Business 29 October 2014 by BGSD-cs

MANUFACTURING

BUSINESS RATES

BRAD SUGARS

Former F1 wheel maker mulls move to city factory – p3

Shopping centres back our campaign for reform – p4

No-holds-barred talk energises business leaders – p11

OCT

2014

SPECIAL REPORT

FAMILY GUY Brian Robbins joined family firm Robbins’ Timber as a labourer 70 years ago. Now the chairman, his firm’s still growing – and he’s not going anywhere soon.

– Pages 6&7

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Construction

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Creative industries

Dream roles for Bristol City supporters? ● IT could be a dream role for any Bristol City fans among the construction trade... subcontractors are being sought for the Ashton Gate stadium redevelopment. Main contractor Barr Construction, along with club owner Bristol Sport and government construction database Constructionline are working together to find local companies to work on the £45 million scheme. More than 50 contracts are available ranging from construction to fit out of the stadium – which is home to Bristol City and now Bristol Rugby – from interiors to exteriors including scaffolding, plastering, turnstiles and seating. Mike Henderson, project manager at Barr Construction, said: “We have significant experience of delivering state-of-the-art sporting facilities for clients all over the UK and we are confident local contractors will see this as a great opportunity to become involved in an interesting construction challenge. At Barr, we are committed to giving opportunities to local businesses wherever possible and the upcoming event will allow us to meet with south west contractors and discuss how our activities in Bristol can benefit them.” Martin Griffiths, pictured, chairman of Bristol Sport, which is managing the rebuild added: “It is a great opportunity for Bristol businesses to get involved. We want local people to benefit from this multi-million pound project. It is estimated that up to 400 job opportunities will be created during the two-year build. We hope lots of local contractors come and talk to Barr about the possibilities ahead.” The industry is suffering from a shortage of skilled subcontractors as the economic recover filters through to the ground. An event for potential subcontractors takes palce Dolman Exhibition Hall, Ashton Gate Stadium, from 4pm to 8pm tomorrow.

● Andy Mackinson, left, and John Tugman, of Brunel Print in Bedminster, which has invested £1.5 million in new equipment

Print still thriving Firm invests £1.5m in cutting-edge technology Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

HE demise of print has been long predicted but nothing could be further from the truth, judging by one Bristol company. BrunelPrint has invested £1.5 million in the latest print technology to support Bristol’s thriving creative sector. While most people focus on social media and digital media, printed materials remain a major part of the marketing mix. Marketing and other creative companies employ 16,000 people in Bristol and Bath, and contribute £60 million to the South West economy. Which was evidence enough for the

Bedminster firm to invest in high-end, advanced print and finishing technologies. The new equipment, include a Motioncutter & Scodix printer, means the firm can print bespoke marketing materials in quantities from one to 10,000 using advanced finishing techniques to give effects such as water droplets on a bottle or the grain of leather on a luxury product. John Tugman, director of commercial print, said: “Despite the fact that we’ve only just taken receipt of the new equipment, interest is high. “We’ve already joined forces with Bristol Media, the local members’ organisation for creative businesses, to become a preferred industry supplier and print a range of personalised materials for its upcoming Vision conference in November.” The firm traces its roots back to

1844 when Elisha Smith Robinson founded the Bristol Printing & Packaging Company. Somewhat more recently it has appointed John to spearhead its new initiative. He was part of the team at BrunelPrint which created the personalised greeting cards business Funky Pigeon, before selling it on to a major high street retailer. The firm aims to learn from the success of Funky Pigeon by helping businesses personalise the way they communicate with customers on a one-to-one basis. John said: “In some ways it’s natural for us to be at the forefront of innovations in print technologies and personalisation when you think back to the foundations of our business. “When Elisha Smith Robinson bought his first equipment due to the opportunity that steam-powered

presses gave commercial printing, he was quick to exploit this by printing the name of grocers’ shops on the side of customer bags. “Realising the market for this type of personalisation, he quickly started doing the same with calendars and other business stationery. “More than 150 years on and our business is still centred on helping clients to exploit the latest in printing technologies to create deeper relationships with their customers.” As part of its growth plans, the firm recently recruited Andy Mackinson as its commercial print manager. Andy joins has worked as a creative director and designer previously for brands such as Sony, Dolce & Gabanna, Louis Vuitton, Harrods and the BBC.

● ANOTHER PRINT SUCCESS: PAGE 10

Healthcare

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Pioneers of wearable technology BRISTOL is perfectly placed to take advantage of the huge potential of wearable technology in the healthcare industry. That’s the view of Cities and Universities Minister Greg Clark, who was in Bristol as part of the President of Singapore’s State visit to the UK. The minister said there were “huge applications” for wearable technology in healthcare around the world. And he said Bristol had vital the combination of research skills and technology businesses to make the most of the opportunity. Mr Clark said: “Bristol has expertise across a technology, innovation and design. “This is one area where you can

bring these strengths together.” He was speaking at the launch of the Sensor Platform for HEalthcare in a Residential Environment (SPHERE). The project focuses on developing sensor systems to monitor the health and wellbeing in the home, such as: ●How video analytics can be used to benefit the older population by helping to prevent falls. ● A prototype interactive data “dashboard” that displays real-time information from various sensors. The dashboard is the first step to understanding how clinicians will interact with health sensor data. ● An internet-enabled wearable prototype for monitoring vital signs.

The project is a partnership that includes Bristol City Council, IBM, Toshiba and Knowle West Media Centre. The President of Singapore Tony Tan was on hand as to witnesses the signing a memorandum of understanding between the University of Bristol and the Nanyang Technological University to collaborate on healthcare research. Mr Clark added: “As global leaders, forging these strong academic partnerships together will improve healthcare technology and boost economic growth even further.” Professor Bertil Andersson, President of NTU Singapore, said: “The UK and Singapore have much to gain

● MP Greg Clark Minister for Universities and Science with Dr Massimo BRML20141023D-004_C Complain, of the University of Bristol from combining our strengths in technology and innovation to im-

prove care among vulnerable populations, including the elderly. “

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Manufacturing

Squash Stix strikes big Virgin trains deal

● Engineer Simon Hardisty working on a carbon fibre wheel

● A BUSINESS manufacturing and selling single portions of squash concentrate has secured a big new contract. Squash Stix, a small but growing Bristol business, has won contract to supply Virgin Trains passengers. Virgin passengers travelling first class at the weekend receive a complimentary box of snacks with a bottle of water and a Squash Stix. The firm’s managing director Tom Anderson-Dixon said: “I’m very pleased to be working with Virgin

to offer Squash Stix to customers. “The feedback we have had from customers so far is overwhelming and we hope to use this as a platform into the travel sector. “We have already been approached by numerous firms on the back of the launch.” Squash Stix also recently started to supply Flybe for its staff drinks offering onboard aircraft, and the NHS for patients, as a way of encouraging increased rehydration within hospitals to increase patient recovery.

On track Former F1 wheel maker could invest in city factory Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

● Chris Shelley of Dymag

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COMPANY that built its reputation supplying the wheels on which Nigel Mansell and Ayrton Senna mastered Formula One circuits around the globe plans to invest in a new factory at the cutting edge of the industry, hopefully in Bristol. Dymag was a top supplier of wheels for the car and motorbike racing world in the 1980s and 1990s but eventually fell behind better resourced rivals and went bust. Former owner Chris Shelley has since bought the remnants of the company, including the expertise and designs for using the latest composite materials, and is embarking on a plan to not just restore past glories, but leave them for dust. The Bristolian, brought up in Frenchay, plans to expand the business in two ways. One by adding cycle wheels to the mix but first by moving the composite and carbon car wheels it produces from racing cars into the potentially lucrative, and much bigger, supercar market. The company is based in Chippenham but for Chris’ vision to become reality it needs to grow. He is weighing up three options, expanding the current base, moving to South Wales with the possible lure of Welsh government incentives, or relocating to Bristol’s northern fringe. “I want to keep this business in the UK,” he said. As a Bristolian, he would be keen to base it here but it will be a business decision. “There are three factors that drive the ultimate location,” he said. “Where are your customers, where can you get access to the right technical support and technology and finally, cost.” While Wales might have a lure of public money to attract the investment, Bristol’s big draw is in expertise. “Bristol has a great cluster of knowledge with the National Composites Centre (NCC) here,” said Chris. “If we can find a way to do this here we’ll be rubbing shoulders with big players in the composite industry and that’s one of the big attractions of this centre. “We are talking to NCC about how we can take orders of magnitude of cost out of our product. The performance of composite wheels is proven, the issue is how to you make it

quicker and cheaper. “We want to work with NCC to use its fantastic testing facilities and equipment to build pilot products and projects in order to go out and build out our own infrastructure.” Chris said the market was going to “explode” partly due to European environmental legislation coming into force in 2018 which is making car makers focus on weight. Currently composite wheels are only in the after-care market but Chris believes the legislation will see high-end car manufacturers start to adopt them. “Every gram counts,” he said. “Wheels have disproportionately large impact on weight as it’s a big rotating mass and you’ve got four of them. “But to get car manufacturers to adopt it we are looking at trying to get the cost down by 50 per cent over the next three to five years,” he said. “£20,000 for a set of four wheels is a lot of money.” Chris is re-financing the business, after that he will start to “tool-up” – make the tools for manufacturing – ready to be producing car wheels by March next year. At the same time he is hammering out the details of his collaboration with NCC and aims to have a site and factory built by the end of 2015. “I can do that with £1 million,” he said. “The following year if we get the traction that investment could rise to £5-10 million. The vision is by 2018-19 to be “bashing out” 25,000 car wheel sets a year, employing 100-200 people in mostly skilled high end production jobs. For Bristol, the benefit could be wider than just those jobs. The city is a world leader in composite technology for the aerospace industry. Around the NNC, it has the potential to expand to the automotive industry. Dymag maybe small, it currently employs eight people turning over £500,000 a year, but if Bristol is to break into the automotive market, luring small companies with big dreams could be the road to success. “The world has woken up to this market,” said Chris. “This is an area where the UK is as strongly positioned as anyone. But we have to move. Now is the time.”

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Property

Gridlock drives up demand for fringe ● GROWING traffic and parking problems are driving demand for out-of-town offices, according to a property agent. Paul Williams at Bruton Knowles’ Bristol office, says daily traffic gridlock – exacerbated by ever expanding residential parking areas – risks turning the city into a no-go area as companies and individuals vote with their feet and look towards fringe locations to house their businesses in order to avoid the traffic problems. He said: “With easier road access and plentiful parking, out of town offices are definitely in vogue again. “This is partly fuelled by a combination of increased levels of demand in the city centre and the increasing scarcity of quality accommodation resulting from recent changes to legislation which have made it far easier to convert empty offices into residential accommodation. “But clients are also reporting

“ Speaking from experience, commuting into Bristol from outlying areas has become more and more difficult. widespread dissatisfaction with Bristol’s congestion and parking problems and are looking to make their lives easier by basing themselves on the popular north Bristol fringe. “Speaking from experience, commuting into Bristol from outlying areas has become more and more difficult over the past few years, and I’m sure that this is contributing to the recent increase in demand for out of town locations.” The firm is marketing a number of offices at sites such as small sites at Vantage Park on the Old Gloucester Road, where it thinks small, flexible units will appeal to some smaller firms who want to get out of the traffic jams.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Business rates ● Clifton Down Shopping Centre, Whiteladies Road, BRBE20141027C-2 Bristol

Rates reform Shopping centres back campaign Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

HOPPING centres in the city and further afield are backing the Bristol Post’s campaign calling for serious reform of business rates. The Post is calling for: ●Greater local control over how rates are spent so they can be used to encourage more investment and job creation. This happens around enterprise zones, such as Temple Quarter, and is being used to help fund the Bristol Arena, but should become the norm. ● A simpler system that small businesses can understand. ●Break the deterrent to expansion. This could be done by replacing rates with a local sales tax or a profits tax. Andrew Lowrey, centre manager at Yate Shopping Centre, said business

● Rikki Teml rates had become an increasing issue for tenants, “The cost of business rates for tenants are getting closer to rents,” he said. “Rental prices have fallen and rates have risen. It used to be that if your rent was £100,000 a year, your business rates would be 30-40 per cent of that, so £30-40,000. Now your rent might be £60-70,000 but your rates are still £30-40,000.”

He said that made it particularly tough for independent shops. “We want a mix of shops, not just big retailers,” he said. “If a fruit and veg operator was looking for a retail unit, we as a landlord could do a deal and offer incentives on rents to get them in but when people look at the business rates, they are huge and we can’t do anything about that.” He added: “The level of business rates doesn’t help when you are trying to find tenants.” Rikki Teml, operations manager at Clifton Down Shopping Centre, said: “I think reform is needed. If you take what you pay in council tax, for that you get a lot of services, the council takes your waste and cuts the grass verges. “What you pay in business rates, you don’t really get any services – you still have to pay your own waste collection and for street cleaning. “It needs reform not just in terms of the costs but what you got for it too.”

Food

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Retailer invests £3.2m in city store revamps FOOD retailer The Co-operative is investing £3.2 million in a rolling programme to transform its stores across the Bristol area. The latest to benefit was the Avonmouth store, which reopened following the £350,000 refit last week. The makeovers aim to redefine the stores with a better in-store bakery range, more healthy fresh foods and more meal ideas rather than just individual products. So far, the firm reports the revamps have delivered on average doubledigit sales growth.

Mike Pengelly, regional operations manager for The Co-operative Food, said: “I am delighted that there has been such significant investment in the Bristol area. “The new format stores form part of our new food strategy, they are delivering real growth and helping us to achieve our ambition of becoming the UK’s number one convenience food retailer. “In addition to improvements in the store environment, innovations in our own-brand, ‘Loved by us’, range, plus, a commitment to lower-

● Sophia McCormack and friends from the Waycroft Academy open the revamped Stockwood Co-operative convenience store after a re-fit

SIGN THE PLEDGE ● We are calling for business leaders, owners and entrepreneurs to sign-up to our call for business rates reform. Simply scan this QR code or go to bristolpost.co.uk/business.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH RATES? ● Business rates are linked to RPI, which is seen as an unpredictable measure of inflation. Property values are out of date and don’t follow the market. When the economy crashed, business rates didn’t fall with it making them a heavy burden on business in hard times. In fact, rents fell in the crises, but rates rose. They discourage expansion and investment. Rates discourage firms from taking on more space because their tax bill goes up even if profits don’t. They discourage retailers from taking the step onto the high street and penalise bricks-and-mortar against online competition. The result is empty shops and offices.

ing prices on hundreds of everyday essentials under our ‘Fair and Square prices’ banner are also contributing to growth. “As a member-owned co-operative, our new-look stores will also work to establish a distinctive community connection. We are piloting dedicated colleagues called Community Pioneers, a title which harks back to the original Rochdale Pioneers and sees colleagues working to foster real community partnerships, from fundraising initiatives to helping to understand and develop solutions to meet local community need.” Recently re-launched stores include Holloway Road, Stockwood, which re-launched last month, and Bishopsworth Road, Bedminster Down. Stores in Broomhill Road and Whitchurch are scheduled for major makeovers ahead of the Christmas trading period.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Technology

Start-ups

‘Heartwarming to see’ 3D-printed robotic hand a first Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

MAN who was born without a hand has been fitted with a 3D-printed robotic one, thanks to a Bristol engineer. Joel Gibbard, 24-year-old founder of Open Bionics, has been working to develop robotic hands at a fraction of the current market price to make them more affordable. Daniel Melville, 23, from Reading, was born without a right hand and contacted Joel after seeing his crowd-funding campaign to develop affordable robotic hands last year. He volunteered to help Joel test his products. He visited Joel at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory where his right arm was scanned with a 3D sensor, a mesh created and then a 3D printer used to create the hand. It is believed to be the first time a custom-fit hand has been made on a 3D printer. The socket took 40 hours to print, which sounds like a long time but is a lot less than

manufacturing other ways, but fit first time. Daniel said: “It fitted like a glove. I can’t believe how easy that was. Usually I’d have to have a mould taken of my arm then wait weeks or months to get the socket.” Daniel said he had stopped wearing his cosmetic prosthetic hand because it got in the way. He said: “This is great now and it will continue to get better but it would have been amazing to have this when I was younger. I would have loved a 3D-printed Power Ranger hand. It would have made me feel better about my difference. “There are robotic hands out there that I can buy but they’re more expensive than my car. Who can afford that?” Joel said: “It was heartwarming to see something I’ve been working on for a year give someone some extra capabilities. Watching Dan write, pick things up, and just play with stuff was pretty exciting for everyone. I did get to shake the hand I made on Dan and it was a bit surreal.” “The next hand I’ve designed weighs half the amount as that prototype which will make a huge difference for the user and it looks far better.” He hopes to have an affordable robotic prosthetic on the market next year.

Hive business centre already one third full ● NORTH Somerset’s new business centre, The Hive, is one-third full – just three months on from its official opening. Located in the Business Quarter of Weston Park in the Junction 21 Enterprise Area of Weston-superMare, The Hive was opened by North Somerset Enterprise Agency (NSEA) in July, to provide the workspace, facilities and support that start-up, small and growing businesses need, all under one roof. It offers workspace with easy-in easy-out terms, conference and meeting rooms for the use of tenants and the wider community, a business lounge, hot desks and virtual office tenancies, alongside business advice, support and training from NSEA’s team of experienced business advisors, who are based on-site. Its first eight tenants, which between them occupy 13 offices and 33 per cent of available office space, include; high-technology research and development company Xenint Limited, chartered town planning consultancy services provider Renplan and telecommunications services provider First Class Comms. Chief executive Angela Hicks said: “Whilst we have had high hopes for The Hive, tenant numbers are above plan and meeting room use has exceeded expectations.” John Reynolds, director of Xenint, said: “The Hive offers a very modern and fresh facility located in a prime position.”

● Daniel Melville tries out his 3D printed hand

Finance

Record figures for lender Among the businesses to benefit from SWIG Finance lending in Bristol was Brislington-based catering company A Fair Shot, which provides office lunches and caters for corporate clients and events. The company first received a £1,500 loan in 2011 to improve its retail outlet in Sandy Park, before resulting increased cashflow led to investment in contract catering facilities. A second loan of £2,000 in March 2012 saw the purchase of a second delivery van and, following the employment of more staff for the contract catering side of the business, a third loan of £20,000 earlier this year has facilitated a move to new premises in Whitefriars. Recently, sports physio Shawnika Sergeant opened her Up And Running clinic in St George thanks to a £6,000 loan from SWIG Finance, after becoming too busy to continue working from home. She said: “Without their support I don't think my business would have been able to have its own premises. “My business and client base has grown and the signs which the money went towards are bringing in passing trade, which I never had before. “It’s been a real help.”

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THE Bristol office of a regional funding group has celebrated the organisation’s 25th anniversary with record figures, after lending more than £130,000 in the city in the last quarter. SWIG Finance lent £138,650 to 21 Bristol companies in July, August and September – the most it has lent in one quarter since the group was set up in 1989. Across the South West, the organisation posted record figures of more than £1.4 million loaned, supporting more than 100 businesses ranging from start-up companies to existing firms looking to invest in future growth. Available funding streams include the Government-backed Start Up Loan scheme, Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund finance for businesses with growth potential and the South West Microcredit Fund which is also European funding. In Bristol, the SWIG office is based in The Coach House in Upper York Street and is staffed by Fund Managers Graham Mitchell and Sarah Osborn. Regionally, the record figures were marked at the 25th anniversary celebrations for SWIG Finance, held near Truro in Cornwall.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Special feature

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

WHO TO CALL ON YOUR DOORSTEP RBS Mentor rbsmentor.co.uk Richard James 07748 887 939 Lombard (Asset Finance) lombard.co.uk Phil Ollerenshaw 07876 390 916

A DIFFERENT MINDSET BEYOND SELLING A PRODUCT Chris Price, Regional Managing Director South and South Wales (future Williams & Glynn). Here he explains why he wants to see a more old-fashioned approach to banking make a comeback, focused on mutually-beneficial relationships between bank and business.

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e work with all types of businesses, from start-ups to established companies. Start-ups of today could become the corporates of tomorrow and that’s why we like to build a relationship which enables us to support a business throughout its journey. “We’re proud to have a team of dedicated local relationship managers who are accessible, face to face or on the phone, to talk and, more importantly, listen. In addition, behind every relationship manager, there is a whole team of specialists making sure that we keep our customers’ interests at the heart of everything we do. “We believe entrepreneurs are the key to helping the local economy grow and prosper - and what’s good for the local economy is good for everyone. “We don’t do things just because it generates income for us. We are genuinely interested and passionate about helping

local businesses and we do what we think is the right thing to do. That means integrating ourselves into local communities; it means helping. “We have developed a network of support for businesses, drawing together professionals from many organisations and creating inspiration and support for businesses planning the next stages of their growth. “Questions from our customers are not limited to finance. I could be answering questions as basic as: ‘How do you employ somebody?’ or it could be: ‘How do you set up some performance management?’ It’s going beyond just talking banking. PROVIDING SUPPORT “Early on, a small business is, understandably, just interested in sales; some just haven’t got the time to devote to other important considerations, such as forward planning and strategy. I’m keen to really add value by providing

We have a duty to be able to connect our customers to the people they need to make their business successful: their success is our success.

the support that businesses want. “All banks give out a message: Write a business plan and be clear about your funding. The difference with RBS is that we have adopted a practical approach. “I tell my team to ask themselves, every month: ‘What have you done that is positive, proactive and visible?’ “If you get that right, the numbers will look after themselves. “It’s a different mind-set that’s beyond just selling a product. It’s about creating a relationship built on mutual understanding from the start, and this should lead to a relationship that is long lasting. REAL RELATIONSHIP “I have noticed a difference in the way we operate. If a customer comes to us and says: ‘I need some finance to buy some machinery’, then we haven’t got a good enough relationship. “What we want is the customer to come to the relationship manager and say: ‘I’m thinking about

investing in some machinery.’ Then we’re part of that process. We’re not just advisors, it’s a real relationship. “We have a duty to be able to connect our customers to the people they need to make their business successful - their success is our success. PERSONAL TOUCH “We’re launching a ‘new’ bank for UK personal and business customers, Williams & Glyn. It has a good heritage in UK banking and will provide retail and business banking services to customers via its network of more than 300 branches around the country, as well as online, on the phone and via mobile services. “Williams & Glyn can offer a brilliant combination of a trusted, old-fashioned, personal touch, plus all the benefits of modern, on-the-go technology. “We’ve asked customers to help in designing and building the bank, so we’re confident we’re offering what they want, right from day one.”

Private Banking Dominic Chadwick 07789 481 378 Business Banking Gavin Wintrell, Business Manager 07920 502 685 RBS Invoice Finance rbsif.co.uk Ian Hussey, Relationship Manager 0117 9544378 or 07766 206 003 External RBS contacts Bristol Chamber of Commerce businesswest.co.uk/ bristol 01275 373 373 Gregg Latchams Limited 7 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JE 01179 069 407

So, how do you get funding? Got a great idea and need funds to finance it? Follow these tips to get noticed... It may look like a bit of paper, but you hold in your hand the most powerful piece of text you’ll ever possess – your business plan. You believe in it but will the bank? You may be passionate about your ideas but your financial provider will need to see your targets are achievable. Top points you’ll need in your plan are: Where you want your business to be long-term Who your customers are and who your competitors are How much money you’ll need and what it will be used for What are your business objectives? How will you achieve them? You need to be brutally honest. Are your costs in line? Will profits pay back the loan? And here’s the tough one: would YOU lend yourself the cash based on the plan? RBS is all ears for business ideas and can offer a variety of funding options. So, fine tune that business plan and there’s a wealth of funding out there. SECURITY MAY BE REQUIRED. PRODUCT FEES MAY APPLY. OVER 18S ONLY. ANY PROPERTY USED AS SECURITY, WHICH MAY INCLUDE YOUR HOME, MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON A MORTGAGE OR OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT

Connect to business insight and opportunities with RBS.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Special feature

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

THE NETWORK YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

EMBRACE THE ONLINE WORLD

one are the days of walking to your bank with a stash of payments, invoices and cheques. In an information-driven age, companies who don’t use online banking are, quite simply, at a competitive disadvantage. With online banking, you can check your balance in a meeting, make or receive payments on the train or track invoices as you queue for a coffee – all via your PC, laptop or mobile phone. RBS has a range of online banking services to suit all your business needs, from Bankline and Bankline Lite – where you can carry out a wide range of regular transactions – to the Business Banking App for selected Blackberry, Android and iPhone devices – where you can manage accounts, check balances and transfer money. RBS also supports Bizcrowd – a business social network – and there’s so much more. bizcrowd.com. To register for online services, you need to be a RBS current account holder. Call us today to speak to one of our team. Opening hours: 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Calls may be recorded. Call 0800 529 8403

Building the right connections is essential for a business to thrive

espite facing challenges, with the impact of the flooding earlier this year, the South West has had a good couple of years economically. Manufacturing is looking good, with the latest Barometer survey from Manufacturing Advisory Services (MAS) showing 58 percent of SME manufacturers in the region increased sales in the last six months and nearly three-quarters expected sales to rise before the end of the year. Director of Corporate Banking for Bristol Steve Wilson is proud of how local businesses are thriving and has witnessed the rise in entrepreneurial spirit – and his team are playing their part. “Whether you’re an established local business, or just starting out, my team and I strive to help you reach your full potential,” Steve explains. “If local business does well, then it has a positive impact on the local economy, which is important for everyone. It’s in our best interests to work together.” Steve has a team of 10 relationship managers, with decades of experience, to steer local businesses through the good times and bad. They can meet you at your convenience and really get a sense of your business – that way they can work out how to help you the most.

Steve Wilson, Director of RBS Corporate Banking Bristol

“Part of our role involves finance, but we’re eager to show we offer so much more,” Steve explains. “Every business needs connections to thrive and our network in the local community is full of likeminded professionals and organisations that could take your business further. “You can attend our business events and seminars and develop

skills to help you tackle any potential challenges you might face. It’s all part of the service.” To keep your business always one step ahead, RBS offers facilities for when you’re on the go, such as 24/7 telephone and online banking. The Bristol team can guide you through the complexities of international banking or help you see the wider picture when it comes to planning for the future, and the bank’s online business community, Bizcrowd, is a useful go-to resource. “Right now, we have a fantastic portfolio of local businesses, from healthcare to retail, from manufacturing to hospitality. Every single one is unique, which is why our packages are tailored to you,” Steve says. “Whether you’re purchasing new equipment, hiring staff or developing a new product, we’ll sit down with you and guide you through the process. If we can’t help you, we’ll find someone who can.” After almost 30 years in banking, Steve knows how much every local business needs support and his team does too. “We’ve helped hundreds of businesses achieve success and we want to do the same for you.”

“THE BANK UNDERSTANDS OUR BUSINESS” Gina Fucci is Managing Director of Films at 59.

Films at 59 is a television and film post-production company in Bristol. They have 135 employees and provide services to over 1000 programme makers globally. In their 25 year history, they have serviced the production of 50,000 hours of content for TV, film and the web. Films at 59 has invested in the latest equipment and training to provide the best service for its clients as managing director Gina Fucci explains: “We started in 1990 because we wanted to create a business to serve the production community in Bristol and also across the world. We support production with cutting edge technological solutions so they can realise their creative ambitions and stay on budget. We work on everything from fast-turnaround production, such as daytime genres, right through to feature film production.

“We provide equipment and assistance for any location – we’ve provided kit in all climates: ‘From minus 20 degrees to plus 40 degrees’. “RBS has been our bank for 25 years and, even when the opportunity has arisen to change banks, we have declined. In my opinion, RBS has been instrumental for us. For me, we have a traditional banking relationship - we communicate regularly and are open about our business. We believed in our bank through the tough times in 2008 – as they’ve always believed in us. It is our relationship manager that is the key to that trust. We take out leases with them and loans for growth as our industry is investment heavy in new technology. “In the last 10 years our business has grown and we have used the bank’s robust services to fuel that growth for our clients. “But most of all, the bank understands our business.’ www.filmsat59.com

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www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Family business

HOLD ONTO YOUR VALUES – BUT There’s something a bit special about family businesses, but they face their own challenges too. Gavin Thompson reports

HAT words spring to mind when you think of the phrase “family business”? Tradition? Heritage? Values? Perhaps not, however, change, evolution or adaptable. But any long-standing family business will have proved itself adept at all of those things in order to thrive in an ever-changing world. Penny Lovell, head of private client services at Close Brothers Asset Management, often works with family firms helping them with investment and financial planning services. She has worked with numerous firms with “fascinating” stories behind them and says change is key to their success. “My message is hold onto those family values but don’t let your values hold you back from progress,”

“ Some of these family businesses have been around for three, or four or five generations. The reason for that is that they have allowed themselves to embrace the new age. Penny Lovell

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she said. “Don’t get stuck in a rut. Some of these businesses have been around for three, or four or five generations, the reason for that is that they have allowed themselves to change and embrace the new age. “In this generation that might be about embracing digital. You should hold onto your sense of your values but make sure you are flexible and you embrace change.” Family businesses account for an astonishing 59 per cent of South West firms, employing nine million people. Across the UK, they account for 40 per cent of private sector jobs, 30 per cent of turnover and pay £81.7 billion in tax every year. Penny said one of the messages she received back from the firms she worked with is that they want more education on issues such as pensions

● Nicola Payne, Jon Payne, Natasha Baldwin and Josh Baldwin of Noisy Little Monkey

● Penny Lovell, of Close Brothers

and succession planning, which are often particularly challenging in a family setting. For example, business owners might not have saved for a pension because they are expecting their business to support them in retirement. But is that realistic? And how would it work? Another common issue is transfer of ownership through the generations.

The latest headache that could cause family firms an extra complication is holiday pay. A recent legal case suggested that such pay should include commission not just basic salary. Charlotte Williams, of Bristol-based law firm VWV, said family firms were particularly vulnerable. “Family businesses often rely on the goodwill of their employees more

than others,” she said. “Employment arrangements may also be on a more informal basis, particularly if employees are also family members, or have been with the family business for a long period of time. “They also often experience lower staff turnover than their non-family counterparts and so could fall foul of employment legislation, particularly if relationships turn sour.”

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

EMBRACE CHANGE Case study

Keeping a family feel at the digital cutting edge ● NOISY Little Monkey doesn’t look a traditional family business, it’s a digital marketing agency based in the offices above Aardman’s Bristol studio. But while its trade is very modern – “we help people understand what they doing on the web and do it better and measure it better” – the challenges are familiar to most family firms. The business began in the home of owners Nicola and Jon Payne, first in Bedminster then Shepton Mallet before moving back to Bristol. Managing director Nicola, 45, says those early days were fraught at times. “When it was just us and we were working very long hours from home, it felt as though we never got away from each other,” she said. “We went from having separate jobs and separate lives to all being about the business and we had a year of it being quite tricky. “As time has gone by, we have learned what we have to do to make it work. Having more people around helps as well as having a wall between us! I make it habit to work from home one or two days a week so we do have some separation, if only so you have something else to talk about.” Nicola added: “Much of it is about having clear delineation of what we do. We do different things and respect what each other does, I’m glad I don’t do what he does and he’s glad he doesn’t do accounts.” Jon, 44, who is technical director, added: “We have wildly different skills.” And those differences are the key to their success, according to

She said the cost of a back-dated claim could date back to 1998 and potentially “cripple” a small business. Whether it’s on legal, financial or other matters, the key message is not to flounder on alone, but ask for help. That support could come from professionals or other businesses. Penny said Close Brothers set up a family business club was so that

● Nicola Payne, managing director of Noisy Little Monkey the firm’s creative director, 26-year-old Natasha Baldwin. “They are quite Yin and Yang,” she said. “I’m not sure they would work independently.” Jon and Nicola’s marriage is not the only family tie in the firm. Natasha’s little brother Josh, 22, is now on the team too, as a search and social adviser. He started doing “odd jobs” around the office and has recently taken on the social media management duties for one of the company’s top clients. “They liked having me around here,” said Josh. “They saw my value which was nice because I didn’t really recognise that in myself at time.” The family feel of the business can cause complications. “We have to make sure we

businesses could share network and share ideas to support each other. She added: “Businesses focus on their day-to-day business, that’s what they are passionate about.” Things like budgetary changes or governance might not be very exciting, but they need to be addressed. And asking someone in the know is one way to do that. “It’s what we feel passionate

think of it as a business,” said Nicola. “You do have to be business-like. We have got rid of staff who haven’t worked out and that has implications because we welcome people as part of the family so when it doesn’t work out breaking up is quite difficult.” But in a team of about half a dozen, close bonds are important. Nicola and John don’t have children to pass the business onto, which makes their work family even more important when it comes ensuring the business has a sustainable future. Nicola said: “Our role as business leaders is to get everyone else to be better and better in order to secure their futures. It has to be about succession planning.”

about,” said Penny. Leaving the people running the business to get on with just that.

● Close Brothers and Family Business United are staging an event celebrating family businesses at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery from 6.30-9pm tomorrow. The firm will be launching its Oldest Family Business in the South West report.

Case study

Astonishing milestone ● A GOLD clock or watch is the traditional gift for 50 years of service, but all Brian Robbins wants to his remarkable 70 years is to come back to work again tomorrow. Brian joined the family firm Robbins’ Timber as a labourer in the mill. He father wanted him to “start at the bottom”. The grounding clearly served him well as the 86-year-old has just celebrated this 70th anniversary with the business, a milestone that is perhaps only achievable in the environment of a family business. Things have certainly changed. Brain recalls: “When we were kids, my father used to bring us down to the saw mill and leave us there, mucking about all the time. “There was a dilly cart on a rail used to push logs up to the mill and there was a slope so we used to sit on it and ride down to the bottom. You wouldn’t be allowed to do that now!” When Brian started, the Second World War still raged. Even once it ended, soft wood was rationed until the mid 1950s affecting what work the mill could do. “Back in 1944, the saw mill was driven by steam, powered by wood chipping we produced and coal,” said Brian. “We only had electricity in one place, the rest was gas, gas lights in the office. I don’t think we had electricity in the office until 1951.” Brian’s family ties and his drive to get up and go to work every day (“it’s important to have motivation in life,” he says) are behind his longevity. But there is more to family business than that. The firm would not have lasted so long, without the added drive and emotional connection the family businesses create. Brian explained: “My father was a very cautious business man. “When he had more profitable times he just put the money in the bank. Turnover was about £30,000 a year, which was quite a bit of money. “But we had lost £4,000 in the past three years. We had £1,000 left in the kitty and he wanted to wind up the business so could pay all the creditors and didn’t go bankrupt. “I pleaded with him to let me have a year and see if I couldn’t do any better. “He agreed and said ‘you have a go for a year, see what you can do’. He came back to office, collected his personal effects and walked out, having been managing director for many years and never came back unless we invited him. He left

it completely up to me to do what I wanted.” Brian said his dad, Harold, didn’t agree with overtime, especially when they were losing money. But Brian changed that. He also invested in new machinery. “In that first year we made a profit,” he said. “It was such a joy!” And Harold was suitably very proud. The firm celebrated its centenary in 1981, not an exact year but the earliest documentation found relates to 1881 so a safe bet. Brian said: “My father wrote a message read out for the centenary saying that the business has changed but always at the heart of it has been timber. That’s still true today.” A family business, like any other, needs to evolve and Robbins Timber has done just that. It moved from its old base in Cumberland Road and is now house in South Liberty Lane, South Bristol. The business has now passed out of the Robbins family into another. It is run by managing director Richard Bagnall, employs 40 people and turns over £6.5 million a year. And it is growing, specialising in niche areas where it can add value with expertise machining and crafting the wood it sells. But Brian remains as a reminder of its family values. And he’s not going anywhere soon. “I have a contract until 2018,” he said with a smile.

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www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

In pictures Gemini West

Print’s charming Gemini West celebrates fantastic year with party

ORE than 120 guests toasted Gemini West at a celebration party in Bristol. The event, held at the Riverstation, celebrated the company’s fantastic year – with over £1 million invested in its Hockeys Lane, Fishponds factory, increased turnover and new jobs created. The company welcomed local councillors and representatives from businesses around the region. Gemini Group owner John Boyle, said he believed Gemini West was now the most capable printing operation in the region. During his speech he reiterated to all that buying print locally was good for the economy and good for the environment, reducing transport and fuel emissions. The lively event also included a speech by director of economy at Bristol City Council, Alistair Reid, who congratulated the business, adding it was a real asset to the city. Champagne and canapés were served to guests followed by what was billed as Bristol’s best fish and chips. A roving silhouette artist cut out the profile of each guest on paper in seconds. The Gemini Group comprises Gemini West, Gemini Brighton, Gemini Press and Gemini Digital in Shoreham-by-Sea and. Gemini London was also unveiled earlier in the year.

● Dan, Group of Seven; Bea Van Gelder, Group of Seven

● Rachel Hartles, Bristol NHS; Kate McCoy, Cloud Nine PR & Marketing; Anne Norgrove, Gemini West

● John Boyle OBE, Gemini Print Group

● Kayleigh Sydenham, Empica PR, Andy Christopher, Gemini West

In pictures Bristol Distinguished Address Series

Relationships key Accountancy chief’s tips

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● Bristol Distinguished Address with Stephen Varley, Chairman and Regional Pics: Michael Lloyd BRML20141023E-002_C Managing Partner UK&I at EY

UILDING strong relationships is the key to a strong business – that was the message from Stephen Varley, chairman and managing partner for the UK and Ireland, at accountancy firm EY. He spoke to UWE students and business people at City Hall in the second in the new Bristol Distinguished Address Series. Mr Varley said that when he first joined EY – formerly Ernst & Young – he was mentored by Charlie Smith, who he called a “wacky American coach”. He explained that Mr Smith had a saying that stuck with him: “Everything you do in your life is based on the size of your relationship with people.” Stephen said: “That saying has held true for me over the years and I still think that is one of the most important parts of a successful business.” He talked about what made EY different to other large accountancy firms, which he put down to global teaming, diversity and inclusion, and entrepreneurship. He told the audience that one way he is trying to make EY more diverse is by mentoring young women with high potential, some of whom have gone on to become partners. The lectures are delivered by Bristol Business School at UWE. ACCA, the city council, Bristol Junior Chamber, the Bristol Post, Business West, CBI, CMI, FSB, IoD, ICAEW, and West of England LEP are partners. The next address will be Dr Tony Cocker, chief executive of E.ON UK on Tuesday at City Hall from 6pm.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

In pictures Brad Sugars

Business diary Celebrating Family Business: Family Business United and Close Brothers are inviting family firms to join them at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery to celebrate The Oldest Family Business in the South West from 6.30pm on Thursday, October 30. Register at http://ow.ly/D6Z62 One-to-one drop-in advice: University of the West of England advisers are holding confidential, one-to-one drop-in sessions for the region’s innovative businesses to discuss its innovation and business growth service at Frenchay Campus November 4 and Engine Shed, November 7. Email uwebusiness@uwe.ac.uk.

No-holds-barred talk inspires business leaders SALES and marketing guru Brad Sugars give some words of advice and inspiration to 400 business owners and managers with a no-holds-barred talk. The Australian doesn’t mince his words but is passionate about helping business owners become more successful in business. Bristol was one a handful of stops on Brad’s UK tour promoting his latest book, Buying Customers.

Brad gave advice and strategies on how businesses can improve their customer service, sales and marketing skills to help them improve their profitability. He is the founder and of the ActionCOACH franchise business but spends much of his time travelling and sharing his knowledge and experience at free seminars. Nigel Jew, ActionCOACH’s representative for the Bristol area, said:

“The feedback from the attendees was amazing! They said that they left energised, focused and with a clearer vision and goal for their businesses. “The session had fundamentally changed their views on what they need to do in their businesses, with many actually going to implement new strategies the very next day. “The key messages from Brad were to test and measure all of their marketing activity, really know what is

working and what isn’t. If you don’t measure – how can you improve it? “Sales and marketing should be an investment not an expense. Basically, for every pound you spend you need to get more back in. “Brad focused on how to win more customers and keep them forever, which is obviously the holy grail of business.” The event was supported by Local World, publisher of the Bristol Post.

Bristol Distinguished Address: UWE’s series giving the chance to meet the leaders of industry continues with Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman, John Lewis Partnership. UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre, Frenchay Campus, 6pm, November 4. Register via UWE. Leigh Court 200th Birthday: Invitation only event at Leigh Court, home of Business West, from 6-9pm on Tuesday, November 4. Chamber Networking Breakfast: Popular event takes place in the Terrace bar of the Colston Hall this breakfast offers views across the city so you can network whilst taking in the spectacular view. 7.30am to 9am, November 6. Book at www.BusinessWest.co.uk. Super-fast Business: Measuring Your Online Success: Understand how your social media, online marketing and web strategies work for you by learning how to measure your online success. Free event at Bristol and Bath Science Park, 8.30am to 11am, November 6. Bristol Distinguished Address: UWE’s series giving the chance to meet the leaders of industry continues with Anne Francke CEO, CMI. Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh, 6pm, November 13. Register via UWE. Ladies Who Latte: Flexible, informal networking for entrepreneurial women. Held at New World Business Centre, Station Road, Warmley, 10am-12, Thursday, November 20. Contract Sarah or Liz on 0117 332 0900 or email info@newworldbusiness centre.co.uk. Bristol Junior Chamber Presidents’ Lecture: Baroness Gillian Shephard, Deputy Chair of the Government’s Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission talks on “What is the economic importance of improving social mobility and what is the current state of social mobility in 21st century Britain?” 11.30am on November 26 at Clarke Willmott LLP, Bath Street, Bristol.

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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, October 29, 2014

The back page

Your digest of the week in business

The Pitch 2014

Entrepreneurs pitch ideas as eco firm scoops top prize Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk

● The team from Sift Media, organiser of The Pitch 2014 Pics: Virginia Allwood, LeShopUK.com

● Rebecca Coates, co-founder of PropertECO and The Pitch 2014 Champion

COMPANY that tests buildings for radon gas has been named champion of the Bristol-based entrepreneurial competition The Pitch. The all-day event at the Paintworks saw 30 finalists pitching in front of an audience of 200 people for potential investment. Founded in Bristol in 2008, The Pitch is one of Britain’s longest running small business competitions, organised by BusinessZone.co.uk and UK Business Forums in association with AVG. The winner was Bath-based Rebecca Coates, the co-founder of propertECO and the first women to take the crown. Rebecca said: “It was really unexpected. There were so many great businesses involved and it has been quite a long journey so it’s a fantastic result for our company. “The Pitch is not just a competition where you fill in an application form and there’s an award ceremony at the end and it’s all over. “You get real value from it for your business. We’ve met so many great people that we’re going to have re-

lationships with for a long time. “I love the value of putting yourself out there to get your name known. You’ve got to take some risks and everyone gets nervous about doing a pitch, and that might be enough to put some people off, but I just say do it!” Her company is one of the few UK firms involved in testing buildings for radon and installing specialist ventilation systems to reduce concentrations if high levels are detected. Judging the event was by Judith Bitterli, serial entrepreneur and chief marketing officer at AVG; Charles Carter, director of regions at ICAEW; Karen Darby, founder of CrowdMission.com and Lara Morgan, founder of Company Shortcuts. Judith said: “The most successful contestants had one thing in common; clarity of purpose, mission and how they make money.” The other finalists asked to ptich again at the end of the night were Alistair Callender from Gate8 Luggage, Paul Hutson from Night Zookeeper, Ed Ward from Veglo and Richard Graham from Pulsate. As well as the pitches, speakers at the event included Bristol mayor George Ferguson and entrepreneur Mark Pearson, who sold his business MyVoucherCodes for £55 million earlier this year.

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Awards ● The Bristol Post Business Awards, above, has been made a finalist at the UK: Event Awards 2014. This year’s Business Awards was bigger and better than ever, held at Brunel’s Old Station in Temple Meads, where Williams Automobiles drove away with a boot load of prizes. The event is a finalist in the Awards Scheme of the Year category, shortlisted alongside the Digital Masters Awards, The Spectators Parliamentarian Awards and others. The winner will be announced at Marriott Grosvenor Square on Friday November 28. Fingers crossed!

People Andrew Ridler aridler@alderking.com

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Emma Smith esmith@alderking.com

● Dr Stephen Fear, often referred to as The Phonebox Millionaire due to the way he created his first business aged 14 from a phonebox on a Bristol council estate, has become a patron of Emmaus. The charity which was started in France in 1947 by Father Abbé Pierre in a bid to alleviate homelessness on the streets of

Paris, created by the Second World War, has 24 homes through the UK where men and women who have become homeless can find refuge and a job. ● An auditor from the Bristol office of accountancy and investment management group, Smith & Williamson, has been named as one of the UK’s Rising 20 Stars of the Accountancy Profession. Samantha Barnes, aged 26, was one of 20 young accountants chosen for the accolade by ACA students’ magazine Vital. Jon Talbot, a partner in the assurance and business services team at Smith & Williamson, Bristol, said: “Sam strives to excel at everything she does.” ● The woman who heads UWE Bristol’s business school has been promoted. Professor Jane Harrington will become deputy vice chancellor of the university. Jane said: “I have made it my business to learn from what others are doing with a view to bringing best practice into the university.” The university will appoint an executive dean to take the helm of the Business and Law Faculty in due course.