15,726 in an initial year-long trial from September.

The decision means adults no longer have to pay half the cost and can take advantage of a range of courses that will help them to gain qualifications to improve their careers in creative arts, health and social care, IT, hospitality and catering, hairdressing and beauty therapy, and floristry.

Courses are on offer from North Warwickshire & Hinckley College in Hinckley Road, Nuneaton, and Lower Bond Street in Hinckley, as well as other Further Education colleges in Coventry and Warwickshire.

These include NVQ Level 1 and 2 computing for beginners, desktop publishing, web design, digital photography, accounting, food safety, first aid, hairdressing, beauty therapy, floral design, languages and counselling.

Gaining qualifications at no cost can provide a foundation for adults to work towards gaining Level 3 qualifications including Access to Higher Education in healthcare, social sciences and education, as well as progressing to Higher National Certificates, Higher National Diplomas, Foundation Degrees, BAs and professional qualifications.

Marion Plant OBE, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Productivity & Skills Business Group and Principal and Chief Executive Officer of North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, said this was a great opportunity for adults in lower-paid jobs to gain qualifications to improve their career prospects.

She said: “Improving skills is a key part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s priorities and this trial by the Department for Education will give adults who may have been deterred from applying for courses at Further Education colleges because of the cost to think again.

“I hope that removing this financial barrier will encourage more adults to consider improving their skill-set to improve their job prospects or climb the ladder with their current employer.

“There are many talented people throughout Coventry and Warwickshire who will benefit from taking advantage of this change in adult education policy to sign-up for the wide range of courses that are available.

“Qualifications can be studied flexibly either part-time, during the day or in the evening, which is really important since they are designed to fit around work and family commitments.

“This decision could change their lives as well as overcoming skills gaps in the region and developing the skills which employers need.”

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Caledonian Control Technology Ltd (CCTL) has been manufacturing safety critical industrial controls in the UK for more than 35 years.

Their Caledonian Optical Flame Monitoring Technology is the key to eternally burning tribute flames at various high profile memorial locations around the world.

As well as this product, they also manufacture thousands of controls all over the world every year for many varied applications such as heating, commercial cooking and baking, kilns, glass-working, incinerating, metal finishing and cosmetics.

As a company who specialises in the design and production of safety critical products, strict process control is vital and over the years they’ve built an enviable reputation for quality.

Having been one of the earlier adoptees of the ISO 9001 standard back in 1991, they’ve been through a number of iterations of the standard, but like many other businesses, the transition to ISO9001:2015 led to some initial concerns around the workload required, the sheer volume of paperwork and the changes required.

After contacting the Chamber, CCTL enlisted some external help from Andy Kearns (Phoenix Corporate Solutions) who helped Terry Lavin (Quality Technician) to navigate through the new standard and prepare for their accreditation assessment audit in April.

Andy said: “With such a strong quality culture already, CCTL were actually already about 80% of the way to the new version of the standard without even knowing it.

“I was able to simplify things for them and work with Terry to put the new requirements in place really quickly (about a month). They passed their assessment visit in April with flying colours and are now ISO9001:2015 accredited” Will from Caledonian said: “Like most businesses, we are very busy and we were struggling a bit with the time constraints of the transition to

the 2015 version of ISO9001.

We know how important it is to our business to keep our quality system upto date so we contacted the chamber and we were put in touch with Andy.

Andy’s advice was really clear and practical and I think we benefited from his many years of business experience – it definitely made life a lot simpler for us.”

Local firms do business together - after meeting at international trade event!

Two companies, who are based less than five miles apart, are doing business with one another – after meeting at an event to enhance their international orders!

Trident, a Hinckley-based creative agency specialising in design, digital and print, is working with Independent Freight which is helping the company to ship its products to a host of international markets including the EU, USA and South Africa.

And the work is flowing both ways – as Trident has recently worked with Hooper & Co, a spin-off from Independent Freight, by creating a new website and marketing collateral.

The businesses originally met at an event held by the Department for International Trade based at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce to help increase overseas orders.

The two companies have cemented that relationship through networking at Chamber events and Adam Burrage, of Trident, said the relationship showed the value of personal relationships in business.

He said: “We know from what we do on a day-to-day basis that it’s important for companies of all sizes and sectors to make sure they are visible in a whole host of ways – both online and offline.

“It’s about setting yourself apart from the competition and making sure your potential

clients see and hear about you. We are bombarded with information from all angles each and every day so we can only engage with a small percentage that grabs our attention.

“Through our services, we make sure that our clients can delight their customers so they want to engage with the information they are using to market themselves.

“While it is an increasingly virtual world, it is also true that people still want to do business with people and there is very much a place for face-to-face, personal networking.

“That’s how we began to work with Independent Freight. It’s ironic that we were at a meeting finding out how we could do business with companies from overseas and we ended up working for a firm based less than five miles away!

“Through the Chamber, we continued networking and kept meeting Independent Freight. It is a great way of keeping in touch and we are working with each other more and more.

“They are experts at what they do and, because of their professional approach, we trust them to deal direct with our clients on matters such as customs clearances and import documentation.”

Adam Burrage and Jenny Hooper

Jenny Hooper, of Independent Freight, said despite their international focus they still looked to use local suppliers where possible.

She said: “We enjoy working with Trident as they put great effort into ensuring that we stand out from the crowd.

“As a freight forwarding company, we are working all around the world but if there is an opportunity to buy locally we will do so and having met Trident and seen the work they do, we are delighted that this has turned into a two-way relationship.”

Skills centre addresses automotive technology challenge A technology institute showcased how it will address skills gaps within the automotive industry, as investment in the latest technologies sees accelerating global growth.

A special event for businesses held at MIRA Technology Park in Nuneaton revealed how training through the new MIRA Technology Institute (MTI) is set to deliver the skills needed to keep pace with the burgeoning industry.

The UK government has recently announced a new £30 million fund to support British business in the

development of autonomous vehicles which are expected to be seen on the streets by 2021. This follows news that sales of hybrid and electric vehicles are seeing exponential growth with numbers up by 38% since 2017.

Automotive sector businesses were invited to the event to find out how the MIRA Technology Institute can help them to develop a highly skilled workforce that is equipped to meet the challenges of the automotive technologies revolution.

Built with £9.5m investment from the UK Government’s Growth Fund, the MTI is

a 24,500 sq. ft specialist facility designed to train the next generation of automotive engineers.

Due to open in September 2018, the centre will offer specialist skills and qualifications from apprenticeships through to PhDs. The MTI is a unique collaboration with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, the lead partner, and HORIBA MIRA, Coventry University, Loughborough University and the University of Leicester.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Area Focus: South Warwickshire

Support for club

Members of Barford Sports Club with Des Wynne from AC Lloyd (front, third left)

A sports club is the first beneficiary of a community fund set-up by a Warwick property company as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations.

Barford Sports Club, which is based at King George’s Field in Church Lane, Barford, has been awarded a three-year sponsorship deal by residential and commercial developer AC Lloyd.

The company, whose headquarters is at Tachbrook Park, has launched the community fund to give financial support to local clubs and charities which enhance the lives of local people as part of marking seven decades of creating homes and commercial properties throughout the UK. The financial support has led to Barford Sports Club being able to purchase new playing equipment and develop a whole host of activities which take place at King George’s Field including netball and cricket.

AC Lloyd’s commitment has already been rewarded with

Barford United under-12s football team being crowned champions of the Mid-Warwickshire League in their final match of the season just 18 months after being formed.

Mark Griffin, chair of Barford Sports Club, said the support of AC Lloyd was making a vital difference to the running of the club. Some of the funds will help purchase junior football goals and training lights this year.

Peter Beddoes, chairman of AC Lloyd, said the community fund was an ideal way to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

Birth & Babies benefit from film-makers’ support Every year Soft-Focus Productions takes pride in donating their video services to a charity or a cause.

This year was an easy choice.

As husband and wife, co-owners, Edward and Beckie, are soon to be first time parents, choosing the Birth and Babies Appeal seemed like the obvious choice. Not was not only on was this appeal on their minds, but also mentioned a lot by friends, family and midwives.

The Birth and Babies Appeal, are fund raising for a brand new midwife led birthing centre due to open at Warwick Hospital this summer with lots of new fantastic facilities.

This new centre will benefit so many families across South Warwickshire, however they rely on fundraising to achieve their goal.

Edward and Beckie are thrilled to be able to help Warwick Hospital in this way and have donated over £2000 of their filming and editing services as well as photography to help the Birth and Babies Appeal raise their social media awareness in order to achieve their £200,000 target.

Beckie said: “I’m especially looking forward to being able to use the MLU to have our first baby this September.

Having hyperemesis gravidarum (severe sickness) throughout my pregnancy and been hospitalised for this, knowing there will be a brand new, home from home, calm and relaxed environment to give birth to our baby makes the daunting experience to come, actually feel very exciting and I can’t wait to go back to Warwick Hospital.

“We’ve had a great time creating videos to help reach the Birth and Babies Appeal’s target and really hope our videos have helped boost the online presence of the appeal, as the MLU will bring so much comfort and ease to families in South

Warwickshire in a life changing event.”

The Appeal would still appreciate any help from individuals and businesses to help reach their target, for more information please contact: charity@swft.nhs.uk

Venture House celebrates its second birthday Venture House, Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s flagship business centre in Stratford-upon-Avon, has celebrated its second birthday.

The centre is particularly aimed at new and existing SMEs, entrepreneurs and home-based businesses wanting to make the first transition into a commercial environment.

Since the centre opened, many businesses have taken full advantage of the facilities offered at Venture House, including hot-desking, co-working space, meeting room/chill zone, serviced offices and free on-site business support and advice from the CWLEP Growth Hub. The flexible terms and conditions offered at Venture House mean that businesses can move on as they start to grow, freeing up business space for new and emerging businesses wishing to take up an office.

The centre also plays host to a variety of networking events, including Donut Time which takes place on the second Wednesday of every month.

There are also a variety of training events taking place, workshops and the New Business Start up Programme.

The project has been funded by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) through an award of £450,000 as part of the Growth Deal initiative, and led by a team from Stratford-on-Avon District Council.

Bookshop wins Specialist Retail Outlet of the Year The Shakespeare Hospice Bookshop in Stratford was awarded Specialist Retail Outlet of the Year in the recent Hospice UK Retail Awards held at Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth.

Student directors nominated for accolades Five talented film directors from Stratford-upon-Avon College received nominations for the Royal Television Society's Young People's Film Festival.

Creative Media students Lucy Goddard, 18 from Redditch, Toby Jones, 17 from Swalcliffe, Ellie Coombes, 18 from Stratford-upon-Avon, Ingo LyleGoodwin, 18 from Banbury, and Joe Monaghan, 19 from Stratford-uponAvon, were all nominated across a range of categories, celebrating achievements including narrative directing and documentary filmmaking.

As a College assignment, the gifted filmmakers were tasked with producing a short film and then submitting their finished work to the Young People's Film Festival.

Ingo Lyle-Goodwin was nominated for two awards including Best Drama.

His narrative film God Save us All, a dystopian political drama about the rise of right-wing political agendas, was inspired by the campaign for Brexit.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

The Hospice Specialist Retail Outlet of the Year, celebrated the wide range of hospice retail specialisms and was one of four different awards being announced.

It was judged by the chair of the Hospice UK Retail Steering Group, Trevor Johnson. The Shakespeare Hospice was up against some stiff competition as there are a total of

2,500 different hospices nationwide.

The award was highlighting something which really made the retail outlet stand out and make a difference and the Shakespeare Hospice Bookshop demonstrated that a lot of consideration has gone into the shop, taking on board ongoing engagement with customers and its volunteer staff.

A representative from Hospice UK said: “We were also impressed by the dedication shown by the managers and the lengths they go to create a welcoming environment which encourages repeat business and much needed funds.”

Pictured with their award are, left to right, Angie Arnold - Chief Executive Officer of The Shakespeare Hospice; Caroline Pickering - Manager of The Shakespeare Hospice Bookshop; Daphne Jones - Volunteer; Tracy Holdback - Retail Manager of The Shakespeare Hospice and Helen Rainford - Volunteer.

Tracy Holdback, Retail Manager at The Shakespeare Hospice, attended the Awards and was delighted to receive the trophy.

Tracy said: “We are over the moon to receive this trophy and it is fantastic that the Shakespeare Hospice

Bookshop is recognised and all the hard work our volunteers put in to keep the shop running day to day.“

Workshops aim to tackle skills shortage

Nadhim Zahawi, Louise Bennett and Dave Ayton-Hill (all seated) with members of the South Warwickshire Chamber branch behind.

Businesses across south Warwickshire are being urged to attend a series of workshops designed to tackle the skills shortage in the area.

Warwickshire County Council, working with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of

Commerce, recently launched its five-point plan to help business who are suffering as a result of the skills shortage in the region.

The plan offers a range of support and a major part of that is three workshops looking at recruitment, training and explaining ways business can get help.

The courses will be delivered by Warwickshire County Council, the Chamber and the HR Consultancy, with input from a range of partners and providers, and were launched at the Chamber's recent South Warwickshire Branch meeting.

Zahawi, who is MP for Stratford and Minister for Children and Families, discussed a range of issues including skills and the links he is helping to establish between schools and local employers.

He was joined by Dave Ayton-Hill, Economy & Skills Group Manager of Warwickshire Country Council who outlined the need for the sessions.

Louise Bennett, CEO of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber, said skills was the over-riding issue for firms in the south of the region.

“This area benefits from virtually full employment, but that also comes with some downsides and we hear regularly from firms who are struggling to recruit staff in vital roles,” she said.

“There are several factors which can, to some extent, overcome or at least alleviate the problem. They include recruitment and developing skills inside your own organisation.

“We are delighted to be working alongside the County Council and the HR Consultancy in Kenilworth to offer

support and help to companies who are experiencing difficulties in finding the right staff for roles.

“We would urge companies to register to take advantage of the support that is out there. While it is encouraging that our economy is in good health, it is vital that we help develop a pipeline of skilled staff if that growth is to continue.”

Remaining workshops are: Friday 20th July: 8.30am-1.30pm Developing Essential Skills Friday 27th July: 8.30am-1.30pm Business Support for You For more information, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/ 1FAIpQLSdA3rdMU4SCVniimFq8OQ FH5DFLXPugltBO-mUW9niMPgNlw/viewform

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Area Focus: Rugby sponsored column

Understanding your business's true potential

Stepnell completes new-look Rugby Central Shopping Centre Rugby-based construction contractor Stepnell has finished the final elements of a major refurbishment scheme for the town’s Rugby Central Shopping Centre.

The company has helped complete a large-scale programme by owners CT Properties, which has comprehensively upgraded the shopping centre.

A team from Stepnell – which has its head office in Lawford Road, Rugby – carried out a large part of the work, including putting in new granite flooring throughout, revamping shop fronts and installing a new, energyefficient LED lighting system.

In the latter stages of the transformation, Stepnell refurbished the Market Place and North Street entrances and created new entrances from the centre’s Level 2 car park.

By James Melvin As many businesses have discovered, growth not only takes a strong vision but also a clear business strategy. The difficulty in building this strategy occurs in navigating an ever-changing financial environment.

Introducing Corporate Finance.

Cottons Corporate Finance, based in Rugby, understand the needs and challenges faced and offer competitively priced assistance to help give businesses and their owners a competitive and strategic advantage.

If you would like to discuss your business with Cottons Corporate Finance or arrange for an initial no-obligation meeting, please contact either Guy or James on 01788 579033 or email gpain@cottonscf.co.uk or jmelvin@cottonscf.co.uk

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Stepnell commercial manager Jonathan Shales said: “Having a high-quality, vibrant shopping centre which attracts local people and visitors makes a huge contribution to the continued vitality of our town centre.

“We’re delighted and proud to have been part of the team which has helped transform and reinvigorate Rugby Central, using our expertise in delivering successful retail projects to make it an even better place to shop.”

Celebrating the completion of the refurbishment programme at Rugby Central are, left to right, Stepnell commercial manager Jonathan Shales; Martin Vickery from real estate services specialist CBRE; Stepnell contracts manager Paul Charnock and Rugby Central centre manager Robin Swift.

Water jump adds to fun of event

At Cottons, we have encountered numerous businesses that have either stalled in their growth or have been simply unable to get off the ground due to the vast array of challenges presenting themselves at every step of a business's development.

Corporate finance is not a familiar term for many smaller businesses. Many business owners are not aware of the wealth of services offered by partnering your business with a Corporate Finance team.

From start-ups with a new idea to develop, to the assisting in the raising of expansion finance and offering strategic and employee incentives advice during development phases, to ultimately advising on business succession, a Corporate Finance team can offer you true business support when it is most needed.

With the assistance provided, business owners are able to focus on developing new ideas, products and direction. Indeed with the support, expertise and advice delivered by involving a Corporate Finance team a vast array of options not previously identified can be pursued.

Being able to assist and support clients is a key part of the ethos of Cottons, so having our own Corporate Finance Team is a real benefit enabling us to be there in partnership with you throughout your business lifecycle.

Who to contact next?

Robin Swift, Centre manager, Rugby Central Shopping Centre, said: “Our substantial refurbishment has taken time but the results have truly regenerated our shopping centre and the facilities for our customers and visitors.”

James Davies, Andy Ruyssevelt, Robert Wigley, Lucy Bell on Gerry, Ed Hester and James Ellerington with the new water jump.

The bosses of a commercial property and construction company have created a lasting legacy at their former senior school in Warwickshire.

Robert Wigley, James Davies and James Ellerington, who are respectively chairman, managing director and director of operations at The Wigley Group, have unveiled a new water jump on the equine cross-country course at Princethorpe College.

The College, part of the Princethorpe Foundation, has a strong equestrian tradition and the cross-country course is set within its 200-acre estate off Leamington Road in Princethorpe, Rugby.

As well as being an enhancement to the course, which until now did not have a permanent water jump, the deep pools within the obstacle will be used by pupils as part of their environmental and wildlife studies.

The jump was built by Wigley Building and Development, the construction arm of The Wigley Group, in time for the national riding club and schools competitions hosted by the College.

The two-day horse trials is run by Stoneleigh Riding Club in partnership with Princethorpe College and The Kingsley School, and took place over the last weekend of May. The Wigley Group is main sponsor of the event, which attracted more than 250 competitors from riding clubs and schools all over the country, with Howkins & Harrison also sponsoring for the first time with plans to extend their support for next year.

Robert said: “The Wigley Group’s connections with Princethorpe College stretch over two generations with my two children having been pupils as well as – by coincidence – myself, James Davies and James Ellerington.

“We wanted to create a water jump for the cross-country course that could also be used by pupils as part of their studies, and it was great to see it being cleared for the first time during the two day event.

“We would like to congratulate all of those who took part in the horse trials and we were delighted to award our new

Wigley Group Cup, won by those who achieved the best school team score, to the joint team of Packwood Haugh and The Grange schools.”

Ed Hester, headmaster at Princethorpe College, said: “The water jump is a wonderful addition to our cross-country course and sits in one of the most beautiful parts of our grounds against the backdrop of the main College building.”

Stoneleigh Riding Club, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is in the 15th year of running the two day event and has held it at Princethorpe College since 2014, working closely with assistant head Alex Darkes.

Andy Ruyssevelt, vice-chairman of Stoneleigh Riding Club and two day event organiser, said: “The two day event is the only ‘long format’ horse trials in the UK open to schools and riding clubs, which involves dressage, show-jumping, roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross-country disciplines, and is increasingly popular.

“This year was no exception and the unveiling of the water jump was a real highlight in presenting a new and exciting challenge for both riders and spectators to enjoy.”

Award for new member RoSA , a new member of the Chamber, received the inaugural Pride of Rugby award 2018 for Community Support.

RoSA is an independent specialist charity based in Rugby with outreach locations throughout North and South Warwickshire offering support to survivors of rape, sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation and is available to women, men, children, young adults, family members and carers.

They help victims and their families to become survivors and to rebuild their lives through a range of support including: • Face to face and telephone counselling and Support groups • Short guidance and awareness sessions (Coping strategies / Self Awareness) whilst clients are waiting for face to face counselling support

• ISVA (Independent Sexual Violence Advisor Service) provides support for reporting abuse to the police and a range of practical issues e.g. accompany clients to key meetings, advice on housing and debt • Young people service aimed at children aged 5 to 18 and young people who have been indirectly affected by rape and sexual abuse. RoSA supports clients through counselling; prevention and protection initiatives and school counselling support • Focus groups, Befriending service and Positive parenting programmes RoSA's work over the last 26 years in the community has reached about 20,000 people in a subject that has for so many

years been overlooked and to a certain extent, covered up. Year on year the demand for services continues as media coverage becomes more prevalent and social acknowledgment continues to grow. In light of this, it is RoSA’s aim to increase the awareness of its local communities to the services they provide.

Further information can be found on: www.rosasupport.org

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Don’t let poor broadband hold you back Coventry is benefitting from a full fibre transformation giving you access to reliable ultrafast speeds and near unlimited bandwidth.

Ultrafast upload & download speeds

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With no Victorian-age copper cables, your business will enjoy next-generation broadband for many years to come.

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Fuel productivity and growth with full fibre Register your interest at cityfibre.com/connect

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Connectivity

Is weak digital infrastructure damaging business growth?

Companies the length and breadth of the UK, in every sector, are in urgent need of digital connectivity that is truly fit for purpose.

We’ve all felt that familiar frustration when the broadband connection grinds to a halt; the head-in-your-hands exasperation when the download estimate for a large file is minutes – even hours – instead of seconds. We’ve all known the irritation when Skype cuts out during a call or when you have to save your files to a USB stick because you don’t trust the internet connection.

You might think that these frustrations are simply part and parcel of modern business and that, although your current broadband connection is far from perfect, there isn’t anything better available. You might think you already have “fibre” and, reluctantly, you’ve accepted that even though it isn’t great, it’s the best you’re going to get.

The truth is that there is a better alternative available now, and that alternative is full fibre. www.cw-chamber.co.uk

‘Fibre’ and ‘full fibre’ are very different When some of the UK’s biggest providers talk about fibre what you are actually settling for is fibre cables used for part of the journey, to carry data to your local cabinet. From there, Victorian-age copper wire – which is notoriously slow and unreliable – carries the data to and from your premises.

Full fibre, on the other hand, uses a fibre connection the entire length of the journey. That means no copper wire, no slowdown in speeds and no drop in quality.

This fibre ruse is increasingly apparent when businesses realise their internet

connection is shackling them from innovating. And as our reliance on cloud computing and remote solutions continues to grow, so will the realisation that businesses across the UK are being held back.

Coventry’s digital revolution As one of the first cities in the UK to benefit from CityFibre and Vodafone’s national Fibre-to-the-Premises programme, Coventry is already ahead of the game. With a private investment from CityFibre of at least £60 million into extending the city’s existing 180km network to nearly every premise, it will transform the digital capabilities of the entire community.

“As one of the first cities in the UK to benefit from CityFibre and Vodafone’s national Fibre-to-the-Premises programme, Coventry is already ahead of the game.”

In particular, Coventry’s business community stands to benefit enormously. Full fibre has an immediate impact on productivity, efficiency and bottom line while unlocking new opportunities and future-proofing businesses for tomorrow. According to research by economic consultancy, Regeneris, access to gigabit-speed full fibre connectivity could unlock £57m in business productivity and innovation in Coventry. A further £29m could be driven from new business start-ups, with enhanced connectivity making it easier and less expensive to set up base and run efficiently.

While every company will have different ambitions, the need for robust digital infrastructure is fundamental for success. Full fibre will help to usher in a truly digital future – and that future will be here sooner than you may imagine with construction work in Coventry to begin later this year.

Read more about CityFibre’s Gigabit City Coventry project on: cityfibre.com/coventry

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Connectivity

Can your phone system make, rather than cost, money? system could become a tool to increase profitability rather than just a monthly outgoing cost.

Improve your brand perception with auto attendant and CTI (computer telephony integration) A well-considered phone system can improve the way your company comes across to your customers, partners and prospects. With a professional greeting, streamlined auto attendant, day and night modes, relevant call diverts and voicemail services, your callers can enjoy a seamless experience and hang up with a positive impression.

You can also integrate your phone system with your desktop and your CRM system so that, when an existing customer calls you, their details and any notes attached to their account appear on your screen, allowing you to start the call with a more personal and informed greeting.

Network Telecom has been helping companies to generate real business results from their telecoms set ups for over twenty years.

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Whether your business has a traditional phone system, a hosted solution or you are thinking about upgrading, here are three ways that your business phone

calls, and potential sales, you are missing out of hours. By looking at your call data, and adjusting your processes accordingly, you could be one step closer to meeting your targets.

Upsell your services with advertising on hold Advertising on hold is one of the most effective ways of informing customers about the different products you offer.

Not only can it stop customers hanging up when they’re waiting, reducing perceived wait times, but on hold marketing turns wasted on-hold time into a valuable marketing space to upsell your services to a captive audience. Best of all, this air time won’t cost you a penny!

For more information, and for a free consultation regarding your current telecoms set up, call 01952 221 312 or email enquiries@networktelecom.co.uk

Boost your workplace efficiency and reduce wasted spend with call recording How many times have you taken a large order or an important message over the phone, only to hang up and wonder whether you’ve written down the wrong quantities or misspelled an address?

With call recording, you can easily revisit conversations to confirm details, solve any disputes and train staff.

With call management software you can also monitor all the calls that come in and out of your business and see how many

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Connectivity

Cyber threats In a progressively cyber world, how secure is your organisation?

The overwhelming majority of businesses and charities are reliant on online services, which exposes them to cyber security risks.

Nearly all UK businesses (98%)* and charities (93%)* rely on some form of digital communication or services, such as staff email addresses, websites, online banking and the ability for customers to shop online.

This gives cyber criminals any number of opportunities to gain access your systems. Here we share some of the current cyber security trends along with some helpful suggestions to combat cyber-crime.

Phishing: – don’t click the link Phishing is the fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an email.

Malware developers are exploiting the popularity of the video game Fortnite, with fake Android versions of the game advertised in third party stores and on compromised links in YouTube game installation videos.

Researchers have observed the malware performing actions such as credential harvesting, data deletion and permitting access to mobile device cameras and audio.

Only installing apps from official stores and scrutinising links before clicking should protect you from most malicious apps.

Malware: Malware is the collective term for malicious software including viruses, trojans and spyware that has been written and distributed to deliberately perform unauthorised functions.

Malware sits in the background of your computer systems and enables attackers to gain full control of infected machines, enabling them to add contents for other purposes such as banking Trojans, keyloggers, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) use.

There is a new Malware out and about: Mylobot. Mylobot is sophisticated for a piece of criminal malware, incorporating advanced evasion, infection and propagation techniques.

Ransonware: don’t pay the ransom Ransomware is a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid.

Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cyber-crime reporting centre, has highlighted a sharp increase in reports of scam WannaCry emails.

Users are told that their devices are infected with WannaCry ransomware and that all files will be deleted if they do not pay a fine in Bitcoin.

Action Fraud received 300 reports of this activity in just two days.

They advise deleting the email, reporting the attempt to them and not making any payment in Bitcoin.

How can you fight back?

• Gain Cyber Essentials with GDPR accreditation Cyber Essentials helps prevent the vast majority of cyber-attacks. Even a simple virus or piece of malware could result in loss of company and client data, disrupt your cash flow and take up staff time. An attack could also put

off your customers, stop you trading and damage your hard-earned reputation. It could also be reported in the local media.

• Having Cyber Essentials accreditation will • Protect your organisation against common cyber threats • Show your customers you take this issue seriously • Free £25,000 worth of Cyber Insurance • Enable you to bid for some Government contracts Cyber Essentials will ensure you have • Standard network defences Firewalls: Use your firewalls, turn them on and check they are working.

Antivirus software: Most antivirus software is able to signature at least some versions of Mylobot. Regularly update your software to take advantage of the security patches released.

Operating System updates: Should be regularly updated to take advantage of the security patches released by your operating company.

• Good cyber hygiene Training ourselves to think proactivity about our cyber security and Create a good Cyber Culture, not clicking links, using strong passwords. Clear policies and procedures to support business operations.

Why not contact Axiom Cyber Intelligence to discuss the next steps to meet your cyber security needs. www.axiomci.co.uk info@axiomci.co.uk 0333 355 8553 *Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2018

Cyber Solutions in a Digital World

In a progressively Cyber world how secure is your organisation?

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We are a trusted provider of end-to-end cyber security solutions including grass roots advice and awareness of cyber security, needs and risk assessment, technical assessment, practical implementation, evaluation, testing and audit.

We are a certification body for the Cyber Essentials and GDPR Scheme.

Cyber Essentials (CE) is a governmentbacked cyber security certification scheme that sets out a baseline of cyber security suitable for all organisations.

Cyber Essentials helps you guard against the most common cyber threats and demonstrate your commitment to cyber security. Even a simple virus or piece of malware could result in loss of company and client data, disrupt your cash flow and take up staff time.

An attack could put off your customers, stop you trading and damage your hard-earned reputation.

Let us help you become Cyber Secure

Having Cyber Essentials accreditation will

1. Protect your organisation against common cyber threats

2. Show your customers you take this issue seriously

3. Give you £25,000 of free Cyber Insurance

4. Enable you to bid for some Government contracts.

We’ll be happy to discuss your Cyber Security needs. For more information or to book a meeting, give us a call on 0333 355 8553 or email info@axiomci.co.uk www.axiomci.co.uk www.cw-chamber.co.uk

37

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Panelcraft celebrates 25 years in business Over thirty years ago Peter Cartwright developed the original access panels for the construction industry. His original company Panelform Ltd manufactured the "Sesame" range of panels for Profilex Ltd.

Mick has over 25 years experience in the interiors sector of the construction industry. He has a vast knowledge in design, development , sales & marketing and contracting.

Peter merged Panelform with Profilex in the mid eighties, resigning as Managing Director of Profilex selling his shareholding to British Gypsum.

Mick worked for the market leaders in manufacturing , distribution and contracting Burgess Architectural products, Pergola industries, CCF and Bridge Interiors.

Starting Panelcraft with a blank canvas, Peter redesigned his original concepts to produce an improved range of access panels to meet the demands of architects and contractors for slimmer, lighter and more effective products.

Peter was joined in 2003 by Mick McDonagh to help Peter Cartwright further develop and market the already well established "Pan" range of access Panels.

Underestimated or overlooked access requirements can prove highly disruptive should they need to be addressed at a later stage. The use of stud partition cavities in dry lining, to carry services and address concealed controls, is now a vital and fundamental part of the architectural design process.

Panelcraft personnel pioneered the concept of manufacturing functional

access panels (sometimes known as access hatches) that are aesthetic in design by blending into the surrounding surface. By working closely with architects, designers and builders we can provide the most appropriate solutions.

Research and development is constantly taking place to improve designs and offer new access panel and related products.

We can provide solutions to new methods of construction and we are constantly improving our designs to offer higher specifications - particularly in the area of Fire Resistance and Acoustics. We implement quality management methods to ISO 9001:9002. Panels are monitored throughout the production process with back office procedures in place to guarantee quality that delivers on time.

Our Product Range : • Fire Rated Ceiling Access Panels • Fire Rated Wall Access Panels • Access Panels for Ceilings • Access Panels for Walls • Fire Rated Access Panels • Non Fire Rated Access Panels • Bespoke, Tailor Made, Made to Measure Fire Rated Access Panels • Bespoke, Tailor Made, Made to Measure Non Fire Rated Access Panels • Fire Rated Loft Hatches As a British company, we at Panelcraft Access Panels are proud to manufacture our products in the Midlands.

SLIMPAN

The most user friendly panel on the market Features

• Over 1 million quick Release Spring Hinges fitted with no problems

• On square panels the door can be fitted to all edges of the frame allowing it to open in any direction.

• Locks available include Budget Lock, Key Lock, Temper Proof Lock and Touch Catches

Benefits

3 No Screws to lose

3 No Flimsy Pins to Break

3 No tools required to remove Quick Release Door 3 No seperate fixing brackets required

Ask for our Brochure to see the full range of panels

01827 720830

Panelcraft Access Panels, Unit H, The Pavillions Abeles Way, Holly Lane Industrial Estate, Atherstone, Warwickshire CV9 2QZ e: sales@panelcraftaccesspanels.com www.panelcraftaccesspanels.com Buy British Quality

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

39

News

Confidence takes a dip but remains strong Business confidence in Coventry and Warwickshire has taken a small dip but still remains positive and stronger than the national average, according to a major survey.

The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), in conjunction with Warwickshire County Council, has revealed a second successive fall in the economic outlook for the region.

The QES, which feeds into the national British Chambers of Commerce survey, acts as a barometer for the economy across the city and the county. The results are calculated and then given an index rating where 50 is a balance between growth and retraction – so anything above means the majority of respondents are feeling positive.

In the latest quarter, the manufacturing sector reported a fall in both domestic orders and overseas orders, while the service sector also saw a decline in overseas sales.

There was positive news in the service sector, as domestic orders rose again from 65.2 to 66.1 after a small fall in the first quarter of 2018.

The index on employment saw a fall in both the service and manufacturing sectors from 61.0 to 59.5 in the service industry and from 68.1 to 67.5 in manufacturing.

There was an improvement in investment in both training an equipment in the manufacturing sector but a dip in the service sector.

All in all, it led to the overall business confidence index falling from 77.6 to 76.5 in the service sector and from 83.8 to 78.1 in manufacturing.

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The QES is a great gauge of how businesses are feeling across our patch and the results bear out what we are hearing anecdotally from companies.

“There is still confidence and optimism in this region – which is why the index is still positive and way ahead of the national picture – but there is also an element of uncertainty creeping in which has seen the index drop slightly.

“It’s important to recognise that there is still strong confidence in the region and that companies, generally, have a positive outlook about doing business here.

“But, equally, as a Chamber we will continue to give firms as much support as possible to help them grow either through getting out there and meeting potential new clients and, also, supporting and advising them on opportunities that are out there.”

David Ayton-Hill, Economy & Skills Group Manager at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The changes reported in the results do not lead to any immediate concerns over business activity within Coventry and Warwickshire, it is perhaps worth noting that there has been a marked increase this quarter in businesses highlighting uncertainty over Brexit as being a key area of concern.

“Economic theory highlights the importance of certainty and stable conditions to promote and stimulate business investment and confidence.

“Until there is some more clarity around the Brexit negotiations, it is likely that we will continue to see some downward pressures on these indices, particularly the elements that are looking at future market opportunities and conditions.”

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40

“The QES is a great gauge of how businesses are feeling across our patch and the results bear out what we are hearing anecdotally from companies.

There is still confidence and optimism in this region – which is why the index is still positive and way ahead of the national picture – but there is also an element of uncertainty creeping in which has seen the index drop slightly.”

www.briuk.co.uk www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

News

Experienced marketing expert takes on new challenge A woman with vast experience of businesses, the media and online marketing has been appointed commercial manager at a rapidly-expanding education and training company in Coventry.

Maggie Thomson joined the Coventry Telegraph in 1996 in the promotions department before rising through the ranks to become field sales manager for the Midlands.

The 48-year-old was then promoted to head of media sales for Coventry and the West Midlands, having responsibility for advertising in Trinity Mirror’s newspapers and websites in the region.

After making the decision to take voluntary redundancy and embrace a new challenge, Maggie made the decision to join PET-Xi Training as commercial manager in January 2018.

She is heading up a team of business development managers and business support, and also overseeing the marketing and creative side of the business.

She will work with her team

to encourage schools and businesses to upskill their students and employees.

“For the last 22 years, I have looked after a wide range of businesses to meet their advertising needs in the education, property, motoring, classified and retail sections in Coventry and across the region,” she said.

“I have built up a great network of contacts and one of those was Fleur Sexton, who I have heard speak on numerous occasions and found her to be an inspiration.

“We met again at the Coventry Business Group NSPCC annual Christmas Lunch where Fleur is on the board and I help with fundraising at their annual events, and this aligns with my career since I have been focused on working with local businesses who are involved in their communities.

“This is a fabulous opportunity at PET-Xi Training and I love the fact that everything is dedicated to helping people better their lives and achieve qualifications to give them more choices.

“With over 22 years’ experience, PET-Xi Training has worked with over 100,000 people across the whole spectrum of academic ability, behaviour and confidence as well as working with job seekers looking for the opportunity to upskill and get back into employment.

“PET-Xi Training also provides specialised business training for companies and individuals which I would recommend to all businesses that are looking to maximise their efficiency, productivity and profitability.

“There is so much to be positive about in the city particularly following Coventry’s success in becoming UK City of Culture 2021 and I am really looking forward to working with even more businesses as we all come together to make it a year to remember.”

Fleur Sexton DL, the current UK Businesswoman of the Year 2017/18 and recentlyappointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, said Maggie’s experience in the business community in the

PET-Xi Training commercial manager Maggie Thomson (left) with managing director Fleur Sexton

region would be a valuable addition to the team.

“As part of my commitment to my vision and the Businesswoman of the Year award, I am delighted to appoint a woman to one of our most senior managerial roles,” she said.

“We are growing at a rapid rate and Maggie’s knowledge of businesses from SMEs to global giants along with her online marketing skills will be instrumental in driving PET-Xi Training to the next level.

“We have always primarily focused on the education sector, which will remain at the core of

our business, but it is important to explore other avenues and an expanding area is training and upskilling employees of all ages.

“The courses we are running either in the workplace or at our premises are proving really popular as we encourage everyone to learn new skills and boost their careers.”

Maggie, who lives in Bedworth, has two grown-up children, Leia who is a resourcing co-ordinator at PET-Xi Training and Mitchell, who is an estimator at Litecast in Nuneaton, and has two grandchildren, Keira (seven) and Kai (five).

Coventry Chemicals announces rebrand Coventry Chemicals, part of the Coventry Group of companies, formally announced at the Ricoh Arena that it is undergoing a change of name and a new visual identity for the 55-year-old business.

Coventry Chemicals will now be called Mirius™ - Global Hygiene Solutions.

The company has been a leader in the manufacture and supply of cleaning liquids, powders and tablet to suit all professional, retail and international cleaning and hygiene requirements since 1963.

As part of the rebrand, the business has created individual brand identities for each of its divisions – Retail, Professional and Healthcare.

Steve Quinlan, CEO, said: “The new name better reflects who we are today, tomorrow and for the future. We are more than just a chemicals company - we provide solutions.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

“With hundreds of customers in over 80 countries and millions of end-users, we felt it was a good time to capitalise on the momentum of our growing success.

To meet the changing needs of our clients, we’re taking a bold step to redefine our company and build a new model for our industry.

“The change of name enables us to leverage the strengths of our different product categories and at the same time align our corporate and divisional brand identities.

“Our capabilities are second to none, offering quality products, a swift and proven distribution service and in-depth scientific and technical back-up to support our UK and worldwide customers.

“While our company name is changing, all core elements of the organisation will remain the same.”

41

Education and Training

Initiative seeks to bridge skills gap in hospitality sector

Warwickshire County Council is committed to addressing the skills gap by forging productive links between businesses and schools and colleges in the County.

This strategy supports employers to get the talented new blood they need, while assisting young people to become equipped for productive careers, and in turn helps to keep the county's economy strong.

During recent employability events and feedback from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber branch meetings, many hoteliers spoke of the great difficulties they face in attracting people to their advertised roles and to the sector in general.

The businesses asked for help in promoting the sector to young people and to encourage them to consider training for a career in the catering industry.

Previously, the sector has utilised a blend of apprentices and European workers to bridge any gaps and meet the demand of the industry with a steady level of retention and upwards progression.

However, in recent times, the industry has seen a dramatic drop in applicants and students joining apprenticeship and study programmes which is visibly causing the organisations serious operational issues.

A partnership was created which was headed by Chris Steadman of Q Hotels, Dave Lennox from The Careers and Enterprise Company and Fay Winterburn, Warwickshire County Council's Business Skills advisor.

This partnership has drawn in support from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of

Commerce and the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub, along with the county's colleges and training providers, and has set itself the task of raising awareness of the Hospitality sector, enhancing existing support and, critically, look at how the sector and associated partners could adapt their approach to the changing market and attract talent.

Factors which are presenting difficulties to recruiting apprentices for the Hospitality sector include more young people deciding to go to university, take a gap year or to apply for local jobs. Many young people are simply not aware of the opportunities provided by apprenticeships, particularly in this sector.

The campaign kicked off with the highly successful Hospitality Employability event which brought together 13 Warwickshire schools, college and training providers and six hotels. Feedback told us that many people made great connections and identified many future routes of support for each other.

The group talked through the difficulties the sector faces, forging common areas of focus and created a suite of actions that could be shared by all in the room to bring about benefits.

Already, an action has taken place at Shipston High School, following the event. All year 10 students have taken part in a workshop showing students the many varied opportunities available for them within the industry.

Joanne Hammick the General Manager from The Stratford Manor, Q Hotels came along to Careers lessons to talk about her role and her career to date. She also brought along two of her apprentices who are studying for their degree while working for the hotel.

The group talked about various job roles, apprenticeships and opportunities, such as working while getting a degree paid for.

The students then had a fun, practical session where they had to set a formal dinner table and come up with suggestions about what would be needed to be considered a 4 star hotel.

Louise Moorman, the Work Related Co-ordinator at Shipston High School, talked about the wonderful feedback from students; some of the quotes included: ‘Best Careers lesson ever’, ‘I hadn’t thought of doing that’ and ‘I am going to apply for that apprenticeship’. Three students have already signed up for work experience places at the hotel.

Fay Winterburn said: “It's been very rewarding receiving this kind of feedback from the young people as this event was something new for us and developed by purely listening to the business needs of Warwickshire.

We are very proud of its success which was only made possible by the group members reacting so quickly to the support on offer.

“This collaborative approach to identifying and solving problems is a blueprint for how we can look at improving the skills issues for other sectors that may also be experiencing skills shortages.”

If you would like to see how Fay Winterburn might help your business to address any skills shortage, contact her at faywinterburn@warwickshire.gov.uk

Tackling skills shortages County Council takes innovative approach to The five point plan to help businesses new levy transfer Through talking to businesses across the county, y, it has become bec increasingly apparent to Warwickshire County Council and the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce that skills shortages are becoming a significant barrier to growth.

Last month saw the launch of the county council’s five point plan to support businesses in tackling skill shortages. Now collaborating with the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Kenilworth's The HR Consultancy the county are pleased to announce the five steps to tackle such shortages and support in building tailored plans to suit individual business needs.

Step One - Complete the Online registration form to join the campaign and benefit from the great support available.

Step ep T Tw wo - Engage with a dedicated business skills advisor to discuss your skills needs and issues faced. o offer offer lots of useful tips and man many strategies to Step Three - Attend 3 workshops designed to consider when addressing skills shortages.

Exploring various ious labour pools

Building effec effective vacancy adverts

Non salary benefits

How to engage with schools

Training funding support

Attracting new talent

How apprenticeships work for you

Business support programmes

ills advisor, advisor, identify iden which of the strategies or tips from Step Four - Working with your business skills the workshops you would like to replicate in your business and build effective skills plans utilising the support identified.

Step Five - Regular contact and reviews to track progress and link additional support if or when required.

A series of workshops are to be held at Kenilworth Holiday Inn, 212 Abbey End, Kenilworth, CV8 1ED on the ffollo ollowing dates.

Friday 13th July: 8.30am - 1.30pm Exploring Alternative Routes to Recruitment Friday 20th July: 8.30am - 1.30pm Developing Essential Skills Friday 27th July: 8.30am - 1.30pm Business Support ffor or Y You ou

42

Warwickshire County Council is taking an innovative approach to closing the skills gap in social care with a new initiative utilising the new levy transfer option introduced by the Government in April this year.

Under the regulations, employers that pay the apprenticeship levy, such as the County Council, have the option to transfer up to 10% of their annual levy funds to other organisations which are not levy payers.

This provides extra flexibility in how the levy is used to help close skills gaps. Levy paying organisations can use funds to invest in helping their supply chain or nominated business to introduce new apprentices of upskill existing staff.

There is currently a restriction to transfer funds to only one company, but rather than select one business, the County Council has chosen to invite care providers to present business projects that will demonstrate the effectiveness of apprenticeships for their business development.

The successful company will have access to fully funded qualifications for its apprentices, as well as ongoing business support and guidance from the County Council.

The funding and business support will assist the company to plan for the future, and improve its business outcomes, as well as provide training and job opportunities to local people from a variety of backgrounds. The County Council will also ensure that local training providers are able to compete for the work to deliver the training for the new apprenticeships.

Warwickshire County Council leader, and portfolio holder for economic growth, Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: “We’ve chosen to maximise this opportunity provided by the new regulations, to address the skills gap in the social care sector.

With an ever growing demand on services and a decrease in staffing availability, the growing challenges for recruiting to this sector in Warwickshire - and the rest of the country are well known. This project will lead to a boost of a number of newly skilled workers in the social care sector and we hope will have a significant impact on the lives of our residents.”

Levy Business Support In recent months the County Councils Business Skills Advisor, Fay Winterburn has heard from many Levy paying businesses. The businesses have spoken of their Levy underspend and how news of the Levy transfer option has left some unsure where to transfer to, if at all.

Fay said: “We are really pleased to be one of the first levy-paying organisations to utilise this opportunity and support a sector in such great need. I would urge any levy-paying organisations to explore all of the options. The nominated transfer organisation could be any non-levy paying business you wish to engage with.”

“This is such a wonderful opportunity to take a whole new approach with apprenticeship support.

For example, is there a local charity that your business would like to help who might benefit from a new administrative or marketing apprentice to build their fundraising profile?

Could you call upon your workforce for inspiration on who to support and to present ideas?

“I am very much looking forward to supporting more Levy paying organisations to also explore their transfer opportunities and helping other businesses to develop” If you are a Levy paying business and would benefit from Levy Transfer support, please contact Fay on Faywinterburn@warwickshire.gov.uk

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE

GREEN BUSINESS PROGRAMME

FREE Energy Efficiency Grants up to ÂŁ100,000 Energy efficiency funding is available to small to medium sized businesses in Coventry & Warwickshire. Grants are non-repayable and available up to ÂŁ100,000 to implement energy efficiency measures so that you can reduce your energy costs.

We can provide up to 30% of the funding for any of the following measures: LED lighting Heating systems and controls New energy efficient equipment, e.g. air compressors New energy efficient machinery e.g. manufacturing machines for production lines Variable speed drives and energy efficient motors Renewable energy (e.g. solar PV, thermal hot water, biomass, air source heat pumps) and many other measures We can also provide a free energy audit to help identify where energy and cost savings can be made.

Tel: Email: Web:

0300 060 3747 greenbusiness@coventry.gov.uk www.coventry.gov.uk/greenbusiness

The Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund and is delivered by Coventry City Council, Coventry University and Coventry University Enterprises Ltd.

Enterprises Limited

President & People

Local Law Firm rewards dedicated Law Professional with new position Business continues despite the forthcoming holidays Dear Chamber member, As I write this column, the sun is shining bright and England are still in the World Cup. Hopefully, by the time this copy of C&W in Business hits your desk, both are still true!

Whether it’s the World Cup, the glorious weather or the approach to the summer holidays, you can certainly feel that this is a slightly quieter time of year with everyone ready for a summer break before getting back to business after the holidays.

That said, I attended a very popular UK/Swedish conference at the Coventry University Technology Park, which outlined how we could enhance relations between the two countries, but more specifically, our region and Gothenburg.

There were more than 20 presentations throughout the day, including from the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber.

The event was driven by Paul Sullivan from 52 Global, also a non-exec on the Chamber board.

A civic dinner was held for all those in attendance and the Lord Mayor agreed for Coventry to move forwards with an MOU with Gothenburg.

There was also an event at the Ricoh recently where manufacturers from all over the Midlands came together to show how great we are on this patch.

There were a huge amount of Coventry and Warwickshire businesses exhibiting, including many Chamber members, and showing just how innovative we are, as well as how passionate we are about business on our region.

Clearly the diesel “mess” is causing issues and has affected car sales and that, in turn, is having an adverse effect on the local supply chain.

With OEMs announcing the uncertainty on their continued production in the UK, this is one of the many things that the Chamber on both a national and regional level will be communicating with Westminster to influence policy and speed of decisions.

Retail continues to have a tough time, but many of our smaller members with a unique or boutique offering are using Chamber networking, website and publications to get their message out, ensuring that they are finding new customers through these additional marketing channels, which is great to see.

Finally, there’s a couple of dates for you diary that are worth making sure you keep free for later in the year.

Our Business Expo takes place at the Ricoh Arena on Friday, September 28. Having spoken to the team at the Chamber, they have already secured bookings for stands which is very positive news.

On the back of that, will be holding our Annual Economic Conference at the Ricoh Arena on Friday, November 16 with Jon Snow already booked in as a keynote speaker.

That will be just what we need after a long, hot summer – guaranteed Snow at the Ricoh!

John Nollett

44

Alsters Kelley LLP, one of Coventry and Warwickshire’s leading law firms has announced the promotion of Yemi Alli, their Immigration lawyer to Associate Solicitor.

Stefan Hunka, Member and Head of Immigration said, “Yemi has made a substantial contribution to the Immigration department and the wider firm since joining us four years ago.

She has built an excellent reputation and is very

experienced in assisting her clients both businesses and individuals in identifying solutions to some of the most difficult immigration, asylum and human rights matters.

“This promotion is in recognition of all her efforts and achievements to date and we are sure she will continue to make a significant contribution to the future success and development of

the Immigration department and the wider practice.”

Yemi, who qualified in 2011 and joined the Immigration department at Alsters Kelley in 2014, said, “I am extremely pleased about my promotion and I am looking forward to

helping the Immigration department and the firm to build and develop further and to take advantage of the opportunities in a continually changing legal market.”

Yemi will continue to be based at the Coventry office in Manor Terrace.

Electrophysiology expert accepts invitation to join board Creavo Medical Technologies Ltd (Creavo), the UK-based medical device company, has announced that electrophysiology expert Dr Faizel Osman has accepted an invitation to join its distinguished medical advisory board.

Dr Osman, consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, will advise the firm along with other members of the board on the potential applications and research areas for its magnetocardiography (MCG) device.

Creavo’s device is a uniquely portable diagnostic technology capable of measuring, displaying and storing electromagnetic fluctuations caused by heart activity.

Steve Parker, chief executive officer of Creavo, said: “We’ve done a great deal of work so far looking at the device’s applications within emergency care for the detection of ischaemia, but we know it’s potential reaches far beyond that.

“We’re delighted to have Dr Osman on board. His extensive expertise in cardiac device implants and cardiac electrophysiology will give us valuable

insights into the diverse possibilities within magnetocardiography.”

Creavo has also appointed senior medical technology industry leaders Chris Meredith and Pierre Chauvineau as non-executive directors.

Chris Meredith is currently Group Chief Executive Officer of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc and has previously held senior sales and marketing roles at Smiths Industries,– now Smiths Group plc, Cardinal Health, Banner Pharmacaps, and Aster Cephac.

Pierre Chauvineau has more than 25 years’ international business leadership experience in corporate and start-up companies within the medical technology industry. He recently held the role of Vice President Rhythm Management (Europe) at medical device manufacturer Boston Scientific.

Emma accepts promotion Cottons have announced that Emma Reid, senior accountant at the Rugby branch, has accepted a promotion to become a Partner.

Having been brought up in Rugby, Emma has a keen interest in the town, and has witnessed the economic and social growth in the town and its surrounding areas.

Emma takes pride in actively supporting the local business community as part of Cottons Chartered Accountants.

Emma studied at Rugby High School where she completed her GCSEs and A-Levels, before heading to the University of East Anglia in Norwich to study Accountancy with Law. After achieving her degree

in August 2004, Emma joined Cottons as a Graduate Trainee becoming ACA qualified at the end of 2007.

Emma has been involved with growing the Rugby office since it first opened in 2008, and takes pride in being part of the Cottons team in her home town.

She now provides accounting, taxation and business support to her own portfolio of clients consisting of SME’s across a wide range of industries. Emma’s knowledgeable approach and supportive nature have been key to her success and the rapport she has with her clients.

Emma said: “I am delighted to be continuing my career with Cottons and taking on the role of Partner. We have a

great team at Cottons and it is a really exciting time to be playing my part at Partner level. I am looking forward to continuing to enjoy my existing relationships with clients and to be able to grow new ones over the coming months and years.”

Mark Palmer, who opened the Rugby branch and has

worked with Emma over the years, said: “Emma has deservedly been promoted to partner, we have worked closely together for 14 years and I have seen first-hand her development from her start as a graduate trainee to her current role as trusted advisor to her clients and colleagues.”

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

President & People

Growth at Lodders dispute resolution practice (L to r) Jane Senior (head of Lodders Dispute Resolution team) with new hires Lauren Smith, Caroline Walford Cowley and Tom Ellis.

Midlands and South West law firm Lodders has added three litigation lawyers to its Dispute Resolution team in the wake of continued growth in the volume of new instructions.

Tom Ellis joins as Associate from the professional and financial disputes team at City firm Clyde & Co, whilst joining as solicitors are Lauren Smith

from Malvern firm Russell & Co, and contentious trust and probate specialist Caroline Walford-Cowley from Wilsons Solicitors.

Cambridge graduate Tom Ellis trained and qualified at Mayer Brown International in London before moving in 2010 to what became Clyde & Co, where he became senior associate in

2015. An experienced litigator, he has principally been involved in professional negligence disputes valued at up to around £10 million.

Lauren Smith trained at Russell & Co, qualifying in to the litigation department where she worked as a solicitor in the litigation department of Russell & Co. Previously she worked at Plymouth firm Womble Bond Dickinson, where she built her litigation and dispute resolution skills including working in debt recovery as part of the legal team of a major utility company.

Caroline Walford-Cowley joins Lodders’ Dispute Resolution team after eight years at Salisbury-based firm Wilsons Solicitors, where she specialised in contentious trust and probate work after qualifying with the firm.

A member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists, she has previously worked in London for an investment bank and at global law firm Linklaters in their Risk and Anti-Money Laundering teams, whilst studying for the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law.

HB&O Director appointed Chair of DFK International Marketing Committee HB&O Director, Sarah Wilson, has been appointed as the new Chair of the DFK International Marketing Committee.

Sarah will be responsible for directing the work of the committee, which supports 220 firms across 93 countries worldwide.

The DFK International Marketing Committee (IMC) has two primary objectives: to promote the DFK brand worldwide, and to identify and share best practice in marketing and business development with all DFK members.

The IMC develops and maintains marketing campaigns to promote the international network, as well as sharing knowledge and skills across the network to enable clients worldwide to access innovative, high quality services. Sarah Wilson has taken on the role of Chair following her involvement with the DFK International Future Leaders’ Conference in February 2018 and in recognition of HB&O’s experience in building a strong brand.

Martin Sharp, Executive Director, DFK International, said: “As the director

responsible for marketing within her own firm, HB&O, Sarah has a strong grasp of the marketing opportunities that exist for DFK International and will provide the direction needed to ensure we capitalise on them.”

Sarah said: “We have a great deal of collective expertise across the DFK International Network. We want to maximise opportunities to share ideas among the network, which will ultimately ensure we all continue to provide the best service to our clients around the world.”

O’Brien achieves FIH Accreditation

O’Brien Contractors have been awarded FIH accreditation.

FIH Certified Field Builders are companies that specialise in building hockey fields.

The companies that achieve accreditation have a proven ability to construct fields to the international standards the game requires.

They have appropriate in-house civil engineering expertise for the design and construction of 11-a-side and Hockey 5s fields, operate quality management systems to ensure consistency in their work, and provide comprehensive maintenance advice to their customers.

O’Brien Sports Director, Mick O’Brien, said: We are delighted to have been award FIH accreditation. Our sports division has been delivering top quality hockey fields for many years now and this award recognises their professionalism and skill, as well as the high standards that O’Brien Contractors bring to all of our projects.”

Only a small number of firms worldwide have so far achieved this accreditation award and it puts O’Brien Contractors in a strong position for the construction work that will begin all over the Midlands for the Commonwealth Games taking place in Birmingham in 2022.

Former BAM MD takes up Director Post with Stepnell

Richard Bailey has been appointed as a director by expanding regional construction contractor Stepnell, which has its head office in Rugby.

He brings extensive senior-level experience from a 39-year career with BAM Construct UK – one of Britain’s largest and most successful construction companies - including the last seven years as managing director of UK construction.

In his newly created director post with £156 million turnover Stepnell, he will play a key role in helping shape the company’s strategy as it targets turnover of £200 million by 2020.

Stepnell joint managing director Tom Wakeford said: “We’re delighted to have attracted someone of Richard’s calibre to our Board. He is well-known for his creative thinking and personal approach with customers and employees, qualities which align perfectly with the Stepnell ethos and culture.”

Richard Bailey said: “This is a great time to be joining Stepnell which is in a strong position to build on the solid foundations of the business’s 150-year history. I see my role as a collaborative one, working with the company’s talented employees and teams, looking for ways to evolve the business’s already impressive reputation as a construction partner of choice.”

Key appointment to culture team The team that will deliver UK City of Culture 2021 in Coventry has made another major appointment.

Martin Sutherland, the Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Arts Management Trust, which manages the award-winning Royal & Derngate Theatres, Errol Flynn Filmhouse and The Core at Corby Cube,- has joined the Coventry City of Culture Trust as the Executive Director and Chief Executive.

The appointment follows the announcement of Chenine Bhathena as Creative Director.

Martin will build and maintain relationships with strategic partners and stakeholders, local businesses, local artists, cultural organisations and resident groups.

He will start in his new role in Coventry in the autumn.

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

He said: “Coventry has done an amazing job during the bidding process, and since winning, and is already inspiring other towns and cities to consider how young people and diversity can be a catalyst for positive, lasting change.

“Working in neighbouring Northampton, while leading a dedicated team and developing close partnerships with artists, audiences, funders, local authorities and the University, I never lost sight of our mission to make sure that our arts venues were part of the wider regeneration of the area.

“The role here in Coventry allows me to make that the key focus of my work while supporting the team to deliver the incredible vision the city showed as it was bidding.”

Laura McMillan continues in her role as Director of Operations and Legacy while David Burbidge remains Chairman of the Coventry City of Culture Trust.

David said: “We have been working hard over the past few months to assemble a senior team that will help us to deliver our ambitious vision for the build-up to 2021, the year itself and the legacy it will leave.”

Peter Knott, Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “Martin brings with him a great track record of delivering top quality arts and culture to diverse audiences and as the eyes of the UK turn to Coventry, we look forward to seeing his ambitious and innovative work continue to shine as he teams up with Creative Director Chenine Bhathena.”

(L to R) Laura McMillan, David Burbidge, Chenine Bhathena and Martin Sutherland

45

New Members

Welcome to new members Strategic Partners Coventry City of Culture Trust 121-124 Far Gosford Street Coventry CV1 5EA 02476 998221 www.coventry2021.co.uk Coventry College City Campus 50 Swanswell Street Coventry CV1 5DG 02476 932932 www.coventrycollege.ac.uk

Buttercream Petals

Hope Coventry

SmartLearner Ltd

10 Dowley Croft Binley Coventry CV3 2UU 07412 668345 www.buttercreampetals.com

c/o Hope Centre Vauxhall Street Coventry CV1 5LF 07885 582609 www.hopecoventry.org.uk

4a Wheelwright Buildings Hen Lane Holbrook Coventry CV6 4LB 02475 092784 www.smartlearner.com

Crossland Occupational Health Ltd Unit 17 Western road Industrial Estate Stratford-upon-avon CV37 0AH 01789 298556 www.crossland.uk.com

CyberTech Digital Limited

Midland Heart 20 Bath Row Birmingham B15 1LZ 08706 070300 www.midlandheart.org.uk

10 Abbey Lane Court Abbey Lane Evesham WR11 4BY 03303 530202 www.cybertechdigital.co.uk

Corporate Members

Dogs Trust

Ethero Ltd 24c Warwick Row Coventry CV1 1EY 02476 632272 www.ethero.co.uk The Future Works The Hub Jordan Well Coventry CV1 5QT 02476 158815 www.thefutureworks.co.uk West Midlands Fire Service 99 Vauxhall Road Birmingham B7 4HW 08455 000900 www.wmfs.net

Essential Members Augeo Consulting Ltd 3 Fieldgate Lane Leamington Spa CV31 2QJ 07801 774209 www.ibdbusinessadvice.co.uk

Business Growth England Ltd 24 Fairlands Park Coventry CV4 7DS 07578 561675 www.actioncoach.co.uk/anukhanna

Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre Honiley Nr Kenilworth CV8 1NP 01926 486010 www.dogstrust.org.uk

DSL Accounting Ltd Warwick House Banbury Road Southam CV47 2PT 01926 812859 www.dslaccounting.com

Exasoft Group Plc 1 Innovation Village Cheetah Road Coventry CV1 2TL 08451 302100

Fordevans Ltd T/A Angel Ale House 34 Herring Road Atherstone CV9 2NZ 07525 183056

Groundwork West Midlands Citibase 101 Lockhurst Lane Foleshill Coventry CV6 5SF 07970 98589 www.groundwork.org.uk/ sites/westmidlands

Mark Radford Photography 24 Exhall Green Exhall Coventry CV7 9GL 07796 993388 www.markradfordphotography.co.uk

Odd.enterprises 276 London Road Coventry CV3 4BZ 07827 667047 www.odd.enterprises

Options Resourcing 101 Lockhurst Lane Coventry CV6 5SF 01926 357360 www.optionsresourcing.com

Phil Olley Unlimited The Coach House Hill House Coventry Road Coventry CV7 7AZ 08000 435403 http://philolley.com/

Phoenix Aerial Services Ltd 7 cotters Croft Fenny Compton Southam CV47 2XS 01926 658760 www.phoenixaerial.co.uk

Priority IT 14 Lancut Hill Rugby CV23 0JR 07961 578284 www.priorityit.com

Reach IT Management Ltd Suite 1C Lumonics House Valley Drive Rugby CV21 1TQ 01788 440024 www.reach-it.co.uk

RoSA PO Box 151 Rugby CV21 3WR 01788 551150

Splash PR Ltd 6 School Street Southam CV47 1PL 01926 817850 www.splash-pr.com

Sundeep Virk 27 Poundgate Lane Westwood Heath Cventry CV4 8HJ 07969 678397

TAYK Solutions 39 Daventry Road Cheylesmore Coventry CV3 5DJ 07850 751170

Team Telemarketing 1b Stratford Court Cranmore Boulevard Shirley Solihull B90 4QT 08455 700100 www.teamtelemarketing.co.uk

Two Cousins 5 Percival Drive Harbury Leamington Spa CV33 9GZ 07826 842330

Vine Business Support Office 17 Minerva Mill Station Road Alcester B49 5ET 01789 333688 www.vinebusinesssupport.co.uk

Vortex Creates Ltd Unit A20 Little Heath industrial Estate Old Church Road Coventry CV6 7NB 07958 291162 www.vortex-creates.co.uk

When contacting members listed above, The Chamber request that, in line with the Marketing and Advertising Law, you provide a clear 'unsubscribe' option.

Further details can be found via www.gov.uk/marketing-advertising-law/direct-marketing 46

www.cw-chamber.co.uk

Coventry & Warwickshire in business

Training & Events Chamber Member Price +VAT

Non-Member Price +VAT

Duration

Jul 2018

Principles of Continuous Improvement - New

£100

£125

Half day - am

3

Problem Solving Skills

£100

£125

Half day - pm

3

Managing Effective Meetings

£100

£120

Half Day - am

4

International Documentation & Customs Procedures - New

£260

£295

Full Day

5

Understanding Export and Export Documentation - New

£260

£295

Full Day

Microsoft Excel - Intermediate to Advanced

£120

£150

Full Day

Communication Assertively

£100

£125

Half day - am

17

Complaint Handling

£100

£125

Half day - pm

17

Microsoft Excel - Basic to Intermediate

£120

£150

Full Day

18

ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills

£600

£600

4 days

17, 24

Level 3 Award in Education & Training (City & Guilds)

£495*

£550*

6 days

ILM Level 3 Diploma in First Line Management

£2,000

£2,000

27 days

ILM Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management

£2,400

£2,400

37 days

Project Management - The Basics for Success

£215

£240

Full Day

24

Managing Change Successfully

£215

£240

Full Day

31

Business Improvement Techniques - ILM (BIT) New

£350*

£350*

2 Days

Customer Service Essentials

£100

£125

Half Day - am

11

Account Management

£100

£125

Half Day - pm

11

Telesales - Getting Results

£215

£240

Full Day

12

Microsoft Excel - Advanced Plus

£120

£150

Full Day

12

Marketing - Your Action Plan to Success

£215

£240

Full Day

18

Health & Safety in the Workplace

£175

£195

Full Day

20

Emergency First Aid in the Workplace (EFAW) HSE Recommended

£105

£130

Full Day

21

Professional Telephone Techniques

£100

£125

Half Day - am

25

Busines Email Writing

£100

£125

Half Day - pm

25

Google Analytics

£215

£240

Full Day

27

C&W Chamber Training Seminars

Aug 2018

Sept 2018

11 15

7, 14

10,17 10, 17, 24

4, 11

17, 24 13,20,27,31

8, 15

Prices subject to VAT. *Subject to optional accreditation fees. ** Plus registration

Course dates for the quarter are shown above, please contact C&W Chamber Training on 024 7623 1122 or visit www.cw-chambertraining.co.uk for other course dates and further information

Events Chamber Networking in Rugby Tuesday 24thJuly 2018 4.00pm –6.00pm Anya Court Rugby CV22 6JA FREE

Chamber Networking at Prime Accountants Group Tuesday 31stJuly 2018 5.00pm –7.00pm Prime Accountants Coventry CV3 4GA FREE

Warwickshire County Council Tackling the Skills Shortages

Meet Your Chamber & Summer BBQ

A series of workshops are to be held to discuss how our region can tackle the skills shortages.

Holiday Inn Kenilworth -Warwick 212 Abbey End Kenilworth CV8 1ED

Friday 24th August 2018 11.30am –2.00pm Holiday Inn Coventry CV2 2HP FREE

Friday 13th July: 8.30am -1.30pm Exploring Alternative Routes to Recruitment Friday 20th July: 8.30am -1.30pm Developing Essential Skills Friday 27th July: 8.30am -1.30pm Business Support for You Go to www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ businessskills for further information

Build a Brand for your Business Wednesday 29th August 2018 09.30am –12.30pm Althorpe Enterprise Hub Leamington CV31 2GB FREE

Bank of England Panel Tuesday 18th September 2018 07.30am –9.00am Coombe Abbey Hotel Coventry CV3 2AB Limited Places Available

Q3 Branch Meetings South Warks Branch Meeting Friday 7th September 2018 Long Marston CV37 8LL Coventry Branch Meeting Friday 14th September 2018 Coventry,CV1 2HG North Warks Branch Meeting Thursday 20th September 2018 Nuneaton CV11 6RU Mid-Warks Branch Meeting Fri 21st September 2018 Leamington, CV34 6SW Rugby Branch Meeting Friday 5th October 2018 Rugby CV21 3BX

#CWROCKS Business Expo Friday 28th September 2018 10.00am –3.00pm Ricoh Arena Coventry CV6 6GE

www.cwexpo.co.uk

Find out more information or to book a place please see the events pages at www.cw-chamber.co.uk or contact events@cw-chamber.co.uk www.cw-chamber.co.uk

47

wcg.ac.uk/employers

Bridge the Engineering Skills Gap

Employy Appren Emplo Apprentic entices As one of the UK's largest apprenticeship providers, WCG are experts in making them workk for for employ employers.

Winner of Training Provider of the Year Year 2017 at the Coventry & Warwickshire Warwickshire Apprentice of the Year Awards A

WCG Apprenticeships have expert knowledge, extensive industry links and fantastic facilities at Rugby, y, Warwick Trident and Evesham colleges.

Currently working with Jaguar Land Rover, BT Fleet, Cummins Engines, Greenmech, Downhurst Engineering and more…

Tack ackle your skills shortages and grow your own staff Reduce staff turnover and improve productivity Upskill your experienced staff to t take on new roles Funding available ffor or your y staff development

The best thing about my apprenticeship is being independent, I’m given projects that matter to the business and I’m learning new skills all the time such as design, project management and quality control. All of my work counts towards the end product and makes a difference within the business.

Thomas Bartholomew, Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice with Cummins Engines

Contact our work based learning team today

For upcoming employer events visit:

0300 456 0046 | employers@wcg.ac.uk

wcg.ac.uk/employers