Business
Week
‘If we fold it will have impact on whole city’ Exclusive
WED
04 SEP 2013
Jobs Your first step to a new career starts Page 7 Page 5 | Setting standards with the green team
Case study
Rupert Janisch
N organisation supporting start-ups and helping Bristol’s economy to grow faces closure if it cannot find more funding by April. Outset Bristol, based in Queen Square, has helped more 213 businesses become fledgling companies since it started in November 2010. But with funding streams uncertain, it requires £250,000 next year in order to hold onto its match-funding from a European grant that would let it keep running until at least March 2015. Without the funding, the organisation’s work will have to stop early next year. Run and managed by Cambridge-based business-support company YTKO, Outset’s work is to provide business training for entrepreneurs in the business community who are underrepresented. Women, the disabled, the over-50s and ethnic minorities are among the groups who are supported by Outset. The organisation’s advisers and coaches run free workshops in deprived areas all over the city such as Lockleaze, Easton, Southmead and Hartcliffe. Outset’s funding has come from Bristol City Council for the past two years and has been matched by European Regional Development Fund money. But with city-council budget cuts affecting the money available, Outset Bristol’s programme director, Andy Dean, needs to find the money from elsewhere or risk seeing the organisation having to close. He said: “The problem is that the programme is funded completely by the European Regional Development Fund, and the funding only lasts until March next year. “It is match-funded only so if we do not find someone to support us locally then we could find all our funding is withdrawn. “When the regional development agencies disappeared it left a big hole – and since then everybody has been floundering around with next to nothing.
● BEFORE she visited Outset Bristol, Nectaria Pospori was a single mum working as a waitress, spending large amounts of her income on childcare costs and not being able to pick up her son from school. Looking for a way out, she spoke to Outset in 2011 after spotting a poster in The Galleries shopping centre. She attended some workshops, and with a new qualification in dance exercise zumba, Nectaria was able to develop her Zumba With Nectaria classes. She identified her target market and gathered business confidence by meeting other entrepreneurs with the same fears and uncertainties. The 34-year-old from Horfield is now running classes across Bristol for people aged over 16 and of all fitness abilities. The business plan is to expand with a network of instructors and promote the energy and healthy message of zumba all over the city. “So it is a massive effort to try to ensure we are still here in the future. And the last thing we want to do is have close the door in a few months’ time.” Mr Dean believes the loss of Outset Bristol would have negative effects on the city, not only socially but in business terms too. He said: “We reckon that our gross value added to the local economy has been more than £2.3 million so far. But you have to remember
Rise of £600k in the six months to end of June
Water way to go – firm’s profits on the up A CLEVEDON-based firm which makes products for water treatment is riding a wave of success, with profits up to £6 million from £5.4 million in the six months to the end of June. Hydro International, which employs 40 people at its headquarters on Clevedon Hall
Estate, increased profits despite a slight dip in revenue from £15.3 million to £15.1 million. The order book was up by 6 per cent with big deals including a £2.4 million contract for stormwater storage in Saudi Arabia, and some $3.6 million (£2.3 million) of orders from Dallas in the US.
Page 2&3 | ‘I took over firm from dad – and at first made a complete pig’s ear of it’ that there are long-term benefits of our funding which will not have become apparent yet.” A council spokesman said: “The funding for this scheme, which was provided through the Bristol Urban Enterprise Programme, is awarded by the European Regional Development Framework and was always going to be for a limited period. This was for 18 months but was extended for a further six months.”
The company said the domestic market was less certain, with many water projects being delayed or deferred. Chairman Roger Lockwood said: “Hydro’s markets continue to be challenging and the business remains exposed to the timing of major projects and the cyclical environment within certain sectors of our industry, most notably within the UK wastewater division. “We have made solid progress during the first half-year and our expectations for the full year are in line with forecasts.”
EPB-E01-S3
A
business@b-nm.co.uk
2
www.bristolpost.co.uk
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Broker converts gamble into sponsorship
I learned from my mistakes, says electrical boss
How son found spark to make firm a success Post assistant editor Gavin Thompson visits the growing family firm where the boss is still trying to out-do his old man ● Ian Burgess, left, and Graham White of Venture Insurance with George Watkins of Bristol Rugby
Rugby risk pays off for insurer INSURANCE is all about calculated risks – and for one Bristol broker, taking a chance by entering a sponsorship draw has paid off. Venture Insurance Brokers Ltd was pulled out of the hat ahead of 43 others to become a corporate sponsor of Bristol Rugby’s new shirt. The Clifton-based broker will have its branding on the home and away special-edition matchday shirts, as well as receiving corporate entertainment packages during the season. Venture Insurance is a relatively new business, though the team have more than 120 years’ experience between them. The company is a long-term sponsor of winger George Watkins, who has bagged 41 tries for Bristol and has been top try-scorer for the past three seasons.
Venture director Graham White said: “We are long-term supporters of Bristol Rugby and are delighted to feature on the matchday shirt ahead of the 125th anniversary season. “It is a real fillip for us to be on the shirts – and in terms of business, it is a great way to become known to a whole new raft of like-minded potential clients.” Suzanne Roper, commercial director at Bristol Rugby, said: “The Championship Club prize draw has experienced huge growth in the past few seasons. “We are delighted for Venture Insurance Brokers Ltd who have been loyal supporters of the club. The prize draw is a great opportunity to win branding and hospitality at the Memorial Stadium.”
22 per cent aware of crowd funding
Firms turn away from banks
EPB-E01-S3
SMALL businesses are looking to grow in the coming year. But many still fear banks will refuse to lend them money, so are looking to other sources instead. The small- and medium-sized business Finance Monitor report, by market research specialists BDRC Continental, found that 51 per cent of firms were looking to grow their business in the next 12 months, up from 48 per cent. And the proportion looking to external finance was up five points to 44 per cent. But more are thinking of going somewhere other than the bank for money, with 22 per cent now aware of crowd funding, up from 18 per cent. And 21 per cent of firms were using other sources of funding, such as loans from directors. And only one in three small- or medium-sized businesses were using
loans, overdrafts, commercial mortgages and credit cards, suggesting smaller firms do not see banks as likely lenders. Business support organisation, the Forum for Private Business, said the figures showed the recovery was under way but could stall if banks failed to lend money. Chief executive Phil Orford, left, said: “My message to the banks is we can not afford for progress to wither. Banks must be more proactive in providing the liquidity the economy needs.” Shiona Davies, director at BDRC Continental, said: “More SMEs are expecting to grow, and use of external finance increased in the second quarter. The latest data suggests that SMEs are expanding their use of ‘non-core’ sources of external finance, including an increasing awareness of crowd funding.”
W
HEN Ben Gilks joined the family business at the age of just 18, he thought he knew it all. The next few years taught him how wrong he was and cost him his hair – but thankfully not the business. But now appliance supplier Nailsea Electrical is a thriving shop with a growing brand in Bristol. Ben, 28, says: “My dad started the business 30 years ago. I had gone to an agricultural engineering college but my dad was going to get rid of the business because he wanted to go into property. “I said that would be madness and thinking I knew it all I took over... and I made a complete pig’s ear of it for the first three years. “But then I learned from my mistakes and in the past five years I have been director of the business and taken it to a different level.” The core of the business, which despite the name is based in Gloucester Road, Bristol, is selling electrical appliances to local customers. It’s a tough market, and the rise of internet firms has cut profit margins on white goods from over 30 per cent to as little as eight per cent. “On a £600 washing machine, we might be making £50. People think you are making £250 but that’s just not the case,” explains Ben. “We have to sell a lot of washing machines.” And that’s partly why the business has taken new directions in recent years. First came the cookery school, and idea that sparked from something of a publicity stunt. “We started doing live cooking demonstrations on Saturdays,” says Ben, from Winford. “It was a way of bringing the products alive. By the second week, we had 2-300 people turning up.” The strong interest got Ben, who says he loves food – with pasta as a favourite – but is not too fussy, thinking about a way to make more use of the back rooms at the store. He began researching cookery schools and after interviewing several candidates to run it, none of whom were quite right, he turned to old friend Giles Pusham and offered
him the chance to come on board. Giles, 33, who lives in Bedminster, said: “Ben tells me to treat the cookery school like my own business.” And he gets a share of profits as an incentive to do just that. The pair are best friends who met at the Bear and Swan in Chew Magna, where Giles was working in his dad’s Somerset-based pub empire, Gamebird Inns. By the time the cookery school idea came about, Giles was working abroad but Ben was able to tempt him back to Bristol. “Giles is my best friend, he was the
“
...............................................................
Thinking I knew it all I took over and I made a complete pig’s ear of it for the first three years.
Ben Gilks
............................................................................
perfect man to do it. Between 9 and 5 we work together, after 5 we are out together,” he says. Before correcting himself with a grin; “Well, we’ll have a beer on Friday night.” The school, called 102 Cookery School after the address of the building, is keeping Giles busy. As well as social groups and parties of up to 12 people, the Samsung sponsored kitchen is being used more and more for corporate events, where with team cooking it can host up to 24 at a time. It is even raising its profile by sponsoring the hospitality restaurant, Fullbacks, at Bristol Rugby. And now there is a third strand to the business, with a new kitchen showroom run by Jon Gradwell. Fitted kitchens offer a healthier profit margin for the firm, and all three strands feed off one another. People come into the store to look at appliances and see the kitchens, perhaps during a demonstration run by the cookery school. Visitors to the
● Nailsea Electrical owner Ben cookery school get to use top appliances and leave wanting them at home too. As Ben puts it, they “walk out through the world’s biggest gift shop”. Ben is obviously proud of the new kitchen showroom. “It’s the first working showroom in the UK. Rather than going into a shop and just seeing the appliances, in here they are all live and if people want to come to the showroom and use a product before they take it home, they can.” But he puts the success of Nailsea Electrical, which has been growing its turnover for the past six years, down to customer service. Anyone who has ever had an appliance delivered by a courier on behalf of an internet supplier who has simply dumped it on the kerbside, will know what he’s talking about. “If you buy from us, you speak to a person. All our staff are expertly training in the products,” says Ben, who adds many of his customers are
Visit www.southwestbusiness.co.uk for the latest news from Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath and to receive your FREE daily e-briefing
www.bristolpost.co.uk
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
HOW SON FOUND SPARK TO MAKE FIRM A SUCCESS
VIDEO ONLINE Nailsea Electrical boss Ben Gilks reveals his biggest mistake. See the video on our website: bristolpost.co.uk
3
Rental growth of 1.2%
Students grant housing firm rise in profits A BRISTOL accommodation firm that provides student digs in the city has grown its operating profits in the first six months of the year. Unite – which is based in the city and also houses students at Phoenix Court opposite Cabot Circus, and Blenheim Court in St Pauls – reported like-for-like rental growth for the six months since December 2012 of 1.2 per cent. Profit from its rental operations rose 12.5 per cent to some £16.2 million, from £14.4 million in the same period the year before. The strong showing is a good sign for other businesses which rely on the student pound in Bristol, as it suggests higher tuition fees – now £9,000 a year for most students at the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England – have not killed off demand for places. In its results, Unite said: “Student numbers in the UK, the key driver of demand for our properties, appear to be recovering strongly after disruption in the 2012-13 university year as a result of various Government policy
16.2
● The profit, in millions of pounds, for Unite from its rental operations
Gilks, who took over the business when he was just 18, with his dad Pete; below, Giles Pusham teaches youngsters at the cookery school people who have had bad experiences with online suppliers, and come to him instead. “We even get recommendations from other companies. I had a call the other day from someone who said he’d called a major firm who didn’t know what he was looking for and suggested he call us. I had sold him the item within five minutes.” And he says they’ll do all they can to get the customer what they want, where they want it. “We have reversed a truck up to a house, taken out the bay window on the first floor and passed an American fridge from the top of the van.” So has Ben finally proved himself to dad Pete? “Dad’s not one to praise me directly to my face,” he says. “But me and my dad are best mates and we have a good relationship. “I always wanted to do more then what my dad had done with the business – I have that competitive streak,” he says, before adding: “We have managed to quadruple turnover.”
changes. All our local markets are benefiting from a stronger outlook than a year ago. We expect the 2013-14 student intake to be at least 30,000 higher than 2012-13, an increase of 6 per cent, and with limited new supply of accommodation in most areas this should translate into high occupancy and robust rental growth.” The firm may see rising demand as justification for its decision to close Bristol Ice Rink, which it owns, and turn it into student flats. Reservations for the firm’s student accommodation for the 2013-14 academic year stood at 90 per cent of its capacity at the end of August, compared to 87 per cent last year. The firm believes this will mean growing its income from rents by 3 per cent over the full year to December. Chief executive Mark Allan said: “The business has continued to perform strongly in 2013 with solid growth in earnings and net asset value (share value) and healthy demand for accommodation for the 2013-14 university year. “We expect this positive performance to be sustained for the full year, and the outlook for the remainder of 2013 and into 2014 is encouraging. “Longer term, the business is well positioned for continued growth in earnings. The demand/supply dynamics of our sector remain supportive, our competitive position and brand are strong and we have capital available to invest selectively.” An en-suite room at Phoenix Court costs from £148 per week.
EPB-E01-S3
Visit www.southwestbusiness.co.uk for the latest news from Gloucestershire, Bristol and Bath and to receive your FREE daily e-briefing
4
www.bristolpost.co.uk
Firms that bank with HSBC see rise in fees ● COSTS have gone up for Bristol businesses who bank with HSBC. The changes mean firms who were already paying a £5 fee will now pay £5.50 a month, while others who were not previously paying a penny will be hit by the £5.50 charge for the first time. A spokesman for the bank said the move followed a product review and all affected customers should have received a letter. “This will provide customers with clearer, more transparent pricing, making it easier for them to manage their costs,” he said. HSBC has around 700,000 business banking customers in the UK. Those on introductory free banking periods are unaffected.
Hotel marks milestone in valet parking scheme ● A CITY centre hotel believes it has solved the age old problem of customers finding somewhere to park. Radisson Blu Hotel, in Broad Quay, Bristol, introduced a valet parking scheme a year ago and has now parked 10,000 cars. The lucky 10,000th customer was upgraded to suites with Harbourside views. Hotel general manager Christopher Peach said: “This scheme is a fantastic addition to the services we provide at the hotel and has been extremely popular since it began. “It has made visiting the hotel by car much easier for both our leisure and corporate guests.”
Showcase your work ● AN EVENT later this month will showcase what businesses in North Somerset have to offer. The Clevedon Business Show is at Clevedon Hall from 2pm to 7pm on Thursday, September 26 with local businesses all being invited to take part. The event is being organised by Clevedon Chamber of Commerce and stands cost £10 for members and £30 for non members. For more information call 01275 877277.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Profile:
Dotun Olowoporoku CEO and Founder of meals.co.uk, online food ordering and delivery service for high-end restaurants In brief Age: 36 Position and name of company: CEO Founder, meals.co.uk Sector: Restaurant/food and drink, and technology Size of company: Six full-time employees plus delivery staff and 22 restaurant partners in Bristol Born: March 7, 1977, Nigeria Educated: University of Lagos (BSc) Middlesex University (MA), University of the West of England (PhD) First job: Primary school teacher at the age of 19 Influences and inspirations: An early failure at school when I had to repeat a class after becoming distracted during my teenage years was a big wake-up call for me. That was the event that influenced my attitude to hard work and determination to succeed. Irritations: People who tailgate and drive right up behind me, and my wife would say I am always complaining about reality television! Hobbies: I find visiting new countries and learning about other cultures fascinating. I am a real museum enthusiast; one of my favourite places in Bristol is the ss Great Britain.
Q&A What first inspired you to become involved in business? In Nigeria, where I grew up, the culture is very entrepreneurial, everyone trades in something, from grandmother to schoolboy. Being ‘in business’ was just a way of life so when I spotted a gap in the market and came up with the idea for meals.co.uk I wasn’t afraid to go for it. Looking back is there anything you would have done differently in the course of your career? Chosen an arts or
humanities-based degree as I think it gives you an excellent understanding of people and their motives and why they behave the way they do. A really solid foundation for being in business and understanding who your customers are and what makes them tick. What part of your job do you enjoy the most? The big smile on someone’s face when you tell them you’d love them to join the team. I find it immensely satisfying being able to create employment
opportunities. The same goes for the restaurants we work with, telling the owner who has put his or her faith in us how much extra income they’ve had from us that month. What is the key challenge facing business in the UK today? There is a prevalent risk-averse attitude to new business in the UK where people see starting a business as too much of a gamble and are too afraid of failure. What can Government do to help businesses thrive? Offer more
Staff step in to clean up haven for homeless
Shelter profits from bankers YOU might not expect to see a group of bankers in a homeless shelter, but that’s exactly where one team from Bristol spent the day – cleaning. A group of 18 people from Lloyds TSB Private Banking scrubbed The
Julian Trust Night Shelter in Little Bishop, St Paul’s, from top to bottom. The shelter, run by volunteers, is open five nights a week and provides hot meals to between 80 and 100 homeless people a day. The first 18 guests
support both in an advisory and financial capacity so people don’t see the risk of starting a business as outweighing the benefits. What one piece of advice would you give to anyone considering setting up their own company? Be gutsy! If you’re going to do it, do it. There’s no point doing it half-heartedly, find something you genuinely believe in and go for it 150 per cent. It might be harder, tougher and take longer than you thought but don’t give up and don’t be afraid of failure.
● The Lloyds TSB team also get bed and breakfast. Mark Campbell, regional head of high net worth private banking in the South West, said: “Although the Night Shelter has a voluntary cleaning team, they’re only able to cover the basics. It was hard work and very different from our usual ‘day’ jobs, but it was also very rewarding.”
Are you ready for payroll changes? EPB-E01-S3
Lloydbottoms chartered accountants - here to help. Contact Sue Rickerby 0117 957 3537 Lloydbottoms Chartered Accountants, 118 High Street, Staple Hill, Bristol. BS16 5HH | principal@lloydbottoms.co.uk | www.lloydbottoms.co.uk
5
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
www.bristolpost.co.uk
Company’s hot plan
£6.9m deal
Date ploy fires totally rad idea for pioneer firm
Mitie buys out shareholders at model start-ups
A PROJECT which started off as a ploy to get a date has developed into a thriving business for a Keynsham couple. Three years ago, gas heating engineer Ben O’Sullivan agreed to make a radiator cover for his friend, Laura, after she had moved house. The good deed led to a date and then to marriage. And the couple, who have a one-year-old son Max, have seen their fledgling business flourish alongside their romance. Mr O’Sullivan said: “She was a friend and had bought a new place. I offered to cover her radiator that she did not particularly like. I had no idea how to make radiator covers so I put myself under a bit of pressure. “We started to date – and gradually, over time, neighbours who had been into the house liked the cover and I ended up doing some for them. “I did some for family and on Facebook I got some orders.” It was before the couple’s son was born last year that Mrs O’Sullivan wanted to decorate the nursery. It dawned on them that there was nobody producing radiator covers for a nursery. Mr O’Sullivan said: “There were conventional covers but nothing individual. Laura got the ball rolling and came up with some designs.” The company, called Totally Rad, is producing 12 designs for radiator covers, made at its new Timsbury workshop. The firm has now become official suppliers to ITV’s 60 Minute Makeover, so there should be more orders in the pipeline.
OUTSOURCING firm Mitie has bought out employee shareholdings in four of its junior Mitie Model businesses. Bristol-based Mitie, a £2 billion FTSE 100 company which aims to help firms save money by looking after their facilities and other services, uses the model formula to support start-up businesses. Mitie now owns the four businesses – Mitie Client Services, Mitie Pest Control, Mitie Security Holdings and Mitie Landscapes – outright. It paid a total of £6.9 million – £800,000 in cash and the rest in shares in the company. Chief executive Ruby McGregor- Smith, pictured, said: “I am delighted with the progress of these four businesses, which have contributed to the growth and innovation of our group.” She added: “We see the Mitie Model as a significant opportunity to support our growth aspirations.” Mitie stands for management incentive training through investment equity. The model formula is aimed at entrepreneurial management teams who grow their business as part of Mitie, but take a stake of up to 49 per cent. After five to 10 years Mitie acquires it in full, buying out the management team’s shares. It has supported more than 100 start-ups in this way since it formed 25 years ago.
● Ben O’Sullivan from Totally Rad who make radiator covers
Business West calls for an ‘enterprise-friendly environment’
The Pitch 2013
‘Government must do more to make economy great, not good’
Contestants bid for fund prize
Gavin Thompson Assistant Editor (Business) gavin.thompson@b-nm.co.uk
pected second-quarter growth of 0.7 per cent and the strong service sector reflected in the chambers’ quarterly economic surveys. He said: “The improved outlook is testament to the determination shown by businesses who have consistently displayed confidence in the face of pessimism over the economy.
116.3
● The predicted amount, in billions of pounds, of 2013-14 public borrowing “Unfortunately, however, the recovery is not yet secure. We have had false dawns in recent years – and although this upturn appears to be on stronger ground, we must be aware that complacency could lead to setbacks. “There are many external factors, such as the eurozone, the Middle East, and the Chinese economy, that
could halt our progress. However, our surveys have shown that firms are confident about their prospects and want to expand, but they cannot do it alone. “Our own surveys have shown that export activity among our members is at record levels, reflecting the better figures we have seen in recent months. “But exporters need support on the ground and Business West is working hard on assisting them to break into new markets through UK Trade and Investment, Enterprise Europe Network and Acorn Interactive. “The Government must adopt measures to foster an enterprise-friendly environment where businesses can continue to create jobs, invest and export. “Only by doing this will we encourage optimism and move our economy forward from good to great.” Business West, based in Abbots Leigh, represents 16,000 businesses in the South West. It is made up of local chambers of commerce, including Bristol.
EPB-E01-S3
A LEADING organisation representing Bristol businesses says the Government must do more to ensure the economy continues to get stronger. Business West managing director Phil Smith called for fast-growing small- and medium-sized businesses to get better access to finance, and for the Treasury and Bank of England to underwrite big infrastructure projects to ensure the best environment for firms to succeed. He was speaking after the British Chambers of Commerce upgraded its UK growth forecasts for the UK economy over the next three years, from 0.9 per cent to 1.3 per cent in 2013, from 1.9 per cent to 2.2 per cent in 2014, and from 2.4 per cent to 2.5 per cent in 2015. Mr Smith said: “Improving access to finance for viable, fast-growing businesses is a major priority, and the Government must do more to ensure that vibrant SMEs can obtain finance
on reasonable terms. The Government must also work with the Bank of England and the Treasury to underwrite private-sector investment in infrastructure projects.” The report tells an optimistic story for the UK economy. It states the service sector will continue to outperform other areas with growth of 1.9 per cent in 2013, 2.6 per cent in 2014, and 3 per cent in 2015. It forecasts unemployment to fall faster to 2.45 million, or 7.5 per cent of the workforce, in the third quarter of 2014 – 200,000 lower than predicted in May. And it says the 7 per cent unemployment threshold, chosen by the Bank of England as a key marker for when interest rates could be raised, will be reached in the fourth quarter of 2015, nine months earlier than the Bank predicts. It also predicts public-sector borrowing will be £3.5 billion lower than expected in 2013-14, at a still-staggering £116.3 billion. Mr Smith said the improved forecasts were due to stronger-than-ex-
WOULD-BE entrepreneurs will pitch for a share of £275,000 at a competition in Bristol later this month. Contestants in The Pitch 2013 have been drawn from around the country and include Ed Dowding of Bristol-based Sustaination, which has created a business to business food trade network – FoodTrade.com. During the 14-hour event, entrepreneurs will pitch to a team of judges, while investors – Martin Bowles from Horatio Investments, Ben Heald from Sift and Gustavo Trujillo from Heron Capital Partners – look on and decide who they would like to back. The event was started in Bristol in 2008 and is returning this year after touring the UK. Founder Dan Martin said: “Amid all the doom and gloom, it is an absolute pleasure to showcase positive stories about innovative individuals who are going it alone and building strong businesses. “This year’s contestants are an eclectic bunch and an excellent representation of the diversity of entrepreneurial talent in the UK.” Tickets to watch the show cost £10 and can be bought from www.thepitchuk.com/live. The cost is then refunded in Bristol Pounds and also includes access to business workshops and a pop-up shop.
6
www.bristolpost.co.uk
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Advertising feature Among the exhibitors are: West Of England Local Enterprise Partnership: This is a new local skills service providing free and impartial advice and support for your business. Our skills team are listening and responding to local business skills and training needs to drive growth, linking with education to deliver the training to build the innovative, inspiring and dedicated workforce of today and tomorrow. For details, see www.westofenglandlep.co.uk/people-and-skills, email info@woeskills.co.uk or call 01275 378892.
Tr a i n i n g
● The Best of Bristol Business Exhibition at the Ashton Gate conference centre takes place on Tuesday, September 24
PRIME: The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise is one of The Prince’s Charities and is the only national charity dedicated to helping anyone over 50, who is unemployed or at risk of redundancy, to start their own business. For information on workshops and support, visit www.prime.org.uk or call 0845 862 2023.
Meet potential clients in person WHEN Neil Kinnerly started out on his own after years in corporate finance, he was not sure what sort of business he wanted, except that it had be to be online. So it may seem strange he is now running Bristol’s biggest business show, which is all about meeting potential customers in person. As the born-and-bred Bristolian puts it: “There’s no substitute for meeting face to face, eyeball to eyeball, because ultimately people do business with people they like and who they trust.” But for the 51-year-old who lives in Rangeworthy, the journey has been an obvious one. The Best of Bristol Business Exhibition at the Ashton Gate conference centre on Tuesday, September 24, will bring together more than 120 exhibitors hoping to look potential customers in the eye. Neil expects the event to draw more than 500 delegates, based on the success of recent shows. It wasn’t always such big numbers. The first event, about five years ago, had just 15 exhibitors at the smaller venue of Cadbury House Hotel. “This will be our 14th event,” says Neil. “It started as a networking event for our online advertising clients.” Neil previously worked at Bristol supermarket chain Somerfield as commercial and financial director, but left in the buyout that eventually saw the chain swallowed by the Co-op brand. “When I left Somerfield I didn’t have a specific business in mind. What I did know is that having done 25 years working in the corporate world, I wanted to do something for me,” he says. “I looked at a lot of different opportunities, such as buying a small shop, but I felt the internet was the place that was growing extremely quickly and my feeling was to get into
business connected to the internet.” So he bought the Bristol franchise of an online advertising directory called Best Of. It has listings for up to five businesses in each category, chosen by Neil to represent the “best of ” their kind. After a time some of the clients wanted more than just advertising. Neil explains that for consumer businesses such as pubs or restaurants, the online directory is enough. But businesses who provide services to other businesses want to know who they are buying from. So Neil organised a networking event. “People enjoyed it so much they wanted us to do more,” he says. “But when you go to a business networking event, some people are good at networking and some people are not. “The ones who are not drift into a corner and talk to the people they already know. “What they really need is to reach the person on the other side of the room who might help their business. “We thought about this issue and for the second event we invited a number of delegates to bring along a small banner. “We provided them with a table and created some points of interest around the room. “And it’s grown from there. It’s become Bristol’s biggest business show with over 100 exhibitors attending – last time (in March). “For the next event we have already sold 120 stands so we expect it to be bigger again. “That means even more people to meet face to face, eyeball to eyeball and more business to be done.” ● Exhibitor prices range from £200 – £300 with a 50 per cent discount for Best of Bristol and FSB members. People interested in the event should call Neil on 0117 911 4223.
Activia Training: Activia is a UK-based IT applications and business skills training provider, offering local training in Bristol, in the city centre and on your premises if required. Scheduling hundreds of courses each month and training thousands of delegates each year, Activia continues to provide flexible and innovative training solutions. Contact www.activia.co.uk, 0845 230 6150 or marketing@activia.co.uk. Get a 10% discount on bookings using code EVX576.
The Payroll Department: The Payroll Department is a Bristol-based payroll bureau. It provides cost-effective outsourced payroll services to small- and medium-sized enterprises and accountants. Qualified and experienced payroll specialists with BACS accreditation can pay your staff, deal with HMRC, RTI and auto enrolment, leaving you more time to focus on your business. Contact 0117 935 3900 or visit www.thepayrolldept.co.uk.
Business West: Business West, the largest membership organisation in the region, represents and works with 16,000 businesses. It provides a full range of advice and support services from how to start, develop and grow your business to expanding overseas. Visit Business West at stand 124 to see how it can help your business. See www.businesswest.co.uk. Eco IP Communications Ltd: Founded in 2011, Eco IP has its heritage firmly in the telecommunications sector, with 20 years’ experience spanning both technical and customer-service competencies offering environmentally-friendly solutions to customers. Call Paul on 0117 911 2992 or email paul@ecoip.co.uk. Check Eco IP’s website at www.ecoip.co.uk.
Grosvenor Park: Grosvenor Park has money to lend to small- and medium-sized enterprises. It offers specialised solutions for the arrangement of debt finance, capital restructuring and equity finance. It assists business start up, expansion and recovery, advises on business strategy, and provides resources to support restructuring. Grosvenor Park can lend money to help you grow. Call 0800 181 4011, fax 01934 628268 or email info@grosvenor-park.co.uk. Calvium Ltd: Thinking of creating an iPhone and Android app? For friendly advice visit Calvium on stand 68. Calvium is a mobile-app development specialist. It builds award-winning apps that help brands tell stories about people, places, sights, sounds and brands. There is an app for everything and everyone, and Calvium Ltd will work with you collaboratively to find yours. Email hello@calvium.com or call 0117 370 8875. Twinfield: Twinfield is Europe’s largest online accounting solution. Providing all the benefits of cloud accounting, Twinfield gives you access to real-time information about your business anytime, anywhere on any device. Available for a fixed monthly fee, Twinfield is a scalable solution designed to grow with your business, and is rapidly becoming the software of choice for entrepreneurs and accountants. To find out more visit www.twinfield.co.uk or come and talk to us at stand 111. Bristol City Council: Supporting Local Business: ● Are you in business? ● Want to do better? ● Want to save costs and help the environment?
● Looking for new premises? ● Uncertain of legislation or regulations? ● Not sure where to go for advice? We are proud to support the
Best of Bristol Business Exhibition, please visit our exhibition stand. Email: bristol.futures@ bristol.gov.uk, tel: 0117 922 2928
Website Sorted: Get your website sorted today. The firm does content-managed websites, e-commerce websites, mobile websites, hosted blogs, and search-engine optimisation. Call or email for your free, no-obligation website proposal. Call 0117 911 4223, email info@websitesorted.com, see www.websitesorted.com or come and visit stand 67 and receive 10 per cent off the cost of website design and build.
Best Of Bristol Business Exhibition EPB-E01-S3
The One Stop Shop For All Your Business Services Tues 24th Sept 2013 10am - 3pm Ashton Gate Conference Centre Free Entry
Sponsored by