BH Business | Issue 33

ISSUE 033 REVIEW Compton Acres Matt Jenkins reviews the Café & Tea Rooms

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR BOURNEMOUTH CHAMBER OF TRADE & COMMERCE MEMBERS

Jeremy Piven Talks Shop

WHAT’S ON MAR - APR 2015 Make a date in your business diary with our monthly events.

FACES IN PLACES ON THE ROAD Check out the recent success of the BCTC on the Road event.

WWW.BOURNEMOUTHCHAMBER.ORG.UK

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Contents Issue 33 of BH Business features...

Welcome to BH Business magazine. The BCTC membership magazine that reflects the work and variety of events and activity that Bournemouth Chamber engages in over the course of the year.

06 Trade Groups 12 Compton Acres 12 H2ECO

14 Mandy Payne 18 Jeremy Piven 29 Spotchecker

32 Facing up to Fraud 34 Green Fingers 40 Faces in Places

Credits BH Business is designed and published by Parent / PPD&A on behalf of the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Contact Ross Stallion on 01202 200920 to discuss featuring your business in editorial or advertising in the next issue of BH Business.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with the express permission of the publisher. The views expressed in BH Business are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the BCTC, the publishing company, magazine or it’s staff. PPD&A / Parent / BCTC except no responsibility for content and / or advertising copy supplied by third parties. BH Business is printed on sustainable fibre supplied through certified schemes. Both our paper mills have ISO14001 and EMAS. Please recycle this magazine when you have finished with this copy.

Presidential Thoughts

Presidential Thoughts Mandy Payne, President, BCTC Wishing you all the fondest farewell.

It has been two years since I was first appointed President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce. To this day, I still remember how humbled I felt to be elected in to this most prestigious role but also the great fire and determination to do the very best job I could.

However, come March it will now be time for me to move on and welcome a new President of our Chamber, as he steps in to take up this most honorary role.

Before then however, I would like to thank the phenomenal amount of people who have helped support me throughout my two years in office.

You have all aided me through what has truly been the best two years of my professional career.

It has been a privilege to represent the many amazing businesses of Bournemouth both large and small.

It has been a privilege to represent the many amazing businesses of Bournemouth both large and small. You have all been so willing to communicate and have always approached myself and Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce with such a refreshing open attitude, working together to make our Chamber the best it can be and for that I truly thank you all.

I have also been honoured to be in involved so closely with Bournemouth Town Council, developing what has become a very strong relationship. I’d like to thank them for the great amount of support they have shown us in the past two years and I hope the relationship can continue to develop and get even stronger in the coming years.

Alongside this I would like to specifically thank Vice Presidents Peter Matthews and Gordon

Long for their continued help, you have both been hugely supportive and I cannot thank you enough for being by my side through my two terms in office. Similarly I would like to thank Executive Officer Louise Berkhauer who has been an absolute star. The amount of help she has provided me with is simply immeasurable.

Furthermore, I would also like to thank event’s organisers Lynn Coleman and Jacqui Rock, who have invested an incredible amount of time and effort to produce what have been some stellar events including the highly successful “On the Road” events. Equally I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the Charities Forum and the Green Knowledge Network. These two committees have developed into something really special and it could not have been done without your support.

Overall it has been a huge joy to be President of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce for the past two years. I would like to thank everyone who ever supported me through these two terms.

As I take on my new role as the Immediate Past President, I am looking forward to continuing working with the BCTC, focusing my efforts on making contacts with wider Dorset, as well as international connections and supporting growing Bournemouth businesses.

Finally, I would like to wish the best of luck to the new President. I will be there to support him and the president elect whole heartedly as the Immediate Past President.

Thank you to you all, Yours,

For more information contact: w: www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk t: 01202 372437

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The BCTC Executive Board

ARE YOU A LOCAL CHARITY? Contact us for the opportunity to advertise in BH Business Magazine for FREE!

For more information contact: Lynn Coleman lynn.dalstrategy@gmail.com

Giving Back to Charities

Mandy Payne Chamber President

Gordon Long Vice President Finance and Membership Lead

Peter Matthews Vice President External Events & BH Business magazine Lead

David Coleman Treasurer

Bill Riddle Chairman Membership Development and Support

Martin Davies Vice Chairman Chamber Legal Support

Hazel Hatch Chamber Executive Events Support and Boscombe Executive

Lynn Coleman Chamber Executive External Events Co-ordinator

Hannah Walker Chamber Executive Charities Forum Support and Boscombe Executive

Jacqui Rock Chamber Executive Internal Events Lead

Alex Wiggins Chamber Executive Charities Forum Lead

Louise Berkhauer Executive Officer

Roger Smith Chamber Executive Winton Executive

Heather Martyn Chamber Executive Social Media Support

Trade Groups

Trade Groups

The Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce encourages and supports local traders across Bournemouth to come together to share knowledge and information to help build a better business community across the town. Our trade group branch details can be found below:

Boscombe Business Association

Charminster Traders Association

Kinson Business Forum

Moordown Traders Association

With a wide variety of local traders, Boscombe has become a vibrant shopping area frequented by local residents and visitors alike. The Boscombe Business Association (BBA) is a trading group focused on keeping its members up to date with current affairs and legislation that may affect their business in Boscombe. The BBA holds regular monthly meetings which enable all businesses to bring their group voice to the attention of the Council to form a better business community.

Charminster Traders Association (CTA) is an enthusiastic group of business owners ranging from independent retailers, service providers, and eating establishments, who are focused on improving the trading environment and raising the business profile of the Charminster area. A variety of issues are discussed which are affecting the local business community alongside plans for marketing and promotional activities that may be of benefit to local traders in the Charminster area.

The Kinson Business Forum is led

by Bob Wright, owner of Poppies Florist. The group was established to assist business development and investigate ways to give the local trading area a collective voice to help resolve local issues and develop working relationships with the Council. The Kinson Business Forum is going from strength to strength with new traders bringing their experience to the table year on year to continue to develop Kinson as a successful business community.

The MTA was formed in March 2010. We are an enthusiastic group of business owners from the Moordown Community that have come together to promote local trade and raise the profile of Moordown as a shopping and business destination. One of the aims of the MTA is to ensure our members are kept up to date with local funding and business support available to them to improve their business.

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact Peter Ruscoe. e: peter@sovereignshoppingcentre.co.uk

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact James Constable. e: info@experiencecharminster.info

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact Bob Wright. e: poppies_florist@hotmail.co.uk

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact Roger Ede. e: roger.eede@ntlworld.com

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Specialist Networks Green Knowledge Network Lynda Sparks e: Lynda.Sparks@saveenergygroup.co.uk The Charities Forum Hazel Hatch e: hazel.hatch@wessexcancer.org.uk BCTC Golf Society Bill Perkins e: golf@bournemouthchamber.org.uk BAHA – Bournemouth Accommodation and Hotel Association Jackie Edwards e: info@bhhotels.co.uk

Pokesdown Collective

Southbourne on Sea Business Association

Westbourne Traders Association

Winton Traders Association

The Pokesdown Collective is a working group of local business people whose aim is to promote Pokesdown as Bournemouth’s Vintage Quarter and continue to develop and build on Pokesdown’s historic business community. With a thriving following of local residents and traders, Pokesdown is a growing business area with a real community feel and focus. Local businesses come together as a group to discuss current affairs and developments that affect the local business community.

SoSBA are a local branch of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, run completely by volunteers working to bring the local business community together for mutual benefit. The traders association is open to anyone who runs a business within the BH6 area irrespective of their business operation, high street or otherwise. Regular meetings are held to discuss current affairs and events which are of benefit to local business owners.

The Westbourne Traders Association has been established for many years and is made up of local traders and business owners in Westbourne. Supported by the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, the group regularly meets to discuss and deal with relevant issues faced by business owners and customers using their services. Each year a map & business directory for the area is produced for residents and tourists visiting the area.

Winton Traders Association is organised by local business people for local traders wishing to develop their own business within the local area and beyond. The association provides traders in the Winton area an opportunity to share knowledge and raise relevant issues so that the appropriate agencies can be contacted to assist in supporting Winton businesses. Proudly supported by the Bournemouth Chamber, the group holds regular meetings to discuss current affairs that matter to the local Winton trading community.

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact Lynne McCarty. e: pokesdown.cf@gmail.com

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact Samantha Acton. e: info@sosba.co.uk

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact Steve Taylor. e: wta@discoverwestbourne.co.uk

Joining the Forum: All businesses are welcome to join, please contact John Slade. e: john.slade@fjswinton.co.uk

How to Join

How to Join The Bournemouth Chamber To become a member you can join and pay online at www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk or complete this form, detach and send with your payment to: Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Argyll House, 158 Richmond Park Road, BH8 8TW. For more details please contact execofficer@bournemouthchamber.org.uk

Membership fees (Fees are based on the number of employees) 1-5 Members £75

6-25 Members £95

26-99 Members £135

100+ Members £195

Join Now Trading name of applicant Contact name Description of business Address

Telephone Email Website Number of employees Signature of applicant Date I / We apply for membership of the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce and, if elected, agree to be bound the Rules and Constitution of the Chamber. I/We enclose payment for the total amount of £ made payable to BCTC, for membership of the Bournemouth Chamber

By becoming a member you agree to share your contact details with other members, only for the purpose of informing you about their business and any offers they might make you. Addresses and contact details are never passed to non-members and never sold.

09

Talking business with...

Shane McCormick Namgrass a different interpretation of what a lawn should look and feel like.

Do you have any specific goals that you are working towards?

Our goal ideally is to lead the market – to be THE artificial grass brand in Europe, so when people think of artificial grass, they instantly think of Namgrass.

What makes your product unique?

Many things – its manufactured in Belgium (most products in the UK are made in the Far East) all products are guaranteed for 10 years, we design, manufacture and distribute all of our own products (this is totally unique in our industry) all products are ISO certified, we have over 35 manufacturing experience and over 50 million sqms of grass sold worldwide to draw upon.

How have you seen the business grow in the past few years?

Namgrass has continued to grow significantly over the last 5 years, allowing us to reinvest more and more into our facilities, ensuring we can service the trade and end consumer with the best possible level of service as well as the very best products on the market. All our products are manufactured in our own factory in Belgium What methods are you currently implementing to stay top of your game?

We are currently undergoing a huge ‘sharpening of our brand’ which involves every inch of the company being revamped in some way or another. Our new site and marketing campaigns go live at the end of February.

Have you seen any changes in the economy affect your business?

The economy affects all businesses – whilst we have continued to grow, maybe we could have grown even quicker, who knows? But what is important is that we have (hopefully) come out the other side now, and have a great foundation to make the most of the recovering economy.

You are currently in the process of re launching, what was the decision behind this?

We have always been ahead of our competition in terms of products, but we now want to ensure we are ahead of them with our branding and our marketing too.

When selling, what is the one greatest benefit of choosing to use your product?

Ease of maintenance, an immaculate lawn to look out on all year round, so it really can transform a gardens appearance. Children and pets do not get mucky, even when its wet. Peace of mind – anyone buying form us knows they are buying the best product on the market, and we are by no means the most expensive supplier…

How do you hope the re launch will benefit the business?

We hope that it will create more awareness of our brand/products, and with our even wider range of products, it will enable customers to make an informed decision on the products for them.

Its also about ensuring we have a consistent message across our marketing.

Where do you hope to see the product reaching eventually?

Every year, we have at least two or three new products, and they are getting better and better.

With the fibre technology moving so quickly, and with us being a factory producing products to lead the market, we are able to make the most of this. I think products will continue to improve, but at the same time its important to have a wide range of products, because everyone has

For more information contact: w: www.namgrass.co.uk e: info@namgrass.co.uk t: 01425 627 832

Talking Business

Talking business with...

Spencer McCarthy Churchill Retirement Living Chairman and Group Managing Director of Churchill Retirement Living Spencer McCarthy kindly welcomed us into his office to discover the tale behind how the business begun, and the prosperous future ahead.

Churchill is undoubtedly a successful venture tapping into a public sector that is continually growing in demand. The UK is an aging population as more of us are living longer lives.

This therefore presents a greater need for retirement housing.

When I asked Spencer what made their business unique he told me that it was their integrity to make sure each customer is valued and not simply a number. Spencer explained that their most frequent client is the 79-year-old widow who is perhaps lonely and looking for companionship. She may have previously relied on her husband, and is in need of a helping hand.

What was key from listening to Spencer is the importance of making the customer’s decision to move hassle free by providing packages that take the stress away. Their Customers need not worry about arranging moving vans, dealing with bills, maintenance of property etc. as Churchill Retirement Living takes all this in hand.

What Churchill provides is independent living, without feeling alone. A home that has great community spirit, providing a place to socialise with many events held for the enjoyment of the customer. Spencer’s own mother and father in-law live in one of the developments and he tells me that it has changed their lives around, providing them with a more sociable and engaging lifestyle.

So how has this business evolved from an office based in brother Clinton’s garage, to the second largest retirement housing business in the UK? Spencer’s father John McCarthy is founder of McCarthy and Stone, and so Spencer tells me that it was in his blood to work within the retirement sector. Growing up being taken to the building sites of new developments, Spencer has been accustomed to the industry since a young age.

His father, having been told both his sons were not particularly academic at school, urged the boys to follow in his footsteps. Working for his father’s company Spencer trained as a carpenter.

At college he then trained as a quantity surveyor and moved through the ranks of McCarthy and Stone working his way up to advising the main board.

Sunday Times. When I asked Spencer what he strives for within the company he tells me, to be healthy, make money, provide a good working environment, and spend time to make work a fun place to be too. Having achieved the above award voted for by the staff I think Spencer can be assured that he is achieving his desired objectives.

His brother Clinton took a slightly different route but also trained to be a carpenter. In 1994 the brothers formed Emlor Homes, aptly named due to the amalgamation of the names of Clinton’s daughters Emma and Laura. Starting out building thatched and stone cottages, it was at this point that things began to take off and the pair won What House? Magazine ‘Housebuilder of the Year’ in 1998.

Equally important is winning for 6 consecutive year’s “most outstanding retirement housing developer in the UK, Churchill are taking the retirement market by storm.

Since the duo have a wealth of knowledge in the retirement sector it seemed right to take a new direction, and concentrate on the purpose built retirement buildings. Following the success of their first scheme Avon Lodge in Southbourne, the company sold off all their sites that were not suitable for retirement and so Churchill Retirement Living was born in 2002.

Spencer told me that they now employ over 400 staff with 4 offices located sporadically across the country, with a new office in Exeter opening.

In Ringwood where Churchill began is Spencer’s office. Floor to ceiling windows look out over a dewy meadow the picture of evergreen.

Spencer is one very lucky man and so too are the team at the head office in Ringwood who all enjoy the benefit of spacious, modern and attractive offices

With clarity and transparency of their business, in the case of sister company Millstream Management Services, Spencer pleasantly announces that their competitor’s developments are now approaching them requesting their services.

Finalising our discussion we spoke of the extensive future ahead, and where Churchill may ultimately navigate after Spencer’s own retirement. His hopes were that perhaps his son currently aged 15 might take over the reigns, and eventually floating the company on the stock market.

The future looks beamingly bright for the McCarthy brothers.

Turning over a staggering £98 million in 2014 with some very healthy profits, I asked Spencer his goals for the future. Spencer tells me that he had aimed to achieve £100 million so was marginally disappointed he jokes, but assures me that he will smash that this year.

Churchill has been named for four years as one of the top 100 small companies to work for by the

For more information contact: w: www.churchillretirement.co.uk e: enquiries@churchillretirement.co.uk t: 0800 458 1857

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Review

Restaurant Review Compton Acres Café & Tea Rooms

By Matt Jenkins

Set in the grounds of the beautiful and illustrious Compton Acres stands a lesser known gem that is the Compton Acres Café and Tea Rooms.

Offering a fine mix of a warm, homely atmosphere combined with subtle touches of elegance and chic which reflect the beauty and grandiose of the surrounding gardens, Compton Acres Café and Tea Rooms is a lot more than just a Tea Room. As my colleague and I stepped through the grand tiled entrance of the restaurant we were first greeted by the charming head chef, Viv Bronson. It was clear Viv has a great passion for her restaurant which was reflected in the creative and innovative menu which was presented to us.

After much deliberation, my stomach led me towards the Smashed Avocado on Toasted Seeded Bread with Smoked Bacon, Free Range Poached Egg and Hollandaise Sauce. Upon seeing what can only be described as a good old fashioned “door stop” of a piece of toast I knew I was in for a treat. The ingredients were a fantastic selection of flavours and textures, from the rich creamy hollandaise sauce, tender smoked bacon, to the smooth floral complexities of the smashed avocado. Alongside all this, the door stop proved to be the perfect vessel to effectively “sponge up” the ingredients, whilst retaining its delicious consistency.

When we visited, it was officially National Breakfast Week and Compton Acres had fully embraced the spirit of the week, laying on an entire new menu with over 13 dishes, alongside the full regular menu. There were a delicious array of breakfast dishes to choose from, all locally sourced, including Smoked Salmon with Scrambled Eggs on Toasted Sour Dough and Devilled Lamb Kidneys on Toasted Bread. It is fair to say, my colleague and I were truly spoilt for choice.

Whilst I was severely tempted by the range of mouth-watering desserts also available at Compton Acres Tea Rooms, I would have needed another stomach to complete such a task thanks to the extremely generous portions of the mains.

As such, to help us along whilst I delved through the extensive list of delectable dishes, our extremely helpful waiter offered us one of their exclusive “breakfast cocktails” recommending the popular “Breakfast Martini”. Made of gin, triple sec, lemon juice, sugar syrup and vintage rind less marmalade – a truly tantalising treat for the taste buds. The sweetness of the sugar syrup and vintage rind less marmalade gave a citrusy freshness which was complimented by slightly tangy and sour after notes courtesy of the lemon juice.

For the main course, my colleague was particularly excited by the “Dorset Veal Cumberland Sausages” which put a Dorset twist on a classic dish from his South African childhood. Accompanied by a parsnip, carrot and brambly apple mash with caramelised onion gravy, my colleague was delighted with this hearty feast.

All together, the Compton Acres Café & Tea Rooms is a fantastic dining experience which certainly knows how to put on exquisite whole-

hearted wholesome food whilst providing an atmosphere to match. It is the ideal place for families looking for food which won’t disappoint.

And with Mother’s Day fast approaching, I can’t think of a better place to treat Mum this month!

To book, call 01202 700778 or email cafe@ comptonacres.co.uk

For more information contact: w: www.comptonacres.co.uk e: cafe@comptonacres.co.uk t: 01202 700 778

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H2ECO South West Finalists

H2Eco have emerged from upon hundreds of renewables companies across the South West to be named finalists in three categories at the prestigious South West Green Deal and Eco Awards The South West Green Deal and Eco Awards are among the South West’s most prestigious awards for those within the renewable and green energy industries - this year taking place at the Mercure Southgate Hotel in Exeter. Dorset’s own ecoenergy experts, H2Eco, have been nominated for three separate awards; Regional Project of the Year, Regional Energy Efficiency Champion of the Year and Regional RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) Installer of the Year.

H2Eco were nominated for the “Regional

Project of the Year” award for their innovative and ground breaking project in association with Buchan Estates which saw the pioneering use of a military-spec drone to survey a difficult to access industrial building for the installation of solar panels. Alongside this, H2Eco’s forward approach and ardent dedication to the renewable energy industry has resulted in them being named a finalist for both the “Regional RHI Installer of the Year” and “Regional Energy Efficiency Champion of the Year” awards.

the final of these prestigious awards is great enough but to be finalists in three categories is incredible. We feel this is a testament to the hard work everyone at H2Eco puts in everyday, to bring the option of renewable energy to both domestic and commercial properties across the South West.”

H2Eco are Dorset’s leading eco-energy experts and are now officially among the South West’s best renewable energy companies.

Director of H2Eco, Mike Stephenson, has commented on his company’s success: “I am extremely passionate about this industry and so to be named finalists for not one, but three awards is such an honour. To reach

For more information contact: w: www.h2-eco.co.uk e: info@h2-eco.com t: 01202 918 486

News

Two Years with Mandy Payne This March the presidency of Mandy Payne will come to an end. BH Business takes a look back at Mandy’s two terms in office working with BCTC.

Every year Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce strives to be the best, most efficient and supportive Chamber it can be. Whilst the emphasis of the BCTC is often to continue pushing forward, it is also important to look back and reflect on where the BCTC has come from.

As the presidency of Mandy Payne comes to an end, a two year chapter in the history of BCTC is coming to a close. With this, there is a chance to turn back the pages and reflect on what the past two years have meant for Bournemouth Chamber and its members with Mandy Payne at the helm.

Whilst President, Mandy and the Chamber Executive have worked continually to promote the Chamber both in the centre of Bournemouth and beyond. Throughout her two year presidency, Mandy has been known to throw herself into a number of charitable events which have raised the eye brows of both Chamber members and the general public alike. Mandy’s gusto and commitment to both raise money for charity and the profile of Bournemouth Chamber have been proven time and time again. From walking on fire, treading on ice and jet packing 12ft above the Sand Banks sea-line, accompanied by other members of the chamber, Mandy and her brave accomplices brought a new attitude to BCTC’s charitable efforts.

Along with this refocused attitude, the development of the Charities Forum marked an even more significant achievement for the Chamber. The work put in by the President and members of the BCTC in the last two years has created an industry leading charities forum of which there is no comparison. This has made the Charities Forum group a leading voice in the industry with several other chambers across the UK looking to the BCTC example.

Another organisation which has progressed within the BCTC, supported by Mandy’s passion is the Green Knowledge Network. With Mandy‘s support the BCTC grew this network which now has a prevalent voice in Bournemouth spreading the “green word” and doing all it can to help businesses across Bournemouth “go green”.

Similarly, in the last two years, Mandy turned the internal systems of Bournemouth Chamber entirely green. Thanks to Mandy, all Chamber resources and documentation are now paperless and available online.

Furthermore, during Mandy’s two terms as President, the profile of Bournemouth Chamber has continued to rise due to a number of events which enabled the BCTC to link with Bournemouth’s Mayor, the wider Bournemouth community and trading group associations.

BCTC’s contribution to the popular Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival and the successful “On the Road” events are two prime examples of this.

Mandy and the BCTC worked continually to socially promote the chamber both in the centre of Bournemouth and beyond.

The development of “On the Road” is also evidence of the determination Mandy Payne has had to help the local Trading Group Associations.

With the BCTC Executive Board by her side Mandy worked closely alongside various Trading Group Associations to provide help which has enabled the groups, as well as there associated areas, to grow and improve.

Throughout her presidency Mandy has also shown a clear passion to develop internal communications within the Chamber. As part of this, the internal structure of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce was streamlined. Thanks to the 100% commitment of the elected Executives within the Chamber, those members have taken on roles which have produced outstanding results. This has resulted in an improvement of internal and external communications, alongside a Chamber with a

more professional, focused outlook, enabling great positive change.

The BCTC is now also represented by its members across all major Bournemouth organisations. This has improved external relationships between the Chamber and wider Bournemouth area resulting in closer working relations with the Town Council and allowing the BCTC to be part of Bournemouth’s ongoing development.

Most recently Mandy helped Bournemouth Chamber open up international links with Lucerne, a town in Switzerland which is officially twinned with Bournemouth. Mandy began talks with Lucerne’s Chamber of Commerce alongside pushing educational and exchange opportunities between the two towns.

Although March marks the end of Mandy Payne’s presidency and the closing of another chapter in the history of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Mandy is eager to continue working with the Chamber in her role as the Immediate Past President. Mandy aims to continue her work promoting exchanges between Bournemouth and Lucerne alongside pushing educational opportunities and apprenticeships between BCTC businesses and local schools and colleges.

After an immensely successful two years with Mandy Payne at the helm, it is now time for Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce to look toward an exciting new chapter and what looks to be a bright future as a new President steps into office this March.

For more information contact: w: www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk t: 01202 372437

15

Celebrating 10 years of Darren Northeast PR Leading Bournemouth PR Agency, Darren Northeast PR, hits a significant milestone this month, marking 10 years in business.

Following on from their most successful year ever, this month marks the 10th anniversary of Darren Northeast PR. Darren Northeast PR was founded in February 2005 and since then has worked hard to establish their place as a thriving Bournemouth business at the forefront of Dorset’s PR industry.

The agency has witnessed first-hand how PR agencies were among the first things to be cut by businesses when the Recession hit in 2008.

Despite this, through great passion, persistence and innovation, the company succeeded where many failed and were able to weather the financial storm.

Their work ethic aside, Darren Northeast PR attribute business networking as a crucial part in their development and growth as Managing Director, Darren Northeast, is keen to highlight:

“Networking is a powerful resource, if you are willing to listen, people will get to know you. If they like you as a person they will want to work with you. We have met the majority of our clients through networking and it has played such a pivotal part in the success of DNPR.”

of sectors and industries, so there is never a dull moment! If I could stress one thing it would be to always be nice to people and in return they’ll help you. Also ignore the detractors, not everyone can like you but don’t let that affect who you are as a professional or your business.”

In the last few years, Darren Northeast PR has gone from strength to strength and 2014 was DNPR’s most successful year yet. The company had both its best financial year to date, servicing a record number of clients, and took the step to become incorporated.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Darren Northeast PR, a massive achievement for any company and one Mr Northeast, along with all those who have been involved with the company are extremely proud of.

Commenting on the success of the company, Darren has said: “We feel so fortunate to be in the position we are today. DNPR has allowed us to travel all over the world and work with clients from a plethora

For more information contact: w: www.darrennortheast.co.uk e: pr@darrennortheast.co.uk t: 01202 676 762

News

Vizz-ionary Marketing

Businesses across the UK are turning to an innovative new form of social media marketing provided by visionary company Vizz WiFi.

business’s personalised Vizz WiFi network, that businesses is effectively recommended to 190 people.

Businesses from the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors across the UK are taking advantage of a ground-breaking new form of social media marketing developed by a Dorset based company named Vizz WiFi. Vizz WiFi’s visionary social marketing strategy provides a service which enables businesses to provide their customers with free WiFi in exchange for capturing their clients social media details, which, with their permission, enables the business to broadcast their venue on their client’s social media pages for all of their friends to see. As the average Facebook user has approximately 190 friends, every time a customer logs in to a

Vizz WiFi also provides a number of analytical services to allow businesses to further understand their customers, from real-time customer data and insight to gathering information about a business’s target market to help businesses effectively tailor their marketing strategies and campaigns to attract more business, repeat customers and loyalty. Furthermore, using social media, Vizz WiFi can enable businesses to truly interact with their known customers through realtime marketing; such as providing incentives, loyalty offers and greetings when they are near the business’s premises.

Director of Vizz WiFi, Martin Regan, has commented on their innovation: “I believe we have a truly unique product here which could be of great benefit to many businesses across the UK. Social Media is a crucial marketing tool in today’s environment and Vizz WiFi provides a service which allows businesses to effectively tap in to that, with outstanding results. Vizz WiFi has also typically reduced our customers marketing and advertising costs by as much as 75% so far.”

For more information contact: w: www.vizzwifi.co.uk t: 01202 677 657

17

Talking business with...

Ben Scroggie Mar-Key Group Have you always been involved in this line of work?

I left University in 2002 and became involved in ‘tent building’ almost straight away. I joined Mar-Key when it was about ten years old; it had developed from a sail making company and was started by the Chairman David Tabb in 1992. Life began here for me as a general labourer and I progressed up through the ranks from a team leader/foreman. Subsequently an opportunity arose for me to buy into the company in 1997. It was an opportunity not to be missed as I could see the potential and with hard work and good all round support we, in time, would have a market leader.

How have you seen the business grow since you first became involved?

In the last twelve years or so we have steadfastly stuck to our principles that service and commitment along with value for money pave the way to longevity and customer satisfaction.

We are keen to preserve the relationships that we have built through trust and mutual respect; working as we do with the customer from the concept of their idea right through to the actual event and beyond Was it always the intention to work around the four areas of expertise or is this something that has evolved?

We have a unique operation; Mar-Key designs in house; we have our own CAD department, we manufacture for both bespoke structures and for stock items. Our four areas of expertise are; structures for hire, sales and manufacturing, Industrial and Linings/interiors. These four areas have become intrinsic to our operation, they are areas of our expertise and with that comes flexibility and a wider offer to our customers.

We are truly a ‘one stop shop’ for event or commercial temporary structures.

What makes your company unique?

This is an easy one! We are a family orientated business that strives to ensure we treat our customers in exactly the same way as we would like to be treated, with honesty and integrity.

Service always is number one, we deliver precisely what we have promised and we endeavour to give higher than expected results.

What was the hardest part of starting your own company?

Generally the ability to break into an existing market is fundamental to success and of course the ability to grow within that market. It all takes time, it has to be financed and it also takes a great deal of commitment, you have to be hungry to succeed.

What has been the biggest learning curve for you?

As the company grows so does the expectation of its performance including its operation. These areas of responsibility need to be placed into the hands of management and the workforce in general. It is this that remains the most difficult in terms of emotion and the biggest learning curve has been in how to manage that transition successfully over a short period of time.

How do you plan to develop the company?

To build on the national event calendar contract wins in 2014 where the Company secured multi year agreements with both Ascot Racecourse and Goodwood Estate. We have been in discussions with Dept Industry and Trade regards growth in oversees interests. This is certainly an area we are working very hard at developing in the next 12 months.

Do you have any particular goals you would like to achieve?

I believe that all goals should be achievable and we have achieved a great many over the years.

For the future we remain focused and committed to our customers, their needs and increasing our own offering.

For more information contact: w: www.mar-key.com e: info@mar-key.com t: 01202 577 111

Feature

Jeremy Piven Talks Shop

With his iconic moustache, beard and dark good looks, Jeremy Piven isn’t hard to miss. But there are some places in the UK where the star of Mr Selfridge can walk around unnoticed.

“I can walk through Neasden and feel a little invisible, which is kinda fun,” he says. “There are so many different, wonderful communities - Somalian, Ethiopian, Indian - it’s fascinating to me.”

Thanks to a replica of the original 1909 interior of Selfridges, built inside a huge old carpet warehouse at Neasden Studios, Piven’s been spending a lot of time in the north-west London region since the series began in 2013.

But while he’s working in the capital, the New York-born actor likes to stay a little closer to the real Selfridges: “I live on the same block, which is crazy, it’s like I’m stalking that place. I think [current owner] Mr Weston’s gonna put a restraining order on me - like ‘enough already!’”

He says he can walk into the shop with a hat and glasses on and not get spotted, but admits there was one strange moment, where he had to explain to a shop assistant who he was.

“I was getting some Tom Ford cologne and there were a couple of people taking pictures and the woman behind the counter didn’t understand why, so I said, ‘Actually I’m on a show, I play Mr Selfridge’, and she kind of looked at me and I felt like it was the one place where they would know! It felt like I was having one of those horrible ‘Do you know who I am?’ moments. She either didn’t have a reference, or didn’t want to pretend she did...”

Piven’s his usual dapper self today, in a suede jacket and flat cap - and is the ultimate gent, offering a welcoming bowl of fruit during our chat.

But he’s in a sombre mood, which is reflected in the place we find Harry Selfridge at the start of the new series.

As the first episode opens, it’s 1918 - five years on from where the last series ended - and Harry and his family are gathered for the funeral of his wife Rose. But just nine months later, he’s giving away his eldest daughter Rosalie to Russian aviator Serge de Bolotoff.

At the reception, on Selfridges’ roof terrace, Serge starts pressuring Harry into investing in his aerodrome enterprise, and suddenly Harry’s not so sure it’s a good marriage for the family.

Meanwhile, soldiers are starting to return home from the war and finding their jobs have been taken by women. Harry’s got some tough decisions to make...

Piven reveals the series is darker than it’s ever been before.

“We’re going to go as dark as we need to go.

The pace is totally different than the first two years, and I feel we’ve earned what we’re doing this season, because everything we’ve planted has come to fruition this year - we hit the ground running from the first scene on.”

But it’s not all doom and gloom; there’s romance for Harry in the shape of newcomer Nancy Webb, played by Kelly Adams, who wants to build homes for ex-servicemen - on the same plot of land Serge has earmarked for his aerodrome.

While Piven can’t say much about Harry’s new love interest, he reveals: “He’s very much in mourning, and here comes this woman out of the blue who is not only lovely, but has a big heart and wants to do the right thing.

“She represents the carrying of the torch from Rose, his wife, because Rose was a philanthropist who wanted to build these homes for artists in Chicago. He didn’t think he’d ever find love again, and in a way, he’s devastated and destroyed that it’s almost too late.”

Joining the cast this series is grande dame of stage and screen Zoe Wanamaker, who plays

Serge’s mother Princess Marie de Bolotoff, as well as real-life sisters Kara and Hannah Tointon, as Harry’s daughters Rosalie and rebellious Violette.

As Piven’s only 49 to Kara’s 31 years, he found it “very surreal” walking her down the aisle while filming Rosalie’s wedding.

“People are witnessing it going, ‘OK, Mr Selfridge, is that your wife?’ And I’m going no, ‘No, she’s actually my daughter’.”

Wanamaker, meanwhile, is a “really fun, funny woman who seems ageless”, he adds.

“She’s very hard-working and stays in character, in the Russian accent at lunchtime - not to show off, just because it’s the best way for her to work.”

19

Piven was taught to act by his parents, drama teachers who run the Piven Theatre Workshop in Evanston, Illinois. He appeared on stage, alongside John Cusack, in productions of Chekhov plays and admits: “I just assumed all kids had this upbringing.”

He recently returned to his most famous (pre-Mr Selfridge) role to date: playing Ari Gold in the Entourage film, which is due out in June. The original TV series ran from 2004 until 2011 and chronicles the career of young actor Vincent Chase and his friends from Queens, New York, as they navigate a new life in LA. Piven has won a Golden Globe and three Emmy Awards for his role as Vincent’s abrasive agent.

“The difference between playing Harry and Ari is night and day,” he says now. “To go back to a

character that you played for eight seasons, was like throwing on an old coat.

“It’s based on a real guy, so that energy does exist in Hollywood: that kind of guy who takes up all the oxygen in the room, is incredibly reactive and thinks he’s really, really funny. But if you’re having a temper tantrum for hours on end, it’s incredibly draining, and you give it everything you’ve got.

Extra Time A Brief history of Selfridges & Co 1909 The second largest shop in the UK (after Harrods) opened its doors on March 15 at what was then considered to be the ‘wrong end’ of Oxford Street.

“I was in cars ranting and raving and breaking things, screaming, smashing. You crawl into bed and are like, ‘What just happened?’” the actor recalls.

1925 The first public demonstration of television was done in the shop in April by inventor John Logie Baird.

“So to come back and play Harry was welcome!”

1943 The Sigsaly scrambling apparatus, which secured transatlantic phone calls between Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt during the Second World War, was housed in the basement.

1951 The Oxford Street store was bought by the Liverpool-based Lewis’s chain of department stores, then in 1965 it was taken over by the Sears Group.

1998 Selfridges expanded and opened a new store in Manchester’s Trafford Centre. Four years later, another Manchester shop opened in Exchange Square.

2003 A store opened in Birmingham’s Bull Ring and the chain was bought by Canada’s Galen Weston for £598 million.

2009 The roof gardens reopened. They had been popular in the Twenties and Thirties with cafes, a mini golf course and an all-girl gun club, but were destroyed by bombing in the Second World War. 2013 Mr Selfridge is aired on TV for the first time.

News

Raising awareness of child sexual exploitation in Dorset

Dorset Police are asking local business owners to be vigilant as Bournemouth heads into the busy summer tourist season where many young people visit the local area. Incidents of child sexual exploitation are, as ever, a risk to all young people in Dorset. It is a form of child abuse and it is illegal.

Common signs that a child is being sexually exploited can be:

Deputy Head of Public Protection, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Naughton reports, “Sexual exploitation is child abuse and children and young people who become involved face risks to their physical, emotional and psychological health and wellbeing. Any young person could become a victim of child sexual exploitation; the crime affects both girls and boys, from any background and of any ethnicity. We are urging local businesses and the general public to be alert to this crime and report any concerns to the Police in their local area”.

•

• •

•

Acting secretively or a change in emotional wellbeing A dramatic change in appearance such as dressing inappropriately or sudden weight loss They become involved in petty crime such as shoplifting or stealing They have unexplained gifts or new possessions such as mobile phones or jewellery

What can local businesses do to protect young people? Be aware of the signs of sexual exploitation and talk to someone regarding any concerns that you may have no matter how small.

Dorset Police is committed to pro-actively identifying vulnerable children and young

people at risk of sexual exploitation and a lot of resources are utilised into ensuring all officers and staff can recognise the signs. Together with partners within local authorities, education and health, we’re working to ensure children at risk are properly protected and safeguarded.

Whatever the situation, Dorset Police will take all reports of child abuse seriously and have specially trained officers in the Child Abuse Investigation team who can support victims through the interview, investigation and court processes.

If you have concerns that a child may be being sexually exploited, please contact the following: Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or the NSPCC via 0808 800 5000. In an emergency please call 999, or in any other event use 101.

BCTC AGM &BCTC President’s AGM BCTC Dinner AGM

Bournemouth of Trade and Commerce & President’s &Chamber President’s Dinner Dinner BCTC AGM invite you to join us for our Annual General Meeting,

& President’s Dinner

Bournemouth Chamber ofBournemouth Trade and Commerce Chamber of Trade and Commerce taking place at the Connaught Hotel on 19th March 2015 at 6pm. invite you to join us for ourinvite Annual youGeneral to join us Meeting, for our Annual General Meeting, taking place at the Connaught taking Hotel place onat 19th theBournemouth March Connaught 2015 Hotel at 6pm. on 19th March 2015 at 6pm.

Chamber of Trade and Commerce This important annual date in our calendar highlights the important work we do to invite you to join us for our Annual General Meeting, This important annual date in ourThis calendar important highlights annual thedate important in our calendar we highlights do for to thethe work wewill do to support local businesses, and outlines our exciting plans ahead.

You taking place at thework Connaught Hotel year onimportant 19th March 2015 at 6pm. support local businesses, and outlines support ourlocal exciting businesses, plans forand theoutlines year ahead. our exciting You will plans for the year ahead. You will also have the chance to meet the new Chamber Board of Directors, and we will also have the chance to meet the new also Chamber have the chance Board of to Directors, meet thedate new andinChamber we Board of Directors, and we willwe do to This important annual ourwill calendar highlights the important work also be introducing our new President too. also be introducing our new President also too. introducing newour President support local be businesses, and our outlines exciting too. plans for the year ahead. You will The AGM is free to attend for all BCTC members The AGM is free toAGM attend for allalso BCTC The AGM members free totoattend fornew all BCTC members have theischance meet the Chamber Board of Directors, and we will BCTC also be introducing our new President too.

The isenjoy free to attend for three all BCTC members Following the meeting, you will enjoy Following a delicious the meeting, three course youAGM will dinner, a delicious course dinner,

& President’s Dinner Following the meeting, you will enjoy a delicious three course dinner,

including drinks on arrival, wine on including the table drinks and coffee on arrival, afterwine the meal. on the table and coffee after the meal.

Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce including drinks on arrival, wine on the table–and coffee thethree meal.

Following the meeting, you will enjoy after a delicious course dinner, Tickets are just £30 per person – book Tickets now are to just avoid £30 disappointment. per person book now to avoid disappointment. invite you to join us for our Annual General Meeting,

includingbook drinksnow on arrival, wine ondisappointment. the table and coffee after the meal. areHotel juston £30 person to avoid taking place at Tickets the Connaught 19thper March 2015 at – 6pm.

Tickets are just £30 per person – book now to avoid disappointment.

We are delighted to announce our are delighted This important annual date in our calendar highlightsthat the We important work we do to to announce that our support local businesses, and outlines our exciting plans for the year ahead. You for will Guest Speaker for the evening willGuest be Speaker evening will be that our We arethe delighted to announce also have the chance to meet the new Chamber Board of Directors, and we will Conor Burns, MP for our Bournemouth West.Burns,Guest MP for Bournemouth West.will be Speaker for the evening also be introducing new PresidentConor too.

The AGM is free to attend for all BCTC members Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West.

We are delighted to announce that our Guest Speaker for the evening will be Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West.

Following the meeting, you will enjoy a delicious three course dinner, Book your tickets now at

including drinks on arrival, wine on the table and coffee after the meal.

Tickets are just £30 per person – book now to avoid disappointment.

Book your tickets now at

Book your tickets now at www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk/events www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk/events

We are delighted to announce that our Guest Speaker for the evening will be Conor Burns, MP for Bournemouth West.

www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk/events

Book your tickets now at

www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk/events

Book your tickets now at

www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk/events

This event isBuses supported Barclays andBuses Yellow Buses This event is supported by Barclays This Bank event PLCisand supported Yellow by BarclaysbyBank PLCBank andPLC Yellow

This event is supported by Barclays Bank PLC and Yellow Buses

News

Moordown & Winton Separate & Together

For the first time in January 2015, two of Bournemouth Chambers Trading Groups joined forces to organise another successful BCTC on the Road business networking event held at the Life Centre in Moordown. We take a look in more detail at two of Bournemouth’s thriving shopping districts.

In 1860 Moordown was a simple hamlet situated on heathland adjacent to Moordown Farm, where many poor families lived. At that time the inhabitants of this settlement numbered around 300. The hamlet consisted of a chapel, an inn, (The Hollies), and a few cottages around its farm.

Moordown Farm in fact is shown in records back as far as 1805. Produce from this farm was sold door to door to the inhabitants of Moordown.

Around 1865 the land on the brow of the hill overlooking Moordown Farm was divided into plots. This property belonged to one of the most important and well-known local landowners of the time, Lord Malmesbury.

To meet the needs for housing for the steadily increasing population of Moordown, new cottages were built here, some of which still exist in Rose Gardens, Malvern Road (then Victoria Road), and Nursery Road. At the time Moordown was a separate community located just to the north of Winton, which itself then had very few dwellings but even so, the links between Moordown & Winton were already beginning to slowly grow.

These days Moordown has grown considerably and the main Wimborne Road is lined with shops from one end to the other. A little different to many shopping high streets, Moordown businesses have a tendency to be more specialised. Take the time to stroll from the northern end along to our ‘official’ boundary with neighbouring Winton and you’ll be surprised at the variety of services you can find. Take a moment longer to speak to some of the owners behind these businesses and you will receive a warm and friendly welcome.

Moordown Traders Association (MTA) was formed in March 2010 and currently holds

Bournemouth Life Centre last month, which proved another resounding success, with attendances up yet again and traders visiting from all surrounding areas.

a membership of around 70 local trades & businesses. As with similar associations, its aim is to provide support to businesses both established and new in the area. Moordown has a strong community spirit, reflected in events such as last summers Moordown Fete in which the MTA played a key role in organising. The comparatively recent refurbishment of the old cinema into the Bournemouth Life Centre has certainly increased this sense of community.

Winton, found at the opposite end of the long shopping street, also beats as a successful community with mixed housing stock, excellent schools, retail, commercial and social enterprises. Winton Recreation Ground, already a popular location for various events such as the entertainment, stalls and funfair after the Winton Carnival Parade, is currently undergoing some major refurbishment.

The main Wimborne Road boasts many businesses both large and small, plus restaurants, bars and coffee shops, and even though change continues there is still a place for the long established, such as Sturtons & Tappers and Funeral Directors W Smith & Sons, who continue to provide a strong sense of stability.

The rejuvenated Winton Traders Association (WTA) is now investing in the community to improve the shopping and business experience, helping to maintain this thriving shopping area.

Previously acting individually, the Moordown & Winton Traders Associations worked together to host the latest BCTC on the Road at The

Despite the signs saying otherwise, the line between Moordown & Winton is a little blurred to most people. In reality we are one long road working together, with Winton at one end and its main shopping area, to Moordown with The Hollies and the individual businesses at the other.

There is a great wealth of variety around and in between, with constant improvement of the area for both local business and the community at the heart of both Trade Groups.

If you are interested in joining or supporting either of these traders associations then please contact: MTA Chair: Roger Eede roger.eede@ntlworld.com WTA Chair: Sue Slade sales@labelle-ladiesfashions.co.uk Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce execofficer@bournemouthchamber.org.uk

23

Talking business with...

Ian Cleary ICSolutions What makes your services unique or superior to your competitors?

I have 23 years of experience working in a variety of environments spanning from engineering, transportation & rail, media, construction and mining in Australia. Plus, a number of years in education and advertising.

How has your time in the Services helped you with your business?

I worked for 12 years in the Royal Air Force and the application of high standards, rules and documented systems of work becomes part of the way you work. The beauty of such systems of work or risk management processes is that they can be tailored to meet the specific needs of any organisation.

How had this been applied to your clients?

I have developed bespoke business risk management systems that are relevant to the nature and scale of the organization’s risks, not only in terms of health and safety, but as a business as a whole. These have been developed with key personnel within each organisation and in consultation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the British Standards institute (BSi).I have written management guidance tools to assist in the implementation of the above systems and also trade specific codes of practice that enable organisations to comply with their legal obligations and for them to work beyond compliance and improve working practices.

What services are you able to provide to your customers?

In general I provide uncomplicated advice and guidance on a wide range of Health and Safety issues and business risk management across diverse employment and industry sectors.

You are a member of several health and safety institutes, what do you gain from this that you can pass on to your customers?

I am a member of sector specific interest groups, which provide me with regular updates and information regarding legal changes and enforcement actions – though the latter is what we are all wishing to avoid!

What key issues should organisations be aware of?

Changes to the CDM 07 Regulations.

The proposed changes to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, which come into force on the 6th April 2015, aim to simplify regulations, improve standards, discourage paperwork and maintain and improve worker protection. The changes will now apply new duties on the Client (which now includes Domestic Clients) and Designers, who will take on the majority of the role of preparing pre-construction information. Contractors will still be required to plan and manage construction projects.

Occupational ill Health Occupational health is another key area of risk management that is sometimes overlooked and doesn’t quite have the same focus as safety. Occupational ill health issues need to be managed now before the ill health effects appear. Increases in occupational cancer, asthma and silicosis are on the up and this can be directly related to work.

Breathing in certain substances and construction dusts (which contain a variety of substances including Silica) don’t necessarily have immediate health effect. The problem is that by the time the ill health effects manifest themselves the damage has already been done.

What advice would you give at this moment in time?

Although the recent Lofstead report, which was commissioned to look at reducing red tape and burdens on industry, the Health and Safety at Work Act remains the same.

Keep your systems simple and specific and don’t over complicate them! However having said that, make sure you are aware of your H&S obligations that are applicable to your undertakings. Protect your employees – they are the most valuable asset you have!

For more information contact: e: icsolutions@sky.com t: 07757 984 027

Talking Business

Talking business with...

Mark Liddle Mark Liddle Partnership [...] the one reason why a business makes money is the same reason why a business loses money - focus.

I wanted to help businesses with the experiences I’ve seen and help them survive and make money.

unique service we offer to companies who are struggling financially. Our job is to help directors/ business owners and show them how to make money. Simple as that!

Are their any particular changes in the economy that have affected your business?

No, there are no changes in the economy apart from an increase in work.

How did your business begin?

I’ve been sorting out problems in companies for over 35 years. I set this company up in 2010 when I took on board two senior managers who between them have over 30 years experience in working in the insolvency world.

Why did you choose to set up a company to help other businesses?

As mentioned earlier, I’ve over 35 years experience in the corporate world. I wanted to help businesses with the experiences I’ve seen and help them survive and make money.

Have you always been involved in this line of work?

Yes, I’ve always been involved in sorting out corporate problems.

How have you seen the company develop since first beginning?

The company has developed considerably as more and more people understand the totally

Why do you believe you are the person to approach if your business is on the brink of failure?

Because of our considerable experience in helping companies survive and helping to change the thinking of directors to ensure they realise the prime reason for being in business is to make money. The buzz we get is helping companies survive, not just to close them down.

What has been your greatest achievement within your career to date?

My greatest achievement was back in the early 90’s when I was instructed to do a buy out from a major PLC where my client was prepared to buy the company for £2 million and the PLC wanted £4 million for it. I managed to buy the company for £300k!

What one piece of advice would you give to those with businesses that are potentially on the brink?

The one piece of advice I give to businesses struggling is: the one reason why a business makes money is the same reason why a business loses money - focus. Go into business and focus on your skill only, you’ll never make money, it’s never happened in the history of mankind. Go into business and focus on making profit and your skill is secondary, you’ll make money. That is the simple truth.

Where do you hope to take the company in the future?

Just want to grow the practice as we all love the work we do. I want to help more and more companies grow and make money.

Do you have any specific goals you wish to achieve?

I want to help companies make money and I want to get the most powerful, most amazing lesson I’ve ever learnt and ever will learn out into the business world: “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right”.

For more information contact: w: www.markliddle.com e: office@markliddle.com t: 01202 551193

FREE WiFi now available at

Castlepoint Shopping Park

Photo courtesy of NEXT

www.castlepointshopping.com if you know what you want, get online facebook.com/CastlepointShoppingPark

twitter.com/Castlepointshop

Talking Business

Talking business with...

Tony Fisher & Sean Taylor Switched On Savings How did the business first begin?

It was a lucky co-incidence actually. We’d both sold our previous businesses and were looking for the next challenge. We realised that combining our business experience would enable us to create a strong and focused company that would be able to deliver real results for our customers.

Sean’s knowledge on the energy business dates back to de-regulation in the late 90’s so we have a wealth of knowledge to draw on and we both come from a background of building meaningful business relationships with customers.

We realised that combining our business experience would enable us to create a strong and focused company that would be able to deliver real results for our customers.

Is setting up your own business something you have always aspired to do?

Both of us have owned and run our own businesses for the last 15 years and love it. As everyone knows, starting, running and growing your own business is not the easiest thing to do but it’s a very rewarding way to make a living.

I’d recommend it to anyone who’s thinking about it but I’d advise them to think long and hard and also get some outside opinions before committing to it as it’s easy to be blinded by enthusiasm despite having a product or service that might not be saleable.

How have you seen the business develop since beginning?

From the moment we incorporated the company and started trading Switched on Savings has been a huge success. We’ve created a unique marketing mix that ensures we are always winning new customers and also looking after our existing customer base. We are also cofounders of Poole Borough Councils Green PEA

(positive environmental action) scheme which has subsequently been joined by Christchurch and East Dorset councils and this enables us to work closely with local businesses to help them make real, measurable savings on their energy bills.

Has there been any changes in the economy that have affected your business?

The price of electricity and gas is affected by many things from the price of crude oil to world event such as the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Increased competition also has a dramatic effect and there is a number of new companies entering the supplier market who are busy obtaining market share with aggressive pricing so things are always moving. New sources of energy for example solar or the extraction of shale gas will also mean some more changes in the future.

Everyone in Switched on Savings has many years in business across a number of markets and disciplines and is able to use the knowledge amassed to build and grow quality business relationships.

and disciplines and is able to use the knowledge amassed to build and grow quality business relationships. Our role is to help drive down the cost of energy used in a customer’s business and help them make measurable savings.

We’ve all had to do that ourselves in other companies we’ve worked in or owned and we pride ourselves on bringing the ‘wise old owl’ approach along with a sense of calm to what can be a major financial investment when renewing electricity and gas contracts.

Why would you encourage customers to use your services?

Our broking service is thorough and complete.

Both SMEs and large users will have their requirements managed professionally and the end result will be a selection of rates and contract options to suit their needs. Most people will be able to name the ‘BIG 6’ but what about the raft of other suppliers who are busy competing in the same space? All the suppliers are keen to win and retain business but they do it in different ways at different times and we know where the best deals are.

FREE ENERGY REVIEW FOR ALL BH BUSINESS MAGAZINE COMMERCIAL ENERGY USERS

What are your goals for the future?

Whilst we are able to fulfil the needs of our customers throughout the UK we really want to increase our sphere of influence within Dorset.

Through our relationships with local business partners we are able to offer advice and solutions throughout the whole lifecycle of energy usage within an organisation from how it’s purchased via our broking service to how it’s used and how it’s wasted.

What makes your business best?

Everyone in Switched on Savings has many years in business across a number of markets

For more information contact: w: www.switchedonsavings.com e: info@switchedonsavings.com t: 0800 923 2000

News

The New App Helps You Take Control of Your Cashflow

One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses today is cashflow. But a new app being developed right here in Bournemouth can make budgeting a breeze. For just £15 per month, you can check what will be in the bank tomorrow, next week, next month even next year based on the information from your accounting system with one click.

Hindsight is a collaboration between an experienced accountant with domain expertise and a client who is a software developer to build an online cashflow and budgeting tool for small businesses “to really understand their financial position today and tomorrow”.

Jon Jenkins, of Smart Accountancy Systems and Hindsight App, says that while the technology is cutting-edge, the idea behind the software is back-to-basics.

“After a year of trying various avenues to secure funding we finally got some from the Bournemouth Community Finance Company which was set up by Bournemouth Borough Council to help local businesses,” said Jon. “The process was very much like the old days with a high street bank - they listened understood and made a judgement based on its merits. Not pumped the numbers into a computer and ‘the computer said no’.

“This app can help you make quick, accurate, informed business decisions - welcome to the 21st century!”

Ian Nance, Senior Account Manager for Bournemouth Council’s Community Finance Initiative said: “Bournemouth Council set up Bournemouth Community Finance Company to lend to local businesses and entrepreneurs to help make their business ideas a reality.

Behind the development of Hindsight App is an entrepreneurial partnership between an accountant and a software programmer which we were delighted to be able to support. We wish this Bournemouth-based business start-up every success.”

Ian Nuance, left, with Gary and Jon of Hindsight - Photography SamB

News from the Chamber The Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce are pleased to announce that, following the members approval at the last AGM, Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce has been incorporated. The new company is Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce Limited – a company limited by guarantee (Company Number 08257883).

The new company’s Articles of Association have been uploaded to the website and can be found at www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk/images/ BCTC_adopted_articles_Dec_14.pdf.

These are our new governing documents and set out

how the new Chamber is constituted and will be run. Arrangements are now in hand to amend our stationery and website and notifying our suppliers of the change.

The final accounts of the old Chamber, for the year ended 31st December 2014, will be presented at the AGM, to be held on 19th March 2015 at The Connaught Hotel. Full details of the AGM, which is free for all BCTC members to attend, are also available on the website.

Should you require further details, please do not hesitate to contact the Executive Officer via execofficer@bournemouthchamber.org.uk

29

Spotchecker Dorset Retail Programme Grows

Hurn based business, Spotcheckers Intelligent Market Research, have been actively promoting their Retail Division across Dorset towns.

Spotcheckers Retail Division, formerly known as Retail Resource Dorset, seeks to work with town leaders to support their independent, multiple and on-line retail community with their tried and tested Dorset Retail Awards Programme.

Mandy Payne, one of the Directors of Spotcheckers, has been a champion for retail in Dorset for over ten years and has worked with over 6000 businesses in ten towns in this time helping to build an awareness of business support opportunities and training programmes through the Dorset Retail Awards process.

With a background in retail as a W H Smith Branch Manager, Mandy was recruited by the National Skills Academy for Retail to manage the Dorset Retail Skillshop. When funding ran out the independent business Retail Resource Dorset was born and continued to run many of the events and activities that were government funded previously.

Retail Resource Dorset joined forces with Spotcheckers, a multi sector market research company to enhance its retail offer and became the Spotcheckers Retail Division. Stephen Brock, Director of Spotcheckers stated “It seemed an obvious partnership as Mandy mystery shopped high street businesses across Dorset and I was working on similar projects with professional businesses such as solicitors, accountants and estate agents. By joining forces we have built a three tier system of market research programmes, training and on-going business support for all sectors of the business community”.

Spotcheckers Retail Division are currently working on the launch of the 10th Retail Awards event in Poole – Poole Top of The Shops Retail Awards 2015! The awards have always been funded by the Borough of Poole and Poole Town Centre Management with sponsors Sibbett Gregory, Breeze Volkswagen and recently The Poole Dolphin Centre with its own award.

The Dorchester Independent Retail Awards are well under way after Spotcheckers Retail Division

was asked to work with Dorchester Chamber of Trade and Dorchester BID to help them support their retailers in town. The Rt Hon The Lord Fellows of West Stafford will be presenting the awards at Kingston Maurward College at the end of March.

Mandy explains the Dorset Retail Awards process, “Spotcheckers Retail has a huge data base and is able to actively market to retailers on foot and on-line to encourage high street businesses to sign up to the Retail Awards. Once signed up the businesses are mystery shopped by Spotcheckers and areas such as window display, warmth of welcome, atmosphere, customer service, visual merchandising, housekeeping, selling skills are assessed as well as the businesses digital communication through website, social media and email, recording again customer service and response times. The surveys are used to identify the winners of specific awards and once the mystery shopping is completed a team of independent judge’s help to choose the best window display and adjudicate the process. A lovely award event is then held to give thanks to the retailers for their excellent service offer to the town, they themselves can then use this win to actively market and promote their business.

After the awards event Spotcheckers Retail

Division representatives visit each business to give their feedback reports from the mystery shop and also carry out a training and business needs analysis. A full report is given to the town identifying the main areas covering skills, training and business support. Workshops are then delivered to address these needs and funding is sought locally to support the retailers attending them. The Dorset Retail Awards Programme is a great way to support the retail community in towns across Dorset.”

For more information contact: w: www.spotcheckers.co.uk e: mandy@spotcheckers.co.uk t: 01202 331 608

Talking Business

Talking business with...

Paul Rayner Oakstone International How have you seen Oakstone grow since first beginning?

Dramatically, but it’s been a rollercoaster ride!

We grew quickly in the first few years, after establishing ourselves in 1995. In 2001 we had around 20 staff & were recruiting almost exclusively for the US software industry, that was the year of the dot-com crash & the US software industry collapse. We had lots of people and very little business, forcing us to reduce our team down to 4 people. For a while we were just holding our own & keeping our heads above water. Since then with a nucleus of key team members & clients, we’ve steadily built ourselves up again! In my opinion we’ve done this very successfully, in a stable fashion. In the last 3-4 years we have become a mid size, and highly regarded, Recruitment Company with a 20-year history of helping software companies grow in Europe within our sector.

How has your background contributed to the turnaround and success of Oakstone?

I had 10 years of IT recruitment experience, plus 5 years sales experience prior to establishing Oakstone - so fairly significantly I would say.

The experience I gained working for my first recruitment firm was invaluable, in both recruiting and learning how to manage people. I also spent two years working for a recruitment franchise as a trainer & marketing manager, which taught me over and above being a recruiter, how to run a recruitment business, because we were selling recruitment franchises and training people to set up their own businesses from scratch.

What makes Oakstone unique in comparison to your competitors?

Quite simply it’s the team. The quality of the people we have in the organization, their experience, knowledge and ethics.

What would you say has been Oakstone’s greatest achievement to date?

Enabling and empowering our clients to build better, stronger teams of people. So its not one particular achievement, we enable quality individuals & help dynamic companies to grow.

Have there been any particular changes in the economy that have affected your business?

Other than the dot-com crash, not really. There have been two recessions since, including the recent Global financial crisis and we weathered both of those without changing a trajectory of growth at all. In my opinion while there are plenty of decent recruitment companies around, its only the top 10 -20% that are really good, and if you’re one of those you don’t struggle for clients and projects to work on, largely irrespective of the economic climate.

At the moment we have 3 key managers, and helping them achieve what they want to achieve is what motivates me.

Their success equals the success of the business as a whole.

You mention that you also do career coaching.

How would you stress the importance of this to your potential candidates?

Over the years I have thought that there are certain individuals who would benefit from career coaching and some people ask for help.

For some people this can be really useful, but the reality is most people either have what it takes to do well and stand on their own two feet or they don’t. Although we offer it, we don’t charge for it and we have limited requests for that service.

What do you love about your job?

Everything. I was discussing this with Sarah this morning, having just come back from holiday, someone said ‘how is it coming back to work’, and I said well I love coming back to work, and I always have. I have spent a little more than half my career now working for myself, and prior to that working for other people and I have always enjoyed both. I have got a very simply attitude to this issue; if your not enjoying something, go

and do something else. There really aren’t any aspects of the role that I don’t enjoy, well, with the possible acceptation of admin - that’s where Sarah comes in! The thing I get the biggest buzz out of is developing other people; it’s what I am driven by.

Can you give an example of someone you have developed?

Yes, Andy Strong is one. I hired him out of Phones4U, he was the manager here in Bournemouth. He was doing very well, he was the branch manager, successful and making a good living. He’s now increased his income by 300%, has a strong team of recruiters who respect him, and is one of the best recruiters I have ever met. He generated half a million pounds worth of revenue last year. I think he pretty much loves what he is doing, and it gives me great satisfaction to have been part of his success.

What are your future goals for the business?

Continued growth, In line with what I said about developing people, my goals are those of my teams. At the moment we have 3 key managers, and helping them achieve what they want to achieve is what motivates me. Their success equals the success of the business as a whole.

For more information contact: w: www.oakstone.co.uk e: info@oakstone.co.uk t: 0845 456 4849

Oakstone International Executive Search - Our Talent is Building your Business Over the last 20 years we have built a reputation for consistent delivery and the capability to source and attract top talent for our client partners.

Tristan Heywood

Our partners are software vendors who develop, market and support high value, business oriented software applications aimed at the B2B sector. This includes areas such as: Digital Marketing, Marketing Automation, Business Intelligence, Big Data, Content Management, Software Development Collaboration.

Divisional Director & Managing Consultant

Over the last 24 months our reach has expanded from UK and EMEA to include the US, and ASIA-PAC. In 2014 we helped identify and appoint 16 VP level roles and continue to support many of them with their on-going growth plans.

Internally we have an ever strengthening team of Consultants, with a range of specialisms, enabling us to cover roles in a variety of disciplines such as: Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Pre-sales, Post-sales, Technical Implementation and Delivery.

Andy Strong Divisional Director & Managing Consultant

The tenacious nature of our team members and their respectful approach has endeared them to an ever-growing network of upper quartile professionals of all disciplines throughout our sphere of focus.

Our focus is to work with our key partners for the long-haul, and ensure they continue to attract key people. Finding one, two or a few top people can get a company off the ground in Europe, but in order to become one of the top two or three players in any given space requires teams of top quality people.

Steve Farr Divisional Director & Managing Consultant

Oakstone has a track record of helping companies do just that. We partner with our key clients to assist them to build teams rather than simply hire individuals.

Oakstone are a successful Executive Search Firm that continues to grow due to the high demand for our highly effective Recruiters.

Tel: +44 (0)845 456 4849

E-mail: info@oakstone.co.uk

Web: www.oakstone.co.uk

News

Facing Up To Fraud Every day, people from all walks of life find themselves falling victim to financial fraud (120 a week, according to the Financial Ombudsman Service), but around this time of year, those victim numbers rise even higher.

This could be because people have been spending more money than usual in sales and Christmas present shopping, or because they’ve been letting their guard down while out celebrating the festivities, but whatever the cause, the result is the same: frustration, anger and often loss of hard-earned money.

Samantha Hargreaves, a spokeswoman for the ombudsman service, says:

Of course, it’s easy to think you’d never be caught out by a scammer, but you’d be unpleasantly surprised.

“Some of these work by gaining people’s confidence over the phone and then encouraging them to divulge their bank details, hand over their cards, or even transfer money directly into an account of the fraudster’s choosing.

Often, those behind the con will stage some sort of “emergency”, making people believe they have to act immediately in order to put the situation right. Under this kind of pressure, you might be persuaded to do something you wouldn’t normally dream of doing, such as transferring all your savings into an account you’ve never heard of.

If you receive a call out of the blue asking you to do something urgently, this could be a warning sign. Banks have their own processes for detecting and dealing with fraud, such as freezing your account, so they wouldn’t call out of the blue and ask you to transfer your money into a “safe” account, or hand your debit card over to a courier.

Also, be wary of handing over your personal details. Perhaps the person on the other end of the phone is checking them for security reasons - or perhaps they have no information about you at all and they plan to use what you tell them to commit identity fraud.

It’s a natural reaction when asked for your date of birth or your home postcode to answer truthfully. But the ombudsman has heard from some people who have deliberately given false information about themselves, knowing that if the person at the other end of the phone accepts it, they’re not who they say they are.

Your bank may need to carry out some security checks, but it would never ask you to provide all your details.

“Anyone can be caught out, from experienced investors to people with a basic bank account.

In recent months we have seen an increase in more ‘low tech’ but effective scams.

“Once the money has gone, it can be incredibly difficult to get it back again, so always think before you transfer.

“If you have been a victim of this type of scam, get in touch with your bank as soon as possible - the sooner you act, the better.”

As with many aspects of life, the golden rule is to listen to your instincts. If something feels wrong, take time to double check the situation before making any decisions.

To help heighten your senses, here are some common scams: Phishing A fraudster emails you pretending to be a legitimate body such as a bank or a shopping website in order to trick you into revealing personal information.

Vishing A combination of the words “voice” and “phishing”. This is when a fraudster calls you, again posing as a legitimate organisation, to persuade you to reveal your personal details.

No hang up A fraudster will claim to be calling from a fraud prevention department and ask you to call your bank straight away. While the victim puts down the phone to redial, the fraudster does not, leaving the line open. The scammer stays on the phone and then pretends to be the bank.

Courier fraud The fraudster persuades the victim to give their personal details over the phone and sends over a courier to the victim’s house to collect the card.

The victim thinks their card is being returned to the bank, but in fact it is being delivered to the fraudster.

Spoofing Another phone scam. The fraudster replicates the number of an official organisation on the victim’s caller ID. Be wary if a caller urges you to confirm their identity by pointing out the caller ID number.

Who... Is Most Likely to Unwittingly Transfer Money to a Fraudster?

Perhaps surprisingly, the answer is a young adult, research for the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) suggests.

It found that people under the age of 25 are potentially much more vulnerable to scams and techniques like “vishing” than pensioners.

The BBA, which has launched a campaign called Know Fraud, No Fraud, found that nearly one in six (16%) of people aged between 18 and 25 years old who have a bank account said they would willingly authorise a money transfer into a “safe” account if someone they believed worked for their bank instructed them to do so in order to investigate a security breach.

This compared with only one in 17 (6%) of 45-54 year olds and just one in 14 (7%) of those aged 55 and over, according to the survey of more than 2,000 people.

Fiona McEvoy, a spokeswoman for the BBA says: “It will surprise many to learn that younger people could be more vulnerable to the tactics of fraudsters than their grandparents. It’s important that people of all ages know the language used by these fraudsters so that they can avoid being scammed.”

33

Poundnotes Financial fact: Consumer credit, which is made up of people’s borrowing on credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts, increased by £1.3 billion in November, which is the largest monthly upswing seen since February 2008, according to Bank of England figures.

Commentators have suggested that preChristmas shopping sprees could be partly behind the increase.

£1,000 ‘Emergency Fund’ For Each Household Urged Every household should be encouraged to build up at least £1,000 as an emergency fund, StepChange Debt Charity has urged.

The charity is calling on the next government to build “rainy day” savings pots into the scheme for automatically placing people into workplace pensions.

Like saving into a workplace pension, the government and employers could also contribute to the pot, through tax relief and employers’ contributions, StepChange suggests.

Competition For Current Account Customers Heats Up The battle to woo current account customers has intensified as Marks & Spencer is offering people who bank with it the opportunity to earn 6% interest, by opening a linked savings account.

Holders of M&S’s “free” Current Accounts are now being offered access to a separate monthly savings account with a rate of 6% AER (annual equivalent rate), fixed for 12 months.

The M&S Current Account Monthly Saver requires customers to commit to put away between £25 and £250 a month, with payments being made by standing order from their M&S Current Account. Doing this would enable a saver to earn a maximum of £96 over a 12-month period before tax.

New Bank To Be Launched A bank which promises to offer new hope for hard-pressed savers who feel “unrewarded” by what the high street has to offer is set to launch this spring.

The new Charter Savings Bank, which will be available online and over the phone, has received regulatory approval and aims to start offering products from the end of March.

Charter Savings is the third new bank to be created after the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), which has approved its banking licence, came into being in 2013.

News

Technology Green Fingers Green-fingered geeks have invented the world’s first greenhouse that can be controlled by a smartphone - so wannabe gardens can grow fruit and veg in their own homes.

The revolutionary indoor gadget boasts a builtin miniature computer that detects when plants need water and the ideal temperature for their growth. The glass-sided device uses special sensors to pick up these readings which then automatically activate different parts of the machine. Users can sit back and relax as the

device warms up, cools down, turns on a light or waters the plants.

The contraption, which called Niwa, is controlled using an app on a smartphone. It can be used to grow flowers, fruits, vegetables or herbs, comes in three sizes and is delivered in an

easy-to-assemble kit. Once a user has planted their desired seeds they simply choose which crop it is from a list on the Niwa app. And the machine then adjusts the settings to match the requirements for that specific plant.

Niwa is the brainchild of San Francisco pair Javier Morillias, 32, and Agnieszka Nazaruk, 27. Javier said: “I kept seeing trucks filled with different vegetables ready to be delivered to various countries and it made no sense to me.

“I started wondering what happened, why the production had gone that far from the consumer.

“The answer I found was because we just can’t grow them ourselves because of the lack of time, space, conditions or skills. “I decided to start using technology to make the whole process simple and to enable everyone to grow their own food wherever they are”. He continued that they wanted to aim the product at city dwellers who have no time or space, yet still want to be ‘green’.

“Niwa is based in hydroponic technology, which is a soil-less way to grow plants, where the plant takes nutrients directly from the water.

“The Niwa controls the temperature, humidity, and light cycles and the automated irrigation system will also water and feed your plants whenever they need it. “It is connected to the internet and there is a smartphone app that sets the right growing variables according to your chosen plant. “With hydroponics and our current range of sizes, you can grow just about anything that will fit inside the tray, apart from trees and root vegetables”.

The team behind Niwa raised about £91,000 on crowdfunding website Kickstarter. Upon release it is expected a mini version will cost around £176, the standard about £205 and the premium about £235.

For more information contact: w: www.getniwa.com e: founders@getniwa.com Photos by Niwa/Bournemouth News/REX

35

When you choose a pre-paid funeral plan, are you choosing When you choose the right funeral director?

a pre-paid funeral plan, are you choosing the right funeral director?

The benefits of purchasing a pre-paid funeral plan include protection from rising funeral costs and reassurance that, at the most difficult of times, you are able to help your loved ones with meeting funeral costs and making difficult decisions.

When arranging a pre-paid funeral plan, it is advisable to contact your chosen funeral director and find out which plans they offer.

W Smith & Sons Ltd are able to offer a range of plans in association with Golden Charter - the UK’s largest independent funeral plan providers. Golden Charter plans offer flexibility and peace of mind, allowing you to choose the funeral director you want to carry out your arrangements. Should your circumstances change, such as moving to a different part of the country, your Golden Charter plan can be transferred to one of the thousands of local independent funeral directors they support throughout the country.

paid funeral plans are increasingly being sold by Golden Charter plans offer flexibility and peace of organisations not connected to are the unsure profession. mind,existing allowingpre-paid you to choose the funeral If you about your funeral plan, askdirector your independent funeralyou director advice.

Simply drop in to Should Due to contracts betweenlocal these organisations want tofor carry out your arrangements.

W Smith & Sonsyou Ltd oryour call circumstances us on (01202)change, 528818. and national chains of funeral directors, such as moving to a may find that when the time comes, your chosen different part of the country, your Golden Charter funeral director is unable to help your loved plan can be transferred to one of the thousands ones, and the pre-paid funeral plan may have to of local independent funeral directors they The benefits of purchasing a pre-paid funeral plan include Usually, the from first decision to be costs made and is which be carried support throughout the country. protection rising funeral reassurance that,out at by thea funeral director owned by the funeral directorof do I want with myyourcontracted national most difficult times, youtoareentrust able to help loved ones with chain. meetingarrangements? funeral costs and decisions. funeral Mostmaking peopledifficult have an idea of who they would like, whether from past When arranging a pre-paid funeral plan, it is Usually, the first decision to be made is which funeral director do I want to entrust Funeral Director’s Picture, Advert or copy on with my funeralorarrangements?

Most people an idea of who theyto would like, your chosen funeral experience recommendations from have friends advisable contact director whether from past experience or recommendations from friends and relatives.

Company History and relatives. and find out which plans they offer.

For more information contact: Unfortunately, when buying a pre-paid funeral plan, the most crucial of choices may be taken away from you buying without you even knowing.

Pre-paid are Ltd are able to offer a range of w: www.funeraldirectors-bournemouth.co.uk Unfortunately, when a pre-paid funeral W funeral Smith plans & Sons increasingly being sold by organisations not connected to the profession. Due to t: 01202 528818 (Winton) plan, the most crucial of choices may be taken plans in association with Golden Charter the contracts between these organisations and national chains of funeral directors, you t: 01425 674595 (Bransgore) away from without evenyour knowing.

Pre- director UK’s largest funeral plan providers. may find thatyou when the timeyou comes, chosen funeral is unableindependent to help your loved ones, and the pre-paid funeral plan may have to be carried out by a funeral director owned by the contracted national chain.

Golden Charter Funeral Plans from W Smith & Sons Ltd

We recommend funeral plans from Golden Charter, the UK’s largest provider of plans to independent funeral directors like us. With a Golden Charter funeral plan you’ll benefit from: • Fixing the cost of our services at today’s prices • Reassurance for your family – no uncertainty or difficult decisions • Complete flexibility to choose the funeral you want

W Smith & Sons Ltd, 639-645 Wimborne Rd, Bournemouth BH9 2AR. Call (01202) 528818 W Smith & Sons Ltd, 3a Runnymeade, Ringwood Road, Bransgore, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 8NJ. Call (01425) 674595

The UK’s largest independent funeral plan provider

www.wsmith-funerals.co.uk

GC-LIFT 8221

Making sure everything goes to plan

A funeral plan leaves nothing to chance and provides peace of mind for you and those you care about.

Talking Business

Talking business with...

Barry Smith Pinnacle Training The difficulty is to maintain the quality, to maintain the freshness of approach and the reputation we have so carefully built.

That’s something I wont compromise on.

Managing Director Barry Smith with Variety Chief Barker 2011, Keith Andrews and Wessex Chair Frances Cornelius at BAFTA

What were your initial reasons for beginning the company?

I’d spent a number of years involved in education and had attended numerous external courses that quite frankly had bored me and I’m sure my fellow students to death. I’m sure most of us could identify with that!

Things have to be better than this I thought. No matter what the subject, a good trainer should have the ability to make it fun. And as we all know people remember what is fun!

My passion has always been First Aid, I was the top captain in the UK in the St John National First Aid Competitions and a County Training Officer as such I was sure there must be a need for top quality training at sensible prices.

How have you seen the business grow since first beginning?

We started off as a First Aid Training company pure and simple now we offer a portfolio of over 60 taught training courses, in areas as diverse as H&S related, Care Related and Training in Presentation Skills to enable candidates to deliver training in their own area of expertise.

Currently we train students both nationally and internationally.

What makes Pinnacle unique?

The manner in which we deliver our courses, we are firmly committed to quality, all our trainers

are subject experts with extensive practical experience and fully appreciate the fact that we are only as good as the last course we delivered!

As such we have countless students who actually look forward to the next course!

You are able to provide a standard course or a tailor made course. How are you able to accommodate this?

Yes we offer standard training sessions or can design courses specific to a customer’s needs, in fact we pride ourselves on the flexibility and responsive way in which we operate. Personally I have a Masters Degree in Educational Technology specializing in the design and creation of learning materials, course design and delivery. This enables us to look at the training from a professional educational perspective, which ensures we don’t do death by powerpoint!

Have there been any particular changes in the economy that have affected your business?

Luckily we haven’t been affected by economic changes, our ethos of maintaining sensible prices has seen great customer loyalty, our customers realise that we are not a fly by night company and that we are always here for a chat or advice if they have any problems. Our support doesn’t just end when the courses finish. Indeed many of our students are now friends.

What do you love about your job?

Having the opportunity of making our training

fun, it’s great when we receive feedback that the students didn’t want to attend but now look forward to future sessions. Also even after all these years I still get a buzz out of walking into an establishment and seeing one of our certificates on the wall!

How do you plan to develop and build the business?

In many ways it’s not difficult to build the business. The difficulty is to maintain the quality, to maintain the freshness of approach and the reputation we have so carefully built. That’s something I won’t compromise on.

For more information contact: w: www.pinnacle-training.co.uk e: admin@pinnacle-training.co.uk t: 01202 577707

Building brands that build businesses since 2003.

We help clients communicate with a strategic thoughtful approach to branding, print and digital design. madebyparent.com

News

BCHA Giving hope where there is none

Sarah and her daughter had to leave home because of domestic violence; John lost everything due to his deteriorating mental health; Poppy was trafficked and used as a slave; James lost his family and has nowhere to call home apart from the streets.

BCHA need individuals and groups to help them raise vital funds to allow this life-saving work to continue. This could be anything from holding a coffee morning to climbing a mountain, from adding a £1 donation to your customer’s bills to holding an event.

These are our neighbours and BCHA work hard to provide people like Sarah, James, Poppy and John with more than just a bed. They provide safety, comfort and hope for people who have no other place to sleep and no one else to turn to.

Whatever you can do it will made a big difference to the lives of many vulnerable people in Bournemouth, restoring hope to thousands of people.

However they can’t do it without your help…

Text BCHA11 £1 / £3 / £5 / £10 to 70070 (e.g. to donate £5 text BCHA11 £5)

Picture Below Lorna Trent, Fundraising Manager of BCHA and Simon Steele-Williams from Coles Miller presenting a cheque from Bournemouth and District Law Society who held an event to raise money for BCHA.

For more information contact: w: www.bcha.org.uk e: fundraising@bcha.org.uk t: 01202 410 587

39

Talking business with...

Frances Cornelius Variety Wessex Chapelgate. 4COM’s CEO Daron Hutt and his staff have supported Variety Wessex for several years, purchasing 2 Sunshine Coaches for Linwood Special Needs School in Winton and raising over £26,000 last October to refurbish a fabulous playground area for the youngsters.

4COM also raised the funds for Cameron Dadkah’s new sporting wheelchair by pushing

How did the charity first begin?

Brought here by movie moguls from the USA and inaugurated in the UK in 1949 (as the Variety Club of Great Britain), Variety was one of the UK’s first charities to be founded especially for children and young people. I have been Chair of Variety Wessex since 2005.

What makes Variety Wessex unique?

My committee and myself are all unpaid volunteers. As such I can clearly demonstrate where every penny we raise is spent. We are not a one pot charity, the money raised in this region is spent on the children in this region. Its one of the things that is so important to me.

themselves to the limit by doing 30 hours riding, rowing and running. Despite Cameron’s disabilities he is very ambitious and competitive and has played wheelchair basketball for the Great Britain Junior Squad.

What are your plans for the future?

To carry on supporting as many children and youngsters as possible by not only funding life changing special equipment and Sunshine Coaches but also arranging special days out for those who would never normally go anywhere.

We arrange days out to Monkey World, The New Forest Wildlife Centre, paint-balling and many other excursions for these special children.

How have you seen the charity grow since 2005?

Variety Wessex has only grown because of the great support the committee gets from supporters such as 4COM which is based at

Have there been any changes in the economy that have affected the charity?

Yes obviously money has been tighter over the last few years so fundraising has been harder.

Consequently we have had to work harder at raising funds and have added to the events we put on. Last year we held a number of quiz nights, a quality used clothing sale, collected via raffles and auctions at the Sandbanks Polo, covered a hydration station for the Bournemouth marathon and held our fabulous annual Christmas Ball at the Italian Villa at Compton Acres Why do you love doing what you do?

When you see what we see how could you not love what we do.

For more information contact: w: www.variety.org.uk e: wessex@variety.org.uk t: 07724 446 508

Liam Crosswell back on the court With the Hampshire Harriers

Terry Marsh and Frances Cornelius with Liam Croswell

On 15th February, 2015 Chair of Variety Wessex, Frances Cornelius presented a new RGK Basketball Wheelchair to 15 year old Liam Crosswell who plays Basketball with the Hampshire Harriers at the Chamberlayne Sports Centre in Southampton. The Hampshire Harriers who have been arranging Basketball sessions for over 30 years is a charity based organisation run by volunteers headed up by Terry and Annette Marsh and their committee and is also the only organisation that has two league teams in Hampshire run by the British

Wheelchair Basketball Association who play basketball against Swindon, Cardiff, Gloucester and Brighton.

The money for this wheelchair was raised from collections from the Public made after each Pantomime performance of Aladdin at the Pavilion Theatre during 2014/15.

Faces in Places

Faces in Places On the Road Winton & Moordown Next stop Westbourne!

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The next BCTC on the Road event is planned for Thursday 26th March 2015 from 6pm in Westbourne at the Lady Immaculate Church (next door to Dot Teas Vintage Tea Boutique).

As always, the event will be open to both members and non-members of the Bournemouth Chamber, and is the perfect way to meet likeminded business people, in an informal early evening environment.

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With many new exhibitors at the Winton and Moordown event, local businesses in Westbourne and beyond are invited to showcase their business offerings, using their promotional materials in a designated area of the venue in Westbourne.

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“They keep getting better and better” has been the feedback across the board from Bournemouth Chamber members and Trade Group Leaders who attended the third BCTC on the Road event at the Life Centre in Moordown. The event saw two of the Chambers Trade Groups, Winton and Moordown, join forces to host an evening of exhibitors and networking in a fantastic venue.

The evening was sponsored by Cracking Media, with BCTC members, Kate Wilkinson and Peter Lunn from the Digital agency, assisting in the organisation and hosting on the evening.

Sue Slade - La Belle Ladies Fashion Efe Ohwofasa - Focus Guru John Barr-Richardson - Letters & Logos Matthew Moore, Sarah England, Paulie Eaves, Kathryn Cole - Gales Solicitors

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2. Diane Avery - Forever Living Products 4. Ian Martin & Paul Hobby - Life-Centre 6. Matt Kench & Bill Lennon - Knighton Heath Golf Club 8. Mike Stokes - Mike Stokes Motoring

Mandy Payne, President of the Bournemouth Chamber commented, “Our thanks goes to Sue and Jon Slade of Winton Traders Association and Roger Ede and Steve Rockett of Moordown Traders Association, who have worked together with our Chamber Executive, Jacqui Rock, to organise the evening which has been another great success. We are already looking forward to the next “On the Road” in Westbourne in March.”

For more information regarding the next BCTC on the Road event, please email execofficer@ bournemouthchamber.org.uk or visit the website at www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk/events.

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Faces in Places The Citrus Building Opening

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1. Neil Lord-Hatton, Andrea Buckley and Chris Holloway 3. Roger Ball, Terry Williams, Max Whitehand and Simon Bircham 5. Roger Ball and Bill Cotton

2. Helen Todd, Colin Glass and Ian Glass 4. Neil Lord-Hatton, Michael Darling and Chris Holloway 6. Duncan Johnston and Tim Burbidge

Faces in Places

Faces in Places BH Banter The presentation of the Christmas Window Display competition winners.

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1. Public vote winner Affinity Hair Design 4. Heather Drayton collecting Best Area Southbourne On Sea 7. Laura Bush Bishop of Winchester Academy, Stephen Foster D2 Digital 10. Steve Sait & Banu Biret Trash Media, Barrie & Jane Smith The Dog Companions

2. Best Newcomer Daisy’s Den Southbourne 5. Highly Commended Steele Raymond Solicitors 8. Marlaine Bryan, Carole Bryant, Mandy Payne, Anne Tyler-Bryant 11. Paul Eyden CAD Info Services, Andrew Appleton White Rose Finance

3. Gemma Slaymaker Gemma Ladies Shoe Boutique, Ian Wadley Julias House 6. John Barr-Richardson Letters & Logos, Mandy Payne BCTC President, Joe Diamany 9. Martin Davies Rawlings Davy, Victoria Riddleston Frettens LLP 12. Paul Holman The Bishop of Winchester Academy, Paul Eyden CAD Info Services

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Faces in Places Beales Breakfast

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Alison Smith Red Sails Homecare, Kat Linsley-Hood Reworked Opportunities Charity 3. Mark Gracey Flavourfy, Matt Wells Bespoke 4 Business 5. Paul Thompson Southern Despatch, Russell Graham Ciroqu Ltd

2. Gina Jo Parry Move On, Harry Bidgood Impressive Group 4. Michelle Lewis Harvest Fine Foods, Danny Jones Barclays Corporate 6. Peter Lunn Cracking Media, Molly McWeeny Grosvenor Casino, Paul Dyden CAD Info Services

New Members

New Members See who is part of the Chamber

NSPCC Katherine.Felton@NSPCC.org.uk Ginette Boyd The Prince’s Trust 07808 717469 ginette.boyd@princes-trust.org.uk www.princes-trust.org.uk Kate Cross Margaret Green Animal Rescue 01929 477074 fundraising@margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk Tim Gower Harina 07546 475725 timharina@gmail.com www.harina-bakery.co.uk

Heather Martyn Nellie Lucia Ltd 07879 410235 heather.martyn@nelliemimosa.co.uk www.nelliemimosa.co.uk

Russell Graham Ciroqu Ltd 01202 375304 russell.graham@ciroqu.com www.thenetshop.co.uk

Janine Pattison Janine Pattison Studios 01202 426143 janine@janinepattison.com www.janinepattison.com

Andrew Beckett Brave 0845 1771991 andrew@hellobrave.com www.hellobrave.com

Richard Swainston Cloudserve 07972 875571 rswainston@cloudserve.co.uk www.cloudserve.co.uk

Sue Morrison Richard Language College 01202 555874 principal@rlc.co.uk www.rlc.co.uk

Helen Herridge UK Guardians 07833 115915 helen@ukguardians.co.uk www.ukguardians.co.uk

To become a member you can join and pay online at www.bournemouthchamber.org.uk or complete the form, on page 8, detach and send with your payment to: Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Argyll House, 158 Richmond Park Road, BH8 8TW.

Membership fees (Fees are based on the number of employees) 1-5 Members £75

6-25 Members £95

26-99 Members £135

100+ Members £195

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Chamber Patrons:

Margaret, 75, living with cancer My day didn’t start too well.

Everything had got on top of me and I felt really low. When I called the Macmillan Support Line, I didn’t know where to start. But somehow they helped me find the words.

Just talking honestly about how I felt was such a relief. Now I don't have to cope with the bad days on my own.

For cancer support at home, over the phone, call the Macmillan Support Line free

0808 808 00 00 (Monday to Friday, 9am–8pm)

macmillan.org.uk Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604).

What’s On

What’s On Make a date in your business diary:

BH Banter

BCTC ‘On the Road’

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Monday 2nd BH Banter Calling in for a drink and make the most of the monthly gathering.

The Hotel Miramar 6.00pm – 8.00pm Free

Wednesday 11th New to Business Networking Join us to discover simple and powerful top networking tips.

Days Hotel 5.00pm – 7.00pm Free

Wednesday 4th AFC Business March Breakfast With the last AFC Business breakfast being a sell out, this is sure to be another great networking opportunity.

Goldsands Stadium 7.30am – 9.30am £15.00

Tuesday 17th Off the Record Seminar An off-the-record briefing by Andrew Holder Hotel Miramar 12.00pm – 1.30pm BCTC/PFS/CII members free Non-members £5.00

Thursday 5th AFC Business Directors Dinner Matt Le Tissier will be telling stories from an eventful playing career and life after his retirement from football 6.30pm – 11.00pm £65.00

Thursday 19th Beales Breakfast Work the room with your business cards as much or as little as you want. You’ll be surprised what contacts you can make.

Beales Department Store 7.30am– 9.00am

Thursday 19th Bournemouth Camber AGM & Presidents Dinner Dinner Guest Speaker: Conor Burns MP Connaught Hotel 6.00pm £30.00 Thursday 26th Westbourne BCTC ‘On The Road’ BCTC are going ‘On The Road’ and building on the success of BH Banter and coming out to the Trade Districts Free

Tuesday 7th BH Banter Calling in for a drink and make the most of the monthly gathering.

The Hotel Miramar 6.00pm – 8.00pm Thursday 9th AFC Business Wine & Canapés Guests can enjoy mouth-watering canapés in our exclusive bubbles champagne lounge whilst having the chance to meet with other business men and women in a relaxed friendly environment.

Tuesday 16th Beales Breakfast Work the room with your business cards as much or as little as you want. You’ll be surprised what contacts you can make.

Beales Department Store 7.30am– 9.00am

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