VOX Magazine - Issue 12

YOUR QUARTERLY BUSINESS MAGAZINE CONNECTING CHESTER & WREXHAM

Stay Ahead of the New Employment Laws

With many recent changes and host of proposals from the new government, navigating the complexities of UK employment law has never been more crucial. our specialist team of lawyers can help all employers, business owners and HRd’s ensure they are fully compliant and protected.

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and let’s have a

VOX

YOUR QUARTERLY BUSINESS MAGAZINE CONNECTING CHESTER & WREXHAM

Welcome to VOX. Your voice to target the business community across Chester and Wrexham. Whether you are based in Chester or Wrexham, or are keen to reach the businesses that are, our magazine has been specifically designed to reach the people that matter.

Clara Hughes Editorial Director

Meet the team:

Clara lives in Chester and runs a successful marketing company, Zebra Marketing and Communications (www.zebra-comms.co.uk), that has been operating locally, nationally and internationally since 2010. Clara specialises in strategic marketing, copywriting, media relations and services relating to events, exhibitions and conferences.

01978 437070 | 07702 736763 clara@ezpublishing.co.uk

Recycle

Vicky Heathfield Creative Director & Advertising

Vicky lives just outside Wrexham and owns and produces EssentialsMAG (www.essentialsmag.co.uk) – a local monthly community magazine which is hand-delivered through 15,500 letterboxes in and around Wrexham. She is also a successful graphic designer and artist and has been working in the creative industries since 1992 and established her first business in 2003.

01978 855459 | 07740 945795 vicky@ezpublishing.co.uk

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Welcome

We are excited to bring you the latest issue of VOX this September. While by the very nature of the magazine, we are often in the lucky position to talk about exciting collaborations which are taking place across Wrexham and Chester, in this issue we have the opportunity to truly celebrate some of these incredible partnerships with a special feature highlighting some of them – it really is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

What’s in store?

As well as our special collaboration feature, which you will find on page 34, please take time to check out some of our other interesting interviews and business insights. Following its £5 million refurbishment, we were delighted to have the opportunity to interview Bob Fairweather, the general manager at the Queen Hotel in Chester (page 14). We also got to have a sneak peek at the wonderful refurbishment of the Best Companies offices and speak to Jonathan Austin ahead of its formal unveiling (page 24).

The Wrexham Business and Community Awards (WBCA) is back for its second year and the website is open for award submissions. Take a look at the categories on page 44 and if you think your business fits one of them, make sure you get your entry in before the closing date of 20 September 2024.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we have our regular business news, charity updates and all the usual features – in this issue we also have articles ranging from succession planning (page 48) through to imposter syndrome (page 50)

Help us raise your voice

Our advertisers, interviewees and other contributors are vital to the ongoing success of VOX and as ever, we would like to thank everyone who has helped us to create our latest issue. Sharing different viewpoints and insights across different businesses is something that we love. Another thing that we love is seeing what our resident artist Emma Gore envisions for our front cover. This time her artwork depicts St Giles Church in Wrexham and we hope you’ll agree she has captured its character.

We want to make VOX the voice for local businesses – a platform where we can share your stories and experiences of the region, enjoy your successes and be proud to be part of a community uniting these two important economic hubs. Please do get in touch if you have a story to share, or an idea for an article.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest issue of VOX.

Clara and Vicky

Croeso

Croeso i'n rhifyn diweddaraf o VOX

Rydym yn gyffrous i ddod â'r rhifyn diweddaraf o VOX i chi y mis Medi hwn. Er ein bod, oherwydd natur y cylchgrawn, yn aml mewn sefyllfa ffodus i siarad am gydweithrediadau cyffrous sy’n digwydd ar draws Wrecsam a Chaer, yn y rhifyn hwn mae gennym gyfle i ddathlu rhai o’r partneriaethau anhygoel hyn yn wirioneddol gydag erthygl arbennig yn amlygu rhai ohonynt - mae wir yn dangos ein bod ni’n gryfach gyda’n gilydd.

Beth sydd ar y gweill?

Yn ogystal â'n erthygl cydweithredu arbennig, a welwch ar dudalen 34, cymerwch amser i edrych ar rai o'n cyfweliadau diddorol a mewnwelediadau busnes eraill. Yn dilyn y gwaith adnewyddu gwerth £5 miliwn, roeddem yn falch iawn o gael y cyfle i gyfweld â Bob Fairweather, rheolwr cyffredinol y Queen Hotel yng Nghaer (tudalen 14). Cawsom hefyd gipolwg ar y gwaith gwych o adnewyddu swyddfeydd y Best Companies a siarad â Jonathan Austin cyn eu dadorchuddio'n ffurfiol (tudalen 24).

Mae Gwobrau Busnes a Chymuned Wrecsam (WBCA) yn ôl am eu hail flwyddyn ac mae'r wefan ar agor ar gyfer enwebiadau gwobrau. Edrychwch ar y categorïau ar dudalen 44 ac os ydych chi'n meddwl bod eich busnes yn ffitio un ohonyn nhw, gwnewch yn siŵr eich bod chi'n cyflwyno eich cais cyn y dyddiad cau, sef 20 Medi 2024.

Mewn mannau eraill yn y cylchgrawn, mae gennym ein newyddion busnes rheolaidd, diweddariadau elusennol a’r holl erthyglau arferol – yn y rhifyn hwn mae gennym hefyd erthyglau sy’n amrywio o gynllunio olyniaeth (tudalen 48) i syndrom y ffugiwr (tudalen 50)

Helpwch ni i godi eich llais

Mae ein hysbysebwyr, cyfweleion a chyfranwyr eraill yn hanfodol i lwyddiant parhaus VOX ac fel arfer, hoffem ddiolch i bawb sydd wedi ein helpu i greu ein rhifyn diweddaraf. Mae rhannu safbwyntiau a mewnwelediadau gwahanol ar draws gwahanol fusnesau yn rhywbeth yr ydym yn ei garu. Peth arall rydyn ni'n ei garu yw gweld yr hyn y mae ein hartist preswyl Emma Gore yn ei ragweld ar gyfer ein clawr blaen. Y tro hwn, mae ei gwaith celf yn darlunio Eglwys San Silyn yn Wrecsam a gobeithiwn y byddwch yn cytuno ei bod wedi dal ei chymeriad.

Rydym am wneud VOX yn llais i fusnesau lleol – llwyfan lle gallwn rannu eich straeon a’ch profiadau o’r rhanbarth, mwynhau eich llwyddiannau ac ymfalchïo mewn bod yn rhan o gymuned sy’n uno’r ddau ganolbwynt economaidd pwysig hyn. Cysylltwch â ni os oes gennych stori i'w rhannu, neu syniad am erthygl.

Gobeithio y byddwch yn mwynhau darllen ein rhifyn diweddaraf o VOX.

Clara and Vicky

Thank you to Helo Blod, which provides a free, fast and friendly Welsh translation service via the Welsh Government www.businesswales.gov.wales/heloblod

Creating community-led homes

Chester Race Company appoints architects for strategic development plan

Chester Race Company has appointed two architectural practices, to work on the next phase of development at Chester Racecourse. Kay Elliott and Lovelock Mitchell Architects have been jointly commissioned to prepare a strategic development plan and a first phase of two projects at key racecourse sites.

The joint appointment recognises each practices’ strengths: Kay Elliott for their extensive track record in hospitality and leisure projects, Lovelock Mitchell for their wide local knowledge and racecourse experience. At the first site, overlooking the Parade Ring, a new hospitality building is being planned as a replacement for the temporary marquees (known as the ‘tented village’) that are currently erected each summer for the racing season. The second site is at Saddlery Way, where plans are being prepared for a base for Chester Race Company’s catering and events division, Horseradish, and for the racecourse grounds maintenance division. These two proposals are the first phase of Chester Race Company’s Strategic Development Plan, which outlines the long-term investment strategy. This will illustrate a proposed development programme through to 2039 when Chester, the world’s oldest operating racecourse, will celebrate its 500th anniversary.

Exciting development prepares for launch in Wrexham city centre

Xplore! Science Discovery Centre is currently preparing for the development of an upstairs space, adding to the 80 exhibits and workshops on its ground floor, whilst ensuring the updates to the building reduce its carbon footprint. Xplore!, which could welcome everything from a state-of-the-art planetarium to a dedicated under-7s play area, as well as conferencing facilities for businesses, is encouraging North Wales residents to get in touch with what they would like to see.

The initial building improvements have been made possible through the Shared Prosperity Fund, with 248 photovoltaic (PV) panels, new roofing and insulation being installed. In addition, the £1.5m funding from the UK government has allowed Xplore! to invest into research to expand the centre’s offering through the most carbon-friendly means, working with market researchers, exhibit consultants and architects to create a detailed upstairs plan.

This summer, the Communities Creating Homes team at Cwmpas visited communities all over Wales, to share inspiring stories of community-led housing. High street regeneration, empty houses and chapels and affordable homes for young people were all top of the agenda. The team visited Wrexham on Wednesday 31 July, holding its session at Wrexham Xplore! Science & Discovery Centre. It included inspiring community ownership stories and an introduction to community-led housing: How can it Help the Community

Axe throwing centre right on target

Unleash Your Inner Lumberjack at Axt Haus, Chester’s Axe Throwing Thrill Zone. Axt Haus, Chester's first-ever indoor axe throwing experience opened its doors on 11 July 2024. Located in Arch 6, Kitchen Street, Chester, owner Tash Scovell said: “We are so excited to be bringing axe throwing to Chester and can’t wait for the city to see what it’s all about!”

First look inside The Wyldewoods showcases new generation of retirement living

New images have been revealed of The Wyldewoods – a brandnew integrated retirement community being built in Chester by Retirement Villages Group (RVG) – including new communal spaces that will be open to the public. Set to open in late 2024, the newest edition to RVG’s portfolio is creating more than 300 jobs through the construction process and it will ultimately deliver a £39m boost to the local economy. It will also increase spending in the local area by £1.5 million every year and create 30 full-time jobs when it opens.

The Wyldewoods will also be an exemplar of sustainability, as a whole-of-life net zero carbon development. This is being achieved through high performance construction materials being used on site, as well as through efficient heating and hot water generation, via air source heat pump technology, on-site renewable energy generation and offsetting carbon emissions, ensuring the buildings achieve net zero carbon emissions when in use.

A sustainable transport hub will provide cycle hire and electric vehicle charging points, and an electric hire car will also be available for residents to use.

Businesses vote YES to extend Chester BID for a Third Term

A record number of businesses have voted in favour of extending Chester BID, the Business Improvement District for Chester city centre, for a further five years. Over 57% of eligible businesses took part with a record 96% voting in favour (98% by rateable value) – a 12% increase on the 2019 ballot.

Established in 2014, Chester BID is a not-for-profit, democratically-elected body that represents over 430 city centre businesses. As well as helping to look after the city centre, the BID delivers a variety of impactful projects aimed at driving footfall, increasing dwell time and encouraging consumer spending.

Under its three core themes: Enhancing, Supporting, and Promoting, the BID’s influence can be seen through initiatives including a daily cleaning and maintenance service, the planting of thousands of summer flowers and the installation of lifesaving defibrillators.

The BID’s promotional campaigns help raise Chester’s profile amongst consumers and investors, whilst the Chester Gift Card helps lock funds into the high street.

Carl Critchlow, CEO of Chester BID, said: “Work carried out by Chester BID directly supports businesses and provides broader benefits for visitors, tourists and everyone who comes to Chester. I am incredibly proud of what Chester BID has achieved over the last ten years and such a positive result gives us a strong mandate for the future. Thank you to all our businesses for their continued support.”

Culture club success was music to Wrexham students’ ears

Coleg Cambria’s Culture Collective welcomed more than 50 learners to its recent event at Ial Restaurant. To celebrate this year’s Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod, the college held a special performance at the Hafod venue. Organisers Judith Alexander and Tim Feak introduced talented guest speakers Tony Cordoba, a Youth Leader for the Ethnic Minority Youth Support Team (EYST), and Joseph George from Big Ideas Wales, who both played instruments and sang for those in attendance.

Business leaders visit Military Museum

Members of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce visited Cheshire Military Museum in Castle Square, Chester in July for a tour of the museum and to discuss the work carried out by the museum and its links to the community. Breakfast was sponsored by Chester consultancy Marketing Projects, giving the opportunity for Chamber members to catch up with fellow members and make new contacts, before hearing a talk from a museum representative about the history of the museum and its exhibits.

Guests were then split into small groups and taken on a tour of the museum’s impressive exhibits and displays, telling the story of Cheshire Soldiers from the 17th Century to the present day. Business leaders immersed themselves in the museum’s history and experiences through film archives, interactive displays, scenes and settings. The museum also hosts school visits and businesses across the region for special events and educational curriculum purposes. Mike Huntriss, vice chair of the Friends of Cheshire Military Museum, spoke about the museum's future challenges and plans, and thanked West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, visitors and museum volunteers.

The P&A Group announces new appointments

It has been announced that Steve Morgan is the new chairman of The P&A Group, with Andrew Baker appointed as managing director. Steve has been managing director for 25 years, having taken over the reins from his father, Malcolm Morgan, who founded the company in 1985. Andrew has worked for the business for 16 years and for the past six years in the role of financial director.

The P&A Group comprises Zest Outdoor Living, a leading supplier of award-winning timber garden products, the award-winning Woodworks Garden Centre and Café in Mold, P&A Pallets & Packing and St Andrews Business Centre for leased and virtual offices.

COLEG CAMBRIA sponsors Teen Zone at Chester Pride

The northeast Wales college sponsored the Teen Zone at this year’s Chester Pride event. The free festival, held in August, once again welcomed tens of thousands of people to the walled city, helping to generate more than £2m for the local economy.

Equality and Diversity Coordinator

Alice Churm said; “Coleg Cambria is delighted to be sponsoring Chester Pride for the second year! We recognise how important it is for our learners and staff to have opportunities to celebrate pride and the importance it has to the LGBTQ+ community. Many staff and students at Coleg Cambria identify as LGBTQ+ and we stand in solidarity with them to remember the important history of Pride and continue to fight for inclusion and acceptance for all.”

Chester Pride takes place in the city centre and includes a colourful parade followed by entertainment, with food and drink vendors and specific areas and activities for families and people of all ages. Dozens of exhibitors were in attendance, offering information, guidance and advice.

BoBo Group to open Chester venue in 2025

North West-based hospitality company BoBo Group is to open another venue in the region early next year, joining the growing line-up of restaurants at the new Chester Northgate development.

The 120 cover Iberian-themed bar and grill in the city’s new food and leisure destination will be the group’s third venue following the launch of Wirral’s BoBo West Kirby in August. BoBo will join the likes of Cosy Club, Zizzi, North Light and Bridge Street Coffee and Bakery, with its latest 3000-square feet premises at a prominent corner plot next to the new Chester Market and Picturehouse Cinema.

BoBo Group’s original venue was a wine bar, tasca and charcuteria on Castle Street, in Liverpool. In the four years since it opened, it has been named runner up in ‘Best Bar in the North’ by the prestigious Observer Food Monthly publication and shortlisted as ‘Best Bar in the Liverpool City Region’ at the Merseyside Independent Business awards.

Josh Moore, BoBo Group’s managing director, said: “We’ve long had an ambition to bring our take on Portuguese and Spanish food to Chester. It’s a historic destination city, where the old and new sit comfortably together and which fits closely with our own values”.

Star turn out at official relaunch of Wrexham hotel

In an exciting move for hospitality in Wrexham, Hotel Wrexham officially relaunched on Friday 28 June. The renaming celebration was attended by The Lady Mayoress of Wrexham, Councillor Beryl Blackmore – who performed the unveiling of a ceremonial plaque – along with over 200 local residents and members of Wrexham’s business and sporting community.

This 37-bedroom roadside hotel (formerly known as Holt Lodge Hotel) is undergoing a £250,000 programme of investment over the next few months, which is due for completion in late 2024. The hotel is remaining open while the upgrade of all 37 rooms takes place, along with the refurbishment of the main function suite, which will make the venue one of the leading hotel, food and beverage destinations in the area.

As part of the hotel’s redevelopment, the new owners are introducing a delicious new food and beverage brand, called The Savvy Fox Pub, which was also showcased here for the first time for guests to sample. It will officially open in September.

Along with the formal proceedings, the relaunch was also a night of fun celebration, with music from local country singer Bobby Jo Pritchard. Hotel Wrexham’s owners, hotelier Steven Hesketh and Daniel Gillon, cofounder and managing director of Onyx Real Estate Liverpool, were delighted to see that so many of Wrexham’s business leaders and sports stars had come along to find out more about their exciting plans for the venue.

Steven Hesketh said: “On this special night, we thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to give our VIP guests a sneak peak of what is to come, with a tour of some of the bedrooms and revealing more details of our plans for the main function suite too. The night was just a teaser for what the future holds for our new hotel, and we can’t wait to share it with the local community. We’d also like to thank Wrexham Lager and the Think Wine Group for all our delicious drinks on the night.”

Breathtaking British wildlife celebrated and showcased

Talacre-based holiday home company, Darwin Escapes – which owns a series of luxury lodge retreats across the UK – has sponsored British wildlife conservation at Chester Zoo, celebrated by Native, the captivating immersive exhibition, since its opening last year.

The exhibition has been viewed by up to a million people and offers a fullyimmersive 360-degree experience, using projections to showcase the captivating species which inhabit the UK. As a champion of ecology and conservation, Darwin Escapes – which embraces nature and creates sustainable settings for wildlife at all its parks – is delighted to extend its support until September.

Cat Humes, Strategic Partnerships Fundraiser at Chester Zoo, said: “We’re delighted that Darwin Escapes is continuing to support our conservation charity. As one of our first corporate sponsors onsite at the zoo, this partnership is a great example of how businesses can make a meaningful impact. Unique relationships like this help to highlight the importance of protecting and preserving vital habitats and educate hundreds of thousands of visitors about British wildlife conservation.”

She added: “Right now we’re facing a global biodiversity and climate crisis, and the UK is one of the most naturedepleted countries in the world. From butterflies to badgers and pollinators to puffins, all play a vital role for ecosystems across the UK. Never before has nature been in need of more urgent help and we’re proud to come together with Darwin Escapes to try and bring about positive change.”

COLEG CAMBRIA celebrates annual Student Awards

The college’s Yale site in Wrexham held events for Further and Higher Education (FE and HE) and Work-based Learning (WBL) and Adult and Community Learning (ACL) in June. Chief Executive Yana Williams and Cath Sullivan, Deputy Chief Executive for People, Experiences and Culture, hosted proceedings over two nights. Special guests were entrepreneur, speaker and business start-up consultant Emmanuel Anthony, whose mission is to ‘empower people to turn their passion into their profession through resilience, work ethic and entrepreneurship’, and Matt Hall, a Guinness World Record Holder, serial entrepreneur, amateur bodybuilding finalist and host of Apple’s top charted podcast, Success School.

Yana Williams said: “Congratulations to everyone on their success in the last year. They’re a credit to Coleg Cambria and we are so pleased and proud to be able to celebrate their achievements across a wide range of programmes. From apprenticeships and work-based learning courses, to A Levels and more, whatever their next steps will be, we will always be here for them and wish them the very best of luck for the future.”

Relocation celebration

Clients and local businesses turned out to welcome Chester accountants, Bennett Brooks into its new office recently. The relocation celebration was also attended by special guests, the Lord Mayor and consort, and the Chester Town Crier, who delivered a proclamation celebrating the recent move into its dynamic new premises in the heart of the city. Share your

Tell us your business news. Deadline for our Dec/Jan/Feb ‘25 issue is: 1 November 2024 please email: clara@ezpublishing.co.uk

Academic author turns to fiction

An esteemed academic and author is planning the third in a series of popular novels about a time-travelling psychotherapist and his Shakespearian exploits.

One of the foremost authorities on Elizabethan drama and a respected theatre critic, Professor Michael Kerr Scott is the founding Vice Chancellor of Wrexham University.

The stories follow the exploits of 21st Century psychotherapist Jacob Fortune, who is not a huge fan of Shakespeare and even cynical about his very existence. Through virtual reality, the author takes us back in time, as Jacob attempts to change the narrative of Shakespeare’s most famous play Hamlet. The adventures unfold and there are lashings of history, culture, romance and comedy to unpack. Given the positive response to the concept – with both books selling well in the UK and overseas – Professor Scott is working on part three of the genre.

Devolution for Cheshire

Councils in Cheshire are set to begin discussions about devolution with the government within the next few weeks.

Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester, and Warrington would all be involved in the discussions. It is likely that options for reforms both with and without the introduction of a new elected mayor will be discussed.

Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner has sent letters to council leaders across the country asking for proposals to be sent by the end of September.

Lessons at primary school will be great outdoors

Coleg Cambria has donated bat houses, birdboxes and mud kitchens to Ysgol Rhosymedre, near Wrexham. The equipment was built by Entry to Construction learners at Cambria’s Bersham Road site and will be used by Reception pupils and children with additional learning needs (ALN).

Lecturer in Foundation Construction Amy Rowlands made the presentation along with colleague Edd Young and students Joe Dempsey and Zac Sprason-Jones. Amy Rowlands said: “Every year we make outdoor learning equipment and items such as bat houses and birdboxes, which inspire conservation, and give them to different schools in the area,” said Amy.

“This year we chose Rhosymedre as my son attended the ALN unit there, it’s a fantastic school so we wanted to give something back. They were delighted to receive the donation, and we were only too pleased to help. The entry learners at Bersham designed, built and painted everything, which has been a great experience for them, giving back to their local community and enhancing their skills – they did an amazing job.”

New Hotel Wrexham owners get green light on their second project – a £1.3 million apart-hotel in Wrexham city centre

The new owners of Hotel Wrexham, Dan Gillon and Steven Hesketh, are delighted to announce that at the start of August they received approval on their planning application to convert the old registry office on Chester Street, Wrexham into the first apart-hotel for Wrexham city centre.

The team has been working closely with Wrexham Borough Council, including its design, conservation and heritage teams, to develop a sympathetic planning proposal that takes the building’s 18th Century listed building status fully into consideration. When complete, the old registry office will be converted into 2x two-bedroom and 11x onebedroom luxury apartments with parking, designed to cater for the discerning tourist market. The completed apart-hotel is due to open in early 2025.

A royal welcome

to the city

The Queen Hotel stands as a ‘Welcome to Chester’ from the railway station. An imposing Grade II listed building, it has 218 bedrooms, a ballroom that can accommodate 400 people, eight conference rooms, as well as various meeting rooms, a restaurant, bar, lounge and an incredible terrace, which is perhaps one of the hotel’s best kept secrets.

The hotel owners have just completed a £5 million refurbishment at the hotel, which they are keen to show off to residents and non-residents alike, with plans for further upgrades to follow at the start of 2025. We caught up with Bob Fairweather, general manager at the hotel, to find out more about the work that has been carried out and why the investment has been made.

“I have been at the hotel for two years now and it’s a unique venue. One of the reasons I was keen to take the role was that the investment was already planned, so it was an opportunity to really make a difference. The potential of the hotel was clear, but it has been a real accomplishment to see our ideas come together. I am very proud of the team we have working here.”

Investing to stay relevant

“The hotel was at a stage where investment was essential, to ensure that it stayed relevant and somewhere people wanted to stay. We are located in such a good position, right opposite the railway station, but the hotel hadn’t

had any meaningful investment in many years. The first phase of this refurbishment has been much of the public areas – the main reception area, along with the Victoria and Albert lounge bar, and much of the main ballroom. We have also made sure that there is air conditioning in all of the bedrooms, and fully or partially refurbished many of them.

“It has been a huge undertaking as the hotel has remained open throughout and we have had to manage the expectations of our paying guests, while ensuring the work has been completed in a timely manner. We even had the main entrance shut for a period of time. However, our guests have been great. We have kept them fully informed of what has been happening and any impact it might have on them.”

“The hotel was at a stage where investment was essential, to ensure that it stayed relevant and somewhere people wanted to stay. We are located in such a good position, right opposite the railway station”

Heritage and history

As a Grade II listed building, one of the biggest challenges of the project –and possibly one of the most important too – has been to ensure that the refurbishment and restoration work has been sympathetic to the original building.

“We have had to work closely with the council, to ensure they were happy with the proposed work and the heritage implications, and they finally signed off on the project just before Christmas 2023. We then started work early in the new year.”

While heritage considerations have remained at the forefront, the design of the new areas has successfully managed to blend in a modern twist: “Each area of the lounge bar has a different theme. Around the bar area, the theme is ‘waiting’, which is both relevant to waiting for your drink –although we are always quick to look after our guests – and of course, waiting for the train, being positioned right opposite the station.”

This is actually something that the hotel is keen to explore further, as before the refurbishment, people weren’t using the hotel as much as they could when waiting for a train or meeting people from the station. “We have made the signage outside the hotel much more explicit that our lounge bar is open to non-residents too and we are definitely seeing an uplift of non-residential customers joining us for breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks.”

“We also have an area of the lounge with a ‘Queen’ feel, as well as one that has a zoo signature running through it. Our seating areas have been carefully designed to ensure that there is space for groups, couples and even those who want to do some quiet work or have a meeting. There are plenty of plugs, natural light and our coffee is great too.”

Lighting the way

Prior to the start of the refurbishment, the hotel had remained the same for a long time, so the team bought in Bonhams at the start of the process to make sure that they weren’t disposing of anything valuable. “While we didn’t end up with any earth-shattering discoveries, Bonhams did identify

“The previous owners of the hotel were quite eccentric and over the years bought a whole menagerie of statutes – from giant tortoises to roman sentries”

various good pieces. We have reused many of the original frames but hung them with fresh pictures. Indigo Art helped us select the new artwork.

“The previous owners of the hotel were quite eccentric and over the years bought a whole menagerie of statutes – from giant tortoises to roman sentries. The statues are certainly talking points, so we have kept some, but refined the collection a little!”

One of the main benefits of the refurbishment was the opportunity to really bring the building to life. The beautiful fireplaces in the public areas have been restored to their former glory and there is still a real fire in the bar area, adding to the room’s ambience. The hotel features an impressive open staircase running up the core of the building, which was totally overshadowed by a huge chandelier that hung down through all the floors. This has been removed and replaced with more contemporary (yet still impressive) lighting and now the staircase takes centre stage.

Room for everyone

When asked about the plans to work closer with the local business community, Bob explained: “We are keen to collaborate with local businesses. We are the ideal venue for all kinds of events. Our ballroom can hold 400 people, making it one of the largest venues in Chester, and we have a range of other rooms that can accommodate meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, training and anything else you might need.

“Our focus has been on getting the refurbishment completed and that has taken a lot of energy. However, we are now looking for opportunities to play a bigger part in the local community. We are part of Chester’s Hotels Association too.”

The hotel also takes its responsibilities around green tourism very seriously. As Bob continued: “We have the advantage of being by the railway station, so accessibility is no barrier for us. We have Responsible, Ethical and Sustainable Tourism (REST)

accreditation too.” REST accreditation has been designed to adapt to the footprint of any business. So, whether it’s a Georgian town house or a custombuilt modern aparthotel, the scheme supports hoteliers in making sustainability changes that are realistic for each property. This widelyacclaimed scheme not only evaluates environmental sustainability, but also relationships with clients and the hotel workforce. It examines Corporate Social Responsibility practices, Human Resources directives and supplier connections.

Looking forward, Bob is excited about the next phase of investment. “We are keen to grow our business and what we offer our customers, but that isn’t possible without the right investment. Fortunately, the hotel group has recognised this and has given us the opportunity to really invest in what matters. We have exciting plans, which we look forward to sharing with you soon.”

The original railway hotel

The Queen at Chester Hotel, situated at the gateway to Chester, has been offering accommodation since 1860. Built opposite Chester station to serve first-class rail passengers, this hotel has an illustrious past. This magnificent brick and stucco Italianate building was said to be the first skyscraper of its time. While no known royalty has stayed there yet, since opening it has hosted guests such as Charles Dickens, Cecil Rhodes and Lillie Langtry.

“Our seating areas have been carefully designed to ensure that there is space for groups, couples and even those who want to do some quiet work or have a meeting”

Digging into the benefits of gardening

Our business grew out of our enthusiasm for our own gardens: swapping seeds, plants and ideas. By sharing our appreciation of the beauty and wonders of the natural world on our doorsteps, we want to engender that interest and passion in others.

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, the wellbeing of employees is more important than ever. As a business owner, I have seen that fostering an engaged and productive work environment leads to a happier workforce, with significant outcomes for both staff and the company. In a competitive job market, demonstrating a commitment to employee wellbeing and work-life balance helps differentiate us as a business from our competitors. Our investment in the holistic health and happiness of our employees pays dividends.

“He who plants a garden, plants happiness” – old Chinese proverb Gardening has been shown to boost mental clarity and focus. When people spend time in a garden, they can disconnect from the usual work stress and engage in a more mindful, relaxing activity. These interludes can lead to increased productivity and creativity in their workday routines. Studies have demonstrated that even brief interactions with nature can rejuvenate the mind, leading to better problemsolving abilities and more innovative thinking.

Work-related stress and burnout are significant concerns in modern workplaces. Gardening provides a therapeutic escape, helping to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

By SUE BLACK

The act of nurturing plants and watching them grow can be incredibly fulfilling and calming. By supporting employees' mental health, we build in resilience. Regular gardening can improve physical health, by promoting moderate-intensity exercise. Activities such as planting, weeding and watering help us stay active and can improve cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility. Healthier employees are likely to have fewer sick days and can contribute more effectively to our company's success. Together we can create a more positive workplace culture with a reduction in absenteeism: lower healthcare costs result in improved organisational performance.

“When people spend time in a garden, they can disconnect from the usual work stress”

“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift"

Breaking down barriers

Even if access to outdoor space is limited, either domestically or at business premises, any opportunities for volunteering in community gardens should be encouraged and supported. As a fantastic teambuilding activity, working together to cultivate a garden, volunteers develop communication and collaboration skills in a non-workrelated setting. This camaraderie can translate into better teamwork and a more cohesive work environment. Gardening projects can also break down hierarchical barriers, fostering a more inclusive atmosphere where every team member feels valued.

We are fortunate in Wrexham to have several active gardening clubs, communal gardens and allotments. These can provide access to growing spaces and become a source of fresh food, not only providing nutritional value and a sense of achievement in growing one’s own vegetables and flowers, but also resulting in reductions in packaging, food miles and waste. Wider aims can include supporting biodiversity by growing local and native species. From a business perspective, incorporating gardening into the workplace ethos aligns with broader sustainability goals. A commitment to green initiatives can enhance the company's image and appeal to environmentally-conscious clients and customers.

Creating a vibrant, engaged workforce

Gertrude Jekyll once said, "A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift." In conclusion, gardening offers a multitude of benefits that can positively impact both employees and the overall business.

By promoting mental and physical health, fostering teamwork and supporting sustainability, gardening can enhance productivity and create a more vibrant, engaged workforce. For us, this means not only a happier and healthier team but also a more successful and resilient company.

Sue Black JustSeed Ltd 01978 421764 justseed.com

Networking VOX

Craig Weeks from JCB Transmissions provided some incredible and honest insights to his career journey at VOX's June networking. The event was attended by local businesses and hosted at Hotel Wrexham.

We had a great turnout for our June VOX networking event. We were lucky enough to hold it at Hotel Wrexham on Thursday 27 June – the night before its official renaming celebrations. It was a great opportunity to hear from the new owners about their exciting plans for the hotel. It was also of course a chance to raise a glass to them and enjoy some

amazing fish and chips – a flavour of the new food and beverage offering coming soon! We were also fortunate to hear from Craig Weeks, operations director at JCB Transmissions. Craig’s career journey with JCB is inspirational and we were privileged to hear such a candid account.

Future dates

Thursday 19 September 2024

We look forward to welcoming Jeff Hardman as our speaker in September at Oddfellows in Chester. Over the last 25 years, Jeff has successfully run Barnhill Consulting. Through leadership coaching, Jeff has unlocked skills in individuals, which even they did not know they possessed. Find out more at our September networking event.

Thursday 23 January 2025

We will be starting the new year off, back at Hotel Wrexham, to see how the hotel has evolved in the first six months under its new ownership. To kickstart an exciting 2025 for all of us, we have decided to do something a little different in our January session. Look out for more information coming soon…

NETWORKING VOX

manifesto Business outlines five-point Action Plan

Following the General Election on 4 July, the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce has delivered a five-point Action Plan, in conjunction with The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The Chamber of Commerce network wants to see:

• An Industrial Strategy with green innovation at its heart

• Better skills planning, bringing businesses and training providers together

• Business rates reform to encourage growth and investment

• Improved relations with the European Union, to cut the costs for business

• A Government-appointed AI champion for SMEs to spearhead uptake of new technology.

The five-point plan is part of the BCC’s ‘Future of the Economy’ manifesto. The manifesto includes the biggest ideas from a series of extensive policy documents published this year, focusing on the key economic challenges identified by the BCC. The challenges are: Green Innovation, People and Work, Local Economies of the Future, Global Britain and the Digital Revolution.

The manifesto has been brought together after extensive consultation with the Chamber network, the BCC’s Business Council, external stakeholders and academics.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC said: “The companies we represent are the drivers of economic growth and the employers of millions of people. Our five-point-plan is clear. As companies play their part in the UK’s net-zero journey, we desperately need an industrial strategy with green innovation at its heart.

Firms are constantly telling us they can’t get the skills they need. We need better strategic planning on skills that helps business and training providers work together. In local communities, firms are crying out for a fairer business rates system. Over a quarter (26%) of companies told us earlier this year they’d changed plans to upgrade or open premises because of the system.

“The EU is the UK’s biggest market, so we urgently need to get a better trading relationship with our closet neighbour. It’s not about rewriting the referendum result, it’s about cutting red-tape and promoting trade. The world of AI has huge potential to boost economic productivity. But it’s important that SMEs aren’t left behind, or vulnerable, as new technology accelerates. A Government-appointed AI champion will help spearhead a

boost in AI uptake by SMEs. We believe our five-point plan creates an immediate pathway to help businesses succeed. When business succeeds, the country succeeds.”

Sarah Bailey, CEO of West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, said: “The launch of our Vision 2026 earlier this year highlights four key areas of focus that will enable businesses to thrive:

• Bridging the Employment and Skills gap across West Cheshire and North Wales

• Promoting International Trade and supporting businesses to navigate the changing landscape

• Creating enhanced Infrastructure and Connectivity for our region to meet the needs of businesses

• Focusing on Climate Challenge and the increased demands on businesses to be more sustainable.

“Following the launch of the fivepoint-plan, it is clear to see that our objectives align with the wider BCC network. The Chamber of Commerce is warmly welcoming any thoughts or views from businesses on these four key areas.”

A conversation with Jonathan Austin

Founder and CEO of Best Companies

Best Companies, based in Llay, was established with the aim ‘to help make the world a better workplace’. This is underlined by the belief that people who are fully engaged at work feel happier and more secure, which makes them more productive. Founded by Jonathan Austin, the business – now in its 24th year – is about to officially open its newly-redeveloped offices, following a £1.5 million investment. We met up with Jonathan to find out more about Best Companies, its new investment and expansion.

Jonathan explains: “This project has been four years in the making, so we are really excited to open our doors and welcome the team into their new work home. Like many things, this office transformation was planned before Covid, to build capacity into our workplace. What developed had to evolve, to ensure that our offices are more appropriate and collaborative to meet the changing needs of the workplace following the pandemic”.

“In fact, while we are delighted to be welcoming our team back, some of them have never actually operated from this building before. It will be exciting to see what can be achieved when we are all working together in one space, while still having the ability to work virtually”.

With best intentions

With the constantly changing landscape of the workplace, Jonathan believes that good leaders need to be more intentional. “When my generation first started work, everyone was generally together in the office every day. A lot of the learning and development

happened through osmosis – you heard your colleagues on the telephone or discussing a particular challenge with another colleague. Now, with some people never even setting foot in an office, it is imperative that managers become more intentional in bringing their teams together. You can’t assume anything. You need to be clear about what is expected from everyone in your team – from the moment of onboarding all the way through to their exit interview.”

“After a 40-year career, this is like a new beginning. We all have to learn or relearn what business looks like today, and what it is like to lead and manage in a hybrid world.

“It’s not just our sector that has changed, all sectors have been impacted by the new way of working and increased employee expectations. It’s important that managers have their own ‘guard rails’ in place too. There seems to be an expectation that managers should be available to their teams 24/7. But that isn’t appropriate or practical either.”

“Part of creating a healthy work environment is to understand what inspires and energises teams. By doing this, we should be able to recapture the energy lost during COVID and readjust to a new way of working”

Organisational health is paramount A business is only as good as the people who work there, so having a highlyengaged workforce can make all the difference to business performance. Employees want to work for performant leaders and managers and be on teams that work in an effective and efficient manner. “Part of creating a healthy work environment is to understand what inspires and energises teams. By doing this, we should be able to recapture the energy lost during COVID and readjust to a new way of working.”

An office fit for today “We have really thought through how the space can be best used. What started off as a refurbishment for greater capacity, has turned into a project to ensure that we have an office that our team really want to come to.”

“We have operated a hybrid model since Covid, but from October of this year we are asking our colleagues to be in the office for a minimum of three days a week with everyone being in on a Monday. It’s important to us that the team have an environment that they want to come in to, it would have been

harder to encourage them back in the old work office. Hopefully they will be pleased with the new space – and it will be much more conducive to productive work.”

“The areas are zoned, so we have an area for our tech and innovation team, the marketing team, the accounts team and so on. We asked the team to create mood boards prior to the project starting and we have taken those suggestions on board. From the look and feel of the office to the colour schemes and the lighting, even down to the specification of the toilets. We also installed a shower room, so people can

History of Best Companies

Jonathan was first inspired to set up Best Companies following a Servant Leadership conference in the USA in 2000. It was there that he heard from the top two companies to work for in the US talk about how employee engagement contributed significantly to their success. He decided he wanted to replicate their success within his own businesses.

On coming back to the UK, he worked with the University of Plymouth to develop a UK-based methodology to measure workplace engagement based 100% on employee feedback – the Eight Factor Workplace Model is widely accepted as the best and most academically rigorous measure in the market today.

The “Best Companies to Work For” lists were originally launched in 2001 and have continued to grow and develop ever since. Initially it was compiled and published in collaboration with The Sunday Times, but post-Covid, independently. The business now has people in place to not only measure true engagement, but to improve it.

“And with the development of technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, the way data is reported, has developed significantly.” The company can look into businesses and more specifically their performance, in a more detailed and effective way than any other organisation out there.

The offices have always been based locally and when the opportunity to buy the company’s current site came along in 1992, Jonathan jumped at the chance.

cycle to work or have a lunchtime run and freshen up afterwards.”

“We have had our polytunnel for many years, this is where much of the veg we use in our café comes from. We are also creating some imaginative outside spaces, including a roof terrace. While teams will have their own work areas, we have also designed in plenty of collaborative space and meeting rooms. The café has been a focal point for the office for a long time, but now we will have office space which is just as welcoming.”

The new offices also include various environmental concessions, such as underfloor heating, double insulation, highly-efficient boilers and solar panels.

“With so much work having taken place, the building remains characterful, but it’s practically a new build. Over the last few years, we have seen a lot of change in the workplace and where and when people want to work is just one of those changes. As with everything, we need to adapt and adopt new ways of working to continue to deliver for our clients.”

Best Companies five core principles:

• Care:

Care about what you do, how you do it and who you do it for

• Discipline:

See the best in yourself, see the best in others

• Responsibility: Take 100% responsibility

• Humility:

Take what you do seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously

• Hunger:

Be passionate about being the best you can possibly be.

Advertise your business in the next issue of VOX

We offer value for money advertising opportunities, and we are keen for you to see a return on your investment. We will work with you to identify the best package to meet your needs. As well as advertising, we offer sponsorship, competition and leaflet opportunities too.

Earn

your marketing

stripes

By MAGGIE AUSTEN

Making the case for a case study: the perfect marketing tool

When it comes to marketing, a key aim should be to stand out from your competitors by focusing on what makes you different from everyone else. And importantly, how you can make a tangible difference to your customers. There is really no better way to do this than with a well-crafted case study.

Once you engage with a potential customer to talk about the product or service you could provide, you need to be able to provide some credibility to your claim that they should buy it from you. This is where case studies come into their own.

Case studies should be accessible, informative and useful

To convert a new business lead into a satisfied customer, you need to be able to demonstrate your effectiveness in a real-life scenario, in a way that is easy to understand. This is true whether you are building bespoke houses, providing staffing solutions, or delivering professional services. Case studies are the ideal way to do this, but it can be tricky to strike the right balance. You want them to be accessible, informative and useful, rather than overly technical, perhaps, dare I say, a little dull and not very relatable.

A perfect case study will instantly show a potential new business lead WIIFM (What’s In it For Me?) as it will easily demonstrate a genuine improvement that you have made to one of your customer’s businesses.

Let your customer do the talking The chances are that you have numerous examples of great work, that have been genuinely transformational for your customers. You may just feel overwhelmed at the thought of developing these into fully fledged case studies. This is completely understandable and a very common feeling. However, customer testimonials are a great starting place when it comes to creating a case study. If you have a customer who is happy to be quoted, why not see if you can use that quote as a jumping off point to develop a story?

Case studies, whether written or in video format, should be kept simple. Start with describing the problem that needed to be addressed and how it was identified. Next, explain your solution to the problem. As with all marketing communications, avoid the use of jargon, even if you are having to explain quite a complicated situation. Keep it short and snappy and do not get bogged down in long and overly technical descriptions. Break down what you actually did into its simplest form first of all, so that someone with no prior knowledge could understand it.

“Start with describing the problem that needed to be addressed and how it was identified. Next, explain your solution to the problem”

Then you can gradually build it back up, using language and references that your target audience will understand.

Once you have described the problem and solution, now move onto the crucial part, which is the measurable difference you have made. The most important question to ask of whoever provided that original testimonial is, how did buying this product / service / new technology help you? Did it save money? If so, how much? Did it increase efficiency in a measurable way? If so, find a way to quantify it. Did it reduce energy bills or factory downtime? Anyone seeing the completed case study needs to be able to relate it to their own experience. So, if they are kept awake at night by the size of their energy bills, discovering how a company of a similar size, or in a similar or related field managed to reduce theirs by up to 10%, while increasing production and improving customer satisfaction, will really grab their attention! Make it relatable, for example, “Thanks to this new

technology, we saved X amount of power over X amount of time, which is enough to power XX houses for a week/fortnight/month, reducing our client’s annual energy bills by £XXX.”

Approved and ready-to-go

Completed case studies, once they have been approved by your client and any necessary third parties and are ready to go, have a wide range of uses. They can create compelling content for mailouts, brochures or your social media channels. A library of case studies stored on your website, regularly updated, is a great place to signpost potential customers to. Frequently updating this content will boost your SEO too.

Remember that you might be able to turn a timely, newsworthy case study into a press release too. In addition, think about how you can use case studies at conferences or events, as examples of best practice in your sector. Equally, case studies can be very useful evidence to incorporate into

“You want them to be accessible, informative and useful”

tender documents too. Larger organisations may also find it useful to share case studies internally as well, to highlight the great work undertaken by one particular team, crediting those individuals’ hard work and inspiring further effort from everyone else at the same time.

Maggie Austen Account Director Zebra Marketing and Communications maggie@zebra-comms.co.uk

Challenging innovation through collaboration

In 2022, as part of Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL), the Welsh Government launched an innovative Sustainable Schools’ Challenge building on the Net Zero Carbon mandate. The government invited applications from local authorities that demonstrated innovative and collaborative design, development, delivery and management of new schools that made a positive contribution to the environment and surrounding landscape. The collaboration was to include learners, staff, parents, communities and supply chains through all stages of the design, construction and operational life of a truly sustainable school.

In March 2023, the Welsh government announced that three new net zero carbon schools would be built as part of this initiative. Members of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales helped to judge the challenge, and the winning projects demonstrated collaboration with local communities – including school pupils – in the design, delivery and management of the schools.

Wrexham-based TACP’s Campws Cymunedol Bontnewydd in Gwynedd forms one of the successful projects.

Decarbonisation and environmental protection Lessons learnt from these projects will inform wider programme bidding guidance, including any research and skills gaps, in strengthening the Welsh Government’s commitment towards decarbonisation and environmental protection.

The challenge drew upon the sustainability aspects of the new curriculum and how young learners translate this into their own ‘sustainable community for learning’. A key objective of the challenge was to stimulate the whole supply chain, to fully consider opportunities and innovative delivery solutions that are often restricted under normal practice.

By AIMEE JONES

Innovative solutions

The Sustainable Schools Challenge sought innovative solutions for the development and delivery of primary education settings that demonstrate an exemplar commitment towards environmental sustainability and stakeholder engagement throughout all stages of the design, build and subsequent operation. Designed to complement their environment, the projects enhance the character of their setting and the quality of Welsh life.

Campws Cymunedol Bontnewydd

Our project, Bontnewydd, will connect the occupants and users to nature and include innovative technology to provide new services with an efficient use of energy, water, space and materials. We aim to contribute towards a circular economy, with the reuse and recycling of materials and consider end-of-life use and the longer elemental lifespan and lower whole-life cost of the building.

“This challenge provides a unique opportunity for learners to engage and demonstrate how their school positively contributes towards sustainability”

This is a building that will educate its users through its design and links to the curriculum, and a place to nurture relationships. By carefully considering the site, we have brought nature into the building and by using ‘passive design’ and ‘building with nature’ principles, we enrich the biodiversity of the whole site and surroundings, creating links to the natural landscape.

This challenge provides a unique opportunity for learners to engage and demonstrate how their school positively contributes towards sustainability. It will play a key role in shaping the delivery framework for all future schools delivered through the SCfL programme.

Built predominantly from locallysourced and reclaimed materials where possible, this will reduce our carbon footprint and whole-life carbon. The building has been designed with high levels of natural daylight and natural ventilation. This project encompasses the built environment and the surrounding landscape in a way that

enriches pupils’ daily life. The building form will orientate towards the trees and riverbank, to enhance its connection to nature, and indoor learning will integrate to outdoor learning spaces.

Reclaim and reuse

Our ambition is to maximise the use of reclaimed materials from redundant buildings within the Local Authorities current building stock. Most notably we are incorporating a large, rammed earth wall to the central atrium, which will be constructed from the demolition aggregate from a nearby school. The remaining high-quality reclaimed brick will be used to accentuate this element, along with the community hall. There will also be reclaimed slate used as vertical cladding. The form of the community hall is being driven by the reuse of large, reclaimed timber trusses.

Where we cannot reuse, we will feed material into the supply chain and where we do not have products available from our material bank, we will

“This is a building that will educate its users through its design and links to the curriculum, and a place to nurture relationships”

procure from those same supply chains. Our building is designed to be readily deconstructed. The aesthetic is driven by the materials we have available in our material bank – namely brick, slate and timber. This will be elevated with the use of locally-sourced natural products of lime and clay renders. This approach will result in a clean, simple aesthetic. The palette is being driven by the materials that we have available.

Benefitting health and mental wellbeing

Not only is this approach reducing our carbon footprint, but it is also incorporating materials that have proven health and mental wellbeing benefits within education settings. These products will work together to moderate the internal environment, therefore reducing our energy demand, as well as our carbon footprint.

Aimee Jones TACP Architects tacparchitects.co.uk

Helping your employees build

a rainy-day fund

By PAUL SWEENEY, Hug Academy

In these unpredictable times, financial wellness is more than just a buzzword – it’s a lifeline. For small businesses in Cheshire and Wrexham, ensuring your employees have the tools to weather financial storms isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential.

A financially secure team isn’t just happier—it’s also more productive and loyal, which means good news for your bottom line.

Drowning in debt?

How student loan repayment assistance can be a game-changer

Let’s face it: student debt is a massive burden for many of your employees, especially the younger ones. Offering a helping hand with student loan repayment isn’t just a trendy perk; it’s a powerful way to show your team you’ve got their back. This kind of support doesn’t just ease their financial stress –it can make them more committed to your business. Win-win, right?

The ‘Oh No!’ fund:

Why every employee needs an emergency savings cushion

We’ve all been there – unexpected bills that hit like a ton of bricks. For your

employees, these moments can be devastating if they’re living payday to payday. Setting up a scheme that helps your team build an ‘Oh No!’ fund –whether through matching savings, payroll deductions or sensible investing – can make all the difference. It’s a small step that leads to greater peace of mind, and that’s something you’ll see reflected in their work.

Don’t leave your employees guessing: the power of financial coaching

Money can be confusing – so why not offer your employees a bit of guidance? Financial coaching and planning services aren’t just for the well-off. They’re for everyone. By giving your team access to expert advice on budgeting, saving and planning, you’re empowering them to take control of their finances. And guess what? Less money stress means more brain power focused on their work.

Financial literacy isn’t boring: it’s the key to a brighter future

We get it – ‘financial literacy’ doesn’t sound all that exciting. But here’s the thing: understanding how money works is crucial and it can even be fun! By partnering with Hug Academy, you can offer your employees engaging, practical education that helps them make smarter financial choices. From goal setting tools to bite-sized video tuition and fantasy investing, we make sure your team is equipped to handle whatever life throws their way.

Look North: why businesses in Cheshire and Wrexham should lead the charge Here in the North, we’re known for our grit, determination and strong sense of community. But let’s face it, our region has often been overlooked in favour of London and the South East. This is our opportunity to change that narrative.

“By giving your team access to expert advice on budgeting, saving and planning, you’re empowering them to take control of their finances”

“Money can be confusing – so why not offer your employees a bit of guidance?”

Discover your unique financial persona, and experience tuition that is tailored to your current level of knowledge and future goals. www.hug.academy

By helping your employees build financial resilience, you’re doing more than just ticking a box – you’re investing in the future of our communities and the entire region.

When your employees have the tools to manage their money effectively, it doesn’t just benefit them, it benefits everyone. Financial stability trickles down through families and communities, creating a ripple effect of prosperity. More people with more wealth means better lives, stronger businesses and a vibrant local economy. It’s about building a region where wealth isn’t concentrated in a few hands, but spread throughout, allowing everyone to thrive.

By tackling issues like student debt, encouraging savings and boosting financial literacy, you’re not just supporting your staff, you’re contributing to a more equitable and prosperous North. This is our time to lead the charge, ensuring that our communities are not just surviving but thriving. Together, we can build a future where the North is recognised, not just for its resilience, but for its prosperity.

Are you ready to make a difference? It’s clear: helping your employees build a financial safety net isn’t just good for them, it’s good for your business. Whether you’re interested in starting a savings programme, offering financial education, or you just want to learn more, Hug Academy is here to help.

Visit Hug.Academy or drop us a line at hello@hug.academy to discover how we can work together to build a brighter financial future for your team.

Paul Sweeney Hug Academy hug.academy 07470 830 077

“It’s clear: helping your employees build a financial safety net isn’t just good for them, it’s good for your business”

Our elaboration on

collaboration

By CLARA HUGHES and many others!

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, collaboration means ‘the act of working with another person or group of people to create or produce something’

The verb collaborate means ‘to work together with someone in order to produce or achieve something’ The adjective collaborative means ‘involving, or done by, several people or groups of people working together’.

As businesses, we often talk about collaboration and working in partnership with other organisations. It is something that we believe in and recognise as adding real strength in our offering to clients and customers. So, with collaboration in mind, we want to celebrate some of the great collaborations that have happened locally – some of them thanks to introductions via VOX.

Collaboration is powerful, but so too is working together with other local suppliers – both things that we are huge advocates of. Over the next few pages, we would like to celebrate just a few of the wonderful partnerships and collaborations that have been shared with us recently.

Starting with VOX…

This magazine itself is the product of collaboration. Vicky and I first met in 2010 at a networking event (Buzz Tuesday in Rossett, if any of you remember that one, run by Maja Kenney and Jill Preston). Maja introduced us, and Vicky, who at the time was focusing on graphic design, suggested we met for a

one-to-one. We started collaborating on a number of clients – hers and mine – and over time became friends. We produced some wonderful work for many of our clients and decided that actually, we would quite like to produce something for ourselves. After numerous creative meeting sessions (?!), we came up with the idea of a business magazine for Wrexham and Chester.

Our collaborations don’t stop there. In fact, every article which is contributed to the magazine is another example of collaboration.

Networking and partnerships

People often comment on the quality of the print and the beautiful front cover artwork of VOX. Neither of these things came about by accident. We spent a lot of time deliberating over the look and feel of the magazine, and the front cover artwork represents another collaboration. This time with local artist and friend, Emma Gore (in fact, another introduction from Maja).

Each of our quarterly VOX networking sessions is another example of collaboration – from the venues that host us, through to the amazing speakers that we have welcomed to our events. And, true to the spirit of what these events are meant to achieve, we have seen numerous wonderful examples of ‘business being done’ at our events. In fact, the guys from Hotel Wrexham were introduced to Emma Gore and also local wood sculptor Simon O’Rourke, at one of our networking events – and have since commissioned both artists for work at Hotel Wrexham.

Our elaboration on collaboration...

Driving good relationships

Wrexham Chauffeurs was founded in 2019 as an executive chauffeur company. It deliberately aimed its business at the higher end of the market to offer a bespoke, premium service for the discerning client. Along the way, Wrexham Chauffeurs has found some fantastic local businesses that have been instrumental in its success, and helping the company achieve 40% business growth from June 2023 to June 2024.

Here are just some of the amazing local businesses that have helped Wrexham Chauffeurs achieve its phenomenal success:

• Geek Cabin – IT

• Net Result – IT support

• Em Creative – social media

• Populi Media – website design

• AB Accountancy – accountancy services

• Autokit Tyres – tyres for the Mercedes fleet

• Apex Auto Centre – vehicle maintenance

• Terry's Auto’s Chirk – car repairs

• Phil Prince – Bodyshop – car bodywork repairs

• BL Williams – car valeting (Rhosrobin)

• IMO – car wash (Hightown)

• VOX magazine

• Phil Green Photography

• VG Digital (Tanyfron)

• Minuteman Press – printing business cards and leaflets

The company also subcontracts to Shropshire Chauffeurs Ltd, North Wales Guided Tours, New Executive Transfers and MH Travel

“Along the way, Wrexham Chauffeurs has found some fantastic local businesses that have been instrumental in its success, and helping the company achieve 40% business growth from June 2023 to June 2024”

Our elaboration on collaboration...

Friendly face of business

Networking groups can demonstrate how powerful collaboration and working in partnership can be. The Business Network (TBN) Chester has an active community and one that really understands the benefits of building relationships. Amiga Finance is one of the businesses that has a membership with TBN Chester and has already built relationships with many of the other members including Digital Dragons, Urban Tech, Rawsons, Cheshire Surveys, MD Fitouts and Rhymology.

Cheshire Surveys operates across North West England and North Wales, providing topographical, measured and as-built surveys, as well as site engineering setting out services. During its 25 years in business, it has realised that access to finance is crucial, as it must continually invest in the latest technology available to the land surveying industry, to ensure the company stays ahead of the competition and continue to provide the quality of service its clients expect.

Amiga Finance has been able to provide Cheshire Surveys with the different finance options for the varying scenarios that arise, including investing in new equipment or looking to introduce capital into the business to aid softer areas of the business. Flexibility of finance for small growing business is a key to success and Cheshire Surveys has developed a strong working relationship with Amiga Finance, through TBN Chester’s mantra of know, like and trust.

Another TBN Chester member is C&C Chester, a commercial insurance broker, led by branch director, Paul Trafford. It is part of C&C Insurance Brokers, an award winning, fiercely independent brokerage of over 150 staff, whose ethos today is as firmly rooted in the family values held so dear when it was set up in 1975. With specialist divisions for Healthcare, Private Clients, Property Developers, Sports, Life Sciences, and Credit Insurance, the business has diversified way beyond its core markets of transport, haulage & logistics, general commercial and manufacturing.

Something close to the heart of C&C is the belief in collaboration – the power of the alliance, with the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Through the networking group, C&C Chester works closely with Amiga Finance. This has led to improved credit ratings – essential for raising finance. The two companies are now also in an enviable position to be able to introduce their clients to each other, confident that the other company will provide the same high-quality service to their clients.

“The Business Network (TBN) Chester has an active community and one that really understands the benefits of building relationships”

Our elaboration on collaboration...

Hope on the menu

Mental health charity and local café join forces to raise awareness and combat stigma

In this exciting new collaboration – which aims to tackle stigma head-on and raise awareness around mental health –Wrexham-based mental health charity, Advance Brighter Futures (ABF), has teamed up with local cafes, bringing together people in the community who want to support others and spread the message of hope.

The collaboration kicked off with suicide prevention training hosted by ABF at the Caffi Wylfa site in early April, which was delivered to community members working and living in the Chirk area. A collaboration that was formed and has since blossomed, all thanks to the Wrexham Business and Community Awards.

Nestled on Castle Road in Chirk, Caffi Wylfa is just a stone’s throw away from the World Heritage site of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal. The team have firsthand experience of the effects that poor mental health can have on individuals, families and the community, which has inspired the collaboration with ABF.

This work has already begun with the first suicide prevention training delivered to community members in Chirk, funded by Caffi Wylfa and Chirk Town Council. The training equips people to be more alert to someone with thoughts of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. Using a simple-yet-effective model, the training empowers everyone to make a difference. With over 120,000 people attending the programme each year worldwide, it’s the world’s fastestgrowing suicide prevention training course.

The ‘Hope on the Menu’ collaboration project continues to grow. Back in early July ABF received support from the health board and Pontcysyllte Chapel Tearooms to deliver the same training to the local community over in Trevor.

Zoe explains, “As a community-focused charity, we’re all too aware of the bigger picture when it comes to mental health. The limitations we face as a small charity is why collaboration is so important to us. By collaborating with local organisations and businesses, we’re able to reach and support even more people. Collaborating with us, and choosing ABF as a training provider, supports the sustainability of the charity – something that is vital to us so that we can keep offering our services to our community for free for the next 32 years and beyond.”

For more information on training with Advance Brighter Futures, or to find out more about the support they provide, you can visit their website www.advancebrighterfutures.co.uk or email them on info@abfwxm.co.uk.

If you, or someone you know, need immediate mental health support, you can contact the helplines below, who are available 24/7 and can offer support and advice:

Samaritans

Call 116 123

C.A.L.L Helpline

Call 0800 132 737

NHS 111 Mental Health Support

Call 111 and select option 2

Shout

Text ‘Shout’ to 85258

Our elaboration on collaboration...

Buddi’s legacy: passing the baton

During a business dinner at The Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold, in April 2024, Jo Smith, Chair of Flintshire Tourism Association (FTA), happened to meet Andy Williams, a firefighter with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and former Mayor of Wrexham. Hearing that he had recently lost his beloved Pets As Therapy dog, Buddi, Jo approached his table to offer her condolences.

During their conversation, Andy told Jo that he wanted some good to come out of his personal tragedy, and so in memory of Buddi, he had decided to fundraise in order to supply all the fire engines in North Wales with Smokey Paws pet resuscitation kits, specialist breathing apparatus which allow emergency services to deliver a targeted flow of oxygen to pets during medical emergencies.

Deeply moved by Andy's story, Jo felt a strong desire to contribute in some way. She suggested that a story be written, to tell the world about Buddi and the fantastic work he and Andy did during their visits to hospitals, hospices and similar places, bringing comfort and solace to those suffering pain, illness and loneliness. The finished story was featured on Come To Wales (FTA’s public-facing website) and went on to be published by North Wales Magazine. A GoFundMe page, Buddi’s Smokey Paws Legacy: Saving Lives Together, was set up around the same time.

Various events organised by FTA and The Little Welsh Food and Drink Company, and others including Daleside Veterinary Service, have since raised enough money to place kits on

around half the fleet in North Wales, and work is ongoing to complete the task. Once this goal has been achieved, the region will be the only one in Wales to have funded this apparatus wholly by voluntary contributions.

Now Jo has gone one step further. Inspired by the work that Buddi and Andy did together, she recently successfully applied to the ‘Pets as Therapy’ charity to have her dogs, firstly Ben and then Bill, accepted onto their scheme.

Through their combined efforts, Jo, Andy and others, aim to create a lasting tribute to Buddi, ensuring that his name and legacy is remembered, and his spirit of service and compassion lives on through new generations of therapy dogs – starting with Bill and Ben.

“Deeply moved by Andy's story, Jo felt a strong desire to contribute in some way. She suggested that a story be written, to tell the world about Buddi and the fantastic work he and Andy did”

Bill and Ben

Our elaboration on collaboration...

Awarding excellence

Now in its second year, the Wrexham Business and Community Awards (WBCA) is another shining example of collaboration at its finest. The award founders are a small group of like-minded professionals with a common goal to celebrate all that Wrexham has to offer. There is much to be proud of in the area and the group felt it as high time to acknowledge the amazing work that goes on within

businesses and the community, all off which contributes to making Wrexham a great place to live and work. In addition to the founders, the awards wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from the sponsors and other companies, like Best Companies and the incredible judges, that provide their time and expertise free of charge.

“The Wrexham Business and Community Awards (WBCA) is another shining example of collaboration at its finest”

Our elaboration on collaboration...

Chester Great and Small

Another group of collaborators is Chester Great and Small (GAS). The GAS ambassadors represent all sectors working, living, learning and playing in Chester. The group has come together with the experience, skills and reasoned opinions to help craft this brilliant little city to help it fulfil its potential.

One of the latest projects it has been involved in was Chester Green Weekend, which took place in June this year. Part of the national Great Big Green Week, Chester Green Weekend celebrated the city’s commitment to sustainability with a series of unique local events, workshops and happenings across the city over one weekend in June.

This inaugural event was a collaboration of Chester GAS ambassadors who are already responsible for various sustainable activities, including Active Travel Fest, Green Expo, Sustainable Cheshire Fair (Eco Communities) and the ōH Design Foundation, with the help and support of We Love Good Times and Reasonably Good.

“The GAS ambassadors represent all sectors working, living, learning and playing in Chester. The group has come together with the experience, skills and reasoned opinions to help craft this brilliant little city to help it fulfil its potential”

Our elaboration on collaboration...

They’re behind you!

Businesses help raise more than £40,000 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd by running in Pantomime Horse Race

The return of a Pantomime Horse Race held at Chester Racecourse and backed by local businesses has helped to raise more than £40,000 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

Featuring 21 costumed characters, including the Olympicinspired Moosain Bolt and Mule Runnings, the vital fundraiser preceded a full card of racing at the Liverpool John Lennon Airport Family Fun Day in August.

Run down the final furlong of Chester’s historic track, the line up saw a polar bear, zebra, unicorn and reindeer compete with cows, donkeys, camels and horses to take the pantomime race title. That accolade went to Humphrey the camel, who stayed intact when others came out of costume, to win the race for Manchester-based business Net Hub.

The money raised from the event, which brought in more than £12,000 when run in 2023, will help the hospice continue to provide end-of-life care and support to local individuals and families.

Caroline Siddall, Director of Income Generation at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, said: “We would like to thank Chester Racecourse for once again hosting our incredible Pantomime Horse Race for a second year and for all their help and support with this event. We would also like to thank our sponsors and all the businesses who took part. We are so proud of everyone who entered the race this year and who helped the Hospice raise a truly stunning amount of funds to support our community.”

Louise Stewart, Chief Executive Officer at Chester Race Company, said: “I am delighted that the partnership between Chester Racecourse, the Hospice and local businesses has raised more than £40,000. The Pantomime Horse Race is a great spectacle in itself, it’s great fun for everyone involved, but we cannot forget that it has a very serious purpose to raise funds for the Hospice, to ensure it can continue to provide vital services for individuals and families in our local community.”

Zero to One: Notes on Start Ups, or How to

Build the Future

BY PETER THIEL WITH BLAKE MASTERS

Published by Virgin Books + audiobook

“What is the valuable company nobody is building?” is the question posed by this thoughtprovoking and transformative take on how to create a mega business. As the blurb states: ‘The next Bill Gates will not build an operating system. The next Larry Page or Sergey Brin won’t make a search engine. If you are copying these guys, you aren’t learning from them. It’s easier to copy a model, than to make something new… Every new creation goes from 0 to 1. This book is about how to get there.’ Peter Thiel is an entrepreneur and investor, who started PayPal in 1998, which he led as CEO. He leads the Thiel Foundation, which works to advance technological progress and long-term thinking about the future. Originally published in 2015, but still just as relevant as ever, this bestseller is also available in the useful audiobook format.

Words of Wisdom

Welcome to our book and podcast recommendations, where you'll find a curated selection of the latest and greatest in business literature and audio storytelling.

She Thinks Like a Boss: Leadership BY JEMMA ROEDEL

Independently published + audiobook

‘Nine Essential Skills for New Female Leaders in Business and the Workplace – how to Influence Teams Effectively and Combat Imposter Syndrome’. This book will help you discover how to become an effective woman in leadership – even if you’re shy, avoid conflict at all costs, or lack confidence. The book addresses if you are tired of seeing men at work get promoted, be given better assignments and enjoy pay raises, even though you know your skills and results are just as good, if not better.

Do you find it difficult to express yourself during work meetings, without being hostile or apologetic? There must be another way, but don’t worry, help is at hand. All you need are easy, proven skills and traits that will help you gradually develop your self-esteem, sharpen your trust and hone your boundarysetting and communication skills.

Join global business leaders and emerging future leaders for an unscripted conversation that will challenge the way you think about responsible business.

Each month, The Lens: UK Responsible Business Podcast brings together a global business leader and an emerging future leader for an open and unscripted conversation. It will challenge the way you think about responsible business.

Business in the Community (BITC) is the UK’s largest and most influential responsible business network dedicated to building a fairer and greener world together. It’s been supported by His Majesty The King for over 40 years.

It inspires, engages and challenges purposeful leaders to take practical action to mobilise their collective strength as a force for good in society. Its vision is for a fairer and greener world, driven by fairer and greener businesses.

The Green Room is an awardwinning podcast exploring the topics that matter most in business. Each episode covers a big question in 45 minutes or less, from climate and technology, to inclusion and the future of work. A recent episode looked at the links between how we play as children and our careers, with Christian Pau, from LEGO Group, and Emma Franklin from Deloitte.

Others posed questions such as ‘Will music festivals ever be sustainable?’, ‘What makes a champion?’, ‘Are we asking the right questions about AI?’ and ‘What are the new survival skills?’

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, commonly known as Deloitte, is a multinational professional services network. It is the largest professional services network by revenue and number of employees in the world and is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms – along with EY, KPMG and PwC.

The Lens: UK Responsible Business Podcast BY BITC

The Green Room BY DELOITTE

WBCA

The clock is already ticking, but there is still time to enter the WBCA 2024

The awards deadline is 20 September 2024. There are 10 award categories, some new for 2024, so check out the categories and get your entry in today.

The Community Award

Designed to recognise the community group, charity or business that is really making a difference. It might be a special fundraising campaign or an innovative way of engaging with hard-to-reach groups, but this award is looking to celebrate something different.

Aimed at social enterprises, charities, not-for-profits and businesses that give back

Up and Coming Award

Created to showcase the incredible traits that define entrepreneurial concepts and startup businesses under three years old – resilience, innovation, community impact and unwavering dedication.

Aimed at new businesses of any kind

Creativity Award

Celebrating businesses that contribute to the vibrancy of the arts and creative industries. This category recognises businesses that push the boundaries of innovation.

Aimed at anyone who thinks that their business is creative

Made in Wrexham

Celebrating an outstanding manufacturing company in Wrexham that demonstrates exceptional quality, innovation and contributions to the manufacturing industry both locally and UK wide.

Aimed at manufacturing businesses, not restricted by size

Business learning and next generation Honouring a business/group that excels in nurturing and empowering young talent, providing apprenticeships, mentorship and training programmes, alongside education to develop the next generation of skilled professionals. Aimed at any business or group

Green Award

Recognising those that are truly having an impact on business, society and the environment – delivering a new blueprint for business in the 21st Century.

Aimed at any business or group

Spirit of Wrexham Award

Shining a light on a business, group or individual that embody the spirit of Wrexham and its people. It must hold social responsibility at its heart and continually look to see how it can help local people achieve more.

Aimed at any business or group

Gwobr Cymraeg

Recognising the value of the Welsh language for its colleagues and customers, creating an environment for the language to flourish. It recognises the organisation with a particularly innovative approach to supporting and encouraging the ongoing use of Welsh within the business.

Aimed at any business or group

Small but mighty Award

Celebrating the best micro business operating in Wrexham and doing something special – whether that’s for its customers, its employees or the Wrexham community.

Aimed at businesses fewer than 10 employees

Teamwork Award

Showcasing the importance of collaboration. This could be an employer nominating and recognising a great team within their business or even two businesses who work together, to create a better Wrexham. While there are many wonderful teams out there, this award wants to recognise the team that goes above and beyond its daily work.

Aimed at a team within a business

About WBCA

We are a small group of like-minded professionals with a common goal to celebrate all that Wrexham has to offer. There is so much to be proud of and we felt it was high time to acknowledge the amazing work that goes on with businesses and the community, all of which contributes to making Wrexham a great place to live and work.

Visit the website to find out more www.wrexhambca.co.uk

Booka FreeSiteVisit

Delivering personal, highly professional health & safety services

and Safety Partner

Ever find yourself pondering over complex health and safety queries, losing sleep over compliance, or feeling unsure about the safest course of action?

Acton Safety is your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of health and safety. Whether you find yourself in need of expert guidance for routine compliance tasks or require a comprehensive audit complete with action plans, rest assured, we have the depth of expertise you are looking for.

Say goodbye to unanswered questions and sleepless nights - choose Acton Safety for a safer, more efficient workplace.

EXPERT GUIDANCE:

We offer tailored solutions for compliance and safety measures.

COMPREHENSIVE PLATFORM:

A user-friendly online programme that goes beyond standard policies, providing flexibility and support.

PROACTIVE CONSULTANCY:

Dedicated consultants collaborate to reduce workplace risks and enhance overall well-being.

TAILORED SOLUTIONS:

From routine compliance tasks to full-scale audits, adapted to your unique needs.

EFFICIENCY:

Streamline processes, saving time and money on health and safety obligations.

OBJECTIVE AUDITS:

Benefit from assessments to continuously improve your health and safety provision.

POSITIVE CULTURE:

Foster employee engagement and create a safer work environment.

Acton Safety, Allied House, Bryn Lane, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham LL13 9UT

Tel: 01978 784302

info@actonsafety.co.uk

www.actonsafety.co.uk

Trying something new

When things are going badly or the pressure from work or life in general gets to be too much, the tendency can be to stay in the area we know well and where we feel safe. After all, why take on more risk and brave the fear of the unknown, when coping with everything that’s currently on your plate is more than enough – and can leave you feeling drained at the end of each day?

For me, the answer lies in the dopamine reward which comes from your brain when you try something new. This year I have been consistently trying new things since January, and I can honestly say the difference it has made to my outlook on life has been game-changing. Not just for me personally but also, importantly, for loved ones, family, friends and clients alike.

A chance to marvel

In May, my wife and I took a month off and travelled by car around Spain and France. We took in the Basque country and the Pyrenees – two areas I had heard a great deal about but never once visited. Studying French as a teenager, I had been captivated by the exciting descriptions of life in Biarritz with its diverse culture, natural beauty, amazing climate and pastimes with exotic names like pétanque and pelota.

Speaking out

The other area I’ve explored anew this year has been public speaking – at business events or functions of one kind or another. Ably assisted and supported by fellow members of the Chester Speaking Club, I’ve worked on ‘raising my game’, which has required me to go further out of my comfort zone and tackle a wider array of topics. This in itself has provided me with fresh impetus. Encouraged to respond to back-to-basics questions like ‘what is

By JEFF HARDMAN

it that truly makes you come alive?’, I’ve found new pleasure in speaking publicly. This in turn, has enabled me to fire up my audience to help them to access my content and insights –clearly, the main aim of both Jeff Hardman and Barnhill Consulting, when all’s said and done…

Conquering fears

I may be a long way off getting a call for a TV appearance yet, but in terms of extra energy released by conquering fears built up irrationally over many years, the process of going for an increase in number of new experiences has been a revelation! What’s more, I’m achieving this at a time of life when new experiences can seem daunting and revelations appear to be thin on the ground. So why not buck that trend –and in the process make life richer for yourself and those around you!

Going for gold, as Barnhill Consulting reaches its silver anniversary

Jeff Hardman, our special guest speaker at our VOX networking this September celebrates 25 years of Barnhill Consulting in 2024. Jeff’s business model has changed numerous times over the last two and a half decades, but what has remained constant is his passion for helping people become great leaders – and in the process, help them grow their business.

In more recent years, Jeff has developed his Challenge programme of ‘Coaching for Leaders’ workshops. This programme of workshops explores the suite of skills and tools to not only be good, but great leaders – from coaching leadership to rapport building and communication. He runs business retreats and, earlier this year, launched the Barnhill Business Club, a peer group networking event, which he will hold throughout the year.

Jeff Hardman

Barnhill Consulting jeff@barnhillconsulting.co.uk

barnhillconsulting.co.uk

the torch Passing

succession strategies in family business

One of the most pressing questions for entrepreneurial family businesses is: “How can we ensure a smooth transition to the next generation?” An example of a recent project we have been involved in concerns a textile business. This family-run enterprise, known for its bespoke fabrics, faces a crucial journey: the passing of the torch to the next generation.

Succession in family businesses is a path that blends family tradition, tax intricacies and strategic planning. The parents, seasoned entrepreneurs with a keen eye for quality, dedicated their lives to building their business into a reputable brand. With retirement on the horizon, the focus was shifting to their daughter, a graduate with innovative ideas. This transition isn’t just about handing over the ownership; it’s about navigating the maze of tax regulations and business strategies, to ensure a smooth and sustainable succession.

Ensuring a smooth transition involved several key issues that we helped address and work through:

• Leadership and Continuity: The parents were anxious about whether their daughter can effectively step into their shoes and maintain the company's success. Will she be able to handle the day-to-day operations and uphold the business's reputation for quality and bespoke service?

By ANDREW HAGUE

• Knowledge Transfer: They worried about adequately passing on their decades of experience, industry knowledge and client relationships, to ensure continuity and stability in the business.

• Tax Liabilities: The complexity of navigating inheritance tax (IHT), capital gains tax (CGT) and income tax considerations can be daunting. The parents were concerned about the financial burden these taxes could impose and whether they’ve optimised their strategies to minimise liabilities.

• Valuation and Fairness: Ensuring a fair and transparent valuation of the business, to prevent any disputes or feelings of inequity among family members can be a major source of stress. Confidence that the valuation reflects the true worth of the business they’ve built is paramount.

• Maintaining Harmony: The potential for family conflict

during the succession process is a significant worry. The parents might be concerned about how the transition will impact family relationships, especially if there are differing opinions or expectations among family members.

• Future Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of each family member in the business posttransition is crucial. The parents feared that ambiguity or misunderstandings in this area could lead to tension and disrupt the business operations.

• Corporate Governance: Implementing a formal governance structure, including a family council and external advisory board, can provide strategic guidance and accountability.

These worries reflect the multilayered challenges of succession planning in a family business, encompassing leadership, financial and relational aspects.

Your Succession Partner

Working with a business adept at guiding family businesses through the intricacies of succession planning is vital. You will need help and advice on succession and exit from your business.

It is important to work with a team of experts in providing accurate business valuations to ensure a fair and transparent transfer process. This, coupled with bespoke advice from tax professionals, minimises liabilities related to IHT, CGT and income tax, ensuring the business’s financial health is maintained.

Future Success Under New Leadership

Under new stewardship, the business embraced modernisation while honouring its founders’ legacy. Sustainable practices were introduced and the business expanded its online presence, attracting overseas customers. Successful succession planning not only safeguards the family’s wealth, but also ensures the business thrives into the future.

Key Takeaways

• Tax Efficiency: Leverage IHT, CGT and income tax strategies to minimise liabilities

• Leadership: Implement leadership training programmes and mentorship from current leaders

• Clear Valuation: Obtain a professional valuation for transparent and fair equity transfer

• Legal Safeguards: Use shareholder agreements to protect all parties involved

• Phased Transition: Implement gradual leadership handover to ensure continuity. Facilitate family meetings and mediation to address differing opinions and expectations

• Governance: Establish robust corporate governance for sustained growth. Form a family council and an external advisory board.

Andrew Hague

Mitchell Charlesworth 01244 323051

Mitchell Charlesworth, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors, offer a locally based, complete financial solution for businesses and individuals in Chester, Liverpool, Manchester and Widnes. Our large portfolio of services are based on partner-led, personal relationships which ultimately will give you and your company peace of mind and greater profitability.

Imposter syndrome

Have you ever felt like you’re not good enough? Do you worry that despite all your achievements in life, you aren’t actually that good at anything and it’s all happened to you by chance and good luck? Maybe you feel like a fraud? If so, you’re not alone.

A YouGov survey in 2022 found 65% of Britons displayed at least three signs of living with Imposter Syndrome. It highlighted that 66% of Britons have difficulty accepting compliments and praise from those around them, with 72% of women struggling to accept compliments compared to 59% of men.

The survey also showed 57% of British people said they criticise themselves more than other people criticise them, while 56% downplay their achievements when talking to other people. And a third of Britons feel other people think they are more capable of doing things than they give themselves credit for.

These behaviours are known as Imposter Syndrome – a phenomenon identified by Dr. Pauline Clance and Dr. Suzanne Imes in 1978 in a book called The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention.

Admitted by mistake

The American psychologists coined the phrase Imposter Syndrome after working primarily with high-achieving female students over a period of five years, who all displayed signs of feeling like they were cheats or worrying they’d been admitted to university by mistake, and someone would find out.

By CAT WILLIAMS

“66% of Britons have difficulty accepting compliments and praise from those around them”

Since then, much research has been carried out on Imposter Syndrome. There is controversy over whether it is as prevalent or less so in men compared to women – is that because men are less likely to talk about their feelings? But studies do show it is higher in minority groups and those aged 15-26.

Rooted in the past

If you’re experiencing imposter syndrome it will undoubtedly be rooted in a past experience. A useful practice that can help to put things into perspective is to try to remember when you first felt that way. How old were you? What were you doing at the time? Who was with you?

For the majority of us, being in an environment where we feel we can’t meet the expectations of others will make us feel like imposters and once we have experienced that feeling it can stick to us and be reinforced over and over again.

For many that feeling of being an imposter will have been learned and will have become a familiar feeling, almost a habit. It is where we feel ‘normal’, even though it feels negative and soul destroying. But the good news is you can ‘unlearn’ it.

“A useful practice that can help to put things into perspective is to try to remember when you first felt that way. How old were you? What were you doing at the time? Who was with you?”

Being self-aware

How I see it is like this. Imposter syndrome means you are self-aware. Having that self-awareness that you might not be perfect, or you might not be the best at something is a strength. The key is how you harness it. That’s what really makes the difference to our lives. Use that feeling of doubt, uncomfortableness and fear and turn it into a positive. Realise it is there as your friend, to keep you self-aware and moving forward.

Another way of looking at it is that feeling like an imposter actually means that you are in exactly the right place at the right time. You are pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. You are where you are meant to be. As BBC Dragons Den entrepreneur Steven Bartlett says: “If I don’t feel like an

imposter then there’s something wrong. It means I am in my comfort zone.” And no one achieves their greatness in their comfort zone!

So don’t view imposter syndrome as a bad thing. Try to identify why you are familiar with the feeling then view it as a feeling that shows you, you’re alive. Understand that it is showing you that you’re growing and developing. Make it your friend and use it as your superpower to keep propelling yourself forward, so that you can become the most confident version of yourself.

Cat Williams Speaker, author, therapist

07799 641347

“Feeling like an imposter actually means that you are in exactly the right place at the right time”

Venue

finding

Whether you are looking for a meeting room for two people, or somewhere to bring whole teams and businesses together, the vicinity of Chester and Wrexham is not short of choices to cater to your needs. Here are our latest suggestions for meeting venues.

Chester Town Hall, Chester chestertownhall.com

Conveniently located at the heart of the city and part of the newly created Northgate Development, the Town Hall sits close to a number of attractions, landmarks and historical buildings. Nestled between the Gothic grandeur of the Cathedral and the modern marvel of Chester’s New Market, the Town Hall offers a modern approach to venue hire, whilst paying homage to its rich heritage. Ideal for conferences, meetings and celebrations.

Brynkinalt Hall

brynkinalt.co.uk

Brynkinalt Hall has been home to the Trevor family since it was built in 1612. Over the last 25 years, the Hall has hosted a wide variety of private and business events, including weddings, celebrations, conferences and a safari party. It is also a popular filming location. With easy access to the A483 and beyond, Brynkinalt Hall is available to hold private meetings, celebrate success and promote your business with conferences, dinners, awards ceremonies and outdoor events.

Advanced Brighter Futures, Wrexham advancebrighterfutures.co.uk

Advance Brighter Futures is a local mental health and wellbeing charity. The charity has several rooms of varying sizes available for hire, including newly-built one-to-one private rooms ideal for therapy or counselling, to larger rooms suitable for holding meetings and training sessions for up to 25 people. The site offers free Wi-Fi, kitchen facilities and can provide tea and coffee at a small extra cost. It is wheelchairfriendly and there is ample free on-site parking.

200 Degrees, Chester

200degs.com/pages/location-chester

If you’re looking for somewhere a little different to hold events, then 200 Degrees on Bridge Street in Chester is the perfect venue for hosting meetings, workshops and seminars. Book it hourly or for a half-day or full-day, with optional breakfast, lunch, snacks and of course, coffee. The shop opened in May 2023. It is housed at street-level in one of the city’s iconic timber framed buildings – it’s a spacious and beautiful location, and includes a dedicated barista school too.

Do you have a venue you would like to see featured?

If you have used a hotel or other venue for a business meeting, conference, seminar, training or teambuilding event and you think it should be featured in a future issue, please contact us with your suggestions.

What’s on

A round-up of some of the business event happening in and around Chester and Wrexham from September to December 2024

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

10:00 – 14:00

Chester Careers Fair

Looking for a new Career? Looking for your next Hire? The UK Careers Fair returns to Chester on Wednesday 11 September.

The Chester Grosvenor, Eastgate Street Chester CH1 1LT http://tiny.cc/s31hzz

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

17:30 – 19:30

Emotional and Cultural Intelligence in Practice

If you are interested in learning more about how to lead with inclusivity, then this workshop is for you.

Wrexham University, Mold Road Wrexham LL11 2AW http://tiny.cc/z31hzz

WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

10:00 – 14:00

The Business Network Chester Lunch

After a drinks reception and networking session you will sit at a table of likeminded business owners/directors for a two-course lunch.

The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel and Spa, Chester business-networkchester.co.uk /events-seminars

THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER

09:30 – 11:30

West Cheshire Women’s Network West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking.

Plough Lane, Christleton, Chester CH3 7PT wcnwchamber.org.uk

SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

10:00 – 17:00

Farndon Soapbox Derby

Bringing the Farndon and Holt village communities together. Come and see teams racing hand-built karts through the village. Plus an array of stalls, live entertainment, food and refreshments. Farndon village farndonsoapboxderby.co.uk

TUESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

09:30 – 15:00

Sioeau Teithiol Cymorth i Gyflogwyr Employer Support Roadshow

Come and hear about the services, support and resources available to you, including the new employer support team and our ‘employer offer’. There’ll also be sessions on anti-racism in social care, compassionate leadership, innovation coaching and coaching tools and employer assessment route digital learning modules.

Catrin Finch Centre, Wrexham University, Wrexham LL11 2HS http://tiny.cc/f51hzz

If you have an event taking place between December 2024 and March 2025, please let us know, so we can include it in our next issue.

email: clara@ezpublishing.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

09:30 – 11:30

Chester and North Wales Networking Morning at Vista

We are delighted to be hosting a monthly morning event at Vista. Vista, St. David's Park, Ewloe CH5 3DT http://tiny.cc/k91hzz

WEDNESDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

17:00 – 19:00

Chester Networking with The Business Network

The Business Network Chester offers informal networking session with members and visitors enjoy a glass of wine, a beer or something softer! The Queen at Chester Hotel, City Road, Chester CH1 3AH http://tiny.cc/s91hzz

WEDNESDAY 18 – THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

10:00 - 17:00

North West Fundraising Conference 2024

The theme for this year’s conference is Empower, Elevate, Connect: Navigating a career in fundraising with over 40 sessions across two days.

Crowne Plaza, Chester, Trinity Street Chester CH1 2BD http://tiny.cc/g31hzz

THURSDAY 19 SEPTEMBER

17:00 – 19:00 VOX Networking

Join us and special guest speaker, Jeff Hardman from Barnhill Consulting for an evening of networking and interesting conversation.

Oddfellows, Lower Bridge Street, Chester CH1 1RS ezpublishing.co.uk

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

12:30 – 14:30

Networking Lunch at Artezzan Restaurant & Bar

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking. Artezzan Restaurants, 33 Pepper Street, Chester CH1 1DF wcnwchamber.org.uk

THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

10:30 – 15:00

Wirral and Chester Business Fair 2024

Now in its 19th year, Wirral and Chester Business Fair regularly attracts 40-50 exhibitors and hundreds of business visitors.

New Brighton Floral Pavilion, Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral CH45 2JS

http://tiny.cc/v51hzz

FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

09:45 – 14:00

Elevate your Business

A contemporary, energising, inspirational and exciting business conference, with lunch, covering a variety of business topics. Supported by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Wrexham County Borough Councils Business and Investment team

Ramada Plaza Wrexham, Ellice Way, Wrexham LL13 7YH https://tinyurl.com/53nv73dm

OCTOBER

WEDNESDAY 02 OCTOBER

10:00 – 11:30

Insight into Petty Pool

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking

Petty Pool Trust, Pool Lane, Sandiway, Northwich CW8 2DR wcnwchamber.org.uk

FRIDAY 04 OCTOBER

09:30 – 12:00

Sales Club

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking

Vista, St. David's Park, Ewloe CH5 3DT wcnwchamber.org.uk

WEDNESDAY 09 OCTOBER

10:00 – 14:00

The Business Network Chester Lunch

After a drinks reception and networking session you will sit at a table of likeminded business owners/directors for a two-course lunch.

Rossett Hall, Chester Road, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0DE business-networkchester.co.uk /events-seminars

THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER

09:00 – 11:00

Networking at Moxy Hotel Chester

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking

Moxy Hotel, Boughton, Chester CH3 5AF wcnwchamber.org.uk

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER

13:30 – 15:30

Liverpool Airport Tour

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking

Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Speke, Liverpool L24 1YD wcnwchamber.org.uk

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER

09:30 – 11:30

Chester and North Wales Networking

Morning at Vista

We are delighted to be hosting a monthly morning event at Vista Vista, St. David’s Park, Ewloe CH5 3DT http://tiny.cc/9a1hzz

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER

17:00 – 19:00

Chester Networking with The Business Network

The Business Network Chester offers informal networking session with members and visitors enjoy a glass of wine, a beer or something softer!

The Queen at Chester Hotel, City Road, Chester CH1 3AH http://tiny.cc/ca1hzz

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER

09:00 – 11:00

QBR Economic Briefing

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking

Vista, St. David's Park, Ewloe CH5 3DT www.wcnwchamber.org.uk

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER

13:00 – 17:00

The Wellbeing Business Case For A Thriving Workforce

Engage in meaningful conversations around the topic of ‘Wellbeing’ with fellow leaders on how they build their wellbeing business case, and deal with challenges while they share experiences. You can engage with one another through panel discussions and interactive breakouts.

Moneypenny, Wrexham LL13 7ZB http://tiny.cc/z41hzz

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER

10:00 – 12:00

Challenge 25 Taster Session

Sign up for a free, two-hour taster day in October to find out what you can expect from Challenge 25.

The Pant-yr-Ochain, Old Wrexham Road, Gresford LL12 8TY https://tinyurl.com/2v3dvyrj

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 12:30 – 14:30

Networking Lunch at Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia

West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking Hilton Garden Inn Snowdonia, Conwy Road, Dolgarrog, Conwy LL32 8QE wcnwchamber.org.uk

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER

10:00 – 14:30

The Fed Retail Roadshow Chester

Discover the latest trends in retail. Get inspired by industry experts, network with like-minded professionals, and explore innovative retail solutions.

Crowne Plaza Chester, Trinity Street, Chester CH1 2BD http://tiny.cc/651hzz

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER

10:00 – 14:00

Wrexham Careers Fair

While every effort has been made to ensure all the details are correct at the time of going to print, it is advisable to check details with the venue concerned

Looking for a new Career? Looking for your next Hire? The UK Careers Fair returns to Wrexham on Thursday 31 October.

Ramada Plaza Wrexham, Ellice Way, Wrexham LL13 7YH http://tiny.cc/h41hzz

NOVEMBER

TUESDAY 05 NOVEMBER

09:00 – 11:00

Round the Table Networking at North Light Bar & Restaurant Chester West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking North Light, Unit 1 Coachworks Arcade, Northgate Street, Chester CH1 2EY wcnwchamber.org.uk

THURSDAY 07 NOVEMBER

18:30 - 23:00

Chester Boutique Fashion Show for Neuro Therapy Centre Fashion Show, two course meal, welcome drink and goody bag included in the ticket price.

Crowne Plaza, Trinity Street, Chester CH1 2BD https://tinyurl.com/p38rtsbz

FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER

09:30 – 16:00

Emergency First Aid at Work one-day course

Following the course, all learners will have the skills and knowledge to provide their organisation with emergency First Aiders who can provide treatment to casualties in a prompt, safe and effective manner.

Alyn Waters Conference Room, Mold Rd, Gwersyllt Wrexham LL11 4AG training@groundworknorthwales .org.uk

TUESDAY 19 NOVEMBER

12:30 – 14:30

Networking Lunch at ABode, Chester West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce Networking

Abode Chester, Grosvenor Road, Chester CH1 2DJ wcnwchamber.org.uk

WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER

09:30 – 11:30

Chester and North Wales Networking Morning at Vista

We are delighted to be hosting a monthly morning event at Vista Vista, St. David's Park, Ewloe CH5 3DT http://tiny.cc/wa1hzz

WEDNESDAY 20 NOVEMBER

17:00 – 19:00

Chester Networking with The Business Network

Informal networking session with members and visitors

The Queen at Chester Hotel, City Road, Chester CH1 3AH http://tiny.cc/za1hzz

FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER

09:00 – 17:00

Barnhill Retreat

If you’re a business leader working hard to improve your performance, why not come and give yourself a much-needed boost to your morale and brighten your outlook for the future! This year we will explore what creativity can do for you when you develop the ability to use it to your advantage.

The Hand Hotel, Llanarmon and Llanarmon Centenary Hall barnhillconsulting.co.uk

FRIDAY 22 NOVEMBER

19:00 – LATE

Wrexham Business and Community Awards

An evening celebrating Wrexham’s community and businesses. Let’s acknowledge the amazing work that makes Wrexham a wonderful place to live and work. Winners of the awards to be announced

wrexhambca.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 11 DECEMBER

10:00 – 14:00

The Business Network Chester Lunch

After a drinks reception and networking session you will sit at a table of likeminded business owners/directors for a two-course lunch.

The Double Tree by Hilton Hotel and Spa, Chester business-networkchester.co.uk /events-seminars

NETWORKING VOX

Join us for our networking session with special guest speaker: Jo Smith & Andy Williams and therapy dogs, Bill and Ben

As the thirteenth issue of VOX comes out, we are continuing with our quarterly networking session. Join us for an evening of networking and interesting conversations.

DATE: Thursday 23 January 2025

TIME: 17:00 - 19:00

LOCATION: Hotel Wrexham

PRICE: £18 (includes refreshments)

Networking

There is a whole host of networking opportunities across Chester and Wrexham – from groups that you have to join and attend a structured weekly meeting, through to one-off events that you can ‘pay as you go’. Most membership groups offer you the chance to attend as a guest – often for the first one or two sessions – to allow you the time to work out if it is a group that suits you. If you are new to networking, try a few and see if you can find a group that works for you and your business. If you have an event you would like listed in a future issue, please get in touch.

Networx 4 Business networx4business.co.uk

Networx offers membership networking at locations in Chester and Wrexham. Membership cost is £600 for 12 months, per venue and includes breakfast. With just one business type per group, you’ll have the opportunity to talk about your business and what you are looking for.

Business NetWalkers, Chester businessnetwalkers.com

Business NetWalkers helps you improve your wealth and wellbeing, whilst growing your network by enhancing mental performance and wellbeing, improving physical fitness, talking and collaborating with like-minded people.

BNI bninorthwales.co.uk bnicheshire.co.uk

BNI provides a structured environment for the development and exchange of quality business referrals.

Theatre Clwyd Business Network theatrclwyd.com

Free Business Breakfast Networking Events held at the theatre.

FSB fsb.org.uk

FSB members can join virtual events, including networking and surgeries.

Network She Netwalking – Chester networkshe.co.uk

Netwalking is free to attend and was set up to help Network SHE’s members with their mental and physical wellbeing, business and personal development, as well as about building great relationships.

Tarporley Business Club tarporleybusinessclub.co.uk

Tarporley Business Club offers face-toface meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

The sessions are held at The Swan in Tarporley from 9:30-11:30 am. It is a not-for-profit group aiming to develop the local business community, resulting in maximising growth and success. Memberships available, £10 fee for first time visitors.

Elevate Netwalking elevatewithellie.co.uk https://bit.ly/3XLuI14

Elevate Netwalking hosts 5km circular routes around Delamere Forest and Bickerton Hill with like-minded business owners. It’s a walk that benefits your physical and mental health, and is good for business too.

For purpose-led business owners who love to meet like-minded people, spend time in nature and move their bodies, but are short on time to fit it all in. 10% of ticket sales go to ecolgi to help fight climate change.

West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce wcnwchamber.org.uk

West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce is the leading organisation representing the business community across the whole of West Cheshire and North Wales. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, its objectives remain clear: to promote and encourage business for members and others regionally, nationally and internationally to improve commercial growth and prosperity.

Institute of Directors (IOD) iod.com

The Institute of Directors is the UK's largest membership organisation for business leaders, providing informative events, professional development courses for self-improvement, networking and expert advice. IOD is the only institute in the world to offer internationally recognised qualifications designed by directors for directors, specific to the core competencies required of directors and senior leaders.

Cheshire Networking with Leading Ladies in Business leadingladiesinbusiness.co.uk

As long as you have a strong network of professional connections, you can be confident that someone within your sphere will be able to answer even your toughest questions – and if there’s no definitive answer, you’ll have a solid sounding board to bounce ideas off and put into action step-by-step.

360 Networking Group bit.ly/details—networking

360 Networking monthly meetings are run by Wrexham County Borough Council’s Business and Investment team. All meetings, together with annual membership are now free of charge. Each meeting takes place within the Redwither Tower on Wrexham Industrial Estate between 17:00 - 18:45.

Chester Business Club chesterbusinessclub.co.uk

One of the principal activities of Chester Business Club is its Speaker Dinners. The aim of these Black Tie events is to provide an impartial forum for leading commentators to speak on a topic of their own choosing, as a positive contribution to increasing public awareness of the important issues of the day.

GCC Business Network thegrowthcoachingcollective.com

The Growth Coaching Collective, founded by entrepreneur and sales strategist Kerry Boland, operates networking brunches that are both supportive and inclusive, bringing a brand new vibe to the networking scene that is collaborative rather than competitive.

Wrexham Business Women Facebook: @2209198815949046

Wrexham Business Women hold free monthly meetings to provide a space for women in Wrexham to chat, share advice and help each other.

The Business Network Chester business-network-chester.co.uk

The Business Network Chester meets at lunchtime in prestigious venues around Chester, it provides a highly-structured event, which enables attendees to meet senior decision makers in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Attendees may also attend a free, highly-educational seminar, which runs prior to the event.

Real5 Networking — Chester real5networking.com

Real5 Networking is a business venture focused on local business networking for mutual commercial gains. The idea is that all members agree to give a minimum 5% profit share back to the referee, so there is a real incentive to maximise the network.

VOX Networking ezpublishing.co.uk/events

Amplify Referral Network mike@mikescottandassociates.co.uk

Amplify Referral Network puts the level of involvement and responsibility back to the member. Very few rules, but very high expectations - perfect for business owners looking to build their business.

MDA Innovation Network Business Breakfasts merseydeealliance.org.uk

MDA Innovation Network offers a series of bimonthly business breakfasts with the ultimate aim of improving business performance, by providing business-tobusiness networking opportunities and information on regional and national initiatives.

The 100 Club Alan.knell@hospicegs.com

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd offers a special chance to network for good, not only boosting your business network but also supporting the Hospice of the Good Shepherd. Its networking events are held quarterly and offer the chance to enjoy a networking experience with a big twist, with events held in unique and fun venues.

Membership packages start at just £100 a year and help support the Hospice and its community in their times of need.

North Wales Business Breakfast fsb.org.uk

Join FSB’s monthly North Wales Business Breakfast and meet with likeminded entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and small business owners, all whilst enjoying light refreshments. Network, collaborate, promote your services and support each other. Open to FSB members and non-members.

VOX Networking events take place quarterly following the publication of each issue.

The two-hour sessions provide the opportunity to meet and talk with other local businesspeople, and each one will have a special guest speaker.

Numbers are limited and tickets cost £18, including refreshments.

North Wales Social northwalessocial.co.uk

Connect with North Wales business owners and managers for networking at Harrison’s Hall (formerly the Plas Hafod hotel).

Sarah White Networking sarahwhite.uk

Visibly You Online Networking is an online event aimed at helping you expand your professional network, share ideas, or simply meet new people. The online platform makes it easy to engage in conversations, exchange contact information, and build lasting connections.

KCC Networking kccnetworking.co.uk

KCC Networking offers vibrant and friendly speed-networking events and online meet ups, held in locations across Cheshire. The events are always well-attended, with people leaving feeling inspired, full of new connections and possibilities.

Hotel Wrexham

Warm hospitality and excellent dining Bitesize

Since the new owners took over in May, it has been an exciting time for Hotel Wrexham.

Located on the North Wales border,close to the centre of Wrexham, Hotel Wrexham is a popular destination for weddings and private events, as well as an excellent base for families and couples looking to explore this idyllic region. It is a 37-bedroom, award-winning hotel, featuring private function rooms, along with an impressive restaurant and bar. The hotel is set in over seven acres of beautiful Welsh countryside between the village of Holt and the city of Wrexham.

Doing the business

It is also the ideal location for business events, from company meetings, training and AGMs, through to conferences and networking events. The hotel offers the best of both worlds.

From the peace and tranquillity of the grounds to its convenient location – not only is it close to Wrexham, but the powerhouse business hub of Wrexham Industrial Estate is also within easy reach.

Savour the taste

This is an exciting time for the newly-renamed hotel, as following a complete kitchen and restaurant refurbishment, Hotel Wrexham is getting ready to launch its brand-new food and beverage offering, Savvy Fox.

Steven Hesketh, one of the owners of Hotel Wrexham, said: “This has been an exciting year for us. We took over the hotel in May and launched its new name in June. We are now excited to be busy getting ready to bring the Savvy Fox concept to Wrexham.

“Savvy Fox will offer a ‘gastro pub’ experience, which we are sure our guests will love. We are looking forward to feedback when it is launched.”

To find out more about Hotel Wrexham and the launch of Savvy Fox, please visit hotelwrexham.com

Just one thing...

It’s always interesting to hear other people’s take on a question. Each issue we pose one question to some of our contributors, to see what their responses are.

This issue, the questions is…

“What did you want to be when you grew up – and why?”

“I had no idea. An early dream of being a cricketer was just a dream. Careers advice was limited, the list of options was a vet, doctor, dentist or scientist. I didn’t fancy being bitten, which removed two options. A headache at a science event took that off the list. I loved growing stuff but that was “not a career”. It took another 25 years before a seed company became reality.”

Nick Pengelly director at JustSeeds

“When I was younger, I dreamt of becoming an offshore powerboat racer, tearing through waves at high speeds. Now, as an accountant, I may not be battling the sea, but I help businesses navigate their own storms – from unpredictable financial waters to complex tax regulations. Guiding companies through choppy conditions is its own kind of adventure, just with less risk of breaking my neck.”

Andrew Hague, Partner at Mitchell Charlesworth

“I wanted to be a commercial pilot, in charge of an aircraft – flying all over the world. I spent some time in the Air Training Cadets (ATC) while at school and had the opportunity to fly a Chipmunk. Later, I also had a go of the controls of a glider. Both activities I loved, but my career path ended up taking me in a very different direction.”

Clara Hughes, editorial director at VOX and owner of Zebra Marketing & Communications

“When I was young, I dreamed of travelling and had this crazy idea of owning and running a ranch in Kenya, surrounded by wildlife! At 20, I spent two years backpacking, and when I returned, I realised my true passion was in the creative industries. That's when I decided to become a graphic designer.”

Vicky Heathfield, creative director at VOX and owner of EssentialsMAG

“Growing up I wanted to be an air hostess (insert those ‘Busted’ lyrics here). I was lucky enough to go on holiday every year as a kid, so I think I was drawn into the seemingly glamourous lifestyle and getting to travel the world. Whilst I never quite made it to working in the skies, I did spend 12 years in the travel industry, before completely changing career at the age of 31 to work in mental health. From holiday rep to business development officer!”

Zoe Whitehead, business development officer at Advanced Brighter Futures

“One of my first jobs was working at a local fruit and vegetable shop from about the age of 14 – not sure if that’s legal anymore? I would work during the week after school and on a weekend. I would start work at 4am on the weekly market stall, which was on the high street of the local town – setting up the fruit and veg displays and then ensuring everything was sold by the end of the day! On school holidays I would also go on the weekly trip to London with the boss to Spitalfields fruit and veg market. Not the new one they have now, but the old Spitalfields market. It was a hive of activity at 4am, with everyone trying to buy the best produce at the lowest price. The market was full of characters and amazing fruit and veg. Needless to say, when I was young, I wanted to be a fruit and veg market trader! I have never forgotten those days of buying and selling fruit and veg – always buy quality and you will get a good price and happy customers!”

Bob Fairweather, general manager at Queen Hotel

“Accountancy is in my blood. My mum, dad and grandad all had successful careers in finance. I was always good at maths at school too, so I never really wanted to do anything else. Numbers are my life, both professionally and personally, as even now, my partner is an accountant! I am surrounded!”

Rachel Coles, Partner at Haswells

What business question would you like answered?

Email your ideas to: clara@ezpublishing.co.uk

“I never knew what I wanted to do with my working life and my career. Quite by chance I found myself in hospitality having been embarrassingly thrown out of the office furniture industry for not being much good at it! Since that time, I’ve enjoyed highs and lows of the hotel trade and business ownership, but, it only (thankfully) happened because someone gave me a chance over thirty years ago..”

Andrew Plimmer, group development and communications manager, Everbright Hotels

“I’ve wanted to be an architect for as long as I can remember. There were brief stints of veterinarian and pilot as I was growing up, but I have always been, and still am, fascinated by old buildings and their histories. I think that’s where the drive towards architecture came from. Ironically, I don’t do any conservation work other than on my own house, but I do love to visit National Trust properties!”

Aimee Jones, director at TACP Architects

“When I was a child, I always wanted to be a writer – preferably an award-winning, bestselling one! I envisaged myself in a cute, chocolate-box cottage with roses growing around the door and the windows wide open on a lovely, summery day. I love writing and have always enjoyed the English language, so it made sense to me to aim for a career where I could spend time doing what I love.”

Julie Gregory, director at Time for Marketing

“From about age five, I wanted to be a ballerina! That dream never came true, but when I qualified as a Rapid Transformational Therapist I was asked what mattered to me the most. I said that I wanted to help as many people as possible to feel more confident in themselves. Now, as an inspirational speaker, I get to ‘perform’ my own words and stories and I do even dance a little on stage sometimes, so I guess part of my dream did finally come true!”

Cat Williams, speaker, author, therapist

Charity Spotlight

In our Charity Spotlight section we highlight the amazing charities that are making a difference in our community.

Hospice

of the Good Shepherd

Delivering care when it matters most

No one who has ever had even the briefest firsthand experience of the work of their local hospice would argue that hospices are a vital asset to any local community. Hospices help individuals – and their families – to make the most of last chapter of their lives, to live their final days to the fullest and to die with peace, at ease and with dignity.

Hospices support patients, and their families, in a way that no other care provider can. We’re here when people are at their most vulnerable and afraid. We make that difference. This is the place where for the last 35 years our amazing team of doctors, nurses and volunteers have been looking after the people that matter to you most –your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and teammates – when they need it most, with love, real compassion and of course without charge. These are the times when the hospice team is at its best, meeting the biggest need and making the biggest difference.

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd is the only provider of specialist palliative care services within the Chester, Deeside and Ellesmere Port area. That’s a population of approximately 460,000. Our inpatient unit consists of 10 beds run by a dedicated, highly-experienced team of clinical and palliative care consultants, medical and nursing staff. The team also includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists, administrators, social workers, complementary therapists and a spiritual care team.

Our extensive outpatient services are based at the hospice’s Living Well Centre. These services are designed to maximise the physical and psychological wellbeing of our patients and offer practical and emotional support to them and their loved ones and carers. Outpatient services include nursing, palliative care, adult and children counselling, spiritual care, social work, complementary therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, carer support services and bereavement counselling for patients and their families, and for children and young people aged from 4-18.

We provide short courses covering a wide range of topics including mindfulness, strength and balance and fatigue management. We also organise support groups, offer art and music therapy and arrange ‘Living Well’ days where we provided nursing care and peer support for outpatients with more advanced disease. Living Well days also offer a brief respite for carers.

Sponsorship

This page has been sponsored by Ray Webb Wills & Estate Planning LLP (www.rwills.com)

To sponsor our next Charity Spotlight - you can recommend the charity and make a donation (with a suggested minimum donation of £100), for details contact Clara Hughes: clara@ezpublishing.co.uk

Our volunteers…

Our volunteers are amazing – we have nearly 400 people of all ages and from all walks of life who support us in so many different ways, including inpatient and outpatient support, café services, hospice reception, fundraising and events, grounds maintenance, charity shop operations and more. In the last 12 months, our volunteers contributed 29,192 hours to the hospice and we awarded 40 long-service awards.

There can be no more powerful advocates for what we do than the patients we currently care for and the families we have recently supported…

Jean Hanmer: “I knew that The Hospice of the Good Shepherd was the very best option – not just for Dennis but for all of us. I knew that we would all be looked after as a family. That’s the hospice way. It’s the people and the care they provide that makes this place what it is: extraordinary. There is nothing like it available anywhere else. We knew we’d get through this with the support and the love of the hospice team, because that’s what they give you: their love. It’s just amazing. We didn’t have to think about food, medication or anything else. That meant we could just focus during that entire week on being with Dennis, knowing that the team was looking after us as well as they were looking after him.”

Contact details Hospice of the Good Shepherd, Gordon Lane, Backford, Chester CH2 4DG hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com

Expert Will Writing and Estate Planning to Protect Your Loved Ones

- Quick, friendly, stress-free service

- Clear, transparent pricing

- High quality, personalised advice

- Fixed fees.

Book an appointment online:

01244 911014 / 07890 542575 enquiries@rwwills.com www.rwwills.com

“A

For information about places please contact KIM or BECCA Tel: 01978 314912 littlescholars@activechildcare.co.uk www.activechildcare.co.uk ALSO

Charity round-up

Our charity pages are an opportunity to highlight the good work local charities are undertaking, promote fundraising success and future events.

New CEO of Deaf & Sensory Network (DSN) appointed

The Deaf & Sensory Network (DSN) is delighted to announce the appointment of Gill Reeder as the new Chief Executive Officer. Gill brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the position, promising to lead the organisation with vision and dedication. Gill has been an integral part of DSN since 1975, starting her career as an employee and qualifying as a social worker in 1988. Over the years, she has demonstrated an unwavering passion for supporting people and spearheading new initiatives.

Survey finds adults in Wales want advice on talking about pregnancy or baby loss

Most people who know someone affected by pregnancy or baby loss in Wales want advice on how to start conversations sensitively (71%), according to a survey published in June by the charity Sands, which works to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families.

Sands’ Finding the Words campaign aims to help everyone feel more confident to start these important conversations. A lack of conversation about bereavement matters, because of the impact on bereaved parents when no one asks about their loss. Sands is also urging all small- and medium-sized businesses in Wales to take up its offer of free Bereavement in the Workplace training. Sands’ training is designed to help managers and colleagues understand pregnancy loss and baby death, find the words to support bereaved staff and navigate relevant employment law.

Buddi the pet therapy dog

Buddi was a very cute Lhasa Apso owned by fireman and former Wrexham Mayor, Andy Williams. He also became a ‘pets as therapy’ dog, visiting cancer patients at Nightingale House Hospice, where Buddi would sit with cancer patients and visit the Day Care Unit to comfort people in the early stages of the disease. Later, their visits took them to Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where Andy and Buddi would eventually make hospital calls at least once, and often, twice a week.

Around three years ago, Wrexham Fire Station received a generous donation of an animal resuscitation kit from the charity, Smokey Paws. These masks have been specially designed to fit snugly over an animal’s nose and mouth to deliver an efficient and directed flow of oxygen in the event of smoke inhalation, massively increasing their chance of survival. The ambition of this not-for-profit charity is to have one of their pet oxygen masks on board every single engine in the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Buddi went on to play a key role in training fire crew on how to use the kit effectively.

The UK Fire and Rescue Service do not carry pet resuscitation apparatus as standard equipment and there is currently just one Smokey Paws kit shared between three engines in Wrexham.

Sadly, Buddi passed away earlier this year and Andy set up a JustGiving page in his memory, to raise money to equip all fire engines in the region with this vital equipment, enabling the crews to help even more animals in life-or-death situations.

Charity round-up

Cheshire Freemasons tackle the Sandstone Trail

An intrepid band of members of the Cheshire Freemasons tackled the Sandstone Trail earlier this year. The team set off from Frodsham at 6 a.m. and – after 14 hours and 37 miles – arrived as a team in Whitchurch, tired but not beaten. The walkers were all members of Tarporley Lodge and they raised over £1000, which will be added to the Cheshire Freemasons Charity (CFC) and then distributed to good causes, charities and organisations across Cheshire.

Local insurer NFU Mutual Wrexham proud to support Nightingale House

NFU Mutual Branch Managers and their staff at the Wrexham office recently nominated local charity Nightingale House Hospice to receive a donation of more than £3,245 from NFU Mutual’s national £1.92million ‘Agency Giving Fund’. The leading rural insurer launched this fund, now in its fifth year, to help local frontline charities across the country. The Agency Giving Fund forms part of NFU Mutual’s £3.25m funding pledge for both local and national charities in 2024, to assist with the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and to help tackle the impact of the rising cost of living.

To ensure these donations reach all corners of the UK and are directed to where they’re needed most, all NFU Mutual Agencies and Branches, with more than 280 offices nationwide, have been given the opportunity to nominate local charities to receive a share of the fund. Wrexham NFU Mutual branch put forward Nightingale House to receive the donation from the fund, to enable the hospice to transform its garden spaces for patients and families to enjoy – the final step in completing their four-phase modernisation project.

Carolyn James, Wellbeing Centre Lead Nurse, said: “Wellbeing is essential to the journey of our patients and outside spaces have always been integral in enhancing the support and care we offer at Nightingale House. We would love to improve the garden areas, to offer our patients somewhere quiet to sit, reflect and relax in nature, or somewhere to practise gardening skills to enhance mobility, or simply somewhere bright and beautiful to socialise.”

Employees from the P&A Group pound the pavements in 24-hour charity challenge

A 38-strong team from the P&A Group donned their trainers and took part in a 24-hour walking and running challenge, to raise funds for North East Wales Mind, the company’s chosen charity for 2024.

With participants representing all divisions of the Group, including Zest outdoor living timber products, P&A Pallets and the Woodworks Garden Centre and Café, the team followed a 1.5-mile lap route. Setting off from the P&A head office in Mold, the route took them past the pallets and packing division and the Woodworks Garden Centre. In total, the team walked over 325.5 miles and with five employees –McGrane, Liam Ali, Ben Morgan, Reza Yaghoubi and Carl Jones – walking over 20 miles each. Some team members even joined in remotely with Zest sales lead, Paul Haynes, completing nearly 17 miles from his base in Scotland.

The funds raised for this latest challenge for North East Wales Mind via donations and gift aid means that they are likely to reach its 2024 fundraising target of £10k for the year within a record six months. P&A are totally committed to raising awareness of mental health issues, by supporting North East Wales Mind as their chosen charity. North East Wales Mind helps people in Flintshire and Wrexham recover from mental health problems and stay emotionally healthy. In addition to telephone counselling and emotional support, the charity offers a range of online services and activities. Their phone lines are open 10am until 4pm each weekday.

EDUCATING explorers smash fundraising target and huge charity challenge

Karl Jackson, Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology at Coleg Cambria’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham, and colleague Carl Roberts, Director for Curriculum – Engineering, completed the Skye is the Limit Challenge in aid of Hope House/Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices.

Karl said: “We did it! Over 53 miles in 33 hours and more than 8,000ft elevation completed. It was a huge challenge, but well worth it, through wind and rain and all kinds of terrain, we achieved our goal. We managed 26 miles in one day, a half-decent night’s sleep and then were back at it the next day for another up and down trek, but we got each other through it.”

Carl added: “Thanks so much to everyone who has donated and supported us on our journey. We drove for more than 20 hours in a minibus through the night, before arriving at Skye and then the walk began. What an adventure, it was tough, but we did it.”

The duo also carried 20 kilo bags on their backs – including tents, food and water – and battled the elements throughout.

Exciting expansion plans for Chester charity

The Neuro Therapy Centre is based just outside Chester. It supports people with a wide range of long-term neurological conditions including MS, Parkinson’s Disease, ME, FND and Fibromyalgia, through physiotherapy, exercise sessions, counselling and support groups. It also provides opportunities for people to meet, share experiences and learn from each other.

The centre is undertaking an exciting expansion of its facilities and services, and has been successful in raising the funds to develop the first phase of its plans – growing into an additional neighbouring building, which will open this autumn. The new gym will be three times the size of its current accessible facility, full of gym equipment which will enable people to exercise at a range of levels. The bespoke facility will also provide a new studio space and treatment rooms for its one-to-one and group physiotherapy and exercise sessions.

“We’re looking forward to launching these new facilities,” said Jane Johnston-Cree, CEO of the Neuro Therapy Centre. “The opportunity to access regular physiotherapy and exercise opportunities can make a life-changing difference to people with neurological conditions. Our aim is to complement NHS services to provide a preventative approach to supporting people to remain independent, mobile and enjoying a fulfilled life.”

The next phase of the centre’s plans will be to redevelop the existing building to expand its support facilities and emotional health services. “There is a growing demand for our mental health support, from coping with receiving the news of diagnosis and life-changes as a condition progresses, through to essential peer support so people going through similar situations can support each other,” added Jane.

Diagnosis of neurological conditions can often happen at a time of life when people are building their careers or have a young family. One of the centre’s aims is to help people who are working age and living with neurological conditions to remain able to work and enjoy family life for as long as possible, by ensuring their physical fitness, emotional health and mobility are as good as they can be. To support this the centre has been extending its opening hours to some evenings and has continued its successful virtual offering.

Charity round-up

30 laps of Chester Rows

On Saturday 5 October, local man, John Jenning will be attempting to run 30 laps of Chester Rows. He will be running in memory of his daughter Michelle Jennings, who took her own life in 2020, after suffering for many years with mental illness. He will be raising money for the Martin Gallier Project and the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.

30 laps will equate to approximately 30 miles (an Ultra Marathon) and include over 5000 steps. John said: “It will be four years on the day of my run and I miss her more than the day she left us. It helps me so much to keep Michelle’s memory alive – I post pictures and play music and plan runs like this to raise money for a good cause. All money raised will be split between two charities close to my heart.

“Anyone wishing to join me – even on just one of the 30 laps – will receive a medal with my daughter’s picture on. The run will start at 4.30am from the Eastgate Clock.”

Stepping up for city charity walk

Two Chester businesses have stepped up to support one of the city’s most popular events. This year, Chester Business Club’s annual charity walk will be co-sponsored by city-based media firm Magnify PR and Chester Racecourse. Free to attend, the walk takes place on 15 September and helps provide a vital boost to local good causes.

Clare Hayward, the current High Sheriff of Chester, who will start the event, said: “I am delighted to support the Chester Business Club’s walk. I love the ongoing commitment to local causes by the local business community.”

Ramble raises over £1000 for local hospice

Wrexham-based financial planners, Hadlow Edwards, recently presented local charity, Nightingale House Hospice, with a cheque for over £1000, following a fundraising ramble on the Sandstone Trail.

Hadlow Edwards’ marketing manager, Fiona Clarke, handed over the collecting buckets and a cheque, following the company’s event, which took place in May 2024. Almost 50 staff, family members and clients took part in the loop that included part of the Sandstone Trail, raising a combined total of £1004.71.

Commented Fiona Clarke: “We were blown away by the level of support we received for our latest fundraiser. So many people took part in what turned out to be a fun and entertaining day – and we were delighted by everyone’s generosity too. Following the walk, which was led by our director, Warren Hadlow, we had the opportunity to enjoy a well-earned drink and social at the Bickerton Poacher, which really rounded the day off well.”

Commented Sarah Povey, corporate partnership lead at Nightingale House: “We can’t thank the team at Hadlow Edwards enough for this fantastic donation. The ongoing support of companies like Hadlow Edwards is paramount to our ability to continue to offer our beneficiaries specialist palliative care they need. This is always delivered by a multidisciplinary team trained and competent to meet the needs of all patients, including those with complex, specialist needs.”

The ramble was the latest fundraiser undertaken by the Hadlow Edwards team for Nightingale House, with previous fundraising including a 383 km cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia and a Spinathon in Wrexham city centre.

Nightingale House Hospice provides specialist palliative care services for those with life-limiting illnesses. Its services are completely free-of-charge, to patients and their families across its catchment area, stretching from Wrexham, Flintshire and East Denbighshire to Barmouth and the border towns, including Oswestry and Whitchurch.

If you have charity news you would like to see included in the next issue, please send details to clara@ezpublishing.co.uk

Across

Take five

Grab a cuppa and clear your mind of work for a short while with our puzzles.

1 Money that is owed (4)

3 School pupils (8)

9 Mythical being (7)

10 Brilliant successes (5)

11 Boxing class division (12)

13 Encrypt (6)

15 Biochemical catalyst (6)

17 Clearly evident (12)

20 Ape (abbrev) (5)

21 List one by one (7)

22 Cheapest berth on a ship (8)

23 Comedy sketch (4)

Down

1 Minute aquatic plant (8)

2 Hackneyed (5)

4 Unseated by a horse (6)

5 Lexicons (12)

6 Mischievous (7)

7 Cloth worn around the waist (4)

8 Person who listens into conversations (12)

12 Showing deep and solemn respect (8)

14 Narrow fissure (7)

16 Requesting (6)

18 Quick and active (5)

19 Point-winning serves (tennis) (4)

Crossword

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Check your answers

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Contributors

Thank you to the following for their contribution:

Articles:

Bob Fairweather, Queen at Chester Hotel

Sue Black, JustSeed

Jonathan Austin, Best Companies

Maggie Austen, Zebra Marketing and Communications

Aimee Jones, TACP Architects

Paul Sweeney, Hug Academy

Clara Hughes, VOX

Jeff Hardman, Barnhill Consulting

Andrew Hague, Mitchel Charlesworth

Cat Williams, Speaker, author, therapist

Rachel Coles, Haswells Chartered Accountants

Julie Gregory, Time for Marketing

Andrew Plimmer, Everbright Hotels

Zoe Whitehead, Advanced Brighter Futures

Stephen Gomes, Amiga Finance

Geth Thomas, Wrexham Chauffeurs

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Hotel Wrexham

Hug Acedemy

Knew Productions

Maidscando

MD Fitout

Mitchell Charlesworth

Ray Webb Wills & Estate Planning LLP

Richard Carr Consulting

Smarter Business Services

Think Brand - Not Bland

Wrexham Chauffeurs Ltd

Xplore! Science

Zebra Marketing & Communications

What’s in the

next edition?

Coming up next issue...

Goodbye 2024, hello 2025! Coming up next time in issue 13 (December 2024 to February 2025) we will be reviewing the past 12 months and looking ahead to some of the exciting things happening in 2025. While the temptation might be to batten down the hatches over the winter months, the end of the year and the start of the new one is a great time to reflect and review – and also plan for the future. ‘Yule’ find all this and more in our winter edition.

• Shape of things to come – with talk of local devolution, we investigate what that would mean for Chester.

• New year resolution – check out our advice pieces that will help you start the new year in the right way. Whether your plans are around business growth or work/life balance, there will be articles to interest you in our latest issue.

• Winter networking – check out the latest diary dates for networking, conferences and events during the winter months, including our VOX networking in January.

We will also be including interviews, articles and advice from local businesspeople, along with lots more regional business news and charity updates.

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Send all submissions for consideration to: to Clara Hughes at clara@ezpublishing.co.uk

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