Business 16 July 2014 by BGSD-cs

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JUL

2014

SPECIAL REPORT

TECH CITY BRISTOL Forget California, give London’s Silicon Roundabout a miss. Bristol is the new tech hub. Find out why – see pages 8&9

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SMEs

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Cleaning and supplies

Bank looking to lend its support ● A CHALLENGER bank is moving its focus in Bristol as it looks to find small and medium-sized businesses to support. Cambridge & Counties Bank has lent more than £160 million to businesses since its launch in 2012, mainly in the East Midlands and East Anglia. But now it is looking to lend in Bristol and the South West after appointing Bristolian Paul Howard, who lives in Warmley, to build business locally. Paul, who previously worked for Allied Irish Bank and Barclays in the city for many years, said: “The South West is a market of owner-managed businesses. Cambridge & Counties currently lends backed by property and a lot of the region’s SMEs have property in them. So it looks a good fit.” On joining the bank, he said the bank stood out as a “fresh face in the market”. He said: “Part of the attraction was to leave the familiarity of a large organisation and work for a young venture sharing many of the characteristics such as ambition, confidence and innovation that are found in the businesses and entrepreneurs we want to help.” Sign up here for business news direct to your inbox every day

● Left, chairman Chris Patterson outside Pattersons on Winterstoke Road. Above, Chris with the warehouse team, from left, Simon Vowles, Chris Williams, Simon Henley, Nigel Vowles, Paul Griffee and Chris Morriss. Below, the distinctively shaped headquarters Photographs: Barbara Evripidou

Family business still going strong after 125 years Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

Internet

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Small businesses need better broadband ● SMALL businesses need better broadband if they are to compete, according to a new report. The Federation of Small Businesses, which has 3,500 members across the Greater Bristol area, has called for the Government to be more ambitious in its targets to roll out high-speed broadband. The organisation found that 94 per cent of small businesses viewed it as critical to their success but only 15 per cent were satisfied with their provision. Mark Owen, chairman of the FSB in the West of England, said improving broadband access to small businesses was vital to the local economy. He said: “This nationwide report, coupled with a lot of stories we here from throughout our Gloucestershire and West of England region shows that this is a problem which is affecting city, town and rural areas alike. “It is clear progress has been made with improving the broadband service to the residential market, but small businesses have not always enjoyed the same benefits which is clearly stopping them from growing and developing.” The current target is to provide 24Mbps access for 95 per cent of the population by 2017 and 2Mbps for the remaining five per cent. The FSB wants the slower speed upped to 10Mbps by 2018.

ATTERSONS might be 125 years old, but the business is always looking to the future. The cleaning goods and pub trade equipment supplier is a landmark on Winterstoke Road, where it moved 10 years ago. The business, founded in 1889, is still in the Patterson family. Chris Patterson recently stepped up to chairman while his wife Sheila is a director and nephew Alisdair Lockwood and cousin James Patterson are in the company too. Chris said: “The family ethos has always been important to us, and I consider our staff as part of the wider

family, with six of the team having been with us for over 25 years – seven if you count my father, Bryan, who in his mid-80s still attends monthly board meetings – and a further 25 have put in 10 years or more including my cousin James and nephew Alisdair. “Without the dedication and hard work of every one of them, we would simply not be in a position to give the level of service we believe is important to offer our customers.” But its long history and traditions, don’t stop the company being forward-looking. It was an early adopter of the internet, one of the first businesses with a web page, although just a static one at the time. Now e-commerce is a big part of the business. More than half existing customers

order online now, which has risen from none 10 years ago. And more new customers are finding the firm through online search now too. The business is growing, having bought wholesale cleaning products supplier KMC Cox in 2011 and more recently janitorial product supplier Jangro. The company now delivers in Bristol, Bath, Somerset and Gloucestershire with its own fleet of vans, meaning customers get a personal service from someone who gets to know their business. Further a field it uses couriers to get supplies nationwide. Most of its customers are in the pub and hospitality trade but schools and offices buy from Pattersons too, and increasingly savvy members of the public are visiting the showroom.

Chris said: “From our first days on Redcliffe Hill, generations of my family have been grateful for the opportunities offered by Bristol businesses to supply them with anything from tools and ironmongery, cattle troughs or fencing. “We have seen many changes in our customer and stock profile over the years, most notably seeing our industrial and agricultural business make way for catering and cleaning supplies. “I have no doubt that the next 25 years will continue to see an acceleration in the pace of change and the level of competition will continue to grow. Our goal is to ensure that we are always ready to embrace change, so that we can continue to offer an unrivalled personal service to both our Bristol and national customers and thrive until our 150th birthday.”

Web start-ups

Women wanted to shake up digital industry A COMPETITION has been launched looking for women to shake up the digital industry. Upstart Women is offering £10,000 and a place in the WebStart Bristol business incubator to the women with the best idea for a web or app business. The contest is being run by WebStart Bristol and women’s entrepreneur network Women Outside the Box. Network founder Joni Farthing spent 10 weeks on the WebStart programme learning how to develop her business online. Joni (pictured) said there were

fewer women in tech start-ups. “Women in general, according to our WOTB survey last year, worry more about taking on risk than men do,” said Joni. “Very few tech start-ups can scale without investment, and women worry about committing when they are not sure if the start-up will succeed. “But most start-ups fail, and those that succeed usually dramatically alter their product – so taking on risk is even more essential for tech start-ups than for other types of enterprise.” But she said they key was that tech

was now a part of business, not just a niche, so women needed to get onboard, even if they have no tech experience. “If you have no tech experience, that’s perfect.Then we can show that you don’t need to code to make it. “You just have to brief the digital people involved well. That will be the key to success for businesses going forward. And women really need to get on board. Stop worrying if you don’t know enough – an entrepreneur gathers a team about herself who know enough between them. “Her job is to have a brilliant idea and manage her team – oh and raise investment. “That’s what this competition is all

about – changing the mindset of women.” The most recent cohort of 10 WebStart Bristol businesses included just one women, Rebecca Wasley, who was developing recruitment app TalentBlok. She said she wasn’t a techie, but was an entrepreneur. And that’s what WebStart Bristol founder Mike Jackson is looking for. “It is all about finding great entrepreneurs with strong ideas for building a fast growing web or app business, and giving them the initial investment and guidance to make the most of their potential.” Entries close on August 1. Sign up at www.womenoutsidethebox.co.uk.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Economy

Business leaders say ‘Give us more power over our city’s finances’ Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

“ Cities are this country’s principal drivers of growth and it is vital we’re given the freedoms we need to maximise this for the benefit of our regions and the national economy.

USINESS leaders and politicians are calling for Bristol to be given more power to control and spend taxes in order to shape the local eco-

nomy. Think Bristol argues that for sustained economic growth, our cities must be more powerful and better funded. Bristol Mayor George Ferguson and Bristol Chamber executive director James Durie are spearheading the campaign locally. Mr Ferguson said cities were powerful engines of the economy but needed more autonomy to make the most of that. He said: “Cities are this country’s principal drivers of growth and it is vital that we’re given the freedoms we need to maximise this for the benefit of our regions and the national economy. “That we’re so far behind many of our foreign counterparts in terms of devolving power to cities is a national embarrassment given the demonstrable benefits it brings elsewhere. “Cities need the autonomy to make their own decisions and the financial self-sufficiency to allocate funding to address local needs. “More control over property taxes is a good place to start, providing an income which is at least partially linked to growth and ensures that cities reap the rewards of contributing to the country’s economy. “Currently little more than five per cent of our total tax take is retained locally, leaving us with the indignity of having to beg for what is due to us from the Government of the time. “As a leader of a relatively prosperous UK core city I am sure we would be able to deliver services more efficiently and contribute even more to the UK economy if we have greater freedom to make decisions locally.” Mr Durie, who is also a director at Business West, said: “Think Bristol is bringing together key voices from across the city to make the case for more powers and freedoms at a local level ahead of the next General Elec-

Mayor George Ferguson

“ We have long called for greater devolution for our cities and now is the time for politicians to deliver.

Bristol Chamber executive director James Durie

● Buildings at Temple Quay – symbols of the city’s regeneration tion. “We have long called for greater devolution for our cities and now is the time for politicians to deliver.” He said the campaign would be lobbying hard in the lead-up to the general election next May. Mr Durie added: “Only through better funding and more local authority powers will Bristol be able to unlock the huge growth potential that exists within the city – for the benefit of the people who live here, and the UK’s future economic growth.” Think Bristol is part of a national campaign linking up with other

major cities. The wider Bristol area, including Bath, boasts four universities and is a world-leading hub for both the creative and tech sector and aerospace. More than a third of UK-owned FTSE 100 companies have a presence in the area. But there is pressure on housing and transport infrastructure: the average home costs nine times the average wage. With more powers and financial freedoms, campaigners argue the city could respond better to local needs and opportunities, and ensure Bristol remains a an affordable and attract-

ive place to live, work and invest. A survey carried out for the campaign round three-quarters of people living in marginal constituencies support the idea of more local powers. There has been limited devolution of tax spending to Bristol. The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership is able to borrow against future increases in business rates generated from the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. This money is helping fund the planned arena, but is a drop in the ocean in the context of the whole city region.

Design

Consultants win grant for jobs and new tech nefits of working with us to develop their products, user experiences and brands.” The grant will provide 20 per cent match funding up to £80,000. It will allow the firm to increase its 3D printing capabilities as demand for the facility continues to grow. Up to 10 new skilled jobs will be created by the investment programme. The Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, was supported by the Bristol Post’s Going for Growth campaign which saw more than 300 businesses apply for money that would help them create or secure jobs across a range of sectors.

“ This grant ... will help us to fulfil our plans to further improve our team and facilities Managing director Jim Orkney

Andrew Youl, project manager for the LEP, said: “I’m delighted that we have announced the allocation of funding to Kinneir Dufort which has ambitious plans for their future. “The fund is designed to assist just such a company and I will be keenly interested in seeing them grow over the coming years.” Kinneir Dufort employs 65 people from its base near the Colston Hall. The firm was set up in 1997 and has achieved success as a product design, research and development consultancy, working with customers ranging from global corporations to entrepreneurs and in sectors including healthcare, communications, food and drink and personal care.

Tobacco

Imperial buys famous American brands ● BRISTOL firm Imperial Tobacco is to buy some famous American cigarette brands including Winston, Maverick and Kool, as well as e-cigarette Blu. A subsidiary of Imperial has reached an agreement with rivals Reynolds and Lorillard to buy £4.2 billion of assets as the American firms prepares to ditch some brands in order to push through a merger. Imperial’s strategy is to focus on its growth markets, including the US, and chief executive Alison Cooper said the deal with give the firm a significant foothold. She said: “This is a great opportunity to transform our US business and secure a significant presence in the world’s largest accessible profit pool. “We plan to build a US brand portfolio through national distribution and create a stronger, more competitive business. We intend to internationalise blu, the US leader in e-cigarettes and enhance its growth opportunity with our know-how. “We expect opportunities for cost optimisation through integration. “The acquisition of these assets, without historic product liabilities for the cigarette brands, on reasonable terms means that it is expected to offer a return of over 10 per cent, well in excess of our cost of capital in its first full year and is expected to be significantly earnings enhancing in the first full year post completion. “The value this will create for shareholders and the strategic transformation of our position in a key growth market, makes this an outstanding opportunity.” The brands Imperial is buying equate to 20 billion cigarettes a year, worth about $2.4 billion in revenue, and about 10 per cent of the US market. Although buying the brands, Imperial won’t be taking on any historical liabilities for the products.

Get in touch Assistant Editor (Business) Gavin Thompson Call 0117 934 3336 Email gavin.thompson @b-nm.co.uk Twitter @gavin_thompson1

Writer Rupert Janisch Email business@ b-nm.co.uk Advertising Robert Rodgerson Call07828 941469 Email robert.rodgerson @b-nm.co.uk Advertising Jane Chapman Call 01179 343025 Email jane.chapman @b-nm.co.uk Advertising Shama Abokor, Regional Business Account Executive Call 0117 934 3426 Emailshama.abokor@ b-nm.co.uk

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AN award-winning design consultancy has secured a grant to hire new people and invest in new technology. Kinneir Dufort, based in Host Street, central Bristol, plans to invest £1 million over three years and is being supported by a grant from the West of England Growth Fund. Managing director Jim Orkney said: “We’re so pleased to have been awarded this grant, as it will help us to fulfil our plans to further improve our team and facilities. “The funding, which represents 20 per cent of our initial round of investment, will help enable our growth as clients around UK and the world increasingly recognise the be-

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Travel

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Investment

Software

Airline service to Aberdeen boosted

Device for testing electro-surgical tools

● AIRLINE bmi regional is boosting its Bristol to Aberdeen service to three times daily on Wednesday and Thursday from September. The new service, aimed primarily at business customers. departs Bristol at 11.30am and arrives in Aberdeen at 12.50pm. Return departure from Aberdeen at 15.00pm, arriving into Bristol at 16.25pm. The airline has been increasing its business routes across its UK airports. CEO Cathal O’Connell (above) said: “We connect key regional UK airports with leading commercial centres across the UK and Europe, which are in high demand by business and leisure travellers. “Bristol and Aberdeen are financial and industrial centres that require connectivity to thrive and expand, and by boosting our schedule we’re enabling business and tourism to flourish.”

● A SOFTWARE testing firm in Bristol is breaking into the medical field. Test and Verification Solutions has developed a device to test electro-surgical tools that will be used to reduce and also stop bleeding during medical procedures for Welsh firm Creo Medical. Creo Medical chief executive Craig Gulliford said: “We engaged TVS as they have specialist knowledge of testing safety-related software and had a detailed understanding of the test tool. “They didn’t let us down. They quickly grasped the software design and provided us with an effective and efficient way forward for software unit testing. “They kept us fully informed of progress at all times and achieved the timescales that we were keen to meet so that we could progress the certification of the Croma system for human use.” TVS, which is based in the Engine Shed and has other offices around the world, came up with a plan and a fixed-price proposal, then sent one of its engineers to spend three weeks working with Creo’s product development team.

Contracts

Meet-the-buyer event praised as ‘excellent’ ● MORE than 30 small businesses in Bristol had the chance to pitch their wares directly to a number of major companies at a special meet-the-buyer event. The event, at Regus Temple Quay, had been jointly organised by Bristol City Council and the Bristol branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to give smaller firms a chance to try and win contracts with leading private and public sector companies. Organisations such as Lloyds Bank and the Ministry of Defence were among the potential buyers. Rory MccGwire, the chief executive of Atom Content Marketing, in Bristol, was one of the suppliers and said it had been an “excellent” event. He said: “We were invited to pitch to three major organisations that had each read our profile and liked what they saw. Local procurement for these bigger organisations is a win-win when there are so many first class suppliers right here on their doorstep.”

● Sir David Jason and Stacey Solomon feature in the new children’s animation series Pip Ahoy! on Channel 5

Chance to buy shares in children’s TV show Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

UMS and dads who have seen their children glued to their favourite television show will see the value of a new investment opportunity... a Bristol firm is asking people to buy shares in its next children’s production. Bristol-based CFH Enterprises is the finance arm of animators Cosgrove Hall Fitzpatrick, the creators of favourites including Danger Mouse, Count Duckula and Postman Pat. It is launching a scheme designed to take advantage of tax breaks for entertainment introduced by Chancellor George Osborne in a bid to keep talent and business in the UK. Chief executive Adrian Wilkins (above right) said people would invest in new companies set up for each new

children’s TV show made by the studio. He said: “The capital raised will be used to develop and produce the shows for broadcast. “Each investor will have a stake in at least one show in production, as well as in new shows in development. “Investors stand to benefit from the revenue generated by the shows in which they invest through the sale of broadcasting, licensing and merchandising rights and many other monetisation avenues.” For investors, as well as being able to actually see the fruits of the labour on television, they will get higher tax relief. Investments will be split between shows in production, which will qualify for up to 30 per cent income tax relief from the Enterprise Investment Scheme, and shows still in devel-

opment, which benefit under the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme offering up to 50 per cent tax relief. There are a number of other complex tax benefits thrown in to boot. CFH Media Group was formed in 2011, born out of Cosgrove House animation studio which produced a host of popular children’s shows including Wind In The Willows and Roary The Racing Car. The new company’s first offering is an animated show called Pip Ahoy!, first broadcast last month on Channel Five’s Milkshake children’s slot. Sir David Jason, a non-executive director of the firm, provides the voice of Salty Cove’s sea captain Skipper in the series. Former X Factor contestant and TV presenter Stacy Solomon is also one of the voices. CFH Enterprises is based in Clifton and employs nine people.

Commercial property

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Market on up as large deals add momentum BRISTOL’S commercial property market is on the up, according to two reports released this week. Commercial property agent Alder King reports office take up in Bristol has risen 22 per cent in the first half of the year, in its mid-year Market Monitor. It says 515,000 sq ft of office space has been taken up compared with 422,000 in the same six months last year. The monitor says there is demand for about 500,000 sq ft of space already identified in the city centre and out of town so the year looks likely to see a lot more business done than 2013,

when 735,000 sq ft of space was taken up over 12 months. Meanwhile CBRE’s quarterly report looks at the city centre, reporting space let in the first six months of 2014 increasing to 295,350 sq ft, up from 292,751 sq ft. Philip Morton, head of agency and development at the firm, said: “There are really encouraging signs in the marketplace and it appears Bristol is starting to emerge from the downturn with a lot of positive sentiment. “Several large deals are on the verge of going through, which will

● Philip Morton of CBRE

● Simon Price of Alder King

only add to the momentum; we have not seen such high levels of interest for several years and all the signs are very positive.”

But he said the downside of raising demand was a fall in the supply of space available to rent. The trend, following changes in the law, to allow

Marine turbines

Agreement reached over test site leases ● A BRISTOL firm has secured the rights to test its marine turbines in sites around the British Isles. Marine Current Turbines has reached lease agreements for sites off the Mull of Galloway, Scotland, Portland Bill, off the English south coast, and Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. The firm identified the sites as having the right conditions to test and demonstrate its next generation of SeaGen technology and has agreed the deal with the Crown Estate. Sven Stoye, chief executive officer of Siemens’ owned MCT, which is based at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emerson’s Green, said: “The strategic decision to push forward with developing commercial-scale projects demonstrates Siemens commitment to the tidal sector and our confidence that there will be a future market for its SeaGen technology. This is an important first step in investigating the sites as part of the wider development process.”

more old offices to be turned into flats has increased this squeeze. The changes have seen one million sq ft of office space being taken out of the Bristol market, meaning there is 1.5 million sq ft of available office space in the city - a fall of 11 per cent over the last six months. But new developments are coming through, such as 2 Glass Wharf in Temple Quay and 66 Queen Square. Simon Price, head of agency at Alder King, said: “Demand is now approaching pre-recession levels. Supply is constrained in many centres but speculative office and industrial development is now underway with a number of schemes due to complete in the next 12 months, The outlook for the second half of 2014 looks very exciting.” Both firms put the average rent in Bristol for prime office space unchanged at £27.50 per square foot but that could rise in the coming months.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Electronic signatures

Report

80% of businesses planning for growth

● Olly Culverhouse at Signable, in Downend

Photograph: Barbara Evripidou : BRBE20140709B-2

● FOUR in five Bristol businesses are planning for growth this year, according to research issued by HSBC. The Ambitious Business report found three in five (60 per cent) local business leaders who responded are confident in the current economic climate, up from 36 per cent the same time last year. Some remain cautious, however, with two fifths (42 per cent) still believe it is too risky to make significant investment. But nearly half (47 per cent) believe if they don’t invest in growth they could fall behind the market. Gary Burton, South West and Wales regional commercial director for the bank, said: “The findings mirror what we’re seeing in the South West, with businesses looking to the future now confidence has been acknowledged across the region. “We’ve experienced consistent growth in overall new business lending in the last year, with opportunities emerging across a number of business sectors and our customers seeking our support for their investment plans. “With improving conditions helping to boost SME revenues, there is no better time for businesses to be accessing our advice and support.” The bank has set aside £6 billion for new lending to small and medium sized businesses in 2014.

Sign of change for age-old tradition Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

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ITH all the stories about robots, smart cities and holograms in these pages, you’d think all businesses were hurtling into a world of technology. But some old practices have been resistant to change. One of those was the good old-fashioned signature. Most deals, whether a big contract or a simply tenancy agreement, have been sealed with a signature written by hand. Finally, however, an entrepreneur in Downend is gradually dragging even that old custom into the 21st century. Bristolian Olly Culverhouse started web design business Centation after graduating from university in Swansea in 2007. He found it frustrating that it took time to get documents signed by hand when businesses were not local. So in 2009 he came up with Signable. Electronic signatures were already popular in the United States but little used in the UK. A bit of research uncovered that electronic signatures had been legal in the UK since the Electronic Communications Act was passed in 2000, so Olly saw a gap in the market. In recent years the old business has moved into the background and Signable has become the focus. Now the 28-year-old’s business is growing. He has more than 500,000 clients and the numbers have been doubling each year. The site sends out 15,000 documents each

month. “People use electronic signatures already without thinking about it,” said Olly. “When you sign for a parcel on a handheld device, for example.” He said a signature is a legal way to prove it is really you giving authorisation, but it does not have to be the scrawl you have on the back of your debit card. The person sending the document which needs signing creates an account on the Signable website. The company then sends the recipient an email with a unique link where they click and sign. The recipient doesn’t need to register. They can sign using their finger on a touch screen tablet or phone or by typing their name on a PC. “The system traces the signature process, which makes it legal,” said Olly. “It can trace where in the world it was signed and what computer was used and all that is printed on a certificate, which makes it much more secure than a written signature.” The main benefit of the service, however, is speed. Olly said: “Rather than emailing or posting the document to the signer, you can send it out via Signable and literally get it signed in a matter of minutes for a fraction of the cost. “Signers can sign on their desktop or their mobile device, quickly and easily whilst we make sure the document is legally binding and secure.” With all the contracts and deals done between companies which are increasingly further away from one another, and more remote and home working, there’s certainly a big potential market. One that’s ready to take another small step into the future.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Engineering

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Technology

Vehicles

Wind turbine maker sets up new base ● AN independent wind turbine manufacturer has established a new base near Bristol as it plans to grow its market share in the UK. Norvento has set up at Portbury dock as the South West is a hub of the wind farm industry with large numbers of turbines across Devon and Cornwall and also because it is well connected to other parts of the country with more potential for growth. The firm makes a mid-sized turbine, the nED100 (below), which it believes bring some of the benefits of larger-scale projects to the smaller customer such as farmers. Ivo Arnús, director of business development, said: “The Avonmouth area is becoming something of a renewable energy hub, with a number of wind turbine developments recently commissioned that build on the existing ones and some firms in the sector basing their

Dealer brings in overnight servicing

● Above, the barcode system in operation; right, Tariq Muhammad operations in and around the city. “Logistically it’s extremely well connected with both London and the North, and in close proximity to Wales, which is becoming a key target market for us.” He added the firm was research driven and the city’s universities were a big part of the draw. But Ivo warned constraints of connected to the national grid was holding the industry back. He said: “A history of inefficiency and a reliance on outdated technology in the UK medium wind sector has not allowed farmers and local communities to maximise their income and returns on investment. “With nED100, Norvento is seeking not only to address these challenges but also to raise the standard. The technological innovation of the turbine is supported by unmatched warranties, such as power curve, noise and eventual availability guarantees. Norvento also offers innovative financing packages that make the purchase of new units easier and more profitable.” The 4,000 square metre base will be the main warehouse and distribution hub for the UK market.

Pharmacy Plus founder sets up new company Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

BUSINESSMAN who founded a company supplying drugs to care homes has bounced back after the business went into administra-

tion. Tariq Muhammad founded Pharmacy Plus in 1994 when he took over a run-down chemist and built it first into a chain then a supplier of drugs to more then 600 care homes across England. Last year he handed over control to a private equity firm and the business then went into administration in May, with the loss of all 240 jobs.

At the heart of its growth was the development of a system called the Proactive Care System, which used barcodes to make sure patients got the right medicine. Now Tariq has secured the intellectual property rights to the system and set up a new company. Tariq said many care homes had come to rely on and value the system and he felt there was still a successful business to be had from it. “PCS was a hugely popular system for medicines management in care homes,” he said. “It remains the only solution with experience of successfully operating at scale in over 600 care homes. “It delivered greatly improved safety record preventing episodes of harm and identifying thousands of

near misses in medicines administration weekly. “Since Pharmacy Plus’ closure, I have been contacted by many care home organisations who said they did not want to lose PCS and the positive impact that it had made on their care delivery.” With the IP secured, Tariq has established Invatech Health to offer care homes use of the technology but still keep their current local pharmacy supplier. For the local pharmacy, it means they can use barcodes to make dispensing in original manufacturers packs possible, which helps remove the need for costly monitored dose systems. The new business will create 50 jobs in IT sales and marketing in the next few months.

● A FLEET vehicle dealer is responding to the change trends in working patterns by introducing overnight servicing. City West Commercials, Mercedes-Benz’s commercial vehicle partner in the South West, has started overnight servicing in Avonmouth. The new out-of-hours servicing at the company’s headquarter site, will enable customers to drop off pre-booked vehicles for inspection and routine service work at the close of business and pick them up the next day. Graeson Clarke, dealer principal of City West Commercials said: “We pride ourselves on the quality of our service and support. “The out-of-hours service we offer is as important for the small and medium-sized businesses as it is for the big fleet, all of whom can lose custom and suffer financially from having vehicles off the road during the working day. “We feel that everyone should benefit from these customer centric service offerings.” Graeson said the company was responding to the changing needs of customers as businesses become more 24-hour. He added: “We are entering a very exciting time for the business and our 24-hour service facility is just the first of several developments coming out of City West Commercials over the coming months.” Sign up here for business news direct to your inbox every day

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Working together to bring in trade TRADERS in Park Street are showing the way in working together to save money and bring in more customers. New research suggests retailers in high streets and small centres who cooperate will reap rewards. Colliers International retail specialist Nick Turk has called on other areas to follow the example of Park Street in Bristol, where traders have done just that. The Value of Collaboration report, carried out by Conlumino for American Express, found joint marketing campaigns, loyalty schemes and local events and collaborations could lift a company’s sales by an average of £30,000 annually. While helping each other out on the everyday stuff, such as minding the store or taking in deliveries, could save an independent business on av-

erage £3,000 a year in labour costs. Colliers has been working with a collective of traders alongside marketing firm Destination CMS on a social media campaign to raise the street’s profile. Nick said: “It is just this type of community cooperation we have been trying to foster through our Social iStreet campaign, steering more people to the area via social media chatter and prompts.” Three months into the campaign, the benefits are being seen with social media likes and followers topping the 1,000 mark and levels of shared content increasing. The audience reach of that activity has exceeded 300,000 in the same period. Nick said: “Park Street is a microcosm of many of the trends occurring across the UK. It

demonstrates the importance of a wide food and beverage choice, a good independent fashion offer in addition to strong international brands. “Its strong independent streak and quirky, highly individual shops provide a vibrant counterpoint to click-and-collect and its distinctive character places it in the same league as top shopping areas in London such as Carnaby Street and Connaught Village and tenants or traders associations can maximise this kind of clout.” Nick said tenants could now take control of promoting and managing their high street by working with firms such as Colliers, rather than leaving it to the landlord. As well as the social media campaign the firm organised business rates clinics with the traders association.

“ It is just this type of community cooperation we have been trying to foster ... steering more people to the area via social media chatter and prompts.

Nick Turk of Colliers International

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The Big Interview

AVOIDING THE MERGER TRAPS Mergers are a moment of upheaval that can lead to growth or create tension and uncertainty. Which makes it the perfect time for Rupert Janisch to meet Chris Miller, as he embarks on such a path at law firm Barcan Woodward

ESEARCH shows that mergers between law firms fall through more often than not and, even when they do proceed, the results can disap-

point. So for Chris Miller, the managing partner at Bristol firm Barcan Woodward, who recently announced a merger with fellow city practice Kirby Sheppard, it’s essential not to fall into familiar traps. And in this particular case, because of the people involved, Mr Miller is confident that the firms will work in harmony when unified. “The Bristol legal world is a fairly small one so we know Kirby Sheppard fairly well,” he said. “There is a mutual respect already there. “There are a certain number of recognised, well-thought-of firms in Bristol – we know who they are. The most important thing for me was to merge with a firm that shared the same values, ethos and approach to the best level of client care, as well as being great people to work with. “It also offers an opportunity for us to expand existing teams and offer our clients new services that will make the new firm a force to be reckoned with, within the competitive Bristol legal sector.” Professional services firm Deloitte has published extensive articles about the challenges of post-merger integration (PMI). The risks are categorised fourfold – synergy, structural, project and people. The full extent of these issues affect large corporations, not perhaps two Bristol law firms which even when merged will fill the gap between the city’s small practices and the big fir ms. But the principles are consistent throughout the full spectrum of businesses and they are ones which Mr Miller has borne in mind throughout the merger process.

Vital statistics Name: Chris Miller Age: 52 School: Marlborough College

“We’ve certainly thought very carefully about how the two firms will mesh together,” he said. “I’m absolutely confident that we can work together and our departments will be stronger, complementing each other well and providing a full range of services to our clients. “Ultimately, it’s about the people at each firm being able to work together. We’ve put a lot of thought into things like who will head up each team and although there’s still some fine detail to go through we’re very confident about the future.” It’s an exciting time for Mr Miller, a 52-year-old father of three. A lawyer for 24 years, he was a junior solicitor when Barcan Woodward was formed in 1992 and currently works from the fir m’s office in North Street, Bedminster. Mr Miller was appointed managing partner of Barcan Woodward in January 2013. The firm was thriving, doubling in size in the previous five years with offices in Horfield, Bedminster and King Street. However he was keen to fast-track the firm’s growth, conscious of changing trends in the legal profession and lack of larger mid-sized firms in Bristol’s scene, between the many small practices and the major firms. “I believed we needed to start looking at options because of the way the market is going. In the future the bigger firms which have better resources for areas like IT, HR, compliance and so on – these are going to be the winners and small firms are going to find it hard.

● Chris Miller of Barcan Woodward; and below with Bill Willcox of Kirby Sheppard

My working day Wake up: 6.15am Breakfast? Cereal Start work: 8am Typical working day: A mixture of going to meetings, responding to emails, spending time at court Go home? Usually between 6 and 6.30pm Do you take work home or attend functions Yes, most weeks

My downtime My perfect weekend Some sporting activity such as five-a-side football or tennis, then seeing friends, a little beer or wine, preferably in the sunshine! My favourite book/film/TV show Mad Men (left), Borgen and The Bridge

ners before I made any approach.” When Mr Miller eventually met his counterpart Bill Willcox, managing partner of Kirby Sheppard, the meeting took place over coffee at a cafe in Queen Square, near Kirby Sheppard’s offices. The pair got on instantly and discussed plans for their businesses at length, for two hours at their first meeting. “We both felt it could work,” said Mr Miller. “We’ve had lots of meet-

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Hobbies Tennis

“I felt we needed a step change to move into new areas of working. The other option was to bring in lateral hires and associates. But that’s always risky because they don’t necessarily share your values and cultures. “I was aware of Kirby Sheppard, I looked in detail at the areas both firms had and whether we could work together, thought about it long and hard individually and with my part-

ings since then – essentially we share the same values, which give us a solid basis from which to merge the businesses together.” Now that the announcement about the two firms’ intentions to merge has been made – not only to the business community but also their clients and, most importantly, the fir ms’ staff – the next few months provide an opportunity for the individual teams to get to know each other. Business will continue as usual but under the knowledge that the two firms will be operating under a new name – yet to be announced – from April 1 next year. Mr Miller said: “There’s a lot of work to do to ensure that the transition is seamless. We are integrating two practices which, in the case of our personal injury and clinical negligence team, has a national reputation. “But the merger is about making us stronger, a key player in the city’s legal scene. We don’t want to be a large corporate firm but we do want to secure our future, while building on our existing reputation for excellent service and client relationships. That’s something I’m personally dedicated to see continuing after the firms merge.”

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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Focus on start-ups | Sponsored by THEME SPONSOR’S NAME HERE.

Tech City Bristol: special report

FORGET SILICON VALLEY – THIS Forget Silicon Valley or even Silicon Roundabout, Silicon Gorge is where it’s at. Bristol is building a reputation as a Tech City. Sammy Payne reports

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RISTOL has been praised in recent weeks for its growing reputation as a world-class technology hub. But how much do we really know about the growing tech businesses based in the city? We’re surrounded by huge engineering masterpieces such as Brunel’s ss Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge so it’s not a huge shock to see the city hailed as a place of great innovation. The Engine Shed’s Director, Nick Sturge, said he was not surprised to see the city attract national news coverage last week after being labeled a leader in robotics and technology. Nick said: “We’ve got financial services, we’ve got high-tech, we’ve got creative, we’ve got digital, and we’ve got hot air ballooning. There’s a real diversity here and a 1,000-year history of exploration and innovation and bit of an independent spirit, so it’s not surprising.” Businesses and engineers from all over the world are looking to Bristol as a leading technology sector. Nick said investors from London are increasingly looking to Bristol for interesting business ideas and to setup innovation centres. “Businesses come from London when they need to recruit talent and have exhausted what’s in London, because it’s hot and over heated. “Bristol is a nicer space, it’s cheaper, and broadband’s better here. It’s just a nicer pace of life. “There’s a lot of really creative and technically competent people here and they want to stay here, so companies have to come to Bristol to get them.” Bristol has a huge range of high-tech businesses and 65 of them are based inside SetSquared, which was recently named the best university business incubator in Europe and second in the world. There are also many networks and organisations of entrepreneurs around the city, such as South West Founders, and this, Nick thinks, is what’s driving Bristol’s energy for innovation. Nick said: “These networks, they’re all full, they’re all busy, and

‘Great chances of getting started without huge overheads’ Case study ● A 26-YEAR-OLD animation graduate, with no coding or engineering experience, set up his own technology company in 2011 to transform the lives of blind people around the world. Ed Rogers founded Bristol Braille Technology because he wanted to tackle the decline in literacy amongst blind people by making Braille technology affordable. Ed said he started the social enterprise because “the status quo seemed unjust and the technical challenge was interesting”. The company, which uses the Bristol Hackspace and the Pervasive Media Studio spaces, is currently developing a piece of wearable technology that will turn any flat surface into a Braille display of unlimited size. The young entrepreneur has

● The Bristol Braille team, from left, Russell Couper, Ed Rogers, Steph Tyszka and Nic Marshall

benefited from Bristol’s thriving technology scene and compared finding talented engineers in Bristol to “shooting fish in a barrel”. “It was fairly easy,” he said. “ To name just a few ways of finding relevant people, go talk to course heads in the universities, go to the Hackspace on a Thursday night, attend the PM Studio Wednesday lunchtime talk, and talk to the Engineer’s Innovation Network.” “There is a tight network of people who can introduce you to almost anyone you need.” Ed said starting a company was a challenge but Bristol’s diverse business incubators and creative spaces “offer great chances at getting started without huge overheads”. Ed described Bristol as an “eclectic” technological and business landscape with lots of bright young graduates to work with.

Five of Bristol’s technology hubs for budding entrepreneurs

● The Engine Shed Home to SETsquared and WebStart Bristol, this place can offer guidance for exciting app and web service ideas to high-tech and high growth businesses. The Engine Shed is part of Temple Meads.

they’re growing. The number of these networks has tripled in just 18 months.” Bristol’s latest label as a ‘globally significant tech cluster,’ also came as no surprise to the Creative and Digital Sector specialist for Invest Bristol & Bath, David Maher Roberts. He explained: “We’ve known this for a while. We started by leading globally in aerospace and microelectronic technology before going on to innovate animation, gaming, software, biomedicine, and robotics.” David thinks it’s how these sectors

● Bristol & Bath Science Park Here to help grow science and technology businesses, located in Emersons Green. ● Bristol Hackspace This is a community of engineers and makers based in Bedminster who are keen to support and advise any bright idea.

cross that makes Bristol standout. “We have lots of big companies here and start-ups. We’ve got lots of technological innovations and creativity and lots of industries are beginning to cross over. “For example, we are seeing robotics, which Bristol is very strong at, cross over with advanced engineering and automation. “A less obvious cross-over is robotics with entertainment and using robotics to aid motion-capture. “This is what leads companies to turn up from London saying ‘we love

● Bristol Robotics Laboratory This is a world-class technology incubator and research centre based in the University of the West of England Frenchay campus. ● Pervasive Media Studio Here to support makers and creative thinkers with space and resources, it can be found inside the Watershed at the harbourside.

what you’re doing here, can we set up an innovation hub here, can we set up an innovation centre?’” Recent advances in the technology sector have left people across Bristol excited for the future. David added: “I think Bristol and Bath have this unstoppable momentum, we’re becoming a very serious player on the global stage.” Anastasia Emmanuel, the head of Indiegogo UK marketing in London, said investors are looking to Bristol because of the lack of funding available outside of London for ingenuous

ideas. “The potential here is huge. There’s a real strength in engineering and design and we want to amplify that.” Indiegogo UK came to Bristol last week because it wanted to capitalise on great business ideas and the ‘masses of talent’ available. Anastasia said: “We’ve heard great things about Bristol’s creative and engineering sector and the strength of its amazing start-ups.” “We want to see more of this in crowd-funding. We’re working with

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

IS THE NEW TECH HOT SPOT ‘Exciting place to be a part of’ Case study

● The chief executive of Bristol and Bath Science Park, Bonnie Dean

‘Success due to rich heritage of engineering talent’ BRINGING together an industry of academia, technology, engineers and entrepreneurs has been a lifetime work for the chief executive of Bristol and Bath Science Park, Bonnie Dean. Bonnie, who has managed the science park for seven years and always worked in the field of advanced engineering, said Bristol’s success in the tech sector was down to a rich heritage of engineering talent. Bonnie said: “There’s a legacy of high-tech industry here that has developed over decades. “We have three strong universities, which means there’s a steady stream of skilled graduates coming

the Creative Skills Hub to get more businesses off the ground by supporting them with resources, media exposure, and guidance.” One example of a successful Bristol technology business born and grown in Bristol is Second Sync. Second Sync was setup in 2011 and bought by Twitter in April this year. The company, which measured tweets relating to TV and radio shows, has four Bristolian directors. Founder Andy Littledale said Bris-

out that are available to businesses who are growing, and we also have a very large pool of experienced managers and executives, which is a positive for companies coming here to setup.” Big companies like mobile solutions giant Somo, are moving to Bristol because of the access to a “very deep pool of engineering talent”, according to Bonnie. She said: “It’s also very accessible to London so you have access to the airports which is important if you’re an international company. I see London very much as a portal. It’s complementary to Bristol and I don’t see it as a competitive situation.”

tol has a ‘fantastically vibrant tech scene’ and it was an ideal place for them to get established and grow. Andy said: “We were lucky enough to be able to rent a great office space from Aardman, we gained invaluable business advice from SetSquared and we received three grants from the Technology Strategy Board that really helped us get the business off the ground.” “Success as a start-up is determined by the strength of the team and I can’t think of a better place to recruit and retain talented and dedicated

When asked about what’s coming up for Bristol, Bonnie hinted at more exciting developments in technology. “At the moment we have things in stealth mode. I can’t say who but there is work being done that ranges from software development to the development of robotics and the development of solutions to autoimmune diseases.” She added: “It’s a very exciting period right now and Bristol and Bath are well situated to take advantage of it. I’m biased but I think we give any other city region a good run for its’ money. The future is very positive for this region.”

individuals than Bristol." Bristol’s tech sector has expanded very quickly over the past year and is set to continue its rapid growth with recent funding gains. It’s an exciting time for the South West, as Jill Burnett, innovation manager at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory said, there is technology in development in Bristol that ‘could make a huge impact on all of our lives’. It seems people around the world will have to continue to watch this space.

● THE Bristol Robotics Laboratory recently made national news after it was awarded £4.5million funding for its University Enterprise Zone and visited by Secretary of State for Business, Vince Cable. The business incubator, inside UWE’s Enterprise Zone in Filton, was described by Cable as the “foremost centre for robotics research in the UK”, and is home to a number of groundbreaking robotics start-ups, including Agilic. Agilic founder, 36-year-old Harry Gee, is currently in Silicon Valley showing off his latest creation after winning a place on a prestigious Robotics Mission across America. TiddlyBot is a small robot designed by Harry and made with a Raspberry Pi – a smartphone-sized and low cost computer. The robot is designed to help young people learn about science, engineering, and programming. Harry aims to work with teachers, coders, engineers, and young people to make technology and math subjects more fun. He said: “I first had the idea after helping to run workshops for teachers about the Raspberry Pi. “I then saw that when you make programming ‘real world’ it becomes much more interesting to teach and then learn. I then decided to try and turn a Raspberry Pi into a robot and things have developed from there.” To fund his business Harry is using savings, a personal loan, a bank overdraft and a crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter. The robotics enthusiast has been working full-time on his business since September 2013 and has made good use of Bristol’s resources, including member-run Bristol Hackspace. Harry said: “The Bristol Hackspace has been a great place to build prototypes and their friendly and knowledgeable members have also helped with advice for building the robot. “I think Bristol has been a globally significant tech cluster since the industrial revolution and has a tradition of great ingenuity and tech excellence. “Now it’s things like aerospace and robotics it’s leading the way with. Bristol is an exciting place to be a part of.” Harry was one of seven people to win a tour of Silicon Valley and America’s specialist robotics centres

● Harry Gee with his PiBot as part of a national competition put on by the Technology Strategy Board and UK Trade and Investment. Talking about his ‘eye-opening’ time in America, the Bristol based entrepreneur said: “It’s been an amazing insight into the world of robots and business in America.” Three of the seven businesses to win a place on the prestigious robotics tour were from the South West. Reach Robotics, a robotics entertainment company based in the Bristol Robotics Lab, and MapleBird, the creators of the smallest unmanned vehicles in the world based in the Bristol and Bath Science Park, are both in America with Harry. Mike Biddle, the deputy director of innovation programmes at the Technology Strategy Board, said: “The mission is designed to open doors, build networks and showcase British innovation and Silicon Valley and San Francisco are synonymous with being at the forefront of global robotics and autonomous systems technology. “These companies will benefit from meetings with leading robotics, academic and research institutions, gaining fresh ideas and developing new partnerships and funding opportunities. It’s a springboard which can help them to launch their business, thrive and turn their innovations into tangible business opportunities.”

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www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

In pictures - event here

IN PICTURES BRISTOL’S BUSINESS Metcalfes summer party

LAW firm made the most of the sunshine and added a little jazz to thank its clients and contacts with an early evening soiree. Metcalfes held its summer party at, and outside, its office in Queen Square. The firm’s marketing manager Laura Walker said: “We had a great evening attended by 70 people from local Bristol businesses and the weather held out! “Champagne and canapés, provided by Kate’s Kitchen, were enjoyed by all, with the excellent JJ’s Jazz Band providing the music.” Metcalfe’s has been raising money for Headway Bristol, a charity which helps survivors of brain injuries to live independent lives.

● Neale Scott of Amadeus Partnership and Terri Calcagno of Giuseppe's Ristorante & Pizzeria

● David Minns of Brown in Town tailors

● Nicola Parker of Triodos Bank

West of England Initiative

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USINESS leaders have been told that “Bristol is a place that’s not perfect but it is on a jour ney”. The message was delivered by Bristol Green Capital 2015 director Kris Donaldson at a meeting of the West of England Initiative held at Imperial Tobacco’s new global headquarters. Kris was presenting the plans for using our European Green Capital status to position Bristol as a global leader in sustainable urban living. He said the award was recognition for a city that had its finger on the pulse of the future and was well positioned as a laboratory for change. More than 100 business people gathered at the meeting also heard about another of Bristol’s innovative projects, Learning Ships. This enables young people to experience their heritage and their future through interacting with people from different industries, getting them to engage in global issues through actions in their local environment. Project leader Hugh Thomas, educational director at Bristol Initiative Charitable Trust and My Future My Choice, said: “You need to know where you’re from in order to know who you are and what you want to become so we use the tidal environment of Bristol to engage young people in learning about their heritage.” The aim of the project initially is to

● Networking at the meeting of the West of England Initiative, above; right, Hugh Thomas and Kris Donaldson speaking at the meeting provide experimental Learning Ships that operate as transport and a classroom for young people to interact directly with business and industry while exploring the past, present and future of the River Avon and Severn Estuary. The West of England Initiative is a group with Business West that aims to put business at the heart of making the Bristol area a better place. James Durie, executive director of the West of England Initiative said:

“Initiative members are engaged and are helping to shape Bristol as a global sustainable city valuing its economy, environment and people. “These meetings give local business leaders the chance to play their part and hear about the great things that are happening in the city and how they can get involved. “There was a great buzz about the meeting; a sense of thinking big, thinking differently, with ambition for our region.”

● Kay McCluskey and Anne Felmingham of Metcalfes, with Kate Croucher of Headway Bristol

● Derek Jenkins of St John's Chambers and Julian Benson of Guildhall Chambers

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

COMMUNITY OUT AND ABOUT The Hive launch

HE launch of Westonsuper-Mare’s new business centre The Hive created a buzz among businesses in the district. North Somerset business and community leaders, business representatives, the first Hive tenants and some of North Somerset Enterprise Agency’s clients took a tour of the new building. Positioned in the J21 Enterprise Area, the building has space for 40-60 businesses who will all get access to the on-site support of the North Somerset Enterprise Agency, which is behind the scheme. NSEA chairman Charles Walker said: “What we have, as a result of a great deal of hard work by all involved, is a superb environmentally-sustainable building which delivers first class workspace and on-site support to businesses, within the perfect location – the exciting Junction 21 Enterprise Area. “It is a building in which the whole of North Somerset can take pride and we hope that the local business community will get involved with The Hive, its events, its tenants and its passionate support of up-and-coming new business enterprises.”

Business diary FD Club: Gavin Black, associate director of Grant Thornton’s ex-pat tax services, talks about why Britain is a great place to do business, while Paul Walker explains changes around workplace pensions at the accountancy firm’s quarterly FD Club. Breakfast event from 8am at Hartwell House, Victoria Street, on Thursday, July 17. After The Interview book launch: The launch of a new thriller around an interview that goes badly. Party at The Library, Goldbrick House, 6-8pm on Monday July 21. Also a great chance to network. Free tickets can be booked via Eventbrite. Get Growing workshop: Showing how to get more strategic about growing your small business in a half-day workshop. From 9.30am at the Engine Shed, Temple Meads, Thursday, July 24.

● MP John Penrose cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremony of The Hive Business Centre at Westonsuper-Mare ● Mike Day Knightstone), Sharon Bennett (Avon/Somerset Constabulary), Clive Bodley (Alliance Homes), and Robert Brooks (Midas Group)

Neighbourly launch: Social network for businesses with a social conscience Neighbourly will hold a launch event at the Engine Shed on Thursday, July 24, 5pm-7.30pm. Meet the minister: South Gloucestershire FSB hosts a Q&A event with Pensions Minister and local MP Steve Webb. Questions must be emailed in advance. Wednesday, July 30, 7pn-9pm, at Aztec West Hotel, BS32 4TS. Summer party: Moon Consulting holds its summer party at the Old Fire Station, Pill, on Thursday, July 31 from 6-8.30pm. The evening will feature display of elite Aston Martin and Bentley cars courtesy of local luxury car dealers HR Owen Cheltenham and two classic Austin Healey race cars. Fundraising for the Fire Fighters Charity.

● Alan Smith (Voluntary Action), Ian and Joyce Oliver (Joyce Oliver Wealth Management) and Ian Conway (Albert Goodman Financial Planners)

Bristol Connected: The Bristol Post’s popular business networking event takes place a the Hilton Garden Inn, Temple Way, from 6pm-8pm on Thursday, August 14. A chance for SMEs to network as well as meet the Post team. John Hirst from Destination Bristol will be among the speakers. To sign up go to eventbrite or scan this QR code.

● North Somerset Councillors Graham Taylor, Terry Porter and Dave Hitchins

● Phil Smith (Business West), Sarah Osborne and Graham Mitchell (South West Investment Groyp)

● Charles Walker, chairman of North Somerset Enterprise Agency

● Clive Wray (Business West) and Chris Garcier (Heart of the South West LEP).

● Angela Hicks, chief executive of North Somerset Enterprise Agency

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● Mark Ogden (Triodos Bank) and David Griffin (Albert Goodman Financial Planners)

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.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The back page

Your digest of the week in business

The op-ed column

Graduates and their inspiring sense of promise Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

NSPIRATION comes to us all in different places. For some, a dark quiet room, for others a highenergy brainstorming session. But if you’re looking to be inspired, you could do worse than attend one of the graduation ceremonies that have been taking place in Bristol this week. I was fortunate to have a front row seat at Bristol Cathedral to see students from the UWE Bristol Business School graduate this week. The prominence of my position, I should say, wasn’t so much a reflection of my status, more that they couldn’t find my name on the guest list in a hurry and that was the available spot! But it gave me a great position from which to observe the 164 graduates who each walked up to applause (yes, it was a lot of clapping, and no getting away with shirking in my spot either) to have their degrees conferred upon them by Vice Chancellor Steve West. And observe I did. From that vantage point, I noticed that the women mostly – though not exclusively – had better shoes than their male counterparts. More importantly, they also had better degrees. I didn’t count, but it seemed to me the women awarded first class honours outnumbered the men about four to one. I noted the large numbers of South East Asian students coming through, a sign of how UWE is successfully selling its expertise overseas. And I listened to the speeches. Specifically that of Bill Grimsey, the honorary graduate at this particular ceremony. Bill was invited because of his great experience in the retail sector, where he turned around Wickes among other stores. He has since written a report on saving the High

Deals

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● SOME of Bristol’s legal eagles have been advising on big deals of late. Among them, law firm Thrings and KPMG advised on the sale of Intrinsic, the UK’s biggest network of restricted and independent financial advisers to wealth management firm Old Mutual Wealth. Thrings, led by senior corporate partner Jonathan Payne (right) and associate solicitor Elaine Meyrick, provided advice on all legal and strategic matters to Intrinsic, which has a turnover of £112 million, while KPMG advised on tax matters. Jonathan said: “Thrings has worked closely with Intrinsic’s management team for the past eight years, and the depth of understanding we have acquired has enabled us to consistently provide legal advice which supports its plans for the future.” ● Meanwhile Burges Salmon has been dipping its toes in the tidal power sector, helping clients

● Bill Grimsey with his honorary degree Street commissioned by the Labour Party. He had some sound words of advice for the graduates about to make their way in the world. “Look for mentors who can guide you and help you,” he told them. “Then when you get further into your

journey, look back and find people who can benefit from your wisdom and become their mentor. Mentors drag us along, proteges push us along.” He also urged them to remember to value the labour that goes into their businesses, to value and reward their

In numbers Inflation (CPI)

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“ I noticed that the women mostly – though not exclusively – had better shoes than their male counterparts. More importantly, they also had better degrees.

Inflation (RPI)

staff when they go on to run their own businesses. There was an assumption that many of these gradates, and their peers in other ceremonies that day, would go on to lead and run businesses. And why not? I write about many entrepreneurs and it has struck me how often they tell how they studied at the same university, UWE. Some of them even started their businesses during their studies. It is easy to worry about the future and the quality and qualities of young people entering the workforce. Just last week in this column, CBI South West director Deborah Wadell wrote about the need to equip young people with the right skills for the real world. She’s right. Many bosses report that people come into the workforce unprepared. Clearly in some cases that is true. We regularly take students from UWE on work placements here at the Bristol Post. Some are unimpressive, waiting to be spoon-fed tasks. But others sparkle, coming armed with ideas, showing enthusiasm and, most importantly, initiative. Watching these 164 young people accept their degrees, they each deserved their applause for what they have achieved to get here. But what was exciting was the sense of promise of what they might do next. And that’s inspiring.

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identify and inspire talented young people in the Bristol area. Associate Karl Brown, who is also president of the Bristol Junior Chamber, was involved in the latest session. Karl said: “Part of my aim as BJC president is to improve social mobility and providing support to the students in the leadership programme is an exact fit for this agenda.”

People

hoping to cover the 250 miles in a day, leaving at midnight. They’re stopping in Bristol for a hard-earned rest. But not for long, they are planning to reach their destination by 6pm. It’s all in aid of Children’s Hospice South West in Wraxall. Andrew said: "The really is a genuine challenge and finishing is by no means a certainty. The prevailing wind is a westerly, so we potentially face a headwind for the entire route.”

● Another law firm but something a little less work-related. Ashfords is anticipating the arrival of two of its employees on Friday, stopped off on their way from offices in London to Exeter... by bicycle. Tim Heale and Andrew Perkins are

● Continuing the theme of young talent (see top of page), another law firm has been helping develop future leaders. Clarke Willmott is working with the Bristol Leadership Programme, a summer scheme designed to

Places ● And more hope for the future with the launch of the Prince’s Trust’s new centre in Victoria Street, which was opened by Communities Minister and city MP Stephen Williams. It aims to be a hub for unemployed young people to equip them with skills and confidence to get back into work or education. Guests enjoyed a tour and the chance to meet some of the charity’s young ambassadors. Stephen said: “It’s great to see the youth charity is investing so much in the future of Bristol’s young people. I urge Bristol’s business community to work with The Prince’s Trust, to provide employment opportunities for more young people in the city.”

% %

Ave mortgage rate % Corporation tax % Main rate

Small profits rate – below £300,000

Business current accounts

1.01% State Bank £10,000 deposit of India 0.25% £1 deposit

Business savings accounts 1.85% £1,000 deposit

Secure Trust Bank Minesto and Wave Hub secure sea bed rights for a number of projects. Swedish company Minesto has acquired the rights to a tidal stream project site at Holyhead Deep, off the Welsh coast. Wave Hub has acquired the rights to manage and sublease parts of three wave and tidal current demonstration zones off the coast of North Cornwall, North Devon and South Pembrokeshire. The Burges Salmon team was led by partners Ross Fairley and Euan Bremner. Ross said: "We are delighted to have acted for Minesto and Wave Hub in securing these new seabed leasing rights which will help the UK to further develop its marine energy offering.”

Cambridge & 1.6% Counties Bank £10,000 deposit Source:

Petrol prices .23p

131 135 138 69

Unleaded

.80p Diesel

.71p Super unleaded

.36p LPG

Source: PetrolPrices.com