Direction
Business
Recruiting people full of life - page 24 The future of radio - page 22
Getting your marketing right - page 27
Business Direction published by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce BD01.indd 1
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Multi Temperature Supply Chain Specialists Oakland International is an award winning BRC accredited logistics company providing ambient, chilled and frozen storage, as well as picking, packing and distribution of food and consumer goods. With depots in the West Midlands and Ireland, we operate a highly efficient distribution network built on a reputation for delivering a customer focused reliable and flexible operation. Our specialist case consolidation service allows suppliers to share the same pallet for delivery into retail, wholesale and the food service sector.
www.oakland-international.com T: +44 (0) 1527 596 222
E: sales@oakland-international.com
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Dir ect ion
Bus ine ss
Contents Recruiting people full of The future of
life - page 24
radio - page
Business Direction
22
published by
27 ng right - page
marketi
Getting your
Herefordshire
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r of Commerce
May/June 2011
24 Cover feature
4 Chamber news
27 Sales and marketing
5 Business news
sold
Issue 1
ershire Chambe
and Worcest
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hWChamBer.Co.uK Business Direction, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s 52 page, full colour bi-monthly publication. Designed and produced by business people for business people. Distributed to 6,000 businesses including selected retail outlets and Tesco stores across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
ediTor Kelly Betts 0845 641 1641 ext 213
8 Education 9 Business news
31 Conference and exhibitions 36 International trade
12 Policy
38 Commercial property
13 Policy
40 Community focus
15 Member benefits
41 Chamber news
16 Chamber events 17 Training 19 Environment
22
43 New members 47 Take a break
21 Business news
49 Movers and shakers
22 Big interview
50 The last word
kellyb@hwchamber.co.uk
24 First word
ediTorial businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk 0845 641 1641 ext 213
and Worcestershire now having active business boards representing the business community. The business board chair for the Marches LEP is Neil Kerr, from Next Generation Turbines, and the Worcestershire LEP business board chair is Tony Hyde, Managing Director of Thomas Vale. The two main boards of the LEPs are also chaired by private sector individuals, the Marches Chair is Dr. Geoffrey Davies, Chairman, Alamo Group, and Worcestershire is Peter Pawsey. The roles and responsibilities of the LEPs are constantly developing and we are seeing the government refer to LEPs as key to the economic development of the country.
ProduCTion & desiGn Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2385 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk
adVerTisinG Distinctive Publishing, 8th Floor, Aidan House, Sunderland Road, Gateshead NE8 3HU Tel: 0845 884 2345 john.neilson@distinctivepublishing.co.uk
feaTure ediTors John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com
suBsCriPTions www.hwchamber.co.uk Tel: 0845 641 1641 Disclaimer: Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, the publisher accepts no responsibility for omissions or errors within this publication. Editorial submissions are included at the discretion of the editor. The opinions expressed in articles and letters within this publication are not necessarily those of the Chamber. All offers, promotions and competitions appearing in Business Direction are the sole responsibility of the advertiser/ promoting party and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce does not accept any responsibility for any representations made within them.
Welcome to our first edition of the magazine version of Business Direction. We are really excited that this format offers more opportunity and longevity for the business community in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Changes that the coalition government have made to business support are now starting to take effect, with the Local Enterprise Partnerships in Herefordshire (The Marches)
Last month here at the Chamber, we welcomed four new staff as we took responsibility for the delivery of Destination Worcestershire (read more on page 4). The future aims for us on this project are clear and include increasing visitor numbers to Worcestershire. Importantly, we aim to add value to the services provided to the membership of Destination Worcestershire. In addition, over the next couple of months there are a number of key opportunities which will be explored with key stakeholders including the tourism industry and Worcestershire Ambassadors. We have had a large number of entries for our Business Awards and once again look forward to celebrating your success at the Awards finale on Thursday 21 July at Worcester Cathedral. Enjoy this edition, your feedback is welcomed. mikea@hwchamber.co.uk
Our Patrons are:
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Chamber News Chamber selected to manage Destination Worcestershire Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted that they have been selected to manage Destination Worcestershire. Destination Worcestershire staff moved to the Chamber’s Warndon-based Head Office on Monday April 18. Destination Worcestershire had received funding from Worcestershire County Council and Advantage West Midlands (AWM) since 2006. However, the AWM funding ceased at the end of March 2011 because Regional Development Agencies have been abolished, and public sector budget cuts mean that County Council funding would have ceased at the end of March 2012. The move allows Destination Worcestershire to develop its support and services to promote Worcestershire. Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is a membership-driven organisation and values its members. It is our vision to provide a similar model for Destination Worcestershire. We will retain the brand and provide a range of new services for the membership.
These will include developing a website which will take bookings not only for accommodation but for attractions and Visitor Centres with the aim to increase the number of tourists visiting and staying in Worcestershire.” www.visitworcestershire.org
Chamber renews Technology Support Tesco’s work in the community Tesco’s shops are in local communities in the UK and Contract with Advantage Group around the world. They employ hundreds of thousands A year on from the Advantage Group winning the contract to support Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce IT requirements, they have succeeded in renewing the partnership based on first class service and reliability. “When competing for the business in early 2010 we spoke of ‘going the extra mile’ for Advantage Engineer our clients and always ‘striving to achieve Chamber Server Cabinet customer delight’ ” noted James Green, Managing Director of the Advantage Group. “Whilst everyone can claim to exceed others standards, the opportunity to display it in such a high profile environment as the Chamber was one we thoroughly welcomed. Winning business is based on promises of great delivery, however renewals are based on factual performance and I am delighted to receive this vote of confidence in our business from an organisation such as the Chamber.” Following an extended period of growth and consolidation, during which the business has expanded into specialist markets delivering market leading support services for corporate technology and telecoms, the Advantage Group have moved into larger premises more suited to house the infrastructure required to support today’s complex technological business requirement.
of people whose families depend on the companies’ success for their livelihoods. Customers of Tesco expect them to respond and find engaging solutions on major issues such as climate change, education, natural disasters and other causes supported by major national charities. So in addition to Community Champions, Community Fairs, community awards, local education programmes and community noticeboards, Tesco have been supporting Race for Life for Cancer Research UK for over a decade. This is part of their ongoing commitment to promote healthy living, local community engagement and team building opportunities outside the workplace. This years Worcester’s Race for Life takes place at Worcester Racecourse on Sunday 12 June 2011. To enter log onto www.raceforlife.org/choose-your-event/worcester.aspx
Look out for BD in Tesco Business Direction has been available in independent outlets for some time, but as of this edition (May/June 2011), it will now be available in Tesco stores across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
This represents a substantial investment on the company’s part in order to ensure service levels are not only maintained, but enhanced as connectivity speeds, data volumes and security requirements place extreme system pressure on legacy IT systems. James Green added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chamber for the confidence shown in us some 12 months ago and the professional approach in developing what we hope will continue to be a long term relationship in this critical area of their business.
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2011 Issue
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Issue 2
29/6/11
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