Business 15 October2014 by BGSD-cs

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

OPENING NIGHT

App that will ensure you don’t forget those key dates – p3

Exports bring home major growth for tech company – p4

QinetiQ chief starts off the Bristol address season - p7

OCT

2014

CYBER SECURITY

HOW SECURE IS YOUR DATA? Is you business taking the right approach to protecting your network and data? – Pages 8&9

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Commercial property

Top glass PwC moving to smart new offices Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

HEN developer Salmon Harvester chose to go ahead with the first speculative office development in the city, it was widely seen as a big gamble. But that gamble on the city’s economy is paying off as one of the so-called big four accountants has signed a 15-year lease for the top three floors of the seven-storey block – at record rents for Bristol. PwC will be moving to shiny new offices at 2 Glass Wharf at Temple Quay next summer. The Post reported over the summer that the firm was one of several potential cornerstone tenants for the development and now the move has been confirmed. Regional chairman Matthew Hammond, inset below, said: “Bristol is a great place to live and do business and we are dedicated to growing our practice here, providing the highest level of expertise and experience to local businesses. “PwC has been located in Great George Street, Bristol, for many years, which has been a fantastic home for our business. We have many fond memories, but it is time to move our business forward.” Katherine Finn, far right, PwC’s senior partner in Bristol, said: “2 Glass Wharf will provide a modern, creative workspace. Its close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads station at the heart of plans for future de-

WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS... ● Now that the first tenants are signed up at 2 Glass Wharf, it could start a game of office musical chairs around the city. There are a number of other big players looking for new grade A office space in the city, including KPMG, law firm TLT and energy firm EDF. With PwC taking the landmark spot at 2 Glass Wharf, it would be a big surprise if KPMG moved in too as the firms are direct competitors. More likely is KPMG becoming anchor tenant in the other big speculative development under way, 66 Queen Square.

TLT would be another candidate for that spot, however, with the prestige location popular among law firms. There is also grade A space in the slightly older Bridgewater House in Victoria Street, another popular district for legal services and close to TLT’s current office. Those who believe in fate might think that would be a better spot for energy firm EDF, which is believed to be in the market as it starts building Hinkley Point C nuclear plant in... Bridgwater, Somerset. But the fact one is spelt with an “e” and the other without might be too much to bear.

velopments for the city centre, will ensure connectivity within and beyond the region for generations to come. “Our new office will secure an efficient and flexible way for our teams to work from an environmentally sustainable building, reducing our carbon footprint.” The accountancy firm is tak-

● Above, 2 Glass Wharf; inset left, Bridgewater House

ing 37,157 sq ft at a record rate for the city of £28 per square foot. Salmon Harvester appointed Wates as contractor and started work on the 100,000 sq ft (9,290 sq m), £40 million scheme last October. The project was launched by Planning Minister Nick Boles last year, as a key part of the

Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone which was set up to stimulate the economy and create thousands of jobs in the city. The news of the first letting follows days after the firm developer announced it was pushing ahead to build another office block next door. Development director Rorie

Henderson said: “As we near completion, 2 Glass Wharf is taking shape as the city’s flagship office building and we are delighted to have signed such a prestigious tenant. We have always had every confidence in the Bristol market and this is the first of our three development projects planned at Temple Quay. “We have considerable interest in the remaining space at 2 Glass Wharf and hope to announce the scheme is fully let before Christmas.”

Expert eye

Are falling employment tribunal figures good for business? “ Citizens Advice reported that seven in 10 potentially successful cases are now not being pursued by employees. More than half of those interviewed said it was the fees or costs that were deterring them from pursuing these cases.

Richard Harris Chief Claims Officer at DAS UK

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ATA from legal expenses insurer DAS shows a fall in the number of employment cases being taken to tribunal. Comparing the first six months of 2013 and 2014 numbers have dropped by a third. This could be attributed to several factors – the prime candidate is the new fee regime which was introduced in July 2013. Other contributing factors could be an upturn in the economy meaning more hires and less fires; the extended period over which employees can bring a claim; and the effect of early conciliation. At first glance this drop in numbers looks like good news for businesses. Fewer employees taking employment disputes all the way will reduce costs and management time. However, as well as fees to submit a claim to tribunal, the requirement for employers and employees to attend early conciliation was also introduced to establish if legal proceedings could be avoided.

So lower tribunal numbers at this stage might not mean less employment disputes, and certainly that they won’t be any less time-consuming. It also doesn’t take away the employer’s responsibility to deal with them correctly. Citizens Advice reported that seven in 10 potentially successful

cases are now not being pursued by employees. More than half of those interviewed said it was the fees or costs that were deterring them from pursuing these cases. The consequences of the introduction of fees have also been studied by researchers at the universities of Bristol and Strathclyde which came

to the conclusion that they have “severely limited access to justice for workers”. Against the back drop of years of rising employment tribunal claims a better system was widely regarded by employers, employees and politicians alike as sorely-needed. However, it’s not yet clear whether the new approach will result in fairer

results for everyone, as any change in our legal system takes time to bed in. But we must keep sight of the ultimate goal of any change: to improve access to justice.

● DAS is the UK’s leading legal expenses insurer, providing costs to cover thousands of employment disputes every year. DAS receives over 100,000 calls to its advice lines annually and employment concerns are the top topic. DAS has been based in Bristol for nearly 40 years and employs over 400 local people.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Gifts

Communications

Firms not getting most from broadband A MAJOR communications provider says Bristol businesses are not getting the most from their broadband. A study of Bristol SMEs found by TalkTalk Business found: ● 49 per cent believe the government needs to prioritise its focus on enhancing the digital skillset of the region and contribute towards digital inclusion ● 48 per cent are calling on the government to help reduce the cost of super-fast fibre broadband for small businesses ● 38 per cent of Bristol small businesses are not getting value for money from their broadband provider

● 26 per cent of small businesses are looking to switch providers. Charles Bligh, pictured, managing director, TalkTalk Business, said: “The research tells us loud and clear that Bristol businesses deserve better, and we couldn’t agree more. Our message to small businesses is clear: there is always a choice, demand more from your broadband provider.” TalkTalk has launched an app that lets SMEs tie their business landline to five mobiles so they can answer on the move. The government is investing in broadband in Bristol, with a £3,000 connection voucher available to help businesses get plugged in to high-speed networks.

● www.connectionvouchers.co.uk.

● Giftcloud founder Greg LeTocq

Never forget Big names on board as gift app launches Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

EVER again will you need to forget a birthday and be too late to buy a gift, thanks to a new app developed by a Bristol company. Giftcloud has been launched by the company behind discount app vouchercloud, which already employs 150 people in Bristol. It has developed the app to allow customers to send gift cards electronically by text, email and social media, rather having to buy gift cards in stores. The business launched with some high profile stores already on board, including House of Fraser, Currys PC World, Cineworld, Starbucks and Pizza Express. The free-to-download app is available on iOS and Android platforms. Unlike plastic gift cards, which can be bought online but are then usually sent by post, Giftcloud enables instant gifting. It can be sent as soon as it’s paid for or scheduled. It can even tie in with Facebook, which could be a money spinner given how often

people only remember friend’s birthdays when the social media site reminds them. And it will remind people when their cards are due to expire, making it less likely they will be left unclaimed as a surprising 15 per cent currently are. Giftcloud founder Greg LeTocq said: “Social media and digital communication has made it so much easier for us to stay in touch with old friends, distant family members and ex-colleagues, so our peer group is now far wider than ever before. “We also maintain close relationships online with cherished peers who move or work far away, so the number of people who we wish a happy birthday without actually seeing face to face is ever-increasing. “The average Briton has a vast circle of people who they will contact for celebrations and commiserations, but has never had the opportunity before to upgrade these words on the screen to something more meaningful. “Giftcloud will enable the public to step up their online greetings with gifts, standing out from the rest of the messages.” Anthony Mortimer, client manager at House of Fraser, added: “We are confident that offering customers an alternative method of gifting will allow us to tap into new markets and simplify the gifting process.”

Renewables

Invest in green energy with city firm odos Renewables, said: “We’ve decided to lower our minimum investment because we believe that investing in renewable energy should be an option to everyone and we want to provide a rewarding connection with renewable energy for even more people.” The offer is open to both new investors and existing shareholders and the shares are tradable on a Matched Bargain Market marketed by Ethex and operated by Capita Share Dealing Services Ltd. Triodos Renewables shareholders have received dividends in eight of the past nine years with an average dividend yield of 1.7 per cent over the past three years.

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TRIODOS Renewables has launched a £5 million share offer to invest in building new UK energy generating assets. The company, based in Bristol city centre, owns and operates 11 renewable energy projects across the UK totalling 53 mega watts, including the Avonmouth wind farm near Bristol, and is developing a further four. The share issue will mean Triodos can expand. It is working with Trillion Fund, the crowd financing platform for renewable energy to promote and distribute the offer. People can invest from as little as £50, with the share price set at £2.28 per share. Matthew Clayton, executive director of Tri-

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Engineering

On the move Exports bring firm 50pc growth for past three years

Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

COMPANY that measures tiny movements has been making big strides forward by growing its own business by 50 per cent a year. And the majority of that growth for Flax Bourton-based Imetrum has been through exports. The firm, which now employs 16 people, was founded as a spin-off from Bristol University in 2003. It’s two main areas of business are testing materials such as composites, working with clients such as Red Bull and McLaren Formula 1 teams and BAE Systems and Airbus, and monitoring structures such as buildings and bridges for movement. The big advantage of its video gauge technique is that they don’t involve contact with the object or structure being measured. For something like a bridge, it can be done from up to 1km away meaning structures can be safely monitored to see how they cope in adverse weather conditions. The firm has grown 50 per cent each year for the last three years and this year has a turnover target of £1.5 million. Spokeswoman Carrie Large said the firm had built its exports, which account for 80 per cent of the business, through partnerships with local distributors. Recent additions include distributors in Italy and Turkey and the firm already has partners in South Korea, Australia, the United States, China, Japan and more. The company has worked with UK Trade & Investment and other bodies when looking for partners abroad.

● Imetrum staff Andy Plumb, Carrie Large, Tim Hawes, Sarah Cox, Lisa Hall, Martin Giles, Chris Setchell, David Pic: Jon Kent BRJK20141014A-005 Griffen, Zach Goldie, James Sharam and Matt Read-Jennings Carrie said: “Exports are driving our growth and we are going to new distributors all the time. “We are not only growing but reducing our risks by operating in a number of markets.” Managing director John Brewster said that having the right product was crucial. He said: “Our continuing expansion evidences the increasing demand for our unique precision measurement system. “ The video gauge not only provides a measurement capability far beyond any other technology on the market today, it also offers a quicker set-up time and lower costs.”

FIVE TOP TIPS FOR DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA ● 1 Do your research at the outset; find out where in China there is most demand for your product or service and how that market works as each region has different characteristics. ● 2. You will need a tailored market approach for Chinese consumers, ensure you know the appropriate unique selling points to your business proposition. ● 3 Make sure you have sufficient resources available (management time, project finance and

expenses) as to be successful in China you will need to regularly visit the market. ● 4 Decide early on whether you need to work with a partner in China to succeed, and if so make sure you can communicate with them effectively – get to grips with language and culture differences. ● 5. To prevent your products or services being deceptively copied by others/competitors in China, evaluate the business risks and protect your Intellectual Property.

Enter the dragon

Know the Chinese way to gain foothold in fast-growing market OVER the last 30 years China has transformed into a vibrant and expanding market – UK exports to the country reached £11.2bn in 2013, exceeding the total of the previous three decades, a record high. China is the world’s largest ICT market, with over 1.1 billion mobile subscribers as of 2012, and 564 million internet users – over 42 per cent of the population. The increasing use of e-commerce in China has made identifying potential business opportunities overseas easily achievable. For example, earlier this year the Tangle Teezer hairbrush found success in China after advertising on the country’s social media sites, Weibo and Weixin. Within a week it had over 6,000 fol-

lowers and sold more in a four-week period than the previous 12. Well known for its manufacturing capabilities, China is the largest global producer of consumer goods and, as the world’s largest consumer of iron, steel, coal and cement, China has a continuing hunger for raw materials. With rapid and continuous industrialisation and urbanisation, British expertise in the engineering and construction sectors is highly sought after. A fast-growing consumer market has emerged where bicycles have been substituted by 110 million cars (now the largest car market in the world), and traditional Mao suits have been replaced by international designer labels and luxury goods.

China has become one of the UK’s largest food and soft drink export markets, due to the growing middle class’s taste for British salmon, pork, cider and even tea! Obtaining reliable market research

information and insights can often be more difficult than in Western markets. To gain the information you require you need to be prepared to visit the market and meet face-to-face with potential buyers and distrib-

Export Week

Experts from around world offering advice ● BRISTOL firms are being urged to get on the fast track to success by joining UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) as it brings the world to the region for its sixth Export Week. Export Week aims to encourage companies to take up the export challenge and highlight the wealth of support and knowledge available to help them grow. Previous such events have seen more than 17,000 companies across the UK attend events and UKTI’s flagship ExploreExport roadshow will be in the South West as part of a tour of the country bringing more than 120 experts from across the world to share their expertise. Russell Jones, pictured, regional director for UK Trade & Investment in the South West, said: “There will be 120 experts from countries across the world here in the South West to help companies explore the possibilities of exporting to their nations. “We aim to bring the world to the region and we hope that the expertise and advice that is available both at ExploreExport and other events throughout Export Week will help businesses on the fast track to exporting success. “Export Week is an ideal opportunity for companies to find out more about international trade opportunities and the support that is available to help companies achieve their exporting ambitions. I’d urge companies to sign up to join us and look forward to welcoming them.” Export Week takes place from November 10-14. Events include a workshop for medium-sized business at Aztec West Hotel on November 11 and the ExploreExport roadshow at the Bristol Hotel on November 13. Find out more at www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk/full. utors. In China, the national language is Mandarin, and business transactions will often be conducted in this language. Many websites and online materials are written in Chinese and sometimes certain information is simply unavailable. It is therefore essential to not only work with a translator but also to verify all of your research. Business in China often takes place over a series of small meetings. A great deal of importance is placed on respect, it’s considered impolite to look people straight in the eye and is customary to stand up when a senior person enters the room, offering them the seat of honour. Relations are often placed before business in China, therefore gifts are an important business tool, however it may be three or four meetings before the gift is accepted. Ensure your gift is not too expensive or extravagant or it may be considered as bribery – a severe crime in the country.

In partnership with

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Take your business to the next level and

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Marketing

Recruitment

Net success Learn how to reach more customers on social media Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

● Thumbs are your enemy! You need catch the eye to stop the mobile user whizzing by so always post an image or even better a video with every Tweet you are posting which attempts to direct traffic to your website. ● It’s increasingly hard to promote your brand on Facebook because it’s for people looking at pictures of cats and babies, so why should Facebook want to interrupt that with your marketing posts? Most people find they have to spend with Facebook now, even if it’s just £5, to get a look in. ● Watch your competitors. If you sell electrical appliances, what is John Lewis doing on social media to sell its appliances? Then think about how you can do something that marks you out as local to people with the same sort of money to spend.

HE Bristol Post is helping businesses learn how to use social media to win customers and increase sales. We’re staging a free event in partnership with social media marketing agency Noisy Little Monkey. In just 90 minutes business owners and managers can find out how to generate the most sales and responses from their digital marketing and how to ensure they keep up with their social media strategy. The seminar will be introduced by Bristol Post editor Mike Norton and feature a talk by Noisy Little Monkey founder Jon Payne, right. Jon said: “These sessions are about helping people plan strategies so that they can develop their brand image and their brand personality online. “People will go away with actionable tips they can use to get more return from the time they spend as a business on Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest or Google+.” Jon said he was expecting a wide spread of knowledge and engagement in how businesses already use social

Juice launches new call centre division

JON’S TOP TIPS

Gavin Thompson

media but believes they will all “go away with something”. He said: “If you have got an hour a week or two days a month to invest in social media, how should you spend that? How can you measure what’s working and what’s not? These are thing things we will address.”

Mike added: “The Bristol Post has grown its audience by engaging with people through social media – we now have more than 33,000 Twitter followers and more than 37,000 Facebook likes. “We want help other businesses in the city to make the most of these

Development

valuable tools for reaching out to customers.” The seminars take place at the Arnolfini on Thursday, October 23, with morning, afternoon and evening sessions. To book, search for Download Bristol social media seminar on the eventbrite website.

● JUICE Recruitment has launched its new call centre division, Juice Contact. The consultancy’s move reflects a growth in demand for customer service and call centre workers in recent years. The division is being headed by Holly James-Harper, from the firm’s Bristol office. Holly said: ‘I am delighted to be launching Juice Contact at an exciting period of growth and development for Juice as a whole. “We are confident that we supply a level of service and calibre of candidate that supersedes what is on offer in the market place.”

Law

TLT wins award for drive on equality ● LAW firm TLT was won a Law Society Excellence Award for equality and diversity. The firm is the first to be awarded the Deaf Law Quality Mark and is working hard to share its experience with other firms. Senior partner Robert Bourns said: “This award is welcome recognition for the work that our Single Equality Forum is doing to promote an open and inclusive environment for our people and clients.”

FOR SALE/ TO LET STATION ROAD, BRISTOL

● An artist’s impression of the Enterprise House development

Nuclear plant approval fuels progress of office scheme parties to secure commitments to the building to enable us to push the button. “With renewed economic activity and particularly investment in the nuclear industry across Somerset we are confident the building will be fully let in the near future.” Peter Barrett, associate director of office agency at commercial property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), said: “Once Enterprise House is largely let, the plan is to roll out additional phases in short order.” Natalie Bennett, from Hartnell Taylor Cook, added. “Weston needs high quality business premises to secure major occupiers, large scale new jobs and inward investment. Enterprise House will lead the way in providing that space.” and Designed by Angus Meek Architects, the building is intended to be sophisticated modern with clean lines and carefully considered detailing. www.exportbritain.org.uk OPINION: PAGE 12

#GetExporting

exportbritain.org.uk

32,215 SQ.FT. ON 3.41 ACRES

Andrew Ridler aridler@alderking.com Emma Smith esmith@alderking.com EPB-E01-S3

A NEW office building in Weston-super-Mare is to go ahead following the announcement that a new nuclear power station in Somerset has been approved. The decision to build £24.5 billion Hinkley Point C down the M5 near Bridgwater is expected to have knock-on benefits reaching up to Bristol and beyond. The first of those sees the new landmark Enterprise House office building at Weston Gateway Business Park, which is going ahead in a bid to cater for companies looking for office space as a result of the nuclear plant. The 26,000 sq ft building will accommodate more than 250 people and is now being fast tracked through the planning process with North Somerset Council, due to its location Take your business the next level within the J21 Enterpriseto Area. The goal is to finish the site, close to Knightstone Housing’s HQ just five minutes off the M5, by December 1, 2015 . Gemma Day from developer Dowlas said: “Negotiations are under way with various

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Entrepreneurs

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Online

City festival wins praise from minister ● A GOVERNMENT minister has praised a festival for women entrepreneurs taking place in Bristol next week. Jo Swinson, pictured, a minister in the Business, Innovation and Skills department and also and Women and Equalities Minister, said: “More and more women are turning their business ideas into reality and are successful in doing so, which is why events like the Festival of Female Entrepreneurs are so popular.” She said the event offered a chance for women to take inspiration from others such as keynote speaker Fiona Stewart, owner of the Green Man Festival. Ms Swinson said: “The government is working to make this country the best place to start and grow a business, but ultimately our economy’s success relies on the efforts of our entrepreneurs, and women like Fiona Stewart are an inspiration to us all.” The event, at the Colston Hall on Monday, is run by Women Outside The Box. Founder Joni Farthing said: “FFE14 gives women a place to talk business, a place where they can think big. I want to help women start large, profitable companies, and the festival can help them do that.”

Mother’s pride Passion leads to website success Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

MUM has turned parenthood into a business after setting up a blog website called Bishopston Mum. For freelance writer Hilary Dougals-Smith, it started as a way to record her child’s early years. Hilary lives in Bishopston with her two children, now five and three, and husband, just five minutes from where she grew up. So she also wanted to put her local knowledge to use for other mums in and around the area and decided to focus on her family life locally, reviewing places they visit from a mum’s perspective. “Bishopston Mum evolved into a successful website and business,” she said. “Its aim is to inform, inspire and support parents who are living and raising children in Bishopston, Horfield, St Andrew’s and Ashley Down. “‘From a mum’s perspective’ be-

came my tag line.” The site includes listings for local playground and parent and toddler activities. It also features information about support groups, charities and education, write-ups of days out that other parents might want to try, and the experiences and stories of other mums too. And it has proved such a success that Hilary has since launched a spin-off site, Bristol Mum. Together they have more than 5,500 Twitter followers. Now Hilary, who keeps her partner and children’s names off the site for their privacy, is in the running for national award. She took the Online and Technology prize in the Bristol and Somerset Venus awards for businesswomen and goes forward to the national final in January. But whatever the outcome, Hilary already feels like a winner for making a business out of something she is passionate about. “I absolutely love what I do,” she said. “I am so pleased at how successful the websites have become.”

Take control of your own finances. With our help you can reap the benefits.

● Hilary Douglas-Smith

Workshops

DOUGLAS CHADWICK, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF

● Mumsto-be at one of the Makey Mammas creative workshops where they can learn new skills and express their creativity

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Talk & Drinks Monday, October 27th, 2014 6:00pm - 8:00 pm Harveys Cellars 12 Denmark Street, Bristol, BS1 5DQ To attend the talk please email: richard.webb@saltydoginvestor.com

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WHEN Misty Tunks was pregnant with daughter Luna, she was a little bored by the activities on offer. “We had the option of antenatal classes and pregnancy yoga,” she said. “But where were the creative classes that we and other pregnant women so badly needed?” Misty, pictured, 35, from Easton, was inspired by research from the University of Richmond in Virginia which found hormones during pregnancy and labour rewire a mother’s brain. “So she might not remember everyday information but she uncovers creative pathways and becomes more ‘right-brained,” she said. “I wanted to make beautiful creations for my baby, in fact I needed to, but I struggled to dedicate time to being creative with all that nesting going on.” So Misty hit upon a business idea around

the time when the Duchess of Cambridge was also pregnant with Prince George. And just as the Duchess is expecting again, Misty has got her Makey Mammas creative workshops up and running. She said: “I want to enable pregnant women and new mums to nurture that creative instinct. “Makey Mamas offers a range of creative workshops where pregnant women and mums of young babies can learn new skills, make lovely things for their bumps and babies and relax with other like-minded women.” The workshops on offer include learning how to photograph your bump and baby, toy and bootie making, creating natural skin products for your pregnant bump and baby, patch working and casting pregnant bumps and babies. Misty’s now booking for her winter workshops, which take place in Bishopston.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

In pictures Bristol Distinguished Address Series

First lecture Chief executive tells of recovery from £500m of debt

Business diary Grant Thornton FD Club: London Stock Exchange regional rep Lucy Tarleton addresses the monthly club. Takes place from 8am October 16 at Grant Thornton’s offices in Hartwell House. Contact Laura Ketland at laura.ketland@uk.gt.com. Introduction to export procedures: Business West export training course provides understanding of the terminology, procedures and documentation used in the export process. £350+VAT, Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh, 9.15am-4.30pm, October 15.

ULTURAL transformation is the key to delivering top performance in business, according to Leo Quinn. The CEO of QinetiQ Group – a technology and research company that emerged from the Government’s old Defence Evaluation and Research Agency – was the first lecturer in the new Bristol Distinguished Address Series. Speaking to UWE students and guests from the worlds of business

Crossrail opportunities: Working with Business West, Crossrail would like to invite specialists to learn more about the opportunities on this huge infrastructure project. 1.30pm-3.30pm, October 16 at Bond Dickinson, 3 Temple Quay, Temple Back East. Google Digital Masterclass: Experts from Google give local businesses a masterclass in using the internet to turbo-charge their growth. October 17, noon to 2pm. Sign up at https://events.withgoogle. com/google-juice-bar-bristol.

and defence at City Hall, he revealed how he led the transformation of a business that had £535 million of debt in 2006, to one growing and in profit, with an annual global turnover of $2.5 billion. Ending his lecture, Mr Quinn said: “We now have 5,000 employees all facing in the right direction, each taking one small step, which is making a big change.” The lectures are delivered by Bristol Business School at UWE. ACCA, the city council, Bristol Junior Chamber, Bristol Post, Business West, CBI, CMI, FSB, IoD, ICAEW, and West of England LEP are partners. The next event in the series features Dr Tony Cocker, chief executive of E.ON UK and takes place at City Hall on October 28.

● Leo Quinn CEO of QineticQ speaks at the Bristol Distinguished Address event Pictures: Michael LloydBRML20141009F-013

Join us for the

Buying Customers ’ Seminar

‘ ● Prof Martin Boddy, Leo Quinn CEO of QineticQ, George Sanderson, Prof Nicholas O'Regan and BRML20141009F-008 David Pinchard

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.

Presented by Brad Sugars, Founder of Action Coach

Thursday 23rd October 2014 18:30 to 21:30

In pictures Sunday Times Watercolour Competition 2014

Clients enjoy top art display

Or you were certain that every Pound spent on your marketing or advertising would return extra Pounds to you down the road? Now, you can … with this innovative new seminar from Brad Sugars, The World’s Leading Business Coach.

● Alison Scott and Jeni Pearse Desmond Shawe-Taylor CVO, and critic and writer at the Sunday Times Louis Wise, were among those featured in the exhibition. First prize was awarded to Kathryn Maple for ‘Fat Boy’s Diner’ while second prize went to Danny Markey for his work entitled ‘Rear view mirror and blue ship’. Paul Newland’s watercolour and gouache work ‘From the Southern Suburbs II’ was awarded the Smith & Williamson Cityscape Prize in third place.

Discover the proven strategies of massively boosting your number of new clients almost immediately with Brad Sugars and his “Buying Customers” seminar.

UWE Bristol Exhibition and Conference Centre, Filton Rd, Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8QZ

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THE Bristol office of accountancy and investment management group Smith & Williamson hosted an exhibition of art shortlisted for the 27th annual Sunday Times Watercolour Competition 2014 – the largest exhibition of its kind in the UK. A private viewing of 93 original works of art by 73 artists, including four from Somerset, took place at Smith & Williamson’s offices in Portwall Lane, Bristol. The four Somerset artists whose work was displayed were Leo Davey from Minehead, Lucy Willis from Bridgwater, David A Parfitt from Radstock and Sara Dudman from Taunton. Mike Lea, managing partner of Smith & Williamson, Bristol, said: “We were delighted to be able to host this important exhibition which celebrates the diversity and beauty of the medium of watercolour. “The standard of entries was extremely high and we were pleased to see local artists included in the shortlist. We were delighted so many of our clients and contacts could join us for what was a highly enjoyable and stimulating evening of art.” The three winners’ paintings, judged by artists Sarah Armstrong Jones and Ben Ravenscroft, Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures

What if you were guaranteed that every new customer buying from you would spend the next 5 years buying more products at ever higher price points?

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Expert eye John Volanthen Technical Director Hub Network Services

Ensure data security by integrated approach

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ITH the recent media coverage of bugs such as “Heart bleed” and “Shell shock”, many businesses have been re-evaluating the security of their onsite servers and networks to address how they can reduce these potential threats to their business. But Cyber security must relate not just to prevention of viruses or bugs. There are equally critical, often overlooked, factors to consider too: ● Physical security - this can often be the weakest link of all - how secure is your building? ● Location of equipment - is it safe from flooding; free from being a potential fire hazard? ● Maintenance of the environment are servers being sufficiently cooled and energy optimised? For most businesses, security of data is only half the story. Business continuity is just as vital. Factors such as supply of power, network and environmental services need to be carefully considered, along with distributing information and server capacity in different physical locations. A popular approach is to turn to the “cloud”, however, unless implemented correctly to match specific business needs, this could be ineffective and will not ensure security or continuity of service. While the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of using cloud services is brilliant, it is easy to forget that these are often operated using commodity equipment and must be subject to the same best practices to ensure security and reliability. Also it’s worth noting that your cloud based data could actually be stored on servers anywhere in the world and subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign government. Additionally, attempting to obtain support from a “cloud”, especially during a crisis can often prove frustrating, as can transferring large volumes of data when required. Whether your data is on your premises, in the cloud or otherwise, a preventative security strategy is essential. This means knowing exactly where and how your data is secured, as well as knowing you or your service provider have the ability to recover seamlessly from disasters we all hope will never happen. An integrated and holistic approach to security will ensure both security of data AND its continuous availability. Be sure to include both physical security and access issues along with the more traditional concerns such as firewalls and intrusion detection.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Data storage and cyber security

‘BOSSES HAVE TO BETTER It would be hard to find a business owner who is unaware of cyber threats. But are they going about tackling it in the right way? Gavin Thompson finds out why many bosses need a better grasp of the threats

OR someone who works in a cyber security company, Brian Lord isn’t brimming with kind words about the IT security industry. The managing director of cyber security at Protection Group International, which has recently opened a £5 million training centre in Aztec West, believes business leaders need to start treating the threats differently, but thinks the industry hasn’t helped. “There are elements in the IT security industry trying to keep things difficult and to keep the mystery around it,” he said. “But cyber security is a risk like

● Inside PGI in Aztec West

“ The business owner wants to know what bit of it they have to treat, what bit can they tolerate, what risks can they transfer through insurance.” Brian Lord any other risk. Organisations manage their own risks because they understand the risks that they are facing. “Saying there is a cyber threat is like saying there is a threat from crime. The business owner wants to know what bit of it they have to treat, what bit can they tolerate, what risks can they transfer through insurance.” Brian wants to empower business leaders by making them better informed. He said business owners and executives need to better understand the risks so they can make decisions about them, not just leave them to the IT department. “I feel sorry for the IT technicians,” he said. “Most of them aren’t really trained in security and they are never judged on it until something goes wrong. If you think when was the last time you said to your IT department something like

● Brian Lord, managing director of

● Inside HNS data storage room ‘I need the website up by the morning’ you can probably think of several examples. But have you ever said to them ‘I need the website up as soon as possible but I need it to be secure’? Probably not.” It’s the bosses who need to take responsibility, something Brian feels the industry has hindered by failing to talk to them in a language they relate to. For example a company that has continuous monitoring of its network can use that as a point of

difference from its competitors. That’s when IT can start to create a return on investment, and that’s something most chief executives will understand. Cyber security is something bosses need to grasp, but that doesn’t mean they need to know everything, just develop a broad understanding as they would with other risks. As well as intensive, hands-on training courses for IT technicians, PGI runs two-day board-level

Secure, dependable networks & Data Centres

courses, where executives are shown hacking demonstrations and even get to have a go, but the real drive is about that understanding. “It’s about understanding enough to ask the right questions and make balanced investment decisions,” he said. “It’s the same whether you were a small or a large company.” Essentially, that means deciding what level of threat is acceptable to you. Do you care if someone in China is looking at your data? Is the important thing protecting your in-

www.hns.net Bristol: 0117 920 0045 Cardiff: 02920 782 791 sales@hns.net

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Expert eye Del Heppenstall

UNDERSTAND THE RISKS’

cyber security at Protection Group International tellectual property? If you have data, which parts are sensitive and need the most protection?” Brian said the threats to business are largely the same as they always have been. “People have been stealing from each other for hundred of years, businesses are forever trying to get one over on each other, there has always been people spying,” he said. “The behaviour is the same. The primary thing that has changed is

Picture: Dan Regan

the scale. If you were going to be robbed, it would be from someone in your neighbourhood now it could be somebody anywhere in the globe.” The threats appear in different ways. It could be a technical issue but it is just as likely to be a human one. “The IT industry focuses on technical solutions,” said Brian. “You can put as many technical solutions and processes in place as you like but unless your human beings understand and have the knowledge,

behaviour and awareness those solutions won’t be very effective. “However you can reduce your threat risk by about 80 per cent by getting your knowledge, awareness and behaviour right. “Then you only use those expensive specialist people or technology to deal with the rest of the threat.” Increasingly for small and medium sized companies, they are under pressure from larger companies to be on top of security threats.

One area where the SMEs can find themselves in the spotlight is data storage. Increasingly companies have forgone their own servers in favour of using cloud services or other off-site solutions. That’s all very well, but it’s another area where the bosses need to do their homework. Bristol-based Hub Network Services (HNS) has been providing IT services to SMEs and larger organisations across the region as well as nationwide and globally for 15 years. John Volanthen, the firm’s technical director, said more companies were seeing the cloud as a magic solution to data storage. “Cloud services can be very good,” he said. “But we have seen a lot of business use these services assuming its secure without checking further. You wouldn’t give someone the keys to your car or house without being sure you could trust them. Why would you do it with your company data? John points out that the cloud is still one or more data centres somewhere in the world, and a business should know where its data is stored. “Ideally you should be able to walk up and look at it and know that’s where your data is,” he said. HNS has centres in Bristol, Newport, Manchester and elsewhere. Location is important for several reasons. “London is obviously a potential terror target more than outlying regions,” said John. “So we have moved our focus away from London to reduce the risk.” Probably best to avoid somewhere in a major flood risk area too. And if your data is stored abroad, what are the laws of that territory? Could another body use the legal system therE to force you, or your provider, to hand over confidential data? Data storage centres are tiered, ranked one to three, so John said companies should work out what level of security their data needs and find a centre at that level. They can also look for accreditation such as whether it has the ISO27001 standard. A supplier that has more than one centre is a plus, if your data is in two places thEn a problem at one won’t be a disaster. Disasters of course are something else bosses need to plan for. What if the worst happens? Are you able to recover by switching to another site? But that might be a whole topic in itself. On the overall approach to IT, John said: “We advise a more holistic approach. It’s not just fire walls and the anti-virus but much more.”

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Crucial steps to defend against cyber hackers

RISTOL is home to a wide range of organisations which are prime targets for cyber hackers due to the data they hold. Those operating in the defence, insurance, financial services, aerospace, legal and high tech engineering sectors, together with our world leading universities, all hold intellectual property and data which has a high value on the black market and to nation states committing industrial espionage. There is not one standard solution to this problem. Organisations need to work out where they are vulnerable and design a system that is robust and proportionate to protect their data. When assessing these risks, the key questions to consider include: Do you have the right level of protection for your ‘crown jewel’ assets? What would the impact be on your business if you suffered a cyber security breach? How do you know you haven’t already suffered one? How do you know your third party providers are protecting your data in the right way? After answering these questions, organisations can begin to place security investments in the right areas, protecting what really matters to the business and their customers alike, in both a proportional and pragmatic way. Key steps to take: ● Know your enemy – Assess the threat source and strike the right balance between focusing on likely channels of attack and business operations. ● Be on the front foot – Secure data and systems in advance, don’t wait to invest until after a breach has occurred and the damage is done. ● Gather and share intelligence – Understand the nature and latest methodologies used, to inform your decisions and share this newly found information within and outside your industry. ● Train staff – Despite technology sophistication, your people remain key to security, both as a first line of defence and as a major threat. Education and awareness remain key. ● Delegate at your peril – Don’t solely rely on your IT department for the security of the company’s data and systems. Cyber security is a boardroom issue and must be included in the organisation’s wider risk management approach. ● Be brave – Boldness is key both in proactive investment and reactive response. It is essential to have in place a cyber incident plan, which can be used to maintain customer and shareholder confidence in your brand. A positive approach to managing cyber risk will set organisations free to achieve their business aspirations.

Tel: 01633 674 518 Email: info@ngd.co.uk Web: www.ngd.co.uk EPB-E01-S3

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Director KPMG

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Willmott Dixon – celebrating 10 years in Bristol

DECADE OF BUILDING NAME FOR Construction firm Willmott Dixon opened its Bristol office 10 years ago. In that decade it has grown its turnover, staff and its reputation. Gavin Thompson meets regional managing director Neal Stephens to find out how

OLSTON Hall was the key moment. Glimmering in the sunlight, the foyer of Bristol’s top concert venue stands proud as a landmark in the city centre. For construction firm Willmott Dixon, it was the moment the firm really arrived in Bristol. The company is celebrating 10 years since the opening of its Bristol office, originally in Queen Square but after twice outgrowing space there it is now housed just outside Pill. An attempt to break the Bristol market was a bold one for the firm, which was strong in South Wales and other parts of the UK but not in the South West. “There’s a graveyard for businesses which have tried to make it across the bridge,” says managing director Neal Stephens, who

“ We are about collaboration and partnering and parts of the country hadn’t experienced that before, so we had a good offer. When people heard about our values we quickly got onto tender lists.”

● The landmark Colston Hall foyer

● Neal Stephens, Willmott Dixon Construction regional managing Picture: Huw John director

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Neal Stephens joined the Cardiff office back in 2003 and now heads up both the South Wales and Bristol-based arms of the business. Willmott Dixon avoided the fate of many others which had tried before. Neal puts that down to a number of factors, but the biggest one is people. “We had going for us that Willmott Dixon as a brand is big across England,” he says. “But the most important decision was to get good quality local people on board. “We took on Lynne Wellington, our business development manager, John Boughton now director of operations, and John Wilcox who had been a director of a businesses in South West. “We recruited people who know the market and have good strong relationships in the South West.” Opening the office showed the

● University of Bristol Nanoscience building

commitment to the region, but hiring the right people gave the firm the ability to deliver. That doesn’t mean it was easy, however. “We had a good story to tell,” he says. “We are about collaboration and partnering and parts of the country hadn’t experienced that before, so we had a good offer. When people heard about our values we quickly got onto tender lists. “But it was difficult to convince

people then that we were the right people to actually win the work without a local track record.” The first win for the office was a small job for the University of the West of England. It helped that Willmott Dixon had already carried out projects for UWE from its Cardiff office and it gave the Bristol office a first success to point to. The real breakthrough soon followed.

● Above, plans for Keynsham Town Hall, which is currently being built

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014