Business 23 July 2014 by BGSD-cs

DON’T MISS OUT

MOMENTS IN TIME

RIPPLE EFFECT

SMEs’ chance to apply for share of £5m in LEP funding – p2

Time-lapse photography firm captures key patent – p5

Marina transformation powers town growth – p8&9

Business bristolpost.co.uk

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JUL

2014

SPECIAL REPORT

TAKE-OFF FOR AIRBUS Company enjoys its best ever performance at the UK’s biggest trade airshow as sector soars – see page 11 EPB-E01-S3

● Airbus graduate Zainab Hassan is excited about the new A350 XWB

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Development

Midas touch as building gets dramatic new look A CITY centre office building is undergoing a dramatic £7.3 million refurbishment. Bristol-based building firm Midas is undertaking the overhaul of Narrow Quay House, which was sitting empty in Bristol’s Harbourside. The plans involve expanding and modernising the building, creating a glazed atrium. The building, which spans 58,000 sq ft, is owned by investment firm Standard Life Heritage With Profits Fund but it isVeale Wasborough Visards which will be leasing most of the space once it is finished. The law firm has outgrown its city centre spot and will be moving its 250 staff in, plus have room to grow. Managing partner Simon Heald said: “Narrow Quay House will provide the space we need to support our future growth. Whilst supporting our objectives of retaining a city centre location, a great working environment on the waterfront, and being accessible to staff and clients.” Work began in May and is due to finish in spring 2015.

Derek Quinn, executive director at Midas Construction, described it as a “fantastic” project that would transform a very prominent commercial building in the centre of the city. He said: “The logistics of carrying out the internal renovations are challenging and involve a lot of careful planning, with a complex steel frame installation needing to come through the front entrance and be erected within the building to create the extra floor space, for example. “The existing façade will be removed from the outside of the building and a dramatic new design created, with a double height entrance to Princes Street. “The development is of a very high quality, with our client and ourselves working closely with AWW Architects to create an extremely high-end office development to benefit Bristol city centre.” Standard Life fund manager Will Fulton said the investment would improve the public realm and added the firm was delighted to have a high-profile tenant.

Business Pulse

Growth

Opportunity to make your voice heard ● THE Bristol Post wants to hear the views of small and medium-sized businesses. Last year the Post teamed up with business advisers BDO to launch the Business Pulse survey. We have already reported some of the findings from the first survey carried out in the spring. Now we are looking for the owners and managers of such firms to take part in the second survey, focusing on sustainability, the role of the mid-market in the economic recovery, and apprenticeships.. Post assistant editor (business) Gavin Thompson said: “Our Business Pulse has the ear of the leaders, influencers and decision makers in the Bristol area. “Taking part is a not-to-be-missed chance for the business community to make its voice heard.”

● VWV managing partner Simon Heald and Midas executive director Derek Quinn at Narrow Quay House

SMEs’ chance to apply for share of £5m in fresh round of LEP funding Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

MALL and medium sized business in Bristol can apply for a share of £5 million for projects that will create jobs... but they need to be quick as the cash has to be spent by April next year. The money is available from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Fund. More than 300 companies have already successfully applied for grants in the first two rounds of funding, the first of which was supporting by the Bristol Post Going for Growth campaign. But with around £5 million of the original £25 million pot still available, new applications are being accepted.

Funding manager Antony Corfield said: “The first two rounds of the West of England Growth Fund have enabled us to award funding to a whole range of businesses to help with capital investment, job creation and research & development. “The £25 million has to be spent by April 2015 otherwise it goes back to the Government, so we’ve launched a third round to make sure we get as much out to local companies as possible before then.” The Growth Fund aims to bring about new jobs and to lever private sector investment with the promise of match funding. The fund is itself financed from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, designed to kick start projects to boost the economy across the UK. The money is for schemes that would not otherwise have been possible, or would have taken longer to

● Funding manager Antony Corfield come about. Grants of £10,000 to £80,000 in this latest round can be used by small and medium sized firms towards capital investment such as new premises or equipment; research and development; training; employing disabled or disadvantaged workers; and sup-

porting women entrepreneurs to start a business. But as the money has to be used on projects in this financial year, the clock is ticking. Antony said: “We’re into the last nine months of this particular fund now, so we’re keen to get funding allocated to businesses as soon as possible, to ensure they have time to spend it before April 2015. “We have a funding team here to help companies with both the application and the claims process. If you have a project that you think might be eligible for funding, please get in touch with us.” Businesses can email the funding team on growthfundapps@westofengland.org or call them on 0117 903 6207. Or visit the website www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/we gfr3 – which goes live today – for more details.

Film production

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Company that recycles film sets moves into city site A GREEN film set company is the latest business to move into the Bottle Yard film studios in Hengrove. More and more film and television projects are being shot at the former bottle plant and as a result an ecosystem of businesses is beginning to build up around it. The latest firm is Drèsd, an innovative company that clears sets and then re-uses, recycles or sells on the materials to production houses, interior designers and charities. It also offers event production and office re-fit services making good use

of its salvage haul. It is based at Pinewood Studios with a warehouse in Essex but founder Lynn McFarlane (pictured) said it always hoped to set up regional bases. “It's always been our intention to have regional bases located conveniently around the UK to service the demands of our customers,” she said. “So to open a new centre at The Bottle Yard Studios so soon after moving

into our new headquarters is heartening for us as a business, and also speaks volumes about the growing demand amongst our domestic broadcast industry to deliver sustainable productions from concept to wrap.” Fiona Francombe, managing director of The Bottle Yard Studios added: “We’re so pleased to welcome Drèsd to our growing production hub.

“Sustainability in the broadcast industry is something we care deeply about, and having Drèsd on site permanently is a great boost to the studios’ ongoing drive to reduce waste. “Departing productions will be able to send less waste to landfill whilst incoming productions will have the chance to benefit from what is left behind by others. “It’s a win-win situation and one that helps us to reduce our carbon footprint.” In 2012-3, Drèsd recovered and reused 396.2 tonnes of film set waste.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Technology

Microprocessor firm wins £15m investment from major players

‘Hackathon’ looks to improve takeaway app

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

FIRM that designs microprocessors has secured more than $26 million (£15 million) of investment from some major technology players including Bosch and Huawei. XMOS was originally a spin-off from Bristol University and now employs about 40 people at its Wine Street headquarters and another 30 around the globe. The company designs multi-core microprocessors used in devices ranging from headphones to lawnmowers. This big investment will allow the firm to develop future generations of its processors, which it hopes will be used in even more devices. XMOS chief operating officer Mark Lippett said the firm made “platfor m technology”. He said: “Sony has been using our technology in the audio space; we also have customers using the same chips in laser etching devices and robotic spiders. “These are very flexible processors and have a breadth of reach across multiple markets. “Our strategy to build on that broad base and we are very ambitious.” He said the company would be taking on staff, but would not be splashing its cash recklessly. Mark said aside from the cash, the investment was a great signal to other potential customers. “These [investors] are three important companies which feel confident enough to put money behind us,” he said. Both Huawei and Bosch Group are both potential customers for XMOS. The former is a Chinese-based IT solutions firm which recently announced plans for a research centre in Bristol. The latter is best known for its sound equipment from hi-fis to headphones but is also a leading supplier of technology for the automotive, building and energy industries. The third new investor is Xilinx Technology Ventures, the investment arm of Silicon Valley-based Xilinx, which works in a similar sphere to XMOS.

Technology

Firm wins contract to supply energy plant

● Technology firm XMOS makes multi-core processor chips

“ We are well embedded in Bristol and draw talent from around here. Without that pool of talent we would not be able to do what we do Mark Lippett

As strategic investors the companies will more than likely leave XMOS to get on with developing new products, recognising that new com-

panies are often more agile when it comes to development and ideas, but cash in on the profits. Hongquan Jiang, investment prin-

ciple at Robert Bosch Venture Capital GmbH who will be joining the XMOS board, described the firm as “one of the most exciting young semiconductor companies around today”. He said: “We see a huge potential for their intelligent multi-core technology in various sectors of our parent company.” Steve Chu, chief strategy officer and vice President at Huawei’s silicon division, added: “We have a very high regard for the team at XMOS and will be working closely with them on a number of exciting new projects.” And despite the extra cash in the coffers, Mark said the firm would continue to be run “on a sound business footing”. “It’s about finding the right staff for projects,” he said, adding: “We are well embedded in Bristol and draw talent from around here. “Without that pool of talent we would not be able to do what we do.”

Foreign investment creating hundreds of jobs lighted” and that the local figures had made a substantial impact on the national performance. He said: “Our strategy is focused on attracting new investment that creates jobs in the Bristol and Bath region. “We work closely with industry experts to gather important insights so that we can generate rich investment propositions targeted at the most appropriate investors. “This approach has been critical in our recent success in attracting so much high quality investment to the region. “We are very pleased with our achievements to date and are well positioned to make further progress as the economy and our capability

improve. “It is clear we are now making a meaningful impact on the national foreign direct investment picture.” Across the UK, the number of projects attracting foreign direct investment rose 14 per cent from 2012/13 to 2-13/24. Projects in this area during that time include: ● Somo, the world’s biggest mobile solutions company, which has set up a specialist engineering centre at the Engine Shed, Temple Meads. ● Specialist software firm Kanios,

based in Belfast, opening a new office in Bristol. ● Asian automotive manufacturing firm Sanoh opening a new site int he city. On the national picture, Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This Government will continue to work on behalf of every hardworking business in the UK to drum up trade, encourage investment and pave the way for growth so we can generate jobs, pay our way in the world, and create stability, security and a brighter future for our country.”

● A BEDMINSTER firm has won a contract to supply a control system for a new waste energy plant. GPS, which employs 80 people, will supply the technology to Imtech Water for the anaerobic digestion plant being built by Tamar Energy in Hertfordshire. GPS’ motor control centres will monitor and control mixing, pre-treatment and the digestion processes used to produce biogas from food waste. The firm previously made a similar system for Wessex Water to use at its Avonmouth treatment plant.

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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INVESTMENT from foreign companies is creating hundreds jobs in Bristol. Overseas firms made 27 direct investments in the area, West of England area last year, creating 648 jobs, according to new figures released by UK Trade and Investment. The total is up 450 per cent from the 161 jobs created two years earlier in 2011/12. The economy has recovered in that period but it has also seen the creation of Invest Bristol & Bath, which is tasked with bringing investment to Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset. Matt Cross (pictured), head of the organisation, said he was “de-

● AN online takeaway service is giving people access to its technology to play around and see if they come up with any great ideas. Just Eat, which is opening a research centre in the city, is holding a hackathon at the Engine Shed all day Saturday, starting at 8am. Bristol’s tech talent are invited to use the firm’s programming instructions and look for ways of improving its app. Ideas from previous events have been used by Just Eat, including using near field communication-enabled posters. Chief technology officer, Carlos Morgado, said: “The regular hackathons we’ve been running at our central London offices are essential to our innovation process, enabling us to learn from those both inside and outside the company. “Now, with our new technology innovation hub in Bristol, we can access the brilliant pool of tech talent based throughout the South West. I’m looking forward to seeing the results from the day.” Anyone taking part gets a £20 voucher and the best idea wins a radio-controlled drone. Register online at www.meetup.com/ JUST-EAT-Bristol/events/ 194104862/. Inward investment agency Invest Bristol & Bath worked with the firm on its move to the city.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Construction

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Consultancy

Law

Building projects face delays over skills gap

Landlords warned over air conditioning

● BUILDING projects in the city are facing delays of up to three months due to shortages of skills and labour. The growing economy has seen the construction sector pick up, with housing and commercial projects that had been mothballed finally getting under way. But Tim Harris, director of project management at commercial property firm JLL in Bristol, said there was a lack of skilled workers to meet demand. He said major projects such as the new Southmead Hospital had absorbed much of the existing workforce in jobs from bricklayers and electricians through to site managers and surveyors. Tim (pictured) said: “During the recession, subcontractors and consultants battened down the hatches, shrinking the size of their businesses in the face of economic uncertainty and, to make it worse, a lot of people have left the industry altogether. “The latest RICS market survey highlights that 51 per cent of firms are concerned that there is insufficient labour to meet demand. “Now, although there are signs of economic improvement, small businesses are very reluctant to commit to expansion, having had their fingers burnt in the past. And with the possibility of increased interest rates looming, instead they are cherry-picking jobs. “This is leaving developers facing a shortfall of labour, resulting in delays to key building projects in the region of up to three months.” The pressures will continue with more big projects in the pipeline. Office building has started again in Bristol, but there are also plans by UWE to expand and some major new homes schemes in the pipeline. Tim said: “Thankfully the worst is over in terms of the economic conditions, which is providing much-needed relief. But this change in fortune has its challenges. There is an increasing demand for buildings to be constructed at a faster and faster pace. However, the current skills gap means it is difficult to meet this demand and the cost of labour is being pushed up so the developers are incurring increased costs and delays.”

● LANDLORDS are being warned not to get caught out by changes to rules on air conditioning systems. From January next year air conditioning systems using the ozone-depleting refrigerant R22 will be banned, meaning it will be against the law to maintain them. Christian Crawfurd, a senior surveyor from commercial property firm DTZ, said the substance was widely used before 2004. “So systems that are more than 10 years old will need to be assessed,” he said. “Options available to landlords include replacing the system in its entirety or using an alternative modern refrigerant which will normally involve replacing parts of the AC system. There is however debate that the latter may lead to poorer equipment performance and as a result, higher energy costs.” He said the matter of who had to meet the costs, landlord or tenant, would depend on the terms of the lease. “We advise considering this important change well in advance of lease events, such as break dates, expiries and rent reviews, and space disposal or acquisition,” he added.

● Moore Stephens Bristol management team, from left, Steve Maggs, Luci Parry, Mark Chesham and Robert Branch

Office launch Firm sees a gap for top quality advice Rupert Janisch Business@b-nm.co.uk

CCOUNTING and consultancy network Moore Stephens has added to its presence in the South West with the opening of a new office in Bristol. The firm has run an office in Bath for several years, but four of the regional partners have now moved to grow the Moore Stephens capacity in Bristol city centre. The accountancy element of the Redcliffe Street office will be headed up by Robert Branch, while the Moore Stephens LLP Corporate Recovery specialism in the city continues to be led by Steve Ramsbottom. Other senior staff at the new office will include Mark Chesham as dir-

ector of indirect tax services, Luci Parry and Jake Jukes as senior business services managers and Stephen Maggs as senior personal tax manager. Mr Branch said: “Moore Stephens has identified a gap in the market for good quality and competitively-priced business advice whereby we work with the clients in order to achieve their business goals. “We take a genuine interest in the businesses that our clients operate and with them being both owners and managers of the business in many cases, speaking to people who see the good and the bad within many other businesses provides them with a lot of value. “The new office will also provide a strong capability to offer advice and support in restructuring and insolvency.” Mr Ramsbottom said: “We look to offer practical solutions to the problems facing clients. Our first priority

is to focus upon recovery and reintegrating businesses into the live trading arena. “We only see formal insolvency procedures as an option of last resort, and remain proud of our longstanding national reputation which confirms this approach.” Moore Stephens was founded in London in 1907 and today the UK network has more than 1,500 partners and staff. The company’s philosophy has been to develop to cater for its clients’ needs whenever required, but not to grow for the sake of size alone. The Moore Stephens International network now claims to be one of the leading international accounting and consulting networks outside the ‘Big Four’ of KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young. It comprises 630 offices of member and correspondent firms in 98 countries worldwide, involving over 20,000 partners, principals and staff.

modern practice-based university like UWE Bristol, and this new building will create the opportunity to enable this to happen by fostering

informal and formal interaction.” She said she wanted to create a building where professionals, students and academics could mingle, with key professional bodies having bases within the school. She added: “Bringing businesses into the university will enable them to access a whole range of benefits, from research opportunities to student placements to consultancy work. “It will also be hugely beneficial for students – enabling them to have direct contact with the real world of work and helping them develop the skills they need to be attractive to employers. “In addition, what we do in business and law education can help to fuel the economy and growth. Our new building can help us to support the growth agenda.” The university has submitted a planning application for the proposed building on its Frenchay campus.

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UWE reaching out with business school plans “For example, we know that the greatest growth area is in SMEs, and students need a wide range of skills to be valuable in a small business. “Our relationship with businesses can help us create placements for students to prepare them for the world of work, so they make a contribution from day one. “We know that employers are looking for soft skills, such as team working, project management and communication, as well as the knowledge and analytical skills gained through a university education. “Our role is to be part of the real

world of business, to reach out to business and enable them to reach in to us. There are huge benefits for businesses of working closely with a

Management firm expanding ● THE trend towards apartment living has led a property management firm to expand. Downend-based BNS Property Management handles 200 sites in the region but demand is growing in line with more apartment blocks having been built. Managing director Andrew Simmonds said: “So many apartment blocks were built in the first ten years of this century and the maintenance contracts were either faced with firms who use sub-contractors or residents themselves took responsibility. “Inevitably people move out and sometimes those who replace them are less enthusiastic about the tasks to be carried out. We have seen a major expansion of our business as we have an in-house team rather than sub-contractors, which keeps costs down and gives us greater control over the situation.” The firm is creating 10 jobs, with roles including a maintenance manager, a property inspector and maintenance workers.

Education

UWE Bristol is building a £50 million Business School as it aims to meet the needs of employers in the future. The new building, which will also house the law school, is part of the university’s campus redevelopment plan. Professor Jane Harrington, pro vice chancellor and executive dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, said the university needed to adapt. She said: “The business world is changing rapidly and we need to educate the next generation of business leaders in a way that meets the needs of businesses.

Property

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Innovation

Education

Pioneers win patent for advance in time-lapse photography tech

Rovers renew links with IT education firm

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

COMPANY that specialises in time-lapse photography has secured a patent for new technology that lets people control and monitor cameras by text message. Queen Square-based Lobster Pictures created the so-called crab control and monitoring module in 2010. Bosses took the decision to develop a new system because they no longer wanted to rely on third-party technology. The crab was initially conceived to be a power control unit, letting the team know if there was a power cut on site and acting as a back-up. It then evolved into a remote time-lapse controller in its own right. About two years into development, the team realised there was nothing else like it on the market and applied for the patent. The device is part of its Lobster Pot camera system, which is used in the Tate Modern where it has been running for four years, night and day, allowing people to watch the extension of the gallery as it happens. More recently Lobster installed cameras in Dawlish after the railway line was washed away in storms early this year. Its cameras captured the damage and subsequent reconstruction of the line. The crab units have been used in cameras on projects ranging from new sports stadia, off shore wind farms and oil platforms, working in environments from the Finnish winter to summer in Dubai. Managing director Robbie Allen said “Our clients demand long-term, monitored and measured, 100 per cent reliability in their time lapse and monitoring systems. “The crab is the heart of our great camera and it’s now running in over

● FOOTBALL club Bristol Rovers has renewed its relationship with education IT provider Hexakis. The Redcliff firm works with schools to improve standards of teaching through the use of technology, as well as supporting Rovers’ education department. Adam Tutton, head of education at the club, said: “Over the last three years the support we have received from Hexakis has allowed us to greatly enhance our pupils learning experience.” The firm holds seminars and workshops at the stadium, the most recent being a session for IT teachers earlier this month. Hexakis managing director Robbie Smith said: “Schools are facing huge challenges with delivering the new curriculum.”

Design

Divisions split ● A BRISTOL design firm working in the new Bath & North-East Somerset council offices in Keynsham is breaking up. Aedas is splitting its UK and Hong Kong divisions into separate firms. The UK business, which has an office in Clifton Triangle, will become AHR. Chairman Brian Johnson said: “AHR has a long-standing history of producing award-winning designs, something which we will continue into the future. We are proud of our regional UK heritage and will continue to offer the excellent levels of services from all our offices.” ● Managing director Robbie Allen and techinical director Michael McKelvaney at Lobster Pictures Photograph: Dave Betts BRDB2014 0714A-001_A

150 locations, from Beijing to Bolivia.” Technical director Michael McKelvaney said the UK patent was a significant landmark for the firm. He said: “Being awarded this patent proves we’re an innovator in high tech industry. “An example of this is our upcoming partnership with a major camera manufacturer – shooting time lapse at a higher resolution than anyone has before.” The firm hopes holding the patent and protecting its intellectual property will help it raise money for further developments for the device – which allows people to control cameras from the other side of the world.

● Lobster installed cameras in Dawlish after the railway line was washed away in storms early this year. Its cameras captured a constant record of the damage and subsequent rebuilding of the line.

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The video can be seen at http://www. networkrail. co.uk/time tables-andtravel/stormdamage/ dawlish/

Part of the Local World group

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Retail

“ There is a world of fabulous wine out there and through Bybo we can give people easy access to a selection of the best

Celebrating our 125th anniversary

Jules Lewis

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HILST many businesses have come and gone, Pattersons Catering & Cleaning Supplies continues to expand and are celebrating their 125th anniversary this July. The family business started in 1889 with premises at 74 Redcliffe Hill. Today, 125 years later Pattersons is a national catering and cleaning supplier with its roots still firmly in Bristol. “Right from the start, we have always championed honest business practices, a conscientious approach and unbridled ambition. By understanding our customers’ need, we have always made it our mission to deliver quality products with outstanding service”, said Chairman Chris Patterson. An ethos that can be traced right back to Robert Patterson, who in the early 20th century personally delivered orders every month as far as Chard by horse and cart. 125 years later Pattersons now offer next day delivery throughout the UK and over 12,000 products available to order on their website, over the phone or in store at their Bristol showroom. “Aside from sustaining a profitable company, making the local community our business is also of paramount importance.” Chris Patterson added. The company’s steady presence in the South West has also had a profoundly positive impact on the surrounding community. In a bid to invest in future generations Pattersons are actively involved with Bristol College’s youth training schemes and Young Bristol. “The key to securing another 125 years of success is to ensure we continue to not only meet the needs of our customers but to invest in the community of Bristol.” Chris Pattersons said. And to demonstrate this, Pattersons are opening their showroom doors on July 29 to all. From 10am, guests are invited to participate in free masterclasses with world champion cocktail flarer Tom Dyer, and Michelin starred Chef Josh Eggleton. There will also be 12.5 per cent off everything in store, prizes and a whole host of interactive activities such as wine tasting, a key cutting service, local food & drink and even a ‘pop up’ cleaning surgery. No booking required – simply turn up and join in the fun! Pattersons Bristol showroom is on Winterstoke Road, Bristol, BS3 2NS, or vost the website: www.pattersons.co.uk, tel: 0117 934 1270.

● Bybo directors Tim Harms and Jules Lewis

Online wine sellers aim to offer top drinks at supermarket prices Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

ANY a business has started with a conversation over a glass or wine. For friends Tim Harms and Jules Lewis, however, it was particularly appropriate. Jules has been a wine expert for famous names including Harvey’s and Avery’s for many years, while Tim has made a career in logistics and operations. At a family barbecue, they discussed how the demise of many small specialist wine retailers and rise of the supermarket had led to the choice of wines available becoming increasingly limited. As they lamented this over a glass

or two of such a tipple, they were inspired to do something about it. The result is Bybo, an online wine company that aims to offer high quality wines at supermarket prices by offering a market for lesser known brands. Jules said: “After talking to family and friends, we realised that many people would actually like to have the confidence and opportunity to try different wines but when they visit the supermarkets the choice is confusing and limited to big brands and standard grape varieties such as Merlot or Pinot Grigio, so people tend to stick to the same wines each time they buy. “There is a world of fabulous wine out there and through Bybo we can give people easy access to a selection of the best.” He said the website aimed to be personal, relaxed and friendly with

information that’s easy to digest. Many of the vineyards used are family run and have been producing wine for hundreds of years. Jules said: “They are struggling to keep some of the old grape varieties alive, because the wine market is saturated by just a few.” Fellow entrepreneur Tim brings different skills to the new business, which is based in Abbots Leigh. He said: “Unlike Jules, I came to this business with only a limited knowledge, other than knowing I like to drink it with family and friends. “So this has been a fascinating journey for me learning about the huge variety of wines available and to learn the wonderful stories and history behind those wines. “It has made drinking a glass of wine so much more interesting. I would have been a classic Bybo

customer, who wants to try something different but doesn’t know where to start.” Tim said 1.3 billion litres of wine is shipped to the UK in tankers and bottled here, whereas the wine sold on Bybo is bottled and labelled at source. And he uses his logistics background to make sure it gets where it needs to go. Tim added the pair hope to transform the wine market in the way the beer industry has changed. He said: “Ten years ago most people consumed just a few big name beers from the mass producers but today the beer market has revolutionised with 100s of micro breweries producing a fantastic range of beers. “We want to create the similar small revolution in wine choice and give people the opportunity to try to enjoy something new.”

Travel

Company returns to high street A LONG-STANDING holiday company is returning to the high street by opening a ticket shop and travel centre in Bristol. Bakers Dolphin, founded in 1889, once had more than 100 travel shops across the South West. But since the Weston-super-Mare firm sold its travel division to First Choice in 1998 it had largely stayed off the high street, focusing on its core coach holidays business. Now it is opened a store in the centre of Bristol to complement one in the Sovereign Centre, Weston. Sales and marketing director Amanda Harrington said: “The new

shop is strategically positioned between Cabot Circus and Broadmead in Bristol. “Although we now take lots of bookings online there are still a lot of people who want to talk to a travel adviser, discuss special requirements or have help deciding on what to book. “The travel shop will take advantage of the latest technology so it will be small and efficient and wired in to the best deals and late offers and will be staffed with experienced travel specialists.” Opening the shop has created three jobs for travel advisers.

● At the new Bakers Dolpin store in Quakers Friars, from left, Heidi Morgan, Nicki Rich and Joanne Cook

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

The Big Interview

THERE’S A LOT TO BE PROUD ABOUT There’s been an ongoing narrative since the credit crunch that banks aren’t lending to small and medium sized business. Rupert Janisch meets James Jordan, a man who argues otherwise. And he should know. He’s got millions to lend.

F you’re an owner of an SME in Bristol or Bath and you need money to invest into your business, then James Jordan is a good person to be friends with. Why? Because he’s sitting on a pot of £100 million – perhaps more if all goes – which HSBC wants to lend to SMEs in the area this year. Mr Jordan is the area commercial director for HSBC, looking after Bristol and Bath, and down into North Somerset as far down as Westonsuper-Mare. Aged just 34, the former police special constable took up his new post at the start of this year and manages a team of 33 at the bank’s commercial lending offices in Temple Quay. You suspect HSBC wouldn’t have made the appointment if James’ character didn’t fit the bill and he says that the responsibility of managing the pot of funding and the team associated with it is something which comes naturally to him. James achieved his first managerial appointment in 2003 at the age of just 23, after starting a management programme and degree in financial services straight out of college at the age of 19. “My peer group of managers were in their late 40s and early 50s and the people I was managing were all a lot older,” he said. “But people always told me I had a maturity beyond my years. When I come to work and put my suit on, I just get into the mindset of James Jordan the banker, the leader of

“ I am determined that we will lend in excess of £100 million in this area this year James Jordan teams of people. The people bit of the job is the bit that I’ve always enjoyed. That’s the bit that I get the buzz from.” In April this year HSBC launched a growth fund for SMEs in the UK, offering £5.8 billion of funding for businesses turning over between £500,000 and £30 million. Of that total, £100 million is planned to be lent in Bath and Bristol this year, with more available if the sum is used up. “I am determined that we will lend in excess of £100 million in this area this year,” said James.

“With HSBC’s balance sheet strength there’s no shortage of cash and if we lend £200 million I would be delighted.” James stays away from questions over the banking crisis of 2008, insisting that the fault lay elsewhere and that HSBC had been a robust performer throughout. “We’ve maintained stability,” he said. “We never at any point sought assistance, we maintained balance sheet strength and we have always stood by the clients that we have. That reflects the way in which HSBC has been led.”

Vital statistics

My working day

Name: James Jordan Age: 34 Place of birth: Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex School: The Blue School, Wells, Somerset First job: Working in a retail supermarket Hero or inspiration: Winston Churchill

Wake up: 5.45 am What do you have for breakfast? Porridge and fruit or scrambled eggs on toast What time do you start work? 7.30am What happens in your typical working day? I work alongside a great team of people to help some great entrepreneurs to grow and develop their businesses. What time do you go home? 6.30pm Do you take work home/attend evening functions? I tend to work at home on Fridays (albeit I try not to take work home in the evenings) and I usually attend one or two evening functions per week in and around Bristol.

My downtime

money so that businesses can invest. “In 2013 it was very evident to me that the demand from small businesses was not there to borrow money. The perception is that banks are not lending but if you ask an SME if they have actually approached their bank, invariably they haven’t. “I find so many situations where we are supporting SMEs and providing funding it’s because we are being proactive and saying to our customers we would like to provide funding so they can buy new premises or new kit, take on new people or having additional working capital support. “They come back almost in surprise, saying they assumed that the banks weren’t lending, even though we would have lent them the money.” And James now expects to be a busy man, signing cheques for ambitious companies like the four Bristol firms who have received funding to buy their business premises in the week previous to when we spoke. Business confidence – the intangible, immeasurable barometer of the health of our economic future – is on the up, he said: “The UK is expected to be the fastest growing economy in the G7. Confidence is returning and in turn that is leading to a far greater demand for bank lending this year, which is great to see. “In the last week we have seen four separate transactions where companies want to buy their premises and that’s a massive change from where we were last year. “People are buying machinery which they haven’t updated since the financial crisis began, taking on staff or just looking at new markets. “Business confidence has certainly returned in the market. It is something you can never measure but I think people are far more positive. We’ve got some great companies in the South West and I think there’s a hell of a lot to be proud about.”

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My perfect weekend Walking on the Moors with my wife or spending time on the beaches around the North Devon coast. What’s your favourite book or film or TV show? I enjoy old comedy shows like Dad’s Army (right), Only Fools and Horses, favourite film would be Saving Private Ryan. What are your hobbies? Running, gym and walking.

And in terms of the other major criticism aimed at our banks over recent years, that they were slow to lend to businesses seeking funding, James claimed that the money was always available to businesses which came calling. Perception was the problem, he said, not reality. “I can only talk about HSBC in the whole debate over banks and bank lending but I see myself as an ambassador and figurehead for this organisation and a key party to supporting SMEs in our local economy to grow,” he said. “The fundamental way we do that is to lend

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

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

Focus on Portishead

SPREADING RIPPLES OF SUCCESS Portishead is one of the fastest growing towns in Britain and will soon be connected to Bristol by rail as well as road. But can it be more than just a dormitory for commuters? Gavin Thompson reports

NCE a sleepy town sitting on the Bristol Channel, Portishead has changed in the last 20 years almost beyond recognition. Now the town, which has a population of about 22,000, is regularly quoted as one of the fastest growing in Britain. Much of that growth has been around the Marina. House builder Crest Nicholson saw the potential in an unloved brown-field site. The growing demand for waterfront living coupled with the desire of thousands of families to move out of the city in search of a different lifestyle, better schools, quieter roads and the like added up to a successful formula. Previously home to a nail factory and power station, work began to

“ Portishead has gone

through massive change in the past 10 years and has been quoted as one of the fastest growing towns in the UK

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Jono Lipfriend, of Colliers International

redevelop Portishead’s dockside in 1998. Sixteen years on, Crest Nicholson is launching its final phase of development at Port Marine, called Ninety4 on the Estuary. Tim Beale, the firm’s South West managing director, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our involvement with Port Marine. It’s an exemplar of our far-reaching desire to build sustainable communities and create lifestyles rather than just housing developments. “As one half of Portishead Quay’s Consortium, we have been fortunate enough to have one of the biggest influences on Port Marine. We have developed more than one million square feet of land and provided Portishead with a cosmopolitan suburb which boasts an eclectic mix of contemporary houses, villas and apartments. “Since our first completion in 2000 we have provided over 1,200 homes for Portishead and welcomed a good mix of local residents and people from outside the area to Port Marine but the one thing they all have in common is the feeling they get when they move here. I’ve lost count of the amount of times we’ve been told ‘it feels like you’re on holiday every day’. What a fantastic thing to say about where you live.”

● The team from Chorus in Portishead

Chorus sings the praises of Portishead as it plans for office switch ● IT business Chorus is growing so fast it needs to move to new offices. But the firm plans to stay in Portishead because of all the benefits the location offers. Business development director Anthony Sherry said: “We want to continue expanding so we can develop and add new services for our customers. “Our staff are very happy here in Portishead. It has fantastic motorway links, allowing quick access to clients and for clients to visit us from around the UK. “And it means we avoid the

Those people have brought with them a number of leisure and retail businesses too. There’s the sought-after Waitrose, Bottelino’s restaurant and the striking Hall & Woodhouse pub made out of old shipping containers. The impact has had a ripple effect that has lifted the town centre too. The White Lion pub has been transformed through a £1.6 million refit into a buzzing Mezze restaurant and bar, the fast-growing trendy Loungers chain has opened Impero Lounge, plus there’s a new tapas bar. The marina has become a destination for visitors, a popular spot for a Sunday afternoon stroll. Tim said: “People not only flock to the marina for walks, to fish, enjoy the boats and various water sports

Case study commute through central Bristol.” She said the town was growing as a place for business, with a number of companies moving into the business park where the firm is currently based. Chorus was founded in 1999 with two employees as an IT support company, helping businesses with their Microsoft software. Now the firm, which employs 40 people, offers much more, including graphic design, customer

● Port Marine at Portishead

relationship management, data management, e-commerce, disaster recovery, website development and more. It aims to provide specialist skills that firms would not always be able to afford to have in-house and to be the IT department for many of its customers. Its relationship with Microsoft remains as the firm has gold partner status in several areas, including customer relationship management. Customers range from charities to engineering firms, property

management firms to training organisations, all of which need the right technology to meet their business needs. Where the firm sees itself as having an edge in a highly competitive sector is in its size – big enough to offer a complete service but still flexible and without the bigger overheads a larger outsourcing company would have. And the need for bigger offices is no surprise when you look at the figures. Chorus grew its turnover 30 per cent in the 18 months to April 2014, to £1.7 million annually.

but also the nearby Lake Grounds has seen an increase in visitors, the leisure centre is thriving and the open air pool has been rejuvenated – if not directly linked, I’m quite sure that all of these things have been positively influenced by a ripple effect from Port Marine.” The growth of Portishead looks set to continue. Perhaps the biggest development is the expected reopening of the rail line to Bristol in 2019. North Somerset Council is working with its sister authorities in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset to push forward the MetroWest plan for a suburban rail network running regular services around the Greater Bristol area. Running trains from Portishead involves laying just a few miles of track but could take thousands of

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

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Case study

● Pics Monday Piccode

● Guests and staff at OptaSense

Photo: Barbara Evripidou BRBE20140721B-2

Leading the way with ‘listening’ cable ● CABLES have been used to relay information for decades but now they are being used to listen too. Technology developed in Portishead turns standard fibre optic cables into an array of thousands of virtual microphones along the length of the cable. It is being used to protect vital infrastructure such as oil pipelines in countries including Iraq, China and Colombia. And it allows the customer to hear what is happening in the area using advanced sonar techniques. Customers can use real-time data to increase security, for example. The company behind it, OptaSense, has this week been presented with the Queen’s Award for Innovation. Managing director Magnus McEwen-King said: “We are delighted to be recognised with two Queen’s Awards which are testament to the hard work and commitment of all those who work for and with OptaSense. “We believe this technology will transform the way global energy and transport industries move product and people around more efficiently and safely. “We are already providing the owners of oil wells, pipelines, roads, railways and

The improving transport links could be an opportunity for more businesses to set up here, in easy reach of Bristol. But only if they can find space. Jono Lipfriend, from commercial property specialist Colliers International, said: “Portishead has gone through massive change in the past 10 years and has been quoted as one of the fastest growing towns in the UK, with housing development growing around 40 per cent. “Clearly there is a need for high quality office accommodation close to the town in order to help reduce the large numbers of people forced to make the daily commute to Bristol.” Jono has been marketing a two-storey office site at Portis Fields, two miles off Junction 19, but doesn’t expect it to be available for long. He said: “Businesses looking for quality, contemporary accommodation are aware it is in increasingly short supply.”

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commuters off the roads. The service would take 17 minutes to get to Bristol, a journey that can take an hour by car in rush hour. A consultation on where the new station should be closes on July 28 and the site should be chosen later this year. There is no doubt reopening the line that closed in 1964 will only increase the town’s desirability as a place to live. But that could also be the challenge for Portishead. Can it be more than just a dormitory for Bristol commuters? There are jobs here. Avon and Somerset Constabulary has its HQ in the town and is one of the bigger employers. There are professional roles in the town. Property consultancy Capita has an office here, for example, and IT solutions firm Chorus employs about 40 people. There are other such businesses too but nowhere near the depth of Bristol or even Weston-super-Mare or Taunton.

borders with the ability to monitor every meter of these assets.” Back in 2005, five entrepreneurs working from home developing a fibre-optic sensing system. It took off and was being used in the US by the end of the year, with the US Department of Defence an early adopter. When they needed an office in 2008, those chose Portishead for its good motorway links and availability of qualified staff. OptaSense, which is a subsidiary of QinetiQ, bought the business in 2010. The firm has 120 staff; about 20 of them remain in Portishead working on research and design. Lady Gass, the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, presented the Queen’s Award on Monday. It comes just days after the firm’s Dorset base was given another Queen’s Award, this time for international trade. And Magnus believes the system has potential to have more uses in future. He said fibre optic cables were already in place next to most of the world’s critical arteries and the by converting the them into a distributed sensor network it could build what he calls the “Earth’s nervous system”. We’ll keep our ears to the ground.

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Business diary Wednesday@6: Institute of Directors informal networking at the Radisson Blu Hotel 6-8pm, Wednesday, July 23. Non members welcome. Free but to register call 0117 3707785 or email iod.southwest@iod.com.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

In pictures Bristol’s business South West Contact Centre Awards

Get Growing workshop: Showing how to get more strategic about growing your small business in a half-day workshop. Part of the Great British Business Roadshow run by freeAgent in association with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. From 9.30am at the Engine Shed, Temple Meads, Thursday, July 24. 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 a 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. Wednesday@6: Institute of Directors informal networking at the Radisson Blu Hotel 6-8pm, Wednesday, August 6. Non members welcome. Free but to register call 0117 3707785 or email iod.southwest@iod.com. 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 the QR code below.

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Wednesday@6: Institute of Directors informal networking at the Radisson Blu Hotel 6-8pm, Wednesday, August 20. Non members welcome. Free but to register call 0117 3707785 or email iod.southwest@iod.com. 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.

ALL centre workers from across the region celebrated their successes at the South West Contact Centre Awards, which aim to recognise the best workers and good service within the sector. Jane Thomas, managing director of the South West Contact Centre Forum, told the audience: “The growth and success of the industry within the last year has surpassed that of any other and I am proud to be involved in such a dedicated and thriving sector.” Winners on the night including Bristol News & Media’s own Jonny Snell, who took the trainer of year prize for his work developing the telesales team here. Other winners included: ● Contact Centre of the Year: Screwfix, with Curo highly commended ● Performance and Quality award: Winners Serco ● Best Shared Services initiative, sponsored by Nexidia, went to SouthWest One ● Best People Engagement, sponsored by Therapy Solutions, was Imperial Tobacco ● Best Application of Technology, sponsored by Interactive Intelligence, was LV= Bristol ● Best Outsourced Contact Centre was won by Captia Life and Pensions, with Carpeo highly commended. ● Support manager of the Year went jointly to Julia Whiteley (Jaywing) and Helen Bennett (InterCall Europe) with Alan Hughes of Panacea Finance highly commended. Katy Forsyth, director of ceremony sponsors Red Contact Centres, said: “The South West is a great region for contact centres which employs highly talented and passionate individuals.”

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

community out and about Farnborough International Airshow

● The A400M in flight. Its wings are made in Filton

● A group of Airbus apprentices and graduates, some from Filton, in front of the A350 XWB with Thierry Baril, centre, chief HR officer, Airbus Group, and Mark Stewart, right, Filton site manager and HR director

● Apprentices from Airbus inside the A350 WXB

● The A380 coming in to land

● The A350 in flight

● The C295 in flight

● The E-FAN Airbus Group Innovations battery powered plane

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● Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, talking to Airbus President and CEO Fabrice Bregier

ALES took off for Airbus as it hailed its best every performance at the biennial Farnborough International Airshow. The company, which employs 4,000 people at Filton, started the week by announcing plans to build new A330 800 and 900 models with more fuel efficient engines. That was soon followed by deals mainly from plane leasing firms, committing to 121 of the new planes. All told, the firm logged new business for 496 aircraft, with its best-selling A320 family leading the way with 363 orders and commitments announced. The biggest was SMBC Aviation Capital’s order for 110 A320 neo and five A320 ceo. Airbus showed off its newest plane, the A350XWB, signing a memorandum of understanding from Air Mauritius for six of them. The firm will also benefit from £152 million of Government investment in the sector announced by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. It will be spent on projects such as developing lighter wings and aircraft frames through the National Composites Centre in Emerson’s Green. Bristol was well represented by other companies too, including big names GKN and Rolls-Royce, as well as smaller firms too. The West of England Aerospace Forum had a stand featuring 16 SMEs showcasing their products. Invest Bristol & Bath sent a delegation looking to build relationships. Its sector champion Barry Warburton said he must have walked five miles a day as he prowled the stands making contacts. He said: “I am confident as a result of strong foundations laid in recent years Bristol is getting a good reputation as a place for investment.” He said his talks had been not just with the aerospace sector but also marine power firms who see potential in the same skills and technology being applied in their sector too. “Now it’s about following it up,” he said. “There’s a lot of work ahead.”

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

The back page

Your digest of the week in business

Places

contribution to sustainable development. Born in Southville, he founded JT Group in 1961 making a name in green issues around construction and urban renewal. And Andrew Gregg has become a Doctor of Laws. After working as a partner at Osborne Clarke in Bristol for 20 years he founded his own firm, now Gregg Latchams. In somewhat unusual move, UWE Vice Chancellor Steve West was given an honorary degree himself... by Bristol University. Steve was made Doctor of Laws for his work in healthcare and for Bristol. His many roles in the city include President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce.

● More signs of the Bristol property market gently heating up this week. Alder King and JLL have secured a further letting at Whitefriars, a landmark city centre office. The University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has taken the 5,143 sq ft, doubling its space, on a 10-year lease. The office was refurbished last year by investment firm owners Topland and 26,569 sq ft has been let in the last 12 months. Ben Ryan, asset manager at Topland said: “We are delighted to have leased further space in the building to take us up to 80 per cent let following our refurbishment strategy, which we will now roll out to the remaining five available suites. When we acquired the building two years ago, it was only 60 per cent let.”

And the rest ● Above, Whitefriars, the landmark city centre office. Left, Amy Weston, spa manager at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House, in Congresbury

● Meanwhile brick cladding supplier Eurobrick Systems has leased a 12,528 sq ft industrial site at Newbridge Trading Estate on a 10-year lease, moving from its old Brislington base. At the same time DS Smith Corrugated Packaging Ltd, represented by Granby Martin Vine, has taken 45,660 sq ft of space at the estate on a 15-year lease. DTZ was involved in both deals and Phil Cranstone from its industrial agency team said: “The expansion of two locally based businesses is also another positive story for the Bristol economy.”

People ● When it comes to promotion, you can’t judge people on their looks. But beauty therapist Amy Weston may have been judged on how she’s helped her customers to look good. The 24-year-old, who studied at Weston College, has been made spa manager at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House, in Congresbury. Amy, who worked on cruise ships after college, said: “I feel so proud of what I have accomplished so far and I’m really excited to put all my energy and passion into making the spa the best it can be. We’ve also got a really great team which makes my job a lot easier!”

● Another local firm is spicing up its senior team. Bart Spices has appointed Steve Newiss, chief customer officer at Burton’s Biscuits, as a non-executive director. Steve, who spent 20 years at Kraft Foods, said he hoped to help the business “push on to the next level”. Chief executive David Collard added: “Steve’s experience and reputation in the industry not only in the UK but globally will be invaluable over the next few years as Bart accelerates its growth both organically and through acquisition.”

● Some interesting names from the business community among those awarded honorary degrees in the past week. Alexandra Workwear founder John Prior was rewarded by UWE’s Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education as a result of his work for the Prince’s Trust. He has ben involved for many years and is now chairman of the trust’s council in the South West. Mark Mason, founder of Clifton-based app developer Mubaloo, has been made a Doctor of Technology. John Ponton was made a Doctor of Science, recognising his

● It was a good week for UWE. The university was named as a finalist in the 2014 National Business Awards, in the Blackberry Business Enabler of the Year category. Simon Feary, chief executive of the Chartered Quality Institute and one of the judge’s, described UWE as: “A real business enabler across a broad range of initiatives. UWE mines its rich vein of talent really effectively, showing what can be done to benefit business when intellectual capital is combined with commercial nous.” The winners are announced in November. ● And it was a good week too for SMEs and jobseekers, it seems. A survey by The HR Dept found 58 per cent of SMEs surveyed in the city were gearing up for growth and looking to recruit in the next six months. The firm reports demand for its expertise in Bristol is also on the rise, with use of its recruitment services up 14 per cent. Founder and managing director Sue Tumelty said: “Our survey clearly shows rising confidence in the economy among small employers who are intent on growing their businesses. “It is good to see that those businesses are also investing in the advice and support to help them make the right people choices: certainly there is more caution about ensuring the recruitment strategy is right and investing in appointments wisely.”

In numbers Inflation (CPI)

1.9 2.6 0.6 0.5 3.99

Inflation (RPI)

Weekly earnings

Base interest rate

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Roger Stone Construction Industry Training Board

faces a worrying skills shortage. The number of apprentices coming in has dropped in the last few years and employers are now struggling to keep up with recent surge in demand – driven mainly by the sharp increase in output in private housing market. In the South West, our research shows that from 2014–2018 more than 30,000 new recruits will be needed and of those we’ll need around 13,650 apprentices coming through. Wood trades, painters and decorators and electrical and plumbing roles will be most in demand. To drill down even further and

identify in greater detail the skills needs particular to the West of England, CITB has been in talks with the Local Enterprise Partnership and the four unitary councils to consider setting up a joint investment strategy that would look to address local employers skills needs as well as filling in local gaps. CITB has agreed to fund £500,000 of additional training that is matched by the City/LEP. The joint investment plan would then have £1 million to invest in to local skills gaps and training. This new initiative would look at a variety of options of growth through business, people and local initiatives. Targets would concentrate on reskilling unemployed construction workers, engaging with the unemployed and NEETs, providing business skills to local companies and embedding em-

ployment and skills in to procurement and planning contracts through the National Skills Academy for Construction’s client based approach. Priority would be given to areas where there are identifiable gaps and support local growth. Joint investment talks have been ongoing and have the support of the mayor and the LEP chair but the identity of the city’s match funding still delays progress. Nevertheless, there has been a great deal of enthusiasm and optimism from both parties thus far and CITB will do everything we can to work with local government to get this off the ground. The more training opportunities we can provide the more we can publicise construction careers and allow more people to follow in Luke’s footsteps.

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

Cambridge & 1.8% Counties Bank £10,000 deposit

The op-ed column

HAT the recent Bristol and Bath Apprentice of the Year Award went to Luke Naish, a construction apprentice, was a proud moment for the industry. To know that gifted, talented and driven young people like Luke are coming into construction is rewarding. As a sector we compete with so many others to attract the brightest and best out there, and it’s no mean feat. Construction sadly still suffers from a negative and dated reputation, scattered with stereotypes of ‘cowboy builders’ and ‘jobs for the boys’. To add to that we’ve just gone through a deep recession which has further damaged the industry’s appeal and recruitment prospects. Although the industry is moving slowly out of recession, the sector still

Ave mortgage rate %

Source:

Proud moment hopefully points way to future

Petrol prices .35p

131 135 139 70

Unleaded

.71p Diesel

.93p Super unleaded

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Source: PetrolPrices.com