Business 23 October 2013

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Business bristolpost.co.uk

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OCT 2013

FOOD & DRINK SPECIAL

THOUGHT FOR FOOD From starters to desserts and drinks, the food and drink industry is worth billions to the South West

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Students bring accommodation boom to Bristol

Finalists named for South West Green Energy Awards

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www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Building engineering

Finance

Fourth strong year for advice group BUSINESS and financial adviser Grant Thornton has recorded its fourth successive year of strong performance, with turnover up 13 per cent to £471 million.

The growth for the year ending June 2013 comes on the back of double digit performance in the previous year and puts Grant Thornton in reach of achieving its 2015 revenue target of £500 million one year early.

This growth was driven in large part by continued strengthening of the advisory practice, which grew by 21.2 per cent.

The firm, which has a major office in Bristol, saw its audit practice improve by 9.2 per cent whilst turnover from its tax offering remained broadly flat.

Distributable profits increased six per cent over the period, albeit the average profit per partner rose by 4.2 per cent due to the continued investment in new partners, with 25 new partners or directors promoted.

The firm’s total contribution to the Exchequer in respect of all taxes was £161.8 million, with an average rate of tax paid per partner on this year's profits estimated at 42.5 per cent.

John Golding, managing partner at Grant Thornton in the South West, said: “The past 12 months has seen the successful integration of 65 new staff from the former Audit Commission in our public sector assurance practice, which is now the largest of any firm in the region.”

Scott Barnes, chief executive officer, Grant Thornton UK LLP said: “During the past five years, we’ve pursued a very deliberate strategy of investing in those parts of our business where we could take market leading positions – such as in the public sector audit and financial services space – along with reinforcing our strengths in our core mid-market segment.”

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

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Advertising Jane Chapman Call 01179 343025 Email jane.chapman @b-nm.co.uk Advertising Simon Coy Media Sales Executive - Business Call 07736 900 705.

Email simon.coy @b-nm.co.uk

● Building engineering services specialist Shepherd Engineering Services has relocated into bigger premises at Aztec West; above, regional operations manager Nick Cox

Big order book means bigger base Rupert Janisch Business@b-nm.co.uk

B

UILDING engineering services specialist Shepherd Engineering Services has relocated into bigger premises in Bristol after seeing the business grow across the South West.

The company has a secured an order book of approximately £25 million for 2013-14 and expects this to rise by a further 10 per cent.

The company’s South West regional operation has moved from 1,050 sq ft into 2,600 sq feet of office space at Aztec West Business Park to accommodate a workforce which has grown from eight to 30 in the past three years.

This includes several student trainee engineers who will be attending Bath Technical College to obtain their qualifications in professional building services.

SES operates UK-wide, providing mechanical and electrical engineering solutions within the construction sector.

The company, which has its headquarters in York, established its regional base in Bristol in April 2010 and has since expanded its presence across the South West.

The growing order book has included a number of high-profile projects such as the £15.5 million mechanical and electrical contract with Miller Construction to deliver the building services for Avon and Somerset police, comprising the provision of mechanical and electrical services across four new facilities.

SES predicts turnover could grow

by a further 10 per cent in the coming 12 months as the construction sector continues to revive, and the company capitalises on its technical capability in handling highly-complex projects.

Nick Cox, SES regional operations manager, said: “This relocation represents our continued commitment to the South West’s regional operations.

“It allows us to better serve our client base and take advantage of business aspirations and sustainable growth in the area.

“Our strategy has been to scrutinise the market carefully and tender for the more technically-demanding projects that require greater planning and collaboration. This has paid dividends and has strengthened our presence across the South West.

“Already we have secured around 36 per cent of our projected turnover

Best deals - How the numbers stack up Business savings Inflation Business current CPI accounts accounts Bank of India

Cooperative Bank

1.01% Bank of £10,000 deposit Cyprus

1.75% £1,000 deposit

0.25% United Trust £1 deposit Bank

1.55% £500 deposit

0.12% United Trust £1 deposit Bank

1.5% £500 deposit

0.1% Bank of Unity Trust £25,000 deposit India Bank

1.49% £10.000 deposit

1.45% 0.05% Cambridge and £10,000 deposit £1 deposit Counties Allied Irish Bank

0.05% Melton 1.2% £500 deposit Mowbray BS £1,000 deposit

Source: Business Moneyfacts - moneyfacts.co.uk

2.7 0.5 0.5 3.99

Weekly earnings

for 2014-15, equivalent to approximately £9 million of business.

“There definitely seems to be more optimism out there, not only in the Bristol area but across the South West region as a whole.

“For instance, we are seeing some great and significant tender opportunities coming in now for work starting next year and in 2015 within existing and emerging sectors, including defence, healthcare, commercial and higher education, which shows a growing confidence in the marketplace.”

ON THE MOVE

BUSINESS NEWS Our reporters file on the move, and you can keep up to date out and about via the mobile versions of our website

Corporation tax % %

%

Base interest rate % Ave mortgage rate %

23 20 13 10

Main rate

%

Small profits rate – below £300,000

Employer NI rates .8%

Standard rate on earnings above £148 per week

.4%

Employees in salary-related pension scheme earning up £770 p/w

bristolpost.co.uk/business

National average petrol prices .94p

131 138 140 69

Unleaded

.91p Diesel

.57p

Super unleaded

.95p LPG

Source: PetrolPrices.com

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Communications

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Lettings

Business park’s triple success A BUSINESS park in East Bristol has secured a hat-trick of new lettings, with more in the pipeline.

Corum Office Park in Warmley, has seen a flurry of activity.

South Gloucestershire Primary Healthcare Trust is taking the second floor of the Corum Two building, totalling 5,152 square feet, while Avon & Wiltshire Partnership is expanding on the ground floor from its 2,000 square feet up to 3,000t.

AndGCP Architects has acquired 2,080 square feet on the first floor.

● Corum Office Park in Warmley Corum Two is a three-storey building totalling 15,400 square feet, set in a landscaped environment off the A4174 Avon Ring Road, mid way between Emersons Green Village and Longwell Green.

Martin Booth, partner at Knight Frank which advised landlord Warmley LLP, said: “A proactive approach and

realistic rent expectations by the landlord have quickly led to significant interest from major organisations.

“The quality of Corum Office Park is head and shoulders above its competition on the east side of Bristol and the landlord’s flexibility is paying big dividends.”

There is 1,101 sq ft of office space left available to let.

● Docmail cyclists have delivered their 500,000th letter

Mail company posts impressive figures Rupert Janisch Business@b-nm.co.uk

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YCLISTS working for an eco-friendly business-post service have delivered their 500,000th letter. Docmail Local Post has been operating since September 2011 in Bristol and Bath, offering businesses within the postcodes of the two cities an alternative to Royal Mail.

Docmail offers secure, bicycle-based collection and delivery.

Delivery is in less than two days. The cost is less than the price of a second-class stamp.

The firm was set up by Radstock-based print firm CFH when it spotted the opportunity for a rival postal service, operating locally.

It started as a trial in a storage unit in Bristol in September 2011, after Royal Mail announced price increases of around 13 per cent.

Since then Docmail has developed into a thriving local delivery service, setting up permanent delivery offices in Bristol and Bath.

Last November, CFH acquired a print firm in Slough to facilitate its roll-out of the Docmail service in the Berkshire town.

The company also has plans to acquire

other small print companies and introduce Docmail into cities and towns around the UK including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Reading, Swindon and Cardiff.

Docmail has been shortlisted for two awards this year.

These are Environmental Achievement of the Year in the Postal Technology International Awards 2013 – up against global postal giants like Spanish firm Correos – and a second Environmental Award in the Bath Business Awards.

Its 14 cyclists in Bristol and Bath are delivering between 20,000 and 25,000 pieces of mail each month.

The delivery workers, all cycling enthusiasts, include a 55-year-old former banker as well as a 21-year-old BMX rider. On average they each cover 25 miles a day.

Postal services director Joseph Broadway, pictured, son of CFH managing director Dave Broadway, said: “Looking back at where we started two years ago it is amazing to see how far we have come.

“It is a real milestone to have delivered half a million letters.

“We now deliver mail for all kinds of organisations from small, independent businesses and charities to NHS services and local councils, and we continue to grow at a fast pace. Our next stop will be the million mark.”

Energy

Property managers switch to green power supplier “We are constantly striving to find the very best local suppliers and packages for our customers and our deal with Ecotricity is the latest way in which we have been tirelessly working behind the scenes to offer the best services to our blocks,” he said.

BNS Management Services is based in Downend and offers different levels of service for large and small properties.

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● A DOWNEND-based property management business has made the switch to a new energy supplier.

BNS Management Services has signed a deal with Ecotricity, a green electricity supplier based up the M5 in Stroud.

BNS director Andrew Simmonds said the move marked a change in the way the 185 apartment blocks it manages in the region wold be powered.

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Design

Property

Relaxing environment for dementia patients

Investors snap up student flats

● AWARD-winning Bristol architect O’Leary Goss has converted a hospital ward in Bath into a holistic environment for dementia patients.

And Health Minister Norman Lamb has toured the £500,000 Combe Ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

O’Leary Goss has a team of nine staff in its Redland offices.

The firm’s designs for the RUH aim to help people feel more at home.

There is domestic-feel furniture, wood-effect flooring, a fireplace, living area, natural artwork and even the sound of running water and birdsong in the courtyard.

The use of clear signage, sensitive lighting and a clock – which not only tells the time but what day it is – are set to help patients with dementia feel calmer and safer.

Architect Jenny Goss said: “It has been a really exciting project funded by the Government as part of Health Care in a Healing Environment.

“We learnt a lot from working with the ward staff and the RUH project team.

“We chose strong, easily-distinguished wall colours to act as visual keys, so patients can recognise more effectively where they are.

“One of the walls is a picture of a bluebell wood.”

O’Leary Goss is set to design a small cafe and garden for Combe Ward’s patients and visitors.

RUH consultant geriatrician Dr Chris Dyer said: “These changes will offer substantial improvements to the quality of life not only experienced by patients with dementia admitted to RUH, but their carers and our dedicated staff.”

According to latest figures from the Alzheimer’s Society there are 800,000 people in the UK with dementia, costing the NHS some £23 billion in 2012.

The figures are set to soar as people live longer.

Property

Turning point for business parks

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

● RESEARCH by commercial property consultant GVA shows business parks in the South West are contributing to a positive turning point for the UK market.

GVA’s biannual Business Parks report says that, for the first time since the downturn, there has been a significant fall in availability across the country and a rise in construction activity, marking a positive shift over the past six months.

UK business park office take-up during the first half of 2013 totalled 2.1m sq ft, 12 per cent above the five-year six-monthly average of 1.9m sq ft.

Aztec West in Bristol saw the South West’s largest deals. In the first quarter Nvidia took BAM’s 30,000sq ft building 930 on a ten year lease, and Barratt Homes took 13,000sq ft at building 710.

Ben O’Connor, associate at GVA’s Bristol office, said: “What’s most encouraging is that the business of building is back on the agenda and with market sentiment at a six year high this will only improve, certainly in the short term.”

The amount of office space under construction in UK business parks remains at a low level. But on a positive note, the report has recorded the first upturn in activity within the last five years.

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

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HE student-accommodation market is booming in Bristol.

While once students were seen as hard-up, now they are big business. Work has started on a £6.2 million project in Anchor Road. Colston Tower is being converted into luxury flats – and all 132 have been sold to investors in just seven weeks.

And Bristol-based student-accommodation firm Unite has just issued a £90 million bond offering to help fund the student-property building programme for the coming years.

It is also in the process of developing the former ice rink in Trenchard Street in a £20 million project.

Student numbers in the city have risen to 45,000, yet there are only 13,000 student beds in Bristol.

And with students paying higher prices for a better standard of accommodation, there is profit to be made.

George Griffith, associate director at CBRE Bristol, said: “Bristol continues to be one of the most sought-after destinations for undergraduates for many reasons, one of which being the variety of accommodation that is available.

“There is evidence that there is still plenty of demand for top-of-the-range student accommodation, especially as students, and their parents, become more demanding about the quality and type of accommodation that they seek.”

The 4,250 sq m Anchor Road site, known as Harbour Court, is being built by Midas Construction for Prime Student Living, part of the Crosslane Group.

It boasts a Harbourside location within walking distance of the University of Bristol campus.

It will comprise some studio apartments and other cluster accommodation with three to five bedrooms sharing a kitchen.

Derek Quinn, executive director at Midas Construction, said: “This is a major development in a prime location and we are really pleased to be under way.

“We won the £6.2 million contract due to our innovative approach

● Left, the interior of Vita students’ accommodation; below, the student flats being developed in Anchor Road, Bristol, called Harbour Court,

by Prime Student Living

which saved in excess of £300,000 for the client and reduced the envisaged construction period by approximately four months.”

Jon Stewart, director at Crosslane Group, said: “There is a huge demand for affordable, secure and convenient student accommodation in Bristol.

“Harbour Court is exceptionally well placed not only for the university but also for all the amenities that make student life easier and more enjoyable.

“For our investors, it delivers excellent growth potential and the

sought-after exposure to a key university city.”

Vita Student is behind the Colston Tower project, which is due to be ready in 2014.

The company, founded last year, has been acquiring land around the prestigious Russell Group university cities.

The apartments each have flat-screen televisions, free broadband, fitted kitchen and en-suite bathroom.

Chief executive Trevor Moore said: “Investor requirement for student

property like ours is at an all-time high.

“We are able to deliver such a high yield (7 per cent) by driving efficiencies at every level of the construction and operational process while in turn generating high rental returns from students who are willing to pay a premium for the facilities and level of service we provide.

“The rate at which all our projects have sold demonstrates that our model is addressing successfully the market demand.”

Rather than letting directly to students, the company sells flats to investors, and then manages the property on the investors’ behalf.

The scheme attracted a range of investors from overseas and closer to home.

Carpenter Andrew Smith. from Wales, bought one of the Bristol apartments.

He said: “I am much more comfortable investing in property than I am with stocks or funds as it is a market with which I am very familiar.

“I found the potential yields in the student-accommodation market are much greater than in other areas in the property market.

“With the high number of international students and the drastic undersupply of student beds in the city centre, the proposition in Bristol was too good an opportunity to ignore.”

Technology

Mobile app manufacturer in line for four top industry awards A MOBILE app manufacturer based in Clifton has been shortlisted for four top industry awards this year.

Mubaloo, which has offices in Queen’s Avenue near Clifton Triangle, will find out during the end of October and mid-November whether it has picked up victories at the National Business Awards, the UK IT Awards, the Growing Business Awards and the Appster Awards.

It promises to be a busy few weeks for Mark Mason, who founded Mubaloo in 2009 and now employs 50 staff, 45 of whom are in Bristol with the rest in London.

His company designs and creates apps and since opening has delivered more than 160 products for a diverse

● Mark Mason of Mubaloo

range of clients including celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, gym chain David Lloyd and the BBC. Mubaloo is working on the next generation of apps that make the most of fast mobile broadband.

First up for the firm is the Growing Business Awards, which are now in their 15th year and highlight some of the country’s most exciting, innovative and high-growth firms.

Following the first awards ceremony, which takes place at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square tonight, the team at Mubaloo will attend events on November 12, 13 and 14.

They are nominated for the Business Enabler prize at the National

Business Awards, for the Best Mobile App at the UK IT Awards, facing competition from the likes of Virgin Media, Network Rail and Telefonica, as well as two prizes at the Appster Awards.

Mr Mason said: “We believe awards are an important recognition for the strides we are making and they prove the quality of the work that we are doing. We are one of the most respected app developers in the UK and these nominations, which will hopefully turn into wins, demonstrate that.

“We have 50 staff, most of whom are in Bristol, and these are a great rewards for all the hard work they have put in this year.”

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Design

Transport Bristol firm advises on world’s longest busway

● Nicola O’Mara and her designs for the ski chalet

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● BRISTOL law firm Veale Wasbrough Vizards has provided the legal expertise needed to deliver a major new transport project similar to the rapid-transit schemes that are being planned here.

The Luton-Dunstable Busway in Bedfordshire has been years in the planning and took three years to build. At 13.4km it is the longest urban busway in the world.

VWV project leader Tim Smithers said: “The project has similarities with the rapid-transit system that is planned for Bristol, and we are delighted to have played our part in keeping this particular transport scheme on track.”

Ski-chalet project scoops top award “Our bank has £250m to lend owner managed businesses... and we’re getting our share.”

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

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Nicola said: “The client now happily lives, works and entertains in his beautiful chalet throughout the ski season.”

The awards, hosted by interior design magazine design et al, aim to reward the best in hospitality, interior design and architecture from across the globe, as voted for by industry professionals and readers, clients and customers.

Inspired Design works on big and small projects from chalets to townhouses, country homes to penthouses in the UK and around the world.

Current projects include an interiors scheme nearby in Chew Magna and a large alpine chalet in Russia.

Nicola said the company, which has been trading for 12 years and employs one full-time worker in addition to her and John, is about passion for good design.

She said: “We balance originality and imagination with attention to detail and an obsession with quality craftsmanship.”

Our bank has lent us the capital we need at a good rate, with no fees. We like dealing with a specialist business bank, especially as our local manager understands that owner managed businesses are the engine of the economy. Here in the engine room, our business is firing on all cylinders.

Mark Cain, Director, Velvet Central Limited

0845 045 0900

* Visit our website or call 8am-8pm Monday to Friday to contact your local branch Jason Fleming, Senior Branch Manager, Bristol branch, 19 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1PB

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SMALL Barrow Gurney design company is on an upward curve after winning an award for a ski-chalet project. Inspired Design won the International Hotel and Property Awards’ ski hotel or chalet category for its work in Val d’Isere, the posh French ski resort close to the Italian border.

Designer Nicola O’Mara said: “It was such a surprise to win this prestigious design award, especially as it was voted for by fellow professionals.

“And as one of the smaller companies on the shortlist, we are thrilled to have won.”

The project involved the complete interior design of a luxury new ski apartment in the centre of Val d’Isere.

The brief was to create a contemporary yet comfortable and individual alpine home, using tactile, textural materials – and avoiding a typical, twee Alpine look.

Nicola and John Merriman planned every aspect of the space, function and style of each room in minute detail.

Carefully-designed ceiling beams and timber walls helped to conceal a soft and delicate lighting system and a sophisticated sound system. Natural oak, slate and dark woods were used in conjunction with sleek glass and metal, contrasting with rich, textural fabrics such as tweed and wool.

As well as a cinema, office space, sauna and steam room, apres-ski area, breakfast area and formal dining area, en-suite bedrooms were designed to accommodate visitors and families with children.

*Telephone lines open from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays in England and Wales. Calls may be recorded and monitored for security and training purposes. BT landline calls to 0845 numbers will cost no more than 5 pence per minute. Charges from other service providers may vary and calls from mobiles usually cost more. Allied Irish Bank (GB) and Allied Irish Bank (GB) Savings Direct are trade marks used under licence by AIB Group (UK) p.l.c. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c.), incorporated in Northern Ireland. Registered Office 4 Queens Square, Belfast BT1 3DJ. Registered Number NI 18800.

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

In pictures: Business people out and about CBRE 10th anniversary celebration at the West of England Academy in Clifton ● THE Bristol office of commercial property firm CBRE celebrated its 10th anniversary in the city with a special VIP event attended by around 200 guests at the West of England Academy in Clifton.

Pictures: James Meredith

● The Bristol String Quartet: Tamsin Winchester, Andrew Barrington, Sue Lord and Kate Robey

● David Sprague and Philip Morton

● David Smith, Ashley Hancox, Shirley Chan and Michelle Dix

● Robert Orrett and Charlie Kershaw

● Brian Lancaster, Eddie Jorden, James Morgan, Simon Coles and Richard Moore

● Steve Oades, Martin Guest and Ian Banks

● Robert Spriggs, Chris Boundy and Simon Meredith

● Robert Grist, Mike Ware, Michael Strong and Carolyn Stephen

● Christine Hamson, Henry Parkinson and Catherine Simpson

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Bright Future Conference at Ashton Gate Stadium

● THE Bristol’s Bright Future Conference took place at Ashton Gate Stadium. The event was aimed at reviewing why Bristol is set to boom, the key market sectors that will contribute to the region's success, projects that bring global recognition and the economic outlook for the future.

Left, James Durie, executive director of Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative at Business West, pictured with attendees. Above left, Clive Wray, director of Business West addresses the audience. Above, attendees networking.

Pictures: Elaine Brown

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

7

Bristol Distinguished Executive Address Series by UWE’s Bristol Business School at City Hall

● Above, from left, Professor Nicholas O’Regan, David Pinchard, Julie Mcleod of UWE and speaker Sir Nicholas Young

● Pictured above and at bottom of page, attendees networking at the latest event in the lecture series organised by the Photographs: Michael Lloyd University of the West of England (UWE)

LIFE IN THE HOT SEAT Marc Rath

VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH SIR NICHOLAS YOUNG

marc.rath@b-nm.co.uk

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ASSION and commitment are the qualities needed to thrive in the voluntary sector, the leader of the British Red Cross told Bristol’s business community.

Sir Nicholas Young was the latest expert to talk at City Hall as part of a lecture series organised by the University of the West of England (UWE).

Now in its sixth year, the Distinguished Executive Address Series is delivered by UWE’s Bristol Business School, in partnership with the Bristol Post, the city council and leading business organisations.

An audience which included business students were told by Sir Nicholas – a former lawyer working in takeovers and mergers – that the voluntary sector was “a great place to be”.

He was speaking in the humanitarian charity’s 150th year and in the same week that an anniversary event was held at the organisation’s emergency response unit in War mley.

Addressing an audience of about 100 guests, he said of his work in the sector: “It’s all about passion and commitment, whether front-line staff or fund-raisers or those in the finance and admin team. It’s incredibly exciting to work in an organisation where people care so damned much about what we do.”

On leadership, he said he had to

“There are things to learn from other people and books but “ you learn most of it from doing. When you are in the hot seat and all eyes turn to you, you have to find the answer within yourself.

Sir Nicholas Young

Watch the video at www. southwestbusiness.co.uk “feel his way” into becoming a leader and was humble initially.

He said: “There are things to learn from other people and books but you learn most of it from doing.

When you are in the hot seat and all eyes turn to you, you have to find the answer within yourself.”

Sir Nicholas was interviewed by Ian Mean, content director at media group Local World, which owns titles including the Bristol Post.

In the interview, he said he took a huge salary cut to move into the voluntary sector because ‘helping big companies get bigger’ didn’t suit him.

The charity boss spoke of the Red Cross’ efforts to help people in Syria, where 22 of the organisation’s volunteers had lost their

lives.

Sir Nicholas said: “Some countries are harder to work in than others. Twenty two volunteers of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, our sister society, have died in the fighting.

“Every day and every hour, those volunteers have to negotiate government road blocks and opposition held road blocks and road blocks run by gangsters just out to extort money.

“It’s incredibly dangerous and difficult, and it’s hard getting the money through to the people who need it. What’s incredible is that these volunteers are achieving that, most of the time.”

Sir Nicholas said it was ‘sobering’ that his organisation had been called in to help with the running

of food banks in the UK. He said: “We’ve been asked to help with the collection of food and, using our volunteers, with the distribution of it to people in need.

“It’s a sobering thought that in our country and other countries, like Spain, need that sort of help these days.

“We’ve all been affected by the economic crisis in one way or another but some more than others.”

● The next lecture in the series will feature Frances O‘Grady, general secretary of the Trades Union Congress.

The lecture, by invitation only, will take place at City Hall next Wednesday, October 30. Contact events@uwe.ac.uk.

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

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

Food and drink special

GROWING OPTIMISM IN INDUSTRY Bristol has a developed a taste for success in the food and drink industry. Gavin Thompson investigates food, glorious food.

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HEY used to say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. For a growing number of businesses, it is the way to his wallet too. The food and drink industry is big business in Bristol. In the South West region it is worth £25 billion to the economy, according to Taste of the West.

There are more than 3,000 businesses employing about 400,000 people. A good slice of those will be in the Bristol area.

There are plenty of local success stories.

Recently, Sandford-based Thatchers reported a record summer for cider sales with an annual turnover of £42 million.

Pieminister, founded in a shop in Stokes Croft, has a growing number

“ I have a great platform from which to drive further growth

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Robin Couling of outlets and last year invested in buying its manufacturing base in Westbury-on-Trym.

Bristol-based Bath Ales, one of a number of thriving local brewers, now has 10 pubs in the region and its own bottling plant producing 20,000 barrels a year.

It has grown the business 25 per cent in the last year and has just appointed a new managing director, Robin Couling, who has big plans.

He said: “Following commitment to a huge amount of development and improvement across the business, particularly in our retail division, I have a great platform from which to drive further growth.”

Mr Couling’s confidence appears to be reflected across the sector, with businesses looking to grow more than just their veg.

That is certainly the findings of a new survey carried out by Taste of the West, which held its annual awards ceremony at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club’s headquarters last week, and business advisory firm Grant Thornton.

Some 85 per cent of the 1,000 firms surveyed said they were feeling either more optimistic or broadly the same as they were 12 months ago, with two thirds expecting to increase turnover over the next year.

Encouragingly, a quarter of them expect to take on new staff in the near future.

Case study: Buxton Butchers ● NIGEL Buxton comes from a long line of Bristolian professional butchers. You can trace butchery back through his family tree to 1890.

To this day, Buxton Butchers is a family-run business. A small and very passionate team: This passion is communicated through everything they do.

The quality of Buxton's meat is recognised and used in menus by top local chefs including Michelin-starred Josh Eggleton of The Pony & Trap, Chew Magna.

Nigel made his debut in the meat trade at just 12 years old and over the years has learned every aspect, working his way up through the ranks, moving from butchery, slaughtering, processing, cutting to the head of meat at a top-end organic specialist meat farm to commercial director at a multi-million pound meat concern.

He has travelled the world in his quest to research, source and select the best meat. In his pursuit he's been to America, Argentina, Canada and most of Europe. He has benefited from these travels by picking up valuable practices and principles along the way.

Back in Bristol, Buxton Butchers opened in Winterbourne village in 2009 and by 2013 has become a thriving family butchers.

All meat is sourced as locally as possible from the lush rural surrounds. Where quality allows, all the pork, lamb and the majority of beef is local.

The sausages are made on the premises to traditional recipes.

Nigel says: “We pride ourselves in only buying quality produce, price always comes second; this way we maintain the high standard of meat sold in the shop.”

John Sheaves, chief executive of Taste of the West. says: “It is encouraging that our members expect to grow over the next 12 months, primarily by means of increasing sales and strong order books.”

The survey found most traders, 77 per cent, saw their location as an asset.

Mr Shreaves said: “It is perhaps not surprising, but gratifying nonetheless, to see the recognition that our members view the South West as being a great place to locate a food and drink business.

“Some 95 per cent of respondents said that provenance and local sourcing of products are either important or absolutely vital to their customers.

“This demonstrates the strong link between the quality landscapes and quality food we have here in the South West.”

The price of raw materials (60 per cent) and energy prices (30 per cent) are seen as the biggest concerns among food and drink firms – perhaps not surprisingly as these factors

● Nigel Buxton of Buxton Butchers with Josh Eggleton from the Pony and Trap in Chew Magna

are often out of their control.

But one area where the local industry can improve is exporting.

UKTI international trade adviser Andrew Fraser recently led a delegation from the region to ANUGA, the biggest international trade fair for industry, in Cologne, Germany.

He was joined by Bristol firms including Kabuto Noodles, Peppermongers and Bath Ales, as well as

Thatchers, Butcombe Brewery and Lye Cross Farm from North Somerset and First Quality Foods and Bramley and Gage from Yate and Thornbury respectively in South Gloucestershire.

But those firms are still the exception, not the rule.

“The South West has some of the UK’s best food and drink producers, yet with only 10 per cent of them

Reader offer ● THIS weekend – October 26-27 – sees the Bristol Home, Food and Drink Festival at the UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre in Frenchay.

The event, now in its third year, will showcase some of the best of what the West has to offer.

Organiser Nigel Stevens said: “It is really exciting to be majoring on food this time in a city with such a vibrant local food scene. The festival will provide

an opportunity for foodies and home lovers to discover new products and ideas in a fun and friendly environment.”

To get two-for-one tickets use discount code Post13 when booking your tickets (normal price £9) on www.homeandfoodfestival.co.uk.

Standard Local World terms and conditions apply, for a full list visit www.bristol post.co.uk/houserules.

currently exporting there is huge untapped potential for many others to grow their business overseas,” says Mr Fraser.

“In the current economic climate exports can offer significant growth potential. In the last two years, export sales grew by 15 per cent per cent, compared to total food and drink sales growth of only three per cent.

“Food and Drink Federation data shows that for businesses that do proactively expand into new markets, exports account for at least 20 per cent of turnover, compared to an average of only five per cent or less for those that exported reactively.

“There has never been a better time to export British food products.

The UK’s reputation in producing quality, innovative, safe products is known across the globe and as a consequence, UK food and drink exports have grown by 61 per cent over the last five years.”

Which should be something companies here can dine out on for years to come.

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

FINDING RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

9

Know how James Morter Food and Beverage Partner Grant Thornton

Case study: Hotcha

A demanding environment

F

● James Liang outside Hotcha Photograph: Freia Turland ● HOTCHA was founded in October 2011 by young entrepreneur James Liang.

It is the only Chinese takeaway chain in the UK and provides customers with Britain’s favourite oriental dishes.

James, originally from London, identified Bristol as the ideal place to set up his business, bucking the trend of food chains emanating

from the capital. In under two years, Hotcha has signed leases for 10 stores in the South West.

These are Kingswood, Whiteladies Road, Gloucester Road, Baldwin Street, South Liberty Lane, Keynsham, Weston-super-Mare, Yate, Stroud and Swindon.

It plans to open a further 150 stores throughout the UK over the

next five years and float on the AIM in 2014.

Hotcha’s freshly-sourced ingredients are prepared in its central kitchen/head office in Ashton Vale.

They are then delivered to Hotcha stores throughout the South West on a daily basis.

Hotcha positions itself as the healthy alternative to the standard

Chinese takeaway, with all meals being prepared in front of customers while they wait.

Its head offices are also responsible for all telephone and online orders, via its call-centre facility. The company turns over in excess of £1.3 million and employs more than 100 people in the region, with plans for further recruitment in Yate and Stroud.

Case study: Wogan Coffee

● Adrian Wogan at work At Wogan Coffee headquarters at the mouth of the M32, there is a trade counter open to the public.

There fresh roasted coffee can be bought at a discounted rate.

Adrian said: “We want to encourage our customers to try different coffees and identify the

different characteristics. Each month, we hand roast a small batch of single-origin beans and subsidise at a fixed price of £10 per kilo.

“Some of the coffees may be challenging, with high levels of acidity, and may not suit everyone’s palate.

“But it is an excellent way to increase knowledge and try coffees that are not usually available – great for our passionate coffee lovers.”

Wogan Coffee embraces all ends of the market.

It supplies tea and freshly-ground coffee to leading restaurants, other coffee companies, offices and public houses across the UK. And it even supplies The Bearpit Social, a People’s Republic of Stokes Croft enterprise which is achieving “fantastic levels of sales”.

And as our passion for coffee grows, Adrian is well placed for the future.

He said: “Recently we have seen a big increase in the number of visitors to our Bristol roastery. It is great to see so many members of the public who have taken time to call in on us and sample our wide range of beans.

“I am encouraged that so many people are truly interested in expanding their knowledge and developing their taste along the way. There are signs that we are starting to truly analyse what we are drinking and are prepared to experiment and challenge our taste buds.”

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● BACK in 1970, before coffee was the drink of choice for the British chattering classes, Brian Wogan founded Wogan Coffee.

Today his son Adrian Wogan runs the family business, supplying Bristol cafes, bars, hotels and restaurants with fresh roasted coffee.

Adrian said: “I remember working every school holiday with my dad.

“We had a fantastic relationship and my father fully embraced my enthusiasm and taught me most of what I know.

“We tasted coffees together regularly, bouncing off each other’s thoughts. We did the same with wine, his other great passion.

Coffee is well and truly in my blood – and after 34 years in the trade, I am still excited by it.”

Wogan Coffee is the South West’s largest independent coffee roaster.

On entering the city on the M32 or while shopping in Cabot Circus, sometimes you can smell fresh coffee being roasted from the Clement Street site.

Adrian encourages the great Bristol public to follow their nose and, if they are passionate about coffee, to call in.

OOD and drink is one of the South West’s business success stories – think Yeo Valley and Thatcher’s, or here in Bristol, Bart Spices and Pieminister.

This is a sector which has grown strongly in recent years and continues to feel upbeat about its prospects.

A recent survey carried out by Grant Thornton and Taste of the West, which represents around 1,000 food and drinks businesses, found that most are looking to grow turnover and order books over the coming year, with a significant number also planning to take on new staff and to target overseas markets.

Nonetheless food and drink firms in the region remain concerned about the rising price of raw materials and energy, and say they continue to struggle to access finance.

Indeed, food and drink remains a demanding environment. Consumer behaviour can shift rapidly, placing increased demands on producers at a time of rising commodity prices and pressure on margins. And issues around food safety, sustainability, healthy eating, increasing demand for locally sourced items, an ageing and growing population, and the shift to own-brand products, all combine to make up a challenging menu.

Certainly in recent years many of our most successful food and drink producers have reacted to difficult times by streamlining their processes and investing in technology and new product development. Yet the sector must continue to up its game.

Against this background it may seem surprising that the Food and Drink Federation in the UK has set a growth target of 20 per cent for the sector by 2020.

We at Grant Thornton believe that these targets, while undeniably ambitious, are absolutely achievable and that is why we are investing in providing services to help our clients to meet them.

We work with a wide range of UK and international food and drink companies, offering guidance on restructuring and reorganisation, process improvement, supply chain management, mergers and acquisitions, and tax and audit.

For further information please contact me on 0117 305 7812 or email james.morter@uk.gt.com.

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www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Big Interview

STEERING A POWERFUL BEAST Gavin Thompson meets Phil Smith, the man heading the self-proclaimed most powerful business organisation in the region

Vital statistics Name: Phil Smith Age: 51 Place of birth: Caerphilly School: St Martin’s Comprehensive, Caerphilly First job: Oil rig engineer. I spent five years working off shore then the oil price fell and all the projects were mothballed.

Hero or inspiration: Gareth Edwards (left)

P

HIL Smith admits that’s he’s a fair-weather biker. His BMW 800 motorbike remains firmly under cover at the family home in the Chew Valley until the sun shines, when it might be seen roaring along the roads to Abbots Leigh, where Fortress Business West – more commonly known as Leigh Court – is located.

But you certainly can’t accuse Phil of being a fair-weather supporter of business in the region. He’s been there from the recovery of the early 1990s, to the high times of the 2000s and the credit crunch and recession from which we are only now beginning to emerge.

Phil became chief executive of Business Link West, the Government support service for companies, when it was set up in 1994. He stayed in the post for 17 years until Government did away with the service. He then became managing director Business West, which emerged from the ashes.

“We are a two-pronged organisation,” says Phil, explaining the role of

My working day You wake up at? Start of Farming Today, then snooze What do you have for breakfast?

Cereal and strong coffee What time do you start work?

Any time from 7am (eg morning radio show interviews/breakfast events) to 9.30 am What happens in your typical working day? I don’t have a typical working day. Twice a week I am in Leigh Court, once in Cheltenham,

once in Swindon. My day is full of meetings, talking to the staff, one to one meetings, today I had conference call today with four or five chief execs of chamber sin the South West, for example.

What time do you go home? Any time from 5.30 pm to not at all (evening events with overnight stays!)

Do you take work home/attend evening functions? Increasingly

My downtime

“ We are the most powerful business organisation in this part of the world.

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Phil Smith the Business West. “It’s partly about shouting, lobbying, rallying to make this part of the world better and stronger – shouting at local government, the Local Enterprise Partnership, European government, sometimes holding them to account.

“That’s about leadership and representation. The other part is about helping individual companies with services. Helping them to export, raise money, with environmental issues or technical advice, office space.

“Both prongs are very important.”

Business West is made up the chambers of commerce for Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Swindon, but each maintains its individual identity to give local people a flag to rally round, while also having the clout of a larger organisation.

And it’s reach goes far beyond its 460-strong membership.

“We have 16,000 customers,” says Phil. “That’s chamber members but also people who use our services or attend our events.

“We are the most powerful business organisation in this part of the world.”

It’s a bold claim, and one the likes of the Federation of Small Businesses or the Confederation of British Industry may take issue with.

Phil says Business West works with those other organisations but in its favour is the mix of membership, many of the big companies as well as

What’s your perfect weekend?

Any weekend when Wales wins at rugby or my children are at home (should probably have put that the other way round!)

What’s your favourite film or TV show? Red Dwarf (above).

the small and micro firms.

He points to the organisation’s role as 50 per cent owner of the Bristol Cultural Development Partnership, which works to promote and develop artistic and cultural opportunities in the region, as an example of working with other bodies.

But adds that working with an organisation in one area, doesn’t stop Business West from taking them to task in another.

“We work with the city council, for example, but we thought they were wrong on residents’ parking and we shouted about it,” says Phil.

After such a long time in the role, does Phil, who started out as an investment banker, ever feel the desire for a change?

“The job of managing Business

What are your hobbies (if any)?

I like rugby and motorbikes. I own a BMW 800 trail bike, used come to work on it quite often but now I more often need to wear a suit. I’m a fair weather rider.

West keeps evolving – I’m never bored,” he explains. “I like to the job.

It’s a good combination of internal management, public speaking and strategy. As long as my staff and the members have faith that I am the right man then I would like to carry on.

“Business West turns over £20 million, employs 200 staff, we have a good reputation and we are a powerful body. I am proud of pulling that together.”

And there is more Phil wants to achieve, such as shifting the burden of income within the organisation from the public to the private sector.

“I like public sector contracts, we do them very well and they help the company but they can be fickle you can lose them,” says Phil. His ex-

● Above, Phil Smith on his bike at Ashton Court

Photo: Jon Kent

“ It’s partly about shouting, lobbying, rallying to make this part of the world better and stronger – shouting at local government, the Local Enterprise Partnership, European government, sometimes holding them to account.

Phil Smith (pictured speaking at the breakfast launch of the Bristol Post Business supplement)

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

11

Green awards

Finalists named in sustainable energy contest THE finalists have been announced for this year’s South West Green Energy Awards.

There are 36 sustainable energy pioneers to make the last phase of the competition, which is organised by Regen SW in recognition of the increasing importance that renewable energy and energy efficiency play in the region.

Merlin Hyman, chief executive of Regen SW, said: “This year has been our most competitive ever, with more than 100 entries from across the South West.

“Renewable energy has gone from strength to strength this year, with total capacity growing by almost 50 per cent over the past 12 months, so it’s no surprise that the quality of the entries has been extremely high.

“Our finalists show a tremendous mix of growing renewables businesses, community initiatives, public

● Merlin Hyman of Regen SW sector representation, technological innovations and exemplar renewable energy schemes.

“The commitment to renewables set out in our Renewable Energy Manifesto earlier this year – backed

by MPs and local enterprise partnership – is already showing results, and our finalists are testament to the high quality of schemes throughout the South West.”

Richard Blackmore, of Gregor’s Renewable Energy – a part of the strong Bristol showing in the shortlist – said; “We are pleased and honoured to have been shortlisted for these awards having worked on some of the region’s most exciting domestic renewable projects this year.

“It’s been a great year for the renewable energy business with a number of new projects about to start the future looks very encouraging indeed.

“In the meantime, we have all our fingers crossed for the awards ceremony in November.”

On the shortlist opportunities too.

“There have been signs of confidence in the last three or four months. There has been a confidence issue.

“Clearly, however, we have some sectors which are finding a way to grow. Environmental technologies and robotics are huge areas that could be core industries in Bristol for the next 30 or 40 years – we’ve got to make the most of the opportunity.

“How do we do that? Partly it’s about PR, making sure the rest of the world knows we are specialists in some things. For example this area has the second highest concentration of semiconductors within the world after California. We have to get that out there.”

Phil wants to see colleges working

more closely with business to train the future workforce to have skills that meet employers’ needs, rather than just matching up to the where there is funding.

And he urged small business owners to take a moment to look around for help.

“Small business owners face a bunch of risks, in reality often not just their business but their houses are at stake,” says Phil. “They are always time poor. But the evidence is when they take outside help they are generally more successful and generally last longer.

“SMEs are a vital cog, They create the wealth and pay the taxes that fund so many services – even we at Business West rely on taxpayer money.”

So the economy is growing again, and Bristol has some strong companies pushing the boundaries in fast developing areas. What’s next?

Phil sits back in the faux leather sofas in the Leigh Court office for a moment and considers this, before leaning forward to sell his vision.

“Bristol is a fantastic place to live and to start a business but we can do so much better,” enthuses Phil.

“What about getting HS3 (high speed rail) that runs to Bristol? We can do it. If the Government wants to have more than one cylinder firing the UK economy, then we are it. Let’s make the M4 corridor the growth hub of the country.”

It seems Phil’s need for speed goes beyond that occasional ride to the office.

THE shortlist includes Best Business Innovation: Kensa; North Sea Systems; Plymouth University COAST Laboratory; GENeco Best Community Initiative, sponsored by The Crown Estate; Bristol Green Doors; Resilient Energy Great Dunkilns; Streets of Solar; South Brent Best Renewable Energy Scheme, sponsored by SERS: Devon Eco Energy; Malaby Biogas; New Earth Solutions; Wessex Waterm, Geneco and Triodos Installer or Supplier of the Year: Fair Energy; Forest Fuels; Glevum Heating; SERS; Sungift Solar; Mojo; Gregor Heating, Electrical and Renewable Energy.

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perience at Business Link which was shutdown thanks to a change of Government no doubt a fresh memory feeding into that strategy.

“We currently bring in £400,000 a year from commercial services (export documentation, hiring out work space among other things). I would like to grow that so we are less reliant on public sector contracts.”

Looking ahead, Phil is confident about the future of Business West.

“We know who our market is, we have no plans to expand beyond that,” he says. “It’s about making sure we know what our members want so we can shout about it. We are the place people can come – we’ll make the point for you.”

Regarding the wider economy, there are big challenges ahead but

12

www.bristolpost.co.uk/business

Up and coming

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Movers & shake-ups The future of business

The latest appointments news. Send your news to business@b-nm.co.uk

Recruitment

Group of graduates welcomed to team ● BUSINESS and financial adviser Grant Thornton has welcomed a new crop of graduates to its team in Bristol.

The firm has already recruited three graduates in its Bristol office this year and the latest group of new joiners will be working across the full range of services, from audit and public sector assurance to corporate and personal tax.

John Golding, managing partner at Grant Thornton in Bristol, said: “We are delighted to be able to secure such a strong group of graduates during what is an exciting period of growth for the firm.

“Firm-wide we have seen a fourth successive year of strong performance which leaves us on track to achieve our revenue target of £500 million one year early, while here in the South West we have successfully integrated 65 new staff from the former Audit Commission, in our new regional hubs.”

Training

Extra £20m boosts skills scheme Rupert Janisch Business@b-nm.co.uk

A

N extra £20 million is being made available to the Gover nment’s new Traineeships programme to support even more young people into apprenticeships and other jobs.

The additional funding was announced as an extension to the programme which began in August, to provide those aged 16 to 23 with the skills, experience and confidence to compete in the labour market.

More than 500 providers have pledged to take on trainees this year.

So far 150 companies, large and small, have agreed to offer placements to

young people. This 150 includes 11 training providers and companies in the Bristol area. Companies are hairdressers House of Clive and South Gloucestershire-based Mitie Group, while training providers include Babcock, Didac, KTS, S and B Automotive Academy, and Lifetime Training. Also taking part are colleges in South Gloucestershire, Stroud and Weston-super-Mare, plus St Brendan’s Sixth Form College in Bristol. Bristol City Council makes up the list.

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “Traineeships give young people the helping hand they need to compete for apprenticeships and other jobs. The programme is off to an excellent start with strong backing from employers and training providers. We have responded to this

demand by providing additional investment. Traineeships will, in time, become the clear route for young people looking to get the crucial grounding they need in the world of work.”

Traineeships are part of the Gover nment’s wider aim to ensure the future workforce possesses the skills employers want in their employees.

Two trainees at Virgin Media, including Charley Rogers from Bristol, were the first in the UK to complete the scheme, leading to full-time jobs with the company.

Nationwide, the Virgin Media apprenticeship scheme takes on around 250 candidates every year. Maurice Daw, the company’s chief people officer, said the extra investment in the Gover nment’s scheme is a welcome move.

He said: “We are really pleased that there is more investment in the scheme. It will help employers creating a bigger and better pool of candidates, and it will help individuals looking for career opportunities.

“Our first trainees are now being taken on as full-time field technicians, so we are delighted with the scheme. The experience and skills boost that a traineeship offers is already creating more opportunities for people to find a route into work.”

Traineeships last a maximum of six months and provide work-preparation training such as CV writing, support to improve English and maths skills, a high-quality work-experience placement lasting between six weeks and five months, and training from providers which are rated highly by Ofsted.

Training

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Apprentices rewarded for success A GROUP of DHL employees who achieved apprenticeship success with Weston College were presented with certificates by college staff.

Employees from across the region met at DHL Tradeteam’s facility in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, where assessors Paul Varcoe and Lynsey Lawrence presented certificates to 17 successful candidates.

The 17 had achieved apprenticeship qualifications in customer service, business administration, team leading and management.

DHL and Weston College have developed a strong working partnership. This has resulted in more than 40 members of DHL staff working towards their apprenticeships and NVQs at various levels over the last three years.

DHL is the first business to train staff with the college in the new Level

5 higher apprenticeship for senior managers.

DHL was named Large Business Employer of the Year 2013 at the College’s Business Excellence Awards in June.

Ms Lawrence said: “All the DHL managers have been fully supportive of the training programme, by allowing a large proportion of their staff to develop their skills and knowledge. DHL took the decision to invest in upskilling their staff with an insight that by doing this their staff would contribute to the growth of the company.”

Rob Dunning, DHL Tradeteam site manager, said: “Weston College was really supportive to all our employees who took their NVQ qualifications. The courses were a key element of the training and development programme for staff.”

● DHL employees winning the Large Business Employer of the Year 2013 category at Weston College's Business Excellence Awards

● BRISTOL-based Marketing and Design agency, Synergy Creative, continues to expand its creative team with the appointment of a creative manager and senior designer.

Zoe Grimes (above left), who has 10 years of experience in branding, product launches and advertising, joins as creative manager. She joins from Herman Miller, the global workplace furniture design company, where she worked as creative lead on a number of branding and launch projects.

James Jenson (above right), who has nine years of experience, joins from Dyson in Malmesbury, and has experience in advertising, art direction, TV and print media.

His most recent project was the advertising concepts, design and TV advertising for Dyson’s new air multiplier TV campaign.

They will be working on international clients including Olswang, Ladbrokes and Brussels-based global gear manufacturer, IG Watteeuw. ● PUBLIC relations specialist Empica has expanded with the appointment of Nicki Sampson as strategic PR manager.

The Long Ashton-based firm points to a sharp rise in confidence across most sectors in the last few months which has brought in new clients.

Nicki Sampson has managed UK operations for a number of big-hitting clients including hi-tech engineering concerns, housebuilders, lawyers and a range of consumer accounts.

After several years’ consultancy experience, Nicki spent a decade as a senior lecturer in marketing at the University of the West of England, during which time she gained an MBA with the Open University. ● A BRISTOL academic has become the Fulbright-Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors scholar at the University of California, Berkeley.

Graham Squire, from UWE, will be based at the world-leading university for three months where he will research the financing of real estate in cities.