Business Direction 36 by Distinctive Media Group Ltd

Direction

Business

PREPARING THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE

THE EVOLUTION OF SKILLS

PAGE 28

PAGE 30

Issue 36 March/April 2017

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Bu sin es s

Di re ct io n

FIRSTWORD

MARCH-APRIL 2017: NEW HORIZONS ORCE

THE WORKF PREPARING URE OF THE FUT

ION

THE EVOLUT OF SKILLS PAGE 30

Issue 36 2017 March/April

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BUSINESS DIRECTION Business Direction, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s full colour bi-monthly publication. Designed and produced by business people for business people. Distributed to 4,000 businesses.

EDITOR Rebekah Harris 01905 673 639 rebekahh@hwchamber.co.uk

EDITORIAL & SUBSCRIPTIONS businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk 01905 673 639 www.hwchamber.co.uk/busines-direction

PRODUCTION & DESIGN  Distinctive Publishing, Unit 6b, Floor B, Milburn House, Dean Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1LE  Tel: 0845 887 3810 www.distinctivepublishing.co.uk

ADVERTISING    Distinctive Publishing Tel: 0845 887 3805 michele.keeler@distinctivegroup.co.uk

FEATURE EDITORS  John Dean & Francis Griss deangriss@btinternet.com 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 & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce does not accept any responsibility for any representations made within them.

In my previous Business Direction address, I said that 2017 was a New Year of opportunity. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is well positioned to respond to the needs of businesses and the expected changes to come, as we move towards Brexit and a new and different relationship with the USA. One of the key issues for companies locally and nationally is the availability of a skilled workforce. To this end, the Chamber has been working with local Councils, Schools, Local Enterprise Partnerships and importantly Businesses, to bridge this gap. This has begun with Careers Fairs, mentoring programmes and engaging companies with MPs and the British Chambers of Commerce to ensure decisions made reflect the needs of business. Recently, I met with a number of businesses from the food and agricultural sectors, who are particularly reliant upon labour from the EU. Skills is our theme for this edition. It is pleasing that the University of Worcester is looking to deliver even more vocational courses, in particular to develop a medical school which will have obvious benefits. The plans for Herefordshire’s new University, the New Model in Technology & Engineering (NMiTE), are well under way. This initiative will be transformational for Herefordshire and importantly will provide much needed skills for the county’s STEM industries. Featured in this edition is a Big Interview with John Pitt, Headmaster at Royal Grammar School (RGS) Worcester, who discusses how schools and businesses can better work together to bridge the skills gap. Also featured is an article from Robin Walker MP and numerous stories about apprenticeship schemes and the ways businesses are addressing the need locally. This will be my final First Word before I step down as Chief Executive at the end of March. I look forward to handing responsibility over to Sharon Smith and seeing how the Chamber will continue to grow and develop. In this edition, I have taken CEO prerogative and have used the Last Word to sum up my 10 years at the Chamber.

First Word

Chamber News

4-5

Business News

Policy Skills Business News

11 16-17 18

Chamber Training

20-21

Chamber Events

22-23

Big Interview

28-29

Cover Feature

30-31

Visit Herefordshire

Visit Worcestershire

Worcestershire Business Central 38 International Trade

42-43

Conference Worcestershire

Members Services

Charity News

New Members

54-55

Movers and Shakers

56-57

Last Word

Thank you all for your support and all the best for the future. Mike mikea@hwchamber.co.uk

Our Patrons are:

March/April 2017

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBERNEWS

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE ANNOUNCED FOR H & W CHAMBER Sharon Smith, new Chief Executive

Sharon Smith was announced as the new Chief Executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce in January 2017 and

will officially start her new role on 1 April. Sharon has worked at the Chamber for 10 years and was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2014. Previously, she spent 13 years working for Business Link in Herefordshire and seven years working for a Manufacturing company in Hereford. In addition, she also achieved an MBA from the University of Worcester in 2009. Sharon’s current role as Deputy Chief Executive at the Chamber means that she has a wide knowledge of the services the Chamber offers and a strong understanding of the local business community.

Sharon said: “I am delighted to have been successful in my application and I look forward to building on the success of the Chamber and strengthening our partnership with businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire”. Mike Ashton, current Chief Executive, said: “I’m really pleased for Sharon and I look forward to seeing how her experience will take the Chamber forward. We will be working closely together until she takes over as Chief Executive and I am certain that she will be successful in her new role”.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS! Words used by members to describe the Chamber were made into a Word Cloud

HIGH SATISFACTION FOR CHAMBER MEMBERS 89% of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce members are satisfied with their membership package and 88% would recommend membership to others, a recent Customer Satisfaction survey shows. In addition, 87% of respondents rated staff as “good” or “excellent” in regards to following up enquiries and being kept informed of progress. 99% gave the same feedback for the professional and courteous manner shown by staff. Respondents were also asked to choose three words to describe the Chamber. The most popular words chosen were “professional”, “friendly”, “knowledgeable” and “supportive”, with other common words including: “networking”, “proactive” and “efficient”. The words chosen were put into a Word Cloud, the result of which is shown here.

Businesses learn about energy efficiency at the Sustainability forum

SUCCESS FOR FIRST SUSTAINABILITY FORUM Over 30 people attended the first Sustainability forum, held in association with the Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP) at Thorlux Lighting in February. Attendees heard from Liz Rushton, Energy Efficiency Advisor, who provided an introduction to the programme. Businesses also heard from Richard Caple, Thorlux Lighting, who spoke about what to consider when buying LEDs. Ed Horgan, Briar Associates, also provided an insight into common areas where businesses waste energy.

Entries for the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber Business Awards close on Friday 31 March at 4.00pm. Businesses can enter one or more of 11 categories, including Best Use of Technology, Excellence in Innovation, Excellence in Customer Service and Small Business of the Year. Entry is free to Members and Non-members and is a great way to raise your profile, boost staff morale, stand out from competitors and reflect on your success. To download an entry form, visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/ awards/enter-now

Visitors also enjoyed a tour around the application centre at Thorlux Lighting, Redditch, where they saw the assembly of products from beginning to end. The Business Energy Efficiency Programme, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, offers eligible small-to-medium sized businesses free energy assessments and access to 40% grant funding up to £20,000. The next forum will be held on Thursday 6 April at Cargill Meats Europe, Hereford. To register, contact Worcestershire Business Central at 01905 677 888 or info@business-central.co.uk

March/April 2017

CHAMBERNEWS

CHAMBER LAUNCH BUSINESS MANIFESTO FOR 2017 The Chamber has officially launched its Business Manifesto for 2017, which outlines the main policy objectives and campaigns for businesses in the two counties. The manifesto was launched at an event hosted by Worcester, Bosch which attracted over 80 people from companies across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Speaking at the event were Mike Ashton and Sophia Haywood from the Chamber, Neil Schofield from Worcester, Bosch and guest speaker Mike Spicer, Director of Research and Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce. The manifesto was put together following consultation with the local business community. It aims to identify the key issues facing companies in the two counties and work towards solutions. As the voice of business, the Chamber will also relate these concerns back to politicians and work to

Chamber launch their business manifesto for 2017 at Worcester, Bosch

influence government on the key priorities needed to make the two counties an even better place to do business.

Space & Connectivity, Taxation & Red Tape, International Trade, Business Crime, Devolution, and Brexit.

The following areas were found to be the biggest concerns for businesses: Skills, Transport Infrastructure, Business

To receive a copy of the Manifesto and find out more, contact Sophia Haywood at sophiah@hwchamber.co.uk

HEREFORD TOURISM SUPERSTAR REACHES NATIONAL TOP TEN Liz Hill, Founder of Rural Concierge in Hereford, has reached the top ten in VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar competition in conjunction with the Daily Mirror, and is seeking the county’s support in an online vote. Liz was nominated by Visit Herefordshire for her commitment to the industry and passion for the local area. Her company, Rural Concierge, was established in 2013 when Liz spotted a gap in the market for local tourism information in Herefordshire. The company arranges tailored trips and itineraries, including tips on how to “get off the beaten track”, and works closely with local businesses and coach companies. Voting is now open via the Daily Mirror website – to vote, google “Tourism superstar”.

COULD YOU BE A CHAMBER BLOGGER? We’re looking for businesses to join our blog schedule and provide engaging content to be shared via our website, social media channels and members newsletter. Blog posts should be informative, covering topics that will be of interest to local businesses. They should be personal, can include anecdotes and can be humorous. Topics may range from the latest legislation, to the use of different social media platforms, top tips for networking events, managing a small business or beginning the export journey.

Liz Hill, Founder of Rural Concierge in Hereford

If you are interested in providing one or more blogs per year, visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/ member-blogging or email socialmedia@hwchamber.co.uk.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Teams participate in Guess the Flag and Ping Pong at The Event

BUSINESSES GET THEIR GAME FACE ON AT “THE EVENT” Over 90 people gathered on Thursday 19 January for “The Event”, a new and unique networking day which saw teams of business people competing in a series of games, ranging from physical and mental challenges, to classics such as giant connect four, the impossible buzz wire and a giant Operation. Competing in a circuit around the room at Sixways Stadium, teams had three minutes to complete each challenge. Moving lights and sound, provided by Production Support Services, provided a brilliant atmosphere to the event and set the tone for a highly competitive and fun time of networking. Team 1, spearheaded by Emma from Rock Power Connections, took first place, winning a bottle of champagne each, flowers and a hamper. If you are interested in taking part in future events like this, please contact the Membership Team at events@hwchamber.co.uk, 01905 673 600.

BUSINESSNEWS

WRITE MOVE FOR COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY

Chris and Teresa Green, Chris Green Media. Photo: FT Images

A Worcester based media consultancy has added publishing to its portfolio of services.

Caption: EBC Group Managing Director Richard Lane and Warriors Partnership Manager Leyton Williams.

EBC GROUP AND WORCESTER WARRIORS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP

Chris Green Media has launched its own publishing imprint, CGM Books, and will also run book writing training courses to provide would-be authors with the information they need to decide whether to write their story - or get it written for them.

Chris is writing the first two CGM books – Rebuilding the Belief, the sequel to his award-nominated work on football youth development Every Boy’s Dream and Soul Business, CGM’s ethos for a better way of business life.

An additional part of the service will be sports author talks by CGM managing partner Chris Green and media training partners Tom Watt, Lance Hardy and photographer Stuart Roy Clarke on the joys and perils of writing sports books.

“As well as writing books, we can design, publish and promote them too. If you have a story to tell, let us tell it for you” he said. www.chrisgreenmedia.co.uk

EBC Group are delighted to announce a new commercial partnership with Worcester Warriors which will see the technology provider become Worcester Warriors’ official IT partner. The four-year deal will also see EBC Group become sponsors of the prestigious hospitality area at Sixways, with the XV Club being renamed the EBC XV Club. Warriors Partnership Manager Leyton Williams said: “We are delighted to welcome EBC Group to the Warriors partnership family. “Having another partner on board shows the positivity that surrounds the Warriors within the business community” EBC Group Managing Director Richard Lane said: “We’re delighted to be entering into a commercial partnership to become Worcester Warrior’s official IT partner.’’ “Our sponsorship of the XV Club will help us promote our IT and technology services, and provide a facility for us to host hospitality and events.” EBC Group’s recent commercial partnerships include; Wolverhampton Racecourse, Midlands Air Ambulance and Worcestershire Rapids.

former and current apprentices: Anja Parkes and Jacob Styler

APPRENTICES BRING REAL SKILLS AND TALENT TO BUSINESS Rob Newton, Managing Director of Print Strategy Europe:

Path but wanted to start their career at the earliest possible opportunity.

“If I can let you into a secret, when we were first approached about apprenticeships I for one was sceptical. I wondered how we could we fit someone into our business who didn’t know what they wanted to do and had no business experience!

The candidates were bright, enthusiastic and a pleasure to meet and I’m delighted to say that these people now take up a quarter of our workforce with some holding key decision making positions.

Within two minutes of interviewing, I soon realised how wrong I was! I had the pleasure of meeting hugely talented individuals who could have easily gone down the University

www.ebcgroup.co.uk

As well as on the job training, our team members continue to achieve great qualifications at college and the skills they learn plug straight back into the business.” www.printstrategy.eu

DSL TEAM UP WITH PAY POINT Redditch based debt recovery agency DSL has teamed up with Pay Point to provide customers with access to almost 40,000 payment locations throughout the UK including 11,800 Post Offices. The team at DSL are pleased to offer customers great flexibility when paying overdue accounts using cash or debit card at a time and

location that’s convenient. DSL (Debt Solve) was established in 2006 and provides services including debt collection, credit control, door knocking, tracing absconders, legal administrative services and customer payment apps. The partnership with Pay Point will offer

greater benefits to customers including convenience and longer opening hours. Over 99% of UK households are situated within one mile of a Pay Point agent in urban areas or five miles in rural areas. www.dsluk.net www.quickpaysolutions.co.uk

March/April 2017

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BUSINESSNEWS

“RORY THE ROBOT” APPEAL COMES ONE STEP CLOSER Campaigners raising money to buy a state-of-the-art machine to treat prostate cancer have come one step closer to reaching their £300,000 target.

By 2020, businesses will manage their tax affairs through a digital, online account, and will be required to update HMRC at least quarterly.

The Rory the Robot Appeal set out 18 months ago to raise cash for the machine, which will allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery, removing the prostate gland. Prostate cancer survivor Brian Wilkes, from Droitwich, is leading the campaign with Ian Jukes and Paul Markall, and the team has raised around £220,000 - but tens of thousands more pounds are still needed before a down payment for the “robot” can be made. Attending the collection event at Webbs was Nick Baker, Head of Operations at Webbs, and Andrea Borwell-Fox, President of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, who is supporting the appeal.

The digital tax accounts will show an overview of income tax or corporation tax, VAT and National Insurance Contributions, plus income and expenses on a quarterly basis. Ian Jukes, Andrea Borwell-Fox and Nick Baker

Those wishing to find out more are welcome to attend an event at Worcester, Bosch on Friday 10 March 2017 at 10.00am. To register interest contact Tracey Hopkins: 07710 493617; the.hopkins@ btinternet.co.uk

YOUR BEST YEAR YET If you are the owner of a busy SME it’s very likely that one of your long-term goals is business growth.

business growth targets and deliver these through achievable monthly steps.

Run by Alison Stansfield at Barbro Consultancy and Coaching, Your Best Year Yet is a refreshingly different business growth programme.

“Within a year I had doubled my turnover and employed my first full-time member of staff. I now employ fourteen people, have a loyal and expanding client list, have acquired another practice and continue to go from strength to strength.”

Joanne Bell, business owner at Bells Accountants, speaks about her experience of working with Alison: “I was a one woman band at the time and I faced a number of business challenges. I wanted to update my fees, staff and premises and with Alison’s positive and practical steerage I was able to identify a number of key

DIGITISATION OF TAX “HARDER ON SMALL BUSINESSES”

Chris Hobbs from CB, Chartered Accountants said: “The digitisation of tax is going to have a very different effect on small companies compared to larger ones. For larger companies with financial controllers, accounts teams and reasonably sophisticated software accounting systems in place, the switch will be much easier than for smaller businesses without a dedicated accountant or bookkeeper. “Making tax digital will force all businesses to start using accounting systems. However, what HMRC has failed to identify is the cost of implementing an accounting system this isn’t just financial, but includes the time and effort spent learning how to use it and keeping it up to date.” “Small business must start to plan now for this very significant change.” www.cbcharteredaccountants.com

www.barbroconsult.co.uk

Chris Hobbs, CB, Chartered Accountants

WELCOME TO THE APPRENTICESHIP HUB Part of the University of Wolverhampton, the Apprenticeship Hub is a one-stop destination for employers, parents and apprentices. It aims to close the skills gaps faced by employers, through work-based learning with training costs co-funded by the government. In response to the development of Degree Apprenticeships and the Apprenticeship Levy, plus strong interest from local employers, the Apprenticeship

Hub is offering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships across the West Midlands to aid the development of higher level professional and technical skills. Businesses can tap into a range of valuable resources and support via the Apprenticeship Hub, including access to a dedicated team throughout the process as well as use of professional presentation and meeting space.

Molineux, drop in or book an appointment to find how an apprenticeship could benefit your business. T: 01902 323 127 E: apprenticeshiphub@wlv.ac.uk W: wlv.ac.uk/apprentices

Located on Molineux Street, City Campus

March/April 2017

FOCUSONLEGAL

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

BUSINESSNEWS

FOR LOVE OR MONEY The latest published results from Haines Watts’ For Love or Money survey finds business owners struggling with motivation and stress, but those in the West Midlands are bearing the strain a little better than their national counterparts.

FLEXIBLE WORKFORCE IN DEMAND Hewett Recruitment are happy to announce the expansion of their team of temp consultants at the Worcester office to meet a continued increase in requirements. The latest addition to this talented team is Hannah Webster who has spent many years working within the Kidderminster office learning her craft and training to become a successful Recruitment Consultant. Laura Hewett – Commercial Director, commented: “We have a high demand for both skilled and unskilled temporary and contract workers across a broad range of local businesses

BREXIT AND TRANSATLANTIC TRADE Patron member Gowling WLG has conducted an extensive piece of research on the implications of Brexit on trade with North America. While over a third of US firms surveyed confirmed they are considering moving their European base out of the UK and Brexit will have a direct effect in many ways, the news isn’t all gloomy, and President Trump may actually be an unlikely hope for UK trade. Almost two thirds of US companies in the financial services sector favour a direct trade arrangement with the UK, an approach favoured by Trump. Bernardine Adkins, head of the Gowling WLG Brexit Unit, says: “Without its own relationship with the EU, there is a higher chance that US investment will continue to see the UK as an attractive gateway to the Single Market – if the UK can retain elements of its current access.” The full report is available at www.gowlingwlg.com – search for transatlantic trade.

from the shop floor to a financial wizard and everything in between. Our clients need flexibility in this changing market place and they also expect a high quality service providing reliable and versatile temps, often at very short notice. We enjoy delighting our clients and meeting the challenges they face in these interesting times.” Hewett’s pride themselves on the fact that hundreds of temps are recruited permanently by their clients every year. www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk

CAPLOR ENERGY RECEIVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY GRANT Local renewable energy installer Caplor Energy have benefitted from the first grant round from the Business Energy Efficiency Programme (BEEP), funded by the European Regional Development Fund, which aims to help lower running costs and promote energy efficient businesses. The grant will enable the company to install the first Salt Water Energy Storage System in the region. Mel Preedy, Business Manager, said: “Caplor Energy are excited to have been awarded the energy efficiency grant which will enable us to install a battery system to utilise even more of our solar produced power. We invite any businesses interested in lowering their energy bills and making a sustainable energy choice to get in touch so we can walk you through the technology we have installed at our site in Herefordshire”. www.caplorfarm.co.uk

Bernardine Adkins, head of the Gowling WLG Brexit Unit

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The survey of more that 500 owners found that 38% lost motivation to run their business at least once a year compared to 30% in the West Midlands. Nationally, a build up of stress and problems in the business are cited as key causes of loss of motivation. West Midlands owners, however, were mainly brought down by dealing with regulation and red tape. Family was the main re-motivating force for business owners nationally. Interestingly, however, West Midlands owners said responsibility to their employees was the key to reinvigorating them. www.hwca.com/for-love-or-money

The Little Hampton room

REFURBISHMENT FOR COLWALL PARK HOTEL Colwall Park Hotel is preparing for the 2017 season with the completion of the main part of a half a million pound refurbishment. The investment in the historic property has seen a complete refurbishment of the hotel’s reception area, event rooms and principle bedrooms. Colwall Park has invested in its team, with Head Chef, Richard Dixon, appointed to maintain and build on the restaurant’s 2 AA Rosette status. General Manager, Laura Delaney comments: “Bar the last few rooms, our refurbishment is complete - our event and meeting rooms are looking better than they ever have before”. “We’d like to extend a warm invitation to Chamber members to call in for a look around. We’d also like to offer a 10% discount for members booking meeting rooms in 2017, quoting ‘CHAMBER’”. www.colwall.co.uk

March/April 2017

POLICYNEWS

OUR CHAMBER: AT THE HEART OF POLICY MAKING Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce knows the importance and the value of a strong bond between our elected representatives and the local business community. As a Chamber we strive to get our voices heard at local, regional, national and European levels – and work towards a better deal for the local and national business community.

GROWERS, FOOD PRODUCERS & MANUFACTURERS COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS BREXIT The Chamber hosted a roundtable discussion with a select number of leading local businesses in the Agricultural, Food & Drink and Manufacturing sectors to discuss the impact Brexit is having, and could have, on how they run their business.

Margot James MP, Harriet Baldwin MP and Sophia Haywood - Policy Executive - with Worcestershire businesses and representatives

LOCAL SMEs MEET BUSINESS MINISTER MARGOT JAMES MP The Government Minister for Small Business, Margot James MP, visited Worcestershire on Friday 13 January to hear about the work of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and to meet some of the County’s most successful businesses. During her visit to the Malvern Hills Science Park, Margot met with several Worcestershire-based businesses as well as representatives from the Worcestershire LEP and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. The Minister was briefed on the growth in the County’s economy as well as the challenges for its businesses in a post-Brexit world. The roundtable

discussion also gave SMEs a chance to discuss their expectations from the emerging Industrial Strategy. In addition, the Minister heard about exciting plans to support the growth of the Cyber Security sector, with Worcestershire working with neighbouring areas in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. After meeting with businesses, the Minister visited Malvern-based Chamber member Optimec, a world-leader in the provision of inspection and measurement instruments for the contact lens industry, and heard how investment from the Local Enterprise Partnership had enabled the business to purchase the latest machinery which created new jobs and strengthened their competitive advantage in the international market.

Marcus Mason and Anastassia Beliakova from the British Chambers of Commerce led the discussion around developing the network’s key priorities for the Brexit negotiations, with 10 local businesses at ESP’s new premises on Blackmore Business Park. It provided a great opportunity to hear businesses’ key concerns in detail, particularly around access to labour, trade deals and regulation. Companies in the Agricultural, Horticultural and Food & Drink sectors are particularly concerned around changes to migration legislation. It is vital that easy access to seasonal labour is maintained to ensure these sectors can survive. The community as a whole want to make sure that current and future employees feel welcome to live and work in the two counties, and that their importance and contribution to the local economy is not underestimated. Businesses were also keen to make sure that Brexit would not result in more regulation and red-tape for business. Access to the single market currently means that businesses in the UK can export perishable goods across to the other side of Europe within 48 hours. Should Brexit mean more documentation for goods or lengthy waits at customs, then exporting these products will become increasingly difficult.

POLICY UPDATE Our fortnightly Policy Update brings you the latest activity and comment from both the British Chambers of Commerce and Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, focussing on national and local policy issues. Email policy@hwchamber.co.uk to subscribe.

CHAMBER PODCAST Keep up to date with the latest Policy news from the British Chambers of Commerce, on Brexit, inflation, trade, the economy and more. Visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/podcast

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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FOCUSONRECRUITMENT

CONTRACT MARKET CONTINUES TO THRIVE The demand for a flexible workforce in the UK continues to increase and for many is being embraced and has become engrained as the ‘new norm’. Despite the reforms to IR35 in the public sector and the impact of Brexit, there is much cause for optimism for contractors in 2017 and beyond.

More people are choosing flexible working, contractors love what they do and enjoy being masters of their own destiny. A recent study by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) found that 97% of contractors are much happier than their permanently employed counterparts reporting superior satisfaction levels in numerous aspects of work, including level of income, ability to express creativity and opportunities for development. For businesses, contractors offer a flexible resource when and where it is needed. Hewett Recruitment have provided exceptional people to local businesses for 37 years and 2017 sees the expansion of their dedicated specialist contract division.

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Louise Hewett explained: “Our clients can fill those increasing skills gaps without being saddled with the administrative burden. We are offering a hassle free service that minimises risk and ensures compliance.” Hewett’s have appointed Gareth Johnstone as Principal Contract Consultant who will be responsible for spearheading this extended service both locally and nationally. Gareth commented, “It’s clear to me that Louise and her team have forged strong relationships with both clients and candidates within their chosen sectors and I intend to emulate and extend these relationships both locally and nationally. I have previously worked for an international recruitment company delivering contract manpower in the Middle East and I’m looking forward to fully utilising my skills and expertise as Principal of contracting for Hewett Recruitment.” He continues…“Having been a contractor myself in the security sector in the past I have a strong understanding of the personal and professional challenges faced and know that often the lack of an “employed” feel can cause some dismay. This is why I am passionate about ensuring that the highest levels of service is provided to our contractors by developing

engaged, meaningful relationships whereby they are represented properly and fairly and that their needs are met with the same level of importance as our clients. I see this all round holistic approach as being key to improving both retention and productivity amongst the workforce. In return Hewett’s clients will be comfortable in the knowledge that they are receiving some of the very best, motivated contracting talent available on the market.”

Gareth Johnstone, Principal Contract Consultant

www.hewett-recruitment.co.uk

March/April 2017

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minster’s far! minster’s Apprenticeship Apprenticeship Journey...so Journey...so far!

Many Chamber members will have seen us in the local regional press inwill the have past few as Manyand Chamber members seenmonths us in the we were commended the few ﬁnalsmonths of 2016as local and highly regional press in theatpast Worcestershire ceship Awards forofour we were highly Appren commended at the ﬁnals 2016 'excep onal' long-term to for our Worcestershire Appren commitment ceship Awards appren ceships. 'excep onal' long-term commitment to appren ceships. As this is the 'skills' edi on of Business Direc on we felt is it the was'skills' the ideal to share As this edi opportunity on of Business Direc our on appren ceship story with you, some case studies we felt it was the ideal opportunity to share our and where our programme is heading in the appren ceship story with you, some casefuture. studies and where our programme is heading in the future.

We began our appren ceship journey in June 2015 a�erbegan iden our fying a skillsceship gap within the in B2B IT industry. We appren journey June 2015 Seeking outfying further advice good local a�er iden a skills gapand within theprac B2B ce, IT industry. appren ceship providers us through Seeking out further advicehelped and good prac ce,the local selec onceship process. Our firsthelped three us appren cesthe in appren providers through so�ware hardware posithree ons appren were recruited selec on and process. Our first ces in only months September so�warelater and in hardware posi2015. ons were recruited only months later in September 2015. With the ongoing success of our programme, we have since the recruited a further appren ces across With ongoing successfour of our programme, wethe have technical and commercial areas of theces company since recruited a further four appren across and the have no plans to stop our appren journeyand here. technical and commercial areas of ceship the company have no plans to stop our appren ceship journey here. Director Susan Marlow said “We are only 18 months into the new programme but“We already it has many Director Susan Marlow said are only 18seen months young flourishing and developing. into thepeople new programme but already it hasThey seenhave many also helped toflourishing grow our business with an injec on of young people and developing. They have new ideas and energy, all businesses need also helped to grow oursomething business with an injec on of to succeed.” new ideas and energy, something all businesses need to succeed.” Jordan, 16, began his appren ceship as ahisso�ware Jordan, 16, began engineer at Minster in appren ceship as a so�ware September 2016 a�er engineer at Minster in leaving school. September 2016 a�er leaving school. “I decided to go for an appren ceship “I decided to goas forit's anthe best way to gain valuable appren ceship as it's experience, the best whilst way way toalso gainworking valuablemy experience, towards a qualifica on.way So far I've learnt some great whilst also working my skills andaMinster me develop myself into towards qualificahave on.helped So far I've learnt some great an employee rather than a student. I have set personal skills and Minster have helped me develop myself into goals and I am learning to workI effec velypersonal in an employee rather thanhow a student. have set business.” goals and I am learning how to work effec vely in business.”

Esmée, 19, was one of Minster's original appren ceswas andone a�eroffinishing appren ceship, Esmée, 19, Minster'sher original she is now full-a�er me finishing so�ware her engineer with appren cesaand appren ceship, Minster. she is now a fullme so�ware engineer with “I started my appren ceship with Minster when I was Minster. 17 and I'vemy never looked back. Minster have shown a “I started appren ceship with Minster when I was lot of confidence me and have provided meshown with a 17 and I've never in looked back. Minster have support throughout myand appren They lot of confidence in me haveceship. provided mehave with treated me like a valued memberceship. of the They teamhave from support throughout my appren the veryme start. apprenmember ceship was theteam perfect way for me to develop as treated likeAn a valued of the from it gave me a hands-on approach to my role whilst alsofor learning theory the very start. An appren ceship was the perfect way me to the develop as and gaining qualificaapproach on at thetosame me. It prepared me at the a young it gave me a ahands-on my role whilst also learning theory age the job I have now I feel very to have and for gaining a qualifica onsecured. at the same me. Itlucky prepared mebeen at a accepted young for my as the opportuni that havetocome are age forappren the job Iceship have now secured. I feeles very lucky have with beenitaccepted endless.” for my appren ceship as the opportuni es that have come with it are endless.”

Our first appren ces have successfully finished their respec ve courses haveces since been offered fullme employment Our firstand appren have successfully finished their respec atveMinster. These came just beforefullour me Worcestershire coursesappointments and have since been offered employment at Minster. Apprenappointments ceship Awardcame nomina on where were celebrated as These just before ourwe Worcestershire finalists ‘Newcomer Appren on ceship Provider of celebrated the Year’ category Appren for ceship Award nomina where we were as afinalists great milestone in ourAppren appren ceship ceship Provider journey. of the Year’ category for ‘Newcomer a great milestone in our appren ceship journey. Looking to the future, we are set to recruit more appren ces across other parts of the business this which more in turnappren will create more Looking to the future, we are setyear, to recruit ces across opportuni people here in Worcestershire, allowing us to other parts es of for theyoung business this year, which in turn will create more fill skills gaps grow the business opportuni esand for young people herefurther. in Worcestershire, allowing us to fill skills gaps and grow the business further. Minster is an accredited SAP Business One & Pegasus Partner. We also supply payroll so�ware, training and aOne variety of IT support services – Minster is an accredited SAP Business & Pegasus Partner. We also including hardware systems and 3CX telephony. We have more – supply payroll so�ware, training and VoIP a variety of IT support services than 35 years' experience suppor ngVoIP businesses around UK. including hardware systems and 3CX telephony. We the have more For informa on visitsuppor www.minstermicro.co.uk. thanmore 35 years' experience ng businesses around the UK. For more informa on visit www.minstermicro.co.uk.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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ADVERTORIALFEATURE

DRAWING ON SKILLS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Developing and retaining skills in business is vital to ensuring continued growth and success, and many employers are now coming to terms with the new approach to apprenticeships, including the impact of the Apprenticeship Levy which comes into force on April 7. Our employment experts at Harrison Clark Rickerbys are ideally placed to advise on how to use apprenticeships to everyone’s advantage and how to make the most of the new regulations, whether you pay in or not. A well-run apprenticeship scheme should benefit both the business and the apprentice, with the apprentice receiving both experience of work and training, while the employer pays less than for a fully trained employee, but nurtures new talent for their business. But there are a number of regulatory and employment law aspects of apprenticeships that employers need to consider. If the word apprentice summons up a vision of an 18 year old lad in overalls underneath a car, you might like to think

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again – apprenticeships are open to anyone, including to a company’s existing employees, and they can offer individuals who have completed one career the chance to train again in a completely different field of interest. As well as needing to ensure that you have all the correct contractual conditions in place for apprentices – the right levels of training, supervision, mentoring and review procedures, we can advise you on the key points for successful employment of apprentices. Making sure that both you and the apprentice are clear about what is expected is an excellent start – agreements and contracts need to be properly established from the start to prevent problems later. Our teams in Worcester and in Hereford can support you, both with a full range of employment issues, from recruitment including contracts, terms and conditions, statutory rights - to termination or dismissal. We can help you to assess what you need to do to comply with the new levy and how that will affect your existing training arrangements for your apprentices. Starting from April, the levy, which aims to fund three million new apprenticeships by 2020, will be paid by employers with a salary bill of more than £3m. They will have to pay an extra 0.5 per cent of their

total payroll bill through PAYE - all sectors will be affected, including public, private and third-sector organisations. This not only creates an additional financial burden, it also imposes new regulatory demands and we can support firms who need to comply with the new requirements, as well as helping companies to adjust their existing apprenticeship systems. Because we can bring together teams of specialists with employment, HR, commercial and corporate skills, we can create a bespoke solution for your business. Working alongside our sister company Eagle HR, we can enable you to recruit effectively, develop and nurture talent within your business, retain trained and qualified staff and allow your business to thrive. For advice on how to navigate the new rules to provide a lasting benefit to your business, contact Claire Thompson on 01905 746462 or on cthompson@hcrlaw.com

Harrison Clark Rickerbys is authorised and regulated by the SRA Eagle HR is a sister company to Harrison Clark Rickerbys

March/April 2017

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

Hassle Free HR – taking the hassle out of managing employee absence One of the regular services provided by Hassle Free HR Limited, a HR Consultancy which specialises in keeping their clients on the right side of employment law, is advice and guidance with the management of employee absence.

Haines Watts’ For Love of Money study looks in depth at what it means to run a business, revealing the wealth, spending habits, financial security, motivations and concerns of the UK business owner

35%

“Employee absence can be more disruptive, noticeable and therefore costly for smaller companies.” explained Elaine Hedley, a Chartered Member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).

of business owners completely lose the motivation to run their business at least once a year

The costs associated with employee absence include direct costs such as the employee’s salary, company or statutory sick pay, over-time, agency labour, occupational health referrals, legal advice and management’s time. But there are also unquantifiable costs, such as the impact to the rest of the team who pick up the work when an employee is absent. This in turn may result in reduced motivation, morale and possibly stress, all of which can lead to further employee absence. Then there are other possible negative impacts upon deadlines, quality, customer service and, if the employee’s absence is not managed correctly, there could be further costs in time associated in responding to an employee grievance, or claims of victimisation and/or discrimination. “The level of support we can offer can vary;” said Elaine Hedley, “depending upon the needs of our clients ….

52%

say the single biggest re-motivating factor is family

n We can start by providing a fully compliant Absence Management Policy and Procedure. n We can deliver bespoke ‘Absence Management’ training. n We can provide specific advice and guidance, via our HR Helpline, to help our clients manage specific cases of employee absence. n We can also provide support in drafting any ‘special’ letters which may be required so our client can demonstrate the steps they have taken in managing specific cases of employee absence. n We can accompany our clients at return to work meetings, long-term absence meetings and formal absence management meetings in order to provide hands-on support. n And finally, we can manage the employee absence for our client, including return to work meetings, employee letters, formal management, long-term absence meetings, occupational health referrals, phased return to work plans, or if necessary, capability dismissal meetings.” Elaine invites any employer within the Hereford and Worcestershire business community, who may be frustrated with or worried about a specific employee absence, or just too busy to manage it themselves, to get in touch. To find out more, contact; Elaine Hedley at ehedley@hasslefreehr.co.uk or Kirsty Denslow at kdenslow@hasslefreehr.co.uk or call the main office on 02476 992869 You can also visit their website at www.hasslefreehr.co.uk and sign up to receive their monthly newsletters.

40%

say that responsibility to employees keeps them going

39%

say remembering why they started the business in the first place is one of the best ways to re-motivate themselves

Find out more about the secret life of business owners and benchmark yourself at: www.hwca.com/for-love-or-money

Hereford 01432 273 189 Worcester 01905 612347

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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SKILLS

BCC: LEVY ON EU WORKERS WOULD BE HARMFUL Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, commented on the proposals for an immigration skills levy on EU workers:

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS INVITED TO APPRENTICES IN BUSINESS EVENTS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are now delivering the Apprentices in Business networking events aimed at apprentices and young professionals aged 18-24. The Chamber believes apprenticeships are a vital way to enhance the local economy and the younger generation. AiB events are free and take place on the last Wednesday of every other month. Each event will have a relevant theme and speaker to motivate and develop individuals in their careers.

2017 EVENTS Wednesday 29 March - 5.30-7.00pm sponsored by Worcestershire Ambassadors Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ Wednesday 31 May 5.30 - 7.00pm Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ Wednesday 26 July - 5.30-7.00pm In association with Mazak Yamazaki Mazak, Badgeworth Drive, Worcester WR4 9NF Wednesday 27 September 5.30-7.00pm sponsored by Parkinson Wright Venue TBC

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“Business will be very concerned that the government is considering introducing a levy on future EU workers. Implementing this measure would be harmful to individual firms and overall growth, as it would make the UK less attractive to both investment and talent. “Businesses already report recruitment difficulties, and are struggling to find all the skills they need here at home. A levy on EU hires would add unnecessary expense and bureaucratic obstacles to hiring the people that companies require

to fill the gaps, on top of the unwelcome Immigration Skills Charge coming into effect later this year for non-EU workers. Small businesses in particular would be hit by such a cost. “Companies in the UK already face a plethora of upfront costs, and can’t afford any more. Imposing what is effectively a further tax on UK firms may simply mean that they choose not to recruit or expand as planned.” Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC

MALVERN INSTRUMENTS’ APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME HITS THE HEADLINES Worcestershire business Malvern Instruments’ apprenticeship programme was recently featured in national news, highlighting the company as an investor in people. The story detailed the struggle an autistic teenager had in education before he was given a chance to thrive by Malvern. The teen successfully completed the 18-month scheme, alongside his college study, and has since been offered a permanent job at the company. As an employer, Malvern offers a wealth of opportunity for personal development, and prides itself on its reputation as a people-centric company. Its apprenticeship programme encourages young people to gain practical experience in the workplace, as well as developing social skills. Chris Poole, Operations Manager at Malvern Instruments, said: “It’s important to recognise

people’s varying strengths and we like to give people opportunities wherever possible.” Malvern is a significant contributor to the British technology sector, providing leadership and exports for the global economy of the future. www.malvern.com

CHILDREN’S CHARITY SEEKS BUSINESS MENTORS

Wednesday 29 November 5.30 - 7.00pm Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ

Mentor Link are keen to hear from businesses and employees who are interested in using their business skills to become a volunteer mentor listening to a young person, discussing the world of work and helping them to achieve their potential.

from you. No previous experience of mentoring is required; we are looking for people with business knowledge who can give an hour a week.

For more information and to book, please email aib@hwchamber.co.uk

Like a challenge and want to give something back? We would like to hear

www.mentorlink.org.uk

If you are interested, please contact Lucy on 01299 822336 or enquiries@mentorlink.org.uk.

March/April 2017

SKILLS

NEW MEMBER – PERSHORE HIGH SCHOOL Pershore High School is a comprehensive academy with a comprehensive ethos - to prepare students for the rest of their lives! Qualifications are important but we also want to help students develop strong employability skills and give them a good awareness of future work opportunities. Involvement with the local business community is key alongside providing a wide range of intra and extracurricular opportunities. So far this year students have participated in a Careers Fair, Young Enterprise, ICAEW Base Game, Engineering Education Scheme and most recently the Cybersecurity Challenge. Visits from industry speakers can also

inspire. Year 10 Food and Nutrition students recently enjoyed a lively presentation on the Fresh Produce industry, inspiring them to take a closer look at the careers available.

businesses willing to support us in this programme. For further information contact Helen Airdrie at hca@pershore.worcs.sch.uk www.pershore.worcs.sch.uk

We always welcome contact from local

NEW ENGINEERING CENTRE FOR NORTH WORCESTERSHIRE Alex and Anwen were rewarded by sponsor Enterprise Rent A Car

UNIVERSITY PLACEMENT STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR SUCCESS Two Worcester Business School placement students, Alex and Anwen, have been rewarded for their dedication, impact and overall performance. Alex worked for Mercedes AMG in a fast paced Controlling Department (Management Accounting), developing business operational areas for opportunities, risks, and aiding in the decision making process for stakeholders around the business. Anwen worked as an Assistant Internal Auditor for Worcestershire Internal Audit Shared Service, providing internal audit services for Redditch Borough Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Wychavon District Council and Worcester City Council. University of Worcester have recently had a large intake of students onto their suite of PG awards and are therefore looking for local employers who can offer six month internships (starting June 2017) in Management, Finance, Marketing, HR and International Business. To find out more, please contact Kat Jones on k.jones@worc.ac.uk or 01905 855556.

business Minister Margot James MP has recently opened the new North Worcestershire Engineering Centre of Excellence in Redditch. The Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility joined the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in opening the new specialist engineering training facility, which is set to train up to 200 young apprentices over the next four years. The new Engineering Centre of Excellence will be run by specialist training provider Midland Group Training Services (MGTS) and will provide a dedicated local facility to ensure that young people within the area can be trained to provide the engineering skills that local companies require. Margot James MP said: “The opening of the North Worcestershire Engineering Centre of Excellence is a great example of building on local strengths and it was a pleasure to see first-hand just what can be achieved when we place skills at the heart of local industry.” www.wlep.co.uk

www.worcester.ac.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

WSFC science students and staff with Councillor Geoff Williams at QinetiQ.

STUDENTS IMPRESS COUNCILLOR WITH ENGINEERING PROJECTS On a recent visit to Worcester Sixth Form College, Councillor Geoff Williams, Cabinet Member for Economic Prosperity, was impressed by the College’s science students who are participating in the Engineering Education Scheme in conjunction with QinetiQ. The College has been working with QinetiQ for the past two years and students meet weekly with engineers from the company who support them with their challenging projects. The Engineering Education Scheme provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience as part of a team and to experience problem solving in an industrial context. This year’s teams are developing a laptop based radar system, a device that could make radar more affordable and more widely used, and a directional sound system that could be used in a large open area to speak to specific people. The teams are hoping to build on last year’s success when a College team won ‘best project’ at an event at the University of Birmingham. www.wsfc.ac.uk

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BUSINESSNEWS

WORCESTER IS BOXING CLEVER THANKS TO ITS LATEST VISITOR Worcester, Bosch Group has welcomed Olympic boxer, Natasha Jonas, and a group of young people from training provider TKO, for a knock out tour of its Worcester headquarters, to help them find out more about the manufacturing industry and apprenticeships. The visit to leading boiler manufacturer, Worcester, saw the group take a tour of the factory to see how its boilers are made, and also see first-hand what is involved in its apprenticeships and the areas of the business these cover.

Natasha is currently a mentor on the Boxing and Employability Programme from training provider TKO, which works with the charity, St Basil’s, to help young people from supported housing gain employable skills. Carl Arntzen, CEO at Worcester, Bosch Group, said: “Our apprenticeships are something we are very proud of as a company. We hope we have inspired them with the possibilities open to them and where this could take them in the future” www.worcester-bosch.co.uk

Olympic boxer, Natasha Jonas with Carl Arntzen, CEO at Worcester, Bosch Group

WARRIORS APPOINT GARY GOLD AS DIRECTOR OF RUGBY Warriors have announced Gary Gold as their Director of Rugby – a role which he will take on initially until the end of the season.

Maynard Burton (Chairman) and Suzanne Lee (MD) with the new recruits

THIRTEEN NEW FACES AS LAW FIRM INVESTS IN NEXT GENERATION Chamber patrons mfg Solicitors have made 13 new trainee and paralegal appointments as part of the firm’s long-term growth plans. The new recruits are working across the regional firm’s departments including civil litigation, conveyancing, private client, agriculture and employment. Maynard Burton, Chairman of mfg Solicitors said: “These new junior appointments come at a perfect time. We have had a hugely successful few years across every one of our divisions. It has been a story of gradual growth, expansion into

new markets and investing in the future. “Looking to the next generation is vital to the success of any business. We have secured a group of superb young people each with the drive to further their legal careers, but also who we believe are the best and brightest young talent. “We are very much looking forward to working with all our new recruits as we look to another successful year ahead.” www.mfgsolicitors.com

Gold joined the South Africa international set-up as Assistant Coach in 2008 after a spell with London Irish, working closely with the forwards during a three-year spell which saw his country beat the British & Irish Lions and win the Tri-Nations in 2009, before dominating their Rugby World Cup pool in 2011 to reach the last eight. After three years with South Africa, Gold had an interim spell at Newcastle Falcons. He then joined Bath Rugby as Director of Rugby in May 2012 before taking up the same role at Durban-based Super Rugby side the Sharks in 2014. Warriors Chief Executive Jim O’Toole said: “Gary is highly regarded in the global game. He is someone who has always taken clubs forward and managed to get the best out of players and staff." www.warriors.co.uk

DAVID COX AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is bringing together a new exhibition celebrating one of the Midland’s best loved artists, David Cox. Drawing on the Gallery’s extensive collection of paintings by Birmingham born Cox, the exhibition is supported by high profile loans of works by Constable and Turner from the British

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Museum, and explores Cox’s overlooked influence on British art.

works from the British Museum, we’re really bringing world class art to Worcester.”

Emalee Beddoes, Curator at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum said: “Worcester has such an amazing collection of work by David Cox and this exhibition is really a celebration of that collection. Together with the wonderful Constable and Turner

The exhibition runs from Saturday 11 February to Saturday 3 June and is free to visit Monday–Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm. www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk

March/April 2017

LEGALMATTERS

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR TRIBUNAL CLAIMS? After a decline in the number of businesses being taken to employment tribunals after the introduction of tribunal fees in 2013, the number of claims is on the rise again - and solicitors are urging business owners to have a strategy in place to deal with potential costs associated with such claims. Herefordshire law firm, Lanyon Bowdler, has launched a new service, called LBProtect, which insures businesses against legal fees, awards and settlements relating to employment tribunal claims, as well as a variety of other risks, including those in relation to data protection,

deal with employment issues the right way, employees can chance their arm with claims and put them to considerable cost, and that causes many employers to cave in and settle. “Unfortunately, this often has the effect of encouraging more claims.

contract disputes, debt claims, as well as claims against directors and trustees. William Morse, head of the employment law team at Lanyon Bowdler’s Hereford office, said claims and investigations were becoming increasingly common. “Owners of businesses which employ staff are always telling us one of their biggest worries is being taken to an employment tribunal,” he said. “Even if employers make best efforts to

“There was a 35 per cent jump in the number of employment tribunal claims last year, so it is vital business owners are prepared. This is why we have launched the LBProtect service. “It is a straightforward insurance policy, underwritten by AXA, with no excess where our advice is followed in relation to the matter giving rise to a claim. Our specialist legal experts are at the end of the phone whenever we are needed.” For more information about the service, call Lanyon Bowdler on 01432 378379 or email william.morse@lblaw.co.uk

Transparently priced, practical advice and support delivered by legal specialists in Herefordshire Our specialist corporate, commercial property, dispute resolution and employment lawyers provide support to help you grow and protect your business, giving you a solid foundation to build upon

Incorporating Beaumonts Solicitors

01432 378379 www.lblaw.co.uk Supporting People, Businesses & Communities

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Broadway House, 32 - 35 Broad Street, Hereford HR4 9AR Beaumont House, Offa Street, Hereford HR1 2LH 44 High Street, Bromyard HR7 4AE Offices also in Shrewsbury | Ludlow | Oswestry | Telford

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CHAMBERTRAINING

HOW DO YOU FIND AND RETAIN THE RIGHT SKILLS? The latest Quarterly Economic Survey findings for Quarter 4 2016 show that 57% of local businesses have recently experienced recruitment difficulties. In addition, it is estimated that 50% of our assumptions about candidates under interview conditions can be incorrect. This suggests that it is very difficult to hire perfection within our businesses. However, recruiting the best people that we can and keeping them is realistic, and staff retention is a statistic that most developing businesses are endeavouring to improve. Recruitment is just the beginning of creating a strong workforce; how will you retain your greatest? How will you attract similar people and shape a workforce who are not only enthusiastic about their careers but continue to work within your brand as they grow with you? Whilst fluidity within the workforce can be a positive, make sure your company is not a leaking tap with talent moving on before you have had a chance to consider the best way to garner their abilities. Training current staff to grow their capabilities and progress within the company is a proven way to keep them engaged and interested in their employment, and therefore your company. With technology evolving in a myriad of ways, it’s often necessary to “catch up”. With this in mind, our training aims to provide essential skills for those who need to “top up” or “refresh”. Our ever-popular Digital Marketing and PR Series gives delegates an opportunity to learn the skills and requirements for their own brands without jargon whilst asking questions of an industry expert. Most find

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it refreshing to know that not everything within the world of digital marketing is relevant to their particular business. They also learn how to approach the relevant areas with a strategy that works, or as one recent delegate put it: “Everything was explained perfectly in an extremely receptive manner. I am leaving with a very clear understanding of how different forms of social media will or will not benefit our business. Thank you!” Our most popular series by far within the last 18 months is the Introduction to Management courses; Role of the Team Leader, Managing People in the Team and Managing Performance in the Team. The courses are run by Jon Williams, who covers a wide range of Management and Customer related topics and endeavours to make the concepts and theories apply in the real world. Jon’s courses fill very quickly as companies promote existing staff or employ first time managers. The courses not only provide vast amounts of information and help for first time Managers, they also work as an ideal “catch up” for those who have been managing for some time yet feel they need to brush up their skills. The workforce is changing rapidly and those who are set to lead will need to be adaptable. The skills taught in terms of personality styles and diplomatic assertiveness are considered crucial by attendees. Because we are not tied by the curriculum of accredited courses, we are able to adapt them to suit swiftly-changing work environments. When I sit in on courses I am amazed at the gift of a trainer who can add exercises to the course that would

benefit the delegates in the room, adding to their training experience.

Recruitment is just the beginning...How will you attract similar people and shape a workforce who are not only enthusiastic about their careers but continue to work within your brand?

Recruiting staff who will instantly fit in and enhance your work force is a skill and not always one that we get right, however, training your best staff to boost their own competence is a convenient way to motivate them whilst increasing your business capabilities. We look forward to continuing to strengthen your workforce throughout 2017/18.

Jon Williams leads the Introduction to Management series

March/April 2017

CHAMBERBUSINESSTRAINING

TRAINING CALENDAR MARCH MAY 2017 MARCH COURSES

APRIL COURSES

MAY COURSES

Managing People in the Team Wednesday 8 March - 9.30am - 4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

An Introduction to Digital Marketing and PR Tuesday 4 April - 9.30am-1.30pm FREE to Members, £100+VAT Non-members

International Exhibition Skills Wednesday 3 May - 9.30am - 1.00pm £100+VAT Members, £125+VAT Non-members

Emergency First Aid at Work Thursday 9 March - 9.30am - 4.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Tariff Classification Tuesday 4 April – 9.30am-4.30pm £250 + VAT Members, £275+VAT Non-members

International Trade Compliance Management Wednesday 3 May - 9.30am-4.30pm £250 + VAT Members, £275+VAT Non-members

Google Analytics Tuesday 14 March - 9.30am - 1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Writing Effective Marketing Copy Wednesday 5 April - 9.30am-1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members

Intermediate Microsoft Excel Thursday 4 May - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Creating a Customer Care Culture Wednesday 15 March - 9.30am - 4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Advanced Microsoft Excel Thursday 6 April - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Letters of Credit Tuesday 9 May – 9.30am-4.30pm £250 + VAT Members, £275+VAT Non-members

IOSH Working Safely (1 Day) Friday 17 March – 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Appointing & Motivating Distributors and/ or Agents Thursday 6 April – 9.30am-4.30pm £250+VAT Members, £275+VAT Non-members

An Introduction to Digital Marketing and PR Thursday 11 May - 9.30am-1.30pm FREE to Members, £100+VAT Non-members

IOSH Managing Safely (4 Day) Tuesday 21 March – Friday 24 March 9.30am-4.30pm £495+VAT Members, £595+VAT Non-members

Managing People in the Team Friday 7 April - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Conducting Effective Team Appraisals Friday 12 May - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Employment Law Update Friday 31 March - 10.00am-3.00pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Managing Performance in the Team Monday 10 April - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Role of the Team Leader (Introduction to Management) Thursday 18 May - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Successful Telesales Tuesday 11 April - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Basic Export Documentation & Procedures Thursday 18 May - 9.30am-4.30pm £250 + VAT Members, £275+VAT Non-members

Creating a Customer Care Culture Wednesday 26 April - 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members

Effective Use of Social Media Tuesday 23 May – 9.30am-1.30pm £80+VAT Members, £100+VAT Non-members Communicating for Success Thursday 25 May – 9.30am-4.30pm £150+VAT Members, £188+VAT Non-members Surviving a Customs Audit

Wednesday 31 May - 9.30am-4.30pm £250 + VAT Members, £275+VAT Non-members

KEY: Chamber Business Training Courses Import and Export Training Courses

For more information and bookings contact us on 01905 673 611, training@hwchamber.co.uk. www.hwchamber.co.uk/training Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHAMBEREVENTS

WHY ATTEND NETWORKING EVENTS? More often than not, attending a networking event can be last on your list of priorities. This is because you have appointments to make, deadlines to meet, reports to finish, staff to manage - the list goes on.

2017 CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS

So why should you commit your time to attend a 7.30am Networking Breakfast meeting? (Especially when you’re not a morning person!) Here are five reasons why: Meet up - Networking is all about the start of a new connection with someone. You will come across likeminded people that are also interested in exploring the possibilities of a future business relationship. They may be a good contact for you, and you in turn may be a good contact for them. Pick up - Generally speaking, there is a guest speaker at the majority of networking events. Hearing the ideas of those who have been successful is a great opportunity to learn. If you treat the event as a learning opportunity, you will find them to be very beneficial to you. Mix up - Spending time in the office can be a bit isolating, so why not attend a networking event to break up your day? Events provide

WOMEN’S BUSINESS CONFERENCE SAVE THE DATE! The annual Women’s Business Conference will take place on Friday 22 September at the Abbey Hotel in Malvern. We welcome over 100 business professionals at this popular event to hear from inspirational speakers, enjoy a sumptuous lunch and network throughout the day. £37.50+VAT Members £50.00+VAT Non-Members

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Entries close Friday 31 March a good setting for forming new relationships, developing existing ones and boosting your career, so it is win-win from that perspective. Keep up - When in a room with a number of people from your industry, you are bound to get talking about the latest industry developments. This provides an excellent opportunity to hear what trends are occurring and what others have been focusing on. Catch up – You will leave most networking events with new ideas, inspirations and a sense of motivation. When you are placed in a room with fellow high achievers, it is hard not to go home and wonder how you can improve your work and home life!

The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber Business Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Sanlam, is one of the highlights in the business events calendar. This year, the glittering black tie event will take place on Thursday 15 June at the Worcester Arena. Entering the Chamber Awards is free to Members and Non-Members and there are 11 different categories to choose from, with at least one suitable for every business. For more information please visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/awards/ enter-now

Students engage with businesses at Nunnery Wood High School, Worcester

BUSINESSES EXHIBT AT LOCAL CAREERS FAIRS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has delivered seven Careers fairs at schools across the two counties between January and March 2017, in partnership with the Careers & Enterprise Company. The Careers Fairs are one way in which the Chamber is aiming to tackle the gap between business and education by bringing businesses into schools and providing valuable opportunities for pupils to seek career advice.

20 businesses exhibited at each school from a variety of sectors; including agricultural, charitable, hospitality, media and accountancy firms. The schools included Nunnery Wood, Droitwich High, King Charles I, Whitecross High School, South Bromsgrove, Hereford Academy and Hereford Cathedral School. If you would be interested in exhibiting at future Careers Fairs, please contact events@hwchamber.co.uk

March/April 2017

CHAMBEREVENTS

NETWORKING CALENDAR MARCH - APRIL 2017 MARCH 2017

APRIL 2017

Kidderminster Networking Lunch Wednesday 8 March - 12.30-2.30pm Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel, Chaddesley Corbett, Kidderminster DY10 4PJ £20.00+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members

Sustainability Forum in association with mfg Solicitors Thursday 6 April - 8.00–10.30am Cargill, The Feed Mill, Tram Inn, Hereford, Herefordshire HR2 9AW FREE event with breakfast included

Hereford Networking Breakfast Wednesday 15 March - 7.30-9.30am Burghill Valley Golf, Tillington Road, Burghill, Hereford HR4 7RW £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members “The Digital Revolution” Conference sponsored by Welcomm, 02 and Gamma Thursday 16 March - 8.30am-12.00pm Sixways Stadium, Warriors Way, Hindlip Lane, Worcester WR3 8ZE FREE for Members and Non-members Malvern Curry Club in association with Sharpmonkeys Tuesday 21 March - 6.00-8.00pm Anupam, 85 Church Street, Great Malvern WR14 2AE £20.00+VAT Members and Non-members Ross-on-Wye Networking Brunch Tuesday 28 March - 9.30-11.30am Penyard House, Weston-under-Penyard, Herefordshire HR9 7YH £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Hereford HR Forum in association with Hewett Recruitment Wednesday 29 March - 9.30-11.30am Hereford Business Solutions Centre - Building B, Units 1-4, Skylon Court, Rotherwas, Hereford, HR2 6JS FREE event for Chamber Members and clients of Hewett Recruitment Apprentices in Business sponsored by Worcestershire Ambassadors Wednesday 25 January - 5.30–7.00pm Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ FREE to Members & Non-members (aimed at Apprentices and young professionals aged 18-24)

Worcester Networking Breakfast Thursday 6 April - 7.30-9.30am Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Redditch Golf Networking Breakfast Tuesday 11 April - 7.30-9.30am Abbey Hotel Golf Club and Spa Resort, Hither Green Lane, Dagnell End Road, Redditch B98 9BE £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members Redditch HR Forum in association with Hewett Recruitment Tuesday 31 January - 9.30-11.30am Abbey Hotel Golf Club and Spa Resort, Hither Green Lane, Dagnell End Road, Redditch B98 9BE FREE event for Chamber Members and clients of Hewett Recruitment Hereford Women’s Business Forum sponsored by Thorne Widgery Accountancy Tuesday 25 April - 9.30-11.30am Thorne Widgery, 2 Wyevale Business Park, Kings Acre, Hereford HR4 7BS £10.00+VAT Members and £20.00+VAT Non-members Manufacturing Forum sponsored by University of Wolverhampton Friday 28 April - 8.00-11.00am Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd, Badgeworth Drive, Worcester, Worcestershire WR4 9NF FREE and exclusive to manufacturers (including breakfast) Maximise Your Membership Friday 28 April - 8.30-11.00am Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road, Worcester WR2 4QQ FREE to Chamber Members

Malvern Networking Breakfast Thursday 30 March - 7.30-9.30am The Abbey, Abbey Rd, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3ET £17.50+VAT Members and £35.00+VAT Non-members

To book your place on any of these events visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/events, email events@hwchamber.co.uk or phone 01905 673 600. Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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ADVERTORIALFEATURE

DORSET HOUSE DINING ROOM REFURBISHMENT permeate every decision made about the homes within their management.

Rotherwood Healthcare are pleased to have completed the refurbishment of the grand Dorset House Dining Room. Built in 1928, the magnificent Dorset House was once a Country House before being converted into a nursing home. Located in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, the home still maintains a grand Country House feel and a welcoming atmosphere for residents and relatives. Rotherwood Group took over operations of the home in 2015 and put together a sensitive refurbishment plan that would see the home gradually improved whilst causing minimal disturbance to residents and relatives. So far the work has seen improvements to the dining room, corridors and some of the bedrooms bringing the building's aesthetic in line with the exemplary Hereford Homes: Lynhales Hall, Gwen Walford House and Hampton Grange - which were recently

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awarded ‘6th best and number one nursing home in the West Midlands, respectively’ by carehome.co.uk. Great care goes into redesigning these rooms to be compliant with CQC regulations but also maintain the home-like feel which has become a trademark of Rotherwood Group’s developments; who firmly believe that ‘A Person Centred Approach’ to care should

Gence Mekkunnel, Dorset House Manager, had this to say: “It’s really satisfying to see Dorset Houses’ refurbishment coming together. The dining room is such an impressive looking room but the old decor was starting to look dated and run down. We pride ourselves on the quality of care we provide at Dorset House and it now feels like the building matches our service level. Our residents and relatives can choose to take their meals in fantastic surroundings and new visitors to the home are instantly impressed with the building. It has such a positive impact on everyone that lives and works here“ Dorset House has a huge amount of character and particular care has been taken to make sure the decor compliments the building and celebrates its unique character. The main reception will be the next area to receive a makeover. Work is due to start in the coming months and the Dorset House team, residents and relatives are excited to see the results.

March/April 2017

D ROI TW IC H S PA

LYON SHA L L

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01 544 340 2 38

Dorset House is proud to be recommended by

Lynhales Hall is proud to be recommended by

a new standard in healthcare

R O T H E R W O O D - H E A LT H C A R E . C O . U K

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Ranked as the 6th best home in the West Midlands

Ranked as the best home in the West Midlands

6th

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

1st

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ADVERTORIALFEATURE

GRASP THE MOST COMMON HAND CONDITIONS It’s one of the most complex areas of the body with 29 bones and joints, 34 muscles, and over 100 ligaments. We spoke to the Hand Surgeons at Spire South Bank Hospital about some of the most common conditions they treat on a daily basis. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition where the median nerve is compressed where it passes through a short tunnel at the wrist. The tunnel contains the tendons that bend the fingers and thumb as well as the nerve. It commonly affects women in middle age but can occur at any age in either sex. In most cases, the cause is not identifiable.

DUPUYTREN’S CONTRACTURE

GANGLION CYSTS

Dupuytren’s contracture is a common condition that usually arises in middle age or later and is more common in men than women. Firm nodules appear in the ligaments just beneath the skin of the palm of the hand, and in some cases they extend to form cords that can prevent the finger straightening completely.

Ganglion cysts are the commonest type of swelling in the hand. They contain a thick clear liquid called synovial fluid, which is the body's lubricant in joints and in the tunnels through which some tendons run. Cysts can arise from any joint or tendon tunnel around the hand and wrist.

TRIGGER FINGER Trigger finger is a painful condition in which a finger or thumb clicks or locks as it is bent towards the palm. Triggering occasionally appears to start after an injury such as a knock on the hand. There is little evidence that it is caused by work activities, but the pain can certainly be aggravated by hand use at work, at home, in the garden or at sport. It is not caused by osteoarthritis.

Treatment of hand and wrist conditions include the avoidance of provocative activity, the use of splints, steroidal injections and sometimes surgery. Patients in and around Worcester now have fast access to a dedicated team of doctors and therapists specialising in hand injuries. On the day of appointment, patients can expect to be diagnosed and a treatment plan formulated.

The Hand &Wrist Clinic The Hand and Wrist Clinic at Spire South Bank Hospital treats the full range of common hand and wrist conditions including: Sports injuries Osteoarthritis Carpal tunnel syndrome Dupuytren’s contracture Trigger finger Rapid access appointments are available. Whether you’re insured or paying for yourself, simply contact us to be seen quickly by the consultant of your choice:

01905 350003 info@spiresouthbank.com www.spiresouthbank.com

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March/April 2017

HEALTHANDWELLBEING

LOOKING FOR QUALITY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS? THEN CALL SEVERN ANGELS Managing Director Spiwe Mhondiwa, herself a nurse, said: “All our people are highly trained and we make sure that we provide the right person for the right job.

When it comes to providing health care you need to recruit the very best people possible – and that is why new company Seven Angels Healthcare Limited has already proved so successful. Severn Angels is a nursing agency that provides short-term, permanent contracts and shift work for a range of NHS trusts, nursing homes and hospitals. The reason its services are so much in demand is the Worcester-based company’s mission is to provide top quality and effective nursing professionals where they are needed most. Severn Angels employs professional, considerate, fully-trained, reliable workers who prioritise compassion and put the needs of patients first.

“We only take on people with experience which means that we are offering the very best healthcare professionals to our clients.”

The company provides staff for sectors of the healthcare industry across the West Midlands and Worcestershire including: n n n n n n n

Nursing homes NHS Trusts Private hospitals Community Nursing Mental Health Services Learning Disability Services Prison Health Services

If you are having staffing issues, or your healthcare needs are simply not being met, Severn Angels have the nurses for you and the company’s services can be utilised for short-term permanent contracts, or shift work, as required. To find out more, please contact Severn Angels on 01905 930707 or visit www.severnangels.co.uk.

Wellbeing at Work

with Kathy Scott from Hands on at Work massage therapies

Delighted delegates - Our mobile massage service for expos and exhibitions Take a moment to think about the last time you attended or exhibited at a trade show or corporate event. Chances are it felt like a very long day where you were always on your feet, keeping your energy up and presenting a professional image.

We have the facility to come along and set up our mobile massage chairs and provide relaxing head and shoulder taster treatments. We can do this either on your corporate stand or as a complementary part of the overall event.

These big business events can be very fruitful, but they can also be tiring.

Each massage is performed over clothing, including formal business wear.

Profitable and enjoyable

Professional and branded

It’s our mobile corporate massage service.

It’s an eye-catching addition to any exhibition stand and a great way to

Here at Hands on at Work we have a wonderful way to make expos and exhibitions profitable and enjoyable.

The Hands on Work team can even adopt your brand colours and logos.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

present a modern, corporate approach and an image of healthy vitality. Hands on at Work are pleased to deliver our mobile corporate massage service at the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Expo events. Find out more - You can also find out more about workplace massage by calling 07989 367669, emailing info@handsonatwork.co.uk or having a click around our website.

www.handsonatwork.co.uk

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BIGINTERVIEW

PREPARING THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE There has always been a debate in education between, on the one hand, educating young people to develop a love of learning for its own sake and achieving high academic qualifications, and, on the other hand, developing the skills needed for the workplace and for each student’s future.

Modern education can move on from this rather one-dimensional debate and can now deliver academic aspiration alongside the accumulation of skills that are vital for young people to develop if they are to succeed in the 21st Century. It is possible for young people to leave school highly qualified academically and with the skills that will see them succeed in the world of work. I would argue that development of skills alongside academic rigour is not only to be encouraged; it is actually essential. Schools have a duty to ensure that these critical skills are developed in each young person by the age of 18 years. And what are these ‘skills’? The eight skills usually identified are: Leadership, Digital literacy, Communication, Emotional intelligence, Entrepreneurship, Global citizenship, Problem solving, and Teamwork. To this list, I would add Resilience, which is so important as children become young adults in a challenging world. I am Headmaster of an academic school where we aim to inspire pupils and encourage a love of learning. Our

RGS Worcester’s Careers EXPO

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pupils aspire to achieve high academic performance and do so at GCSE and at A Level. They go on to the leading Universities, Music colleges, Art and Drama schools. But I do not think RGS Worcester would be doing its job properly if we were not developing skills alongside academic achievement. How is this achieved? The short answer is by providing opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to develop these crucial skills and by working with business to form a ‘bridge’ between what happens in the classroom and the application of skills in the workplace. This begins from a young age, even at Prep/Primary School age, and is then enhanced right through Senior School and Sixth Form. At RGS Worcester, every year group from Year Five upwards has an opportunity every year to engage with business. Examples of these opportunities include a superb engineering project with Worcester Bosch in which our pupils had to design a test head for part of the production line. Our students were the first ever girls only group of ‘industrial cadets’ to experience engineering at Yamazaki Mazak. Morgan Cars provides pupils interested in automotive engineering with a unique experience of seeing their full production process. Our pupils design, build and race an electric car, supported by local companies. A group of Year Eleven pupils

are currently National Champions in the 4x4 Jaguar Land Rover Challenge. It is links such as these that resulted in RGS Worcester becoming West Midlands Regional Winners of the Chamber of Commerce Award for Education and Business Partnership 2016. This year, all of our Lower Sixth (Year Twelve) students have embarked upon an Enterprise and Employability course. This unique course, developed with the University of Worcester Business School and the Careers & Enterprise Company, has involved over 100 students presenting their ideas for setting up a new business. In the Employability module of the course, business leaders explained to the students the skills they will need to demonstrate in the workplace. The Careers department at RGS Worcester runs an extensive programme to assist pupils in choosing their career pathway. We use Careers & profiling in Year Nine, and tests and interviews in Year Ten. Pupils receive specialist advice to assist them in their GCSE and then A Level subject choices so that they follow courses that will lead to the career they seek, or keep their options open. Detailed guidance is provided for the University application process. We use a superb software tool from which students can access a database of all the university courses and apprenticeship schemes and narrow down their choices to find the best fit for them. Using a new online system,

March/April 2017

BIGINTERVIEW they can build a profile to enhance a CV, including video footage, to demonstrate their skills. Our own Careers EXPO is one of the largest in Worcestershire with over 120 delegates and pupils invited from local schools. We invite in leading speakers who encourage pupils to broaden their horizons: Sir Ranulph Fiennes spoke at the School recently about resilience and leadership, and Miranda Hart held a ‘facetime’ question and answer session with budding young actors. With the new Apprenticeship Levy and the uncertainty of how high student debt will reach, we must equip our pupils to be flexible about career pathways. They should consider the wide range of options available including entering the workplace straight away through Degree Apprenticeships or following a business sponsorship scheme through University. They can consider studying abroad and developing their skills through work experience. The choices are vast and the opportunities exciting. The co-curricular programme at the School is deliberately broad and we are introducing the ‘Crown Award’ which encourages pupils to participate in at least one activity to develop each identified skill. Teamwork, for example, might be achieved through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme or participating in any of 20 different sports on offer; Leadership by taking on responsibility as a Digital Leader, Prefect, School Council member or participating in the Combined Cadet Force. Digital Literacy is provided for all through our Digital Learning Programme. Communication skills can be enhanced through Debating or participating in Drama productions. Global Citizenship might involve charity or community work, raising awareness through Amnesty International or engagement with environmental issues. Problem solving could be tackled through Coding Club, or countless other academic societies, Emotional Intelligence can be gained as a Pastoral Prefect and supporting younger pupils.

By John Pitt,

Headmaster RGS Worcester

need help with this and business leaders can assist by providing expertise to inform young people – it is so much more powerful when the CEO of Worcester Bosch (and former RGS Worcester pupil), Carl Arntzen, speaks to our pupils than if a teacher tells them.

There are so many ways of encouraging young people to develop skills alongside their academic work, without them often even realising they are doing it! So let’s put the academic vs skills debate to bed and focus instead upon providing opportunities for young people to explore and develop academically and to obtain the skills they so urgently need. If schools can create the right supportive environment for their pupils to thrive academically, they can also provide the opportunities that will see young people enjoy developing their skills. Schools do

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

The great thing about developing skills is that, by challenging them to break out of their comfort zone, we see our pupils develop enthusiasm, resilience and self-confidence. By finding out more about possible career paths, their motivation for academic work grows. They enjoy working with one another, engaging with adults, and facing their own futures with real excitement. We are very fortunate here in Worcestershire and through the Chamber of Commerce to have business leaders who want to engage with schools and are prepared to give their time and provide expertise and opportunity for the young people who attend our school. We are keen to share these experiences with other schools and businesses. There is always more we can do together. www.rgsw.org.uk

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COVERFEATURE

THE EVOLUTION OF SKILLS that apprentice numbers have more than doubled in Worcester over the last six years. However, we need still more, at higher levels and with a wider spread of businesses large and small taking them on.

Robin Walker, MP for Worcester, discusses equipping the workforce of the future Our world is changing fast which can be disconcerting and exciting, but for businesses, change means opportunity. One of the striking things is how whole industries can spring to life in a short space of time and others change beyond recognition. The security of a job for life is less likely than ever before for most people and yet employment is touching all time record highs. New industries such as fintech, robotics and cyber security are reshaping the skills needs of our county, even as longer established ones such as manufacturing, retail and construction are upskilling their workforce and requirements. Skills have never been more important and, as we prepare to leave a European Union that we have long relied on to top up our skills base and workforce, we need

to think harder than ever about how to ensure the employees of the future have the skills they need. Apprenticeships can play a huge role in meeting this need and I am delighted

Contact between business and our excellent schools has also improved, with projects such as code clubs helping to build cyber skills and the Local Enterprise Partnership coordinating work between schools and businesses on the careers front. The growth of the University of Worcester and its own Business School provides opportunities for more graduates to qualify and stay in our County, and plans for a new Medical School, as well as the official launch of the Law School, will allow more local people to enter professions for which they used to have to travel elsewhere. Global Britain needs a workforce skilled and prepared for the demands of the Twenty First Century, and in World Class Worcestershire we are well placed to meet that challenge.

PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST THE KEY TO SUCCESS An example of a company that is adept at developing its team is Worcestershire-based creative experience agency drp. Indeed, the company, which employs more than 180 people, won two awards at the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards in November, taking Employer of the Year, and Medium Employer of the Year. They also have a very low staff turnover with some having worked for the company for more than thirty years. Three of their board members started as work experience students and a fourth as a trainee who was aged just fourteen when he first encountered the company. CEO Dale Parmenter said: “The key is putting our people first. I know the common saying is that you put your customer first but if you put your people first they can put the customer first. “For me, I am not as interested in an employee’s skills as their attitude and their passion for the job. We can teach skills but it is not as easy with attitude.

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“We are strong believers in apprenticeships and we have given just about all our apprentices jobs at the end of their apprenticeship. “I think that is important. If you are not in it for the long run you should not be involved. This is not a short term fix, you should be thinking ten years ahead for your employees.

“We are proud of our high level of staff retention. If you look after your staff you are rewarded in many ways. We get someone who understands the culture of the company, someone who understands the drp way and who is loyal to us.” www.drpgroup.com

March/April 2017

COVERFEATURE

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND BUSINESS Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is committed to bridging the gap between education and work. In partnership with Worcestershire County Council, the Chamber is looking for individuals to become Enterprise Advisers to assist schools with developing their enterprise, careers and employment engagement strategies.

n Engage with businesses from the wider community via your own networks n Share experiences and knowledge of the world of business, providing a realistic and authentic approach to schools and young people n Volunteer a minimum of eight hours per month to support your school or college Jennifer Appleton, Operations Director at ISO Quality Services Ltd, said of her experience: “As a keen promoter of people

Enterprise Advisers will:

development, apprenticeships and giving opportunities to young people within our county, I am thrilled to be involved with the Careers & Enterprise Company and delighted to be working with RGS Worcester. “Businesses are always stating the challenges that come with hiring younger, inexperienced staff. This initiative is the ideal opportunity for businesses to get involved. They are, after all, our workforce of the future.”

PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES Membership of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce provides many opportunities for schools and colleges in the two counties to make vital business connections and raise their profile amongst the business community. Some benefits, amongst many others, include: • Online Members Directory – containing contact details for 1400+ businesses

• Opportunity to place editorial in Business Direction and on the Chamber website • Making business connections through the Business Expo (1,000 attendees) and other networking events throughout the year David Hadley-Pryce, Former Head Teacher at North Bromsgrove High School, said: “Through the Chamber, we

now have more than 40 firm business connections and more than 60 with whom we are in negotiation to support our students. “I cannot recommend the Chamber highly enough based on our experience, as a vital link for any secondary school in engaging with its local employer community.”

To find out more about becoming an Enterprise Advisor or joining the Chamber to access vital support services for schools, get in touch today. Email rachelg@hwchamber.co.uk or call 01905 673 600.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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SPOTLIGHTONHEREFORDSHIRE

BEAUTIFUL HEREFORDSHIRE Herefordshire is based in the West Midlands. The West Midlands lies in the centre of the country and has a total population of around 5.3 million. The region is Britain’s manufacturing heartland and is the hub of the nation’s transportation network. It covers an area of 13,000 square kilometres, its western edge bordering Wales.

It is a cosmopolitan region with vibrant multi-ethnic and multi-faith communities in the larger cities and towns. The West Midlands is one of Britain’s most densely populated regions. The Office for National Statistics predicts a 6.6% increase to 5.7 million by the year 2028. However, the large rural areas, particularly those near the Welsh borders

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such as Herefordshire, are among the most sparsely populated in the country.

in the market towns and the rest (just under half) live in villages and rural areas.

The city of Hereford is the county’s centre for employment, administration, health, education facilities and shopping. The other principal locations are the five market towns of Leominster, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Bromyard and Kington.

History, scenery and good local food provide the main core of what brings people to Herefordshire. For centuries, the area was the main defence against the Welsh, and many battles were fought along the border. Today, those sites form part of the amazing scenery of the county, which provides a great backdrop to a range of outdoor activities, from hill walking, canoeing down the River Wye, abseiling or cycling. Herefordshire is quickly becoming the outdoor county.

Herefordshire has a population of around 178,400, with numbers expected to grow to193,600 by 2026. Just under a third (31%) of the people live in Hereford City, 22% live

As a rural area, Herefordshire is a front-runner in the local food and drink movement, and is home to countless makers of wine, real ale, cider and perry, as well as organic foods including meat, farm produce and cheese. Nearly every village in the county has a pub serving local real ales, whilst Hereford itself has a good range of pubs and bars, as well as an excellent shopping centre and leisure facilities. Whatever your interest, there is something for everyone.

March/April 2017

SPOTLIGHTONHEREFORDSHIRE

Sony UK Tech staff enjoy a team sports day courtesy of Halo Leisure

3 EASY STEPS TO A BETTER WAY OF WORKING We all now know that health and wellbeing are central to the way we work.What’s more companies are now discovering it doesn’t take much (and needn’t cost anything) to promote it. Are you ready to get on board? Hundreds of people come into Halo each day as a result of their employer’s commitment to their health. They might enjoy a swim before work, an exercise class and coffee in their lunch break, a game of squash with their boss after hours, or a game of football or golf with their colleagues at the weekend or on a team building day. We see it all. But most of all we see - and hear - about the difference it’s making to the company behind it all. Studies show employers who encourage their staff to engage in regular exercise can not only reduce short term absenteeism (as a result of coughs, colds and flu), and long term sickness (due to problems like stress, back pain, heart disease) but also see the benefits in the recruitment and retention of staff. Crucially there is increasing evidence of it impacting on staff's outlook, attitude and focus during the day. So do you want a piece of the action? Here’s three simple ways to secure it.

1. DISCOVER HALO. IN FACT WHY NOT TRY OUR FACILITIES FOR FREE WITH A COMPLIMENTARY SEVEN DAY PASS? Halo have invested millions in their ten sports and leisure centres across Herefordshire and we now offer some of the finest fitness facilities in the county everything from athletics tracks to a nine hole golf course, squash and badminton courts to pools and spas. We’d love to show you what we have to offer on a VIP tour, or you can pick up a free pass and try Halo for yourself (claim yours at www.haloleisure.org.uk/7daypass)

Work out or wind down with Halo - put a smile on your face with a discounted corporate membership

2. CHECK OUT THE NO-COST-TOCOMPANY CORPORATE PACKAGE? Companies can sign up for free, and there’s no ongoing cost. Meanwhile staff (and their partners, even if they don’t work for the company) get to enjoy seven day a week access to all our facilities for around £1 a day, a massive discount (around £100!) on our usual membership.

3. SIGN UP FIVE MEMBERS TO SECURE YOUR DEAL AND SHARE THE GOOD NEWS! As soon as five members are signed up, everyone else can too. And you can promote this daily access to local sports and fitness facilities as part of your staff benefits package. We’ll supply posters and more to help you promote it. Then sit back and feel the benefits on the bottom line.

WE CAN GET PEOPLE WORKING OUT IN THE WORKPLACE TOO! As well as offering staff discounted access to Halo facilities you could bring us into your organisation so we can reach more of your team and help make personal health and wellbeing part and parcel of every employee’s working day. Halo can not only help you assess attitudes to and participation in health and fitness activities, but develop a menu of initiatives to suit your brief. That could include onsite weekly fitness classes, workshops in everything from cookery to weight management to smoking cessation, introductions to volunteering and new sports, plus a series of personal health assessments covering peak flow, fitness, BMI, flexibility, blood pressure and cholesterol. We’d also like to help you raise awareness of health issues throughout the year (stroke awareness, healthy hearts, cancer checks) via activities and campaigns. Contact kelly.price@ haloleisure.org.uk if you’d like to find out more or arrange a meeting.

Want a piece of the action for your company? Contact kelly.price@ haloleisure.org.uk if you’d like to find out more or arrange a meeting.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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SPOTLIGHTONHEREFORDSHIRE

MARCHES BUILDING INVESTMENT GRANT

DO YOU NEED MORE BUILDING SPACE? WILL YOU BE CREATING NEW JOBS?

If yes, then grant support of up to £100k may be available The Marches Building Investment Grant is a scheme part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Its aim is to help small to medium sized enterprises, who supply products and services to other businesses, to expand and grow. If your business is constrained by your current premises and workspace you may be eligible to receive grant support. Subject to job creation, grants of up to 45% of eligible project costs and a maximum of £100k may be available to renovate, extend or reconfigure premises in the Marches area (Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin). The grant is unable to fund core farming operations, residential development, purchase of buildings and businesses involved in the retail sale of goods and services to the general public. To find out if your company is eligible to apply, and to discuss your proposal further, please contact the programme team on 01432 260662 or email mbig@herefordshire.gov.uk

The Courtyard Centre for the Arts in Hereford is committed to promoting creativity as an important part of the lives of the whole community. Our wide-ranging education and outreach programme uses the arts to engage young people, schools and adults – both here at The Courtyard and at schools and community venues around Herefordshire and beyond. As well as hosting many touring shows we pride ourselves on our in-house productions including our annual pantomime and children’s Christmas show as well as our Youth Theatre performances.

BOX OFFICE 01432 340555

Home to a theatre, cinema, gallery and award winning Café Bar, we can also offer a variety of spaces to hire for a unique event experience. From informal meetings over a coffee, to private rooms for meetings; whether a handful of people to a full conference for 400, we can accomodate you.

courtyard.org.uk In partnership with

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March/April 2017

SPOTLIGHTONHEREFORDSHIRE

CLASSICALLY ENGLISH STILL AND SPARKLING WINES FROM THE FROME VALLEY IN THE HEART OF ENGLAND Our vineyard stands on the banks of the River Frome at Paunton. On a perfect south-facing slope, surrounded by the orchards and hopyards of Herefordshire, the vineyard was established more than 20 years ago. Every vineyard has its own distinctive character shaped by the location, the soils and the micro-climatic. Here at Frome Valley we have a warm sheltered site, protected from the prevailing weather and a gently sloping well drained silty soil which warms readily and provides fertility and a rich balance of minerals for our vines.Â

Our grape varieties include Pinot Noir, Bacchus, Reichensteiner, Madeleine Angevine, Schonurger and Rondo. This selection has proved well suited to the conditions and benefits from a long growing season and slow ripening.Â Our wines are classically English in style with vibrant acidity, a fresh floral nose and clean on the pallet with plenty of fruit. This style of wine fits well with the current interest in lighter styles of wine from cool climate regions.

secure online shop www.fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk Now available by appointment. Please contact us for more details on 01885 490768 jeanie@fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk www.fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk

Delivery will be made direct to your home within a few days of your order being placed.

TOURS AND TASTINGS Our wines can be purchased with complete peace of mind through our

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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VISITHEREFORDSHIRE

www.visitherefordshire.co.uk

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR TOURISM, FOOD & DRINK BUSINESSES The RDPE Growth Programme (Rural Development Programme England), administered by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), has called for applications for capital grants, to support tourism projects and food and drink processing activities in the Marches LEP area.

£1million is available to develop visitor attractions, tourist information, and recreational and small scale infrastructure projects including holiday accommodation. £2.5million has been allocated to grow and enhance the food and drink sector by supporting micro, small and medium-sized

Three rooms are available to hire at The Cider Museum

MEETING ROOMS AVAILABLE AT HEREFORD CIDER MUSEUM The Cider Museum in Hereford is more than just a history of local and national cider-making; they also offer a range of modern meeting rooms available for hire. Located on the first floor, with access by lift or stairs, the three rooms available for hire are: Bulmers Norman, Redstreak and Pomona, each having access to free Wi-Fi and a projector, as well as being set out to a style which suits you. Refreshments can be catered for, as well as evening bookings. There is a foyer area adjacent to the Bulmers Norman room where refreshments are served, which is also ideal as a break-out area. A unique location with a truly Herefordshire history, the Cider Museum is ideally located close to the city centre, with a free onsite car park. For more information call 01432 354207 or email accounts@cidermuseum.co.uk

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Hereford Library, Museum & Art Gallery, Broad Street

HEREFORD LIBRARY, MUSEUM & ART GALLERY REOPENS Hereford Library, Museum & Art Gallery re-opened their doors on Tuesday 31 January after being closed for over a year. The library was temporarily re-located in a scaled-down size to the Town Hall after asbestos was found in the building on Broad Street. The library has undergone some modernisation during its closure, including a new suite of PCs. In addition to the library services, WISH (Wellbeing Information and Signposting for Herefordshire) who work to support the wellbeing of adults, children, young people and families across Herefordshire, can also now be found in the library, as well as online. An exhibition on Herefordian Brian Hatton re-opens the Museum and Art Gallery. www.herefordshire.gov.uk/libraries

food producers and processors looking to expand and create jobs. This is a great opportunity for tourism businesses looking for investment into their businesses, for more information on the grants visit www.gov.uk/government/ publications/rdpe-growth-programme

CITY OF CULTURE UPDATE The official competition for City of Culture 2021 has launched and the date for submitting the bid for Hereford is Monday 10 April 2017. During the run up to this date, the Herefordshire Cultural Partnership will celebrate activities and communication around some key themes which include; Light & Dark, Maps & Borders, Urban & Rural and Food Culture. BBC’s Inside Out team visited various cultural spots in Herefordshire in January to film organisations such as Hereford College of Arts, 2 Faced Dance, Rural Media and The Courtyard, gearing up for the Bid. Other cities competing for City of Culture 2021 include Paisley, Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent to name a few. There are plenty of ways to show your support for Herefordshire to win the Bid, for further information visit www.herefordcityofculture.org

March/April 2017

VISITWORCESTERSHIRE

www.visitworcestershire.org

OFFICIAL COUNTY GUIDE LAUNCHED The Visit Worcestershire Official County Guide 2017 is a 56 page A4 publication, offering visitors a wealth of information of what to see and do, where to stay, as well as practical information to enjoy their time in the county. Now in its eighth year, the bi-annual publication has become an annual guide to visiting Worcestershire with 45,000 copies printed.

Sense Adventure offers guided walking holidays in the Malvern Hills

NEW HOLIDAY COMPANY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED Dee Jones has set up a new holiday company aimed at offering guided walking holidays in the Malvern Hills for the blind and partially sighted. Visually impaired, Dee created Sense Adventures to provide the holiday that she had been looking for herself, but could not find – small group weekend breaks walking, going to local restaurants, and enjoying the countryside with like-minded people. Dee said: “While there are tour companies who will, on request, accommodate people who are blind or visually impaired, there is little out there that caters for us specifically. It’s a source of frustration that I must be reliant on someone else accompanying me and I cannot be the free-spirited traveller that I long to be. Sense Adventures gives back that sense of freedom, and blind and partially sighted adults who want to enjoy time in the countryside can do so – without needing to rely on friends and family. We take care of everyone in a relaxed and friendly manner.”

Available from local Tourist Information Centres, the guide is also distributed to hotels and attractions in the county, and is available to view on the Visit Worcestershire website. For anyone looking for copies of the guide for their business please contact ewheeler@visitworcestershire.org

Celebrating Worcestershire’s Literary Heroes

VISITENGLAND - YEAR OF LITERARY HEROES 2017 is VisitEngland’s Year of Literary Heroes. With this in mind we’ve looked at how Worcestershire has inspired many writers, musicians and artists over the years and at one point was the holiday hotspot of some very famous literary heroes.

with his friend J.R.R. Tolkien. During their visits, they would walk the Malvern Hills with close friend George Sayer. During a recording made by George Sayer, Tolkien referred to these walks and how he would compare parts of the Malvern Hills to the White Mountains of Gondor.

MALVERN HILLS

BROADWAY COTSWOLDS

C.S. Lewis first discovered the beauty of Malvern when he studied at Malvern College from the age of 11 for three academic years. During his adult years he enjoyed revisiting the hillside town regularly, and a winter walk around the Victorian resort town will seem reminiscent of many of his books. In keeping with its heritage, Malvern has retained its historical gas lamps. These are abundant throughout Priory Park and up into the hills. Great Malvern train station has also been restored to its former Victorian splendour.

The beautiful Worcestershire Cotswolds have inspired many artists and were a regular relaxation destination for writers, including J.M. Barrie. During his visits to the county, Barrie penned a pamphlet, "The Allahakbarrie Book of Broadway Cricket" (1899), which is an amusing, whimsical account of his cricketing endeavours in the Cotswolds with the likes of A.E. Milne, P.G. Wodehouse, Jerome K. Jerome and Arthur Conan Doyle. Be inspired yourself and take a look at the latest Visit Worcestershire Official County Guide.

Even after making Oxford his home, C.S. Lewis would regularly visit the county

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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WORCESTERSHIREBUSINESSCENTRAL

www.business-central.co.uk

CYBER RISK – WHAT IS IT REALLY? By Peter Loomes Over the last two years, cyber attacks have been making the headlines, generating many stories that create fear, uncertainty and doubt for businesses. However, even with national coverage, the take-up of cyber-security practices has been slow. Why is this? One thought is that many businesses don’t see themselves as “technology businesses,” and therefore don't think the cyber threat will affect them. Or maybe it is a case of “it won’t happen to me”. Both of these assertions are flawed, but it does suggest that the message about cyber risk is not registering. Therefore, we can only assume that it is not being pitched correctly to most businesses. Let’s examine the two assumptions above: • “We are not a technology business so it doesn’t affect us”. Cyber-crime is not limited to technology businesses. If your business is a user of technology that is connected to the internet there is some level of risk. How many businesses

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in the 21st Century don’t use some connected technology such as email? • “It won’t happen to me.” Cyber-crime is largely indiscrimate, very little is purposefully targeted. If cyber-crime is viewed as old style crime on a global scale, there is a great analogy: an opportunist burglar may try your front door once every ten years. The opportunist cyber-criminal will try your computer front door, back door, and all your windows several times a second. So, the chances of it happening to you are greatly increased. Contrary to many messages, cyber-crime should not be considered aside from other business risks. In fact it should be incorporated alongside standard risk assessment. After all, cyber-crime can affect businesses financially, reputationally, operationally, strategically and in some cases, affect compliance to regulations.

cooperation with Worcestershire Business Central are to launch an eLearning package which will help businesses align the risk associated with using technology. It is aimed at managers of businesses of all sizes and it does not require the user to have any technical knowledge. After all, it is about managing risk, not managing technology. Best of all, it is free to use. The FREE e-learning package will launch in Spring 2017 alongside the launch of Growing Cyber, a support service offered to Worcestershire based businesses to support them in becoming more cyber secure. Contact the Worcestershire Business Central team to register your interest on 01905 677 888 or email info@ business-central.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peter Loomes is an independent information risk management and business change consultant.

In support of this thinking, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership in

March/April 2017

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

Huw Ponting Director 01432 806 990 hponting@novumlaw.com

Five reasons to talk to a specialist personal injury solicitor There’s advice and then there’s specialist advice. If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you need expert legal advice from a specialist personal

3. Financial support with interim payments - in cases where liability for the accident is not in dispute, we can help you secure early financial payments before your compensation is awarded. We pride ourselves on obtaining interim funds that help our clients pay for additional medical treatment and care, rehabilitation and any specialist equipment or adaptations that need to be made to their home.

injury solicitor.

4. Help with rehabilitation – if you have been seriously injured, rehabilitation is vital and can make a huge difference to your recovery and quality of life. As specialist personal injury solicitors, Novum Law has the expertise to actively pursue defendants to fund additional medical treatment and the contacts to ensure you have access to the very best rehabilitation providers available and expert case managers to help you feel better and in control.

While many law firms claim to be able to handle personal injury compensation claims, few specialise in helping people with severe, life-changing injuries - such as serious brain or spinal trauma. Here are five reasons why if you’ve been injured in an accident or suffered due to medical negligence, you should seek specialist personal injury legal advice: 1. Benefit of experience – If your solicitor does not specialise in personal injury law, the chances are that you will not receive the expert advice and support you need to secure a successful compensation claim. It’s important to instruct a specialist personal injury law firm with many years of experience such as Novum Law to guide you through the whole process. Our longstanding relationships with leading medical experts, therapists, support organisations and charities will also offer value added advice, care and support that you don’t get with non-specialist solicitors. 2. Maximum compensation – at Novum Law we always strive to achieve the maximum level of compensation for our clients’ injuries. As specialist personal injury solicitors, we understand the severity of life-changing injuries and the devastating impact on day-to-day living as well as family and close friends. We are experts at gathering the medical and financial evidence required to ensure your compensation claim is successful. It pays to seek specialist legal help - research shows that accident victims who turn down their insurer’s offer and seek legal advice receive on average 2-3 times more compensation.

5. No financial risk – with no hidden costs or extra fees and our ‘no win, no fee’ offering, we ensure that you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Novum Law provides a free, ‘no strings’ consultation and will quickly be able to tell you if you will be able to make a claim for compensation. We are happy to visit you in the comfort of your own home if you prefer and will always explain the process to you in detail in plain, straightforward English. At Novum Law, we help people with severe injuries and illnesses every day. We have a successful track record of taking over cases from law firms that don’t have the specialist expertise necessary to secure maximum compensation, often getting bigger and better settlements as a result. For free, confidential advice about how we can help, please contact our specialist team on: 01432 806 990 or email: hponting@novumlaw.com

@novumlaw

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

039

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

FEELING LOST WITH DATA PROTECTION REFORM? DON’T WORRY, IT’S NOT JUST YOU. This time next year, most UK and EU businesses will have implemented or be in the process of implementing new processes and tools to help them meet the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that will come into force in Spring 2018. There are a number of great ideas behind this reform, seeking to protect the data and data rights of individual people. Many of the elements that make up these new rules require software providers to create new tools and parameters in their product. We (along with most other SaaS providers) started spec’ing the bits of development we would need to do towards the tail end of last year to make sure we’d have them completed in time. This work will mean you’ll have the tools you need to implement these new regulations, but there are many unanswered questions around how they will work in practice. Let me give you an example: HMRC says that as a company you need to keep your accounting records for 6 years. GDPR states that you can only keep financial records of former clients for “a reasonable amount of time.” Will these two time frames marry up nicely? No one seems to know. Another example is the new rules around removing certain pieces of data after a given period of time, let’s use the National Insurance number of your former employees. After they leave your company, you’ll need to hang on to it in your records for a while, but then remove it after that “reasonable amount of time.” Easy enough to remove from your system, but what about from your archived and backed up data?

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You don’t want to get rid of your archives in case you need them, but will it still be considered reasonable to have this information in your system’s back-ups after another 12-18 months? You can see how the questions can start to mount up, can’t you? Now I’m not saying for one second that I think the GDPR is a bad idea. I think seeking to provide people with greater protection for their data is something we should have done years ago. But. But, but, but. How can you practically implement these reforms? Sadly, it’s a question that just hasn’t been properly answered yet. It’s not to say there isn’t time, legal experts have a good year or more to start getting the guidance sorted for how these reforms are going to work in practice and what companies need to do to meet them. And we are starting to see information trickling out. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) are regularly adding new guidance and advice to their website in order to help businesses prepare for the reforms. If you aren’t sure about how these changes will affect your business, I would always suggest you head over to https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/ where you can find their most up-to-date advice about GDPR under the “Data protection reform” section.

they are doing to prepare for these reforms and when you should expect to start seeing these new tools coming into your system. We’re expecting to provide the necessary system updates towards the tail end of this year/early next year, for example. We want to give our customers a good few months to get to grips with them and get them configured in time to meet that Spring 2018 deadline. But this uncertainty around how the regulation will work, what tools will be needed, and how businesses need to implement them really isn’t helping. It is my sincere hope that, by March this year, businesses and service providers have clear and most important, official guidelines that they can use to make sure they are doing everything they can to protect our data. But I suspect that we won’t see this kind of clarity for another several years, once the lawsuits and court cases have been resolved, leaving all of us with even more uncertainty than we had before. To talk to a member of the OpenCRM team about how CRM software can benefit your brand, just call 01748 473000 or visit the website: www.opencrm.co.uk.

Graham Anderson, is the CEO and founder of OpenCRM, one of the UK’s leading customer relationship management systems.

I would also suggest that you get in touch with your service providers to find out what

March/April 2017

ADVERTORIALFEATURE

LOAN FUND HELPS BOOST A GROWING WORCESTERSHIRE ACCOUNTANCY FIRM A Worcestershire based accountancy firm has received funding for its growth plans. Adderley Hill & Co, set up in 2013 by husband and wife team Stephen Adderley and Felicity Adderley-Hill, approached the Worcestershire Business Loan Fund to secure additional capital to support growth objectives. Providing loans from £10,000 to £50,000, the Worcestershire Business Loan Fund supports viable SMEs that are based within the county. The £2.2 million scheme was introduced by Worcestershire County Council and BCRS Business Loans, a provider of alternative finance across the Midlands, to support growing local businesses. Angie Preece is Business Development Manager for the Three Counties. Stephen Adderley, director of Adderley Hill & Co, said: “Our plans included moving into bigger office space, hiring four additional staff members and finalising the purchase of a second practice. “We couldn’t fault the Worcestershire Business Loan Fund and would be happy to recommend it to other local businesses. Our Loans Officer, Angie

(L-R) Lorna Jeynes, Worcestershire County Council; Angie Preece, BCRS Business Loans; Stephen Adderley, Adderley Hill & Co

Preece, was incredibly supportive throughout the application process, with constant communication and face-to-face meetings,” commented Stephen. Fellow director, Felicity Adderley-Hill, continued: “Both Stephen and I have a broad skill set in accountancy. “We are well-known in the area and look to support our clients in any way possible, with a service that encompasses ‘transparency’, ‘personality’ and ‘professionalism’ as key values.

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

The Chief Executive of BCRS Business Loans, Paul Kalinauckas, said: “We are delighted to be able to support enthusiastic and ambitious entrepreneurs with their exciting plans for Adderley Hill & Co. We understand how important small businesses are in strengthening our local economy and believe that no viable business should go unsupported. We support most market sectors and offer a relationship based approach to lending.” Councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure said; "Stephen and Felicity are great ambassadors for small business. It's always fantastic to see people following their growth ambitions and with the Loan from BCRS, it has helped them achieve their aspirations, while taking on new staff members and moving into new premises. This is at the heart of what we do, with the Council being committed to being 'Open for Business' and supporting the prosperity of the County". To discover more about the Worcestershire Business Loan Fund or to submit a fast track enquiry form visit bcrs.org.uk or call us on 0345 313 8410

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INTERNATIONALTRADE

Linda Smith, Director of International Trade at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

£2.31m £27.72

ECONOMIC GROWTH PER ADVISER YTD ECONOMIC BENEFIT YTD (per £1 invested by DIT in the regional delivery contract)

5 192

SUPPORTING EXPORTERS IN THE TWO COUNTIES

£2.31m

192

At the Department for International Trade Herefordshire and Worcestershire, our team are ECONOMIC GROWTH INTERNATIONAL passionate about equipping new exporters and supporting existing exporters to develop PER ADVISER YTDand succeedACCOUNT TRADE ADVISERS ACCOUNT MANAGED their export strategy, reach new markets overseas. MANAGED

BUSINESSES This is a snapshot of what your local International Trade team have achieved between April BUSINESSES 2016 and January 2017. Why not contact us to arrange a meet up to find out how we can support your business – email Nick.Corley@mobile.trade.gov.uk or phone 01905 673 600

5 5 5£4.28m 99 £2.31m£2.31m 21 7.27m 99 £4.28m £ 192 £27.72 £27.72 £27.72

ECONOMIC GROWTH INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC GROWTH INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS WON BY BUSINESS WON BY BUSINESS WON BY NEW EXPORTERS EXISTING EXPORTERS EXISTING EXPORTERS PER ADVISER YTD TRADE ADVISERS PER ADVISER YTD TRADE ADVISERS TRADE ADVISERS EXISTING EXPORTERS EXPORTERS NEW ACCOUNT MANAGED EXISTING EXPORTERS EXPORT WINS EXPORT WINS ECONOMIC BENEFIT YTD EXPORT WINS ECONOMIC BENEFIT YTD YTD ECONOMIC BENEFIT BUSINESSES (per £1 invested by DIT in the (per £1 invested by DIT in the

(per £1 invested by DIT in the regional delivery contract) regional delivery contract) INTERNATIONAL

£27.72 £27.72

(per £1delivery invested by DIT in the regional contract) regional SIGNIFICANT delivery contract)

YTD

192 192 96% 7.27m 99£2.31

regional delivery contract)

ECONOMIC GROWTH ECONOMIC PER ADVISERGROWTH YTD PER ADVISER YTD

INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADVISERS TRADE ADVISERS

ACCOUNT MANAGED ACCOUNT MANAGED BUSINESSES BUSINESSES CLIENT SATISFACTION SATISFACTION COULDCLIENT YOU BE RATING ECONOMIC GROW RATING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS WON BY BUSINESS WON BY BU BUSINESS WON BYOUR EXPORTER NEW EXPORTERS EXISTING EXPORTERS PER ADVISER Y TRADE ADVISERS NEW EXPORTERS NEW EXPORTERS EXI EXPORTERS YEAR? WINS OF THEEXPORT ECONOMIC BENEFITEXISTING YTDEXPORT WINS

INTERVENTIONS NEW EXPORTERS EXPORT WINS BUSINESS WON BY BUSINESS WON BY NEW EXPORTERS (per £1 invested by DIT in the ECONOMIC GROWTH Businesses have until Friday 31 regional delivery contract) NEW EXPORTERS PER ADVISER YTD March EXPORTERS to enter the Chamber EXISTING EXPORT WINS ACCOUNT MANAGED BUSINESS WON BY BUSINESS WON BY NEW EXPORTERS Business AwardsEXPORTERS 2017. Find out EXISTING BUSINESS WON BY BUSINESSES BUSINESS WON BY NEW EXPORTERS more and enter at EXISTING EXPORTERS NEW EXPORTERS EXISTING EXPORTERS EXPORT WINS EXPORT WINS NEW EXPORTERS EXISTING EXPORTERS www.hwchamber.co.uk/awards EXPORT WINS EXPORT WINS

SIGNIFICANT INTERVENTIONS

BUSINESS WON BY NEW EXPORTERS

NEW EXPORTERS

ECONOMICEXPORT GROWTH INTERNATIONAL WINS PER ADVISER YTD TRADE ADVISERS SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT BUSINESS WON BY EXISTING EXPORTERS SIGNIFICANT INTERVENTIONS EXISTING EXPORTERS INTERVENTIONS EXPORT WINS INTERVENTIONS

ACCOUNT MANAGED BUSINESSES

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£7.27m £4.28m

EXISTING EXPO

CLIENT SATISFACTION RATING

BUSINESS WON BY EXISTING EXPORTER

CLIENT SATISFACTION CLIENT SATISFACTION RATING RATING

HEREFORDSHIRE & WORCESTERSHIRE EXPORTERS’ SIGNIFICANT TOP FIVE MARKETS

96%

INTERVENTIONS CLIENT SATISFACTION BY VOLUME WINS YTD BY VALUE OF EXPORT WINS YTD BUSINESS WON BYOF EXPORT BUSINESS WON RATINGBY EXISTING EXPORTERS United States of America Poland NEW EXPORTERS EXISTING EXPORTERS EXPORT WINS Germany Ireland Australia United Arab Emirates

96%

Austria Germany United Arab Emirates China

CLIENT SATISFACTION RATING 042

ACCO B

96% 108 5£ 21 21 £7.27m 4.28m £ £ £27.72 21 192 7.27m 4.28m £2.31m 21 99 21 ££7.27m 7.27m ££4.28m 99 4.28m 96% 108 108 21 7.27m 4.28m £ £ 5 £2.31m 96% 108 99 192 108 96% £4.28m 108

ECONOMIC BENEFIT YTD (perECONOMIC £1 invested by BENEFIT DIT in the YTD

AL RS

£2.31m £2.31m

March/April 2017

CLIEN

INTERNATIONALTRADE

Tonya O'Donnell with Frank Shiere, the company's Dutch representative

SMART TECHNOLOGY GOING GLOBAL AFTER DIT SUPPORT A Worcestershire company that has developed the world’s first smart technology electric actuator to control industrial valves has officially launched its unique product and already has a full order booked for 2017. Malvern-based Smart Actuator Company, producer of the energy efficient smart technology electric actuator, returned to Valve World in Dusseldorf in December to launch the product and two other models. International Trade Advisers based in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have worked closely with the company over the past six years, introducing it to the relevant industry experts, setting up meetings and undertaking market research. Tonya, her brother James O’Donnell who invented the product, and their father Tony, who is Company Chairman, have also attended DIT events where they have discussed potential opportunities with export advisers from across the globe. Tonya said: “We’ve worked with DIT since the beginning but particularly in the last three years; getting our product out into the global market wouldn’t have happened without their support. Before the company was set up, James was a computer engineer and we had no knowledge of the engineering and manufacturing sector, so every introduction has been invaluable.” Since it was brought to market in 2016, the company’s order book for this year is already looking healthy, with orders from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, India and Germany. www.smartact.co.uk

2017 EXPORT MASTERCLASSES Businesses looking to find out more about exporting or develop their export strategy are encouraged to attend one or more free workshops from The Department for International Trade (DIT).

EXPORT ESSENTIALS MASTERCLASS Thursday 16 March 9.00am-4.30pm Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, Severn House, Prescott Drive, Worcester WR4 9NE This full day tailored workshop is designed for senior decision makers whose company is in the early stage of selling overseas. It will provide you with an overview of the support and advice available and an introduction to key business principles such as market research, routes to market, shipping & documentation and getting paid.

EXPORT PRICING MASTERCLASS Tuesday 21 March 9.00am-4.30pm Hereford Business Solutions Centre, Skylon Court, Coldnose Road, Rotherwas HR2 6JL This event will help you set and manage export prices for your products and services across international markets. It will include information on cost factors, local market price levels, typical distribution channel margins, local customs, alternative pricing strategies, addressing pricing issues and understanding the Department for International Trade and UK Export Finance services. For more information visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search “Department for International Trade” or contact the local Department for International Trade team on 01905 673 600.

Smiles all round for the Just2easy team

INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS FOR KIDDERMINSTER COMPANY A Kidderminster based educational software supplier, Just2easy, is setting its sights on international markets after its success in the UK. The company was recently recognised in the prestigious BETT 2017 Awards, winning the “ICT Tools for Learning, Teaching and Assessment – Classroom Aids” category for its Tool Suite product, and gaining Highly Commended for “ICT Company of the Year”. Danny Young, Managing Director, stated: “Our Tool Suite is now used by over 3000 schools across the UK and we are now looking further afield to secure more opportunities. We have recently won a tender to deliver a Coding platform for schools in Malta which is the start of a new and exciting chapter in our company's history.” Following their success, Just2easy are now working closely with the local Department for International Trade team to enable them to attend exhibitions world wide to maximise opportunities over the next 12 months. Next stop for the team from Kidderminster is Dubai, where Just2easy has been short listed for a GESS Award for its data handling tool, j2data. With partners in both the UAE and Hong Kong, usage is growing in local and international schools within these regions along with a number of Far East regions focusing heavily on the coding resources. www.just2easy.com

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CORPORATE DAYS WITH A DIFFERENCE AT LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE EASTNOR

Inspiring scenery, testing challenges and an environment where everyone is on an equal footing: it’s the Eastnor recipe for turning individuals into a true team. Please QUOTE: BDFEB17. Land Rover Experience Eastnor. The Bothy, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury, Herefordshire HR8 1RL. 01531 638779. eastnorevents@landroverexperience.com. www.eastnor.landroverexperience.co.uk

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March/April 2017

CONFERENCEWORCESTERSHIRE www.conference-worcestershire.com

Herefordshire and Worcestershire are filled with hidden surprises. Venues are diverse in style and size. Choose from large, state of the art conference centres; stately homes steeped in tradition; sporting stadiums; educational centres; venues with excellent ‘green’ credentials, large well established hotels or small, ‘quirky’ venues. The inspiring landscape of the two counties has acres of rolling fields and scenic waterways, unspoilt and dotted with market towns. Both counties have vibrant Cathedral cities to offer a great contrast. If you’re looking for somewhere with convenient transport links, Worcestershire has a wide choice of venues you can get to by train:

THE ABBEY HOTEL, GREAT MALVERN TRAIN STATION

WORCESTER WHITEHOUSE, WORCESTER FOREGATE STREET

ST ANDREWS TOWN HOTEL, DROITWICH SPA TRAIN STATION

THE HIVE, WORCESTER FOREGATE STREET

SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY, KIDDERMINSTER TRAIN STATION

If you’re looking for something different or a team building activity to bring your staff together, then look no further than West Midland Safari & Leisure Park as a great location to break up your day full of meetings, Stanbrook Abbey for the wow factor or Eckington Manor for cookery classes and meeting space all in one location.

West Midland Safari & Leisure Park

Stanbrook Abbey

Eckington Manor

Across the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire the variety continues. You can choose from Eastnor Castle, Colwall Park Hotel, The Feathers Hotel, The Stables Conference Centre and The Verzon House.

EASTNOR CASTLE

THE FEATHERS HOTEL

COLWALL PARK HOTEL

THE STABLES CONFERENCE CENTRE

THE VERZON HOUSE

Conference Worcestershire offers a free venue finding service, providing innovative events solutions, saving you time and money by using their venue availability search. Let Conference Worcestershire find your perfect venue! To submit an enquiry call 01905 732 962 or email conferenceworcs@arrangemy.com

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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MEMBERSSERVICES

AXA PPP HEALTHCARE PLAN Take advantage of discounted Chamber membership for three years when you take out a private healthcare plan with AXA PPP healthcare (Terms and conditions apply). There are also additional benefits that can bring real value to your business.

Julu Ltd created the Laundry Ladder, a simple yet effective wooden airer

Julia Adams, Director at Julu Ltd, speaks about her experience of using AXA PPP: “There are many benefits in becoming a member of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. When we decided to join the Chamber to access the networking and training opportunities, it was an extra to discover that I could at last find a more reasonable health care package for my son and myself.

I contacted AXA and the account manager helped me to compare my current policy with their offer and I managed to save nearly 50% on the monthly premiums, and still have a good health cover policy that suits both my son and myself. There was no pressure to sign up today; I had time to compare with my current policy and give the current health care company the opportunity to requote which they did not."

WHY PRIVATE HEALTHCARE? At AXA PPP healthcare, what we’re really about is protecting the most important assets your business will ever have – you and your employees. Research shows 75% of managers see an adverse effect when employees use work time to deal with life admin such as seeing a doctor or looking after a loved one.

Have you ever been ill, and felt you had no choice but to struggle on? Or you’ve had an employee off sick and everyone else has had to cover while they’ve been waiting to get treatment? That’s what AXA PPP healthcare are really there for – to stop poor health from stopping your business. Should anyone get ill, they’ll aim to get them back to work as quickly as possible, avoiding waiting lists and fast-tracking you to expert diagnosis and eligible treatment from experienced doctors and medical professionals at a time you choose – all in the comfortable surroundings of a private hospital. If you take out a private healthcare plan with AXA PPP you can receive up to 50% off your Chamber membership for three years. To find out more, visit www.axappphealthcare. co.uk/chambers

NEW MEMBERS – FASTR SOLUTIONS The Health and Safety Experts celebrate two years of business! FastR Solutions are providers of a peace-of-mind approach to Health & Safety. Highly experienced, qualified Fire Risk Assessors and Health and Safety professionals, we can provide you with: * Suitable and sufficient Fire Risk Assessments * Auditing and reviews of safety management * Portable appliance testing * Competent Person services

We also offer over 60 e-learning courses, full details can be found on our website: www.fastrsolutions.uk.

To get in touch, contact Kevin Boreham or Tina Davies:

To celebrate our success to date, we are offering a free e-learning course to other members, limited to one per Company (further bookings at a discounted rate). E-learning is a cost effective and economical way to train your staff. FastR Solutions can also provide training tailored to suit your needs.

Email: td@fastrsolutions.uk

Tel: 0800 246 1802 / 07712 673066

Kevin Boreham, Owner of FastR Solutions

* Writing of policies and statements * Asbestos ACMs

HAVE YOU BENEFITTED FROM USING THE MEMBERS’ SERVICES? Membership of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce enables you to access a wide range of support services. If you have benefitted from one

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or more of these, we would love to hear from you and feature a case study about your experience on our website and in Business Direction.

To find out more, contact your Account Manager at the Chamber or call 01905 673 600.

March/April 2017

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Contact our Worcester office on 01905 730450 Birmingham Sedgley

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March/April 2017

COMMERCIALPROPERTY

Specialists in Property Management & Development and Construction Project Delivery

FOR SOMETHING TRULY UNIQUE AND SUSTAINABLE, SHOULD WE BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO REPURPOSE WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE? We all like new stuff. Buying something new has obvious appeal and most of us are suckers for a good sales pitch, but in a throw-away culture, if we want something truly unique and sustainable, should we be looking at ways to repurpose what we already have? There is great satisfaction in breathing new life into something old. Yes, it takes effort and imagination, but what you gain has saved money, is unique and is socially and environmentally responsible; which could be said of many of the buildings we at Six.PC survey every day. With debate raging over house building targets and local authorities facing funding pressures, do we know enough about our existing assets and their efficiency? Six.PC have been working with schools, retailers and councils to help them review and rationalise their estates. We have surveyed large swathes of property often seeing old but interesting buildings overlooked in favour of newer properties. We are encouraging our clients, where possible, to revive the old as old doesn’t have to mean redundant. This approach saves money and if done professionally and sympathetically offers something unique with money over for the modern and luxury touches, that they may not otherwise have been able to afford. It’s all about moderation. Whilst we should not ignore the impact and worth of new buildings that befit new technologies and ways of living, we should also consider re-using, re-purposing and refurbishing the old wherever we can.

Building Surveying - We understand how buildings work and provide tailored & strategic building surveying services including: • condition surveys • due diligence & pre-acquisition surveys • property risk surveys • asset management surveys & planned maintenance programming • six-facet surveys • measured surveys • dilapidations Project Consultancy - We understand the process of project development from first ideas to eventual use and provide services including: • project & programme management • contract administration • feasibility studies • party wall & neighbourly matters • clerk of works/quality monitoring • CDM (Health & Safety) compliance Design - We understand how property needs to evolve & adapt to change and provide design services including: • concept & sketch schemes • technical design & specifications • statutory applications & compliance • lead designer/design coordination & management • principal designer (CDM) • space planning & rationalisation Lee Creese t: 07703 404318 e: lee.creese@sixpc.co.uk Elliot Dinsdale t: 07730 892321 e: elliot.dinsdale@sixpc.co.uk General Enquiries t: 0121 2590078 e: contact@sixpc.co.uk

sixpc.co.uk

SixPC donates 1% of its fees to Cystic Fibrosis Trust, helping support a brighter future for everyone with CF

Now I’m off to re-upholster that old dining chair!

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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CHARITYNEWS

CAN YOU SURVIVE THE WILD? Are you man or mouse? Or more of a teddy bear than a Bear Grylls? Find out just what you are made of by taking on Headway’s “Survive the Wild” challenge this spring! This two-day adventure takes place from 13–14 May, offering you and your friends a chance to challenge yourselves to trek, rock scramble, abseil, cliff jump and negotiate through the tunnels and caves of Dark Peak in the Peak District. You’ll get closer to nature as you experience wild camping, and will work together, learning a whole range of new skills as you do. This exciting challenge has been organised by Headway Worcestershire in conjunction with its sister charities in Birmingham & Solihull and Shropshire to raise awareness and much-needed funds for their specialist brain injury services. www.headwayworcestershire.org.uk/ survive-the-wild

NEW HOME FOR RESCUE DOG FRANKIE Worcestershire Animal Rescue Centre was delighted when one of their dogs, Frankie, was chosen to be adopted by Andrea Borwell-Fox, president of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter opens its doors to abandoned, unwanted and mistreated animals in need of urgent care. The shelter’s main aims are to give shelter, medical treatment and care, and to re-home.

Andrea with newly adopted rescue dog Frankie

Andrea said: “Frankie is a six month old lurcher, found as a stray in December. Ned and his team at the centre have given us lots of advice and Frankie is settling well into her new home.”

volunteers wanting to ease the distress of animals that, through no fault of their own, are abandoned, unwanted or mistreated.

The Shelter is run by dedicated staff and

www.wars.org.uk

JOANNA BROWN TRUST CHARITY QUIZ Have you ever been to a quiz where you’ve been asked to identify a chocolate bar from a chopped up piece of confectionery? Or asked to name a familiar song sung in a foreign language? This is the sort of thing you can expect at the Joanna Brown Trust Charity Quiz on Thursday 23 March at the Graeme Hick pavilion at Worcestershire County Cricket Club. The Trust encourages involvement in sport and has had a high impact on the careers of more than 60 athletes whilst supporting sports projects around the world. It promises to be a great night, so be part of it and make an impact. Prices are £50.00 per team, maximum five people which includes food. Call 01905 758080 or email info@TheJoannaBrownTrust.org

Representatives from Thursfields and local charities welcomed the Charity Commission

THURSFIELDS HOSTS CHARITY COMMISSION IN WORCESTER Thursfields Solicitors was delighted to host the Charity Commission’s first visit to Worcester to meet with local charity trustees and their accountants. Looking to extend its digital services and improve the Annual Return process, the Commission is visiting different regions around the country to seek face-to-face feedback from local charitable organisations. This first visit to Worcester was well attended by charities and their advisers. Andy Wheeler of Disability Sport Worcester commented: “It was great to hear that the Charity Commission were coming to Worcester to canvas opinion and for a small charity like ourselves, we are honoured to have input on something that will create fundamental national changes. We look forward to seeing how the changes are implemented”. www.thursfields.co.uk

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FUNDRAISING SUCCESS FOR SAFARI PARK Staff at West Midland Safari Park are celebrating and feeling extremely pleased, after handing over a significant amount of cash to a number of charities they fundraised for in 2016. Over £14,000 was raised by staff and guests onsite, through competitions, donations and VIP experiences. Some funds even came from supporters online. Research and Conservation Officer, Katie McDonald said, “We have a duty to contribute to the conservation of the species we care for at the Safari Park, especially those which are threatened with extinction in the wild. Therefore last year we supported; The Marine Conservation Society, Grevy’s Zebra Trust, 21st Century Tiger, Save the Rhino International and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. www.wmsp.co.uk

March/April 2017

ADVERTORIALFEATURE CHARITYFEATURE

Let’s make Herefordshire & Worcestershire a great place to grow older

Did you know……….? In 2016 we: Helped 225 people every day  Cut 25,000 toe nails  Helped 1000 people with their shopping after a stay in hospital  Received 950 referrals to support lonely older people in Worcestershire  Gained over £1,000,000 in additional income for older people

Could you help us to continue providing these valuable services?

If you could; spare some time, offer your expertise, lend us your facilities, display some information on your staff notice boards, carry out some fundraising, promote us as your charity of the year or cascade information to your colleagues, family and friends – then please contact us.

Tel: 01905 740950 Email: volunteering@ageukhw.org.uk Website: www.ageukhw.org.uk Charity No: 1080545

Love Herefordshire. Love nature. Would your business like to strengthen its environmental credentials and show support for local communities? We would like to offer you the opportunity to join Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, which in turn allows us to promote your company’s green credentials and social commitment to the environment and beautiful countryside of Herefordshire. We’ve run thousands of events in communities across the county, getting kids active and engaged outdoors through our successful ‘WildPlay’ programme. Our volunteer teams and staff manage hundreds of hectares of woodland, wildflower meadows and traditional orchards – helping to keep Herefordshire special. We are the only conservation charity dedicated to working in Herefordshire, with almost 5,000 members and 59 nature reserves across the county, including the popular Queenswood Country Park. Our aim is to protect local wildlife and its habitat, plus connect more people to nature in Herefordshire. As a company based in the county, we would love your support to help make the case for wildlife in this gorgeous corner of England. To find out more about our Corporate Sponsorship and Corporate Membership opportunities contact John Clark: 01432 356872 / j.clark@herefordshirewt.co.uk

Business Direction nov 2016.indd 1 published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Herefordshire

Wildlife Trust 07/10/2016 09:57:22

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NEWPEOPLETODOBUSINESSWITH BROMSGROVE

The Sunday Girl Company

Apple Interiors Ltd

01527 557 015 Luxury Kitchen & Bathrooms Installation & Design www.appletree-interiors.co.uk

Biz Smarts LTD T/A BizSmart

03335 670471

Pure Golf Ltd

Beautiful British designed aprons www.thesundaygirlcompany.co.uk

A Star Printing

Golf www.ravenmeadowgolf.co.uk

MALVERN

Printing & Embroidery www.astarprinting.co.uk

S E Strategies

ACT Surfaces Limited

Management Consultant - Strategy & M&A www.sestrategies.co.uk

Capitol Imagesetters Ltd

01989 769651

www.biz-smart.co.uk

Large Format Printing www.capitolimage.co.uk

Blackwell Adventure

Alimenti Food Sciences Ltd

0121 4451285 Outdoor activity centre www.blackwellcourt.com

HTF Associates Ltd

01527 572060 Pharmaceutical supply chain consultancy www.htfassociates.co.uk

RedSauce Limited

01527 888970

07904 384833 Food safety www.alimenti.co.uk

IQHQ

01684 561250 Waveform Development www.iqhq.co.uk

Melton Support Services Ltd

01684 565187

Business services, sales support, telemarketing, www.red-sauce.co.uk

Business Support Services

DROITWICH

Elmley Consulting

AKW

01905 823298

Sales & Marketing Service www.elmleyconsulting.co.uk

Accessible showering, bathroom, kitchen and mobility aids www.akw-ltd.co.uk

EVESHAM The Strategy Company 07437755310 Working with Start-ups, SMEs and Family Businesses www.thestrategycompany.co.uk

HEREFORD Beacon Asset Finance

01981 251485

PERSHORE 01386 760000

01527 595135 Supporting the Redditch commmunity www.sandycroft.org

01562 741145 Fine quality wall and floor tiles www.silverliontrading.com

01905 888737 Baxter Williams Ltd

03335 445566 Recruitment Consultancy www.baxterwilliams.com

Bruton Knowles

01905 928280

www.smartinsolvencysolutions.co.uk

Vision X Europe / P W Compass Ltd

01905 937268Â LED Lighting solutions, UK & Ireland Distributors www.visionx-europe.com

Property Consultants www.brutonknowles.co.uk

OUT OF AREA

Coffee Masters UK Limited

Cheltenham

01905 571007

Business consultancy & coaching www.rowenscoaching.co.uk

David Dennis Racing

01684 310565 Zenfire Ltd

01527 966669 Fire & Electrical Safety Specialists www.zenfire.co.uk

STOURBRIDGE

0330 9000600

Psychological Wellbeing for business www.your-wellbeing.co.uk

Silverlion Trading

SMART Insolvency Solutions

Sandy Croft Centre

Wye Valley Group

Training www.mindscapeassociates.co.uk

www.allsortsofpa.co.uk/index.html

Aerial Photographic Specialists www.skydart.co.uk

Lighthouse Workplace Solutions

Your Wellbeing

07960 428804

01905 726727

01905 840982

07595 342126

Gas Heating and Project Management www.utiligrid.co.uk

Mindscape Associates

All Sorts Performing Arts

Skydart Ltd

CRC Consulting

Recruitment www.multistaff.co.uk

KIDDERMINSTER

Consultancy & Sales, Antimicrobial Copper www.act-surfaces.co.uk

REDDITCH

Utiligrid Limited

Waste Management, Skips, Demolition, Scrap Metal www.wyevalleygroup.co.uk

07587 184039

07836 592395

Brite Recruitment

Multistaff Recruitment Solutions Ltd

01432 361690

01684 310463

01906 757525

Coffee Wholesaler & trainer. Coffee Machine Supplier www.coffeemasters.co.uk

Asset Finance www.beaconassetfinance.co.uk

01432 800520

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WORCESTER

07852 522069

07746277279

Racehorse Trainer www.ddracing.co.uk

Easy2Switch UK Ltd

01905 840813

RE Personnel Limited

01242 505400 Recruitment - All areas www.reresourcegroup.co.uk

VideoFocus Limited Video Marketing

GLOUCESTER

01905 915035

www.videofocus.co.uk

Financial Expertise www.idrconsultants.co.uk

Ross Aviation Limited

Media Dragon Ltd

Aircraft & Helicopter Spares and Equipment www.ross-aviation.co.uk

01905 319700 Taxi Advertising Company www.mediadragon.co.uk

Early Years Support & Education www.curiousfoxcompany.co.uk

01905 756701

Private Health www.bourne2care.co.uk

Monahans

Engenco Limited T/A The Linguist

Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers www.monahans.co.uk

www.thelinguist.co.uk

Auto Enrolment & Death in Benefit Service www.lighthousegroup.plc.uk

IDR Consultants

Bourne2Care Limited

Polish Interpreter

08000 858590

01242 260087

MJH Educational T/A Curious Fox

01299 877840

www.briterecruitment.com

Utilities www.easy2switchuk.com

STOURPORT-ONSERVERN 0800 2465913

01242 228200

01905 726727

NE Productions

01594 542808

Severn Wye Energy Agency

01452 835060 Energy Efficiency Support www.severnwye.org.uk

USA Prepco Island Vacation and Tours LLC

(001) 3302844709 Travel Agency www.prepcotravel.com

07792 663038 Filmmaker and Camera Operator www.neproductions.co.uk March/April 2017

NEWPEOPLETODOBUSINESSWITH MD Ben Guy

COFFEE MASTERS Everybody loves a great cup of coffee. But what makes a great cup of coffee? At Coffee Masters, we have created a unique range of freshly roasted coffees. We have punchy, sophisticated and rich espresso blends, right through to single origin speciality coffees. There are more complex flavours in coffee than in fine wine, but getting them from bean to cup takes so much more than opening a bottle. There is the machine, the trained barista and all the skill needed to make that perfect cup. At Coffee Masters, we cover every stage of that journey; the machines, equipment and expert advice on installation and maintenance. We also offer high quality Barista training. At three years old, Coffee masters is a rapidly growing venture. Founder Alan York is hoping that the Chamber of Commerce will provide opportunities to meet and learn from other experts in their fields, maybe over a great cup of coffee. www.coffeemasters.co.uk

BEACON ASSET FINANCE Access to funding can make or break a business. Without it, growth rarely happens, but with it, anything is possible. Beacon Asset Finance specialises in securing the finance companies need to build, expand or secure their business. They help manufacturers, farms, logistics companies, hauliers, printers and packaging firms to realise their next big investment project. Based in Rotherwas, Beacon has been supporting company growth since 2005. Its team of brokers have years of experience running SMEs and startups, so they know first hand how important funding can be. Led by MD Ben Guy, they are keen to meet more firms in the area that are planning for growth. Being members of the Chamber will help them expand their network and grow their own business too over the years to come. www.beaconassetfinance.co.uk

THE HEREFORD ACADEMY “ACHIEVING LIFE IN ALL ITS FULLNESS” The Hereford Academy is part of the Bishop Anthony Education Trust. Committed to our core values of Trust, Service, Community and Endurance, we aspire to equip students to be well-rounded citizens who will make a positive contribution to society. The Academy’s Post 16 Centre offers students courses to meet individual career aspirations; a range of BTEC, EPQ, Diploma and NVQ’s at Level 2 and 3, with option to re-sit GCSE English and Maths. We are currently extending our provision and welcome opportunities to work with local businesses and other training providers. The Academy is a state of the art facility, home to Herefordshire’s only 3G pitch, a double sports hall with 600+ seats, six badminton courts, netball courts, full size basketball court, indoor football pitch, an activity studio with seating, lighting, bars and sound room, outdoor tennis courts, rugby and football pitches and classrooms available to hire. www.theherefordacademy.org.uk

AGATA MCCRINDLE, THE LINGUIST Worcestershire based Polish translator, Agata, joined the Chamber at the beginning of the year to focus on assisting local businesses with their language requirements and to offer advice on accessing the Polish market. Agata has substantial experience in translating for local companies employing Polish workforce. Brexit however will offer new foreign trade opportunities for local businesses. Researching potential markets, approaching new clients and negotiating deals in their own language

or even adding another language to a website could aid the process of accessing a market, whether for export or import purposes. Businesses trading exclusively in our two counties could also benefit from language service and improve their access to potential customers within the Polish community. With an academic background in International Business and over a decade of legal, business and financial translation experience, Agata is looking forward to linking with local companies and building long-term relationships. www.thelinguist.co.uk

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Agata McCrindle

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MOVERSANDSHAKERS

IAN MOSELEY, ARRIVISTA Arrivista are delighted to announce that Ian Moseley has joined as a senior coach. Ian has over 20 years’ experience owning and running businesses. He has successfully worked at a senior level with the likes of M&S and Texaco, plus SMEs such as Umberto Giannini. Ian specialises in helping clients build successful teams through a systematic approach to mentoring, positive leadership, and better (customer) communications. Ian’s key advice for business owners set achievable profit goals and focus on them!

DONNA BOURNE, BEACON ASSET FINANCE Donna Bourne recently joined Beacon Asset Finance as the Office Administrator. Based at its Rotherwas office, she ensures every deal reaches a successful conclusion. Donna supports Beacon’s work with manufacturing and logistics firms, alongside agricultural clients. Keen to build links with local companies and help them fund their next purchase, Donna is always available for a coffee and a chat. www.beaconassetfinance.co.uk

ENCORE APPOINTS THE CLARET OFFICE

RICHARD DAVIES, DRP

Sonia, who delivers administrative and sales support services through her own business, The Claret Office, will provide administrative support to Encore’s team of marketing and PR consultants, playing an active role in the company’s new business drive.

drp saw significant growth of the business in 2016, and the agency has seen many new team members and movers within the company. Richard Davies, who has worked as a Show & Sound Technician at drp for six years, is moving to the creative division to become an Assistant Producer. Davies began his career at drp as a Show Technician after graduating in Sound Engineering and Production at Birmingham City University.

www.encore-communications.co.uk

www.drpgroup.com

Worcestershire marketing communications agency Encore Communications has recruited Sonia Meyrick to support its sales operations.

www.arrivista.co.uk

Chris Walklett and Ian Smith

NEW ROLES FOR TWO AT BISHOP FLEMING Bishop Fleming, the fast growing Top 40 Chartered Accountancy firm, has announced new roles for two of its partners in the Worcester-based West Midlands office.

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JON FARMER, DUOMO (UK) LTD Duomo (UK) Ltd is a manufacturer of gas proving systems and gas detection equipment, and a UK Distributor of ESA process burner controls. The company have hired Jon Farmer - the most renowned Sales Director in the industry.

Lance Turner

BRUTON KNOWLES EXPANDS INTO WORCESTERSHIRE National property consultants Bruton Knowles has expanded its presence in the Midlands by opening a new office in Worcester.

With effect from January 2017, Chris Walklett, Business and International Tax Partner, has taken over as Partner in Charge of the Worcester office. Ian Smith, the outgoing Partner in Charge, has been elected Chairman of the Bishop Fleming partnership which has seven offices based across the South West and West Midlands.

Phillip Wild, MD, said: “I recognised we needed a specialist with extensive knowledge in process combustion to source enquiries, competently price, quote and manage large combustion projects. Jonathan Farmer’s extensive experience and the fact that he is well respected in the industrial process burner field made him the ideal candidate.”

With offices in Birmingham, Gloucester and Bristol with ten further offices around the UK, Bruton Knowles have appointed Lance Turner to open and head up the new office. Lance has 35 years experience in the Commercial Property Sector working both as a developer and Property Consultant, and is looking forward to providing Commercial Property Consultancy advice to companies and individuals throughout the County.

www.bishopfleming.co.uk

www.duomo.co.uk

www.brutonknowles.co.uk

Matthew Lake and Mel Williams

CAPLOR ENERGY STRENGTHENS MANAGEMENT TEAM Regional Renewable Energy installer Caplor Energy is proud to announce the appointment of two new Team members – Matthew Lake has taken on the role of Operations Director bringing with him strong Project Management capability and significant overseas experience. In addition, Mel Williams has taken over as Finance Manager from Julie Ingram who held the post for nearly 20 years! www.caplorfarm.co.uk

March/April 2017

MOVERSANDSHAKERS

Tom Casey and Alistair Hayward-Wright

TOM CASEY, HAYWARD WRIGHT Tom Casey has joined Hayward Wright Accountancy Group as a client manager. The 27-year-old joins Hayward Wright, which has offices in Worcester, Redditch and Solihull, from a Birmingham-based accountancy practice. He is now managing a portfolio of around 200 clients advising on tax planning, monthly accounts and general commercial advice. MD Alistair Hayward-Wright added: “Tom stands out for his talent, professionalism and always looking to put the needs of clients first. I have no doubt he will prove to be a fantastic addition to our team.”

Heidi Hawkins

HOSPICE WELCOMES NEW CEO KEMP Hospice is delighted to announce the appointment of its new Chief Executive, Heidi Hawkins. Heidi’s early career was in retail management. She has held senior positions in the charity sector for the past ten years, specifically working for charities caring for people with life limiting conditions, and the families supporting them. Her experience will enable the hospice to continue to provide excellent community focused care for those affected by life-limiting illness and loss in the Wyre Forest. www.kemphospice.org.uk

ROLAND PRYKE, GORDON LUTTON The residential property team at Gordon Lutton continues to expand with the appointment of Chartered Legal Executive, Roland Pryke Roland Pryke joins the firm from Medlicottsnows and will be responsible for growing the firm’s property services in both Herefordshire and Shropshire. Roland has over 35 years’ experience of all types of residential property transactions in addition to experience in Wills, Probate, Power of Attorneys and Deputyships. www.gordonlutton.co.uk

Becky Cox, Early Years Manager

FAMILY CENTRE WELCOMES NEW YEAR EMPLOYEES One of Herefordshire’s leading family centres has announced a number of new appointments. The new recruits are: Becky Cox, Early Years Manager; Gail Harding, Café Manager; Becky Hill, Administration Team and Charlotte Wynter; Deputy Manager Early Years. The Centre works alongside key partners in order to deliver support on a wide range of early help and intervention issues. Its services include Early Years education; adult learning; multi activities for children; parenting advice; toddler groups and speech and language support. www.hopefamilycentre.org

www.haywardwright.co.uk

Sheila Blagg Sam Payne & Paul Grundy

PAUL GRUNDY, HARRISON CLARK RICKERBYS Laurence Arnaud – Export Manager

GROWTH FOR ORCHARD VALLEY FOODS Orchard Valley Foods Limited has seen a number of new additions to their team. This includes Laurence Arnaud – Export Manager, based in Germany; Adam Shaw - Head of Ingredients; Leanne Sanders – HR Manager; and Alan Kean – Site Engineer. Orchard Valley Foods’ confections, decorations and inclusions enhance desserts, ice creams, cakes, muffins, tray bakes, donuts, cookies and beverages. www.orchard-valley.co.uk

Talented lawyers are celebrating the New Year with promotion at leading law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys in Worcester, Birmingham, Cheltenham and the Wye Valley, as the firm continues to develop and nurture its teams. Paul Grundy, based in Worcester, moves up from associate to senior associate, along with colleagues across the firm.

SENIOR CABINET MEMBERS TO STAND DOWN Worcestershire County Council will be bidding farewell to two senior Cabinet Members in May. Cllrs Anthony Blagg, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member with Responsibility for the Environment, and Sheila Blagg, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care, recently announced that they would be standing down at the forthcoming elections in May 2017.

STEFFEN PREUSCHOFF, PCA PREDICT Leading data validation company, PCA Predict, is pleased to announce a senior management appointment within its European team as it embarks on its next major phase of international growth.

Paul joined Harrison Clark Rickerbys in January 2004 in the debt recovery department and joined the insolvency team when he qualified as a solicitor.

Cllr Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: "I have worked closely with Anthony and Sheila throughout my time on the authority, and will miss their ability, experience and dedication to public service.”

With over 15 years’ experience in address data quality, Steffen Preuschoff has been brought into PCA Predict to head up the German Sales team and oversee the software company’s expansion in the DACH region.

www.hcrlaw.com

www.worcestershire.gov.uk

www.pcapredict.com

Business Direction published by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

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LASTWORD

LOOKING BACK OVER 10 YEARS

2017 CHARITY GOLF DATES Join the Chamber Golf society for some great golf networking opportunities. Wednesday 10 May - sponsored by HomeXperts, Droitwich Golf Club Wednesday 21 June The Herefordshire Golf Club

Chamber of the Year 2013, Awards and Expos have been some of the highlights

Wednesday 4 July - sponsored by Nicklin Business Advisers and mfg Solicitors, Kings Norton Golf Club Wednesday 20 September - sponsored by CB, Chartered Accountants The Vale Golf & Country Club All events are a Midday Shotgun Start, including arrival refreshments, 18 hole of golf, followed by a Presentation Dinner and raising funds for local charities For more information visit www. amrosgolf.co.uk, or contact Neil Bettridge at sales@amrosgolf.co.uk, 07792 62035.

Mike Ashton, Chief Executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Over my ten years as Chief Executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, I have witnessed incredible change in the two counties in many ways. On arrival, this organisation had become a free standing Chamber following the regionalisation of Business Link. We had 23 staff, and there was a need to establish ourselves as an organisation which could support businesses and be the voice of business. To do this, we needed to work with companies of all sizes and sectors, as well as the many types of political organisations that existed to support businesses. This great journey has seen the demise of Business Link and Advantage West Midlands and the creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships. This Chamber played a significant role in establishing and supporting Worcestershire LEP in its early stages and we continue to work closely with them.

In 2017, the Chamber is now a dynamic and vibrant membership led organisation. We are responsible for the delivery of the Department for International Trade contract for the two counties, as well as Visit Worcestershire, Visit Herefordshire and Worcestershire Business Central. We now have a total of 60 staff, over 1500 members and engage with over 6000 businesses every year. During my time as Chief Executive, I have seen the business landscape change and develop, with the growth of the University of Worcester, the development of the Business School, the building of the Hive and the Arena in Worcester city. In Herefordshire, we have seen the building of the Old Market, the revitalisation of Hereford FC and the return to action of Hereford Racecourse. This decade has seen the growth of the cyber and agricultural sectors in the two counties, as well as the increase of tourism in both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Certainly the highlight for me as Chief Executive was when this organisation was chosen as the British Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber of the Year in 2013. Building on this success, we achieved the Investors In People Gold Award in 2016. Personally, I was pleased to receive the Worcestershire Ambassadors’ Ambassador of the Year Award in 2011, and the Worcestershire LEP Award for Outstanding Contribution in 2016. There are really too many people to thank. I wish my successor Sharon Smith the best of luck and I look forward to seeing this Chamber continue to grow and play an influential role in the business community. I will continue to be involved in the local business community and will be undertaking some work with Worcestershire LEP. On a final note, despite many comments - it’s not true that I will play less golf when I retire. All the best, Mike.

MAY-JUNE FOCUS – POLICY The theme for the main features in the next edition is Policy – reflecting on the Budget, Brexit and other Policy issues affecting businesses.

SEND US YOUR STORIES We’d love to hear the latest news and achievements from your business – please send your 150 word stories to businessdirection@hwchamber.co.uk. For more information visit www.hwchamber.co.uk/business-direction

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March/April 2017

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