West Cheshire & North Wales Sept 24

Welcome to the Autumn edition of our Quarterly Business Magazine

Since the General Election on 4th July, the Chamber Network has been engaging heavily with the new government to ensure that business priorities are being heard. There were positive signs in the King’s Speech with the commitment to an industrial strategy that has the potential to unleash pent-up ambition of businesses.

However, there are still big issues that need to be addressed and all eyes are now focusing on the Autumn Budget at the end of October. As the Voice of Business, Chambers of Commerce will be playing a pivotal role in representing firms ahead of the budget and I am keen to hear any thoughts or views from our members on areas they need support. Please do get in touch via info@wcnwchamber.org.uk.

Aside from the changes in government, it has been another busy few months for the Chamber with some sell-out events and the launch of our Annual Recognition Awards 2024. By the time this magazine lands with you, the finalists may have already been chosen but I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to make an entry. It is really encouraging to read the successes that so many of you have had over the last year and a huge congratulations to those that have been announced as finalists.

It is a real testament to your business and you should be extremely proud.

With the finalists announced, we now turn our attention to the Chamber’s Annual Ball & Recognition Awards ceremony on 15th November. It always amazes me how quickly this seems to come around every year but planning has been underway by the team to ensure that we have another fantastic night at Chester Racecourse. We have a brilliant theme for the evening and I hope to see you there!

I am also delighted to welcome two new members of staff to the Chamber team, Carol and Max. They have already both integrated into life at the Chamber and you can read more about their roles on pages four and seven.

On a final note, we are eagerly awaiting our new Ynys Môn Network event on 8th October held in collaboration with Menter Môn. You can read more on page four but this will be a brilliant opportunity for businesses in Anglesey to come together and network!

I wish you well for the next few months and if there is anything that we can do to support your business, please do not hesitate to reach out on 01244 669988 or info@wcnwchamber.org.uk.

Contact Matthew Hodgson Churchill House, Queen’s Park Campus, Queen’s Park Road, Chester CH4 7AD

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Publisher

Ian Fletcher

Benham Publishing Limited

Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ

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Published September 2024 © Benham Publishing Media no. 2061

Advertising and Features

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SARAH BAILEY

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce to launch brand new Ynys Môn network, in collaboration with

Menter Môn

The network will provide a platform for businesses from Anglesey and surrounding areas to come together, build business connections and network with fellow business professionals from the Island and beyond.

Building on this, the network will also provide an opportunity for attendees to find out more about the support provided by both the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce and Menter Môn.

Sarah Bailey, Chief Executive Officer of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber

The West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce has recently announced the launch of their brand-new Ynys Môn Network, a business-to-business networking event, held in collaboration with Anglesey-based social enterprise, Menter Môn, at Menai Science Park (M-SParc).

of Commerce, commented about the launch:

“We’re very excited to be launching the Ynys Môn Network in collaboration with our Patron Member, Menter Môn. The network is sure to provide a fantastic opportunity for businesses across Anglesey and beyond to grow their business via new connections and support from both the Chamber and Menter Môn.”

“The Network also provides the Chamber with a chance to extend our reach in North Wales and continue our mission

to support businesses across the entire region.”

Sara Lois Roberts, Project Manager at the Menter Môn Enterprise Hub added:

“Menter Môn is delighted to be working with West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce to launch the Ynys Môn Network. We’re looking forward to collaborating and adding value as part of our business support services, along with supply chain opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, food, and digital.”

Welcome to our new Apprentice – Max Jones

We are really pleased to welcome our newest apprentice, Max Jones, to the Chamber team!

Max joins as a Business Administration Apprentice and will be primarily supporting the Chamber in its role as a delivery partner of Cheshire West & Chester Council’s UKSPF Business Support Programme. This involves organising data, interacting with local businesses and keeping all the Chamber’s records in check.

Max opted to take an apprenticeship after finishing his A-levels and has already embedded himself into the Chamber office.

Max explains: “For almost all my life I have studied and worked in Chester. I have been proactive in finding activities and roles to fulfil to benefit not only myself but also my peers. At GCSE I managed to come out with very good results in Maths, Science, Business, and English whilst being Head Boy of my school. I also participated in my school’s entry into the Young Enterprise competition where I took on the role of Project Manager.”

“My passion for business continued into A-Levels, where I have just recently achieved a Grade B. I knew I wanted to go along the apprenticeship route, and fortunately, an opening presented itself at the Chamber, where I now work as a Business Administrator Apprentice. I am using the experiences from my education, hobbies and living in a different country to succeed at the Chamber.”

Sarah Bailey, WCNW Chamber of Commerce CEO, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Max to the Chamber and he has already fit seamlessly into the team. The Chamber has long been a supporter of apprenticeships and we are delighted to be able to give Max this opportunity as he starts his career journey.” Max will be supporting at some upcoming Chamber events so be sure to say hello!

n Max Jones joins the Chamber as a Business Administration Apprentice

n Ynys Môn Network to be held at Menai Science Park

Aaron & Partners become Strategic Members of WCNW Chamber

The West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce is delighted to welcome one of its longest-standing members, the law firm Aaron & Partners, as a Strategic Member.

Aaron & Partners has spent years building a strong reputation for providing highquality, results-focused advice, dealing with complexity as their norm. The firm offers business advice to clients on everything from commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, employment law, dispute resolution, finance, banking, professional practices, warehousing and logistics, transport, commercial property, planning, energy, renewables, minerals & mining, waste management, and insolvency. Aaron & Partners also help clients with issues that can arise in their private lives, from estate planning to any legal issues that arise between family members.

The move to become a Strategic Member comes after being integrated into the Chamber of Commerce community for more than 30 years as a member.

Throughout this time, Aaron & Partners has been a constant presence at events; has supported numerous members and has been a committed sponsor of the Young Chamber programme, which helps pupils at local schools and colleges.

“After many years of membership, we are thrilled to finally become Strategic Partners with WCNW Chamber of Commerce,” said Helen Johnson, Head of

Marketing and Business Development.

“Strong, mutually beneficial relationships with Chambers of Commerce across all our regions is a key part of our ongoing business strategy and it’s absolutely right that we are investing in the Chamber and supporting local business on our own doorstep too.

“Strong, trusted, long-term relationships are fundamental to good business and we look forward to further developing our connections with local companies in West Cheshire and across North Wales.”

As a Strategic Member of the Chamber, Aaron & Partners gain access to a superior membership level, enhancing their collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce and engagement within the business community in West Cheshire and North Wales.

Sarah Bailey, Chief Executive Officer at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the news saying: “We are so pleased to welcome Aaron & Partners as a new Strategic Member. As one of our longest-standing members, we are so pleased to build on an already strong relationship and are excited to engage with Helen and the team even more going forward.”

n L to R: Sarah Bailey, CEO at WCNW Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Helen

and

as Strategic Members.

“Strong, trusted, longterm relationships are fundamental to good business and we look forward to further developing our connections with local companies in West Cheshire and across North Wales.”

View all our Patron and Strategic Members on our website and to express your interest in joining them, email:

info@wcnwchamber.org.uk

Johnson, Head of Marketing

Business Development at Aaron & Partners,

The countdown to our Annual Ball & Recognition Awards is on!

We’re now only a matter of months away from the Chamber’s showpiece event of the year, the Annual Ball & Recognition Awards, headline sponsored by Ellis & Co. We’re looking forward to another evening of entertainment and celebration with you at 6:30pm on 15th November.

Awards

The night will see the winners of the Chamber’s Recognition Awards announced and with 10 categories up for grabs, it is set to be a great evening of celebration!

Meal & Entertainment

A fantastic three-course meal will be provided by the Racecourse’s culinary experts, Horseradish:

Starter

(V) Feta filo parcel, ‘Greek salad’, compressed cucumber, blushed tomato, black olive, oregano, lemon vinaigrette

Main

Roasted Chicken supreme, confit leg & parmesan arancini, fricassee of fresh peas, beans and baby radish, salsa verde, chicken jus

(V) Parmesan arancini, fricassee of fresh peas, beans and baby radish, salsa verde, vegetarian jus

Dessert

Chocolate marquise, toasted marshmallow, salted caramel, cookie crumb

Raising funds for The North West Air Ambulance Charity

We will be raising funds for The North West Air Ambulance Charity through an auction and raffle on the night. If you or your company would like to donate a prize for the charity auction or raffle taking place on the evening, please email info@wcnwchamber.org.uk.

Any members who donate a prize will be included in the programme on the evening and in the next edition of the Chamber's Quarterly Business Magazine. (Deadline for donations - Friday 18th October).

With thanks to our Headline Sponsor:

Business manifesto outlines 5-point Action Plan

Following the General Election on 4th July, the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce has delivered a 5-point Action Plan in conjunction with The British Chambers of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce network wants to see:

• An Industrial Strategy with green innovation at its heart.

• Better skills planning, bringing businesses and training providers together.

• Business rates reform to encourage growth and investment.

• Improved relations with the European Union to cut the costs for business.

• A Government appointed AI champion for SMEs to spearhead uptake of new technology.

The five-point plan is part of the BCC’s ‘Future of the Economy’ manifesto. The manifesto includes the biggest ideas from a series of extensive policy documents published this year, focusing on the key economic challenges identified by the BCC. The challenges are: Green Innovation, People and Work, Local Economies of the Future, Global Britain and the Digital Revolution.

The manifesto has been brought together after extensive consultation with the Chamber network, the BCC’s Business Council, external stakeholders, and academics.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC said:

It’s not about rewriting the referendum result, it’s about cutting red-tape and promoting trade.

“The world of AI has huge potential to boost economic productivity. But it’s important that SMEs aren’t left behind, or vulnerable, as new technology accelerates. A Government appointed AI champion will help spearhead a boost in AI uptake by SMEs.

“We believe our 5-point plan creates an immediate pathway to help businesses succeed. When business succeeds, the country succeeds.”

Sarah Bailey, CEO of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said:

“The companies we represent are the drivers of economic growth and the employers of millions of people. Our fivepoint-plan is clear.

“As companies play their part in the UK’s net-zero journey, we desperately need an industrial strategy with green innovation at its heart.

“Firms are constantly telling us they can’t get the skills they need. We need better strategic planning on skills that helps business and training providers work together.

“In local communities, firms are crying out for a fairer business rates system. Over a quarter (26%) of companies told us earlier this year they’d changed plans to upgrade or open premises because of the system.

“The EU is the UK’s biggest market, so we urgently need to get a better trading relationship with our closet neighbour.

“The launch of our Vision 2026 earlier this year highlights four key areas of focus that will enable businesses to thrive:

• Bridging the Employment and Skills gap across West Cheshire and North Wales.

• Promoting International Trade and supporting businesses to navigate the changing landscape.

• Creating enhanced Infrastructure and Connectivity for our region to meet the needs of businesses.

• Focusing on Climate Challenge and the increased demands on businesses to be more sustainable.

“Following the launch of the 5-Point Action Plan, it is clear to see that our objectives align with the wider BCC network. The Chamber of Commerce is warmly welcoming any thoughts or views from businesses on these four key areas and a survey can be completed via the QR code on this page.”

n Sarah Bailey, Chief Executive Officer at West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, launching Vision 2026

Meet our new Commercial Director – Carol Dolan

An introduction to yourself and your background

I reside in Frodsham, Cheshire, and my family lives nearby.

I left school many years ago and immediately was offered a job at the local bank and to name just a few jobs I was responsible for; printing chequebooks, making tea and collecting the post. It was amazing. I was always the first to arrive and last to leave, things haven’t changed!

I worked for the same bank for 43 years and 11 months, working in the retail and business sector.

Throughout the years I developed a strong knowledge within the business sector and a passion for customer service. I have developed effective communication skills to build successful relationships with colleagues and customers alike, developing others and making a difference every day in people’s lives.

What is your role at the Chamber?

As Commercial Director within the Chamber, I play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the strategy of the business, supporting colleagues and members.

I will be building relationships and collaborating with the members, listening to their views and thoughts enabling businesses to thrive as we share best practices and foster new opportunities.

What are you looking forward to in your new role?

I am excited to bring my experience and knowledge to the Chamber, supporting my colleagues and existing and potential members. I want to ensure that, as a Chamber, we add value to them and their businesses focusing on their needs

Every day is an opportunity to grow and develop, whether hard or easy, but each one has provided me with something positive that has developed me into who I am. Today as I take on the Commercial Director role, I am excited to share the journey so far.

I am excited to bring my experience and knowledge to the Chamber supporting my colleagues and existing and potential members. I want to ensure that, as a Chamber, we add value to them and their businesses focusing on their needs and priorities working together in this ever-changing world.

Carol

Dolan, the Chamber of Commerce’s

Commercial Director

New report celebrates the positive impact of the cadet forces in Wales

A new independent report outlines the positive impact the cadet forces have on young people, adult volunteers and wider society in Wales.

The report, titled ‘Getting an Edge: The Impact and Value of the Cadet Forces in Wales’ was carried out by Professor Simon Denny, Professor Richard Hazenberg and Dr Claire Peterson-Young of the University of Northampton.

Commissioned by The Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association for Wales, the study found that participation in the cadet forces led to increased social mobility, improved educational outcomes and enhanced employability.

Professor Denny, lead author of the report, said:

“Young people that are or have been in the cadet forces for 2 years or more have developed attributes and gained skills, experiences and qualifications that give them a clear advantage - an ‘edge’over their non-cadet peers, in applications for further and higher education and for employment.

“This edge is particularly important for those young people who are economically disadvantaged.”

Adult volunteers also benefit from being members of the cadet forces, with the skills and qualifications they gain often leading to better career opportunities.

However, the report also highlights that the number of secondary-school-age children that are members of the cadet forces in Wales is lower than the UK average, and recommends that this be addressed:

“The number of cadets in Wales is lower than might be expected, with only 2.4% of eligible children in the cadet forces compared with a UK-wide figure of 4.2%.

“There is scope to increase the number of children that are members of the cadet forces to address this relative underrepresentation. The more children that are cadets, the more children that will benefit.”

The report also highlights that the number of cadets in Wales that gain vocational qualifications is limited by the amount of funding the cadet forces can provide:

“Given the significant benefits that are gained by young people with these qualifications and the position of the cadet forces as part of the Welsh learning ecosystem, there is a case for investment (should resources permit) by non-MOD budget holders.”

Professor Denny adds:

“The cadet forces in Wales provide outputs and outcomes that help achieve Welsh Government policy objectives in the areas of child poverty, education, preparation for employment, and health and wellbeing.

The cadet forces are important for their members, and to the nation of Wales. It is vital that the contribution of the cadet forces to Wales is clearly articulated and understood by policy makers, educational leaders, and employers.”

Bathgate supports nine businesses with £1 million in own-book lending

Bathgate Business Finance has supported nine businesses through its own-book lending, writing one million pounds in June 2024 from its own internal funds.

As well as brokering deals out to their extensive panel of traditional and alternative funders, Bathgate’s ownbook lending is a useful option for many SMEs, particularly businesses below a certain level of turnover, who may not have access to a dedicated relationship manager at their bank.

With own-book lending decisions are taken quickly in-house without the need to submit to credit committees that exist in some larger funders, making it faster and easier to secure business finance.

Bathgate Business Finance BDM, Chris McLoughlin, said: “We are privileged to be able to offer own-book lending, and it is an important tool in our armoury that allows us to help businesses of all sizes navigate this challenging economic climate.

“The funding landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years, and the

way business owners can access finance options has changed too. Many smaller businesses will not have a dedicated relationship manager for their own bank and may find it harder to access traditional funding, especially if finance is needed quickly.

“Bathgate positions itself in the gap that has been left, as a trusted advisor for business owners, who can help them find the right funding for their needs. This might be via a traditional or alternative funder, a sector specialist funder, or from our own book. Our wide network of lenders, own funds, sector-agnostic approach and collaborative nature means that we are often able to develop unique tailored solutions that aren’t available elsewhere.”

For more information on own-book lending visit www.bathgatebf.co.uk, call Chris McLoughlin on 0151 625 7323 or email chris@bathgatebf.co.uk

n Scan the qr code to read the full report

n The Bathgate Business Finance team

What does the King’s Speech tell us about Labour’s plans for employment law?

The King’s Speech confirmed that Labour intends to implement an Employment Rights Bill, following through on their manifesto promise to “make work pay”.

The government has confirmed that this legislation will be brought before parliament during the first 100 days –which means we can expect it before the end of October.

What can we expect to be included in the Employment Rights Bill?

The government has confirmed that the Bill will include the following commitments:

• Banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, meaning workers will have a right to a contract that reflects the number of hours they regularly work. Workers will also be entitled to reasonable notice of any changes in shifts, with proportionate compensation for any shifts cancelled or curtailed.

• Making parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal available

from day one for all workers though they have confirmed that employers can still operate probationary periods to assess new hires.

• Strengthening of statutory sick pay (SSP), removing the lower earnings limit to make it available to all works, as well as removing the three-day waiting period.

• Make flexible working the default from day one for all workers, with employers expected to accommodate this as far as is reasonable.

• Strengthened protections for new mothers, making it unlawful to dismiss a woman who has had a baby for six months after her return to work (this excludes specific circumstances).

• Establishing a new single enforcement

body, to be known as the Fair Work Agency, which will be tasked with strengthening the enforcement of workplace rights.

• Updates to trade union legislation, removing restrictions applied by the previous government and simplifying the process of statutory recognition.

• Ending ‘Fire and Rehire’ and ‘Fire and Replace’ practices through legislative reform.

For further support, contact shropshire@hrdept.co.uk and we can help you implement the change effectively.

Maintaining our high standards

We’ve been working hard here at Liverpool John Lennon Airport for a number of years now to give passengers from across the region a great customer experience winning awards along the way in recognition of the high standards of customer service that we’ve been able to achieve, including The Customer Excellence Award at last year’s prestigious Chamber Recognition Awards, which we were all really proud of.

Recently we were nominated for the Which? Travel Brand of the Year - the only UK airport to be nominated for this, joining a shortlist of outstanding national brands including Premier Inn, Jet2 and Brittany Ferries. Sadly, we didn’t win, but just to make the list of nominees was an

achievement in itself and a sign of how well regarded the airport has become.

We can’t rest on our laurels though and throughout this year the airport and the various companies based here have

continued to look at ways to maintain the highest levels of service, knowing that this Summer is likely to be our busiest for many years, with passenger numbers now going beyond the levels last seen prior to the pandemic. This significant increase has of course been due to the introduction of flights and holidays from Liverpool for the first time by Jet2, with over 500,000 additional passengers expected, four Jet2 aircraft now based at Liverpool and flights operating to 20 Jet2 destinations.

For many of Jet2’s loyal customers, Liverpool is their preferred airport of choice, but until this year they have been unable to choose to fly from here. However, having already announced Winter 24/25, Summer 25 and even Winter 25/26 holiday flights on sale from Liverpool with an expansion of services, we will hopefully see even more passengers choosing to jet off from here in future, enjoying the passenger experience we’ve become renowned for.

n The HR Dept Wrexham & Chester Team

n Liverpool John Lennon Airport scooped the Customer Excellence Award out the Chamber Recognition Awards in 2023

How to build your online presence

Generating more enquiries through your website is crucial for growing your business and staying competitive in today’s digital landscape. By implementing a strategic, content-driven, and technical approach, you can create a more engaging and effective online presence to drive new business opportunities

Here are 25 strategies to help generate more leads from your website:

1. Increase Website Speed and User Experience (UX): Ensure your website loads quickly and offers a seamless, intuitive user experience to keep visitors engaged and more likely to convert into leads

2. Optimise for SEO: Improve your website’s search engine optimisation (SEO) by focusing on relevant keywords, meta tags, and local SEO to increase your visibility in search engine results and attract organic traffic.

3. Create High-Quality Content: Regularly publish valuable content such as blog posts, eBooks, guides, and videos that address your target audiences’ pain points and position your brand as an authority.

4. Use Compelling Calls to Action (CTAs): Place clear, strong CTAs on key pages of your website to encourage visitors to take action, such as filling out a form, downloading a resource, or signing up for a newsletter.

5. Implement Lead Capture Forms: Strategically place lead capture forms on high-traffic pages, ensuring they are simple and ask only for essential information to reduce friction.

6. Offer Free Resources:

Provide valuable free resources like eBooks, whitepapers, or templates in exchange for contact information, incentivising visitors to share their details.

7. Leverage Live Chat and Chatbots: Integrate live chat or AI-powered chatbots on your website to engage visitors in real-time, answer questions, and guide them toward conversion.

8. Showcase Social Proof: Display client testimonials, case studies, reviews, and industry certifications prominently to build trust.

9. Utilise Exit-Intent Popups:

Use exit-intent popups to capture the attention of visitors who are about to leave your site, offering them a special discount, free resource, or subscription to your newsletter.

10. Optimise for Mobile: Ensure your website is fully responsive and mobile-friendly to cater to the significant portion of web traffic that comes from mobile devices.

11. Create Landing Pages for Specific Campaigns: Develop dedicated landing pages for specific marketing campaigns or promotions, focusing on a single offer to increase conversion rates.

12. Offer Webinars or Online Workshops: Host webinars or online workshops on relevant topics, using registration forms to collect contact information from participants.

13. Incorporate Video Content: Use engaging video content on key pages to explain your services, share client success stories, or demonstrate your expertise, encouraging visitors to take action.

14. Use A/B Testing: Regularly perform A/B testing on your CTAs, forms, headlines, and landing pages to determine what works best for converting visitors into leads.

15. Optimise Your Contact Page: Make it easy for visitors to contact you by optimising your contact page with clear instructions, a simple form, and multiple ways to reach out, such as phone, email, and social media.

16. Personalise User Experience: Use data and insights to personalise the user experience on your website, showing relevant content and offers based on visitor behaviour and preferences.

17. Leverage Social Media Integration: Integrate social media sharing buttons on your content and encourage visitors to

follow your social profiles, extending your reach and driving more traffic back to your site.

18. Run Retargeting Campaigns: Use retargeting ads to re-engage visitors who left your website without converting, bringing them back with a tailored offer or reminder.

19. Create a Blog Subscription Option: Allow visitors to subscribe to your blog, offering them regular updates and insights in exchange for their contact details.

20. Use Google My Business: Ensure your Google My Business profile is up-to-date and linked to your website to drive local traffic and improve your visibility in local search results.

21. Host a Contest or Giveaway: Run a contest or giveaway on your website, requiring participants to enter their contact details to win, driving engagement and lead generation.

22. Implement a Referral Programme: Create a referral programme that incentivises current clients or customers to refer new leads to your business through your website.

23. Provide Interactive Content:

Use interactive content like calculators, quizzes, or assessments that provide value and require visitors to submit their details to receive results.

24. Offer a Free Trial or Demo: Encourage potential clients to try your services by offering a free trial or demo in exchange for their contact information.

25. Monitor and Analyse Website Performance: Regularly review your website analytics to identify areas for improvement, track lead generation efforts, and adjust your strategies accordingly.

By leveraging these 25 strategies, you can transform your website into a powerful lead-generation tool. Each tactic contributes to building a more responsive, user-friendly, and engaging platform that not only attracts visitors but also nurtures them into valuable leads.

Paul Verinder, E2E

By helping them to take steps to be more efficient with their energy use, smart meters can have a positive effect on a business’ carbon footprint, as well as helping them save money.”

Moving to a cheaper, greener energy system

A recent poll of small businesses showed that nearly two thirds1 of Britain’s business owners and senior decision makers think it’s important to embrace environmental issues, with many also seeing financial benefits as a result.

From those polled, 45 percent say that the changes they have made have saved them money, with 40 percent believing that becoming more sustainable has attracted more customers, as well as enhancing their reputation within the local community (44 percent).

With running costs remaining a concern for many small business owners, one in three polled2 say they are keeping a closer eye on their energy bills. When it comes to managing energy usage and costs, one small step small business owners can take, is to get a smart meter installed. They are the next generation of gas and electricity meters that are being installed in small businesses and households in Great Britain, replacing traditional meters.

When it comes to running a business, even making small changes and improvements can make a big difference, whether it’s saving money or being good for the planet. Getting a smart meter can help owners to understand exactly how much energy they are using and help them to control energy costs. A smart meter can also help identify ways to reduce energy consumption – which is good for budgets, as well as the planet.

Whether you own or rent your business premises, you may be eligible for a smart meter, and if you are renting, but pay your own energy bills, you can ask your supplier to install one3

Smart meter benefits

Smart meters have lots of benefits for small businesses, including:

• Accurate billing: smart meters measure energy usage in near real-time, so no more manual readings or estimated bills. This means you only pay for the energy you use, which can help with managing cashflow

• Control: the data provided by smart meters can give you more control over your business’ energy spend, helping you monitor energy usage and identify where cost savings can be made

• Access to historic energy usage data: small businesses with a smart meter can request free access to 12 months of data from their energy supplier. This could help with budgeting and reduce bill shock. It could also help you plan for your next bill by identifying any trends or patterns in your energy use across the year

As well as helping to give you more control of your business budgeting, smart meters are playing an important role in Great Britain’s energy infrastructure upgrade, as we continue to increase our use of cheaper, greener renewable energy sources.

The data smart meters provide is key to this innovation, and will enable us to buy, store and consume energy differently to the way we do today, gathering the information the energy networks need that will help the energy system better manage supply and demand. This will make the whole system more efficient and able to use more renewables such as wind and solar power.

So just by having a smart meter installed, you’re helping to create a smarter, greener energy system that will benefit Britain, the planet - and you.

Smart meters are currently available, and installations are happening now.

To find out if your business is eligible, contact your energy supplier or broker; search “Get a smart meter for business” or visit smartenergyGB.org.

What small business owners are doing to become more sustainable

1. Turning off equipment when not in use

2. Recycling old IT equipment

3. Creating a recycling policy

4. Keeping a much closer eye on energy bills

5. Replacing lights with LED alternatives

6. Using environmentally friendly products eg for cleaning

7. Reusing plastic carrier bags

8. Going paperless

9. Using local suppliers

10. Using eco-friendly/ biodegradable packaging

Source: Perspectus Global, July 2024, 500 SME owners and senior decision makers across Great Britain

PATRON FOCUS

Celebrating 35 years of Ellis & Co

Last quarter the team at leading Chester and Wrexham accountants, Ellis & Co celebrated an outstanding milestone - 35 years in business.

A short history of Ellis & Co

Established in 1989 by Robert Ellis, Ellis & Co set out to be more than just accountants, but rather become part of their clients’ business and support them in identifying ways to cut costs, reduce taxation and optimise opportunities for growth.

Since its inception, Ellis & Co has remained a family-run business that is integral to the success of its many clients nationwide. Robert Ellis remains a familiar face amongst the team, working alongside his son, Director, James Ellis, as well as long-standing Directors, John Farrell and John Moorhouse.

In the spirit of such a monumental achievement of 35 years in business, Ellis & Co’s performance so far in 2024 has certainly reflected the continued success of the business.

New clients

Alongside success stories, such as Ellis’ client Cokebusters who won the prestigious accolade of winning two Kings Awards for Enterprise, the business has significantly grown its client portfolio in recent months.

The team has welcomed clients from across a variety of industries and specialisms, which has meant a very busy but exciting time for Ellis.

The Ellis & Co team

As well as client wins, the Ellis team also grew, after welcoming Katie McDonna as Payroll Manager in May and Hilary Cossa to our Bookkeeping team in June.

As Payroll Manager, Katie is responsible for all client patrol legislation and processing, ranging from single director monthly payrolls through to variable weekly payrolls, ensuring that each and every client receives a smooth, accurate, timely and, above all, hassle-free service. Hilary brings a wealth of experience after working in industry as a bookkeeper for a number of years and is another welcome addition to the Ellis team.

This year has also seen Accounts Assistant, Leon Stowell, pass his final ACCA exam, making him a qualified Accountant. Alongside Leon’s accounting expertise, he also represents Ellis’ busy Wrexham office through events

and partnerships with organisations across North Wales.

Supporting the community

Throughout its 35 years, Ellis & Co has endeavoured to support the wider community, both with regards to businesses and the local area.

CSR has continually played a key role; with a close relationship with the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Ellis & Co’s 2024 charity of the year, the business does all it can to support this wonderful cause.

Back in March, Ellis & Co took the headline sponsor slot at the Hospice’s Grand Charity Ball, July saw the team host an Annual Golf Day in support of the charity and on Sunday 15th September, Ellis will also sponsor this year’s community-led Farndon Soapbox Derby, with an ambitious target of raising £100,000 for the charity.

Supporting the business community has also been an integral part of the business throughout its time and 2024 has been no different. As Patron Members of the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce, Ellis & Co takes part in countless events, but this year will see them become headline sponsors of the prestigious WCNW Annual Awards as well as sponsor of the Business of the Year

award; an event that celebrates the tremendous achievements of the local business community.

Of course, our community also includes the Ellis & Co team, and therefore to thank the team for their hard work that has led Ellis to achieve 35 years in business, everyone headed to Chester Racecourse for a day of festivities and celebration.

Speaking of their business’ milestone anniversary, Director at Ellis & Co, John Farrell, has said:

“Celebrating 35 years is an outstanding achievement for Ellis & Co and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team.

Throughout its lifespan, Ellis & Co has faced countless challenges, not least the past few years as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has it highlighted our resilience but also our dedication to providing a seamless service to our clients.”

Director at Ellis & Co James Ellis has said:

“On behalf of us all, I would like to thank clients and contacts across Chester, Wrexham and beyond, for contributing to Ellis & Co’s success throughout the years. We can’t wait to see what the next 35 years has in store for us!”

Throughout its lifespan, Ellis & Co has faced countless challenges, not least the past few years as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has it highlighted our resilience but also our dedication to providing a seamless service to our clients.”

n The Ellis & Co team recently celebrated 35 years in business at Chester Racecourse!

Pioneering apprenticeship provides blueprint to plug UK green skills gap and accelerate smart meter rollout

A revolutionary apprenticeship has the potential to plug the UK’s green skills gap and accelerate progress towards Net Zero ambitions.

In July, Utilita Energy and Cheshire College

- South & West launched one of the firstever smart metering apprenticeships to be jointly delivered by an energy supplier and a Further Education provider – creating a unique partnership with a powerhouse of expertise.

By the end of the full 14-month course, eight pioneering apprentices will become fully qualified Dual Fuel Engineers with a Level 2 Smart Metering Diploma to their names.

While the inaugural scheme will cater for a relatively small group, Utilita – the world’s leading Smart Prepay Specialist – is hailing the model as the solution to two of the biggest challenges faced by the industry. These are: the green skills gap caused by a shortage of workers to fill the jobs needed to complete the green transition, alongside the Government-enforced smart meter installation targets.

Dan Greenwood is Training and Development Manager at Utilita, the company that installed Britain’s first ever smart meter in 2008. He said:

“Earlier this year, Shadow Secretary Ed Miliband described the green skills gap as one of the ‘four horsemen of the apocalypse’ when it comes to the UK’s energy transition.

“We confidently believe the apprenticeship scheme we will deliver

can – and should – be used as the blueprint to plug that gap, all while accelerating the ever-important smart meter rollout.

“And, there are already talks in place to expand our very own scheme on a wider scale once our pioneers are fully qualified, feeding into Utilita’s overarching plan to train thousands of new engineers by 2030.

“It has been rewarding to work alongside Cheshire College thus far. We are proud to show just how the private and public sectors can join forces to tackle such pressing issues, and I’m delighted we will continue to make history together in such an impactful way.”

Initially, the apprentices will split their time between Cheshire College and Utilita’s industry-leading Training Academy in Warrington.

As the programme progresses, they will work alongside fully qualified engineers, both out in the field where they will be exposed to jobs of all natures, and within one-to-one mentoring sessions.

Karen Roberts, the Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Cheshire College, said that the collaboration with Utilita was another meaningful step forward for the College’s sustainable ambitions: “We are very excited to continue our longstanding

partnership with Utilita, and to support with meeting the green skills agenda.

“As a College, we work closely with employers to drive economic growth through the development of future e-focused skills. Apprentices who achieve this Level 2 Smart Metering Diploma will play a significant role in helping the UK reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

“Apprentices will greatly benefit from Utilita’s expert training alongside our state-of-the-art resources and facilities at College.”

Once complete, the cohort will be offered full-time contracts with Utilita and presented with further development opportunities in the renewables space, including Government-accredited heat pump training and hands-on education around solar PV.

The facilities at Cheshire College Alongside classroom-based learning at the 11,000-student College, the apprentices will learn within the on-site Sustainable House.

The £680,000 facility allows students to work in a real life setting which supports their skills and allows them to bring classroom theory into practice: working with the latest sustainable technologies including ground source heat pumps, photovoltaic solar panels, and green walls.

With sustainable construction and practices becoming ever more vital in relation to the UK’s Net Zero targets, the Sustainable House is a unique and invaluable facility in the local area; and one of several new facilities at Cheshire College thanks to a £200m investment in the latest technologies and real work environments.

Utilita’s one-stop-shop for green energy tech

Utilita’s Warrington Training Academy is one-of-a-kind.

It is the only establishment in the UK run by an energy supplier where anyone –from the business’ own staff to external companies - can extensively learn about smart metering as well as low carbon technologies including photovoltaic solar. Much like the Sustainable House, the site facilitates hands-on learning with dummy smart meters, EV chargers, solar panels and other industry technology.

All training programmes are driven by the necessity to support the industry and consumers, with a greener future in mind.

n Apprentices at Cheshire College taking part in the pioneering new apprenticeship

Events Round-Up

It has been brilliant to see so many members connect with each other over the past few months! You can view some of the events below:

21st May – Networking Lunch at The Quay Hotel & Spa

18th June – Networking at Cheshire Fire & Rescue HQ

4th June – Round the Table Networking at Hospice of the Good Shepherd

25th June – Networking Lunch & AGM at Rossett Hall

13th June – West Cheshire Women’s Network

2nd July – Networking and Tour at Cheshire Military Museum

11th July – Round the Table Networking at Theatre Porto

16th July – Networking Lunch at Boughton Hall Cricket Club

6th August – Round the Table Networking at Chester Cathedral

Upcoming Chamber Networking Events

The networking opportunities keep coming over the next few months! We’re hosting an incredible line up of events as we head into the final quarter of the year and members are advised to plan ahead to secure their places. Events are on our website until December with more being added all the time. You can view our upcoming events below and find more information by following the QR code on this page.

For any events enquires please email info@wcnwchamber.org.uk or call 01244 669988.

24th September – Networking Lunch at Artezzan Restaurant & Bar

22nd October – Networking Lunch at Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia

5th November – Round the Table Networking at North Light Bar & Restaurant Chester

15th October – Liverpool Airport Tour

SCAN THE QR CODE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE!

10th October – Networking at Moxy Hotel Chester

19th

Grymuso Gwynedd having a positive effect all over the county

In June, the names of the dozen new projects to receive support from the Grymuso Gwynedd fund were announced.

Now, over 30 communities from all over the county are receiving support to run a project that would improve the local society in some way – from Pennal to Bangor; from Penrhyn Llŷn to Penllyn. The programme helps communities to solve challenges by offering financial and practical support to develop local projects.

Taking action in Llwyngwril

The challenge facing the community at Llwyngwril is that many non-Welshspeaking incomers live in the village. The vision of the village hub is to bring different groups together and bridge generations by celebrating the area’s Welsh identity.

Publishing a book full of pictures and stories will not only increase the sense of pride locally by celebrating the unique history of the area, but people will come together to collaborate and discuss as part of the process.

Better facilities at Pwllheli

Developing better facilities for sport and community use is the long-term vision of Pwllheli Football Club.

In the first place, the fund will assist the club in improving its management arrangements and promoting what is already on offer, and by building on those solid foundations it will be possible to move forward to increase opportunities to gain access to services, recreation and community activities, volunteering and training opportunities, and improving the health and well-being of the residents of the area.

Creating in Caernarfon

The new environmental festival in the Caernarfon area will foster interest and raise people’s confidence and desire to contribute to various activities in the area. Gŵyl Cynhaeaf Arall will provide a platform for discussions, display examples of projects where there are opportunities to volunteer and share information about local environmental and community initiatives and businesses – all through a Welsh context.

n 30 communities across North West Wales will benefit from the Grymuso Gwynedd fund

Then… who knows? Perhaps the experience will inspire the development of other similar festivals in different parts of Wales.

The projects:

• Cofio’r Cant – Cricieth Memorial Hall

• Mapio Dwfn Nantlle – Yr Orsaf

• The Welsh Whisperers – Theatr y Ddraig

• Theatr Derek Williams

• Datblygiad yr Eagles – Menter Llanuwchllyn

• Llanaelhaern Housing project – Antur Aelhaearn

• Community Hub Development –Groeslon Village Hall

• Development of the Fic Bethesda –Tabernacl Cyf

• Bangor St Davids – Menter Iaith Bangor

• Hunaniaeth Llŷn Maritime Museum

• Menter Rabar – Llanengan Community Council

• Newspaper and hyperlocal website –Pum Plwy Penllyn

• HWB Cefnogi Cymuned – Y Dref Werdd

• Ar y Dibyn – Maes Ni

• Menter y Glan Shop

• Y Tŵr Creative Consultation

• Capel Pencaenewydd Development

• Dyfodol Llewyrchus – Noddfa

• Porthi Dre Food Project

• Gwyrfai Gwyrdd – Waunfawr Caeathro Community Council

• Y Felinheli Allweather Pitch – Clwb Chwaraeon Seilo Cyf.

• Caru Coed y Brenin

• Hafod Ceiri Development

• Llwybr Llechi Eryri Community Interest

• Agor Drysau i’r Dyfodol – Cyfeillion Croesor

• Gŵyl Cynhaeaf Arall – Gŵyl Arall / Pedwar a Chwech

• Tŷ Siamas Revival

• Clwb Pêl-droed Pwllheli Community Hub

• Y Wagan – Menter y Plu

• Harlech and Ardudwy Leisure Preparing for a sustainable future

• Bangor Maritime Heritage – Bangor PLUS

• Llwyngwril History Project – Y Ganolfan Llwyngwril

• Dyffryn Peris Partnership – Caban CIC These projects are funded through one of Menter Môn’s programmes, Grymuso Gwynedd, which has been funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, with financial support also from Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) on behalf of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

Launch of Business Support Hubs in Chester, Ellesmere

Port and mid-Cheshire

Cheshire West and Chester Council has created three Business, Innovation and Growth (BIG) Hubs across west Cheshire, to offer support to local businesses.

The Hubs, based in the HQ Building in Chester, Meridian House in Winsford, and Theatre Porto in Ellesmere Port, will provide a base for the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Business Support Programme.

Hubs will also host workshops, networking, and support entrepreneurship activity delivered by local and national business support programmes and partners.

At an event in July to celebrate the launch of the mid-Cheshire Hub at Meridian House, Road One, Winsford Industrial Estate, businesses were able

to learn more about the support and activity on offer at the Hubs, as well as finding out more about the UKSPF Business Support Programme. Over a light lunch, businesses were able to network with delivery partners and other business support partners, including British Bank.

As part of the Council’s commitment to sustainability and supporting the local economy, the Meridian House Hub has been furnished with furniture purchased from two local charities based on Winsford Industrial Estate, Changing Lives Together and St Luke’s Hospice.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration said:

“The Business, Innovation and Growth Hubs have been set up to provide support for local businesses across West Cheshire. The Council is committed to doing everything we can to making sure that businesses can thrive and take

Appointment of two Senior Officers

Kathy McArdle will join the Council in September as Executive Director of Place and Growth, replacing Charlie Seward who retired earlier this year. Kathy joins us from Barnsley Council, where she is currently Service Director of Regeneration and Culture. In her new role, she will be responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of our Economy and Housing, Environment and Communities, and Transport and Highways directorates. Kathy’s wealth of experience in delivering large-scale regeneration and place-shaping projects will be invaluable in helping us to achieve the ambitions we have for communities across Cheshire West and Chester over the coming years.

Natalie Abraham will also join the Council as Assistant Chief Executive and Director of Transformation and

Strategy from October. Natalie will take over this role from Laurence Ainsworth, who left the organisation last week to become Director of Strategy and Transformation at Lancashire County Council. She will be responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of Digital and Technology, Engagement and Communications, Insight and Intelligence, and Public Service Reform. Natalie previously worked for us in a senior management position before co-founding CIPFA C.Co, where she has since supported us and other councils with various programmes of work as its Managing Director. Her passion for local government and proven track record in delivering transformational activity will be crucial, as we continue to reshape vital services and look to address the significant budget challenge that we face.

advantage of opportunities to make new connections and learn new skills and approaches. We are committed to a vision for an Inclusive Economy to make our Borough a greener, fairer and stronger place to live, work and play. Supporting businesses to grow, create jobs and develop skills is crucial to achieving this.

“I encourage local businesses to keep up to date with everything that our Chester, Ellesmere Port and Winsford Hubs have to offer.”

To keep up to date with upcoming events at the BIG Hubs, visit:

https://www.letstalkbizcw.co.uk/events/ And sign up for our weekly business newsletter:

https://www.letstalkbizcw.co.uk/ register-for-our-business-directory-andorenewsletter/

To find out more about the Council’s UKSPF Business Support Programme, visit the Let’s Talk Business website: https://www.letstalkbizcw.co.uk/ support-funding/ukspf-business-supportprogramme/

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus – visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fundprospectus

Happy 1st birthday itravel!

Our on-demand rural bus service, itravel, which aims to improve connectivity in some of the more remote parts of the borough, celebrated its first birthday in July.

‘iitravel’ covers a wide area including Helsby, Frodsham, Delamere and Acton Bridge, as well as some other villages, where no commercial services are available.

Since the service began on 31 July 2023 it has clocked up an impressive 11,311 journeys with 15,097 passengers jumping on board.

Find out more about the service on the Cheshire West and Chester Council website, itravel On Demand - Connecting People and Places | Cheshire West and Chester Council

n A workshop on Canva was recently held at the new BIG hub in Winsford

YOUNG CHAMBER

Sponsors

of the Young Chamber Programme support workshops & mock interviews at Helsby High School

The West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Young Chamber programme was delighted to return to Helsby High School to deliver talks to students about the recruitment process and to provide students with the experience of a mock interview.

To start the day, the students heard from Niamh Kelly, Director of The HR Dept Wrexham and Chester. Niamh covered the entire recruitment process, from drafting the initial job advert to the application, interview, and selection stages. The session aimed to raise students’ awareness of the steps involved in job applications.

The aim of the session was to build awareness of the steps that students will need to go through when applying for jobs. Niamh spent time speaking about CVs, helping the pupils think about what skills are required and how they can be highlighted in a CV to match the job description.

The students also took part in a workshop centred around communication with Chris Larsen, Performance Coach at Young Chamber sponsor, Leap76. Chris delivered a fantastic interactive workshop that engaged the students and allowed them to learn new skills on how to maximise the use of questions to gain the information needed to improve, whether that be during an interview or in a job.

The student’s preparation for the working world was further enhanced later in the week as several Young Chamber sponsors took part in a mock interview day at the school. During the day the students had the opportunity to take part in a mock interview with a Young Chamber sponsor, which allowed them to gain experience and to learn some of the crucial skills needed for a successful interview.

Angela Cook, Sixth Form Administrator at Helsby High School commented the following about the event: “A huge thank you to the Young Chamber for helping with the organisation and sourcing of volunteers to support these events. The students really appreciated the expertise and advice given over the course of the sessions and enjoyed the hands-on activities.”

Students at Christleton High School gain insight into the working world from Young Chamber sponsors, Nuffield Health

Business professionals from Nuffield Health recently delivered career talks to pupils at Christleton High School as part of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce’s Young Chamber Programme.

The talks were delivered to Year 9 students who have chosen to study Health & Social Care as a GCSE subject.

The students first heard from Nuffield Health Physio Manager, Kirsty Chalmers, who provided an overview of what Nuffield Health is and the services it provides before delivering some insight into the role of a Physio. This included what they do in their day-to-day role, why people choose to become a physio, and skills needed for the role, including confidence, patience, problem-solving, and also an overview of the qualifications required. Kirsty also gave the students an insight into her career journey to becoming a Physio Manager, and highlighted the different routes that can be taken to becoming a qualified Physio.

Kirsty was joined by a Psychologist from Nuffield Health who gave the students an insight into her role which focuses on preventing diseases, and injuries, rather than curing them, along with some advice on how to keep the body in good working order.

Events & Young Chamber Manager at the WCNW Chamber, Jenny Davidson, commented following the event: “It was fantastic to hear from Nuffield Health at Christleton High School. Thank you to the speakers for delivering fantastic presentations to the future Health & Social Care students. The students were engaged and I’m sure the knowledge that they gained will be extremely useful during their studies, and throughout their journey into the working world.”

“It was fantastic to hear from Nuffield Health at Christleton High School. Thank you to the speakers for delivering fantastic presentations to the future Health & Social Care students.”

n Physio Manager, Kirsty Chalmers from Young Chamber sponsor, Nuffield Health, talks to the students about her career journey.

n Young Chamber sponsor, Chris Larsen, Managing Director of Leap76 delivering his communication workshop to the students.

Young Chamber supports students at Christleton High School during Sixth Form Career Conference

Year 12 students at Christleton High School in Chester recently gained valuable insights and experience from Young Chamber sponsors during the school’s annual Sixth Form Career Conference.

The West Cheshire and North Wales Young Chamber programme collaborated with Christleton High School to showcase various career pathways to the students through a series of talks by industry experts. Students also had the opportunity to participate in a mock interview with sponsors, enhancing their real-world skills and preparation for the academic world.

Monday 8th July

During the first day, the students heard from a variety of different businesses including accountants, healthcare professionals, and local authority representatives, who delivered talks about their journey from academic studies to the working world.

Tuesday 9th July

Ahead of the second day, students prepared for a mock interview based on a role that they had previously chosen. Eight Young Chamber sponsors, who were provided with the job descriptions for reference, conducted interviews with the students. Experiencing a mock interview allowed the students to gain a sense of what skills potential employers, colleges and universities are looking for during the recruitment process. The

n Sponsors of the Young Chamber programme provide students with the invaluable experience of a mock interview

Young Chamber sponsors helped amplify this knowledge for students, by providing feedback forms that highlighted both strengths and areas for improvement, further preparing them for future real interviews.

Jenny Davidson, Events & Young Chamber Manager at WCNW Chamber, commented: “The Christleton Sixth Form’s Careers Conference is an event that the Young Chamber programme is delighted to support each year. Allowing the students to hear talks from a wide range of employers and also experience a mock interview creates a fantastic opportunity for them to learn new skills, knowledge, and be inspired while receiving valuable feedback. We’d like to give a huge thank you to all the Young Chamber sponsors who gave up their time to support over the two days.”

Thank you to the following Young Chamber Sponsors for helping make these events a great success:

•Altimex Ltd

•Atlas Copco

•Bennett brooks Accountants

•Cheshire West & Chester Council

•Cogent Breeding

•Complete Education Solutions

Young Chamber was established to tackle the skills gap that businesses were reporting and to help pupils, at schools and colleges from across the region, develop the necessary skills to hit the ground running when they leave education.

•Countess of Chester Hospital

•Leap76

•Mitchell Charlesworth

•Nuffield Health

•The HR Dept Wrexham & Chester

•Wrexham University

It does this through the running of events at schools and colleges that are part of the programme. These include career talks, interview days and workshops, all designed to give students an insight into the world of work and to help them as they start their careers.

“Allowing

the students to hear talks from a wide range of employers and also experience a mock interview creates a fantastic opportunity for them to learn new skills, knowledge, and inspiration while receiving valuable feedback.”

Welcome to our new Young Chamber Sponsors

If you are not a sponsor of the programme but you want to help the programme to continue to support students across our region, please email youngchamber@wcnwchamber.org.uk for more information.

A new era for Young Chamber

The West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce has recently restructured its Young Chamber Programme to make it more accessible for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Entering its eighth year of operation, Young Chamber brings business people into local schools and colleges to help pupils gain the skills, knowledge and experience needed to hit the ground running when they enter the world of work.

This is achieved by Chamber members that are sponsors of the programme taking part in various events, from mock interviews and career talks to exhibitions and workshops. Not only does this give pupils the opportunity to gain invaluable experiences, but employers can give back to their local community whilst raising awareness of the skills needed to enter their industry.

“Businesses have long been struggling with recruitment difficulties and our Young Chamber programme aims to help young people enter the workplace with the soft skills that businesses require.”

Sarah Bailey, CEO of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, explains “Sponsors of Young Chamber have helped 16,000 pupils so far and we are eager to build on this in our new era.”

The restructuring of the programme will see the price to become a Sponsor of the programme fall in line with the structure of Chamber membership with the price based on the number of people in the business.

Sarah explains: “We are keen to give pupils the opportunity to gain experiences from as many businesses of a wide range of sectors and backgrounds as possible. Restructuring the sponsorship of Young Chamber means businesses can get involved from as little as £50+VAT on top of their membership.”

With the new school year starting, the Chamber already has many events planned and there are opportunities for businesses to get involved straight away in helping the next generation of business people.

Sponsorship of Young Chamber is only open to Chamber members. For more information and to get involved, please email youngchamber@wcnwchamber.org.uk or call 01244 669988.

The table to the right outlines the price to become a Sponsor of the programme. The fee goes into providing the events and support to schools that are part of the Young Chamber.

for

Included as part of Chamber Membership

“We are keen to give pupils the opportunity to gain experiences from as many businesses of a wide range of sectors and backgrounds as possible. Restructuring the sponsorship of Young Chamber means businesses can get involved from as little as £50+VAT on top of their membership.”

Prism Work Psychology: Performance through People

What is it?

Every organisation is seeking to optimise performance, and people are arguably the single most important factor in this.

Some organisations are seeking to be the best possible place they can be to come to work.

However, can psychology really help?

Work psychology brings an evidence-based understanding about what influences people’s ability to deliver performance. This can be self-management, working with others or leading teams/organisations.

How does it work?

Applying work psychology to people challenges has a number of benefits:

• properly defining the people related aspects of the challenge.

• a systematic approach to identifying the relevant sources of evidence (within and beyond your organisation) to inform interventions that have a realistic chance of success.

• ongoing evaluation to enable approaches to be adjusted and establish overall impact.

In contrast, it avoids assuming the nature of the issue, doesn’t rely on leadership fads.

More practically, what’s covered?

As an experienced senior leader, chartered occupational (work) psychologist and chartered coaching psychologist Gordon enjoys working with organisations in areas including:

• Creating values, skills and behavioural frameworks

• Organisational culture – defining, creating and embedding

• Board, executive and team development

• Leadership & management development

• Performance mindset, motivation & habits

• Wellbeing and resilience

• Workplace mediation

• Coaching (individual and team)

• Neurodiversity support

• Personality and work-preferences profiling

• Assessment, selection and recruitment

Something big

The stability of some overseas governments is a key priority for the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office. Corruption significantly undermines public trust and confidence and limits effective performance. Corruption includes nepotistic recruiting.

Creating evidence-based effective recruitment practices, training senior public officials in their use, and working alongside them to role-model their implementation led to significant public sector change. The project was commended for its thoroughness and practical focus on changing attitudes and behaviours in a Western Balkans state.

Something

small

Recently a Chief Operating Officer of a large organisation described how their senior leadership teams were full of good people, but the focus on performance was not effective.

We created interactive and practical facilitated one day events for each team. Helping them explore their assumptions about priorities, performance, motivation and the clarity they create for others. They developed commitments to new performance focused habits. Enabling a new more focused drive for improvement.

Could we help you?

Let’s have an initial chat about your challenges and whether work psychology might help you achieve what you aspire to.

PATRON FOCUS

Protos Networks expands into new office: A milestone in our growth journey

We are thrilled to announce that Protos Networks has officially moved into our new office space, marking a significant milestone in our growth journey. After weeks of anticipation, hampered by construction delays and late deliveries, we are now comfortably settled into our spacious new office. This move represents much more than a change of scenery; This reflects our quick growth and our strong dedication to offering excellent services to our clients!

From Poplar House to Our New Home Five years ago, Protos Networks took a significant step forward when we moved into our office at Poplar House. At the time, the 1,400-square-foot space felt like a massive leap from where we started. Poplar House quickly became the hub of our operations, where we laid the foundations for what Protos Networks is today. Within those walls, we grew our team, expanded our service offerings, and built lasting relationships with our clients. The space served us well, but as our ambitions and team grew, it became clear that we needed a larger environment to continue our journey. Our new office still located at Poplar House, is 3,400 square feet and more than double the size of our previous space. This move not only provides us with the room we need to expand but also symbolises the evolution of our company. The new space is designed to accommodate up to 50 staff members, giving us the capacity to scale our operations and meet the increasing demands of our clients. Moving to a bigger office acknowledges our team’s hard work and dedication, positioning us perfectly for the next growth phase.

A Space Designed for Innovation and Collaboration

The new office isn’t just bigger; it’s been meticulously designed to nurture innovation, collaboration, and productivity. We partnered with the talented team at Stride Studio in Chester to create a space that truly reflects the ethos and energy of Protos Networks. From the moment you walk through the door, it’s clear that every detail has been thoughtfully considered. The bespoke wooden door handles offer a welcoming touch, while the rich, dark blue accents

in our Network and Security Operations Centre (NSOC) create a focused and professional atmosphere.

One of the standout features of the new office is the dedicated NSOC. This state-of-the-art facility is the nerve centre of our operations, where our team of experts monitors and manages the security and performance of our client’s networks. The NSOC is equipped with the latest technology and is designed to enhance our ability to deliver realtime, proactive support to our clients. The space is not just functional; it’s also designed to inspire. The dark blue walls, combined with modern furnishings, create a calming and energising environment—a perfect blend for the high-stakes work there.

A Space for Every Need

In addition to the NSOC, the new office features multiple meeting rooms, each equipped with the latest technology to facilitate seamless communication with clients and partners, whether across town or the globe. These rooms are perfect for brainstorming sessions, strategy meetings, and client presentations.

We’ve also designed the office to ensure our team has everything they need to thrive. The open-plan workspaces encourage collaboration and communication, while private offices offer a quiet space for focused work. A well-equipped kitchen provides a place for the team to refuel, and the games area offers a much-needed space for relaxation and fun—a crucial part of maintaining the work-life balance that we highly value at Protos Networks.

Capturing the Essence of Our New Space

To celebrate the move, we recently hired the talented photographer Kat Hannon

to capture the essence of our new office. Her stunning photographs truly showcase the thought and care that has gone into creating this space. The images highlight the unique design elements, from the bespoke wooden door handles to the vibrant wall vinyl around the office. These touches not only make the office a more enjoyable workplace but also distinctly reinforce our brand identity.

Looking Ahead: A Space for Growth

We’re excited about the future as we settle into our new office. This move is more than just an expansion of physical space; it’s an expansion of our capabilities, team, and vision for the future. With room to grow, we are poised to take on new challenges and opportunities, and we look forward to welcoming more talented professionals to the Protos Networks team.

In the coming weeks, once the final pieces of furniture arrive and we’ve added the finishing touches to the space, we plan to host an open house. We’ll invite our customers, partners, friends, and other guests to join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter for Protos Networks. It’s an opportunity to not only show off our new office but also thank everyone who has supported us on this journey.

“As we continue to grow, our commitment to delivering exceptional service remains unchanged. Our new office reflects our past achievements and is a stepping stone to future success. We can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds and to share it with all of you.”

Damien Sansom, Sales Director at Protos Networks

n The new office provides plenty of space for collaboration

University of Chester awards shine light on catalysts for progress

Events Management and International Tourism Management student, Carlotta Villa, Senior Lecturer Karen Cregan, and Aaron and Partners Solicitors were all recognised as catalysts for progress during the past year.

The awards were the pinnacle of the event bringing together staff, international students, representatives of businesses, Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) Council’s Economic Development Team and other partners who work closely with the Business School, earlier this month.

The evening, held in the summer, provided the opportunity to make new contacts and discuss support available to Cheshire enterprises as well as the future for business.

The three award winners were recognised for having gone ‘above and beyond’ in their respective areas: student Carlotta was recognised for her exceptional engagement with the faculty and its stakeholders through activities such as Open Days; staff member Karen Cregan for her commitment to working across and connecting academic, student and business teams; and, Aaron and Partners Solicitors for their commitment to joint working with the University and its students to improve the local business environment. Particularly highlighted was a recent event organised and delivered by Karen and colleagues from Aaron and Partners, designed to upskill and support local businesses to create working environments that recognise the value of neurodiversity.

Guests were updated by Associate Professor Kirstie Simpson, Dean of Chester Business School, on its plans, and heard from Louise Goodman, Knowledge Exchange Manager, about just some

The first-ever Catalyst Awards and networking event hosted by the University of Chester Business School celebrated the enterprise of students, staff, Cheshire businesses and organisations.

of the ways it supports businesses. She shared the opportunities available in 2024/25 thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) awarded to the Business School by CWaC. The projects led by the University focus on helping businesses to innovate and bid for CWaC grants, and to make workplaces more inclusive, with the aim of addressing challenges employers are facing in recruiting and retaining staff.

The event at Queen’s Park also celebrated the enterprises that the Business School and CWaC Council worked with in 2023/24 to gain grant funding, again with thanks to the UKSPF, and what it had enabled them to achieve.

Associate Professor Simpson, said: “This event has been a real celebration of the impact created when our students, staff and stakeholders come together. We are celebrating those individuals who act as a catalyst for progress in their community, be that as a student, an academic or a working professional. We celebrate innovators who are breaking new ground in business, whether that be through bringing new offers to market, or through the inclusive and sustainable way they conduct their business.

“We have had the opportunity to highlight the support we offer at the Business School, the difference this can make to our communities as well as look at what’s on the horizon in the business world.

“Thank you to everyone who helped with the organisation of the event, and all who joined us to strengthen collaborations, applaud catalysts for progress, hear more about the Business School, and share their insights, ideas and further successes.”

Accepting her award remotely, Carlotta said: “I’m excited to receive the Student

Catalyst Award. As an international student, I’m home for summer; I’m in Italy working so I can’t be there to receive my certificate, but I really want to thank you for all your support. I’m looking forward to coming back in September and to keep working with you.”

Business grants

As part of its work with CWaC to deliver UKSPF business support, the University is offering business grants of up to £10,000 to established businesses in Cheshire West and Chester that are looking to innovate and grow. Alongside this, the University is also delivering a comprehensive skills and events programme for Cheshire West and Chester businesses, social enterprises and charities that are interested in taking positive action to become more inclusive.

Organisations that embrace a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work culture are more likely to attract and retain the best talent, enjoy the benefits of doing more - and better - business with likeminded customers and suppliers, and have the potential to make significant social impact without compromising profitability. The support is free to eligible organisations in Cheshire West between July 2024 and March 2025 and includes: 1-2-1 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Diagnostic - providing a confidential space to explore the organisation’s specific inclusivity challenges and needs; a series of online Meet the Expert sessions, and interactive half-day workshops using Lego Serious Play as a facilitation tool. Businesses interested in finding out more about the University’s UKSPF support offer can register their interest via the Let’s Talk Business website and view the EDI events on the Let’s Talk Business Events Page.

STEVE SMITHIES & GREG MCLEAN

CEO & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

CHESHIRE FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATION

WCNW To begin, tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Steve “I have been CEO at Cheshire FA for the past three years, having previously worked in senior roles at the National FA and across other industries. I also have extensive experience within grassroots football as a volunteer coach and former Welfare Officer. These experiences provide me with a solid foundation of understanding in the work that we do within the grassroots game of football.”

Greg “I have been working at Cheshire FA for five years; it is my responsibility to lead on the operational and strategic side of the business; ensuring we are maximising our efficiency and developing partnerships with organisations that help our grassroots football community. I have

previously worked in education and have extensive voluntary experience in football as a Club & League Secretary, Coach and Referee.”

WCNW What is it that Cheshire FA do?

Cheshire FA is the governing body for grassroots football in the region of Cheshire.

As a County FA, we also play a vital part in developing and growing the game. We have extensive reach with over 450 clubs in the county, amounting to over 4500 teams, more than 61,000 players, 7,300 coaches and in excess of 1,100 referees.

Our vision is Changing Lives Through Football and our mission is ‘Through collaboration, leading the development and governance of football in Cheshire to create a game FOR ALL’.

pandemic, the immediate focus was to encourage participants back to playing football. Having successfully achieved this, we turned our focus to growth. We launched several new initiatives and projects across the pathways, including Wildcats, Comets, Flexi and Walking Football.

“Additionally, we continued to develop our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion by leading a number of areas including successfully passing the Preliminary Level of the Equality Award for Sport”.

n Ladies Challenge Cup winnersTranmere Rovers Women

“We have a number of key performance indicators that we work closely on with the FA over the next four years to achieve maximum growth in participation across all formats of the game. We’re really excited about bringing our strategic priorities to life, particularly as they have been built so closely in collaboration with our grassroots community.”

WCNW Tell us more about your new strategy…

CEO, Steve, explains “Our new strategy forms part of the wider National FA strategy cycle of 2024-28. As a County FA, we are required to outline our strategic priorities and explain how we plan to deliver these over the next four years, in line with our yearly operational plan. We have spent a lot of time building our strategy to ensure football in Cheshire is in the best possible place to grow and develop.”

Business Development Manager, Greg, added “As a team, it was vital that we collaborated with our grassroots football community to seek their feedback, thoughts and opinions to help inform our strategic direction. We organised several events titled ‘A Conversation with our game in Cheshire’ to gather this information, with attendees coming from across the different pathways of playing, coaching, clubs, leagues and referees. Once collected, the team collectively then approached the different aspects of the strategy to ensure it was aligned with our stakeholders.”

WCNW What are your main strategic priorities for 2024-28?

We have outlined five key strategic priorities for our new strategy, they are; Leading, Playing, Wellbeing, Our People and Participant Behaviour.

These key pillars will then be delivered through the work we do through our ‘Drivers’. We have a number of aspirations for the strategy including; improving the quality of and access to facilities, developing a clubs and leagues network, creating positive, safe and inclusive environments, providing regular feedback opportunities and promoting and rewarding positive behaviours.

Within each of our strategic priorities, we have set; goals, drivers, opportunities and measures. These areas will then be factored into our operational plan, with some areas being of focus for year 1, year 2, year 3 and year 4. Some areas will run throughout the entirety of the strategy.

WCNW Have there been any key changes or additions to this strategy?

Greg explains “We have taken on board the feedback from our stakeholders who were keen to see a marked improvement in the behaviour of participants; we have therefore taken this on board and outlined this as a new strategic priority.

We will be working closely on monitoring discipline data that will then inform our interventions depending on the type of issue involved. It is vital that we make football a safe, inclusive environment for all and we are committed to doing this.”

WCNW Who is your target audience and what is the main aim of the organisation?

As a County FA, we have lots of opportunities for anyone to get involved in football. Our audience is vast and should someone have an interest in playing football, we have opportunities available from the age of 5 through to 65+ players who play Walking Football.

We also have opportunities for individuals to become Referees, or to get involved in coaching or volunteering within clubs or leagues.

Football has the potential to change people’s lives for the better, keeping you physically, mentally and emotionally active.

WCNW What projects are you currently working on?

We are currently at the planning stage for the new season and we are keen to bring on board new partners and sponsors to support our projects across our male, female and disability pathways. We also have 16 County FA Cup competitions that kick off in September, with teams looking to earn their place in April & May’s County Cup Finals.

We would love to welcome new sponsors to our County Cup competitions. If you are interested, please reach out!

WCNW Looking ahead, what are your main aims for the organisation and how would you like it to develop?

CEO, Steve “We have a number of key performance indicators that we work closely on with the FA over the next four years to achieve maximum growth in participation across all formats of the game. We’re really excited about bringing our strategic priorities to life, particularly as they have been built so closely in collaboration with our grassroots community.”

n Greg McLean with the FA Cup

Greg, Business Development Manager “We are extremely grateful for the incredible commitment that our volunteers display to make football such a special game in Cheshire and we’re determined to reward their successes and achievements, whilst also supporting them to make the game even bigger and better throughout the course of the next four years!”

Find out more about Cheshire FA and their new strategy by visiting www.CheshireFA.com

24 HOURS WITH Ash Poole Managing Director of The Fencing Bloke

A brief overview of your role and company

I am the Managing Director of The Fencing Bloke. I set the business up in 2018 and we specialise in the installation of all styles of fencing, from commercial and residential properties to high-level security projects. This could range from two panels in someone’s back garden to high-grade security fencing in prisons.

Can you give us a short overview of an average day at work?

At the moment, I get up at 4am and after getting ready and having a quick cup of coffee, I make sure I have everything prepared for the day, whether that is equipment or qualifications that are needed to be taken to site. I then check over any vehicles that are being used and then head out to be on-site at 7am.

This is when the planning of the day starts and I brief the lads that are working that day and make sure that they understand their tasks. My role is then to manage the project and assist with the machinery to move equipment, panels etc around the site.

An example of a project that we are working on is installing a three-meter-tall security fence.

If I get a chance during the day I will do some office work before getting home between 10pm-11pm. It is then a quick shower and a bite to eat before straight to bed.

How has the company grown in recent years?

We’ve gone from primarily installing residential fencing, whether that is large or small projects, to moving into more commercial work with companies like Network Rail and Kier and we are now subcontractors to other large companies. We’ve worked hard to gain accreditations and qualifications over the last few years and we are now seeing the rewards of the larger projects.

Have you faced any particular challenges recently?

Yes, every day!

But rather than the technical hiccups we encounter on the job, one challenge I face is the learning as we’re going with the business. I am not an educated person, just a very hard-working person.

I didn’t have any high-level business knowledge/formal qualifications or management experience before starting the company. I’ve also had to work hard to find out what is needed to get those larger contracts and I haven’t had a mentor or contact who has told me “You need this, this and this” etc.

I also have learning difficulties and struggle when it comes to reading and writing. Concentrating on the side of the business that relies on those elements has also been a challenge but splitting tasks into smaller, more manageable segments has made things easier.

Although my learning difficulties are a major challenge for me, it never stops me from doing what I need to do. I just figure out a way to do it!

What are your plans for the future?

We’re looking to expand again and take on more commercial contracts, more staff and generally grow as a business.

One of my main goals as a company is to become net zero as soon as possible. I am massively passionate about this and am trying to learn how we can be as eco-friendly as possible.

If there was an extra hour in the day, how would you spend it?

I would definitely spend it with my family and my two young girls.

My daughter Charlotte really enjoys dancing so we regularly put music on and dance around like lunatics! My youngest, Milly, can’t walk yet so just wiggles along in her chair.

We’re

looking to expand again and take on more commercial contracts, more staff and generally grow as a business.

One of my main goals as a company is to become net zero as soon as possible. I am massively passionate about this and am trying to learn how we can be as ecofriendly as possible.

n Ash Poole, Managing Director of The Fencing Bloke Ltd

Employee buys business and paves a new path for the future

Charlotte Girow, 34, is the new owner of Chester-based email marketing company, mmunic Ltd, after being an employee at the company for four years.

Charlotte was offered to purchase mmunic from the previous owner and she grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Now she’s on track to create both business and environmental sustainability and build the company up as a cornerstone of the business community, all while delivering a world-class service to mmunic’s customers, and above all, being an all-inclusive workplace where everyone enjoys coming to work.

Charlotte was offered the opportunity to buy the business outright having already led the business to a 55% increase in turnover and a sustainable increase in profit as an employee, so it was obvious she had the passion and commitment to take the business even further.

“The timing of the offer to purchase the business was a surprise,” says Charlotte, “but in truth, it was something that was already on my mind.”

“I had arranged a meeting with the then owner simply to talk about taking on new staff, when he suggested that I consider purchasing the business. As I’d already been having conversations in my head about what I’d do if I owned mmunic, the answer slipped straight off my tongue: ‘consider it sold!’”

Having already run her own businesses, Charlotte knew exactly what she was taking on, the changes she wanted to implement straight away and the longterm vision she looked towards realising.

“My primary goal, and that of all the team at mmunic, is to continue developing a sustainable, environmentally friendly and communityfocused business. What we actually trade in [email marketing] isn’t particularly related to any of those things, but making sure we do it ethically and conscientiously is the foundation of our plan for success.”

Community Fridge calls on local businesses to support sustainability

Refurbs Flint, part of the Groundwork North Wales Group, Fridge is appealing to businesses in the Flintshire community to join them in their aim to reduce food waste, promote environmental sustainability, and provide support to those experiencing food insecurity through their Community Fridge initiative.

The community fridge initiative involves setting up a public space that brings people together to share food, meet up, learn new skills and prevent fresh food from going to waste. They’re open to all and anyone can share or take food, including surplus from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households and gardens. This simple yet impactful

concept helps divert edible food away from landfills, thereby reducing emissions and the overall carbon footprint associated with food waste.

“Food waste is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change,” said Jo Prandle Community Fridge Coordinator. “By providing a platform for responsibly donating surplus food, our community fridge is helping reduce these harmful emissions while promoting a more sustainable way of living.”

In addition to its environmental benefits, the community fridge serves as a vital resource for those facing hardship and food insecurity within the local community. By ensuring access to free, nutritious food, the initiative aims to alleviate hunger and promote a more equitable society.

Local businesses are being called upon to support this worthy cause through

One of the first things Charlotte did was join the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

“I’d been a member of the Chamber previously,” Charlotte explains. “I know the support that’s on offer is exemplary both from the Chamber and fellow members. As one of our main goals with mmunic is to become part of the local business community, the Chamber’s events are a great place to start achieving exactly that.”

Charlotte is already putting her money where her mouth is as within weeks of taking over the company, she finalised the company’s largest contract to date, helped raise over £120 for Tŷ Gobaith and Hope House Children’s hospice, has appointed a member of staff to lead the Corporate Social Responsibility function and organised a giveaway to celebrate the business’s new ownership

various means, such as monetary donations, in-kind contributions of surplus food items, or volunteering assistance. In return, participating businesses will be acknowledged for their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

“We understand that businesses play a crucial role in supporting local initiatives that foster positive change,” added Hanna Clarke – Corporate Project Lead “By partnering with us, companies can demonstrate their dedication to sustainability and community well-being, while also contributing to their CSR and ESG objectives.”

owner, Charlotte Girow.

It’s the numbers that count...

At The Accounts Centre, we do things differently. We’re here for you year-round, not just when taxes are due. Who Are We?

We’re not your typical accountants. Since 2006, The Accounts Centre, led by Liz Aspin with over 30 years of experience, has been helping businesses across the North West grow. No jargon, no stuffy meetings-just practical help when you need it. What Can You Expect from Us?

• More Profit: We make sure you’re not leaving money on the table with strategic tax planning and smart financial advice.

• Year-Round Support: We’re regularly in touch to keep you informed and help you make the best decisions. Got a question? We’re just a call away.

• Tailored Services: Whether you’re a sole trader or a limited company, we customise our services to fit your needs.

Want a Sneak Peek?

Grab our guide, “14 Essential Conversations to Have with Your Accountant.”

Scan the QR code or visit www.theaccountscentre.co.uk/lp/14-conversations/ to download your copy.

• We Handle the Details: From bookkeeping to payroll, we keep your finances in order so you can focus on your business.

• No Surprises: Fixed fees, clear advice, and proactive service keep you ahead of the game. Why Work with Us?

• We Get You: We take the time to understand your goals, so our advice is always spot-on.

• We’ve Got the Experience: With decades of experience, we know how to navigate the tricky financial waters so vou don’t have to.

• Always Available: Whether it’s a quick question or a big decision, we’re here, no matter what.

Let’s have a chat about how we can help you and your business thrive. Get in touch today! ACCOUNTS | BOOKKEEPING

| PAYROLL | TAX | GROWTH

Is your business Gen Z ready?

Our second Cheshire & Warrington Business & Skills Conference, helping you better prepare for your next generation workforce.

The Cheshire & Warrington Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is delighted to host it’s 2nd Business & Skills Conference.

This time, we’re asking you if you’re ready for your Generation Z workforce. We’ll be:

• Discussing why and how to engage with your future talent;

• Supporting you and them with their transition to the workplace;

• Looking at inclusive recruitment and selection practices;

• Considering lots of other information to help you and your Gen Zs move forward, to lead your business to further success!

Come, network, eat the lunch and hear from your peers who have found the best ways to excel with Gen Z!

Thursday 14th November 2024, 9.30am – 3.30pm

The Engine Rooms, 101 Faraday Street, Warrington WA3 6YN

What we are Passionate About...

WHAT WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT

Depaul UK

At Depaul UK we are passionate about ending youth homelessness and most proud of our community hosting model, which brings together members of the public, their homes, and homelessness services to get young people off the streets, safe and working towards a brighter independent future.

This unique accommodation model sees trained and vetted community hosts provide a safe and welcoming environment at home for a young person without one. This might be as emergency accommodation for one night in a crisis, or for more longer-term placements that require emotional support and practical guidance towards independent living.

In Cheshire West, we’re working with Chester Council to provide longer-term supported accommodation for careexperienced children, 16-17 years old, in the homes of local people who want to make a difference to the future of those whose options have been limited by lack of family support.

Care-experienced children face huge disadvantages when they leave the system. Lack of family support or financial security makes getting a job harder. They are three times more likely to be unemployed than their peers. In fact, 25 percent of the adult homeless population

are care leavers, making them many times more likely to end up on the street. Supported Lodgings schemes, like ours, are key to breaking the cycle and making the transition between care and independent living less daunting.

Over a 6 month to 2-year period, a young person is given the opportunity to build the knowledge and skills they need to live alone and pursue their educational or employment goals, at the same time as receiving care and emotional support in a safe and homely environment.

It can be life-changing for the young person, but also hugely rewarding for the host, bringing a sense of fulfillment and purpose. It's not just about providing a room but being a mentor and a positive influence. Cris, a Supported Lodgings host from Oldham said: “I’m nothing special, just a single mum whose children have flown the nest, but it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.”

It can be life-changing for the young person, but also hugely rewarding for the host, bringing a sense of fulfillment and purpose. It's not just about providing a room but being a mentor and a positive influence.

The nationwide scheme has only recently been rolled out in Cheshire West and we are looking for new local hosts with a spare room and a desire to help shape the future of a young person leaving care. The scheme is well supported with training, a 24-hour on-call service and access to help and advice whenever needed. A weekly payment is also included to cover any costs.

To find out more visit depaul.org.uk/ supported-lodgings-hosts/

n Depaul is passionate about ending youth homelessness

n Depaul's Supported Lodgings Providers in Greater Manchester, Jane and Cameron.

Calling all Importers & Exporters… up your International Trade game as our training courses return!

• 25th September: BCC Incoterms ® 2020 Rules.

• 9th October: BCC Understanding Commodity Codes.

• 16th October: BCC Export Documentation

• 24th October: BCC Introduction to Import.

• 5th November: BCC Methods of Payment and Letters of Credit.

• 21st November: BCC Customs Procedures and Documentation.

• 5th December: BCC Customs Special Procedures.

Our British Chamber of Commerce Accredited International Trade Training Courses give delegates a clear understanding of the key areas that underpin the world of International Trade. If you’re looking to export to worldwide markets, expand your knowledge on important topics, or import goods into the UK then these courses are for you! There is much to learn about key terminology and the processes and regulations which are involved in the successful movement of goods between buyer and seller. It may seem obvious, but training your staff to deliver your products right first time, every time, will enable you to control costs and improve the quality of the experience you deliver to your customers. These courses run twice a year and the latest sessions are underway now!

• 15th January: BCC Understanding Rules of Origin.

These accredited courses cover a whole host of topics and with these dates now available to book, you can make sure that you are fully trained in the most important areas of international trade. Find out more or book your place on any of these courses by emailing internationaltrade@wcnwchamber.org.uk or scanning the QR code on this page.

There is much to learn about key terminology and the processes and regulations which are involved in the successful movement of goods between buyer and seller.

Check out these testimonials!

Our International Trade Training Courses have helped support businesses across our region who are involved or want to be involved in import and export activity.

These businesses range from those who are just getting started in the world of international trade to those who are established international traders but want to train new or upskill existing staff!

Read some of the great feedback we’ve received from past delegates below:

Tanya Jones, EMEA Customs Specialist at Flintshire-based, FMC Agro: “I found the Chamber’s International Trade Courses invaluable when I started my role as a Customs Specialist as the courses covered every aspect of what my role was about.

The course deliverer, Becky, made everything really understandable. There was no such thing as a silly question and I felt really comfortable with her, the Chamber export team and the group I was with.

I would highly recommend anyone in logistics or customs to undertake the full set of courses to obtain the Foundation Award at the end of it. Not only do you gain the knowledge needed to do your role, but you get the qualification and a network of people that will help you in the future should you need them!”

Adrian Smith, Transport Manager at Runcornbased, Restore Technology:

“The bespoke training that we received from the Chamber was thoroughly enjoyed by all. There was quite a lot to take in and we covered a lot more than expected but Becky was incredible and made the 8 hours a delight! Becky’s preparation, learning tools, and delivery were second to none. We were left with a few projects but have meetings set up, new policies and changes of approach planned going forward.

Thank you to the Chamber for organising the training, and also many thanks to Becky for delivering a fantastic session.”

"I would highly recommend anyone in logistics or customs to undertake the full set of courses to obtain the Foundation Award at the end of it. Not only do you gain the knowledge needed to do your role, but you get the qualification and a network of people that will help you in the future should you need them!”

TWA Certifications Ltd

The Welding Academy

We’re continuing to support our learners to ‘Weld their way to a brighter future’

Now established for just over 3 years, the team at TWA Certifications continue to supply welding training for both individuals and businesses across the UK and beyond.

We pride ourselves on providing a training experience that our learners are returning to time and time again. We have a team of expert tutors onboard to share their wealth of knowledge as time served welders, prior to becoming tutors. We provide in-house courses that allow people to tell us what they would like to learn and let us tailor make a course to give them the best outcome. That may be brushing up on existing skills, preparing for a test, starting their welding training journey to find a pathway to a career, or simply coming to have some fun and practice as a hobby welder.

Customer Comments

“Right from the first phone call I was impressed with how friendly and helpful they were. We had so many questions not only about the course, but also we needed advice about where to stay that was local to the Academy. I contacted them several times with questions and each time the response was very quick and so helpful.”

“The staff here are so down to earth and friendly but at the same time they know their stuff! They are incredible at what they do

For those looking for a qualification, we have City & Guilds courses Levels 1-3 (Beginner- Advanced) in MIG, TIG & MMA. We also carry out coding certifications for BS4872 and BS EN ISO 9606. Where learners are unsure of the pathway they need to move towards their career goals, we can provide guidance and advice to ensure the best possible outcome.

One of the things we focus on here at the Academy is outstanding customer experience. Our dedicated Admin team provide that ‘personal touch’ from the first contact response, right through to aftercare upon completion of training. From the individual trying welding as a hobby, to some of the largest companies in the UK and beyond, sending their employees to us to complete the most advanced welding training and certification standards. We have worked with companies such as BMW, Bentley, London Zoo, Disney Theatre Production and more.

For the second year running, we completed training with year 11 students from Flintshire High School, sponsored by ourselves. Training for one day a week

and help you in every way they can.”

“I would highly recommend anyone thinking about doing a Welding course to go here! The whole team are fantastic.”

“Absolutely awesome! I had a fantastic three-day introductory course at TWA! They covered what I needed to know in my line of work, the guys were always there ready to help with problems or questions, very helpful and very friendly the days flew by!”

to complete their City & Guilds Levels 1 & 2 in Welding Skills. We are so pleased to say that some will be going on to college to continue their welding career path. We receive regular feedback on the successes of past students. Some continuing on to apprenticeships with local companies. We are in the planning stages to welcome our next group this month.

We now supply welding equipment to both learners attending our courses and the wider public in general. We can provide advice on the best equipment to suit the individual and promise to source the most competitive pricing on the current market. We can also provide the aftercare they need when setting up and going on to use their chosen purchases.

Feedback is key to what we do, it enables us to continually improve our service and course content and helps us to decide on how we grow. It’s also so great to see how our customers feel about the service we provide.

We love what we do here at The Welding Academy and if it’s something you would like to know more about, please get in touch!

info@theweldingacademy.co.uk Tel: 01244 389155

Oliver & Co Solicitors Gallop for a Good Cause at Chester Racecourse

On Sunday, 4th August, Oliver & Co Solicitors swapped legal briefs for reins as they took part in the pantomime horse race at Chester Racecourse. The event, organised by the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, brought together local businesses and community members for a day of fun, fundraising, and a bit of friendly competition - all for a great cause.

Oliver & Co entered the race with their very own unicorn, affectionately named Oliver the Legal Legend. Though Oliver didn’t cross the finish line first, the team’s spirits were high as they trotted across the course, entertaining the crowd with their enthusiasm and team spirit. While victory eluded them, the real triumph was in the amount of support they gathered for the hospice.

Through their participation, Oliver & Co Solicitors raised an impressive £1,305 in

sponsorships. This contribution was part of a larger collective effort, as the entire event managed to raise over £40,000 in total for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

The day was filled with laughter, excitement, and a strong sense of camaraderie among all the participants.

Despite the playful nature of the event, everyone was united by the common goal of supporting the hospice and the incredible services it provides. Oliver & Co were proud to be a part of this important community event, contributing to the success of a day that was as much about raising awareness as it was about raising funds.

“We’re thrilled to have been able to take part in such a wonderful event for an even more wonderful cause,” said David Owen, CEO at Oliver & Co Solicitors who dressed as a criminal to complement Oliver’s judge costume. “Although Oliver the Legal Legend didn’t win the race, we feel like winners for having had the opportunity to contribute to the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and to help make a difference in our community.”

Oliver & Co Solicitors are already looking forward to next year’s event and are committed to continuing their support for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd and other local causes. Until then, Oliver the Legal Legend will rest up, ready to race another day.

The British Business Bank’s new £130m fund for Wales makes first small loans into three firms

The first small loans from the British Business Bank’s £130m Investment Fund for Wales have been made to support the growth plans of three businesses.

Midlands-based BCRS, which is the fund manager for the small loans elements of the fund, has provided debt of £40,000 to Wrexham-based Wynnstay Self Storage, £30,000 to Blackwood-based photonics specialist manufacturer Bluebox Optics, and £25,000 for Vale of Glamorgan takeaway business Metro Eatery.

The Investment Fund for Wales was launched by the UK Government’s economic regeneration bank to provide growth finance to Welsh SMEs.

The small loans element allows BCRS to provide funding ranging from £25,000 to £100,000.

The fund also has a larger debt element, managed by the Development Bank of Wales, providing repayable finance ranging from £100,000 to £2m. The fund’s £50m equity element, which can see investment of up to £5m per deal, is managed by Foresight.

Wynnstay Self Storage was inherited by Matt Pritchard when his father and

founder, Geoff Pritchard, passed away in 2016.

Mr Pritchard said “Our success has all been down to word of mouth and we are consistently full to capacity. This injection of investment will enable us to purchase a further ten shipping containers and to develop the infrastructure to increase the size of the business.”

Bluebox Optics chief executive, Ron Yandle, said: “We have worked extensively with universities on medical device research projects and this loan will enable us to develop discussions we’ve had with Imperial College London on developing a LED light engine and camera system to help make breast cancer reconstruction surgery more efficient.“

Muhammed Mujib, of Metro Eatery, said the funding will finance the fit-out of a second takeaway in Dinas Powys.

Mark Sterritt, director, nations and regions investment funds at the British Business

Stephen Deakin.

Bank, said: “Our Investment Fund for Wales was established to support smaller businesses with their growth ambitions and these three loans demonstrate that.

“These three businesses have solid foundations to build upon, and this growth capital will certainly enable them to continue progressing their businesses to the next level.”

Stephen Deakin, chief executive at BCRS, said: “BCRS are proud to be supporting small businesses to gain access to finance so that they can grow and thrive, which in turn will contribute to the success of the wider Welsh economy.”

n Chief Executive of BCRS

Cheshire Observatory is open for research

Scientists in the UK have developed a network of underground observatories to unlock new sources of clean energy.

The past 10 years have seen significantly increased activity in the UK geothermal sector. This has been driven by the need to decarbonise the heating and cooling of buildings, which together account for over a quarter of both UK and global carbon dioxide emissions.

A key factor in expanding our use of geothermal energy is understanding the influence of geology on thermal and environmental performance. The new UK Geoenergy Observatories, located in Cheshire and Glasgow, have been developed by the British Geological Survey to help address these questions and so de-risk investment in shallow geothermal energy. Construction of the latest addition to the network — the Cheshire Observatory — was recently completed and it has now opened its doors for research and innovation activities.

Geothermal energy, which involves harnessing the Earth’s natural heat, has long been recognised as a promising source of renewable energy.

Located at Thornton Science Park within the Cheshire Science Corridor Enterprise Zone, the Cheshire Observatory is a hub for both academic and commercial research. Comprising 21 research boreholes monitoring 130,000 cubic metres of the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer, it is equipped with the latest subsurface monitoring systems, borehole heat exchangers and advanced groundwater flow control.

Geothermal energy, which involves harnessing the Earth’s natural heat, has long been recognised as a promising source of renewable energy. However, effectively tapping into this resource requires a deep understanding of the geological conditions and thermal dynamics of the subsurface environment.

In addition to supporting research into harnessing natural underground heat or

aquifer thermal energy to warm homes and businesses, the Cheshire Observatory enables both exploration of ways to reduce harmful emissions by storing them safely, and investigation into ways to store energy from renewable sources underground for use when we need it.

Researchers are using the Cheshire Observatory to answer important questions around the design and upscaling of aquifer geothermal energy schemes, including:

• how should boreholes and geothermal schemes be designed to optimise performance?

• will storing energy underground create problems for other infrastructure?

• how can geothermal systems be designed and monitored to best protect the environment?

An aerial view of the site

By addressing the key challenges of underground energy storage, these research efforts are laying the groundwork for a cleaner, greener future for the UK. The observatory is available to the whole of the UK science community for research, innovation and training activities.

Key capabilities

Mapping of geothermal heat flow in close to real-time

Monitoring the response of the subsurface environment

Optimisation of geothermal scheme design

Pioneering research

Following the successful completion of commissioning trials in March, researchers from the ‘Aquifer thermal energy storage for decarbonisation of heating and cooling’ (ATESHAC) project, funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), have been working at the Cheshire Observatory. ATESHAC

is bringing together geoscientists, geoengineers, economists and social scientists to address key technical barriers to the deployment of aquifer thermal energy storage in the UK. They are using the observatory to map heat flow in the underlying Sherwood Sandstone aquifer.

The Cheshire Observatory can address many different science questions. Pilot tests, which will optimise the control and monitoring systems for future research investigations, are planned for later this year. These will include testing of the distributed acoustic sensing systems, which can provide an acoustic image of the subsurface to complement the thermal and electrical imaging capabilities.

Further thermal testing will be carried out towards the end of 2024 under the NERC-funded ‘Smart assessment, management and optimisation of urban geothermal resources’ (SmartRes) project, to explore how temperature change may affect groundwater quality, ecological environments and other sensitive receptors. The test data will be used to create calibrated heat-flow models, which will be used as a ‘numerical laboratory’ to simulate and explore the capacity of urban geothermal and how different installations within a city might interact.

By addressing the key challenges of underground energy storage, these research efforts are laying the groundwork for a cleaner, greener future for the UK. The observatory is available to the whole of the UK science community for research, innovation and training activities. Research studies funded through any source are welcome, including industry-led research and research outside UK Research and Innovation.

Aquifer thermal energy storage

In summer, when we have excess heat, we can store it in the ground. The ground absorbs this excess heat acting like a natural cooling system.

In winter, when it’s cold outside, we can extract heat from the ground to warm our buildings.

To find out more about the Cheshire Observatory, visit the UK Geoenergy Observaties website www.ukgeos.ac.uk or contact: ukgeosenquiries@bgs.ac.uk

THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL!

It’s time to stand out from the crowd – time to think brand not bland

There’s far too much bland out there - blands as far as the eye can see. Every business, regardless of its size, stage or type, is a brand whether it deliberately set out to create one or not. The problem is that too many businesses are more accurately blands because they just bland in with the competition and don’t stand out from the crowd. They are commodities, not brands and they are clearly suffering from delusions of blandeur.

Logos and names are not brands. They are simply brand identifiers that help your target audience to identify your product or service offering from that of your perceived competitors.

Your brand, on the other hand, is what your business stands for and is seen to stand for because that is what people

buy – not what you are or what you do. That is why branding is fundamentally the art of managing perceptions, of managing what you want and need to be perceived to stand for.

Strategy before execution –Brand before marketing

Sadly, new businesses often make the mistake of diving into execution and marketing, coming up with names and having logos designed, websites built before they have identified what their message needs to be.

They have failed to identify what they need to be seen to stand for in order to positively differentiate themselves from their perceived competitors. They simply don’t know what their brand is.

Necessity is often the mother of re-invention

Established businesses need to periodically take a step back and take a long hard look at themselves from the outside in. This is because what matters is

how they are perceived and what they are seen to stand for by those viewing them from an external perspective.

Too many businesses present themselves as they did when they originally launched. They do this unthinkingly, despite the fact that they may have changed significantly due to changes in the market over time, new competition or the fact that they have changed their offerings.

To remain relevant and current, every business should periodically review actions that they might need to take in order to manage their perceptionsactions necessary to revitalise, refresh and reinvigorate their presentation and perhaps even reinvent and rebrand themselves if this is required.

n Phil Strachan

BCC Quarterly Economic Survey: Business confidence continues to tick up in Q2

• Business conditions, measured by sales and cashflow improved in Q2, returning to pre-pandemic levels.

• Business confidence has increased, with 58% of firms expecting an increase in turnover in the next twelve months.

• Fewer firms expect to increase their prices in the next three months

• Concern from businesses about external factors continues to decline – with worries about inflation falling to 49% of companies.

Despite a boost in conditions and confidence most firms (75%) are still not increasing investment, with wide sectoral variations.

The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and longest-running independent business survey – shows measures of business confidence and business conditions slightly improved in Q2 2024, albeit from a very low base. 38% of firms (compared with 36% in Q1) said they had seen an increase in domestic sales over the previous three months, while 43% reported no change, and 20% a decrease.

After a static picture in Q1, business confidence has increased slightly in Q2. 58% of firms say they are expecting an increase in turnover over the next year compared with 56% in Q1. 29% expect no change and only 13% expect a decrease.

With inflation easing to target – the data also reveals that fewer firms (39% compared to 46% in Q1) expect to hike their own prices in the coming months. The survey, which was conducted between 13th May and 10th June, of nearly 5,000 firms across the UK (91% of whom are SMEs – fewer than 250 employees) – also reveals that despite improved trading conditions most firms are still not increasing investment.

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“The latest results from our QES show that both business conditions and business confidence have improved, albeit from a relatively low base.

“The last four years have seen SMEs deal with one crisis after the other, from Covid lockdowns to supply chain breakdowns

and new trade barriers with the EU. As some of these crises have ebbed, more SMEs are regaining confidence and reporting increased sales and cash flow.

“The data also show that concern about inflation among businesses has dropped to levels last seen in 2021 as fewer firms expect to raise prices. A Bank rate cut later this year will help bring down borrowing costs.

“However, investment levels remain a long-term concern and significant sectoral divergences remain, as sectors such as hospitality and retail continue to report far tougher trading conditions.

“The new Government should capitalise on the confidence momentum and focus on addressing skills shortages, trade barriers, and unlocking the potential of AI and green innovation.”

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“It’s really encouraging to see positive shoots of recovery from businesses across the UK.

“Confidence has been improving among companies in recent months. Our data show the tangible impact of that positivity, as businesses report improved sales and cashflow. But investment levels remain an area of concern.

“Our message to the new Government is clear. We need a long-term economic plan that has the green transition at its heart, with a workforce fit for the future, living in thriving local places and powered by businesses that are globally facing and digitally enabled.

“Business stands ready to work in partnership with Government to capitalise on the positive signs our data is showing.”

“Our message to the new Government is clear. We need a longterm economic plan that has the green transition at its heart, with a workforce fit for the future, living in thriving local places and powered by businesses that are globally facing and digitally enabled."

n Shevaun Haviland, BCC Director General

Accomplished female entrepreneur and former Royal Air Force member launches groundbreaking digital reference platform

The launch of a transformative Digital Reference Platform – Reference Me®, is set to revolutionise employment referencing processes.

The platform will initially be rolled out across the UK, targeting businesses and HR professionals to establish a strong foundation. This phase will focus on gathering user feedback and refining the platform.

Following the national launch, the platform will extend its reach to international markets.

Quote from the Founder: “In launching Reference Me®, I am not only committed to revolutionising the employment journey and onboarding processes for each company and candidate, but also to making a positive impact in North Wales. I expect our company to create jobs and local opportunities, contributing to the economic growth of our community.”

The founder of Reference Me® acknowledged and sought to resolve a number of pain points for HR and recruitment industries in relation to employment references.

Reference Me® is the first candidate-led platform of its kind, putting the onus on the candidate to initiate employment references. The system is programmed to initiate automatic reminders to ensure the references are either provided or denied. Employers can ensure their candidates use the platform by purchasing and then gifting RM® Coins to their chosen candidates allowing the employer or HR provider to store, access and filter the references for auditing purposes.

The founder’s diverse background includes a 2:1 Law Degree with Hons, the prestigious Ashton Prize for highest academic achievement in her master’s degree, and service in the Royal Air Force. She also manages three businesses, all while raising three children. Growing up in poverty, the founder worked exceptionally hard to provide her

children with opportunities she lacked. Her service in the Royal Air Force instilled in her discipline and a strong work ethic, which she carried into her academic and entrepreneurial pursuits.

The Digital Reference Platform addresses common challenges in employment referencing by digitising and automating the process, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and convenience for employers and employees.

The national launch is a significant milestone, paving the way for the platform’s subsequent international rollout. This strategic approach ensures a robust foundation for growth, enabling the platform to make a meaningful impact on the global employment landscape.

“This project is more than a business endeavour to me - it’s a testament to perseverance and hope for those who grow up in poverty-stricken areas where it may seem impossible to break the mould. I hope it inspires others to keep striving and fighting for better.”

Penderyn Distillery Chairman embarks on journey to Ukraine, demonstrating solidarity and support

Penderyn Distillery, the renowned producer of award-winning Welsh whisky, announces that its chairman, Nigel Short, has undertaken a remarkable 44-hour journey from Carmarthenshire, Wales to Kyiv, Ukraine.

This bold move underscores the company’s commitment to its international partners and highlights the growing global appreciation for Welsh whisky.

Short departed on August 13th, embarking on a multi-leg journey that included an overnight stay in Bristol, a flight to Eastern Poland, a drive to the Ukrainian border, and a 13-hour overnight train to Kyiv. The chairman’s determination to reach Ukraine, despite the complex travel arrangements, reflects Penderyn’s dedication to maintaining strong relationships with its importers and supporters abroad.

“A lot of people have asked me why I’m going to Ukraine,” Short commented before his departure. “The easy answer is that I’m going to support our importers there. They buy a lot of Penderyn Whisky from us. The Ukrainians love Penderyn.” However, Short hinted at deeper motivations behind his journey, adding, “The longer answer is more complicated, and I think I’ll need to come back to that during the trip, but it’s certainly something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, even if it’s just some small show of solidarity.” Short reflects. This visit comes at a crucial time for both

Penderyn Distillery and Ukraine. As the distillery continues to expand its global reach, the Ukrainian market has emerged as a significant supporter of Welsh whisky. Short’s journey not only aims to strengthen business ties but also to express solidarity with the Ukrainian people during challenging times.

Penderyn Distillery, known as the home of Welsh Whisky, has been at the forefront of the country’s whisky renaissance. With its headquarters nestled in the picturesque Brecon Beacons village of Penderyn, the company has recently expanded its operations, opening a second distillery in Llandudno in 2021 and a third at Swansea Copperworks in June 2023.

The chairman’s journey to Ukraine is expected to yield valuable insights into the market and foster closer ties with local partners. Short has promised to document his experiences through a series of blog posts, offering followers a unique perspective on both the whisky business and the current situation in Ukraine.

Charlene Flynn, Founder of Reference Me®

n Reference Me® founder, Charlene Flynn.

Getting Started with Rebecca Meadows

Nexus Earth Ltd

In an era where sustainability has become a central business concern, Rebecca stands out as an innovative leader. As the founder of Nexus Earth Ltd., she is transforming how businesses approach environmental responsibility.

At the age of 25, Rebecca launched Nexus Earth, a consultancy dedicated to integrating sustainability into business strategies. With a rich background spanning the automotive, R&D, and environmental sectors, Rebecca’s approach represents a fresh and effective methodology for merging core strategy with environmental responsibility. Just a year into its journey, Nexus Earth has made significant strides, becoming a delivery partner for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Year 3 and leading the Access to Innovation programme.

Nexus Earth operates at a critical intersection where manufacturing consultancy meets environmental action with a core mission to seamlessly integrate sustainability into manufacturing practices by developing strategies that reduce environmental impact, lower operational costs, and enhance overall efficiency. Rebecca’s passion for environmental sustainability was sparked during her master’s studies in Chemical Engineering at Chester University. Her research on air quality highlighted the critical need to integrate environmental considerations into business operations to drive significant change at scale.

Rebecca’s path to entrepreneurship was shaped by her diverse professional experiences. After completing her degree, she co-founded an engineering venture, however, she soon identified a significant gap in the market- a need for a consultancy that seamlessly combined sustainability with technical operations, especially for manufacturing SMEs lacking the time and resources to address these concerns. Rebecca attributes her progress to the invaluable support from the Chamber of Commerce and the broader business community. The Chamber played a pivotal role by connecting Rebecca with industry networks, offering resources such as start-up and sales clubs, which were critical for her initial growth. Additionally, Rebecca secured a £1000 start-up grant in the second year of UKSPF support, which she invested in marketing strategy development with Richard Dawson from Digital Marketing Cheshire and branding expertise from MC Media Creative.

In the early stages of Nexus Earth, strategic pivots were necessary as Rebecca engaged with potential clients and conducted market research. With Richard’s assistance, she leveraged LinkedIn to connect with potential clients and developed a robust business development strategy. This approach proved effective, and thanks to UKSPF year 2 funding, Nexus Earth was able to secure its first project. Rebecca also received mentorship from Ian Traynor at Luminate Ventures Ltd. Rebecca reflects,

Rebecca’s influence extends beyond her business accomplishments. She is actively involved with the Institution of Chemical Engineers, where she works to inspire young people to pursue careers in engineering and STEM fields.

“The support I’ve had since starting out from the wider business community has been invaluable. From the early stages of setting up Nexus Earth, the encouragement and resources provided by industry networks, local business groups, and seasoned professionals have been crucial. The connections I’ve made through these avenues have not only offered practical advice and mentorship but also opened doors to new opportunities and collaborations”.

A standout project highlighted the impact of Nexus Earth’s expertise. The consultancy played a crucial role in the procurement of energy technology, a heat recovery solution for a client. By ensuring the system was accurately sized, Nexus Earth saved the client over £200,000 in installation costs alone, not including the additional annual energy savings. Without precise sizing, the system could have been inefficient, leading to higher operational costs and performance issues. This case illustrates the importance of seeking environmental and technical expertise, even when working with established contractors.

Nexus Earth’s swift demonstration of credibility and success in the industry led to its role as a delivery partner for the Access to Innovation program under UKSPF Year 3. In this capacity, Nexus Earth is currently collaborating with prestigious subcontractors, including the University of Chester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Rebecca says “this programme will demystify the wider business support available for manufacturing and engineering sectors, showcasing the wealth of resources that exist in West Cheshire, and making it easier for businesses to navigate the support landscape”.

As Nexus Earth continues to grow, the company is poised for further developments, as upcoming projects are expected to advance sustainability in manufacturing even further, reinforcing Nexus Earth’s position as a leader in the field and driving additional innovation. Rebecca’s influence extends beyond her business accomplishments. She is actively involved with the Institution of Chemical Engineers, where she works to inspire young people to pursue careers in engineering and STEM fields. Her efforts to educate and motivate the next generation of innovators are particularly impactful, given her status as a young female entrepreneur in a traditionally male-dominated industry. By promoting these fields, Rebecca is helping to shape a more diverse and skilled workforce for the future.

Rebecca’s journey with Nexus Earth showcases the transformative potential of combining sharp business acumen with environmental action. Her entrepreneurial venture is not only redefining manufacturing practices but also contributing to a more sustainable future.

n Rebecca Meadows, Managing Director at Nexus Earth Ltd.

Welcome to WCNW Chamber of Commerce

Abode Chester

Hotels & Restaurants

Grosvenor Road

Chester Cheshire CH1 2DJ

01244 347000

www.abodechester.co.uk

A-D Directed

Health and Wellbeing

3 Cressington Gardens

Ellesemere Port Cheshire

CH65 2BT 07507 653066

www.addirected.co.uk

Captivate Coaching and Consulting Counselling, Coaching, Speaking & Training Unit 5 Marlborough Road Wrexham Industrial Estate Wrexham, LL13 9RJ 07734 179900

www.captivatecc.com

Carwyn Jones Videography Videography 07527 439530

Clear Accounting Ltd Accountancy & Payroll

M-Sparc Gaerwen Anglesey Isle of Anglesey LL60 6AG 03001 311020 www.clear-accounting.com

Clifford Jones Timber Ltd

Manufacturing Brickfield Lane Ruthin

Denbighshire LL15 2TN 01824 702157

www.cjtimber.com

Creative Golf Design Ltd

Design Services

Green Day Cafe & Golf, Westminster Park Hough Green, Chester Cheshire, CH4 8JQ 01244 659265 www.creativegolfdesign.com

DG 360 Gifts 07732 371208

Chelad Occupational Health

Occupational Health

Suite 1.25 Grosvenor House

Hartford, Congleton

Cheshire

CW12 4AB 03333 398494

www.cheladoccupationalhealth.com

Clay Connections Ltd

Sports and Recreational Activities

Crowmere Works

Dobers Lane

Frodsham Cheshire, WA6 7NE 07742 473298

www.clayconnections.co.uk

Disability Positive Charities

Sension House, Denton Drive Northwich Cheshire CW9 7LU 01606 331853

www.disabilitypositive.org

Education Angel

Education 07941 118412

www.educationangel.co.uk

Flint Subsea Ltd

Engineering, Design and Manufacture Unit 33 Pioneer Business Centre

Ellesmere port

Cheshire CH65 1AE 01244 886090

www.flintsubsea.com

GreenDay Cafe & Golf

Sports and Recreational Activities

Green Day Cafe & Golf, Westminster Park Hough Green, Chester Cheshire, CH4 8JQ 07768 792612 www.greendayuk.com

Groundwork CLM

Charities

74-80 Hallgate

Wigan Greater Manchester WN1 1HP 01942 821 444 www.groundwork.org.uk/clm

Healthcare Matters

Healthcare

Healthcare House, High Street Pentre Broughton, Wrexham Wrexham County Borough LL11 6AG 01978 758111

www.healthcare-matters.com

Here and Now Chester Ltd

Social Enterprise

14 The Parade Enterprise Centre

Chester Cheshire CH1 5HG 01244 379651 www.here-and-now-chester.com

Hilt Digital Solutions Ltd

IT Services

Thursby House,1 Thursby Road

Brombrough Merseyside CH62 3PW 01514 523060

Kinsman Design

Design Services

Regus House, 23 Herons Way

Chester Business Park

Chester Cheshire, CH4 9QR 01244 264156

www.kinsmandesign.co.uk

Leap76

Training & Consultancy Organisations

Honeycomb

South Chester Business Park

Chester Cheshire, CH4 9QJ 07796 468944

www.leap76.com

Maidscando Ltd

Cleaning Services

Units 4 and 5 Livery Stables Industrial Estate Summerhill Road, Wrexham Wrexham County Borough LL11 4SH 01978 437470

www.maidscando.co.uk

mmunic Ltd

Digital Marketing

Regus House, Herons Way

Chester Business Park

Chester Cheshire, CH4 9QR 01244 893117

ND Directed CIC

Health & Wellbeing

3 Cressington Gardens

Ellesmere Port

Cheshire

CH65 2BT 07507 653066

North Wales Police and Community Trust

Charities

North Wales Police DHQ Ffordd William Morgan, St Asaph Business Park, St Asaph Denbighshire, LL17 0HQ 01745 588516

www.pactnorthwales.co.uk

Partnership Design Ltd

Design Services

Fidelity House, 12A Stocks Lane

Boughton Chester Cheshire CH3 5TF 01244 342600

www.partnershipdesign.com

PoetsIN

Charities

The Eco Innovation Centre, City Road

Peterscourt, Peterborough Cambridgeshire, PE1 1SA 02039 240344 www.PoetsIN.com

SaniSen Ltd

Wholesale & Distribution

Unit 9 Bickerton Road

Cholmondeley, Nr Malpas Cheshire SY14 8AQ 01829 738665 www.sanisen.com

Sarah Hall Coaching Coach, Business & Life Coaching

The Croft, Sherrington Lane

Brown Knowl, Chester Cheshire CH3 9JU 07736 838023 www.sarahhallcoaching.com

Solitaire.io

Digital Marketing 07745 549724 www.solitaire.io

Stride

Website Design and Digital Marketing

Goss Chambers, Goss Street

Chester Cheshire, CH1 2BG 01244 641648

www.stridestudio.co.uk

The Marshall Fashion Group

Wholesale & Distribution

Squirrel Lodge, Burton Manor Burton, Cheshire CH64 5TQ 07935 648070

www.tm-fg.co.uk

The Movement Centre

Charities

The Movement Centre, Building 106, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital Gobowen, Oswestry Shropshire, SY11 1HA 01691 404248

www.the-movement-centre.co.uk

The Old Milk Bar, ChirkLocal Craft and Eco Hub

Charities & Benevolent Organisations

The Old Milk Bar, 6 Church Street Chirk, Wrexham County Borough LL14 5HA 01691 746470

V4B Ltd

Brokers

V4B Ltd, Ellkat House Coed Aben Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate Wrexham, LL13 9UH 08000 966488 www.v4b.co.uk

Youth Empowerment Mentoring

Coach, Business & Life Coaching

Gwynannedd, Lon St. Ffraid Trearddur Bay

Holyhead Anglesey Gwynedd, LL65 2BJ 07805 551084 www.yementoring.com

Become a Member today!

Join the largest accredited business organisation in West Cheshire and North Wales today and let us connect you to opportunity, support you and help your business grow.

Together,

We’re Well Connected

This feature showcases members that have connected, collaborated and worked with each other, highlighting how their membership with the Chamber has helped them build relationships and opened new doors for their businesses. Does this sound like you? If so, we’d love to hear your story! Get in touch via info@wcnwchamber.org.uk.

Local collaboration for business growth: CanDo Payments and Ellis & Co Partnership

CanDo Payments is excited to announce its new partnership with fellow Chamber member Ellis & Co.

As one of Chester and Wrexham’s leading chartered accountants, Ellis & Co provide a proactive approach to the success of countless businesses across Cheshire, North Wales and beyond.

Established in 2018 with a clear mission to reduce businesses’ payment processing costs, CanDo Payments focuses on delivering premium card machine services to small and medium enterprises, primarily serving Cheshire while extending their services nationwide.

Sam Cameron, Director of CanDo Payments said: “Working with Ellis and Co has been a fantastic experience as they are local, and professional but also provide a friendly personable service. She emphasized that working with Ellis & Co has been exceptionally positive.” CanDo Payments is confident in Ellis & Co’s capability to support them through their current phase of rapid expansion. They are pleased to collaborate with a local small business that actively contributes to the community through their efforts with local charities.

John Farrell, Director at Ellis & Co said: “It’s great to be back working with Gary and Sam once again as we enjoyed such a good working relationship during a previous business venture. We also feel that there is a great opportunity for us to refer business between ourselves as we

both communicate and deal with many businesses in our respected industries.”

Gary Cameron, the founder of CanDo Payments, had previously enjoyed a successful 15-year professional relationship with Ellis & Co through a prior business venture. This established rapport made it a natural decision to renew their collaboration after rekindling their relationship at Chamber networking events.

Sam added: "Attending the Chamber networking events played a pivotal role in reigniting our partnership with Ellis & Co. It was through these events that we reconnected and established the foundation to work together once again. Our shared dedication to excellence has enhanced our business, and we're pleased to now have them as our accountants, guiding our financial growth."

John comments: “It was the events and networking opportunities provided by the Chamber that helped myself, Leon, Gary and Sam stay in touch and also continue to talk business. That way we were able to still see the accounting needs for Can Do Payments which led to us arranging a meeting which then meant Can Do were again clients of Ellis & Co. I will always recommend the Chamber for people to talk business and do business together.”

"Attending the Chamber networking events played a pivotal role in reigniting our partnership with Ellis & Co. It was through these events that we reconnected and established the foundation to work together once again. Our shared dedication to excellence has enhanced our business, and we're pleased to now have them as our accountants, guiding our financial growth."

n L to R: John Farrell and Leon Stowell of Ellis & Co with Sam Cameron of CanDo Payments

Protos Networks & Cisco to title sponsor Oktoberfest season finale at Chester Racecourse

Chester Racecourse has secured Protos Networks, alongside Cisco, as title sponsor of the Oktoberfest Season Finale on Saturday 21 September.

The Chester-based cyber security services specialist, which keeps organisations connected and protected, is a nextgen Cisco Premier Partner, founded by network security engineers with years of experience in the corporate, public and defence sectors.

Named Business of the Year at the West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce Annual Ball and Recognition Awards last year, Protos Networks enlightens and empowers businesses with bespoke, secure automated solutions.

The sponsorship of Chester’s final race day of 2024, to be referred to as the Oktoberfest Season Finale in partnership with Protos Networks & Cisco, offers new opportunities to connect with both businesses and guests.

Kate Dawson, Commercial Director at Chester Racecourse, said:

“We’re delighted to secure Protos Networks & Cisco as the title sponsor of this year’s Oktoberfest Season Finale. As an award-winning, Chester-based business driving innovational change in their sector, Protos Networks share many of our values and are committed to supporting the business community.”

Damien Sansom, Sales Director at Protos Networks, said:

“We’re excited to be the title sponsor in partnership with Cisco for this year’s Oktoberfest at Chester Racecourse. This event allows us to celebrate with our community, showcase our brand and connect with our clients in a fun and vibrant setting that is ideal for networking opportunities.”

Chester Racecourse’s Business Development Manager, Nicola Myers, first met Protos Networks’ Managing Director, Joe Joinson, at a Chamber networking event in 2018 and have built a strong relationship since then.

Nicola explains: “I have made many valuable connections throughout my time as a member of the Chamber, with Protos Networks being a prime example, and I was very keen for the Racecourse to get back involved when I became BDM.”

“I remembered what a great way to connect with local businesses it was and I have been pleased with connections made since. This includes strengthening the relationship with Protos, and forming a new relationship with Liverpool John Lennon Airport who are also now a key sponsor of ours too.”

Joe adds: "Joining the WCNW Chamber of Commerce in 2017, just a year after our inception, has been instrumental in Protos Networks' growth. The Chamber helped us build invaluable relationships and enhance our brand awareness through various networking events and PR opportunities.

“More recently, and as a direct result of an earlier introduction to Nicola, we have started working with the iconic Chester Racecourse, which has led to a meaningful partnership. The support and connections fostered by the Chamber have been key to our continued growth, proving that together, we truly are well connected."

"Joining the WCNW Chamber of Commerce in 2017, just a year after our inception, has been instrumental in Protos Networks' growth. The Chamber helped us build invaluable relationships and enhance our brand awareness through various networking events and PR opportunities."

n Protos Networks & Cisco are the Title Sponsors of Oktoberfest at Chester Racecourse

Marcus Matthews

Clinical Hypnotherapist and Transformational Life Coach - Make Your Life Count

An overview of yourself and your current role.

I’m Marcus Matthews, a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Transformational Life Coach, and I lead Make Your Life Count, a company dedicated to transforming lives and businesses through innovative approaches to mental health and personal development. My role involves working closely with individuals and organisations to address the root causes of negative emotions and behaviours, ultimately empowering them to achieve both personal and professional success.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is witnessing the profound transformations in the people I work with. Seeing clients overcome their struggles, embrace their potential, and thrive in their personal and professional lives brings me immense joy. Each success story reaffirms the importance of the work I do and motivates me to continue making a difference.

Was a role like this always what you aspired to?

Initially, I didn't envision this path for myself. I started my career in the police with a brief spell in IT and Telecoms before becoming a police officer, a role I was passionate about. However, after experiencing severe depression, suicidal thoughts, and undiagnosed PTSD following an assault at Chester Station in 2016, my life took a drastic turn. It was through my personal journey of overcoming these challenges with the help of hypnotherapy and coaching that I discovered my true calling – to help others navigate their own adversities and unlock their potential.

Tell us about your previous roles/business journey.

My journey began in that dark valley in the police, where I served as a police officer in Chester. Despite outwardly having a successful career, I struggled internally with mental health issues that were exacerbated by the trauma I experienced. Seeking answers and healing led me to explore hypnotherapy and coaching, which not only helped me recover but also inspired me to pursue a career in this field. Over time, I transitioned from the police to becoming a full-time Clinical Hypnotherapist and Transformational Life Coach, founding Make Your Life Count to support others in their journeys.

mental fitness and psychological safety. Ultimately, I aspire to be a catalyst for change, helping to reshape how society views and addresses mental health.

What advice would you give to anyone else in business?

Tell us a bit about what you do outside of work to relax.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time in nature with my wife and two dogs Willow and Penny, my eldest Harry is now serving in the Army, but you will often find me on the river kayaking with my youngest son Alex. In recent years I have transitioned from training my mind to my body so whether it’s in the gym or being outdoors, these times help me recharge and maintain my own physical and mental well-being. Additionally, I value quality time with my family and friends, as their support has been crucial throughout my journey.

In an ideal world, what else would you like to be?

In an ideal world, I would love to continue expanding my impact by becoming an advocate for mental health and human performance on a larger scale. I envision myself speaking at high profile conferences, contributing to policy changes, and working with organisations worldwide to promote

To anyone in business, I would advise prioritising the well-being of yourself and your employees. Mental health is not just a personal issue but a critical factor in business success. Invest in personal development and create a supportive work environment where individuals feel valued and understood. By addressing the root causes of challenges and empowering your workforce, you can foster a culture of resilience and innovation that drives both personal and organisational growth.

For businesses in North Wales and Cheshire, remember that investing in employee well-being is not just an expense but a strategic move that yields significant returns. As I always say, business is about people, and the benefits of prioritising mental health and personal transformation are evident in the increased productivity, engagement, and overall success of your team.

For those seeking support or businesses aiming to enhance their results by empowering their employees, I offer a unique blend of clinical hypnotherapy and transformational coaching designed to help individuals and organisations achieve lasting success. Let’s work together to turn adversity into opportunity and unlock your true potential.

Are you looking to simplify your vehicle leasing experience?

We Offer Any Make Any Model: Business & Personal

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