2
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
WILD WEST PIONEERS
CALL FOR SUCCESS
Energy firm sets sights on forgotten end of market – p3
We find the businesses coming out of Knowle West – pages 8&9
Payment gateway firm hopes to win big at our awards – p4
08 APR
2015
THE BIG INTERVIEW
IT’S ALL ABOUT CAFE CULTURE You can grow quickly and stay true to your values, says Loungers bar chain co-founder – pages 6&7
EPB-E01-S3
2
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Business rates
Two-year delay costs Bristol firms £220m ● THE two-year delay in revaluing properties for business rates will cost businesses in Bristol and the South West an extra £220 million, according to new research. The review by commercial property advisor Bilfinger GVA calculates what the revaluation would have looked like if it had taken place when it was originally due in April 2015 and compares this to what businesses will instead have to pay over the course of the deferment. The findings suggest the deferment will cost businesses in the South West £220 million, while London businesses will benefit by more than £1.5billion. Business rates is a tax on business premises based on the value of the property, therefore the rising value of London properties means firms there haven’t been paying as much as they should while others have had to foot the bill. The current tax is based on valuations from April 2008, just before the onset of the economic downturn and many parts in the region are not yet back to pre-recession prices. Andrew Wellens, pictured, director in Bilfinger GVA’s business rates team in Bristol, said: “The Government has responded to growing calls across the business community for what it terms a ‘root and branch’ reform of the business rates system. However, it is important to remember that the Government is committed for any changes to be fiscally neutral, so any major reforms to the system will still create winners and losers.”
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Legal
● The team from Barcon+Kirby a new Bristol law firm formed from the merger of two smaller companies
Merger move Solicitors firms join forces to form mid-sized player Oh}pu \ovtwzvu
Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
T
WO Bristol solicitors firms have formally merged in a bid to form a mid-sized player to fight for business from the city’s SMEs. Barcan Woodward and Kirby Sheppard have become Barcan+Kirby, which is made up of 135 fee-earners and support staff in eight offices across the city. The new firm will be led by former Barcan Woodward managing partner Chris Miller, and former Kirby Sheppard managing partner Bill Willcocks.
The firm hopes it will be able to offer its clients access to a greater depth of expertise across family law, wills and probate, conveyancing, employment and personal injury. It also has a medical negligence team which is hails as nationally respected. Chris, who becomes managing partner, believes the firm has a unique place in the local market. “Bristol is something of an anomaly when you consider its legal services and the current landscape,” he said. “From a client’s perspective, the choice is either to work with a small, one or two-person legal firm, which may not have the expertise required or to work with one of the city’s bigger players, which may not be affordable.
“Unlike other cities across the South West, and indeed other regions, there doesn’t seem to be any middle ground in Bristol – the option to work with a mid-sized firm that has the right person with the right expertise to help you but at a price you can afford. “It’s this gap in the market that is behind the merger of the two firms and the formation of Barcan+Kirby. “As well as the two firms coming together to provide a solution to this gap, combining forces enables us invest more in the technologies and systems we need to keep at the forefront of client service, and expands development and career opportunities for our employees.” The firm has a high street presence across the city, with offices in Hor-
field, Bishopston, Bedminster, Kingswood, Thornbury, Clifton as well as the city centre. Bill Willcocks, senior partner, added: “I am confident that Barcan+Kirby’s unique positioning as the ‘go-to’ mid-sized firm in the Bristol market will create some exciting opportunities for us in the future and provide a strong foundation on which to build our business. “Both former firms have a strong-track record in the Bristol legal market and a long-standing relationship with the clients and communities which they serve. We’re committed for the long term and have ambitious plans for Barcan+Kirby during the next five years.”
Construction
Contractor chosen for UWE building
EPB-E01-S3
● UWE Bristol has appointed ISG Plc as the main contractor to deliver its new state-of-the art building for the Faculty of Business and Law. ISG is an international construction services company. Enabling works have now been completed on the site and construction work will start in May. The new building will house Bristol Business School and Bristol Law School and is part of the University's campus development plan to build a University for the 21st century. The building will be at the heart of the new developments on the UWE Bristol, Frenchay Campus, on the northern side of a newly formed plaza. Pro Vice Chancellor and commercial director Bill Marshall said: “The building will be 17,200 square metres in size over six floors, naturally ventilated with energy efficient lighting and control systems. It will contain state of the art teaching and lecturing facilities including two Harvard-style lecture theatres, a 300-seat tiered lecture theatre, two mock court rooms and a trading room.” The project will cost £50 million.
Communications
Theology college develops brand for the future EVEN having God on your side, doesn’t mean you can ignore the power of branding. Trinity College, a theological institution specialising in Christian ordination, decided it needed a little help on its identity. The college, which has 130 students, prides itself on the variety of personalities within its community. Everything it does is done in light of the bigger picture: preparing students to live “transformed and Kingdom-focused lives”. But it felt its brand did not reflect this well enough and whilst it was able to win people over after they visited an open day, it struggled to get them to one in the first place. Beth Gaukroger, communications development officer at the college, said: “It wasn’t simply that our image needed updating, it’s about developing a brand and set of resources that more clearly communicate who we are and what we do.” The college appointed Workbrands, a Stoke Bishop-based agency, to help. Account manager Emma Craig said the college had a “very
● Simon Tandy, Emma Craig and Nick Farrar from Workbrands; right, the Trinity website clear idea” of where it saw itself in the future. “We reflected their vision by portraying them as a serious and credible institution whilst also being full of life and passion,” she said. “Working with Beth has been a real pleasure. Never losing sight of the
end goal, she has done an excellent job of leading this project on behalf of the college.” Beth added: “The wonderful thing about Trinity is how much life and vibrancy is brought by the variety of personalities within the community. Workbrands has done an excellent
job of translating this into an eye-catching visual identity.” Nick Farrar, who founded Workbrands in 2003 and now employs 13 people, said: “It’s fantastic to be helping the college with a project so critical to its future success. “Trinity is one of many exciting new clients we have been working with in the last few months and on top of that we’ve recently been recognised as one of the Top 20 Fastest Growing B2B Agencies. Bristol continues to be a hub for the UK creative industry and we’re proud to be a part of that.” The new brand includes a new website and prospectus.
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Energy
Fast-growing energy supplier Ovo looks to pre-pay market Oh}pu \ovtwzvu
Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
A
FAST-growing energy business is turning its attention to the often ignored pre-pay customers as it continues to shake up the market. Bristol-based Ovo Energy is the 10th fastest growing private company in the UK, largely thanks to its technology and customer service driven approach to the gas and electricity supply market. That growth has recently seen it move its more than 700 employees to a bigger office in Rivergate, close to Temple Meads. Now it has launched a new product aimed at the pre-payment market. These customers are often in rented properties or among the poorest consumers, yet end up paying the highest prices. Ovo has launched Britain’s first full-service smart pay-as-you-go energy platform – called Smart PAYG+ – in a bid to make things simpler and cheaper for Britain’s 11 million payas-you-go customers. The app means customers can manage their energy supply, from topping up to monitoring usage on their mobile or computers any time, anywhere. It means customers can top up by app, text or phone rather than having to trudge to their local shop. And they can use a smart meter to better monitor their energy use. Justin Cockerill, managing director of OVO Smart PAYG, said: “From being forced to make top-up trips at the most inconvenient times, to household emergencies due to energy suddenly running out, pre-payment energy customers have endured a rough ride from the industry. “We’re putting the power into the customers’ hands and giving them unprecedented control and convenience over the cheapest possible energy supply.” Derek Lickorish, chairman of fuel poverty campaign group National Energy Action, said: “We welcome innovation like this that helps customers, especially those on pre-pay-
“ We’re putting the power into the customers’ hands and giving them unprecedented control and convenience Managing director Justin Cockerill
Firm delighted to win M1 poles contract ● A MANUFACTURER is celebrating after securing a contract to supply roadside poles for a stretch of the M1. Portishead-based Crown International designs and manufactures safety equipment, primarily for the transportation sector. The contract with Simulation Systems Limited will see the company’s PTZ winch poles used to mount CCTV and infra-red cameras between junctions 39 and 42. Managing director Mark Stacey said: “We’re delighted to have won the contract, which is our second as part of the national roll-out of the smart motorways scheme. “Not only will the cameras installed on the poles improve safety on the motorway network but they have been specially designed to improve the safety of maintenance workers too. “The poles use a counterbalance system that enables a single operative to lower mounted equipment to ground level for road-side maintenance, rather than having to work at height to maintain the equipment. “As well as improving safety, this feature also limits the need for road or lane closures to allow for equipment maintenance and reduces operating and maintenance costs. “The system also means that the camera equipment can be lowered without the need to disconnect power and communications cables, again making it safer and easier to operate.”
Tax
Important changes come into effect
● The new Ovo Energy offices ment meters, to realise the benefits of Smart meters and bring an end to poor service. “For too long these customers have been forgotten, well now it’s time to forget the out-dated technology and give these, often vulnerable, customers the service and
experience they deserve.” OVO was founded in 2009 by Stephen Fitzpatrick who set out to create a better energy company. It has positioned itself as a plucky challenger to the big six energy suppliers, becoming the only Which? recommended energy pro-
vider. The firm now has nearly 450,000 customers. Of those about 40,000 as pay as you go customers, but the firm sees it as a big growth market is aims to raise the figure to 100,000 by the end of 2015.
Election
Balls pledges tax cut for 13,000 businesses “We will cut and then freeze business rates for any company with a rateable value below £50,000. In Bristol that is 13,000 companies getting an average tax cut of £400 per annum.” But the pledge to keep tax competitive doesn’t mean no big changes, should Labour come to power. “We would like to have a tax system which is more advantageous for long-term equity investment,” he said. “And we need to end the uncertainly around capital allowances.” The Shadow Chancellor also said businesses across the board needed to become more productive.
● Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls
“We’ve got some hugely high productivity businesses here in Bristol,” he said. “We were down at Airbus a few weeks ago, they are competing on world levels.” But he said Britain lagged behind in terms of productivity not just in manufacturing but in sectors such as retail, distribution and elderly care. “In service sectors we often have productivity levels 30 per cent lower than America,” he said. “That’s another way of saying badly paid jobs. We need a strategy to raise investment, innovation and quality across the economy.” Listen to the full interview online.
A RAFT of tax changes came into force this week, with the cut in corporation tax to 20 per cent perhaps the headline-grabber. But others might be more important for entrepreneurs and small businesses, including: ● Employers will no longer have to pay employer national insurance contributions for employees under the age of 21. ● Class 2 national insurance contributions for the self-employed can now be collected through Self-Assessment. ● Capital Gains Tax annual exemption amount has increased to £11,100. ● The requirement that 70 per cent of Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme money must be spent before EIS or VCT funding can be raised is removed.
Get in touch Assistant Editor (Business) Gavin Thompson Call 0117 934 3336 Email gavin.thompson @b-nm.co.uk Twitter @gavin_thompson1 Advertising Robert Rodgerson Call07584 003229 Email robert.rodgerson @b-nm.co.uk Advertising Jane Chapman Call 01179 343025 Email jane.chapman @b-nm.co.uk
EPB-E01-S3
THE man who would be Chancellor told Business he will give 13,000 Bristol companies a tax cut, adding he would not jeopardise the competitiveness of the tax regime. Ed Balls, speaking during a recent visit to the city, said Labour’s policy to cut business rates by reversing last week’s cut in corporation tax would do more for local firms. “I will do nothing which puts at risk the competitiveness of our tax system,” he said. “But there are within that choices to make. “Cutting corporation tax helps large businesses while the rise in business rates has hit small companies as well.
Safety
3
4
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Business Awards
THE CATEGORIES
Digital payment pioneer a credit to its profession
● Innovator of the Year, sponsored by Aon ● Export Award, sponsored by Mazars ● Marketing Campaign of the Year, sponsored by Jeff Way Electrical Services ● Best Creative or Technological Business, sponsored by Next Generation Data ● Young Entrepreneur of the Year, sponsored by Renishaw ● Lifetime achievement award, sponsored by Punter Southall ● Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Broadmead Bristol BID ● Family Business of the Year, sponsored by BOM Group ● Large Business of the Year, sponsored by Smith & Williamson ● Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Lloyds Bank ● Start-up Business of the Year, sponsored by Jordans ● Environmental Business Award, sponsored by Nuffield Health ● Contribution to the Community, sponsored by First Great Western ● Customer Service Award, sponsored by Destination Bristol ● Leisure and Tourism Business of the Year, sponsored by QBE
Oh}pu \ovtwzvu
Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
A
PIONEER in the fast-growing field of digital payments is hoping its international success will help it secure a prize at this year’s Bristol Post Business Awards. Creditcall is a software company that makes card payments easy from devices, whether attended such as in a restaurant or unattended like a parking meter. The firm’s Eurocard Mastercard and Visa payment gateway has been developed and improved over 15 years and is used around the world. Founded in 1996, it provides the secure gateway between your card or mobile and the bank which takes your money. Now it is used around the world, including in all the parking meters in New York City. The firm, which employs more than 60 people in offices near Wapping Wharf in Bristol, has now formed a partnership with TableSafe, which specialises in pay-at-table technology used in restaurants. The deal with see Creditcall’s systems integrated into TableSafe’s mobile point-of-sale device, making it a more secure way to pay. The move follows changes in rules in the United States putting more burden onto the restaurant or retailer taking the card payment, and meaning if they don’t comply with tougher standards they will be liable in cases of fraud. Joe Snell, chief executive of TableSafe, said: “Involving a partner with years of experience in the market is reassuring to restaurant operators that are updating their technology to embrace this new card payment change. “Creditcall enables our pay-at-the-table technology to not only meet this compliance, but also accept payments methods beyond Eurocard Mastercard and Visa, mak-
“ We are excited to
help TableSafe usher in a new era of payment security for restaurants and their customers Creditcall chief technology officer Jeremy Gumbley ing it simple for full-service restaurants to adapt to any additional payment methods that may emerge.” “Being compliant in time for the liability shift in October 2015 is crucial for all businesses in the US,”
said Creditcall chief technology officer Jeremy Gumbley. “TableSafe has taken the potentially complicated payment processing and security issue for full-service restaurant operators and simplified it for them by embedding the power of our secure payment gateway. “We are excited to help TableSafe usher in a new era of payment security for restaurants and their customers.” With such an international focus, it’s no surprise that Creditcall won a Queen’s Award for International Trade last year and the firm is hoping for more success in the Post’s Business Awards, which features an exporting category. The deadline for entries is April 17. Find out more at www.bristolpost. co.uk/businessawards.
● Creditcall chief executive Peter Turner receives the Queen’s Award for International Trade from Lord Lieutenant Mary Prior
Sponsor profile
World leader employs thousands round world
EPB-E01-S3
RENISHAW, the West Country-based FTSE 250 listed engineering business, continues to grow and now employs 3,800 people globally of whom more than 2,000 are located at its five sites in Gloucestershire. Last July the company reported record turnover of £356 million for its financial year ended June 2014, of which 93 per cent was due to exports. A world leader in engineering and science based technologies, Renishaw supplies products used for applications as diverse as jet engine and wind turbine manufacture, through to dentistry and brain surgery. It is also a world leader in the field of additive manufacturing (also re-
ferred to as 3D printing), where it is the only UK company that manufactures industrial machines which ‘print’ parts from metal powder. Renishaw has won multiple international awards, including 17 Queen’s Awards, the latest of which was awarded for innovation in April 2014 for its inVia Raman microscope. The company is also recognised for its manufacturing excellence and in September 2012 its Woodchester as-
● Lucy Ackland, who joined Renishaw as an apprentice at 16, gained a 1st class degree and won the national Women’s Engineering Society Prize sembly site near Stroud, was named the UK’s Best Electronics & Electrical Plant. In May last year Renishaw hosted the Prime Minister David Cameron,
who praised staff for their contribution to the re-balancing of the UK economy: “Thank you for all that you are doing here at Renishaw to drive a great industrial revolution and a
British revival of manufacturing, technology and exports.” To continue its success Renishaw is highly committed to developing its own skilled staff and this year is recruiting a record 70 graduates, and has around 110 apprentices in training. In December, Lucy Ackland, who joined the company as an apprentice aged just 16 and went on to achieve a 1st Class Engineering Honours Degree, won the national Women’s Engineering Society Prize for her work to inspire young students to follow STEM-based careers. Throughout its history the company, which has around 500 staff living in a BS post code, has been keen to make a positive contribution to its local communities, whether through grants awarded by its charities committee, through sponsorship of regional events, its support for schools, or by releasing staff to support not-for-profit organisations. This year the company will be sponsoring the Post’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Communications
Transport
Don’t miss out Tickets running out for popular networking event ● Colston Hall chief executive Louise Mitchell will give an update on fundraising for the venue’s refurbishment
Oh}pu \ovtwzvu
Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
T
ICKETS are fast running out for the next Bristol Connected event, which takes place at the Colston Hall later this month. The Bristol Post-run business networking event takes place every other month and is always popular. This time, the event is being hosted by strategic communications consultancy JBP at the Top Bar in the Colston Hall. JBP’s director of public policy
“ We’ve got some great speakers at the next event and it’s also a good opportunity to get to know our business team Sarah Pullen
James Turgoose will share some insights into what the upcoming general election will mean. And Colston Hall chief executive Louise Mitchell will give an update on the venue’s campaign to raise money for its ongoing refurbishment plans. The final speaker will be Jim Hutchinson of Bristol-based SME Fusion Processing. The innovative firm developed CycleEye, a sensor system that alerts drivers of large vehicles to cyclists in their blind spot. Jim will share how successful the
device has been during trials with First Bus in Bristol and his future plans. The Post launched Bristol Connected in February last year to give businesses in the city somewhere to meet and network in a relaxed setting. The free event takes place every other month at a different venue and is almost always oversubscribed. Sarah Pullen, managing director of Post publisher Local World Bristol, said: “Bristol Connected has been a big hit with local businesses from day
one. We’re delighted that we’ve been able to meet what was clearly a demand for this kind of informal networking event. “We’ve got some great speakers at the next event and it’s also a good opportunity to get to know our business team. “But there’s only a handful of tickets left so be quick if you want to join us at the Colston Hall.” Bristol Connected takes place on April 23 from noon to 2pm in the Top Bar at the Colston Hall. Search “Bristol Connected” on eventbrite.
● JBP’s director of public policy James Turgoose
5
CampaignfornewM4 junction wins backing
● BUSINESS voices are backing a campaign for a new junction on the M4 had a boost at Emersons Green. The campaign is being raised now by the area’s MP for the past five years, Tory Chris Skidmore, but is an issue that has had cross-party backing locally for some time. James Durie, pictured, executive director of Bristol Chamber and Initiative at Business West, said: “Getting transport infrastructure right is vitally important to the long term prosperity and health of the Bristol, Bath and West of England Economy. “Whilst technology and the needs and choices of business and individuals are fast changing the 18,000 members of Business West have long recognised the need for a new junction on the M4 catering for a fast growing residential and commercial population locally and across the city region. “We therefore strongly support the creation of a new M4 junction at this point at the earliest opportunity as an important component of our transport system”. Last week Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin came to the Bristol and Bath Science Park to hear about the potential benefits of the junction 18a scheme. The Gateway2Growth campaigners say it would boost the economy and support a boom in commercial development and house building in the area on Bristol’s northern fringe. It would reduce journey times to Emersons Greens and north Bristol, avoiding travel on the M32 and a heavily congested ring road.
Training
How to be more socially responsible BUSINESSES are finding out how to save money, attract quality staff and boost their brand by being more socially responsible. Sustain-Live, a sustainability development consultancy, is running free training sessions for Blue Orchid as part of Bristol City Council’s Bristol Enterprise Support Service. The second Introduction to Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility workshop takes place at the Engine Shed, near Temple Meads station in Bristol, on Wednesday, April 22 following the success of the
first one last month. They are part of a series of activities and support given to businesses in Bristol during the city’s European Green Capital year. Traci Lewis, director of SustainLive, said: “This workshop is for businesspeople at the start of their sustainability journey, or have recently engaged is corporate social responsibility. “It demonstrates there is real business value in developing an innovative organisation-wide vision and strategy, which is implemented and
● Traci Lewis, director of Sustain-Live, pictured with Gary Chatwin, Bristol area manager for Blue Orchid, at The Engine Shed – the venue for the free workshop
communicated across the business.” She added: “There are three main business reasons for adopting sustainability and corporate social responsibility – it saves money, improves staff satisfaction and offers brand differentiation.” Gary Chatwin, Bristol area manager for Blue Orchid, one of the UK’s largest providers of business support, said: “Many businesses are realising that through corporate social responsibility they can make a real difference to their local environment, whilst gaining business value.”
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF THE WEST OF ENGLAND? www.westofenglandlep.co.uk
EPB-E01-S3
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is looking to recruit new business members onto its Board – for more information go to
©LW
6
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
The Big Interview
LOUNGE WIZARD ‘MUCH OF IT WAS H
With plans to top 75 Lounge and Cosy Club bars by the end of 2015, Alex Reilley and his partners are leading a very successful business. He tells Gavin Thompson why culture is more important for success than margins
A
NYONE who has travelled on the morning commuter bus from Clevedon to Bristol will know you find all sorts. But you might be surprised to learn the co-founder of one of the city’s fastest growing businesses is a regular on the X6. Alex Reilley doesn’t drive, so public transport is how he gets around. He’s got plenty of miles under his belt as his Loungers cafe bar chain is growing fast. It now has 60 outlets, including eight under the Cosy Club brand and 52 Lounges around the country. After starting in North Street, Bedminster, in 2002, Loungers has been a runaway success. The firm expanded aggressively in the recession, snap-
Vital statistics Name: Alex Reilley Age: 41 Born: Leicester Live: Clevedon, having moved to Bristol in 1996 Education: A-levels (twice after re-sits) then studied at Northampton University for five weeks before realising it was the wrong thing for me, and going back home to get a job in a restaurant. First job: The Case, restaurant in an old suitcase factory in Leicester. It’s still one of the best restaurants in the city.
EPB-E01-S3
ping up sites at knock-down prices, but the recipe for success has been the way it turned a bar business into an all-day revenue stream. Pop into a Lounge between 9am and 11pm you’ll see people spending money, from the breakfast trade to the young mums, students and business meetings in the day to the after-work social or friends and families dining out in the evening. Alex admits that when they started the business, it wasn’t all planned. “A lot of what we did was happy accident,” he said. “We set out to do somewhere without food but ended up taking North Street premises that had a kitchen. We just wanted to open somewhere we could go to drink ourselves, it was very selfishly motivated. “But that rolling customer base, doing business all day, was something we set out our stall to do from day one. “Dave (Reid, co-founder) had seen the cafe bar culture in Australia and saw it wasn’t just about offering coffee but really good quality coffee, not just food but good food. People look at what we do and it looks so simple but it’s operationally complicated, that’s
● Top, Alex Reilley; left, Alex with fellow Lounge directors, back, Jake Bishop, and Dave Reid; above, the Lounge cafe bar in North Street, Bedminster, which opened in 2002 where our experience came in.” Alex said the business evolves through the day, but it’s not something they have to create. “We do very little to manipulate that other than light a few candles, dim the lights and perhaps the music is a little more upbeat,” he said. “It just naturally happens. We have this chameleon operation where you don’t just have a lunch and dinner hit, you have people using the business all
day, not necessarily spending huge amounts of money but active revenue streams. That’s the trick of our model.” A big part of the success is the culture and feel of the business. Rather like Waitrose, people actually demand Lounge bars in their towns rather than chase them out. It’s a good place to be. But then, once upon a time Starbucks was the cool new coffee shop from Seattle. Long
before world domination and rows over tax. So as Loungers grows – it plans to open 25 more sites next year – when does it stop being the friendly local upstart and become the big corporate monster? “Hopefully it never happens,” says Alex. “We don’t believe you have to go through that loss of culture and identity. It’s very hard to keep as you get bigger, you get more scale and people
see your brand more often. “We’ve seen it happen to brands where people think the coffee doesn’t taste as nice, the cakes have got smaller or their comfy sofa has been changed for a hard chair. “When businesses grow and grow aggressively as we have done there are lots of easy wins and potential short cuts you can take. To us they are compromise and they are a trap. “Our decision making will always
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
HAPPY ACCIDENT’ Working day I get the bus out of Clevedon at about 7am. Our head office is in Lower Park Row, Bristol. I probably spend about 20-30 per cent of my week there and the rest on the road (or rail) in existing premises or looking at new sites. I don’t drive so I travel a lot by train. We’re opening in Frome so I’ll spend a few days there. When we open a new site it’s still as exciting for us as the first one.
My downtime Downtime: I’ve got a young family, a seven year old daughter and four year old son so that keeps me very busy. We’re really busy with work so it’s socialising with friends or downtime with the family. I like eating and drinking outside of work and I play a bit of badminton. I’m happy to go to a Lounge or Cosy Club. It’s good to experience what other people are doing. TV: I watch TV to relax. I liked Broadchurch and Downton Abbey but my favourite of all time is Twin Peaks, pictured, which is coming back next year. My favourite film is Heat.
ONE in six small business owners are concerned about the impact of new rules regarding shared parental leave, which came into effect on Sunday. Over a quarter (27 per cent) say they are aware of the new rules but unsure about how they will handle them, while only half are both aware of the implications of the new legislation and unconcerned about the impact it will have. Those are the findings of a survey by Bristol-based firm the HR Dept, which has a network of licensees operating independent HR consultancies in 66 territories across the UK. The company’s survey of almost 400 small businesses has shown that more than a sixth (17 per cent) are concerned about the negative impact shared parental leave will have, with some admitting the new rules may affect their recruitment policy. The regulations that came into effect on April 5 mean that anyone who was due to give birth or adopt after Easter Sunday is entitled to split their leave with their partner. Under the rules, after an initial two weeks of compulsory leave for the mother or adopter, up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay can be shared, as long as employers agree. Factory workers are subject to four weeks compulsory leave and therefore 48 weeks of leave and 35 weeks of pay can be shared. Parents can divide the time between them however they like and can also take time off at the same time as each other. Feedback on the issue has been gathered as part of the HR Dept’s annual customer survey
and 384 responses have already been collected. Comments on the issue range show that the main concerns are from the smallest companies, where the temporary loss of key skills could have a significant impact. Some respondents said the new rules would affect their recruitment policies, with one saying they would “move towards employing older people”. Anna Pepler (pictured), director at the HR Dept in Bristol, said the new rules were good in principle but that businesses and employees needed to establish clarity over eligibility. She said: “It is worth making the point that this is such complicated legislation that, despite our communications with them, only 50 per cent of our clients are aware and unconcerned. The true figure across the SME community is likely to be much lower. “The difficulty comes when we start looking at people’s eligibility, because there are certain qualifying rules, such as length of service, employment status and earnings. All employers need to develop a clearly worded policy. “Much of the administrative burden will actually fall on the employees: requesting leave within required timescales and co-ordinating between employers. Employers will be entitled to see the birth certificate and details of the partner’s employer and NI Number. “Communication between businesses and their employees and workplace planning will be key, as potentially anyone in an organisation could be off for up to 50 weeks and employers will have to prepare for that.”
www.BristolPost.co.uk/freepreview
IS CHANGING.
DON’T LOSE HALF YOUR CUSTOMERS! AFTER BEFORE
Google have announced that from April 21st there will be a signifi cant impact significant in their rankings for websites that are not mobile friendly.
Contact us today for a free mobile preview of your website.
CALL JO COOK ON
07715 770 369
EPB-E01-S3
be based around if we had one site and one Lounge only would we be making these decisions? We’re not looking for the next trick to grow our margins. “To protect and nurture the culture is a big challenge. It’s our biggest challenge.” Alex thinks the firm’s Bristol roots help. “When we go to other locations we are very different, perhaps because we are from Bristol,” he says. “Bristol does drum to its own beat so when we export that to other cities we are different to anything else already there. The South West has had a huge appetite for Lounges. “We opened in Keynsham last year after a campaign from people on social media saying please open here and it’s been one of the busiest sites we’ve had. People tell us Keynsham has got better because we are there. If we were soulless I don’t think they would feel like that. “We had lots of West Country suppliers in the early days and we’ve been able to take them with us. They grown with us, the likes of Bristol Beer Factory, Orchard Pig, Weston Cider, Clifton Coffee. “We still use Bristol and Gloucester based build contractors. We believe partnerships in business are important at every level. We’ve been able to maintain a real West Country-ness about what we do. “We’ll get people in Lincolnshire moan why our products aren’t from Lincolnshire but the West Country is at the heart of what we do.” Another part of keeping that culture is employing the right people. In an industry which suffers from a very high churn of staff, Alex says Loungers does that by focusing on in its managers. “We invest very heavily at general manager level,” he says, explaining the firm currently spends around £300,000 training managers. “It’s about them being better managers. That has massively improved our staff retention at that level and that trickles down. If you’ve got stability in that role it encourages greater stability at a lower level.” The firm, which now employs 1,500 people, takes what Alex calls a “back to the future” approach to planning. He says: “We determine where we want to be on a certain time horizon, such as a number of sites by a certain time, and work our way back from that, identifying where the step changes are going to come. “If you don’t set those goals, you won’t get to where you want to go. We flag up areas where we think we will need investment, such as creating a new position or another level of management. “It means while we are growing it feels very natural.”
Concerns over impact of new rules on parental leave
7
8
www.bristolpost.co.uk
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Focus: Knowle West |
’
SUPPORT HELPING DEPRIVED AREA
Sammy Payne reports from Bristol’s answer to ‘the wild west’, and finds entrepreneurs rising from adversity in one of the city’s most deprived areas
L
AST week a council estate in South Bristol made the Bristol Post pages more than four times with stories detailing serious crime and anti-social behaviour. The estate in question is notorious Knowle West, a place often associated with unemployment, benefits, poor education, and cultural and financial poverty. But this area, renowned as one of the most ‘deprived’ and socially isolated estates in the UK, has been fighting back. Local residents have turned to business to strengthen their community. Over the past two years local charities have provided more than 60 residents with business advice and training under a project named ‘Do What You Love’.
“ There’s even someone who was made redundant that has now registered their own business making leather bull whips from a workshop in their garden – you can’t beat that Vicky Beckwith
EPB-E01-S3
This support has seen a rise in self-employment in the area and a handful of innovative new businesses crop-up, including a pop-up furniture factory based inside a disused youth centre on Newquay Road. Vicky Beckwith, the chief executive of the Re:Work charity based in Filwood, co-ran the ‘Do What You Love’ project with arts organisation and charity, Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC). Vicky said: “Setting up new businesses and projects has been great for the area. It has been fun trying new ideas and using new technologies to help create employment.” “We have seen a lot of people come forward with ideas for businesses that are fantastic, like a resident had the idea to turn their allotment growing fresh veg into a delivery service. “There’s even someone who was made redundant from their job that has now registered their own business making leather bull whips from a workshop in their garden – you can’t beat that. “It has taken people a lot of bravery to jump from being on be-
Case study 1
Founder is setting a shining example ● MEET 26-year-old Fiona Dowling, the founder of The Laser House, whose laser-cutting business is thriving in the heart of Knowle West. Fiona is currently selling laser-cut jewellery, keyrings, and greeting cards through her online shop on Etsy and providing custom laser-cutting services and workshops for clients across Bristol. The keen designer who set-up her business in April last year said: “It's early days for me and a lot of it is trial and error but I'm really enjoying being my own boss. You get to feel a lot of freedom and I like not having to answer to anyone else. I have flexibility and the ability to make my own decisions, it's brilliant. At the moment I'm concentrating on selling my own products that are quick and cheap to produce because I'm building up my portfolio. What I want to do is develop my own product collection and establish my brand.” The idea for The Laser House was born out of a love of working with acrylic materials and experimenting with laser-cutting while Fiona studied graphic design at university. But Fiona said she didn't have enough support to start her business until she found the 'Do What You Love' project years later. “My business wouldn't be here at all if it wasn't for the help that I've had. So far, I've been given free work space, access to a laser-cutter, and support with setting up the legal side of the business. I've also been thrown into the path of new networks and potential clients.” The Laser House is situated inside Eagle House, the same disused youth centre where the pop-up furniture factory is based on Newquay Road. Fiona explained: “It's a creative hub here and couldn't be different from my last job. When I was a graphic designer I was sat at my computer all day in a tiny office, I
nefits to being their own boss, it’s a huge gamble and some of these business owners are very impressive.” Hazel Grain, Creative Ideas Developer at KWMC, said residents in Knowle West had a lot more to deal with than residents living anywhere else in the city. Hazel said: “In the Filwood Ward there is the highest rates of child poverty across Bristol, the highest rates of ill-health, lack of employment, and lack of jobs and opportunities. There aren’t enough resources here, there’s even a lower
● Knowle West entrepreneur Fiona Dowling showcasing her laser-cut designs barely moved. In this space everything is hands-on and it's always buzzing.” Despite the 'Do What You Love' project having finished, Fiona is unfazed and determined to make her business a sustainable success. She said: “There's no going back now. I wouldn't give it up, even if I
life expectancy in the area but if you go a few miles up the road, the life expectancy shoots up five years. “People in Knowle West have loads of creative ideas and it is a growing community of entrepreneurs. There just needs to be more permanent support here.” Hazel hopes to establish a ‘Maker Lab’ in Knowle West, a creative hub where residents across Bristol can access manufacturing tools and technologies that will help grow new businesses. Justin Ricks, the business man-
had to get a part-time job to support myself financially, if the business didn't make enough money initially. I'm doing something I love. I love laser-cutting because I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I love the clean lines.” Vicky Beckwith, Re:work CEO, said she admired Fiona's
ager at KWMC, said: “We believe that lively, profitable communities are created by people making a living doing what they love. “All of the enterprises we’ve supported are making the most of new technologies or sustainable practices to bring positive social and economic development to the area – and do something they enjoy in the process. “The Do What You Love approach has been to match local needs to people’s passions and interests – and its legacy is in these fantastic en-
entrepreneurial spirit, saying: “Going from a freelance graphic designer to a manufacturing trade is a huge gamble. It's really impressive.” Justin Ricks, who worked with Fiona to register The Laser House, said he was delighted to see her business thrive and make a difference in Knowle West.
terprises.” Karin Smyth, South Bristol’s Labour parliamentary candidate, recently toured the pop-up furniture factory where local people have been employed to use CNC machines to create sustainable furniture for the newly built Filwood Green Business Park. Karin described herself as “very impressed” and said: “South Bristol is full of people with great new business ideas some of which need support to become successful. Access to new technology can really
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
9
Start-up advice [{lwolu Nlhy Fear Group
TO FIGHT BACK Case study 2
â—? John Bennett (left) and Stephen Winstanley formed A Ride in The Park social enterprise in Knowle West
Riding high at cycling hub â—? IN January 2013 three work colleagues from The Park on Daventry Road got together and formed the social enterprise, A Ride in The Park. Cycling enthusiasts John Bennett, 50; Stephen Winstanley, 46; and Rob Dyer, 60, wanted to create an inclusive business where everyone had the opportunity to enjoy Bristol’s scenic cycle paths. A Ride in The Park is an all-ability, all-ages friendly cycling hub that offers training, road skills, cycle tours, and team-bonding workshops. The business got off to an interesting start when John and Stephen set out to fund their venture by cycling from Land’s End to John O‘Groats. John said: “It was a challenge but we were always keen to get started in the mornings, we found the last few miles of each day the hardest. Rob drove along in a van and helped motivate us. We managed to raise over ÂŁ2,500 and used that money to buy our first bikes.â€? The cycling enterprise provides a safe learning environment for people with physical and mental disabilities. As well as offering cycling lessons on Wednesday evenings at The Park, John, Stephen, and Rob, take groups out riding across Bristol on Saturdays. Stephen explained: “We encourage riders of all abilities to come along. You pay ÂŁ5 to hire the bike from us and we take you on one of Bristol’s many cycle trails. It’s surprising how many people don’t know about Bristol’s cycle routes. We love taking a group through Ashton Court’s trails.â€? Stephen thought up the idea for a cycling business when he was riding with a group one day and realised he would love a job where he could teach people how to cycle.
“ People in
Knowle West have loads of creative ideas and it is a growing community of entrepreneurs. There just needs to be more permanent support here. Hazel Grain
A
TALE of Two Cities: Charles Dickens was referring to Paris and London when he wrote his famous book, but in a regional context he might well have applied the term to Bristol and
Bath! These two quintessentially British Cities are divided by only nine miles and yet in many ways they are light years apart. Growing up on a council estate in Bristol, Bath wasn’t somewhere I gave any thought to! It first came onto my radar when I started my first business. I owned a revolutionary new cleaning fluid and Bath had plenty of places that needed cleaning! So with samples in hand I headed over to this beautiful city in my friend Paul’s van. I was 16, so couldn’t drive. We parked in Milsom Street and if I remember rightly there were no restrictions, which was just as well because we left Paul’s van there for ten hours! I was gobsmacked at the gorgeous Georgian terraces and ‘London’ like feel of the place. It was buzzing in a way Bristol at that time wasn’t. Bristol had been an economic powerhouse during its long history and had many beautiful areas, including, Clifton and The Downs, one of the largest protected green spaces of any City in the world. Since the Second World War however it had suffered from poor management and sporadic development. Bath at that time seemed more vibrant and dashing. Today of course, Bristol has regained its position as ‘the place’ to be, winning The
Times “Best city in which to live in Britain� in 2014. Bristol seems to be on everyone’s lips these days. My American friends talk about it being the Boston of Europe, especially given its award-winning waterfront. Watching the ferry delivering people to the city centre certainly gives the city a ‘Boston’ feel! Bath and Bristol both have beautiful architecture, but Bristol as a business location wins in my view due to its ease of access to the motorway network and closer proximity to Bristol International airport. These beautiful cities are now working closer than ever to promote the region generally. Together they offer pretty much everything a business could want. Great international transport links, fast broadband, skilled workers, good education offers at Bath University, Bristol University and of course, the University of the West of England, whose celebrity is growing daily around the world. A brilliant new Faculty of Business & Law is being built at UWE shortly which will only enhance that department’s huge existing global reputation. If you are young and growing up in Bristol or Bath and want to become an entrepreneur, my advice would be to check out the business courses on offer at Bristol Metropolitan College, or any of the educational establishments mentioned above. They are all superb. I travel extensively and spend a lot of time in London and abroad but Bristol & Bath have a special feel that says “home�. Home is always where the heart is, and mine remains in Bristol.
") , "", " && + !& , , + ! + ! ! "& " & " & "" !& & & ! " & " ! * & "" !, " !* " ) & , ) + ) & , )! + ! " * & & ! !
)" - $ # '( )" & ) ! " * &" !* " ) " & )" & +++ * &" !* " )
EPB-E01-S3
help.� Along with the leather craft business, a sewing group, a bread maker, and a young TV production company have set-out to monetising their passions with the help of the “Do What You Love� project. Not bad for an area that was described by Bristol City Council in 2013 as one of the areas in Bristol with persistent ‘worklessness’. Could it be that in the future Knowle West will be notorious for great local business and a strong local economy?
The fledgling enterprise now owns a number of bikes, including mountain bikes, road bikes, trikes, tandems, and specialised bikes for people with physical disabilities. Stephen added: “We’re saving up to buy a bike where you can wheel a wheelchair onto the front of it, a bit like a fork-lift because at the moment it’s too difficult for people in wheelchairs to come along.� The oldest member of A Ride In The Park’s cycling group is 79 and the youngest member is 12. The biggest group ride they’ve put on was for 20 people. The business is not yet making profits, instead the startup uses the money members pay for their rides-out to buy new bikes, pay for trailer maintenance, and specialist equipment. John said: “It would be ideal if we could take this from a part-time business to a full-time one. We’re hoping in the future we’ll be able to do that. “It’s not just about offering a cycling service. This is a social group and we all enjoy getting together for our cycle rides. We often stop at the pub on the way home, or a cafe. It never feels like work. “The next step is to grow more. To do that we need more funding which we’re working on now, and to get working on this full-time. We’re feeling very positive because we’ve been growing steadily. “We’ve had so much support. We were a bit uneasy at first about setting-up our own business because we’ve been involved with failed businesses in the past, but the help from Justin and Knowle West Media Centre has been incredible. They designed our logo for us free of charge, printed us our first flyers, and they helped us to register our business and sort out the legal side of things. The support has been invaluable.�
Tale of two cities with a special feel
10
www.iypz{vswvz{.co.uk
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
In pictures Bristol Distinguished Address Series
Ex-minister says rethink needed on funding for new power stations Oh}pu \ovtwzvu
Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
● Angela Knight speaks at the Bristol Distinguished Address Series event run UWE
most important for households – that’s what keeps them warm. For industry, the most important is electricity. “Second, when the current energy policy was created about 2006/7, nobody explained to the electorate the huge cost of changing the way we generate electricity or what it would
look like. We have a whole series of things never explained and people are saying, ‘What am I paying for?’ We need to talk about who pays and for what.” She also refuted the claim that not many people were switching suppliers, saying: “About four million switched last year. There is lots more
choice now, but you can’t run away from the world price of gas or the big additions on your bill for energy policy, for the networks and for how much you and I like to use.” ● Arts Council of England chair, Sir Peter Bazalgette, gives the next talk in the series at the Arnolfini on April 15, from 6pm.
In pictures Prince’s Trust Red Dinner
£70k raised for trust’s work with young jobless
EPB-E01-S3
THE Prince’s Trust held its annual Red Dinner fundraising event at Clifton College to help support unemployed young people in the South West. It raised £70,000 for the trust, which last year worked with 3,552 disadvantaged young people in the region. Guests were welcomed with a champagne and canapé reception, followed by a four-course meal and a performance by The Overtones. Chris Hollins, Prince’s Trust celebrity ambassador and BBC presenter, best known for presenting Watchdog and winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2009, hosted the evening. He said: “It’s been a fantastic evening in a wonderful venue and we’ve raised a lot of money for a very deserving cause. We’ve heard some inspiring stories from young people who’ve turned their lives around, thanks to support from the Prince’s Trust. That’s what the Trust does – it believes in young people.” From October 2013 to September
Export Advice Clinic: One-to-one advice clinics from Business West and NSEA to help local businesses develop an export strategy and the confidence and knowledge to explore or expand in overseas markets. At The Hive, Weston-super-Mare on April 7. Free to eligible businesses. Book at www.northsomersetenterprise agency.co.uk. Financial Planning Clinic: One-to-one advice on financial issues and questions from chartered accountant Tony James at The Hive, Weston- super-Mare. Free to pre-start businesses and those trading less than a year or £40. April 9, 16, 23 and 30 . Book at www.northsomerset enterpriseagency.co.uk.
A
FORMER spokesperson for the energy industry believes government needs to rethink how power stations are funded. Angela Knight, the former head of industry body Energy UK, said the model used for Hinkley Point relying on private capital funding might not be the best way forward. She said: “One of the biggest risks when building a nuclear plant is the big construction project. You don’t earn anything for several years after you start digging holes in the ground, so if you want to move the risk down, instead of going out for private capital you build it off the government balance sheet, then you sell it to the insurance companies once you’ve got past that initial risk and give operating contracts to operators.” Angela, a Bristol chemistry graduate as well as a former Treasury minister, was speaking ahead of the Bristol Distinguished Address Series, organised by the University of the West of England and supported by organisations including the Bristol Post. She said the country needed more than just Hinkley Point to replace the aging plants. “They are old ladies,” she said. “They’ve done a wonderful job. Like a lot of old ladies, you don’t make them run. If you leave them walking steadily it’s amazing the distance they cover. But we do need to replace them.” Angela also addressed the general discontent among consumers with energy companies. “I think we’ve got into a situation which is very muddled and confused,” she said. “That stems from two areas – the first is everyone talks about energy but some people mean electricity, some people mean gas and they are two different things. They need different policies for both. Gas is
Business diary
● The Overtones perform; left, guests play ‘heads and tails’
● Chris Hollins
2014, it was estimated that around 60,000 young people aged 16 to 24 in the South West were unemployed. Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking, Suttons & Robertsons and Bond Dickinson sponsored the event and Veale Wasbrough Vizards sponsored the drinks reception. Craig Steward, branch manager at Suttons & Robertsons, said: “We are proud to support the outstanding work delivered by The Prince’s Trust. We believe, as a company, we have a
duty to support our communities. The trust’s work with young people is truly inspirational. The Red Dinner is always a successful event which raises awareness and funds to continue this great work.” William Robertson, commercial partner at Bond Dickinson, said: “As supporters of the Prince’s Trust for numerous years, we were delighted to sponsor the Red Dinner in Bristol. Investing in young people is a core value of Bond Dickinson and we are proud of our connection with the Princes’ Trust who carry out fantastic work with young people here in the South West.”
Helping tech firms protect their intellectual property: Natwest and Microsoft host free workshop run with asset finance specialists Lombard and IP experts Inngot. April 16 at the Engine Shed. First slot 9am-noon then 1-4pm. Book via Eventbrite. Digital Challenge Final and Awards: Finalists from the hack weekend in February will compete for a £50,000 cash prize to develop a software application or game addressing one of five environmental challenges, energy, transport, food, resources and nature. Colston Hall, April 20. www.bristol2015.co.uk. Finance and business briefing: The Bristol office of accountancy and investment management group, Smith & Williamson, is hosting a briefing to help SMEs get to grips with the latest changes to accounting practices, tax, regulations and company compliance procedures at the firm’s offices in Portwall Lane on April 21 from 8.30am to 11am. Email rebecca.walford@smith. williamson.co.uk Starting in Business workshop: Business growth consultancy Cool Ventures and Bath and North East Somerset Council host free workshop at Keynsham Civic Centre from 6pm-9pm . Book online at coolventures.eventbrite.co.uk. 20 Ways to Grow Your Business: Seminar on how to structure a business for sustainable and profitable growth. Ashton Court Mansion, BS41 9JN, 7.45am on April 22. Contact Mazars. Bristol PA Network: Communicate with clarity with PA trainer Lindsay Taylor at the Bristol Hotel, 5.30-8pm, Wednesday, April 22. Tickets via Eventbrite. The Lord Mayor’s Charity Dinner: Black tie dinner in aid of The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal, on April 30. Add your name to the waiting list at https://galadinner2015. eventbrite.co.uk and email info@galadinner2015.com for sponsorship opportunities or to donate auction and raffle prizes. Email your business events to gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk. Events are sometimes cancelled without us being notified so please check with organisers before travelling.
11
Â…
& &
4!!' -
% & % &, # #/
% +.( 444
$
$
$
% " % , 1 0 % % & % , , % , & % / , ,1 % " %, , , , % , " , 1 , 3 , % &/ , # % , 3 &,3 & % %&, , /3 %& 3 / "% && &#
Â…
r " %& & %0 , , , "% &&/% , ,# r 0 %3, , , 3 / 1 / 2" , % &,% , , 1 , /, , "% / &,# r 1 , 0 1 & % , 3 /% 1 , & %" & % ", 1 "% & , " , & , 3 /% &, /, % , , %&# r /&, % & &, " %, , , , & , % & 1 3 1 2 , ,& 3 / 1 / 0 %" % , " 3 1 , , & %0 " , 3 %/ /& &&#
% & % &
# )
% & % &,
4!!' -
& &
% & % &, # #/
EPB-E01-S3
12
www.bristolpost.co.uk7i|zpulzz
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
The back page
Your digest of the week in business
People
Deals
● Property litigator Kevin Morgan has joined Carbon Law as a partner in the Bristol office. He joins from Lyons Davidson where he was a head of the civil litigation department. Chief executive Michael Burne said: “We are all delighted to welcome Kevin. We continue to build our full service practice with lawyers that have significant experience and who really understand what clients want.” The firm, founded last year, specialises in corporate, commercial, property and private client law.
● Bristol law firm TLT has advised energy firm Ecotricity on a refinancing of its wind and solar project, raising close to £70 million to speed up its pipeline of new developments. The complex deal involved the refinancing of 19 operational wind and solar energy sites of varying ages and saw the firm secure new funding from institutional investor Aviva. TLT, led by partner and head of energy and renewables Maria Connolly and associate Stuart Urquhart, advised Ecotricity while Wragges Lawrence Graham, led by head of International Energy partner Kieron Dwyer. Maria said: “This deal marks an exciting time for Ecotricity and the wider UK renewables industry. It was complex but working closely with our long-standing client and a number of third parties, we were able to give expert commercial advice at every step of the way.”
● Parvaneh Naseriyan has joined Jordans Corporate Law as a commercial lawyer in the Bristol-based national team. She will be advising within their growing automotive sector team. Parvaneh joins as a newly qualified solicitor. Head of commercial Simon Bates said: “We are delighted to have Parvaneh join us and to help expand our specialist automotive and commercial offering. Like our clients, at Jordans we place high value on innovation and Parvaneh will further strengthen our unique approach to commercial law practice.” ● Legal expenses insurer Temple Legal Protection has appointed Andy Parkinson as head of corporate partnerships. Andy will be based at the company’s Bristol office under Phil Bellamy, underwriting director. Andy has worked in the legal expenses Insurance industry since 1986, and held a number of senior positions at DAS. He said: “Having spent a short time away from Legal Expenses Insurance to fulfil some personal ambitions, the time is now absolutely right to come back to this specialist industry. “I am very excited about the prospect of working with such a reputable company as Temple.” ● Recruitment professional Emma Tolley has joined Bristol-based Thorn Baker to lead the company’s strategy of increasing staff numbers across over the next five years. Emma joins the recruitment firm as talent attraction manager with the task of building Thorn Baker’s nationwide team with talented staff
● Kevin Morgan has joined Carbon Law as a partner in the Bristol office ● Parvaneh Naseriyan
● Emma Tolley
and managers to lead the company into its next period of growth. Emma has previously worked at two of the big global recruitment firms, Randstad and Office Angels. She said: “My role is to ensure we are attracting the best talent out there, ensuring we are nurturing recruiters and building their expertise for them to go into senior recruitment roles within Thorn Baker.” ● Greg Csikos has joined the team at DoubleTree by Hilton, Bristol City Centre on Redcliffe Way where he will oversee the day-to-day operation of the venue. Originally from Budapest in
● Andy Parkinson
● Greg Csikos
Hungary, Greg moved to the UK in 2006 having worked at the Marriott in the Hungarian capital. On a holiday in Bristol, Greg liked the ambience of the city so much he decided to move here. He said: “It’s great to be part of a team and venue that has serious ambitions about its future. The hotel’s location is going to be key for visitors to the arena and those travelling in to Temple Meads. “Meanwhile, we’ll look to consolidate our position as one of the leading four-star venues in Bristol and supporting Bristol’s reputation as a major player in terms of business and tourism.”
Places ● Artplex, a manufacturer of point-of-sale display stands, has opened an office at the New World Business Centre in Warmley. Manager Elwira Kuligowska said: “We have a very successful business in Poland which has grown substantially over the last 10 years. “We feel confident we can duplicate our business model here in the UK and will be hiring local talent to help us grow.” ● A Bristol business which started operating in the city 40 years ago has opened its first office in Munich as part of a European-wide expansion programme. Resource Solutions Group (RSG) is headquartered in Clifton Down, where it employs nearly 180 people. Last year saw the firm’s turnover passed £230 million. The organisation is now targeting growth in the wider EU and has opened in Munich under the group’s Sanderson brand. Mike Beesley, chief executive of RSG, said: “We are very proud of what the business has achieved over the past few years as we have opened offices in Edinburgh, Manchester, London and Cardiff. “However, our roots will always remain in Bristol, as this is where our heart is.”
In numbers Inflation (CPI)
8 9 969 86= ;6AA :8 Inflation (RPI)
Weekly earnings
Base interest rate
S
EPB-E01-S3
Ohy Koh{~pu
Bristol Area Manager Blue Orchid management consultancy
mann, the Government’s Business Champion for Older Workers, a woman’s career is over at 45 and a man’s at 55. Generally, the population is getting older and self-employment fulfils the need to enjoy working later in life as well as providing extra income to supplement diminishing pensions. For those working for themselves, rewards can be great, with increased income, improved wellbeing and greater control. However, the stark truth is that the
attrition rate for small businesses is 80 per cent by the end of the third year of operating. Too many fail, not because there was anything wrong with their business idea, their ability to do the work, or their commitment to the business. They fail because they have ignored basic business principles – there is insufficient pipeline of work or orders and poor cash flow. Also, they have not known where to turn to for advice. There is advice out there, and some of it is free. At Blue Orchid, we have been delivering free one-to-one advice, running courses and drop-in sessions as part of the Bristol Business Support Service on behalf of Bristol City Council. Part-funded by
the South West European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the service is linked to the Filwood Green Business Park. Through this initiative, we have supported several hundred people with training in finance and bookkeeping, sales, marketing and social media, as well as pitch and presentation skills. But, as they say, all good things must come to an end and funding runs out before May. Please do not become one of the 80 per cent who fail. Take full advantage of the free support, training, advice and courses, currently available for businesspeople in Bristol.
● For more details of free courses please search online for Blue Orchid Bristol events.
.
.
Corporation tax .
Main rate
Business current accounts 1.01% State Bank £10,000 deposit of India 0.25% £1 deposit
Business savings accounts 1.75% Cambridge & CountiesBank £10,000 deposit State Bank of India
1.49% £10,000 deposit
Opinion
MALL businesses represent a significant proportion of the UK’s economy – more than one in every three pounds generated. Estimates vary, but there are between 560,000 and 700,000 UK start-ups every year. Many dream of setting up their own company, and of working for themselves. They take the plunge aiming to achieve a better work-life balance, or developing a ‘portfolio’ approach with a number of interests which generate money and longer-term security. Some are forced into setting up a business through redundancy or child and family care commitments. According to research from Ros Alt-
.
Ave mortgage rate .
Source:
Don’t be among 80% of small businesses who fail
.
Petrol prices 6AAw
99: 99@ 9:: >:
Unleaded
6>>w Diesel
68Aw
Super unleaded
6:>w LPG
Source: PetrolPrices.com